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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

proficient transcription...sent them money...will I get work?

Posted By: pita33 on 2006-06-05
In Reply to: Proficient Transcription - MTinSac

I was hoping this would be a great job.  Does this company actually give you work?  Really worried now.  Help!!!!


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Regarding Proficient Transcription, the owner still owes people money
so her apology is lame. If you want to get your money you had better go straight to your local court and file a claim against her, because it doesn't look like she's planning to pay anyone back anytime soon.
Proficient Transcription is supposedly a company but they charge you to work there (sm)
You should never have to pay to work.
Proficient Transcription
The other posters are right...do not pay to work! I came in contact personally with Proficient Transcription (got the tip from one of my former classmates) and it's a scam. Shareware is free. Two of my classmates paid for the "shareware" and it turned out it's something you can get for free...hence the term "shareware." Do not do it. It is a scam.
Proficient Transcription
Recieved a job offer today via email through this site. Has anyone else worked with them? Requires $99 startup fee for software and adding a user. Says it takes about a day to set up and start typing. Plus they offered a footpedal for me to use. Hoping its a good offer since I'm new and can't find a lot else. But just wanted some opinions. Thanks
Proficient Transcription
First of all, let me say thanks to the replies to my post. Secondly, After I posted this message, a couple days later I got an email from someone from "Proficient Transcription", letting me know that they had job openings and wanting to know if I was interested. I replied back, letting them know that I hadn't even started school yet, and since I had no knowledge of any medical terminology or medical transcription yet, why would they want me to work for them? They replied back saying they have had MT's in school and working for them before. Again, I am not even in school yet, so why would they want me to work for them? I got on Google and did a search for Proficient Transcription, and it brought me back to these boards. I saw a couple of posts about the "company", basically that it was a scam. I don't understand how these people sleep at night knowing that they are trying to take innocent people's money. It's downright pathetic. Shame on you.
Proficient Transcription

I am going to address the issues that were posted on this board.  First of all I have been transcribing for over 10 years.  I enjoy what I do and I support my family with this career.  I feel the need to defend myself after reading some of the posts.  A couple of my MTs have told me to just ignore the boards and dont worry about "feeding the trolls" .  However, I cant help it.  Staying silent is not in my nature.  I got into this business without any schooling and complete 100% on the job training and as a new mom it gave me a way to be at home with my children which is my number one priority.  You dont get into this line of work for the glory or the benefits.  I am a big believer in karma.  I was given a great opportunity by a great person and I wanted to give that back to the newer MTs.  A lot of times new MTs are caught in a catch 22 "No experience, no job" and "No job and you get no experience". I wanted to bridge that gap and help new MTs get their foot in the door.  However, I cannot do that at the expense of my own living.  I am not a large company and I cannot afford to "foot the bill" for equipment and start up costs for each new MT.  I dont think that asking someone to be responsible for their own costs is a big deal. After all no one is hired by me as an employee they are independent contractors.  As an independent contractor you are responsible for your own business expenses. 


I have prayed about this a lot and it is heavy on my heart tonight and I want to clear the air.  Someone is upset, that is fine.  You cant please 100% of the people 100% of the time.  Instead of directly addressing me he/she is using this forum as a public flogging.  Posting names is against the board rules I believe and invites more trouble, i.e. defamation and libel issues. 


Please search your hearts and support your fellow transcriptionists as we are all in this business together.   I cannot express enough how beneficial we can all be to each other if we just join together to get through issues instead of attacking each other. 


Proficient Transcription
Bad experience.  Promises, Promises, Promises.  I would NOT recommend doing any IC work for them.  OH!  wait, you can't do any work for her because she doesn't send you any work to do.  It won't be long and she will be seeing her business name on the BBB complaint list. If you were a reputable MTSO than why is there alot of negative on this board about you?  It seems to me it's not just one person that is not pleased! Do you have an excuse for that too?
Proficient Transcription
As of today this owner has not kept her word.  The Better Business Bureau develops and maintains Reliability Reports on companies in our service area. This information is available to the public and is frequently used by potential customers. In the case of your complaint, the company's failure to promptly give attention to the matter will be reflected in the report we give to consumers about them.   
Proficient Transcription is a scam - sm
I came in contact with Proficient Transcription too. I told them I was interested in a position, and asked what would they require from me. Expecting to get a reply of "take this test and then we'll review it and get back to you" I got "send $99 for shareware either with a money order or some type of cash card you can purchase at Walgreens." By the way, the shareware they want you to pay for is actually something you can download for free from the internet. Please, people do not buy into this scam and don't send this lady any more money! I'm glad the above poster smelled the rat.
Any update on those refunds from Proficient Transcription?
Just curious...
Info To File Complaint Against Proficient Transcription
This is just and FYI for those who are fed up with trying to get refunded from Proficient Transcription.
Complaints can be filed online with the following entities:
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org
or write to:
BBB @2653 McCormick Drive, Clearwater FL. 33759

