Give Her A Break
Posted By: lb on 2008-07-13
In Reply to: Not trying to be mean but how on earth (sm) - ??
All she asked for was a good school that is affordable. For you to imply that she cannot go to school and raise a family is uncalled for.
The negativity on this board is so disappointing. I thought this was a board to help out prospective/new students, not a board to that discourages someone from a new career.
Lisa - I currently attend Career Step and I am fully enjoying it. Good luck.
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give yourself a break and...
hang in there. You just started last week? Oh... then plan to give it at least a month or so before you start being too hard on yourself. I remember having total meltdowns in the beginning and wondering why I was even trying. I spent all day and night trying to get the work done. I got a new account recently and had to learn my first ESL Dr... At first, I felt like giving up, but after a few weeks, it got so much better. I think anyone can relate to how you feel. Dont give up, at least not yet!
oh lordy......give it a break already...nobody...sm
believes you.....ROFL...
You need to break more often than every 2 hours
straight. That won't be good for your body and you'll burn out easy.
Again, most places will allow you the time to get comfortable with your dictators. Don't try to be too fast and make mistakes because that won't be worth it at all to either you or your new employer. That shows sloppiness. JMO.
This is why Forums break down......
Hah, I love it. Slam bam!! Whew, I knew an attack would come from some unhappy soul. Around the Back, I got into this thread because I read the silliness about the "Big 3" which I know is not true from our own hiring practices.
Here we have a poster who offers nothing but negatives. Nothing helpful, only destruction. Why are there people like this?
Unfortunately, I have too many MTs with similar negative attitudes. The world is too short to dwell in such a bleak world. Next you'll look for typos. :)
Come out and share. Offer insights. Take some risks by trying to look into the future and offer some of your long term wisdom. You probably have a lot. Share. Almost all of us want to learn. Brighten our lives a little.
And I'm not here to promote any school or MT Company. I could care less as long as students and graduates don't have their dreams crushed by scammers.
Your comments on this school's curriculum points to the fact that you really don't know what you are talking about. I could go into why, but that is tedious for me and the readers. The school can defend itself if it wants.
No that's not fair to the school, the curriculum is mostly HPI, one class at Career Step private publications, followed by their internship. I know because we hired from them. The key was their mentors.
A positive attitude is both free and priceless at the same time.
It's really tough to get a break
which one of the reasons why I quit teaching MT after 10- years. It was impossible for me to find an on-site internship program (no one wanted students on-site asking questions and slowing the productivity of regular MT's). I found a couple of IC's that would let my students transcribe the reports after they had already been transcribed and would verify work experience for them for doing that. I just hated seeing so many students putting all the effort into a class and then being unable to find a job with no experience. My advice was always to go to work on-site vs. trying to go it alone at home with no support. Keep applying until you have no other option. Good Luck
Keep an open mind when looking for your first break.
For a first break into the business, you really need to welcome an in-office position. Not only is it a job doing what you say you want to do, but you may actually get guidance from an experienced MT and learn more than you could ever learn alone.
It takes a while to break into the field
and start making a decent living. There are huge differences in companies. You might get paid the same cpl but make much better money with one company over the other. If you keep your eyes open, sometimes you find a really good one. Also be sure you have a good Expander program and keep finding ways to speed up your own typing.
What about giving professional MTs a break? (sm)
I'm simply trying to save her money and anxiety by suggesting that perhaps in her life situation, MT is not a career she should be pursuing. I'm not negative in the least, I just think that anyone who thinks this is a easy money-making career is deluding themselves.
This is not tupperware ... this is a professional, mentally challenging career with severe implications to both patients and health providers if the job is not done with the utmost accuracy and attention to detail.
This is not a career that someone should get into just because they want to stay home with their children. I've seen too many errors because of distracted transcriptionists who were ill equipped for their jobs and trust me, if you were given the wrong medication and/or wrong dosage because the Transcriptionist transcribed mg instead of mcg or couldn't distinguish between Seldane and Feldene due to distractions, you'd probably be screaming bloody murder.
When people stop thinking of MT as a "stay at home, play with my kids and do it on the side" kind of career, them maybe the rest of us professionals who dedicate our time becoming the best MTs we can in spite of lousy pay, foreign outsourcing and the rest of the world thinking we're a bunch of slackers who make easy money for nothing, can finally gain the respect we should have had all along.
Or if you're interested in investing 2 years to break into a field that won't be around...
but if you are wanting to get into a field where you can invest some time and money and actually have a job, you better look elsewhere. Seriously. I don't like it either but that's the way it is.
Don't Give Up!
