CERTIFICATION AND THE

NEW CMT EXAM

Ann Donnelly, MS, CMT, FAAMT
Director, AAMT Certification
26
th
AAMT Annual Convention and Expo
Atlanta, Georgia
Certification vs. Licensure
Certification
Voluntary credential
Licensure
Understood as permission to do something as
given by an authority, to remove legal restraint by a
grant of permission
Required to practice a profession
Doctors
Nurses
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 population
Professional 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%)
Transcription
Editing
Proofreading
CMT Examination- Objective
(50 % of total exam)
Medical language (~ 40% of knowledge
section)
Meaning and spelling of prefixes, suffixes,
combining forms, and root words
Plural forms of medical terms
Meaning and spelling of documented medical
abbreviations, acronyms, eponyms,
homonyms and synonyms
CMT Examination - Objective
Anatomy and Physiology (22%)
Structure and function of cells and tissues
Structure and function of organs and systems
Disease Processes (15%)
Names of common diseases and conditions
Signs and symptoms of common diseases and
conditions
Diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and
conditions
CMT Examination- Objective
English language (12%)
Basic grammar rules
Punctuation rules
English usage
The spelling of English words
CMT Examination- Objective
Healthcare record and important
medicolegal issues (11%)
Basic medical reports types and elements of
each
Regulatory requirements (HIPAA, JCAHO,
etc)
Principles and processes for keeping audit
trails
Purpose and content of healthcare document
Identify 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 Covered
Spelling
Grammar
Punctuation
Units of measure
Medical symbols
Abbreviations
Lab 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
pedal
Need to follow specific directions
Be 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 references
Comprehensive medical terminology,
for example:
The Language of Medicine (Chabner),
Elsevier Science
Saunders Manual of Medical Transcription
(Sloane/Fordney), Elsevier Science
The Medical Transcription Workbook,
Health Professions Institute
Keys to Success
Style/transcription practice reference
manual, for example:
The AAMT Book of Style for Medical
Transcription, 2
nd
Edition
American 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 applying
Online application for Authorization to Test
Photo ID information must match your
Authorization to Test information
Locate Prometric test center
Schedule your exam
Know and review the rules of the test centers
SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM WITH
PROMETRIC
Introducing
Thomson Prometric Choice
&
Website Design Updates
June 2004
Thomson Prometric Choice
Thomson 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 Updates
Website Design Updates
New 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 Updates
Website Design Updates
New date and time selection
Full month view
Browse 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-Stedmans
New 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 Thought
Estimated number of MTs -
350,000 ??
CMTs Total 2838
Member CMTs 1930
Nonmember 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.