I'll believe it when I hear from others getting their money.

• Proficient Transcrption---FYI - Goji
  • Has anyone else received their refund yet - ?
    • I haven't, yet. (sm) - SDS
      • Ain't holding my breath - angela
        • I think "Goji" is a set-up post (sm) - anon
          • Setup Post - Goji
            • I'll believe it when I hear from others getting their money. - nm
            • I never said she owed me any money. - ???

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can offer an MT certificate. You have to take the test through AAMT.

Also, what offices and hospitals want? A person who can sit down and do their work without a lot of discussion or BS. Just get the work out, make it correct. I was in a hiring position for several years at the largest hospital in my state. I didn't care about certification. I cared about test performance.

Of course a CMT behind your name means A LOT. That test is very difficult and, for the most part, if you have passed that test, no more discussion is necessary.

I'm new too and typing clinic notes only for an ortho clinic.  I have about 2 wks under my belt and what I found to be very helpful was that the QA person would point out to me some of the common phrases used by the different docs. He even made a list of terms the podiatry doc uses often.  There are a few new MTs on this account - perhaps that is why he made the list. Not everyone will have this resource, but you can slowly create one yourself.  I keep a notebook next to me and write down the phrases that I have gotten stuck on. 

I have found that going back and listening to the unclear parts after finishing the report helps, and sometimes I hold the ones with blanks in them until I am done the batch for that particular dictator. I then go back and by that time, my ears and brain have adjusted to that person's style and I can hear things I did not hear.  I am lucky that out of the 6 or 7 dictators, only one is ESL and I have gotten used to the regional accent of the other one that was hard at first to figure out. 

Good luck. I don't know what is expected of newbies, and I would bet that it differs from place to place.  It can be overwhelming at first getting up to speed.  My first few days were simply awful. I am sure if you work hard and get good QA feedback, you will find that you get used to the account and your blanks will go down quite a bit. 

The lack of new MTs to fill the shoes of those who leave will cause companies to continue to look for oversea's MT's. This will probably continue to make the wages drop for those still trying to thrive on a MTs pay. As for me, My degree was obtained through the University system, why would I pay 4,000 more for one online. It makes no sense. Good luck to you all ...I hope things work out well for you ..as they evetually will for me.

I actually researched this profession for a few months before actually taking the plunge into extra school.  I have an extensive medical background.  But I started by calling different hospitals, transcription companies, etc, around the state that I live in.  They all told me the same thing, experience, experience, experience.  So I asked them what would make me hire-able without experience.  A few of them gave me names of medical transcription schools that they would waive the requirement for.  I followed up and am now extremely happy with my choice. Being a lurker here, I know that many people who are extremely bright and smart cannot get hired because of lack of a certain certificate from only certain schools, which I think is crazy to limit the hiring process based on that only.  BUT what matters at the end of the day is who signs your paycheck.  So instead of standing on my soapbox and shouting all that is wrong, I bit the bullet and enrolled.  I am only a few weeks away from graduation and every graduate from my school has been able to find a quality job in a matter of days or a couple of weeks. 

As in any profession, you will come across people that feel they are greater than thou.  You've made the right choice.  Now, take that education and go with it!  What I have found is that it is not so much being corrected by QA, it is the manner in which it is done.  I always felt I'll take all of the advice I can get, but only use what I need, and let the worthless advice come in one ear and out of the other!  TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS!  When it is all said and done, you are helping people even if it is behind the scenes.  Proper documentation to a caregiver means the world and do not ever forget that! 

What are the chances of making $35K yearly and still having your wits? That is really what I am concerned with. I live in South Florida and am considering this profession. I would like to make enough to supplement husband's income of $85K. However, I don't want to be so stressed out that I can't enjoy life, either. Is there a happy medium here?

Those are good ideas.

Its not that I don't have the money, I just have a hard time spending large amounts.  I can fritter away $100 here and there at Target and Walmart, but, phew, a $1500 check is hard to write. 

We actually have enough money in savings, IRAs and investments to live at our current standard for at least 18 months without either of us working.  Not that I would want to do that, but it could be done.  So, its not that I don't have the money, its just a matter of spending it. I'm sure you can tell that since we have almost 2 years of living expenses saved up in the bank (and we have about 30-35 yrs to go til retirement), we are kind of tight with spending money.

Thanks for the suggestions though. I do need to have a Yard Sale, as much to get rid of stuff as to get some cash on hand. I have a pile of childrens' clothes to take to the resale shop for some cash too.

I was wondering...do MTs make better money working for someone or having a business of there own?  Just wondering.  I realize being new I will not have my own business for a couple of years but will I be able to make a "living" until then?

Do tons more research before you spend your money, please!  I went to MTEC, graduated in 9 months, and have been working from home for more than 8 years now doing acute care.  I had recruiters banging down my door to test and was offered positions after every test I took.  The little medical backround you already have is nowhere near enough to be an MT, so get a SOLID education so you will not come back here at the end begging for someone to hire you for 2 cents a line.  Best of luck! 

coding and billing.  The MT profession is making less and less and having to work more and more.  A new MT has a hard time finding a job.  As far as boredom, it is what it is.  If you find sitting for hours with headphones while mumbling baboons try to put a report together entertaining, than this job is for you.  If not, select something different.  The top schools is where you want to go if you decide, but again, if I could start my career (been in this for 20 years), I'd go with the billing/coding.  It can be done onsite or at home, and all practices need these people to bring in the dough. You'll make more money at it anyway especially since new MTs make next to nothing. 

My living is a fair wage for the time and effort, but the effort is from having many, many years of experience.  A new MT will have to look a lot of words up which takes time away from production.

Good luck whatever you decide. 

P/S:  EMR will be mandated probably by the year 2015, so if you're young and smart, you'll choose another profession.  I hate to be that way but it's the truth.