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The typing program I have is .......

Posted By: CM on 2006-03-27
In Reply to: eye strain - pat

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, which I have had for years. It doesn't cost much and allows you to practice your typing and improve typing speed.

Also, used to get a lot of headaches sitting in front of the computer but since I bought a radiation shield/screen to hang in front of my monitor, that has relieved a lot of my eye strain and headaches. It tones down the brightness of the monitor, which I didn't realize was so bright and how it affected by eyes until I put the filter screen in front of it. But I also wear glasses now for nearsightedness as a result of sitting in front of computers for years in previous jobs.

Anyway, hope this helps.


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Typing on a lap top
I too type on a lap top.  I use a wireless keyboard.  I prefer it to a desk top.
typing speed
So, what is the required typing speed for someone who is looking hired?  Or should I say the minimum.
typing programs

I used this website www.typingtutor.com and it was very helpful. You said you were using a MAC? I don't believe you will be able to use that once you are working, and I think that is a problem with training with M-Tec because of the software they use.You can check with them, but I'm pretty sure I saw that on their website.


typing lab values
Can someone please help with ponters on how to type lab values in H&Ps.  Which ones are commonly dictated one way but meant to be typed using decimal point values? thx in advance for your help.  
$5....but what the heck are you typing about? :) nm
s
typing test?
I am testing for jobs, and they want a typing test sent to them.  My comment... why?  I type what I hear not what I read.  The brain is trained in a different way.  I can only type 60 wpm without my shortcuts and stedmans smart type.  They want 80 wpm.  I dont know if I should test or not?
typing tests
Don't understand the reason either.....I just take the test...
First you aren't typing 150 lph, you are

transcribing 150 lph - big difference.  That lph isn't bad for being a newbie and you can't compare yourself to an MT with 10 years of experience. 


You can make more macros, use more expansions.  If you are trying to work around kids you probably aren't working as much as you think you are.  There is a free program you can download called Time Stamp (I think) and you use it to clock in and out to show the time you are actually transcribing.  You'll be surprised how much time you think you are working and how much you are actually working.


Try to get up early before kids and work 2 hours.  If they are young enough to still take naps, work when they are napping, or give them at least an hour of quiet time in their rooms so you can work.  Work after dinner when your husband can look after them.


Don't get on the internet unless you are researching and do your research and don't visit other websites or check your e-mail.  If possible make a note about what you need to look up and save it for when you take a break and you can look up several at one time.


I've been doing this for 20 years.  I'm not a fast typist, I can't transcribe with the speed ramped up.  I know people who can turn out the lines, but I have also seen some of their work and it isn't a quality product - not saying that it isn't possible to do both, just that fast isn't always good.


 


 


typing speed

I am starting school the end of this month and only type about 25 wpm just concerned and wondering if anyone else started out typing this slow and how it went for them and if school really help to pick-up their speed...or should 
i just forget it and move on to something else.


You aren't going to be typing 60 wpm. You are going to have to
look up words, format, spellcheck, etc. so just because you can type 60 wpm doesn't mean a thing.  You also have to figure it the difficulty of the account, how lines are counted .........   
typing error
Who are you, the typing police? Do you get pleasure out of insulting people? Or are you the perfect typist who never makes any errors? Don't think so!!!!!!!!!
typing test
It was a timed typing test.
I was not fast or accurate enough to pass, but I am improving. Have you worked online without taking a typing test?
Typing tests
I've never seen a typing test, timed or untimed, as part of any medical transcription application process. Transcription tests, yes, but not TYPING tests.

If I had ever been asked to take one, I'm afraid I would have gotten up and walked out. I would have assumed that the employer didn't understand the nature of the work they were calling "medical transcription." If they didn't understand that, they wouldn't be likely to understand much else about it, either, and that would be unfortunate for everyone.

If you're applying to legitimate MT employers, I don't think they will ask you to take a typing test. I do not believe our students have reported having to take a typing test, either.

You might want to check what MT services actually require.

That being said, you should . . . of course . . . improve your keyboard speed. That isn't achieved by going faster, but by keying slowly enough that you don't make any typos, but just keep going on and on. Eventually, you'll speed up. Try keying medical reports and books. There are lots of them on the internet.

In order for you to work comfortably as an MT, you'll need to be able to keyboard a whole shift, or about 7 hours with a 10 minute break every hour and a half-hour to an hour break in the middle.

You can do this if you start now and work at it gradually and without causing yourself stress. :)
Typing Tests
I have applied to several online companies and I haven't found any that don't require a typing test. Do you know of any? Also, as a newbie with no working experience, it's extremely to get my foot in the door anywhere. Thanks.
typing test
I agree, when I first started radiology I had to look up every 30 seconds or so - and I'd been doing this for 10 years. If you want you can take a quick typing test at www.typingtest.com, It would be purely for your own knowledge but it is kind of cool to see your improvement.

I remember seeing a job posting that said (this job is not worthwhile unless you can type 75 WPM) which I thought was very stupid. But they pointed out this website and I was at 73 wpm - when I started 10 years ago I was only at 45 WPM.

WPM doesn't matter as much as your knowledge - this is true - so consider that before you apply for a job that even mentions WPM!!
If you need extra practice typing itself...
goodtyping.com

COOL!
I was typing 150lph my first week. sm

It certainly isn't impossible.  No, it isn't great pay for someone who has a skill that is needed and is good at it, but you do need to start somewhere.  I don't think companies are willing to start newbies out at 7-9cpl because they can and do hire experienced MTs at that rate.  Why should they take a chance on someone unproven when they can get someone who has been in the industry 5+ years at the same rate?  That doesn't happen in any profession that I know of.


