Questions on a company

companies (plural); not company's. Apostophe used for single word. [2008-08-19]
nm

Good MT company's [2008-08-18]
What are good MT company's you have worked for or are working for, and what are the bad MT company's. I am just starting out with the schooling and would like to know anything anyone can give me, and what company's I should apply for when I get done with school. Does anyone know anything about Medscribe.

Questions from a newbie [2008-08-06]
I am a recent MT graduate. I am needing advice on which USB foot pedal would be the best one to purchase. And I have noticed that a lot of the classified on this website say that you need a medical spell checker and some even suggest getting a word Expander program. Which ones would be the best one to purchase? And another question. Do the online companies furnish you with the transcription program for you to use or do you need to purchase one for yourself? While I was attending school, I just used MS Word to type all of my reports into. I am just needing some advice or suggestions about the above questions. Thanks, Melissa

They recently bought out a company that was in TN. [2008-08-06]
Webmedx is a well known company. Check the archives on the company board for lots of information.

a couple questions [2008-07-21]
Hi all. I have been reading this message board for a few weeks and have found many of my questions answered. I will be starting MTEC this week, as soon as my books arrive. I will also be purchasing a laptop tomorrow to use solely for school. I am looking at a Lenovo R61i, but I read on MTEC's website something about students having trouble with a 64 bit processor. How do I tell if the processor in the Lenovo is a 64 bit? Also, I am just looking for some sincere advice about learning about the Medical Transcription program. I am so intrigued and excited to learn more and start school so that I may eventually work from home. Any advice will be appreciated. TIA, Linz

You were "blessed to find a private company" in your area. Most people are not so blessed. [2008-07-19]
And most companies will not even let grads of AHP take their employment test, because they know they haven't been trained well enough to pass it. However, the companies will simply say that they don't hire newbies and you must have 2 years' experience which isn't true, you just need a good education where they know you can pass their test and do the work.

hiring company [2008-07-16]
I found a company online offering MT jobs, as well as an 8 week course you could take if you wanted to. They say minimal experience is okay. The company is Med Trans Inc. Anyone heard of them?? Should I steer clear?

Questions, Clarification Needed, Thx! [2008-07-15]
Hello to the board! Glad I found it. There's a wealth of information here and on the Main Board. I have a few questions about what I've been researching about MT. Any replies would be appreciated. 1. Is the general feeling among MTs that if a person doesn't do a program thru one of the Big 3 MT schools, they cannot get hired at all? 2. Or is the feeling among MTs that if the Big 3 schools aren't used, the person can't get hired at a good place? 3. If a student doesn't go thru one of the Big 3, then they can't get hired ANYWHERE and thus can't get that magic two years' experience? I was really burned thru a sonography school. If you don't go thru an accredited program, you simply cannot be hired. Anywhere legit at all. No matter how great your skills are. GOT to have the certification that can only be gained thru an accredited school (can't sit for the test w/o this). I was told the accreditation of the school would be retroactive and cover us (the first students to attend the new program) but that was WRONG. And this was thru a community college!!! I don't want to go thru a program and then find out that only Andrews, M-Tec, and CS are considered valid for any employment chance. Many thanks for any help in clearing up the ability to get hired w/o one of the 3 programs mentioned. I find it odd because AHDIapproves other places as well, not just those 3. One last question: DOES A STUDENT HAVE TO COMPLETE AN EXTERNSHIP to get hired? Because I live in Podunkville USA so to speak and there is nothing here for 300 miles in any direction... THANKS!!!

What is the company name [2008-07-15]
What is the company name?

Ask on the company board. You're likely to get [2008-07-15]
more response there.

My Company will no longer hire Career Step [2008-07-14]
This is just a heads up for what it is worth: My employer used to intern and hire Career Step grads, but no more. They just were not ready and we hadfar too many newbies quit almost right away. Hope I don't pop someone's bubble, but I'd think this might beprevalent with other companies too. I'm told that Career Step's transcription typing classes are too weak. Also, too much isolating study that bores the students and results ininadequate skills. Career Step may be trying to achieve too much with their server format when it comes to actual typing.

