Former employers do not give "true" references. Because of lawsuits. So irrelevant.
Posted By: nm on 2006-07-04
In Reply to: Employers don't check references? Not very wise of them - Not believing what I'm hearing.
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Employers don't check references? Not very wise of them
We're dealing with confidential work. You're telling me that there are still MT employers who don't care enough about the quality and accountability of the work that they would "bother" to check references? You are going to put confidential patient records in the hands of people with no attempt to even see if they are who and what they say they are? No educational references checked? No past employment checked?
References
Here are a few: An up to date drug book, I prefer Stedman's Quick Look, but there are others; a good medical dictionary if you don't have one, either Dorland's or Stedmans (I prefer Dorlands); a lab reference book, there are several, I have Stedmans. If you are doing acute care and OP notes, Surgical Word Book by Claudia Tessier is an excellent reference for both equipment as well as anatomy terms for surgical procedures. 
references
For the drug reference, I use Saunders and I also purchased Stedmans Words in Orthopedics and Neurology because those are the specialties I was transcribing last time I worked. Stedman's has great reference books for any specialty you need. I also used a lot of online resources.
Andrews References
For the BMT (beginning medical transcription, or Module I) part of their course, Andrews provides AAMT's Book of Style, Medical Phrase Index, Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, Turley's Medical Language (terminology), Medical Abbreviations: 26,000, the SUM BMT CD, a foot pedal, and a very comprehensive Step-by-Step training guide. As you progress though the course, additional disks and reference materials are provided.
I am a current student at Andrews and find the course to be exceptional. I am a former technical training instructor and course writer, and the quality of instruction was my primary consideration in my choice of schools.
Best medical references
The school I am enrolled in sent me a Stedmans Medical Dictionary. I don't have any drug reference books or anything else. What do you recommend for drug reference books and dictionaries? Also, I am wanting to try to supplement my education as much as possible before I graduate. Does anyone have any advice on how to do this? I guess experience is probably the best thing?? TIA
Wondering if anyone has any good references for
as you go along and create your own since you will know what they are. I didn't know if there was a 'general' list that was out there in the web world. LOL.
Thanks for your help.
Most companies don't even check references, school or otherwise?
Most companies don't even check references, school or otherwise!?
If a company doesn't care enough to check references, I wouldn't want to work for them. They are encouraging lies and deception. That's not the kind of people I want to work for.
Ask The Employers
If you want to work from home, ask the national employers, because that's who you'll turn to when you are ready to get a job.
If you want to work for a local hospital, on site, ask them where you should go to school. Then ask them if they actually hire people who graduate from that school. I've heard that some of the local people recommend a school but don't hire graduates after they take that advice to go to a local community college or vo-tech.
Employers will hire new graduates of
well-regarded MT schools, schools such as Andrews, M-Tec, and Career Step. Unfortunately, PCDI has a very poor reputation among MT employers, so it might be that that is causing the problem rather than lack of experience since many well-known MT employers will waive the two-year experience requirement for graduates of schools that are known to turn out job-ready MTs (Andrews, M-Tec, and Career Step). You might have better luck with a local doctor's office or clinic that does only one specialty. If you continue to have difficulty finding work, you might want to consider supplementing whatever training you got throught PCDI with a course from one of the "Big Three". Their graduates generally have several job offers upon graduation, plus those schools provide placement advice and assistance to their graduates.
I'm not sure employers care, I would make sure
to pick a training program on the AHDI list ...
http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/mtapproved.cfm
I don't pay them. Employers test our grads and hire them if they do well
I don't pay them. Employers test our grads and hire them if they do well. I appreciate the fact that they are kind enough to let our graduates test for them, but I don't give them any money. None. Zero. Zilch. Nothing. Thanks for asking so that I have the opportunity to make that very clear.
but the employers are going to fire you when they find out you misled them
When people put CMT after their name, they are assumed to have passed the CMT exam through AAMT. We could all put MD after our names too and call ourselves Minnie Duck, but we won't get far.
There is a reason employers are scrambling to get these grads!
Unlike people who have years of experience typing for a few docs and little medical knowledge, these grads have the equivalent of 2 years of experience AND understand what they are typing. You go right on hiring those not associated with the Top 3 - just leaves better pickings for the rest of us!
