Community College Career Step Training
Posted By: Phyllis on 2007-02-05
In Reply to: San Juan Com. college Career step partnered program - very affordable! - MKJ
The fact is that most students who take Career Step training via Everett Community College or San Juan Community College do so, because they cannot afford to pay for Career Step out of their own pockets. No matter where they obtain the training, it is still quality training. Even if they don't get their first job via the Spheris or any other fast track, they will still be able to find a job if they work hard.
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Career Step thru Everett Community College
I ams starting this program Spring quarter (April). I am able to use Veteran's Dependents' Educational Benefits for this so it is paid for 100% (my Dad is a disabled Vietnam Vet). If you qualify for Veteran's aid (spouses and kids do in some cases too), worker retraining (were you laid off? has your field been outsourced overseas like manufacturing?) displaced homemaker (did you get divorced or widowed and need viable job skills?), or just low enough income that you would be eligible thru FAFSA (federal student financial aid) then you can get aid for this program. If you have to pay out of pocket tho, choose Career Step directly.
There are a couple other programs out there run thru Comm. Colleges, one in AZ, one in WI.
San Juan College Career Step Training
The teachers for the majority of the classes at Everett are CMTs. This is not the case with the program at San Juan College.
Career Step Training via San Juan College
Has anyone completed MT Career Step training via San Juan College, in Farmington, New Mexico? If so, please let me know how your experience was, i.e., faculty support, answers to your questions, etc.
training.....go to your local community college sm
and check out their training program.
Career Step via San Juan College
I appreciate the honesty from each of you.
My Career Step training will be done via San Juan College, in Farmington, New Mexico, and I will have live chat and e-mail support, so I am praying this will be adequate. Also, I have some experience in the MT field; I was trained on the job some years ago. However, I want to formalize my training, because I realize how much I don't know.
Thank you to everyone who replied.
Career Step via San Juan College
Career Step via San Juan College is not triple the cost. It is slightly more than enrolling directly through Career Step; you might want to check it out.
take Career Step thru San Juan Comm. College
If you have federal funding such as Veteran's, Pell grant, worker retraining, disability retraining, FAFSA, displaced homemaker, etc. - this is the way to go. Get by far the most for your $. Much better price than Everett Community College for the same program.
SJCC is self paced, just have semester deadlines, whereas EvCC has deadlines for every assignment (too demanding for my busy schedule - but some people like those deadlines because they need the push).
San Juan Comm. College in NM has the Career Step program. It's just a direct login link to the Career Step program thru the school, the school has no addditional classes required, etc. Costs about the same as Career Step gold so it might even be cheaper if you get all the features of platinum, etc., I don't know. Runs on semesters, only starts in January and August. Takes 2 semesters about 9 mos. You graduate Career Step and also get a certificate in HIT (health information technology) from SJCC. They said if you finish early you can get your Career Step graduation and then later your HIT certificate from SJCC. There is no limit of # of students who can register per each semester.
I have been researching schools a LOT for awhile and just found this one. It is not well advertised but it sounds like an awesome deal. This is the one I am going to use, it will stretch my monthly veteran's educational benefit cheque a lot further.
passed on for your benefit . . .
Career Step Training
I just started Career Step training via San Juan College, a community college that offers Career Step online training. I would like to hear from others who finished Career Step Training and are now successfully employed as work-at-home MTs.
San Juan Com. college Career step partnered program - very affordable!
Just checked out the San Juan Community College MT program - they partner with Career Step just like Everett Community College does. However, it looks like their costs are much more affordable. I sent an email to the program advisor there at SAn Juan CC asking if the program is eligible for Veteran's financial aid (if it's approved for that, then it is federally funded by FAFSA too I think). If you have to pay out of pocket, it's about equal to Career Step Gold program. If you can get Financial Aid, it could be a great way to stretch your $ (for example - EvCC's program is about $4,000. San Juan CC's prgram is about $1,500. Veterans educational benefits pay you the same amt each month regardless of what school you choose or cost of program). I'll post what I find out.
