Your experience transcribing reports in school
Posted By: sm on 2006-06-22
In Reply to: Newbie medical transcription - Padmapuja
does not count as the type of experience they are looking for. The only way you are going to get a job is to keep testing, and ACE those tests. Eventually someone will offer you a position. That is what I did when I finished school to become an MT. But, you cannot list your *school* experience transcribing as experience when applying for companies because they will not accept that. We were all newbies once and it is a hard field to break in to. Keep applying, sending out your resume, and testing. That's the only way to do it other than trying to get a job at a hospital, clinic, etc. working outside the home.
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I see you only transcribe 100 reports with that school ...
not nearly enough. Also, the fact that I have been unable to find anyone who has heard of it means that most companies do not hire graduates of that school. JMHO.
Agree with an outside school, but I went to a business & tech school. Great experience, better
s
I have no experience with this school, but
I went to their website and looked around. I'm just a student, but I got burned with the first MT program I tried, and it meant more than wasted money. It was wasted time and my sweat, blood, and tears. I hate to see anyone else make the same mistake I did. There are a couple of things that seem like red flags to me when reading about the MT program you asked about. One is that the course is supposed to take 4 months to complete. That seems very short to me. Another is that they describe your income potential in terms of your typing speed. There is so much more to MT than just typing that it makes me wonder. I hope you get some feedback from someone who has actually been in this program, but you may want to visit www.aamt.org and read what they have to say about MT training programs to help you evaluate the merits of this program.
School is NOT experience
Unless you have had a job, been hired by someone to work for them, you have NO experience. It is unfortunately that you wasted your money on that school, it definitely will make it more difficult for you to get a job.
If she is a recent graduate she has NO experience, just school practice.
Why would she need a mentoring program if she went to a good school?
Schooling in an outside school as opposed to on-line is a much better experience, IMHO. No wonder
s
EMR and STILL transcribing
I find it interesting that MTs think that EMR is a death sentence to transcription. There are so many types of EMR. Yes, some will completely replace the Transcriptionist with its "click and plug" variety of reporting. I speak from experience, as the first company I worked for lost a huge account due to one of those types of EMR.
The company I currently work for has used an EMR system for well over a year now, and the transcriptionists still transcribe a dictated report. The only difference is that the report is uploaded to the clinic's EMR system. We have the best of both worlds. The docs/clinics have their electronic records that they can access 24/7 from any computer within their network, and the transcriptionist still does the same job as before.
There are MT companies out there who anticipated such changes and are in place to adapt and even grow because of the technologic changes facing MT.
Does anyone know anything about transcribing for Cardiology?
Just wondering if it is a specialty you can jump into as a newbie. Easy or hard?
Verbatim Transcribing
I'd like to verify that sometimes it is necessary to add/edit information dictated (even if its a verbatim account) if that is what makes the dictation sound correct and is in keeping with grammar and client format rules. Is this correct? I've had trouble understanding this actual concept, and just want to be sure I now have it right. Earlier today, I transcribed for a dictator in my MT internship who gave punctuation instructions that just didn't make sense and was clearly not in keeping with the style of the company. I consulted my AAMT BOS and punctuated as directed there rather than per the dictator. My QA didn't say anything about it. Generally, she lets me know in a hurry if I am wrong. Is this the right way to think about transcribing verbatim accounts?
Transcribing on a laptop
Has anyone transcribed on a lap? Is it better or worse than desktop?
Thanks for your reply!
tt
Of course.....even after 15 years of transcribing I would need to look up a word or two.
nm
i have been transcribing for 15 years and am NOT a CMT nor do I chose to be.
I can get a job with a telephone interview and not have to take a test. Do not be pulled into that "i got to spend money to make money" motto. That's bull. being a CMT means something to those who are members ONLY!!!!!.
