I graduated from CAI years ago, always had work since
Posted By: CAI is not on the AHDI list... so? nm on 2009-05-19
In Reply to: Part of the "no jobs" message you are - sm
nm
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Newly graduated MT - is it possible to find part-time acute work?
I was wondering if anyone has had any success finding part-time, IC, acute work as a new MT? 
Unfortunately, you need 2 years' work experience to take the CMT exam. NM
x
Try to get a job in a hospital. Don't try to work at home for a few years of doing this full-tim
x
I graduated from USCI and had a job before I graduated, but....
I already had a BS and MA in education and five years of teaching experience, not to mention my own tutoring business before I went to MT. That's what got me my job, I know that for a fact. (All three of my employers have commented on my "great resume".)
If you can't afford to start over with another school like Andrews or M-Tec (I forget the other Big Three school), I suggest you go to ebay and buy some extra tapes to use for practice and include those in your resume. For example, I realized about 3/4 of the way into my studies that I had not done enough research on my school. I bought HPI/SUM tapes from Ebay, AAMT tapes from Ebay, and I forget what else. I did a TON of extra work. My resume looked great, and I did get a job with no problem.
It's not impossible. USCI or AHP does not mean a death sentence, it just means that you have to work harder to impress.
If you want a copy of my resume, just email me. I did have all three employers comment on it, and I have been in my current position for almost a year now.
Good luck!
You have not been transcribing 10 years. Your resume reflects about 4 years tops. I am going to put
very little MT experience and now you're pushing software that posters can get for free. There is a problem with that. You need to search YOUR heart ands ask yourself just how helpful you are really trying to be to new MTs or if your lining your own pocketbook because you don't know how to transcribe yourself.
Just graduated.........
I am now looking for work. Most employers want
you to have actual experience, which I do, but
the training does not count. So now I have to find
someone who will hire me. Are there any companies
that recent grads?
I just graduated
J--I just graduated, so now I am on the hunt!
I had a job 3 mos before I graduated from AHP, but...
I would still recommend one of the Big Three if I had it to do over again. I had no problems getting a job as an AHP grad, however.
I graduated from CS...sm
and I had 3 job offers within one week, all for work-at-home positions. I had the same concerns at first, since CS was so much cheaper, but I read about how many of their grads were getting work-at-home jobs right away, so I went with it. I felt totally prepared to work, and my employer has been very happy with my work.
Soon to be Graduated !!!
Well I am waiting for my final exam to come back and I will be graduated and looking for a job !!!! Woohoo....
I went through a long grooling course with M-Tech but I loved it !!!
Wish me luck
I graduated AHP and...
I have 2 jobs I love, one for a local doctor and a long-distance account for a hospital. I have received no complaints so far about my work.
If you graduated from one of the MT schools
that are recognized by employers as turning out job-ready MTs, you will have no difficulty at all finding a job. If you graduated from one of the schools advertised by the likes of has-been TV personalities, you will likely have difficulty finding work. That is because employers have had bad experiences with graduates of those schools (even the ones with As). If employers are not familiar with the school that trained you, they will likely not be willing to take a chance either, so you will need to look locally. Try small clinics, one-doctor offices, places that may not have such stringent requirements for training. That way, you can get that all-important experience in a lower-stress environment. Good luck to you.
Almost graduated and have questions
Hi everyone! I am new on this board and will soon receive my certification. I have one more semester to go with an internship and everything. I have a few questions though.
1. Is it wise to start posting your resume before you graduate , and if so, how much time before you graduate do you recommend starting this?
2. For a new MT, what is a reasonable rate of pay either per line or per hour?
3. Do the grades you make in school really make a difference? I have a 4.0, but some people tell me that they don't even look at how well you did in your classes.
4. How do you know a real online transcription company from a scam? I'm sorry, but I didn't even know that transcription scams existed before seeing some threads about it here.
5. (last one I promise) I am doing an internship for someone local this last semester, does this really count as experience or do you always have to do internships with the company you get a job with before actually becoming an employee?
Thanks to anyone who responds in advance!
Graduated from M-TEC in 2001 -
Been working at home doing acute care as an IC ever since! 
I graduated M-Tec Today
Woo Hoo !!!!!
