After I graduated, I took about a month off.
Posted By: M-TEC grad on 2009-03-06
In Reply to: MT jobs - Angela
When I started applying I was hired, the day after I began sending out my resume.
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- MT jobs - Angela
- After I graduated, I took about a month off. - M-TEC grad
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I graduated from USCI and had a job before I graduated, but....
I already had a BS and MA in education and five years of teaching experience, not to mention my own tutoring business before I went to MT. That's what got me my job, I know that for a fact. (All three of my employers have commented on my "great resume".)
If you can't afford to start over with another school like Andrews or M-Tec (I forget the other Big Three school), I suggest you go to ebay and buy some extra tapes to use for practice and include those in your resume. For example, I realized about 3/4 of the way into my studies that I had not done enough research on my school. I bought HPI/SUM tapes from Ebay, AAMT tapes from Ebay, and I forget what else. I did a TON of extra work. My resume looked great, and I did get a job with no problem.
It's not impossible. USCI or AHP does not mean a death sentence, it just means that you have to work harder to impress.
If you want a copy of my resume, just email me. I did have all three employers comment on it, and I have been in my current position for almost a year now.
Good luck!
Two years this month.
I was just telling some gals that I have made the mistake of attaching versus copy and paste more than once. I was applying to many companies and simply not reading directions word-for-word while doing so. With "many" companies actually preferring the attachment method, I just honestly got in a hurry and didn't pay attention. I did this as a new grad, I've done it with a couple years' experience! I also caught it right away too, and resubmitted, but that's not the point. Just like MTSOs "scan" resumes in a few seconds, I scanned ads. Just a fact! I'm busy too, whether I'm working or not. I know better now though!
I think as a newbie, and with so many companies using the "two-year experience clause," I just felt like a submitting machine. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I was actually submitting, because I really didn't expect anyone to pay much attention to me no matter what I did.
I did, however, make sure that I spellchecked any communications and tried to be as professional as possible. You might be surprised at how "unprofessional" some MTSOs are! I am hearing them say that they don't want to hear about personal issues, but I have also had many come back and burden me with their own! They sometimes set the tone for casual-type communications, which I find offensive and unnecessary.
I started out with all my resources in place. I think that MTSOs have to remember that a newbie is just that. We have just spent thousands to be educated, bought a new computer in some cases, bought a library maybe, and had to set up an office in our home as well. I invested thousands before I applied for my first job! An experienced mentor and friend told me not to scrimp where resources were concerned, and I didn't! The generalization of the MTSO about newbies was what ticked me off. We might make mistakes, but who doesn't? That was unfair!
As far as the $400 phone system, that I would have noticed and passed on immediately. Some schools don't even explain what these are. I had to ask! I now own one that I haven't used in over a year since I bought it. You are trained with Wav files, which is the more prevalent of the two forms of obtaining voice files, and no, I don't have one sitting around "just in case." These bad boys cost from $300-$800. Get real. I doubt there are many experienced MTs who have this or would spend that kind of money upfront before ever hearing the dictators and knowing what you are getting into.
I do, however, think it is perfectly fair to expect that applicants have the basics in place, i.e., resource books, Word processing program, updated computer with protection, and at least a USB pedal.
There is no excuse for punctuation, spelling and grammatical errors in any communications related to finding work. I agree with that.
I hired on with Medquist out of school, or soon thereafter. Here was their attitude at my office: Leave a ton of blanks, time is money, you will learn from your feedback (if you are lucky enough to get it).
I was very uncomfortable with that! I wanted to learn and grow. I was perfectly willing to spend ten minutes researching a single word or phrase in order to learn, and I felt good about my results. Fact is, more companies than not could care less. I've been told that we hire editors for that, so move on. Time is money!
I continually st rived for perfection, and that does take time. You have to be willing to spend countless hours in research and then verification through viable resources your first years. I did, and I don't regret it. Let's take into consideration also though that I was in a position to do that! I do this because I'm good at it and I love it. If I had to pay the mortgage and support a couple of kids, I might look at things in a whole different light.
