I stopped buying reference books ten years ago....
Posted By: eversothankful on 2007-12-04
In Reply to: How often should one replace reference books?..sm - NEWMT
Use web sites such as RXlist for medications.
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buying books
I have gotten quite a few Stedman's off of www.half.com (part of eBay, if you're not familiar with it). I've gotten some really good deals, including one still in the shrink wrap. They have some of the really old versions, too, so you have to watch that.
reference books
I just accepted a position with a national and will be starting on clinic notes. I have some reference materials, but was wondering if Stedman's Pathology and Lab would be a good investment. Would anyone that types a lot of clinic have any advice on reference books that would be handy to have. Or do you all use the internet to research terms?
Reference Books for the New MT
What is your favorite MT reference book? What would you suggest a newbie absolutely has to have to start out in MT?
Reference books
Will be getting back into MT'ing in the near future, and was wondering what everyone would recommend as the three essential reference books to start with (was thinking possibly Stedman's abbreviations, red Dorland's and possibly one other). Hope to utilize online ref's a lot but know there's no substitute for books. Thanks, P
reference books
Is there one reference book you use more than others. What's your favorite way to search for a word?
Reference books
Definitely Dorland's Medical Dictionary. It is much more comprehensive than any of the others. When I was first transcribing (1969!)I learned a great deal of medicine from just reading the whole entry. After that, I would say the PDR. I always tell my students to ask their doctors for any reference books they are replacing. Saves a lot of money. Also, don't buy anything until you have a job. Employer may supply you and, if not, you will be able to deduct their cost from taxes if you are employed.
Rosie
Stedmans and other reference books
Hi! I am an MT getting out of the field and have an entire library of Steman's books and also some on CD I would like to sell. A Vera Pyle and Medical Phrase Index. They are in very good shape. I may have added a word as I learned a new one along the way that wasn't in the book and my initials are on the top along the pages as I worked briefly in a place that required it. If interested please e-mail me at angela.dill@gmail.com or feel free to call me at 623-584-4884. I live in Arizona on Mountain time. Thanks!
medical reference books
does anyone use Tabers?
no reference books offered
We do not have reference books. There are about 20 reports to transcribe in the entire course. No we do not use the SUM method. However, I am planning to purchase additional practice tapes from HPI. I was told that they do help with placement. From what I can tell so far, this course gives you the basics of MT. I know now that I will need to practice, practice, Practice.
How often should one replace reference books?..sm
I have a pharmaceutical word book from 2004. Do you think it's time to get a new one?
Reference books--i.e., medical and english
dictionaries. Is this what you are talking about????
did you ever think about buying a service instead?
you can contact me. I heard about someone selling on these boards and got the link.
I would not recommend buying the CD versions used
because you are only allowed 2 downloads and then they don't work.
inputs on buying a laptop computer to use for work
I am a newbie and looking into buying a laptop computer to use for work. I would like to know if that is okay. The reason that I wanted a laptop computer for work is because I wanted to be still working wherever I maybe even if I am not at home. Is that possible? If it's okay, what laptop computers do you recommend?
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.
Do you use Google as a reference? When
I put in Olympus fiberoptic colonoscope (yes, I've known what it is for 20+ years now), I get lots of hits.
Just trying to help.
reference materials
personally, if you can look up info real quick, i dont see how they would know. i say why not.
well, it is possible. You could have your sister or somebody be your reference
and lie about how much experience you have and you would never be found out, at least not that way. So, to answer your question about what would happen if you lied about your experience, probably in all actuality you would either a) be able to test for jobs you were not eligible before and/or b) you would get one of those jobs. And if you were really quick to learn and had good training, you could probably swing it and manage to get through those first horrible six weeks where you can't even figure out how to run the software much less understand what the ESL is trying to say. Then again you might not be able to make your line count or QA minimum to keep the job. That's happened to newbies before. Then you would be let go. But I don't think anybody could actually PIN it down that you did not have the experience. Perhaps you can look for a mentor instead or offer to work with an experienced MT and pay her for checking your work over. Like your own in-house QA person. All in all, lying to get a job is probably not a habit you should cultivate in the long run because you reap what you sow.
