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When I got into this field 17+ yrs ago, not one MT in our dept had gone to school. s/m

Posted By: Just call me Lucky MT then! on 2007-09-22
In Reply to: There's always that one who has to ruin the whole post! - Newbie MT

You could hear the 6 of us clanking on our IBM Selectric clear down the hall. I was one of the youngest going to college where I earned an A+ in Eng. 101 and 102. I had a little bit of doctor's office experience (6 months). Luck didn't have a thing to do with me becoming an MT at 18. God blessed me with ambition, the desire and ability to learn, a love for the job, and a touch of intelligence didn't hurt either. I learned hands on, which sometimes is the best way. In a year, I was receiving commendables on my evaluation. I'm not trying to sound arrogant. I just want people to know that they can learn if they have drive and the passion to do it. Heck anything can be conquered with those two elements. Trust me... I was ranked nowhere near the top 10 of my class.


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POLL: Home School vs. Charter School vs. Public School vs. Priv ate School...
Pros and cons of each too. I have two little ones that will be starting school soon and I would like opinions on all. Thanks in advance! :)
Ctrl + F9 adds the field brackets - F11 jumps to the field.
xx
When you have a good QA dept, this isn't a
I've been an MT for 28 years. The first 20 years, we didn't have such a thing as QA per se. The office manager might have read a report or 2 a year at best. The last 8 years have had a great QA crew, and I have learned and relearned a lot. I am always very thankful to get the feedback. Perhaps these MTs you are referring to aren't quite as lucky as I.
You can also go to the Dept. of Labor. (n/m)
x
your QA dept is incorrect....

from whonamedit dot com and when it's a proper name and you have to put *non* in front of it - you hyphenate..non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
































Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866)
English physcian and pathologist, born August 17, 1798, in Pentonville, St. James Parish, Middlesex; died April 5, 1866, Jaffa, Palestine [now Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel].
Hodgkin-Paltauf-Sternberg syndrome (Hodgkin's disease)
Hodgkin-Paltauf-Sternberg disease (Hodgkin's disease)
Sternberg’s disease (Hodgkin's disease)
Pel-Ebstein fever (Hodgkin's disease)
Paltauf-Sternberg disease (Hodgkin's disease)
Hodgkin’s syndrome (Hodgkin's disease)
Hodgkin’s paragranuloma (Hodgkin's disease)
Hodgkin’s granuloma (Hodgkin's disease)
Bonfils' syndrome (Hodgkin's disease)
Bonfils' disease (Hodgkin's disease)
Hodgkin's disease
A neoplastic disease of unknown aetiology, considered to be a form of malignant lymphoma, producing enlargement of lymphoid tissue, spleen, and liver with invasion of other tissues.


Try to talk to someone within MR Dept.
That kind of info wouldn't be easily found out unless you actually know someone in MR Dept, HR, Personnel, someone with knowledge of what happens around there. Our local xray techs actually know what one of our hospitals do with their transcription.
If you have a good QA dept
they shouldn't mind helping you fill in those blanks. Make copies of all the reports you get back if their from a particularly difficult dictator and used them for future reference. Most QA I know love to help people so I wouldn't hesitate to ask for their assistance.
I did that with 2 kids with time mgmt and a high school girl who babysat 3 days a week after school
nm
check with the dept of labor...sm
they might be able to handle it for free
Dept of Consumer Advocacy........nm

I'll check with Dept of SS on that and

let you know if it's illegal. My guess is that those restrictions on your income after you retire aren't just put in there to fill blank spaces.  They're there for a reason, and if you thought they were so legal, why are you asking discreetly on this board for suggestions to get around your situation.  If you only wanted info on becoming an IC, you would have just asked for it instead of supplying us with the dirty details. 


I apologize if I seem a little offended at your morals.  I certainly wouldn't suggest that you leave your grandchildren in the street, but I would think there are legal ways to solve this situation, and perhaps some of the people on this board wouldn't have gotten so upset had you just asked for suggestions on your situation rather than how to work the system.


