NOW versus KNOW - Learn the difference as you will need to KNOW it at some point.

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I recently started working for another company and the computer tech is EXTREMELY knowledgeable when it comes to platforms and such.  I was informed that Vista is basically another version of Windows ME which, most people know, was a HORRID version of Windows and Microsoft is planning on coming out with yet another operating system early next year. 

I have also done internet research and there are posts regarding the fact that you can partition your hard drive to where you can have both XP and Vista running on the computer, however, in my opinion, that is best handled by an expert and not something that anyone should attempt on their own without extensive computer knowledge. 

Right now, I would say your best bet would be to try to find a computer with XP on it as far as a laptop, or if you can hold out, stick with the dinosaur for a bit longer.  Also, it may help to get registry fix programs etc, many of which are free and extremely good programs and might help to optimize the older computer in terms of speed, etc.

What defines someone to be an acute care MT as to a multi-specialty MT.  What is the difference?  Sorry if this is a dumb question..

Thanks!

I have been an MT for 16 years.  Twice I've taken time off (over a year at a time), because of being burned out. 

Working as an MT at home is much better than working at Wal-Mart, or any other retail-type job.  I have much more flexibility in the hours I work.  I can be at home with my children, so that I can take care of their needs.  I've never had to have babysitters for my kids.  Now that they're all in school, it is easier, and I can still schedule my work time around their hours.  How in the world would working at Wal-Mart be better than that??  And even though the amount of pay I've been offered recently is less than my best job 5 years ago, I am still making 3 times as much as a Wal-Mart employee! 

I never went to school for training.  I am just an excellent speller with good typing and grammar skills, and I learn quickly.  I worked at my college health center for one year because of the above skills.  I didn't work after that for a time.  Three years later, I started sending out resumes to a bunch of local MTSOs and, after several months, one asked me to come test.  My persistence paid off.  I did very well on the testing and was hired.  I struggled those first couple of years.  Because I worked hard to learn new specialties, the MTSO was always asking me to take on a new one.  I probably worked a lot of hours for low pay as I learned each new specialty (I guess you COULD say I paid for my training! Lol!), and I shed a LOT of tears as I worked in the wee hours of the morning (because I didn't work until after my kids were in bed).  However, I am grateful to her for that experience.  I did eventually move on into acute care and did fine because of the opportunities she gave me. 

I still think MT is a good opportunity for people who just want to be able to be home with their kids and/or have a flexible schedule that allows them to run a forgotten lunch to school, go to a child's afterschool game, etc.  How many workplace jobs offer that??  It's still worth it to me!

Hi,

What is the difference between a diploma and a ceritificate?  Appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Barb

Have you compared how many hours of transcription training you had in college/school with Andrews and M-TEC?  Were your instructors CMTs with many years of experience?  Did your curriculum include anatomy, diseases, pharmacology?  I assume it included medical terminology.  Maybe if people were to compare the curriculums (or if you prefer, curricula) they would understand why M-Tec and Andrews have such a good reputation.  When you graduate from those top two schools, you are very well prepared to work, and that is what many companies have come to realize.

Right now is a difficult time to find employment because many companies are running low on work due to the holidays.  Have you inquired about internships locally?  Doesn't your college/school offer any help with finding a job?

Was your goal always to be an MT? If so, why obtain an associate degree?  If you have come to realize that you want to be an MT, then maybe you would be better off investing into Andrews or M-TEC.

Have you passed any tests/all tests?  Many companies have a direct link on their websites for the testing.  I would assume if you aced a test they would be willing to talk to you.  How many resumes have you sent out?  I believe it will be harder for you to get your foot in the door somewhere, but if you really want this, you will find a way.

Good luck!

I've always enjoyed word jumble. I think you all know that one ... the letters of a word are all jumbled and you have to figure out the word. Like this:  ehrat = heart

I'll pick a word and then mix the letters up. In the subject line, I'll give the specialty (i.e. Cardiology) and you have to figure out the correct word. As soon as the correct word is posted, nobody else can respond. That round has ended.

I'll post one new word every day.

This game is ONLY open to people still in school or those with less than six months of work experience. So, all of you MTSOs with itchy fingers ... go transcribe an ESL who is dictating in the middle of traffic with the convertible roof down.

I'll take a show of hands ... would anyone else like to join in? 

to do it "right."  Being a newbie is tough, but a strict QA is more beneficial at this point in her career.  It does't do her any good to have "slack" QA and then she moves to another job later and they are tough and she has to struggle then.

I've been doing this for years and I still make mistakes.  I've spelled calculus for gallbladder stones for years and no one corrected me until recently, so all these years I've been spelling it incorrectly.  Learn to do it "right" the first time and it will serve you well in the future. 

Why is CS still getting praise???  Affordable or not, you may be an experienced *unemployed* MT because many companies are discovering that CS just doesn't give the education needed regardless of the few praisers who got lucky.

M-TEC or Andrews has a "refresher" course for MTs who have done 1 specialty or haven't worked for a while.

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school and actually started working in the real world?  It is a learning process, day in and day out, just as nursing is.  You can go to the best school in the world, have the most highly trained instructors, finish with flying colors, take the RMT, CMT or whatever, and still not be a good transcriptionist.  Same thing goes with nursing.  You can go to school and then pass state boards and still be a lousy nurse.  A lot of what we all do is in the practical application day to day.  I don't recall ever saying she shouldn't go to school.  I just said it was possible to go from nursing to MT without formal training. 

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I tested for a local vet recently. No call back yet, but he was an @$$ (I can see why he went into Veterinary medicine rather than human). Expected the MT to transcribe while being the front desk in a hard-floored, echoing foyer area with dogs and cats and people and birds around, and be the receptionist too.

But, I think it would be very interesting and a good resume skill to add.

Anyone know of a company that will hire an MT to do VT? Or is there a VT module I could do to add to my training?

you must be accurate in all typed correspondence. I had a newbie that asked about doing an internship I offered. Here is her actual response: