I disagree.... sm
Posted By: gmg on 2006-04-17
In Reply to: Scratch CAI and Meditec off of the list. sm - My advice
I went through CAI and got hired with MQ after I graduated. They are acredited with the New Jersey Deptment of Education as well. I don't see why everyone is so quick to disregard this program.
(Read this quick, because my posts about being a CAI grad get deleted rather quickly, no matter how much that fact is denied!  )
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
I disagree 100%
I went to a crappy school (didn't know any better until after I paid for and started the training). I studied hard, found as many sample dictations I could on the web (in addition to the ones included in my course), did everything in my power to learn what I could. Interned for 3 months (2 months during training and 1 month after - was offered the internship because I did so good on the homework). I sent out probably 30 resumes, passed tests at 98% or better...no one would hire me without experience...until the day I sent out a resume to a company who was hiring with "a minimum of 3 years experience." I included a cover letter begging for a chance, explaining what a fast learner I am. They hired me at 8 cents a line with incentives on top of it. After 3 weeks I got the okay to submit directly to the client, I was (and still am) praised repeatedly for the quality of my work. My second pay period I was the 2nd highest producer of 16 MTs on the account and the 3rd pay period I was the highest producer on the account. After 3 months I got a 1 cent raise. In short, got my certificate in March, got hired in April... and here I am at 9 cents a line and they tell me I am one of the top 4 MTs in the group. The lesson here...if you KNOW you can do it then you can! I say apply...ESPECIALLY if you went to one of the top schools. They can only say no. Good luck to you!
Sorry - I disagree
I disagree since I have seen both sides. The younger ones, below 30, might be okay with this but those over 35 do not like this. Another thing there is too much standardization and the insurance companies are cutting down on payment, etc. when a note is so standardized that it does not show the 45 minutes spent with the patient they will pay at the rate for a 20 minute visit which makes a big diffence in payment. Anytime Medicare or an insurance company can cut down the payment they will which then costs in rebilling cost. I work right where the billing is also done when I work on the EMR's, typing directly into them, and I hear what is going on. Also legal wise, the docs are finding out it is not good. Like I said the 5 docs in this clinic would rather pay me $18 an hour to type into the charts than take the 2 to 3 hours it takes them to do them along with the procrastination. Most of them dictate while driving home -- they have good machines, easy to understand and this is not a problem for me, and by the time they get home, their chart notes are done and they bring me the tape the next day, I do them and chart notes are done within 48 hours. Anyway it works for them. Trouble is now they want me 40 hours per week but cannot give up my other accounts. Started out doing just 10 to 15 hours per week -- 2-3 docs, to get out of the house, then 20 to 25 wtih four and now they want me full-time for the five. But I make too much off of my own personal accounts and cannot do it so they are looking for someone else.
Also, I have been approached by two other clinics to help out with their EMR's as they are having the same problems. Patients are speaking up and telling the doctor, hey I am paying for your service, look at me when I talk with you and don't be typing into that darn computer. But then this is just my side of it. Patti
I disagree.
.
I disagree with you
I totally disagree! I am not new; I have 22 years of experience as a medical transcriptionist. I think of "newbie" as a somewhat affectionate term. It is used in many other fields as well. I don't find it at all demeaning. When I am posting, I do not want to have to write out "new transcriptionists" all the time. Let's hear from those new to the field, though - do they mind?
I disagree
M-TEC and Andrews are the best schools out there. If you have a decent GPA upon graduation, you are pretty much guaranteed a job. Quality MTs are desperately needed, and these 2 schools produce quality MTs.
Actually, I disagree
"Spelling correctly should be second nature for an mt, whether it is an email or a quick response to a post."
If I'm sending an email to my boss, you better believe I spell check it. Taking a test for a job? Obviously that too. Posting on a forum? Not on your life.
I do glance at my posts 90% of the time to see if I catch obvious errors, but I could care less if my spelling skills impress strangers on a gab forum. Not to mention, in our profession of using typing shortcuts all day, I'm lucky if I remember HOW to spell these days.
I disagree...for me anyway :)
Working two hours before getting up is not at all burdensome on my body. I guess it depends on who you are. I've been doing this 11 years and have had no problems. Two hours FLIES by for me still to this day. If you're somebody with back problems, etc., then yes, I would say every hour get up and move your body. I do ankle circles and stretch my leg out while sitting in between reports to keep the circulation going in my legs. :)
Sorry got to disagree
No disrespect but I do not think that is fair or all the way true. I feel it is more frustration than complaining. To spend thousands of dollars on school to constantly be told 'No' or 'You need experience' can be frustrating to anyone. I mean we are human and not fortunate to have had a job as a MT for 25 + years as yourself (congrats btw) so please be a little more open minded and understanding what us newbies are going through. No need for you to complain due to your resume, but us newbies are trying to get there. Just a lil bit more positive feed back would be helpful.
