Is it best to get the Stedman's spell checker before testing for companies?

• Is it best to get the Stedman's spell checker before testing for companies? - new mt
  • If you're already in an MT program, then do get it and - get in the habit of using it now. You need it! nm

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Hi,

does anyone know what is the best kind of medical spell checker to get, so many to choose from.

Thanks so much!

Barb

I'm looking for a temporary med. spell checker. I hope to purchase Stedman's soon, but right now I need a decent spell check for employment testing!

Thanks!

For any new MT or student, please see Classified Board...Great deal on Word Books!!!!

Thanks!!

use the abbreviations book a lot. 

www.drugs.com or www.rxlist.com for drug references.  I have Dorland's but in 22 years I think I've only used it twice. 

Word Book.   It sounds like it isn't the exam that is the problem, but the tests/procedures, which is where a good reference source would help.  

I also have ortho and cardiology, but you may want to see what specialties you'll be doing the most before purchasing those.  Also I like their electronic spell checker.  It rocks! 

I agree with the other poster I wouldn't buy any others until you know what speciality you will be doing.  If you are doing clinic work I'd recommend Sloane's Medical Word Book.  If you will be doing acute care and doing only one speciality then I would recommend a book related to that speciality.  I like Quick Look for a drug reference. 

is good either way or Dorlands for a dictionary.  You can use the line counting in Word if you are going by 65 lines.  I don't know if you can adjust it or not.  Sylcount is a good line counting program if you want to buy one. 

Just to let everyone out there know, this book is wonderful. It's very similar to the Medical Phrase Index by PMIC. It's by Stedman's so you know it's reputable and catered just for the MT. I wanted to inform those interested in purchasing it, I found it on amazon.com. It retails for $66 but there are several sellers selling the newest version for $8 (includes shipping). New, not used as well.  Sellers are best1bookbuyusa (who I purchased mine through) and dabearbooks and sweethomeliquid2. I hope this information benefits someone. Whenver I find a good deal, I have to pass it on.

Here's the review: http://www.stedmans.com/product.cfm/366/224

2005 Stedman's Medical Terms and Phrases: A Complete Guide to Medical Language.  HUGE.  Over 1785 pages.  Hardcover.  I purchased this just a few months ago, I just didn't use it as much as I thought I would. No writing, no damage.  Bought from Stedman's for $69.99 plus tax and shipping; I paid over $75 in total.  I will sell it for $60 including shipping parcel post with delivery confirmation. 

PayPal (cash only, no CC or debit), checks (hold until cleared), and money orders (preferred).  Email me for pictures if you are interested.   

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! 

Hey anyone have any clues to how you pass the test's. I have messed up 2 now.
They are fine all except one file, then you can't fingure hardly anything he says.Any help would be great!

Hello,

I just found this board today and have been sorting though the posts. What is the testing like when you apply for a job? So far I haven't gotten to that in my studies. I am studying from home and am curious what to expect. Thanks for your help.

AD

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I know exactly what you are going through.  Even after being an MT for almost 3 years give or take a few months, it can still be hard to get a foot in the door.  Keep checking this site for openings and call around to the hospitals and clinics to see what service the use.  Each time you test, you are getting a tad more experience in your belt...

Good Luck and keep trying!!!

Previous post said, if you test for a national and fail they make you wait 6 months before testing again.

Which national companies offer employment based on pre-employment testing results? ???

One reason I wanted to get into MT is that you get paid for exactly what and how much you DO and I hoped that my skills would speak for themselves when I tested for a position. But if every company wants to know what school you graduated from and how many years of experience you have, then I might as well have a liberal arts degree.

For those of us new, all this "3 years", "5 years" experience stuff is going to leave us dead in the water if we don't get an in somewhere.

Thanks for any reply.

Hi everyone! I'm a new MT awaiting my final exam results and was hoping someone could outline for me the testing procedures most companies put you through.  I just want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible before I start applying (once I get my certificate of course).

How long are the tests usually? Are they usually dictation only or are there separate written q&a's? Can you use research materials? Are they timed?

Any info you could share would be very appreciated.  I'm expecting my exam results any day now and I want to get rolling immediately with job hunting.

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I plan to start testing again and sending out resumes for an MT job.  I have a question about testing, though.  Since all companies test applicants as part of the prehire process and there are so many different types of tests between them, do they randomly change the tests between applicants and testing or do they keep the same tests?  Who has friendlier tests?  I've got one year's MT experience.  Just wondering if anyone knows or would be able to offer insight.  Thanks in advance.