I haven't be a newbie for 10 years
Posted By: We aren't paid for our experience! on 2009-05-14
In Reply to: Are you new to MT? - hmmmmm
I am a slow typer, I am only paid 7 cpl, and have 20 different doctors on a daily basis. I am feeling like maybe I have wasted the last 10 years as an MT. I hear so many talk about their perfect accounts, making $100+ a day only working 8 hrs a day, and I the only thing that keeps me going is the fact that I am home for my kids when they get home from school. Where are those good accounts, good platforms, and good paying MT jobs that we experienced MTs deserve?
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
Not a newbie, but 25 years now
doing this. I have seen wages dropping and make a lot less than I did 15 years ago. It is sad to see wages falling, but that seems to be the case with these big nationals.
not a newbie...been at this for over five years. nm
nm
4 years ago when I was a newbie I was hired at - sm
.06 at 2 jobs, and .07 at another. I now make .09 at the one I started at .07. I no longer have the others, but on 1 of them I bumped up to .07 after a year which unfortunately was the cap (very small MTSO).
I am a relative newbie of 9 years but - sm
I am good at what I do, have worked just about every specialty, can hit the ground running with whatever is thrown my way, very strong office background, take pride in my work. Currently training another MT supposedly with more experience than I and so far I am less than dazzled by her abilities. She is making some really dumb mistakes, i.e. types in the word period sometimes in sentences, new paragraph, stuff like that, cannot research worth a hoot, or just won't take the time (too lazy maybe?), and cannot fill out the template correctly that I use for this particulare account. Totally waste of my time as my training pay is a joke too. If things don't improve soon though she will be off that particular account which will be her loss at it is very easy and steady work too boot.
I have had cell phone for 2 years, newbie but
yesterday had 2 text messages (I do not do those myself) from my cell carrier. Never before had I gotten the first thing like this.
haven't done that one right in years
excuse me - Have not done that 1 right in years!!!
No! I'm 48 years old and still haven't had a new car!!!!
I don't think kids should be given a new car. That is a good place in life to teach them that they have the ability to work hard, save their money and buy anything they want. It gives them the incentive to want to make more money, which gives them the incentive to take care it (the car they finally buy) and also gives them the incentive to work hard in school/college so that they will get a very good paying job when they are finished with their college, so they can afford the expensive things they desire, like in the "real world" where everything isn't given to them.
we haven't had a tv in 9 years...
got rid of it when our kids were small and it's been w o n d e r f u l. No nameless, faceless shrieking box taking over the whole house, with its subliminal messages about happiness and new cars and happiness and thin bodies and how teenagers in the sitcoms are smarter than adults, bla, bla, bla. It's all mindless crapola if you ask me. BTW, my daughter in 4th grade reads at an 11th grade level. I think they read out of boredom LOL
About 23. Some I haven't used in years, some I
use on nearly a daily basis. What you need depends on the type of account you work on. If you are only doing clinic notes you can get buy with a drug book and a book like Sloane's Medical Word Book. If you are doing acute care but only doing one speciality then again you could get by with a drug book and whatever Stedman's book for that speciality. I don't know how people function without books. Google is not always a reliable reference and to have to spend time googling when you can open the book and found it in 3 seconds is so much easier and productive.
Some of my books are an older edition, but unless it is a book that I need frequently I don't update with each new addition. I'm partial to Stedman's books, as I think most MTs are. They have specials throughout the year. You can also buy books at half.com. You can get a brand new book for a fraction of the cost of new, though be sure to check Stedman's website to make sure you are getting the most current edition.
I haven't had a normal in 2+ years now. (nm)
haven't been to brooklyn in years
But didn't know it was trendy at all. There are a lot of really bad parts and a few ritzy parts as I recall. Very crowded and a place not desired although I am interested in the new trend.
agree - haven't had a car payment in years
paid $6000 cash for a 93 Volvo wagon back in 2002. Too many people think they need a new (or pricey) vehicle and really have better things to do with their $400-600 per mo. Every time I look into getting something new or simply newer, I decide that I neither want to take that much money out of savings, nor do I want to have such an outrageous car payment. I would totally prefer a brand new car, but it seems like such a waste of money.
I haven't missed a day of work in 10 years
I can't believe so many ICs do this, taking days off! It's unheard of to me.
