CERTIFICATION AND THE NEW CMT EXAM

Ann Donnelly, MS, CMT, FAAMTDirector, AAMT Certification

26th AAMT Annual Convention and Expo Atlanta, Georgia

Certification vs. LicensureCertification Voluntary credential

LicensureUnderstood as permission to do something as

given by an authority, to remove legal restraint by a grant of permissionRequired to practice a professionDoctorsNurses

Importance of Certification

Purpose To protect the public, ensuring their health, welfare and safety.*

How: Assesses the professional competence of its practitioners through standardized assessment tools.

As defined by the National Organization for Competency Assurance

CMT Examination

Target candidate populationProfessional level 2 medical transcriptionist

NOT AN ENTRY LEVEL EXAMINATION

Should have 2-3 years acute care experience in variety of specialties

CMT Examination

Completely computerized exam delivery.Objective, competency-based, assessing

knowledge and skills required to practice medical transcription effectively.Standardized.Based on job-related functions.

Exam Development Process

Exam blueprint Developed by Subject Matter Experts - CMTs

Test development based on exam blueprint

Beta and interim testing concluded

NEW CMTs

274 exams administered during initial phase of testing

134 CMTs credentialed through new exam to date

CMT Examination

Medical Transcription-related Knowledge(~50%)Objective multiple choice questions

Transcription Performance (~ 50%)TranscriptionEditingProofreading

CMT Examination- Objective(50 % of total exam)

Medical language (~ 40% of knowledge section)Meaning and spelling of prefixes, suffixes,

combining forms, and root wordsPlural forms of medical termsMeaning and spelling of documented medical

abbreviations, acronyms, eponyms, homonyms and synonyms

CMT Examination - ObjectiveAnatomy and Physiology (22%)Structure and function of cells and tissuesStructure and function of organs and systems

Disease Processes (15%)Names of common diseases and conditionsSigns and symptoms of common diseases and

conditionsDiagnosis and treatment of common diseases and

conditions

CMT Examination- Objective

English language (12%)

Basic grammar rulesPunctuation rulesEnglish usageThe spelling of English words

CMT Examination- Objective

Healthcare record and important medicolegal issues (11%)Basic medical reports types and elements of

eachRegulatory requirements (HIPAA, JCAHO,

etc)Principles and processes for keeping audit

trailsPurpose and content of healthcare documentIdentify risk management issues

Objective Samples

1. Which of the following drugs is a cardiac medication?(A) nifedipine*(B) Flexeril(C) lithium(D) Proventil

CMT Objective Samples

2. Exophthalmos a symptom of _____.(A) exotropia(B) hyperthyroidism*(C) Addison disease(D) glaucoma

Performance Testing

Transcription ~ approximately 55% in this section

Editing 30%

Proofreading against audio 15%

Transcription Performance

Sample of Transcription Issues CoveredSpellingGrammarPunctuationUnits of measureMedical symbolsAbbreviationsLab data

Transcription Performance Samples

Transcription Sample:

Instructions will read Click the audio buttons to control playback.

You will then listen to audio selection and transcribe snippet of dictation

Transcription Performance

When transcribing you will use a Windows Media Player and mouse in place of foot pedalNeed to follow specific directionsBe aware that you do not extra spaces

between words within your transcription.

Transcription Performance

Proofreading sample

You will be given small snippet of a report to proofread against audio.You may then be given options from which

to choose.

Keys To Success

Read Candidate Guide and FAQs.

Understand what is expected of you as a candidate.

Keys to Success

Review recommended referencesComprehensive medical terminology,

for example:The Language of Medicine (Chabner),

Elsevier ScienceSaunders Manual of Medical Transcription

(Sloane/Fordney), Elsevier ScienceThe Medical Transcription Workbook,

Health Professions Institute

Keys to Success

Style/transcription practice reference manual, for example:The AAMT Book of Style for Medical

Transcription, 2nd EditionAmerican Medical Association Manual of

Style, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Keys To Success

Read your questions understand what they are asking you to do.

