Wanting to leave MT to be a medical assistant
Posted By: Dann on 2009-04-27
In Reply to:
I'm not sure where to post this but here it goes...I have been an MT now for a little over 2 years, I got into it because it was the only legit profession I could do at home with my newborn baby, definitely was not thinking long term career when I went for it, just something to bring in money while I was at home with the baby.
Now my newborn is going into kindergarten and I have been truly unhappy with the company I am with. So now I am looking to work outside the home and really what I would like to do is be a medical assistant (not CNA). Nursing would take so much schooling, time and money that I don't think I could handle going that route but just something in the middle where my transcription skills would come in to play and I would be working with patients, physicians, paper work and working outside of the house (which would be soooooo nice).
My questions is, does anybody know anything about medical assisting that I should know? I understand it is pretty low pay but then again I am not willing to go to school for 4 years so that is to be expected.
Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks!
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Medical Assistant
My sister taught medical assisting. It is a 9-month program and when you are done you only make about $8/hr. One of the modules is on MT and quite a few of her students went on to be MTs because they could make more money.
I'm a CMA (certified medical assistant)...
and can give injections with a doctor's order, so I assume a CNA would be allowed to also. Not sure about Florida rules though.
I am thinking about being a Medical Assistant
XX
new here/wanting to leave MQ/seeking a better place!
That's right, MQ has finally really, really gotten to me after eight long years! I have told and told and told myself that it's okay there are major lawsuits against the company that imply terrible wrongdoing, it is okay that MQ seems to change CEOs every few months, it is okay that I haven't had a raise in two years, it is okay that I do a brilliant job without anyone caring... and finally, finally, it is just not okay. I am talking to Medware who apparently won Employer of the Year in 2002 and 2005. Can I get a witness? Anybody work for them? What about Spheris? Flexibility of schedule is utterly crucial to me, and I have to have benefits, so no IC work. Where can I go where they'll appreciate me? I'm a former high school English teacher with 15 years as an MT (8 in acute care) and some QA experience. Help???
Leave it the way it is unless they come back to you wanting to re-negogiate. nm
x
When your family calls you wanting medical advice.
Bill O'Reilly complaining of wanting medical records on net
Bill O'Reilly just stated on his show that Barack Obama wants all medical records put on net and he says that is outrageous and points to camera and says your medical records will be put on computer and someone will hack in, get in, and spread it around, also said more. It sounds like he has no idea they also are offshored and very vulnerable that way too.. He was really upset. Hope some of you can see this on his repeat broadcast on DirecTV or other.
Has anyone gone on medical leave of absence?
I work for a national, been there for 4 years. I am having a very difficult time due to my medical condition, change in account and 6 weeks of 100% QA and am having trouble concentrating on work. I am a mess, honestly. Doctor says a 30-day leave of absence to get myself together is recommended before I get fired.
Will my job be there when I am ready to return?
Med Assistant
I did the exact opposite. I went to a community college to become a medical assistant right out of high school. It took 2 years and I got my Associate of Science Degree. However, when I went into the workforce I found out that Medical Assistants don't make much more than minimum wage and you are scheduled to work 40 hours a week for full time but end up working about 50-55 hours a week. I actually got a job in a Family Practice Residency Training Program Clinic but was hired as a medical transcriptionist. I did the transcription but "helped out" as a medical assistant just so that I could have the best of both worlds. Good luck. I think you get paid more for medical billing.
I use Total Assistant Pro
and it works great for me. You can download the trial version and then purchase after 30 days if you like. It does all the work for you. I love it.
(lab assistant for 7 years)
1) white fluid? sounds like a dirty needle to me.
2) a capped needle does not mean it was not used. a needle in a guys jacket does not mean it was not used either.
3) needles go into a sharps container (should have left it in the labcoat for doctor to pick up). i would not have gotten rid of left it in the jacket, in a box/bag, with a note of caution for everyone else until doctor came in.
