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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

when every newbie gets a job right out of school at 6 cents per line, I will say they are worth 6 nm

Posted By: JoV on 2005-11-14
In Reply to: 6 sounds sleazy to me! - Don't listen to that bologna!

nm


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I think you can expect to get 5 to 7 cents per 65-character line as a newbie. I started at 7 cpl as
nm
9 cents per 65 character line and 9 cents every 65 char are two different things.
do they take your character count and divide by 65, or do you have a line length of 65 and you are paid for however many lines are on a page.
Here is my 2 cents worth
Sometimes clinic work won't really be for a few doctors, it'll be for a system of clinics often with very, very short reports with just as much fact checking and account specs as any other place. You might be surprised and find your speed much slower for a while, I know I was.

Teaching hospitals often have the best and the worst of dictators. Residents are honing their craft and learning to dictate well is a part of that. I think we all have to bear with them. Eventually, they will improve.

As for the group of seven hospitals all with different specs, sure it will take you a while to get up to speed. It would take anyone a while to get up to speed. Granted it would be very nice if the company you work for would just give you one hospital per month to get a good grip on the specs before adding another. But, unfortunately, MTSOs are not so considerate anymore. You do sound to be learning them and basically doing okay.

My first MT job was for a teaching hospital too, only there I could do operative notes, but no ER. I had to look up a lot of words/phrases here and there. I looked up things just to make sure I knew what they were. I probably wasted a lot of time. For my efforts, I started off making less than minimum wage and was stuck at about $4.00 per hour for close to a year as far as speed goes, so I would work 12 hour days or as long as I could in a day. But after a while, I broke that and started to make a bit more per hour and in my day. I discovered I was flying through some dictators, while others still held me back. Eventually, it does get better if you hang in there. We who work at home are production employees or ICs and not hourly employees. I started feeling better about my speed, production and myself once I put that into perspective. I also increased my speed and production once I got it off my mind and concentrated on each job at hand. I also set myself line goals for the day, say 800, 1000 or 1200, whatever you feel comfortable with and worked steadily until I met that daily line count, which increased my pay also.

I did not start using ShortHand until I was working for about a year. It certainly does help. Anymore I do so much editing that it is not as much help as I had hoped it would be. I think that really depends on the account(s) you have. Shorthand is nice, but is limited with editing. And as far as editing goes, it is crap everywhere. I just decided to bite the bullet and accept it. I actually don't mind it so much now. But, again, that really depends on the account as some are better than others.

I sincerely do not think you should beat yourself up over your concerns. Despite what schools and MT advertisements tell us, it really does take a while to learn to be a really good MT. We all have been where you are (and some of us never thought we'd get through it to make decent money), but with continued practice, patience and confidence in yourself, it will all get better. I myself would think twice about leaving any job right now in this economy. I've had enough jobs so far to know the grass isn't always greener in another pasture.

I hope my perspective was helpful to you. It is, after all, only my opinion.

God bless you.
7 cents a line
I graduated in Aug - my first job finally came in Sept/Oct they started me out at 7 cents doing orthro clinics.
Cents per line...

Yes, at 6 or 7 cents a line, that is strictly training wages.  Don't settle for anything like that, especially if you have experience and you know you are good at what you do.  These companies make anywhere from 14.5 cents on up for the work they receive throughout outsourcing so, in essence, whatever you make, they make, except you are the one doing all of the work, paying for your phone line/internet, etc.


If they only want to pay 6 or 7 cents a line, let them get new grads or someone with no experience, that way they will get what they pay for.


