Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

It makes me livid to hear the line of BS these schools are handing out-

Posted By: Past MT on 2006-05-30
In Reply to: Also a newbie. - Mary Ellis

such a disservice. Why are they misrepresenting what remains of the MT field? Cha-ching!


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

I think jealousy makes the unsuccessful schools say bad things about the others
If I had a really bad school that nobody liked and it had a really bad reputation, what would I do? I would claim that education doesn't matter. I would tell people that you don't need all those books and materials because you learn it all on the job anyway. I would tell people that all schools are horrible. In other words, I would try to bring everyone else down to my level. Sometimes I wonder if that isn't why we see so much negativity about schools when the graduates tell a different story. Graduates of schools that do a good job say it was worth it. Graduates of stinky schools say they wish they had done it differently. Then someone yells that all schools are bad. I think they protesteth too much.
I never hear of those who attended decent schools unable to find work
You can pay now or later.  I had job offers with every company I tested with when I graduated from M-TEC, which was more than 8 years ago.  I have worked from home since day 1 doing both clinics and mostly acute care.  I do not know of anyone who graduated with me who has ever had problems finding a job.  Employers are catching on as to which schools offer enough training so that the grads actually have some experience under their belt or are worth bringing up to speed.  I also did not have to start out at 6 cents a line.  That is absolutely insane.
Gross line means anything on a line is a line, even if just one word
it is counted as a line.  Not sure what exactly you are asking, but if you are comparing gross line to the usual 65 characters plus spaces gross line is better.  If you make 7.5 cpl per gross line that equals approximately 9.5 cpl based on 65 characters. 
Are you getting your line count from your program or can you use the line counting software to do
s
Thank you. That makes sense. nm
//
Makes sense

That makes sense too.  One of my places to go to relax is the library.  I love walking around larger libraries and just thumbing through books that look interesting. I used to like reading all of the back issues of nursing magazines in my college's medical library. 


I really appreciate your response.  This is looking good for me!


Thanks, that makes sense to me
nm
If this makes you feel any better......
On my first day, regardless of college course I had passed, it all sounded Greek to me. Learning in class and actually sitting there real time is a lot different. It helped to know that the medical records director, who was a RRT as well, hated transcription and ran as far from it as she could. Made me feel better to know that at least I was hanging in there doing it.
WHAT??? to say that if a newbie graduates from a top three, it makes
her as qualified as someone with two years experience. Puhleeze. That is simply wrong.
Of course it makes matters worse...for YOU (sm)
But it's enlightening everyone else. Of course you want to "let it rest" because now it has caught up with you. Shame on you for ripping people off. I hope you do discontinue your "business."
She makes some very good points and offers
very useful advice. Newbies would do well to pay attention. There are plenty of professional MTs, experienced and freshly minted, who will be able to understand and follow her instructions, so I doubt she'll be spending much time on her own. She has every right to expect applicants to be able to understand and follow instructions.
That makes sense. When you have hundreds of applicants though
Sometimes I've been known to look at the resumes and choose some based on the training I knew they had gone through. I've also been hesitant to even test some when they told me they had gone through a course that took three months and they had actually transcribed at least 10 reports!!! I tend to put those on the bottom of the stack. I've never had to reach that far down in the stack.

Seriously, don't you use any kind of screening or use anything you see on their resumes to decide which ones you want to test, because if you have hundreds you can't possibly test all of them!
This makes sense, good logic....nm
nm
sticking flyers on windshields and under doors is just assanine and makes -
you look EXTREMELY unprofessional. And I will bet you $1000 cash that not one person would respond to it.

Also, when you do a professional letter, make sure you get the name of the office manager. NEVER EVER EVER address the letter Dear Doctor or Dear Office Manager. I hate being referred to as my job title. I have a name, and if someone is interested in seeking business from me, I expect them to do their homework and find out my name if I am the office manager. I have thrown out every single letter that comes to me addressed Dear Owner or To Whom It May Concern ... I am a Transcriptionist ...

nope, in the garbage. If you managed to find my address, then you can manage to find out my name. Simple as that.
Forget "approved" schools. AAMT set the criteria, then approved schools that didn't meet i
Stick with Andrews or M-Tec (both of which happen to be "approved") but forget about any others, they are not worth it.
I hear ya...

I'm new too and typing clinic notes only for an ortho clinic.  I have about 2 wks under my belt and what I found to be very helpful was that the QA person would point out to me some of the common phrases used by the different docs. He even made a list of terms the podiatry doc uses often.  There are a few new MTs on this account - perhaps that is why he made the list. Not everyone will have this resource, but you can slowly create one yourself.  I keep a notebook next to me and write down the phrases that I have gotten stuck on. 


I have found that going back and listening to the unclear parts after finishing the report helps, and sometimes I hold the ones with blanks in them until I am done the batch for that particular dictator. I then go back and by that time, my ears and brain have adjusted to that person's style and I can hear things I did not hear.  I am lucky that out of the 6 or 7 dictators, only one is ESL and I have gotten used to the regional accent of the other one that was hard at first to figure out. 


