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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

If you choose Andrews or M-TEC, you won't need a fast track or extra training.

Posted By: SickOfCS on 2007-02-05
In Reply to: Career Step online benefits - MTinTexas

You also will receive, with your course, many of the books that CS students purchase on their own - the Book of Style, the Language of Medicine, better grammar books.

I graduated from CS also. And if I had it to do again, I'd choose Andrews or M-TEC.


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M-TEC or Andrews have track records of their grads being hired.
If you want to learn about the industry, get a solid education, and see employers knocking themselves out to hire you, go with one of them. I attended M-Tec and literally had dozens of offers to test and several job offers before I even graduated. Some people get tired of hearing those names coming up time and time again, but the facts speak for themselves! Check out their web sites. Good luck! :-)
Choose either CareerStep, M-TEC, or Andrews...all 3
I know. I accept grads from Career Step!

How are they supposed to keep track of your
payroll taxes if they don't have your Social Security number? Employers are SUPPOSED to have your SSN. Your SSN is not supposed to be guarded as a deep, dark secret that no one on earth can see. You're just supposed to be careful not to give it to people who are not supposed to have it. Your employer HAS to have it. Your employer is not one of the people you are supposed to hide it from.
If you have a spouse you can have extra

taken out of their check or you can pay estimated quarterly taxes.  You can print the forms from IRS website.  You pay quarterly but you don't do your taxes until January just like everyone else. 


I'm not an IC, but my company only pays federal taxes and not state because they are in a tax-free state.   The first couple of years I underestimated and got hit with a penalty, but after that just took the previous year wages and divided them per pay period to figure out how much extra to have taken out of DH check.  We got back about $900 in state taxes the last 2 years, but I don't want to decrease what we have taken out because line counts fluctuate and DH is in a commissioned position so his check fluctuates too.  I'd rather be over than under. 


 


...extra cost, and most probably not until you
s
If you need extra practice typing itself...
goodtyping.com

COOL!
Been having extra taken out of DH check for 3 years now at the
advice of my tax guy and have had no problems whatsoever.  The IRS doesn't care where the money comes from, just that they get it.  We file a joint return.  If you file separately the situation might be different. 
Thinking about MT as 2nd job - extra money

Hi there - I have a very sound career holding a Management position making great money, however we are trying to pay off bills and I thought I would pick up a second job.  A friend told me about being a MT and at first I was kinda excited to start my research, then sites like this (some of the posts) have scared me.  HOWEVER there are a good number of success stories.  I think I may continue on, as this will not be my main job, just for extra income.


My question for all of you who are certified.  I keep reading about the BIG 3 schools.  I don't know who they are, but I was going to go to one of my technical colleges in my local area.  Is that a no no in the MT world?  I mean, it's an accredited school.  I'm just scared that when applying for jobs, they will want those that came from the big 3 that you all are talking about.


If anyone can share information I would greatly appreciate it.  Thx a bunch!!!


You have to PAY EXTRA for the internship and they don't teach you enough to get hired. (see messa
Much better to go to Andrews School or M-TEC, the top two schools in the country. Almost guaranteed to be able to get a job afterwards, and most companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement if you are an Andrews or M-Tec grad.
Why did you choose that course?
Did you do any research on transcription schools? I took on a graduate of AHP, and she didn't know 1/3 of what she needed to know just to do radiology, which is an easy specialty.


why did i choose this course

This is a complete career change for me.  I was a mortgage broker for ten years, had three years of typesetting experience for a newspaper when I was young and decided it would be a good idea.  Why this course - just because you had one bad experience doesn't mean the course isn't a decent course.  Maybe the person was one that skimmed by on the seat of thier pants?  Who knows? I've found a couple of people already that took the same course and have jobs.   So I believe a lot of it has to do with your resume, wherr you post it, and what you did before school.  I managed a mortgage brokerage firm and worked my way from the bottom to the top.  I think I am capable of doing this.  - if i can't find a job I'll just kill myself - NOT.  But I can tell you this I have more constructive things to do with my life then to go around bashing other people and their choices.


 


Run away as fast as you can
I worked for them to. Everything that was said about them is true. What I loved about them is they are telling you what is wrong with your report while using bad grammar and spelling most of the time I couldn't figure out!
Not so new, still not so fast
I've been around for a few years, but I still can't seem to keep my speed up consistently. I know that part of my problem is trying to go too fast, as you said, and going for that 100% accuracy. I always go back and fix my mistakes as soon as I make them, or maybe a line or two later. I keep telling myself that's what is slowing me down, but I hate seeing the mistakes. I am also trying to work around a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, and let me tell you, this has been the most frustrating 4 years of my life! I'm just counting the days until they go to school.

The "timeclock" I use is http://www.nchsoftware.com/timesheet/index.html (free through Express Scribe) and I was surprised at the amount of time I am actually putting in; sometimes more than I thought, sometimes not as much.

Good luck, and please share any tips you come up with.
Fast
isn't really always good but necessary in order to make money.

I, too, am a green Transcriptionist and struggling with line count. (Wish I could do 150 lph!)