Cents per line
This is a post of new graduates or soon-to-be graduates, who need to gain experience. !!!
I charged 14 cents per line.
I drove every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to pick up and deliver work. I had six accounts in one building and had them for seven years. I recently let them go because I moved and no longer wanted to drive. You definitely charge more. Think of how much time you spend printing, delivering and picking up. It is much more cost on your part than working for a service and doing everything on line.
Oooh... 3 cents per line.
.
Yes, 9 cents per 65-character line.
nm
6 cents a line and happy
Hmmmmm....you must not have any real bills, just blow by money eh?
6 or 7 cents a line for EXPERIENCED transcriptionists? SM
I don't think any self-respecting experienced MT will work for you for that kind of money.  I know for sure I wouldn't.  Do you think we're all that hard up for work?  It's an insult to our intelligence, knowledge, job skills, etc.  You are a joke.
Are there companies offering 7 cents a line to new graduates? sm
This person has been offered 6 cents a line but I know the company and getting a raise will be like pulling teeth even if you do excellent work. This graduate will be doing acute care and feel like 6 cents is okay for clinic but 7 cents is more in line for acute care. This student graduated with honors from MT course.
4 cents per line for speech editor/voice recognition
Is this a decent pay?
I got 6 cents right out school.

Even as a newbie, I think 3 cents would be an insult.


Newbie posting resume here, is .09 too much for line pay?

Not sure what to put for my line pay in the resume section.  Anyone got any suggestions?


For a newbie, that's pretty good pay. Works out to about 10.5 a line, nm
:
Med-Line school?

Has anyone heard about Med-Line school? Has anyone heard good/bad things about? Anyone go there? What were your experiences like? They are AHDI approved and provide a paid internship, and so far there program appeals to me - but I'm just wondering whether employers will hire folks who studied there - and equally important - whether Med-Line adequately prepares students for MT.


I realize that Andrews and MTech are the two top schools - but I'd like to keep my options open before committing.


Thank you!


 


Med-Line School: Enrolling this week!
Why would anyone post such negative responses if you have no knowledge of this school or no experience with them? Actual transcriptionists are usually too busy to be on these chat rooms making up stories. Might be an M-Tec employee making the response. Did you know that M-Tec is a 20 million a year school? That is a lot of students that they are cranking out.......and they have jobs for all of these?

Med-Line provides a free orientation via webinar for anyone to attend that answers your questions. I have attended this webinar and I am enrolling after looking at ALL of the schools. It explains proper education to be successful and they actually place their students, not just give resume tips. And the internship is a real work experience with 100% QA support and feedback. No keys. Why don't you check it out for yourself and not listen to these people who have no experience with these schools.

Oh and by the way...it’s the 21 century and there are air cards. Internet is everywhere...

Schooling in an outside school as opposed to on-line is a much better experience, IMHO. No wonder
s
Gross line means anything on a line is a line, even if just one word
it is counted as a line.  Not sure what exactly you are asking, but if you are comparing gross line to the usual 65 characters plus spaces gross line is better.  If you make 7.5 cpl per gross line that equals approximately 9.5 cpl based on 65 characters. 
Newbie, just finished school.
Hi everyone. I just finished my Medical Terminology/Transcription course for Allied Business Schools, Inc. I was wondering if anybody else took their course? If so, did they successfully help you find a job? I am needing to start work at home ASAP. My daughter was born with special needs and I can't put her in a daycare.

Thank you for any responses!
newbie trying to choose a reputable school

Hello all,


I am trying to decide between the MT schools approved by AHDI.  Does anyone have any experience with M-Tec, ExactMed, and Andrews?  Any suggestions..thanks for the advice!


Are you getting your line count from your program or can you use the line counting software to do
s
Thanks 2 cents
sounds good to me.
My 2 cents
While I do agree it is important to get a good education, I have to disagree with the people on this board that seem to think that the only way to get a job is to go to one of the top three.

This has not been the case for me, or for many people that I know. In fact, the school I went to is quite frowned upon, but I feel very good in how I am doing. Yes, if I had done my homework before starting school I probably would have taken a different course. The fact is that those of us that did not go to the top three deserve the chance to be viewed as an MT, not as a school project.

