A nurse does not have the proper training to be an MT, anymore than an MT could suddenly decide to b
Posted By: deb on 2007-10-07
In Reply to: new to MT - Brenda
nm
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- new to MT - Brenda
- A nurse does not have the proper training to be an MT, anymore than an MT could suddenly decide to b - deb
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Any trade needs the proper tools and MT
is no different. I wouldn't recommend buying anything fancy to start with, just use what you have and adjust things as necessary - like put a pillow on your keyboard tray and then your keyboard on top of that. It works great for supporing your wrists, it cushions your fingers, puts less stress on your wrist. Pillow needs to be sort of flat and a standard sized bed pillow. You can put a pillow behind your back to make you sit straighter, which will relieve stress on your shoulders. You can put a wood box under your desk to put your foot pedal on to relieve strain on your leg. (I'm only 5', so even with my chair at its lowest position my leg is pushed hard enough into my chair that I will have the imprint of the fabric on my leg).
Absolutely ergonomics can make a big difference, but you can spend a bunch of money and not be happy with them, so you need to take the proper time to investigate them. Just starting out I'd wait until you were making some good lines before you spent the money though.
Most services are looking more for proper spelling, grammar, and
sentence structure than they are layout. I don't give a hoot what the layout looks like because I have my own way of doing things that I train the MT on how to do upon hire.
Can't decide for you but, see msg
I am an M-Tec grad from quite a ways back. I understand recently that there is someone (or some people) trying to make trouble regarding M-TEC, and I am not sure if this is part of that or not, but I will tell you what I think. I cannot speak regarding Andrews as I did not take their course, but I have heard nothing but good about them. I think ultimately you have to go with your gut feeling, which is how I decided on M-TEC after comparing all of the programs I was interested in.
First thing, call Susan or Kathy and ask about your financial question. I would say above all that they are some of the most open and honest people I have ever dealt with. I am sure they would be happy to explain/answer any questions you have regarding anything including finances, and that there is nothing deceptive or sinister going on.
Secondly, they have a wide range of instructors who have varying backgrounds. Although you are assigned an instructor to guide you throughout the course, I don't think there is any rule that you cannot speak to any other instructor if you want a second opinion or want additional input. Also Susan and Kathy are very available. There was a comment about one of the instructors graduating less than 5 years ago. While that is true, she has many other credentials that allowed her to progress up the MT ladder quickly. Soon after being hired by a large national company, she was promoted to editor. Her bio is likely listed on their site along with all of the others, so you can see all of their qualifications up front. I am sure she is an extremely capable instructor. Susan and Kathy take their course very seriously and would not hire someone who was not highly qualified to teach their course. The various instructors also teach the online classes, so you will not just have input from 1 person during the course.
I encourage you to go to the M-TEC website and thoroughly read the information on grades etc. While an 86 is considered high enough to pass, they fully encourage and inform that high 90s is what the hiring companies will be looking for and what they encourage you to strive for. What I also noted when reading recently is that if you don't pass after the testing process is exhausted, they refund your money according to their refund policy and you are no longer in the course. They don't just keep your money and say "too bad." like another course out there pretty much does.
I graduated more than 4 years ago. I still am allowed on their website, they still notify me via email of job openings. They still welcome me to classes, etc. I think this goes above and beyond. They are there to fully support you after you graduate... seemingly to infinity and beyond. I am still benefiting from the money I invested in that course.
There are many, many companies begging for M-TEC grads on a regular basis. If you take the course seriously and have the prerequisite skills necessary to be a good MT, I do not think you could go wrong taking their course. I have never lacked work, have had great opportunities to advance. I became an Editor for a national after 1 year of MT, and then after 3 years moved on to a bigger national where I was also promoted to editor. I had no previous medical experience or MT experience so I owe everything to M-TEC. I think they have only added to and expanded their course since I took it, so I don't think you can go wrong.
I hate to see rumors and innuendos started which would attempt to discredit this wonderful course. While they don't need me to defend them, I feel like they have done so much for me. They also have a whole list of grads listed who you can contact if you want to ask any questions about the course, finding jobs etc. I encourage you to take advantage of that. There are no referral fees paid for recommendations either, so I think you will get honest answers.
Please contact them and get any questions answered rather than speculating. They would be happy to hear from you.
What did you decide?
I was just skimming the forum here and found your "dillema." What did you eventually decide to do? I'd love to hear of your experience.
Go with your gut, is what I always say in times like this. It definitely sounds like being an MT is an excellent fit for you.
-Gina
If you do decide to enter this field,
I would visit www.aamt.org and check out their approved schools.
