getting started
Posted By: dt on 2005-07-15
In Reply to: newbie trying to learn - tracy
If you live in southern CA, on the job seeker board Chronicle Transcripts is hiring newbies. I used to be a lead transcriptionist for them when they were located in my town. Nice people and you will get very good training from them. What I have found is the smaller trans companies usually are willing to take in trainees or medical trans school graduates. Also, the federal govt and state govt have medical transcriptionists..You can check about testing with the govt. Good luck!
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I have a BSN and started doing
MT due to the world's most complicated pregnancies - just couldn't be on my feet. At first, the $$ wasn't so great - impossible to transcribe much with a baby in the house. Every year tho I have made more than the year before. My boys are now 8 and 12 - summers are difficult but not impossible. I periodically look into going back into nursing, but the hassles it would entail just aren't worth the $$. I work about 5 hours a day and will end up making around $28 K this year.
I am 33 now and started at age
/
It's already started here.
Gas prices are up, groceries are up, other supplies are up. My brother is in construction and said that materials and wood prices have doubled in the past week. Our income is maybe half what it was just over a year ago because we've both changed jobs or had contracts end on us. We've had a lot of unexpected expenses recently that cleaned out all of our savings. Christmas is coming. School just started so we had to buy clothes and supplies there. I'm half-panicked here trying to find a better paying job than what I have now. I just really can't take a lot of time off for testing or post my resume because my current employer will know I'm looking for another job. Then again, I don't even know if it's possible for me to make more money at MT than I am now. I still don't see how people can do 250+ lph or make $30+ per hour. What do they have that I don't? Length at employment? More word Expander entries? A better account and platform?
when i started doing ASR
mgmt told me that 'down the road' there would be 'adjustments' in the pay for ASR, after people were well-trained and productive on it. I later opted out -- didn't like it at all. HOWEVER, if it is in fact so much quicker (as it was said to be) for the MT to do those reports, then it stands to reason that you would not be paid the same at the same rate as someone transcribing a report from scratch. I don't see what the problem is about the purported pay reduction. Just consider what you've been getting as 'gravy' and what you will be getting as fair. Then again, if you don't want to do ASR, then opt out.
Also just started with them...
:)
You started it now !!
nm
I just started a new job.
I was hoping this would be THE job. I told myself that this is the very last MT company I will try to work for. Unfortunately, I'm experiencing the same things at this company that I quit other nationals for. I don't know what to do. I'm tired of job hunting, learning new platforms, and trying to adjust to multiple account specs. I'm tired of being told that "we're different" or "we are the best" only to find that it's no different or better. I don't know if I should stick this one out in the hopes that it will get better or go get a job as a waitress. This really stinks with Christmas coming and bills to pay. I really wanted this to work. What else is there for me, though? I don't want to go back to the fulltime, nose to the grindstone, kids in daycare garbage. I really enjoy MT, too.
Started at 4:00 a.m.
Delivered newspapers, did MT for 4 hours, went out for a few last minute things, went grocery shopping, finished wrapping presents, finished crocheting my new grandson's baby blanket, cleaned the kitchen did the dishes and looked after my 2-year-old terror twin granddaughters for 2 hours before I finally called my daughter at 6:00 p.m. and said, "COME AND GET THEM."
I love them dearly, but they are 175% wired with the whole Christmas thing and I am just getting over the flu.
I know, I know. . . .I'm TYPE A all the way.
I can't believe I've made it this late. I'm going night night. 
Started out....
I started out with MT on a selectric II. We used carbon paper for copies and no more than 2 corrections were allowed per page (original was corrected with white out, the rest had to be erased with that special little typewriter eraser). I learned very quickly to be accurate and proofread as I transcribed.
We also had no Stedman's word books in those days - just Dorlands, a little red book called Surgical Secretary or something like that, Tessier's, and a couple of others - about 5 or 6 books in total.
We used to call pharmacies to ask for spelling of new drugs, called Surgery and Central Supply for spelling of new equipment, new dressings, etc.
I worked in a large teaching hospital. We had access to the doctors and more than 1 time I had an MD standing behind me looking over my shoulder while I typed his report!
