Read back thru the Word Help and Style boards, too, to see answers to ?? others have. You'll lear
Posted By: lots! nm on 2006-01-08
In Reply to: refernces - Tiffiny
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- refernces - Tiffiny
- Read back thru the Word Help and Style boards, too, to see answers to ?? others have. You'll lear - lots! nm
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...You'll get questions & answers right away, make contacts. See things done as
s
Can't forget the AAMT Book of Style II! Gotta have it for style/formatting, etc. nm
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If you read through the past posts here you'll
see that M-Tec and Andrews were the best. They help with placement and most grads have a job by the time they finish up. Career Step is the next choice.
put quotes around the word by and then read the question
For example, how would you transcribe
like a truck, a 4 by 4
like a piece of wood, a 2 by 4
or like a cake pan, 13 by 9 by 2 inches.
Get it?
Just ask your question on the Word Help board and if someone can, they'll help you. nm
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Read ALL the posts on this board & the Company board and you'll
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I may have one that I bought a while back. Will check tonight and get back to you.
nm
If you'll check the company board you'll find
they have been talked about several times recently. They are an Indian company and no one has had anything good to say about them.
You'll just come to trust yourself as you go. You'll stop replaying the
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It's a style thing (nm)
x
BOS stands for book of style. They
want you to use the BOS guidelines for transcribing. There isn't a template, but using things like daily instead of q.d., etc.
It's CLIENT preference, not style....no message
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General critique on communication style
Perfect practice makes perfect.
I read postings from new or student MTs and I am appalled at the errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and the like. When the old pro's use contractions or abbreviations, I presume they are doing it for the purpose of saving time. When newbies (a contraction of a sort)do so, I wonder if they are aware of the impression they are making. Why not practice doing it right?
If I were looking at this site for someone to hire, and I did so several months ago, I would not touch a lot of you, because either you do not have good communication skills, do not care, or do not take the time to make your postings look good. This, obviously, does not apply to everyone.
Transcription is not like instant messaging. I know what im means, but I do not want to see it from a transcriptionist, unless that Transcriptionist is instant messaging.
Just a suggestion, if you are a new transcriptionist, or aspiring to become a transcriptionist, practice doing it well. Read your posting to see if it looks good and is grammatically correct. Again, perfect practice makes perfect.
If I am totally off base with the above, I know lots of you out there will tell me.
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
Get a copy of your BOS II guide for style, work with an expander, use your resources to the max. nm
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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!!!
Get a copy of the BOS II for style guidelines and take medical terminology/anatomy classes at
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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.
Looking for honest answers about the future of MT...
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
All those answers will be found in these very pages discussed
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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! 
You can shoot on over the other boards
which is the pay. You can also shoot on down this board and read posts about people that have no idea how they are going to get hired when most companies won't hire a new MT. There are a few answers for ya'. Hate to sound unkind, but it takes a good 5 years to make a little more than min wage. Save your money and time or attend that college for something different because there is no way you'll make what they are promising; I can almost guarantee that especially with the fact that most of our jobs are being given to offshore MTs at this point in time. 
Dear Sue - there used to be many different boards on this forum
but most were eliminated due to it becoming overwhelming for Dear Administrator. So that's why you will see ramblings on the Main Board - other boards were absorbed here.
Post your resume on the various job boards.
Most of them are free. There are some companies that do not post openings but hire from the resumes. You can also apply to companies who do post. Those that want experience may be a bit more willing to hire you because of your medical background.
Place your resume on the various job boards.
There is one here and I know other sites have free boards too. You can also send resumes to local offices/hospitals.
Post your resume on the various job boards. It is
free.
for Angela: Right above the questions on this boards
you find a box. Enter into this box: 'Penn Foster' and click search.
You'll get opinions of MTs about this school
Post your resume on all the job boards. There are companies who
do not post openings for whatever reason, but they will hire from the resumes posted. It isn't a guarantee, but gives you more exposure and the chance to perhaps get a job. I agree with the other poster to try for an in-house position. When I first started out 20 years ago I never heard of an at-home MT, we pretty much all worked in an office or in a facility. Many times medical offices hire someone to work in medical records and there may be several facets to their job, one of which is transcribing and might be something you want to consider.
If any company offers you a position but want you to buy equipment/software up front be very cautious. Come here to see if anyone has heard of the company, as there are companies preying on newbie MTs. If a company offers you a position at a radiculously low rate also proceed with caution and come here and ask about them.
Have her post resume on the various job boards. Some companies
don't advertise, but they will hire from resumes. You have to be careful though as there are some companies who will try to take advantage of newbies.
Your MIL will have a much harder time finding a position than someone who took a course through a company that is known to have a good program. Programs like the one she took are pretty much a waste of money and many end up paying more $$ to get into a better program or going through a mentoring program.
I miss the CareerStep message boards
The boards are closed to people who didn't go to that school. I didn't go and love the school I went to, but that board was great because it had a lot of job leads and information on companies, especially smaller MTSOs. I would love to be able to access it again.
check your local hospitals' job boards
You might find MT jobs posted there that aren't ever advertised anywhere.
My coworker had no experience, but took a job in the secretarial float pool at the hospital while she was finishing her online MT schooling. When a swing-and-evenings part-time slot became available (posted on the jobs board, but never advertised elsewhere), the MT manager was willing to give her a shot and roll her out on easy stuff first. Two years and a bazillion questions later, she's turned into quite a good MT, I must say, and just last month she began working from home. :)
I also had to take the bad (weekends and swing and all holidays) shift to get my foot in the door when I first started. It's the nature of the biz.
Also, I would highly, highly, highly recommend you work in-house, sitting pretty much knee-to-knee with a seasoned pro who can mentor you... as you both are paid hourly. A newbie working on production all alone at home will be making less than minimum wage. I hope I'm not crushing your dreams; just giving you a dose of realism. You need a mentor.
Best wishes to you all.
Please make sure to ask word questions on the Word Help board. There are
people who specifically answer questions there.
You will hear responses from both ends of the spectrum and everything in between on these boards. (s
Personally, I LOVE MT. I went to The School That Dare Not Speak Its Name (not one of the "big three") and I had a job before I finished my course. I have had plenty of work since then working for a local service.
I only work about six hours a day. I could work more if I wanted, but I have children and would like to spend my time with them. I make about $1500 a month, which was what I needed to make to supplement our income.
You will read here about people who say they make $60K a year, and you will read here about people who swear they have no work and that the end of the world is nigh. Take it all with a grain of salt.
For what it's worth, I love what I do. I spent six years in college getting a BS and an MA, and I will never use them again... I love MT! Good luck, and feel free to email me if you like. I think you'll be just fine.
Post your resume on all the various job boards, send resumes to
local clinics/doctor's offices, apply to local hospitals. As a newbie getting a job is hard, but some companies will hire you based on the school you got your certificate from. Some schools are better than others and if you didn't get your certificate from one of the better ones changes are harder of getting a job. Most likely you'll need to work in-house for a while. There are some companies that will offer you a job, many at low to no pay, and there are a few companies that are not legit, so be sure you investigate before accepting. If you have to fork out any money for equipment or software in order to get the job be cautious, especially if they require you to purchase it from them.
Newbie post your resume on all the job boards. Respond to
ads posted on the job boards. Look through your local paper.
Keep searching the boards for the info you seek. And go thru an MT program if you haven't already
k
Newbie MTs, do not post test questions on any of the MTStars boards. To do so will result in your
posting privileges being revoked. Take your tests honestly.
Search the boards and send out resumes, and review your grammar and punctuation
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If you currently type in word, then do a word count
then I really can be of no help. Usually when trying to get an idea of a line count with spaces and without spaces, you can use this method. Some people have actual line counting software. I, however, do not, so I am not much help in that regard. Hope this helps at least a little.
You need to go back
I've been doing this for 22+ years, that includes in-house, on a QA level, managing, and being an MT. I have never reached 50K and do not anticipate that I ever will. I have reached that 40K mark on good years like the other post stated, but 50K is unrealistic without years of experience and great pay...which we do not get anymore. You really have to love this job, not like it, and give hours and hours to it. It consumed me for a number of years, then I realized I needed a life. Gratefully, I went back to just being an MT working at home and actually make more money then when I was a manager. If you are simply in this for the money, you will get burned out very fast. This profession can burn you out like no other. Good luck on your choices, but be realistic.
Getting back in
What would a refresher course do for you? The purpose of a course isn't to teach you a bunch of words, instruments, and drugs. It's to teach you how to transcribe--the process, the expectations, what references to use and how to use them, etc.
If you worked for 4 years, you should already know how to transcribe. The fact that you were away from it for 5 months doesn't mean you lost all that knowledge. You should still be able to get going with it.
No training course is going to update you to TODAY, because there are no training materials that close. When you trained before, you might have felt that you learned words and terms that were "current," but they were only as current as the teaching materials.
You should be able to dive right into a job. If you want some review, consider getting some of the SUM program tapes . . . maybe the ESLs. That's a good set and you'll benefit from it. They also have practice tests and other materials at reasonable cost.
If you do that, you can get your speed back up enough to feel comfortable applying for a job. After that, you should be able to work just fine.
Redpen
Andrews School
Going back to school
I have been taking an at home MT course. I have lost all ambition to continue with it due to the things I have read on this site. I don't want to waste anymore of my time and money on something where I will not even be able to find a job when I am finished. It appears there are hardly any jobs out there for "newbies", and the money doesn't seem to be much. So, I have decided to go back to college and go into radiology. It will only take two years and I will make more money than doing MT work. Good Luck to all of you.
Get back what you can, and enroll with...
M-TEC, Inc. The cost is substantially less, and they offer placement assistance. Their current rate of placement is about 97%. Most companies waive the 2-year experience requirement for M-Tec grads.
So what if someone is getting a kick-back
If someone is helping others, and they want the help, why should kick-backs matter? I did not take an online course or any course for that matter, but why should it matter if someone is getting a kick-back? I think that is just a nasty way to be when we should be helping one another. Sounds like a little jealousy to me. JMO.
They responded back to me...
10 hours (600 minutes) of transcription is all they do in "training." Gees - that's absolutely nothing!
Go back to school?
They came to town, advertised in the local newspaper, held a seminar in which they promised lots of work and no worries about technology taking over. I enrolled, worked my pootootie off, paid a lot of money and discovered a newfound respect for medical transcriptionists. I just finished the MT course after about a year almost 1/2 with a GPA of 91, yet I never once thought to investigate what companies were hiring and whom they wanted. I did call the local hospital and an owner of a transcription service who advised me to enroll in school. Now...I find companies want 2+ years of experience and the local hospital is not hiring at this time. I did not attend Andrews or M-TEC; however, I am wondering if I should enroll in one or the other. Any advice for someone fresh out of school looking for a job?
ME too, I wish they would open it back up to us, with
strict rules and if you break them, you are out, that probably is too time-consuming, oh well. Great supportive board there.
I'm the slow kid in the back.....
...and I need to get faster! My transcription is okay but my line counts are low. After transcribing, I re-listen to the entire file to make sure I got everything. My mentor says that's slowing me down too much. Can any of you established MTs share some advice on how to edit more efficiently? I know it's supposed to be something that comes with time, but is there any way to hurry the process along a bit??
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