Advice for your program
Posted By: Hiring/Testing Manager on 2007-01-26
In Reply to: Survey for recent MT grads with up to 1-2 years - MT Instructor
Our company hires a good deal of recent grads, though most have a few months of experience.
Let me tell you what I see in their work and tests when they are referred to me because they cannot make their quality audits or they want to test to move up:
1) They have no idea what the AAMT BOS-2 is most of the time; those who do, seem to have just glanced at it. Please, please thoroughly study this wonderful resource and have your students deliberately practice these guidelines.
2) Teach them appropriate grammar and punctuation. Simple basic English grammar and punctuation that should have been learned in grade school and many do not have it.
3) Teach them to never, ever guess and to always use spellcheck. I am usually shocked at what could have been avoided had these 2 simple techniques been employed.
4) Teach them that even when they feel they are at their best game, they should - at the very least - periodically review AND relisten to their work before submitting it. Maybe 2 reports a day or so. Re-read it first for any spelling, grammar, terminology and punctuation errors. Then, relisten to that same report.
These very, very basic skills should be intinctive if they are well taught.
Please feel free to write if you'd like a more in-depth discussion about other trends I see in their work.
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Would really appreciate advice
try the SUM Program
It is the best one I know of. Good luck.
Advice
The employer DOES know how well you'll do. At least, he thinks he does. He knows that you have the same training that other failed new-hires had--all the new MTs from that school who didn't work out and wasted his money.
You can do well in your course, but if your course did not teach what you truly needed to know, you've learned little. Your opinion about the quality of the education isn't important at all--you have no basis to know if it's good or not.
You hope it is, but employers are telling you that it is not.
It's unfortunate that you spent your time and money on a bad choice, but that was your choice. At this point, the best thing you can do is try to salvage what you can from it.
Yes, someone might be surprised, but complaining about the injustice you have received as a result of your decision isn't going to inspire anyone to want to give you that chance.
It would be better for you to improve your capabilities and apply again. The employers are telling you that you are not ready to work.
Another choice would be for you to write up what your course did cover, in detail, with a comparison to other schools' coursework. Present that to the employer and ask if they will test you.
You'll have to present yourself very professionally for this to work. You have a number of language, grammar, and punctuation errors in your posts, so you would do well to pay close attention to that. You don't want that to alienate an employer. That may, in fact, already be what has alienated them.
I need advice!
Greetings;
I am a new MT attempting to start my own service as an independent contractor. My issue is this, my husband deployed for Iraq yesterday, he will be gone for 8 months. I will be returning to my home town for this time period. Can/Should I start my own service in that area, or should I try to obtain work with a service until I return to my current home? How does one handle a situation like this when moving is enevitable. What do you think? What would you do?
I need advice!
Greetings;
I am a new MT attempting to start my own service as an independent contractor. My issue is this, my husband deployed for Iraq yesterday, he will be gone for 8 months. I will be returning to my home town for this time period. Can/Should I start my own service in that area, or should I try to obtain work with a service until I return to my current home? How does one handle a situation like this when moving is enevitable. What do you think? What would you do?
Need advice
I need some advice. I have a 5 yr old and a 3 month old. I going through a mentoring program right now and I am also close to completing school and get my certificate in med transcription. My situation is that I take care of the kids during the day (5 yr old pretty much entertains herself but of course the baby doesn't) and I'm exhausted to the point that if I try to stay up until midnight or beyond transcribing I'm grouchy in the morning from lack of sleep. My boyfriend isn't much help. Please, I'm not looking for advice dealing with him but advice on how to juggle the kids, mentoring, and schooling. I appreciate it.
Need advice
The school I am going through provided cassette tapes to transcribe the homework reports from. I do not have a transcriber and don't feel like purchasing one since I will more than likely never use it again and I only have 7 chapters left to do. Does anyone know how I can record them onto my computer? My sound recorder only records 60 sec at a time unless I want to pay for more and I'd rather not if I don't have to. I figure if they are on my computer than I can use express scribe to type them up.
Advice...
