Newbie/Student response
Posted By: AshB on 2005-12-06
In Reply to: could we all try this again - Snow Bunny
I am not yet a professional MT, as I am still in school and have been unable to find employment, but from what I have learned so far in school I understand that paying attention to details is one of the most important aspects of being an MT. If this is actually the case, why would anyone take a possible employment opportunity so lightly as to skip directions or misspell words on an application? For those of us who are trying very hard to find work, this is rather insulting. An MT is supposed to be proficient in grammatical skills (!!!!!), so anyone applying for a position should have enough respect for himself and the company that he is applying to that he would at least read the instructions on the application. I am not trying to be rude or cruel in any way, but I just feel that so many errors on an application would most likely discourage an employer from hiring the applicant.
Another thing, when looking for employment last night I accidentally stumbled across an Indian transcription company. On it were many testimonials from employees and hopeful employees of the company. There were so many misspelled and out of context words in these statements! I know that my grammar has a long way to go; that’s why I keep and handbook by my side when I am trying to perform professionally. Why is it that so many companies prefer these people that can’t even use English well over Americans that are studying to perfect the use of our native language? I am having a hard time finding any company that is willing to hire a new-grad, so all of the bad grammar coming from the Transcriptionist on that site hit my mean bone. Please don’t think I am a bitter, sarcastic person because I am not. I just find myself a little erked at offshore companies. I know that I will find I great opportunity soon enough.
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Newbie/Student reply
1. When a job post indicates that a resume is to be pasted directly in the body of the message, why would you attach it? Do you have a specific reason for doing that?
I, personally, wouldn't attach if requested not to do so (as has happened in other responses from me to non-MT companies). However, I can see the OCCASIONAL error of doing so, but not as a 'norm.'
2. If the job post states that you must have your own equipment specific to the job (i.e. foot pedal for *wav files, C-phone) or provide your own high-speed ISP), why would you apply for the position if you cannot afford to buy the equipment?
The only possible explanation for this is ...... frankly, I can't think of an explanation. Personally speaking, I wouldn't apply for an IC position if I didn't have the correct equipment (or I might ask if I'm considered can I have 'x' time to acquire that equipment, if not, its the MTSO's prerogative to say no).
3. Is there a reason you submit an application with spelling errors, poor punctuation, etc.?
Hmmmm, I check mine, unless we have a conversation going (i.e., exchanging letters, IM's, etc) and I'm not horribly serious about the job (at least in the beginning of the conversation, that might change dependant on the information I've received).
And, now, a statement/question from me ...
4. ... Do you feel that I have the right to ask you, the newbie, to re-listen to the original dictation and read the “new report” with all the blanks filled in, but not pay you for this time? Would you be willing to do that?
I think this is a perfectly reasonable request, and any newbie (like me) who wouldn't choose this option is short-changing her/himself in learning and expanding their knowledge base and allowing him/herself to grow and become more valuable to the current MTSO (or a future one).
update on my newbie's response!! too funny!! sm
I sent her a reply telling her I was sorry, but I didn't think she had what it takes to be an MT, as it is very detail oriented job. She told me, I'm sorry, but I did not type that. I had my son respond for me, because I was getting ready for work. I did not know I was being tested via email. then she ripped into me with For your information, I wasn't applying for the job, I was requesting information to see if I would even be interested. I'm sorry that you are on your high horse, and need to be pushed off!!! Wow...very mean! I happen to work for a living and graduated with a great GPA for a very reputable MT school, you don't even know me women so don't judge me!!!!
Omigosh, I laughed till I cried 
re this poster's response consider the bad response
AHP student also
I'm a student with AHP and speak via email/forums with another AHP student. We're both in the 'early' stages (I'm on course II, she's on course I, I think). We're excited about the possibility of work, and pay little attention to negative comments.
We're both adding to our education with books/resources mentioned by other schools ... and frequent several forums. I've heard of several other AHP students that started working immediately and are still working (I'd have to research to find them tho, I read too many posts LOL). Take heart!!! Feel free to contact me if you want ...
