It sounds like you are doing good (sm)
Posted By: MT on 2008-03-28
In Reply to: MT for 6 Months....sm - Patty
so far with your line counts. You are also very fortunate to be making 9 cpl with your experience. There are many MTs with years of experience who are not paid that much. Your line counts will increase as time goes on. You will become more familiar with your dictators and will spend less time verifying words, etc. 
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You know what they say, if it sounds too good to be true ...
It says you can be reimbursed for 100% of the cost of the 16 "Advanced Practice Packages" which cost $59 each. This would be a total of $944, which is not the cost of the entire program.
While the textbook they use is a good one, it is also the only one that they say they use. Andrews & M-Tec use a lot more books. Although lots of practice is good, I believe the training you get before all that practice is the most important. What good are all those reports if you haven't learned what you need to know to transcribe them?
In five years I have heard nothing but raves about Andrews School and M-TEC. I have heard next to nothing about eSmartMed. That alone would be enough to steer me away from it.
A footpedal is around $79, so if they offer one it sounds good to me.
x
Sure sounds the same
nm
Sounds like...
C-pak, seepak, zeepak. It's an antibiotic for airway disease. Currently taken with albuterol MDI. I've looked online and through my Saunders but I am stuck. It is probably embarrassingly simple but any suggestions would be appreciated.
It sounds to me like
the training you did get was enough to secure a job for you, which you say you are doing ok at. This is a huge accomplishment in and of itself! It is quite normal to feel like you are not producing what you should be when you first begin. I too let this overwhelm me and quit my first good job, which I now regret. With regard to the BOS, if you own one or have access to one, I would just review its major points until you memorize them. "Saving Keystrokes" is a great book, and adding to your expansions is one great way to increase line count. Most companies, I believe, like the ShortHand software for word expanding, which you can download online and try out for free if you don't already have it. I would not worry so much about going over your old text books; you can learn a lot more by sticking with the job you have , and speed will come with experience. The CMT certainly is an ego-booster and would qualify you for practically any MT job, but I agree this is not something you should attempt without at least 2 years of full-time work experience. These are just my thoughts. Good luck!
Sounds odd
I have never heard of such a thing either. To get into my MT educational program all I had to do was take a pre-enrollment test and meet the requirements like having a computer, high speed internet, virus protection, Windows xp or higher. Things of that nature.
6 sounds sleazy to me!
You can and will get 7, just keep looking. I made 8 right out of school, and no it wasn't one of the expensive schools.
Six is a rip, three is absolutely ludicrous, and you are worth more than that. I applied with every company out there, two-year clause or not. It was not hard at all to find 7-8 my first year. My second year I make much more, and I don't and never have had to "beg" for anything. Just because someone else did 15 years ago, doesn't mean I have to or would.
I don't see anything sleazy about a list either. Name me any school that has job placement. What else is there? Sleazy is the ridiculous comments above from the owner suggesting new grads are worth 3 cpl.
This sounds really questionable to me.
x
Sounds like a company I know in
Alabama near 280. If it is and you want to talk, send me an email. I worked there before.
Sure sounds like a certain company
that is notorious for this very thing.
I think it sounds great!
I am a newbie who is currently in an internship program which I paid to participate in. I am not getting paid, and it doesn't bother me one bit! I studied through the US Career Institute without studying up on which schools were best, so I was in a real bind. I did not have the "proper" MT education, and as I am finding out, it really was not a good one either.
When I started, I had only a tape player, computer, a dictionary. I had to purchase my foot pedal, headphones, several references. I think that is doable for a serious prospect.
I also feel that a newbie that has been looking for work without luck, and one that possibly did study through the best schools would be more than willing to work for a couple weeks sans pay. My unpaid internship is a lot longer than that, but I see it as practice/education rather than a pay-less job.
It may be different for someone who went to one of the best MT schools and is fully prepared, I don't know. Maybe then they would want to be paid. But seriously, 2 weeks to prove yourself is not that bad is it? Especially for a person who cannot find a job, and has been searching for an opportunity for months. I think you are very kind to consider it!
You'll do great, as it sounds like
you've already done your "homework". Best of luck to you!
Sounds like you need the position from Boo2
is requiring. Maybe you wouldn't have to look for a job, filling out those applications and trying to do those tests. Since you do not have children, you should have no problem at all with the turnaround. You two could be two peas in a pod.  Oh, I'm bad, very bad! Take a taste of your own medicine, bitter or sweet? Lord, forgive me, please!
I also think $3.00 a page sounds fair. sm
Ask for templates. Most of the formatting is probably done for you. My thing would be though even if say the last page is only half, then still charge the $3.00 for that page as well. JMO.
