If you are a member of the AAMT, how have you benefitted in her career? CMT? SM
Posted By: ShowMeMT on 2006-06-30
In Reply to:
I have been at this for about 15 years and have thought off and on about becoming an AAMT member and about getting my CMT, but always stop short because of the cost and basically the inconvenience of having to find the testing center that seems to be located in some obscure office building I've never even heard of.
However, I have recently started working for a facility that actually encourage their MTs to further their education, to network with one another and share information, and offer pay raises for the CMT credentials. So, once again I am considering the pros and cons of membership and taking the CMT exam.
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
To Proud Member of AAMT: I think it's just as
Things in this field have changed for the worse over the past years. Salaries have decreased, yet expectations have risen. Benefits are contingent upon production, yet a good share of the time production can't be met due to complications outside of the MT's control. When it comes to taking the losses due to changes in the field such as offshore outsourcing and technologic advancements, it isn't the clients or the service owners taking the major hit. It's the transcriptionists. Yet AAMT has done NOTHING to help the transcriptionists in general. In fact, it has gone out of its way to PROMOTE offshore outsourcing and even to change some of the guidelines in the newly published, amended BOS to accommodate voice recognition and other technology geared to replace the MT or relegate transcription to other forms labeled "editors", which in reality involve retyping whole reports or major portions of reports at a cut in pay, of course.
All anyone, newbies included, needs to do is to look at the history of the medical transcription field, see the changes, and then see how much AAMT did to promote the worth of the Transcriptionist in this country. The depressing message isn't coming from those speaking against AAMT, it is coming from the consequences resulting from the actions of the AAMT. One fact alone can depress a newbie, and that is to look at the average line rate in 1995 compared to the average line rate now in 2005. Thank you, AAMT, for promoting that.
Anyone a member of AHDI/AAMT? (sm)
I'm interested to find out what benefits you actually get and use for your money, and if any employers are at all interested in the fact that you are a member etc. It's not a inexpensive prospect to become a member, that is why I wonder if the benefits are worthwhile to the working MT.
Thanks
AAMT member, yes. Love Texas de Brazil!!
!
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.
not a member
AAMT must not be there only list because I am not a member and I recently received e-mail from them too.
I have been a member and not
I got nothing out of being a part of it except that it looked good on my evals to be part of an organization, but the raises I was getting didn't justify the cost. I have thought of getting certified, but see no reason are looking at it for a long time.
Reasons I was told to get certified is that you get hired faster if you are certified, especially by the outsource companies, but I do not seem to see people very happy with any company so I will continue to work fo the hospital I do. Plus, the outsource companies are sending work out of the country to get cheaper laborers and are not interested in paying top dollar for certified and competent transcriptionists.
To get hired for hospitals, etc., they are also tightening their belts and I will go with a good non-certified before a certified Transcriptionist and pay less.
This "AHDI" has made themselves "self-proclaimed" association for MTs. I could start one today and if I had investors to get it organized. We have the Joint Commission setting what is acceptable and making the industry unified in the way things are done and that overules ADHI anyway. I think someone is making lots of money off already poor MTs!
JD is the newest member
of INXS. I liked both Mary and JD and especially loved their original songs "Pretty Vegas" and "Trees". I especially loved Marty and plan to download all his tunes he performed on INXS.
You do not have to be AHDI member sm
you only renew CMT credential every 3 years and CE credits are free. The renewal is $50, so that amounts to $16.66 every year. Exam was reimbursed by my employer 100%.
Hey, I like that! I'm a member of DUST
Downtrodden US Transcriptionists....
Not sure on this but I think you pay to be listed with the BBB - (join a member) so many probably j
the money to do so. Search the archives or Google them. Otherwise unless they are offering some outragous pay over such as over .12 cpl, then I would not worry about it and go for it.
i see you never worked as a union member before lol
/
I quit being a member when I heard they were going....sm
to start holding hands with India. They are not out to help AMERICAN MTs. They don't care one way or another about American MTs anymore. 
Their latest pitch is to the MTs STOP transcribing verbatim. So not only will we have to be language specialists, we'll have to put a doctor's words in "proper English." 
It doesn't matter what the docs want. It's what they want. Baloney. They are not our boss. Our docs are our bosses. If the docs want verbatim, that's what they'll get...at least from me (except for the JAHCO list of unacceptable terminology).
I'm so glad there are hospitals and doctors out there that don't give a hoot about AAMT. I sure don't. Oh, and if anyone noticed, usually buying products through AAMT doesn't save a dang nickel. In fact, you pay just as much, if not more, for the same products you can get by dealing directly with the company that makes them till all is said and done.
I'll save my money and spend it on more important things.
The BTK killer was also respected member of
x
I am. Member discounts on references SM
and continuing education (I am a CMT and need it to maintain) are worth it to me. The discounts I received on those add up to more than I paid for membership.
I'm a member, it costs me $20 to take a webinar.
Over 3 years, 30 CEs at about $20 each.
Over 3 years, CMT differential at $6K a year.
You do the math.
LOL
So sorry for the loss of your precious family member -
My sister's lab has been attacked twice while on a leash in front of his own yard by a pit bull. The attacking dog seems to never been on a leash. Her lab had part of his mouth ripped open and required numerous stitches to reattach it, plus some bites to his back. Something needs to be done to stop people from breeding pit bulls with these temperments!