 Sell your self. So you don't have experience but you have knowledge of the field. Check the offers on the job board. That is how I found the 2 MTSOs I work for. I've only been in this field for a month! When you email your resume to them type a little blurb that shows how eager you are. Worked for me.
Advice
I am currently in the office from 3 to 5 days a week, depending on the amount of work. I am unable to work from home with his current system. I also think he likes having me there to help with other duties like receptionist work, billing, etc.
bad advice
I am upset by you telling this potential MT that she should look elsewhere. Leave that to her to decide.
I am also a new MT and used to really enjoy this board and its wonderful advice and information, but because of such negativity, I have been getting on less and less. This, of course, does not apply to everybody. If this is true that in 5 years, we are all going be jobless, then why aren't all MTs going back to school now? Why wait for the inevitable?
If I want depressing information, I'll watch the nightly news. In the meantime, I am going to relish in the fact that I am able to earn a living and be there for my children when needed. If this completely dies out in a few years, so be it. I'll deal with it then.
As for which school to attend, they all seem very credible and well-accepted. I would go to whichever one seems to appeal more to your liking.
Good Luck and welcome to our world!
bad advice
then if this is the case and we are all up you-know-what creek without a paddle, then why is anybody even being encouraging at all? I took one of those fly-by-night courses because I was tired of being an admin assistant and a friend of mine was taking the course, so I signed up as well. My instructor suggested this board and I felt even more confident after reading many posts on being an MT. From the experience aspect, it seems that getting your first job is the biggest problem.
So is life. I guess your better off becoming a nurse, if you can't handle the blood, become a medical secretary and deal with the office politics while making $8 lousy bucks an hour.
If this is such a serious issue, why aren't we doing anything about it? We all know (even the newbies)that outsourcing is a serios threat. If none of us are making money in this lovely country of ours, then how are we supposed to put back into the economy that makes it what it is?
Why don't we all just sit here and whine and cry about it. That's how things get done, isn't it?
My advice
Apply everywhere, even if they say x-years of experience. Some will let you test. Take full advantage of these opportunities and do your very best. One of them will hire you and give you a chance. An alternative is to visit/call every single doctor's office, clinic and hospital in your area and inquire as to open positions. Be open to both in-house as well as work at home opportunities. Best of luck to you!
HELP, I need some advice......
I am still a student. I have 2 more classes before I get my certificate. I recently started working part-time in a doctors office doing entry level work. She wants me to start doing here transcription already. This is a fantastic opportunity for me, but I don't know what I need to get started. What type of software or equipment should I invest in. I need some advice from an experienced MT. Thank you in advance!
advice
Okay, the doctor I will be working for has a new patient sheet and office visit form that she made herself. She just goes through and checks off the ones that apply to that particular patient. She doesn't like to dictate into microcassette but she has mentioned voice recognition. It seems really simple. Almost too simple. I have all the necessary research material. I just didn't know if there was a special software I needed to buy or equipment. Thanks in advance for your advice.
MT program
Hi,
I took the Oak Horizon course offered at CVCC in Hickory NC.
At the time I took it, it was 2 semesters. But it is now a 3 semester course.
It was tough but I managed to make the honor roll.
Take care!!
The CS program done via the
community college is actually a better program! I would definitely consider myself a CS graduate. Put CS first, and I wouldn't even mention a community college unless you are asked. Where you took the CS course shouldn't matter. Good luck to you.
The program more than likely can be used elsewhere.
It doesnt mean you are paying for work. After you have been in transcription a while you will have dozens of programs on your computer for some reason or another. I have about 20 :) Some were free and some I had to pay for.
No more advice from me
I've had it. All over the internet, people keep asking about this school or that school, all less expensive than Andrews or M-Tec (or Career Step). And no matter what they are told, they insist on signing up with the school they asked about.
Then they come back to all the message boards, whining that "everybody wants 2 years of experience" and "how am I supposed to get experience when nobody will hire me."
They seem to forget that they were told all over the place that MANY employers will waive the 2-year experience requirement if they know that you went to a GOOD school that teaches you what you need to know to get a job. And that they won't even bother to test "grads" of many of the "cheaper" schools.
