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If the test file has such difficult ESLs, you don't want to work there anyway! It would be

Posted By: a constant struggle. nm on 2006-03-03
In Reply to: Testing - GeeGee11

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I always found the tests more difficult than actual work (sm)
I think they try you out on their most difficult to see how you do. It also may be the stress of taking a test too. I tested with anyone who would let me test, and I failed a lot of them, but just keep trying. Persistence does pay off. It sounds like you have a great start and you should probably stay where you are to get the experience. Yes, it will count. Best of luck to you!
Is your coding work done from home? I have heard it was very difficult sm
to get coding work at home, you have to go to work for a company somewhere. Has this changed? I know coders are always needed, but we don't have any openings locally for at-home coding. TIA.
I started out in the file room of the urology office I used to work for.
They had a new peds uro coming in and wanted another typist. The only schooling I had was 2 semesters of medical terminology at our local community college. Granted that was in 1990, and I at least had a working knowledge of urology, but it can be done if you really want it bad enough.
Trouble understanding test is part of work
We intentionally put a hard to understand file in our transcription portion of the test to see how a potential employee will do with hard to understand dictation. All your dictation files are not going to be easy to understand when you get into a position.
ESLs
ESLs are probably the most difficult dictators we must deal with as MTs aside from mush mouths or those who like to dictate while eating or using the bathroom!  Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof way to "get them" it takes a lot of patience.  I have found that sometimes speeding up the dictation just a tad can help...sometimes.  And, sometimes repeating what they say in the same accent can help you get it.  It may sound silly, but actually saying it out loud can help.  I really wish that ESL docs would have an English speaking doctor do their dictation for them, but that is never going to happen.  You just have to try to keep your sanity and not tear out all your hair.  Just know that eventually you will become more proficient at doing ESLs, but there are always going to be those that are just really difficult that you can't understand.  I usually have a number...say 10 times.  If I back up and listen to the same word or phrase 10 times and I can't get it, it gets a blank and I move on and let QA have it.  Good luck! 
As to the ESLs, nope, you can't. They're everywhere, especially as
v
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 have to retrain your ears for ESLs and it takes

some time.  If you tend to have the same ones regularly it really helps.  What I do is, if I have blanks I just mark a blank and continue the report.  When I finish the report I go back and relisten and I am usually able to get the blanks because I have figured out the accent.  If you get QA back make copies of the reports for future reference.  If you have a couple of reports by the same doctor and don't have to send them in immediately, sometimes you can pick up something in one report you didn't in another and you can go back and fill in.   Getting up for a short break does help, also taking a deep breath and closing your eyes while you replay the dictation helps.   I have dictators that I just cringe when I see them come up, but I just take a deep breath and just jump in.  If I have the right frame of mind I find that even the difficult ones tend to go better.  If I'm tired and frustrated I chose another dictator that isn't so bad and come back to the bad ones.  I download via internet so I know who I have and I can do them in any order - I'm not cherrypicking.  


I have had new ESL dictators and I swear they aren't speaking English and it can take me a couple of sentences to figure anything out and then I go back to the beginning and I can do it better then. 


No ESLs on my account, but they're not hiring.

Biggest thing ESLs do is put accent on the wrong syllable.
Like "sub SEE quent lee" instead of the way most people say it, "sub see QUENT lee"

Because of the pronunciation of "diabetes" my doctor says the patient is "dia BEET ic" instead of diabetic.

Remembering this can often help you figure out a word - and you'll probably laugh when you do!
Don't know TTS, but if the program has errors due to lots of ESLs, sloppy docs, etc. you'll ha
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They should not be difficult...

The report is laid out, as you know, in a SOAP format, which is Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan.  Are you having difficulty understanding which section to transcribe within?  If you have any questions, feel free to E-mail me.  I will try to help you.  mtmentor@gmail.com


Save as a .doc file sm
When you're finished with the test, make sure you save the document as a .doc file to send back. In 2007, a Word document would have a .docx extension.

I work for a company that uses an earlier version of Word, so I save as .doc files on a regular basis and they haven't had any problems with compatibility.