Nurse to MT
I went from nursing to MT. I did train for MT while workig as a nurse. One of my biggest problems during training and through an internship was the medical abbreviations, they differed from what I had used for the previous 16 years (lower case instead of upper case, periods used in MT abbreviations, but not in nursing, abbreviations you are not supposed to use, etc.). Eventually, I worked out those and other kinks. Each client you have will have their own specs as will the company you work for. There is a lot to learn that is new and specific to medical transcription and not really applicable to nursing.
My nurse background was very helpful in knowing the content of reports and "what was actually going on." But, overall, that was not enough to get a job right out of training, so I did an internship. I've been working since I completed that, but not for much money. I've not seen any really good money in MT yet, though I hear it is there. Having made the transition, I would suggest MT training. On the other hand, you may get lucky and land a nice side job without it, I don't hear of that kind of luck often.
The money is better in nursing, but it is a trade off. Personally, I find MT more rewarding than the abuse that goes along with nursing. If you are a long time nurse, you'll know what I mean. With your background, you may find you don't really need to take the most expensive MT school training. The top three are always recommended, though, since they seem to turn out really good grads.
Good luck to you and God bless.
Nurse to MT
I am a nurse, and I EASILY went into MT and found a job quickly! I will have to say that nurses seem to have more knowledge of med terms, drugs, and the like. If you are good at typing, spelling and the proper english language--go for it! I only do MT work now, because I am home with my 2 little ones, once they are grown, I will return to nursing. Good luck to you and ignore the negative comments!
NURSE TO MT
I'M A REGISTERED NURSE, AND LOOKING FOR A SIDE JOB. THIS APPORTUNITY CAME TO ME THROUGH CAREERBUILD FROM TRANSAMASSOCIATES. THEY'RE OFFERING AN MT COURSE FOR 450.00 DOLLARS ONLY! WHICH THEY CLAIM IS THE COST OF THE SOFTWARE, AND ONCE I PASS THEIR TESTS, THEY GARANTEE ME WORK FROM THEM. HAS ANYBODY HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS COMPANY? OR IS IT A SCAM? THEY CLAIM TO BE ON THE BOARD OF DIR. OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THE BBB. ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER? THKX. MINA
I make more as an MT than I did as a nurse...
Nurses do not make the big bucks, let me tell you....I make more now as an MT...plus do not pay for daycare, etc....
Being a transcriptionist is much different from being a nurse,
even if it's a medical transcriptionist
How much does the average nurse know about surgical procedures? How much time does the average nurse (not surgical nurse0 spend in the OR? Radiology? Neurology? Just because they know medical terms does not mean they are ready to be a Transcriptionist without getting any training.
And I'd like to be a surgical nurse, but I don't have the hands.
Did you ever consider whether you had the skills and tools to become a technical writer (medical language specialist, specifically) before you went into this profession? Did you ever take any career personality type testing in school or on line?
I'd love to assist in surgery for my career, but realistically, I'm too clumsy. But if I were determined to do it, I would certainly have researched schools and paid whatever was necessary to make sure I went to one that could have prepared me so I could have had a chance at it. Otherwise failure would be a given, right?
Also was a nurse, still am. You NEED an MT program to learn about this job, not
s
I went straight from being a nurse to doing MT work with
no extra training. I worked in a local hospital and picked up quite easily on the medical transcription end (worked in that department for 18 months). I then tested for a national company that actually required 2 years experience or certification from an approved school, but I passed the test and did well enough that they hired me and waived the 2-year experience qualification. Been at that same company for 7 years, have worked on multiple accounts, received raises and had no complaints about my work. So, yes, you can go from nursing to MT. It takes some practice and some on-hands learning, but you can do it.
I don't think so. Not anymore. Used to be
GREAT but you must understand, medical transcription is now available in a global market. The Internet has made it possible for every Tom, Rick and Harry in India to make their services available. These people are not dumb. They are very hard working. Most of them hold TWO master's degrees. Now, granted their quality is not too good now... but just wait. Let them get a few years under their belts and you will really see India take off as competitors. Furthermore, on a DAILY BASIS, I hear from others in MT who lose jobs to voice recognition, which now works, and electronic medical records, a point and click system. My own service holds a physical therapy account that brings in $70,000 per year. Five people work part time on it and the department is now implementing a voice recognition system. Bye Bye Gravy Account. In the Big Services, i.e. Medquist, etc. they have gone to voice recog with back end editing. What it really means is the MT goes in and cleans up what the computer missed. Now it used to be you could get 9, 10, cents per line typing the report. But editing takes JUST AS LONG, only because it's "easier" you only make 5, 6, 7 cents per line. The customer gets it at a lower price, the service keeps its margin, the MT gets screwed. The only dictators left to do are the ESL, and what a bear. So if you want to invest $4000 to make $4 per hour, IF you land a job, be my guest. I have 20+ years watching this field, and it's on its way out. If you think things are bad now, check back in another year. They will be much, much worse.
