Have you completed school at this point? I am confused as to the
Posted By: Dottie on 2007-05-09
In Reply to: change in careers - anna mack
question because I am not sure if you have completed your MT training or planning to work from home as an MT without schooling.
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- change in careers - anna mack
- Have you completed school at this point? I am confused as to the - Dottie
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I have not completed the course yet
I am just curious whether or not grads can find work.
Help! I'm confused
I've been hearing that since CS only requires an 85% to graduate, that the nationals don't look as favorably on CS graduates vs. M-Tec or Andrews, who require a much higher grade to graduate. Maybe you'll still get a job out of CS, but is your income potential as good as if you'd gone w/ one of the top 2 schools? (I'm reading quite a few MTs who are unhappy with the low pay) What about if you want to work for yourself, and not a national company? Is that realistic? Does anyone feel they were not adequately prepared for the workplace upon graduating from CS? Do you make decent money? I'm not the main breadwinner in our family, but I need to find something in home that will make decent $$...
Please be candid, and thank you! in advance.
amh
Thanks! Still confused lol
Well thanks for your replies! It's a little confusing though. I'm in the mentoring program so i don't make a whole lot right now.
So every paycheck you just take a certain amount out and set it aside and then when the quarter comes up you print off whatever form and send it in?
still confused
Thank you. I'm not finding "browse." How do you switch it to another default player? When I download files, it doesn't appear to open with iTunes, it just gets copied there.
Confused...
I have been an MT for a year now, so I still consider myself a newbie. If I'm not, let me know - I'll post elsewhere...
Anyway, my question is, how do people get in so many lines per day with proofreading involved? People are saying 1,200 - 1,600 lines per day for full time, and that is astonishing to me!
Just wondering, but do the MT's that have been doing this for a long time not proofread their work? I always go through the dictation and type it, then I play it again and proofread what I typed (if there are any blanks I make a note of the times where they are located in the dictation), and then I go back and relisten to any parts that are blank and fill in. Does everyone do that?
And, while I'm at it, does anyone have advice on how to make proofreading less painful? I love typing but feel like the proofreading takes so much time.
Thanks!!
I'm so confused....
Hey ya'll,
I've been reading these forums lately, and i'm just so confused. I'm about to graduate in April/May with my certificate in MT, and I just don't know the best way to go about getting hired. I live in a small town in Georgia, and i've taken a few tests, but the only one I heard back from was Medscribe and they said that I did good but I didn't have the experience.
Is there any type of appenticeship or does anyone know of a good way just to get your foot in the door? It seems like all i'm seeing is that the newbies in this profession can't get a job, and it's starting to scare me!
I'm going to school at Darton college in Albany, GA, which claims to be one of the best allied health schools around. I actually attend class (not online) and we're doing clinicals, but they are on campus, not with the hospital.
I'm starting to wonder if I just wasted my last two years doing this :(
Thanks for any insight,
Shannon
Very confused...
I have been told Word 2003 is the program I will want to purchase. Where is the best place to buy it? At staples all I can find is Word 2007. Is that better? Also, what does Microsoft works suite 2003 mean? Is Microsoft Office Word 2003 the same as Word 2003? Someone please just TELL ME WHAT TO BUY before I pull my hair out!! 
so confused! plz help
bilateral ?subtingofrectomy?
pertaining to a discharge summary of endometrial adneocarcinoma surgery.
so confused! plz help
This must be a joke.....I am still in school (in the basic program) and knew right away the term she was looking for.....
You're confused? (sm)
I didn't make sense? Someone is posting using the name I always use. But I'm not really sure how to write for the 2nd grade level, which is obviously what would make sense to you.
If I didn't make sense, perhaps you need to learn to read something other than board books.
Well now I'm confused. She doesn't even make sense. nm
x
I'm confused ... you should be opening the voice files (sm)
in express scribe or some program like that. Word 2007 is used only for typing the actual files you're listening too, it has nothing to do with opening .wav files or anything other than text files.