3) gloves do not prevent a needle stab.
may sound petty to others....but unless you've worked in an area with all kinds of bodily fluids, this is pretty dangerous.
Virtual assistant....sm please
Does anyone know anything about virtual assistants? I met someone and she said that she makes a lot of money doing this. I am looking to supplement my income, because I just can't support myself and my family off 0.08 cpl. I find that I am working way too much just to make ends meet. I have noticed that some virtual assistants are required to do transcription as well as other clerical duties. Can anyone help me with some info on this? Does anyone know how much they make, and if it is worth my time? Thanks.
I use Total Assistant and like it. nm
xx
How does one get into being a veterinary assistant/tech? sm
Are there schools to go to or does the vet train you?
Personally, if that personal assistant was-sm
supposed to be you, I would ask for an exorbitant amount of money to do this. such a waste of time!!! Wonder who he is trying to show off for. lol.
I love Total Assistant Pro. sm
I have to work with text boxes on office letterhead and I found Total Assistant counts the text inside the text boxes while others didn't.
ABCZ Typing Assistant-
Has anyone used any of the ABCZ files from the following site, in particular this file "ABCZ Typing Assistant Version 2 - TAMed2C " ?http://home.earthlink.net/~agjon/abczTA.htm
I have Instant Test and was wondering if there was a way to create your own ABCZ shortcuts with the "importer"?
Thanks
There's a difference between a tech and a veterinary assistant
The main difference is that a tech is certified and has a bachelor's degree or beyond. My son worked as a vet tech while in college because he was a biology major and the vet he worked with found it easy to train him.
A veterinary assistant is more often trained by the vet since it's not so involved. They do vital signs, dispense meds, set up the room for the next patient, etc.
The difference between a vet tech and a veterinary assistant is comparable to the difference between an RN and a nurses' aide.
Either way, it's a very rewarding and gratifying way to make a living.
SmartType vs Smart Type Assistant
Are these one and the same or different? Does Smart-Type work in Dictaphone Extext platform?
Thanks in advance for any help from anyone.
How about starting a virtual assistant business? (sm)
You could do all kinds of stuff (do a Google search under virtual assistant, there are some webpages that explain stuff). U-Haul I believe also hires people to do phone customer service from home. If you look on guru . com they have people who advertise for odd jobs and lots of them are virtual assistant kind of stuff.
Just some ideas. You could also do daycare, pampered chef, that kind of stuff. :)
sounds like a job a regular assistant could do rather than higher wages for a QA to do.
no speciality needed to look up addresses.
I would buy new a Dorland's Medical Dictionary, Stedmans Medical and Surgical Equipment...SM
and Tessier's The Surgical Word Book, 3rd edition. Books you could buy used I would say would be Stedman's Pathology and Lab Medicine and Cardiology/Pulmonary word book. These are all the books I use the most during my day. You could buy other speciality word books as you need them and could probably go used with those.
I wouldn't bother with buying a drug book, new editions come out every year and I just stick to the FDA website and RXList as my drug references.
Also FYI, not a book, but I use my Stedman's Electronic Medical Dictationary a lot. It's easier to open the program than it is to pick up a huge 30-pound dictionary.
Medical Transcription In The Era Of Electronic Medical Records
EMR has revolutionized the healthcare industry in recent times. Many experts felt that EMR & Voice Recognition would totally replace Medical Transcription - however; the industry soon realized that transcription has certain advantages over point & click charting and many physicians preferred to dictate notes rather than document the data at the point of care themselves.
Are you wanting to know what it says?
x
That is not at all what I was wanting!!!
I came here for honest advice...positive and negative. I got that...and I am very glad for both views. Now it is just up to me to decide.
I have never expected to just graduate and make BIG money....I have NEVER said that or thought that. It is very obvious that most MT's don't get rich. Like I have already said...I am looking to supplement my husbands income....and I came here to ask all of you your opinions on the business....good and bad. That is all.