I can see I am getting faster at certain aspects, but something always comes up to slow me down (difficult dictators, research, or whatever). I rarely have those days where everything goes smoothly, but even on a good day I am not doing 150 lph yet.

It is frustrating and discouraging.
Not so fast, that's what you think,
EMR can contain a lot more than just the 'vital signs'!
For whom are you working for?
And what do you mean by 'TO different animals?'
i would choose another fied.
you won't have a career in this one. it is phasing out fast.

i seriously doubt in 5 years you will have much of a job, let alone a career.

go to school for something else.
many schools to choose from
from reading other messages.. PCDI is a 'no' Penn Foster.. is inexpensive.. but.. is it good???
I can't afford to go, nor is my credit score high enough for SLM.
rochelle
Trying to choose a school
Hi,

I have been trying to decide on an MT school, and I am so unsure as to what I should do. What things should I be looking for in a school? Has anyone ever heard about the online programs at Brighton College, or Blackstone College? Are they any good? I want a school that will provide lots of practice dictations, what is a reasonable number of practice hours to expect? Any other input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

~Bea
Which school should I choose? Is this right for me?

Hi all!  I've been researching this profession and would really appreciate some input from 'those in the know'!


I need to be at home with my family (long story), but my children (all 3 of 'em) are getting older and I'm in need of some 'mental stimulation'!  I would like to find something that will hold my interest, keep my thinking, and requires constant learning (I like that!).  I saw an article in our local paper a few months back about med trans, and it really sparked my interest!  I had no idea about this profession before, but it seems like it could be my cup-o-tea. 


I'm an accounting clerk by profession (if that makes any difference), so that would probably come in handy if I become an IC.  Also, I've had a great deal of training with voice recognition (Dragon Speak), which I think could be of an advantage to me as I have an idea of how these program behave (and misbehave!).  Also, since I was a child, my preferred reading has been medical books (....weird kid!).


I'd probably prefer something part time, and I'm not in it for 'the big bucks'!  My husband has a great job and that has allowed me to stay home, but I would find it fulfilling to make some kind of financial contribution to my family. 


To make a long story long.....I'm looking at a Canadian online school called CanScribe  (I'm Canadian, by the way!).  They seem to be very legit, with a good reputation and are recognized by the AAMT.  They are kind of expensive, but it seems to me that the good ones are!  I'll be receiving a 'settlement' soon, and I think investing in my education is always a good bet!  However, I don't want to be foolish with my investment, and would like some input, like I said, from 'those in the know'!


Good day to you all, and thanks so much!!  Margaret


She is right - choose another profession

I too have been an MT for almost 20 years.  These MTs schools will train you to become an excellent MT and they will be glad to take your money too.  Then you are a highly trained and skilled MT.  If there are no jobs, what do you do with it?  It's useless.


Because of EMR and all the outsourcing that has increased since January 1 - you have old MTs with 10, 15, 20 years of experience out job searching again because they have so many years in and  they do not want to change professions before retirement.  It is so competitive that MTs with 2, 3, 5 years experience will not be able to move in their jobs.  A brand new MT is not going to stand a chance.  Don't waste your time and money.


Choose the best school... sm
You have experience in general transcription, but that's not the same as experience in MEDICAL transcription... Unless, of course, you typed a lot of brain surgeries and cardiac caths for the police department. *winks*



Right now for a newbie, competition is absolutely fierce for landing that first job. Don't cut corners on your education. Your 'experience' in general transcription will NOT open any doors for you, but completing an MT course from Andrews or MTEC will.
Depends on how fast you are...sm

I would hazard a guess that a beginning MT, working on a new account alone at home, with unfamiliar words, having to re-listen, research, might make...mmm $4 an hour?  That's why experience is so valuable.


...nm Shrinking Fast
s
Fast Dictator
Just transcribe what you know and leave the blanks for the whole document.  Then go back again and listen.  A report tells a story, so think about the big picture of what this physician could be saying about this particular patient.  I have learned that sometimes you can find clues in the end of the report as to what he/she may have said in the beginning.  There is usually a summary or impression towards the end to compare to the beginning and middle.  Also, get up and stretch, take a deep breath, and then try again to relisten.  This takes time, I know, but the whole idea is that you do not want to turn in a document with a lot of blanks.  Things to think about while listening are what is the patient's problem keeping in mind the patient's diagnoses, think about what type of report acute care or clinic note, and another thing to try is a sample of available of this dictator.  Hang in there!  I don't know which is worse, very, very slow or very, very fast! 
As far as fast dictators,
you should be able to slow it down with your program. If not, you'll just have to do a lot of stopping and starting.
Fast Chart
Has anyone heard of the MT company Fast Chart? I was recently offered a position with them and just wondered if anyone has worked for them or knows anything about them.