Employers = Verifiable companies with job offers, often well-known nationals
What we're looking for is a source for helpful information that results in good decisions. Ask the employers means, ask employers who give their names, the names of their companies, and are job providers. That information has to be verifiable in order to be useful. No offense personally. Information is just not helpful unless it comes from an identifiable source and can be verified as being authentic and reputable.
the previous post said it only matters what the employers think. I'm an employer and that's wh
think. What exactly do you identify as **balderdash**?
The solution then would be for potential students to contact the employers
If someone wants to work at home for a national company, contact them. If you want to work on site for a local hospital, contact them.
My bet is that the national services and some of the other large services will prefer certain schools and will not test others. I'll also bet that the local hospitals will have never heard of any medical transcription school and will prefer the school down the street. Of course they may not hire new graduates, so once that person graduates from the school down the street, they may have to go to work for a private physician's office for a couple of years. Do you disagree with that?
agree - nationals make worst employers and here's why
I've been with my current national for a year now, and I'm burnt out. I do acute care work, struggle with lots of ESLs, and work on several different accounts. For the past 6 months or so, work has been very low on my primary, and I bounce around from account to account, and I only work part-time. I hate that. I wish I had a primary that kept me busy and only in rare instances would I have to work on my secondary or tertiary and so on. Instead, I may work on 4 different accounts in one day just to get in 500 lines, and of course it takes me longer to do that on accounts other than my primary because those accounts have a lot more doctors. Getting the same ones isn't a daily occurrence, and if you do, they're the difficult dictators. Is this normal? It's hard for me to shop around and look for a better national to work for because I don't have high-speed internet access, and some not only want high-speed access, but they also are very specific about what type you need to work for them. I feel stuck, but I am grateful to have a job and that it's not flipping burgers or working in retail. Been there, done that....in my youth.
Don't Give Up!
I graduated in March of 2005, and I thought I would never find a job. I eventually had to take another job to supplement income, but then out of the blue my prayers were answered and I got a job working at home with my kids. So don't give up, it is possible to work out of your home out of school.
No one is going to give you something for nothing.
Life just doesn't work that way. You will need good training to have any reliable prospects, regardless of what line of work you decide to go into. If you want to be an MT, get the best education you can. The better your training, the more options you will have and the better your income will be. There are two schools that are universally recognized by MT employers as turning out job-ready employees: Andrews and M-Tec. With an education from one of those two schools, doors will open for you. Don't waste your money or your time on one of the cheap schools or allow yourself to be taken in by someone who offers to "mentor" or "train" you "for free", then just keeps you working and working for nothing. Andrews or M-Tec, period.
Don't give up
Rainbow...your post goes to show that it is not EASY. Some people think we just sit and type. There is so much more involved. The only way to get the hard words is through experience. If you try using Stedman's Smartype the words come up if you can get the first few letters. It helps a lot.
Hang in there.
Don't give up...
I also took the PCDI course. What a waste of money! However, before I even finished the course, I tested with a company and was hired and received a job offer from another company. Both companies were small and local. I think your best bet is to check with local transcription companies, check newspaper classifieds, and check with any MTs in your area. Another MT gave me a list of several small MTSOs in my area that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.
Good luck! You can still find a job even with the education (or lack of) that you got from PCDI.
Don't ever give up!!
I was pregnant when I graduated from my program at the community college. So I waited until I had the baby before I started looking for work. After I had the baby, I started pounding the pavement (or keyboard for that matter). It took me four months, but I finally landed that first job!! I love it!!
Keep looking, you'll find your match when the time is right!!
Don't give up!!
As a new MT, I understand your frustration. It took me 3 months to find a job. I work at home for a local dermatology clinic with 2 wonderful dictators. They hired to me so they could free up the in-house MT to work on insurance stuff. I've been doing all the typing since my 2nd week.
The only advice I can offer is to make sure your resume looks awesome and apply and test everywhere possible.
It will happen for you. Don't give up. We have to prove to everyone that we can do it.
Good luck!!
Don't give up!
I have been in this field for over 7-1/2 years and never have taken a course...my mother has taught me everything and basically I worked for her. I have so many people that want to do this profession, but basically they want people with experience...and that is it. I got into it in 1998 with a BS in Biology and after working as a retail manager...I was lucky. My first on-line job, I cried, even after working with my mother on local accounts for over a year. It is tough. I will even say I lied and told them I had worked for a major hospital in order to get jobs...you do what you have to do and hopefully you can just pull it off. This is the only advice I can give you...and good luck! Also..if you can narrow down your expertize, that is a HUGE help...I personally do ophthalmology, which is truly simple, but not many people out there can do it and that narrows the focus for employers. Find something you really like doing and focus on that subject...Radiology is another good one. :0)
Don't give up!!
