Newbie MTs, do not post test questions on any of the MTStars boards. To do so will result in your
Posted By: Administrator (sm) on 2006-01-22
In Reply to:
posting privileges being revoked. Take your tests honestly.
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Newbie post your resume on all the job boards. Respond to
ads posted on the job boards. Look through your local paper.
for Angela: Right above the questions on this boards
you find a box. Enter into this box: 'Penn Foster' and click search.
You'll get opinions of MTs about this school
Post your resume on the various job boards.
Most of them are free. There are some companies that do not post openings but hire from the resumes. You can also apply to companies who do post. Those that want experience may be a bit more willing to hire you because of your medical background.
Post your resume on the various job boards. It is
free.
Post your resume on all the job boards. There are companies who
do not post openings for whatever reason, but they will hire from the resumes posted. It isn't a guarantee, but gives you more exposure and the chance to perhaps get a job. I agree with the other poster to try for an in-house position. When I first started out 20 years ago I never heard of an at-home MT, we pretty much all worked in an office or in a facility. Many times medical offices hire someone to work in medical records and there may be several facets to their job, one of which is transcribing and might be something you want to consider.
If any company offers you a position but want you to buy equipment/software up front be very cautious. Come here to see if anyone has heard of the company, as there are companies preying on newbie MTs. If a company offers you a position at a radiculously low rate also proceed with caution and come here and ask about them.
Have her post resume on the various job boards. Some companies
don't advertise, but they will hire from resumes. You have to be careful though as there are some companies who will try to take advantage of newbies.
Your MIL will have a much harder time finding a position than someone who took a course through a company that is known to have a good program. Programs like the one she took are pretty much a waste of money and many end up paying more $$ to get into a better program or going through a mentoring program.
Post your resume on all the various job boards, send resumes to
local clinics/doctor's offices, apply to local hospitals. As a newbie getting a job is hard, but some companies will hire you based on the school you got your certificate from. Some schools are better than others and if you didn't get your certificate from one of the better ones changes are harder of getting a job. Most likely you'll need to work in-house for a while. There are some companies that will offer you a job, many at low to no pay, and there are a few companies that are not legit, so be sure you investigate before accepting. If you have to fork out any money for equipment or software in order to get the job be cautious, especially if they require you to purchase it from them.
Don't worry anon, this is the same person on the Word Board asking test questions!!
Post these types of questions on the Word Board. Thanks. nm
s
Questions from a Newbie
I'm just finishing school with At-Home Professions (doing my final now) and have 2-3 job possiblities. One is working for 2 physical therapists and I will find out more about it today or this week. The other is the one I am leaning towards and would like your input on; It is working in Neurology Surgery (very specialized) and at first it is working for a very good friend at a lower pay scale just until I get the confidence to do it on my own. What do you think of this option? There is a chance I can get a job with my friends boss, however I thought it might be good starting off to just work for her, that way I can have someone editing my work etc. After I have the confidence and a little experience I can work for the my friends boss.
By the way, all the newbies looking for work-all of these job possiblities have just been from friends and asking my husbands cardiologist about who he uses.
A Newbie with Questions
I am very interested in working at home for an MT company but have a few questions regarding doing so and would appreciate any help and advice anyone can give.
If hired to work part time, say four hours a day, do they have to be consecutive hours or any time, so long as four hours are worked during the day? What about full time hours? What is a good production amount for both? Also, if hired to work four hours a day and you finish the work in three hours, can you "sign off" early?
I realize that some companies provide equipment; what equipment would that be and does that include the word processing software? Which is preferred: WordPerfect or MS Word? What would you recommend as the absolute "must haves" for starting out as an MT? Does the company provide report templates to base your work on?
Which company would be the best to start out with? I've only noticed Spheris takes MT's with only one year experience; are there others that are better? Are there companies that hire brand-new MT's; what are they?
I realize that some of the questions seem rather silly, but I am trying to convince my husband that, with a little bit of help with the kids, I can have a lucrative career with benefits and the added bonus of staying at home. Any advice is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.