I graduated in March of 2005, and I thought I would never find a job. I eventually had to take another job to supplement income, but then out of the blue my prayers were answered and I got a job working at home with my kids. So don't give up, it is possible to work out of your home out of school.
No one is going to give you something for nothing.
Life just doesn't work that way. You will need good training to have any reliable prospects, regardless of what line of work you decide to go into. If you want to be an MT, get the best education you can. The better your training, the more options you will have and the better your income will be. There are two schools that are universally recognized by MT employers as turning out job-ready employees: Andrews and M-Tec. With an education from one of those two schools, doors will open for you. Don't waste your money or your time on one of the cheap schools or allow yourself to be taken in by someone who offers to "mentor" or "train" you "for free", then just keeps you working and working for nothing. Andrews or M-Tec, period.
Don't give up
Rainbow...your post goes to show that it is not EASY. Some people think we just sit and type. There is so much more involved. The only way to get the hard words is through experience. If you try using Stedman's Smartype the words come up if you can get the first few letters. It helps a lot.
Hang in there.
Don't give up...
I also took the PCDI course. What a waste of money! However, before I even finished the course, I tested with a company and was hired and received a job offer from another company. Both companies were small and local. I think your best bet is to check with local transcription companies, check newspaper classifieds, and check with any MTs in your area. Another MT gave me a list of several small MTSOs in my area that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.
Good luck! You can still find a job even with the education (or lack of) that you got from PCDI.
Don't ever give up!!
I was pregnant when I graduated from my program at the community college. So I waited until I had the baby before I started looking for work. After I had the baby, I started pounding the pavement (or keyboard for that matter). It took me four months, but I finally landed that first job!! I love it!!
Keep looking, you'll find your match when the time is right!!
Don't give up!!
As a new MT, I understand your frustration. It took me 3 months to find a job. I work at home for a local dermatology clinic with 2 wonderful dictators. They hired to me so they could free up the in-house MT to work on insurance stuff. I've been doing all the typing since my 2nd week.
The only advice I can offer is to make sure your resume looks awesome and apply and test everywhere possible.
It will happen for you. Don't give up. We have to prove to everyone that we can do it.
Good luck!!
Don't give up!
I have been in this field for over 7-1/2 years and never have taken a course...my mother has taught me everything and basically I worked for her. I have so many people that want to do this profession, but basically they want people with experience...and that is it. I got into it in 1998 with a BS in Biology and after working as a retail manager...I was lucky. My first on-line job, I cried, even after working with my mother on local accounts for over a year. It is tough. I will even say I lied and told them I had worked for a major hospital in order to get jobs...you do what you have to do and hopefully you can just pull it off. This is the only advice I can give you...and good luck! Also..if you can narrow down your expertize, that is a HUGE help...I personally do ophthalmology, which is truly simple, but not many people out there can do it and that narrows the focus for employers. Find something you really like doing and focus on that subject...Radiology is another good one. :0)
Don't give up!!
I went to community college for my MT degree. I was pregnant when I graduated and waited until I had the baby before I started looking. I had some voice files to practice on to keep my ears in "tune." But once I started looking, I found a job working at home for a local dermatology clinic in about 4 months. I love it and don't really care to work for a national. From what I read on here, there aren't any "good" nationals to work for.
Keep plugging. You'll find your opportunity.
Good luck!!
Don't give up...
Don't give up. I started out without any training at all and never worked in house. I actually had a BS in accounting. I convinced a local doc to let me do his transcribing. Because he was so difficult to understand and it was oncology none of the other transcribers would take him on. Three years later and I have worked for Spheris and now a local hospital. Just remember, don't give up.
Don't give up.
All I can tell you is to keep taking those tests. I too graduated from at home professions. I don't think they adequately prepared me and sadly I have experience doing transcription. I has been years since I was actively working though. Good luck and don't give up. It can take up to 5 months to get a job in this field. You might also want to consider trying local doctor's offices/hospitals where you could work in the offices. I am wishing I would have had the money to take a different course.
Don't give up! If you can, get the BOS II. A lot of SM
schools still teach MT based on the first BOS (AAMT Book of Style), but almost every company tests their applicants based on book #2...there are a lot of differences between the books, so I highly recommend you get a copy of the 2nd edition and study it. (You might already, but if not, that is my suggestion.)
Good luck to you!
Chickadee
just don't give up...sm
You will pick up a lot of negativity on this board.
I got my first MT job last March after searching for approx. 4-5 months. I did not go to one of the "Big 3", I went to my local community college. I wanted to work for a local clinic rather than a national because of all the scam artists there are in the world.