Check out the nearest HIM dept
longer a huge secret - they are demanding rates that US companies cannot give them and they have no qualms about going offshore.  If the US companies can't accomodate them, they go straight to the outsource.  You can live with your head in the sand all you want, but it's happening every day at hospitals around the country.  Look at the state of our healthcare system.  Hospitals are closing down.  Surely you don't think transcription costs are at the top of their priority do you?  They're just looking for cheap and with the economy the way it is, it's not looking any better for MTs any day soon. 
The cost of running a private school or any school is expensive....
Why do you think public schools are so run down and can't find good teachers?  Because the government and people to not put forth the effort or $$$$ to improve the educational system.
Hey---Nowadays we NEED a Dept of Pubic Health!!
ROFL
As a former supervisor of Mayo's Transcription Dept.
I can say that, yes, they continually run ads whether they are hiring or not.  HR keeps resumes on file and refers to them as they need to fill a slot.  Mayo is not the easiest place to work.  Incoming MTs have to go through pretty rigorous training and you have to have 3 passing QAs before you can work out of the home.  Many of the dictators are horrible due to their very thick accents or racing dictation methods.  It's been a while since I've worked there, but when I did, I know that their word processing system was rather cumbersome and required a lot of mouse work and their Expander wasn't very good either.
Applied to Medical Records Dept ...
... second shift position.
From NY Dept of Labor, exam is required sm

Link included but excerpt here ---


OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES AND PERMITS


Minors can obtain employment certificates or permits from the school they attend or from the superintendent of schools in that area. The paperwork required include:



Written permission from a parent to work. (There are exceptions for minors considered to be emancipated by school authorities)


Proof of age, either a birth certificate or some other document at least two years old that satisfies the officer issuing the certificate;


A certificate of physical fitness to assure that the young person is in sound health and that the work will not impair his/her physical condition.


School medical doctors or physicians designated by the Department of Health give physical examinations. Otherwise minors may obtain a certificate of physical fitness from their own doctor. Minors from neighboring states who seek work in New York can use a certificate issued by a physician in their home state. Physicians who find that a youth age l4 to l8 is not physically fit for some occupations but may engage safely in other types of work, can issue a certificate of limited physical fitness.


I have never worked where the MT dept was anywhere near the charts, for that reason.
It's been my experience in different hospitals that MT dept is NOT the MR dept. Different wings, different supervisors, different workers. As a hospital MT I never had access to the charts. But since you said you went upstairs to do this, it sounds like your facility is the same.

Well, we can write to the Dept. of Labor's Apprenticeship people
and tell them that the AAMT's proposal is not what MTs want, and that the AAMT has only a very tiny percentage of MTs as members.  If a lot of people do this, then the Dept. of Labor might think twice about the proposal, especially if everyone gives reasons.
I think that Health Dept needs a class in black widows
/
I guess you never worked in a medical records dept? LOL
x
I send one quarterly check to the Dept of Treasury which --sm
distributes to appropriate categories. I also send a separate check to NC Dept of Revenue for state taxes.
Mammograms are going to PenRad in the local hospital's Radiology dept.
dd
And there are Christmas Angels in about every mall & dept. store, but people have
always donated through MTStars Santa's House.  As well, we are doing prize giveaways with donations. We encourage everyone to give in any way that they wish.  This is an easy option for WAH folks. 
Contact their local police dept with serial numbers.
You can report this as theft of property and have warrants issued.

Or, add the current value (when you sent the equipment to them) to their earnings statement at the end of the year so they must pay taxes on it and write it off your books as payment for services.


Anyone know higher-up contact names at Dept. of Health and Human Services..sm
this is who created HIPAA. Anyone willing to email or write any of these people in regard to these offshoring issues and how the doctors should be required to inform the patient when their medical information is leaving the country in order to be transcribed. HIPAA was created with privacy and protection as its main purpose, but ironically once the work leaves the country, this means nothing. The Dept. of Health and Human Services (HIPAA) needs to step up and do the right thing here in the best interest of our country's citizens, while preserving many U.S. transcriptionists who will lose their jobs if no changes are made.
Finally steady money. whew. Applied and got job at Dept of Law Enforcement entering

They started me way above minimum because of my experience.  I was shocked and happy all at the same time. 


And of course I'm esctatic to not be wondering how much money I would be getting each pay check.  Working on production in transcription now is like playing Russian Roulette.


There's good benes where I going, retirement, sick days, no games with my health insurance.  I should have done this long ago.


Another suggestion, google a specific state's dept. of medical or professional licensing.

I've got the Missouri Division for Professional Registration --> which you can look up MDs, DOs, RNs, PACs, LPNs, etc.


Kentucky has a board of medical licensure website with a search function.  Indiana has a state professional licensing website.


