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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Unfortunately, it's not just a matter of whether a school is good or not.

Posted By: deb on 2008-04-25
In Reply to: MT Advantage Career Center - Erica

If you want to work online, from home, most places will only waive the 2-year experience requirement for grads of Andrews, M-Tec, and Career Step. Even a wonderful, fantastic community college course, if not recognized by national employers, won't get you a job. All you will keep hearing is that they "don't hire newbies" and "require 2 years' experience" which is actually not true because they DO test AND hire grads straight from the above three schools without experience.


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No matter what you learn in school, each
company has their own way of doing things.  Some go by BOSS, some the account dictates how to do things and you do whatever they want, even if it is against what BOSS or JCAHO say.   Even a different account within the same company will do things differently than the previous one.  You have to adapt.   With the rare exception QA is very helpful and don't nitpick. 
I so agree! Doesn't matter to me what school...sm
what matters is how you do on grammar and such and then the test files. I can spot a good Transcriptionist a mile away and it has nothing to do with the school listed on her resume.
I'm an employer and I say it doesn't matter where you go to school.
I'm impressed by an applicant who shows the ability to follow directions, troubleshoot and stick-to-it-ness. I have seen crap come out of the big three and I have seen crap come out of community colleges and matchbook schools. I have seen superb MT's come out of community colleges and I dare say matchbook schools. As a matter of fact, I didn't even go to school. I was a paramedic and just applied for a job typing x-rays. So I say it matters more what your natural abilities are. If you a linguist and type like the dickens, and know the medical field, you don't even have to go to school.
You CAN get a job at home, right out of school, but it has to be a GOOD school.
You should enroll in Andrews School or M-TEC. I know you don't want to spend more money, but at least you WILL be able to get a job. If you thought At Home Professions was a good course, you will be totally amazed at what you DIDN'T learn in that course that you WILL learn at the two good schools. There is no "required" curriculum for MT, anybody can open up a school, charge what they want, and teach what they want. Companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement for graduates of Andrews School and M-TEC, but NOT for the other schools.
Good school
A really good course that is taught online is Janet Stiles electronically taught transcription. You can get more info at www.settinc.com
Yes, you need a GOOD school ...
the one you went to is considered a "matchbook" school. Many companies will not even let you take their test if they know you went to that school, because you were not taught the stuff you need in order to pass tests.

I recommend Andrews or M-TEC.

Good luck.
Any good school?
I was wondering whether you could recommend any good schools for coding. At this point I am looking into changing careers after being an MT for 22 years.

The handwriting is on the wall and it is time to get out of this business.

I appreciate any info.
Looking for a good school?
I just send info to your email.
Good school
I studied with the US Career
Istitute. It is a good program, kind of expensive, but they let you sign up for just $5 and pay some each month instead of all up front. The staff is teriffic about helping students.
How to identify a good MT school?

I am considering taking a course through a 4 year college near me.  It is done online using Gatlin Education Services.   Does anyone have experience with this?  Is there a way to determine if a school is a good one or not?


TIA!


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.
Your school can really help you if they have a good reputation.
If they don't have a good reputation, you've got a problem. Graduates of some of the schools are just not having the problems that some of the others are. Where you get your training matters because some schools don't know anything about medical transcription.
Not a good school. They don't teach
you enough, and most companies know it and will not let you take their employment test, because they know you probably can't pass it. Definitely a waste of money.

Check out Andrews School or M-Tec. You will definitely be glad you did.
If you school was any good, they should help you find a job. nm
x
Canscribe is a good school - associated with
x
Try a good online school -
I graduated from M-Tec in 2001, had numerous offers to test before my actual graduation, passed all the tests I took (I believe it was 4),and had a job before I even had my diploma in my hand. I have been happily employed at home doing acute care ever since! Check them out! :-)
Choose a good school!
M-TEC or Andrews. Then follow their program to the letter!!! Best of luck!
They are not a good school; try Andrews or M-TEC
x
I Agree About a GOOD Online School
Unfortunately, a lot of companies look at where you went to school and not what you know.  Andrews and M-Tec are great schools and are popular, and a lot of companies want graduates from those 2 schools.  I went with EvCC and received a great education but no one wanted to give me a chance because the school's not well known.  Finally, 2 places did and they realized that I know my stuff and am a hard worker.  If you're going to spend the extra money, Andrews and M-Tec are both promising. 
Is Penn Foster a good school?
I completed MT course at Penn Foster Career School and I'm having trouble finding my first job. Has anyone had experience with this school?
Career Step is also a very good school. I took their course years ago
and have been an MT for 6 years now.
A really good school won't need to have "specials" to reel in students.
Sometimes they even have a waiting list, despite being more expensive. It's because they are so much better. You get what you pay for. Check out all the desperate posts on this and other MT boards of people who saved money by choosing cheaper courses and now can't get a job.
Penn Foster isn't a good school/program. I would
suggest finding a mentoring program of find an in-house position. 
Allied is no better than At Home Professions or Penn Foster. Not a good school. NM
x
No matter who you think you offended

I've known Linda for a long time and she is one of the most honest, honerable, professional, does what she promises people who knows what she is doing person I know in the MT industry.  Her school has always been one of the best.


