.. So others don't waste their time & money on the same course.
Posted By: deb on 2007-11-20
In Reply to: You could save others the same grief by responding to questions asking about the course you took so - deb
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Don't waste your money. It's ridiculous
to think that you'll get an education for $12.00 or $50.00.
If you are going to invest money in something, invest it in some legitimate tapes at Medword or HPI.
Don't waste your money on Penn Foster.
go to M-TEC, Andrews, or Career Step. These grads regularly finding jobs right after graduating. Most online companies that allow you to work from home will not hire grads from Penn Foster. You may be able to find in-house work, but since you stated your goal is to work from home, you should check out the 3 schools listed above. Otherwise, you are just wasting you money.
Dont waste your money on TRSI
Terrible school that takes your money and doesn't teach you anything or answer questions. I didn't learn anything and still can't get a job. I'm going to have to start over and will probably to go to MTEC or Medline. Jeni
Don't waste your time
Focus is known to hire new MTs, but then they rarely have work available for these MTs. Currently, they have hired a lot of people from my school and have postponed training because there is no work available. I would look elsewhere.
Most companies will not hire grads of the "cheap" schools, so it's a waste of money.
Their courses are crap, and the people who do the hiring know it. They don't teach you anywhere near enough for you to be able to work at home on your own.
Also, you will have very little time to study/learn (or work, for that matter) with that many children. You need it quiet, and you need to be able to concentrate. You can't do this job with children running around, or on your lap, or at your feet. You have to do it when they are sleeping, or at school, or have someone watch them (which will most likely cost you money).
Wasting your money and time
I am a recruiter and Editor and I have not had anyone from PCDI who could pass the test to be hired. I even gave one person a chance because of her circumstances and she couldn't do the most basic of reports. I've had resumes stating "I want an all American account because I have not been trained on foreign doctors." It's a waste of money. They don't prepare you for anything.
Unfortunately, the best time to ask about the school would have been BEFORE you gave them your money
Allied is a very poor course, it doesn't teach you what you need to know, you don't get enough good transcription practice, and unfortunately it is going to be difficult to find a job.
You need 2 years' experience to take the CMT (certified medical transcriptionist) test through the AHDI (formerly AAMT).
Definitely, go for CS. Don't waste your
money on Andrews. You won't need hand holding through the sciences and vocabulary, and I'm sure you already have all the books you need. Why pay for a bunch of unnecessary materials that you are just going to skim over.
I was in the same position, and chose a less expensive school and have done just fine, and probably better than most.
They will try to sell you the more expensive schools here in a minute. Keep in mind that you don't know who is posting here, if they are school pushers or just school cheerleaders who are brainwashed.
CS will work great for you.
Don't waste your $ on AHP.....sm
I took their course and will not recommend it to anyone. First of all, they fail to tell you is that most companies won't hire you if you don't have at the very least 2 years experience not including school. And a lot want even more than that. It took me almost a year to find a job and for many others I've read about a lot longer. If you research on the boards you'll find that's a very common problem. However, you'll also find a "few" who found jobs right away. By the way, I'm not trying to be discouraging about becoming an MT, just stating that AHP made it sound like you'll get a job right away and you'll be rolling in the money in no time. HA!
The other thing, and this is what really, really has me so irked about them is that they teach you using standard cassettes for dictation. There are very few doctors who use them, or mini/micro cassettes, anymore. Most have gone with the MTSOs. That being said, they teach you absolutely NOTHING about the MTSOs, the platforms, expansions, templates, standards, etc. Come to think of it, I don't even know HOW they dictate. I think some use their cell phones or something portable. All I know is it's not a cassette player. I have absolutely no idea. Not that it's really important but it would just be kind of nice to know. T
They also don't teach you about ASR, VRS. There was 1 little bity paragraph about it in course 5. All it said was basically that it exists. AND...at the company I work for, the MT's pay actually decreased (by about 30%, I believe) when they got put on ASR.
As far as the med term, A&P and other subjects......medicine has come a long way from when those lessons were printed!
