At a crossroad and not sure which career path to take...
Posted By: dazed and confused on 2005-07-14
In Reply to:
I have been doing MT work for over 5 years. I have to admit I have not made much money during that time, but really do enjoy being at home. I was offered a job yesterday doing what I used to do for over 16 years, which is graphic design. The job would be out of the house, Mon-Fri, 8 to 4:30. I like the thought of a decent hourly pay whether I am feeling productive or not, but then commuting 20+ miles one way with gas over $2 a gallon is a bit of a drawback. I just really am at a loss here. Anyone have any comments or suggestions? I will probably see if I can keep my MT job part-time for extra cash and also as backup incase something happens, as I will have a three month probation period. I know when I am in one of my very productive modes I can make more per hour than the job is offering, but when you add in my not so productive hours the outside job is offering more per hour. I am just not sure what to do. My husband is disabled and likes me to be home, but he told me to do what I feel is best. Thanks.
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
only path.....only path....only path to the mountain
MTSO at crossroad. sm
I have been in business since 1995. When I started, it wasn't such a challenge to get clients, a few of whom I have to this day. Since moving to another area, I have had a hard time getting work. I send out flyers, put myself in the yellow pages, etc.
I did get a few accounts here and there, which I would be told was permanent, but they were actually looking to get caught up. Once that happened and they were finally honest about it, they let me go - along with the MTs I obtained. I only have enough work for myself now, and I want to grow my business to the level it was in the past.
I'm at a crossroad. Don't know if I should continue to search for clients or let my business go and try something else. I've been doing it for so long. I don't know what I can do at this stage of my life - but I love the MT field. No matter what I do, I can't get clients.
Has anyone else been in this position?
CAREER versus JOB--lovin' my CAREER
Career definition:
1. an occupation or profession, esp. one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework:
2. a person's progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking.
3. success in a profession, occupation, etc.
Job definition:
1. A specific task done as part of one's occupation or for an agreed price
2. post of employment; full-time or part-time position: She was seeking a job as an editor.
3. anything a person is expected or obliged to do; duty; responsibility.
Hence, medical transcription requires special training. This is a CAREER.
The report we transcribe is a job with a job number.
I love this CAREER and am proud to be in my 12th year as a medical transcriptionist. I'm not rich, but my consistent $18 to $20 per hour equivalent is pretty darn good in this small town where the cost of living is pretty low.
LOVING MY CAREER!!!! :)
Career? this thing is not a career anymore...sm
this is a sweat shop job right up there with all the illegal sweat shops out there.
Right now, i have no other choice but to do this "job" because with my disabilities, no other place will hire me and I especially cannot work out of the home anymore. Until I can get disability, I guess I will continue to do this job, until we are all phased out by Indian MTs and VR.
only path, and this is documented, too (nm)
Anyone out there in Katrina's path? It looks like it's going to be a bad one.
nm
so why are you knocking everyone down in your path
consider others
There's more than one job path so the best thing to do is
x
Don't buy Stedmans Path/Lab CD!
I'm SO mad at Stedman's! I finally decided to go electronic and bought a med/surg equip CD and a path/lab CD. No problems with the former, but the latter will not work and disables MS Word! And I'm not the only one, as you can Google it on the internet and others are having the same problems. Somehow it interacts wrongly with different virus/spam protectors and will start throwing pages and pages of licensing cleanup alerts into your task manager, disabling your word processing. I called tech support last Friday and they said they'd get back to me. I called them back Tuesday and they said they still hadn't figured it out. I called them today, still nothing, so I got mad and returned the stupid CD for the book. Six days of "trying to figure it out"???? He had said before they could install an unlicensed copy since the licensing was the problem, but then days later said they couldn't figure it out.
They also send you an invoice saying your payment is due by X date (with the return envelope and the space to fill in how much you are paying of the total) when you've already paid by credit card. They also charged almost $20 shipping for 4 CDs that weigh a few ounces. I'm NOT happy!
Path and Rad info...