So why give advice, when people don't really want it? All they want is for me to say that they will do just fine going to a crappy school that shouldn't even be allowed to teach MT, just because it is CHEAPER. Occasionally someone does do okay and gets hired, but ONLY occasionally. Just like people used to be taught by their friends, neighbors, or family. Just try to apply for a job nowadays and tell them "my mother taught me." See how fast it gets you hired.
I'm just tired of people whining that they can't get a job without 2 years of experience, when they were told that was what would happen, and exactly which schools could get that requirement waived because they are excellent schools that teach you what you need to know. Of course they're more expensive! They get the job done! They earn their money. They turn out ready-to-work MTs.
If you insist on saving money with those "other" schools, go ahead. But stop whining about not being able to get a job without experience. Because that's exactly what you were TOLD would happen. If you're going to roll the dice, don't EXPECT to win just because some people get lucky.
I'm outta here.
more advice
Hi ladies I just thought of something else you could try also. Pick up you phone book and see if there are any local agencies or MTSO's that you can talk to about work. I finally got a job myself. I am excited but I won't be getting paid much for awhile. I got an internship. I am so excited and I wish you both the best of luck.
Need advice...
How do you get through the seven minute speed round portion of a test. I am having difficulty with this. By the time I am done reading the question once, have "sometimers" during the process along with "personal summers/hot flashes", the test is done before I am even completed with it.
Advice from me to you..
I have read your post and understand your desire to work from home so that you can be with your young children. This is not an easy field. I have no young children in the home, and find it frustrating at times to concentrate on all the new things you have to learn and never taught in school. My husband can be a cause of distraction just because he does not fully understand the amount of concentration required to do the job well. I can not imagine just starting out and having children around. My loyalties would be split, and ultimately my job would suffer.
Do not get me wrong, I love my job. I love learning new terminology and the challenges that being a MT presents. However, in order to do this job well, I have to pretend I am away from home (no household distractions) and always keeping in mind that I can lose this job, just like in an outside work place.
I do have a grown child who is married. I wanted to be an MT for a long time, but the requirements of my child were greater than the time I could devote to a career change, deep down I knew I could not chose between the two.
Pray… Ask that the doors you do not need to enter will be closed, and that the path you are to take will be open to you. Good luck..
Need some advice
In what ways is this job demanding or hard? Would someone hire me without working in an office? Would they hire me part time?
I am on disablilty, but able to be at the computer for several hours a day. I can only work up to $800 per month of I lose my social security. I need supplemental income and it seems you need specialized education to get a legit job online. I cant work an office job, I need to be able to take breaks, so being at home is crucial for me.
So, anyone know if someone would hire me for that little amount of money per month? Sounds like the school you go to is critical, but they are pricey. How to afford tuition when Im already low income?
This is a great board. Would appreciate any feedback. Dont know if going into such debt will be a mistake or not.
I need advice too
After finishing school, I too am finding it difficult to find employment. Would becoming Certified help?
Need Advice
I need advice about doing MT fulltime. I have a job outside of MT World that has paid my bills for the past 2 years while I have been in M-TEC. I am now done with school, and I'm still working my job, and I have an IC job that just started. I got an offer for a fulltime position, and I am afraid of leaving the comfort of my job since I have a baby to take care of. You know how it is when you first start and being slow. Any advice?
advice from MT if anyone wants it
Hi all. I was just going over this forum, and was thinking how lucky you are to have this place. Many moons ago when I first started out in this field, there was no such place. I attended a school (physically drove there) five days a week, four hours a day, and after nine months graduated with my certificate. I applied at a few hospitals, none of which would give me the time of day without experience. There were no services back then; every transcription job was inhouse, and no-one would hire you without at least two years acute care experience. This was the small bit of information the school did not give me.
Anyway, I interviewed at a hospital (my fourth) and I was a bit desperate. I begged the Medical Records Director for the job. Offered to work for free if need be until I proved myself. Promised not to ask the same question twice and told him I would take diligent notes. He offered me the job at minimum wage, and I grabbed it. I knew the money was not much but had faith that I would learn all I had not learned in school, get those 2 years of acute care experience, and be well on my way.
Well, it all worked out great. I stayed in that transcription department at that hospital for 7 years...until they shut the doors of the transcription department and outsourced. I was offered an at-home job which was unheard of at the time, and even though I was scared to death I took it. I have been working at home since, raising my children, loving and appreciating the chance to do so.
I know that some of the starting pay is low, but I found it was worth it to take the low ball money to start if the training and experience was worth it. I started training with ER notes, then moved to discharge summaries, then H&P's, then consults, then procedures, then op notes, then pathology and finally radiology....All in six months time. I had great mentors at work and working eight hours a day really pushed me to be a success rather quick.
If I had the opportunity to thank any of those ladies who trained me at that small MT Department in Anaheim, California, I would love to. We all lost contact, but I think of them often.
Good luck to all of you here in this forum. Use this forum for positive information. Don't rely too much on what is written by someone else (including me), as everyone has a different story or opinion. Mine just happens to be a positive one.
Need some advice!!
I am an newbie, started working P/T for a company for about 7.3 cpl. The doctor is an orthopedic and very easy and I really like him. The only problem is I have little kids at home so I can only work part time. He averages about 900-1200 lines a day and it takes me about 8-10 hours to get these done. I have been contemplating looking elsewhere for P/t work but am scared of geting an ESL doctor which I don't have much experience with. Are these line expectations full time work? Can I expect to at least cut my time to at least 6 hr or less? I have only been working for about 5 weeks.
Advice please....
I got a job offer with Focus Infomatics and am sort of on the fence about going with them based on all the things I've read about that company. The pay offer was 4/8 for days and 5/10 for nights. I also got an offer with another company that I've worked with before for strickly 4/8. The latter would be primarily VR with some standard mixed in. I have no idea what to expect of Focus. No real benefits with Focus, a few with the other company.
I'm leaning toward the latter company (American owned) than Focus (think Indian owned). Does anyone think the one cent difference with Focus might outweigh the other company by pay? Does anyone know enough about Focus to make that company a really good option? I'm looking for a company to work with for a long time.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Advice
There is no one fixed "rule" for how to do these things. If you see variations in styles, it's just that there are . . . variations in styles. I understand your frustration, though, so I'll try to shed some light on the things you asked about.
Some H&Ps need headings, but a very few do not. It depends on how they're dictated. Usually, though, headings are helpful to the reader. They provide good signposts to help other providers to recognize and pick out parts of the report that they may be interested in reading. They're particularly helpful for coders, who are able to scan for what they need and home in on it using the headings. You may have noticed that physicians don't always dictate material in the same order, so those headings really do help the reader.
Hospitals often have a standard format for their H&Ps, and they almost always use headings. The MT will arrange the dictated material in the appropriate place, adding headings as necessary. They may even have to change the wording of the headings the physician dictates.
Usually, if a physician dictates some of the headings, but not all, you do fill in the ones that are missing. The headings you add have to be correct and consistent.
There are two styles for the physical exam itself. One has it all in one paragraph, while some facilities and providers prefer it broken up into separate "lines" by body system.
I'm not sure what you're asking about the blood work. Diagnostic testing is not a part of the physical examination that the provider performed, so it would be in a separate paragraph. It often comes after the PE. (There is a style of H&P which has the history portion separate from the physical exam portion, in which case the lab is on the part with the physical exam, but it's not part of the physical exam per se.)
Advice I need it bad!
 I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I recently just started out on a job where I have to average out 1000 lines a day. I'm in training to get there in 3 months. On days I have English dictators its quick but I only get in about 12 reports.The days that I have ESL I'm lucky if I make it to 6. The reports are short which have 60 to maybe only 50 lines. How am I ever going to make enough money If I'm stuck at around 6 to 10 reports a day. It is a 65 character per line or something like that. I need help seriously. I'm taking all suggestions into consideration. So please be honest and upfront. Also I want to know for the experienced MT's how long did it take for you to accomplish your lines.