I graduated in July...(sm)
...and had a job within a week of graduating. I completed the M-Tec program and didn't have any problem whatsoever. If you're an M-Tec or Andrews grad, make sure you put that in the subject line of your email!
Yes, I graduated from Allied
I graduated on Aug. 3, 2006, and it only took me a week to find a job. I just found a list of MT companies, applied, and tested at every one that would allow me to. You know, a year later, I don't work from home anymore, but I work at an Air Force base hospital making a lot of money. Just stick in there and apply everywhere you can.
I also graduated from Allied... sm
I found a full-time per diem position fairly quickly at my local hospital. However, they downsized a few weeks later and the four of us in per diem positions were let go. So I can TOTALLY relate to your frustration, as I am now also again looking. Hang in there, the jobs are out there.
Honestly, if you just graduated, you
would be doing your self a great disservice by working so little. There is still a lot to learn once you start working, and it will be very difficult to get up to speed working just a few hours a day or 1 day a week.
Also, a lot of companies will not hire a new grad at less than full time, and what you are asking to do amounts to less than 10 hours of work per week even at newbie speed.
After I graduated, I took about a month off.
When I started applying I was hired, the day after I began sending out my resume.
Just graduated.....where should I start?
Tomorrow night is my last class. The school does not help with finding jobs. Any suggestions as to where I should start looking?
I saw a posting for PT entry-level MT position with Rider & Associates, Inc. Does anyone know who they are and are they reliable?
I was told by a former graduate form my school to look out some companies are not cracked up to be what they seem.
If you graduated from CareerStep, M-TEC, or Andrews,
But there are other good schools too. Those are just the well-known online ones. Just keep applying and applying--and ACE those tests. Make sure your resume is EXCELLENT. You'll find something. Good luck!
I have been working from home since the day I graduated!
I had numerous companies wanting me to test with them. The ladies I know who graduated at the same time I did echo similar experiences. I have also made excellent money. With the right training, the ability to be a good MT, and the drive, it can be done!
Can someone that graduated from Allied please respond...
Can someone that graduated from Allied please respond... I really want to here from current or graduated students.
Thank you.
I graduated from Penn Foster sm
I recently started my first MT job after graduating in December 2008. Because of this course, I felt right at home with transcribing hospital reports, which seemed to surprise my new employer. Penn Foster taught me the basics, and I've been able to apply what I've learned to looking up unfamiliar words, etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I graduated the beginning of Nov. Email me if you like. nm
xx
I agree with the variable factor...I graduated
5 years ago from a community college program and was hired immediately at a national company. Started out making maybe 26,000; after 5 years with same company and many, many macros I finally made 36.5 for the year and that is with health benefits for entire family taken out plus extra taxes so we won't ever owe money.
Just make a whole lot of expansions, and if you get QA feedback be sure to note your blanks as they do pop up again.
Hope this helps.
graduated almost a year ago from a "Big 3" and nada
I graduated almost a year ago from a "Big 3" school and have had no luck. I am thinking I have to go for my CMT to get a second look. Ridiculous!
Until every American MT is working who wants to, and is qualified, for a living wage and affordable, quality health care benefits, NO MT work should be going outside the US. Get on it, Obama!
6 or 7 cents? :::snorting::: I made 7.5 at the job I landed even BEFORE I graduated from (lm)
The School That Dare Not Speak Its Name. I then left that job for another one making 8 cents. I am now making 8 cents a line from home, and my one-year anniversary of graduating from MT training is not until May.
Six or seven cents? Not in THIS life. And I have had NO trouble finding jobs. I still get people calling me based on the resumes I sent out back when I first started looking, and I have to tell them I am no longer looking for work.
Nice try, MTSO. But trying to convince people to work for 6 or 7 cents a line shouldn't play as long as some of us are here to bring a little reality into the situation.
I have finally graduated and accepted a position! I'm so excited!
For all of you still in school, don't give up! Get stubborn, work hard, and it will happen! Good Luck to all!! 
I agree! I had 5 job offers before I even graduated! Just make sure you test well... nm
nm
If you graduated from Andrews, M-TEC, or Career Step, many companies will waive experience requireme
nm
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates.