I don't blame you for getting frustrated. Seems no one has a good work ethic these days.
If you haven't done MT in many years, that is a very good rate...sm
Many things have changed and companies usually require more recent experience. I say go for it!
I haven't made that kind of rate for at least 20 years
Don't know where you live. In my area, that is not good money at all.
I've been hearing this for years, haven' t you.? It gets boring.
x
I haven't had taste or smell for over 10 years due to chemotherapy.
Sometimes that's a GOOD thing. Seriously.
Besides, that donation is squarely out of MTs' pockets. I haven't had a raise in the 3 years
x
I haven't bought a drug book in 2 years - I use Google ...sm
and the FDA website. Both are faster than flipping through a book and free.
Haven't heard in years. Supposedly making it harder to get money
xx
To SAD NEWBIE
i glanced at the main responses to your post, not all of them. But i disagree to an extent with what you've been told. I have 30 yr experience, for however much weight you want to ascribe to that.
You've heard that practice makes perfect. That is not really true. Practicing things CORRECTLY "makes perfect". You can do something over and over and over, but if it's done wrong, you are not improving your game.
Depending on how much the paycheck is an issue, you may wish to find another job before quitting this one. But the longer you do things wrong, the more disservice you are doing to yourself. It's also hard to break established habits.
This is all said assuming you are sure you are being steered in the wrong direction, ie, these directions go against good MT training and/or against the BOS in important ways.
I have no doubt that some companies hire poor or inexperienced QA personnel, contrary to another posters comment.
My suggestion is to look for another job. It may take a little time and be a little frustrating, but what you gain by starting off with good QA and building a good foundation, cannot be found in the situation you describe. Part of the good foundation is on-the-job experience.
Believe in yourself, make sure your premise is correct, and then do what is right for the long-term. e/m me if you wish.
Sad newbie
I totally agree. I've been doing this for 20 years.
I once had a QA person reconstruct a sentence so that it read 'index' instead of indices.
At the hospital I started at, I worked nights. The day girls left all the ESL dictators for me. I sat there, by myself, and cried. I didn't realize it at the time, but they did me a huge favor.
Two years later, I was working at a different hospital, transcribing x-ray for a an ESL radiologist. He came in to tell me he was leaving and that he would call me in a couple hours in case I had any questions. When he left, a girl from medical records approached me and asked who he was and what language he was speaking!
FYI: Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of interacting with physicians one on one. Their biggest complaint is transcriptionists who don't give them what they say. Of course, I always chuckled to myself because they probably weren't aware that I changed their grammar or reconstructed their sentences to read better! Some of them want what they want and they don't care what the AAMT says.
Hang in there, love. Do look for another job and keep looking until you find a place that recognizes your potential and will help you. Best of luck to you!
You must be a newbie
They've been doing it for years and most people who have been in this business for a while are aware of that fact. Neither MQ nor Spheris care about American MTs. They are money-hungry corporate giants with only one thing on the agenda....$$$ keep all the money for the management who know nothing about transcription, let the people who actually DO the work and earn the money, work in the sweat shops for peanuts. These big corporations suck! They suck the life, ambition and money right out of you! I have been around a long time and worked for both at one time....much to my dismay....They are both traitors to the American MT.
Newbie
I am a newbie and I make .05 cents a line. Not proud of it, but I am in a training program. It only averages to be about $150/week.
Welcome Newbie...
Every once in a while we get somebody on here who is a troll. Just comes on and makes inflammatory remarks to get trouble brewing. She is equally nasty to everyone. You can see that a good many of us are quiet upset by her behavior. Do not let her frighten you away from this site. We really do give each other a lot of encouragement when needed and are respectful of each other for the most part. Please don't let this one person make you think this is how we all are. She will settle down soon and you will get to "talk" to some really nice folks. This too shall pass. Welcome to the site. It's nice to have fresh ideas.
when i was a newbie...
i had the hardest time and it wasnt that my (1) trainer didnt give me feedback, but it was that every other month, she changed the way she corrected. hey, im still with the company. now i also work for another company part time and they have so many mentors/editors and they are all different. so here i go again. i really suck in op reports and just when i was about to give up, my part time job decided to move me over to other worktypes but ops. i get them every now and then and its okay. point is, a lot of things can happen to overwhelm you especially as a newbie. we're still going through it. you want it that bad, you hang on.
not a newbie thank you
It is not rigors, it is boogers...as in "green boogers..."
