Looking for honest answers about the future of MT...
Posted By: blitzpooch on 2007-02-15
In Reply to:
I am considering MT (again). I already do some transcription but have never trained for medical.
Many of the posts I've read on different forums are pretty discouraging about the future of this profession.
I am a relatively fast typist (80 wpm, 99% accuracy)and have a pretty good command of spelling and grammar. (I'm sure I could use some improvement.)
I would really like some flexible work from home. I have a child with special needs and don't want to go out to work in an office for ten hours a day.
What is the average pay? Is off shore and voice recognition going to make the profession obsolete in a few years? I hate to invest in training and have it be for nothing down the road. Though, I guess I could look into coding in the future! Maybe there will be more at home jobs in that field down the road.
Many thanks,
Mariah
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Honest question
Why is it that when an answer is already given to a post, someone else comes along and posts the exact same answer?
M-TEC not honest? Are you for real??
I have personally met Susan and Kathy several times, both in and out of school, as a student and a working grad. They never glossed over the reality of being a working MT, what is required to find and keep a job, the kind of money one can make. Ask them real questions and you will get real answers.
While they prepare you for the real working MT world, you DO have to do the work yourself and secure your own job testing, which I found was not a problem one bit because I applied myself in school and absorbed as much as I could. I was offered to test for too many places to list when I graduated and landed a job within days of graduation, which I have successfully kept and flourished in for more than 5 years. I have also made really good money and been very satisfied with my career choice.
I believe, as in most things, good communication is key. If someone has issues they really do need to take them up with the source and allow them to be addressed in an honest and open fashion.
Here is my honest opinion. sm
I started MT in my mid 20s (over 20 years ago) Started working for family doctor in high school, went on to college for two years in health care administration (worked part time for college professors), married and had children right away. My first independence with my own doctor clients occurred when I had two toddlers at home. There was no possible way I could have been successful unless I hired child care during that period of time. I was spending a minimum of 8 hours per day typing. There were days when I would put in an additional 3 hours late at night when my children went to bed. My husband worked long hours, so depending on him to take over was not always possible. It is only my opinion that the dedication, concentration and ultimate success in this profession is not possible unless you get the help with your children. Unless part time supplemental income is your goal, full time pay and the intense experience needed to peform well long-term in this profession, reality is not always seen by those entering this profession as a means to stay home with your children.
Answers - sm.
Only you can really decide, but this is what I've gathered through experience and reading these boards.
If you are a good solid worker, not too fast and not a workaholic, you will probably make anywhere from $20K to $35K. It depends on you. I work 30 hours a week, make around $25K, but I'm not the fastest and have to take a lot of breaks to stay healthy. If you're REALLY fast and strong, you might get up to the $40K-$50K range, but that's a real stretch.
It will probably take 1-2 years to get through school, depending on which you take, and then several years training afterwards to get to the top of your earning level. It is a long haul, to get to the "good" money.
You don't get your certification from a school, although they may give you a certificate. Only ADHI can actually certify you (CMT).
While it hasn't always been necessary to go to school to get a job (I didn't 18 years ago), in the last few years it has become almost imperative, as very few places will hire you without either 2 years' varied experience, or graduating with good scores from an "approved" school.
It is a tough career, a lot of pressure, constant learning curve and can be very hard on your health, but if you like it so far, it may be right for you. I won't give it up.
Good luck to you.
Some answers
I don't mean to scare you, but yes most doctors speak as if they have marbles in their mouths. They speak while eating, yawning, coughing, burping, passing gas, using the facilities, driving through tunnels, riding the train, watching TV. They never miss a beat, even if there is very loud background noise drowning them out, whether it's an announcement over the PA, chatter from other staff, patients screaming or even things crashing to the ground.
Yes, it is disheartening and it can bring you to the point of tears, especially when first starting out in this field, but eventually if you do have what it takes to become a successful MT, you will develop an ear that will understand perfectly every incoherent utterance.
This is called ear training and it is gained on the job. It is not something you just attain overnight.
Hang in there. Keep listening to the clearer files dictated by actual doctors to get used to the world of medical language.
The files you have from just anyone dictating are unrealistic examples of what you will face as a working MT. Concentrate more on listening to actual doctors dictating.
Ask for samples of completed dictations and voice files to perform some 'read and listens' in lieu of transcribing the files right off the bat. You will start yourself along the path to building up a well-trained ear.
Good luck with your studies.
Got my answers :)
Thanks to Patty and Karolyn for taking the time to let me interview them! Very helpful and insightful. I'll check back to this topic every once in a while incase anybody had anything additional to add, tips or comments and whatnot.
Cheers,
Jackson
honest question reply......
 Maybe they don't read all the posts b/c some of them can get pretty long. They are just trying to help, thats all. They don't mean any harm as far as I can tell. I don't think its anything to get anxious about though.
If you're going to be honest about it, you'd check nothing.
With just an education under your belt, whether it's At-Home or M-TEC, you have no working experience.
Well-stated, completely honest (nm)
//
Test answers
I wondered that myself! But then again I am a pretty naive critter
Thank You All For Your Interview Answers!!
There have been many great responses to my 'MT student' interview questions. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to answer my questions. Your responses are all very helpful to me. I really can't wait to graduate and start my new career!! Thank you all once again!!!
Yes, and these were people trying to make an HONEST living
nm
Be honest. Which of those "matchbook" schools do YOU work for?
Or are you afraid of competition from well-trained MTs? Just contact MT companies and ask, and you will see how many of them DON'T hire grads from schools other than the "top 3" because they are not educated enough and most of them cannot pass employment tests, that's why so many companies won't even let them test and just give them the "you need 2 years' experience" line.