Training and education really does make a difference. Some people just have 15 or 20 years of very bad experience. They may be fortunate that one employer was willing to hire and keep them, but if that one closed, they would be in trouble. It all depends on the person. some new graduates are a better bet then some experienced MTs. I would prefer to find an experienced MT with great skills and a teachable attitude, but many experienced MTs know everything and are only willing to do things the way they've always done them.
most psych work is included in multispecialty hospital work..sm
contracted to a medical transcription service that requires multispecialty experience because of the hospital work. Unfortunately, very rarely can a medical Transcriptionist these days be given only one specialty when working for a service or hospital. We have to be well versed in multi specialties. The Turn Around Time on demands have increased, and thus the service or hospital gives the MT many different types of work. Learn as many specialties and gain as much experience in different specialties, which in turn will make you a more valuable MT and more apt to gain employment.
Just be sure not to pay for work. There is an MTSO below who apparently charges to work for them (sm
It might be tempting when you're getting desperate for work to pay someone so you can work for them, but don't do it. You can buy software and a foot pedal on your own, so don't let them fool you. If you are approached via e-mail from this site by an MTSO saying they have work for you, please read the posts below before making any decisions.
I took their course 5 years ago - sm
I was quite happy with it and the price, cost a little bit more now but still reasonable. If you do all you are supposed to it does prepare you well enough, though I skipped a couple things (learning the abbreviations); and I skimmed on the actual practice dictation which was a big mistake but I wanted to graduate and get working. But I still passed the final, though not as well as I would have if I had practiced more in advance. Took me 2 months to land a job, another 2 to actually start that particular job though; in the meantime I cold-called and landed a job with a small local MTSO and started that one first, then the other fell into place about 6 weeks later (acute care where I was thrown to the wolves basically). Nothing beats learning on the job though and I learned lots while testing my butt off to land that first job. There are plenty of CAI grads, just many look down on them though the program is very good and you come out adequately prepared though I think no school can prepare you for the real deal, it can at least give you the tools and knowledge to deal with reality.
They have been saying that for years, but...
from what I gather, MT's will always be needed, even to just proof the voice recognition. I will say, however, that I am a recent grad, and am finding out that it doesn't pay very much unless you get perfect dictators, which is very slim to none in this business! Good luck with whatever you choose, but I would look into something else as far as medical to do.
MT for 5 years sm
My advice to you is to do as much research when looking for a job as possible. I did not do this and until I came to MTStars I thought the 0.7 cents per line was what everyone was making. I did not realize I was making almost the lowest rate in the business. I have been doing this parttime for 5 years and there are jobs out there, just make sure you do the research into the companies like you seem to be, and as others have said make sure you go to one of the reputable schools that companies will look for. Do not get discouraged, this can be a wonderful and lucrative business if you make sure to take your time before jumping.
With almost ten years of MT, I would say...
If 'q.d.' follows a medication as part of a medication sig, you must type 'q.d.' If 'q.d.' is dictated within context as a "short cut" for the doctor, you must type "daily".
These edits are required to produce more professional medical/legal document...and we all know that some dictators need all the help that we can give them.
IMO...
-Jade
I took this course years ago.....
I did get a job at a local hospital, but I had an advantage. I had previously worked as a CNA at multiple hospitals and nursing homes, and ward clerk at a hospital. This is a basic course and you will probably have a hard time finding a job. I'm not trying to be rude, just truthful.
How I did it and have been doing for over 10 years....
Okay, it is time to let the cat out of the bag on how you are going to be successful as a Transcriptionist out of school.
The first thing I am seeing is that these schools promise that you will be working from home making in upwards of $40,000 a year. Forget about that. You are new to this. If you come out of school working on a production basis you may very well fall flat on your face and make $3 an hour by the end of the day. I was a transcriptionist for almost 5 years working for a hospital and I decided I could make more working on a production basis.......I failed miserably my first year.
First off, get experience under your belt and make an hourly rate in the meantime. How did I do this? Well, I started out getting a job in a hospital, any job I could get. I started out in billing, even though I wanted transcription. I watched and waited for openings, when finally someone in the psychiatric unit called me (I made friends with everyone, the key to getting calls like this one) and said they were losing their transcriptionist and I should apply. I applied and got my first transcription job, making an hourly rate. Had I not gotten pregnant with twins I would probably still be there.
