Choose a good school!
Posted By: 2001 M-TEC grad on 2007-08-16
In Reply to: Getting discouraged. - Laura
M-TEC or Andrews. Then follow their program to the letter!!! Best of luck!
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Trying to choose a school
Hi,
I have been trying to decide on an MT school, and I am so unsure as to what I should do. What things should I be looking for in a school? Has anyone ever heard about the online programs at Brighton College, or Blackstone College? Are they any good? I want a school that will provide lots of practice dictations, what is a reasonable number of practice hours to expect? Any other input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
~Bea
Which school should I choose? Is this right for me?
Hi all! I've been researching this profession and would really appreciate some input from 'those in the know'!
I need to be at home with my family (long story), but my children (all 3 of 'em) are getting older and I'm in need of some 'mental stimulation'! I would like to find something that will hold my interest, keep my thinking, and requires constant learning (I like that!). I saw an article in our local paper a few months back about med trans, and it really sparked my interest! I had no idea about this profession before, but it seems like it could be my cup-o-tea.
I'm an accounting clerk by profession (if that makes any difference), so that would probably come in handy if I become an IC. Also, I've had a great deal of training with voice recognition (Dragon Speak), which I think could be of an advantage to me as I have an idea of how these program behave (and misbehave!). Also, since I was a child, my preferred reading has been medical books (....weird kid!).
I'd probably prefer something part time, and I'm not in it for 'the big bucks'! My husband has a great job and that has allowed me to stay home, but I would find it fulfilling to make some kind of financial contribution to my family.
To make a long story long.....I'm looking at a Canadian online school called CanScribe (I'm Canadian, by the way!). They seem to be very legit, with a good reputation and are recognized by the AAMT. They are kind of expensive, but it seems to me that the good ones are! I'll be receiving a 'settlement' soon, and I think investing in my education is always a good bet! However, I don't want to be foolish with my investment, and would like some input, like I said, from 'those in the know'!
Good day to you all, and thanks so much!! Margaret 
Choose the best school... sm
You have experience in general transcription, but that's not the same as experience in MEDICAL transcription... Unless, of course, you typed a lot of brain surgeries and cardiac caths for the police department. *winks*
Right now for a newbie, competition is absolutely fierce for landing that first job. Don't cut corners on your education. Your 'experience' in general transcription will NOT open any doors for you, but completing an MT course from Andrews or MTEC will.
If you choose your school solely because it is cheap
you will get a cheap education and pay for it over and over and over again in lost income. Many people who have chosen the crappy schools end up having to be retrained by one of the good schools before anyone will hire them. Just something to think about. It has ever been true that you get what you pay for. And don't let anyone snow you with that old lie "You get out of it what you put into it. Just work really hard and you'll get a good education." Not true with education. You can only get out of your training what is there to be gotten. If it is deficient, it doesn't matter how hard you work, your training will still be deficient. Get a part-time job to save money for one of the good schools, hold a yard sale, wait a few months while you save money, whatever, just don't waste your money and time on an inferior education.
newbie trying to choose a reputable school
Hello all,
I am trying to decide between the MT schools approved by AHDI. Does anyone have any experience with M-Tec, ExactMed, and Andrews? Any suggestions..thanks for the advice!
You CAN get a job at home, right out of school, but it has to be a GOOD school.
You should enroll in Andrews School or M-TEC. I know you don't want to spend more money, but at least you WILL be able to get a job. If you thought At Home Professions was a good course, you will be totally amazed at what you DIDN'T learn in that course that you WILL learn at the two good schools. There is no "required" curriculum for MT, anybody can open up a school, charge what they want, and teach what they want. Companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement for graduates of Andrews School and M-TEC, but NOT for the other schools.
Good school
A really good course that is taught online is Janet Stiles electronically taught transcription. You can get more info at www.settinc.com
Yes, you need a GOOD school ...
the one you went to is considered a "matchbook" school. Many companies will not even let you take their test if they know you went to that school, because you were not taught the stuff you need in order to pass tests.
I recommend Andrews or M-TEC.
Good luck.
Any good school?
I was wondering whether you could recommend any good schools for coding. At this point I am looking into changing careers after being an MT for 22 years.
The handwriting is on the wall and it is time to get out of this business.
I appreciate any info.
Looking for a good school?
I just send info to your email.