New MT student
I just recently enrolled in a MT course through at home professions. I am currently working as Registered Nurse at the hospital. I am planning to have a family in the next year or so. I thought being an MT would be perfect for me to stay home with the kids. I have been looking at all the job openings, I am worried that is going to be difficult to find a home based job without experience. Is that the case or am I just paranoid? Thanks
MT Student
If you are an MT student, my question would be why wouldn't you just ask your teacher that question?
MT Student
Usually, when someone refers to "resources" they do not mean other MTs. Part of your schooling is to learn how to figure out things and search for things yourself; at that point ask your teacher; that's what your paying her for!
Student MT
Hello,
I am in the process of completing my education, 4 more chapters to go, in medical transcription and would like to know if anyone knows of a company that is willing to hire student transcriptionists. I desperately need to find employment and can not wait until I finish my course. I have already completed my education in medical terminology and received my certificate.
I have asked the school, Allied Business Schools, and they told me that they could assist me but I should wait until I complete my education and receive my certificate. I do not think I can wait any longer for employment of some sort... bill collectors are starting to hound me.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciate.
Glenn
MT student
Hi,
I am a fairly new MT student and I attend Mtec. For any of you who believe that getting an MT job is like pulling teeth then I would like to suggest that you go to the Mtec boards and read the posts there. So many of the graduates from Mtec seem to find jobs and plenty of them upon graduating. Of course, you get what you give too. Meaning you have to put your time and effort into learning this stuff and NO IT"S NOT EASY! It is an 18 month course or less if you can do it in less time and they prepare their graduates. These short-cut courses or colleges who tell you that after 3-6 months you will be working as an MT are full of bull. I am sure you have all even read that you have to work 2 years in the field to be able to work from home. Not true for Mtec students, they are working from home right after graduating. Anyway.... just thought you might like to check them out for those who are seriously interested.
Cindy
New Student Help
I am just now beginning to actually type transcripts, my study materials don't tell me what font or size to use, I have chosen Times New Roman 12 and my transcripts don't look the same as those in my lessons. And here comes the lamest question. I am typing an H&P and on the heading it looks like the underscore is bold but I can't get mine bold? Already frustrated 
New MT Student - Arizona
Hi,
I just started a MT program this week. I will be graduating (in 2007)from Gateway Community College in Phoenix Arizona. Just wondering if any on this board has attended Gateway and what your experience finding work was after graduation.
It seems like an excellent program and I'm excited to be starting something new!
Also, in the future I'd like to go on to Radiology or Ultrasound (not as an MT) ; has/does anyone here transcribe and work in another health field? I'm asking this because both the Radiology and Ultrasound programs are two year programs - that require you to attend full time; not something I can do working outside of the home.
Thanks in advance for any responses. I'm happy I found this board, it's going to be of great help to me during my schooling.
Student and working
Well I can say this, I am a MT student at Career Step now. I am also taking their coding program. I have been subcontracting for a few months now for a couple of different places and I was just hired by another place yesterday so it can be done. 
New MT Student and need to know if I should continue?
I just started the Career Step course thru Canscribe at a cost of about $4500 CDN and I'm starting to wonder if this is worth doing or not? I don't need a huge income from this, I'd like to work at home, and still make upwards of $15k/year. Does that seem reasonable? Or should I pull out now while I can still recoup some of my course costs? What would you do? I tried to research as well as I could beforehand but I'd hate to put in all the time and money only to be no further ahead.
nervous student
Hi, I've never posted here before but sometimes come here looking for unadulterated opinions on being an MT. It seems like the perfect job for me. I've always done very well in English class. I have a very easy time remembering things, and I think the medical field is very interesting. I'm currently taking an online course (CS) and am wondering if I should simultaneously enroll in local classes. I'm really nervous about becoming an MT because it seems there are so many horror stories posted here. My training is going very well and I'm enjoying it, but it is all pointless if I don't find gainful employment. The most money I have ever made in one year is $16,000 so I'm hoping to do quite a bit better than that. I am not a stay-at-home mom looking for a second household income; I need to support myself and get out of debt. There are so many negative posts here though that I can't help but worry. Is it just that this is a gathering place for people who want to complain while there are many happily employed MTs that just aren't interested in visiting this forum?
I am a student at Andrews.