Please help with my information questions [2008-06-26]
Hi, I want to go back to school to be a MT. Could any one answer a few questions for me? 1. What company do you work for? 2. How long have you worked in the field? 3. What are the duties and responsibilities of your position? 4. Did you receive on the job training in your position? 5. Are there opportunities for advancement in your position? 6. What do you enjoy the most about your job? 7. What do you enjoy least about your job? 8. If you were starting again, what would you do differently? 9. How is your job different from how you expected it to be? 10. What is the current starting wage? 11. What are the working conditions of your position? 12. Can you refer me to anyone else I should talk to? If you would like you can add any other info. Thank you, Debra Canada

Same questions? [2008-06-16]
These exact same questions were posted a few months ago by someone saying that they were doing an MT class assignment. What is up with that?

What you need varies per company, but [2008-06-13]
you need a way to download the work, a foot pedal, and software to play the files. The work is received via internet, usually via an FTP or VNP. The foot pedal you need depends on the software. Some companies have propietary software and you could need a serial port pedal or a game port pedal, though most you need a USB pedal. Sometimes the company provides pedal/software, other times you can use Express Scribe (which is free) and you need to provide a pedal.

I have been looking into this as well, can you answer some of my questions? [2008-06-03]
When you say a secure internet access, is that any different than being in a hotel that offers free high speed internet? What precautions or questions should I ask before I plug my system into something like that. The majority of the time I will be using it is when my kids would like to play outside and I can be able to work from the deck of porch. However, we would like to take vacations where I could have access to typing if I needed to, such as a STAT file. Thank you for any answers you give.

question about MT Company [2008-05-27]
I am looking for a new position as an IC MT and I have come across a company called His Way Transcription and cannot find anything on them. Does anyone know anything about this company, Good/Bad?

I have traveled and worked for several years. I worked for a company [2008-05-23]
where I could download work, work off-line and then send completed work, had a 6 hour TAT. That company went out of business and the company I have now supplies the computer and I have to be on-line to work, so short of taking their computer and having high-speed access, I am no longer able to travel/work. It can be a good thing though because sometimes you just have to have some down time.

About the company [2008-05-19]
Yes i surely can. It is a SCAM company, STAY AWAY from it if you don't want to lose your money and time.

Questions on a company [2008-05-16]
I am a new MT and very proud of my achievemnt. I have just been approved to enter an apprenticeship program with Focus Infomatics. Is there anyone here that has had some experience (good or bad) with this company? Thanks for any input!

Good company for getting your foot in the door. Go for it! NM [2008-05-16]
x

To test for a company entails different [2008-05-03]
things for different companies, but with most companies you will have to take a multiple choice-type test, plus transcribe a few test reports. Most companies will not let you test unless you have a certain amount of experience, but there are some that do. I have to take this opportunity to point out, because you must not have learned it thus far in your schooling, thatalot is never, ever, ever correct. It is not a word. A lot is always, always, always 2 separate words. I'm not trying to be mean, only to help ya! It could actually cost you a job some day. I hope you are enjoying your schooling and are able to succeed in this field. Best wishes to you.

Why do you think that the company you [2008-04-19]
work for should bend over backwards to give you the account you want? I am sure other MTs are on that account, so would it be fair to take someone off just because you want it???? If you want to find another job fine, but don't think that just because you want certain accounts you will get them. We all take the bad with the good.

Yes they do, but then they are hired by the company. If you can't [2008-04-18]
get hired it isn't going to be helpful.

If you like the company then I would [2008-04-12]
You can load it and it will have (I think) 2 operating systems but XP should work fine. Not a lot of places are compatible with Vista yet that I know of.

What company is it? [2008-04-03]
.

