My experience
Posted By: NewMT on 2006-05-18
In Reply to: Here's a link to what a Career Step grad herself says about it... - Bill
First I would like to say I'm a guy. I posted that and it has been my experience that even though I graduated from Career Step with mid 90s percentile, the national companies will not wave any experience. I did find work with a small company but things started to get slow and now I am looking into the nationals again. I worked fulltime for 3 months before being dropped to p.r.n. Sperus sent me another e-mail after I posted that stating they will let me know when they have an opening. Medquist had a recruiter tell me they would wave the 2 years experience upon completion of my course, that was before they went with a temp agency for recruiters, now they tell me I must have 2 years experience to be considered. As far as the training at Career Step, I felt it was very comprehensive and not many could do any better.
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I agree. Take it for the experience. It will take you 2 years of experience but you will easily
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.
experience
I've been posting my resume and applying everywhere. I thought about making my own website and starting my own business.
experience
Vatterott was the only technical school in this town offering secretarial courses. I had a bunch of classes, not just transcription. I can honestly say I learned a lot, but their job placement is a joke.
same experience as you had =)
I did not have a medical experience prior to doing MT. I was an engineering instructor, had a BS and an MS in industrial engineering, but left all that because of my son. Thinking that this was a rich environment for discussion, I innocently posted the school where I received my training and I got all the bashing. Anyway, because of all that a kind heart who happened to see that I was being bashed gave an offer to me and here I am - transcribing reports and enjoying to see my son grow up.
BTW, not all forums are nasty. I still come and peek once in a while. It's probably just those MTs who are not getting the satisfaction and not getting enough work who find time to aggravate others.
I think it is low....but you need experience.
I do not think you will gain much experience in way of a doctor's office, but at least it is something. Take the job, and continue to send out resumes for jobs that pay you for production, i.e. 6-8 cents per line as a start. There is no incentive with an hourly job to do more. You make the same either way (which can be a good thing if you are not a very fast typist). When starting out in this field, beggers cannot be choosers. You need to get experience and this will be (albeit not much)experience.
Good luck.
Most new MTs (no experience) are about 75-100 lph - pls sm
and around 95-98% accuracy by AAMT guidelines.
Everyone wants experience
I am currently looking into some courses to become an MT. By doing some research I have found that everyone wants about 2 yrs of experience. Any ideas on places that hire MT's just out of training? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I want to make sure if I go through the training that I can find employment.
Donna
experience
I agree, taking a good course will get you started. Many of the schools help you with employment after you finish their course. I took Career Step courses (well still taking) but lucky enough to find a job from home before I finished. Some companies will hire you if you pass their test (well that's what I heard, but not sure.) I agree though, practice, practice, practice. 
My experience
I went to a Community College for my MT education and was lucky enough to get hired by a national before even finishing school. It can be done, but it is tough. The best thing to do is apply everywhere even if they say they want experience, and if they offer testing take the test. Test, test, test...eventually someone will hire you if you pass the tests. The company I work for stated they required 2 years experience, but they hired me before I finished school because I tested so well.
you still have some experience. If you can..
pass the tests and you can show that you are resourceful and willing to go the extra mile, you might get a second look. Or perhaps look into an internship.
Experience
I was wondering if you are hiring? I would be willing to be paid less and get the training. I actually am in a training position with a transcription company, but I have to drive there and the cost of gas is hurting a lot!
Please let me know. I am quite fast and acurate for a newbie.
scmandella@yahoo.com
How are we to get experience?
How is a new grad to get experience when there don't seem to be any companies that will hire us? I'm more than a bit annoyed at this. I keep getting told that I test well, but the company isn't hiring entry-level MTs. How the heck am I to ever NOT be entry-level if no one will give me the chance to work?
If anyone has any tips on what companies are hiring new grads I'd be forever greatful! I need to find a job soon. I'm pretty disappointed that this is what things are looking like for me, I worked my butt off to get this education and now I can't find work. 
Lol, you get experience by
using it. EScription/EditScript is a platform for MT. It's pretty simple and I love it.
Type it in Google and you'll find info about it.