No, I am not her and do not portray her on a TV commercial. lol


I work for MQ and no, it won't. It won't matter if you
Have you tried that yet?

It does matter where you live
as well as all the other things mentioned in other posts. That said, Meg is obviously new to the profession and does not understand that by charging 6 cpl directly to the doctors offices you/she/whoever would be doing all MTs a disservice and contributing to the decline of our compensation. I am on the other side of the country, but the rates here are typically charged by the gross line at about 12-14 cpl, which translates to a couple of cents higher for 65-character lines. Even if you are working for a service 6 cpl is low, although admittedly not much lower than what is average these days, but take into consideration that you are not having to fight to attain and keep accounts, and all that goes with that end of it, and are doing only the transcribing and what goes into producing the actual reports. Services are charging hospitals even more than the rates I mentioned above, to the tune of about 21-23 cpl. (which also varies and is based on several factors).
Form doesn't matter. I just do
it all is the usual format, headings capped and then just type.  I make paragraphs if needed.  Be sure and check for grammar (see your original post) because bad grammar will surely count against you, probably even more than a blank will.  Just do the best you can with what you have to work with.  If you don't pass it will at least have given you some experience and you have an idea of what to expect on the next one.  
It is a matter of personal opinion. Some like
Shorthand, some like Instant Text. 
That's a matter of each persons opinion. I happen to like
MT, I have my own accounts and do the work myself.  I get up, take little breaks in between and don't beat myself up.  I also have a separate private life outside of work, so for me I am not isolated. 
That wage per hour is a crock, no matter what! Look at the 3 recommended
s
If you file jointly it doesn't matter who paid for them, it all comes
from the same pot anyway.  
Wow, this busy message board and no one has a response? Doesn't matter anyway, I've already s

nm


Agree with an outside school, but I went to a business & tech school. Great experience, better
s
Good. The lab book was a good choice.
Be sure you look through each book when you get it. Put tabs on sections you will want to refer to quickly. I know my lab book (not Stedman's) has all kinds of extra sections. I think my next purchase would be the cardiac book. Then neuro or OB-GYN after that, depending on which you are getting more of in your work.
that's good to know
At least there's a little hope for me
Good for you!! - nm
.
Good for you!
.
I know a good MT when I see one - regardless of
credentials, school or references. One run through the grammar screening knocks most of 'em right out of the ballpark...
good for you, 10/cpl is good
/
That is good
That is great to hear that someone else was exactly where I am now. Where did you land your first job, not the MTSO, the other one?
I do not think I am TOO GOOD.
companies that pay these low wages are taking advantage of new MTs that don't know their value yet. The MTs that received this offer had all spent thousands of dollars and a lot of time learning to become an MT. I just don't know why anyone would sell themselves short for 5 cpl ($10 an hour is generous by the way as most new MTs won't get to 200 lph). As I said, there are companies out there that pay better. If you are trying to help, steer the newbies to these companies, not the companies that have a reputation for not respecting their MTs. If you take the time, do your research, and graduate from a good school, you should have no problem finding a good job. I had 4 offers before I even got my final score. My first company paid 7 cpl and after 6 months, I took on my own client making just about double that.
good to know!! Thank you!
good to know!! Thank you!
Good For You!

My late Mother did the same thing.  We didn't do homeschooling, but she did it all and did it exceptionally well.  She was brilliant but never acted like it.  She was a taxi to more than the 6 kids in our family.  She taught piano, voice, directed the church choir, wrote plays (we were in them), was busy in RNC fund-raising, and on and on. 


We just called her "Mother."


So good luck to you.  It really warms my heart to hear stories like yours.  As for the MT thing, it sounds like you could teach yourself.  That's what I did.


Good luck!

Appy anywhere and everywhere.  There are a lot of companies who say they require at least 2 years experience, but you would be surprised at how many will give someone who has just graduated a chance.  If you pass their test they will hire you, 2 years or not.  I know from experience.  I graduated last year and I applied to every ad that had a 2 year minimum, before I graduated. I got hired 1 week before I graduated, and I have been working ever since.  Good Luck!     


Nothing is good for a newbie.
Ya, I think I won't take the job because it may be a little difficult. That's real smart.
I have not heard anything good about it.
If you are looking for a quality MT education, the gold standard training comes from Andrews and M-Tec. Some graduates of Career Step have had good luck in finding and keeping employment also. The top schools turn out job-ready MTs. Employers are eager to hire them. The cheaper schools do not turn out graduates that employers are eager to hire.
What do you consider a good living?

I'm thinking of work from my house instead of the office, changing careers.


a good living
Sounds like you are quite successful. Please share with me what is involved in actually earning this level of income. Have you been at it for a long time? How many hours/week do you work? Thanks. I'm strongly considering MT but I hear such variables on the pay.
good point

Knowing that pay=production can be a great motivator, especially if you are working for a company that provides consistent work flow and good HR relations.


Thanks for your input.


Good point!
Peggy, what excellent advice! I had not heard it put that way, and after thinking about it, I know you're right! thanks for opening my eyes to think "bigger".... better to be excellent, and more "employable", than to be somewhat limiting. I do plan to study in such a way as to be excellent! That's just the way I'm "built"! :) thanks again for your post.... -Anne (amh) :)