Home Contact Us

Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Also, if you're testing, this should be in the directions. If you've gotten your own accts, as

Posted By: your client what they'd like. nm on 2007-06-13
In Reply to: Leaving blank - MTLIFER

b

Complete Discussion Below:

marks the location of current message within thread

Flagging a report - Angie
- Leaving blank - MTLIFER
  - Also, if you're testing, this should be in the directions. If you've gotten your own accts, as - your client what they'd like. nm

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu

Other related messages found in our database

They're templates or shortcuts that you've made yourself as you go along...sm
All the physical exams you've saved for each doctor, all the op reports that you've saved as templates, shortcuts, or macros. Your opening and closing sentences in your letters saved by doctor...your lab tests that get repeated over and over...your doc versions of any tests that you get over and over - their EKGs, cardiac caths, PFTs, etc. Your normals are what make you even more successful at this job in addition to just having words and phrases in an expander. nm

just carefully follow whatever directions are given...sm
and focus on a nice clean report with excellent grammar, punctuation, etc. No one expects you to follow a complicated template and layout for a test but they do expect you to follow whatever directions they give you (and I would recommend to a T). Re: "If I land a job than doing it this way would be time consuming" - you wouldn't be working that way on the job so don't worry about that. But note that you did utilize the incorrect "than" - should be "then" - and things like that are what the MTSO's notice.

Places DO offer ophth. only accts, but you'll still have to train for
s

Linked the website. They've never responded the few times I've tried. nm
,

so you've been MT'ing for 6 months and I've been at it for 25 years but I don't know
what I'm talking about...that's a good one. The purpose of this board is for experienced MT's to give information to new MT's. One of the developments in this field is its recent downturn. We have a responsibility to be upfront with what we see, know and any conclusions we might draw. With less than 1 year of experience in the field, I hardly think you're in a position to give an educated answer regarding things like job markets, global influences and technological challenges. But then again, people like to only listen to things they like to hear...so have at it!

I've never heard of that school, and I've
been doing this for nearly 20 years. Maybe they have in Canada, but in case you work for a company in the US, you might want to consider M-Tec and Andrews. They are on-line and their students get jobs when they graduate because they are in demand. Again, not sure how much it will complicate getting work since you live in Canada, but I think you should at least compare the programs closely.

will not - not if you're competent. If you're incompetent they will fire you anyway
x

Need to finish...don't buy something like this until you're positive it's job you're goi
s

You're not a "new MT" if you have no training, you're not an MT at all. nm
x

You're new and you're already frustrated?
You better find a new profession because doctors have always been lousy dictators and they always will be. It comes with the job. Nobody will ever say anything to the doctors about lousy dictating. They bring in the money to the hospitals. They can do anything they want. Get used to it.

Testing for a new job
I am testing for a new job. Anyone know where I can find some reviews or quizes on passing written exams? I have been out of school for a while. I need this job, it has benefits.

Testing
Unless they specifically tell you not to, yes, it is acceptable, and in fact, expected.

Testing

Hey anyone have any clues to how you pass the test's. I have messed up 2 now.
They are fine all except one file, then you can't fingure hardly anything he says.Any help would be great!

what is testing like?
I second the summary given about testing for a job!

What is the testing like...I'm new!

Hello,

I just found this board today and have been sorting though the posts. What is the testing like when you apply for a job? So far I haven't gotten to that in my studies. I am studying from home and am curious what to expect. Thanks for your help.

Regarding testing - sm
Different companies have different types of testing. A lot of times when you apply on-line for a position, you will be asked to take a test during the process, usually general transcription questions, terminology, spelling, and some grammar questions as well. If the results of the on-line test are acceptable, you may get a call and may be given a verbal test. Then, you may be asked to download and transcribe a few reports. Most of the time, especially if you know your stuff, the testing isn't too bad.

Best of luck to you!