Oh, I did get a chuckle when they said you could use a typewriter if you don't have a computer.
Another thing, the tapes they give you are everyone's "dream dictators." If I could have those docs every single day my line count would be through the roof! I'd be rich!! AHP mentions a little something about ESL docs but don't tell ya anything about the American docs who dictate like they're are in the Indy 500 for dictation (it sounds something like this: dflhofhdfhdkljoehkej....), nor the docs who think it's okay to dictate in the middle of the cafeteria during lunch hour, the ones who carry on conversations with other people while dictating, so you're wasting time which is money to you, or the docs who dictate while driving. That one's fun. You get to listen to their radio, the wind from the windows, a train, screaming kids in the backseat, the spouse in the passenger seat talking loudly on the cell. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, when it comes to dictating, these people with these 10 years + education and fancy degrees lack common sense when it comes to dictation. (By the way, you even get an occasional doc who doesn't think you can hear the grunts, gas and plops when they're using the freaking bathroom!!!) You'll here slurping from drinks, burps, blowing noses, passing gas, hacking, gum chewing/popping. That's just to name a few. You name it, we've heard it. Don't get me wrong, we do get those perfect dictations also, but not as often as we'd like and not often enough to make the kind of money we'd like.
That's just a few of the things AHP doesn't teach you about. There's a lot more you'll find out when you get a job. I think a major factor in myself getting a job was my 10+ years of experience in the medical field. Don't take this wrong. Like I said, I'm not trying to discourage you from becoming an MT. Some love it, some hate it. I actually like it. I just would encourage you to at least research other schools (even your community college, which call it medical language specialist instead of medical transcriptionist) before you decide. It may cost a little more, but it's worth it in the long run. This is definitely a case of where you get what you pay for. Besides, a lot of the employers take into account where you got your training from. I guarantee, if they had a grad from AHP versus a grad from Andrew's or MTec, they'll hire the the one from Andrew's or MTec first.
Oh, AHP doesn't help you find a job either. They give you a little packet about making business cards, talking to local docs, etc. Pretty much stuff you learned in high school when they were preparing you for the work force.
You get what you pay for. Don't waste $442. You'll need it. SM
You can't learn MT for that.
This is what I have talked about time and time
and time again and somehow the MTs get completely out of joint by just my saying it. I could not believe this "newbie" said she could not leave her home, she had to work from home. I did not get to start working from my home until 1993, hello!! This has not always been a stay at home job and then we did NOT ASK to go home, we were sent home because the hospital needed our space. We never demanded a job at home. Apparently you sound like really don’t want a job at all. If I were employing someone, I would certain run very fast away from you. The first little nosebleed from a child, you would stay off from work for 2 or 3 weeks. This again, folks, is why our profession looks really bad. These posts and yet people are highly inflamed when I call it to their attention. Same story, again and again on these posts. I cant work, junior is bothering me, gotta do the housework. Wake up, everyone! Do not ever expect to gain any respect for the job you do when you have someone like this tearing it down as just a reason to stay at home, oh yeh and I guess I might throw in a little work on the side. Enough said!!!!
Money
What are the chances of making $35K yearly and still having your wits? That is really what I am concerned with. I live in South Florida and am considering this profession. I would like to make enough to supplement husband's income of $85K. However, I don't want to be so stressed out that I can't enjoy life, either. Is there a happy medium here?
money
Those are good ideas.
Its not that I don't have the money, I just have a hard time spending large amounts. I can fritter away $100 here and there at Target and Walmart, but, phew, a $1500 check is hard to write.
We actually have enough money in savings, IRAs and investments to live at our current standard for at least 18 months without either of us working. Not that I would want to do that, but it could be done. So, its not that I don't have the money, its just a matter of spending it. I'm sure you can tell that since we have almost 2 years of living expenses saved up in the bank (and we have about 30-35 yrs to go til retirement), we are kind of tight with spending money.
Thanks for the suggestions though. I do need to have a Yard Sale, as much to get rid of stuff as to get some cash on hand. I have a pile of childrens' clothes to take to the resale shop for some cash too.