Hope this helps.
Difficult dictation.....

I was hoping that someone could give me some advise for difficult doctors that dictate with a very strong acient!! I need help!! Any advise would be great!


 


Thank you!


Difficult dictators
Ask for one week of dictation of nothing but this one dictator.  I guarantee you after a full week of listening and getting used to the "cadence" of this particular person, you will begin to know what is being said.  ESLs oftentimes have limited vocabulary in English and you will find them using the same phrasing throughout the PE, for example, which they reel off very quickly and then will slow down for pertinent findings.  We have a few difficult dictators and have found the only way for someone to train is to do that one dictator for at least one week and no one else.  Once that occurs, you will be requesting that dictator (believe it or not) and will spin through the transcription.  I have seen it happen with at least 6 MTs already.  I hope this helps.
As a newbie, it is very difficult to
I am a radiology transcriptionist, and I like it...but...I could not transcribe for 8 hours straight. I like this job working part time; however, working in the fitness industrie, it is very difficult for me to sit at the computer all day. It was difficult to find a job, so I decided I go back to school to start a nursing career. I know many MTs have trouble finding work, but nurses are always wanted. Don't you enjoy your job?
If you want to work from home make sure you choose the right school!!
Good luck to you :)
Y would it make it MORE DIFFICULT?
Having NO school experience is worse than having school experience????? I find that very hard to believe.
Difficult but possible. Most companies want
FT people so that may add a little difficulty on top of the fact that you are a newbie.   It depends on what school you went to how easy it will be for you to find a position.  If you want to one of the 2 best recognized schools, M-Tec or Andrews, your chances are pretty good.  It you went to PCDI or At-Home Professions it will be extremely difficult, though not impossible.  Post your resumes on all the various free MT job boards.  I would also suggest looking locally for a clinic or hospital position.  If you didn't come from one of the better schools you're going to need a lot of mentoring and working on-site is a good way to get that. 
That s/b difficult but not impossible. nm
 
You didn't say what was difficult about it to be
able to help you. 
IC can file estimated x4 annually or....nm

Definite file that complaint.
They will get back to you via e-mail.  It works.  They will wind-up looking into that company as the above poster says and you will get retribution.  It may take some time, but do not give up.  Report it every so often to keep it active, but yes, report it to the FTC.  That is what the FTC is there for, us consumers who get badoogled! 
FTP = file transfer protocol; a way to (sm)
send one file directly from 1 computer to another.  Some FTP's require passwords, others don't.  It all depends on the level of confidentiality of the file.
Do you have a company or do you file a joint
return? 
You are going to have a difficult time. At-Home

is not one of the better "schools."   You can post your resume on all the free job boards as there are companies that will hire from resumes but don't post positions.   You probably need to get a menitoring position.  There are companies that will hire newbies, but there are some who aren't legit so you need to ask questions before jumping in with both feet.


If you read the job boards you will see the equipment varies per company, just as pay does.   If you need to download a test you can just use hot keys for that.  Some foot pedals are configured to only work with one particular program, so no since is buying something that you might not need.  I'd start building a reference library first because you'll need that anywhere you go.  


I think you can download a test at www.mttest.com so you can get an idea of what it is like to test.  If you Google on-line transcription tests you might can find other sources.  I would do this a few times, see where your strength and weaknesses are and work on those. 


You would probably be better off trying to get an in-house position until you have some experience.  Try your local hospital and clinics. 