If someone were on here asking what school to go to, I would tell them that the top three are the best place to look. However, if they are here looking for guidance after the fact, I would never tell them that they are second class, and that is the viewpoint that I, and probably more people, see when we read this board.
My 2 cents...sm
I don't think it's meant to be a negative thing.  I will soon hit my 3-year mark as an MT, so it makes me wonder how long one is considered a newbie.  I consider myself  - experienced - in that I can do a lot of work types and specialities, but I am absolutely still learning something new nearly every day, which I think is a good thing.
my two cents
I also have spent 2 years of my life and $16,000 to be trained in the Medical Office Field. With the negativity and attitude from the experienced MTs at these sites I am realizing they soon may no longer need sites like this. Overseas MT's will be the only MT's receiving any training...how sad!!! I can't figure out why someone with a talent would not want to mentor others!
My Two Cents
Almost every reputable company that hires new graduates provides full QA and training at no cost to the employee/IC. A reputable company that provides quality product to their clients will not let newbie loose on an account with it. Of course, you do have to have an education from a good school and the knowledge and skill to be able to pass their employment test. Take some time and check out some other companies using one of MT resource sites. It should be very enlightening. Remember, many companies will waive their experience requirements for graduates from schools such as Andrews and M-Tec. Very few, if any, of their graduates have ever had to pay to work.

This crud about having to pay for or not being paid during an internship/training is a direct result of AAMT/ADHI's push for apprenticeships for the profession. There were very few of these "opportunities" prior to the apprenticeship talk, and the ones that were out there were known scams. Now it just another way to maximize the bottom line while taking advantage of newbies who are lacking proper education or confidence or ability or are just desperate to get a foot in the door.

My two cents....
I graduated in August as well, and after applying to dozens of companies I finally accepted an IC position with a company.  I figured at least I would be getting some experience until something better comes along.  I have only been working 3 weeks and I am glad I made that decision.  You have to start somewhere, and it is so hard finding that first job.  I figure once I get some experience, then maybe a better offer will come along such as a position that pays hourly rather than by the line and one that will hire me as an employee and provide benefits.  I am just as new to this career as you, but I think we need to gain experience before we will find something better.  Good luck in your endeavors and hang in there!!
My 2 cents.

in your post.  For anyone who is interested, not all documents need be prepared to perfection.  Some dictators like you to transcribe what they say and have coined phrases and refuse to have it transcribed any other way.  So please, do not put forth that this profession is based solely on proper ANYTHING because it isn not.  I have 19 years of experience in this field and was trained in a 4-year program.  No, I am not a CMT because it is not a requirement to be an accurate transcriptionist.  Thanks for listening.   


P/S:  Any nurses, I feel, would be fine with transcribing since they are used to the medical terminology.  However, typing speed is a plus as well, but not necessary.  Accuracy is the key.  Speed comes with time!!!! 


If I get paid 7 cents per 65-Character.....
by electonic character count, do you think that would be with spaces or without?

Anyone? Not sure!

Thanks!!
is it worth it?

to spend the $3500, time and effort to learn MT and then have the fear of not having work or dealing with a less than reputable company waiting for my checks when they are late or they bounce?


I have to admit some of the posts scare the heck out of me? Am I the only one scared of this aspect of the business?


