PCDI training
Posted By: mt on 2006-03-25
In Reply to: Okay, first you posted - (sm)
Nicole, you if do not know what H&P is after finishing a transcription course, then you did not get what you paid for!
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PCDI
I am actually a current student of PCDI's program, and I am seriously beginning to regret my decision to use this school. They lead you to believe that they have employment placement over the phone, but I have now come to find out that they only write you a letter of recommendation because there are so many students in their program. They take 6 weeks to grade lessons, so I have been doing all of my lessons at once and sending them in with 2 1/2 months between shipments. I become rusty between assignments and practically have to relearn everything again. I am not happy with PCDI. I would never recommend this school to anyone considering an education in medical transcription. I am looking for a mentor to help me because no company is interested in hiring me. One company actually told me that they will not hire new graduates from PCDI. This upsets me but it is hard to blame them. If anyone as aware of any company that will hire from PCDI, please let us know!! The whole reason I decided to begin a career in medical transcription is so that I can be here with my family while I bring in income. If I have to get an office job because no one will hire me or give me a chance then the purpose of this entire education is defeated.
pcdi
do you feel like you were trained for the equipment that is out there? have you been able to find a job?
pcdi
well that's good to know. its also great to find someone nice in this room. i have come across some rough people in here.
pcdi
MEANING??
PCDI
I have been attending PCDI but, I can't figure out if I should try to graduate. I have been able to find a mentor with many years experience who will train me. My concern is that when I need to branch off and get my own work, employers will want to see a completed course in MT. Any advice welcome!!
pcdi
I have gotten almost through all of the anatomy portion and supposed to be moving on to the third and final portion which is actual transcription.
pcdi
I think that if it were me, I would finish. You have nothing to lose by finishing. If nothing else, it may help you in the long run. You don't have that much more to go, and as I said in my last post, they may not let you get your money back for the tuition since you have already come this far.
It's PCDI
I think it depends on the individual,no matter what school you go to. It's the individual that either understands it or they don't. Practice makes perfect,the more you do,the more you learn.
PCDI???
That's where I took my course. When I find sample reports on the web they appear to be exactly as I have learned them, and the materials I obtained from PCDI are great resources. But, I'm still curious what others think of the training they offer? Is it up to par? I certainly don't want to be laughed at when I send out my resume!!!  Thanks! LISA
PCDI
You might not be laughed at, but sorry to say many places will not allow you to take their employment test, either. PCDI does not fully prepare you to work as an MT. You might get lucky. If not, you will need a better course, such as Andrews School or M-TEC.
Good luck to you.
PCDI
I believe I tested with about a dozen companies online. Simultaneously, I sent in my resume. I didn't go to PCDI, but if those companies are willing to let folks test up front, I'd think they'd want to see your skills before judging you solely based on what school you attended. I'd try those companies if you're worried about being laughed at. That way, you can prove yourself right away. Besides, it's good practice. There's a list of many MT companies on this site. Go through them to find the ones with the testing option up front.
PCDI
You may want to see the following threads for PCDI.
http://www.mtstars.com/find/index.cgi?board=medical_transcription-3&query=PCDI
http://www.mtstars.com/find/index.cgi?query=PCDI&board=main-1
pcdi
yeah i know what you mean i guess. i graduated with an a+ average from pcdi. but i have applied for two jobs and failed both of the tests horribly. I just felt like they didn't give me the real world experience. I guess i will just keep trying and practicing to see what happens.
I used PCDI and I can tell you.....
I felt lost!! I did pass a test to get hired where I am now. But I had to do a 6 month internship before getting paid, and boy did I have a lot to learn. I know they recently changed some of their curriculum, but I don't know if it is better or not. I do not think they are as extensive as you really need, but they will get you started, just don't be suprised if you have to do an internship to get a foot in the door somewhere.
PCDI
I am also finishing up with PCDI but have some medical background. I also feel let down. Who did you apply with that would consider you to test?
PCDI?
Did anyone take PCDI's medical transcription course? They just changed their name to Ashworth University. I just completed the couse. Do MT companies recognize this college as legitimate training?
PCDI?
Thanks for the response. My husband took a course from them, too. He got on with the city as a building inspector (he took the home inspection course) but he didn't make enough money off of it and had to go back to his old career.
