I'm sure all are great, but I chose CS.
Posted By: OP gal on 2006-07-09
In Reply to: Question about MT schools - Kimberly
I also posted my answer on the main board for you, but here it is again.
I am also working right now typing acute care. I was hired before I graduated, so now I'm trying to finish the course in my spare time. Andrews and M-Tec are great schools, I am sure, and any school you choose would be a good choice. Good luck!
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That's why I chose M-Tec.
I didn't see anything besides payment plans or their own loans through Andrews and Career Step. M-Tec has the link to the Sallie Mae website.
Good Luck!
Why I chose MT...
I wanted to work at home because my son had medical issues when he was born and we were told he shouldn't be around other children for at least the first year of life. I quit my job to be home with my son, but we couldn't live off just one income, so I needed to find a new job that I could do while caring for my son.
I researched WAH jobs and MT kept coming up. I decided to check it out. I had a medical background, so it seemed like a good choice. I completed an online course in 2006 and have been working since.
My previous job only paid $12 an hour, so my goal with MT was to earn at least that. I earned minimum wage the first few months, but within 6 months I was making my goal of $12/hr. I am now in my 3rd year as an MT and I make just over $40,000 a year working 40 hours per week. While I have my complaints with this field, I don't know any other jobs I can do with minimal education and be earning what I am within the first few years. With most careers, you have to start at the bottom of the pay scale and work your way up. I have worked hard to get where I am today. I spent A LOT of time working on creating templates and macros for my accounts and working on my Instant Text glossaries to get my production to where it is.
As with any job, there are pros and cons, but for me, the pros of MT far outweigh the cons. I now am making the most I have ever made in my life and I get to work from the comfort of my home. I work as an IC so I can arrange my work schedule around my family activities. That to me is the best part.
I do, however, worry about the future of this industry and am working on Plan B. My son is starting school in a couple of years and I will then be able to pursue another career path if I want to do that, but for now, MT is working out for me.
Why I chose Andrews.
I am a current student at Andrews. They have an exceptional course.
I chose Andrews because of their quality, their reputation, and the ability of their graduates to obtain employment. Having "Andrews graduate" on your resume opens doors that might otherwise be closed.
I am a former technical training instructor and course writer. Quality of training was my only consideration when choosing a school. I simply wanted the best education available for my money.
i have been transcribing for 15 years and am NOT a CMT nor do I chose to be.
I can get a job with a telephone interview and not have to take a test. Do not be pulled into that "i got to spend money to make money" motto. That's bull. being a CMT means something to those who are members ONLY!!!!!.
I chose Career Step, should've gone to M-TEC
x
Great way to put it
Thanks so much for your response. That helped a lot!
I think I am just scared and need to get over it.
Hopefully some day soon I will be stopping by your pub as a Module 1 student. 
great
 yeah, some positive messages for newbies/students!
LOL! Thanks. I did wonder a bit. Have a great
.
great
Awesome, great to hear before I waste my money! Thanks!
I know it's not great, but...
it's a start. I don't expect to become a millionaire overnight, but I didn't expect that when I took the course. I didn't say that the MTSO was sainted, and done nothing wrong. I also won't be dissappointed if my check only adverages about 400.00 a week. I don't have to pay for gas, I get to stay home with my kids, and most of all, I get the experience that I need to find a better job. And to be totally honest, since my husband is dying and can't work, and I have two small children to take care of, right now, anything is better than nothing. I know that all of you are just trying to let me know that I probably will not make as much starting out, and not to get my hopes up. I really appreciate that, but you have to understand my situation to be able to understand why I'm so excited.
I have 0 experience. This is the first company that gave me a chance. I also have an associates degree in business. As soon as I learn the ropes, and get a little experience, I plan on opening my own company. With a little hard work, I can make this job work for a while, and I am willing to do that. No one starts out at the top. I just have to be excited because right now, it's all I've got to keep from giving up all together. Please let me enjoy my happiness for a moment at least. I don't get much of it.
Everyday, I watch my husband die a little, I watch my children grow up without a father, and until now, the four of us lived off of 700.00 a month. Now, maybe I can afford to by them a bag of m&m's if they ask for it.
great
I will definately check out that website. I'm assuming it is adhi.com? And yes spell check is not a bad idea. Is there anything bad about putting medical terms that I commonly have trouble with into my user word list? My school said that spell check is a no-no but it has saved my butt a time or 2. 
that is a great question
One I have been wondering myself.
Thanks for the great advice! nm
Great idea!
Thanks for the tip!
I went to a not-so-great MT school. However,
I supplemented my weak areas with other materials and was able to pass MT employment tests before even graduating my course. I did the SUM tapes for practice dictation, read every sample report I could find, and independent study for pharmacy and A&P.
Great information.
I will definitely keep that in mind.
Wow, great comeback!
nm
That's a great idea! Let's do.
Best idea I've heard all day.
I am doing just great without having gone to any MT school.
Great way of explaining it.
I was trying to not sound so.... ya' know. I just didn't want her to think that you needed some sort of special phone line. However, some companies that use C-phone may require you carry a long-distance plan, but they may reimburse you. Happy C-phoning. I kind of liked it when I used it, but I no longer do.
great post... nm
x
Great Post!
Couldn't have said it better mahself!
great advice!
I just wanted to say I've been transcribing 10 years and I think this is FANTASTIC advice!
A great site
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
M-TEC is a great school. They will help you. nm
x
Great Schools
I have also heard nothing but great things about these schools. I signed up for MTEC three weeks ago and have learned so much already. They are SO thorough and comparing them to a local home-study class I took about 11 years ago, they are wonderful!
