OOhhhh - they have basket making classes? Too bad they don't offer a class on maturity.
Posted By: nm on 2005-10-11
In Reply to: Yeah, and if you can't make it as an MT after taking the VLC course, - substandard
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Take a medical terminology class - one class - at a community college (sm)
You don't have to sign up for the whole program, just take a medical terminology class and learn it inside and out. Get some medical terminology CDs and listen to them in your car. Find places with in-house transcriptionists to let you test and start out working in-house so that you will have help. It is very hard the first couple of months but gets much easier after that. I was a secretary, took anatomy and physiology and some other pre-nursing classes. Decided not to be a nurse, took a medical terminology class and that was it. Studied a lot, listened to tapes, went and tested, worked in house a few months. Have been doing this 12 years now.
pay per class
Your husband is a SMART MAN! LISTEN TO HIM! If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. Many if not all of the "transcription schools" are nothing but a scam. An in fact, a lot of the "coding" schools are nothing but a scam. The ads are pushing the same thing that they pushed for transcription several years ago -- "Work at Home . . ." etc. Question, question, question. Kids or not, DO NOT GO INTO TRANSCRIPTION UNLESS YOU WANT TO WORK LIKE A WOMAN IN A THIRD-WORLD COUNTRY.
Math class
Some simple calculations would reveal that 0.055 would yield a mere $8.25/hr at 150/lph, which most newbies are not capable of producing. So let's be somewhat optimistic but more realistic and assume they could do 125/lph. That would yield a dismal $6.88/hr. I think we all know non-skilled labor that pays better than that; for instance, burger flipping. But to be truly realistic, most newbies can only hope to make about 100/lph for the first few months. There are state minimum wages that are higher than $5.50/hr.
Like I said, atrocious for ANYONE, even a newbie. As long as individuals are eager to grab up those slave wage jobs, the rates will only continue to drop. Sad reality.
Transcription--pay per class?
I need help. Through my research, I've found that all or most approved transcription schools require you to pay for the whole program (either up front or with a payment plan). I understand that since it is a specialized program with very specific content, it should be purchased as a "whole". My husband, on the other hand INSISTS that any legitimate school will have you pay per class and not commit to paying for an entire program.
Has anyone ever heard of transcription schools that charge per class?
never heard of pay by class
I can tell you what I did. I went to a vocational college locally that had a good program. They allowed you to pay by semester/quarter, and not the whole thing at once. Maybe that is what your husband meant. I don't have a lot of good experience with online schools. Check out ahdionline.org for accredited online MT schools if that is what you need to do. If you do go to a local college, you may be able to tap into local scholarships. That is what I did to help take the bite out of tuition. Or if you don't have a degree yet, there are government grants available out there. Most of the ladies in my class did that it seemed. Just do your homework and make sure you are comfortable with the program. Good luck.
Was your local course a single class or
a curriculum? How long did the training take?
I'm deciding on whether or not to train locally here or online with Career Step.
The advice you've been given sounds really good. I hope it helps you! Hang in there! :)
I failed my first test...took another class and (sm)
got some medical terminology cassette tapes to listen to in my car - I listened to them everywhere I drove...no music for a few months, just terminology, listening and repeating. I went back to the same place and asked them to let me test again. They did and I passed. They had everyone work at their service for at least 3 months before working at home. The first month I made about $2.00 an hour - no kidding. I was just determined...it was very helpful to have other MTs working there with me to help (some chose to work in house and not at home). By the second month I was up to $13.00 an hour. Within a month I was working at home on my own. It is very hard at first but it gets easier - don't give up! 
She can also take the classes and then she may or may not
pass the exam. Nothing is guaranteed either way. You're right about one thing, though, she's probably long gone. She must smarter than either one of us. Your attitude just makes so blasted upset. I didn't tell her not to take the classes. My initial response was not even to the OP. My response was to the person who stated that going from nursing to MT was impossible. One thing I do agree with you about is that COMPANIES don't want to hire nurses who have not been MTs before. I never suggested that either. I stated plainly that I worked in a local hospital before I EVER applied to a national. I think you need to go back and read ALL my posts before nitpicking what I say. Now, I hope you have a nice day. 
