You want good news or the reality of MTing? sm
Posted By: MTEC veteran on 2009-04-19
In Reply to: Any good news about MT Work? - Kelly
Got out of MT after 12 years recently. I had multiple job offers when I graduated from MTEC and have worked at home since that time. I have made excellent money most of those years and used to enjoy it. Over the past 3 years there has been a definite turn for the worse as far as the number of ESLs docs out there, as it seems all the docs who speak well are using ASR or switching to electronic medical records altogether. Also, instead of my line rate going up each year, many of us are now in positions where there are never any raises and we are being asked to take a reduction in line rate, be available to work 7 days a week, scrambling around to get what work there is on multiple accounts, etc. What other job do you know of where the more experience you get the less money you are offered each year? You are also competing in a job market right now where there are fewer jobs than ever and plenty of people with lots of experience. Yes, if I had to do it all over again I would not choose this career. Just MHO... 
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
Good News
Finally, some good news for a change!!
Any good news about MT Work?
I am a current student. I did MT work for a small hospital years ago. Switched to coding--not a good "fit". I really want to get back into MT work. I loved it! I hear so much negativity on the forums. Anyone have anything encouraging or positive? I would love any feedback from you veterans out there!javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
Glad to hear such good news!
I am happy for you and your family, and I hope he continues to improve.
The truth about MTing. sm
You are the only one who can decide this. What you need to know: You must have an excellent background in grammar and spelling. Otherwise, forget it.
You must be able to set goals for yourself and meet them. This is not a field for "part-time" people to break into. You can work part time, but you will need to really put the time, effort and concentration in until you know the business. It was the hardest training I ever did, and I have 3 college degrees.
It does take 3-5 years to get comfortable with this field. If you are looking for something that will start making you money in 6-12 months, forget it. You will just have started. The money is there for those that do the work, realistically $12-18 an hour for the average MT. Sometimes when I start a new account, I'm lucky to make $8-10 an hour for the first several months. Do not be fooled by the "make $25 in your spare time ads," they are scams. A few exceptional people make that money or more, but most of us make a decent living, $25K - 35K a year.
If you are looking at a training program, be sure you get into one of the really reputable programs that can place you after graduation. (I only know of 3 of them although there may be several others. The rest give you a certificate and you're on your own; you're lucky to get a job.)
Yes, many of the companies are going off shore. Fortunately, there are still companies that insist on American quality. I have 18 years experience, including 10 years in-hospital. I can send out 2 resumes and get a job, but that's a lot of experience. Also, I no longer make the $24 an hour I did in hospital. I adjusted.
If you have the qualifications and you are willing to put in at least 3 years of dedicated training, then it's still a decent field, and I think it will be for years to come. But if you want a quick, stable income fast, I would look elsewhere. Just my opinion.
I started MTing in 1979 and right not would not recommend it to anyone.
..
Reality check
When HIPAA went into effect that fateful October, the AMA did a survey and less than 50% of physician practices had any HIPAA compliance practices in place or had started preparing them. That is a fact. In the private office setting, the office can include anything they wish into their compliance notification their patients sign and their patients have the option to opt out of whatever sections they don't want to participate in. That is a fact.
It is personal preferences in complying with HIPAA regulations, not just for the MD but for the patient. That is a fact.
OOps..REALITY!!!
f
Reality check.
You may think you are a great MT or can be, but experience is not something you can fake. I have no idea if you are new to MT or not, but if you are trying to break into the field and plan to lie about your experience it will show and it will show in every aspect of your job. I know for a fact my company checks references and many companies do. Posting such a question is just galling. What kind of work ethic is that?
Reality check and kudos
To all you experienced MT's out there, I offer you my Kudos and job well done!! As a new MT you think you "know it all" which, in fact, is not true. I have downloaded a test from a MT company, and the Doctor's dictations are so out there, it could only take a highly qualified professional to decipher what is being said.
For new MT's just starting out, if you find a company who is willing to train you, be faithful to them. Those companies are rare and it takes time to train you to be able to listen and transcribe some of these reports.
I appreciated all of you "seasoned MT's" and for the positive feedback that you post on this board. Keep it up!!
let's not assign emotions to reality, puhleeze
x
This is wonderful news...
Landing a job, and hubby is doing great! Good 4 U! Have a good one! ![Blinking](http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_2_1.gif")
![](http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb113&pp=ZUxdm486YYUS")
That's great news!
Wishing you and your husband the best. I hope the news continues to be good for both of you.
Great News! Congratulations - NM
NM
I think people with their eyes wide open are just trying to pass the news along...sm
to some unsuspected starry-eyed matchbook cover readers. A lot of MT's ARE going back to school and the ones that aren't are posting desparate posts saying "what else can I do?" I believe in being prepared...how are you going to go back to school if you don't have a job (or aren't saving some money now?) Believe me, I've been home with my kids too, and make a pretty penny doing this job. But I feel bad for all those people who A) sink thousands of dollars into getting their MT "certificate" from the schools, then B) come and post on this board with everybody else saying "how can we get experienc if no one will hire us, and C) knowing the MT rates are falling, not rising. Just want to give them a heads up on what the rest of us are seeing. Sure, there's a few folks that are still making good money BUT I've been in this field for 25 years now and there's a definite trend afoot here...
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) :)
This is a good start for you (sm)
In light of the fact that you are new, this is an excellent rate of pay with a reasonable (generous, really) production requirement, even though you may not be able to meet it at first.
Add 20-25% to it for the benefits and you'll be making more on the lines of $13.08. As an on-site employee you will not have to pay self-employment tax or overhead.