TIA!
Amanda
Fast Chart
I worked for them twice. They are a great company. I was the one who had the problems, not them, and they even took me back a second time after my first mess up!! The owner, Sandy, if she is still doing on-hands, can sound "tough" but she is a great person. The work was always there, I don't remember ever running out, and the paychecks were always on time. If they still do it the way they used to, they give you a Dictaphone machine to use to get your work/transcribe. Again, I loved working for them, just was at a REALLY bad time in my life and I blew it. Good luck!
Choose a good school!
M-TEC or Andrews. Then follow their program to the letter!!! Best of luck!
Fast talking dictators
What do you guys do when you get a dictator who rattles off words so fast you have no idea what they are saying?  I have tried to slow down the dication but it still doesn't help.  I can barely make out a word this guy is saying.  Half of my typed document is blank spaces and I don't want to turn it in to QA this way.
Doctors speaking too fast!
Ok i need some help here, i can not understand what some of these doctors are saying because they are speaking way to fast!! I have tried slowing down their voice and speeding them up but it is not helping me at all. Please please help.
doctors speaking too fast
Well thank you for your response. I am really worried about this issue...... especially if there is a whole sentence I cant understand but I guess blanks are the only option.
If you choose your school solely because it is cheap
you will get a cheap education and pay for it over and over and over again in lost income. Many people who have chosen the crappy schools end up having to be retrained by one of the good schools before anyone will hire them. Just something to think about. It has ever been true that you get what you pay for. And don't let anyone snow you with that old lie "You get out of it what you put into it. Just work really hard and you'll get a good education." Not true with education. You can only get out of your training what is there to be gotten. If it is deficient, it doesn't matter how hard you work, your training will still be deficient. Get a part-time job to save money for one of the good schools, hold a yard sale, wait a few months while you save money, whatever, just don't waste your money and time on an inferior education.
newbie trying to choose a reputable school

Hello all,


I am trying to decide between the MT schools approved by AHDI.  Does anyone have any experience with M-Tec, ExactMed, and Andrews?  Any suggestions..thanks for the advice!


Why did you choose this post to voice your opinion?
It appears as if the OP was so happy about passing the test and receiving that phone call that she rushed to the computer to share her good news with the world. Would it have been so awful to just wish her luck and share her joy? I have been an MT for a year, and I still feel proud and happy each time I pass a test. It is hard for a newbie or someone with less than 2-3 years of experience to get a company to even let you test. When you then pass the test and get a phone call, that is veryexciting and makes you feel good. You could have wished her luck publicly and then sent her an email making her aware of her mistakes along with some tips. This New MTs forum is the last place on this board to post a message like yours.

Why can't some people just let others feel good about themselves?

Should probably try to apprentice locally if you're in need of fast
s
LMAO, thanks everyone for your comments, maybe we type too fast and are not looking at the screen,LO
Or maybe we just like to irritate the ol MT's with spelling mistakes. LOL
Not a hard and fast rule anymore. Strictly up to QA and
s
Whichever you choose, you might find one on www.half.com. Great spot for books! nm
s
This all sounds nice, but newbies have to choose MTSOs wisely and this one is not a wise choice.
me, I will explain.
If you got your training from one of the
schools recognized by employers to turn out job-ready MTs, in most cases, the two-year-experience requirement will be waived. Also, those schools will work with you to help you with job placement. In any event, your school. whichever one it was, should be helping you with job placement. If the course was designed to make you employable, your school should know for which employers you are prepared to work. Good luck to you.
MT Training
I would be glad to talk with you.
If you get the right training ...
i.e. from one of the schools that turn out job-ready MTs, you should have no trouble working from home from the start. If you decide to skimp on your training and go for a cheap, inferior school, it is unlikely that you would be able to work from home for a long time since you would need so much supervision and hand-holding. Get the right edcuation and you can write your own ticket.
right training?
Is Career Step considered the  " right training " that would allow me to work from home from the start?
CS training

Anne, I 'm with you. I want to work PT from home. I'm seriously considering Career Step also. Please feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to toss this around some more. I'm wondering about the sitting aspect of the job also but I think it would probably go quickly when you're transcribing. Hoping to learn more while visiting this site. Good luck!


Training
Hi, thinking seriously of becoming a MT. Background has been in med field many years ago. Now cannot work in old job due to physical disability of permanent nature -no cure. Not mobile anymore. Work at computer would be limited in sessions - is there anyone out there with same type of dilema and going thru and has been thru training?
Training
Okay,  I have been looking into the field of MT for some time now and I am a bit frustrated and confused.  After viewing so many messages posted It seems almost futile to even consider becoming an MT.  Today, right now, is it worth my money and time to become an MT?  Is there still a future for MT's (maybe not in the tradtional since)??!!  Thanks for responding!!!  JSanders 
training
I did recently receive a great gift.  A friend introduced me to a 28 year Transcriptionist who is willing to let me work with her!!
Training? Are you in a training
program? When will you graduate?
training
I have been working on a course through Trans Am Associates.  My resume does not have any jobs in the transcription field. I need someone to give me a chance. I tested for a hospital where I used to live and the head Transcriptionist said that it was one of the best tests she has seen. Any more ?? let me know.
You might want to look into training
available in your own country, wherever in South Asia it happens to be. It would surely be cheaper.
I did on the job training. sm
When I started 10 years ago I had no schooling in this profession and I did complete on the job training. Now I own my own service and have for 6 years. It is possible. I am sorry you feel the way you do.