Exactly. Just because you get a certificate doesn't mean you're certified.
Posted By: nm on 2007-09-14
In Reply to: ...extra cost, and most probably not until you - get more experience after training. NM
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I'm saying a certificate doesn't sway me either way. Performance does. nm
It still doesn't sound like you're getting the point
It would be great if we could just do our job, but when you're thrown into a national workpool where some MTs are getting 45 different clients with 45 different client profiles to try and keep straight on any given shift, that's next to impossible. I don't think any of the MTs want to be nurtured, but some simple respect would be a step in the right direction.
What else do you want to know? Some of the service areas have gone through numerous production supervisors in a short amount of time so that an MT may never know who they are supposed to report to or direct questions to, especially if a PS doesn't answer e-mails. (I am fortunate in that I have a PS who is very good with communication).
Add to the national work pool the fact that daily bonuses that a lot of the MTs depended on as part of their pay were done away with and with very little notice . This was replaced with a quarterly bonus, the formula of which is so convoluted and confusing, I have no idea how it's even calculated. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, confuse them with BS, I guess.
This is the "real deal" from where I'm sitting for the next 2 weeks before I go elsewhere.
M-Tec certificate program
I want to thank everyone who responded to my other post about choosing a school. I have read web pages and MT chat boards till my head hurts. When I think I've made my decision, then I read something else that makes me think about it more.
I'm wondering, when people recommend M-Tec, are they referring to the certificate or the diploma program. Some make is sound like you can't get work unless you have the diploma program? After reading their website, I do think they have a more extensive certificate program than the others I was considering. It seems though that there will not be much help in obtaining a job afterwards, but a push towards upgrading to the diploma program. I know a couple of people that have completed a less extensive certificate program and are able to work at home, but their schools had placement support.
Are there any M-Tec grads from the certificate program that could help me out...tell me of their experience? I would appreciate it. I really need to enroll and get on with the schooling part very very soon. :)
Thank you for every one's opinions, advice and help!
Becca in Mi
FYI, you'll get a certificate from an MT program, but you won't be a
s
I have a question for you: Did you go through an MT program and have a certificate?.nm
nm
No, she is right - you can be certified by anyone, anywhere, anyhow -
so you can be a certified MT, though not certified by AAMT. You can even set up your own certification board and certify yourself.
You cannot become certified until you have
at least 2 years of MT experience.
If you haven't already post your resume on the job site here. Some companies don't post positions but will hire from the resume. If you did not graduate from one of the more recognized schools perhaps you can look at more schooling or look into a menitoring program. You have to be careful though as there are scams out there. Always good to ask here or on company board.
CPC certified?
I'm confused . . . how could you have been a CPC certified coder if you have no experience? That certification requires 2 full years of experience.
The AAPC requires the experience for all of their certifications.
Most MTs are not certified I believe - sm
Most of us hold a "certificate" from a the school we attended though, totally different animal. To become certified you must have a min. of 2 years actual job experience then take a test from the AAMT (whatever the new name is), the test is over $300 to take pass or fail. A local CC is find and many people go that route, but there are those that swear by the "big 3". I "attended" CAI which some look down on. I believe it was/is a good course. I know I would have been better prepared had I put more effort in to my practice "actual" dictation, but was lucky and landed an acute care job within 6 weeks of completing my course, and then 2 others on top of that one, all were part-time so it worked out well for me and I was able to learn a lot by working the 3 different jobs and not be stuck in one specialty. My goal was to be FT eventually and I am now, and only working 2 jobs, one is PT, the other my main job. The PT positions are harder to find as they want reliable MTs who will do there work every day regardless of how tired you are when you come home from work, or if your kid has a school play, concert, etc. that night, etc. You can do it, but you will need to be committed and reliable, and be ready for some late nights if this is a secondary job.
certified cmt?
What is the difference in being non-certified with a certificate and being a CMT.
I am certified and sm
I notice I get called for a job just as quick as someone with 25 years or more experience. I have 10 years experience, certified for 1 year.
The reason I went for the certificate is because I always wanted it and the last job paid me to do it, plus had study sessions to help. 
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!
Fully Certified??????????
I would recommend asking a lot of questions of those schools that claim to offer "full certification." They may present you with a certificate when you complete their programs, but that is not the same as being "certified" or a CMT. Completion of those courses will not give you the right to call yourself a CMT, and if they are saying it does, they are not telling you the truth.
The CMT credential is acquired by successful performance on the CMT test administered by the ADHI. It is my understanding that two years of acute-care experience is required to be able to take the test. You can find more information about the CMT test and eligibility at the ADHI website. It is very easy for an employer to verify possession (or lack of) a CMT credential, so be very careful about calling yourself "certified" when applying for jobs right out of school. If you haven't passed the ADHI CMT test, you are not a CMT.
