Also, coding education/certification will not get SM
Posted By: around the block on 2008-08-02
In Reply to: There has to be an apprentice SM - around the block
you a transcription job at all.
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I do both coding and MT work. I'd definitely say to go with coding/insurance billing
The way the medical transcription profession is going, you'll best be served by doing insurance billing with a coding certificate than doing transcription. There will always be a need for billers and coders. JMO.. and I make more money billing with the way our cpl are going down.
Coding has much more of a future than MT right now. Coding can't be sent out to India and
it requires an active thought process to do it, so it's not likely to be replaced by software. Yet. I bet there's a lot of MT's right now that wish they would have chosen coding...
CMT certification
Just wanted to say a little something here. I am a newbie...will be graduating from a Community College program in February and I'm very excited about that. I have been looking through these boards, and several times have read where people have said that AAMT is the only way you can get CMT certified. This is not true. The community college I attend offers the CMT exam and I will be taking after I graduate. Just wanted to let some of the newbies out there know that they may want to look into the colleges in their areas as well as AAMT.
CPC certification
It does not require 2 years of experience. I took Medical Billing and Coding, finished then took the certification exam two months later. Passed it the first time.
Certification
I had a CPC-A certification through American Academy of Professional Coders. I completed a course in Medical Transcription and will complete a course in Health Information Technician in the spring. I plan to take the CCS once I complete the HIT course.
Certification
No. I actually took the CPC certification examination at UF/Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida
Certification
TWICE and passed both times. I was able to use the second test as my CEUs for my first year.
Certification
Does anyone that is looking for entry-level MT position have certification as a RMT or CMT?
certification
You don't have to have experience to take the RMT test. I just wondered if anyone who was certified as a RMT still had lots of trouble getting a job or does the certification really make the difference?
Yes, it is expensive, but you do not need certification (sm)
You do not need to be certified in MT in order to work. It's a help, but that alone does not guarantee a job.
At any rate, you cannot sit for the certification exam until you have two years of experience.
There is one thing, and one thing only, that will enable you to work. Employers will consider you and hire you if you have no difficulty scoring about a 98% on their employment transcription test.
If you can transcribe WELL straight out of school, then you will get a job straight out of school.
It is not easy to prepare a student for a job. The difference between doing well is very slight. Employers aren't looking for someone who can pass a test like you passed tests in high school. Then, 70% was fine. Now, you might think, 80-85% should be fine.
It's not. With some employers, a 96% is unacceptable.
So, yes, tuition is always a lot of money, but if you choose your school wisely so that you end up with a straight, sure route to a job, then the expense becomes an investment that you can earn back in a few weeks of working in your new job.
NO courses can offer certification
Just to clarify, there are no courses which can offer "certification" in medical transcription, so there aren't any "certification courses."
If you want certification, you have to take the AAMT certification examination, which, if you pass, will grant the CMT certification.
Other than that, you can take a course which will give you a "certificate of completion." And that is only worth the price of a piece of paper. Having that piece of paper is not what will get you a job.
What gets you a job is the ability to transcribe well enough that an employer doesn't have to train you all over again.
And then you have to keep it, so the transcription skills you pick up in school had better be top-notch or you'll be wishing you had just gotten a job at MacDonald's.
coding
I don't know about coding programs, but I took coding in college and found it a lot harder than transcription.
I don't think M-TEC has a coding
program; however, their transcription program is excellent. I don't know very much about coding, but I chose MT because I did not want to deal with something so directly related to money since docs and hospitals get paid based on how something is coded. However, I think some might enjoy that. Personally, I like the feeling that I am doing something to help a patient without getting caught up in the money end of it. From all that I have read, it is easier to start out working from home in medical transcription than in coding.
Coding vs MT
If you check the salary surveys available on other websites -- sorry, I can't tell you what they are because the moderators delete my posts when I do that! -- you'll see that coding can pay more than transcription.
My thinking is that MTs tend to burn out faster than coders. Coding is less physically strenuous than MT. Coding jobs tend to allow for advancement into different types of work, which helps relieve any boredom that might occur. MT jobs tend to be of one type.
