If you need extra practice typing itself...
Posted By: try on 2006-03-22
In Reply to: How much lines per hour? - Paul Anthony
goodtyping.com
COOL!
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Practice, practice, practice!! What in particular are you having trouble with?
.
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
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.
If you choose Andrews or M-TEC, you won't need a fast track or extra training.
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.
Can you get some different practice tapes?
I learned with the SUM Program and can attest to their ability to train your ears well.
practice materials
has anyone used the practice/study materials listed by a particular ebay vendor? prices are good, and the seller's feedback is terrific.
practice materials
was it from a power-seller w/ a rating of about 1600? i looked at those, too. thought it might be handy for getting my ears back in shape 
Looks like I have some practice ahead of me...
Ok... it's 'get,' not 'bet,' that's supposed to be in my last post. Practice makes perfect. :) And yes, sometimes I do get a little particular!!!
You Will Get Faster With Practice
Ha! I got you beat. My gross typing speed just three weeks ago was 11wpm with tons of errors!
I got a typing program online , downloaded it and started drills for learning the keyboard. I practiced every day for about 2 weeks , but have slacked off a bit. I just did a typing drill earlier this evening and was at 37wpm with 0.46% errors. I know I will improve and get much faster (with accuracy being very important , as well) the more time I spend practicing.
If I can improve I am sure you can , as well. Don't get discouraged and just practice , practice , practice.
Practice files?
Is there an internet source I can find to download 'practice' files, the kind that sounds like a realistic dictation? Because I find my course does NOT prepare me for real-world dictations.
Practice Dictation
I'm looking for free practice dictation in oncology/hematology. I'm coming up with nothing on Google. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've got a job lined up, but I need more practice before I start. TIA for help!
You had a chiropractic practice and..sm
you want to be an MT? Oh my gosh! Let me give you some advice. Open your practice back up. It is so hard to get a good job in MT. Especially for a newbie. It is near impossible. I have 1-1/2 years exp and I can't even get another job because the current one is low of work. I can't tell you a company that would give you a chance. I honestly don't know.
Why don't you go to the chiropractic clinics and give them a flyer or something. You obviously know all the terminology with that specialty and would know it well enough I think to go on your own. That would be my suggestion.
Practice Dictation
I am starting the practice dictation portion of my training. The first examples were someone from the school that I chose doing the dictation and then I moved on to actual doctor reports.
My question: How common is it for doctors to talk like they have a mouthful of marbles? The first one was awful and there was no way I could decipher what he was saying. I had my husband listen to it and he looked at me like WTH?
The practice is on CD ... does that make any difference? Are the files that are received better in clarity?
This is really disheartening. I feel lost and am beginning to wonder if I can even do this.
I loaded the first 20 practice files and about half are understandable. The rest is a just a garbled mess.
Any input is sincerely appreciated.
Speed comes with practice. A job for newbie
with no experience will pay tops 6 cpl, more likely 5 cpl. If you get a job in a local doctor's office/clinic you can expect $8 to $10/hour tops.
There is so much more to MT than typing. You need to know anatomy, terminology, how to research, be able to do different accents, etc.; though if you don't type fast you'll never make a living as an MT.
I took typing in 9th grade and I was horrible. If you had told me I'd make a living typing I would have laughed at you. I now type about 125 wpm.
i need sample voice files to practice
I need help. I am a recent graduate and I would like to know what websites offer free sample voice files where I can practice. Thanks
penn foster - questionable practice
I did take a freelance writer's course from penn foster and I found the course not very balanced. There were mainly mutable choice open book questions (for a writer's course?) that were too easy and most of the relevant info I found in other sources.
The other problem with this course was lack of writing for it, lack of practical lessons in the course. The course was designed as a half hearted reporters course that assumed the writer has a college level writing ability. (I had high school level from 17 years ago)
The other problem was lack of professionalism with grading the manuscripts and fuzzy grading system. The Editor (mystery editor-would not disclose who, where or what qualifications the editor had.) was NOT a professional, missed basic mistakes and went out of her way to find mistakes that were not in the script. If she did not care for your story you a poor grade a failed it. (Only 4 manuscripts [test] were required out of 14 test total.
When I called for help, the man on the phone said he could only answer questions from the text book, he could not tell me who graded the manuscript, he said they were sent off campous but would not say where. He then stated, that I would not want to talk to the editor anyways.
I researched the accreditation--which means noithing but they filled out forms and paid a 1,000 dollar or less fee and garentee the MININIMAL standard.
They are a real school, that just moved to Scottsdale AZ by the way, but they operate at a min requirement.
