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A lot of the crap schools do

Posted By: but no one in their right mind should on 2006-06-27
In Reply to: Has anyone else seen ads for MT schools that promise 40,000 yearly? This doesn't appear to be tru - Susan

take that as truth.  I know I certainly did not.  There are schools that cannot get you a foot in the door, let alone promise that you can make those amounts.


Then there are schools like Career Step who have information about grads who did/do make that amount...but they don't promise it and have never promised that their grads would make that wage. 


It is very possible, but for a lot of us, it's not. We cannot really blame that on the schools. We need to blame ourselves and the companies for the the 5-7 cents a line that we settle for because, like all families, we need to feed our children and pay our bills.


I see it with colleges. You can make this much in this field, you can make that much in that field. It all depends on where you work, how productive you are, what state you are in, tons of factors. Same is true with MT, too many factors.


Nothing is ever promised, especially in this line of work.


I am just happy to have a job that I love, that I am able to have the opportunity to stay at home with my young daughter, have deductions come tax season. 


Hey, I made more waitressing than I did doing transcription my first year, but does that mean I want to go back to waitressing? Not a chance.  I could have made more at McDonalds, in fact, but do I want to deal with that crap?  Not really. 


I am thrilled about being an MT and would not trade it for the world and certainly didn't buy into the get rich scheme that a lot of those schools throw our way. 


It's a shame that schools have to use that as a way to get people to attend, but it works..and let me tell you, I have plenty of people that have never ever done transcription that tell me what a cake job my job is, you've all heard it before.. I CAN DO THAT, ALL YOU DO IS TYPE


...and THOSE are the people that get backed into the corner by these schools thinkin that this is going to be something that they just type and can throw out lines like crazy and make that $40,000 a year....because we all know, MT is EASY... psshhh.  Those schools should have to provide proof and stats.




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if someone puts up with crap for 5 years... they deserve the crap!! good grief... grow a set and get
xx
There are schools, and then there are schools.... (sm)
and so far no one where I worked before or currently has been interested in hiring. Some schools are nothing but a scam. Others are excellent. It's the transition period from newly-graduated student to income-producing worker that has a lot to do with the MT shortage. Many newbies throw in the towel and quit the profession because even though they're ready to work, they can't get in. Back in the day, many services & hospitals would take a couple newbies under their wing (I was one of them) to basically learn on-the-job. That may not be a completely viable option nowadays, but something in-between would. Another thing that I'd love to see changed is the snooty attitude many old-timers have to newcomers to the field.
The two best schools seem to be
Andrews and M-Tec. I have been in this industry for decades, both as an MT and MTSO, and it seems that the grads from those two are the most ready to hit the ground running. I wish you luck with getting money back from TranSCAM; they have, unfortunately, ripped off many people who fall for their shtick.
Yes, these schools
just want your money because so many people who get into this field shouldn't be doing it in the first place. It takes certain skills to be able to do this and the schools don't even care if you know how to read, they just want your money. I took a $600 course and finished in 3 months and luckily I found work on this website 3 years ago as a newbie. Since then, others have talked to me about this career and I discourage them if they don't have the capabilities it takes to do this type of work. So many think that it's a piece of cake since they can already type. And it is very difficult to find a job with an internship included. And they want experience, usually 3 to 5 years. Those seem to be very difficult to find these days. I wouldn't recommend it myself and I do enjoy my job.
I wonder about schools s/m

KIds seem to be graduating now without skills in the old basic, reading, writing and arithmetic and it didn't just start recently.  Another of my pet peeves is hearing people say, I'm not reliable for accidents.  Good grief!!!!!  I've heard this spoken and seen it written.