STARTED OUT THE OLD WAY
I also took typing on a manual and one of my first jobs was transcribing in pathology with 5 carbon copies - yikes. I like my computer and so does my wrists.
To get started...
$450 bucks will get you everything you need to get started. Here is the item:
Transcription Kit.
That transcription kit comes with the digital recorder you can give to your client, and for you-all the software, foot pedal and the headset. That will be enough to get you on your feet on your own.
My dog started doing this (sm)
and I took him in for a UA. Two days into the script he stopped!
Sure, it's possible. We all started somewhere. sm
Get hold of some practice dictations, and then dive in! If you have the proper references and good skills to begin with, you'll do fine. Go for it!
Re: Getting started
I am a 12-year claims examiner veteran. I am wanting to cross-over into the home Medical transcriptionists field. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get started; what test to take to be recognized; and how long will it take? please let me know. thank you in advance for your input.
RE: Getting started
Do you have the website address for MT? Thanks
I just started as an IC and get
7.5 cents a gross line for transcription and 4.5 cents a gross line on QA. Can anyone let me know how that compares? I have not done this before so I don't know.
oh please do not get me started....SM
I'm not going to get into it.......that's for sure. Suffice to say he idolizes his dad who emphatically states in his late 80s that the holocaust never happened.
Yeah, right.....don't get me started......I'll hush for now!
where it started
http://forum.mtstars.com/main/v/1/62435.html
I was 26 when I started...
started at 6 - now 10:30
1568 so far and two tapes left to do before noon.
getting started
Can any one give me advice on how to get started doing medical transcription on-line? I have been working for a group of local physicians and have decided to change the way the keep their charts. They are actually going back to hand writting some of their abnormals. They have a 2 sided form with review of systems, physical exam, assessment/plan and they just check the approrpiate boxes and write in the abnromal findings. I see a lot of companies offering transcription being done on-line, but I have no idea how to do this since I have always used a micro cassette recorder.
Thank you,
Cheryl
How much do I need to buy to get started as an MT?
I am just getting started as an MT; and have been hired by a MT agency. I have no experience as an MT but worked in surgery about 20 years ago (!) and have worked as medical secretary too. The company is telling me I have to purchase the transcription machine and about 4 reference books with software, I purchased new office furniture, and need to purchase a new computer because I don't want to use the same computer my kids use! Is this the norm to have to purchase so much out of pocket? The company provides no benefits, pays no taxes, but gives me work at 7 cents a line. Is it normal to spend so much $ to get started?
getting started
Thank you for your positive reply! Did you see the reply from Gloria? Please read it and tell me what you think of it. She has a much more dismal outlook. I appreciate all of your opinions.
getting started as an MT
When you say a background in English, are you referring to something more than high school and college english, writing classes? I always did very well in English. I also took medical terminology, of course, got an A, and am certified as a nurse's aide. I worked in surgery for four years as a medical secretary typing surgical reports and entering them into the computer, as well as scheduling and typing the surgical schedule daily. I've worked in a psychiatrist office as well. The Medical Transcription agency here tested all of the applicants, and I was the only one with no experience that they hired, because I aced the test. So I guess that I thought that starting out with an agency that is willing to train me is worth the trade off of the low pay. I will be an IC, so after a while, can branch out and make more $. Do you still think I have no business getting started in this business? I do appreciate your advice!
Don't get me started
One of the doctors - American MD - I transcribe for regularly says "tender to palpitation." I used to have an ARNP who said "libidio." And I just LOVE it when they do me the favor of spelling something -- I've already typed it, doc, thanks so much -- and then they wildly MISspell it.
Did one 13-minute (but only 40-line) dictation today from this ESL doc who had the hardest time pronounding "fluoxetine." Can't tell you how long it took me to figure out that's what he was saying... but I finally did... then on about the 5th or 6th time he's struggling thru this word, he says "just go back and change those all to Prozac, it's easier."
This started out as low pay for VR, my
post was telling how much you can make. You and I both probably have more training than she does- but anyone can rake in the money- we were not talking about having your own accts- I just posted because she does and I would be willing to say in a day she probably brings in more than you and the post above you- I know she would me- I could care less about $$$$ - don’t want to kill myself- VR easy- easy money- I like it but a lot of people think because of the low line pay, you cannot make anything and I would be willing to say probably most working for nationals not averaging 20 something an hour.
