See important, important message inside.
Posted By: Becky Young on 2005-10-01
In Reply to: Is being a MT worth it - Mary
I put my real name and e-mail up here. The rest of you, do not let this person steal your dreams.
I stumbled onto this profession 30 years ago when transcription was part of my office duties. I went from there to a huge hospital and worked there for 15 years, all the while taking extra work from home (mostly because I just love the work, but also for extra money).
During the past 30 years, I have supported my family of four without a lot of help from my husband. That includes buying my daughter a very expensive horse and all the accoutrements (sp?) - including riding lessons, horse shows, show clothes, etc., etc. My son has a very expensive hobby that I also funded. I ran an entire household on my earnings.
I'm saying this to illustrate to you that it can be done, but you sure can't send off sloppy records. You have to learn the correct way. You have to be smart. You have to listen and be willing to be humiliated once every now and then!
MT may or may not be for you, but do not let one unsuccessful person define your future. There are plenty of us out here who make a wonderful living at this.
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This is important. see message
You need to know that although you might have a "certificate" from an MT school, you are not a certified MT. In order to be certified, you need to have 2 years' experience and then take and pass a test with the AHDI (formerly AAMT).
You need to know this because when looking for a job, if you say you are "certified" and the employer checks the list of CMTs (certified MTs) and you are not on it, they will think you are lying about it to get the job.
It is a very common mistake, lots of new grads think because they have a "certificate" that they are certified, but there is a big difference.
Good luck in finding a job.
Response to important message
Deb,
Apparently they have changed the requirements. If you go on the website they say anyone can take the test, but they suggest two-years acute care experience for success on the test. It used to be you could not even take the test without two-years experience.
It is important to get your foot in the door
You can command more money as soon as you can prove your skills. I agree with those who say to take this entry level job and move up the ladder from there.
It's hard to tell because you are leaving out one important item
it says "can work from home after training period."
Is this a place that is local to you? Why don't you try googling the email address and see what comes up.
There are some hospitals that are willing to train people for this job, but I have found that happens in very very tiny hospitals where they may have something like 40 beds or less.
"well-trained" is the important point here
Those who aren't are running out of job options. The employers won't hire or keep people who are not properly prepared. They are dumping the MT services who don't have high standards.
More important than typing speed I hope
you chose a good school. Doesn't matter how fast you type if you can't get a job because she chose a more "affordable" school that didn't give you the education you need to get a job.
Do not short yourself on the most important part of your career
You will be sorry if you try take the easy way out. Trust me, been there. After wasting 1 year and lots of money at one program, I went to the college and received excellent training. I graduated with straight A's on both programs.
no message inside....
f
See message inside.
I am a CS graduate, and if I had it to do over, I'd choose Andrews School or M-TEC.
Almost all of the books you receive from CS are written by the lady who started the school. The other 2 schools use real reference books that contain a LOT more. That's one reason the other 2 schools cost more.
Also, the other 2 schools have real instructors who go over your work and point out errors, and help you along. At CS, your work is "automatically compared" against the same report done at some unknown time and place by some unknown MT, who may or may not have done it correctly. All you get is a comparison between the two, it only shows the differences, like holding two pieces of paper up to the light to see if everything matches. Whenever there are differences, it's up to YOU to figure out which one is correct. The only time a real person actually looks over your work is when you take your final exam (which over 50% of students fail the first time they take it, and that statement comes directly from CS itself, not from me).
Yes, I did get a work-at-home job after graduating from CS. But I feel my first year of work was a lot harder, I spent a lot more time looking things up, there were a lot of things I would have learned at Andrews or M-Tec that I didn't learn at CS.
See message inside.
If she's already made her decision, I suppose this doesn't matter much.
But the fact is, if she takes the course from Andrews or M-TEC, she will indeed be able to pass most TRANSCRIPTION (not typing) tests right out of school. Many companies will waive the 2-year experience requirement for grads of those two schools because of the excellent training. Also, she should not need an internship if she takes the course from Andrews or M-TEC.
see inside
I quit my stressful job to do MT full throttle. My hubby and I planned it for months. In MHO, MT is not something you should squeeze in at the end of your day. There is FAR too much to learn not to be able to give it your full attention. I looked at it like a job to learn. When I was not working on the course itself I was looking at message boards, seeing if I could figure out the answers on the word help boards, reading the AAMT magazine, you name it. I breathed, slept, and ate MT. Now, not everyone is as anal as this, but for me this worked. I had numerous job offers before I even graduated based on my test results, so I feel I got out of it what I put into it! Good luck to you. 
see inside
SM means "see message"
NM means "no message"
LP is a new one. I don't know what that means or I even saw that before. Hope this helps!!