The Federal Trade Commission
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580

FL State Attorney
http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/ContactOpenForm&Sectionfiltered=Economic_Crimes

Office of Attorney General Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

Take action right away scammers have no rights to your money.


Unless you can work in-house somewhere, I feel the at-home MT who can make good money is a
s
No, lots of transcription work available, though
ASR and the like are becoming more prominent. 
US Transcription, good or bad company to work for?

Anyone got any information about working for US Transcription?  Good or bad information would be great.


 


Thanks.


Proficient Transcrption---FYI

Hi everyone.


I just wanted to share that I got my $99 refund from Proficient Transcription yesterday. I got it in the form of a money order. I believe this is a positive gesture on the owners part to ensure I have no hassels with cashing it. I'm glad I don't have to worry if the check will clear.


Anyone receive their refund from Proficient yet?

I haven't and really don't expect to. 


Money

 


What are the chances of making $35K yearly and still having your wits? That is really what I am concerned with. I live in South Florida and am considering this profession. I would like to make enough to supplement husband's income of $85K. However, I don't want to be so stressed out that I can't enjoy life, either. Is there a happy medium here?


money

Those are good ideas.


Its not that I don't have the money, I just have a hard time spending large amounts.  I can fritter away $100 here and there at Target and Walmart, but, phew, a $1500 check is hard to write. 


We actually have enough money in savings, IRAs and investments to live at our current standard for at least 18 months without either of us working.  Not that I would want to do that, but it could be done.  So, its not that I don't have the money, its just a matter of spending it. I'm sure you can tell that since we have almost 2 years of living expenses saved up in the bank (and we have about 30-35 yrs to go til retirement), we are kind of tight with spending money.


Thanks for the suggestions though. I do need to have a Yard Sale, as much to get rid of stuff as to get some cash on hand. I have a pile of childrens' clothes to take to the resale shop for some cash too.



Where is the money at?

I was wondering...do MTs make better money working for someone or having a business of there own?  Just wondering.  I realize being new I will not have my own business for a couple of years but will I be able to make a "living" until then?


Big name=big money when you-sm
can get the same elsewhere at much lower prices. This board and its members often advocate only three schools that charge more than the others and don't offer a lot more. Most companies don't even know these names and could care less as long as you have a certificate and are certified. If you look into these higher priced courses, the only thing different is that they might use the more expensive transcription tapes, that's about it. These courses, all of them, are basically taught by sending you a few books then it's up to you as an individual to make it work. You will see members of the big three schools advertising their wares left and right here and everywhere they see someone looking. They are out to make a catch, so don't be fooled by the nonsense you here about their grads being the only ones being hired out of school. That's total bull and being said their by their little advertising cheerleaders, as well as the owners themselves who have no pride or too much. They order a bunch of books, sell them to you at twice the price and sit back and rake in the profits.
The money isn't what it used to be, and
job security isn't what it used to be.

It might still be a good career for somebody who is especially suited to it. That is, someone who has outstanding skills in written English and has the time and money to to to one of the best schools (Andrews and M-Tec are two two IMO, and cost about $4000. Some people have reported it took them 9 months to graduate, just to give you an idea). He or she must be interested in constantly researching new things and learning every day. You need a great work ethic, especially if you end up working at home. It isn't easy to sit at a computer at home working when there are so many things at home calling for your attention. You need to be able to invest in books/CDs, computers, and equipment when necessary. There are many factors to consider. You should go to Monster.com. I think you can take little tests there to see what kind of work you are suited to. You'll be happier in your work if you choose something you will be good at.
No money for us
Simple....corporate greed. Make more money sending work abroad. It'll turn around, may take a while but once the first big law-suit happens, it'll turn around.
I never said she owed me any money.
nm
Before you spend your money -

Do tons more research before you spend your money, please!  I went to MTEC, graduated in 9 months, and have been working from home for more than 8 years now doing acute care.  I had recruiters banging down my door to test and was offered positions after every test I took.  The little medical backround you already have is nowhere near enough to be an MT, so get a SOLID education so you will not come back here at the end begging for someone to hire you for 2 cents a line.  Best of luck! 