Good MT company's [2008-08-18]
What are good MT company's you have worked for or are working for, and what are the bad MT company's. I am just starting out with the schooling and would like to know anything anyone can give me, and what company's I should apply for when I get done with school. Does anyone know anything about Medscribe.

Trying to make the right choice [2008-08-14]
I have spent months reading and learning about becoming an MT and I am still left with questions that I hope maybe a broader range of people might be able to answer (you all ) Is Career Step's program the same as what's offered at M-Tec? The price is clearly not and I have spoken with enrollment at both locations and asked them directly the cost differences but normal everyday people who do the job is who's opinions I'd like most. 1. Training (are the both relatively close in what they teach) 2. Certificate vs. diploma 3. 4 months for one program vs. 9-12 for another. Any honest, none school bashing, opinions would be very gratefully appreciated.

I'm at MTEC [2008-08-14]
I am currently an MTEC student and absolutely love it. It is a fantastic program and very thorough. People know the name and companies will hire grads from MTEC because they know the training is great. I'm halfway through the program and I feel like I could test with any company now and pass, whereas before I had some training, but it wasn't good training. I love MTEC. Just remember....you get what you pay for.

I need some information please [2008-08-12]
I have recently submitted a resume online and have medical transcription experience. It has been a few years, but I have been a processor for the government and am a fast and accurate worker. Long story short, I stumbled upon this area, checking out a certain company that is interested in me, and they want me to test. I see they are listed in this area, but I want to see if it is a job, or a school. Can any one speak out and advise me please? I am looking for a good home based position, but want to see what the company is like, as well as the employees. Please, if anyone is out there, reply to me. I have been unemployed by the government after a huge lay off and am trying tokeep my home for myself and my disabled child. I hope my prayer will finally be answered. Thanks for letting me in.....

US Career Institute [2008-08-08]
I attended when they were called At-Home Professions. No, I did not receive any job placement help. Of course, things could/should change from the time I finished up in 2004. I had a job immediately upon receiving my certificate...still working for the same company today.

Questions from a newbie [2008-08-06]
I am a recent MT graduate. I am needing advice on which USB foot pedal would be the best one to purchase. And I have noticed that a lot of the classified on this website say that you need a medical spell checker and some even suggest getting a word Expander program. Which ones would be the best one to purchase? And another question. Do the online companies furnish you with the transcription program for you to use or do you need to purchase one for yourself? While I was attending school, I just used MS Word to type all of my reports into. I am just needing some advice or suggestions about the above questions. Thanks, Melissa

I would suggest the Wav Pedal Infinity [2008-08-06]
You can try e-bay, transcriptiongear.com, or executive communications. This Infinity reads all files. Also, you can download Express Scribe for free from www.vancedigital.com. I would get the newest Stedman's spell check, I love Stedman's. I have no clue on expanders, sorry, I only use word and autocorrect. The company usually provides the software if they use an online platform. Some do require you purchase a particular software, i.e., DocShuttle. It all depends on where you apply and what they use. Welcome to MTing....

I would not buy a pedal until you have a job. [2008-08-06]
Some companies will supply a pedal, some use a proprietary program and you need a special foot pedal. Some companies provide expanders, but you can use autocorrect in Word, unless they use a proprietary platform. Most of the time you can use Express Scribe to download and play files. It is free. If the company has their own platform the majority of the time they supply software. Sometimes the company even provides the expander.

I would not buy a pedal until you have a job. [2008-08-06]
Some companies will supply a pedal, some use a proprietary program and you need a special foot pedal. Some companies provide expanders, but you can use autocorrect in Word, unless they use a proprietary platform. Most of the time you can use Express Scribe to download and play files. It is free. If the company has their own platform the majority of the time they supply software. Sometimes the company even provides the expander.

They recently bought out a company that was in TN. [2008-08-06]
Webmedx is a well known company. Check the archives on the company board for lots of information.