General question regarding transcribing
I have been doing a lot of tests lately trying to land myself a steady job. At the moment I only do overflow and fill in and haven't worked in over a week. I have noticed that when given a test file you are not told if it is a H&P, Discharge, Consult, etc. How do you know how to set it up? What I have been doing is just typing until I can tell what it is and then setting it up with headings and such. If I land a job than doing it this way would be time consuming. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Thanks! I have been transcribing for Solu-Medrol
ten years, but I am trying to get a friend of mine into it and I want her to go the right direction. I have heard good things about Andrews School, I will also check out this other one. Thanks again!
This is a tough field to be in - I have been transcribing for 12 yrs (sm)
I understand your frustration - the best advice I can offer is to try to find a small MTSO to work for - an individual who has maybe 20 or less employees, so that you can develop a good relationship with that person (you have to look around, they are not all great!) That has worked the best for me. I work close to full time now, but when I was part-time (also because of my children) I once worked for a company who gave me a terrible account...no one wanted to type this guy...after a while I had learned that he repeated many phrases again and again and I worked hard to make hundreds of abbreviations for him. I got to the point that I could do his work very quickly and he was very happy with me doing his work so the MTSO kept giving his dictation to me. One day, I did a 30 minute tape from him in an hour and a half....I sent my work in...my boss called and told me that I could not have possibly done that tape that fast. I told her that I had made tons of abbreviations for the doc and that I had actually done the whole thing in an hour and a half. I told her that I liked doing his work now because I had gotten very used to him, being given him every day. Guess what? She never gave me his work again. I guess she kept it for herself? But she wouldn't let me have it back? Why? I don't know but I know that if you try to pick and choose they will almost never let you because someone else might want the same account. I guess what I am saying is you have to play it smart...don't directly ask for an account. There are a lot of small-time supervisors in this world who are power hungry and want to flex what little muscles they have over anyone they get the chance to do so with. I hate having to play the game and wish everyone could just be open and direct and honest, but they aren't. And in this field it really can be very dog eat dog.
Ideal laptop for transcribing?
Hi everyone,
I'm about to graduate and would like to get a laptop for transcribing. Does anyone know of a particular brand/make that would be good for a transcriptionist?
Thanks!!
Transcribing a family member's report
and finding out something no one in the family knows.
Reports
On average, how many blank spaces does the average entry level MT leave in a report?Anyone!!!!!!!!!
VRA reports
Can anyone tell me exactly what VRA stands for? I know it is supposed to be voice recognized something, but I have technology stuck in my head and can't get beyond that. Thanks for your help
 .
sample reports
Does anyone know of a website that offers a good variety of ortho and/or physical therapy reports? Most websites I find only have a few, if any. Much appreciated!
I've also done quite a few reports
But haven't stopped to count them (at least until now LOL). I know in my last lesson there were 7-8 I did, plus partial reports to reinforce terminology, etc. The current lesson I think has that same amount, I preparing for the mail-in test now (yes, it can be e-mailed, I just prefer mail for some archaic reason). I'm just now in lesson 3 of course 3, so I'm right about halfway through I think.
Question about QA reports
I have been working at my first job out of school for about a month now. Just recently, I have noticed that all of my reports are being sent to about 4 different people, including the owner. Is this normal? I have been told I am doing just fine, but it makes me nervous that all of these people are looking at every report I do. I guess it wouldn't bother me if they had done this at the start, but I'm not sure why all of the sudden they are doing this. Maybe I am just being paranoid. Thanks for listening!
maybe your reports are too hard
I am new too, but I know the answer as well. And I just type office notes right now at my first job going on 4 months. Hmmm.
I agree. Take it for the experience. It will take you 2 years of experience but you will easily
Depends too on how much repetition the reports have, sm
I think I would like to see and hear samples before I could figure it out. What happens if the tape is 54 minutes...do you carry over the 6 min extra to the next tape? Or is he saying If I give you 3 30 minutes cassettes a week, it's $60, whether they are full or not. Again if he says a bunch of the same stuff, it could be good! Just use the heck out of your word expander.
No kidding I did 20 reports tonight SM
I do at least 30 reports per day and usually more like 40 or 50 - they are just office chart notes averaging 1 - 2 minutes per dictation, but still.....
