NM just means No Message. SM means See Message. SM
Posted By: Endiqua on 2005-09-13
In Reply to: nm=rude comments - MTMommy
MT4 was the poster in question, not "nm."
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So because YOU don't do it, that means NO ONE does?
As a relatively new MT who graduated from CareerStep, I can tell you that I had six job offers within one month. All but one of the places that offered me a job called for experience, which was waived because of where I graduated and how high my grades were. Believe it or not, there are others out there who operate differently from you.
I know what accredited means.
That is why I inquired as to the intent of the OP's use of the word. When she explained what she meant, I gave her an answer as to the intended question.
I am also aware that there are no accredited MT programs, and to the quality of most of the schools on the ADHI listing. I was attempting to politely and logically steer her in the direction of a school that would not give her a sub-par education and cause her to return to this board in a few months lamenting her inability to find an entry-level employment opportunity because her education was inadequate.
Do you have an opinion of the school she inquired about? Do you know anyone who has attended the school? If so, were they successful in finding legitimate, gainful employment?
Means don't wait around for us to contact you. nm
x
you've studied well, perhaps, but by no means
your school doesn't even offer pharmacology? lol
now, i'm not discrediting your grades, study efforts, etc., but be careful throwing around boasts of I've mastered it when you haven't even begun doing the work.
i've done this work over 25 years. i know exactly what it takes. lol
independent contractor means you are sm
working for yourself and not for them. You must pay all your taxes including the other side of your SS tax called self-employment tax.
Six cents per line is a good rate for a newbie with no experience but not for an independent contractor especially having to invest in equipment. I would work for a company that made me an employee for a couple years.
offshore means another country
nm
I believe she means Focus Infomatics - NM
NM
The CMT is pretty worthless and all it means
is you passed the test, doesn't mean you are a good CMT. Some people get stuck on the initials and use then every possible opportunity as if it were MD instead of CMT. I've been told many times that my work is better than lots of CMTs and I've always been paid the higher line rate, same as CMT. Very, very few MTs have any respect left for AAMT - whatever they are called now. If it makes you feel better to have it, got for it, but you don't really better yourself by having it. You have to have 2 years of experience first. If you really want to better yourself you'll find another line of work. This one is going down the tubes so fast that I wouldn't waste any more of my time with it.
World-wide capabilities just means they
offshore, without actually saying the offshore.
The worst schools would like you to think the approval process means nothing
but it's pretty obvious why they want you to think that. They can't pass it. They may not even be eligible to take it!
I will agree that the AAMT Approval Process does not mean that every school on there is good, but it does mean that they have been able to pass a fairly tough process and the others have not done it.
or it means the job market has shrunk while you were busy studying...welcome
to reality. You may want to just cut your losses and get back in school for Medical Assistant, nursing or something. From here, it only gets worse, honey.
I think it means medical transcription service outsourcing, or something like that. ; )
no message...
Who determines it is one of the top MT schools? Experience means you need minimal instruction and
hit the ground running..not possible even from the top schools.
And...letters in all caps means you're yelling! Shhh...nm
s
Accredited basically means they offer financial aid. Did you mean AAMT-Approved?
If it's an AAMT-approved school, you won't have a problem. Schools that provide financial aid are required to be accredited. That means their financial records are reviewed to make sure the government's money is being handled right. They aren't evaluating the value of the course or qualifications of the course to teach medical transcription.
The AAMT and the "Top Three" just feed each other - so-called approval by AAMT means nothing
a lot of community college programs are far better than the "top three." Just make sure you get plenty of actual dictation. If you don't have good grammar skills and aren't a literary-type person this may not be the field for you. I can't tell you the unbelievable applications I get for MT jobs - misspelled words, sloppy grammar, and how about those st*pid email addresses THEHOT1@aol.com, etc. Sheesh. If you're one of THOSE, then be prepared to look for a l o n g time to get your first job LOL
see message
There is no difference in training. In general, I think it would be easier to start out in house if possible. There will be other people to help you with questions, etc., plus most in house positions are hourly positions. You may still have a quota to meet, but at least you can count on the hourly pay.
Your training would need to be very good to start out at home in the beginning. At home you are pretty much on your own. You will need good reference materials. Most at home positions are paid by production. That is good if you are fast. But if you are just starting out, you may not make much in the beginning.
All of this will depend on your individual needs and wants. I think the best case scenario is to get a job in house for a couple years, then transition to home. Good luck.
no message...........
@
See message
Long story, but the bottom line is after they switch me to something I'm unfamiliar with they tell me they don't have the time to train me on it, so where do I go from there. Then the company instituted some 98% accuracy policy and new QA policy. I would never met their expectations so why bother? If they were accommodating, I would understand, but they don't have the time. I understand that. Just want suggestions to assist me so if I try again will be more prepared.
Thanks for your message
Guys thanks for your messages. It was helpful.
See message.