If you want to give MT a go, you certainly can. Right now, it's easier to find work from home in MT than in coding, at least for someone with no experience. If you do that, you can consider a few years working in MT to be a time spent gaining very useful knowledge for coding later on. The knowledge MTs have about reports, medical records, procedures, office visits, and the way medical care "works" is invaluable. MTs learn coding very quickly, much faster than someone without MT background, even people with other types of experience in health care.
Coding vs Transcription
There is salary information available at the AAPC website, www.aapc.com. The link to the 2004 survey is http://www.aapc.com/recognition/salary_survey.html .
Coders tend to make a bit more and have more room for advancement into consulting, training, and compliance positions. The work requires somewhat more in terms of medical and technical knowledge, the ability to deal rapidly and effectively with constant change and uncertainty, the highest attention to detail, an absolute intolerance for error. Coding, like transcription, requires very high literacy and deductive skills--you have to enjoy reading constantly and solving frustrating puzzles.
Coding is not as amenable to working at home, although rapid progress is being made in this arena.
You can't go wrong with MT. Most of your training for that, and your on-the-job experience, will give you a huge head start in coding. Much of the background material is the same--coding just adds to it somewhat. If you choose your school right, you'll get an MT job right away, working at home, and you can then think about broadening your skills into coding. At that point, a few years from now, there will be more remote coding opportunities for you to move into.
Coding and Transcription
 Thank you so much for the information I have a little background in coding but it seems as though Medical Transcription is in more of a demand right now as far as a work at home job. The cost of tuition with either Andrews or Career Step is a bit expensive for me and I want to make sure that I make the right choice in terms of being able to find a wahj after certification.
billing and coding
Billing and Coding is totally different. As you know coding is putting terminology into numbers, nothing like putting a H & P on paper or an OP note into words. I coded for 2 years for family practice and it is not cut out to what people think it is.
Not many coding jobs
nm
She said she had both coding and MT training
She initially said she had both coding and MT training.
First, she said, she had coding and a CPC certification, but could not get a job, so she let the certification lapse. She apparently quit looking for a job.
Then, she said, she went through an MT training program and now can't get a job.
People get jobs every day with those exact qualifications. That's no guarantee that a particular person will get a job, but it's also no indication that NO person will get a job.
Medical Coding or Transcription
I will be applying for online training soon and have noticed that the price of tuition for medical coding and medical transcription are not too far apart. I always thought that there was more opportunity and a higher income for medical transcription. Can anyone with experience in coding tell me how the average salary is for coding? Thank you in advance for any answers on this.
Coding/Billing is TOTALLY different
from MT work. You are not trained or qualified to do MT work.
Coding is most certainly being outsourced offshore. Who
told you that coding isn't being sent out of the country?
What? Coding most certainly can and IS sent out of the country! You're confusing
You're funny!
Is your coding work done from home? I have heard it was very difficult sm
to get coding work at home, you have to go to work for a company somewhere. Has this changed? I know coders are always needed, but we don't have any openings locally for at-home coding. TIA.
With an M-Tec education,
you will have no trouble getting a job and KEEPING the job once you get it. With AHP, you will struggle to find anyone willing even to let you test for a job, and it is unlikely that you will be able to pass even an employment test let along succeed at any MT job. Get your money back from AHP and spend it on M-Tec. Choosing a school just because it is cheap is a poor decision. Choose a school that provides a QUALITY education that will get you a job. M-Tec will do that. A cheap "education" is a waste of your money. You will quickly make up any difference in the cost between AHP and M-Tec by being able to get a job right away. All the months and months and months you will search for a job with an AHP education is money you would have been making with an M-Tec education. Go for cheap and you will pay for it for a long time.
MT education
I've had four people approach me in the past few months wanting to get into MT to work at home. One went so far as to take an employment test and couldn't understand why she didn't pass. When I told them it was really necessary to get some schooling, i.e. Andrews, etc., not one of them pursued it. There are a lot of people out there that think this job is a piece of cake.