Testing ?'s
I recently finished an MT course, I haven't done any testing yet and would like to know if I can test myself and how? It seems like I'm really slow so I trying to find a job or networking is difficult, I'm still trying to figure out alot of the lingo everyone use.');>

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

re: testing
Hi Chris,

I just use this rule for testing, type verbatim exactly what is being dictated. If they dictate numbers for a list then type it, if they don't then don't type the numbers just paragraph form. I think they just want to see how accurate you are and how long it may take you if it is a timed test. They'll give you acct specifics if they hire you, just type verbatim and you should be safe!

God bless you in your job hunt and testing!

re: testing
Hi!

I usually just type verbatim and if they make a mistake correct it for grammar's sake. I think they look for seeing how you correct things as well. Unless the doc is extremely picky and you have been told to type EXACTLY what he says, I would correct any common sense mistakes.

Just my advice having taken tons of tests.

God bless!

Testing
MediVoxx has a test on its site, and if you do well on that, they send you more tests. There are other companies that have tests on their sites, too. MTdaily has a list of websites in all the States. Test with as many that you can.

Testing
Have you checked out the AHDI website? I think I remember finding information on their website about testing and employment. Also, they have an MT student forum that you might find helpful.

BTW, while perfection is a great thing to strive for, spell check will help out in the meantime! :)

Keep testing
There is a difference between typing speed and transcription speed. Good for you for practicing, but 97% accuracy is way too low.

Decrease your typing speed until you hit 100% accuracy all the time. Then, you can gradually increase it.

Get a copy of Cortez Peters' book, "Championship Keyboarding, Skillbuilding, and Applications," ISBN 0-07-049635-8. You can usually locate copies on eBay.

Sometimes, it is difficult to improve your keyboarding speed above a certain level due to "things" you learned way back that severely limit your speed.

That book is a keyboarding program which will just about guarantees to improve your speed as far as you are able, AND do it quickly.

Follow the directions EXACTLY. Begin at the beginning (lesson 1), even though you "know" this stuff already. Pretend you've never keyed before -- learn it like it is brand new. He'll tell you to key letter by letter -- DO IT letter by letter, no matter what anyone else has taught you. Do all the exercises exactly. Do all the corrective exercises exactly. You don't need to rush or try to "go fast," either. Do them only as fast as you can do them WITHOUT making mistakes, and try to relax and let it happen, rather than forcing it. With consistent practice, you'll be over 60 in a few weeks, and the book can take you to over 120 IF you follow it exactly. People have been known to increase 20 wpm in two or three weeks.

Good luck to you!

Job testing
Since graduating Allied, they have given me several job leads. I feel bad that you feel that way. Have they sent you any companies to apply with? I was of the understanding, upon enrollment, that they would assist in finding a job but that was it. If you would like, I will forward the leads they send me. Just send me your email. I have been sending out atleast 4 or 5 resumes a day, and testing atleast once or twice a week since I finished last month. Some are from them; however alot of them are leads I found on my own. Best of lu7ck.

Testing for jobs

I know exactly what you are going through. Even after being an MT for almost 3 years give or take a few months, it can still be hard to get a foot in the door. Keep checking this site for openings and call around to the hospitals and clinics to see what service the use. Each time you test, you are getting a tad more experience in your belt...

Good Luck and keep trying!!!

testing for employment

Previous post said, if you test for a national and fail they make you wait 6 months before testing again.

Which national companies offer employment based on pre-employment testing results? ???

One reason I wanted to get into MT is that you get paid for exactly what and how much you DO and I hoped that my skills would speak for themselves when I tested for a position. But if every company wants to know what school you graduated from and how many years of experience you have, then I might as well have a liberal arts degree.

For those of us new, all this "3 years", "5 years" experience stuff is going to leave us dead in the water if we don't get an in somewhere.

Thanks for any reply.

Testing specifics

Hi everyone! I'm a new MT awaiting my final exam results and was hoping someone could outline for me the testing procedures most companies put you through. I just want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible before I start applying (once I get my certificate of course).

How long are the tests usually? Are they usually dictation only or are there separate written q&a's? Can you use research materials? Are they timed?

