Even if you so happened to start out with no ESLs,
Posted By: missyMT on 2007-08-15
In Reply to: Chiropractic - BCurtiss
That can change overnight. The fact is that more likely than not in this business you are going to have to get used to them. :-(
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- Chiropractic - BCurtiss
- Even if you so happened to start out with no ESLs, - missyMT
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what happened to my post? nm
x
I'm sorry that this happened to you guys.
It's so frustrating, I sure wish more people would check into these "schools" and ask questions before they plunk down their money. For just a bit more than that $3000 you could've attended either Andrews School or M-TEC, which are the two best schools out there. And it definitely would've been cheaper than paying Allied AND then paying Career Step.
Unfortunately, even when people DO ask questions beforehand, and they are told that these schools are inferior, there's always SOMEBODY who managed to find a job after completing these bogus "courses" and they don't hesitate to insist that you don't need to pay the money for the good courses. Just because a few people get lucky, they are definitely WAY outnumbered by the people with your same complaints who cannot get hired without shelling out more money for a REAL MT education.
This personally happened to me...sm
I worked in a pharmacy and filled a prescription for a neighbor of mine whom I knew was sleeping with another freind of mine's husband. The rx was for HIV meds. I was seriously stressed over this. I knew the laws but what about my friend's life?? She had a 2 year baby girl and was pregnant again. Well, I rationalized it this way. If I said something, I would lose my job and I had 3 kids of my own to support and I wasn't sure what the legal ramifications would be. Also, she knew he was cheating on her and she kept him around. That's the risk you take when you keep a cheater in your bed. I decided my family was more important. I eventually moved and don't have contact with her anymore so I have no idea what came of it. But it was a very difficult situation to be in.
Also, while in MA school, our instructer told us a story of a girl who worked at a doctor's office where her neighbor was a patient. She saw the results of her neighbors "cancer" test and when she got home that evening, called the neighbor to give her "condolances" or whatever. Well, the neighbor hadn't gotten the results back from the doctor yet and was unaware until this girl called her. So, the lesson being, NEVER open your mouth, no matter who or what.
I happened upon a company that offers paid internships
The company is in California. If you go to their website and click on the tab entitled "Join our Team," you'll find more info.
I'm not affiliated with the company and know nothing about them, just happened upon it while job searching for myself and though new MTs or graduates might be interested.
ESLs
ESLs are probably the most difficult dictators we must deal with as MTs aside from mush mouths or those who like to dictate while eating or using the bathroom! Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof way to "get them" it takes a lot of patience. I have found that sometimes speeding up the dictation just a tad can help...sometimes. And, sometimes repeating what they say in the same accent can help you get it. It may sound silly, but actually saying it out loud can help. I really wish that ESL docs would have an English speaking doctor do their dictation for them, but that is never going to happen. You just have to try to keep your sanity and not tear out all your hair. Just know that eventually you will become more proficient at doing ESLs, but there are always going to be those that are just really difficult that you can't understand. I usually have a number...say 10 times. If I back up and listen to the same word or phrase 10 times and I can't get it, it gets a blank and I move on and let QA have it. Good luck!
As to the ESLs, nope, you can't. They're everywhere, especially as
v
You have to retrain your ears for ESLs and it takes
some time. If you tend to have the same ones regularly it really helps. What I do is, if I have blanks I just mark a blank and continue the report. When I finish the report I go back and relisten and I am usually able to get the blanks because I have figured out the accent. If you get QA back make copies of the reports for future reference. If you have a couple of reports by the same doctor and don't have to send them in immediately, sometimes you can pick up something in one report you didn't in another and you can go back and fill in. Getting up for a short break does help, also taking a deep breath and closing your eyes while you replay the dictation helps. I have dictators that I just cringe when I see them come up, but I just take a deep breath and just jump in. If I have the right frame of mind I find that even the difficult ones tend to go better. If I'm tired and frustrated I chose another dictator that isn't so bad and come back to the bad ones. I download via internet so I know who I have and I can do them in any order - I'm not cherrypicking.
I have had new ESL dictators and I swear they aren't speaking English and it can take me a couple of sentences to figure anything out and then I go back to the beginning and I can do it better then.
No ESLs on my account, but they're not hiring.
If the test file has such difficult ESLs, you don't want to work there anyway! It would be
s
Biggest thing ESLs do is put accent on the wrong syllable.
Like "sub SEE quent lee" instead of the way most people say it, "sub see QUENT lee"
Because of the pronunciation of "diabetes" my doctor says the patient is "dia BEET ic" instead of diabetic.