Want to take classes
Hello
I am ready to sign up for classes but I have a few questions.
For one, I have looked at what would be considered the better schools, Andrews, MTEC, Career Step. But the problem for me is that the require at least $500 up front and I just don't have that kind of money right now.
My question is are the schools like Ashworth, Penn Foster any good? They will allow me to pay a small down payment and monthly payments. If I go to one of those schools will I be able to find work?
My last question is how easy is it to find work once I complete this course? I am a homemaker with 6 children. My husband is the sole provider and I really need to have money coming in right now. I am hoping this career choice will allow me to work from home and bring in extra funds.
Any answers will help.
Thanks.
Classes
Hi Lisa,
Are you still looking for a MT school? I love this one and I can't wait to start working from home!
Nancy
MT Student
www.myspace.com/stlerz
www.mtworkathome.com
classes
My MT training was obtained through a weekend class at a community college near my home. I have heard of online training and courses, but I am not sure how they work. My class was Saturday only from 9a-5p and was for nearly 9 months. After the first 5 months and terminology, the next 4 months were at my own pace. We had transcription tapes that had to go home with us and had to be completed and transcribed before the next weeks class.
classes
And, yes we had a syllabus to follow, allowing us to work at our own pace. The training tapes were that of the SUM program transcription training.
I work for a national. Never took any classes. Got
on-the-job training at local hospital. It can be done. It may not be the norm, but it CAN BE DONE. 
How to compare MT training classes? I have 3 in mind...SM
For comparing M-TEC, Andrews, and Career Step, what is the easiest way to narrow this down? A person would hate to make the wrong choice, but how do you know before starting? Is one of these more flexible as far as time frame to complete? What if a person started the course and had to stop it for a while before resuming (such as taking some time off while caring for a newborn)? Are payments made as you go or do you have to pay ahead?
Is picking any of these 3 generally a safe bet? They stand out to me as the 3 that I hear the most about that aren't the scams that I have been warned about.
I guess a speedier time frame for completion would be a plus, but then is that shortchanging the education?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks!
Might want to take a medical terminology class at a local college. Anyone nearby to mentor with? nm
s
I'm going to say at an outside source where you attend classes - college, business, or computer
s
Taking classes for medical terminology and "some transcription"
Most nationals will only consider you if you are an actual graduate of one of the AAMT-approved courses. If not, she may look for local clinics who are willing to train.
Get a copy of the BOS II for style guidelines and take medical terminology/anatomy classes at
s
JOB OFFER.
If this is my first job as an MT, and I got offered 7 cents a line would you take it. IC status, part time. Should I take it, or I should I keep looking?
Any suggestions would be helpful..
JOB OFFER.
Thanks so much for the advice!
had one co. offer
3 c per minute dictation and another one for 2 c per line so that offer is better than what I had as a newbie. What was worse was that I got all the bad dictations, i.e., lots of static and purely poor dictators (the kind who mumbles). Take that for experience and then move on once you get your feel.
job offer
Does anyone know anything about MediVoxx or Accuscribe? Thanks.
You are still making typos
I hate to burst your bubble, but this is a tough field. Any smart client is going to ask you how much experience you have. In fact, they may not have to ask, they will know by talking to you or by your email or correspondence to them that is filled with typos. You need to get a job first and get some experience behind you first.