Career Step Online training
Self-motivated is a rather limp way to describe the course. There is no instructor support, nor is anything except the final graded by a human being.
I think you have to be a bit more than self-motivated. If you don't know wether something is right or wrong a computer graded response won't help you learn.
Just an observation from a
student who finished the course.
FINANCIAL AID FOR CAREER STEP TRAINING
This is a message for everyone who would like to become an MT but can't afford the training. Career Step training is now available through San Juan College, in New Mexico and Everett Community College, in Washington. Career Step has partnered with both schools which are now using the Career Step program.
Th The San Juan program has already started its fall session, but Everett College does not begin its fall session until September 25. Both programs require that you fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
I hope this information helps someone.
Career Step is quality training!!!
I am, of course, a Career Step graduate. I really believe in their program and have found great success as an MT due to their training course. I highly recommend it to anyone!!! Feel free to email me or check out my website for more information ... www.MTinTexas.com.
Career Step training is excellent
I received my training from Career Step which is an online school. If you would like more details, I'm happy to share my experience. Feel free to email me.
Whether you want to work from home or inhouse - you'll be prepared. Make sure whatever school you choose offers job placement assistance. Also, CS is very well respected as they are 1 of the schools recognized by the American Association of Medical Transcriptionists.
GOOD LUCK! 
I went to a Community College
/
Not all of them! Community College
can be great if you find one with a well rounded program. I went to a CC and was hired by a national before I even graduated. Don't knock community colleges. There are some that have really great programs. You just have to do your research.
there is a Community college in BC . . .
That partners with the CanScribe program I think, their fees might be different or that way you might qualify for some financial aid $ from the Canadian gov't based on income level, worker retraining, displaced homemaker, etc. It's online so you don' have to be there. Basically what I'm doing on the other side of the border through EvCC. I forget which college it is but it is on the Career Step Canadian info link. Good luck!
community college
You may want to research Career Step through one of the community colleges that offer the program. Some colleges offer financial aid and instructors. It seems to be worth looking into.
Yes, Community college is better
I'm doing the CS program through Everett community college and I would definitly say it is better than doing CS alone. I have instructors I can email/call at anytime if I need help, plus, you get more assistance that way!
Everett Community college.
I attended Everett Community College online. They utilize the Career Step program and also you have teachers and classmates, and deadlines. It was a very good program and I have had no problem getting a job right out of school. Actually, I have three working accounts right now. I was able to get a Stafford Student loan and there are many options on repayment. Please to any seasoned transcriptionist, please do not nit pick at this email, I just woke up.
4 CMT instructors of community college course? I don't think so
4 CMT instructors of community college course? I don't think so. Prove me wrong.
Someone below said 4 CMTs instructed their community college MT course. That is so hard to believe since CMTs can make more transcribing than teaching and community colleges are hurting for money. When they get money, it doesn't go to the MT course. There may be 1 or 2 exceptions. Would you post the name of your school and the web site so we can give them the credit they deserve?
I went to Randolph Community College and
the instructors do not have their credentials listed on the website. You would have to email each on individually, and I'm not giving out names on a public forum. I'm sorry that you don't believe me, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I know I got an excellent education from 4 CMTs among other instructors in my program.
The Community College I went to offers
a CMT exam after completing the program. It costs $150.00. I'm not sure of all the details though. I'm considering taking it, but haven't made up my mind yet.
I went to a community college and was hired
by a national one month before I graduated. You do not have to go to one of the "Big 3" to find a job in this business. You have to keep applying, keep sending in resumes, and TEST, TEST, TEST. That's what I did. It's not easy, but it can be done if you stick with it.
I went the community college route...
3 terms, September to June, got a certificate in medical transcription. I then went an additional term and picked up a medical office specialist certificate and also took some coding classes and passed the coding test that same year. Within 2 months I had an in-house transcription job (the first and only transcription job I applied for) worked there 3 years, did every type of report and all radiology reports, and have been at home for 2 years now. My current employer (which is a very good national) hired me without even having me take a test of any kind, just did the phone interview, so my community college certificate has not hurt me in the least. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Everett Community College
I am starting the MT program at Everett Community College in January and was wondering if anyone has had experience with this school and if so, what did you think about it? I know their curriculum uses the Career Step program, but just wondered what people thought of it being presented in the way it is at Everett. Thanks!
