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U.S. Career Institute is not a good school for anything.

Posted By: deb on 2009-06-06
In Reply to: MT vs Coding/billing At Home? - Malania

They are a total rip off. All they want is money, they don't teach what you need to know, and they don't care if you get a job afterwards or not.

Complete Discussion Below:

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MT vs Coding/billing At Home? - Malania
- I am a recovering biller, - CrankyBeach
- U.S. Career Institute is not a good school for anything. - deb
  - Thanks - Malania
- at home professions - MT34+
  - You could do it with kids - pyo
  - Reply MT34+ - Malania

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This is a good career, but it is not easy. sm
I work about 30 hours a week and make around 1500-1800 a month. It depends on your typing speed and your stamina, and mine are just average. Some make more per hour, some less.

It is hard work. You are constantly being challenged to learn new things, the medical field moves very fast.

There are a lot of changes going on now, with many of the companies sending work to other countries to be done. Some feel there won't be any jobs in a few years, but I don't think this way. Many of us may be editing off-shore work, and that can cut down on the paycheck.

I personally think that there will always be a place for really well-trained individuals. You just have to search harder to find the right job for you. Some of us are used to making $20-30 an hour in the past (I was), and it is discouraging to work for so much less. But I think the new graduates who get jobs are more optimistic.

You might go to the "New MT/Student" section of this forum and post a message, get the opinions of some of the newer MTs.

Those are both good schools, not cheap, but I believe both will help you get a job if you make good grades.

You'll hear both positive and negative on this board, so sift through and judge for yourself. Just remember, this is not a "quick fix," but a long-term commitment that can pay off well, if you check things out and it really is right for you.
Good luck whatever you do.

POLL: Home School vs. Charter School vs. Public School vs. Priv ate School...
Pros and cons of each too. I have two little ones that will be starting school soon and I would like opinions on all. Thanks in advance! :)

It's a career --- in INDIA. In the good ol' USofA,
n

Wishin' ya' good luck in your career!
This is the reason why a lot of new MTs cannot make it because it is not told in school that to make any real money you need quite a bit of experience. The nice thing is you always have it fall back on.

Wishing you much good fortune in your new career and life! :) nm
s

Does anyone have any experience with TRS Institute- thinking of applying
?

Facts and statistics from the Medical Records Institute

Medical Transcriptionists

Well above 90% female with an average age of 49

Most were on-the-job trained for years prior to the development of formal transcription curricula

Majority of new entrants receiving too little education and/or training

Retiring faster than qualified transcriptionists are entering the market

The vast majority resides in the US; however, increasing quantities of entrants are from offshore including
India , Pakistan , Philippines , the Caribbean , etc.

looking 4 a good school
Seriously interested in the MT field. Can you advise me of a good school? Please excuse me if this posted twice - I'm new to this.

No matter how good/bad the school it will
x

You can go to school, but will you find a job after all is said and done. Good Luck. nm
nm

Is MTATHOME.com a good training school?

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if MTATHOME.com is a reliable and good training school for me since I am looking to make a career change to Medical Transcription. Anyone who has been apart of there training program, your comments would be greatly appreciated. I'd just like to get some feedback on this company to see if I should go with them as my training school. Thank you.

-Hunter DuRant

MTatHome Good School - I was a student!
Hi, I am not sure who the person is that responded about them, everyone has an opinion. I am a student of MTatHome, or I was one and I can tell you that I really enjoyed the course. They are a Christian owned company and they treated me like a real person and not just a distant customer /student. I finished the course over a year ago and now I am working at home doing Medical Transcription for a Doctor in NC and I love it! I told several of my friends about the course and my sister also took it and is also now working at home. It can take a little while to get into a job, however that is with any where now days. It took me about 3 months to get a job after finishing and my sister about the same time maybe a little less time then me but not much. They did help me with finding a job. Like I said though this is just my experience and opinion - everyone has one and I am sure that like any company that they probably can not please everyone. I can say that the only thing that I might say negative about the company is that every once in awhile it might take a little while to get a response through email- however they do have a toll free number and any time I called it I got assistance right away. I also know that they only had a few times that they were slow on answering emails and I believe it was because of a server issue - but like I said that is the only thing I can really say neg. and if I recommend a course MTatHome is one of the ones I do still recommend. I say to the person asking the question to do your own research because everyone has their own opinions as I said above. Even the owner of MTatHome tells you on the website to do research on any course you are looking into including theirs because it is smart business to do so. I hope this helps! Good Luck! Susan Monroe PS. If you have any further questions about Medical Transcription I will be happy to answer your questions if I can, I know how hard it is when first starting out trying to find training and then work. Leave the spaces out when you email, I put them in to avoid the spammers software from picking it up - so just type it all together w/out the spaces. Once again, good luck. :-)

If you pick a good school, not always true..sm
The 2-year minimum experience is often waived if you graduated from the right school. I would not choose any school in this day other than the AAMT-approved schools. Many local community college courses are adequate, but you need to ask up front if they help w/ job placement. The big bonus from choosing an AAMT-approved school is name recognition - this is VERY important, because if a company recognizes the school you graduated from and knows it produces quality graduates, you will be hired based on the school's reputation, and that's why many companies will waive experience requirements for those schools.

MTSOs know which schools turn out graduates that are ready to hit the ground running and which ones don't, so they will often pass up a graduate from the lesser schools, especially if they also have grads from the AAMT-approved schools applying at the same time. Since majority of MT jobs are now paid on production, education is becoming much more vital than it was 10-15 yrs ago when many MTs were trained on the job and paid hourly.

Good for you! I'm back at school learning (sm)

a new career after 16+ years in this business!! I love MT but it's time for something with a steady paycheck and longevity. Good luck to you and to the rest of us in your shoes!! :)

I want to know if Penn Foster is a good school?
YEAH!!>>>>IM GETTING A FOOT PEDAL!!!!!

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.

Our school has good scores but my kids have never been stressed

Probably depends on the teachers and the corporate culture at your school.

I did that with 2 kids with time mgmt and a high school girl who babysat 3 days a week after school
nm

The cost of running a private school or any school is expensive....
Why do you think public schools are so run down and can't find good teachers? Because the government and people to not put forth the effort or $$$$ to improve the educational system.

The School of Hard Knocks is the best MT school
n

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.