Amanda
I don't know how you think there is any other way to get experience. There
are companies that may pay better, although I have no idea what you are making since you won't say, but you aren't going to get a good paying work at home position without the experience. You can maybe get an in-house position with a hospital or doctor's office and make more. I think in-house transcription companires are few these days, but you may be able to get a little better pay in-house. You can post your resume on the various free job boards and may get offers that way. About the most you'll get offered is 6 cpl, maybe 7 if you went to one of the more recognized schools and got good grades. With companies having to compete with India and other offshore companies it is very difficult to get a decent paying position, even if you have years of experience. The jobs are out there, just hard to find. I have nearly 20 years' experience and my very first job (no MT education and no prior transcription experience) I was making 6 cpl/gross as an employee. I make a decent living because I work hard, but rates have not kept up with cost of living.
It has not been my experience at all
You need to bring this up to them and make sure you are both defining a line the same way. Make them tell you exactly how and what they count. Mistakes can be made on both sides.
My experience
I went to a school locally to me that offered job placement. They have a 94% success rate and the 6% is chocked up to people who are taking the course for an employer they already work for and a few who decide the job isn't for them. I finished my classes last March and took some time off for family issues before starting work. I was placed promptly when I requested it. They work with many of the larger MT companies in the country, I chose to go with a local company. I am making good money and love the flexibility of being at home. I am an IC (independent contractor) but have friends who work direct for thier companies. I like the tax benefits of being an IC, and don't worry about the other benefits since my husband carries them through his employer. The school I went to also offers online courses. It is Andrews and Holbrook Training Corp. Not to be confused with Andrews. They are based in Latham, NY and offer a very in depth program for MT along with a few other related careers. I was very pleased with my courses (although my teacher is a different story). Also their placement program is offered to all their students even alumni that graduated years ago. You can Google the school if you want.
Also the part about raises....I have always been told that you don't get a raise unless you ask for one in this business and your work has to reflect well to get one...QA is a big deal.
Also for funding check your local labor department. There are many grants (with no low income requirements) that you may qualify for. The federal government has an act call WIA - it is money specifically for those looking to be trained in a specialty field - there are many ways to qualify. Such as being a displaced worker, or making below a certain amount per hour (you not your spouse or household) and proving that this training could potentially allow you to make more). Also there is a government site with job descriptions and "average" salaries that you should check out - MT is in there also.
As far a being certified. You don't need to be certified to work as an MT but you can obtain certification through AAMT. It is hard and I wouldn't suggest it for at least 2 years after starting out as an MT. Those certified through AAMT, I have heard, make more money.
Go for it; that's where I got my experience
I don't regret working for Focus; they gave me a chance and now I have a job as an employee, am a darn good MT, and owe Focus many thanks for giving me a chance.
Take it for the experience
I hate to admit this, but that is what I am making on an account right now. I graduated two years ago and went through an intern program too. I have another account that pays 4/8 and is a major PIA with all the demographics you have to check that is time consuming and isn't paid for. If you are new, it may be a good opportunity for you to get some experience until you find a better place to work. I'm still looking for that great place myself, but am working in the meantime.
New MT needs Experience
Just about every listing I have found for a Transcriptionist has a minimum of 2 years experience. Well how the heck am I suppose to get experience if nobody in my area needs a transcriptionist and nobody online will give me a chance?! I'm starting to become very frustrated by the situation as well as discouraged. I know I shouldn't give up, but everyone has a breaking point, right? Any advice would be welcome because I'm at a loss.
Thanks.
No experience
I was hired right out of school by MedQuist. I have read good and bad about them (as well as a lot of other companies), but I have no complaints! They were flexible, helpful, and my account was great. Just another thought... Good luck!
My experience ...
Stephanie,
Hi! I graduated from Career Step online which is only about $1600 to $1800. They do have some community colleges that they partner with to accept the Pell Grant like Everett Community College. Right, the online course is more self paced and you can start anytime you like.
I have been working for almost 3 years now and love my career. It has been fun, easy, and rewarding because I was prepared. I even tested for my CMT right at 2 years and passed!
Hope this helps!