I think that schools and their ads are a big problem when it comes to moms at home. They give the impression that having children, as well as not being able to pay for child-care services is some sort of prerequisite for this work! If you have these needs, this job is for you. Bull!!
Then, you have people replying to questions like, "why did you choose this career" with responses like, "I have kids and can't afford child care," versus, "I love this work, and I am good at it."
I personally strive and always have for perfection. I have done my time in downtime, and that is with an extensive medical background beforehand! You really have to be willing to give your all, work hard and for little to start. That's a fact!
IMO, schools are failing sometimes to provide their students with essential information in important areas. I see new grads out on the moon alone the day after they pass their exam with nothing but a lousy outdated list of companies to apply to.
Yes, I think you addressed this issue appropriately. I hope it turns into a revealing and learning thread for all concerned!
Thanks,
Missy C
I applied about a month ago, but they said they
.
$30 a month is more than you can afford?
That's all I paid per month on my Sallie Mae loan that I used to go to M-TEC.
It's been only a little over a month since the last posts about this (sm)
Tsk, tsk. This woman needs to go away and stop ripping people off.
I reported her to the BBB about one month ago (sm)
I still haven't received anything from her. Good Luck!!!
6-month job assessment
I have been employed as a full-time MT for 6 months now, and I want to give myself a 6-month job review to truly assess my progress and outlook for the future. To be honest, I am a little depressed and frustrated. My story is below. Maybe some of you newbies can relate to what I am saying. Maybe some of you old-timers can help me put things into perspective. I welcome all comments and input.
My Story --
I graduated from one of the top 3 transcription schools last spring (the best of the 3), and I had good grades when I graduated. Even with this training, it took me several months to locate a full-time transcription job. I finally found a job last July with one of the major national MTSOs transcribing acute care dictation. I work from home. The company has a strict policy against allowing newbies to transcribe operative reports, so I don't do that work type. I transcribe everything else -- ER reports, H&P, discharge summaries, admission notes, consultations, and even a few SOAP notes for individual physician offices. I also do some procedure notes like cardiac cath and colonsocopies.
My primary account is a group of 7 inter-related hospitals under one ownership. Each hospital has its own formatting rules for the reports, and it took me a long time to memorize how to format each report type 7 different ways, and which hospital wants which format. It may sound easy, but it is not. The formatting rules are very specific and very picky, and it is easy to get mixed up and make mistakes. Imagine trying to play baseball using 7 different rule books at the same time. Imagine the chaos that would ensue and you have the general picture.
This brings me to my main problem -- speed.
Right now, I'm transcribing 80 to 90 lines per hour on a typical day doing straight transcription (no speech recognition). I seem to be stuck at this speed, and no matter how hard I struggle, I can't seem to raise the production. I use a ShortHand Expander and add to it every day. Still, the problem persists.
Here are the main speed issues:
1. I have 7 hospitals, hundreds of dictators, and almost no repeats. How do you build normals and templates if the doctor you transcribe for today is someone you may never hear again?
2. I have about 50% ESL, and that percentage is apt to grow to 80% in the future as they move more and more of my native English speakers to speech recognition. I feel good if I can transcribe these ESL guys at 60 lines per hour. I can't imagine whizzing along at 150+ How do you gain speed on ESL dictators you may never hear again?
3. Teaching hospitals yield resident dictators who yield lots of page flipping and no dictation. How do you do these guys quickly? Some dictate so slowly that I almost fall asleep waiting for the next word or two.
I really don't have answers to these questions, and that's why I am depressed. I am doing the hardest possible transcription (slowly), and I am earning minimum wage for my effort. I'm beginning to think I need a different job where I can learn the dictators and build speed. Clinic work for a few good doctors is looking better and better to me all the time.
Do you think I should change jobs? Should I stick to this job in acute care a little longer?
Thanks for reading all of this.