Ready to sign up MTEC/Andrews - Confused
I have taken the pre-enrollment test for both Andrews and MTEC and I am really torn between which school to go through. They both look like excellent schools, especially after reading all the posts from the graduates out there.
I know that MTEC's Tier 1 Premier program is about $400 or $500 less than Andrews, which is a plus, but I want to make sure I'm making the right choice.
As of last week I was ready to sign up at Andrews, but for some reason I am leaning towards MTEC. I have done transcription in the past, but I am definitely needing to start over because that was a long time ago.
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
That's my point
Do you think that Donald Trump or Bill Gates gave up and stopped trying after someone said "you need two year minimum experience"
The answer is NO!! And look where they are today.
I am sick to death of MTSO saying they won't hire someone becuase they don't have the minimum experience.
I think that all anyone is asking is that you give the Newbie's a chance to show them what they can do.
I know plenty of people with experience in the MT field who might as well quit and go flip burgers!!
I say stop bashing the Newbies and give them a chance!!
And that's EXACTLY the point!
It would make your toes curl if you could see what kind of work so many of these so-called schools are provided these gals with. I get interns every week who say "I have learned more from you in the last month than I did the whole time I was in school..." and that includes interns from a wide variety of schools. It's a shame that that's the way it is, but I assure you there is most definitely a need for mentoring programs and I don't see any chance of that changing in the near future! As for scams, we have had multiple graduates of the AIM Program hired on as employees...and in fact all but maybe 1% are working as MTs now (and the few I know who aren't have chosen different career paths.) Talk to some of my former and current mentors....or some of the MTSOs I have been working with for the last 20+ years. I think you will find that we are very much legit and very much have the best interest of the interns in mind. Believe me, I could make a lot more money doing something besides mentoring...I do this because this is what I love to do and because I see a real NEED for the services we offer.
My point is you need to get over yourself.
This person starting the thread has a right to try any career she wants without you badgering and making her feel like she has not a grasp of the English language in your know-it-all posts! No one is perfect including you! We all live and learn. We have all done our time! Get over yourself already, geez! 
My point exactly!
If you've graduated from a lousy school and can't get employment, it's better to pay 100$ for experience than 1500$ to start all over from scratch.
lol, point taken
Really, if someone were to judge my skills based on that; it would not be good. :) Anyhow, I am doing all I can to get into this business. Persistence has to pay off sometime. Every "no" I hear, brings me that much closer to the sweet sound of "yes, come work with us." :)
good point
Knowing that pay=production can be a great motivator, especially if you are working for a company that provides consistent work flow and good HR relations.
Thanks for your input.
Good point!
Peggy, what excellent advice! I had not heard it put that way, and after thinking about it, I know you're right! thanks for opening my eyes to think "bigger".... better to be excellent, and more "employable", than to be somewhat limiting. I do plan to study in such a way as to be excellent! That's just the way I'm "built"! :) thanks again for your post.... -Anne (amh) :)
Good point..lol
nm
GOOD POINT
I'm glad that this was brought up. I have often wondered myself. What encourages me is that there is always something new to learn. Even the MTs who have been in this for years admits it themselves.
I am still a newbie but being an IC helps a lot in learning different areas in this field. I am thankful that my contact "feeds" me work from a new field gradually when she thinks that I am already catching on with the one she gave me prior. I say "catching on" because I can get comfortable with surgery and here comes a new case with totally different words that I need to research on.
Just like a former professor of mine said - "the more you know, the more you realize that there is still much to learn."
you are all missing the point!
MANY companies hire even before graduation if you went to a good school and are able to pass their employment test.
And your point would be? He did exceptionally well for
himself. Doesn't mean everybody could do it. Everybody can't transition from nursing to MT, but some can.
Point proven again.
Ow! Now I fell off my chair laughing.
Slowly for all following along. If you can't find a job even with training, just being a nurse will be worse.
OK. I think everyone has it now. For anyone who doesn't, that's fine. I only want to convince those who aren't an MT yet. Don't care about people already working so unbunch the old undies.