If you are an IC, they only need your SS number. If you are an employee, then they need two forms of ID, such as driver's license and one other (maybe copy of birth certificate) and your home address.
A lot of companies who hire people for IC positions don't know the law and ask for all kinds of stuff.
They don't need a copy of your SS #, only your number.
See message
First of all, I can't believe the company did not provide you a foot pedal.....hmmmm. Anyway, try going to www.transcriptiongear.com. They have every kind of pedal. If you call their toll-free number and tell them you need a pedal for eScription, I bet they will know what you need. Also, you could try going to www.escription.com and asking questions on their forum. Good luck-!!
Please see message.
First, do an extensive search on the internet for medical transcription companies, then test with the ones that will allow you to. Even though some companies may say they require two or more years of experience, some will waive that if you do well on their test. Try Spheris and Sten-Tel. They are known for sometimes hiring newbies.
Second, don't get discouraged! It can take a while to land your first job, but be persistent. It took me about five months for me to get my first job. Once you are in, then you will be gaining the experience required for applying for other jobs down the road.
Third, NEVER pay to work! This might sound strange, but there really are scammers out there ready to prey on newbies desperate to get their foot in the door. Some will say you need to purchase their software, or a footpedal directly from them, but you don't. You can always purchase those things independently.
Best of luck to you!
see message
Webmedx and Diskriter also provide the computer to the MT!
nm = no message, sm = see message,
M-Tec is the actual name of an excellent on-line school. Google that spelling plus medical transcription and you'll find the website. The other school would be Andrews, do a Google search the same way. Read about those programs and see how yours compares.
These 2 schools are worth every penny because students do get jobs right away.
see message
I've been with Spheris 5 years....the supes are decent, pay on time, platform is fine, insurance not good, some accounts end up in India, some will not, pay is average. I have been on same account 4 years.
See message
You said, "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."
The reason for this is that after testing "x" number of graduates of XYZ school and finding out that 90% or more of them could NOT pass the employment test, companies decided to stop wasting time and just tell those grads that they need 2 years' experience.
On the other hand, after testing "x" number of grads of Andrews and M-Tec and discovering that 90% or more COULD pass the employment test even without experience, companies agreed to waive the experience requirement and allow grads of those schools to test.
Sure, there might be a few people from the not-so-good schools who might be able to pass, but who has that time to waste to weed them out?
See message...
Occasionally, you will see a Veterinary Transcriptionist job advertised on our Job Seeker's Board. If you search "veterinary" in the Google box (MTStars) above, you will see related past posts.
Moderator 
See message...
It is fine to post constructive criticism, but let us do it in a polite and thoughtful manner. Many MTs come to this site for enjoyment; therefore, they may write a quick post without editing. Regardless, we all make mistakes...no one is perfect.
Moderator
See message...
We do not grammar police at MTStars. As was stated, MTs come to this site to relax, for enjoyment. If one is searching for employment, the appropriate avenue is to send a resume to a potential employer. Whether there are mistakes in one's resume is not the problem of the posters here. A simple post here will not always be an accurate portrayal of one's skills, and I think it is unfair to assume such.
Moderator
See message...
It is grammar policing. It is not appropriate here. We do not allow employment-seeking posts on the boards; therefore, the posts here are not directed toward potential employers. If you spot a mistake in someone's post and you feel the need to say something, please do it politely via E-mail.
Moderator
See message
From what I've read from other students who have graduated from those programs, you shouldn't have a hard time finding work once completing the programs. They have a really good reputation and so companies hire right out of the program. Iwork from home, but I also work as an RT 1 day a week at a hospital, so I don't feel isolated. When I did work completely from home, I felt isolated. Personally, I need the social contact. I think as long as you stay active with your friends and family, it shouldn't be an issue. :)
See message
I have a Toshiba and I love it. It has 4 USB ports and a very good quality sound card. The only drawback is that it is loaded with Windows Vista and not XP. So if you are thinking about going with a company that does not support Vista, you will be out of luck.
see message
I am sure I will get all kinds of bashing for this one, but I am going to be honest with you and tell you that you should probably just LIE on your job application and you WILL get a job. Most companies never check prior references. Put on your application that you worked 3 years in-house in the hospital in your town and apply for one of the companies that may not be the best, but are always hiring, like Focus or MQ or something along those lines. When you get the job, you can gain experience from there and then move on to a better company in the future. Again, I'm sure I will get bashed, but you have to pay your bills and no it is not fair that you can't get a job without experience and no experience without a job.
See message and link
Due to the Freedom of Information Act, the government is required to provide information on any complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission. When the commission gets repeated requests regarding the same company, they add that company's file to their website entitled "Frequently Requested FOIA." Please visit their website and read up on At-Home Professions before wasting your time and money.
edit of my message - sm
Sorry, I meant "tax preparer course" and finding a sample dictation for her to listen to and try to type.
no message inside....
f
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???)
