What is recommended to study for CMT?
Posted By: TIA nm on 2006-01-04
In Reply to:
xx
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Exp. not required, but recommended.
Actually, AAMT has restructured the CMT exam, and MTs are no longer required to have 2 years of experience to sit for the exam. However, they strongly recommended to have at least 2 years of experience in the acute arena.
Check out the AAMT web site - they are working on a new certification exam that is geared more towards those new to the field and new graduates. I believe this is the RMT credential already discussed here. According to the web site, those eligible are recent graduates, MTs with less than 2 years' acute experience, and MTs working in single- or multi-specialty clinics.
Hope that helps....
Theresa Leppert, RHIT, CMT
Someone on this board recommended the...
Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard. I bought it last week and love it.
I have also had a problem with RSI. I went to a chiropractor and he fixed the problem. I had a disk compression at C5-6, and it was causing my hands to hurt.
I found that using an ergonomic keyboard, making sure that I sat with correct posture, getting chiropractic adjustments, and doing yoga and stretching all helped a great deal.
Recommended Programs
I have a bachelors degree in Biology and one in Medical Technology. Right now I am working for a hematology instrumentation manufacturing company. Getting tired of the rat race and with the change of being "let go" at anytime (seeing a lot of people that started with me go) I am looking for something to back me up an hopefully work from home. How do you guys recommend one gets started as an MT? I went into the AAMT website and saw three educational programs recommended, M-Tec, Andrews, and Career Step. Are these good places to start? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Recommended Programs
Thanks for all the inputs, with everything I have heard, it seems that becoming an MT is a really bad idea.
I thought HP was the best recommended on here.
Do you recommend a different brand then?
My son recommended it a few years ago
and that's all I use. Maybe you would find this interesting.
My PT recommended changing the height sm
and the position of the chair a few times a day, getting up and walking around q hour, etc. Sitting for prolonged periods as we do causes us to "freeze" and get into trouble with aches and pains. It really does help to move around a bit.
Yes, you can. However, it's recommended you have at least 2 years, preferably many more. nm
x
My doctor recommended against exercises. Said just use it.
.
25+ years ago, I'd have recommended it highly - sm
-- as it was recommended to me. It was an excellent fit for about 10-12 years, but then when managed healthcare came on scene, it not only ruined medical care as we once knew it, but also our livelihoods. Wish I'd followed my OTHER friend's advice, and become a court reporter. She's still working, still not outsourced to India, and she makes good money -- working about 3-4 days a week. Put her kids through college, etc.
Woulda', coulda', SHOULDA!
:(
Avast also recommended by Consumer Reports.
x
Go through the posts on the New MT board to see what programs are recommended. nm
n
Search the new MT boards. 3 places recommended that
s
I recommended it and I stand by taht recommendation (sm)
The previous version (2002) still has some valuable information and the newest version, 2008, came out at the end of April/first part of May. Not sure if you can get it on amazon.com but you can get it from their publisher rayve (google it or the book title) or you might be able to find it on half.com.
I got the 2002 version on interlibrary loan from my local library, read it cover to cover TWICE and it was a wealth of information!!!! I strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking about starting out on their own. :)
SoftFlex gloves come highly recommended
And a lumbar support too!!
Sealy Posturpedic chair recommended down this page under
s
Someone on MTD recommended a keyboard off of eBay that had the word "Ice" in its name. Haven&#
.
onesuite.com was recommended to me. Have not checked into yet but 2.5 cents sounds good.
//
New study on MS and
Vitamin D, you can Google it. Are you in the great lakes area? Very common in that area. I don't have it but many of my relatives do including my 20-year-old neice - she's doing very well with treatment. Good luck 
swallow study - sm
swallow study to check for safety in swallowing, to check for aspiration, swallowing problems, and what type of diet to give pte, puree, nectar thick, etc.
Sleep Study
Get this: I had an appointment with the doctor this coming Wednesday to discuss a sleep study. Last Wednesday 2/1/06, his office calls me wanting to know if I was coming in because I was late for my appointment, and I reminded her that it was not that Wednesday but this coming Wednesday and she remembers and admits she got it wrong. This morning same girl calls to remind me of my Tuesday appointment!!!! Went through the same thing again and then she says, "Oh, yes. It is Wednesday. Can you come in Thursday? He's going to get called to the emergency department!!!" Uhhhhh did I miss something or is she clairvoyant on emergencies? This is why I do not go to the doctor unless it is absolutely necessary. I guess he has a golf game lined up.
That study used very old data.
EHR has come a long way since 2004.
CMT study workshops or
I am looking for some reputable websites for info regarding the CMT exam that also include study material. Any info would be greatly appreciated :)
Honestly, probably the best way to study for it
is to work, work, work.
Good luck!
Get a Sleep Study
It could be sleep apnea or narcolepsy. Yes, you can be healthy as a horse and still have sleep apnea or narcolepsy!
S/L Perfifth study per neurology?
I can't seem to find anything. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
vellum - in swallow study???
is this correct
Sorry, you guys need to study up. "Affect" would never, ever go here. SM
Just FYI, to say "affect" would mean that the bleeding would change the procedure -- which makes not a lick of sense.