Good luck. I don't know what is expected of newbies, and I would bet that it differs from place to place.  It can be overwhelming at first getting up to speed.  My first few days were simply awful. I am sure if you work hard and get good QA feedback, you will find that you get used to the account and your blanks will go down quite a bit. 


Hear! Hear!
MRS is absolutely right. Anyone offering to perform skilled work for free undermines the economic base of the whole profession.

Please reconsider, if not for the sake of the rest of us, then for your own sake. There are any number of unscrupulous people who would be happy to take you up on your offer and string you along at no or very low pay for a long, long time.

If you have received a good MT education, with a little time and effort invested in the job search, you WILL find paid employment. It seems hopeless when first attempts meet with rejection, but good training and persistence will pay off. You do not have to work for nothing.
Sorry to hear that
Sorry to hear that. I personally would not all the negativity get you down. I think they just are unhappy and are just trying to share their sorrow.

Good luck in what you decide to do.
I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but here goes...
I only hire new grads from M-TEC, Andrews, and Career Step (sometimes). Of those grads I've hired, they were ready to hit the ground running even without experience. Granted, they made mistakes and were not as good as someone with years of experience, but they definitely heard more than 3 or 4 words out of each sentence.

You probably don't want to hear this, but you likely received an inferior MT education, and that is going to hold you back from being successful. If you are truly driven to succeed in this business and want to treat it like the career it is, your best bet is to get a better education. I know M-Tec has a course (by the way, it's "course," not "coarse") for people with prior medical knowledge, and maybe one of the other AAMT-approved schools do as well. If money is a concern, I also know there are payment plans and loans available.

I strongly urge you to look into more education before trying another MT job. The path you are currently on is designed for failure.

Anybody ever hear of TTS, LLC
Are they a good company to work for?
Sorry to hear that

The lack of new MTs to fill the shoes of those who leave will cause companies to continue to look for oversea's MT's. This will probably continue to make the wages drop for those still trying to thrive on a MTs pay. As for me, My degree was obtained through the University system, why would I pay 4,000 more for one online. It makes no sense. Good luck to you all ...I hope things work out well for you ..as they evetually will for me.


I hear ya...

I actually researched this profession for a few months before actually taking the plunge into extra school.  I have an extensive medical background.  But I started by calling different hospitals, transcription companies, etc, around the state that I live in.  They all told me the same thing, experience, experience, experience.  So I asked them what would make me hire-able without experience.  A few of them gave me names of medical transcription schools that they would waive the requirement for.  I followed up and am now extremely happy with my choice. Being a lurker here, I know that many people who are extremely bright and smart cannot get hired because of lack of a certain certificate from only certain schools, which I think is crazy to limit the hiring process based on that only.  BUT what matters at the end of the day is who signs your paycheck.  So instead of standing on my soapbox and shouting all that is wrong, I bit the bullet and enrolled.  I am only a few weeks away from graduation and every graduate from my school has been able to find a quality job in a matter of days or a couple of weeks. 


I hear you!
Were we separated at birth or what?!?  I used the word "pest" when I emailed my mentor last night!
I hear you.
Good luck to you.. I am a new graduate with one year experience.. and finding NO luck... I always wonder how the people in this field break in.. and I think the only answer I've found is persistence... majorly.. hopefully before long we'll both find our way in.
When you don't hear from QA anymore nm
//
Same here. Took me two weeks to hear anything
I still work there today. Just took a little while to get things sorted out, I guess. Call them! What will it hurt?
Also still waiting to hear...
I sent my assessments back on Friday the 28th and haven't heard anything yet. They were very quick to reply after I sent my resume and sample transcription. I was hoping to hear something soon, but I'm sure they have tons of people to sort through.
Now that's good to hear!

As in any profession, you will come across people that feel they are greater than thou.  You've made the right choice.  Now, take that education and go with it!  What I have found is that it is not so much being corrected by QA, it is the manner in which it is done.  I always felt I'll take all of the advice I can get, but only use what I need, and let the worthless advice come in one ear and out of the other!  TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS!  When it is all said and done, you are helping people even if it is behind the scenes.  Proper documentation to a caregiver means the world and do not ever forget that! 