San Juan Community College
Hello,
I am interested in taking the Career Step program, but trying to decide whether to go through San Juan Comm College. I would like to know if anyone has taken the CS course through the college and if they felt prepared.
Thanks!
Everett Community College
Hi Julie, I am a student in the medical transcription program at Everett Community College. I am in my second semester and have been able to get financial aid (that I don't have to pay back) for my first 2 semesters. They also offer Federal Student Loans that anyone can get. The program is great but definitly not easy! The instructors are also awesome. Let me know if you have any questions!!
http://www.everettcc.edu/programs/bat/medtrans/index.cfm?id=300&linkFrom=Search
Community college course or online? Your opinions? sm:)
Hi. I'm new to the board, and would like your opinions on which you think is a better education: local community college here which offers an MT certification course (3 semesters in length) or online with either CS or M-Tec?
I am self disciplined, but still may stay more focused if I have deadlines, and classes to go to. I'm not sure...
Have any of you found more value in one choice or another? Thanks in advance for your time/input! :) Anne
Check into your local community college.
You will get an excellent MT education and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. What people say about the "Big 3" schools is a lot of hype. JMO
Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR SM
I completed their 2-year program, and it was excellent. The person in charge of the program is a CMT and she had another CMT working with her.
Chickadee
I did a community college certificate and immediately started working as an IC
I always recommend the community college route because it is VERY inexpensive compared to the MT schools. You can always do an MT school after your community college work if you think you really need it.
I am NOT a certified medical Transcriptionist (CMT) because that can only be obtained through AAMT. I DO have a certificate of completion of the MT course through my community college though. I have found it to be more than adequate for me to work as an IC MT, and my teacher has been very willing to help me with problems and questions that I can't figure out myself through these wonderful MT boards!
Good luck!
A woman told me this week her community college "certified" her as an MT.
I think the problem is the people who are teaching those courses don't know the difference. It isn't really a lie. They just don't know better. Of course they also shouldn't be teaching a subject they know little or nothing about, but that's for another thread, another time.
Could be poor MT material to start with - my absolute best MT came from community college and
I've had some Andrews, M-Tecs that couldn't even pass the first grammar screening.
college grad + training
Does being a college grad plus a grad of MT training school improve one's chances of being hired with no experience?
Best bet is local college for MT training
Please do not waste your money on those "fast track" schools that promise you training in 6 months to a year. I did one, and then had to go to the local college to get my real training along with a 2-year mentoring program typing OPs. Money used to be good (I was making $90,000 to $100,000) but now I cannot even make enough money to cover expenses (call-in system, phone lines, office rent, reference books, AAMT membership, DSL, voice file equipment, C-phone equipment, transcribers for local clients, stationary, constant software upgrades and reference book upgrades, business license, etc. Get the picture? Oh yeah, the most expensive of all--the medical expenses from 16 surgeries from all my work injuries as a Transcriptionist with 4 more surgeries to go and all the doctors, prescriptions at $1400 a month with insurance, insurance premiums, electric, etc. The list goes on. I truly wish I could get out.
Take a medical terminology class - one class - at a community college (sm)
You don't have to sign up for the whole program, just take a medical terminology class and learn it inside and out. Get some medical terminology CDs and listen to them in your car. Find places with in-house transcriptionists to let you test and start out working in-house so that you will have help. It is very hard the first couple of months but gets much easier after that. I was a secretary, took anatomy and physiology and some other pre-nursing classes. Decided not to be a nurse, took a medical terminology class and that was it. Studied a lot, listened to tapes, went and tested, worked in house a few months. Have been doing this 12 years now.
Career Step
Please excuse the typos, my cat decided he wanted to sit on the keybard.... cher
Career Step will get you a job.
