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5.5 as an employee is good to start! sm

Posted By: NewBMT on 2007-04-25
In Reply to: is that what starting cpl is now? - atrocious

I started my first job at 5cpl as an IC, no benefits.  If you are offered 5.5 cpl plus benefits to start take it.  You will get more later on but you need the experience.  I've been working 7 months now and just took a new job at 7cpl.  You have to start somewhere and cannot expect to come into the industry making what experienced people are being paid/offered.  Yes, many companies post ads and say they offer 7-9cpl, but you'll also notice most of them are also asking for the MT to have 3-5 years experience.  Taking a lower wage when you are new is not belittling, it is reality.  You can always work your way up.  Also you can continue to job hunt while working and if you find better, great then switch companies.  You have to start at the bottom, but you would be surprised how quickly you can move up if you are good at what you do.  Good luck!


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This is a good start for you (sm)
In light of the fact that you are new, this is an excellent rate of pay with a reasonable (generous, really) production requirement, even though you may not be able to meet it at first.

Add 20-25% to it for the benefits and you'll be making more on the lines of $13.08. As an on-site employee you will not have to pay self-employment tax or overhead.

When people scoff at this rate of pay, remember that everyone starting out in a new career field starts at the bottom. You have to work your way up. As an MT, your value lies in your ability to produce quantity work while maintaining high quality. Newbies aren't able to produce much while maintaining quality.

The incentive pay makes this better, and if it has good benefits, then you're doing well.

The most important thing about this job is that it will give you experience. You NEED that experience. If you can get it while being paid hourly, so much the better.

Unless someone scoffing at this can produce a job for you which pays better, do not listen to them.

If you do not have a job and you need a job, you are in no position to be turning one down because it doesn't pay top dollar. Take this job and do your best with it.




Is this a good start
I've heard Sten-Tel is a good starting company, is that true? I need to gain experience. I recently finished up an internship, but need 1-2 yr experience to be able to work in clinics or hospitals in my area. So I thought if I could work online at home PT or FT(I need to make around $400/mo to pay all my bills) for a year, then I could start applying again at the hospitals... anyone have any good leads?
I would start with PT. Good way to
get your speed up, familiarize yourself with macros. Easy work - no drugs or labs, usually no ESL, lots of repetition. Start with PT and then go from there.
the lower you start, the longer it will take you to make good money!
those are just the facts!
IC vs. Employee

When I was hired by the national I am working for I was given a choice, IC or employee.  I was hired by this company right out of school.  In order to be an employee with them they required 12,000 lines per pay period (2 weeks).  Being an independent contractor had no minimum line count.  Since I was fresh out of school I knew that there was no way I could commit to 12,000 line per pay period, so I chose to be an IC.  Once I got my production up to speed, I was able to switch to employee status.  I am not sure how other companies work, but I do believe that most will give you the option to be IC or employee.  I just don't know if you can switch mid-stream or not.


Hope this helps you some!


Heartland employee

Hello, I am not a Heartland employee, but I did take their test and passed with a 92. They said at the time that their training class was full  and as soon as they had an opening for training, that they would get in touch with me. I have not heard from them and that has been two months. I am a CareerStep grad. Wanda 


if you are hired by co, usually employee...sm

If you are *hired by a company* then usually you are an employee...it is when you score your own accounts that you can become an IC....but I'd brush up on typing skills, no offense.....it's truly detail- oriented work and you misspelled pursue and independent...and again, no offense....


IC versus employee has nothing to do with either
IC is just a tax status.

There are plenty of MTs who get paid hourly.

It won't make any difference if you are an IC or an employee...you can get paid whatever method you are successful at negotiating with your client or employer.

Employee Position

Hi Lori,


Check with someone at Career Step.  They should offer you a listing of employers who will test their graduates.  I am an M-Tec grad, and there are many job opportunities available for graduates.  I would think that Career Step would offer the same thing.  Since you have some experience under your belt, I am sure you would have no trouble finding a job!


Good luck!


its employee status only -disregard my ? NM
nm
You didn't say if you are an MTSO or IC or employee or what. (nm)
nm
So I'm still not sure ... but the MT is a hospital employee, sometimes they will "weight" m
dictators so you get a little extra credit for unusually bad dictators. But that may not be a common practice everywhere.

If you are an IC, or at least once you are experienced, you might be able to negotiate a better rate for a particular MD if nobody else can or will do his dictation.