So sorry to hear about your husband.
Have you tried your local hospitals or do you need to work from home? That would be one of my suggestions since it sounds like you are not a newbie. That is how I got my job. I had gotten several calls from potential employers here, but only one solid offer. Unfortunately, it came after I started the job I have now.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
Obviously you're not going to believe anybody unless they say what you want to hear.
So just go ahead an spend your money, and then come back here like all the others and complaint that no one will hire you without 2 years' experience, because NOBODY will waive that experience requirement for graduates of Allied. MANY places will waive that requirement for Andrews and M-Tec grads, and let them take their employment test (which they will most likely pass). The companies know that grads of Allied can't pass the employment tests because they are not trained well enough. So if somebody comes on here and tells you Allied is a great school and they had no trouble getting a job afterwards, go for it. Maybe you'll be one of the RARE lucky ones. Just don't hold your breath.
I hear you, Sasha!!
I have had the same issue.  I graduated in November from one of the top 3 schools, only to find the same thing as you - testing with so many companies I have to keep a log to keep them straight, no responses from e-mails, "we'll be hiring in a few weeks" responses, "you need 2 years of experience", etc.  I graduated with a 95% average and thought I would get a much warmer response than I have.  Granted, the economy does affect some, but I would not think it would affect all.  I landed a phone interview with a national, but the message boards are making me a little paranoid about even thinking about it.  I'm in the same boat as you, Sasha!!
Thank you! I am so glad to hear
that using the pinkie to shift will not interfere with the program.
Hear ya loud and clear!!
I am also having trouble getting my foot in the door anywhere. Frankly, my toes are a little sore!
Sorry to hear that. I hope you can find one
x
I'll believe it when I hear from others getting their money.
nm
When you hear "big 3" in that post sm
it has to be Career Step - Andrews and M-Tec students identify their schools.  As I have said forever, CS students have a harder time.
Gotta know your stuff or you'll have to look up everything you hear. Must
s
Sorry to hear about your lost business. We aren't seeing that.
I'm seeing more business than ever before. I hope yours will pick up. Don't get discouraged.
But didn't you hear? Goji got her refund!
Yeah, I ALMOST believe it!


Anyone hear of TTS? (Transcription, Technology, and Support
I have been offered a job with TTS and can't find any info on them. They are located in New Hampshire. They had  a job posting on the job seekers board here so I was hoping somebody had some information. Thank you!
Glad to hear such good news!
I am happy for you and your family, and I hope he continues to improve.
As you'll hear 1000 times, there IS no school that SM

can offer an MT certificate. You have to take the test through AAMT.


Also, what offices and hospitals want? A person who can sit down and do their work without a lot of discussion or BS. Just get the work out, make it correct. I was in a hiring position for several years at the largest hospital in my state. I didn't care about certification. I cared about test performance.


Of course a CMT behind your name means A LOT. That test is very difficult and, for the most part, if you have passed that test, no more discussion is necessary.



You will hear responses from both ends of the spectrum and everything in between on these boards. (s
Personally, I LOVE MT. I went to The School That Dare Not Speak Its Name (not one of the "big three") and I had a job before I finished my course. I have had plenty of work since then working for a local service.

I only work about six hours a day. I could work more if I wanted, but I have children and would like to spend my time with them. I make about $1500 a month, which was what I needed to make to supplement our income.

You will read here about people who say they make $60K a year, and you will read here about people who swear they have no work and that the end of the world is nigh. Take it all with a grain of salt.

For what it's worth, I love what I do. I spent six years in college getting a BS and an MA, and I will never use them again... I love MT! Good luck, and feel free to email me if you like. I think you'll be just fine.
I'd also rather hear from a successful employer with a good plan for continued success
Success breeds success. When I look for a leader or mentor or someone to give me advice, I look for someone who has been successful. That person will have to be able to identify his or herself and have verifiable proof to back up their claims. There are ways to do that. Blind posts on message boards don't do it.
Just type what you hear. Lots of things are repeated in differnent notes.
s
I'm sure you'd be first in line for it, right?

The VLC has had numerous complaints against them and people demanding refunds.  I was in a position to KNOW that people that couldn't get jobs because they couldn't pass MT employment tests after the VLC course.  How is that being immature?  Evidently, you're one of the VLC reps lurking on the boards so you can jump in and refer your school.  Otherwise, you wouldn't be taking it so personally.


$ per line?
As a recent graduate and new MT, could someone tell me what a fair salary is, per line of transcription? Thanks so much.
How much per line?
I also do voice recognition as well as straight transcription. I have been an MT for about 2 years now and started off doing voice recognition and I love it. I now do about 1800 to 2100 lines per day (voice recognition). I started off with a company doing vr and was only making 2.5 to 3 cents per line and I stayed with them for about 18 months and after the raises I was making 4.25 cents per line. However, that was an IC position and I wanted benefits so I started taking as many online tests as possible with companies that offer employee status and not IC. I wanted to get benefits. So, eventually I passed the tests for about 6 different companies and I got to pick which one I wanted to go with instead of begging for someone to hire me.

I would take some tests online on the days that you are not working perhaps on the weekends or evenings and see if you pass the tests. It can't hurt at all. I am now working with a new company and I am currently making 6 cents per line and this is for voice recognition, which is pretty darn good doing about 1800 lines per day. You will not know until you try. E-mail me if you have any other questions.
Maybe not out of line...
but not a very good *cooperative* attitude.
line count

Can someone please help me with the whole line count, WPM, total dollars concept. I'm trying to figure out my potential income doing MT. I know there are a range of answers but there must be some averages. I would be brand new at MT. What's your best guess of amount of work in say a 6 hour/day schedule? After 6 months experience? Thanks in advance for your help!


best on-line courses?

Hi all,


I'd like to take an on-line MT course; can anyone recommend one over any others? I plan on doing an internship for experience when I'm done for a while so I can get an actual paid position. How hard will it be to start working from home as I have a 20 month old that I want to stay at home with.


Thanks!