Tell that to my friend. They had a dog they treated as a member of their family. That is, until it a
Dogs need to be trained and need to know they're lowest in the pack. I tried telling my friend this, but she wouldn't listen and she continued to treat the dog as a member of the family instead of as a dog. And eventually that "member of their family" decided it didn't want any more competition for affection, and attacked their son. Thank God he survived, 92 stitches and some nasty scars tho. If you love your family and you love your dog, then TRAIN your dog. Don't treat him like an extra child.
Very good post - was getting discouraged as a member myself.
x
I have a question regarding a family member and possible cellulitis?
I went to visit my aunt last night. Last week she fell and broke all the bones in her ankle. She has plates and screws. This is her fourth fall this year, but that is another story. I looked at her cast and placed my hand on her leg just above the cast and it was warm. I felt her other leg and it was cool. The more I went up on the broken leg the less warm it got, but all the way up it was definitely significantly warmer than her "good" leg.
My mother is a nurse practitioner and she showed up while I was there. I explained my concern to her (my aunt is also a diabetic) about a possible infection. She wouldn't acknowledge my concern. I repeated myself and still nothing. Lately my mother and I have had a couple issues regarding family members and their heath. I am not a nurse nor do I claim to be, but being in this profession you do learn about the medical field and somtimes I feel I see a different side of things than my mom. I can't figure out why, but she just doesn't see any value in my thoughts regarding medicine, ideas, thoughts, alternatives, etc. In every other way she is the best mom in the world and I love her so much, but I feel she is disrespecting me by not taking my opinions/thoughts into account regarding the field of medicine and our family.
Another example is she has trouble with the pronunciation of medications. I'm not claiming to be a pro, but I hear doctors and nurses says these meds over and over and over and I feel the majority rules in this regard. Again, she thinks I'm wrong and doesn't really listen to what I'm saying. The only reason I correct her is because I think it would be embarrasing to speak with a doctor and not say a med correctly. I think it is a reflection on her. It also helps with dictation too (as we all know).
Any ideas. I don't know what to do. I tried talking to her about this a couple weeks regarding my dad's health and she really didn't listen to what I had to say. With certain things you can just blow it off, but this is the health of my aunt and father and I just couldn't live with myself if something happened to them.
Thanks for listening and for any ideas.
How do you handle a family member who is a hypochondriac???
Has anyone ever had a family member who they believed is a hypochondriac? We have an individual who seems like he always has something wrong. It is to the point now if he really does get sick I can't believe him anymore. I can't even bring myself to calling him to see how he is feeling when he says he is sick b/c I think he is just making a mountain out of a molehill. Am I being insensitive? I am just so tired of hearing it.
I am sure someone is going to recommend counseling but he already does that. Anyone have any other advice how to handle him?
TIA
Transcribing Report Of Family Member
I am wondering what the proper protocol would be if I ever came across a report that was dictated on one of my family members.
I just started doing transcription for a hospital in a really small town--the ONLY hospital in that town--and it just happens to be the same town were most of my family lives. I know myself well enough to know that I won't break any rules of confidentiality. However, is there anything in the *laws of transcription* that say I legally am not allowed to transcribe reports dictated on relatives??
I am afraid to ask my supervisor this question, as I really like this account and don't want her taking me off of it. It's chopped full of *standards* and the line count/pay just doesn't get any better than this.
transcribing report on family member
When I worked at a hospital, I asked my boss, the director of medical records, if I was allowed to transcribe a report on a family member, and she said "yes".
A member of my team simply did not make contact with
the trainer on the day of her scheduled training session on the secondary account! The primary account is easy for her as she is just off of a major university and now is doing small town work and whipping them out faster than I can log in patient information.
This is not fair, it seems to me. When I contacted her via e-mail to see how the account was going, she simply said that she had not been trained on it yet when I vividly recall that her training date was over a month ago.
I have been AOL member since 1999. Can you bring link to this story to board?
dd
Love to know how far back it goes, was a member for about a year in 1998, we could use $$, furnace b
so its cold here! Actually it broke the 15, the night before we left for Disney on a Make-A-Wish trip for my daughter Jenny....(we had a blast)...got back 2 days ago, it broke again that night (21st). DH got it running again, but the heater guy disassembled it last night and has not returned yet to put it back together and fix it. Luckily we have a propane fireplace or we'd be in big trouble, still chilly though especially since it goes down to 25 at night, brrrr!---so any $$$ if we are included or entitled would be wonderful...but I doubt we will get so lucky since it was so long ago that I was a "member" of AOL. Guess I will just have to work even more to pay for the repair, fun.
Excuse me? Arrogant for buying a house for a family member that was sm
about to become homeless? I think not. You sound like my ungrateful, jealous sister in law who can't stand anyone else to succeed. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. They were unfortunate at the time and we bailed them out! Ask them, they will tell you where they would be had my husband and I not put our credit on the line for them.
Family member got an Acer recently. Working great for her. My PC
s
I was sent a courtesy copy of the office notes for a family member once.
This was soon after I became an MT. I was so appalled at the sloppiness of the typing and the rampant use of inappropriate abbreviations that we switched doctors. At least I knew what the abbreviations were for, not sure the typical lay person would have.
Oh, someone benefits from AAMT - AAMT DOES!
x
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?
|