The price is double what the course is really worth, save your money and go to a local college.
If she is a recent graduate she has NO experience, just school practice.
Why would she need a mentoring program if she went to a good school?
That simple, easy, clear dictation practice is what the crappy schools use.
Then the person graduates, thinks they know what they're doing, and are totally shocked when they start trying to do REAL MT work. One of many reasons these cheap, crappy, found-out-about-it-on-a-matchbook-cover schools AREN'T recommended.
Typing on a lap top
I too type on a lap top. I use a wireless keyboard. I prefer it to a desk top.
typing speed
So, what is the required typing speed for someone who is looking hired? Or should I say the minimum.
typing programs
I used this website www.typingtutor.com and it was very helpful. You said you were using a MAC? I don't believe you will be able to use that once you are working, and I think that is a problem with training with M-Tec because of the software they use.You can check with them, but I'm pretty sure I saw that on their website.
typing lab values
Can someone please help with ponters on how to type lab values in H&Ps. Which ones are commonly dictated one way but meant to be typed using decimal point values? thx in advance for your help.
The typing program I have is .......
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, which I have had for years. It doesn't cost much and allows you to practice your typing and improve typing speed.
Also, used to get a lot of headaches sitting in front of the computer but since I bought a radiation shield/screen to hang in front of my monitor, that has relieved a lot of my eye strain and headaches. It tones down the brightness of the monitor, which I didn't realize was so bright and how it affected by eyes until I put the filter screen in front of it. But I also wear glasses now for nearsightedness as a result of sitting in front of computers for years in previous jobs.
Anyway, hope this helps.
$5....but what the heck are you typing about? :) nm
s
typing test?
I am testing for jobs, and they want a typing test sent to them. My comment... why? I type what I hear not what I read. The brain is trained in a different way. I can only type 60 wpm without my shortcuts and stedmans smart type. They want 80 wpm. I dont know if I should test or not?
typing tests
Don't understand the reason either.....I just take the test...
First you aren't typing 150 lph, you are
transcribing 150 lph - big difference. That lph isn't bad for being a newbie and you can't compare yourself to an MT with 10 years of experience.
You can make more macros, use more expansions. If you are trying to work around kids you probably aren't working as much as you think you are. There is a free program you can download called Time Stamp (I think) and you use it to clock in and out to show the time you are actually transcribing. You'll be surprised how much time you think you are working and how much you are actually working.
Try to get up early before kids and work 2 hours. If they are young enough to still take naps, work when they are napping, or give them at least an hour of quiet time in their rooms so you can work. Work after dinner when your husband can look after them.
Don't get on the internet unless you are researching and do your research and don't visit other websites or check your e-mail. If possible make a note about what you need to look up and save it for when you take a break and you can look up several at one time.
I've been doing this for 20 years. I'm not a fast typist, I can't transcribe with the speed ramped up. I know people who can turn out the lines, but I have also seen some of their work and it isn't a quality product - not saying that it isn't possible to do both, just that fast isn't always good.
typing speed
I am starting school the end of this month and only type about 25 wpm just concerned and wondering if anyone else started out typing this slow and how it went for them and if school really help to pick-up their speed...or should
i just forget it and move on to something else.
You aren't going to be typing 60 wpm. You are going to have to
look up words, format, spellcheck, etc. so just because you can type 60 wpm doesn't mean a thing. You also have to figure it the difficulty of the account, how lines are counted .........
typing error
Who are you, the typing police? Do you get pleasure out of insulting people? Or are you the perfect typist who never makes any errors? Don't think so!!!!!!!!!
typing test
It was a timed typing test.
I was not fast or accurate enough to pass, but I am improving. Have you worked online without taking a typing test?
Typing tests
I've never seen a typing test, timed or untimed, as part of any medical transcription application process. Transcription tests, yes, but not TYPING tests.
If I had ever been asked to take one, I'm afraid I would have gotten up and walked out. I would have assumed that the employer didn't understand the nature of the work they were calling "medical transcription." If they didn't understand that, they wouldn't be likely to understand much else about it, either, and that would be unfortunate for everyone.
If you're applying to legitimate MT employers, I don't think they will ask you to take a typing test. I do not believe our students have reported having to take a typing test, either.
You might want to check what MT services actually require.
That being said, you should . . . of course . . . improve your keyboard speed. That isn't achieved by going faster, but by keying slowly enough that you don't make any typos, but just keep going on and on. Eventually, you'll speed up. Try keying medical reports and books. There are lots of them on the internet.