Hello. I graduated from Career Step with high honors and was hired by a major national within a week after applying. I have been working for 4 months and have moved out of the mentoring program faster than "normal" (per my mentor). Since being out of training, I have excelled beyond what they consider "normal" for new graduates. If that's not an indication of the course content, then I don't know what is. I chose Career Step because of the fact that it is self-paced with no "assigned" instructors. It didn't mean I was alone. It was the way I liked to learn. If I had a question, I emailed support, and received an answer promptly. Many people put down Career Step, but they are usually disgruntled students (who may need more support than others) or from other people who are just listening to these disgruntled students/prior students/ex-students. I admit that Andrews and M-Tec are fantastic schools, but they will cost you. I am happy I attended Career Step, didn't break the bank, and am employed at a great job.
career step
i looked into Career Step and it is like $1500, does anyone really have that kind of cash to lay out in the beginning?
Career Step
I too was trying to decide on which school to train with, when after careful research and hand wringing, decided on the Sallie Mae loan for Career Step. In my opinion, it offers more bang for your buck. From what I have gathered from the student forums and chats, there's lot's of support if you need it. The top two schools are excellent, but very, very pricey! I work full-time for the benefits and want to transcribe part-time, so I didn't want to go into heavy debt to learn MT.
Cherish
Thanks! (? about Career Step)
But don't worry, I would never base my decision on what is said on this message board, it just gives me a little more to think about. I am still very serious about it. I am currently taking a course at my local college, but it's not a certification course, it's just a supplemental course. I am considering taking the Career Step course, and so far everyone has positive things to say about it. Is it truly a good course for finding a job in the future? Thanks, SC
Career Step
Career Step offers a great medical transcription course. I saw it first-hand in a couple of months ago.
Career Step
chose Career Step program -- finished in 13 months while being home with my daughter who was 1 when I started -- passed final with honors and had a job within 3 weeks.
Career Step
No, you are not wasting your time. I'm on Career Step through Bellevue Community College, and I just got a full-time benefitted position at Tucson Medical Center.
I'm not even done with the program yet. I just applied, they called me, and I tested. They thought I did really well, and couldn't believe I didn't already have professional experience.
Also, at the time I took the position, I was in contact with Write Now Transcription in California, who offered me a job through them, as well.
Please note, I am not even done with the program yet.
So, go ahead and do the program through Everett Community College.
The reports they have you transcribe are in general, a bit tougher than average in the real market, which is good. You get a chance to really cut your teeth on good and bad--really bad-- dictation.
Good Luck and go to school!
Career Step, also..nm
x
Career Step
JBarker--I went through Career Step's course. I just graduated a couple of weeks ago...(Feb. 22) You can take a year to take the course, and if you need longer, they offer extensions. I think it was worth the money, in my opinion. The tests that I have taken so far have been very similiar to the final exam Career Step gave. Good luck with your choice!!
Career Step
Just to throw this in here. If your SIL does decide to do Career Step which is a great program. I have had a few friends complete it and get a lot of job offers. I have a Gold Online Career Step Course for sale very cheap. Just thought I would mention that. My email is tummons5@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.
Thanks
Angela
Career Step
I've hired two CS grads and both are wonderful transcriptionists. The very worst I've seen out there is PCDI. They don't train on ESLs and I have not had a single applicant yet pass the test on mttest.com. What they charge and what they provide for what they charge is outrageous and I feel very sorry for these people.
Career Step
So...am I wasting my time? I've decided to enroll at Everett Community College because they use Career Step curriculum and I can get a pell grant. My husband is just starting his carpentry business and I can't afford payments. I'm hard working, polite, and where MT work is concerned an open book to be molded. So, surely someone would be willing to give me a chance when I graduate with high honors.
Career Step
Why would you suggest that new MT's choose a different career?
Career Step
Career Step, besides being by far the cheapest training approved by the AAMT, has the option of taking a module by Spheris (a transcription company), if you take this module they will hire you upon completion to work in acute care. Career Step also provides "job placement assistance" for their standard program too.
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