Hi Becky. I know of a place hiring for rad and path, part time IC. Interested? -KD
path line rate
Thank you for your speedy reply. Here's the situation - I had worked for this pathologist for 10 years (being paid a monthly rate) and the institution finally convinced him to use their outside transcription service. After six months, the "system" doesn't work - I think it has more to do with their inability to do the work. There is no other Transcriptionist who does pathology within 50 miles of me. They have told me my pay will be based on an all black character line (not counting spaces) and I am a bit apprehensive about a line rate covering what is involved with the work.
path line rate
Good answer - thank you, sm.
does anyone have good links for lab/path words and
equipment words and pharmaceutical words? I hate to spend so much on books that can't be kept current. I found accessdata.fda.gov and rxlist.com in a post farther down and already have them book marked. TIA!
Rita now a category 4 and taking same path as Katrina.
Those poor souls. Hurricane season gets worse and worse every year!
yep, global warming? But projected path is Galveston due to high pressure &
x
Stedmans Med $ Surgical Equip words, Path and Lab words, and Tessiers Surgical Word book (3rd
edition). I never buy drug books anymore. Waist of money in my opinion. New drugs come out so often, it's best to use the web.
New career
I found myself wanting to leave transcribing after many years, but was at a loss as to how to make such a drastic change in my forties. I saw an ad in the paper for a medical malpractice defense firm. They were looking for a transcriber to train as a legal secretary. I made the move and have been much happier. They needed my medical background and I needed a chance. It can happen! Good luck!
mt career
You are not a loser! I had all your same experiences and am being treated like a dog as well. I just pray each day for a new direction in life. I haven't really "given up" but life used to be good; now I feel like I am "begging." I am also being kicked to the curb for being "too old" and that hurts. No one is "old" unless they want to be. There are a lot of smart mouths out there who will make you "feel old" but hang in there. There is a place for us, you shall see. The day "technology" gets someone in deep doo doo, they will realize that outsourcing is a major mistake, perhaps not in our time, but it should not be a cottage industry nor a piecework production industry. We should be treated just as professionally as those behind the real mahogany furniture. They'll learn and the sooner the better for all of us! Hang in there, you're not alone. This is not something just anyone off the street can do. The lawsuits will start pouring in and it will be their own fault for being so "cheap" with good people who deserve to be treated professionally.
If it keeps your career going, do it.
I think Bo Jackson did the same thing to keep playing baseball and who knows how many others have had hip replacements.
Besides, Prince would have looked a little odd pulling up to the mic in a scooter. Would have been awkward dancing in one too.:)
we need a new career
i think we should realize by now, our jobs are being phased out. face it, technology is getting the best of us. right now, there are no transcription jobs in medical offices in this part of massachusetts. they are gone. we need to move forward, not look back and do something we always wanted to do. how bout dipping chocolates or body parts, lol. take up cake decorating; extreme cakes like on the food channel. this is a lighthearted look at things to come. please don't be negative. what did u want to be when you grew up? i think i wanted to be an astronomer...yah right. i flunked science.
This IS my new career!
Years ago I graduated from a major univerity and went into business, ending up in mangement positions at a high tech company, a hospital, and several other medical companies. I had a private office overlooking the water,a good salary and benefits, staff do do my "crap work", and a whole lot of headaches. Now I'm a medical transcriptionist. I love what I'm doing. I'm making less money, but not doing too shabby. Plus, no expenses for commuting, a work wardrobe, lunches out - it's amazing how those things add up. Compared to what I used to do, this job is a breeze - it's so relaxing sitting at a keyboard and not having to deal with all the crap that goes on in companies. Wouldn't go back for the world. Whether this is a good field is all about what you're looking for. For those who are disillusioned, I'd advise finding another field or position that fits you better.
I also thank God for my career!
After 10 years of doing this, I love getting up in the morning and starting my day. I love my doctors and PAs. I hated working in an office and driving, as well. I love the quietness of my setting and finishing up at a decent time. My company appreciates me and takes care of me. I wish I found this company years ago. My money combined with my husband's is very good. I pray I will retire with this place. Please find a company and work type you love to transcribe! It's truly the way to go to be happy. I get a rush with every new word I have to look up and find it a challenge. I jump for joy when I find that word and learn something new. I guess that's what our job is all about!
So what new career did you go into?
x
I have a career
I don't understand why an MT can't consider her job her career? I make 40,000 a year. I work in my home. I can take a day off whenever I want. I am left alone. My husband was a carpenter for 25 years. Now that the housing market has fell out from under us, he has no job. He is trying to find a job and looking at making 8.00 to 10.00 an hour, if he is LUCKY, after making 30.00 an hour for years. We are lucky to have a job. There are a lot of people out there who consider 30,000 to 40,000 a year as good money. I think we have been shut in our houses for too long and don't realize what we have. All I see on this board is complaining and crying about how horrible it is. At least you have a job.