And thanks to everyone for that!!!!! I am sorry that a lot of you are getting discouraged about the MT business...It is worrying me too! Which is why I may not even spend the money to go to school. I have a lot of time to think about it....and that is what I will do!!!!!
Why are they wanting you to take it??
Will it mean an increase in your pay? If not, I would not waste my money. I was a CMT for 15 years (15 years ago). In the part of the country I lived then, it made a difference -- we were paid another 1 cpl, but once I moved back to the south central part of the US, nobody cared.
wanting to know more about Transcend.
I have been curious about them as well because I have thought of applying to work for them. I am with a company now but feel I need to make a change for the better. It is a small company and I feel I need to be somewhere else. I just was not sure about the company. I would welcome any input on this matter
Kebra
Not wanting to start a war but sm
it just really gets old reading the same ole, same ole about SS. As far as I'm personally concerned, there are usually 2 sides to every story. If I happened to be in SS's shoes, I believe I'd be talking to a lawyer about something called "slander" and I'd be telling some folks to put up the proof or shut up. Nope, I don't work for SS, never have and probably never will. If I happened to be in the market for a new job, I believe I would give them a try just to see if they're really that bad. If they were......well, I'd move right along.
wanting to go digital
and I am totally clueless! Had a call from a cardio group today and they want to send me transcription via WAV files, guessing I need a WAV pedal?? HELP
Also, I am tired of the old tapes and want to "go digital" I have heard of 800#'s for a call in system, but dont know of any websites. Any help is much appreciated!!
TIA,
sunnyMT
They OFFSHORE and are wanting to do even more.
Pay not that good. I have 20 years' experience in acute care, can do ESLs and was only offered 8 cpl.
Just wanting to know if any IT users
would care to share tips on getting started with Instant Text, especially the best way to go about customizing the glossaries . . . just received my IT and I'm anxious to get going, but it does seem that there is a learning curve and takes some getting used to.
Thanks to all!
Re: wanting to work MT
Check w/ Diskriter. They have at least one account for a hospital in Florida. I have been w/ them for 1 1/2 years, plenty of work and OT. Hired in as hospital employee.
wanting to go digital
I have had my own transcription service for several years now. All of my doctors are local and everything is dictated on microcassettes. I am looking into going digital and I have heard that there are phone in services that you can go through for a charge every month. Does anyone know who would be a good service to use or how this works? If anyone has any info on this I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
I have been wanting to rant too
When they start talking before the system is recording. Is it REALLY so difficult to turn it on BEFORE you talk?
Not wanting to work
I know this happens at every company, but why is it that when the work is there, nobody wants to get it done but when work is slow, they are always the first to complain? Do they not realize that by letting it be late that they are harming the company and could eventually lose their jobs? Or is it just Spring Fever? Anyone else going through this at the moment?
wanting to go digital
Please send me information on how to go digital.
Thanks,
Cheryl
We aren't the only ones wanting
more flexible chairs for work:
http://www.oodlesofpartsplus.com/plasma2.htm
Bro wanting to use my disc to get his PC
x
re wanting experienced MT to answer q's
go ahead and e/m me if you want. I've been at this since 1975; will help you if i can.
Most companies are wanting a Sunday through
Thursday schedule, Tuesday through Saturday, so you would still be working 5 days, but would always be working 1 w/e day. If you just rotate weekends it depends on the company what days you would have off during the week, whether they would dictate the days you took off or you would be able to choose.
Wanting psych work
Looking for psych work. Will work any hours or days.
I had lots of people wanting her, just most
not good homes based on what I required. Tried the lab rescure, but everyone had all they could take and they would help me find her a home, I just had to keep her until then and I just didn't want to get too attached. All the other various rescue groups had reached their limits too and taking her to the pound wasn't an option. Even though I felt she would be adopted quickly because she was so sweet, there is absolutely zero screening and anyone that fills out the paperwork and pays the $$ can get a pet. When we adopted the cats we were fostering there was a grandmother in there dragging her grandson by his upper arm and she balled her fist and threatened to punch him in the face. This was not a home I would want my lab to go to.