Recommedations on DL Schools
I am looking to take my MT training. I want to make sure that I choose a distance learning school with very rigorous and demanding courses. I want to learn as much as possible. If anyone has any recommendations, they would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!
Two online schools

that have a record of getting their graduates placed in positions at home WITHOUT needing 2 years of experience are:


Andres


MTEC


 


Comparing schools
I took a quick look at their website, what they offer, and how much it costs. Are you interested in this course because they say they often hire top graduates? This course does not guarantee you a job with them. They even say you have to go out and market yourself.
As an M-Tec graduate, I can tell you that if you study hard and after graduation really stick to it, you will find a good job. You receive a large number of real books with M-TEC and not just some workbook. With M-TEC you have your own instructor to answer your questions and guide you through the course. Not to mention the online classes and vast online resources they offer. They have their own IT expert, who will answer your questions and holds online classes. After graduation, they will always be there to help if they can. They help with your resume, and after graduation they provide you with a large list of MT companies that hire new grads. Make a list of questions, submit them to the top 2 or 3 schools, and compare answers. Good education has its price, but it will also open doors for you!!
I blame the schools also.
Work at home, big money, easy job. Yeah, right. Just like stuffing envelopes.
Shame on MT schools
Shame on these MT schools saying they can guarantee graduates $60,000 per year!! Of course some say up to, which is very subjective, though very misleading.  They ought to let people trying to get into this business know that unless they are fortunate enough to find the right fit, they are in for a bumpy ride.
these MT schools only care about the sm
money they can get and that is the bottom line.

On the other hand, there have been plenty of MTs on this board who have spoken against these MT schools and their advertising practices. We have said that this is no field to get into if you just want to work at home etc and that no school for four months, six months whatever was going to be enough to get into the field and that it takes years and years of working to even be qualified to work at home alone. But you know what? Everytime somebody talks against the schools and the fact that this profession is going down the tubes because of the attitude of wanting to work at home and make lots of money, we get blasted by other posters with rude and nasty posts.

Many of us have warned folks who wanted to go to these schools, not to do it and folks won't listen. They pay their money and just as you describe, they get out of school and still can't do the job.

Im glad somebody else is saying what the real deal is with these schools and these advertisements because for myself, this is the last time I will ever mention it. Some folks will only learn by doing and wasting their money. They won't listen.
Allied Business Schools, Inc.

I have had no problems getting job offers.  Right now I am working for a great lady that really respects her MTs.  She just got a new account, so she is growing, which is a good thing.  I can work whenever I want, literally.  The only she asks is that I do at least 30 minutes of dictation a day for five days a week.  Of course, I will do way more than that, but it is nice to know that if I need a break for a day or two then she won't mind.s


I wish you the best of luck!!!


There are 2 great on-line schools
that are so good their graduates are hired right away: Andrews and M-Tec.

Don't accept less than the best where your livelihood is concerned.


Here my schools requirements for an externship












I am enrolled at Kaplan University in the AS degree program for medical transcription


MR203: Medical Externship and Evaluation (3 Credits)

 
Course Description
Successful completion of this course will require 90 hours of transcription experience at an approved health care setting. Students will be evaluated on the performance of expected competencies at the end of the course. The course requires a final presentation. The online version of MR203 requires each student to locate their own externship site and obtain approval by the clinical coordinator prior to beginning externship.

Course Objective
By the end of this course, you should be able to:



  • Transcription of health care dictation to demonstrate accomplishment of the transcription program outcome (MRT-1).
  • Prepararation of patient care documents to demonstrate accomplishment of the patient records outcome (MRT-2).
  • Medical Transcription practice within the ethical guidelines, standards, regulations, and laws demonstrating accomplishment of the standards, laws, and ethics program outcome (MA-3).
  • Application of learned foundational knowledge demonstrating accomplishment of the foundational knowledge program outcome (MA-4).
  • Professional communication and conduct demonstrating accomplishment of the professionalism program outcome (MA-5).

 


I agree with you about the way substandard schools
operate, but I would call people who fell into their traps, 'suckers.'
I am convinced that they came into this profession with diligence and the honest wish to give their best, work hard. but were overwhelmed by what they were confronted as not well- and enough-trained newbies.

They were misinformed and taken advantage of by misrepresentation and false promises.
and they can afford to BUY TRANSCRIPTION SCHOOLS!!!
...and they didn't lower the cost for the HOSPITALS! They're just pocketing all the money they are making by RAPING US of our pay!!!!!

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!
Gee, ya think that's maybe why the original poster asked about SCHOOLS??