Remembering this can often help you figure out a word - and you'll probably laugh when you do!
Don't know TTS, but if the program has errors due to lots of ESLs, sloppy docs, etc. you'll ha
s
it will start low
I started with $200 or less every 2 weeks when I started. Currently, I make around $500+ every two weeks. That's good for me considering I am just doing this part time while taking care of my baby. Hopefully, I can bring that figure up.
Start looking now
It won't hurt to start looking now. I'd go ahead and start sending out resumes and test with any company that will allow you to test with them. One of the most important things companies need to know is that you have skills and a good base background. Actual experience in the market will come after you land that first MT job. Good luck to you.
Where did you start?
Where do newbies get their start? I have been applying everywhere, but everyone wants 2 years experience.
HELP!
Possible start...
I took the classes, graduated high in my group, etc. And I was facing the same problem; nobody wants a newbie that they have to babysit. I actually got my foot in the door through a temporary staffing agency, working in the medical clinic at the county jail. After that, I was on a role -- 1 more in-house position and now I'm an independent contractor. There are companies out there that will take a chance with a newbie (the lady that picked me up on contractor status, for example) and be very patient with them until they learn the ropes.
Don't ever give up (I've been fighting for this for 12 years now, and am finally able to say that I have 2 years under my belt)!
Where/how to start?
 Hello,
I am currently looking to find a part-time at home transcription job. I have been endlessly looking at all different websites and just am not sure how to apply myself and what is real or a scam. I've been working as a full-time Certified Ophthalmic Assistant for the past 10 years as well as transcribing consult letters and in office surgical procedure reports. Though my work experience is all Ophthalmology, I do hold an Associates Degree in Office Technology with courses that included machine transcription, medical/legal terminology, business english, etc... I also took a refresher course last year in Medical Transcription. It was a 59 hour course which included medical terminology, typing with daily timed testing and actual transcription from taped dictations. I would really like to expand my experience and skills but am leary on who would consider me with my lack of experience in anything other than Ophthalmology. My speed was estimated to be 65-70 wpm but I have been trying to keep up on it with timed testing and practice. My accuracy was about 95%. Most places seem to want higher speed. I know I can learn and get my typing up to speed and accuracy. I am willing to do what it takes as I could really use the extra income. Any help to go in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know where to begin.
Thank you.
This is a good start for you (sm)
In light of the fact that you are new, this is an excellent rate of pay with a reasonable (generous, really) production requirement, even though you may not be able to meet it at first.
Add 20-25% to it for the benefits and you'll be making more on the lines of $13.08. As an on-site employee you will not have to pay self-employment tax or overhead.
When people scoff at this rate of pay, remember that everyone starting out in a new career field starts at the bottom. You have to work your way up. As an MT, your value lies in your ability to produce quantity work while maintaining high quality. Newbies aren't able to produce much while maintaining quality.
The incentive pay makes this better, and if it has good benefits, then you're doing well.
The most important thing about this job is that it will give you experience. You NEED that experience. If you can get it while being paid hourly, so much the better.
Unless someone scoffing at this can produce a job for you which pays better, do not listen to them.
If you do not have a job and you need a job, you are in no position to be turning one down because it doesn't pay top dollar. Take this job and do your best with it.
Is this a good start
I've heard Sten-Tel is a good starting company, is that true? I need to gain experience. I recently finished up an internship, but need 1-2 yr experience to be able to work in clinics or hospitals in my area. So I thought if I could work online at home PT or FT(I need to make around $400/mo to pay all my bills) for a year, then I could start applying again at the hospitals... anyone have any good leads?
start up costs
to start up, you need a medical spellchecker loaded in your PC, electronic version of Quick Look Drug Book, high speed internet and Google. You will probably need to get some version of a .wav player in order to test. And for goodness sake, you don't go buying reference books full price at Barnes & Noble's. You get them used through the classified ads on MT sites and you only buy the ones that relate to your specialty. At this rate, you'll never be out of debt.
I would start with PT. Good way to
get your speed up, familiarize yourself with macros. Easy work - no drugs or labs, usually no ESL, lots of repetition. Start with PT and then go from there.
So it's better to start out in the clinic
area rather than the hospital setting? How do you find clinics who are hiring? I look in the paper and I don't see any.
I start Jan 8.....more inside
I start with the tech call on the 8th, training on the 9th, and begin work on the 10th. Any insight no how to start off great? Any recommended reference books? Are you employed with them?
Jill
Start in-house!