InScribe University [2008-08-01]
InScribe is a transcription company who realized the importance of transcriptionists who are trained for the real world of transcription. Our school is based the the need to have a quality education and possible employment with our company when completed. We are more than a school! Please call Lorraine 270-436-2798.

Internship or possible employment [2008-08-01]
I have completed a transcription course recently with a school that did not offer internship. I have tested with VARIOUS companies even though I do not have the required experience. I was a CPC certified coder but let my certification lapse because employers informed me without experience, I would be too great of a risk to their company. I know I can perform the duties of a Transcriptionist but have not been given the opportunity to prove myself. If ANYONE could PLEASE PLEASE help me with this delima, I would be ever greatful.

What the heck is chartscript? [2008-07-31]
I keep seeing things about it and there's a company I'm interested in working for that uses it. What is it used for? What does it do? How does it work? Thanks from a very new newbie.

What is the advantage to you (SM) [2008-07-31]
If you need employees, what is the advantage to your company of using interns rather than just hiring well-qualified new graduates directly into real MT positions?

CAI grad [2008-07-30]
Hi Erica. I'm a CAI grad and I have 2 friends that are also CAI grads. I loved the course. The director is great about answering any and all questions. They have a great message board for students. They also were very helpful with job placement.Good luck to you!

I agree with above poster/CAI grad also [2008-07-30]
I graduated from the course in 2004 and have been working since. I have nothing whatsoever to say negative about CAI. I researched beforehand and found it to be affordable, thorough, and yes, the director is great at communicating quickly and answering questions.

Links to Andrews [2008-07-28]
Hi, Cranberry! You know, I think there is something wrong with those links. They should go to Andrews, not another school. And, no, we're not the same company. I've checked links from some other schools and found that they go where they're supposed to, so it looks like something slipped up somewhere! Mistakes do happen! We've asked the board moderators to fix this. I'm sure they will. Meanwhile, all you need to do to visit Andrews is enter their URL directly into your web browser. It's www.andrewsschool.com. Just type that in where it says address in Internet Explorer or whatever you use. Don't click any links . . . just open up another browser window and type it in yourself. Although I'm sure nothing harmful was intended, this is still a good lesson for us! Computer security is an important topic today. MTs need to know how to protect themselves and their employers from security risks. It goes right along with with confidentiality and protecting patient privacy! It is possible to click on a link and NOT go to where the link should have gone. You often see this in email phishing scams in which you'll be told you need to update your account information, but it turns out to be a fake website which just collects your account number and password so criminals can rip you off. It can also occur when you click a link on the internet which diverts you to a fake website. Large employers are often the subject of attacks like this. Recently, employees of one company all received emails telling them they needed to update their retirement account information. When they clicked the link in the email, it took them to a look-alike, fake website that asked their name and Social Security number! Fortunately, the employees were suspicious and reported it immediately to their computer security officials, who stopped the attack. You did the right thing in mentioning this problem! Telling someone about it is one of the first things you should do if you suspect there is a problem like this. As a working MT, you would immediately notify your employer if this happened. Other ways to protect yourself, and your employer and your client's patients, are to use only reliable websites when you are doing your MT research at work. Keep it business-like and use reputable medical sites. If your employer asks you not to visit websites using their computer, respect that wish--they have a reason for it. Use your own computer instead. This is probably more than you wanted to know, but it's important. Sorry to have gone on so long! Please feel free to visit us at our website. Redpen Andrews School

Links [2008-07-27]
I was looking for information about these schools, and I clicked on the Andrews and CareerStep links. Are they the same company? I'm asking because when I go to the Andrews page here -- http://www.mtstars.com/medical_transcription/Andrews/ -- all the links go to Career Step. I am confused.