Amazing! Obviously brains are not too much of a requirement...Ya just had to get that dig in about how hard it is due to medical "language", yadda, yadda.  Give it a break and say something we or the original poster DIDN'T know!


MQ will hire newbies from "approved schools", what are they? sm

I am considering going through a community college that has a 100 hour internship program at the end.  I want to know if this will be enough to hire on as a trainee with them. 


 


Is it just Career Step they approve of?  Anyone know? 


It's all those matchcover schools telling them they can make
$40,000-50,000 in their first year working at home while their small children play quietly at their feet! The only ones getting rich are the so-called schools. There ought to be somewhere to turn them in for false advertising.
How do these MT schools get away with saying you can make $40,000 per year. That is a fake
advertisement and should be banned!
Has anyone else seen ads for MT schools that promise 40,000 yearly? This doesn't appear to be tru
with my experience, at least starting out anyway.
I know of 2 MTs from reputable schools who started w/o the 2 year exp. nm
.
Yep, one of the "top 3 schools" has grads that will work for this.
On the forum of the MT school I graduated from, I see all the time new MTs taking jobs for 1-2 cpl for editing jobs. Right now there are posts of those willing to work for free just to get experience. It drives me crazy. They don't get that they are driving the rates down for everyone. Why would a company pay more when there are new grads beating down their door to work for 1-2 cents per line. They don't get that they are ruining the profession they have just worked so hard to get into.
They changed their name ... check the AAMT list of schools
it shows it as being changed
It's a myth perpetuated by the students and staff at those schools. nm
x
A lot? You've got to be kidding. Name them. "Big schools" still don't equal experience.
x
Crap!
Most hospitals don't know anything about the option of using overseas MTs. The MTSOs who offshore try to sell the hospitals on it by glorifying the savings. The MTSO benefits because they earn a higher profit margin.

You say that most MTSOs only send out work that their US MTs cannot do?????? Do you hear yourself? If an MTSO has an excess of work that their current staff is unable to complete in a timely manner, all they have to do is hire more US MTs. There is no excuse of offshoring. MTSO offshore because they choose to...bottom line. This gives them more money to line their pockets with.

I have worked as an Editor for a company who offshores. The quality of the work was laughable. I absolutely could not believe my eyes. The work that the overseas MTs produced is not wort the half a penny per line that the MTSOs pay them.
Crap. Yes with an E :) nm
,
They are Crap
They dont have any management skills, they are loosing every one these days. SO CRAPY ..
I don't think of them as crap
I think of them as human beings who provide bread and butter for me and for my family.
You know what - they do look like crap

The few I've seen that have been computer generated look utterly different than the way we typed 'em.  Actually its pretty infuriating that all the things that QA picked at us about have just been thrown out the window along with our jobs.  Obviously the facility never gave a hoot about consistent report format, BOS rules, etc.  Its demoralizing  that we worked so hard to make those reports perfect and now the facility gladly accepts messy garbage from a computer in order not to pay us, and the heck with patient care and accuracy.  The computer won't save their butts when they say the wrong thing in a report - the error will just stand as dictated.  I hope they enjoy presenting those documents in court for all the lawsuits they'll get down the road - and I'm sure it'll cost them more in court costs than it did to pay us.


Why is it that they'd rather pay ANYBODY - IT people, lawyers, wronged patients, etc. than to pay an MT?


Vianeta = Crap
nm
I don't buy the $33+ an hour crap.
x
A crap shoot
Trust nothing from Spheris. You could luck out and get a decent manager and account, but it's a crap shoot. I don't have enough time, energy, or room to describe that circus. I can't believe most of them can sleep at night. Certainly you could find a few nice people and accounts to make your life tolerable, but suffice it to say, the culture is atrocious. I don't believe I ever received a straight answer from anyone in that place about anything of an important nature, and usually, the inquiries are just blatantly ignored. They could give a rip about the quality that goes to the client which made me crazy. Everyone is managed en masse. The platform I worked on was friendly. I can say that.
Sorry, but would not put up with that crap for any amount of $$$
nm
I believe that everyone else is dumping the crap on you
That should not be allowed but I think MTs are skipping jobs. The same thing happened to me lately. I don't think it's TT management. It's just lazy MTs who don't want the bother, so they cancel the job and keep trying until they get a better one, or sign out, blaming internet problems. Maybe today will be better.
The same crap is happening to me - sm
You wouldn't be working a company based out of Chicago, would you be?
Exactly!!! the archives are crap for sure...nm
xx
Im with you. I came to TT from the MQ crap and would love...
to make it work, but I dont think it is going to happen. I have questioned a few things and feel from reading elsewhere that I have been blatantly lied to. Last week was my most frustrating. I did make line count, but 2 accts, a mix of VR and traditional, and no kids or family, so I sit and wait all day every day pretty much. My pay check makes me cry. I am taking a second job today, AAMOF. It wont pay all my bills, but Im going to try anyway.