You really need some education in
and punctuation. General English rules. The terminology is one thing, but you also have to know how to accurately transcribe the document. You also should have HIPPA training, pharmacology and other things. This is just my opinion. You may be able to get hired somewhere with what experience you have, but I think you would be very frustrated. Especially if you have never actually listened and tried to transcribe dictated reports. Doctors can be very hard to understand and a good school will have live dictation for you to practice with to get some experience before getting out there and trying to do it for real.
Education
Does anyone have any information whether good or bad on Gatlin Education Programs. I am thinking of registering for their online MT courses and want to make sure it is a good decision. I appreciate any information.
Thanks
Education
I am a recent graduate of a 2 year college. I received my Associate Degree in Medical Transcription (Health Science) and did an externship within my schooling. I am so fearful of not finding a career now that I am out here sending resumes. I keep seeing the "need 2+ experience" listed for qualifications. I just spent over $30,000 and a huge amount of time in being sure that I was getting the top grades. The idea of going back to school really breaks me. I am so eager, passionate, and willing to work hard.
While I understand that as a newbie I will not be paid as high of a rate as the seasoned MTs, I would not work for this low of a wage. My education and knowledge stands for something. I know in dollar amount, it is costing me way more than 3 cents a line.
If anyone has any suggestions, other than go back to school, I am more than willing to listen. It is not that I oppose more education, because that is actually the quite opposite. Medicine will continue to evolve and we will all need to stay current through education.
Continuing Education?
I have been working as an MT for a few months now and received my education through a local technical school that only provided the basics. I work on very easy accounts with no ESLs. I am concerned about not having the proper knowledge and skills should I have to change companies in the future. I have been looking into further education through M-Tec and Career Step. I am noticing a significant price difference in the tuition for both schools. Is one better than the other? Or is graduating from Career Step just as good as M-tec. Another question I have from anybody who has graduated from these schools is how many hours approximately do you need to put in to graduate within the allotted time? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
continuing education
I have a question and need some advice: I took one of those cheesy 5-month courses for little money and was basically blessed to get a job with a local company. I have been working for 6 months now and LOVE my job. Although, I do not feel as though I have enough education to be the best MT I can possibly be. I also feel limited in my work as I was put into one particular field and I am fearful that if I ever should switch companies I would not be able to pass their tests. I am considering going to Career Step or Andrews School. I want to do this while working full time. Are these schools self-paced or do you have to put in a certain amount of time during each week? Any information from graduates of these schools or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Do you have any education MT-wise? . . .
It you have some MT schooling, you have a better chance. However, if you simply think you can work as an MT because you type well, that's a different story. There is so much more to medical transcription than just typing (transcribing). You need to know medical terminology, formating and more.
I started my education
at a community college and finished at PCDI, and the materials were identical, so I can't say either way is better, but the best help I got was once I started working, and the training on the job. I think PCDI teaches the basics, and if I were you, I'd shoot for an in-house position to start with to have some help. All of PCDI's tapes were incomparable to what you really get. If I had a doctor speaking like that, I'd be making millions :) Good luck!
Good education
I did have a good education! Did you? Andrews M-tech whatever..there are other schools out there that can provide good, solid training and I believe I received that! I wish you would stop judging, you have no idea what I can do! Check out the board a little more, there are some happy people out there .
The difference in education might
Have you compared how many hours of transcription training you had in college/school with Andrews and M-TEC? Were your instructors CMTs with many years of experience? Did your curriculum include anatomy, diseases, pharmacology? I assume it included medical terminology. Maybe if people were to compare the curriculums (or if you prefer, curricula) they would understand why M-Tec and Andrews have such a good reputation. When you graduate from those top two schools, you are very well prepared to work, and that is what many companies have come to realize.
Right now is a difficult time to find employment because many companies are running low on work due to the holidays. Have you inquired about internships locally? Doesn't your college/school offer any help with finding a job?