Follow the directions. If asked to transcribe omitted material transcribe only that.

Keys To Success

Know the process for applyingOnline application for Authorization to TestPhoto ID information must match your

Authorization to Test informationLocate Prometric test center Schedule your examKnow and review the rules of the test centers

SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM WITH PROMETRIC

Introducing

Thomson Prometric Choice&

Website Design Updates

June 2004

Thomson Prometric ChoiceThomson Prometric Choice

Thomson Prometric Choice will:

Offer candidates more than one, and up to four options per day for scheduling their appointment.

Only be available to candidate scheduling via the Internet.

Thomson Prometric Choice

Thomson Prometric Choice will:

Offer candidates at least one morning (start of day) scheduling option and one afternoon (start of day +4 hours) scheduling option for each day.Only be available to candidate scheduling via

the Internet.

Thomson Prometric Choice Thomson Prometric Choice

Thomson Prometric Choice Scheduling Options:

The Candidate may be able to choose between a 9am, 11am, 1pm, or 3pm appointment on a particular day.*

*Note: Appointment options are dependent on availability, exam duration, and the centers hours of operation

Website Design UpdatesWebsite Design UpdatesNew Candidate Services Launch Page

All clients/programs are listed based on Step 1

Country selection is based on client/program, across all scheduling applications

Languages and double-byte

images

Website Design UpdatesWebsite Design UpdatesNew date and time selection

Full month viewBrowse by

month

Thomson Prometric

Choice up to 4 available

times per date

Certification

Certification cycle valid for 3 years

Continuing education 30 CECs required to recertify

Preparation For Certification

Path to Certification begins with quality educational programs.

Learning does not end with graduation.

Employers need to encourage MTs to become certified.

Preparation for Certification

AAMT CMT Study Guide!!!Published by LWW-StedmansNew and exciting study tool ----

Sample chapter available in Exhibit Hall Available early 2005

Preparation for Certification

NEW! Online CMT Prep Course offered by OAK HORIZONS and AAMT

DO NOT MISS THESE EXCITING NEW DO NOT MISS THESE EXCITING NEW PREP TOOLS! PREP TOOLS!

Importance of Certification

Earning and maintaining the CMT credential. Is it necessary in todays world?Do we (should we) promote certification

as a future requirement to practice this profession?

Food For ThoughtEstimated number of MTs -

350,000 ??

CMTs Total 2838Member CMTs 1930Nonmember CMTs - 908

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR NEW AND RENEWING

CMTs!

Good luck to our potential CMTs in preparing for the exam!

THANK YOU CMTs

FOR BELIEVING IN YOURSELVES AND YOUR

PROFESSION

YOU are the ELITE of our profession.

CERTIFICATION AND THE NEW CMT EXAMCertification vs. LicensureImportance of CertificationCMT ExaminationCMT ExaminationExam Development ProcessNEW CMTsCMT ExaminationCMT Examination- Objective(50 % of total exam)CMT Examination - ObjectiveCMT Examination- ObjectiveCMT Examination- ObjectiveObjective SamplesCMT Objective SamplesPerformance TestingTranscription PerformanceTranscription Performance SamplesTranscription PerformanceTranscription PerformanceKeys To SuccessKeys to SuccessKeys to SuccessKeys To SuccessKeys To SuccessSCHEDULING YOUR EXAM WITH PROMETRICIntroducing Thomson Prometric Choice&Website Design UpdatesThomson Prometric ChoiceThomson Prometric ChoiceThomson Prometric ChoiceWebsite Design UpdatesWebsite Design UpdatesCertificationPreparation For CertificationPreparation for CertificationPreparation for CertificationImportance of CertificationFood For ThoughtCONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR NEW AND RENEWING CMTs!THANK YOU CMTsFOR BELIEVING IN YOURSELVES AND YOUR PROFESSIONYOU are the ELITE of our profession.