Questions from a newbie
I am a recent MT graduate. I am needing advice on which USB foot pedal would be the best one to purchase. And I have noticed that a lot of the classified on this website say that you need a medical spell checker and some even suggest getting a word Expander program. Which ones would be the best one to purchase?
And another question. Do the online companies furnish you with the transcription program for you to use or do you need to purchase one for yourself? While I was attending school, I just used MS Word to type all of my reports into.
I am just needing some advice or suggestions about the above questions.
Thanks,
Melissa
a newbie here with a couple questions please....
Hi, thank you for taking my question(s). I have Windows Vista on my PC, came with it. and I am about to begin MT School online, I have asked the school, but alittle confused. The software I will need, will it be compatible, with Vista, or is there conversions I might can buy, or download for free.
The school is in La. and the program is Career Steps. ANY info will be greatly appreciated. ~Leslie in NWF 
Newbie failing test HELP!!
I have taken 2 test and failed both. Could not hear the Doc's mumbling and talking fast !!!! Also, the multiple choice was 7 pages in 10 min. that I had to answer did not get it done. Do I need more school. I graduated from At-home professions. Thanks for your reply.
Barbara Tucker
Radiology or Multispecialty test for newbie?
I have tested with a couple of companies that give the option of testing for Radiology or Multispecialty. I'm just wondering, as a new graduate, which test I should choose? 
Those are not unnecessary questions. VERY real questions.
If you are indeed a "big girl" then get some credible information and make a mature, informed decision for yourself.
My goodness. Where does the personal accountability come into play?
New To MTStars
Hey!
I am a CS student and I am currently in the Editing and Proofreading section. Boy is it hard  . I am working my way through it. I will soon be beginning Clinic Notes Transcription. I can hardly wait  .
I better get back to my studies.
Thank you for having me here! 
Try MTStars Expanderic.
http://www.expanderic.com
Actually, the MTStars resume board seems as appropriate ...(sm)
I just went over there and tried to access the resumes, and you have to pay (a nice fee, too) in order to access any personal information other than your name, your experience, your general location (which I'm sure you can leave as just "Colorado" or whatever), and your desired line rate. No address, phone number, or any other contact information is available without paying the fee ($50 is the lowest), so someone would have to REALLY want that information in order to get it. This makes it no different than the MTJobs site.
MTStars FlashType has a free demo and if you like it, it is
EXTREMELY reasonably priced as compared to others on the market. It works like pretty much like PC Shorthand, but is more cost effective. See the link below.
Check your email, address given to MTStars
Message in email
Check your email, address given to MTStars
Message in email
Try MTStars FlashType. It has a 7 day free trial.
see link below
Also, try MTStars FlashCount. It's free and has great features.
see link
MTStars FlashType is also just like Shorthand only cheaper in price.
l
MTStudent, the person who was quite rude to you has been banned. MTStars encourages new MTs to ask
questions and without being viciously attacked the way you were. There are a lot of very nice, helpful people here and will answer your questions.
Administrator
You can shoot on over the other boards
which is the pay. You can also shoot on down this board and read posts about people that have no idea how they are going to get hired when most companies won't hire a new MT. There are a few answers for ya'. Hate to sound unkind, but it takes a good 5 years to make a little more than min wage. Save your money and time or attend that college for something different because there is no way you'll make what they are promising; I can almost guarantee that especially with the fact that most of our jobs are being given to offshore MTs at this point in time. 
A free line counting and invoice generator is MTStars FlashCount.
see link below
Dear Sue - there used to be many different boards on this forum
but most were eliminated due to it becoming overwhelming for Dear Administrator. So that's why you will see ramblings on the Main Board - other boards were absorbed here.
Place your resume on the various job boards.
There is one here and I know other sites have free boards too. You can also send resumes to local offices/hospitals.
I miss the CareerStep message boards
The boards are closed to people who didn't go to that school. I didn't go and love the school I went to, but that board was great because it had a lot of job leads and information on companies, especially smaller MTSOs. I would love to be able to access it again.
check your local hospitals' job boards
You might find MT jobs posted there that aren't ever advertised anywhere.