"Effect" would be the right thing, meaning that if this woman were to continue bleeding, she'd have to have a hysterectomy.
I didn't really like the wording of it anyway, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in because there seem to be people here still confused on the issue.
Employment after home study
Does anyone know who will hire a Transcriptionist who has studied at home? Also, will they hire you if you have not been employed as a transcriptionist outside your home? (I have a little hospital experience but years ago).
Sleep study transcription...
I have been approached by a sleep study doc to do the transcription for them. I have not done these before and I'm not sure what to charge. Does anyone have any advice for what to charge them or any sample reports?
Thanks so much
I found the study guide (sm)
was good with examples on the test and covered all areas. However, the dictation CD probably has caused many a heart attack. None of the dictations were as bad as that thing!
I don't really know how you can study too much for the beast besides brushing up on the ol' BOS. The first part was a stinker, though.
Thanks, by the way!
Study your options though before committing...
I fill in when needed, vacation, sickness, etc, for friend at a local small town phys's office. Typist has been in hosp. and out off and on over the last 2 months. cpl confused Drs. wife so I said $10/hour, thought it was only temporary. I'm usually only there 2-4 hours, usually if it is 2 days of stuff. They work weird hours, 9 sometimes 11p.m. I work 10-6 so I tried to get in when I could in morning or go in evenings. Too aggravating, they are constantly interrupting me. I hooked their system up for C-phone access. Half time they forget to plug it up! But, anyway I have continued to do it by the hour. I will be changing to 10 cpl if this continues. Working at home by the hour I am cheating myself. I type it faster because I am more comfortable so end up shorting myself $10-15 each time. Some would say, drag it out but I can't do that I feel like I'm stealing, yet they are stealing my time.
Here is a sleep study website
http://www.sleepnet.com/definition.html
I ran into this system when I had a sleep study
Last winter outside of Orlando Florida. I waited to be set up for the initial sleep consultation, and the technician who takes vitals went into the template and asked me questions and filled it in. I told her what I did for a living. She smiled and said so does she, now... except it took under 3 minutes to do my whole history and physical etc. with better accuracy because she had drop down menus for just about every possible suggestion I had etc. She gets paid hourly as a tech and did not get a raise when this system came in. But she does it for the job security. I asked the doc and he said it is not only cost effective, but safer not to send work outside of the office or even out of the exam room because of HIPPA reasons. I can understand this. Knowing all of this, for some reason, I did not feel in the least intimidated or put out. I say the serenity prayer. If and when these systems are the norm rather than an oddity, another door will open for we transcriptionists which is better than what we have now. We have to believe as things evolve better for the medical record-keeping, indeed so will the jobs evolve better for us, even into a new career. To not believe that would be fatalistic. Somewhere in fate, IMHO we have to be willing to accept the times moving with or without us, and what our part will be in a positive way, rather than think it will be a negative thing.
You could join a study group through sm
AHDI, but there is no radiology-specific CMT credential. In fact, I took the test within the past year and there are hardly any rad-specific questions on it.
My dad had a carotid ultrasound study done today --
and the technicians couldn't find his right vertebral artery. From my limited knowledge this could mean it's occluded and it sounds like something to be concerned about. He's worried but he doesn't want his doctor to think he's crazy for calling and asking about it right away. The technicians told him the doctor would contact him in 2-3 days. I don't think he should wait. Any other opinions out there?
No, that's baloney. Study-up on meaning of 'cult'.
x
I would agree with getting a sleep apnea study,
but have you also tried cutting out the caffeine to get rid of the headaches? I have migraines that are related to caffeine withdraw. So, whenever I have caffeine, my body will crave more of the drug and have withdraw, thus a migraine. I used to have horrible migraines daily and then I met this wonderful neurologist who had me cut most of the caffeine out of my diet and it has worked wonderfully! Also, when I do get a bad migraine, I simply take Tylenol or aspirin with a Coke and it always makes the migraine go away. If you look at the ingredients in OTC migraine medications, they all have caffeine in them too, which for me helped confirm that my migraines were caffine-withdraw induced and not actually caused by the caffeine. Anyway, I only have about 2-3 migraines a year now, which is a HUGE improvement!
Graveyard shift study results
I just had to put this here. This study came out about 2 days ago, and I did not find that anyone posted it here so I am going to comment on it. If this is redundant please excuse the double post. The other day on the news at 6 they reported that studies show that there is a new risk for developing cancer which could lead to an early grave... working the graveyard shift (punny). Anyway, they said that because it goes against our biological clock, we produce less of a certain brain chemical when we sleep at night and this chemical helps our body fend of carcinogens (I forgot the chemical). Do you know the American Cancer Society is seriously considering putting third shift workers on the list as being high risk for cancer? Can you imagine? What is this, a way for the insurance companies to have an excuse to deny us night owls insurance or to make the rates higher? I think it is hilarious because I personally never do anything risky. I work at home as an MT after all, I do not lead a risky life in the least. Now, because I work nights so I can be a mom during the day and do everything supermom should do I am going to have cancer... what next?