I now work for a dermatology clinic in town and pick up tapes daily. I have 2 kids, 4 and 17 months. They go to mother's morning out, 3 days a week for 3 hours. I cram everything I have to do in that time (errands, workout, etc.). I do the bulk of my work when they are napping. When they get up from naptime, they play while I work. I have up a gate so they are contained while I sit on the other side at my desk and type. If they have a problem, I deal with it. Otherwise, they are happy to play while I type. I type until time to start dinner and if I am not done, I finish up after they go to bed at night. I feel that I am more than able to concentrate with 2 small children in the room and do not feel that my work suffers because of it.
If you want to work at home, you can. It is up to you to find what works for you and make it happen. Just don't let anyone on this board make you doubt yourself and your abilities.
Keep plugging and good luck!!
Do not give up!
Doesn't your school have a list of companies where you can apply? You could also post your resume on various forums. There are also lists of companies on the web, and you might have to send out many resumes. You will have to be persistent, though.
Don't give up....sm
I don't even remember how long I searched for a job. It was a lot longer than 2 months though. I took test after test and no job offer. Don't throw in the towel. Go to mtdaily.com and look under MT comapanies on there and it has 30-something pages of companies in all states. Go down the list. That is how I got a job. Finally one of them gave me a chance. The company is no longer here because the owner passed away but that is what I done. I said the same thing how do I get experience if no one will hire me? Finally someone will. I sent close to 40 resumes to companies.
Do not give up
I am also a newbie. I finished school in October and was just offered 2 jobs last week. I convinced someone who did not want to train me that I would do a good job and the same day I was offered a job with a mentor. I started my job last night and feel that I will really learn a lot.
I sent my resume to everyone. I did not send if it said no new grads but if not it was fair game for me. I tested with several companies, which is good practice.
I feel that it is a learning process and you have to start somewhere. If you need to make less money for a while to get experience there is nothing wrong with that.
I know that Medivoxx will hire new grads if you pass their test.
Good luck!
About 20,000 give or take - (nm)
xx
I give up - how many? nm
Don't give up
Don't give up hope on working from home. I took countless tests online for 7 months. I just passed one. Just keep trying, the tests you fail will help you to eventually pass one. Good luck!!!
Won't give up!
Well, at least I'm not alone! You know, I got discouraged for about a day or so. But this course has taught me something, when all seems hopeless, keep plugging away and you will arrive and succeed. That is the way I am looking at this. I've come this far and I'm going to finish and do something with this. I think we both need to remember that there is more negativity out there than not, so I know we're going to go somewhere with this. Hang in there!
Don't give up!
I know it is so hard to find experience when you have just graduated. I spent over 6 months looking for a position. I eventually had the good advice to do the following:
1. Look at local transcription companies. Smaller companies are often more willing to hire someone with less experience.
2. Call your local doctors office. If anything, you are at least getting your name out there.
3. Offer yourself as an intern/overflow worker. Maybe one of the doctors will be willing to hire you when their Transcriptionist calls in sick.
The above are great ways to get your foot in the door, but you want to proceed catiously. If you know anyone who works at a local office, find out the situation. You don't want to irritate anyone in the process of trying to find a job.
It takes time, and it can be a trying experience, but eventually you'll get something.
Neither one of you should give up yet.
It definitely is harder to get a job when you finish a course like At-Home Professions, but people have done it. The grad who got the job so quickly probably attended Andrews School or M-TEC. They are much more expensive, but they are much better schools, and the people hiring MTs know this. Unfortunately places like AHP just want your money and don't really give a crap if you get a job or not.
If you really want to be an MT, don't give up. Test anywhere that will let you test. Point out that you are hard-working, honest, and dependable (I assume that you are). Of course I don't guarantee that you'll find a job, but I'd really hate to see you give up!
Cyndi- How do you know you've passed the test if you haven't heard back from the companies?
don't give up
Don't give up. I graduated from AHP too and I have been doing this for about 5 years now. My first job was typing legal and then I slowly crossed over to medical. I couldn't get hired at first either, but I didn't give up. I send out resumes to everyone and took everyones tests and finally it happened. I live in Michigan too and I tried sending flyers to doctor's offices but ended up doing the working from home through a main company since most hospitals go through them now. Best of luck to you.
Never give up!!!