You may not even need to buy a drug reference CD...sm
There are lots of drug reference websites that are free and will be more up-to-date than the CD that will go out-of-date.
And the other poster is right, you don't need to buy the most expensive books. You can find them on e-bay or in the Classified section of this site.
veterinary reference
Hi
I am looking for veterinary dictionaries or veterinary word books. I seem to recall someone (john?) posting some information, but have searched again and cannot find it.
Anyone have good sources?
Also interested connecting with anyone who does or would like to do veterinary transcription.
Thanks
mary
Thanks for the Company Reference...
newbiemommt! I'll definitely check out that company. I also came across another Philippine company close to where we will be living. The hesitancy I have is that unless an expat (I'm not really expatting...I'm coming back to the U.S. in 2-3 years) is married to a Philippine citizen ( I won't be married to my filipina love until we can wade through the bureaucratic government redtape there) it can be very difficult for a foreigner to get hired by a Philippine company. As far as I am aware , Philippine-based companies pay at local wage rates...which is peanuts. For instance a entry-level filipino worker may bring home 12,000 pesos / month , which sounds like alot , but that equates to about $300 / month. If I were to be hired by a U.S. company and make just $1,000 / month I would be bringing home approx. 40,000 pesos /month and we could live very well on that.
I would expect that I could make substantially more than $1,000/month working as an MT being paid at U.S. wage rates , which is attractive to me for three reasons. The first is that my love and our children will be able to live very well while living there. The second reason is that by being paid the going Ameican wage I am not taking part in depressing the wages American , U.S. based MT workers are making. The third is avoiding the hassles of just getting a Philippine company to even hire me and also avoiding the difficulties associated with getting a Philippine work permit work visa. Afterall , we are not going to stay in the Philippines for any longer than necessary and when coming back to the U.S. It would be great to already be working for a U.S. company all that time , with nothing more needed than just a change of address.
I really , really do appreciate your suggestions. Thanks much.
Ed
reference materials
Can anyone recommend a good lab book, and a good surgical word book? I have my dictionary, abbreviations, and drug books covered, but I have a Career Step surgical word book, and I have not heard good things about it, so I would like to get a better one. I have never had a good lab book, and would like to hear recommendations from others before buying one. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Andrews vs M-TEC reference materials
I have been leaning towards M-Tec because their site is well-presented to my eyes. The students on the easily accessible boards have been enthusiastic and supportive.
Today I wanted to be thorough and investigate Andrews. One difference seems to be that M-Tec focuses a bit more on the software/technology than Andrews. I don't know whether that is a relevant factor as employers might have their own software. The big difference that popped out at me is the reference materials provided. Andrews seems to come out on top here. Again though, I suppose employers might have their own recommendation.
It's been hard for me to determine which school provides the better education. They are probably tied and graduates from both are always positive about their experience. I wish I could thumb through the books myself since that could be the deciding factor. Ease of learning and the ability to use those books on the job are important to me. Maybe someone who went to one school that knows someone from the other school could jump in with their opinion 
Andrews vs M-TEC reference materials
I am in the same boat, trying to decide between Andrews and M-Tec. Did you ultimately make a decision and if so, which school and why?
Thanks - Renee
Reference links resource for MTs
Thought I'd share this useful resource for MTs, especially newbies. Its a page full of useful MT reference links.
http://linksformts.googlepages.com
Look stuff up in onelook.com. Great reference! And then there
s
Newbie Reference -- Stedman's Medical Terms and Phrases
Hi Guys ~
I have started another at-home business and am planning to get out of the MT field in the next six months to a year, and so I am getting rid of any of the references I no longer use. The last one I have available is the Stedman's Medical Terms and Phrases. I LOVED this reference when I was still in school and brand new, but after using it just a handful of times I am now familiar with my accounts and no longer need it. Perhaps a newbie could use it. This is how it works:
It is the most current edition, which is the 2004. It is approximately 2000 pages,
hardcover, tabbed for easy looking up. Here is how it works, in case
you are not familiar with it:
The book is excellent for things like when the dingaling of a doctor is eating
Cheetos while dictating and says something that sounds like,
"chron-CRUNCH nonsuppurative CRUNCH CRUNCH -ructive CRUNCH
cholang-CRUNCH". Well, you got the "nonsuppurative" part and then a
bunch of half coherent stuff. So you use the one word you got out of
the bunch. When you look up the one word you got, nonsuppurative, you
look down the list of phrases under that word and you come up with
"chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis". AH-HAH!