FTP program
Does anyone know of a good FTP program, and how to work one? Sorry if this is posted to the wrong board, but I am new to posting anything. :-(. Thanks in advance.
AIM program
Does anyone have any experience with the AIM mentoring program through Allstatae Transcription? Any info would be helpful!
AIM program
That was what I was afraid of! I have already paid my $99. and she said that it would be about a month before I could get started because she had a new client starting and she was going to start my internship with that client. Did you do any interning with her at all? Why did your friend go 5 months?? Thanks for your info I really appreciate it!
AIM program
Yes, I went through the program earlier this year and was able to find a job because of it. However, I never did receive my certificate in the mail.
Your advice...
is about reverse of anyone else I have spoken with. I realize I do not have the hands-on experience and that is why I can't get a job with one of the big national companies. I had interviewed with Transform before I graduated but because of lack of experience they would not give me a chance. I was advised by several people that I should instead try locally to get overflow or vacation fill-in work to get my foot in the door....
And as for the comments about USCI, yeah, I know all about it... it was actually recommended to me by an MT that runs her own business now for 9 years.... so I went for it. Probably wouldn't recommend it though.
I was really wondering about equipment....
M-TEC uses the SUM Program.
You are provided detailed feedback from an actual live human being who has experience in the field.
CareerStep has their own dictations that you compare to a computer program. You have to deduce for yourself if the differences in your transcription versus the "key" are true errors or acceptable style differences or if you are correct and the person who transcribed the report for the course made an error. If you have questions, you are to contact student support, who may or may not have time to provide feedback, and that feedback may or may not be accurate.
I went to CS, but I also did the SUM program on my own. If I had it all to do over again, I would not choose that program. I would go with Andrews or M-TEC. I did graduate with high honors, and I did get a great job a week after graduating (with a company I still work for), but I supplemented the course with the SUM program, Language of Medicine, and the HPI workbooks. There really is no comparison when it comes to the quality of materials. The CS course is essentially homemade whereas the materials used by M-Tec have been created and vetted by knowledgeable professionals.
advice
try celerity solutions group, formerly known as preferred physicians transcription, (www.celeritysolutionsgroup.com), they hired me right out of school.
Need Advice Please!!
Hi, I am new here and wondered if anyone could help me with some questions. I am a general Transcriptionist currently and have been for 9 years. I was thinking about making the transition to the medical realm but wondered what is the best way to do it. Mainly, where to take courses so that I could get a job in this field as I cannot do it without at least the medical transcription education, as you know.
Area colleges offer courses and I have seen a lot of posts here for M-Tec and Andrews. Which is the best place and one that will help me get work afterwards? Also, if I go to an area college, since I have transcription experience anyway, could I just take continuing education courses rather than the full MT program?
Thank you in advance for any advice you have.
My best advice...
Sure.
You can take community college/adult education courses in medical transcription.
You can take a low budget online course.
You can take whichever course you choose, but taking a shortcut will not make it easier to be hired or prepare you properly for what you will face as a working MT, if you do get lucky enough to find a job upon course completion.
The MT field is a tough one to break into when one is not properly trained. Unless you desire to accept a position where the offer is 1 to 3 cpl or subject yourself to unpaid internships, I'd not choose the above-mentioned routes.
You will do yourself a huge disservice by choosing a school other than the 2 mentioned in your original post.
I suggest you call the 2 schools and speak to each director to figure out the best match for your current work scheduling and schooling if you choose to pursue this field.
Choose wisely & good luck to you.
Best advice
Those online training programs or even vocation schools that offer training in a few months or 1 year going to clase once a week are scams and do not prepare you at all. I had gone to one with straight A's and realized at the end I needed way more training. I went to the local college 2-year program, graduated 6 months early, and halfway through I was hired by the Board Advisor. She mentored me on OPs. I also got clinic work after that. Two years after graduation, I had several of my own accounts, making over $100,000 a year while undergoing 26 surgeries and tons of appointments and home health. I also went to AAMT workshops and whatever else I could to further my education on a continuous basis. I still do. I now have several clients with several clinics and surgery centers. It can be done if you stick to it and pay attention to detail. Good luck.