Where is the money at?
I was wondering...do MTs make better money working for someone or having a business of there own? Just wondering. I realize being new I will not have my own business for a couple of years but will I be able to make a "living" until then?
Big name=big money when you-sm
can get the same elsewhere at much lower prices. This board and its members often advocate only three schools that charge more than the others and don't offer a lot more. Most companies don't even know these names and could care less as long as you have a certificate and are certified. If you look into these higher priced courses, the only thing different is that they might use the more expensive transcription tapes, that's about it. These courses, all of them, are basically taught by sending you a few books then it's up to you as an individual to make it work. You will see members of the big three schools advertising their wares left and right here and everywhere they see someone looking. They are out to make a catch, so don't be fooled by the nonsense you here about their grads being the only ones being hired out of school. That's total bull and being said their by their little advertising cheerleaders, as well as the owners themselves who have no pride or too much. They order a bunch of books, sell them to you at twice the price and sit back and rake in the profits.
The money isn't what it used to be, and
job security isn't what it used to be.
It might still be a good career for somebody who is especially suited to it. That is, someone who has outstanding skills in written English and has the time and money to to to one of the best schools (Andrews and M-Tec are two two IMO, and cost about $4000. Some people have reported it took them 9 months to graduate, just to give you an idea). He or she must be interested in constantly researching new things and learning every day. You need a great work ethic, especially if you end up working at home. It isn't easy to sit at a computer at home working when there are so many things at home calling for your attention. You need to be able to invest in books/CDs, computers, and equipment when necessary. There are many factors to consider. You should go to Monster.com. I think you can take little tests there to see what kind of work you are suited to. You'll be happier in your work if you choose something you will be good at.
No money for us
Simple....corporate greed. Make more money sending work abroad. It'll turn around, may take a while but once the first big law-suit happens, it'll turn around.
I never said she owed me any money.
nm
Before you spend your money -
Do tons more research before you spend your money, please! I went to MTEC, graduated in 9 months, and have been working from home for more than 8 years now doing acute care. I had recruiters banging down my door to test and was offered positions after every test I took. The little medical backround you already have is nowhere near enough to be an MT, so get a SOLID education so you will not come back here at the end begging for someone to hire you for 2 cents a line. Best of luck! 
Your money would be better spent on
coding and billing. The MT profession is making less and less and having to work more and more. A new MT has a hard time finding a job. As far as boredom, it is what it is. If you find sitting for hours with headphones while mumbling baboons try to put a report together entertaining, than this job is for you. If not, select something different. The top schools is where you want to go if you decide, but again, if I could start my career (been in this for 20 years), I'd go with the billing/coding. It can be done onsite or at home, and all practices need these people to bring in the dough. You'll make more money at it anyway especially since new MTs make next to nothing.
My living is a fair wage for the time and effort, but the effort is from having many, many years of experience. A new MT will have to look a lot of words up which takes time away from production.
Good luck whatever you decide.
P/S: EMR will be mandated probably by the year 2015, so if you're young and smart, you'll choose another profession. I hate to be that way but it's the truth.
If I were you, I'd want my money back from whatever MT course you took.
If you've had any decent MT training at all, this shouldn't have been any problem for you.
No money, wonderful place
I don't believe you have to register to use word help. Response time depends on the question. Some of us can figure out what you mean in minutes and some of us take a while and/or may never come up with anything. It's a great place, though (thanks MTStars!!!). Highly recommend you bookmark it. Even if you feel it might be a silly question, just ask! I was blessed to work in-house my first two years, and I was constantly asking for help! Good luck!
I'll believe it when I hear from others getting their money.
nm
I wouldn't let it rest til I got my money!
That is what the scammers want you to do, so they can get away with it and keep cheating other people. She is asking an honest question that pertains to her problem, while at the same time keeping it in people's minds to look out for people like this.