Good school
I studied with the US Career
Istitute. It is a good program, kind of expensive, but they let you sign up for just $5 and pay some each month instead of all up front. The staff is teriffic about helping students.
How to identify a good MT school?
I am considering taking a course through a 4 year college near me. It is done online using Gatlin Education Services. Does anyone have experience with this? Is there a way to determine if a school is a good one or not?
TIA!
Is future MT a good school?
I have put out my resume out to a couple of places but because I don't have any training I have been recommended to this school.
Thanks for your input. I love my job but would like to spend time with my baby at home and my husband works shiftwork so I would also like to spend time with him.
Your school can really help you if they have a good reputation.
If they don't have a good reputation, you've got a problem. Graduates of some of the schools are just not having the problems that some of the others are. Where you get your training matters because some schools don't know anything about medical transcription.
Not a good school. They don't teach
you enough, and most companies know it and will not let you take their employment test, because they know you probably can't pass it. Definitely a waste of money.
Check out Andrews School or M-Tec. You will definitely be glad you did.
If you school was any good, they should help you find a job. nm
x
Canscribe is a good school - associated with
x
Try a good online school -
I graduated from M-Tec in 2001, had numerous offers to test before my actual graduation, passed all the tests I took (I believe it was 4),and had a job before I even had my diploma in my hand. I have been happily employed at home doing acute care ever since! Check them out! :-)
Unfortunately, it's not just a matter of whether a school is good or not.
If you want to work online, from home, most places will only waive the 2-year experience requirement for grads of Andrews, M-Tec, and Career Step. Even a wonderful, fantastic community college course, if not recognized by national employers, won't get you a job. All you will keep hearing is that they "don't hire newbies" and "require 2 years' experience" which is actually not true because they DO test AND hire grads straight from the above three schools without experience.
They are not a good school; try Andrews or M-TEC
x
I Agree About a GOOD Online School
Unfortunately, a lot of companies look at where you went to school and not what you know. Andrews and M-Tec are great schools and are popular, and a lot of companies want graduates from those 2 schools. I went with EvCC and received a great education but no one wanted to give me a chance because the school's not well known. Finally, 2 places did and they realized that I know my stuff and am a hard worker. If you're going to spend the extra money, Andrews and M-Tec are both promising.
Is Penn Foster a good school?
I completed MT course at Penn Foster Career School and I'm having trouble finding my first job. Has anyone had experience with this school?
Career Step is also a very good school. I took their course years ago
and have been an MT for 6 years now.
A really good school won't need to have "specials" to reel in students.
Sometimes they even have a waiting list, despite being more expensive. It's because they are so much better. You get what you pay for. Check out all the desperate posts on this and other MT boards of people who saved money by choosing cheaper courses and now can't get a job.
Penn Foster isn't a good school/program. I would
suggest finding a mentoring program of find an in-house position.
Allied is no better than At Home Professions or Penn Foster. Not a good school. NM
x
Why did you choose that course?
Did you do any research on transcription schools? I took on a graduate of AHP, and she didn't know 1/3 of what she needed to know just to do radiology, which is an easy specialty.
why did i choose this course
This is a complete career change for me. I was a mortgage broker for ten years, had three years of typesetting experience for a newspaper when I was young and decided it would be a good idea. Why this course - just because you had one bad experience doesn't mean the course isn't a decent course. Maybe the person was one that skimmed by on the seat of thier pants? Who knows? I've found a couple of people already that took the same course and have jobs. So I believe a lot of it has to do with your resume, wherr you post it, and what you did before school. I managed a mortgage brokerage firm and worked my way from the bottom to the top. I think I am capable of doing this. - if i can't find a job I'll just kill myself - NOT. But I can tell you this I have more constructive things to do with my life then to go around bashing other people and their choices.
i would choose another fied.
you won't have a career in this one. it is phasing out fast.
i seriously doubt in 5 years you will have much of a job, let alone a career.
go to school for something else.
many schools to choose from
from reading other messages.. PCDI is a 'no' Penn Foster.. is inexpensive.. but.. is it good???
I can't afford to go, nor is my credit score high enough for SLM.
rochelle
She is right - choose another profession
I too have been an MT for almost 20 years. These MTs schools will train you to become an excellent MT and they will be glad to take your money too. Then you are a highly trained and skilled MT. If there are no jobs, what do you do with it? It's useless.
