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I love reading your posts Patti!

Posted By: OPgal on 2006-04-13
In Reply to: Sorry - I disagree - Patti

nm


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If all you get from reading the MQ posts
is about ASR, you're not paying attention.
Spend some time reading through posts on this board
and you'll find your info about the preferred schools and the ones to avoid.  I don't know of any MT company that is setup to work with MAC. 
I'll sign that one...I quit reading her posts about a month ago
because they are so negative and condescending.  If she was nearly as smart as she thought she was, she would be kinder. I haven't read one of her posts in at least a month.  If I see her name as the poster, I simply skip that particular message. She is a nasty individual, in my opinion anyway.
Patti is correct. I do not pay quarterly- sm
taxes anymore. I was doing it but it seemed silly since my husband was having extra taken out from his taxes which covered my taxes. We still end up getting back about $1500 every year. Total waste for me to send them $1200 a year just to get it back a few months later.
Love, love, love your story! nm
x
If you enjoy reading . . . (sm)
If you enjoy reading, then MT may be a good choice for you.

If you enjoy reading dictionaries and encyclopedias, then MT may be a good choice for you, because you'll be doing both those things big-time.

If you enjoy reading about medicine and you like the "idea" of medicine, but you don't like actual patient contact, then MT may be a good choice for you (there is no patient contact).

If you like the idea of medicine, but you're afraid of hurting someone or making some horrible, life-threatening mistake, then MT may be for you, because there is little chance of that in MT.

If you are able to decide to do something and stick with it in spite of some parts of it being not quite what you enjoy, then MT may be for you. There are boring parts of MT, just like there are boring parts of any job.

If you prefer to function in self-directed mode rather than in closely supervised mode, and if you are actually successful functioning in self-directed mode, then MT may be for you.

If your concept of "accuracy" is what most people consider to be obsessive and nit-picky, then MT may be for you. If your concept of accuracy is "yeah, whatever," then MT is definitely not for you.






after reading some of your questions,

I wouldn't say you got the best MT education to be had.  I also don't see where you have interest in doing for yourself (that Stedman's Work At Home issue).  While you are looking at your insular little world, you haven't been around the past, well, even 10 years, to see the changes that have brought down this industry.  Ten years is not even considered one generation.  There will be need for GOOD MTs still for many years to come, but those positions will be held by the very best MTs to be had and who are still willing to work for the pay that goes down over time.  Many other positions that are now MTs will transition into something different, something still with a living to be offered but different just the same.


Just this year, my employer restructured its pay scale so that in order to make the same cpl, I had to produce an additional 4000 lines per month.  If I didn't, I suffered a pay cut of 1 cpl.  Obviously this has not happened to you.  I've been at it much longer than I suspect you've been an adult.  I do not plan to leave the industry although my alternate education is already in place.  I'm lucky because my skill set is very much in demand.  I am a high, accurate producer with flexibility and if I'm making money, my employer makes much more.


But I didn't get there by patting myself on the back and asking questions that some research would help with and save myself the embarrasment of my peers for not having done the research.


As to what school to go to, read the writing on the wall and take one of the top 3.  This industry has changed just in a few short years and if you don't know everything that everyone is doing, someone without education from the top 3 will have a more difficult time getting placement after schooling.


JMHO, which is free, and you're welcome to do with it what you will.


Been Reading awhile
I just wanted to say, that I have been lurking here quite a bit. My husband and I are both wanting to get into medical transcription. We plan on starting with Career Step next month. I don't have any questions as of yet, but I just wanted to say hi, and thank you all for giving the good, bad, and the ugly of it all.
I don't expect to make $80,000 a year, I don't need to.. I would just be happy if we(my husband and I) can make $30,000 a year between us once we have finished school and gained experience.
Again thanks

Just Venting!! Thanks for reading

How come we spend our time and our money to go to school for this for something that is such a high demand for and we cant get a job doing it??


This is messed up.