After babies were born, went back part time in the evenings. This time since I had experience and another local hospital was willing to hire me in the radiology department. Again, hourly. I watched and waited once again (I hated radiology transcription). I got to know who was in charge in the transcription department. I sent her a fax asking her if she needed any part time help (back then there was no work related email). She said, yes, I could work part time (I now had "experience"). The part time went to full time with benefits. However, I got bored and decided to work for, of all companies, Medquist. I thought with my speed I would be making at least $20 an hour.....hahahahahahahahaha, what a joke. I was lucky to make $8 an hour with them. After about a year of struggling I finally got my foot back in the door of a hospital in another state. I had to commute to the hospital every day during training, it was awful, however, now I again work from home, have the ability to make about $20 or more per hour, I own my own home, own a half decent car, I am divorced and don't take any child support from my ex, instead we share in the custody 50/50.
The moral of my story........
Get your foot in the door. Look for jobs that are front desk, secretarial, whatever. Once you are in there and they realize how great you are you can go wherever you want. My first transcription job in the psychiatric unit also involved secretarial duties, so not just straight transcription. I highly recommend getting into a hospital. The bennies are the best and lots of hospital transcriptionists are working from home with full hospital benefits. If you can't get into a hospital, get into anywhere where you can do some sort of typing/transcription, that way you have your first reference/experience when you apply to a company that is strictly work from home. Everyone wants experience, they just don't want to be the ones to give it to you.
I am so tired of seeing these schools and companies swindle people.
If you are looking into training, I highly recommend your local community college. You will probably take some credit college courses that will be able to be used should you decide to do something else. My local community college has a course for under $3000 and there are college credit courses that are able to be used towards another degree.
I did my training as a medical assistant, transcription was only part of the course. However, now I am so bored with transcription that I am going back to school to be a nurse.
I hope this helps someone out there. Good luck to you all!
I know 2 different MTs with 30 years
in this business. One lost an account to EMR and the other lost a good portion of an account to "writing in charts" which is a clue that particular account is going EMR most likely in the near future and trying to save money to purchase it... It is very expensive for the doctors (more than our pay). My PCP uses it and he said it is very costly but he is still using it.
Now those MTs that lost accounts are working for nationals and averaging between 6 and 8 dollars an hour because they are being thrown horrible dictators and platforms that aren't up to par.
Everyone in this business is struggling and thankful for what they have and afraid to ask for a raise. I have 2 of my own accounts that I haven't had a raise in 10 years because I know someone will underbid me in a New York minute if I were to raise my rates.
I just like what I do and like the flexibility, but if I were to spend $4,000.00 it would definitely not be to become an MT, not by today's standards anyway.
Can you share where you work that the work is plentiful? nm
s
Been at it 25+ years, still love it the same way I did at first. NM
x
Two years this month.
I was just telling some gals that I have made the mistake of attaching versus copy and paste more than once. I was applying to many companies and simply not reading directions word-for-word while doing so. With "many" companies actually preferring the attachment method, I just honestly got in a hurry and didn't pay attention. I did this as a new grad, I've done it with a couple years' experience! I also caught it right away too, and resubmitted, but that's not the point. Just like MTSOs "scan" resumes in a few seconds, I scanned ads. Just a fact! I'm busy too, whether I'm working or not. I know better now though!
I think as a newbie, and with so many companies using the "two-year experience clause," I just felt like a submitting machine. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I was actually submitting, because I really didn't expect anyone to pay much attention to me no matter what I did.
I did, however, make sure that I spellchecked any communications and tried to be as professional as possible. You might be surprised at how "unprofessional" some MTSOs are! I am hearing them say that they don't want to hear about personal issues, but I have also had many come back and burden me with their own! They sometimes set the tone for casual-type communications, which I find offensive and unnecessary.
I started out with all my resources in place. I think that MTSOs have to remember that a newbie is just that. We have just spent thousands to be educated, bought a new computer in some cases, bought a library maybe, and had to set up an office in our home as well. I invested thousands before I applied for my first job! An experienced mentor and friend told me not to scrimp where resources were concerned, and I didn't! The generalization of the MTSO about newbies was what ticked me off. We might make mistakes, but who doesn't? That was unfair!