the difficult part is trying to understand what the
doctor is saying because the accents are ridiculous and sometimes it sounds like they are slurring words. 
Hopefully you won't be crushed. It might be difficult, but hang in there. nm
X
It is very difficult w/o formal training!
I know people that went to one of the top 3 schools and still have problems as a newbie getting work, without 2 years experience! I don't know about interships, especially without training. As far as the money, I am new and cannot tell you much about that. With a Master's degree, I would think that you would make more than any of us?! What do you plan on doing with your degree?
If you are married and file jointly you can have your spouse
take out extra taxes and not have to worry about paying estimated taxes.  I've been doing it for 2 years and this works well for us.  Budgeting is an issue for us, so this way we don't have to worry about it, it comes out of his check and we even got a little back this year. 
Need help opening a compressed file with Vista
I received a test from a company and it is a compressed file. I have Vista and have been unable to uncompress(unzip) the files. It says the folder is empty. I emailed the HR department and they said that they have received several test back already so they know the folder is not empty. Does anyone know how to uncompress a file with Vista?
A wav file is not short for waveform. It is a voice
file that you would receive over the internet, not via C-phone.  You need software/foot pedal to be able to play the wav files.  Wav is pretty much the generic term, but there are many different formats, like mp3, DSS, etc. that the files could be in. 
Info To File Complaint Against Proficient Transcription
This is just and FYI for those who are fed up with trying to get refunded from Proficient Transcription.
Complaints can be filed online with the following entities:
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org
or write to:
BBB @2653 McCormick Drive, Clearwater FL. 33759

The Federal Trade Commission
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580

FL State Attorney
http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/ContactOpenForm&Sectionfiltered=Economic_Crimes

Office of Attorney General Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

Take action right away scammers have no rights to your money.


If you file jointly it doesn't matter who paid for them, it all comes
from the same pot anyway.  
Short for waveform.....type of sound file.
xx
Whoa..how much can you make on eBay before you DO need to file taxes on that income?
s
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
Just test, test, test anywhere you can...

Trust me, I know it's discouraging. Don't give up though.  I am still going to school but I got lucky enough to find some MTSOs to do overflow work for.  Granted I am lucky if I get to work three days a week but it is giving me a little experience and keeping my skills fresh.  I am now working for a national that ran an ad wanting 3 yrs experience.  I took a chance and now I am working with only a couple of months under my belt.


Good luck.


Test everywhere!
If you look at the posts here, everyone says to test everywhere, and it's true! Anyplace that will let you test, test! Some are harder than others, but don't give up. I graduated from my school last November and didn't find a job until March of this year, and I actually found it through a friend of a friend and I consider myself lucky. The important thing is to NOT GIVE UP. I know you studied hard so now work at your job search just as diligently. It is frustrating, but it can be done. Do a search on the internet for medical transcription agencies and test with each one that lets you. Try Spheris, Medivoxx, and Cobb Medical Transcription for starters. Good luck!
Sure you can test 100's.
you set up a worklist off of email responses, send out the grammar screening, when it comes back, run it through a macro to cross check and give scores, then you have an objective measurement of who has potential. Found it weeds out much more successfully than "I completed a medical transcription course and scored a 94%" drivel.
Test everywhere....
By testing with different companies you will soon learn where your strength and weakness are.  Regardless if they require experience, if allowed, take the test.  It will not hurt and it will help to build your confidence.  Most of all, keep trying.  Good luck!
Test, Test, Test

Test with absolutely every company you can.  I tested with at least 50 companies before I found a good company.  Did you get feedback regarding why you failed from these mentoring companies? 


Something will happen, you can't give up.  I wanted to give up several times, and I am so glad I didn't!  Just keep trying - test with every company that allows you.  You'll gain that experience while you're trying to find someone who will give you a shot.  Good luck to you.


Test
Can anyone tell me how many test they took to get a job because i have taken like 5 so far and be very confident researched everything and they still turn me down. I am getting very depressed because in school I did excellent on all of my reports and they graded hard. I am starting to think that I will never get a job. What is it? Please can any one explain and help me. I am very sad
test
I took a test for MQ last week. When do you think they will get back to me?
98 on Test

Hi,


Is that true you have to make 98 on test to get a job?


Thanks for your imput.


test
test
written test help
I am testing for a new job. Anyone have any info on where to find practice quizes or something. Any help would be great!
They test them and if they do well, they get hired like anyone else.
nm
It's likely that most companies won't test you without
I'm a small MTSO and won't even consider testing someone if they haven't been trained, preferably at one of the better schools (M-TEC, Andrews, etc.)