 


MANY people? I saw one! What board are you reading?
nm
Working for them and doing fine. I think you are reading into wrong. nm
xx
You are good at "grammer". I suggest reading
your post again.    I can't type but about 45 wpm if I'm typing from a piece of paper, but doing transcription I can type about 100 wpm.   Some companies request you type so many wpm, but I don't know how they measure that or what difference you make.  Many companies do require a minimum lph though.  Of course accuracy is more important than speed, but if you are getting paid on production you want to be able to type fast as well as accurate. 
Reading between the lines, the work is coming
from India and no experienced MT would be willing to work for peanuts to basically have to redo the report. 
If you have spent any time reading this board you
would know M-Tec would be the better option. 
I wasn't being nasty - quit reading between the lines
x - but do not think that you are just going to walk back into this like it's a walk in the park. It's not. Things have changed and it's not what it used to be and it is not where the money used to be.
If you spent any time at all reading this board you'll
see what a struggle it is for newbies to get jobs at home.  If you go to one of the better schools your chances are better, but still no guarantee.   I think anyone looking to get into this field now is crazy.  Lots of work being offshored and lots of working going to ASR, which leaves fewer jobs for available.  j
My deepest apologies because in reading my response and that icon, it came out much more sinister

of a remark, which was not intended as so sarcastic. 


 


Here are some great links and I hope they help!


Grammar errors:  http://esl.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsu.edu%3A8080%2F%7Ebrians%2Ferrors%2Ferrors.html


Miriam Webster Online:  http://www.m-w.com


OneLook Dictionary:  http://www.onelook.com


Grammar Slammers:  http://englishplus.com/grammar/mistcont.htm


Guide to Grammar and Writing:  http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar


 


 


I love this one, you can
click on whatever body system you need for lots of really helpful info.
http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/introduction.htm

love MT
AmyAmyO,
Do your research on the field locally and go to the library. call local doctor offices and ask to speak with their MT to get info. Find out about a refresher course and there is a book at the library about researching to prepare for the field. Very good book. I love it! Good luck!
I do and so far I love it!!

I do too and love it as well.
nm
WOULD LOVE

to see the list of jobs/companies earlier poster mentioned.... could you post a link on this forum? It might bless a lot of folks! 


Where's the love??
I beg your pardon, I'm an Allied grad and I'm working as an MT.
Been at it 25+ years, still love it the same way I did at first. NM
x
Would love one! but like I mentioned
locally, there aren't any. I have went to all the dr.'s offices and the hospital and they have went to a paper form. They had used a service in a town 10 miles away and I applied and tested with the owner, who I knew and she would have hired me but she was notified that the work she had was being cut, since the paper form was being implemented, and she was going to have to down-size her workers. I had had a job line-ed up that paid hourly before they decided to go to this new form and lucked out. Now, I need to find something over the internet.
I currently work for them and LOVE it! sm
They are an awesome company, and I cannot say ANYTHING bad about them. I have been with them for 10 months now. Good luck!
love that dmz list
That site is where I found my first job.  I recieved 13 responses from that list and I had ZERO experience.  I have been working now for one month. :)
Most people love ES and that is what my
company uses.  There are lots of choices available, but I don't think there are any free ones.  There is Start/Stop and Bytescribe (haven't heard about them lately not sure if they are still around), and GearPlayer.  
I love my job and am very happy!

However, I feel like I should warn you that after a year and a half, I am still making around minimum wage.  This is okay with me.  I like being able to work at home and the flexibility.  However, I know my salary would not work for everyone.  Some people simply need more money right off the bat, so I don't think MT is the best choice for them.


