[March 10, 2006]

Medical Transcription Recognized as an Apprenticeable Occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor

CHICAGO --(Business Wire)-- March 10, 2006 -- Graduates of selected medical transcription training programs will now have access to registered apprenticeship programs, as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has now declared medical transcription to be an apprenticeable profession - the first step in establishing a national apprenticeship program. The Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services approved the application for apprenticeability determination submitted by the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) along with the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT).

"Having a recognized apprenticeable occupation will provide a pipeline of medical transcription professionals entering into a workforce facing a serious labor and skills shortage." stated Keith Flannery, Vice President, MTIA. "Workforce development under the standards established by this apprenticeship program will aid in facilitating the transition between student and an employable, productive, and qualified medical transcriptionist."

"Given the challenge the industry faces in recruiting qualified candidates to meet the ever-increasing demand for real-time, quality healthcare data, a registered apprenticeship program couldn't be developed and launched at a more critical time," stated Peter Preziosi, PhD, CAE, AAMT Executive Director. "Workforce development is essential to ensuring that documentation experts are in place to assist the industry in transitioning to an electronic health record and to preserving the quality and integrity of the health record in that future."

The Registered Apprenticeship Program, sponsored by the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA), will offer structured on-the-job learning and related technical instruction for qualified medical transcriptionists entering the profession. The two associations, along with the Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services, are finalizing program details.

"Medical Transcription is a crucial process in the provision of quality healthcare in our country. This is a hallmark program for the industry," said Sean Carroll, President, MTIA.

The not-for-profit Medical Transcription Industry Association is the world's largest trade association serving medical transcription service operators. Its mission is to create an environment in which medical transcription companies can prosper, grow, and deliver the highest level of healthcare documentation services. For more information, visit www.mtia.com

The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) has been the professional organization representing medical transcriptionists since 1978. AAMT sets standards of practice and education for medical transcriptionists, administers a certification program, has established a code of ethics, and advocates on behalf of the profession. There are over 135 component associations of AAMT, each of which holds regular educational meetings and symposia. For more information, visit www.aamt.org.

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