I went to community college for my MT degree. I was pregnant when I graduated and waited until I had the baby before I started looking. I had some voice files to practice on to keep my ears in "tune." But once I started looking, I found a job working at home for a local dermatology clinic in about 4 months. I love it and don't really care to work for a national. From what I read on here, there aren't any "good" nationals to work for.
Keep plugging. You'll find your opportunity.
Good luck!!
Don't give up...
Don't give up. I started out without any training at all and never worked in house. I actually had a BS in accounting. I convinced a local doc to let me do his transcribing. Because he was so difficult to understand and it was oncology none of the other transcribers would take him on. Three years later and I have worked for Spheris and now a local hospital. Just remember, don't give up.
Don't give up.
All I can tell you is to keep taking those tests. I too graduated from at home professions. I don't think they adequately prepared me and sadly I have experience doing transcription. I has been years since I was actively working though. Good luck and don't give up. It can take up to 5 months to get a job in this field. You might also want to consider trying local doctor's offices/hospitals where you could work in the offices. I am wishing I would have had the money to take a different course.
Don't give up! If you can, get the BOS II. A lot of SM
schools still teach MT based on the first BOS (AAMT Book of Style), but almost every company tests their applicants based on book #2...there are a lot of differences between the books, so I highly recommend you get a copy of the 2nd edition and study it. (You might already, but if not, that is my suggestion.)
Good luck to you!
Chickadee
just don't give up...sm
You will pick up a lot of negativity on this board.
I got my first MT job last March after searching for approx. 4-5 months. I did not go to one of the "Big 3", I went to my local community college. I wanted to work for a local clinic rather than a national because of all the scam artists there are in the world.
I now work for a dermatology clinic in town and pick up tapes daily. I have 2 kids, 4 and 17 months. They go to mother's morning out, 3 days a week for 3 hours. I cram everything I have to do in that time (errands, workout, etc.). I do the bulk of my work when they are napping. When they get up from naptime, they play while I work. I have up a gate so they are contained while I sit on the other side at my desk and type. If they have a problem, I deal with it. Otherwise, they are happy to play while I type. I type until time to start dinner and if I am not done, I finish up after they go to bed at night. I feel that I am more than able to concentrate with 2 small children in the room and do not feel that my work suffers because of it.
If you want to work at home, you can. It is up to you to find what works for you and make it happen. Just don't let anyone on this board make you doubt yourself and your abilities.
Keep plugging and good luck!!
Do not give up!
Doesn't your school have a list of companies where you can apply? You could also post your resume on various forums. There are also lists of companies on the web, and you might have to send out many resumes. You will have to be persistent, though.
Don't give up....sm
I don't even remember how long I searched for a job. It was a lot longer than 2 months though. I took test after test and no job offer. Don't throw in the towel. Go to mtdaily.com and look under MT comapanies on there and it has 30-something pages of companies in all states. Go down the list. That is how I got a job. Finally one of them gave me a chance. The company is no longer here because the owner passed away but that is what I done. I said the same thing how do I get experience if no one will hire me? Finally someone will. I sent close to 40 resumes to companies.
Do not give up
I am also a newbie. I finished school in October and was just offered 2 jobs last week. I convinced someone who did not want to train me that I would do a good job and the same day I was offered a job with a mentor. I started my job last night and feel that I will really learn a lot.
I sent my resume to everyone. I did not send if it said no new grads but if not it was fair game for me. I tested with several companies, which is good practice.
I feel that it is a learning process and you have to start somewhere. If you need to make less money for a while to get experience there is nothing wrong with that.
I know that Medivoxx will hire new grads if you pass their test.
Good luck!
About 20,000 give or take - (nm)
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I give up - how many? nm
Don't give up
Don't give up hope on working from home. I took countless tests online for 7 months. I just passed one. Just keep trying, the tests you fail will help you to eventually pass one. Good luck!!!
Won't give up!
Well, at least I'm not alone! You know, I got discouraged for about a day or so. But this course has taught me something, when all seems hopeless, keep plugging away and you will arrive and succeed. That is the way I am looking at this. I've come this far and I'm going to finish and do something with this. I think we both need to remember that there is more negativity out there than not, so I know we're going to go somewhere with this. Hang in there!
Don't give up!