See inside
Just about anywhere you ask, you will hear that Andrews School, M-TEC, and Career Step are the best, and the only ones worth the money. Many companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement if you graduate from one of these three schools.
Good luck to you.
See inside
I know you don't want to hear it, but you are wasting your money if you choose one of the cheaper schools. You will not be able to get a job afterwards. Most of the big companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement if you go to Andrews, M-TEC, or Career Step, but not for the other schools. You get what you pay for. Those 3 schools will also help you get a job after you graduate.
see inside
Northeast Transcription email gail@ntitech.com - they were looking for new grads. Focus Infomatics hires new grads, I think. Good luck and keep trying.
See Inside.....
Precyse Solutions and Spheris take MTs with dial-up. Precyse Solutions is smaller with about 300 MTs and Spheris has about 1000.
see inside
Any purchases:
computers
equipment
desk/chair
books
supplies
Gas for any deliveries or pickups to customers.
A percentage of your rent or mortgage and utilities IF you have a separate room dedicated to work.
Telephone and Internet expenses if applicable.
Maybe that will help you get started. It is best to ask an accountant. :)
Heck, I don't see why not...see inside
It'll at least give you good experience in testing. However, actually getting the job is a long shot unless you ace the test or have a good MT education to your credit.
Well, there's this link inside, too...
http://archives.mtstars.com/main2005/32964.html
I see typos.... see inside
You need to check for spelling errors yourself. See below.
Before you hit the send button, Char, you might want to stop and give some consideration to your audience. Many of the people who read this board are people who hire MTs. If your post is sloppy and full of ignorance, you will be dismissed as a sloppy, ignorant MT, and any potential employer will not give you another thought. If your post is intelligent, well written, and error-free, you just might be contacted by someone willing to give you a chance. I have contacted three newbies who posted intelligent comments in complete, accureately-spelled (accurately)sentences on this board. I hired one of them. I would have been happy to hire the other two, but two other MTSOs had (2 had) had the same idea after seeing their posts and beat me to it. Think about that the next time you want to post something incoherent and badly spelled because "it's just a message board". A sloppy, incoherent post might (be?) hilarious to you, but to someone assessing your suitability for employment, it's just really depressing.
I start Jan 8.....more inside
I start with the tech call on the 8th, training on the 9th, and begin work on the 10th. Any insight no how to start off great? Any recommended reference books? Are you employed with them?
Jill
see link inside
http://www.mtbot.com/links/index.php?PHPSESSID=87548e85937eae92e899386c81c6c8e1&PID=4
Maybe this will help.
Link inside
See instructions inside.
At your desktop, right click and choose Properties, Advanced, under item at the drop-down arrow select window, click on the drop-down arrow by color 1, and either choose one of those colors or select "other" and you can create whatever color you want. It will have no affect on your document, just your screen.
I used to use light purple, now I use light blue. I change colors just to alleviate boredom. :)
Response for Teresa - please see inside.
I'm not sure what "Medical Office Occupations" is, but if it's a school for medical transcription, they should give you some idea of how to find a job. If they can't help you find a job - then I hate to tell you this, but you're going to have a hard time.
Frankly, it is VERY difficult for someone with no experience to find a job unless they graduated from Andrews, MTEC, or Career Step. Some have found they can only get local in-house jobs at the beginning (and are lucky to find those).
When you say "no one will listen to you" - who exactly do you mean? Have you applied at any of the companies mentioned here? Taken any transcription tests?
You never know who is going to be on boards like this - recruiters, small MTSO owners, etc., and I would recommend making sure your posts are professional and reflect good English skills.
Read these posts and go through the archives for more information, as well.
Link to article inside
http://www.adminsupportservices.com/parentsmagarticle.htm
Ditto what Misha said and more - see inside
I transcribed and did QA for more than 4 years before returning to just transcribing. I can tell you hands down that the best MTs were the ones that already had a very solid backround in English and a huge love of learning before they spent big money to attend a GOOD school. IMHO, MT is not easy to learn unless you put forth a lot of effort, and if you struggle with English then you may not learn as many medical concepts as you need to, which in turn will make you struggle on the job. I saw this time and time again as my company shuffled people in and out who could not cut it. I may also add that some of these people who did not make it were from the Big 3. It is not for everyone. I agree that the big money is not really there these days.