My CS experience
I also graduated CS 2 yrs ago. I have been more than prepared for this career and I am doing quite well. I also am getting ready to sit for the CMT and feel very comfortable with it. I have no complaints on them. I think the bad rap on them comes from the fact that it is self-paced and you are responsible for yourself. When there are people out there who do not apply themselves to it, skim by and then try to enter the workforce and fail...it looks bad on CS. I do think they should have pretesting like the other two and it would helpe the credibility some.
Anyway, no problems here as a grad. I started with large MTSO and now work for my local hospital from home. Good pay and great benefits! If you are prepared to work for it then go for it!
experience
The bigger MT companies would not consider what you have done experience. You might want to try a smaller company that does only a few specialties. It really doesn't matter how fast you can go since with no schooling in medical transcription, you are going to be completely slowed down by the fact that you would have to look up so many things. After going through a year of a very in-depth school, I still had to look up quite a bit. After 3-1/2 years of working on an acute account, I am still looking things up. Maybe you could try a general transcription job since you are just looking for extra money.
My experience with an at-home course
Hello, I took MTatHome course. You have to learn everything on your own.. which I did. It has helped me alot. I have been testing with MANY companies.. and they tell me that I score around 92 when they prefer 98%. I really dont think 92 for a newbie who had to TRAIN herself and has absolutely ZERO experience is too bad! I will keep training myself by reading sample reports, etc. Oh, I got offered a job at Spheris which I accepted. I hope I can pull it off! Thanks 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????
my experience in online MT course
Hello everyone,
Just thought the information on my website will be helpful and/or interesting to anyone who is thinking of trying medical transcription cource.
it's here
http://www.volkovs.com/family/julia/default.aspx?p=mt
newbie, no experience
I have taken a MT course at a local Tech college. That was 5 yrs. ago. I have been unable to get a job, either locally or on the internet. Would love to work at home for anybody but no one hires those w/no experience. I have kept up with my typing and the medical knowledge that I can. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!
My experience compared to yours
Last year I went to work for an MTSO where the transcription was put into documents by VR. I had to edit all the reports and the ones that were totally messed up had to be deleted and retyped. I was paid $8/hr although the benefits were outstanding (company paid for continued education without a waiting period so from day #1 you could go to college and they would pay for it, so most of the MTs were people in nursing college).
They had a daily minimum of 1600 lines a day. After 4 months I only hit it twice and quit to work from home again to make more money. I'm averaging $20/hr with good benefits. When I worked as an IC and paid by the page, my hourly average was $40 and I only had to work 6 hours a day. Those days are gone!
My point here is that you should probably stay where you are a full year and take advantage of the opportunity to learn how to increase your productivity. You will be much more marketable with 1 year's experience and can get a better line rate. Many MTSOs do pay based on productivity with benefits so try to work towards doing what you need to do to increase your productivity and overall skill and knowledge.
Good luck.
I have no experience with this school, but
I went to their website and looked around. I'm just a student, but I got burned with the first MT program I tried, and it meant more than wasted money. It was wasted time and my sweat, blood, and tears. I hate to see anyone else make the same mistake I did. There are a couple of things that seem like red flags to me when reading about the MT program you asked about. One is that the course is supposed to take 4 months to complete. That seems very short to me. Another is that they describe your income potential in terms of your typing speed. There is so much more to MT than just typing that it makes me wonder. I hope you get some feedback from someone who has actually been in this program, but you may want to visit www.aamt.org and read what they have to say about MT training programs to help you evaluate the merits of this program.
Experience: 2, 5, 10 years
How are newbies supposed to get experience?
Does anyone know of companies who hire newbies?
I can only relate to my experience
All I know is that when the clinic had their docs do their own EMR's, patient load went down, their hours went up. Also, of the three clinics that have contacted me regarding the EMR's, all were on three different programs. One was even a large hospital with clinics that were not happy with their EMR's. They like the access but not the input. Also with billing with certain modifiers, the insurance companies would either question or pay at a lesser rate and so they had to print many chart notes to explain some of the charges. And, when I went to Kaiser a few years back I did not appreciate the docs back to me and clicking away and told her. Again, there are many docs that do not like doing it after hours. The docs in this clinic actually leave at 5, dictate on their way home and are done with it. Whereas they said when they had been doing the charts they were at the clinic until 6 or 7 or working on them at home and thus they never got done. Anyway, agree with you to some extent but this has just been my experience in the past 18 months and if they want to pay me $18 to put dictation into the chart why should I complain. Again, there were were two other clinics that contacted me and all three had different programs.
