Newbies, beware - I'm not saying that the above post is a scam, sm

• Newbies, etc. - DKM
  • SO MANY WONDERFUL REPLIES - DKM
  • Mentoring by above - personal experience - just me
    • re: DKM - nowRNwasMT
      • Oops! - just me
    • Regarding the job - Wondering
      • how long... - just me
        • Thank you for post. It gives me hope - Wondering
          • Good luck! - just me
  • Reply to your post. - WRC
  • Reply deleted -- Do not post against policy. (NM) - Moderator
  • Let's Look at the Finances (sm) - Redpen
    • What if......... - DKM
      • correction........... - DKM
    • finances - Sara
  • Newbies, beware - I'm not saying that the above post is a scam, sm - MT18+ years with business
  • Are you offering mentoring or an actual job for newbies? nm - Searching
    • Job/Mentoring - DKM
      • Would like to give transcription another chance - Cathy
      • thank you for clearing that up. As I stated, I was not saying - x
        • Thanks! - DKM
  • This sounds really questionable to me. - nm
    • ? - DKM
  • Theresa P. - DKM

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tell you that you must buy $400 worth of software from a specific company.  Many times the software doesn't work but TranSCAM will not help you because you didn't buy it from them and the company you did buy it from won't contact you.  I personally think it is a company related to TranSCAM,

If the software works they tell you that you have to get good QA scores before they release you to getting paid for your work.  In the meantime you are doing work they are getting paid for (how they get accounts I have no idea) and you are never good enough to be released.

There have been multiple complaints filed with the BBB against them, several never resolved.  They have moved to a different state at least once and changed their name at least once.  If you "work" for them you will get some experience, but it really will not help you get another job because their reputation is well known and it isn't good.

To all of our posters on MTStars:  We have experienced an individual who is apparently running a scam.  We want to make you aware of this situation and urge you to be discerning in any e-mails you receive regarding this and diligent to report any contact with this person or other similar situations with us immediately:

Name: Sherry Robinson
Email: s_robinson28714@yahoo.com
Phone: 828 675 2119
Location : Burnsville, NC  28714
 
She is asking for $100-200 for work at home jobs.  Once payment is sent via PayPal or check, she vanishes and later (after repeated emails and calls) sends a mail with links (mostly broken) to Work at Home Job sites, which any MT can find by simply using Google.  Her scam is via telephone!   The emails she sends out contain only the following information:  Call Sherry Robinson 828-675-2119

MTStars Team

keep in mind that if you are applying to a company who is hiring independent contractors, that the IRS definition of employee vs. contractors hinges on three main areas, one of which is how much control the "employer" has over the worker. If the employer is providing equipment to get the job done, the IRS tends to look upon this as more of an employer-employee relationship. So if you are applying for a job that is independent contractor status, remember you are self employed and have to provide your own equipment.

Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status is a hot area of IRS Audits.The IRS, state taxing agencies, as well as the Departments of Labor (which are responsible for Unemployment tax collections) have been stepping-up their audit activities. The purpose of the audit is to misclassify a subcontractor as an employee. The taxing agency can then collect the taxes which "should have been withheld" as well as large fines, penalties and interest. So if you want to be an IC, expect to provide your own equipment.

I just wanted to say something on a positive note.

There has been a lot of talk about being a MT newbie, following directions and resumes, etc... I am a newbie myself.   I am still in school; however, I sent out some resumes and I received several job offers.  I am employed now and I can tell you that one of the reasons that my MTSO was interested in me was because I followed their directions.  My resume was short, but I tested well and I got the job.  My advice to all newbies is to take your time while submitting your resumes and follow their requests.  You could get a call too. 

So, to all the newbies (including myself), keep your heads up and keep on plugging away.   There are companies out there that are good.

Keep Smiling!

Hi,

 I replied to you via email, subject "pay for newbies". 

Cindi

I too had a job before my MT course   was completed.

I scored well on the preliminary testing with a couple of job prospects.  I had to work hard on the account specifics part of the transcription but the effort has been well worth it.

I started working part time, with the lowest pay I had seen since my yournger days and felt I asked way too many questions.  A year has gone by and now my hard work is rewarding me.  It can be done.

is going to take a program like this she will have a tougher time to find a job with a reputable company.   There are 3 good schools M-TEC, Andrews, and Career-Step and there are companies willing to hire newbies provided they have graduated in good standing from one of these schools.  Another option would be a local community college who might help with job placement.  I worked for a company that used to let the MT student some into the office and do a short rotation to get real hands-on experience.  