PCDI
I currently attend PCDI. I am one exam away from completing the course. I have realized that PCDI only requires you to do 24 transcriptions. They total only 50 minutes of dication time! However, the CD they send you with those dictations have over 150 other dictations. I have been working my way thru them and I feel so much more confident about what I have learned. I know plenty of people have said PCDI is not a great school. But I know my medical terminology and in the process of typing all those dictations up I have increased my wpm. So while it isnt a top-notch school, I don't feel my money was wasted.
PCDI grad
Hi, I graduated from PCDI and have been an MT for about a year now. I had to struggle a lot at first, more than people who would have graduated from the better schools, I am sure. I feel very good about where I am at now, though. I have two jobs, one part time and one full time, and have been working at home since December of last year.
However, if you feel you have not learned anything it may be best for you to look into more training. I would not turn around and tell someone looking to get into this field to go to PCDI. There is a big difference from what we learned and what reality is.
I am not trying to discourage you. If you have the will, I am sure you will do just fine. I would, though, really assess how you feel about it because if you wish to go this route, it will take a lot of work on your part. Good luck to you!
PCDI teaches some grammar...
Believe it or not, PCDI actually does have a good section of their lessons put aside for grammar. I have still not mastered grammar (I'm not even close), but the lessons that PCDI gave me for grammar sure helped refresh some lost and forgotten rules!
We took on a PCDI grad where I work, and they did not prepare her
adequately even to do radiology work. We utilized her as a temp for a few weeks, and the only thing that got her by was her good English vocabulary. She didn't even know when to ask questions a lot of the time. She didn't know how to utilize reference books or websites, either. So I had to look over every report I had time to and make corrections. Any reports that I couldn't check went straight to the radiologists. Thankfully most of them caught on that we had a newbie and they needed to check every word. It was a shock to them.
Acute care would have been leagues over her head, poor thing.
See "Cheapie Correspondence Schools" post below for our most recent mention of PCDI. (nm)
(nm)
Penn Foster & PCDI can't help with job placement because it's too hard to find jobs for their
Not being mean, just honest. There's a reason they won't help with placement. They take your money for their course and don't care if you can get a job afterwards or not. And most people can't, because they are not trained well enough by those courses.
Wrong. As I said, her English vocab & grammar were great, but PCDI didn't teach her enough medic
With an adequate school she would have been great. She had been a secretary for years and had transcribed business dictation previously. She just couldn't learn enough terms in 3 months or whatever.
If you got your training from one of the
schools recognized by employers to turn out job-ready MTs, in most cases, the two-year-experience requirement will be waived. Also, those schools will work with you to help you with job placement. In any event, your school. whichever one it was, should be helping you with job placement. If the course was designed to make you employable, your school should know for which employers you are prepared to work. Good luck to you.
MT Training
I would be glad to talk with you.
If you get the right training ...
i.e. from one of the schools that turn out job-ready MTs, you should have no trouble working from home from the start. If you decide to skimp on your training and go for a cheap, inferior school, it is unlikely that you would be able to work from home for a long time since you would need so much supervision and hand-holding. Get the right edcuation and you can write your own ticket.
right training?
Is Career Step considered the " right training " that would allow me to work from home from the start?
CS training
Anne, I 'm with you. I want to work PT from home. I'm seriously considering Career Step also. Please feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to toss this around some more. I'm wondering about the sitting aspect of the job also but I think it would probably go quickly when you're transcribing. Hoping to learn more while visiting this site. Good luck!
Training
Hi, thinking seriously of becoming a MT. Background has been in med field many years ago. Now cannot work in old job due to physical disability of permanent nature -no cure. Not mobile anymore. Work at computer would be limited in sessions - is there anyone out there with same type of dilema and going thru and has been thru training?
Training
Okay, I have been looking into the field of MT for some time now and I am a bit frustrated and confused. After viewing so many messages posted It seems almost futile to even consider becoming an MT. Today, right now, is it worth my money and time to become an MT? Is there still a future for MT's (maybe not in the tradtional since)??!! Thanks for responding!!! JSanders
training
I did recently receive a great gift. A friend introduced me to a 28 year Transcriptionist who is willing to let me work with her!!
Training? Are you in a training
program? When will you graduate?
training
I have been working on a course through Trans Am Associates. My resume does not have any jobs in the transcription field. I need someone to give me a chance. I tested for a hospital where I used to live and the head Transcriptionist said that it was one of the best tests she has seen. Any more ?? let me know.
You might want to look into training
available in your own country, wherever in South Asia it happens to be. It would surely be cheaper.
I did on the job training. sm
When I started 10 years ago I had no schooling in this profession and I did complete on the job training. Now I own my own service and have for 6 years. It is possible. I am sorry you feel the way you do.