It is really terrible that a school takes advantage of someone like that  - I know now how many reports I do in a day, but someone who is not even a student yet and researching schools might not even think to ask how many reports are given for practice.
20 reports and they consider you an employable transcriptionist?!?!?!?!
.
I recently had missing reports,
but I found out that I had not signed in or out correctly so the reports for that day were not counted in the total "clocked in" amount. They were accounted for and paid, but just did not show when I checked my status. With this company, I have to clock in and out. What got confusing was that sometimes the platform did not ask me to clock in, although I always exited and logged out. Maybe your problem is as simple as mine was, just a thought.
Is there a way for you to print sample reports?
I used to print samples when I was a newbie starting out in radiology 19 years ago. I found that if I did that, and then did handwritten notes on the samples, it made it better. Put them in a notebook with dividers by either dictator or specialty, account, or whatever makes it easier.
For some odd reason, I still to this day when learning a new account print out samples and make handwritten notes. I tend to bring the notebook out, flip it to the dictator I'm working on and it gives me a sense of security.
I also handwrote (I'm only 37-years-old) drug names on a sheet of paper. I guess I'm from the old school, but handwriting things made me remember better. I remember also needing to remember MD or DO for physicians and just as a pick-me-up - there was one his name was First I. Last, D.O., F.A.C.C. and we used to call him DOOFUS (behind his back of course)!!!  Just trying to make you smile!
It will get better. You live and learn!!!! Believe me!!!! Hang in there!
what type of reports are you typing?
I do alot of psyche and some of my reports range from 150-450 lines per report. So when you look at it like that it is not bad. On the other had if you are doing radiology that would be totally different. Again some of mines average from 15-30 lines. That is with a 65 character line.
You can't give an average. Radiology reports
are typically under 10 lines and you can do 100 a day. I do Op notes for a hospital and can have reports that are 25 minutes long. I also have a lot of ESLs and if I have a day where I have the really bad ones or the bad American dictators I don't generate as many reports. If you are doing clinic work you would probably be able to do more reports than acute care, especially if you have the same doctors, because they you could set up macros for them. I generally do 40 reports a day, have done as few as 28, as many as 72, but that doesn't really tell anyone anything.
what is the difference between clinic and acute care reports?
----
HIPAA is a joke. These reports go to third world countries. nm
:+
Why doesn't someone give some good reports on other schools
One person on this board constantly rips the so-called Big 3. Instead of doing that, why doesn't she bring some good facts forward about her own school. That would be more productive.
Just keep saving his/her stuff as shortcuts/templates. After about 10 reports, you'll have
s
You have not been transcribing 10 years. Your resume reflects about 4 years tops. I am going to put
very little MT experience and now you're pushing software that posters can get for free. There is a problem with that. You need to search YOUR heart ands ask yourself just how helpful you are really trying to be to new MTs or if your lining your own pocketbook because you don't know how to transcribe yourself.
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.
Experience
I agree with you. I look at these boards and the "so-called experienced" MT's can't spell everyday words and do not know the difference between add and ad. I did transcription long before part of these people were born -- for an acute care hospital. I can't find a job now without taking a test when years ago all I had to do was go in a hospital and have a doctor dictate a report (which I took either in shorthand or typed while he was talking) and got a job immediately. Ileum and ilium meant different part even back then. I still think a big part of being successful in this type work is being "cut out" for it. I rest my case.
Anyone have experience with TRS?
I was looking at attending the TRS Institute for my MT training. It's so hard to weed out the good schools from the bad though. They promise a guarantee that if you successfully graduate from their course, then you will have a job working with their company, Transcription Relief Services. Has anybody taken their course or worked with their company? Any information is helpful. Thanks so much!
