Job/Kids - I understand
Posted By: MOMT on 2007-01-22
In Reply to: Disappointed Newbie - Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I have heard your story many times. This is nothing new. You are, unfortunately, the victim of an advertising campaign by MT schools who -- quite frankly -- care only about the money. I have been shaking my head for YEARS at the ads stating MAKE $50K a year working at home as an MT!!! Oh sure, it can be done. I could do it if I worked full time. BUT....I have been an MT for 20+ years.
Here's the thing. If I had started working at home right out of school there is NO WAY I would have loved this job the way I do...and there is NO WAY I could have overcome the frustration of trying to work at home with small children. No way. Sorry, I know that doesn't give you hope....but it is the truth.
People are ALWAYS asking me about how they can get a job like mine (they seem to think it is something that should be EASY, yeah right). I explain to them that MTing is a great job and I encourage them to get the education but I emphasize that they SHOULD NOT have high hopes of working at home right away.
IMO it would be rare for an MT to start working at home right out of school and have the knowledge to earn ~really~ GOOD money. Skills and knowledge are mastered over time and they are the key to making big money in MTing....and I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned from my co-workers while I worked in the doc office for 7 years and in house at the hospital for 4 years. I have been working at home for 10 years now and LUV LUV LUV it. I have a 13 yo and twin 2 yo. I *do not* work full time. Not while the kids are young. I work 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. M-F, set schedule believe it or not...and can earn a pretty good income.........but it came from years of experience. I just really don't know if it can be done *WITH A LOT OF SUCCESS* right out of school.
So now for some advice: Try to find a job that is doc office or clinic work. It is so much easier. SOOOOOOOOOOO much. Get some good reference books. Study the book of style 2nd edition. They teach you minimal med term in school so you will probably need to find a way to keep advancing your medical vocab.
Current medical terminology by Vera Pyle might be a good reference book to get not only for when you get *stuck* but also just to read through when you get a free moment (Being a Mom I know those are few and far between).
I still learn stuff and I have been doing this for 20+ years. It really is a great job and I hope you are able to hang in there.
E-mail me if you want to discuss it further.
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kids
my son is 11months old and will be just over a year by the time i finish school (if all goes as planned) my husband works different hours every week but I think i will be able to work around that also i am very much a night owl and plan to actually do alot of my work while he is sleeping and if all else fails my mom will take him a couple of days a week I would just have to work around her schedual. I know that if I needed to hire someone to watch him now and again I could, but if i were to work out of the home full time I would have a hard time finding child care because i don't know anyone who could watch him every day and because we live in a smaller town there are not very many day cares they tend to have long waiting lists and do not take children who are not potty trained. I am concerened that when he gets a little older it might be hard to entertain him while I am working, but wether I am working or not I had already planned to get him into a day care once he is potty trained a couple days a week just for social interaction since not many of my friends have kids his age. but thank you for the insight, maybe working at home will be harder then i originaly thought.
kids
How is everyone working with kids in the house??
What do kids have to do with it.
Hmmm. Okay I appreciate the advice here. I really initially inquired as to whether or not you could attend one of the less expensive schools and actually find work.
As far as the kids go, I have been attending college online for 2 years and manage the landscaping business we have as well as homeschool my children. I have worked from home doing inbound customer service calls as well. My children do not and are not a problem. My husband is supportive and the older ones help out. I don't work or study with children on my lap....whatever gave you that impression. I am a firm believer that anything can be accomplished. Why do people think that children limit you. You are only limited to what you believe your limitations are. Since I have been working from home for four years I would like to continue to do so but....with a steadier income. Any career I choose will require sacrafice and I am aware of that.
Back to the school thing.....I didn't want to waste time or money on an inexpensive school that will not train me or allow me to work. Once the training is completed I need to be a working woman. Thanks again for your opinion. I guess I am to assume that there are no schools worth the time besides the top three. So perhaps I need to wait until I have the large deposit required.
Kids and transcription
I cannot image having small children under foot while doing transcription. When I did transcription, I had to have total concentration. Of course, I only worked for 12 docs in a small hospital, and I was "it" -- the only transcriptionist.