MT Training ...what's best?
I'm looking to do MT training, preferrably online. Can any of you offer opinions/suggestions regarding the online courses you may have taken for training? The one I've thoroughly checked out is CareerStep. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
mt training
career step so far has been on the up and up lp
I'm an LPN/MT and KNOW you need MT training.
One of the biggest problems I had in my MT training was getting rid of the nursing mindset, especially with respect to abbreviations. The same abbreviations I knew and used for years as caps without periods suddenly had to be lower case with periods, etc. Old habits were hard to break. When it comes to the MT world, there is a lot more to it than typing and knowing medical terminology. I was very surprised about that myself! You will also have to develop an ear for listening, hearing and understanding each dictator. You may be able to understand Dr. Jones (for example) on the phone or in person, but he might sound like Elmer Fudd when he dictates! Possibly worse.
Please do your homework, pick the very best school you can afford and work hard to get your money's worth out of that school. Don't expect to make the same money starting out as you can walking into any nursing position. Unless you are extraordinarily lucky and gifted, you are well advised to take some MT training.
I do wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
training
I need additional training in this field! How or where should I go to get the help I need?! I went to school and graduated with my certificate in MT but am having no luck on tests and feel that I need more time to learn and build my skills up. Any suggestions as to what I should do? please contact me!
Do you have training?
I would recommend sending a resume anyway IF you have some formal training which might be considered in lieu of experience. I was hired for an opening asking for 5 years experience and I only have 18 months. It's worth trying! Good luck!!!
Do you have any training?
Your grammar and spelling are terrible.
new training
Thanks so much
Training
Good luck Lisa. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. The top schools ensure entry into this profession and choices of decent job ofers with good starting rates. When we stop learning - we are dead. Hee! Hee!
I sincerely wish you well.
Lilly
Training
I am a current student with M-TEC. They offer a basic and an advanced course. I would highly recommend them and the directors are always more than willing to talk with you and answer any questions you might have. I think you will find it extremely difficult just getting your foot in the door without the training. I'm sure with the background you have, you should be able to breeze through the program. I worked for over 10 years in the field but took time off to raise my kids. When I was ready to return to the field, I found it hard to even test. No one wanted to give me a chance so I enrolled with M-TEC. It's really been the best experience and my ultimate goal is to get certified so I really need to learn other specialties. If your goal is to work from home then definitely check into one of the top schools. My guess though is you will definitely not be making the kind of money you are used to for quite some time. Good luck though.
I had no training but
had enough medical terminology knowledge and speed to try out for an acute care position and got it!
I disagree. You can teach yourself to be a great MT. I am so tired of all the CMT snobs out there. Anyone with medical terminology, speed and a good knowledge of grammar and language can do it. I have seen too many do so to understand that this is true.
The certificate does not by itself make a good medical transcription. Too many variables come into play.
MT Training
I have just completed the MT training through Everett Community College Online where they utilize the Career Step Course Ware. They MT program is online and is offered nation wide. The great thing for me is that my financial aid paid for my training, where in a lot of cases the training program is not offering financial aid. You can go to EVCC website and check it out. Another great website for informational and EVCC training stuff is http://www.workathometranscription.blogspot.com/
Hope this helps
Has anyone used VLC for training?
I was considering VLC, Virtual Leaning Center for training. Their website seems like they'd be good, but I don't personally know anyone who has used their training. I am not sure I trust their website testimonials, all online schools have "testimonials." Does anyone have any real experience with VLC to share? I'd appreciate anything. Thank you in advance.
Re-Training
This is going to be long, so please bear with me. I have graduated with my certificate and went to a junior college to complete it; however, the program was new and I do not think I received the schooling I should have. I do work for a national company and doing okay with it, but feel I am just "not with it." I feel I should know more than I do.
So my question is-how do I retrain myself? I still have all my books and have the new AAMT Book of Style along with the workbook. My school did not teach me of the BOS, but my empolyer requires to know it. I would love to get my CMT, but feel I need to get my line count up. So, should I extensively work on my expansions (since I was not taught about them). I do own Saving Keystrokes and have read about the ABCZ style form. So, should I work on my expansions first to get my line count up? Or go through my transcription books? My goal is to be the best, but at this point I am a little overwhelmed. My anal personality is getting the best of me:)
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Do you have any MT training?
x
MT training
I too am considering Career Step's traning and would like to hear from students who took thier training and how successful they were in finding employment.
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