Stedman's sells a study guide. NM
x
Recent study done... excerpt..see link ...
I read this just last night, as I too have been researching and gleaning information regarding the future of MT and pondering making any career changes.
http://govhealthit.com/Articles/2009/01/07/Spending-on-health-IT-would-generate-212105-jobs.aspx
EXCERPT:
The analysis found that a $10 billion health IT stimulus program would create or retain 43,410 jobs directly, most of them in areas such as software and hardware sales and system installation. Another 115,670 jobs would be created or retained indirectly, in areas such as sales of trucks and food to those holding the new jobs.
And the availability of new and improved networks and information would create 53,025 jobs, the foundation reported.
Stephen Ezell, a senior analyst at ITIF, said in answer to a reporter’s question that the analysis did not take into account the potential loss of jobs in areas such as medical records management and transcription of physicians’ notes.
Typing for a sleep study laboratory...sm
I make $5.00 a page, $5.50 a page for letters and $6.00 a page for stat dictations. BTW, this is whether there are two lines on the page or a full page.
frank went to hawaii to evaluate and study the accomodations.
Frank didn't think this Hawaii vacation would serve the purpose he had in mind so the CEOs are putting their heads together and doing a study and are sure that the new Hawaii vacation they come up with will please all involved but in the meantime please continue transcribing as they value all of our efforts and will get back to us on the Hawaii vacation in a year or so once the CEO and managers form committees to study the vacation and fair way of chosing a winnner while studying the effects of a vacation on work habits of the lowly MT.
Depends. Did you just study or have you actually transcribed lots of tapes as sm
part of your training? If you can't put down on your resume that your home study included multiple tapes in many specialties, etc. you are going to be hard pressed to find a good job.
On the other hand, you might be able to type some orthopedics or pt notes (and then at least have some experience to put on your resume.) Orthopedic doctors have TONS of dictation. Besides their clinic notes, etc, most of them do IME (independent medical evaluations) which are fairly easy to do. You'll need some good ortho books to get you started, but most will let you start without the experience if you can demonstrate you know the terminology. Good luck. Get some experience and the doors will start opening REALLY fast for you. Sometimes, taking a low paying job is okay in the beginning just to get the experience. If you can possibly get in a PCP's office to help out with clinic notes (even offering to to backlog/vacation stuff, you will get good experience and your resume will look great for the future stuff that comes up. Good Luck to You. Hang in there and learn everything you can.
MT home study distance learning programs
This post is to those of you who received their MT training via a home study/online program. Was it easy to get a job after graduation? Which home study course (company) did you use? Would you recommend them/it? Thanks for your input.
A study a year or two back was assessing if hormone changes were
Specifically, does LOSS of estrogen cause memory loss in women. Multi-year study, BIG study, lots of subjects.
Upshot? There WAS memory loss happening. It was not due to hormones. Middle-aged women were SO busy and SO stressed and had SO many things on the brain and things to do and places to be and things to remember about spouse, kids, job, parents, extended family, that they were STRESSED TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT REMEMBER IT ALL! Bah on the hormone theory. We just get full up to our eyeballs of all the things we have to do and something has to give.
Like, spelling the word school or something. No can do, school does not exist in this brain any more, it got kicked out so I can remember to pick up beer on the way home!
I don't know if the study guide has changed in the last 5 years, but when I bought it, it was so
not worth the money! It was like a little pamphlet with maybe 20 sample questions.
That was back when the test was in two parts, so hopefully they offer some a bit more substantial as a study guide.
Cardiology and sleep study transcription questions
I am looking for other Transcriptionist that have cardiology and sleep study backgrounds. I am a newer MT, I am starting a cardiology and sleep study transcription account next week and have never transcribed for this specialty.
I wanted to know if there are specific word books or websites that you find helpful and are there specific things that you could tell me about the specialty that may help me?
I would appreciate any feedback
Thanks,
Angie
I got a discount by joining a study group...I think they still offer that. nm
;)
On my way to a Bible study. When I arrived, the other gals there had no idea what had happened. sm
I couldn't even find the words to explain - it was a little after 9. I was listening to, like the poster below, Bob and Sheri (on my way to Bible study - go figure) and Bob and Sheri were in a mood I had never, ever heard before. Very solmen. Describing word for what what they SAW. I didn't even know they were in NYC.
Anyways, I had to pull over as I started bawling. My younger son had taken an accompanied minor flight just a few days prior to that out of Dulles, so this hit quite close to home.
Anyways, we heard while in our Bible study (we decided to meet and pray for our country) about the other flights, but not flt. 93. We heard about that when our local newspaper (a giant) had people walking around McDonalds handing out FREE newspapers around 12 o'clock with pics and everything. The last time that newspaper did that was probably after JFK got shot. We were all scrambling for a paper which I still own to this day.
I remember my 9 year old son reading it in his room (I left it out like a dummie) and he cried like a baby for all those people on those flights who died. The WTC accident got to him the hardest. He still talks about it to this day. Tragic.
I don't know about you, but I do fear another attack like this again. It's hard not to.
virtual flashcards are fun...I used MemoryLifter to study medical prefixes, suffixes, etc.
You can download it for free.
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