However, I worked for a good hospital, and they allowed me to leave and pick up my two elementary school children and take them to what was then called a "nursery". I then went back to work and made my 8+ hour shift. A wonderful and challenging career!
working with kids at home - sm
That is another thing I forgot to mention that these schools have a tendency to do .... "oh, it's great, you can work at home and pick your own schedule and work when you want." "Oh sure, you can work AND take care of your kids at the same time."
NEWSFLASH: There are very very few companies that will let you pick and choose when you want to work and let you stop work, pick up your kids, type for an hour, go make dinner, type for another hour, play with your kids, type for 2 hours, help with homework, etc. Very few.
Although, currently I am recruiting for a hospital that needs a full time transcriptionist. They will let you work full time at home and around your kids schedules, but you have to live within an hour of the hospital and have to work onsite for six months before going home.
Grandma now, raised my kids doing
medical transcription. I worked when they were at school and at night after bed time. When they were very little, the played around me. I worked at home while my children were growing up. When too young to start school, I had them home with me and also typed after they went to bed and during naps. I had to be flexible. My 3 children are all in their late 20s now and one has children of his own. All three tell me they felt I was a wonderful mom and their friends would always come over to our house. They tell me they are so glad they had a mom who was at home. My own mother was a single mom and had to work outside the home and I remember in grade school, her leaving the house before I did and how sad I felt that she wasn't home for me. I decided no matter what, I would raise my children and work at home to be with them. I am SOOO glad I did this because now in my 50s and they are all adults, I can see the benefit of it. I worked in an office for a while when they were in their late teens, didn't like it, now I work at home again and spend lots of time with hubby. I don't know about others, but for me, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change and thing, and I would definitely keep my children home with me. They are so precious and are only little once, then you miss it later on. This is a very special time only once in a lifetime when your children are babies.
MT Moms w/small kids
Hi!
Yes, I just read through a lengthy thread that touched on MY question in a round about way, but... I was just curious what hours MT moms with small children work and (just as importantly) when do you sleep!?!?
I have no problem with daycare and I have family that would glady watch my 5 y/o but I choose to keep him home to save everyone trouble and myself money! He actually entertains himself quite well, better in fact than my husband when he's home during my work hours! 
I had considered working during the hours that my son is sleeping, but I don't see how that would work well, at least not for me. Even if I were to begin work at 8 PM and work until 3 or 4 AM, I would barely get to sleep before he wakes up, which is normally around 7:30. Three or four hours of sleep each night would get old QUICK, not to mention that by the time I begin work I would be tired and ready for bed and unable to think clearly, be productive, and would likely have trouble staying awake.
Right now, I'm working 32 hours per week with 2 half days and 3 split shifts and it seems to be working somewhat well... but can be rather hard to concentrate and be productive with the bustle of spring and summer daytime activities around the house with a 5 y/o.
Although a lengthy post, my question was simple: what work hours and sleep hours have you MT moms of small children come up with that works for you? And sure, any advice or tips would be appreciated as well. 
working at home - kids
I can't advise you on schools because I did not train at one.
You did not say how old your son is. If you are working at home, is he old enough to entertain himself? I started MT just before my son was born and I did not really save any money on child care although I was home. Until he was 7 or 8 I had to pay for child care. Because he wanted/needed my attention when I was working. But maybe you can arrange your schedule and your husband can help out so it will work out for you. Good luck!
Yeah, I know what you mean. I tried to do it all for years with small kids,
schooling, learning a new job, handling the household and finances. Something's going to suffer, and most likely, EVERYTHING will suffer. We can't do it all by ourselves and we shouldn't be expected to. Unfortunately, smacking someone upside the head with a 2x4 is considered assault, but smacking them upside the head with a legal document outlining child support amounts and visitation requirements is quite effective.
You deduct your kids' school supplies? OMG!
And a TV? Wow, it never occurred to me to be that dishonest. I am in awe of your evil ways. Teach me, please.
These kids fresh out of school don't realize sm
that what they learned in school "mastered" or not is equivalent to just spit in the ocean.
Apply for child care assistance and put the kids in daycare.
You can't juggle all that. Either that or have the father watch his own kids for a while so you can work.
It's unlikely that she would understand
why you wouldn't hire her, even if you explained it very carefully. You just don't "understand". She wants to sit at home with her baby on her lap and tippity tap at the keyboard when she feels like it and make $60,000 a year, just like her matchbook-cover MT school told her she would after she finished transcribing all 32 of the "dictations" in their "course". You're supposed to give all the newbies a chance, regardless of their suitability, even if they're not qualified or properly trained. It's your duty. Just ask them.