Unfortunately I don't think ANY of the schools, including the Big 3, are honest about MT outlook.
The amount of work going overseas, the fact that you CANNOT work twice as fast with most voice recognition as you can with straight transcription (despite the fact that the companies insist you can and therefore only pay you half as much). There are a lot of MTs with a lot of experience who are getting out of the business.
Also, it's even harder to find a part-time MT job when you are a newbie, because there is a big learning curve regardless of what course you take, and companies don't want to spend that much time on someone who only wants to work part time, because it will take them a lot longer to get up to speed.
Everyone is trying to help. They just combined answers into one post.
I just spent 45 minutes going through their website. There is nothing in there website that impresses me as being anything but one of those classes listed on match books. I don't agree with some of they style statements. I did a search for a school in my area and they are connected through a local 4-year college, but the course does not have a good reputation. It says it gives you 6 months to complete the course. It also says that taking the course might take the place of experience - don't think so. They may be able to help you find a job but they have "limited resources." All of these things would tell me it isn't a good school. If the better schools are charging $3,000 and Gatlin is only charging $1450 you're getting what you pay for and that isn't much.
All those answers will be found in these very pages discussed
s
You didn't post here to get decent answers
You posted hoping that everyone would agree with you. When they didn't, you flipped out. That is exactly why the company you are working for is not going to cater to you...because they don't like your attitude! 
Future of MT?
I worked in the medical field 20 years ago and often had to hire medical transcriptionists. I remember back then that there was a lot of talk about MT being a "dying field." There have been a lot of changes, but there is still lots of work for MTs. I finished MT school last April and had heard talk about MT jobs being hard to get, especially for new MTs. I was offered a job with a large national about 2 weeks before completing my MT program. I can honestly say it was the easiest job I've ever gotten. Yes, there will be changes in the field but I believe that well-trained MTs will be in demand for quite a while to come. There's a lot of negativity on this board but not everyone's experience is negative.
Future of MT
Thanks LK; i needed to hear that. Getting back into this field is something I am hopeful about; and I know I have a challenge ahead. Do you think this type of work will be available for another 15 years?
Future
With all this new technology, do you think that all clerical jobs will be eliminated?
...You'll get questions & answers right away, make contacts. See things done as
s
Like MT but fear for the future...sm
you would do well to read the archives THOROUGHLY on this board. It is almost impossible to break into the field. Then go to the offshore concern board and maybe the voice recognition board. IMHO, you would be better off going into being an ultrasound tech or something similar. Me-- I'm enrolled in nursing school.
Future of MT business
EMR/VR is described in previous post. If you do VR you are an MT and an Editor with a pay of 3 to 4 cpl. Not my cup of tea but some people may prefer it. You will see the large outsourcing companies send work out alot more often now to increase their profit margin - ALOT. Therefore you are going to be limited as to how much you can make with them. If you earned $2500 a month full time, there is someone sitting in India or the Philippines just waiting to do your job for an average of $239 a month. Bottom line is that saving $$ will almost always be the deciding factor. To avoid that situation, I have gone to a company that hires U.S. MTs only. That is proudly posted on their web sites and companies who post on MT Stars. You get paid more, there is steady work, and it will not be outsourced. That is not to say that the client will not end up outsourcing as a cost saving measure. Try to support U.S. companies and help them to grow. They are the ones trying their best to protect U.S. jobs, not the AHDI. If it is up to them, in the future the MT positions will probably be cut in half or more by 2015.
As far as satisfying work. If you have an account that you get good on, maximize your potential, and earn up to $20 or more than hour - that is satisfying!! And by the way, there is no way your husband could ever guess what it is like to be an MT. Stressful, yes. Boring, no. The knowledge and technology training you receive are invaluable, as long as you can make money doing it. Not so easy these days, but possible if you don't mind changing companies/clients until you find the right fit.
You have a great future ahead of you!
.
the future of medical transcription
I don't know what to think! I see postings saying that this field is on its way out, and I see postings from people who are actively pursuing this field. I was really hoping to get into transcription, but I just don't know what to do at this point. Anyone have an opinion?
Is future MT a good school?
I have put out my resume out to a couple of places but because I don't have any training I have been recommended to this school.
Thanks for your input. I love my job but would like to spend time with my baby at home and my husband works shiftwork so I would also like to spend time with him.
Yes, I believe there is a future for MTs who do quality work
You hear a lot of sad stories, but many, not all, of those complaining are just not very good at what they do for a living. That is the main reason why they lose their jobs. It isn't overseas MTs taking their work, it isn't speech recognition, it isn't even electronic medical records. It's the quality of their work. They will never admit it. In fact, they will yell and scream and protest! There are many out there who are doing well and making some good money, and no, it hasn't been going down for everyone. Just remember that there are whiners and complainers in every industry. Medical transcription is no exception.
...now. Might want to apply and get name on a future list
s
Please use the Word board for this in the future.
Thanks.
Read back thru the Word Help and Style boards, too, to see answers to ?? others have. You'll lear
s
Future of Medical Transcription due to outsourcing
I am seriously considering Medical Transcription and now wonder if this is the right path to take. I guess there is no way to have absolute certainty, but would like to feel secure about investing time and money in learning the field. I would like to hear from some MT's who are fresh in the field and hear their thoughts. Thanks
You're quite welcome. Feel free to e-mail me in the future :o)
Coding has much more of a future than MT right now. Coding can't be sent out to India and
it requires an active thought process to do it, so it's not likely to be replaced by software. Yet. I bet there's a lot of MT's right now that wish they would have chosen coding...
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