I refused to give up, as I too gave up a lot to go to school with significant damage to my marriage. I had the last laugh on my husband when I was making 7 times more than he was!!!
Advice to the ignorant
Essentially, I am interested in transcription because I can type fast and it seems like a reliable industry to get employment in.
I would appreciate any advice regarding the ins and outs of the transcription industry.
Namely: Is it stressful and demanding?
Are you constantly typing at a high rate of speed all day long?
Is there secretarial work usually involved?
Basically, what is the worst part? And how hard do you find it to gain consistent employment?
Thanks for the time taken to read this and I greatly, greatly appreciate any helpful comments.
Sam
OSI mentor program.
I applied and have not heard anything yet? Have any one else applied. Thanks.
I don't know about their mentor program...
But I have been working for them for about 6 months now and absolutely love them. I highly recommend them, and I have heard good things about their mentor program. I just haven't experienced it first-hand.
Lisha
company advice
Just wanted to know if anybody has ever worked for Breitner Transcription and what they are like?
Thanks!
Besides this excellent advice (sm)
when you finally figure out that one word you've struggled over, pay attention to how it's being pronounced. Makes notes about the little quirks with their accent. Some don't say "V" and say "W" instead. Some say cerv-I-cal. I know one doc who drops endings, he'll say impress instead of impression, fracture instead of fractured, rotate instead of rotation. Some can't pronounce blended sounds like th, sh, etc.
advice from a teacher once.
listen for the consonants and then apply the vowels to make the words. Then check the dictionary for if they are actual words or not. Hope this helps.
Try an internship program
Cort Medical and Accustat Carolinas both have a mentoring progam, I also graduated from PCDI and could not find work, I had to work for free in an intership program for 8 weeks to get a job in the end, this might sound hopeless but I know how frustrating it is to look for work, I now have been working steady for accustat and love them if you need more information email me at flgeitner@comcast.net if you wish and may be I can help..
Thanks for the great advice! nm
Oops! Let's try that again... I'd really appreciate advice
on which is better: online course (one of the top three) or local community college. I've met with the dept head of our college, who answered plenty of questions I had. However, I still feel drawn to the flexibility of training at home, online. If I choose the online route, I would prefer to start working at a local dr. office after I complete the course. I've heard it's great for newbies b/c you have others around to help, etc. Have you heard/experienced if it's hard to get a job locally after graduating from an online course? I think I'd do ok getting a job from a national co, but I hear the pay is better if you're willing to go onsite locally (aprox $15 per hr to start around here), and since I am able to go outside my home, I'd rather get paid more to do that! Eventually, I'd like to work from home, but not right away.
Can you give me any insights? Thanks so much!
-Anne
Need Advice and Opinions
I have a masters degree in biology and thought medical transcription would be the perfect way to use some of my education while working from home. I took an independent study course in transcription. In this course I transcribed all of the beginning and advanced SUM dictations at least twice. I was almost ready to test with Medquist when my instructor disappeared. Other things were happening in my life at the time, so I put my hopes for an MT career on the back burner for a while. I intended to start over with Andrews or M-Tec. I was ready to enroll when my husband lost a job. Now it doesn't seem like a good idea to spend money that we may need to live on for an MT course, and I really can't afford the time it would take before I start to earn. I was thinking about doing a really intense review. Then I would try to test with as many companies as possible and hope that one would give me a chance. I know this is not the ideal way to go about it, but does anyone think it might work? Are there companies that will test someone like me?
OSI Mentoring Program
Ever heard of OSi Mentoring Program?? Is this supposed to be on the up and up???? Good program? Bad program? Good company???? Thanks for the info....:)
osi mentor program
Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I am currently in the OSi mentor program and while it lacks a lot of structure, I am certainly getting my foot in the door and obtaining the experience necessary to move on to another company when possible.
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