What I see happening is . . . [2008-07-26]
. . . you promoting your company, the staffing school, with sly innuendo and fatuous ideas gussied up as economic speculation and fun idea-tossing. You aren't discussing economics at all! You're trying to plant notions in prospective students' heads that this staffing school is a good bargain, when in fact it costs MORE! It costs more than Andrews and MTec! You have presented it as the only salvation for students who are strapped for cash by insisting that new MT graduates can never get a job without internship! This is simply untrue. You make statements about graduates of other schools, about the piles of resumes you read and reject, and about the allegedly poor quality of other transcription programs, but you're unwilling to identify yourself or the company for which you work. Here is the truth. There are lots of rotten schools out there, but there are some excellent ones, too. Grads of those excellent programs get jobs with national companies every day and they do quite well for themselves. If your company isn't interested in hiring them, then all you can say is YOUR company isn't interested in hiring them. So what? Why would anyone want to work for YOUR company? Who are YOU that readers here would want to take your advice? Why would anyone want to take a course that only prepared them at a basic level? Then PAY for the privilege of an internship? Then risk not getting a job, or -- worse -- having to take a job at heaven-only-knows what rate of pay because they're still not qualified to get a job anywhere else! And then have to pay even more for the privilege of taking the rest of the training, which other schools would have provided already, and still not know if it would be enough to get them a job elsewhere? I would not want to do that.

So silly and can't stand diversity or scrutiny [2008-07-26]
You still offer nothing. There is nothing valuable or of substance only negatives and ill will. Are you that unhappy? Life can't be that bleak for you can it? Shallow attacks just make you look bad. You completely ignore the economic issues all of us, especially newbies just starting careers, are trying to deal with. No constructive thoughts. I don't know why blogs attract so many very negative people. Certainly if the Big 3 schools are so good they can stand some scrutiny. Actually, I think they'll hold up fine. I'm not down on them. I'm suggesting- again.....- that there are plenty of other good schools to attend. I found one offer for you all as an example. $1990 for the basic lessons, internship and a job. It isn't my school.I know what I posted and what I found as an example only.If you think I am plugging this school, I think you are projecting your own motives onto me. Because you are here to plug for your vested interests then I must be too. Sorry it doesn't hold. Whata fewdon't seem to be able to grasp (actually I think they do and are just attacking because of the financial threat) is the intellectual side of this: I'm comparing appleswith oranges. A retail business model to a wholesale one. They are different and one approach may not suit all. It's like comparing Costco to Whole Foods. What is so wrong with having choices? We all know- nothing. Some of us have to shop at Costco like it or not. And just because it is Costco doesn't make it bad, just different. Why folks would have trouble visualizing staffing schools is beyond me, unless they have a vested interest and can't stand diversity because it is threatening to them. Staffing companies and staffing schools are a huge thing in many areas of our economy. We've all heard of staffing. The transcription company I work for uses them and I suppose many companies do. Staffing is big business and it includes many variations in many sectors, like secretarial or nursing. This approach may be a change and people usually dislike change. I thought staffing was more widespread because of my experiences. Certainly, many newbies are emailing me and asking how they can do this and if I can help them. Sorry, I can't. I'm not an owner of anything just another employee. I know 800 hundred pound transcriptionists lurk here and I'm remaining anonymous like Peggy and Deb. You don't mess with the big gals and lots of money is on the line on a forum like this. I'm offering something new and evidently I'm a threat. Good! The established order needs to evaluate itself. Competition is very American. Boy, I sure enjoy this soap box. This is fun!!! Freedom ofexpression is a wonderful thing. Try to bully me again Peggy. I like using my noodle.

opinion [2008-07-26]
That 'person' who seems angry at 'the post above this' I have a feeling is talking about me. I only posted what I found on the company website. These posts about the big 3 and this particular staffing school seems to be getting people a little 'testy'. Maybe we should move on to a more pleasant topic. Opinions are like noses, everybody has one. Some people get 'ill' when their opinion is differed with. That's what's 'wrong'. To each their own. That's why we're human beings and not robots. We're differnt and have different opinions based on different experiences.