My coworker had no experience, but took a job in the secretarial float pool at the hospital while she was finishing her online MT schooling. When a swing-and-evenings part-time slot became available (posted on the jobs board, but never advertised elsewhere), the MT manager was willing to give her a shot and roll her out on easy stuff first. Two years and a bazillion questions later, she's turned into quite a good MT, I must say, and just last month she began working from home. :)
I also had to take the bad (weekends and swing and all holidays) shift to get my foot in the door when I first started. It's the nature of the biz.
Also, I would highly, highly, highly recommend you work in-house, sitting pretty much knee-to-knee with a seasoned pro who can mentor you... as you both are paid hourly. A newbie working on production all alone at home will be making less than minimum wage. I hope I'm not crushing your dreams; just giving you a dose of realism. You need a mentor.
Best wishes to you all.
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.
Keep searching the boards for the info you seek. And go thru an MT program if you haven't already
k
Search the boards and send out resumes, and review your grammar and punctuation
s
Read back thru the Word Help and Style boards, too, to see answers to ?? others have. You'll lear
s
please e/m me -- my post didn't post.
x
Questions....
What course did you finish? How did you do? Do you have a kick-a$$ resume? Where are you "training"? Are you being paid for it? Where have you applied? What is your strategy? A little more information, please!
Help !! - Questions!!!
im signing up for the online transcription course through CareerStep and im really looking forward to it. these next few questions are aimed to those who are already a transcripitionist or anyone who knows the answers.
1. how hard or easy is it to find a job once you are graduated?
2. how much do you make starting out? and how much could you potentionally make?
3. is it hard to find a job that allows you to stay at home and do your job? especially when starting out?
4. what are your hours like? both at home or in a clinic?
5. is careerstep (if known) really helpful in finding you a job after graduation?
i have 2 kids and want to make sure this is going to be worth it if i have to work in a clinic and pay a babysitter.
thank so much in advance for your answers. even if you cant answer them all, any answer is very appreciated.
Same questions?
These exact same questions were posted a few months ago by someone saying that they were doing an MT class assignment. What is up with that?
new MT questions
Hello all you fabulous MTs!
I am seriously considering training to become an MT; however, I have some questions for you. I have noticed many of you discussing MT companies who are hiring overseas as well as many of you who are having trouble finding work. I understand the difference the prestige of your school makes and am wondering if there are any of you who have graduated from Andrews or M-Tec who have had problems finding work. I'm also wondering, from those of you who have been in the business for many years, what you see for the future of the MT profession. It looks like VR and EMR have been on the horizon for a long time and could jeopardize the industry but how many of you think this is rumor and how many of you feel it is a legitimate concern? I would hate to spend at least a year of my time and approximately $4,000 training for a career that will be obsolete soon. Oh, and one more question: Are there any of you out there who have successfully found work that pays well but you find the work unsatisfying? I'm trying to convince my husband that this job won't be too boring! Any advice you could give would be much appreciated.
question on questions
If you were a new MT when you started out with this doctor, what did you do for 'QA' and where did you go if you had questions, etc.? I am thinking of doing this and would really be interested to know how you handled that? Thanks!
interviews: questions to ask?
hi, all. didn't want to hijack "not sure's" thread...
i know what to ask when interviewing for a nursing position; the from-home MT thing is going to be a new one for me. i've searched before asking this (maybe didn't use the right key-words). any suggestions for what to ask a company?
here's what i've jotted down:
1. CPL;
2. percentage of ESLs (not terribly huge, as i've worked with lots of foreign docs, both as a nurse and as MT);
3. soft-/hardware used;
4. TAT (if not stated in the offer/job-description);
5. not sure how to phrase this...what the company considers "a line" (as in "how many characters);
6. whether the rate includes spaces.
any other ideas?
BTW: you guys are terrific. thank you!
Questions regarding IC status
I just received a position as an IC. I have never been one before so how do I figure taxes and such? Also, I have been told that I would be able to deduct a lot of things since I do this out of my home. What are some things that I can deduct? I was guess internet service but couldn't figure out anything else.