Sounds like a sad state of affairs.
That really sounds awful! I was considering this company, having only a year's worth of experience. I was watching this thread to see how it all comes out. It does not sound like this would be a good place for me to try to start a career after all - newbie or not. I have read this stuff before. For it to keep coming up, there must be some truth to it.
Is there any newbie friendly company out there worth hitching your wagon to? Spheris sounds like it has the potential to basically be okay, but creating the environment where the MTs have to scratch around for work is just kind of sad.
From the sounds of the gripes on this board anyone
on the side. There are newbies who have completed a course that are not very good at transcription. I would say try ordering some sample work or see if anyone has anything that you could try out. This way you can tell if you like it or not. I wish you all of the best. You have just as much of a chance as anyone else in this profession. 
Sounds like my DH, doesn't care that he - sm
is leaving behind a wife and 2 kids(me and our children)---and I presume you have at least 1 child from your name. I hope you had life insurance already in place since no one will undoubtly touch him now. ---Good luck in your new job.
NAME OF MEDICINE. Sounds like injatony 5 mg a day...
Does anyone have any idea what this could be?
sounds like your skill level needs work...
SO, you may do best in a hospital setting where there are oldtimers around to help you. Do NOT give up! :-)
Thanks for replying... It sounds absolutely perfect - sm
that is what I would be looking for exactly. It is nice to know that there are opportunities like that around. Good for you! Enjoy your job! Thanks again!
Sounds like they made a poor choice of EMR...sm
the whole point of EMR is not to type the notes into the system - it's to choose from a menu and point and click to get the information in. Think
chief complaint: sore throat. choose: erythematous edematous purulent drainage and so on
if it's a speciality with a lot of redundancy, i.e. podiatry, they fly through their notes. If it's more unique situations a little tougher. But don't worry... the EMR companies will soon figure out the missing link...
It sounds like your mind is made up that you don't need an adequate course,
and that hard-working MTs in your area are just waiting to complete your education so you can be of help to them. But you did say you wanted advice, so mine would be that your future co-workers, supervisors and customers will all wish you were ready to transcribe when you got out of school, which can only be guaranteed by two schools: Andrews & M-Tec. So instead of wasting a few hundred dollars on an education that won't land you a job, spend what it takes for a real education. At these schools you can learn at your own speed with lots of support from the teachers, and when you graduate you will be an asset to the profession.
Hello fellow M-TEC grad! Sounds like you have a great job!!! nm
x
You typing on downloaded templates or something? Sounds like someone
s
Definitely sounds like a scam. You can't learn much in an 8-week course. NM
x
Sounds like a matchbook cover training program to me,
x
This all sounds nice, but newbies have to choose MTSOs wisely and this one is not a wise choice.
me, I will explain.
Good. The lab book was a good choice.
Be sure you look through each book when you get it. Put tabs on sections you will want to refer to quickly. I know my lab book (not Stedman's) has all kinds of extra sections. I think my next purchase would be the cardiac book. Then neuro or OB-GYN after that, depending on which you are getting more of in your work.
that's good to know
At least there's a little hope for me
Good for you!! - nm
.
Good for you!
.
I know a good MT when I see one - regardless of
credentials, school or references. One run through the grammar screening knocks most of 'em right out of the ballpark...
good for you, 10/cpl is good
/
That is good
That is great to hear that someone else was exactly where I am now. Where did you land your first job, not the MTSO, the other one?
I do not think I am TOO GOOD.
companies that pay these low wages are taking advantage of new MTs that don't know their value yet. The MTs that received this offer had all spent thousands of dollars and a lot of time learning to become an MT. I just don't know why anyone would sell themselves short for 5 cpl ($10 an hour is generous by the way as most new MTs won't get to 200 lph). As I said, there are companies out there that pay better. If you are trying to help, steer the newbies to these companies, not the companies that have a reputation for not respecting their MTs. If you take the time, do your research, and graduate from a good school, you should have no problem finding a good job. I had 4 offers before I even got my final score. My first company paid 7 cpl and after 6 months, I took on my own client making just about double that.
good to know!! Thank you!
good to know!! Thank you!
Good For You!
My late Mother did the same thing. We didn't do homeschooling, but she did it all and did it exceptionally well. She was brilliant but never acted like it. She was a taxi to more than the 6 kids in our family. She taught piano, voice, directed the church choir, wrote plays (we were in them), was busy in RNC fund-raising, and on and on.
We just called her "Mother."
So good luck to you. It really warms my heart to hear stories like yours. As for the MT thing, it sounds like you could teach yourself. That's what I did.