Patti
Work Experience
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
School is NOT experience
Unless you have had a job, been hired by someone to work for them, you have NO experience. It is unfortunately that you wasted your money on that school, it definitely will make it more difficult for you to get a job.
And saw a posting on Job Bd for no experience...
not sure if it is a match for anyone but even experience at 3 cpl is experience! Better'n nuttin'!
Radiology experience
I just finished a home study medical transcription course that did not have any radiology reports in the practice dictation, but it did have all acute care. I am just wondering if this course did not give me enough of everything, or are others like this also?
No experience WILL show up! lol As in you will not
How funny to think it would be okay to do that.
To experience MT's and Compaines
Excuse me while I take a little of your time to vent. I am a new MT who is trying to get into this business. I took a at home medical Transcriptionist coarse. After completing this coarse, this company told me to send them $25.00 to take their test. I said to myself this is strange, why should I send money to take a test? So I explained to her that I didn't have any money. She said ok I will send you the test. After taking the test, which consisted of at least 50 pages of transcribing in SOAP/letter format, she said she needed $45.00 to check my test. Again, I explained to her I didn't have any money. She sent my test back and failed me, she said I had to many errors. So I decided to test with this company to see if I was wasting my time in this profession. Well, I aced the test. When I started transcribing for this company, I could only hear three or four words a sentence from the dictator. I hated leaving blanks. This company had no time for me, and no one would answer my questions. In two weeks time, my check was $33.00. I know I transcribed more than $33.00 worth. Being a new MT with no questions answered, I felt helpless. The QA told me I needed to be able to hit the ground running. They need me to be at 98% accuracy. (After the fact). So I say, how do you become 98% accurate if you don't keep going? When you started out were you 98% accurate? Needless to say, I am no longer working with this company. Am I missing something? How do you hear every word? How do I make the money that I read other MT's are making? I have a passion for medical transcription. If I could only hear all the word the dictators are saying. I want to learn everything there is to know and be the top notch of MT's... You see, I am a victim of a doctor mistake. Working ouside of my home is sometimes impossible. Should I stay in this business? Are there legitimate MT companies out there that are not looking to steal and cheat? Are there legitimate MT companies out there that are willing to steer new MT's in the right direction? Why can't dictators be held accountable to their dictations? I realize the world has become a dog eat dog world and every man/woman is to defend for themselves, So I say, IT IS NOT A QUESTIOIN OF IF YOU DIE, IT'S WHEN YOU DIE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY OF THIS WITH YOU. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WHERE IS THE LOVE, COMPASSION, TO DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WANT THEM TO DO UNTO YOU? ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO GOD WHY?
How could we help? All you can do is state the experience you have.
.
Geting MT experience
I was afraid of that happening to me before I started my MT training, so I sought out a school that offered an internship on real reports after the initial training. So I chose Meditec. The intern program did cost extra, it was intense and it was good experience. It did prepare me to work independently upon completion. It was a good choice for me. They do allow graduates from other programs to enter their intern program. That's just an idea. It helped me transition.
Other than that, I would advise you to keep trying to get that first job. Test with everyone that will let you, though some may not let you test again for 1-6 months afterward if you don't make their level of accuracy. At least type up a nice resume and send it out. You only need one job to get in the door, but you will wind up applying to many companies before you get that first position. Good luck to you.
Do EBAY - MT without experience?
I've been doing this for 15 years (MT) and things do not seem to have changed. Finding a job after finishing school is hard enough. MT pay has gone down over the last 5-7 years - I quit for a bit and tried my hand at ebay - I made more money selling on ebay than what I was bringing home doing MT. Then my cpa said that I didn't even have to claim the ebay profits because it was the equivalent to a garage sale. I hope this helps.
With no experience 5.5 isn't horrible, many
companies pay 7 to 8 cpl for experienced MTs.
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