When people scoff at this rate of pay, remember that everyone starting out in a new career field starts at the bottom. You have to work your way up. As an MT, your value lies in your ability to produce quantity work while maintaining high quality. Newbies aren't able to produce much while maintaining quality.
The incentive pay makes this better, and if it has good benefits, then you're doing well.
The most important thing about this job is that it will give you experience. You NEED that experience. If you can get it while being paid hourly, so much the better.
Unless someone scoffing at this can produce a job for you which pays better, do not listen to them.
If you do not have a job and you need a job, you are in no position to be turning one down because it doesn't pay top dollar. Take this job and do your best with it.
Yes, this is still a good field!
Hey Porr - Welcome! First of all, you have come one of the most negative MT sites on the internet. If you are easily discouraged or depressed, I would advise you NOT to come to this site. I have been an MT for over 30 years and every time I come to this board, I leave so dejected, I wonder if I have wasted my life doing MT. I have finally realized that this board drags me down, so I don't come here very often. The people who do come on here legitimately, come to relieve their frustrations, get advice, vent about work situations, etc.... we are not all this stressed out all the time But there are a lot of really good people on here, too, and you can get a lot of valuable knowledge, you just have to learn who the "trolls" are and ignore them (easier said than done at times!) The MT world is undergoing a lot of changes these days. A lot of work is being sent offshore and now they have the voice recognition platform that they are working on. The nationals make you feel very unappreciated, but I have worked for doctors, hospitals, clinics and had my own service for a while, and there are a lot of people out there who will appreciate your skills, just not the large nationals. Stay away from them until you are more seasoned, then, if you feel like tackling one of them, I say go for it. They have their negatives, but you will gain valuable knowledge and you will be able to get a job just about anywhere with one of the nationals on your resume.
This is a great field, just keep your nose to the grindstone and stay away from negative websites (). Do not let the comments you read here sway you one way or the other. I find this to be a personally rewarding field to work in. I hope that you do, too! Hang in there and don't give up!
Good luck!
You can't give up hope if this is the field you want to work in. I had been doing my job for 17 years and needed something new. I did a lot of research and liked the opportunites that being an MT provided. I'm sure it would not be for everybody, but I love what I do and have great docs to transcribe for. Plus, perhaps more important, it is an ongoing learning process. I like to stay challenged and this job certainly does that. Good luck to you!!
Good point..lol
nm
another good response!!!
nm
Good schools??
How do you determine what is a good reputable school and which one is a waste of money & time?
Thank you!
The Good Schools
Andrews and M-Tec. Career Step is also considered to be a good school. Andrews and M-Tec are the gold standard, the Harvard and Yale, of MT training. Their graduates have no difficulty finding work because employers know those schools turn out job-ready MTs.
It has good advice.
Good luck!
Is this a good field to go into?
Does this line of work have a future? Is it a good field to go into? I welcome your opinions.
That is pretty good.
That is a lot better than what I am making. I am making only 3.0 cents per line independent contractor status, which is ridiculous. This should be a crime to pay an MT this low of a rate. I am currently in the process of looking for a new job.
Is this a good start
I've heard Sten-Tel is a good starting company, is that true? I need to gain experience. I recently finished up an internship, but need 1-2 yr experience to be able to work in clinics or hospitals in my area. So I thought if I could work online at home PT or FT(I need to make around $400/mo to pay all my bills) for a year, then I could start applying again at the hospitals... anyone have any good leads?
Good advice. LOL!!!!! nm
.
I agree! Good for you!
with a mother's day out program for a few hours a week if you feel your child needs social interaction. That is someting I would do for your child if you felt they really needed it, but not for you though. I agree, and I have worked daycare years ago. You really are not the one raising your child if they are there all day. You feed them, bathe them, and put them to bed. The struggles in life and how you handle them are what make you, you... and your child is watching every move you make and will one day likely repeat them. Us moms only have one chance, we have to make it count! I am glad you made this decison and you sure won't regret it!
good question..
i was told it takes at least 2-3 years to really feel comfortable. its been about 5 now for me, and although i feel pretty comfortable (except for ops), i still consider myself a newbie, plus i am the baby of my company as far as experience, and i still have a lot more to learn.
on the good side (for me), there are 2 others whom i work with, who have 19 and 18 years, but, because they chose to cherry pick, they didnt qualify to work at home because they were not comfortable doing a lot of things they should have been comfortable with by now.
you may consider yourself a newbie, but motivation, initiation, and all that other good stuff can put you ahead of others.
good luck
GOOD POINT
I'm glad that this was brought up. I have often wondered myself. What encourages me is that there is always something new to learn. Even the MTs who have been in this for years admits it themselves.
I am still a newbie but being an IC helps a lot in learning different areas in this field. I am thankful that my contact "feeds" me work from a new field gradually when she thinks that I am already catching on with the one she gave me prior. I say "catching on" because I can get comfortable with surgery and here comes a new case with totally different words that I need to research on.
Just like a former professor of mine said - "the more you know, the more you realize that there is still much to learn."
Good attitude! You will go far. (nm)
(nm)
I agree - if you have a good
MT education and are any good, you won't HAVE to accept a job at such an insulting line rate.
Good company?
I am a well trained and experienced professional MT and have been for 13 years now. I have been looking at several of the work-at-home companies out there. Does anyone out there work for ImageStat Corporation and are they a good company to work for?
I would start with PT. Good way to
get your speed up, familiarize yourself with macros. Easy work - no drugs or labs, usually no ESL, lots of repetition. Start with PT and then go from there.
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
|