"The grad who got the job so quickly probably attended Andrews School or M-TEC. They are much more expensive, but they are much better schools, and the people hiring MTs know this. Unfortunately places like AHP just want your money and don't really give a crap if you get a job or not." (quoted)
I do not usually post here, but I do read occasionally. I felt the need to reply to this post because I continuously read about no one will be able to get a job unless they go to one of the "top 3" schools. Another poster wondered why more graduates that were able to find jobs did not post such. Well, I am here to give that little bit of hope and inspiration to these grads that are not able to find work. NEVER GIVE UP :)
With that being said, I did NOT go to one of the "top 3." I attended VLC (go ahead and slam me; it makes no difference. :) I am a big girl and can take it. I not only found one job, but two; one being BEFORE I even did my finals, and the other shortly thereafter. One is doing acute care AT HOME and the other is for clinic work, also at home, and let me add that the latter PREFERS VLC grads over the "top 3." I feel my training was more than adequate to be able to work at home, although this may not be the case for everyone. I feel it all depends on how much work and dedication one is willing to put in. This is hard work ... period.
Nonetheless, to all you new grads out there, never give up. Work hard, be determined, and you WILL find that chance. Best wishes to you all!!
everyone wants experience but no one wants to give
us that experience. Anyone else frustrated at this? There are no local MT jobs in my area and the closest city is 45-50 miles away which I can't do. Any suggestions on someone who is willing to give experience????
Can you please give a link or something
x
Should you give SS# when applying?
X
Definitely don't give up, but keep practicing while you are looking.
Not a newbie!
Thank you all. I will give it a few more days
I will call them. I still feel really uneasy, but maybe this is just the way it is. I'm too much of a newbie to know any better! Thanks!
What would give you that impression?
/
There are plenty, just keep trying and don't give up!
x
Do not give up Lisa.
Hang in there. Do not give up because some people are just jeolous and do not want to face their insecurities and would rather tear other people down to gain some self-assurance. There is more to life than that. Take care and God Bless in whatever you decide.
Dont give up...
I might add I did eventually get a job I have been with for 8 months now so don't give up.
Don't hit and run- give us some insight
You must be an authority on this from your post. I'm willing to learn. Please inform us what I said was wrong and give the correct information. It does no good to hit and run and provide no substance. We are here to share, but we are not all perfectly correct. We could use your guidance. I love to learn- help me out. My information came from people I trusted, but it could be wrong.
As I stated, I started out as a business major then worked for a large healthcare company. I became an MT later. I was lucky enough to have met many of the original founders of the AAMT because I lived in central CA and they came in on seminars, etc.
Provide help to the newbies. Your post is only worth what you impart. Share something interesting. Let's keep it lively and informative. Don't make any mistakes!!! :)
Would like to give transcription another chance
Hello,
My name is Cathy and I did medical transcription in the past, but they kept on switching accounts everytime I got to the point of making more money. To say the least, I have been very discouraged. I would love to find someone to work for again and give this a try.
Shorthand will give you a free 30
day trial to try it out. After 30 days, if you choose to buy it, it'll cost about $100.00. It's pretty good.
Good luck.
I'll give you a figure....
If you are working full time, to be on the safe side I would not expect to do more than 800 lines per day to begin with. You may get up to 1,000 after a period of time, say 3-6 months...maybe. As far as average length of dictation, there is no such thing. A VERY general ratio is 4:1 (4 minutes transcribing/proofing 1 minute of dictation), and that is after some experience. HTH
I think the MTSO probably does give equal chances
Accepts the people who demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of use of proper grammar and rejects those who don't. She probably feels sorry for those who do not understand this and appreciates those who do.
She didn't get where she is by starting out with a lack of common sense. That's something you have or you don't. No gray area or inequality about that issue as I see it.
I was a newbie once too. We are were.
Does speech recognition really give you less typing?
TTS, LLC says that you really only have to proofread. Does anyone know if this is true?
You can't give an average. Radiology reports
are typically under 10 lines and you can do 100 a day. I do Op notes for a hospital and can have reports that are 25 minutes long. I also have a lot of ESLs and if I have a day where I have the really bad ones or the bad American dictators I don't generate as many reports. If you are doing clinic work you would probably be able to do more reports than acute care, especially if you have the same doctors, because they you could set up macros for them. I generally do 40 reports a day, have done as few as 28, as many as 72, but that doesn't really tell anyone anything.
so give us contact info so we can apply
I would appreciate the contact info to apply. I am a new grad and having a very hard time finding a company that will even consider a new grad. and I am very discouraged.
Either one will prepare you equally well (& give you the best education of any MT school).
Call each school and speak with Linda (Andrews) and Susan or Kathy (M-TEC), and then go with your gut as to which one you feel most comfortable. You can't go wrong with either of them.
I don't know about the footpedal issue, but M-Tec does teach expanders.
We're always willing to give newbies "a change..." giggle...
nm
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