Thanks for the help.
after reading some of your questions,
I wouldn't say you got the best MT education to be had. I also don't see where you have interest in doing for yourself (that Stedman's Work At Home issue). While you are looking at your insular little world, you haven't been around the past, well, even 10 years, to see the changes that have brought down this industry. Ten years is not even considered one generation. There will be need for GOOD MTs still for many years to come, but those positions will be held by the very best MTs to be had and who are still willing to work for the pay that goes down over time. Many other positions that are now MTs will transition into something different, something still with a living to be offered but different just the same.
Just this year, my employer restructured its pay scale so that in order to make the same cpl, I had to produce an additional 4000 lines per month. If I didn't, I suffered a pay cut of 1 cpl. Obviously this has not happened to you. I've been at it much longer than I suspect you've been an adult. I do not plan to leave the industry although my alternate education is already in place. I'm lucky because my skill set is very much in demand. I am a high, accurate producer with flexibility and if I'm making money, my employer makes much more.
But I didn't get there by patting myself on the back and asking questions that some research would help with and save myself the embarrasment of my peers for not having done the research.
As to what school to go to, read the writing on the wall and take one of the top 3. This industry has changed just in a few short years and if you don't know everything that everyone is doing, someone without education from the top 3 will have a more difficult time getting placement after schooling.
JMHO, which is free, and you're welcome to do with it what you will.
Pricing questions for new mt
I just got an account with a local doctor doing clinic notes part time. Will I be considered an MTSO since there is no middleman? Is .11 cents a line reasonable for 24 hour turn around? How long do you stay at that rate? The only transcribing experience I have is from Career Step where I graduated two years ago. I am in the southern Illiniois area. Is it recommended to charge more for consult notes? I have seen examples of $2 per page and .6 cents per line.
Also, is anyone aware of the HIPPA requirements for emaling transcription files back to the doctor? He sends them in WAV files and I send them back password protected.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
I guess I have two questions?
1. Why is it such a shock to newbies that the field is so hard to break into?
2. Why aren't the people who sell these MT training programs telling newbies that it is so?
To answer your questions
I'm an IC and was given the IC Manual which does not refer at all to any reviews, raises, etc. I do cardiology and can produce about 175 lines an hour, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the doctor. Since I'm an at-home IC, I have no one else to compare my work to, that's kind of why I started looking around to see what I could find out. Since my one year anniversary is right around the corner, I figured that would be the time to approach the subject but I wanted to have an idea of what I should be looking for!
Almost graduated and have questions
Hi everyone! I am new on this board and will soon receive my certification. I have one more semester to go with an internship and everything. I have a few questions though.
1. Is it wise to start posting your resume before you graduate , and if so, how much time before you graduate do you recommend starting this?
2. For a new MT, what is a reasonable rate of pay either per line or per hour?
3. Do the grades you make in school really make a difference? I have a 4.0, but some people tell me that they don't even look at how well you did in your classes.
4. How do you know a real online transcription company from a scam? I'm sorry, but I didn't even know that transcription scams existed before seeing some threads about it here.
5. (last one I promise) I am doing an internship for someone local this last semester, does this really count as experience or do you always have to do internships with the company you get a job with before actually becoming an employee?
Thanks to anyone who responds in advance!
Good questions!
Here's my opinion:
1. I wouldn't post a resume until I have finished my course and graduated.
2. You will start at the bottom of the totem pole because you are new and inexperienced. It varies from company to company. I wouldn't work for free. With some companies it will depend on how well you test for them.
3. Yes, it does and each company defines their own standards for hiring newbies (if they even hire them).
4. Do thorough research. You should not have to pay to work. I would ask the company to provide a couple of employees to speak to. I would be very, very careful of accepting at face value any posts on any boards. They are anonymous, no registration required, and you literally have no clue who you are taking the advice of.
5. You should list an internship as just that.
full of questions....
Hello! I am 21 years old looking to do the training to get certified as a MT. Of course I have LOTS of questions. First of all, how hard was it for you to find an "at home" job? And also, is anyone willing to tell me how much it pays? I've seen all kinds of figures and have tried to figure out just how those figures are, well, figured. I just have a hard time believing you can make that much just for typing reports. Any help at all on this would be GREAT! Thank you!
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