Ugh, ophthalmology? I never did get the hang of that...
Posted By: Amanda on 2008-04-22
In Reply to: Second day - Lindsay
I have never liked ophthalmology or gynecology; too many strange/new words for me!
What platform are you on? I know EditScript and Dictaphone allow you to search through reports and that is very helpful. If you are on something that doesn't have that feature, just e-mail/call them and tell them you would like more samples if available. I'm sure they'll understand and not expect you to just KNOW it all right off, especially with a mumbler! My very first report with my company was a horrible PA who no one likes to get. I told my "trainer" who it was and I couldn't understand a lick of what he was saying and she apologized and gave me a different speaker and then sent me her normal/template for the awful PA.
Don't get discouraged!!
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- Second day - Lindsay
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ophthalmology
I too am a COA and am transcribing for internists!!! It seems what I find, is most ophthalmologists have their own Transcriptionist in house and do not want someone who works from home, hence I am doing internal medicine. I have worked for a company doing ophthalmology only, but pay is terrible. Maybe you can find something in your area. I think the area has a lot to do with it too. I am in the South East. Good luck!!!!
Go for just ophthalmology
Your best bet would be to look for an ophthalmology office needing transcription services.
Part of the problem is that you are thinking of MT as typing, i.e., you believe you are qualified to do it because of your classes in machine transcription and business English, and because you typed letters as an ophthalmology assistant. While those classes prepared you to be a good ophthalmology assistant, they in no way prepared you to do medical transcription.
You might not be aware of it, but your doctors probably dictated more clearly for you than they do at the hospital, since they knew you wouldn't be able to understand them if they went full-out.
I can't imagine what kind of MT employer would be telling you your speed isn't fast enough. I don't know any which would even ask about your typing speed.
The other poster is right about the accuracy, though. You need to be at least 98% accurate--95% is often a failing grade on employment tests and most won't hire you with a 97%.
If you still want to do general MT, rather than an ophthalmology account, your best bet would be to take one of the complete courses from a school like M-Tec or Andrews. The tuition might shock you, but it will be recouped quickly once you're working. Grads of both schools get jobs almost without fail, so it's a good investment.
hang in there...
thanks so much MTStudent -- i wish you lots of luck in your second semester of AMT -- that tells me you have completed basic??. be grateful that it slower. hopefully, you have fully gained an understanding of the basics and if you're in advanced medical transcription, you're probably doing way better than you think you are.
hope that you hang in there and do well in your new career.
and -- thanks for the encouragement! :)
Hang in there
It seems like every new job I've taken has started out with software problems and down times. I've had fewer problems with low work volumes. One reason might be that I tended to work more of a second shift schedule. At my current job (I work in a radiology office), we have lots of computer problems, which makes it hard to keep caught up, but at least I'm on the clock and get paid for the aggravation. I'd just hang in there for a while, periodically letting the supervisor know there is less work coming to you than what you can do, and you might consider looking into working off-peak hours when fewer MTs are gobbling up the work.
HANG IN THERE!
I hear alot of people that have this problem. I got pretty lucky and got a job right away, but I also put in lots of applications everywhere. My suggestion would be to keep an eye on all of the postings on the job board, even the not so great ones and check your local hospitals. You might have to start out on the bottom end, but it gets your foot in the door and more experience on your application. Just hang it there, and it will pay off.
Thanks, Camry
Hang in there
Hi Hon,
I'm so sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time. I'm not sure what course you took -- but I have seen that the AAMT has a BOS workbook. Perhaps that might help. Also, for AAMT members you can access their Student Alliance Forum that has a short graduate mentor program.
No matter what keep looking. I've heard that it is easier for new MTs to get local positions than national. Also, you might want to ask your school if they have a list of companies that recent graduates have been hired on at.
Good luck!
Hang in there!
I've been a Transcriptionist for the past 14 years, I was doing it full time then went to part-time then took a few months off. When I decided to quit my job and be home again it was SO hard to find a job, I applied to many companies, some I didn't event pass the test with and I got very discouraged. I then landed a job for about 2 days, I didn't feel the person I worked for was being very ethical and she went against my "training" and I called her on it. She was also so nit-picky on things that were not even correct that I called her on it and I never heard back from her again, never got paid for the work I did either.
I felt so discouraged. I felt like a complete "loser". Then I landed my current job and I couldn't be happier. My point is that we all make mistakes and even us "veterans" need time to learn a new account. It will get better and YOU will get better at catching your errors. Make a list of everything that comes back from QA so you have a reference point and you can learn from it and not make the same mistake again. Everday is a new day and we all grow and get better and learn something new.
Good luck!
Hang In There (sm)
Unfortunately, most companies will not hire new graduates unless they are from certain courses that they approve. It is hard if you do not know this ahead of time. I have had several relatives that think they can just take a medical terminology course and get a job and they have found out that they can't.
Try to check with local physicians in your area first. If you can get some experience, it would help a lot. That is how I got my start. I was just kind of thrown into it blindly (no experience whatsoever). Just keep looking and don't give up something should come your way.
If you want to go back and take another course (I know you probably don't, but I thought I would mention anyway), several companies will hire graduates from Career Step (I know Medquist does).
Good Luck and like I said, keep on looking.
Hang on a minute there,
First of all, in many cases, the answer to a question is the answer to a question. If you're given the definition "difficulty swallowing" on a test and you answer "dysphagia," you would be correct. What's the difference if a computer corrects you or a person does? The answer is dysphagia, period.
As for no support, NOT TRUE. You can get help ANY TIME you need it. There are MTs on staff, and there are also former MT recruiters on staff--that's right, the people who actually HIRE MTs in this business. All you have to do is send an email or call with a question, and you'll get your response--quickly.
Career Step is a GOOD course. Don't let anyone scare you or frighten you into thinking you've got to spend a lot more to get an education.
Hang in there Lisa!
Hang in there! Something will come your way that is the right fit. Our oldest son was killed in an accident and his two young babies came to live with us for a year. That is the same time I finished my MT education. I was hired before I finished school. I have worked from home from the beginning. I set my own hours, accept work or turn it down; however, I always meet my 24-hour TAT. There is the right "fit" for everyone out there. Don't get discouraged! 
Just hang in there....you'll get use to them
xx
You're doing fine-just hang in there (sm)
You're doing fine. In fact, you're doing quite well for 8 weeks!
Just keep on doing what you are doing. You'll eventually improve as everything comes together.
You can look for ways to improve your efficiency, but you should not try to "go faster." Trying to speed up usually results in increased errors and correction rates.
It's easier to focus on not making any errors, on listening far enough ahead that you never have to erase and make a correction, and on eliminating wasted time and effort.
Eating and drinking, smoking, listening to music and/or office chatter, a disorganized desk, interruptions from children, phones, and housework, EMAIL, and inefficient work habits will be THE main things that reduce your productivity.
If you look at your work activities, you will probably see more time spent doing "other things" than doing transcription. What you want to do is eliminate all the things that are NOT transcription, by which I mean keying in text and/or truly necessary job responsibilities.
The easiest way to improve your productivity is to simply start spending 99.9% of your work time actually working. If you observe yourself closely, you'll be able to see the not-work things you need to eliminate.
Over time, for many MTs, this occurs naturally, but you can help it along!
Hopefully you won't be crushed. It might be difficult, but hang in there. nm
X
You hang in there.....I know it feels overwhelming
xx
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