is it worth it?
It's not as bad as it sounds on these boards. A lot of complaining, but it isn't that bad. I have made a pretty darn good living at it and I get to work from home, don't have to pay those high gas prices! Don't let these folks scare you. They just like to see themselves talk!
Is it worth it to become an MT??
I am currently taking courses to become an MT, but from reading some of the post on this board about the difficulty finding work, or making any real money, I am left wondering if this career choice is really worth pursuing. I am not fully concerned with working from home, although I am sure anyone would agree that would be nice, I can work in an office just as well. Can anyone give me some positive advice? I don't want to waste anymore money or time if this profession is that hard to get into.  TIA!  S.C.
Is being a MT worth it
If you have small children & have a hubby that makes $90+ a year, perfect. Otherwise, women in this profession of 30 years have had to claim bankrupcy. Not too good. Used to be a proud profession,now the work mentality with outsourcing, etc., makes me wonder if HIPAA was tuned up, so people couldn't see the sloppy records that go to insurance companies, courts, etc. Mary
Is it Worth It?
It seems people have widely different experiences. I read a lot of negative posts when I was student, and it made me nervous that I had picked a "dying" field. Of course, people have been saying that about the MT field for years. My experience is that I went to a top-notch school with an excellent reputation (M-TEC) and was hired by a large national before I even graduated or had begun looking for work (my school called me and said this company wanted to hire 5 of its new grads to start immediately after graduating). It was honestly the easiest job I have ever gotten. I didn't even have to take a test. I work full time with benefits and incentives, and should easily make $24,000 my first year. I believe I can make 30,000 or more my second year. This is not really great money compared to a lot of other fields, but I believe its a reasonble wage for being able to work at home, not wasting time and money commuting, etc. It's what I want to be doing now and I'm very happy. Well-trained MTs are VERY much in demand, I believe. Make SURE you pick a good school. That's the ticket to getting that first job.
it is worth it
now it depends on what your goals are. Mine was to stay at home with my newborn while helping augment our family income. I am doing both now and I am pretty satisfied. I do have more goals to accomplish and I'll get to that in time.
For what its worth
I personally don't lump all "newbies" in together. It is pretty obvious by the questions that are asked who is taking advantage and who isn't. Even us old-timers get stuck on words now and then and this is a wonderful place to get some really good possible answers. I am always amazed and what the responders can guess out of a s/l or phonetic spelling with just a phrase to go on and no voice.
It is worth it!

There are many MT jobs out there.  Every time I go to my doctor or the pediatrician they are asking me if I would type for them.  Our hosptials always have overflow they will give out and I even had another Transcriptionist recommend me to a doctor because she already had too much to do and could not take on any more. 


It can be difficult to get your first job (as most want experience) but if you are willing to start out working in the clinic or hospital it will be a little easier to find a job.  If you want to work from home it may be a little more difficult but there are national companies that will hire new transcriptionists, it just takes a little time.  Our hospital has a program where you work six months at the hospital and then they will set you up to work from home if you want to.  


If you are worried about voice recogition, don't. I have been editing files transcribed by voice recognition and there is no way that voice recognition will ever not need editing and most doctors don't want to edit their own reports. I love being able to stay hom and still contribute to our income. My biggest problem is being offered more work than I want. 


 


Is it worth it?

I am disabled and need to train in a new profession.  After some reading and researching, I wonder if I should learn MT.


With so many jobs going to India, Philipines, etc is there really work (and I mean work that will pay me enough money to more than survive) in the US?


With Dragon, is it easier for non English speaking persons to transcribe?  I am really nervous.  I can't waste time and money learning something that is no longer offered here.


Is it worth it?


 


It's worth it
If you are a self-motivated person than I do think it is worth it. I took classes through an online program, the SETT program, which gave me an excellent background for MT work. I chose to work out of my home and it was very convenient and profitable for me. I chose how much and when I wanted to work.
If you really want it, then it will be worth it!
If you are doing this for less stress and more time with your family and to be home only, then don't do it....It takes a lot to get started and if you want to make money you have to type long hours. I work for a small company and also do some work on the side for a local therapist. At first, I had my doubts about getting into this career because I never that it would be so stressful and hard. I would work almost full time hours and bring in 300 dollars every two weeks. I have more than doubled that since and I love what I do.. With anything the beginning is hard, but the job is alot better than a lot of other things. I also like the fact that I get to learn some much everyday on the job...Good luck to you!!
I do think it is worth it.
In my opinion I think it is worth doing it. That is something only you can decide though. Unfortunately, through Canada, the course is more expensive than the US. For me, it was worth it and I'm a happily employed from home MT. If I were you, I would continue especially if you have job placement assistance like I know I had through CS.