I make 2-3 times what I made as a nurse. nm
When you don't hear from QA anymore nm
//
Industry certainly isn't the same anymore - sm
I'm a +35-year MT and still going strong, had my own business, worked in-house for hospitals/docs, done it all, work for MTSO now, but just like other industries, a lot has changed and most not for the good. I have stayed with an MTSO for only a couple of reasons - My husband has been transferred many times over the years all over the country and this is one job that I can keep doing wherever my next address is . . .I can visit family and take my work with me when I travel. It is a very isolating profession to be at home, lack of social networking and getting to meet people in new areas.
I have numerous docs for medical conditions and not one of them uses a Transcriptionist anymore, all have their own laptops they carry around. So much is offshored, VR is taking over for many facilities, and many transcription services have been gobbled up over the years by larger ones, also much of it not for the good . .I am just hoping to hang on for 10 more years until I can retire, but I'm not even sure how much of a demand there will be for my years of knowledge and quality work - it's all about the bottom line for these MTSOs and medical facilities - I saw the writing on the wall about 20 years ago or so in Calif when managed care started. One doctor I worked 15 years for was very involved in fighting it with insurance companies as HMOs moved in, of course, to no avail. It all trickles down eventually. I know many people in the business and with whom I keep in touch, and we all feel the same way. It's just sad.
It used to be you could find a mentor to see you through the early years - I had one and that was worth more than my college degree in some ways. I still believe that work experience in-house for acute care/multispecialty is still necessary to gain a good grasp of what transcription is about, but I'm old school, and I'm sure some will disagree - I tried to train/employ new MT's for my business right as they were getting started, and 90% of them just didn't get it, no matter what their courses - an at-home transcription course or college graduate - I couldn't believe the lack of comprehension of the English language in most of them.
This has just been my own personal experience I'm passing along. Overall would I recommend this profession to someone looking to get started in it - NOT ANY MORE.
Disclaimed: Please excuse any typos/grammar errors to those who love to play transcription police - I'm doing this very fast, as I am in the middle of working and typing on a separate keyboard off to the side - always have numerous computers going for different things. I normally don't even post on here, but I happened to click on the wrong board and this caught my eye - I'm sure this subject has been brought up many times here.
I truly am empathetic to your situation and wish I could give you a more uplifting opinion. Good luck to you and anyone else in the same boat.
Legal aspects mean nothing anymore
India isn't the only place, how about the Phillipines. Yes, it's going there too. They're being trained specifically for this work, hundreds of them. So more and more will be going away from the U.S. Your medical privacy rights mean NOTHING in those countries. They can't be held to anything!!!!
Legal aspects mean nothing anymore
Yeah, I saw the Phillipines too. I can't believe the health care profession would be that careless with such an important subject. All the about the bottom dollar huh?
In my opinion, not anymore. Been in this 25 years.
It is all going to voice recognition, meaning that the only real transcribing there will be left to do are the horrible dictators (ESLs and NON-ESLs) who cannot be processed by speech recognition.
Between that and overseas workers, not much in the way of a future in my opinion. Glad I'm nearing the end of my career in it.
Med. Transciption not too good anymore? What next?
Hi,
I've been interested in going through Mtec and becoming employed as a Med. Transcriptionist. Howevever, looking at this board, it seems like things are doing too good for transcriptionists. If the future of Medical transciprion isn't doing too well, then what other sort of occupation should I consider that is similar?
20$ an hour?!!! I couldn't make this as a nurse where I live! You are VERY blessed! nm
s
oops!...can't take on anymore students/trainees ...nm
.
Not a hard and fast rule anymore. Strictly up to QA and
s
MT is not worth it anymore. Would not worry about past. Did need to give ID to be hired though.
.
Most places only do the overflow or unwanted work from a facility, anymore. Once those
s
Anything coming from the AAMT holds no water anymore - they invalidated their status
when they sold us out for the $$ in India. AAMT means another chance to screw MT's, that's all.
If you got your training from one of the
schools recognized by employers to turn out job-ready MTs, in most cases, the two-year-experience requirement will be waived. Also, those schools will work with you to help you with job placement. In any event, your school. whichever one it was, should be helping you with job placement. If the course was designed to make you employable, your school should know for which employers you are prepared to work. Good luck to you.
MT Training
I would be glad to talk with you.
If you get the right training ...
i.e. from one of the schools that turn out job-ready MTs, you should have no trouble working from home from the start. If you decide to skimp on your training and go for a cheap, inferior school, it is unlikely that you would be able to work from home for a long time since you would need so much supervision and hand-holding. Get the right edcuation and you can write your own ticket.
right training?
Is Career Step considered the " right training " that would allow me to work from home from the start?
CS training
Anne, I 'm with you. I want to work PT from home. I'm seriously considering Career Step also. Please feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to toss this around some more. I'm wondering about the sitting aspect of the job also but I think it would probably go quickly when you're transcribing. Hoping to learn more while visiting this site. Good luck!