This has been a great career -- SM
I graduate this December with my Bachelor's in Science; major in biology/premed studies with a double minor in chemistry and history. I have a seat in the freshman class of 2006 at UAMSC to obtain my M.D.
This has been a great career for me all these years.
The posters who make such statements that those with higher educations still deciding to do MT work are pitiful -- that's their pitiful attitude. Don't listen to it.
Yes, same one...very happy with this career ..just going on to
do more with my life. :)
Now your attitude is REALLY showing! LOL
Career Step
Hi - have any of you received your training from Career Step? If so, would you recommend the program? Thanks for you feedback.
Well I'm starting my career YEA
So I put my two weeks notice in at my mortgage job and I'm about to embark on my MT career, I have been doing this part time for a year and asked my employer for more accounts and they were kind enough to give me more work !!!!!! So I'm not anticipating making much at first but gas prices will be $5.00 a gallon anyway soon and it will not pay to drive anywhere. So if anyone wants to give this sort of newbie any good advice it will appreciated... I'm so excited !!!!
Hello I'm about to embarke on my career
I have worked for the mortgage industry and I cannot deal with the rude loan officers anymore. So I have been doing this part time for 6 months and I just received a new account and I'm embarking on my MT career. Any advice, I'm leaving a 30000.00 a year job for this full time and I know I will not make much as I can only get 130 lines an hour right now....but I'm excited
career step
I am considering going to Career Step. I have been working as an MT for a few months now, but I do not feel that the course I took prepared me for the "real" world of transcription. My only question is that I also noticed the price diff in these online courses. That is primarily the reason why I am choosing to go with Career Step. MTec seems like a good school, but they are 3x as much. Will I get just as good an education?
Career Step
It's true, you get what you pay for. Andrews is #1, M-Tec is #2, and Career Step is a distant 3rd.
Career Step
I am attending Career Step. I have also been hired as a MT while still attending. I think the course is good. Good luck!!
M-Tec and Career Step
xx
Career Step
is the largest online school of medical transcription. You can join their forum even if you are not a student so that you can see for yourself what the grads in the forum say about their training. They are in there talking about their jobs all the time. Big companies like Spheris and Medquist and Transolutions hire CS graduates.
a bad career choice
Career Step
Have you been to Career Step's website. It is a very friendly community there and you would get lots of support on their forums. www.careerstep.com.
Is Career Step it?!
Any graduates of Career Step? Any information about how you felt about your experience would be greatly appreciated. I was so impressed by the website and information that I have received in the mail. I make $10/hr now in an office job. What are the chances that I can meet this as a grad?
Career Step is IT!
Hi,
I'm a CS graduate and would HIGHLY recommend them. I was so well prepared, I received a job offer in less than 24 hours from one of the top employers, AND I was able to start out in acute care as a grad.
Email me if you have additional questions. CS ROCKS!!!!
"We" don't need a new career
but it sounds like you sure do. You are so full of a negative attitude. Time for YOU to move on, for sure.
career insult
Thank you! I have an aunt with the same name . . . Louise. She is my favorite aunt and always in my corner. I just had to say that. I hope your daughter is able to cope better these days. Cerebral palsy is not an easy thing to deal with. And you! To do this type of work and care for another with CP --You deserve a huge pat on the back, hug and so much more. Thank you for your support. I have gotten so much from this board. Bless you!
Career change to E-Bay?
I have read on these boards many of the MTs leaving for different career choices. Many for nursing or such, but are there any of us out there that has consider or is doing E-Bay sales? I have dabbled in this. I am wondering if anyone would like to e-mail me what they are doing and if they find it a nice change.
Thanks.
-Losing faith- 
Look at Career Step
If you know the content you can take the tests.