This just started when you got the Wii? - sm
We have had a Wii for 4 months and I use a wireless USB modem and have not had any trouble with being on-line while they play. There is a signal that is sent from the Wii to the TV and the antenae that comes with the Wii; are you close to it or your wireless hub close to it. I just have my one thing, no wireless network in the house so that may be why I don't have an issue. You should probably call Nintendo and see what they say you can do to fix your situation.
I need some help getting started
Any advice on how to get started on this online transcription? I just finished my externship at surgeons office, mostly gastroenterology and do not have a clue as to how to get noticed for a job.
Any suggestions will help, thanks.
Anna M.
This biz started being like that when SM
they had tons (still do) of the mommy MTs who were dying to work from home for a pittance, as long as they had nicey-nice people to deal with. They are hypersensitive to any correction of their work and work mainly for pin money. They have husbands who provide benefits and REAL income. The rest of us suffer for that.
Don't get me started!
I am not surprised. What do you expect from a country who can not even control their borders? With our current administration running things I don't think things are get any better for a while. It should be against the law to outsource.
I just started that too.
I have a list of all the bills I regularly pay taped to one side of the PC and on the other side I tape up the extras as they come along. Huge help to me.
I also treat myself by going to the drug rep lunches on Fridays if I'm on track.
Getting Started
Hello everyone, I have been an MT for about 7 years now, and I just kind of fell into the job at a local hospital. Once I worked there for about 3 years, I had the experience required to work from home and had no trouble finding jobs. However, I have friends that are asking me how to do what I do, and I honestly have no idea where to tell them to start. Some of them have enrolled in college courses, some are trying to take them online, but it seems none of these companies will hire you without any experience. So, if anyone has any advice of a legitimate way to start a home MT career, I would much appreciate anything you can tell me. I know there are a lot of scams out there that promise you jobs and then take all your money, and I am not about to send anyone to them. Anyways, thanks everyone for any information you can give me. I really appreciate it.
~Meg
getting started
would someone with exp. be willing to answer alot of M.T.
questions ,what type of school is nec.? is school required?
what is an apprenticeship? can i work as an apprentice and
get paid? can i work at home straight out of
school or do i have to work at an office or hospital first?
thanks for your help
QA started since there are not enough
I've been in this business for 20 years. QA? Never heard of it! We took it straight to the dictator. These were the old days of working on-site. People didn't have computers.
Now with all the digital components and can work from anywhere on your PC, there needs to be QA before the document can go the client so the company looks good. We usually had each other when we were on-site to help with a s/l, and if we couldn't figure it out, then it went to the dictating physician. Never had a problem.
QA is highly over-rated in my opinion. You can probably thank AHDI for that fiasco. Who else should know the answer but the dictator????? JMO.
Getting started
The large metropolitan hospital I worked at for 27 years used to accept unpaid interns from Baker in the WP Dept--and the good interns always had first shot at job openings. If you have a large (maybe even a small) local hospital, if you can manage it--offer to work a month-long internship for them (yeah, HR loves freebies)to show them what you can do. Best time would be around Christmas or summer vacations when they need all the help they can get. Won't hurt anything but your budget. I know, I know. . . .
When I first started at this, my
supervisor told me if I was uncomfortable doing a certain type of work to leave it until I was more comfortable. Same with dictators. I didn't do it long, just a week and would try the odd work I never did before in between the good stuff.
Could this be the case with your company?
I started out at .065 cpl. Sometimes they...sm
they pay 6 cpl. If you get offered 7 cpl you are doing good.
getting started
I would really appreciate any advice you can offer. I took an online course for Medical Transcription and finished last November but haven't been able to find any work. All the places I can find only consider hiring people with at least a year of experience. How can I get my foot in the door? Thank you for your ideas!