Not that I disagree with you totally, but (see inside)
there just aren't many hospitals in many areas any more where people can work. Many of them hire services.
Graduates of Andrews School and M-Tec seem to have no problem getting hired or keeping their jobs at home right out of school. "Grads" of the "matchbook" schools are the ones who need all the extra in-house assistance.
I use the ABCZ method. See inside.
http://home.earthlink.net/~agjon/abczrule.htm
This thread is locked. Please see inside.
I have had to delete part of this thread due to vulgarity, which is unwarranted.
Please understand that responses from all perspectives may be posted but civility and respect still can be demonstrated.
Cher/Moderator
R U LAZY? do your own work..link inside..sm
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
More Career Step Info Inside
I just purchased a platinum course from an individual who was selling on www.mtdaily.com. Just go to the website and click on General classifieds and the other classified heading. Also, there is someone selling, I believe, the gold course for $750.00 on ebay. there is only 13 hours to go on that one. Hope this helps.
Are interns paid for the work they do? (see inside)
I see there is a fee for this program. If one has to pay a fee, and do work without pay, it doesn't sound like such a great deal for the newbie.
You don't need a dictionary if you have internet access (see inside)
just use www.onelook.com it has all you could ask for in a dictionary, has a search function, and is much easier than lifting a heavy book!
Guess I didn't link it! Pasted inside...sm
http://www.unitedtran.com/default.htm nm.
Please see inside for info on grads/Spheris/CareerStep
http://www.careerstep.com/clientspromos/spheris/
Career Step is pleased to announce an innovative partnership with Spheris, a leading national employer of medical transcriptionists. Beginning in 2005, a select group of Career Step students will be offered the opportunity to participate in the exclusive Spheris Training Track. The Spheris Training Track has been designed around Career Step’s proprietary medical transcription training program. Portions of the training program have been tailored to meet the specific training and hiring requirements of Spheris.
Program Objectives
The primary objective of the Spheris Training Track is to minimize the training period for new employees by incorporating on-the-job training directly into the Career Step course. It is expected that graduates of the Spheris Training Track will move quickly and seamlessly into a production-based medical transcription position with Spheris. This innovative training is designed to systematically expose students to a wide variety of practice sound files that more closely approximate the actual Spheris working environment. Additionally, students who enter this program will receive intensive training and practice on Spheris' proprietary web-based medical transcription platform.
Advantages of The Program
Although Career Step graduates are eligible to apply for Spheris entry-level positions, the special training that students receive through the Spheris Training Track will enable them to apply for more advanced positions within the Spheris organization.
How it Works
Spheris Training Track classes will be formed frequently, based upon the current recruiting needs of Spheris. At the formation of each class, a select number of Career Step students will be offered entrance into the Spheris training track. Selection and participation are based on student performance and Spheris' current recruiting needs. While the demand for well-trained medical transcriptionists is high, the selection process for entrance into the program is rigorous and competitive.
More About Career Step
Career Step is one of the nation's leading providers of online medical transcription training. Career Step enjoys a tremendous market advantage in the industry by virtue of its reputation as an innovative, competency-based training company. Career Step believes that the success of any training program is defined by the success of the graduates from that program. With thousands of Career Step graduates enjoying successful careers as medical transcriptionists, Career Step is the leader in quality medical transcription education. Career Step has been in business since 1992 and is based in Springville, Utah.
In recent years Career Step has rolled out additional high quality products, such as an online medical transcription testing service, and a medical coding certificate program. Career Step is now viewed as a purveyor of leading edge technology solutions to companies throughout the industry.
Each year, for the past four years, Career Step has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the state of Utah by the Mountain West Venture Group. Career Step was additionally the 335th fastest growing privately-held business in the country, according to Inc. Magazine.
Career Step also currently maintains relationships with dozens of prominent community colleges nationwide that offer the Career Step training program to their students under an exclusive licensing agreement.
More About Spheris
Spheris is the world's second-largest outsourced medical transcription company and currently works with practitioners in 450 health systems, hospitals and group practices. Spheris provides medical transcription services to clinics and practices as well as some of the largest, most prestigious medical centers throughout North America.