I will be graduating shortly. My experience so far has been AWESOME. I can't tell you how well prepared you will be at the end of the course. I too am a CNA and was thinking about furthering my career in healthcare. BUT now I have two beautiful children and wanted to do something that would keep me closer to home. The only warning that I would give you is about the daycare thing. Even just studying, I can see how mentally demanding this job is going to be. I am going to enroll my youngest in a local pre-k (just down the street) for a few hours a day just because. I know there are many people that do wonderful jobs all while taking care of their children who are with them during the day, but I sincerely believe that just starting out you need to have a few hours of uninterrupted work time. I love the ads that have children sitting quietly beside their mother and the mother is smiling and "transcibing." Yeah, right! That being said, I love Andrews. We have a wonderful, supportive, private board and many grads hang out there and share all of their experiences. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong with either school. Hope this helps.
MT Student Has Question
Hi,
I am a medical transcription student at Sinclair Community College in Ohio, and I am taking a business communications class that requires me to interview a medical transcriptionist. I don't know any MTs personally, so I was wondering if anyone here could possibly answer 10 questions for me. I would really appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!! Here are the questions:
1. How long have you worked as a medical transcriptionist?
2. What certification have you received?
3. What attracted you to pursuing a career in medical transcription?
4. What type of environment do you work in (i.e. from home, physician’s office, hospital, other).
5. What do you think are the most important skills a medical Transcriptionist should have?
6. Did some skills come naturally to you, while others required more practice?
7. In addition to transcribing medical reports, do you engage in other forms of business writing while on the job (such as memos, proposals, or progress reports, etc.) to clients, coworkers, or supervisors? Please explain.
8. What do you think is the most difficult aspect of medical transcription?
9. What do you find to be the easiest aspect of medical transcription?
10. As a medical transcriptionist, do you often need to collaborate with others to ensure that all the information in your reports is correct?
THANK YOU!
I'm a current student
And now I'm worried after reading some of these responses. I only chose this program because it had a better price then some other ones out there (about $400 for a certificate program versus $2300 for another one that came with a "free" laptop). Unfortunately, money is tight for me so I had to factor that into my decision. Now I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to find work with my "education" from them...
its as good as the student who ...
does the work. If you don't do the work, you can't blame the school. Unless it was like TRSI, which is a horrible school. They ignore student emails like mine, they have teachers come and go every month (I had FIVE in 1 year!). If CS will answer your questions as you do the work required, then to me, that is a good school, or at least one sign of a good school.
MT student seeking advice
I am currently enrolled in a Community College MT certificate program and will finish in December of this year. The MT program is fairly new at this college and they don't yet have any internship or trainee arrangements with MT companies. I am completing Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Medical Transcription courses next week (summer session) with A's. This fall, I will be finishing with my last 2 required courses, Pharmacology and Medical Transcription II.
I am ready to work and would like to start gaining experience as soon as possible (part-time or full-time). I am a 42-year-old professional with 20+ years of business experience, including corporate management, and I also hold a BS degree. I would like some advice on finding companies that will employ me now -- before I have completely finished the college certificate program. I am extremely committed to producing quality work and I am ready to start proving myself. I welcome any suggestions, Thank you.
Why would you ask this question on the New MT/Student Board? nm
??
New Careerstep Student, Need Advice
Hi everyone,
I recently started the CareerStep program and I need advice on any good websites that have additonal study info? or reference books? or memberships? What is the average starting pay? etc.
Current MTEC Student
Robyn,
I'm a current MTEC student hopefully getting ready to graduate in 2 months and I would 100% recommend the school. You made a great choice. It is intense, but by the end you will be a wonderful transcriptionist. They do train well. Good luck in your studies.
Never heard of them, probably wouldn't hire a student from them.
Best advice I can give: Invest in an education that gives a recruiter warm fuzzies, and be on top/near the top of that class.
Would you want your surgeon to graduate from a cheap university on a remote island?
MTinTX gets kickback for every student she recruits
X
New student, are ergonomic supplies worth it?
I'm looking into ergonomic keyboards, chairs, etc. Are they worth it? Are there any items out there that you think are trash, worth the money, or "must haves"? Any other advice to a new student of M-Tec is welcome!