In some states, like California and Texas, they separate the nurses and doctors, so there are two separate sites to search.  If you have a nurse practitioner dictating, it's good to know.


I'm not at my own PC as I'm working in the office right now so I don't have access to all my different sites, so I'm trying to remember what all I have.


Let's see.... WebMD is a good one.


If I think of anymore, I'll post 'em! 


The School of Hard Knocks is the best MT school
n
Not new to the field either. Been there and seen it. (sm)
However, routing is NOT ALWAYS the only problem. Times when bonuses are out show a vast difference in dictators that are left to type and number sequence of the jobs. There are some who do cherry pick and return these jobs to pool. In a smaller hospital setting this was not so prominent because others could see it, print out a report and show the boss who would address it in one way or another.

Unfortunately, we are such big organizations now and the people in the digital rooms are just worried about keeping TAT that they don't care who does it as long as it gets done.

Then world is not a perfect place and you cannot be pleasant and assume good things will happen always. People do cheat, people do send back reports they don't make good money on.

It certainly is not the company I am distressed about, it is the few (or I assume just a few) little prima donnas who are doing this "me, me, me" thing. You can choose your company, you just can't choose your co-workers.

Until a wand comes down from the Heaven's and casts a Pollyana spell on all of us, I don't think your new attitude idea will work.
are you new to this field or are you just
uninformed?  A few months back, the AAMT subject was brought up on this board.  One single question was asked:  What has the AAMT done to help improve the pay and overall career for the American MT?  After days, I don't think there was one, single positive post to that question.  Oh, yes for sure, there was a lot of "spin" but not one direct positive answer.  Do you know something we don't?  If so, could you please share it with us? 
Welcome to the field!
I've been in the field for about 22 years. Stedmans Words Books are a great resource and easy to use. Google words when you get stuck and best of luck!!! Stay away from Amherst....
another field
I often think about another field as I am tired of transcribing (going on 9 years now) and then there is asking my PS questions and its like pulling teeth to get an answer because honestly I don't think she knows and also not feeling like I'm being pay for what I feel is a hard day's work.  So maybe for me something in the beauty industry like esthetician where your also providing a service for people that want to feel good about themselves.
What field? (nm)
.
how best to get into the field
Hello. I am reading the messages about certification, AHDI, AAMT, etc and see that you have a very reasonable message. My sister wants to get into the MT field and I want to help her as much as I can. What would you recommend in today's employment outlook, for her to do to pursue this? I was steering her towards accredited schooling and the RMT or CMT, but after reading this Board, I am now very confused!
I'm currently looking to get out of the MT field too
I can see it going down hill really quick and it worries me. I don't know what I will do if MTing isnt around even long enough for me to get out of the field first. I wouldn't just go get any job though. I would need to go to school for something so I can make sure I would be making more money than I do now and have better insurance and benefits. I would love a job where I could just work 8 hours a day. Some days I sit here from 8 am to 8 pm or later just to get enough lines in to pay my bills. It sucks and I'm sick of doing it.
I'm currently looking to get out of the MT field too
I can see it going down hill really quick and it worries me. I don't know what I will do if MTing isnt around even long enough for me to get out of the field first. I wouldn't just go get any job though. I would need to go to school for something so I can make sure I would be making more money than I do now and have better insurance and benefits. I would love a job where I could just work 8 hours a day. Some days I sit here from 8 am to 8 pm or later just to get enough lines in to pay my bills. It sucks and I'm sick of doing it.
I don't know if any particular field is more difficult
than the next, if all you do is type one speciality. I think ER and Psych are mentally hard because with ER a lot of the patients die and it is depressing and then psych is depressing because of the severe dysfunction of the patients and/or their families. Oncology can be depressing too cause outcomes are not always great and like the previous poster said frequent new meds.

I used to transcribe for a teaching hospital connected to a medical school and that dictation was very hard, much more technical than your normal hospital, lots more dictators too and a new crop every July.
I wish I had read this BEFORE getting in the field
It may have been great once, but it looks like dog meat now.
Returning to MT field

I went through a training program and then worked one year for a national - Spheris.  Had some health issues (and a young son paying daycare for) so gave my notice and got done.  That was several years ago.  My son is now in kindergarten and want to do medical transcription again. 


What is IC and how does that work?  Do all nationals have this?  How does part time work for most of these companies? 


Any hints on brushing up on my skills before I return. 