Was your goal always to be an MT? If so, why obtain an associate degree? If you have come to realize that you want to be an MT, then maybe you would be better off investing into Andrews or M-TEC.
Have you passed any tests/all tests? Many companies have a direct link on their websites for the testing. I would assume if you aced a test they would be willing to talk to you. How many resumes have you sent out? I believe it will be harder for you to get your foot in the door somewhere, but if you really want this, you will find a way.
Good luck!
You got a job, but still have less of an education than if at M-TEC or Andrews.
I know because I also graduated from CS. I have seen the materials that M-Tec and Andrews use for teaching, a lot different (and better) than the homemade books written by Andrea Anaya from CS. No "automatic grader/comparter" either
Wrong, you CAN get a job with education.
You CAN get a job with just an MT education, if the education prepared you well enough. I know slews of MTs who did this. Certification in MT isn't necessary, either.
You CAN get a job with just coding education, but certifications help. I did it. I know someone who just a few months ago got a really nice inpatient coding job with no experience at all. She completed school, got 2 certifications, and was hired after testing successfully with a hospital.
In fact, I work with about 15 coders who got their jobs straight out of school with no experience.
If you are well-prepared and are able to present yourself appropriately, you CAN get a job straight out of school.
MT Education and Training
I am in the process of attending Allied Business Schools and have found that their programs are challenging, but yet easy enough that somebody who has no clue about medicine can do them.
http://www.alliedschools.com
BTW---I earn nothing from this, just giving what I have experienced.
Anne
No, not really. Experience in the field - but not just more education.
x
I think PIE stands for Partner in Education SM
Medquist used to have a program with several MT training programs listed as their Partners in Education (PIE). They would hire people who graduated from the MT programs on their list without requiring work experience (they still had to pass the test). I'm not sure if they still have this program or not.
They're not recommended for MT education. Go elsewhere. nm
n
Your situation may allow you to test without further education
Contact the employers and see if they will let you test. It can't hurt to try. You have some good experience. I doubt that you need a complete course.
Ten thousand dollars? On an MT education?
What in the world? What company?
What type of education did you get? What did you study?
??
Education comes in other ways than only top 3 schools
I started my medical career as a paramedic and segued into MT (without any further formal training) so I could work while being on call. Though perhaps you might think I'm bumbling, perhaps you might not think so after I intubated and defibrillated your husband during his heart attack?
Good education works. sm
The reason why most newbies can't get a job is because their education is lacking. The top 3 AAMT approved schools have a proven track record in producing employable graduates. Those are the facts and they'll never change. However, it's unfair for you to spread the false message that you're spreading of how education doesn't count. It does count and there's enough unemployed newbies on this website alone to prove it.
Gatlin Education Services
Has anyone taken the MT course from Gatlin Education Services? I don't see much about it on this board and was just curious about everyone's opinion.
It has to do with the education you received and what your skills are.
If you paid for a crappy course and didn't learn half of what you need to know, why should a company let you prove what little you did learn? They know which schools provide GOOD training and which do not. You also need grammar help, it's "should have" not "should of," if you don't know simple English grammar why should anyone trust your medical terminology skills?
You can't beat Andrews or MTEC for an education. NM
x
So you got excellent "secretarial" but not transcription education
There's a big difference. If you want to do transcription, you don't want a secretarial or technical course. You want an expert instructor teaching you to transcribe the way employers want it done.
Unfortunately, many people have to go to local schools because they are "accredited" for financial assistance. That's great, but if they don't teach you want you need to know, I don't think it's worth the time and effort you put into it, regardless of how cheap it is.
If you have a good MT education, work from home. Besides
There's not much help going on at hospitals and clinics these days. At least the national services have someone assigned to help you if you need help from home. I wish they had done that when I was just starting out years ago.
If you have already done the right thing and you have a good MT education, go for the work-at-home job. Good luck with your new career!
If you didn't get a good education, neither on site nor at-home jobs are going to make a difference. Just go get a good education and make things easier on yourself and your potenetial employers.
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