I better understand why you are
trying to find another job. No raise because you can't give better reports? You give yourself away, Newbie.
I think I understand
I've been watching this discussion, and I think I may know one reason for your concern/confusion.
The MT who works ideal hours for her works those because they mesh with what the employer needs, too. Just because you work at home in no way means that you get to work whatever hours you want, in the vast majority of situations. Even if you are an IC you need to be there when you contract to be there, and when the client needs you (either hours or turnaround).
Many companies will give you a split shift, which seems to fit what you are looking for. As a newbie in the profession you might need to work days at first in order to prove your ability to QA, but after that you should be able to work with them on your shift.
The bottom line is that YOU need to work with your employer at first. At this point in your career you need them more than they need you. Newbies are hard work and a huge investment in time and training.
You can do this, Lisa. You really can, if you decide to.
I understand
Hang in there. I know EXACTLY how you feel. I had an audit with the previous company I subcontracted with and was told my work was "AWFUL" without even being heard. I was cut off when I tried to explain that my mentor for several months had taught me to leave it the way I had it. I was never allowed to speak. More things happened and the tone was the same, I was already guilty and talked down to before I had a chance to explain anything. After a year of this, I gave my notice and am now looking and testing with companies. GOD will open the right door to the next company and keep the doors closed to the companies with poor management, I pray. It is difficult to receive understanding sometimes from family, friends, etc. that this is is a REAL job. Just be consistent in telling them so.
I understand
I understand completely. I have not had this very much before. Monday's, understandable, is a little slower but the rest of the week usually starting Monday afternoon I have 5 or 6 files in my box EVERY day. I only worked three days last week and am wondering if I am being punished???? Oh, well.
I understand
how happy you are to get SOMETHING! I have been struggling for quite awhile on little income, but it sure beats NO income!! Plus experience is worth a lot too. You have to gain that to get higher on the ladder.
I am so sorry about your husband. May I ask how old he is and what has happened to him?
I recently lost someone very close to me, and even though we know it is all around us and will affect us all at some point, it just really doesn't register until it happens to someone so close.
God bless us; every one.
I understand
completely. I am now about a month into my first job ever and believe me, the first week I was going "what have I gotten myself into!?!"
It does get better though! Doctors that I thought I would never be able to type for are now getting easier and some of them I can even tell you what they are going to say before they say it! So just hang in there! My first day I cried, stomped my feet, and my head hit the desk in exhaustion.
I like the post about thinking of it as music, that helps a lot!
Good luck! Stay in there!
i understand
I feel your pain. I am in the same boat!
I cannot understand why anybody would
The YEARS of training it takes to get up to speed...all to be paid minimum wage? I am wondering..what kind of bill of goods are sold to you MT students and new MTs to think this is a worthwhile profession? For those starting out..I am sure you are just now learning..this is a very difficult skill that takes a minumum of 2-3 years to finally "come into your own" so to speak as an MT...and for what?? Only to be paid the same amount of as a WalMart employee? Why in the world would anybody go through the hassle of training to do this now? I am really curious!
I cannot understand why anybody would - try to be an MT in this day and age
Hey Happy MT Robin! Yours is the first encouraging post I've seen on this board. I am towards the end of my online course for MT. I am not expecting to make a killing, but the way some of these MTs are talking, I am wasting my time. Thanks for the encouraging words and I hope I read more on the positive!
I understand...
Thank you for your reply. I am trying to gather as much information as possible. I understand where you are coming from, and I am coming from the other side. I have 18 1/2 years as a law enforcement officer. Five of those years were transcribing law enforcement related material. I am worried about getting all of the medical training and ending up in general. So I am wondering...can a MT grad get hired doing general if the medical part isn't appealing to me? I am worried about going to a legal transcription course (all iffy) and not being trained well. THANK YOU FOR ANY RESPONSES!
From what I understand, VLC is not the same as AHP
or Penn Foster, or any other the other rip-off schools that hold seminars to attract mothers who want to work at home. They lie about the difficulty of the job, about newbies obtaining a job, and about the wages. They will say anything to get someone to sign up, and their courses are crap. I do believe that Andrews and M-Tec are the absolute best, but definitely not the only good schools. But schools like AHP are just crap, period. They don't teach you half of what you need to know, and you don't realize it until you've given them your money and you try to get a job and can't pass any of the employment tests - and many places won't even let you test because they know you probably can't pass. This is unfortunate for the few who might be able to pass.