And no, not a newbie by far...10+ years!
How Does a Newbie Get Help?
How exactly is a new MT supposed to get experience when no one wants us. Will anyone take on an at-home MT Newbie????? Please help. Advice welcomed.
newbie
I have recently finished my exam from an MT school and am awaiting my results. My question is: Should I start applying now for jobs or wait for the results? I have to have a job of some form by the end of May. I was thinking maybe trying to get a part-time job now to get the feel for it and maybe by May I would be comfortable enough for full-time. I saw where some places would only allow you to apply every six months so that kinda scared me. Any information would be very helpful to me as you all have more experience. Thanks!
Just said possible not for newbie
Re-read my post. Said it is possible. Also said that I am older and have older docs. Have also done EMR. There is a need -- just need to find your niche. As I deposit my checks I will remember "It is possible" though not everyone believes.
I am a newbie too..
Sometimes MTs are rude only because they are frustrated. Other times it is part of their personal make-up. Try not to get frustrated. Learn all that there is to learn at your current place of employment. Continue to assist others as you are able. Character is grown by your enviornment around you and your ability to ignore, to the best of your ability, people who aggravate you. I have encountered many positive, seasoned MTs on this board. They are out there. Good luck to you.
Newbie
I am a newbie as well and I am one of the lucky ones. I tested at one place and got the position right away. I have been working since May 2006 and I love it. I only worked in-house for about 5 months and now I am working at home. I didn't have to work in-house, just had to for internet reasons...didn't have it yet :) All I have to say is that you have to ask a lot of questions in this field and that is what QA is for..they get paid for helping me out so I don't care if they get mad at me or not..go ahead and send me a rude e-mail, I could care less...I believe that this has been so easy for me because I worked extremely hard to get where I am (took course through Career Step and graduated with high honors) and prayed every night...and still do! Just keep positive and pray for everything...God will answer!
Even when I was a newbie there would be no way
Would not have even considered it for experience or not. That person is probably making plenty on that, and if she is not, she needs to work out her rates better if she wants to subcontract.
Newbie to MT
Congratulations to all that love and are successful at being an MT. Have wanted to do this for a long time but it's harder than it looks. I just don't have enough experience to get anywhere even with the training. I've spent so much $$$ and after feeling like a moron taking a pre-employment test today I can say it's time to throw in the towel. I am disappointed and embarrassed all at the same time. I don't know how you all have done it. Envious in Ohio. 
Newbie
I did not get the job I was hoping for. No training prepares you for things like "Get more experience under your belt and give us a call in the future." I had a difficult time with an ESL document. It's a blow to my self esteem.
Newbie to MT
Please, please hang in there if you truly want this. None of us had it easy in the very beginning. I failed tests too. I'm sure we all have. I know of a special board for newbies/students and recent grads. Email me and I will give you the website.
Newbie to MT
I also wanted to say . . . and this is the honest truth -I can honestly, honestly say I have learned more as a working MT than I learned in MT school. School is great for the knowledge of terms, but you actually learn more by doing -- at least I felt that way. I have come to learn a ton of terms that were never covered in my MT books. When I come upon a new word I write in down in my notebook for the future. I have a notebook for each speciality. I also create a binder with samples for each doctor I work for. For me, things seem to stick in my head if I write them down. When you test if you come upon something you do not know -- look it up and jot down the answer for the future. :)
I'm not a newbie
nor am I "settling", and I did make up a name just as legit as yours! I'm just being realistic, that's all. I don't think you are though.
Another newbie
I make 6.5 to start and am having a heck of a time making my line counts. I am still making minimum wage after 3 months, although I do work acute care and transcribe for over 100 docs. It is easier to start out doing clinic work with less docs. But I would not accept a position at 4 cpl unless it was a SR position.
Newbie
Newbie here, work in Neurology I'm a MT, CMA and Manager at my clinic and have worked in the same clinic for over 12 yrs and was thinking of doing home transcription. My husband works nights and I'm home alone in a quiet house from 7:00 pm until 6:00 am.