That's how it worked for me when I was a student and when I was new and was shuttled around from one account to the next as I was needed. I have been placed on my permanent accounts for so long that I know what my docs are going to say before they say it. Therefore, I spent $70 for this book plus the ridiculous shipping that Stedman's charged me, plus tax, so the book cost me over $80 new thinking I would use it all the time... But I have rarely used it. If you have any marble-mouth doctors or any ESLs or if you are new to MT or if you work on multiple and/or
changing accounts ... This would be an incredible resource to
consider. It is in perfect condition.
Email for pictures. Price is $45.00 plus $5.00 for
media mail with delivery confirmation (this book weighs a ton, so actual shipping cost is over $6.00, but I will do for $5) for a total of $50.00.
Thanks!
books
What is the lowest price you would consider for the complete set?
MT books
The complete set (12 books) plus Dorland's dictionary (included CD for PDA)is $250 plus shipping. If you are interested, please e-mail me at bapkho@hotmail.com. Please include your zip code so I can find out from the post office and let you know later.
Thanks
Books
I would highly recommend you have the Stedman's cardiology book. The third edition I have also has pulmonary words, but I'm not sure about the newer edition, and you want the newest edition possible in this case to have all the latest stents, pacemakers, and other things used for cardiac patients. For sleep study terms I would expect those to be in the neurology book or pulmonary book, but I'm not sure of the best source.
Use Post-It-Flags in your book to mark sections like the cardiac drug list. Look the books over so you know everything they have to offer. Stedman's books have OPs and procedure reports in the back. If you read those over a few times it will probably help with a lot of phrases your docs may use and help you get a better idea of what to expect them to say.
For the sleep studies you will probably want to make normal reports for yourself, using a program like ShortHand, but wait and see what they may already have set up for you.
Congrats on your new job.
books
I would like to see the list please. Thanks!
Books?
Where is the best place to buy Drug book 2008 and stedman books
Sell MT books
Hi New MTs
I want to sell my MT books and dictinonary. The books are approved by AAMT because I took the course from the Review of Systems, Medical of Transcription School. These are the list of the books: Dorland's Dictinonary-30th edition; Stedman's Radiology Words,4th ed; Dorland's lab/path;Sloane's Med word; Med abbreviations & eponyms; Quick look drug book 2005, MT guide to MW; Dorland's med equipment word book; Mosby's handbook of anatomy physiology; the MT workbook from HP Institute; the AAMT book of style 2nd ed, and much more.
The price is negotiable. I don't need it anymore. Please e-mail at bapkho@yahoo.com. Thank You.
Sell MT books
I want to sell my MT books: Quick look drug book 2005, Dorland's lab/path, Mosby's handbook of anatomy physiology, Stedman's radiology words, Sheila Sloane Med abbr & eponyms, Sloane's med word book, internal med words by Pat Bowen, the independent MT-4th ed, Dorland's med equipment for MT, the med transcription workbook-HPI, the MT's guide to MS plus (make it your own) plus CD, 12(twelve) beginning medical transcription tapes with transcript keys, exploring med language 5th ed.
Is anyone interested, please e-mail me at bapkho@yahoo.com. Tks.
porr - books
I don't understand. What do you mean you don't have any reference books? I am also in school, and I currently have 9 books open on my desk while I am doing my practices. How do look up words, medications, abbreviations, grammar & style, instruments, etc? Did you pay for this course upfront? You may want to see if you can get a refund. Call national employers see if they will test you once you graduate. Look around your area for local MTSO and see what they require for employment. I would hate to see you put your all in to a course and then not be able to find a job. Not that you won't, you may be able to. But even if you do your going to have a hard time if you have only done 20 reports and don't have any references. The SUM Cd's are great practice, but there is so much more to learn and I can't imagine doing that with out books. You seem like you really want to do this, I wish you well. I think you should make a few calls before you give this school any more money, just my opinion.
List of books
Language of Medicine (Barnes and Noble or AAMT.org). It goes through every body system and all kinds of tests and abbreviations, etc.