As far as the $400 phone system, that I would have noticed and passed on immediately. Some schools don't even explain what these are. I had to ask! I now own one that I haven't used in over a year since I bought it. You are trained with Wav files, which is the more prevalent of the two forms of obtaining voice files, and no, I don't have one sitting around "just in case." These bad boys cost from $300-$800. Get real. I doubt there are many experienced MTs who have this or would spend that kind of money upfront before ever hearing the dictators and knowing what you are getting into.
I do, however, think it is perfectly fair to expect that applicants have the basics in place, i.e., resource books, Word processing program, updated computer with protection, and at least a USB pedal.
There is no excuse for punctuation, spelling and grammatical errors in any communications related to finding work. I agree with that.
I hired on with Medquist out of school, or soon thereafter. Here was their attitude at my office: Leave a ton of blanks, time is money, you will learn from your feedback (if you are lucky enough to get it).
I was very uncomfortable with that! I wanted to learn and grow. I was perfectly willing to spend ten minutes researching a single word or phrase in order to learn, and I felt good about my results. Fact is, more companies than not could care less. I've been told that we hire editors for that, so move on. Time is money!
I continually st rived for perfection, and that does take time. You have to be willing to spend countless hours in research and then verification through viable resources your first years. I did, and I don't regret it. Let's take into consideration also though that I was in a position to do that! I do this because I'm good at it and I love it. If I had to pay the mortgage and support a couple of kids, I might look at things in a whole different light.
I think that schools and their ads are a big problem when it comes to moms at home. They give the impression that having children, as well as not being able to pay for child-care services is some sort of prerequisite for this work! If you have these needs, this job is for you. Bull!!
Then, you have people replying to questions like, "why did you choose this career" with responses like, "I have kids and can't afford child care," versus, "I love this work, and I am good at it."
I personally strive and always have for perfection. I have done my time in downtime, and that is with an extensive medical background beforehand! You really have to be willing to give your all, work hard and for little to start. That's a fact!
IMO, schools are failing sometimes to provide their students with essential information in important areas. I see new grads out on the moon alone the day after they pass their exam with nothing but a lousy outdated list of companies to apply to.
Yes, I think you addressed this issue appropriately. I hope it turns into a revealing and learning thread for all concerned!
Thanks,
Missy C
been filing IC for over 15 years
You will definitely need a CPA for this one. You will get to deduct what ever portion of your home you use from your mortgage payment (if you use a room that is 250 squre feet in your 1,000 square foot home, you can deduct 25% of your mortgage payment and utilities), part of your auto (depending if you use your car at all to pick up or deliver work), internet costs, phone costs, and the list goes on.
Personally I do not set aside taxes for my share of the household income. My husband claims 0 and covers mine and his; seems to work for us.
You will definitely need a CPA because there are things you must pay such as self employment tax. If you try to do this yourself and make a mistake it can be very costly later on.
Good luck!!! I hope you enjoy being your own boss. I certainly do.
This is the 3 cpl job, right? Your pay should go up in several weeks, NOT in several years! nm
s
Experience: 2, 5, 10 years
How are newbies supposed to get experience?
Does anyone know of companies who hire newbies?
My mentor 12 years ago.
was the owner of a small MTSO here in town. She took me from typing psychiatric accounts to acute care and I worked for her for 8 years. The pay was low at first at $7 an hour, but in a few months I went to incentive and was making a lot more money and learning every day. So I would say to get some resumes made up and get out the yellow pages and see what you can find around town. Most hospitals I applied to would not accept me until I had experience, which now I can understand why. It's really hard now if you're new and most MTs are at home. I miss that I can ask any questions of my coworkers if I was stumped on something, or asking if they would please listen to something.
You are very lucky, with 4+ years exp, I get .09 cpl - nm
x
where have you been for the past two years?
You say, "In-house jobs are being outsourced rapidly" and then draw the conclusion that there must be a demand for more MT's? Where do you think those jobs are being outsourced? It ain't Kokomo, it's New Delhi, etc. It used to be new MT's COULD get a job, back in the old days when the market wasn't imploding. But even then, you really needed to work in house before you could work from home. It ain't as easy as it seems, especially with ESL's.
Look I'm sorry you got misled about the field. But flogging a dead horse isn't going to help.
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