Some people are just determined they are going to do something and you can't do much about that, but I feel she is throwing away money if she goes this route.  I don't have any personal experience with any of the above schools, but they all come highly recommended. 

I have been a medical Transcriptionist for 22 years, but I wanted to share with you what I hope will be helpful advice.

When I lived in Pennsylvania, I was the manager of a large transcription department.  Because I had been there myself, I hired newbies.  I would have them come in and take a typing test with a simple chart note from an easy dictator.  I did not time them.  I wanted to check their English/grammar skills and their ability to use the medical dictionary.  I trained 5 new transcriptionists in cardiology myself.  Even though I no longer work there (having moved to Colorado), those 5 still do.

I obtained an Associate Degree in Medical/Legal Secretarial Science in the 1980s.  Having no transcription experience, I signed on with several local "temp agencies".  They still have those, don't they?  Physician offices who are desperate will try to get help from these agencies.  They sent me to a local ophthalmologist's practice.  I tried really hard, used my medical dictionary a lot, and trained myself.  After a few months, I was offered a job there, and they asked me how much money I wanted to start!  That's how I got my foot in the door.

True, the field is not the same as it was back then.  But I am trying to be positive for you newbies.  I was willing to hire newbies and train them, and I am sure there are others like me.

Don't give up - keep trying - and good luck to all of you!

Regarding the recent posts from those looking for a job - I cannot stress enough that you should really consider looking in your local newspaper for an in-office job to start with.  Sometimes you can find a job as a "medical secretary" that combines transcription work with filing, answering phones, etc.  If you have gone through a program such as At Home Professionals, a lot of the national transcription companies will not even consider you.  It is simply not realistic for you to think you can obtain employment working at home with no experience during these times.  The jobs that are available are being offered to those experienced MTs from companies such as Medquist or OSI.  The important thing right now is for you to get your foot in the door.  I am telling you what worked for me when I first started out.  If there are no jobs listed in your local paper, start calling some local physician offices and hospitals just to check things out.

That being said, I wish you all the best.  Be persistent and willing to take a job that might not be your dream job at first, since you so badly need some experience.  Good luck to all new graduates!

had a better chance at getting a job.  If you only want to hear the good stuff you aren't going to learn anything.  I feel for you, I really do, but if you had investigated before taking your course you would have been better informed.  I don't care how much anatomy and terminology you had and I don't care if you made 100% on every test, you still have not experienced real transcription.  There was one newbie MT that had a cerficiate stating she had a completed a course and she insisted she was a certified MT, which she was not.

I'm self-taught, got into the business quite by accident, but I have also seen at it for 20+ years and things were much different then.

I know you're frustrated but we're trying to educate you and you aren't open to hearing anything that isn't positive. 

Hi All!

I am a newbie. I haven't even officially graduated yet. I attend a school that has been called a 'matchstick school'. I have figured out why there was so much negativity about my school. The students are only required to do 20 (GASP!) transcription assignments throughout the course. However, the CD we are given to work off of has over 100 dictations. I would not be defeated by this school! I not only did the required assignments, I worked my way thru the other 100 in my own time.

Well, this weekend I found a website that lists 137 transcription companies located in the USA. I wrote my resume, omitting the name of the school I attended. I also listed all the transcriptions and specialties I worked on. I listed the amount of time I spent working on these as experience. Then I wrote up a cover letter expressing my desire and drive to work for a great, solid company. I sat at my computer over the weekend and went down the list of the companies. I emailed EVERY company on there with my cover letter and resume. By Sunday night I had a request to test with a company. I tested with them Monday afternoon and by Monday evening I had a job offer. They have asked me to start tomorrow. I also have 4 other requests to test with different companies sitting in my inbox. This amazes me because I have not even officially graduated yet!

Please do not mistake this for bragging. I have worked very hard and have been extremely discouraged over the past several months. I have sent out over 100 resumes and have had my fair share returned stating I do not have enough experience. During my downtime I worked thru all the dictations my school offered. I also found a website that helps improve typing speed. So for all you newbies, do not give up. When you are not job searching, practice your transcribing, even if it is one you did a hundred times before.

I hope this gives some fellow newbies some hope.