This particular issue comes up frequently as there are apparently a number of schools making their students believe the are CMTs when they complete the course when, in fact, they are not.
There are only two approved/certified by the AAMT.
.
Please be careful on using that term certified MT.
You are only certified if you have taken the CMT exam for the AAMT.
Otherwise, you have a certificate for completing a course.
You can face legal action for claiming to be a certified MT without an AAMT certification number to back it up.
It also misrepresents yourself.
will not - not if you're competent. If you're incompetent they will fire you anyway
x
Need to finish...don't buy something like this until you're positive it's job you're goi
s
You're not a "new MT" if you have no training, you're not an MT at all. nm
x
Years ago you didn't need a certificate, didn't even
need experience, but things have changed. Unless your mentor is going to sit by your side 24/7 I would recommend finishing the class, because you need to have a knowledge base in place. I have seen recent posts though where companies willing to hire newbies will not hire those who has taken from the program that you are taking.
Um, no. Actually, it doesn't.
In any event, the OP knows what MTSO means. She wants to know how to find one. This was in the message.
You're new and you're already frustrated?
You better find a new profession because doctors have always been lousy dictators and they always will be. It comes with the job. Nobody will ever say anything to the doctors about lousy dictating. They bring in the money to the hospitals. They can do anything they want. Get used to it.
So what? That doesn't mean we have to be members. I'd
rather not be involved in an association at all than a two faced one like AAMT.
So you got lucky. Doesn't mean everyone will. nm
x
...or maybe even a 3rd if the different formatting doesn't
s
Thank you. It doesn't hurt to
.
It really isn't a very good course and doesn't
prepare you enough to get a job. Most who take it have difficulty passng testing with companies and end spending more $$ to take another course of a mentoring program.
That doesn't sound bad at all (see msg)
What I have seen for new MTs is about 500-600 lpd for the first couple-few months.
I work an 8-hour shift with a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks (I'm an employee). I start getting slower around midshift or a bit after that point. I have found it very helpful to have a timer on my desk and take a break when it goes off, whether it be my 15-minute break or a 5-minute one to stand up and stretch. I usually have my timer set at 2 hours. It's a pretty nifty digital timer that has hours/minutes and minutes/seconds (your choice) so you can set it for more than 90 minutes, although 90 minutes might be good for you since you're still new.
We don't request work at my company; it's already there and as soon as I submit a job I grab another one which helps me stay focused and not want to take a break.
I don't know if I was helpful in any way, but don't fret about speed; it will come with time.
AHP doesn't have a very good reputation. SM
I have heard from many MTs who have a VERY hard time finding a job because major companies will not usually accept a newbie from that program. Some smaller MTSOs or offices might, but why make things more difficult? I recommend checking out Andrews, MTEC, or CareerStep. I have no bias towards any of them, just have heard good things about those 3.
CS doesn't even supply you with real
reference materials, except for the dictionary and drug book. All other books were written by the owner, who was trained by her mother, who taught herself.
I would rather have had real instructors instead of an "automatic grader" and real books instead of "home made" ones.
Form doesn't matter. I just do
it all is the usual format, headings capped and then just type. I make paragraphs if needed. Be sure and check for grammar (see your original post) because bad grammar will surely count against you, probably even more than a blank will. Just do the best you can with what you have to work with. If you don't pass it will at least have given you some experience and you have an idea of what to expect on the next one.
It doesn't sound familiar and
I don't see it in my Stedman's ENT book.
Sorry.
Sounds like my DH, doesn't care that he - sm
is leaving behind a wife and 2 kids(me and our children)---and I presume you have at least 1 child from your name. I hope you had life insurance already in place since no one will undoubtly touch him now. ---Good luck in your new job.
Andrews doesn't grade that way
The "high honors" bit doesn't apply to Andrews. They don't grade that way. It isn't just their top students who get jobs, but every graduate.
They begin the first day coaching you to achieve work that is good enough to be marketable. Their students go for 98% accuracy. Any time a student has trouble getting there, they do extra dictation to improve. The instructors work with them on this. Andrews doesn't use computers to grade or just sit students down with answer keys and expect them to grade themselves.
Andrews works with students until they are ready to graduate. When an Andrews student graduates, they are able to do work good enough to get a job with a national.
There isn't any make-or-break final at Andrews, either. Their students know exactly where they stand from the beginning, so there are no surprises at the end.
I so agree! Doesn't matter to me what school...sm
what matters is how you do on grammar and such and then the test files. I can spot a good Transcriptionist a mile away and it has nothing to do with the school listed on her resume.
