I started my education

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A friend wanted me to try to get her a job where I start next week.  I'll be doing MT for an hourly wage.  I have an educational background and training in everything related to it except actual transcription, but I am being given a training period to get my ears up and running, and I hope that I can get fast enough.  I am working through a medical transcription text at home (bought it a year ago used to get more information about MT) to brush up and get some more information before I start. I am also gathering some reference materials to shore up what I already have at home from my previous studies. 

Anyway, she said something like "maybe you can get me a job there too". She thought that I could get her "up to speed" with MT skills and recommend she be hired.  I told her the reason I was hired w/o transcription education was because of my medical studies background.  I had to take a terminology test as part of the assessment.  She said that she would definitely fail that.  I told her then, first of all, she should take a med terms course, to which she said pretty vehemently that she did not have the money to do so.  I kind of stuttered at that point and kind of repeated what I had already said about my background helping me land the job.  I think she got annoyed with me . But this is a job where you cannot wing it at all, and you need to invest in your training. Why is it so hard to explain that to people without upsetting them? 

Recently when she knew I was looking for a job, she let me know that the tax prep firm she works for offers their tax preparer cost at a deep discount in January, and that once I pass it, I could apply to do part time or prn tax prep for them at the office where she works.  While that was kind of "insider" info that I did appreciate, I feel like maybe now I upset her by not agreeing to try to get her a job where I work. 

What do you do when people want you to get them into MT like this?  If she asks again I am considering finding a practice dictation to listen to.  I just know I can't put a word in for her if she doesn't even want to take a med terms course.

about 7 months ago.  It isn't all about typing, really.  I type about 98 wpm now, but with research, entering identifiers, finding doctors or city names, etc...the typing isn't as important, even though it still matters.  Plus, after typing all of the reports Career Step has, you'll be typing faster in the end.  When I started school I was typing about 74 wpm roughly, just to give you an idea.

Plus, there's always Typer Shark .  I bought it while in school to get some typing practice.  It's helpful and fun.

Hi Andrea:

I've been doing transcription for 25 years and I love it.  I've been working at home for about 6 years and for Medquist for 3 years.  One thing I would tell you right off the bat is a lot of graduates have problems getting that first job because everyone wants experience.  I would talk to the schools about what they offer in terms of finding employment once you graduate.  I know Medquist used to have a school called Career Step and would hire you directly upon completion, but I haven't checked into it lately.  I think the website is careerstep.com. 

Other than than, it is never too early to start building a medical library.  I would start with Dorland's Medical Dictionary or Dorland's Medical Speller.  They aren't cheap, but you will get your money's worth over the years.  I love my noise-cancelling headphones that I found on Medword.   

I hope this helps you get started.  Good luck!  

Monster.com and placing a resume there.  MTDaily is another place you can put in resumes.  Keep passing resumes out.  Look for a company and check out its reputation here and other MT service blogs or boards.  I came here first and discovered that some companies don't pay until they see their names lit up here.  I went looking for transcription companies advertising for doctors to type for, and then found the back door to their recruiting department.

Does anyone have any information whether good or bad on Gatlin Education Programs.  I am thinking of registering for their online MT courses and want to make sure it is a good decision.  I appreciate any information.

Thanks

I was given the opportunity to transcribe for the radiology department and soon was asked to cross-train to other areas of the hospital to transcribe.  Boy, did I learn a lot. 

I remember one lady (I was only 18 when I started working at the hospital) after 3 years of vo-tech high school training.  I used to get mad because she would make me look things up in the medical dictionary.  She forced me to use my noggin.  Once I got the hang of it, I thanked her again and again for being so hard on me.  There was another lady who worked p.r.n., but she had her own clients.  I learned a lot from her.  I think of her often when I "can't go/have to work" even though I work from home.  NOW, I know what she was talking about, but I have learned to manipulate my schedule to not miss out on anything. 

Have you compared how many hours of transcription training you had in college/school with Andrews and M-TEC?  Were your instructors CMTs with many years of experience?  Did your curriculum include anatomy, diseases, pharmacology?  I assume it included medical terminology.  Maybe if people were to compare the curriculums (or if you prefer, curricula) they would understand why M-Tec and Andrews have such a good reputation.  When you graduate from those top two schools, you are very well prepared to work, and that is what many companies have come to realize.

Right now is a difficult time to find employment because many companies are running low on work due to the holidays.  Have you inquired about internships locally?  Doesn't your college/school offer any help with finding a job?

Was your goal always to be an MT? If so, why obtain an associate degree?  If you have come to realize that you want to be an MT, then maybe you would be better off investing into Andrews or M-TEC.

Have you passed any tests/all tests?  Many companies have a direct link on their websites for the testing.  I would assume if you aced a test they would be willing to talk to you.  How many resumes have you sent out?  I believe it will be harder for you to get your foot in the door somewhere, but if you really want this, you will find a way.

Good luck!

I am in the process of attending Allied Business Schools and have found that their programs are challenging, but yet easy enough that somebody who has no clue about medicine can do them.

http://www.alliedschools.com

BTW---I earn nothing from this, just giving what I have experienced.

Anne

..

7 cpl also from other companies.  One company, Spheris, only offered me 5.5 cpl and I turned them down.  Again, I graduated 2 years ago when I was seeing more people offered at least 7 cpl. Now, everyone from CS seems happy to work for 5 cpl.  Go figure.