How to compare MT training classes? I have 3 in mind...SM
Posted By: Confused on 2007-12-31
In Reply to:
For comparing M-TEC, Andrews, and Career Step, what is the easiest way to narrow this down? A person would hate to make the wrong choice, but how do you know before starting? Is one of these more flexible as far as time frame to complete? What if a person started the course and had to stop it for a while before resuming (such as taking some time off while caring for a newborn)? Are payments made as you go or do you have to pay ahead?
Is picking any of these 3 generally a safe bet? They stand out to me as the 3 that I hear the most about that aren't the scams that I have been warned about.
I guess a speedier time frame for completion would be a plus, but then is that shortchanging the education?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks!
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You are doing a fine job! Don't compare
yourself to others. As long as you keep improving and by that I mean even a few more lines per hour each week, you are well on your way! It sounds like you have exactly what it takes to succeed!! Best of luck to you :-)
To compare courses ...
Why don't you check out Andrews and MTec's websites to get an idea of how much actual dictation you should have had to transcribe. Radiology is mostly anatomy, so if you had thorough training in anatomy and physiology along with concentration on acute care, you had proper training for radiology, IMO.
She can also take the classes and then she may or may not
pass the exam. Nothing is guaranteed either way. You're right about one thing, though, she's probably long gone. She must smarter than either one of us. Your attitude just makes so blasted upset. I didn't tell her not to take the classes. My initial response was not even to the OP. My response was to the person who stated that going from nursing to MT was impossible. One thing I do agree with you about is that COMPANIES don't want to hire nurses who have not been MTs before. I never suggested that either. I stated plainly that I worked in a local hospital before I EVER applied to a national. I think you need to go back and read ALL my posts before nitpicking what I say. Now, I hope you have a nice day. 
Want to take classes
Hello
I am ready to sign up for classes but I have a few questions.
For one, I have looked at what would be considered the better schools, Andrews, MTEC, Career Step. But the problem for me is that the require at least $500 up front and I just don't have that kind of money right now.
My question is are the schools like Ashworth, Penn Foster any good? They will allow me to pay a small down payment and monthly payments. If I go to one of those schools will I be able to find work?
My last question is how easy is it to find work once I complete this course? I am a homemaker with 6 children. My husband is the sole provider and I really need to have money coming in right now. I am hoping this career choice will allow me to work from home and bring in extra funds.
Any answers will help.
Thanks.
Classes
Hi Lisa,
Are you still looking for a MT school? I love this one and I can't wait to start working from home!
Nancy
MT Student
www.myspace.com/stlerz
www.mtworkathome.com
classes
My MT training was obtained through a weekend class at a community college near my home. I have heard of online training and courses, but I am not sure how they work. My class was Saturday only from 9a-5p and was for nearly 9 months. After the first 5 months and terminology, the next 4 months were at my own pace. We had transcription tapes that had to go home with us and had to be completed and transcribed before the next weeks class.
classes
And, yes we had a syllabus to follow, allowing us to work at our own pace. The training tapes were that of the SUM program transcription training.
I work for a national. Never took any classes. Got
on-the-job training at local hospital. It can be done. It may not be the norm, but it CAN BE DONE. 
I'm going to say at an outside source where you attend classes - college, business, or computer
s
Taking classes for medical terminology and "some transcription"
Most nationals will only consider you if you are an actual graduate of one of the AAMT-approved courses. If not, she may look for local clinics who are willing to train.
OOhhhh - they have basket making classes? Too bad they don't offer a class on maturity.
**
Get a copy of the BOS II for style guidelines and take medical terminology/anatomy classes at
s
Something else to keep in mind ...
AAMT supports and even encourages the outsourcing of American MT jobs to places like India and the Philippines. They are perfectly happy to facilitate the loss of American jobs and the destruction of American families to fill their coffers. With that in mind, one wonders what value AAMT endorsement of an MT course should have to an AMERICAN MT. Just a thought.
Do you mind my asking...
...how long ago this was? Was this recently (since this economic meltdown)?
Hope you don't mind
I really hope someone chimes in with the answer to your question but I wanted to comment that I have heard nothing but positive reviews for MTEC and the reviews have been mixed, but leaning towards the positive for Career Step. There are some CS students and alumni that will defend their school tooth and nail that it is not a second class stepchild to MTEC, and some that feel that MTEC (or Andrews) would have been a better choice.
I had a friend who could not afford the down payment for Andrews, and either could not or did not want to try to get the Sallie Mae loan for MTEC, and I steered her towards the CS program at Everett CC because she had pell grant and student loan eligibility.
You might want to ask some national companies whose grads they hire. I asked a few (you could certainly ask more than I did, and I recommend that), and one listed a few schools I had not even heard about up to that point.