Your money would be better spent on

coding and billing.  The MT profession is making less and less and having to work more and more.  A new MT has a hard time finding a job.  As far as boredom, it is what it is.  If you find sitting for hours with headphones while mumbling baboons try to put a report together entertaining, than this job is for you.  If not, select something different.  The top schools is where you want to go if you decide, but again, if I could start my career (been in this for 20 years), I'd go with the billing/coding.  It can be done onsite or at home, and all practices need these people to bring in the dough. You'll make more money at it anyway especially since new MTs make next to nothing. 


My living is a fair wage for the time and effort, but the effort is from having many, many years of experience.  A new MT will have to look a lot of words up which takes time away from production.


Good luck whatever you decide. 


P/S:  EMR will be mandated probably by the year 2015, so if you're young and smart, you'll choose another profession.  I hate to be that way but it's the truth.


If I were you, I'd want my money back from whatever MT course you took.
If you've had any decent MT training at all, this shouldn't have been any problem for you.
Don't waste your money. It's ridiculous
to think that you'll get an education for $12.00 or $50.00.

If you are going to invest money in something, invest it in some legitimate tapes at Medword or HPI.
Wasting your money and time
I am a recruiter and Editor and I have not had anyone from PCDI who could pass the test to be hired.  I even gave one person a chance because of her circumstances and she couldn't do the most basic of reports.   I've had resumes stating "I want an all American account because I have not been trained on foreign doctors."   It's a waste of money.  They don't prepare you for anything.
No money, wonderful place
I don't believe you have to register to use word help.  Response time depends on the question.  Some of us can figure out what you mean in minutes and some of us take a while and/or may never come up with anything.  It's a great place, though (thanks MTStars!!!).  Highly recommend you bookmark it.  Even if you feel it might be a silly question, just ask!  I was blessed to work in-house my first two years, and I was constantly asking for help! Good luck!
I'll believe it when I hear from others getting their money.
nm
I wouldn't let it rest til I got my money!
That is what the scammers want you to do, so they can get away with it and keep cheating other people.  She is asking an honest question that pertains to her problem, while at the same time keeping it in people's minds to look out for people like this. 
M-Tech wannabe...wish I could get the money together right now
I just finished 18 months training at a community college to become an MT and I am not marketable. The provided no books, no equipment, and only 3 months of actual transcription practice. It cost me 4 times as much as the M-Tech program and I walked away with nothing...now I'm back at square one. I've researched online schools and narrowed it down to M-Tech, but after reading the great posts about this school, I'm sold. I am not giving up becoming an MT.
but you certainly save money on travel
and perhaps on work clothes/food away from home.  When my son got to be about 8, the child care issue was no longer a problem. But when he was little, he would stand by my desk and say "Play with me" if I had no one to take care of him.
.. So others don't waste their time & money on the same course.
x
Pretty good money
You can make pretty good money as an MT, but it takes time. You might be ready posts from people who have only been in the field a couple of years. I read an article recently that gave a pretty accurate account of what can be expected for pay. It was called "How much money can you make as an MT" It was on the articles page of this website www.help4mts.com and there were other articles too if you have not gotten started. There are many factors involved in MT paid, i.e. inhouse, SE, contract, benefits, etc. Good luck.
Making decent money here.
I was one of those stay-at-home moms that wanted to make my own hours and earn a good living and I am doing just that. I have been an MT for 2 years now. I work at home while caring for my 3-year-old son. Yes, it is not easy, stressful even, but I make more money at home (close to $20 an hour) than I would make at a B&M job and I don't have to pay $1000 a month for daycare anymore. I have a completely flexible schedule and I work early in the morning while my son sleeps and during his nap times. If I have to, I work again in the evening to finish up work.

This profession is difficult and takes a lot of work, but what career that pays a decent salary doesn't. It is possible to make more than $4-8 an hour. It does not take years and years. I was up to $12 an hour after 6 months, comparable to what I made in my previous position, where I had been employed for 3 years.