Training
Hi, thinking seriously of becoming a MT. Background has been in med field many years ago. Now cannot work in old job due to physical disability of permanent nature -no cure. Not mobile anymore. Work at computer would be limited in sessions - is there anyone out there with same type of dilema and going thru and has been thru training?
Training
Okay, I have been looking into the field of MT for some time now and I am a bit frustrated and confused. After viewing so many messages posted It seems almost futile to even consider becoming an MT. Today, right now, is it worth my money and time to become an MT? Is there still a future for MT's (maybe not in the tradtional since)??!! Thanks for responding!!! JSanders
training
I did recently receive a great gift. A friend introduced me to a 28 year Transcriptionist who is willing to let me work with her!!
Training? Are you in a training
program? When will you graduate?
training
I have been working on a course through Trans Am Associates. My resume does not have any jobs in the transcription field. I need someone to give me a chance. I tested for a hospital where I used to live and the head Transcriptionist said that it was one of the best tests she has seen. Any more ?? let me know.
You might want to look into training
available in your own country, wherever in South Asia it happens to be. It would surely be cheaper.
I did on the job training. sm
When I started 10 years ago I had no schooling in this profession and I did complete on the job training. Now I own my own service and have for 6 years. It is possible. I am sorry you feel the way you do.
MT Training ...what's best?
I'm looking to do MT training, preferrably online. Can any of you offer opinions/suggestions regarding the online courses you may have taken for training? The one I've thoroughly checked out is CareerStep. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
mt training
career step so far has been on the up and up lp
I'm an LPN/MT and KNOW you need MT training.
One of the biggest problems I had in my MT training was getting rid of the nursing mindset, especially with respect to abbreviations. The same abbreviations I knew and used for years as caps without periods suddenly had to be lower case with periods, etc. Old habits were hard to break. When it comes to the MT world, there is a lot more to it than typing and knowing medical terminology. I was very surprised about that myself! You will also have to develop an ear for listening, hearing and understanding each dictator. You may be able to understand Dr. Jones (for example) on the phone or in person, but he might sound like Elmer Fudd when he dictates! Possibly worse.
Please do your homework, pick the very best school you can afford and work hard to get your money's worth out of that school. Don't expect to make the same money starting out as you can walking into any nursing position. Unless you are extraordinarily lucky and gifted, you are well advised to take some MT training.
I do wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
training
I need additional training in this field! How or where should I go to get the help I need?! I went to school and graduated with my certificate in MT but am having no luck on tests and feel that I need more time to learn and build my skills up. Any suggestions as to what I should do? please contact me!
Do you have training?
I would recommend sending a resume anyway IF you have some formal training which might be considered in lieu of experience. I was hired for an opening asking for 5 years experience and I only have 18 months. It's worth trying! Good luck!!!
Do you have any training?
Your grammar and spelling are terrible.
new training
Thanks so much
Training
Good luck Lisa. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. The top schools ensure entry into this profession and choices of decent job ofers with good starting rates. When we stop learning - we are dead. Hee! Hee!
I sincerely wish you well.
Lilly
Training
I am a current student with M-TEC. They offer a basic and an advanced course. I would highly recommend them and the directors are always more than willing to talk with you and answer any questions you might have. I think you will find it extremely difficult just getting your foot in the door without the training. I'm sure with the background you have, you should be able to breeze through the program. I worked for over 10 years in the field but took time off to raise my kids. When I was ready to return to the field, I found it hard to even test. No one wanted to give me a chance so I enrolled with M-TEC. It's really been the best experience and my ultimate goal is to get certified so I really need to learn other specialties. If your goal is to work from home then definitely check into one of the top schools. My guess though is you will definitely not be making the kind of money you are used to for quite some time. Good luck though.
I had no training but
had enough medical terminology knowledge and speed to try out for an acute care position and got it!
I disagree. You can teach yourself to be a great MT. I am so tired of all the CMT snobs out there. Anyone with medical terminology, speed and a good knowledge of grammar and language can do it. I have seen too many do so to understand that this is true.
The certificate does not by itself make a good medical transcription. Too many variables come into play.
MT Training
I have just completed the MT training through Everett Community College Online where they utilize the Career Step Course Ware. They MT program is online and is offered nation wide. The great thing for me is that my financial aid paid for my training, where in a lot of cases the training program is not offering financial aid. You can go to EVCC website and check it out. Another great website for informational and EVCC training stuff is http://www.workathometranscription.blogspot.com/
Hope this helps
Has anyone used VLC for training?
I was considering VLC, Virtual Leaning Center for training. Their website seems like they'd be good, but I don't personally know anyone who has used their training. I am not sure I trust their website testimonials, all online schools have "testimonials." Does anyone have any real experience with VLC to share? I'd appreciate anything. Thank you in advance.
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