Thank you for your help,


Hopeful MT


 


 


But you have to look deep down within you and ask why you are even in this field and
why being an SE is so important to you? To be honest, I've been an MT for quite a while and an SE MT for MQ for over 6 years now. The flexibility has been, well, too good to be true. I, too, can say that I haven't been a perfect MT because I havent keep to my "schedule" even though I have on as an SE. I just pretty much come and go as I please. Can you honestly say you do the same with your company? And are you with MQ? Well, that is just not really fair to them, if you really want to dig down and get honest here. They need to know that their clients will be covered all around the clock and their SEs just really are not consistent and I think all companies need consistency. It's funny, I am in the process of looking for another job, and have interviewed with quite a few folks and once they decide they want me - it's all about - hours, hours, hours. When can you work, what time of day can you start, can you work weekends, can we have that in writing?
Ok, I just had an ENTIRE post of great advice on 401 K programs for part-timers and it got deleted in this very post! That stinks!!!!!

Bottom line is: If you are an SE MT you have nothing invested and when you want to retire you will have nothing. It is sad. No one in my family who is retired or going to be retired have 401 KS and they will be living off the govt. or me, or other working family members. I don't want to be them in 20-30 years. Don't count on Social Security ladies! (and gents).

My husband works for a large corporation and they project when he retires (they send us followups monthly) that when he retires we will be millionares. Well, that sounds great, but what if leaves me for another woman? It happens everyday. And then where will that leave me and my kids? We are devout Christians and I know he is committed, but you just never know. I've seen church members leave their spouses before. I ain't takin the chance! Hence, I will seriously consider investing in 401 as a part time employee (first time in my life) just so that I can have some kind of cushion when I retire, even if its just 30, 40, or 50,000! Hey, if MQ is willing to match earnings, etc, why not? Why just take them for a paycheck? You should seriously, seriously consider all your options if you are an SE, which is what I am right now, and start protecting your future. Especially if you are stay at home mom with little kids. I am a Christian and I feel really led to start doing this. Don't just transcribe your little heart out so that in 20 years you have nothing to show for it.
SE is GREAT for flexibility. But it is NOT a great long-term thing to do to ourselves.
For PT MQers to qualify for 401 k, you have to work a minimum of 1,000 hours a year. You figure out the math. I don't have the time right now! Keep on keeping on girls.
45 yof, MT 10+ yrs, med field 20 yrs Alabama nm
.
Use F11 to jump to each field (nm)
x
Have not in MT field, but in other fields
and how many of us women are the sole support of our families?  Many...
Me too! Too much uncertainty in the MT field...sm

and too much potential in nursing. I have a small MTSO and since I'm getting a salary and can set a flexible schedule, I'm getting my BSN. Our state college only has a full time program. 1000 people applied and 70 got in. If you didn't have a 3.50, you didn't get in. The curricula is incredibly tough. I'm pretty smart but this is very challenging. Yet I am finding out I love the challenges too. Working as an MT is a definite plus. Everybody! comes to me to ask me how to spell things, including the instructors :) and I was the only person in the class who knew what a pheochromocytoma was. (I have lots of other medical background too including medical assistant, paramedic, etc. but listening to thousands of medical reports teaches you an immense amount.) Not to mention my charting is impeccable.


My main plan is to go on and get an Advanced Practice Nurse degree (master's) so I can work in primary care in the physicians' offices. Good luck to you. and Email me with any more questions.


Leaving MT field?
I feel for you and can understand all your concerns. I think there are areas out there with great demands like teaching, nursing (get your LPN or CNA to get started in the field), radiology technology or a shorter schooling experience would be for medical coding, though won't be surpised if technology takes that job away too! You can become a certified phlebotomist and get started in the lab work area. These areas are just the tip of the iceberg, but change can be done and is not impossible. Good luck!
esthetician field.

At least from what i've researched.  Starting pay is enough to live on. 


If you find out how to get into this field--
Would you mind sharing on this forum? I think it sounds interesting, but I don't know who you would contact, either.

Field Codes
Not sure if this is what you mean, but if you place field codes (CTRL + F9) in the appropriate places in your template, you can jump to them by pressing F11.
Field Codes - yes that's it...
thank you so much.
Long before I got into this field...
I was at an appointment with my GYN and he dictated right after the exam.  When he was done, I asked him how anyone could understand what he just said and his reply was that they can just "slow it down".  Now that I know better, I'm thinking, yeah right!