Because of EMR and all the outsourcing that has increased since January 1 - you have old MTs with 10, 15, 20 years of experience out job searching again because they have so many years in and they do not want to change professions before retirement. It is so competitive that MTs with 2, 3, 5 years experience will not be able to move in their jobs. A brand new MT is not going to stand a chance. Don't waste your time and money.
Choose either CareerStep, M-TEC, or Andrews...all 3
I know. I accept grads from Career Step!
Why did you choose this post to voice your opinion?
It appears as if the OP was so happy about passing the test and receiving that phone call that she rushed to the computer to share her good news with the world. Would it have been so awful to just wish her luck and share her joy? I have been an MT for a year, and I still feel proud and happy each time I pass a test. It is hard for a newbie or someone with less than 2-3 years of experience to get a company to even let you test. When you then pass the test and get a phone call, that is veryexciting and makes you feel good. You could have wished her luck publicly and then sent her an email making her aware of her mistakes along with some tips. This New MTs forum is the last place on this board to post a message like yours.
Why can't some people just let others feel good about themselves?
If you choose Andrews or M-TEC, you won't need a fast track or extra training.
You also will receive, with your course, many of the books that CS students purchase on their own - the Book of Style, the Language of Medicine, better grammar books.
I graduated from CS also. And if I had it to do again, I'd choose Andrews or M-TEC.
Whichever you choose, you might find one on www.half.com. Great spot for books! nm
s
This all sounds nice, but newbies have to choose MTSOs wisely and this one is not a wise choice.
me, I will explain.
Agree with an outside school, but I went to a business & tech school. Great experience, better
s
Good. The lab book was a good choice.
Be sure you look through each book when you get it. Put tabs on sections you will want to refer to quickly. I know my lab book (not Stedman's) has all kinds of extra sections. I think my next purchase would be the cardiac book. Then neuro or OB-GYN after that, depending on which you are getting more of in your work.
that's good to know
At least there's a little hope for me
Good for you!! - nm
.
Good for you!
.
I know a good MT when I see one - regardless of
credentials, school or references. One run through the grammar screening knocks most of 'em right out of the ballpark...
good for you, 10/cpl is good
/
That is good
That is great to hear that someone else was exactly where I am now. Where did you land your first job, not the MTSO, the other one?
I do not think I am TOO GOOD.
companies that pay these low wages are taking advantage of new MTs that don't know their value yet. The MTs that received this offer had all spent thousands of dollars and a lot of time learning to become an MT. I just don't know why anyone would sell themselves short for 5 cpl ($10 an hour is generous by the way as most new MTs won't get to 200 lph). As I said, there are companies out there that pay better. If you are trying to help, steer the newbies to these companies, not the companies that have a reputation for not respecting their MTs. If you take the time, do your research, and graduate from a good school, you should have no problem finding a good job. I had 4 offers before I even got my final score. My first company paid 7 cpl and after 6 months, I took on my own client making just about double that.
good to know!! Thank you!
good to know!! Thank you!
Good For You!
My late Mother did the same thing. We didn't do homeschooling, but she did it all and did it exceptionally well. She was brilliant but never acted like it. She was a taxi to more than the 6 kids in our family. She taught piano, voice, directed the church choir, wrote plays (we were in them), was busy in RNC fund-raising, and on and on.
We just called her "Mother."
So good luck to you. It really warms my heart to hear stories like yours. As for the MT thing, it sounds like you could teach yourself. That's what I did.
Good luck!
Appy anywhere and everywhere. There are a lot of companies who say they require at least 2 years experience, but you would be surprised at how many will give someone who has just graduated a chance. If you pass their test they will hire you, 2 years or not. I know from experience. I graduated last year and I applied to every ad that had a 2 year minimum, before I graduated. I got hired 1 week before I graduated, and I have been working ever since. Good Luck!
Nothing is good for a newbie.
Ya, I think I won't take the job because it may be a little difficult. That's real smart.
I have not heard anything good about it.
If you are looking for a quality MT education, the gold standard training comes from Andrews and M-Tec. Some graduates of Career Step have had good luck in finding and keeping employment also. The top schools turn out job-ready MTs. Employers are eager to hire them. The cheaper schools do not turn out graduates that employers are eager to hire.
What do you consider a good living?
I'm thinking of work from my house instead of the office, changing careers.
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