Please [2008-07-26]
Honestly, Toni, you seem like more of a bully in your very passive aggressive way of communicating. People here really do try to steer students in the right direction, which is why so many do encourage the top 3 schools. I originally went to a school that was more affordable at the time and it only ended up costing me MORE because I wasn't well-trained. I'm now attending M-Tec and I can't even begin to tell you how much better the education is. I think your idea of a staffing school may be okay if the new MT wants to work for that particular company and IF the company truly does offer a job at the end. By the way, as an aside, did you know that M-TEC has a 98-100% job placement rate right out of school? So yes, the national companies absolutely DO hire M-TEC grads! I also think that community college programs can be great for students who may be seeking jobs within their community... as there often will be job placement help within the community. But if students wish to work from HOME for a national company right after graduating from MT school, then really the best option for them would be one of the Top 3! This is all MY opinion, of course. I don't mind if people disagree with me. I do mind the passive-aggressive nature of some of your posts, though. It is rather transparent.

A bit of clarification [2008-07-25]
In the interest of accurate information, I'd like to clarify. Andrews does not own MTDesk or a transcription service. Maybe what I heard that Andrews, M-Tec and VLC were the moderators. I know Linda Andrews was answering questions as a moderator when I was on the site a year ago. I don't have time to research it now, but I know someone who knows for sure. I know for sure. These three schools each have a school forum on MTChat, which they moderate. Linda also moderates the coding and billing forum. Andrews, M-Tec and Career Step advertise all over the internet 24X7. Do you mean the sponsorship banners on MTDesk and MTStars? If so, I would hardly call them advertising all over the internet, since they're limited to two websites. If they have a full-time waiting list then why advertise at $10 to $15 a click on Google? We don't. Deb, this is any school. . . It is not Andrews. I still predict that staffing schools will be the solution to very costly tuition and the 2 year experience requirement. Just for comparison, tuition for hairdresser school here is $17,000. Let's do a cost comparison. Andrews is, as Deb noted, $3800. That includes everything for basic, advanced transcription and specialty transcription--even hardcopy books and individualized instruction. The cost of the same course content same program, as listed on a certain website advertised on Google, is a total of $2104 for the basic course and hard copies of books; 999 for the internship; 1198 for both advanced specialty modules; and 299 for job placement. That's a total of $4600, plus an additional $300 for any extension required. The only difference I can see is that the latter teaches a typing class, while Andrews does not. Redpen Andrews School

Clarification re "host" [2008-07-25]
I'm not sure what you mean by be a host. Did you mean to have a forum on MTChat? Or did you mean to moderate one? The answer to both questions is no. Andrews has had a forum on MTDesk for years--long before internet technology enabled the school to host its own boards and way back when they were one of the only distance-learning MT schools. It grew out of the necessity to have a topic-related forum, so that discussion wouldn't be mixed into other forums, just as there are topic-related forums for other things. The volunteer moderators you see there are just that . . . volunteers. They are individuals who donate their time. Typically, they moderate a forum in which they have a particular interest or expertise, whether it be a school, style and grammar, hot topics, new MTs, or whatever. Neither is related to whether someone is a sponsor of MTDesk itself. To understand that concept, you have to be aware that MTChat is a part of MTDesk, which is a web-based resource for transcriptionists. The sponsors assist in funding MTDesk so that it can remain a viable and valuable resource for MTs. Other schools who have asked for forums have gotten them, so if you'd like one for your school, why not ask? As for moderating a board, I think you have to be in the icon class to do that.(You'll notice I'm not a moderator over there, and that's why.)

AHDI has heard of MTec [2008-07-25]
The AHDI has definitely heard of MTec--they're on their list of approved schools. The list is on the AHDI website. Most national services have heard of MTec, too. If you asked a small, local company, they might not have, but many, many other companies will have heard of them, since they tend to hire a lot of MTec and Andrews grads.