I'm not 100% comfortable with the family she went to, but I told them if it didn't work out we wanted her back.
We are going to build a dog lot and dog house in the event we have another stray.
For the person below wanting brochure--sm
samples, check out the enclosed link. Tried one and did not see where there was a charge. You will need to modify with your personal info.
http://www.hp.com/sbso/productivity/office/brochure.html
hope this helps.
Job posted wanting EMDAT exp..what's that?
xx
wanting to start using laptop
Hi all! I was wondering if anyone could help me out here. I'm attempted to use a laptop this weekend to work and be away from the house, but it would not recognize the wav files. It has Windows XP office, all the same stuff my home computer has on it, but I cannot figure out why it is not working. Any ideas? Thanks!
Are you wanting to use normal headphones
With a dictaphone?
I got an adapter for about 20 bucks from Executive Communication Systems. They have an ebay store, here's a link to an auction for the adapter.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dictaphone-Transcriber-Transcription-Headset-Converter_W0QQitemZ110088564174QQihZ001QQcategoryZ25324QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Hope that's what you need!
If they are newbies wanting to get into the field
they really haven't a clue. I have a major case of burnout, but I have also been doing this for 20 years. I haven't had a raise in 5 years. It isn't that I can't do the work, I can do whatever is thrown my way, but I certainly don't enjoy it anymore. My options are just limited right now because I have to be at home, but I sure am exploring my options.
Everyone's situation is different. Some may be having to take care of sick/elderly parents or have a child with special needs who requires lots of care, etc. All these things suck up your energy, but you still need a paycheck. Someone who has children in school all day or has grown children and doesn't have any of the other issues above can focus on their job, get it done and not have to deal with it until tomorrow.
You can't know what someone else's situation is and it isn't fair to say they can't do the job.
That depends on why you are wanting to be a transcriptionist. sm
If you are looking for a lucrative field and an easy lifestyle, don't do it. Transcription is the hardest job I have ever had, and I've had several. I could teach if I wanted to. I choose this.
You can make a living as an MT. A good MT can still make $20-30 K a year without killing herself, but she has to work, and it takes several years training after school to reach this. I don't think that will change in the near future. Unless the US completely changes its medical policies and facility standards, I don't think transcription will be eliminated, at least for many years. You have much more freedom in your life as far as scheduling, etc. If you have children, that's worth a lot. If you would rather not be around people all the time, that's a plus.
However, if you need benefits, raises, PTO, and job security, you might want to look into another field, such as PT, radiology tech, etc. JMO
She is wanting to take a transcription test without
having to log into a company site (in which case she will be graded). She just wants practice.
Wanting PT QA work, is it worth it?
I'm currently a FT MT (many years now) and getting very bored with the work. It's so bad now that I'm finding myself constantly distracted (perhaps too willingly) thus not producing enough lines. I'm more than capable...just bored. I was wondering if doing QA PT would be worth it, on top of my MT work? I just need something to do other than MT work to break up the monotony. I've done QA work before but that was quite a while ago and don't know what the pay standards are anymore.
Sadly, while you are not wanting to spread the name...
...Some other unsuspecting MT is signing a contract with these folks.
Believe me, I felt the SAME exact way as you back when I was fooled by D&L. I gave them the benefit of the doubt for over a month, and actually believed payment would be sent to me. I didn't talk badly about them, well not until PA Dept of Labor decided there was nothing they could do for me as an IC. Here it is, 1 year later, and I still haven't been paid...either have 20+ others who were all just suddenly *let go.*
The only loyalty you should ever have in this business is to yourself, your pocket and to a fellow struggling MT. Don't be scared to let others know the name of a company to avoid.
Good luck dealing with PA courts/magistrates/Dept of Labor, etc. I hope you get your pay.
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