I love that analogy! That's encouraging!
Thanks cm, for spurring on this soon to be MT student! :)
I did it and I loved it! I love the lady over it!! She is the best!
x
I love doing psych notes
they do tend to be boring, but are usually in pretty plain English and are pretty long, so you get lots of lines. Easy money.
how does TV addiction equate to love from a mother?
She is a newbie. She will need blocks of time to do research, learn her trade before she is actually contributing to "society." But also, being part of society is being responsible. I used no rudeness in my post in expressing my sadness over her attitude. Your post was less polite and much less insightful and though provoking. TV does not mean a mother loves her child/ren. TV creates drones who emulate what they see and is addictive. Will they be eating in front of the TV with no time to run, jump, skip, play? What about the obesity epidemic in this country. Studies have linked it directly to parents using TV as a babysitter. Just think about what is best for everyone concerned and the reasons for the concerns.
Love how Innahurry thinks she is funny
x
I do Radiology now, kind of fell into it but love it. nm

I personally love ShortHand for Windows
www.pcshorthand.com
I love the work. If I worked at Wal-Mart
I would hate every minute of it.  I am not really a people person and need an intellectual challenge to be happy.  I learn new things all the time with MT, so it is always interesting.  Also, I love being available at a moment's notice if my kids get sick at school, being able to change my schedule easily if they have a field trip, etc.  Money isn't everything, and this is the right career for me at the moment.
Love the idea on using a phone book A-Z for writing down
I have almost 4 year experience now and may branch out on my own next year I think, or at least try. Love the idea of using the phone book, can't believe I never thought of it. Thanks for the tip.
Just stopping in to wish love, peace, and health to all my "newbie" friends here!....sm
Hope you all have a wonderful blessed holiday and that the upcoming year has prospertiy and contentment for you all!!!
transcriptiongear.com has phones with a volume control on the cord. Love 'em! Really helps. nm
s
of these posts before I enrolled in an MT course. Thanks

Please read through the posts below (sm)
and be forewarned that there are so-called "companies" and "MTSOs" out there who say they hire newbies but then ask for money upfront in order to work for them. Bottom line: do not pay to work, except for purchasing your own software and equipment. Reputable companies and MTSOs will not ask you for money and will not need you to buy a footpedal from them. Take care and good luck!
It's been only a little over a month since the last posts about this (sm)
Tsk, tsk. This woman needs to go away and stop ripping people off.
Maybe it would help if posts had times on them
so we could see when each was posted. Sometimes it's two people posting at once, and one person got interrupted in the middle and took a while to finish and send.
I agree with both posts above...

I have over 30 years experience and started in a hospital.


Good luck!


All of your posts are helpful, but

I'm an almost Newbie who has become very confused reading all the posts about good schools, bad schools, good companies, bad companies -whew - my head is turning.  This is something I have wanted for a long time.  I've gotten taken by 2 bad schools and I'm just about to finish my third attempt and this time I'm determined to work.  My problem is I can't afford to quit my current job in insurance and maybe not make enough money as an MT.  I also don't know where to start to find a reputable company to even try to get MT work.  I got into the Trans-Scam deal about 4 years ago and that had just completely discouraged me.  I thought I would never be able to be an MT.  I just didn't have what it takes.  This time I'm determined and would certainly appreciate all the feedback you all have.  I read some posts from MT's making pretty good money - but does anyone ever reveal what those good companies are?


 


Posted by DJ...about 8 posts down. nm

There are several recent posts....

from their graduates who have found jobs.  You may want to do a quick search.


What about all the "I can't get an MT job, nobody will hire me" posts?
Are all those people who are begging for work lying?

Just because some people get lucky and get jobs regardless of their training (or lack thereof) certainly doesn't mean everyone will get lucky.
Toni, I have been seeing your posts SM

and I have to say that you are really misinformed about the MT world.  To any newbie reading, her opinions on where a person should get training - she is putting out information that is simply incorrect.


The capper for me today is reading the post above this, where she is giving out her opinion on who is who in the MT world and who owns what.  It's just wrong. 


Read through previous posts here...SM
This topic comes up frequently, actually. Your school SHOULD be offering you placement assistance - ask who hires their grads. Try local hospital/doc offices, and keep applying. I wouldn't buy equipment because you never know what you'll need for a job. Purchasing some references would be a good idea, though.