M-Tech wannabe...wish I could get the money together right now
I just finished 18 months training at a community college to become an MT and I am not marketable. The provided no books, no equipment, and only 3 months of actual transcription practice. It cost me 4 times as much as the M-Tech program and I walked away with nothing...now I'm back at square one. I've researched online schools and narrowed it down to M-Tech, but after reading the great posts about this school, I'm sold. I am not giving up becoming an MT.
but you certainly save money on travel
and perhaps on work clothes/food away from home. When my son got to be about 8, the child care issue was no longer a problem. But when he was little, he would stand by my desk and say "Play with me" if I had no one to take care of him.
Pretty good money
You can make pretty good money as an MT, but it takes time. You might be ready posts from people who have only been in the field a couple of years. I read an article recently that gave a pretty accurate account of what can be expected for pay. It was called "How much money can you make as an MT" It was on the articles page of this website www.help4mts.com and there were other articles too if you have not gotten started. There are many factors involved in MT paid, i.e. inhouse, SE, contract, benefits, etc. Good luck.
Making decent money here.
I was one of those stay-at-home moms that wanted to make my own hours and earn a good living and I am doing just that. I have been an MT for 2 years now. I work at home while caring for my 3-year-old son. Yes, it is not easy, stressful even, but I make more money at home (close to $20 an hour) than I would make at a B&M job and I don't have to pay $1000 a month for daycare anymore. I have a completely flexible schedule and I work early in the morning while my son sleeps and during his nap times. If I have to, I work again in the evening to finish up work.
This profession is difficult and takes a lot of work, but what career that pays a decent salary doesn't. It is possible to make more than $4-8 an hour. It does not take years and years. I was up to $12 an hour after 6 months, comparable to what I made in my previous position, where I had been employed for 3 years.
Just because you can't make it in this industry is no reason to discourage others from trying.
Thinking about MT as 2nd job - extra money
Hi there - I have a very sound career holding a Management position making great money, however we are trying to pay off bills and I thought I would pick up a second job. A friend told me about being a MT and at first I was kinda excited to start my research, then sites like this (some of the posts) have scared me. HOWEVER there are a good number of success stories. I think I may continue on, as this will not be my main job, just for extra income.
My question for all of you who are certified. I keep reading about the BIG 3 schools. I don't know who they are, but I was going to go to one of my technical colleges in my local area. Is that a no no in the MT world? I mean, it's an accredited school. I'm just scared that when applying for jobs, they will want those that came from the big 3 that you all are talking about.
If anyone can share information I would greatly appreciate it. Thx a bunch!!!
We don't hate our jobs. There's no money in it
anymore now that the corporations have taken us over & are offshoring our jobs. This field used to pay really well, but those days are over & it can be difficult to make minimum wage, especially on VR. Many MTs are trying to re-train to find other careers so they can actually make a living.
proficient transcription...sent them money...will I get work?
I was hoping this would be a great job. Does this company actually give you work? Really worried now. Help!!!!
I also feel the money is slowly slipping away -
I started off being paid on a gross line and making 60K a year. Those accounts dried up. I now struggle to make 25K and I am a fast, accurate MT. I do enjoy the work, but enjoyment does not pay the bills.
Everywhere I have worked, coders made more money than MTs.
nm
Yes, new MTs have value. Doesn't mean companies should lose money on you, though.
There's an extremely high cost to mentoring/training new MTs. You've come into MT work with the wrong expectations, I think, regardless of where you got your direction.
Not much money to be made for new grads at MedQuist.
Guess it is pretty profitable to get rid of experienced MTs and then fill their spots with new grads at half the rate.
That's because CS doesn't have an entrance exam, they will take money from anyone
regardless of whether they have a snowball's chance in you-know-where of ever making it as an MT.
M-Tec and Andrews as the 2 best, definitely worth the money. See message.
They both have instructors, Career Step does not. They also use REAL books, CS uses books written by the person who sells the course and they are not as good. I took the CS course and if I had it to do over, I would choose M-Tec or Andrews instead.
You will be limited as to companies you can work for using only dial-up, and I think that's actually getting worse as more and more places require high speed internet.