I know it is so hard to find experience when you have just graduated. I spent over 6 months looking for a position. I eventually had the good advice to do the following:
1. Look at local transcription companies. Smaller companies are often more willing to hire someone with less experience.
2. Call your local doctors office. If anything, you are at least getting your name out there.
3. Offer yourself as an intern/overflow worker. Maybe one of the doctors will be willing to hire you when their Transcriptionist calls in sick.
The above are great ways to get your foot in the door, but you want to proceed catiously. If you know anyone who works at a local office, find out the situation. You don't want to irritate anyone in the process of trying to find a job.
It takes time, and it can be a trying experience, but eventually you'll get something.
Neither one of you should give up yet.
It definitely is harder to get a job when you finish a course like At-Home Professions, but people have done it. The grad who got the job so quickly probably attended Andrews School or M-TEC. They are much more expensive, but they are much better schools, and the people hiring MTs know this. Unfortunately places like AHP just want your money and don't really give a crap if you get a job or not.
If you really want to be an MT, don't give up. Test anywhere that will let you test. Point out that you are hard-working, honest, and dependable (I assume that you are). Of course I don't guarantee that you'll find a job, but I'd really hate to see you give up!
Cyndi- How do you know you've passed the test if you haven't heard back from the companies?
don't give up
Don't give up. I graduated from AHP too and I have been doing this for about 5 years now. My first job was typing legal and then I slowly crossed over to medical. I couldn't get hired at first either, but I didn't give up. I send out resumes to everyone and took everyones tests and finally it happened. I live in Michigan too and I tried sending flyers to doctor's offices but ended up doing the working from home through a main company since most hospitals go through them now. Best of luck to you.
Never give up!!!
"The grad who got the job so quickly probably attended Andrews School or M-TEC. They are much more expensive, but they are much better schools, and the people hiring MTs know this. Unfortunately places like AHP just want your money and don't really give a crap if you get a job or not." (quoted)
I do not usually post here, but I do read occasionally. I felt the need to reply to this post because I continuously read about no one will be able to get a job unless they go to one of the "top 3" schools. Another poster wondered why more graduates that were able to find jobs did not post such. Well, I am here to give that little bit of hope and inspiration to these grads that are not able to find work. NEVER GIVE UP :)
With that being said, I did NOT go to one of the "top 3." I attended VLC (go ahead and slam me; it makes no difference. :) I am a big girl and can take it. I not only found one job, but two; one being BEFORE I even did my finals, and the other shortly thereafter. One is doing acute care AT HOME and the other is for clinic work, also at home, and let me add that the latter PREFERS VLC grads over the "top 3." I feel my training was more than adequate to be able to work at home, although this may not be the case for everyone. I feel it all depends on how much work and dedication one is willing to put in. This is hard work ... period.
Nonetheless, to all you new grads out there, never give up. Work hard, be determined, and you WILL find that chance. Best wishes to you all!!
everyone wants experience but no one wants to give
us that experience. Anyone else frustrated at this? There are no local MT jobs in my area and the closest city is 45-50 miles away which I can't do. Any suggestions on someone who is willing to give experience????
Can you please give a link or something
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Should you give SS# when applying?
X
Definitely don't give up, but keep practicing while you are looking.
Not a newbie!
Thank you all. I will give it a few more days
I will call them. I still feel really uneasy, but maybe this is just the way it is. I'm too much of a newbie to know any better! Thanks!
What would give you that impression?
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There are plenty, just keep trying and don't give up!
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Do not give up Lisa.
Hang in there. Do not give up because some people are just jeolous and do not want to face their insecurities and would rather tear other people down to gain some self-assurance. There is more to life than that. Take care and God Bless in whatever you decide.
give yourself a break and...
hang in there. You just started last week? Oh... then plan to give it at least a month or so before you start being too hard on yourself. I remember having total meltdowns in the beginning and wondering why I was even trying. I spent all day and night trying to get the work done. I got a new account recently and had to learn my first ESL Dr... At first, I felt like giving up, but after a few weeks, it got so much better. I think anyone can relate to how you feel. Dont give up, at least not yet!
Dont give up...
I might add I did eventually get a job I have been with for 8 months now so don't give up.
Give Her A Break
All she asked for was a good school that is affordable. For you to imply that she cannot go to school and raise a family is uncalled for.
The negativity on this board is so disappointing. I thought this was a board to help out prospective/new students, not a board to that discourages someone from a new career.
Lisa - I currently attend Career Step and I am fully enjoying it. Good luck.
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