I totally disagree with you
I took Allied's course and I have two jobs. I applied with over 100 companies, and all of them allowed me to test. It was my decision on whether to take their offers or not. Some of the tests I did not pass, I cannot lie about that. But I totally DO NOT blame it on Allied.
For people to post on these boards saying that they HAVE to take the M-Tec or Andrews course is just insane. I do agree that there are some schools that do not prepare you. All of the jobs saw that I took the Allied course and still let me test.
I do not know why people are so quick to judge or try to bring new MTs down.
I disagree that 6 cpl is tops
I am also a recent CS grad. I was offered several positions and only 1 paid less than 6 cpl and that was for an extern position. The rest of the offers were 6.5-7.5 cpl. I hate to see grads who take jobs for less than 6 because they think that is all they are worth. There are better jobs out there.
I do think the main problem is your line count though. Even at 7 or 8 cpl, you won't make much money if you are only transcribing 100 lph. I would look into ways to increase productivity. Are you using your Expander to its fullest potential? Are you staying focused your whole shift? Are you finding you spend a lot of time researching? What is it that is keeping you from making more than 100 lph? I have been working for 6 months doing acute care work and average 150 lph, but can hit 200-220 on a good day.
I disagree 100% with your advice.
Every hour take a 15 min break? OMG! It will take them all day to get their work done!
A 5-min break after working solidly for 2 to 3 hours is more effective.
Books go out of date every year. However, having a handful of great reference websites keeps you in the know at all times. Do stay away from chat boards while you are working.
If it takes more than 4 letters, make an expansion for it but only do a handful each week. Write them down and put up so you can see them. Don't do anymore new ones until you've actually memorized and easily incorporate the current ones in your work. Using Expanders must be as natural as typing the words themselves.
Totally disagree
Congratulations should NEVER be spelled incorrectly by an MT. We are grammar and spelling specialists, are we not? In my opinion, if you are not able to put together an e-mail with correct spelling and grammar, you are in the wrong business (and I don't mean a little typo). From what I've seen, there are plenty of people in this business who should not be because they can't use the English language properly. That's the basis of all other MT learning and skills. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
I disagree. I've been in a
position of hiring and training MTs and I've worked with several Career Step grads. Some were very good and some not so good. I really think the bottom line is the actual MT. They will get out of any program what they they put into it regardless of the money they spend. I've worked with Career Step graduates who had absolutely no grammar skill whatsoever and were still communicating like a teenager on IM, but they heard that Career Step gets them the job. It may get them in the door, but staying afloat in this business is a whole different story.
Not that I disagree with you totally, but (see inside)
there just aren't many hospitals in many areas any more where people can work. Many of them hire services.
Graduates of Andrews School and M-Tec seem to have no problem getting hired or keeping their jobs at home right out of school. "Grads" of the "matchbook" schools are the ones who need all the extra in-house assistance.
I disagree. Newbies deserve respect too.
You get what you give in this world! I don't care who you are or what you do, and I especially don't care what your position is and how much money you make, everyone deserves to be treated with respect, even newbies!
disagree with scam part about equipment above...sm
keep in mind that if you are applying to a company who is hiring independent contractors, that the IRS definition of employee vs. contractors hinges on three main areas, one of which is how much control the "employer" has over the worker. If the employer is providing equipment to get the job done, the IRS tends to look upon this as more of an employer-employee relationship. So if you are applying for a job that is independent contractor status, remember you are self employed and have to provide your own equipment.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status is a hot area of IRS Audits.The IRS, state taxing agencies, as well as the Departments of Labor (which are responsible for Unemployment tax collections) have been stepping-up their audit activities. The purpose of the audit is to misclassify a subcontractor as an employee. The taxing agency can then collect the taxes which "should have been withheld" as well as large fines, penalties and interest. So if you want to be an IC, expect to provide your own equipment.
Disagree. MT is dying. Get out and don't loook back.
x
I have to disagree. I think it's a great field and I make
I respectfully disagree--Allied has a GUARANTEED...
...lifetime job placement program. Any of the MT schools iare what you make of it and how you work it. I have already been offered a position and I haven't even finished the Allied course yet. Just sayin'.
Disagree. We have a gravy account that we, as IC's, provide our own equipment and pay for
a token to get into the software. Big deal. You pay $150 for a C-phone and $150 for the token but then you make scads of money! So would weigh the ROI (return on investment). Not a hard and fast rule to never buy equipment you can't use on another account.
I disagree. Allied has a pretty decent program.
|