But have faith - some dictators who sound just horrible the first few times will suddenly be a breeze once you "crack the code." You will probably do that much more quickly if you have an experienced MT helping you out, listening to the difficult spots.


contracting versus employee
Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of contracting versus employee?  I have plenty of time throughout the day, but my husband works from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  This is a large chunk in the middle of shifts.  Is contracting setting the amount you will do for the day?  Like I would be able to work 6 hours but at split times throughout the day?  Any help on this would be appreciated.
Going rate per line as employee

Can anyone tell me the going rate per line for employee status?  I am currently IC, but looking for employment.  Any help appreciated. - Newbie!


If you are an MT employee or MT employer pls EMAIL ME!
I need all the help i can get.  I'm submitting my package to get into the MT program by the end of June 2009 and the only thing I haven't completed is the informational interview.  I have to ask 3 MT employees and 3 MT employers a few questions about this line of work and I'll be able to get my package processed and hopefully get into the program right away.  I am on maternity leave and it's difficulty for me to leave the house and search for people.  Please help me out so I can get into this program and finally make something of myself that I can be proud of.  Thanks everyone who has taken the time to read this.  My email is carpio_cat@hotmail.com
IC or employee? There's no way you're working for a national
and making more than 8 cpl in your second year of MT. 6 is an OK rate for a newbie who's still wet behind the ears. You've never seen her resume or school transcripts. How can you tell her she's worth as much or nearly as much as experienced MTs? I won't nitpick, but newbies need serious feedback.
it will start low
I started with $200 or less every 2 weeks when I started. Currently, I make around $500+ every two weeks. That's good for me considering I am just doing this part time while taking care of my baby. Hopefully, I can bring that figure up.
Start looking now
It won't hurt to start looking now. I'd go ahead and start sending out resumes and test with any company that will allow you to test with them. One of the most important things companies need to know is that you have skills and a good base background. Actual experience in the market will come after you land that first MT job. Good luck to you.
Where did you start?
Where do newbies get their start? I have been applying everywhere, but everyone wants 2 years experience.

HELP!
Possible start...
I took the classes, graduated high in my group, etc. And I was facing the same problem; nobody wants a newbie that they have to babysit. I actually got my foot in the door through a temporary staffing agency, working in the medical clinic at the county jail. After that, I was on a role -- 1 more in-house position and now I'm an independent contractor. There are companies out there that will take a chance with a newbie (the lady that picked me up on contractor status, for example) and be very patient with them until they learn the ropes.
Don't ever give up (I've been fighting for this for 12 years now, and am finally able to say that I have 2 years under my belt)!
Where/how to start?

Hello,


I am currently looking to find a part-time at home transcription job. I have been endlessly looking at all different websites and just am not sure how to apply myself and what is real or a scam. I've been working as a full-time Certified Ophthalmic Assistant for the past 10 years as well as transcribing consult letters and in office surgical procedure reports.  Though my work experience is all Ophthalmology, I do hold an Associates Degree in Office Technology with courses that included machine transcription, medical/legal terminology, business english, etc...  I also took a refresher course last year in Medical Transcription.  It was a 59 hour course which included medical terminology, typing with daily timed testing and actual transcription from taped dictations. I would really like to expand my experience and skills but am leary on who would consider me with my lack of experience in anything other than Ophthalmology.  My speed was estimated to be 65-70 wpm but I have been trying to keep up on it with timed testing and practice. My accuracy was about 95%.  Most places seem to want higher speed. I know I can learn and get my typing up to speed and accuracy.  I am willing to do what it takes as I could really use the extra income.  Any help to go in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know where to begin. 


 


Thank you.   


start up costs
to start up, you need a medical spellchecker loaded in your PC, electronic version of Quick Look Drug Book, high speed internet and Google. You will probably need to get some version of a .wav player in order to test. And for goodness sake, you don't go buying reference books full price at Barnes & Noble's. You get them used through the classified ads on MT sites and you only buy the ones that relate to your specialty. At this rate, you'll never be out of debt.
So it's better to start out in the clinic
area rather than the hospital setting? How do you find clinics who are hiring? I look in the paper and I don't see any.
I start Jan 8.....more inside

I start with the tech call on the 8th, training on the 9th, and begin work on the 10th.  Any insight no how to start off great?  Any recommended reference books?  Are you employed with them?


Jill


Start in-house!
Meryl, I can't believe no one answered your post! If you are new, I highly recommend that you start in-house, as a lot of us did. You can get the help you need starting out. Benefits are usually good working in a hospital or doctor's office.