Want to start MT course this month
Hi -
I'm new and looking for information. I would like to start a MT course as soon as possible. I need a way to make some kind of income for my family. Right now I'm looking at Academy of Medical Transcription & Professions out of Maine and CareerStep. Would there be any recent graduates from either school that would be willing to tell me the pros / cons they found of their school? It's hard to compare and would like some input. There's some difference in money, but I really would like to take a course that is going to prepare me to start working right away after graduation. Any thoughts or advice?
Thank you for your help!
Becca (in MI)
"Guaranteed" but will you have the job after 1 month??
Sorry, MT courses are NOT what you make of it. You have to have adequate training with teachers who know what companies want and produce the best possible medicolegal document. You haven't even finished the course?? Talk to us after you've held a job for a month and THEN tell us your experience.
Signed, QA who wishes newbies had enough education and training.
I found a job after about a month of searching
I have read the threads with so many negative comments about Softscript, but they do hire new grads.
You can get a Sallie Mae loan for M-TEC and pay only $30 a month.
,
You can get a Sallie Mae loan for M-TEC and pay only $30 a month.
.
I'll sign that one...I quit reading her posts about a month ago
because they are so negative and condescending. If she was nearly as smart as she thought she was, she would be kinder. I haven't read one of her posts in at least a month. If I see her name as the poster, I simply skip that particular message. She is a nasty individual, in my opinion anyway.
Just graduated.........
I am now looking for work. Most employers want
you to have actual experience, which I do, but
the training does not count. So now I have to find
someone who will hire me. Are there any companies
that recent grads?
I just graduated
J--I just graduated, so now I am on the hunt!
I had a job 3 mos before I graduated from AHP, but...
I would still recommend one of the Big Three if I had it to do over again. I had no problems getting a job as an AHP grad, however.
I graduated from CS...sm
and I had 3 job offers within one week, all for work-at-home positions. I had the same concerns at first, since CS was so much cheaper, but I read about how many of their grads were getting work-at-home jobs right away, so I went with it. I felt totally prepared to work, and my employer has been very happy with my work.
Soon to be Graduated !!!
Well I am waiting for my final exam to come back and I will be graduated and looking for a job !!!! Woohoo....
I went through a long grooling course with M-Tech but I loved it !!!
Wish me luck
I graduated AHP and...
I have 2 jobs I love, one for a local doctor and a long-distance account for a hospital. I have received no complaints so far about my work.
If you graduated from one of the MT schools
that are recognized by employers as turning out job-ready MTs, you will have no difficulty at all finding a job. If you graduated from one of the schools advertised by the likes of has-been TV personalities, you will likely have difficulty finding work. That is because employers have had bad experiences with graduates of those schools (even the ones with As). If employers are not familiar with the school that trained you, they will likely not be willing to take a chance either, so you will need to look locally. Try small clinics, one-doctor offices, places that may not have such stringent requirements for training. That way, you can get that all-important experience in a lower-stress environment. Good luck to you.
Almost graduated and have questions
Hi everyone! I am new on this board and will soon receive my certification. I have one more semester to go with an internship and everything. I have a few questions though.
1. Is it wise to start posting your resume before you graduate , and if so, how much time before you graduate do you recommend starting this?
2. For a new MT, what is a reasonable rate of pay either per line or per hour?
3. Do the grades you make in school really make a difference? I have a 4.0, but some people tell me that they don't even look at how well you did in your classes.
4. How do you know a real online transcription company from a scam? I'm sorry, but I didn't even know that transcription scams existed before seeing some threads about it here.
5. (last one I promise) I am doing an internship for someone local this last semester, does this really count as experience or do you always have to do internships with the company you get a job with before actually becoming an employee?
Thanks to anyone who responds in advance!
Graduated from M-TEC in 2001 -
Been working at home doing acute care as an IC ever since! 
I graduated M-Tec Today
Woo Hoo !!!!!
I graduated in July...(sm)
...and had a job within a week of graduating. I completed the M-Tec program and didn't have any problem whatsoever. If you're an M-Tec or Andrews grad, make sure you put that in the subject line of your email!