Experience
I graduated from a technical school and have been trying to get a job as a transcriptionist. I made 100% in my transcription classes, yet no one is even willing to talk to me because I have no transcription work experience. I'm sitting here wondering if I wasted my money on this school. I have experience with many computer programs, medical terminology classes and more. I have worked as a secretary in a hospital, and a veterinary office. I wanted to start transcription as soon as I finished school but I'm having no luck finding employment. Can someone tell me if I just wasted $10,000.
Experience
I have not been out of school very long and it was very tough finding a job. I started by sending my resume to every company I could send it to. Even if the company stated they wanted two years of experience. My resume outlines my specific skills as an MT, i.e. computer, terminology, etc...and also outlines lists the specific courses I took in my college program.
There are literally hundereds of companies out there. I don't know if you are wanting to work from home or work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office, but I would do the same thing either way. I sent my resume to many, many companies.
If you are looking online and the company website offers testing for employment, take the test. That is how I ultimately landed the job I have now. The company I work for states they want 2 years of experience, but I tested for them and they hired me because I passed.
It is not easy to land that first job. You just have to be determined and keep at it. It is not as easy breaking into this business as it is getting any other job. But once someone gives you that chace, you'll be set. Good luck!
experience
I applied at the local hospital as soon as I got out of school. They wouldn't hire me as a transcriptionist, but hired me as a medical secretary. That job was a nightmare. I've applied at every place I can think of around here, but no luck. I finally decided to try the internet. I'm gonna see if I can find an independent contractor. Thanks for the idea!
Experience
I've been sending my resume to every company I can find. It lists all the classes I took in school, my internships, employment history, and awards. I found a couple of companies on here that offer testing. I didn't have enough time to take the test the other day, so I'm gonna do it now. Thanks for the advice. It makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only 1 that has had trouble finding an MT job!
Experience
I'm in the same boat!
Experience
I hear ya! I've been looking for a while, online and not and still can not find any company willing to give me a shot. I even testing with low paying companies on purpose just to get experience and received the reply, your skills are impressive however you do not meet our requirements. It is soooooooo hard finding a job in this field!
experience
I had the same issue when looking for work. Although, I sent my resume to NUMEROUS companies, six were willing to test me. Four of them I failed and the other two I quit in the middle of the test because they had ESLs in there and we weren't even trained on ESL dictations. I wanted to cry!! I finally got a job with a local company that is willing to hire newbies. You need to post your resume anywhere you can, apply to anyone who requests 2 yrs. experience, adn surf the net for MT companies nationwide. Apply everywhere, the worst that can happen is they don't hire you. I started hounding the company I am working for three months before they hired me. Every week. Never gave up. Getting your foot in the door is work. Good Luck!
experience
I'm starting to get pretty aggravated with it. I've actually been lying to companies just so they'll let me take the test. Tess told me about a company called MediVoxx. I guess they hire newbies. I'm gonna give them a try, u should 2.
experience
I've been posting my resume and applying everywhere. I thought about making my own website and starting my own business.
experience
Vatterott was the only technical school in this town offering secretarial courses. I had a bunch of classes, not just transcription. I can honestly say I learned a lot, but their job placement is a joke.
same experience as you had =)
I did not have a medical experience prior to doing MT. I was an engineering instructor, had a BS and an MS in industrial engineering, but left all that because of my son. Thinking that this was a rich environment for discussion, I innocently posted the school where I received my training and I got all the bashing. Anyway, because of all that a kind heart who happened to see that I was being bashed gave an offer to me and here I am - transcribing reports and enjoying to see my son grow up.
BTW, not all forums are nasty. I still come and peek once in a while. It's probably just those MTs who are not getting the satisfaction and not getting enough work who find time to aggravate others.
I think it is low....but you need experience.
I do not think you will gain much experience in way of a doctor's office, but at least it is something. Take the job, and continue to send out resumes for jobs that pay you for production, i.e. 6-8 cents per line as a start. There is no incentive with an hourly job to do more. You make the same either way (which can be a good thing if you are not a very fast typist). When starting out in this field, beggers cannot be choosers. You need to get experience and this will be (albeit not much)experience.
Good luck.
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