Good luck!
Appy anywhere and everywhere. There are a lot of companies who say they require at least 2 years experience, but you would be surprised at how many will give someone who has just graduated a chance. If you pass their test they will hire you, 2 years or not. I know from experience. I graduated last year and I applied to every ad that had a 2 year minimum, before I graduated. I got hired 1 week before I graduated, and I have been working ever since. Good Luck!
Nothing is good for a newbie.
Ya, I think I won't take the job because it may be a little difficult. That's real smart.
I have not heard anything good about it.
If you are looking for a quality MT education, the gold standard training comes from Andrews and M-Tec. Some graduates of Career Step have had good luck in finding and keeping employment also. The top schools turn out job-ready MTs. Employers are eager to hire them. The cheaper schools do not turn out graduates that employers are eager to hire.
What do you consider a good living?
I'm thinking of work from my house instead of the office, changing careers.
a good living
Sounds like you are quite successful. Please share with me what is involved in actually earning this level of income. Have you been at it for a long time? How many hours/week do you work? Thanks. I'm strongly considering MT but I hear such variables on the pay.
good point
Knowing that pay=production can be a great motivator, especially if you are working for a company that provides consistent work flow and good HR relations.
Thanks for your input.
Good point!
Peggy, what excellent advice! I had not heard it put that way, and after thinking about it, I know you're right! thanks for opening my eyes to think "bigger".... better to be excellent, and more "employable", than to be somewhat limiting. I do plan to study in such a way as to be excellent! That's just the way I'm "built"! :) thanks again for your post.... -Anne (amh) :)
This is a good start for you (sm)
In light of the fact that you are new, this is an excellent rate of pay with a reasonable (generous, really) production requirement, even though you may not be able to meet it at first.
Add 20-25% to it for the benefits and you'll be making more on the lines of $13.08. As an on-site employee you will not have to pay self-employment tax or overhead.
When people scoff at this rate of pay, remember that everyone starting out in a new career field starts at the bottom. You have to work your way up. As an MT, your value lies in your ability to produce quantity work while maintaining high quality. Newbies aren't able to produce much while maintaining quality.
The incentive pay makes this better, and if it has good benefits, then you're doing well.
The most important thing about this job is that it will give you experience. You NEED that experience. If you can get it while being paid hourly, so much the better.
Unless someone scoffing at this can produce a job for you which pays better, do not listen to them.
If you do not have a job and you need a job, you are in no position to be turning one down because it doesn't pay top dollar. Take this job and do your best with it.
Yes, this is still a good field!
Hey Porr - Welcome! First of all, you have come one of the most negative MT sites on the internet. If you are easily discouraged or depressed, I would advise you NOT to come to this site. I have been an MT for over 30 years and every time I come to this board, I leave so dejected, I wonder if I have wasted my life doing MT. I have finally realized that this board drags me down, so I don't come here very often. The people who do come on here legitimately, come to relieve their frustrations, get advice, vent about work situations, etc.... we are not all this stressed out all the time But there are a lot of really good people on here, too, and you can get a lot of valuable knowledge, you just have to learn who the "trolls" are and ignore them (easier said than done at times!) The MT world is undergoing a lot of changes these days. A lot of work is being sent offshore and now they have the voice recognition platform that they are working on. The nationals make you feel very unappreciated, but I have worked for doctors, hospitals, clinics and had my own service for a while, and there are a lot of people out there who will appreciate your skills, just not the large nationals. Stay away from them until you are more seasoned, then, if you feel like tackling one of them, I say go for it. They have their negatives, but you will gain valuable knowledge and you will be able to get a job just about anywhere with one of the nationals on your resume.
This is a great field, just keep your nose to the grindstone and stay away from negative websites (). Do not let the comments you read here sway you one way or the other. I find this to be a personally rewarding field to work in. I hope that you do, too! Hang in there and don't give up!
Good luck!
You can't give up hope if this is the field you want to work in. I had been doing my job for 17 years and needed something new. I did a lot of research and liked the opportunites that being an MT provided. I'm sure it would not be for everybody, but I love what I do and have great docs to transcribe for. Plus, perhaps more important, it is an ongoing learning process. I like to stay challenged and this job certainly does that. Good luck to you!!
Good point..lol
nm
another good response!!!
nm
Good schools??
How do you determine what is a good reputable school and which one is a waste of money & time?
Thank you!
The Good Schools
Andrews and M-Tec. Career Step is also considered to be a good school. Andrews and M-Tec are the gold standard, the Harvard and Yale, of MT training. Their graduates have no difficulty finding work because employers know those schools turn out job-ready MTs.
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