Today, Spheris employs more than 5,000 professional Medical Transcriptionists which support the company’s clients through secure networks, using a Web-based system with integrated voice, text and data.
Spheris is headquartered in Franklin, TN, with major operations in St. Petersburg, FL and Sterling, VA.
Have you tried Open Office? It's free and very similar - see inside
http://www.openoffice.org/
Apparently, the AHDI can't make up their mind! See inside
From the FAQ on their website (as mentioned by someone else here):
"Two years of transcription experience in the acute care (or equivalent) setting is required to take the CMT certification examination."
FYI - ALL commas and periods go INSIDE quotation marks!
see message
There is no difference in training. In general, I think it would be easier to start out in house if possible. There will be other people to help you with questions, etc., plus most in house positions are hourly positions. You may still have a quota to meet, but at least you can count on the hourly pay.
Your training would need to be very good to start out at home in the beginning. At home you are pretty much on your own. You will need good reference materials. Most at home positions are paid by production. That is good if you are fast. But if you are just starting out, you may not make much in the beginning.
All of this will depend on your individual needs and wants. I think the best case scenario is to get a job in house for a couple years, then transition to home. Good luck.
no message...........
@
See message
Long story, but the bottom line is after they switch me to something I'm unfamiliar with they tell me they don't have the time to train me on it, so where do I go from there. Then the company instituted some 98% accuracy policy and new QA policy. I would never met their expectations so why bother? If they were accommodating, I would understand, but they don't have the time. I understand that. Just want suggestions to assist me so if I try again will be more prepared.
Thanks for your message
Guys thanks for your messages. It was helpful.
See message.
If you are an IC, they only need your SS number. If you are an employee, then they need two forms of ID, such as driver's license and one other (maybe copy of birth certificate) and your home address.
A lot of companies who hire people for IC positions don't know the law and ask for all kinds of stuff.
They don't need a copy of your SS #, only your number.
See message
First of all, I can't believe the company did not provide you a foot pedal.....hmmmm. Anyway, try going to www.transcriptiongear.com. They have every kind of pedal. If you call their toll-free number and tell them you need a pedal for eScription, I bet they will know what you need. Also, you could try going to www.escription.com and asking questions on their forum. Good luck-!!
Please see message.
First, do an extensive search on the internet for medical transcription companies, then test with the ones that will allow you to. Even though some companies may say they require two or more years of experience, some will waive that if you do well on their test. Try Spheris and Sten-Tel. They are known for sometimes hiring newbies.
Second, don't get discouraged! It can take a while to land your first job, but be persistent. It took me about five months for me to get my first job. Once you are in, then you will be gaining the experience required for applying for other jobs down the road.
Third, NEVER pay to work! This might sound strange, but there really are scammers out there ready to prey on newbies desperate to get their foot in the door. Some will say you need to purchase their software, or a footpedal directly from them, but you don't. You can always purchase those things independently.
Best of luck to you!
see message
Webmedx and Diskriter also provide the computer to the MT!
nm = no message, sm = see message,
M-Tec is the actual name of an excellent on-line school. Google that spelling plus medical transcription and you'll find the website. The other school would be Andrews, do a Google search the same way. Read about those programs and see how yours compares.
These 2 schools are worth every penny because students do get jobs right away.
see message
I've been with Spheris 5 years....the supes are decent, pay on time, platform is fine, insurance not good, some accounts end up in India, some will not, pay is average. I have been on same account 4 years.
See message
You said, "I know that many people who are extremely bright and smart cannot get hired because of lack of a certain certificate from only certain schools, which I think is crazy to limit the hiring process based on that only."
The reason for this is that after testing "x" number of graduates of XYZ school and finding out that 90% or more of them could NOT pass the employment test, companies decided to stop wasting time and just tell those grads that they need 2 years' experience.
On the other hand, after testing "x" number of grads of Andrews and M-Tec and discovering that 90% or more COULD pass the employment test even without experience, companies agreed to waive the experience requirement and allow grads of those schools to test.
Sure, there might be a few people from the not-so-good schools who might be able to pass, but who has that time to waste to weed them out?
See message...
Occasionally, you will see a Veterinary Transcriptionist job advertised on our Job Seeker's Board. If you search "veterinary" in the Google box (MTStars) above, you will see related past posts.
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