Any info you could share would be very appreciated. I'm expecting my exam results any day now and I want to get rolling immediately with job hunting.

');>

Question about MT testing

I plan to start testing again and sending out resumes for an MT job. I have a question about testing, though. Since all companies test applicants as part of the prehire process and there are so many different types of tests between them, do they randomly change the tests between applicants and testing or do they keep the same tests? Who has friendlier tests? I've got one year's MT experience. Just wondering if anyone knows or would be able to offer insight. Thanks in advance.

how does a new MT start testing?
How does a new MT take tests to prove to employers she can do the work?

testing with companies
What if you keep sending out resumes and never hear anything back? That's mostly what's been happening to me. It's very discouraging. I also got top grades in school, but all people want is experience.

Start testing and see what happens ...
Good luck!!!

In testing I don't see an issue either way, but in
real dictation q.d. should always be daily. Putting q.d. after a medication is where there was an issue that caused it to be changed to daily to start with.

online testing
at focusinfomatics.com They have online testing specifically for new people, and if you do well enough they will invite you into their training program.

Frustrated with newbie testing
So when newbies, like myself, test with some companies, why, when we are done with the test and send it in are the only messages we get, "sorry, you do not meet our requirements." Or, NOTHING!! from any of the companies that we test for?! In order to get experience in this field, we need to be hired somewhere!! And, if we don't exactly meet the requirements, a little bit of advises on what needs to be worked on to come up to par would be helpful. Testing and getting little to no response gets old and discouraging. Makes me wonder, sometimes, why I even bothered to put in the time for school sometimes when this is the outcome!! So to all prospective employers, please be a little more forthcoming on helping us newbies out with what we need to do to land a job or get more experience. I am done venting for now!!!

online testing question

I can ace the objective parts of online tests, but when I get to the transcription part, I'm never sure whether they want you to just type everything verbatim--even if the dictator stumbles over words, corrects himself/herself mid-sentence, or really needs some punctuation for clarity's sake--or if they do, in fact, want you to edit "on the fly." Any advice is appreciated. Thanks very much!

Might try testing with SOAP Transcription. nm
s

I would search several companies that have online testing
There are plenty of them. You do not have to have years of experience transcribing, but will have an opportunity to show them what you are capable of.

Whee! Have you started testing yet? Congrats! nm
s

Or rather, newbies that do extremely well on their testing, not necessarily
s

Most jobs only want 2 yrs of experience. Start testing again and
s

Have you taken and passed tests for anyone yet? MQ? Spheris? Keep testing even w/o experience, if th
,

Is it best to get the Stedman's spell checker before testing for companies?
I don't have this yet and am wondering if I should wait until I do before testing.

For testing I needed software that I could download free

but I could not get the footpedal to work. Anybody have experience with this? I downloaded Express Scribe to listen to the dictation.

Thanks in advance.

Guess what, it's not just the testing. MANY doctors are terrible dictators.
Sometimes the dictation they use for the test is from the actual doctors they are hiring MTs for. If you can't do it on the test, you can't do it, period.

I've also done both
As an LPN of 16 years years and an MT of two years, I can attest to the fact that the pay is better in nursing, but the stress is FAR greater. Yes, there is a huge demand for nurses alright. You will be doing much more than your own share of work. Support and back up is often not available (though not admitted to by administration), you often will not be able to care for patients as you were taught and know they should be cared for, your body will ache everyday (provided you don't get an actual physical injury that will always be your fault for "lack of technique") and your feet will scream in agony from being on them day after day all day frequently for 12 and 16 hour shifts. You may find yourself forced to work over a second shift because your relief person simply doesn't show up, don't expect your daycare or babysitter to be understanding of that - it won't be "their problem" but you can't leave your patients without coverage, which means you will be stuck.

Most patients are decent, just ill, in pain, therapy or basically maintenance. Other patients are going to spit on you, kick, hit, pinch, scratch, gouge their nails into you, bite, scream, yell, curse, throw things at you (food, medications, equipment, feces, whatever they can get their hands on). Then there's the unintentonal things too, such as sneezing or coughing in your face, vomiting on you or passing gas.