If you don't see any jobs in the newspaper locally, put out some feelers. I got my best job, one I have been doing for 13 years, at my daughter's oral surgeon's office. I mentioned I do transcription and asked who did theirs. Turned out the bookkeeper did it when she had time.

It is difficult to work at home just starting out due to the lack of the support you need.

Good luck, Meryl. We all wish you the best.

Start applying.
x
start stop
i do
how does a new MT start testing?
How does a new MT take tests to prove to employers she can do the work?
Start testing and see what happens ...
Good luck!!!
Want to start MT course this month
Hi -
I'm new and looking for information. I would like to start a MT course as soon as possible. I need a way to make some kind of income for my family. Right now I'm looking at Academy of Medical Transcription & Professions out of Maine and CareerStep. Would there be any recent graduates from either school that would be willing to tell me the pros / cons they found of their school? It's hard to compare and would like some input. There's some difference in money, but I really would like to take a course that is going to prepare me to start working right away after graduation. Any thoughts or advice?
Thank you for your help!
Becca (in MI)


great start...

I agree---the program gave me a great start.  I have posted many times on Focus.  If you search the forum you will see many posts.


Good Luck---Sue


 


bright start
I've been racking my brain trying to find a good MT program. I looked at Bright Start and it sounds good. They have the BBB logo on their page but I've yet to find them listed with them. That makes me a little leary. I did see though that you can take for an extra fee 2 levels of advanced specialty training.
Just graduated.....where should I start?

Tomorrow night is my last class. The school does not help with finding jobs. Any suggestions as to where I should start looking?


I saw a posting for PT entry-level MT position with Rider & Associates, Inc. Does anyone know who they are and are they reliable?


I was told by a former graduate form my school to look out some companies are not cracked up to be what they seem.


Where to Start MT part Time
Any ideas on where I start if i want to get into MT part time at home?  Do I join one of these places that you pay for them to train you?  Take training on my own?  HELP.. Or am I totally nuts and really dont want to get into this?  I have had Carpal tunnel in the past and work full time also...
Even if you so happened to start out with no ESLs,
That can change overnight. The fact is that more likely than not in this business you are going to have to get used to them. :-(
You could start applying first to see if anyone will let you test now and
s
P.S. - I also know that sentences always start with capital
letters.  Please check your posts if you are going to scrutinize and criticize and point out typos in posts that other people place on this board.  I don't have to proofread when I am posting on this board. I do, however, when I'm working.  Do you?
I had to start out in the office of a local hospital sm

for a year, then went home.  I didn't want to go home to be honest, too many distractions and my twins were babies at the time, but they were sending everyone home.  I really don't know what to tell anyone when I see these posts.  There are lots of companies out there needing help and you'd think that if they are willing to send their work overseas to people that don't even speak English as a first language, then they would be willing to hire a new graduate.  I would be a little more pushy, offer to do 30 days at a lower cent per line then have a review, something like that.  Keep pushing, someone will see potential and take a chance on you.  Honestly, these companies that don't hire new graduates I just don't get it.  I work for a small local company that is always behind on their work and I always suggest they hire some new graduates from the two local schools, but they never do it, they just sit and wait for people to apply.  Good luck! 


Well, until you start the perfect MT organization, they are the only one around ..joke or not.

Wow! This is a sign to beware of her start up costs.
what your MTs will get. By not giving an answer you are causing us to jump to conclusions...
Most jobs only want 2 yrs of experience. Start testing again and
s
Can you start an IV, put in a catheter, change a colostomy
bag, do venipunctures, check a PKU on a newborn?  If so, by all means apply for a nursing position.  The point is, you don't HAVE to have formal training (i.e. school) to go from nursing to MT.  You do need hands-on training, though. 
The best advice is to start with the job leads your school gives you.
They will know who is willing to hire and train their graduates.
Can we start an EvaEv banishment petition?

Signature Number One:  XanaX


why can't we all just get along?


Check out the Job Seekers board and start applying everywhere.
/
Does anyone even use the start-stop universal transcription system?
if u do i need your help!!!!!!!!!
i totally agree with Patty. In a docs ofc. is where it can all start.
.
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.
maybe take a medical term course and start with physical therapy office
nm
Wait until you start dealing with their Indian techs, in India!, and run out of work. nm
s
Best way to start working immediately after grad is Andrews School or M-TEC online. nm
x