How do I get started? Any help would be greatly welcomed.
need help!! newbie!
could someone give me some tips/inside info on how i can get into this field on a part time basis? i have 9+ years of medical coding/billing experience - 4 yrs. specializing in OB/GYN and over 5 yrs. PT/OT and Orthopaedics. is it possible to get hired on experience alone and no classes or certification?
thanks!
newbie also
I graduated from our Community College in May, and I have gotten no help with job placement. I to am on my own. I worked very hard, got straight A's, can pass tests, but as soon as the company finds out I got my training from a community college, I don't hear from them again. I'm as lost as naive 1.
Newbie
I have to make a comment on this particular post. Of course newbies are willing to work for peanuts, hello, at this point I am willing to take anything! Where are we supposed to start? All you hear is how nuts we are if we think we are going to be making anything more than minimum wage and then we get slammed because we are willing to take the low-paying jobs, good grief this is the craziest thing I have ever heard! I have been looking for a job for over 2 months and all I have been offered is 3 cents a line! I am seriously thinking of taking it just for the experience...if I were a seasoned, experienced MT I would try giving the newbies some insight and uplifting advice..so far I have to say that hasn't really happened for me here. thanks for letting me vent
newbie
As a newbie, I am getting really depressed reading these posts. What a bleak outlook and I haven't even begun to work yet, and who knows maybe I never will. I have put in so much time into this and when I read these posts, I just wonder if it was at all worth it???
newbie
Just wanted to know if there are any services that will hire anyone without experience. Just completed a course at the local community college and itching to get started.
newbie
 You sound like a very conscientious person. An inhouse position in a small hospital may be the best thing for you to start out with. I worked in two such hospitals as a newbie. My first supervisor helped me tremendously, although at the beginning I thought she was nit picking me to death. I still think of her often and praise her training. As far as big MTSO's, profit is the bottom line. They are there to make money.
Doctors really couldn't care less if you can understand them or not - they are in a hurry, they want it done right now, and you/we are supposed to "know" what they want. I worked as a pharmacy tech before MT'ing and one doc from the Phillipines hung up on me when I refused to calibrate an antibiotic!! Like I was a pharmacist - sure I was, making $6.00 an hour - NOT.
Trust your instincts, keep putting out quality work and keep looking for that right fit. You'll find it, but probably not in a large MTSO. GOOD LUCK!!
newbie
Well a lot of the companies advertise for 2 years exp in acute care. You are only 6 months shy of that. You almost aren't a newbie anymore. I am a newbie with only 7 months exp so you got me beat. I think Medquist and Spheris both hire newbies sometimes though. I don't work for them. The lady who happened to hire me as a newbie passed away and the company who took over normally doesn't hire newbies but kept me on anyway.
newbie
Im sorry if this is for workers already doing this career but someone told me in a chatroom that they paid 5 thousand for some software like 6 years ago and makes like 30 bucks an hr from home doing this. Can anyone tell me if thats possible and how i can get started in this career. Can you invest money like that and work from home from the start ?
Far from a newbie
I am stating a fact about VOR. My company has just about completed transfer over to VOR, which would put me in an editing position. I'm not afraid of hard work, have been doing this for 10 years, and editing is easier than transcribing by far. I don't watch TV for a reason, I work.
Newbie with a job :-)
It is so good to see people speaking positively about the job hunting world for a newbie! I just got my first job 2 weeks ago, and have continued testing, and got a better paying job just 2 hours ago. I was beginning to think that I made a HUGE mistake getting into this field, but I knew that I really enjoyed it, so I kept up hope, and it paid off.
I know that I won't be making a HUGE salary, but I am so grateful to the people out there that look at potential instead of experience. I have faith in the newbies that are willing to put hard work into this field. I know that some people got into this to "have an easy job working from home", and that's not the case for me, and it does not seem to be the case of the post above mine.
I have two small children, I am 25, my husband does construction, and we are a hard working very happy family, and I am happy I decided to get into the field.
I have nothing but respect for all of you seasoned, experienced MTs that have paved the way for us, and I hope you know that we do aspire to be as seasoned and experienced as you.
Newbie MTs
It truly takes dedication, hard work and perseverence to make it as an MT. There are so many hurdles to overcome. The list goes on forever. You can do the job all your life, 10, 20 or 30+ years and still find it challenging and nerve wracking. There is no school out there that takes the place of hands-on mentoring in a hospital or clinic setting with caring and patient professionals.
|
