Breaking into MT
Posted By: Patti on 2005-10-28
In Reply to: everyone wants experience but no one wants to give - angelsmom
I wanted to say, I never went to school for MT. But I did have extremely strong (very fast) typing skills and way above average spelling and grammar skills. I learned MT through a VA Clinic as a Transcriptionist in a typing pool there. I went on to run a six figure transcription service and have trained MANY transcriptionists, who have gone on to succeed WITHOUT schooling because they had the basics: typing speed and accuracy, spelling and grammar, quick learners, and above all GOOD WORK ETHIC.
My first account 15 years ago was cold calling in the phone book and I got a job on my first call for a podiatrist. Then I got another job for large internal medicine group from a cold call. I started out 15 years ago by the page and hour. I think some people can go to the best schools there are and still not be a good transcriptionist. In training people I could very quickly figure out if someone would be good at this or not. So hopefully any newby who hopes to make it in this field has the basics I mentioned - speed, accuracy, spelling, grammar, quick learner and good work ethic. Good luck.
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Breaking into MT
I agree 100% about some people being cut out for this type work. I did transcription years ago for a small hospital with 12 docs on staff. My skills included good grammar, fast typing, two years of Latin, and a desire to be the best at whatever I did. At that time I was considered the best Transcriptionist around. I did the work for approximately seven years, but due to having a large family and overbearing husband, I gave it up. Now, without two years of recent experience, it is impossible to find a job doing medical transcription.
Breaking into MT
Some questions to ponder: Why do you want to be an MT? Simply to work at home? Or because you have excellent language skills, enjoy medicine, etc? For the (yeah right) money?
Best way to get into the business: Do your research on this field first--it can take a while to get any sort of decent salary. If you want to work at home right off the bat, complete the program at Andrews School or M-TEC. Otherwise, you will likely have an extremely difficult time getting that first job--just look at the posts on this board to see examples of how tough that can be! Visit the schools' websites and speak with the directors to see if this is the field for you. Good luck with your research.
Breaking into the industry!
I seriously would keep looking considering the money is already spent giving the education. Breaking into the field as a new MT isn't easy.
1. A small MTSO who is looking for a new MT. I have seen a few ads on the Job Seeker board here for new MTs if you have the right equipment.
2. Going in-house for a few years to train and then transitioning to the work-at-home atmosphere.
Keep looking! Good luck to you!
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