I've been a working MT now for just under a year and can type 300 lph doing acute care and more if I am doing podiatry.  Even at 6-7 cpl I can make a decent amount of money.  I'd love to be getting more money, but that just isn't happening.  Look at the job boards, most companies are advertising for 3-5 years experience starting at 7-9cpl, any higher than that is not the norm.  Is it fair?  Probably not, but it is the reality of this industry.  Those who don't love their work, are not good at it, or are only in it for the money will be getting out and finding another profession.  That will leave less competition and eventually the wages will begin to go up again. 


I think there has just been a huge surge in new people entering MT in the last few years because of all the 'get rich quick' ads out there, but people are starting to realize this isn't an easy job. 


Who knows, maybe I'm just too optomistic.


From my typing school days
I recall learning that a word consists of five characters, spaces, symbols, etc., so it seems to me that they are asking for a 65-character line rate.
How do you increase typing speed?
I am a fairly new MT who can type approx 150-170 lines per hour. I work p/t approx 500-1200 lines per day but it seems like I work f/t hours because of my typing speed. I have kids at home so when I get an hour long report I tend to try to hurry and that means I make more errors and slows down my typing speed.

My problem is I am constantly working so I can't find the time to work on my typing. I have only been working for about 3 months and am at 150-170 lph. How long should I give myself to get up to 200-300 lph like many can type?


what type of reports are you typing?

I do alot of psyche and some of my reports range from 150-450 lines per report.  So when you look at it like that it is not bad.  On the other had if you are doing radiology that would be totally different.  Again some of mines average from 15-30 lines.  That is with a 65 character line. 


Typing speed is no guarantee of success
as an MT. If you haven't had any MT training, you will fail rather spectacularly. Get some training. Get GOOD training, not some matchbook-cover school. Andrews, M-Tec, Career Step--those schools will provide the training that will get you a job. Don't try to cut corners with a cheap school. If you get the right training, and if you have the talent for the job, you will not lack for work.
looking into a typing CD to increase speed before school...
I'm planning on learning online with either M-Tec or CS, but need to wait until January to do so. Meanwhile, I thought it would be wise to do two things: 1. learn my Mac computer inside and out (I only know enough to get around plus alittle extra. This includes Word) 2. increase my typing speed
I recently bought Mavis Beacon typing 16 deluxe (I think that's what it's called) to help w/ typing speed... should arrive soon. Did anyone else do something similar to "ramp up" for MT school? Was there a need? Did it help you? Anything else I could be doing between now and January to get ready to go back to school?! (I'm 44 w/ four teens at home. Been a full time mom, and am alittle "rusty" when it comes to studying! But I'm up to the challenge, and family is very supportive.)
Your grammer seems good, and with your typing speed.....
you should have no problem. Wish you were in California.
There are several free typing sites online.
goodtyping.com is one of them I know. It uses a series of typing tests to improve on quality and speed. It helped me.
Does speech recognition really give you less typing?
TTS, LLC says that you really only have to proofread.  Does anyone know if this is true?
You typing on downloaded templates or something? Sounds like someone
s
More important than typing speed I hope
you chose a good school.  Doesn't matter how fast you type if you can't get a job because she chose a more "affordable" school that didn't give you the education you need to get a job. 
Plenty of jobs out there w/o typing tests. Haven't
s
try the SUM Program
It is the best one I know of. Good luck.
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.
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.
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.
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
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..
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.
Is there anyone at your school/program who can help?

Would it be possible for you to ask someone for more sample ESL dictations to transcribe?  Would you be able to buy a CD of ESL dictation? 


This company has an ESL CD:  http://www.absoluteexperience.com/AudioSamples.html


I don't know particulars about the MT program, but
my 14-YO took a course from them and it was a joke.  You have to have finished at least 8th grade to take their classes, so that should tell you there they their courses aren't very challenging.  Everything is open book and if you flunk the test the first go round, or just do poorly, you get a second chance to take the test, though you can only get a 70 if you have to take the test again, even if you score higher.   I wouldn't waste money on it because it is like taking some classes from some of the other schools, it is just money wasted and their reputation isn't great and unless they are terribly desperate or running a scam, will pass you over.  M-Tec, Andrews, and Career-Step are good some schools (not necessarily in that order).  I believe the PF course is close to $1000 and you can take the course for close to the same amount at a local community college. 
Mentoring program
Allstate Transcription has a mentoring program for those who are interested in something like this.  Feel free to visit the website to learn more.  Click on the AIM Program link, then Detailed Overview.
Advice for your program
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.


Took their intern program too

I felt the intern program was taking my training to a higher level and fine tuning  that training in a way that would get me working faster and make me both more productive and confident when I finished it.  Not only that, the growing experience with different companies only helped cement that training, which is something I will always have as I go forward.   Meditec is not a scam and they are very supportive.


 


Maybe everyone does not need an internship opportunity, but I knew I wanted one and am glad to have had it.  Besides, that very internship was one of the main reasons I chose Meditec in the first place.   I did pay a little extra for it, but I am worth that investment!    I have been on paid status since the internship and never had to worry about getting that very important first MT job.


 


Good luck to everyone and God Bless.


 


Unfortunately this program is horrible and
you wasted your money.  Many people have come here complaining they can't get a job after completing this course and end of having to take another course.   You're chances of getting a job are very slim. 
Internship program

Has anyone completed the internship program offered by Allstate Transcription? Did you receive a job offer?  Is it worth the money?


If you're already in an MT program, then do get it and
s
AIM Mentoring Program
AIM got back to me in 5-7 days.