Just because you can't make it in this industry is no reason to discourage others from trying.
Thinking about MT as 2nd job - extra money

Hi there - I have a very sound career holding a Management position making great money, however we are trying to pay off bills and I thought I would pick up a second job.  A friend told me about being a MT and at first I was kinda excited to start my research, then sites like this (some of the posts) have scared me.  HOWEVER there are a good number of success stories.  I think I may continue on, as this will not be my main job, just for extra income.


My question for all of you who are certified.  I keep reading about the BIG 3 schools.  I don't know who they are, but I was going to go to one of my technical colleges in my local area.  Is that a no no in the MT world?  I mean, it's an accredited school.  I'm just scared that when applying for jobs, they will want those that came from the big 3 that you all are talking about.


If anyone can share information I would greatly appreciate it.  Thx a bunch!!!


We don't hate our jobs. There's no money in it
anymore now that the corporations have taken us over & are offshoring our jobs. This field used to pay really well, but those days are over & it can be difficult to make minimum wage, especially on VR. Many MTs are trying to re-train to find other careers so they can actually make a living.
I also feel the money is slowly slipping away -
I started off being paid on a gross line and making 60K a year. Those accounts dried up. I now struggle to make 25K and I am a fast, accurate MT. I do enjoy the work, but enjoyment does not pay the bills.
Everywhere I have worked, coders made more money than MTs.
nm
Yes, new MTs have value. Doesn't mean companies should lose money on you, though.
There's an extremely high cost to mentoring/training new MTs. You've come into MT work with the wrong expectations, I think, regardless of where you got your direction.

Not much money to be made for new grads at MedQuist.
Guess it is pretty profitable to get rid of experienced MTs and then fill their spots with new grads at half the rate.  
Don't waste your money on Penn Foster.
go to M-TEC, Andrews, or Career Step. These grads regularly finding jobs right after graduating. Most online companies that allow you to work from home will not hire grads from Penn Foster. You may be able to find in-house work, but since you stated your goal is to work from home, you should check out the 3 schools listed above. Otherwise, you are just wasting you money.
That's because CS doesn't have an entrance exam, they will take money from anyone
regardless of whether they have a snowball's chance in you-know-where of ever making it as an MT.
Unfortunately, the best time to ask about the school would have been BEFORE you gave them your money
Allied is a very poor course, it doesn't teach you what you need to know, you don't get enough good transcription practice, and unfortunately it is going to be difficult to find a job.

You need 2 years' experience to take the CMT (certified medical transcriptionist) test through the AHDI (formerly AAMT).
M-Tec and Andrews as the 2 best, definitely worth the money. See message.
They both have instructors, Career Step does not. They also use REAL books, CS uses books written by the person who sells the course and they are not as good. I took the CS course and if I had it to do over, I would choose M-Tec or Andrews instead.

You will be limited as to companies you can work for using only dial-up, and I think that's actually getting worse as more and more places require high speed internet.
Dont waste your money on TRSI
Terrible school that takes your money and doesn't teach you anything or answer questions. I didn't learn anything and still can't get a job. I'm going to have to start over and will probably to go to MTEC or Medline. Jeni
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates.

Training and education really does make a difference. Some people just have 15 or 20 years of very bad experience. They may be fortunate that one employer was willing to hire and keep them, but if that one closed, they would be in trouble. It all depends on the person. some new graduates are a better bet then some experienced MTs. I would prefer to find an experienced MT with great skills and a teachable attitude, but many experienced MTs know everything and are only willing to do things the way they've always done them.
most psych work is included in multispecialty hospital work..sm
contracted to a medical transcription service that requires multispecialty experience because of the hospital work. Unfortunately, very rarely can a medical Transcriptionist these days be given only one specialty when working for a service or hospital. We have to be well versed in multi specialties. The Turn Around Time on demands have increased, and thus the service or hospital gives the MT many different types of work. Learn as many specialties and gain as much experience in different specialties, which in turn will make you a more valuable MT and more apt to gain employment.
If help is genuine, then it shouldn't need money to grease the palm
X
I make good money at it, wouldn't quit for anything.
This particular board has a lot of "the sky is falling" mentality but in reality, there are many, many MT jobs.

I make about $30.00 per hour, well worth my time.