Thanks in advance!
Requesting student info about MT programs, please.
I want to hear from recent students completing the MT programs - how did your MT program work? Was it all just work at your own pace? Did you have any classroom time or any time that you had to join an online class? Did you have good communication with your instructor(s)? Did they answer you timely? nything you would have like to have seen done differently in the program you chose? How long did it take you to complete it? Did they help you find a job?
I know I need the education to fill in the big holes on the little experience I have. I will be getting info from schools like Career Step and Andrews and MTEC but I would like to hear from anyone in or graduating from those programs, too.
Please feel free to e-mail me.
Thanks,
Roz
AHDI Student Alliance has a mentor
program set up. If you can, visit the AHDISA website. Just post that you are interseted in the postgraduate mentor program, and they will give you more info.
Website is ahdisa.org
Good luck!
I am a student noob--throw me some work, I won't say "no"
I am a MT student and almost done with training. I am also a registered nurse with my BSN AND I was a Navy journalist (so I can type and copyedit like mad). I am willing to take some work from someone if they can walk me through the set-up (equipment-wise, all I have used is a foot pedal) and everything I need, etc. Maybe a little instruction on templates..
Not so picky about the pay as I would like some experience first..I will NOT post my resume on a public forum such as this, but I will be more than happy to send it to you if requested. Please email me ******. Thanks!
****Edited by Moderator: Please do not post email addresses. *****
Thank you for the response
Thanks for that response. I also posted on 2 other MT message boards and got the same response you gave me, I will hold off on doing that for now. I'm still pretty new at this so I was getting frustrated with my slow speed. But, I think I just need to be more patient with myself, I do have a good Expander program that I use.
response
I was looking into Career Step and M-Tec. After researching both, I'm not sure which one to choose.. I take it you went through Career Step.?
response
Executive Transcription Solutions is the company. Thank you all for your help
Thank you for your response
I emailed Linda for information. I have heard something about a sallie mae foundation (spelling??) somewhere at one time. Can anyone help on that subject? Where do I find out the information ????
in response
Don't give up. Have you tested on some of the online sites? All I can tell you is that it can be done. Test, Test, Test if you haven't already. Email your resume to everyone, even those who say they require 2,5,10 years. I probably have not received responses to half of the emails I have sent out. I am a newbie, too, but I now have a PT and FT job. Good luck to you!
In response
"I never said MTec was dishonest. The gist of the post was that an MT training school could not give objective advice to a person considering purchasing their product. The OP was simply told to take this into consideration. Surely no one can disagree with that statement?"
I think I can disagree, Jo. I absolutely can (and do) give objective advice about the profession and would never mislead a prospective student into thinking that choosing M-Tec will guarantee them job placement or an easy ride to success. I have turned away many a prospective student and probably terminated an equal number for lack of progress or poor scores.
I have been an MT practitioner since 1971 and have worked in hospital medical records, radiology, you name it.
I currently own and operate a home-based MT service with 15 clients and 6 ICs. While that is small potatoes compared to some, I do it to keep my hand on the pulse of the industry. I experience every change this industry has made, right down to the EHR, VR, point-and-click templates and offshoring. I live it just like everyone here, and I have been just as frustrated over some of the changes as many of you here. I have not noticed any changes in the industry as a whole in terms of companies hiring qualififed MTs for entry-level positions, whether it be part-time or full-time, unless you want to talk about the growing requests for entry-level MTs recently?
I tell anyone who asks of my experiences with my service switching to an EMR-based system, but I will also tell you about our 96% placement rate for our graduates. These are figures that can be checked with our state board.
I feel confident that I can speak with authority on any MT-related issues without bias -- those are just the facts! :)
Does this mean I won't be happy to talk with you about the pros of enrolling through M-TEC? Naaah -- I have to be honest -- I think our course is one of the best on the market, and many employers and happy graduates would agree.
Thank you for your response.