Just a minor point
Speaking only for myself, I do a load of ESL dictators. It is almost a sub-specialty of mine. However, and I'm guessing a lot of us ol' timers can say this, I like to get dictators that are EFL now and then. And the person that has been doing transcription for five years might have an easier time with them, too (as opposed to my 25+ years). But if they feed all the good and easy stuff to the newbies, the rest of us won't get that break from Gregor Svaslkdfjkjahsdfkjhsadfov or Mohit Chenaidehlimumbai. Considering there usually is not that much difference in pay scales between newbs and the transcription elders, it doesn't seem right to skim off the cream for the newbs. Maybe you should try doing doctors' offices and then you can select which docs you want (although also keep in mind that there are some native sons who are much harder to type than most of the ESL guys).
I understand your point (sm)
I just do not agree with you in this case. I believe this board is a place where people come to relax. Do you ever allow your English language skills to slide when you IM your friends? I do. I see this board in a similar way. It is definitely not a place to judge a person's English language skills. Also, if you are not aware of this fact, MTs are not required to have a degree in English (or any degree, for that matter). You probably would prefer that, but we do not make enough money to require a degree. You can insist on agruing if you'd like, but I will agree to disagree with you in this case. This conversation benefits no one at this point.
Good point
I would be weary, save for the fact this individual is sending me all the software I need for free. They are also paying for the software I don't have that I need. I figure if they are willing to spend a good amount of money to get me the software required before I have even started, than there must be something to it.
Of course, I will keep my eyes and ears open.
Oh, and the original point, which you
obviously missed, was that you don't have to go to one of the Big 3 schools to get into MTing.
thats a good point...
CrankyBeach- I was feeling disappointed, and not even looking at the obvious.
her point was if you don't like the offer, don't apply...nm
x
recruiter point of view
I am trying not to be "nasty" or "hurt feelings." Just stating my experience I have to agree with the MTSO post. I cannot tell you the number of resumes I get where the requirements absolutely 100% do not fit the person emailing me. And I love it when I post "please CUT AND PASTE your resume DO NOT ATTACH." Guess what, very few can read that. A second favorite of mine is ABSOLUTELY NO OFFSHORE COMPANIES APPLY. Guess what? Every Indian company out there cannot read because they apply ... oh, and they ATTACH a resume. The typos are sickening, but I won't get into that. But what really bugs me is how people take applying for a job so lightly. For instance, if you were to read a job opening in a newspaper, you would obviously construct a nice resume and mail it to the potential employer. Why on the internet should it be any different. I get emails for job openings with email addresses of "snoogleboogle@hotmail.com. Is it so hard to get an email address that is professional ... such as JaneSmith24@yahoo or Jsmith24@hotmail. And the ultimate ... "I have a handicapped child at home and need to be at home. Tell me what transcription is and I can do it. I'm sure it's not hard (LOL)." LOL???? Are you serious?? Nevermind the fact that, unfortunately, I cannot take into consideration your personal problems when I am looking to fill a position. So please don't tell me why you need to work at home, just send me a resume that says why you are qualified for this position. And LOL??? I will leave that one alone.
Oh, geez. You missed the point!
If you cannot get hired as a newbie, these mentoring programs are an option: They are taking risk and investing substantial money into getting work for you. They have to go over every single aspect of it with a fine-toothed comb and provide you with feedback to improve.
I guarentee you that for every report that they go over, they are losing money on it. The program cost just simply covers their administrative costs. Guarantee it.
NO, I don't work at any of those programs but I know 2 suits over 2 of those programs and have had great discussions over the programs.
Ok, anyone can take the test. But I doubt she has taken it, which was my point.
She is therefore not certified. (And shouldn't waste her money on the test without experience.)
NOW versus KNOW - Learn the difference as you will need to KNOW it at some point.
Trust me, you don't scare us. As experienced professionals, we know what happens to MTs with delusions of grandeur; they are in for a very rude awakening, to say the very least.
Thought I would point out that you misspelled accurately
since you seem to be so keen on everyone being accurate around here.
you are missing the point - I am happily employed too but I see it's not going to last
you don't get to keep jobs by "wishing" you know. I am making anywhere from 12c to 14c to 19c on my own accounts but that doesn't change the fact that technology will virtually eliminate MT as we know it in the next decade. Nothing wrong with teaching newbies how to watch and analyze trends.