It seems that the companies have some thing going on with CS because many of them have a link to request training info from CS. Not a guarantee of employment by any stretch but worth asking what that is all about. (hopefully not just about getting money from CS for advertising and referrals).
If it were me I would choose MTEC over CS. But my decision is made - I chose Andrews over both of them and as soon as I can bring myself to send in the $1500 down payment(its just a scary amount of money to plop down), I am doing it!
I don't mind saying where I live.
I live in Granbury, TX. If thats nowhere near you then they probably wouldn't even bother w/ me, right? If you live around here, let me know, if not then let me know too. Thanks for helping!!!!!
No, they didn't mind at all that I was new.
In fact, I think they preferred it. That way, they can train me to do things their way. And no, I won't be the only one transcribing. They have one Transcriptionist that has worked there for 6 years and I will be helping her out. I will only have to work in the office for approx. 1 hour per day and the rest at home. They said I could work as many or as few hours as I need to. I've thanked them very kindly every day this week for giving me this opportunity.
I hope you can find something soon as well. It is so frustrating trying to get the required experience.
ConcernedtoBMT, if you don't mind me asking...
Which school did you go to and who are you working for now?
keep in mind when doing entertainment transcription - sm
this is faaaarrr different than medical. The companies that the poster referred to that are in California require VERY ACCURATE transcription. Thus, you must be excellent with punctuation and 100% accurate with transcription. In the medical transcription industry, hospitals allow for mistakes (both grammar and spelling). Go figure, the entertainment industry does not!!
possibly changing my mind
I think this is more than just a little discouraging. I am still working on my transcription course as well and the future doesn't look too promising from what I am hearing. I originally wanted to go into a radiologic technologist program, but it is full-time for two years. I cannot quit my full-time job to go to school. I thought MT would be something I could do from home while I went to college full-time. But it doesn't sound like I would make enough money for it to be worth my time. Very disappointing.....
Keep an open mind when looking for your first break.
For a first break into the business, you really need to welcome an in-office position. Not only is it a job doing what you say you want to do, but you may actually get guidance from an experienced MT and learn more than you could ever learn alone.
keep in mind that lines w/o spaces
average of 30% - so if you are getting 150 lph w/o spaces, it is the equivalent to 180 lph with spaces.
Hmmm, interesting. If you don't mind me asking *sm*
was it a paid apprenticeship?
Jen, would you mind emailing me info too?
I do have some MT experience, mostly VR, but just haven't been able to break into a really good MT position yet. I could use some help too. What costs are involved?
It sounds like your mind is made up that you don't need an adequate course,
and that hard-working MTs in your area are just waiting to complete your education so you can be of help to them. But you did say you wanted advice, so mine would be that your future co-workers, supervisors and customers will all wish you were ready to transcribe when you got out of school, which can only be guaranteed by two schools: Andrews & M-Tec. So instead of wasting a few hundred dollars on an education that won't land you a job, spend what it takes for a real education. At these schools you can learn at your own speed with lots of support from the teachers, and when you graduate you will be an asset to the profession.
I guess you don't mind working for $5-10 an hour.
I don't feel 5 cpl is worth my time. Even doing 200 lph (it took me 7 months to get to that point), I would only be making $10 an hour. Why would anyone waste their time? Their are companies out there that offer new MTs much better rates. But if you don't feel you are worth more than that, by all means, go ahead and accept minumum wage.
Sorry, I read the wrong post. I had way too many things on my mind.
but that said, I think the local hospitals would be your best bet. You can get invaluable experience there. Especially with acute care.
Good luck with your job search. WIll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Apparently, the AHDI can't make up their mind! See inside
From the FAQ on their website (as mentioned by someone else here):
"Two years of transcription experience in the acute care (or equivalent) setting is required to take the CMT certification examination."
If you got your training from one of the
schools recognized by employers to turn out job-ready MTs, in most cases, the two-year-experience requirement will be waived. Also, those schools will work with you to help you with job placement. In any event, your school. whichever one it was, should be helping you with job placement. If the course was designed to make you employable, your school should know for which employers you are prepared to work. Good luck to you.
MT Training
I would be glad to talk with you.
If you get the right training ...
i.e. from one of the schools that turn out job-ready MTs, you should have no trouble working from home from the start. If you decide to skimp on your training and go for a cheap, inferior school, it is unlikely that you would be able to work from home for a long time since you would need so much supervision and hand-holding. Get the right edcuation and you can write your own ticket.
right training?
Is Career Step considered the " right training " that would allow me to work from home from the start?