Nobody should give up if they really want to be an MT. But nobody should encourage anyone to take the At Home Professions course either.
I can understand your frustration.....
I too graduated from a school, 15 years ago, and literally begged for a job. I was hired on at a hospital working in-house, and that was the best thing I could have done for my career. I learned all facets of transcription, all fields, and all types of accents. 15 years later.....I write my own ticket and work for who I want to. I am not a CMT, nor do I choose to be. Don't give up!!!. If you can get a job at a hospital making pennies, take it. You will not regret it in a few years.
I can understand your viewpoint ....
and agree. As a student (no, I'm not going to one of the big 3), I'll be glad, excited, thrilled, to get a SHOT, even at .03. If it gives me experience, gives the employer (or mentor) the lines, and is productive for both parties, its nothing less than good. These are the types of positions I'll be looking for (yes, I'll also be looking for more, mainly to gain the experience so I CAN be a productive MT for my EMPLOYER/CLIENT/PATIENTS).
Thanks for your reply, it DOES give hope to new MT's.
You did not understand my message?
it is you and not PCDI. (I know . . . I was ugly this time, but how much clearer could I have been???)
I understand how you feel.
I have asked questions and have received responses that made me feel like I was annoying someone. It can be very discouraging when someone makes you feel imcompetent for asking questions. Good luck!
It all depends on how well you can understand
the dictators and how good you are at proofreading. I have been editing for a long time, and even with a lot of experiences I have some really low line days, and I get paid by the line.
Take this into consideration: How fast you are and how accurate you are equals how many lines a day you can proof. How much do they pay per line versus hourly. It is pretty easy to determine.
I guess you did not understand
what I said then.
I understand your situation!
I got into the MT career out of desperation!! I was an RN, so I know medical terminology/drugs, etc. I was pregnant and wanted something to do at home so I could be with the baby, so I started looking into MT'ing. I can type relatively fast, and again, was very familiar with physicians, drugs, terminology, procedures, etc. I got in with a small company doing a pretty easy account, moved right on up the chain, and I have been doing this for almost 10 years now. (Our daughter was born 8 weeks premature, so it was such a blessing to be able to be home with her. She had some problems, so no daycare would have accepted her and all of her "equipment" that she had to carry around!) Just because you can type does not mean you will be a great MT without any training, but I don't think it is as difficult as some people make it out to be. If you have some medical knowledge already, a few good reference books and of course Google, I think you would do fine. You just have to be persistent in finding that one company that will work with you. Do you live in a big city or in the country? I would try some the smaller, individually-owned companies first. They are usually more flexible and willing to work with you on the newness issue. If that doesn't turn up anything, I would look on the job board, and just start calling or sending e-mails. Explain how desparate your situation is. Explain your CNA experience, how willing you are to work where they would need someone the most, such as weekends, nights, etc. Sorry this is so long, but I have been in your shoes before, and I don't want you to be discouraged by people telling you that CNA/LPN/RN experience is not enough to be an MT. Good luck to you.
I totally understand.
Although I was able to start working right away after completing training for a very newbie rate, I soon realized there was a great deal that I not only did not know, but had never even heard of. Currently, I am considering VLCs refresher course for MTs to try to bridge the gap between what I know now and what I feel I should have learned from my training program. If anyone knows of another basic or refresher MT progrom, please feel free to let me know.
If I understand what you're asking...
It is mostly editing VR, but there is some straight transcription as well.
I don't understand why you are so hostile.
I went to MT Advantage and had a job before graduation. What is wrong with having a special? I enrolled under a special and saved some money. Granted, it wasn't a 50% discount special, darn it! Reel students in? I don't understand you at all. You seem to have a vendetta against the school you attended and just about every other school available except 2. Waiting list to get into an MT school makes it a better program? Sounds to me like they could be having staffing problems and can't take on more students. I don't see any desperate posts from students/graduates from MT Advantage or the other school you are bashing.
I agree with you that schools that advertise on TV and teach 100 different courses tend to have less comprehensive material and job placement. I agree that educational choice is important. Your posts though border on extremism.