Thank you for your response, Melissa. As before mentioned, I'd had trouble grasping the full concept of verbatim transcribing - especially when changes would have to be made for appropriateness without changing what the dictator said. Currently, the QA in my internship just sends back short responses (Nice report, uploaded; this word s/b another word, corrections attached, uploaded; etc.). The feedback is nice, but I didn't always know why one word should be another word when I typed what the dictator said. Those words could very well be word agreement. I hope I have the right understanding now. Thank you again for your response, it helps.
Response
Dianne,
Please be reasonable. You enrolled on August 10 using our 7 month payment plan. You paid $399 down and then on August 18 you paid an additional $554.24 to have your second shipment sent. As stated our on site, materials are shipped usually within 2 -3 business days from enrollment, and then take 5 to 10 business days (a total of up to 13 business days). When you contacted us yesterday, the materials had been 14 business days. Obviously, there was a delay, but, unfortunately, we have no control over the postal service. To compensate for this delay, your dictionary was ordered through Amazon to be delivered the following day. It was brought to my attention this morning, that according to the tracking #, your first shipment arrived yesterday morning. The same day you started voicing your complaints everywhere. I don't understand why you are continuing to do so when we have done everything possible to correct the problem. You have been doing so well with your testing, and with your medical background, I am sure you will continue to. To compensate further for this delay, which fortunately did not prevent you from continuing with the course, we would like to offer you a free upgrade to the Expert edition. This edition includes additional dictation, additional online modules, our Work Placement Program, and the ability to enroll in our Internship Program. If you decide to withdraw from the course, please contact me directly and I will start the procedures. I also wanted to inform you that we are looking into an alternate shipping service to prevent this from happening in the future.
Sincerely,
Amy Rudd
School Director
Virtual Learning Center
Response
1) It is not OUR responsibility to check out your career choices for you and warn you.
2) If you'd bother really checking around and talking those who work for the virtual companies, you would have learned this BEFORE you made your choice!!!
My goodness. Don't you realize that companies SELLING education are in business to make money? Of course they're not going to tell you, "Come! Take our course! Spend your money and time! But you'll be hard pressed to get a job, may never get the WAH opportunity you want. But hey! Don't let that stop you! Just write out that check and you'll be well on your way to your DREAM (as in not gonna happen) job!"
Does it not make sense to you that anything with a get-rich-quick scheme is just that, a scheme? What profession can you train in a year or less and come out making $40,000 from your home?! Sounds like a scam BECAUSE IT IS!!!!
So, here. I'll tell you straight up:
You're in stiff competition, sweetie. Those of us with years of actual inhouse acute care experience will always beat you out for a job because we worked INHOUSE and gained ACUTE CARE EXPERIENCE (heck, any experience is better than none) and didn't expect the top pay, top positions, top anything to start.
You've also got competition from technology (speech recognition) leaving you with the icky dictators (and as a new MT, you have difficulty doing the good ones most of the time).
You've also got competition because it is just cheaper labor to send work to India. Besides, India is working their daytime hours while we all sleep -- because no one wants to work other than M-F 8-5. Also, with the severe shortage of experienced MTs capable of producing high-quality high-production work that isn't dependent on 100% QA, sending out is a viable option.
You have been told.
Thank you for your response!
x
Thanks for your response!!
very helpful :P
response
Tell the doctors to take some responsibility, to speak English and those who do, speak clearly and with a little more respect to the transcriptionist. We ARE NOT DOCTORS. This infuriates me !!! This is bullsh_t.
Response
That is a somewhat difficult comparison because very few people, if any, complete more than 1 of the courses you mentioned so they would not be able to give a fair comparison of job search results. I can say that I see very few M-Tec or Andrews grads complaining of an inability to find that first job.
Perhaps another question you might also want to ask is whether the grads were able to hold onto that first job for the 2+ years that is the typical minimum experience requirement for the industry. While I know more CS grads than I do Andrews or M-TEC grads (because I went to CS), I know very few CS grads that did not spend at least a portion of their first post-grad year job-hopping. I only know 4 CS grads (including myself) that are still with their initial employer after more than 2 years.
The third thing might want to inquire about is the type of position (clinic versus acute care)graduates from each school are able to obtain and what grads from each school can expect in regard to starting pay. At the CS student forum, I have seen grads profess to be willing to work 1-3 cpl or even for free just to "get their foot in the door" because they have not been successful in finding a job.