In order for you to work comfortably as an MT, you'll need to be able to keyboard a whole shift, or about 7 hours with a 10 minute break every hour and a half-hour to an hour break in the middle.
You can do this if you start now and work at it gradually and without causing yourself stress. :)
Typing Tests
I have applied to several online companies and I haven't found any that don't require a typing test. Do you know of any? Also, as a newbie with no working experience, it's extremely to get my foot in the door anywhere. Thanks.
typing test
I agree, when I first started radiology I had to look up every 30 seconds or so - and I'd been doing this for 10 years. If you want you can take a quick typing test at www.typingtest.com, It would be purely for your own knowledge but it is kind of cool to see your improvement.
I remember seeing a job posting that said (this job is not worthwhile unless you can type 75 WPM) which I thought was very stupid. But they pointed out this website and I was at 73 wpm - when I started 10 years ago I was only at 45 WPM.
WPM doesn't matter as much as your knowledge - this is true - so consider that before you apply for a job that even mentions WPM!!
I was typing 150lph my first week. sm
It certainly isn't impossible. No, it isn't great pay for someone who has a skill that is needed and is good at it, but you do need to start somewhere. I don't think companies are willing to start newbies out at 7-9cpl because they can and do hire experienced MTs at that rate. Why should they take a chance on someone unproven when they can get someone who has been in the industry 5+ years at the same rate? That doesn't happen in any profession that I know of.
I've been a working MT now for just under a year and can type 300 lph doing acute care and more if I am doing podiatry. Even at 6-7 cpl I can make a decent amount of money. I'd love to be getting more money, but that just isn't happening. Look at the job boards, most companies are advertising for 3-5 years experience starting at 7-9cpl, any higher than that is not the norm. Is it fair? Probably not, but it is the reality of this industry. Those who don't love their work, are not good at it, or are only in it for the money will be getting out and finding another profession. That will leave less competition and eventually the wages will begin to go up again.
I think there has just been a huge surge in new people entering MT in the last few years because of all the 'get rich quick' ads out there, but people are starting to realize this isn't an easy job.
Who knows, maybe I'm just too optomistic. 
From my typing school days
I recall learning that a word consists of five characters, spaces, symbols, etc., so it seems to me that they are asking for a 65-character line rate.
How do you increase typing speed?
I am a fairly new MT who can type approx 150-170 lines per hour. I work p/t approx 500-1200 lines per day but it seems like I work f/t hours because of my typing speed. I have kids at home so when I get an hour long report I tend to try to hurry and that means I make more errors and slows down my typing speed.
My problem is I am constantly working so I can't find the time to work on my typing. I have only been working for about 3 months and am at 150-170 lph. How long should I give myself to get up to 200-300 lph like many can type?
what type of reports are you typing?
I do alot of psyche and some of my reports range from 150-450 lines per report. So when you look at it like that it is not bad. On the other had if you are doing radiology that would be totally different. Again some of mines average from 15-30 lines. That is with a 65 character line.
Typing speed is no guarantee of success
as an MT. If you haven't had any MT training, you will fail rather spectacularly. Get some training. Get GOOD training, not some matchbook-cover school. Andrews, M-Tec, Career Step--those schools will provide the training that will get you a job. Don't try to cut corners with a cheap school. If you get the right training, and if you have the talent for the job, you will not lack for work.
looking into a typing CD to increase speed before school...
I'm planning on learning online with either M-Tec or CS, but need to wait until January to do so. Meanwhile, I thought it would be wise to do two things: 1. learn my Mac computer inside and out (I only know enough to get around plus alittle extra. This includes Word) 2. increase my typing speed
I recently bought Mavis Beacon typing 16 deluxe (I think that's what it's called) to help w/ typing speed... should arrive soon. Did anyone else do something similar to "ramp up" for MT school? Was there a need? Did it help you? Anything else I could be doing between now and January to get ready to go back to school?! (I'm 44 w/ four teens at home. Been a full time mom, and am alittle "rusty" when it comes to studying! But I'm up to the challenge, and family is very supportive.)
Your grammer seems good, and with your typing speed.....
you should have no problem. Wish you were in California.
There are several free typing sites online.
goodtyping.com is one of them I know. It uses a series of typing tests to improve on quality and speed. It helped me.
Does speech recognition really give you less typing?
TTS, LLC says that you really only have to proofread. Does anyone know if this is true?
You typing on downloaded templates or something? Sounds like someone
s
More important than typing speed I hope
you chose a good school. Doesn't matter how fast you type if you can't get a job because she chose a more "affordable" school that didn't give you the education you need to get a job.
Plenty of jobs out there w/o typing tests. Haven't
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