CS training
Anne, I 'm with you. I want to work PT from home. I'm seriously considering Career Step also. Please feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to toss this around some more. I'm wondering about the sitting aspect of the job also but I think it would probably go quickly when you're transcribing. Hoping to learn more while visiting this site. Good luck!
Training
Hi, thinking seriously of becoming a MT. Background has been in med field many years ago. Now cannot work in old job due to physical disability of permanent nature -no cure. Not mobile anymore. Work at computer would be limited in sessions - is there anyone out there with same type of dilema and going thru and has been thru training?
Training
Okay, I have been looking into the field of MT for some time now and I am a bit frustrated and confused. After viewing so many messages posted It seems almost futile to even consider becoming an MT. Today, right now, is it worth my money and time to become an MT? Is there still a future for MT's (maybe not in the tradtional since)??!! Thanks for responding!!! JSanders
training
I did recently receive a great gift. A friend introduced me to a 28 year Transcriptionist who is willing to let me work with her!!
Training? Are you in a training
program? When will you graduate?
training
I have been working on a course through Trans Am Associates. My resume does not have any jobs in the transcription field. I need someone to give me a chance. I tested for a hospital where I used to live and the head Transcriptionist said that it was one of the best tests she has seen. Any more ?? let me know.
You might want to look into training
available in your own country, wherever in South Asia it happens to be. It would surely be cheaper.
I did on the job training. sm
When I started 10 years ago I had no schooling in this profession and I did complete on the job training. Now I own my own service and have for 6 years. It is possible. I am sorry you feel the way you do.
MT Training ...what's best?
I'm looking to do MT training, preferrably online. Can any of you offer opinions/suggestions regarding the online courses you may have taken for training? The one I've thoroughly checked out is CareerStep. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
mt training
career step so far has been on the up and up lp
I'm an LPN/MT and KNOW you need MT training.
One of the biggest problems I had in my MT training was getting rid of the nursing mindset, especially with respect to abbreviations. The same abbreviations I knew and used for years as caps without periods suddenly had to be lower case with periods, etc. Old habits were hard to break. When it comes to the MT world, there is a lot more to it than typing and knowing medical terminology. I was very surprised about that myself! You will also have to develop an ear for listening, hearing and understanding each dictator. You may be able to understand Dr. Jones (for example) on the phone or in person, but he might sound like Elmer Fudd when he dictates! Possibly worse.
Please do your homework, pick the very best school you can afford and work hard to get your money's worth out of that school. Don't expect to make the same money starting out as you can walking into any nursing position. Unless you are extraordinarily lucky and gifted, you are well advised to take some MT training.
I do wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
training
I need additional training in this field! How or where should I go to get the help I need?! I went to school and graduated with my certificate in MT but am having no luck on tests and feel that I need more time to learn and build my skills up. Any suggestions as to what I should do? please contact me!
Do you have training?
I would recommend sending a resume anyway IF you have some formal training which might be considered in lieu of experience. I was hired for an opening asking for 5 years experience and I only have 18 months. It's worth trying! Good luck!!!
Do you have any training?
Your grammar and spelling are terrible.
new training
Thanks so much
Training
Good luck Lisa. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. The top schools ensure entry into this profession and choices of decent job ofers with good starting rates. When we stop learning - we are dead. Hee! Hee!
I sincerely wish you well.
Lilly
Training
I am a current student with M-TEC. They offer a basic and an advanced course. I would highly recommend them and the directors are always more than willing to talk with you and answer any questions you might have. I think you will find it extremely difficult just getting your foot in the door without the training. I'm sure with the background you have, you should be able to breeze through the program. I worked for over 10 years in the field but took time off to raise my kids. When I was ready to return to the field, I found it hard to even test. No one wanted to give me a chance so I enrolled with M-TEC. It's really been the best experience and my ultimate goal is to get certified so I really need to learn other specialties. If your goal is to work from home then definitely check into one of the top schools. My guess though is you will definitely not be making the kind of money you are used to for quite some time. Good luck though.
I had no training but
had enough medical terminology knowledge and speed to try out for an acute care position and got it!
I disagree. You can teach yourself to be a great MT. I am so tired of all the CMT snobs out there. Anyone with medical terminology, speed and a good knowledge of grammar and language can do it. I have seen too many do so to understand that this is true.
The certificate does not by itself make a good medical transcription. Too many variables come into play.
MT Training
I have just completed the MT training through Everett Community College Online where they utilize the Career Step Course Ware. They MT program is online and is offered nation wide. The great thing for me is that my financial aid paid for my training, where in a lot of cases the training program is not offering financial aid. You can go to EVCC website and check it out. Another great website for informational and EVCC training stuff is http://www.workathometranscription.blogspot.com/
Hope this helps
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