I do not have to run after children, etc. so making a
schedule is just great with me. This is a place where I was up and running right away with the work because it was work I have done for the past 16 years. I was so happy to find who had the acct when the other service lost it, just luck in that a person from MTs told me who had it. I love op notes and was working a 12-5 p.m. and guess what, that is exactly what they wanted so see we fit just like a glove. I am so lucky to be able to choose what I want now. They wanted those, I wanted those. I think the IRS could care less as long as they get their money. I have yet to find out much I need to sit aside but again will have to talk with my tax person pretty soon. I just started at this new job at the end of November. By the way, read on this post about how others are treated in their jobs with QA, etc. This job is a DREAM. They leave you the heck alone. Anything coming from QA in an email and really constructive criticism and taken as such. I love my job and my life. Happy, happy!!
Missa, I'm making 5c
And it is depressing. But like you say, you have to pay your dues. Just finished my first year of MT. I was getting 3c at Sten-Tel for VR, but that's IC.
oh my gosh - don't take the offer
they are a scam!! Huge SCAM!! Please do a search on this board to see.
There are companies that offer
"internships," but a lot of them are scams. If any company requires you to pay $$ upfront or to buy equiptment/software from them you can be sure they are a scam. If in doubt ask about them here. You can post your resume on the various free job boards and you may get a response from a company who might not post ads on the boards.
Just thought I offer (sm)
this link to HPI's website. They have helpful books and other resources. I don't work for them, but I like their Radiology Imaging Words and Phrases book and some others.
That's why companies offer less and less.
They know newbies will take whatever the company offers for experience. Don't you think you're worth more than that? I turned down every offer that was less than 8 cpl after I graduated. It's insulting yet fruitful because of "experience."
i am. i've done this 25 years and making top $
newbies, however, who get all puffed up about how much they've mastered, omg i am laughing here trying to type this, are quite the funny.
Goodie for you for making the decision SM
to not use your degrees and stay home with your babies...but in the REAL world most women do not have that option if they want to be able to feed and clothe their children. You really CAN'T live on love. I had to put my oldest son in daycare at 6 weeks old. I hated it, but he certainly couldn't stay home by himself! It had nothing to do with "social skills" or "convenience." It was "necessity." I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my other 2 children (as my paycheck would have just barely covered the cost of 3 kids in daycare, so it wasn't worth it).
You really shouldn't be so judgmental and self-righteous. There are 2 sides to every story...not just YOUR side.
Seriously.
Chickadee
Try making a handwritten list as you have to look up
the drug names. I have a lot of experience, but I also get stuck on drug names sometimes. That is my weakest point as well even though I hate to admit it, but one thing that helped me is to handwrite on a piece of paper that sits next to you all of the new drug names and their correct form (whether to cap or not), and then for some odd reason (it worked for me) when I'm transcribing I'll think to myself, oh wait, I know that one is on my list. Googling is good too, but you have to watch the sites as not all are consistent or may not be correct. Googling can pull up all forms of that word being used, so just be careful there. You'll get there, and happy MT'ing... 
I'm making that after 19 years of experience
It would depend on what you're doing in three years as far as a job or having your own clients. I wouldn't expect to make $40,000.00 after three years. I think it will take a lot longer than that to build up to that kind of money; however, if you work 2 or 3 jobs, you could probably come close. You'll just always be transcribing and you'll have no time for anything else especially if you plan to work for a national.
Making decent money here.
I was one of those stay-at-home moms that wanted to make my own hours and earn a good living and I am doing just that. I have been an MT for 2 years now. I work at home while caring for my 3-year-old son. Yes, it is not easy, stressful even, but I make more money at home (close to $20 an hour) than I would make at a B&M job and I don't have to pay $1000 a month for daycare anymore. I have a completely flexible schedule and I work early in the morning while my son sleeps and during his nap times. If I have to, I work again in the evening to finish up work.
This profession is difficult and takes a lot of work, but what career that pays a decent salary doesn't. It is possible to make more than $4-8 an hour. It does not take years and years. I was up to $12 an hour after 6 months, comparable to what I made in my previous position, where I had been employed for 3 years.
Just because you can't make it in this industry is no reason to discourage others from trying.