Meryl, I can't believe no one answered your post! If you are new, I highly recommend that you start in-house, as a lot of us did. You can get the help you need starting out. Benefits are usually good working in a hospital or doctor's office.
If you don't see any jobs in the newspaper locally, put out some feelers. I got my best job, one I have been doing for 13 years, at my daughter's oral surgeon's office. I mentioned I do transcription and asked who did theirs. Turned out the bookkeeper did it when she had time.
It is difficult to work at home just starting out due to the lack of the support you need.
Good luck, Meryl. We all wish you the best.
Start applying.
x
start stop
i do
how does a new MT start testing?
How does a new MT take tests to prove to employers she can do the work?
Start testing and see what happens ...
Good luck!!!
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)
great start...
I agree---the program gave me a great start. I have posted many times on Focus. If you search the forum you will see many posts.
Good Luck---Sue
bright start
I've been racking my brain trying to find a good MT program. I looked at Bright Start and it sounds good. They have the BBB logo on their page but I've yet to find them listed with them. That makes me a little leary. I did see though that you can take for an extra fee 2 levels of advanced specialty training.
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.
Where to Start MT part Time
 Any ideas on where I start if i want to get into MT part time at home? Do I join one of these places that you pay for them to train you? Take training on my own? HELP.. Or am I totally nuts and really dont want to get into this? I have had Carpal tunnel in the past and work full time also...
5.5 as an employee is good to start! sm
I started my first job at 5cpl as an IC, no benefits. If you are offered 5.5 cpl plus benefits to start take it. You will get more later on but you need the experience. I've been working 7 months now and just took a new job at 7cpl. You have to start somewhere and cannot expect to come into the industry making what experienced people are being paid/offered. Yes, many companies post ads and say they offer 7-9cpl, but you'll also notice most of them are also asking for the MT to have 3-5 years experience. Taking a lower wage when you are new is not belittling, it is reality. You can always work your way up. Also you can continue to job hunt while working and if you find better, great then switch companies. You have to start at the bottom, but you would be surprised how quickly you can move up if you are good at what you do. Good luck!
You could start applying first to see if anyone will let you test now and
s
P.S. - I also know that sentences always start with capital
letters. Please check your posts if you are going to scrutinize and criticize and point out typos in posts that other people place on this board. I don't have to proofread when I am posting on this board. I do, however, when I'm working. Do you?
I had to start out in the office of a local hospital sm
for a year, then went home. I didn't want to go home to be honest, too many distractions and my twins were babies at the time, but they were sending everyone home. I really don't know what to tell anyone when I see these posts. There are lots of companies out there needing help and you'd think that if they are willing to send their work overseas to people that don't even speak English as a first language, then they would be willing to hire a new graduate. I would be a little more pushy, offer to do 30 days at a lower cent per line then have a review, something like that. Keep pushing, someone will see potential and take a chance on you. Honestly, these companies that don't hire new graduates I just don't get it. I work for a small local company that is always behind on their work and I always suggest they hire some new graduates from the two local schools, but they never do it, they just sit and wait for people to apply. Good luck! 
Well, until you start the perfect MT organization, they are the only one around ..joke or not.
Wow! This is a sign to beware of her start up costs.
what your MTs will get. By not giving an answer you are causing us to jump to conclusions...
Most jobs only want 2 yrs of experience. Start testing again and
s
Can you start an IV, put in a catheter, change a colostomy
bag, do venipunctures, check a PKU on a newborn? If so, by all means apply for a nursing position. The point is, you don't HAVE to have formal training (i.e. school) to go from nursing to MT. You do need hands-on training, though.
The best advice is to start with the job leads your school gives you.
They will know who is willing to hire and train their graduates.
Can we start an EvaEv banishment petition?
Signature Number One: XanaX
why can't we all just get along?
Check out the Job Seekers board and start applying everywhere.
/
Does anyone even use the start-stop universal transcription system?
if u do i need your help!!!!!!!!!
i totally agree with Patty. In a docs ofc. is where it can all start.
.
Could be poor MT material to start with - my absolute best MT came from community college and
I've had some Andrews, M-Tecs that couldn't even pass the first grammar screening.
the lower you start, the longer it will take you to make good money!
those are just the facts!
maybe take a medical term course and start with physical therapy office
nm
Wait until you start dealing with their Indian techs, in India!, and run out of work. nm
s
Best way to start working immediately after grad is Andrews School or M-TEC online. nm
x
Average start pay anywhere is in the 7-8 cpl range. Do a search of the Company board, make contact
s
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