Probably doc started to say something and then
corrected himself, thought you'd get rid of the born thing. I am pretty sure it should have read 27-year-old with no past medical history. Maybe the doc was thinking of saying something about the birth, but that was another patient and realized so he or she corrected himself. I would still blank it for QA so they could get a laugh out of it. If I were QA I would just get rid of the born thing and put 27-year-old with no past medical history. BTW if doc goes ahead with a past medical history, I'd blank the whole part after 27-year-old and send it to QA or if QA to the customer.
when I started in the 70s we usd sm
these little round disc things that looked like a small record. They were made out of a real thin plastic film like stuff. you just slid them in the machine. Then along came casette tapes. Thought we had died and gone to heaven and on and on!
when I started out
I started out about 26 years ago. We had an older lady ready to retire who told us that when she started transcribing, she would have her manual typewriter in the morgue and type while the pathologist was doing an autopsy and he would dictate to her as he was doing it. I think I would have found another profession if asked to do that!
OMG, don't even get me started on it
I just this very minute finished watching "Sicko", Michael Moore's documentary about the American health care/insurance/pharmaceutical industry, and I'm seeing red already when I think about how we hard-working Americans are being treated by these big-money corporations. I'm about ready to pack a bag and go live in France. No wonder people in other countries on the average live longer than we do in America. My gosh, they don't have to worry about medical bills, daycare expenses, college tuition, and get 5-10 WEEKS of paid vacation and unlimited sick leave every year!
I'm sure some will flame me for this and I do love America, but what the heck is wrong with our government and why do we allow our health care industry (and other lifestyle issues) to pale in comparison to other countries? I could just go on and on and on.
And I agree 100% with this post, btw. The only reason marijuana, a plant, is illegal is because the government cannot make any money off of it. It can't be regulated, taxed and restricted to a select few, so of course it must be taboo.
I'm off to check out if I can do medical transcription from France and if so booking a one-way flight. I want to drink wine, eat bread and dine AL fresco, and leave all of the stresses of living in America behind...
Want to get started!
I just finished my medical transcription course and got certified. Is it always going to be this hard to find a job. Everyone wants experience. How do I get experience, if noone will give me a chance? Does anyone have suggestions how to get my first job? Please help!
Our office just started it. Not sure yet how it will go.
;
As soon as I started doing letters...
I would fly like the wind. That is what hourly paid secretaries are for! Good luck in finding something else, but do like I do... let them know from the gitgo I WILL NOT DO CORRESPONDANCE! 
When I first started it did, but now I am bored. nm
x
what qualifications did you have when you first started. do you still do MT?
150-200 e-mails a day? regarding? i have worked for years and have rarely e-mailed a supervisor for anything. what sorts of questions can be ongoing on a daily basis?
i don't want to call HR department until i am sure i qualify so that's why i asked what requirements are necessary to supervise.
remember when you started out (sm)
and remember how much you appreciated any help that someone gave you, explanations of how they came to get that help, etc.
I provide feedback by showing them the entire sentence where they may have a goof-up or blank, and then give them the actual word and if it needs a little explanation, I also provide that. I always appreciated any feedback from QA staff, but not when they acted as the other posted has said, the holier than thou attitude.
If I see that a person has done exceptionally good at their work, I will tell them to keep up with the great work, etc. I also close with a sentence stating something like "I hope this was helpful for you" or something like that. Another QA member said she added that to her feedback and how receptive most MTs are when they see a positive comment and that's my goal, to provide positive comments.
Good luck! Just remember, you were new once and had to have all of these things explained to you. I know there are days when I find myself scratching my head wondering where the heck some MTs come up with their terms, but then I remember I was new once too.
just started with MQ 45 days ago
if they cut my pay, I'll quit. If they do not give me a raise when I ask (which will be soon), I'll quit. This is back-breaking work and I am no one's slave - I'll live in my car first and that is just a heartbeat away from happening with what they are paying me NOW!
s/l Sygris will be started.
Not sure if he is talking about a type of TPN or a vasopressor. Doc is really jumping around.
Is it just me? Started DQS at MQ last month
and although I've read over and over that MTs that start on DQS start loosing lines, I swear my production has gone up. For the first couple of weeks, it stayed a little less than normal, then I was moved onto a NEW acct on DQS and I'm always a little amazed how many lines it says I've managed to squeeze out.
Don't get me wrong--not happy about many things going on with this company, and I'm a little nervous. I'm just a mere SE with not much say in anything. But the line thing, it's been OK for me.
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