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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Finding MT work with no experience

Posted By: Tracy Hunting on 2008-10-08
In Reply to:

Hi,

I am a stay at home mom ready to re-enter the workforce. I am taking classes at a local college, Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Medical Terminology, Medical Transcription, etc. I have previous secretarial experience, lots of data entry, transcription, etc. My question is, am I going to be able to find any work as a medical Transcriptionist without experience, and how do I get experience if no one will hire me?

Thanks in advance.


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Angela,


I am a recent grad of Andrews--one of the top two schools recommended--and I graduated with a grade average of 97.9.


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I am a recent MT graduate and I am a little nervous about the school I trained through, which was U.S. Career Institute and it was originally At-Home Professions.  I have been trying to fill out applications for MT jobs and I am not sure what to check for experience in subspecialties? Any advice will be appreciated as how to fill out applications.


Thank You!


Roxie


Take the outside experience. Will be invaluable for when you finally can work
s
Not a good idea to lie about work experience -
Chances are there is a reason they do not want someone with less. More than likely it will be obvious to who hires you that something is amiss. Never a good idea to lie about these things because you more than likely will be found out! Good luck to you. :-)
Unfortunately, you need 2 years' work experience to take the CMT exam. NM
x
I agree. Take it for the experience. It will take you 2 years of experience but you will easily

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Can't be reached at that e-mail.
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Alicia,


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ditto trouble finding a job

Hi everyone, my name is Angela and I received my certificate for MT about 2 years ago and still have not had any luck. If anyone has suggestions on good companys that hire entry level candidates I would greatly appreciate it. I am open to any suggestions.


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Probably, but it depends on finding a recruiter who will let you test with the limited
s
Unfortunately they have a very poor record of grads finding employment.
Many companies will waive their 2-years' experience requirement for Andrews or M-Tec grads, but they know the education at Penn Foster, AHP, and many others is just not good enough and they will not let grads of those schools even take their employment tests. I'm not saying you CAN'T get a job, just that it will unfortunately be much harder, as evidenced by the many, many people who have taken these courses and posted online that they can't get a job.
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates.

Training and education really does make a difference. Some people just have 15 or 20 years of very bad experience. They may be fortunate that one employer was willing to hire and keep them, but if that one closed, they would be in trouble. It all depends on the person. some new graduates are a better bet then some experienced MTs. I would prefer to find an experienced MT with great skills and a teachable attitude, but many experienced MTs know everything and are only willing to do things the way they've always done them.
most psych work is included in multispecialty hospital work..sm
contracted to a medical transcription service that requires multispecialty experience because of the hospital work. Unfortunately, very rarely can a medical Transcriptionist these days be given only one specialty when working for a service or hospital. We have to be well versed in multi specialties. The Turn Around Time on demands have increased, and thus the service or hospital gives the MT many different types of work. Learn as many specialties and gain as much experience in different specialties, which in turn will make you a more valuable MT and more apt to gain employment.
Just be sure not to pay for work. There is an MTSO below who apparently charges to work for them (sm
It might be tempting when you're getting desperate for work to pay someone so you can work for them, but don't do it. You can buy software and a foot pedal on your own, so don't let them fool you. If you are approached via e-mail from this site by an MTSO saying they have work for you, please read the posts below before making any decisions.
Can you share where you work that the work is plentiful? nm
s
Experience
I agree with you. I look at these boards and the "so-called experienced" MT's can't spell everyday words and do not know the difference between add and ad. I did transcription long before part of these people were born -- for an acute care hospital. I can't find a job now without taking a test when years ago all I had to do was go in a hospital and have a doctor dictate a report (which I took either in shorthand or typed while he was talking) and got a job immediately. Ileum and ilium meant different part even back then. I still think a big part of being successful in this type work is being "cut out" for it. I rest my case.
Anyone have experience with TRS?
I was looking at attending the TRS Institute for my MT training. It's so hard to weed out the good schools from the bad though. They promise a guarantee that if you successfully graduate from their course, then you will have a job working with their company, Transcription Relief Services. Has anybody taken their course or worked with their company? Any information is helpful. Thanks so much!
Experience

I graduated from a technical school and have been trying to get a job as a transcriptionist. I made 100% in my transcription classes, yet no one is even willing to talk to me because I have no transcription work experience. I'm sitting here wondering if I wasted my money on this school. I have experience with many computer programs, medical terminology classes and more. I have worked as a secretary in a hospital, and a veterinary office. I wanted to start transcription as soon as I finished school but I'm having no luck finding employment. Can someone tell me if I just wasted $10,000.
Experience
I have not been out of school very long and it was very tough finding a job.  I started by sending my resume to every company I could send it to. Even if the company stated they wanted two years of experience. My resume outlines my specific skills as an MT, i.e. computer, terminology, etc...and also outlines lists the specific courses I took in my college program.

There are literally hundereds of companies out there. I don't know if you are wanting to work from home or work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office, but I would do the same thing either way. I sent my resume to many, many companies.

If you are looking online and the company website offers testing for employment, take the test. That is how I ultimately landed the job I have now. The company I work for states they want 2 years of experience, but I tested for them and they hired me because I passed.

It is not easy to land that first job. You just have to be determined and keep at it. It is not as easy breaking into this business as it is getting any other job.  But once someone gives you that chace, you'll be set.  Good luck!
experience
I applied at the local hospital as soon as I got out of school. They wouldn't hire me as a transcriptionist, but hired me as a medical secretary. That job was a nightmare. I've applied at every place I can think of around here, but no luck. I finally decided to try the internet. I'm gonna see if I can find an independent contractor. Thanks for the idea!
Experience
I've been sending my resume to every company I can find. It lists all the classes I took in school, my internships, employment history, and awards. I found a couple of companies on here that offer testing. I didn't have enough time to take the test the other day, so I'm gonna do it now. Thanks for the advice. It makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only 1 that has had trouble finding an MT job!
Experience
I'm in the same boat!
Experience
I hear ya! I've been looking for a while, online and not and still can not find any company willing to give me a shot. I even testing with low paying companies on purpose just to get experience and received the reply, your skills are impressive however you do not meet our requirements. It is soooooooo hard finding a job in this field!
experience
I had the same issue when looking for work. Although, I sent my resume to NUMEROUS companies, six were willing to test me. Four of them I failed and the other two I quit in the middle of the test because they had ESLs in there and we weren't even trained on ESL dictations. I wanted to cry!! I finally got a job with a local company that is willing to hire newbies. You need to post your resume anywhere you can, apply to anyone who requests 2 yrs. experience, adn surf the net for MT companies nationwide. Apply everywhere, the worst that can happen is they don't hire you. I started hounding the company I am working for three months before they hired me. Every week. Never gave up. Getting your foot in the door is work. Good Luck!
experience
I'm starting to get pretty aggravated with it. I've actually been lying to companies just so they'll let me take the test. Tess told me about a company called MediVoxx. I guess they hire newbies. I'm gonna give them a try, u should 2.