"well-trained" is the important point here
Those who aren't are running out of job options. The employers won't hire or keep people who are not properly prepared. They are dumping the MT services who don't have high standards.
It still doesn't sound like you're getting the point
It would be great if we could just do our job, but when you're thrown into a national workpool where some MTs are getting 45 different clients with 45 different client profiles to try and keep straight on any given shift, that's next to impossible. I don't think any of the MTs want to be nurtured, but some simple respect would be a step in the right direction.
What else do you want to know? Some of the service areas have gone through numerous production supervisors in a short amount of time so that an MT may never know who they are supposed to report to or direct questions to, especially if a PS doesn't answer e-mails. (I am fortunate in that I have a PS who is very good with communication).
Add to the national work pool the fact that daily bonuses that a lot of the MTs depended on as part of their pay were done away with and with very little notice . This was replaced with a quarterly bonus, the formula of which is so convoluted and confusing, I have no idea how it's even calculated. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, confuse them with BS, I guess.
This is the "real deal" from where I'm sitting for the next 2 weeks before I go elsewhere.
Who are you?? I think at this point someone is making up names to post. Get a life! nm
xx
Uh, you're missing my tongue-in-cheek point! :)) NM
nm
Agree with an outside school, but I went to a business & tech school. Great experience, better
s
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.
School?
Has anyone graduated from Thomson Education Direct and got hired anywhere?
Just wondering about choosing the right school for medical transcription course.
MT school
I attend the Andrews School. It has a very good reputation among national services--some will even waive the minimum 2-year experience requirement and allow you to test for them if you are an Andrews graduate. I have heard good things about M-Tec as well. I would suggest that you contact hospitals, nationals, etc. that you might want to work for and ask them which schools they suggest as far as turning out job-ready graduates. Good luck!
$ for MT school
No, I don't. We have debt out of our ears but you can make payments or charge it or whatever it takes. I've always had to spend money to make money. I just want to make sure I can make it back fairly soon. When I do the math it seems like you have to be pretty darn fast at transcription to earn a living. I admire the people out there doing it!
School and $$$
Hey, sorry about your ankle. Sounds like this could be a perfect time to study for MT. I'm sure I saw scholarship information that was based on financial need on one of the "3" schools...Andrews, MTEC or Career Step. Go to their websites and see! All the best to you! 
What to look for in a school
There are three things to look at in choosing a school and neither of them is money.
The first is whether national services already hire their grads and keep them longer than 6 months.
The second is what percentage of the grads score adequately on the employer's test.
The third is how many students complete the course with a grade of 95% or better on the first try.
Even if an employer is willing to hire from a school, if few grads pass his test and qualify to be hired, then the school isn't so hot. If the employer hires, but the grads can't keep the job for even 6 months, then the school isn't so hot. If the school has a high drop-out rate and many students (sometimes "most") don't make it to graduation, then the school isn't so hot. If it takes students several tries to pass, then the school isn't so hot.
You can see that just examining whether an employer will hire a grad isn't such a good measure. You also have to look at how many students get to graduation, how they got there, how many of them passed the test, and how many of those didn't get fired or quit in frustration.
You want a school whose grads are almost uniformly hired by nationals and which graduates nearly all students (all have drops, but you want a low level of those) on the first try.
Considering all that, you have two options: M-Tec and Andrews. And Andrews has a pre-admission test you'll need to pass to get in.
In your case, you should not go for a school which will allow you to skip any courses. You don't know anatomy and terminology like you'll need it for MT--what you know is what you need for billing, and that is different. Unless you hold a PhD in anatomy, you need to refresh your memory. Any school that lets you get away with not doing that does not have your best interests in mind.
School
I recently graduated from Thomson Education Direct. Recently changed to Penn Foster.... I made 49.00 month payments with no interest. Is a good school!
yes, I'm still in school ..... nm
zz
Still in school????
I assumed from your post you were a recent graduate.
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