GOOD LUCK!!!
the course is thorough and worth the $
So what if someone is an affiliate and gets a cut.
Yes, it is worth it. sm

I did their Jumpstart program after training and I highly recommend it.  You learn a lot in Jumpstart and it is all relevant because you will be working on real reports with account specs.  Corie has an awesome knowledge base and is very encouraging.  I've been working steady since completing the program.  Great experience during Jumpstart and post Jumpstart.  There is plenty of work.  Do yourself a favor and contact Corie at Meditec.  Some people are skeptical of internships, no doubt with good reason as there are some scams out there, so you have to be careful.  I know I wanted a training program that had an internship attached for the experience.  I can tell you I got my money's worth and then some. I consider my entire experience with Meditec an investment in myself and future and I'm satisfied with what I got. 


That's less than 1 day's worth SM

of work and you want it spread throughout a whole week.  I can't imagine any service even trying to work with you on that.


This is a time-sensitive business.  If I owned a service and someone wanted to work for me with that kind of a schedule, I'd tell them to look elsewhere.  Someone who wants to work this little is probably not going to be too dependable.  Even at 8 cpl, this only amounts to $80.00 a week.  You can make that in 1 day at Target. 


Is it worth it!!!!!!!!!?????
"Quoting" Do you have small children, a husband, do you want a social life - then no it isn't worth it. "Unquote"

Oh my goodness what a statement! That sounds like you're unhappy with your job, or have been at some point. THOSE ARE EXACTLY the reasons I do it from home. Well, small child anyway.

I have been working from home for 16 years as of October 6, and frankly I would never go back to an office. Working from home has allowed me to move in with my elderly mother and care for her during her Alzheimer days until her death, be with her during her cancer experience years before that, and be with my newborn and throughout her life. She is 5 now and doesn't know what it's like for a mommy to go "off to work" although she does know that when I'm working, I can't be incessantly at her disposal. I am an older mom and will probably be given about 25 years with her, so being able to sit and hold her in a sling while I worked was worth every moment.

At any rate, it really is "to each his own," because not only medical transcription, but also working from home, doesn't fit everyone. I think Redpen gave you excellent suggestions. Good luck!
6 or 7 cents? :::snorting::: I made 7.5 at the job I landed even BEFORE I graduated from (lm)

The School That Dare Not Speak Its Name.  I then left that job for another one making 8 cents.  I am now making 8 cents a line from home, and my one-year anniversary of graduating from MT training is not until May. 


Six or seven cents?  Not in THIS life.  And I have had NO trouble finding jobs.  I still get people calling me based on the resumes I sent out back when I first started looking, and I have to tell them I am no longer looking for work. 


Nice try, MTSO.  But trying to convince people to work for 6 or 7 cents a line shouldn't play as long as some of us are here to bring a little reality into the situation. 


my opinion...take it for what it's worth
but when I read your post your grammer was good and you seemed very bright. These are things you cannot learn in medical transcription school. When you finish your schooling and if you have any trouble landing a job, I suggest you revisit this site and as eloquently as your post above, ask for someone to mentor you. I do not think you will have a problem at all. Good luck.
MTEC - Because for what it's worth
I had 4 job offers within 2 weeks of graduating.  Four years later, I'm still at the company I went to work for right out of school.
My opinion, for what it's worth..
I haven't read the other replies, but a few things struck me from your message. First, if you had researched MT as much as you say, then why did you choose At Home Professions? Secondly, finding "MTStars" isn't the Holy Grail of MT information, LOL. Actually, MTStars is great because if a newbie does find this message board, they'll run like the wind from medical transcription and leave more work for the rest of us. Either way, this message board is more or less and "venting" site. Most of the folks that have nothing to complain about are busy doing their jobs, and there are plenty of them. I've been reading MTStars for years, don't really post much, but at least I get a laugh or two every day.