Yes, I graduated from Allied
I graduated on Aug. 3, 2006, and it only took me a week to find a job. I just found a list of MT companies, applied, and tested at every one that would allow me to. You know, a year later, I don't work from home anymore, but I work at an Air Force base hospital making a lot of money. Just stick in there and apply everywhere you can.
I also graduated from Allied... sm
I found a full-time per diem position fairly quickly at my local hospital. However, they downsized a few weeks later and the four of us in per diem positions were let go. So I can TOTALLY relate to your frustration, as I am now also again looking. Hang in there, the jobs are out there.
Honestly, if you just graduated, you
would be doing your self a great disservice by working so little. There is still a lot to learn once you start working, and it will be very difficult to get up to speed working just a few hours a day or 1 day a week.
Also, a lot of companies will not hire a new grad at less than full time, and what you are asking to do amounts to less than 10 hours of work per week even at newbie speed.
Just graduated.....where should I start?
Tomorrow night is my last class. The school does not help with finding jobs. Any suggestions as to where I should start looking?
I saw a posting for PT entry-level MT position with Rider & Associates, Inc. Does anyone know who they are and are they reliable?
I was told by a former graduate form my school to look out some companies are not cracked up to be what they seem.
If you graduated from CareerStep, M-TEC, or Andrews,
But there are other good schools too. Those are just the well-known online ones. Just keep applying and applying--and ACE those tests. Make sure your resume is EXCELLENT. You'll find something. Good luck!
I have been working from home since the day I graduated!
I had numerous companies wanting me to test with them. The ladies I know who graduated at the same time I did echo similar experiences. I have also made excellent money. With the right training, the ability to be a good MT, and the drive, it can be done!
Can someone that graduated from Allied please respond...
Can someone that graduated from Allied please respond... I really want to here from current or graduated students.
Thank you.
I graduated from Penn Foster sm
I recently started my first MT job after graduating in December 2008. Because of this course, I felt right at home with transcribing hospital reports, which seemed to surprise my new employer. Penn Foster taught me the basics, and I've been able to apply what I've learned to looking up unfamiliar words, etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I graduated the beginning of Nov. Email me if you like. nm
xx
I graduated from CAI years ago, always had work since
nm
I agree with the variable factor...I graduated
5 years ago from a community college program and was hired immediately at a national company. Started out making maybe 26,000; after 5 years with same company and many, many macros I finally made 36.5 for the year and that is with health benefits for entire family taken out plus extra taxes so we won't ever owe money.
Just make a whole lot of expansions, and if you get QA feedback be sure to note your blanks as they do pop up again.
Hope this helps.
graduated almost a year ago from a "Big 3" and nada
I graduated almost a year ago from a "Big 3" school and have had no luck. I am thinking I have to go for my CMT to get a second look. Ridiculous!
Until every American MT is working who wants to, and is qualified, for a living wage and affordable, quality health care benefits, NO MT work should be going outside the US. Get on it, Obama!
6 or 7 cents? :::snorting::: I made 7.5 at the job I landed even BEFORE I graduated from (lm)
The School That Dare Not Speak Its Name. I then left that job for another one making 8 cents. I am now making 8 cents a line from home, and my one-year anniversary of graduating from MT training is not until May.
Six or seven cents? Not in THIS life. And I have had NO trouble finding jobs. I still get people calling me based on the resumes I sent out back when I first started looking, and I have to tell them I am no longer looking for work.
Nice try, MTSO. But trying to convince people to work for 6 or 7 cents a line shouldn't play as long as some of us are here to bring a little reality into the situation.
I have finally graduated and accepted a position! I'm so excited!
For all of you still in school, don't give up! Get stubborn, work hard, and it will happen! Good Luck to all!! 
I agree! I had 5 job offers before I even graduated! Just make sure you test well... nm
nm
Newly graduated MT - is it possible to find part-time acute work?
I was wondering if anyone has had any success finding part-time, IC, acute work as a new MT? 
If you graduated from Andrews, M-TEC, or Career Step, many companies will waive experience requireme
nm
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