If you go on the MTEC website to the message forum, you will see messages on there every day from current and past students and they are pretty much all 100% positive. I'm not sure about Andrews. I almost signed up with them, but I changed my mind at the last minute for some reason. I am soooooo glad I'm with MTEC. They make it fun and interesting to learn.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
It's a great course, and it would work
your brain. You'd learn a ton from it. You would use everything you learn from the course, and have the skills to research new terms.
Being afraid of medical terminology and wanting to be an MT would be like wanting to be a plumber but being afraid of funny smells, working in small places, and getting dirty.
:o>
What a great gift
I hope he continues to improve and get stronger.
That's great news!
Wishing you and your husband the best. I hope the news continues to be good for both of you.
Thanks DJ! That is a great list! nm
Focus is great
I started with them as a newbie and they have a great mentoring program. I now work for them part-time and another company and I will always be grateful to Focus for giving me a chance.
This is a great school. sm
I didn't graduate from there but am very familiar with the school and their teaching methods and would hire anyone from there in a minute. From what I understand they have 100% job placement rate and will work with you personally until you get a job; however, many students get job offers even before they graduate because the demand is there for good MTs.
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
great info!
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am a newbie, and just completed an MT course at a local community college. I have yet to find employment, but would like to let you all know that you are giving great advice and wonderful words of encouragement. I get discouraged from time to time but all of you give me hope that if i continue to work at this, something good will come of it. For that, I thank you.
Yes, and they're great.
Pay always on time. Great counts. Always good communication.
Training can be tough because QA's pretty tight, but if you make it through it...wonderful place to work for.
what a great suggestion
I never thought about expanding medications, but what a great idea. Many of them, especially in the ER, are almost always given in the same dosages.
Great post...
Definitely agree that any new MT needs anatomy and physiology and word parts and systems to have a solid base. Formating will definitely depend on who you work for and all the rest will come with experience. Sounds like the OP is off to a good start!
Great post
I, too, am tired of hearing that there are only 2 schools to go to to get MT training. I hadn't even HEARD of either of them when I decided to be an MT and I've been working at home since I graduated over 4 years ago.
That is a great idea
I just recently completed all of my course work towards my degree and am just waiting for my degree to get to me and I think it is wonderful that you are even considering reaching out to others in the same shoes as me.
Experience is required for almost every MT position, but you can not get it until someone else is willing to help you.
I know if there was a company or established Transcriptionist that was willing to offer their help in helping me start my career I would jump at it, but many times the cost is way to high for me. I just keep looking ahead to my student loan payments that are coming up.
Since I am trying to find entry level work, or an internship/mentoring program, I think that what would be the most helpful to me is more practice. Building accuracy takes time and since my experience is limited to my training in school and my externship I feel that I may not be able to build that accuracy fast enough. I think being able to find an internship/mentoring program that allows you to get more "real" experience done would be the most beneficial to the new graduate. It also allows us to find our weaknesses and the things we need to do to avoid them.
Best of luck in making your decision, I am sure it is not an easy one to make.
---Christina
I think it sounds great!
I am a newbie who is currently in an internship program which I paid to participate in. I am not getting paid, and it doesn't bother me one bit! I studied through the US Career Institute without studying up on which schools were best, so I was in a real bind. I did not have the "proper" MT education, and as I am finding out, it really was not a good one either.
When I started, I had only a tape player, computer, a dictionary. I had to purchase my foot pedal, headphones, several references. I think that is doable for a serious prospect.
I also feel that a newbie that has been looking for work without luck, and one that possibly did study through the best schools would be more than willing to work for a couple weeks sans pay. My unpaid internship is a lot longer than that, but I see it as practice/education rather than a pay-less job.
It may be different for someone who went to one of the best MT schools and is fully prepared, I don't know. Maybe then they would want to be paid. But seriously, 2 weeks to prove yourself is not that bad is it? Especially for a person who cannot find a job, and has been searching for an opportunity for months. I think you are very kind to consider it!
Wow!!! Great response. Would hire you myself if I could!!!!!!
nm
I went to a not so great MT school, but I had two jobs before
I even finished the course. Both were at home, one was IC for a MTSO over the Internet, the other was at home for a hospital. It is possible. Just make sure that your correspondence and testing is immaculate and representative of your work quality.
You have a great future ahead of you!
.
www.onelook.com is a great dictionary to use. nm
b
I agree Shorthand is great
I use ShortHand it is the best investment I made
You'll do great, as it sounds like
you've already done your "homework". Best of luck to you!
You have a great atitude to want to do better, which will come in time. (sm)
First worry about quality and learning all the little things. I remember that first year and when I look back I am amazed at all I learned. Then, start in increments. First get up to 75 lph consistently, then 100 lph, then shoot for 125 lph...etc. Don't go into it trying to make 300 lph, because you will only discourage yourself so new into the field. Anything you did better than the day before is an achievement and the reward of that is knowing that YOU did a good job by YOUR standards, not someone else's. I am extremely accurate in my work and only do about 280 lph consistently throughout the day, but that is with over 10 years at this. However, I am very happy each night knowing I did a very accurate and thorough job and for that I feel rewarded.
Please hang in there. Remember that anything worth achieving is worth working for and you are worth it!!
Great job! I hope you find a job
1/2 cpw for 2-3 letter work okay but not so great for
x
Great News! Congratulations - NM
NM
Slycount is a great program (sm)
for counting lines. They have a free trial version available. Also, if in the future you are able to, I would recommend purchasing Stedman's Word books. They are great! They can also be used in conjunction with the Internet, such as OneLook.
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