Sent you private message, MT from BC - nm
nm
See message inside.
I am a CS graduate, and if I had it to do over, I'd choose Andrews School or M-TEC.
Almost all of the books you receive from CS are written by the lady who started the school. The other 2 schools use real reference books that contain a LOT more. That's one reason the other 2 schools cost more.
Also, the other 2 schools have real instructors who go over your work and point out errors, and help you along. At CS, your work is "automatically compared" against the same report done at some unknown time and place by some unknown MT, who may or may not have done it correctly. All you get is a comparison between the two, it only shows the differences, like holding two pieces of paper up to the light to see if everything matches. Whenever there are differences, it's up to YOU to figure out which one is correct. The only time a real person actually looks over your work is when you take your final exam (which over 50% of students fail the first time they take it, and that statement comes directly from CS itself, not from me).
Yes, I did get a work-at-home job after graduating from CS. But I feel my first year of work was a lot harder, I spent a lot more time looking things up, there were a lot of things I would have learned at Andrews or M-Tec that I didn't learn at CS.
See message inside.
If she's already made her decision, I suppose this doesn't matter much.
But the fact is, if she takes the course from Andrews or M-TEC, she will indeed be able to pass most TRANSCRIPTION (not typing) tests right out of school. Many companies will waive the 2-year experience requirement for grads of those two schools because of the excellent training. Also, she should not need an internship if she takes the course from Andrews or M-TEC.
and yes I know there are typos in my message (nm)
This is important. see message
You need to know that although you might have a "certificate" from an MT school, you are not a certified MT. In order to be certified, you need to have 2 years' experience and then take and pass a test with the AHDI (formerly AAMT).
You need to know this because when looking for a job, if you say you are "certified" and the employer checks the list of CMTs (certified MTs) and you are not on it, they will think you are lying about it to get the job.
It is a very common mistake, lots of new grads think because they have a "certificate" that they are certified, but there is a big difference.
Good luck in finding a job.
Ok.....I messed this one up. The message above was for Vanessa
nm
Oops! that message was for justcurious! :) nm
x
MTstudent, what an awesome message! It has
encouraged me and I could say the very same things! I plan to begin either M-Tec or CS after the holidays; around Jan 10th.
Good luck to you!
-Anne :)
Contact your school for help first. See message
If your school can't help, you may have a problem. If their graduates usually get jobs, they will be glad to tell you where. They will be proud to tell you which employers like to hire their graduates. If they don't have any information to give, that means the results have been poor.
Who said anything about Spheris? The message was about accidentally getting into MT
I wouldn't want to encourage people to do it that way. I don't remember anyone mentioning Spheris. Maybe they did. I don't have time to go look. I am with those who think it's not smart to "bumble" into MT.
Doctors' offices pay little or nothing anyway. see message
I've seen this happen before. It usually turns out to be a mess and they go back to a classic transcription system. As far as coding, they use a Superbill anyway. They don't need a coder. They just list the codes and check off the appropriate ones for each student. They don't get paid as well as if they had an actual certified coder, but they won't or can't afford a real coder. That's nothing new. As far as the transcriptionist, most dermatologists don't hire transcriptionists anyway. They scribble the notes in the patient's chart. Even if they use some voice recognition system and get poor results, it may be easier to read than the scribbled notes. I've also noted that doctors who do have transcriptionists who know what they are doing are not willing to replace them with a machine. Others are easily replaced. That's just what I've seen and I have access to small and large organizations.
I didn't see YOUR name on this message, MTSO!
nm
Some advice on becoming an MT. See long message.
First, you MUST have excellent grammer, spelling and listening skills. Without these, don't bother. You won't be a success.
Transcription is not something you can do in your spare time. It is a very demanding profession. If you work as an independent contractor (IC), you set the amount of time you want to work, but your paycheck is dependent upon how much work you do. If you are not a fast typist, your hourly pay will be low. I think the average MT does around 150 lines per hour. At 8 cents per line, that's $12 an hour. This is just AVERAGE pay.
If you are an IC, you will usually have no benefits. No insurance, no paid time off, all taxes come out of your check. If you work as an employee, you will have to keep a schedule, and usually a minimum line per hour to stay employed.
Becoming an MT requires a lot of training. You are going in the right direction with a nationally approved school. One of the three will give you a better chance at a job if you graduate with high marks. But even after school, it can take up to 3 years to become fully trained and making "good" money, which runs between the $12-$18 per hour range. It is a big time investment.
My advice is call Career Step. I believe Andrews and MTEC will counsel you extensively before they will accept you, to make sure you really understand what you are getting into. I hope Career Step does the same, but I haven't heard as much about them.
It is a tough field, and not going to get any easier, although I still think it is a great profession. You have to look at all the aspects before you decide if it's for you. Call the school. In fact, I would make a list of questions and call all three schools. They can probably help you better than any of us can.
Best of luck on whatever you decide to do.
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