Um. What? Your message doesn't make any sense.
Why should any MTSO be expected to hire someone who is clearly unqualified. Why should someone who broadcasts his or her poor skills in the initial contact be given "equal opportunity" with someone who really is qualified? It takes time and money to test and set up a new MT for work. That's time away from earning and money out of the MTSO's pocket. You think she should give that clearly unqualified and incompetent applicant a job? Why? It's not going to work out, as any experienced MTSO can tell you. You can tell from the initial contact when you've got someone who will not be able to do the work, no matter how much you try to help her or how many chances you give. It's not a matter of just being new, it's a matter of wheter the applicant is qualified, regardless of level of experience. New people with good skills will know enough not to make egregious errors in their communication with potential employers. Those people get hired. Those newbies get the opportunities. They deserve to get the opportunities because they can do the job. The unqualified, poorly trained newbies make their incompetence clear very early on, and MTSOs have learned to identify and eliminate them "right off the bat" (or bet, or whatever you think it is). Get down off your high horse and understand the needs of the person doing the hiring. Your message makes it clear you know nothing about the MT business or how to run any business. No one deserves a job just because he or she wants one. An applicant is going to have to show some potential before an MTSO is going to take a chance and make a job offer.
Doesn't work in Word XP (2000)
Dern it lol. I was told this answer a long time ago and was so greatful to finally have it, but have lost it..literally!
Well now I'm confused. She doesn't even make sense. nm
x
I'm an employer and I say it doesn't matter where you go to school.
I'm impressed by an applicant who shows the ability to follow directions, troubleshoot and stick-to-it-ness. I have seen crap come out of the big three and I have seen crap come out of community colleges and matchbook schools. I have seen superb MT's come out of community colleges and I dare say matchbook schools. As a matter of fact, I didn't even go to school. I was a paramedic and just applied for a job typing x-rays. So I say it matters more what your natural abilities are. If you a linguist and type like the dickens, and know the medical field, you don't even have to go to school. 
Yes, new MTs have value. Doesn't mean companies should lose money on you, though.
There's an extremely high cost to mentoring/training new MTs. You've come into MT work with the wrong expectations, I think, regardless of where you got your direction.
Allied doesn't care if you learn anything OR if you get a job. They just want their $$. nm
x
That's because CS doesn't have an entrance exam, they will take money from anyone
regardless of whether they have a snowball's chance in you-know-where of ever making it as an MT.
59 hours doesn't come close to teaching
you even the basics. You could apply to do only ophthalmology. Typing speed isn't that important, but 95% accuracy isn't good enough for most companies. It might be enough to pass their test, but QA usually requires 98+%. You might want to look into a menitoring program.
"approved" by AHDI doesn't mean its great (nm)
TRSI is "approved" and they are a terrible school. They ignore students, they don't teach you anything, and I wasted my money there. I'm at Medline now and its a great school, yet both are "approved," so just because a school is approved doesn't mean its the best. Its how the school treats the student, I have learned. Jeni.
Why doesn't someone give some good reports on other schools
One person on this board constantly rips the so-called Big 3. Instead of doing that, why doesn't she bring some good facts forward about her own school. That would be more productive.
Newbie from here was earning 3 cpl with them in January. Much too low! And your first check doesn
s
If you file jointly it doesn't matter who paid for them, it all comes
from the same pot anyway.
You don't need the medical education for GT but that doesn't make it easier
"General" covers a lot, some of it is easier, some of it is a nightmare - just like MT.
Doesn't land her a check when she sends potentia students away
Private schools have the luxury of not having to enroll people when they know they can't do the work. Public schools do. Private school managers, owners, or directors can be honest with you and tell if you if they don't think you can type or spell well enough and would be wasting their time and your money.
Wow, this busy message board and no one has a response? Doesn't matter anyway, I've already s
nm
I didn't find it rude that you didn't agree with me. That doesn't
matter. We don't have to agree. What I found rude and condescending was the way you hammered away at how you had to have training, saying that anybody with common sense would know that you had to go to school to be an MT; things like that are what I found rude. Some of us did just what you said couldn't be done. Like I said, it doesn't matter if we agree or not. We all have our opinions and are entitled to them. Just don't try to tell me that what I, and others, have already done is not possible. 
You're not alone!
I'm so with you! After my recent work shifts I am more convinced than ever of the need to find something less stressful than nursing. I love the medical field but I really can't continue to endure the nursing world. It's going to hell-in-a-handbasket and I'm sure you know what I mean. I hurt my back last nite responding to a seizure! The guy was in a pool of blood and cyanotic. Found out later he's Hep C+. Great...and now my back is tweaked. Keep me posted on your plans!
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