I understand your point (sm)
I just do not agree with you in this case. I believe this board is a place where people come to relax. Do you ever allow your English language skills to slide when you IM your friends? I do. I see this board in a similar way. It is definitely not a place to judge a person's English language skills. Also, if you are not aware of this fact, MTs are not required to have a degree in English (or any degree, for that matter). You probably would prefer that, but we do not make enough money to require a degree. You can insist on agruing if you'd like, but I will agree to disagree with you in this case. This conversation benefits no one at this point.
Don't understand question??
I am a student and I am doing some course questions and I do not understand what this question is asking.
How are dimensions that incorporate the word by properly transcribed?
I understand how you feel susan
I am also a RN in Montana and I starting school though MTec. I a very excited about this career change. Hospital nursing was why to stressful for me. It seemed like when I finally felt comfortable caring for the amount of patient I had they would increase the patient load and increase the paper work. I never felt finished everyday with I returned home from work I would think about things I forgot to do or didn't have time to do them. I was very frustrating from me. I just just recently took an office job at little non profit company. I love the job and the patients, I took a $7.00 per hour pay cut to work there, it was totaly worth it. Althought I would really like to work from home and leave the politics at the office. I plan on working part time to gain enough experience, to make enough money to be able to leave my current position.
Thank you, Minnie. I really wish people would understand this (sm)
is a job - your job! Yes, working from home affords me the opportunity to dress casually and work my schedule out according to life's little plans, but when I am working, I am working. I set my hours for when the children are at school and at night when they are at sleep. I cannot do it all and I do not pretend to. Yes, if children get sick or injured that does screw up the schedule, but it does not excuse me from my commitments.
the difficult part is trying to understand what the
doctor is saying because the accents are ridiculous and sometimes it sounds like they are slurring words.
From what I understand when I asked the AHDI...
An approved course means that they passed the AHDI's requirements (you can see the requirements that must be met on the AHDI's website), but an instutional member only means they have paid a fee to become a member of the AHDI. The AHDI in no way endorses these companies. Any company can pay the fee and become an instutional member. This is evident in that a company that is a known scam in the MT community is an instutional member of the AHDI.
Unfortunately, if you can't understand the dictators, you're not going to be able to do the wo
That's the reason for testing in the first place.
No, you're just not posting info so we understand what
You asked about companies starting out and now about educational services -- never clarifying what you are really wanting. Ask as many questions as you want just make your posts clear about what you are wanting to know. lol
To answer your question: I have been an MT 21 years. I have never heard of Gatlin Education Services.
Lisa, I understand your frustration, but I do have to agree with (sm)
Amanda that this must be looked at as a profession and simply not a convenient way to work while staying home with the children. I don't necessarily think you feel that way, but your post does come across as someone who wants their cake and eat it, too! It is very difficult to become an accomplished MT without the benefit of on-site experience, but it most certainly can be done. However, there are dues to pay when it comes to gaining your experience in a home setting and one of them is to be able to gain that experience at someone else's convenience.
Now, I am not saying that you have to be at available at someone's beck and call, but you do have to realize the time, effort and expense it costs the person mentoring you and appreciate the knowledge and insight so freely given to you. Many companies will not even give that chance anymore, so I would take it as a gift rather than an obstacle.
I have raised 2 children by the grace of working at home and without the benefit of a spouse, as I became widowed at a very young age, but that took a lot of determination, scheduling and humility to do so. It is not impossible and my long days and exasberating nights paid off in the end, but only because I was willing to work at it. I can say quite proudly that I have wonderful, well-adjusted children who have reaped the benefits of having their mother with them and have also learned the respect of a hard day's work.
Of course, you can always obtain your own clients and set your own hours, but you will not gain the knowledge that is required to become a proficient MT, as there really is no one to guide you in what you just don't know. However, if all you are after is a paycheck at the end of week without a true respect for this field, that might be the alternative.
I know it is hard - it is very hard, but if you truly want it you will to the lenghs to achieve it with an open mind and the willingness to reach your goals.
I wish you the best!!
"Had I been able to even understand a little of the terminology they were speaking I could have d
That's why you need the education from the good schools. If you know exactly what the doctor is talking about, it would be much easier to understand him, even if he is a lousy dictator. And a LOT of them are lousy, and a LOT of them are ESLs. And the dictation certainly isn't any better just because you are doing it from home.
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