NO courses can offer certification
Just to clarify, there are no courses which can offer "certification" in medical transcription, so there aren't any "certification courses."
If you want certification, you have to take the AAMT certification examination, which, if you pass, will grant the CMT certification.
Other than that, you can take a course which will give you a "certificate of completion." And that is only worth the price of a piece of paper. Having that piece of paper is not what will get you a job.
What gets you a job is the ability to transcribe well enough that an employer doesn't have to train you all over again.
And then you have to keep it, so the transcription skills you pick up in school had better be top-notch or you'll be wishing you had just gotten a job at MacDonald's.
her point was if you don't like the offer, don't apply...nm
x
New MT needs advice on at home job offer...
Hi, I am a new Medical Transcriptionist and I need a little advice. I received a job offer through CompuSystems, Inc. Has anyone heard of them? They offered me 6 cents per line transcribed. They also told me I needed a voice recognition device...what is this? What does an "Independent Contractor" involve exactly? Is 6 cents per line good for new MTs? I know this is alot...I apologize...just need some advice...
No way to tell. Is the software easy to use? Will you be looking up addresses? Making a log? Having
s
you are making an assumption (a dangerous thing to do)...sm
you are assuming chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments are the same thing and I don't think you can make that assumption. For example, he may be thinking of doing some myofascial release under chiropractic care and then specifying adjustments. I would put "chiropractic care, (the other treatments,) and chiropractic adjustment.
a) he probably won't even notice what you consider a redundancy, if he reads it all
b) why would you want to take OUT words from a dictation - you get paid for them, don't you?
In the healthcare field, we don't make assumptions.
I personally did not incorporate until I was making over $50K a year because
of the added fees (paying CPA for one thing), corp taxes, etc. MT services carry so little liability I don't think incorporating to install a corporate shield is really necessary, especially since they go after deep pockets anyway. But incorporating if you are making $50K or more per year is a very important tool for income tax savings. If you are sending work out to other people and they are doing the work, then you turn around and send it in to the client, essentially YOU are not doing the typing, YOU are not earning the money, YOUR BUSINESS is. Therefore you should not be paying social security tax on earnings that are not YOURS but YOUR BUSINESS'S. If you incorporate you can pay yourself a reasonable salary for any transcription you do, plus shuttling the work back and forth. Let the rest of the earnings ride as the company's earnings. You will pay income taxes on them as any profit flows through to your personal taxes but you will save on that big 15% bite from social security. Other advantages though of incorporating are to set up your 401K and let your business make contributions to it. Again, though, that's something that's not likely to happen until you are making a lot of money. As you are a newbie, I don't see that in the near future...
&that rate is experienced MT. Figure you making
x
A footpedal is around $79, so if they offer one it sounds good to me.
x
DeVenture MIGHT offer only hours required, but not
s
MTEC does offer financial assistance.
While MTEC is expensive it is also one of the top 2 MT schools out there. You get what you pay for. Also, they do accept financial aid. Check out their site, they have a person on staff that handles situations just like yours!
(Oh yea, I am a student at MTEC!)
Thanks all for your input! It helps alot in my decision making! nm
I remember my first job quite a few years ago and making about $2 an hour until I learned...sm
the account, got used to the doctors, learned how to efficiently research etc. I also needed to create my own expansion program as the system I worked in back then would not allow an outside expander. Keep at it and good luck, it will get better.
Who are you?? I think at this point someone is making up names to post. Get a life! nm
xx
Does WebMedX offer a mentoring program for newbies?
s
Places DO offer ophth. only accts, but you'll still have to train for
s
Wow..how does that work. Your making $5 an hour. Didn't minimum wage go up? If you pay or line co
does not go up, I'd probably move on. I understand right now your probably just getting the experience but you work a whole day and make $40??? I'd be tempted to change jobs soon. I know personally I could not survive on $5 an hour.
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.
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