I have been trying business with no response
I have taken one test and did not pass because they wanted a 98% accuracy and I believe that I had a 94%. All the other companies that I have applied at tell me that they want experience or I keep bugging them to take their test. I am now cold calling doctor offices to see if they need anything. I know 3 people in this field that work from home and they did not have trouble finding a job at all. They all started about three years ago though.
Thanks for the tactful response
My grammar may be a bit rusty, but you could have left the laughing smiley out and still have made your point, in a much nicer way.
I was merely expressing frustration that people discount all of the time one spends studying to prepare to do this kind of work. I was trying to explain to my dh the other night why I wanted to attend a good MT school, and his response was "What's so hard? The Dr. talks, and you type". He figures that with what I know already, I can learn the rest (in his opinion, not much more to learn) on someone else's dime. The only thing that got through to him was that I could not get hired to work from home for a national with the training I currently have, and that I could make more money right off the bat if I did complete the training. He still won't accept that the training is necessary to do the work, but has to accept that to get hired at a better wage, I will need better training.
I apologize if I misled you to infer that I felt I was totally qualified to be an MT and scoffed at anyone who was less qualified than I. I also apologize if I led you to believe that I don't have respect for how difficult the work is. I am terrified of failing at this and want to go through a good program, and hope to do so soon. I am qualified enough to satisfy this one particular employer, but just barely. I am in no position to train someone or try to get them hired, and I would never suggest that the path I took to get this job is a recommended way to do it.
Well, I am off to practice and study some more before starting work next week.
I will be more aware of my grammar when posting on this forum. Would you recommend the Gregg Manual as a good reference or is there a better one out there? Can we make peace?
Frustrated response
Medquist will hire you out of school as well as Spheris. Go to Mtjobs.com and click on the red bubble (search jobs) good luck
another good response!!!
nm
I posted a response to her too (sm)
Someone else responded to her original post and gave her constructive information regarding her grammar. She then turned around and told that person to kiss her you-know-what, etc. Then she kept complaining that people were offending her and wanted posts deleted. The administrator did so and also deleted her offensive post. What goes around comes around. The administrator admonished us not to treat her badly. When she used offensive language to the first response she was asking for it. Of course, that is just my opinion. Are we still allowed those? We spend so much time trying to send out perfect work that when we are posting on these boards it is easy to get lazy and not proof as well. It is just in our nature that these errors would jump out at someone else reading them. We do get paid for that, after all. Of course, there is no need to criticize each mistake made on this board although, as I stated previously, when you come here with an attitude you can be pretty sure that you will get it back x10.
Peace out....
Got a response from Medware
I received a response from Medware with their employee screening info as well as a few transcription "tests". Looked it over and filled out all of the info as well as did the tests and sent it back. I did a search on this company and got a mix of people who loved working for them and others who did not. Any input would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
Jill
Response to M-TEC Question
Hi Daphne,
I took the Tier 1 Premier Program a little over 2 years ago. My experience with M-Tec was wonderful. I also had no medical background. It is a very comprehensive course, but I truly enjoyed it and learned so much. You asked if Tier 1 Premier was necessary. My advice to you is if you want to work from home, you should definitely take the Premier program. If you take the Basic program, you generally have to work onsite somewhere until you are ready to work on your own. As a student at M-TEC, you will have your own personal instructor assigned to you to answer any questions along the way. This is a great school. Not only is your instructor available to you, but the directors of the school are also very accessible. The student forums are very supportive too. There are many companies who will waive the 2-year experience requirement if you are a Premier graduate of M-TEC with a decent GPA. You really can't go wrong with M-TEC. I think it was worth every penny.
response to jenn
Good for you!
However, I've been in this business for more than 20 years. I've seen plenty of nurses think they can and are doing a great job and simply cannot do it.
It amazes me how much they don't know.
In response to your question
They clearly are a SCAM. Don't be tempted to buy their equipment. They rip people off their money without providing them with real training and guaranteed employment.
In response to mentor help
I definitely am in need of a mentor. I graduated over a year ago and I am about to give up. I have had a few close calls, but did not come through. Any help will be Great, Thank You!
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