If help is genuine, then it shouldn't need money to grease the palm
X
I make good money at it, wouldn't quit for anything.
This particular board has a lot of "the sky is falling" mentality but in reality, there are many, many MT jobs.
I make about $30.00 per hour, well worth my time.
Career Step will sell their course to anyone with the money, regardless if they will ever be capable
of doing MT work or not, regardless of how poor their command of the English language is or how poor their spelling skills are.
Put the money towards good education, not an unnecessary laptop.
It should tell you something that a school offers a "free" laptop to get students to sign up. List how many good things and how many bad things you have heard about Andrews and M-TEC. Then make the same list for Allied and TRS. There's your answer.
It's sad that people don't find out more about these courses before they slap down money
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Sorry you didn't check it out before signing up. Can you get your money back?
It definitely is not a very good school, and you definitely will have a difficult time finding a job after finishing that course, because the people doing the hiring know that that course is not extensive enough to teach you what you need to know.
It's not a hobby, huge investment for a little "extra" money. See msg
If you can find a job working as an MT without training, I'd like to hear about it. Even MTs who take the cheaper courses have a difficult time getting hired, when there are excellent training programs turning out well-trained MTs (Andrews School and M-TEC).
If a foreign doctor with a strong accent who speaks very quickly is dictating in a noisy ER, would you know whether he is saying perineal, peritoneal, or peroneal? You need to totally understand what he is talking about in order to know if you have the correct word, and a spellchecker won't help.
Would you catch it if a doctor accidentally dictated a medication in mg instead of mcg?
Most people have no clue how complicated the medical language is, made more difficult by fast-speaking foreign doctors (or mumbling, slurring Americans) dictating in noisy places who don't really care if you understand what they are saying or not (but the person paying you certainly cares!)
Paying money to take the test wouldn't be bettering myself.
I am an excellent MT and everyone I've ever worked for knows that. I don't need to line someone else's pockets and take their test to prove I know my stuff, I prove it every day. It all depends on where you work, some places want a CMT, but most don't care as long as you do the job and do it well.
CS website says there is money to be made for those who promote the training program!
No wonder people are so quick to promote CS. I don't think M-Tec or Andrews pay people to promote their school! If they do, they owe me some money, LOL!
the lower you start, the longer it will take you to make good money!
those are just the facts!
Regarding Proficient Transcription, the owner still owes people money
so her apology is lame. If you want to get your money you had better go straight to your local court and file a claim against her, because it doesn't look like she's planning to pay anyone back anytime soon.
You were "lucky enough" - your words. Who wants to spend that much money & rely on luck? NM
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Unless you can work in-house somewhere, I feel the at-home MT who can make good money is a
s
I do believe its time....
Peggy
Thanks for the push.
I was sitting in the auto shop today, contemplating how I can afford to put the money down when I have all of these expenses this week: $100 tune up and oil change today, plus $600 for new tires for hubby, guestimate (my own) of $400-800 for 150,000 MI maintenance and fixing of a leaky tranny on my 93 volvo tomorrow, when I realized I CANNOT afford to wait.
My kids' school is not going to waive my tuition because I haven't gotten off of my butt to go to school and get a job. My car is not going to miraculously run forever on routine oil changes and tire rotations. Life is going to get more expensive and I am going to have to work at some point. Why not do it in a field I love (medicine) in a job that will give me the flexibility I need to work 5am-630, then 830-230, or something like that? Its either that or work 8-5 as an admin med assistant/receptionist for $8.50/hr and deal with all of the fun stuff that goes along with that. OR, even worse, work at Starbucks or Walmart because they are the only places that I can work "mommy" hours (ugh hate the term).
Plus, it seems there are a lot of MTs who have 4 year degrees so I don't think I will feel like my education was wasted because there are plenty of other MTs out there who have the same level or more and love their work as an MT. But I digress.
This time next year, I can be starting a job as an MT for a national company, but only if I start.
Time to go finish the paperwork and clean the house.
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