I also bought used college text books on anatomy, labs, etc for dirt cheap which helped me as a newbie.
Also, another tip, find some seasoned MTs you can communicate with on messenger. I am experienced but having a few people to get opinions with always helps.
I am mgtranscription on yahoo if interested. Where did you go to school?
Stedman's books are much better. nm
drug books
Being a newbie my drug book that I purchased last year seem now to be old. How does everyone update their drug books?
free books
Am definitely interested in your free books, just get them weighed at the post office and let me know what media mail rate will be, also be sure to include the cost of whatever packaging you need to use.
Thanks for the generous offer.
I don't use any Dorland books so don't know what the
red one is, but I use my Stedman's equipment book a bunch, though still have to use on-line sources too as there is always new equipment coming out and the book was probably written a year before it comes out.
3 main books I use are
Quick Look Drug Book
Stedman's Abbreviations & Acronyms
Book of Style
I have the full Stedman's line, but use those 3 books every day; the others are used only on occasion.
Box of Stedman books...sm
For any new MT or student, please see Classified Board...Great deal on Word Books!!!!
Thanks!!
MT books and equipment for sale
Getting out of the MT biz and want to sell my word books, spellchecker software, C phone, wav pedal, etc. Anyone interested please email me. See inside for list
Stedman's word books: $16 ea including shipping Psychiatry/Neurology/Neurosurgery 2nd ed
Surgery including Anatomy and Anesthesia
OBGYN 2nd ed
Endocrinology GI & GU 2nd ed and 3rd ed
Pathology & Lab Medicine 2nd ed
Equipment words 3rd ed
Oncology 3rd ed
Orthopaedic & Rehab 4th ed
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary including respiratory 3rd ed
Plastic Sx ENT/Dentistry
Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols 2nd ed
Other books:
Handbook of Commonly Prescribed Drugs 14th ed $5
Mosby's Rapid Reference to Diagnostic & Lab Tests $5
Drake & Drake Pharm Word book 2000 & 2003 $5 ea
American Drug Index 1999 $5
Current Medical Terminology Vera Pyle 7th ed $5
Stedman's SpellChecker for Word 2000, 2002, 2003 $18
ea
Medical Acronyms, Eponyms & Abbreviations 3rd ed $5
Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed hardback $15
101 Best Home-Based Buisnesses for Women 2nd ed $5
An at home medical transcription training course - all manuals, text and tapes included. Contact me for price.
C-phone model 0421 $125 - good working condition
wav pedal $25 - older model uses game pin port, good working condition
Two microcassette transcribers with foot pedal $40 each
Stedman's word books
Hello! I'm a recent grad and having been working for about a month now and am trying to build up my library. I have been using some different Stedman's word books which help me out tremendously! I just noticed that they offer a Medical Terms and Phrase book. Does anyone have this? Does this have as much terms as each individual word book or less? Just trying to figure out if I should continue to build based on the specialities I am working on or just get the one book. Thanks! and hope this wasn't too confusing :-)
skill builder books
sounds like a great idea.. I only have books with lists of words in them. I also had one basic medical terminology course... most of what I learned was on the job!
Free books...you pay shipping.
Hi! I recently updated my Stedman's reference library and have the following books available. They are free to whoever wants them. They have served me well over the years.
Email me if you are interested at jerrilynoliver@yahoo.com
Stedman's
Cardiovascular/Pulmonary 3rd Edition
Ortho/Rehab 3rd Edition
Path/Lab 2nd Edition
Equipment 3rd Edition
Plastic Sx/ENT/Dentistry 1999
Abbrev 2nd Edition
Ophthalmology 2nd Edition
Derm/Immuno 1997
Psych/Neuro/Neuro Surgery 2nd Edition
Radiology 3rd Edition
Stedman's word books are probably the
best ones out there. You can find them on the classified board here, half.com, Amazon.com or at Stedman's website - don't know URL but Google Stedman's Word Books.
I don't believe Andrews lists ALL the books on their website ...
that they provide for their course, just a few. You could contact the head of each school they will actually talk to you and answer your questions. From everything I have read over the last few years, both schools are wonderful.
Whichever you choose, you might find one on www.half.com. Great spot for books! nm
s
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.
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