Sounds like you need a new career
you don't need a career change...IF ALL MTs sm
would stop taking those low-paying jobs then eventually the MTSOs would HAVE to begin paying a decent line rate. I have 25 years experience and have been offered 8 cents!!! ridiculous. can't pay the bills on that.
medtech career
Hi Everybody,
I'm thinking of changing careers and becoming an m.t, but I have some ?'s...I've been reading and researching MT careers and I'm a little concerned about Voice Recognition Technology. Do you think it will have a serious impact on this industry? Also, what about work going off-shore? Those are my two main concerns. I don't want to invest a lot of time and $$ and not be able to get a job
Salary.com listed the average salary somewhere in the high 30K a year range...does that sound about right?
Last but not least, what program is best? I've been checking into several. I've been corresponding with a very nice lady from medtranscription.com. Does anyone out there know anything about this program? They're not an ahdi approved school, but they do provide actual transcription for you to do, so when you graduate, you actually have bonafide transcription experience. And they've been in business for quite some time. It sounds good to me, but I need some advice from "veterans"
Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! Laura
Don't care what others think of my career (sm)
Depending on who asks, I just tell them I'm in healthcare. And then from there, if they ask specifically and I sense they really are interested, I'll say MT and go into details. If they make an ignorant comment about how nice it is to work at home - it's easy - I ask if they think they could do it. That gets them thinking and shuts them up. Ah-ha, so it's not so easy with the kids around 
I will say that doctors, nurses, MAs, x-ray techs, etc. - at least the many I've met over the years - all have said we have the toughest job in healthcare. When I laugh, they say, no seriously. For example, my OB/Gyn has to call into a dictation line to get obstetrical ultrasound results, and she said most of the time she has to make a STAT transcription request because she can't understand not even three words of what her colleagues are dictating. So, IMO among healthcare professionals, it's a respected field
I just told my best girlfriend, who is in sales for a major bank and complains that her sales are hurting, how much money I make (about $30/hr) and wanted to make ($80,000/year), and she had a newfound respect.
Questions about career as MT
Am thinking about becoming an MT. Curious about best school to attend and expenses other than schooling that I will incur. Besides computer, what other equipment is needed? Does pay reflect speed and accuracy? Does location affect pay? Appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks.
Career Step
Career Step is one of the top 3 AHDI-approved schools. If you work well independently at your own pace, it may be a good program for you. It is an online course. I know from experience that employers will hire for at-home transcription work immediately after graduation from CS.
Re: Career Step
Hello,
I just began the Career Step Online Training Course a couple of weeks ago. You answered a question to a concern that I had from the very start. I wondered if they really help the student transition into an at-home MT position upon completion of the course. You stated that "from experience" you can say that they get you to work right after graduation.
If you don't mind me asking, can you give me some feedback on your experience with Career Step, please? How long did it take you to complete the course? How long after completion did you obtain employment at home? Is it fairly easy to understand what the physician is saying as you transcribe? How do they prefer to pay their at home employees? Those are examples of questions I have.
Looking forward to hearing from you! :)
Dianne
starting new career
I am sorry to hear you have had such a hard time. I know there are quite a few that are having the same problem. I have to say that there are good jobs out there but unfortunately not as many good ones as bad ones. I have been very fortunate, I started doing this 20+ years ago, applying for a job as a medical receptionist and after taking the typing test they suggested medical transcription and gave me that position, trained me on the job and I fell in love with it. When I moved away from the area to another state I found another MT job that advanced my learning even further and from there to a local hospital. Unfortunately as with most others they could not find enough MTs to do all their work so they laid everyone off and outsourced, luckily anyone that wanted to could go with the outsource company without the usual testing, etc. involved with them. After 4+ years with the outsourcing company (I won't mention the name but I will say I was very happy with 90% of company), all my hard work and sticking with it finally paid off, I got what I consider a dream MT position with a local doctor that was merging with 2 other offices and needed an at-home MT complete with fully paid medical benefits, vacations and the best part, no time clock, my own hours, when I wanted to (as long as I completed work within 72 business hours of it being dictated). I have been there since last September and I love it just as much as I did the first day; the doctors actually care about their employees and show their gratitude.
Sorry for the long length of this, but I wanted to say that there are still a few great MT jobs out there and not all hospitals go with outsourcing to save money, the hospital I was with would go back to inhouse MTs tomorrow if they could find enough qualified ones but in my area there just are not any. Hopefully people that are in school can find a great MT job when they get out.
Career Step
Don't listen to that "only Andrews or M-TEC" line. Career Step has a great program for much less money, and they do place their graduates.
|