Administration always talks about how nursing is a 24/7 job, that what one nurse can't get done in her/his shift, the next one can pick up. That's bull! If you miss something or don't miraculously get it done, they are all over you like white on rice and writing you up one wall and down the other! It is not legal to have to work through your lunch and breaks, but you will eventually. Don't think you won't! You will also find yourself clocking out and going back to finish whatever you need to for your shift. You can't even report staff or administrative abuses to authorities because of HIPAA and confidentiality clauses, there is no protective whistle-blower clause in nursing. That's a good way to get yourself fired and blackballed, then you can't work anywhere in the same area.

Most doctors are okay, others are pure asses. If you want to be a nurse, do yourself a favor and only be an RN. That way you will get paid much better and have at least two levels below you to delegate to - the LPN and CNA.

When I went into nursing, I considered it an honor, the most noble thing I could do for God and my fellow man. I have since found it to be the most brutal profession of my life. Short of professional boxing, I don't really know what would be worse. You will be thrown around as a nurse some time or another and jerked around by DONs and others in supervisory or administrative roles even more frequently. When I got my last beating, all I did was start walking down a hall in response to a staff member calling my name. I went to assist her, didn't know what I was walking into till I was up against a wall getting my head punched by a 6' schizophrenic man. And, of course since he was a patient, he couldn't be blamed or "responsible" for his actions" and I couldn't do anything aobut it but feel the pain.

And as if that isn't enough, there are many people with dangerous, negative attitudes that won't life a finger to help anyone that they are not forced to do (as if that wasn't what they are paid to do in the first place!). Some people are just mean and nasty to work with. You probably get that anywhere, but you WILL get it in nursing - especially nursing homes.

Speaking only for myself, I find taking the pay cut and working behind the scenes from my own home to be safer and much more satisfying. I would never have thought that 16 years ago. No one could have convinced me that anything I've just said here was true, now I've lived it. Maybe MTSOs are not the most caring souls out there for MTs, but healthcare administratrators and DONs are not either. Nurses are in huge demand because the support and working conditions are horrifying. The older the nurse gets, the less resilient. There may be some great nurse positions out there, but I never found any that lasted. That usually changed with the next DON that came along.

Good luck to you in whatever you choose. If you choose nursing, I hope you have a better life experience than I have had. As far as MT goes, it is an evolving field. VR cannot do the job alone, someone needs to go over each one. I wish you peace and happiness.

You've never taken
a class on making friends and influencing people, have you? Ha! Usually it works best not to insult the natives and then ask for the favor of information. Fortunately I have a sense of humor.

Since you have never made a lot of money anyway, the pay isn't going to bother you, right? If you are motivated you can certainly make more than $16,000. I would not have recommended CS as the best place to take off from, but it may be enough for you since you are good at English.

However, are certainly careers in the medical field that pay much higher if you could go to school for 2+ years. Most of them have a more certain future than this one.

But if you want to try this one, have a go. Nobody will stop you, and I'm sure you'll be able to find decent work, at least for a while.

Yes you do, around $400. It's a little less if you've already been
s

I've got a JOB!

I don't know how much the start out pay is, when we get paid, or any of the details, but I am so excited I can't hardly see straight. I passed a test. All of my effort has paid off. All I can say to all of my other fellow newbies, is that it takes a while, but don't give up. Someone, somewhere, will give you a chance. I'm so happy, and life seems a little less bleak. Thanks for everyone's advice, and support. Without you guys, I would have given up, and went back to flipping burgers.

I've done a little GT... *sm*

It's not easy. I have found that medical transcription is straightforward and somewhat predictable, GT is usually not. It is particularly difficult if you have multiple speakers. I would take MT any day of the week. BUT if it is something you are interested in, then you should try it. There are a lot of forums where you can pick up overflow or you can test with some GT companies.

I've
run out of small companies to apply for.

1look.com is the best I've seen. nm
xxxsxxx

I've never heard of them, but you should really
ask on the company board.