I have not been at TT long enough to be a fave of anyone, let alone mentioning initials. How would anyone know if they have faves or if there is just way less work or the work is being done way faster?
What crap. I get so tired of someone

who says you must not be very good, are slacking, etc. when someone complains about their company.  I worked for KS and there were whole weeks where there was no work on one of my accounts.  They account was an overflow account only, which I wasn't told about when I was hired, and if things were slow then we didn't get any work. 


Just because you are overwhelmed with work on your account, doesn't mean another account isn't slow.  We have been on daily OT for months with my current company, but this week we are running out of work, most likely due to the holiday.  But prior to the OT there were accounts with very little work, with other accounts having more work than there were MTs trained for the account.   Just because someone doesn't have work doesn't mean they are a bad MT and I think even saying it when you don't know the facts reflects very badly on you. 


ENOUGH WITH THIS ECONOMY CRAP --- sm
True, the economy has taken a whipping for the last 3 quarters or so -- recession as of last fall, less than a year, so how do you blame the continuing DECREASE in MT salary since the last 10-20 years?  Or maybe figure we dumb MTs can't add or put 1+1 together.  You middlemen/suits/MTSOs have been making a FORTUNE off of the back and sweat of hard-working, underpaid MTs or years and years (otherwise, you'd be in a different line of work, wouldn't you?) and you darned well know it.  So stop blaming the current economy!  What was your excuse 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 years ago?
Crap. I saw M-F and was going to apply. nm
/
It's true that the new MTs get stuck w/ crap
I found that to be true and got nowhere when I asked to be moved. The person who started this thread is making the right decision by leaving and so am I.
Well, crap. I was just recently hired

by DSG and have heard only good things from folks nice enough to answer my posts on here.


I'm quitting my full-time job (with a steady paycheck) to work from home with DSG. Gosh, I hope and pray that I make enough money!!! I committed to 1000 lpd and will be IC status Monday when I start.


HELP!! Now I'm scared!! Good luck to you, though.


This sounds like the crap they used to pull
They would constantly run out of work - making it impossible to make quota, then would mail out nasty little letters about not making quota and threatening to reduce me to part-time and take away my benefits - when it was THEIR fault in the first place for not having enough work. Finally they lost all of my accounts, a chain of hospitals in Tennessee, so I quit. That has been a few years ago. It used to be horrible working there, and this sounds like the stuff they put me through.
What crap! I get my lines in and they ask me to work
extra all the time.  There is no way to indicate OT, just total lines, at least on my accounts.  Everything I say can be documented.   You need to get your facts straight before you start throwing that BS around.
I get the same crap here all the time & Sick of it! nm
x
It's basically a crap shoot, IMO

It sounds like you have a good impression of both companies, but the one seems to be more organized than the other.  Go with your gut.  I find that's a tactic that usually works well for me.


Good luck.  Hope whichever one you choose you end up liking it there.


Crap, what a slap in the face. nm
nm
yes, and the ones i have area piece of crap..sm
i spend MOST of my time  resetting the receiver thingy...same goes for my cordless keyboard....uggg, that is frustrating.  I think I am going back to corded.
Oh, please, just stop with that crap right now and tell the truth.
YOU are the one who cannot do!  Straight transcription, that is.  If you type like 5 lines per hour, I can see how VR would benefit you.  Otherwise, it is a waste of time and money--to the MT.  Admit it, you type very slow with no macros or templates, don't you?