Please be careful with use of the word profession vs. occupation..sm
Posted By: Pro on 2005-11-16
In Reply to: What's going on with this profession - porr
though the two terms are sometimes used interchangably, they really don't mean the same thing. Occupation is what engages or "occupies" one's time, such as a job. Profession is considered a calling, vocation or form of employment that provides a needed service to society and possesses characteristics of expertise, autonomy, long academic preparation, commitment and responsibility. While MT's are dedicated workers supporting healthcare in a paraprofessional capacity, it's not really in the same camp as law, medicine, ministry, etc. MT's don't work on their own, unsupervised, such as a doctor does, nor do they have a long academic prep, even if they do go to business college...
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be careful. not all companies can use Word 2007 yet.
many require 2000-2003, no older, no newer.
What's going on with this profession
I am very new to this profession. I have spent the past 15 years in medical billing and coding and is in process of transitioning to MT. I found stumbled on this site and must say the messages and replies I here are CRAZY! I read how a lot of you are fed up with the lack of work, which is understandable; I've read the different views in regard to "Newbies" vs. "Vets" I believe I have read almost every post for the month of October and November, and I am feeling very discouraged. It seems that MTs are not appreciated, overworked (or underworked depending on who you're working for) underpaid (is .06-.08 realistic for 5-10 yrs experience?) I feel like this profession brings on a lot of stress worrying about whether or not you're going to make enough money to pay bills or wondering whether there's going to be work tomorrow, the next week or next month I here about these MT companies who try to S----w MTs out of their pay/production. It seems that MTs are not valued which is the same for Billers. Doctors do not see the value in their billers when they are the people generated the money for the doctor.....I don't care is that doctor saw 100 patients--what does that mean if he can't get paid for it? Not to mention the fact that I am not attending one of the 3 best MT schools around, I just feel like trashing the entire idea. Oh yeah I also read you can't get a job if you didn't graduate from one of the big 3's. You can't work if you do not have experience, what the I am too old to stress over money, and I am a very hard worker I believe in starting at the bottom, but after 5 or 10 years in this business I am only earning less than .10 per line, I don't know. Can someone please enlighten me on this profession? Is it really worth the effort, cause a lot of you are very discouraging. Thanks.
MT profession
Run away as fast as you can before you make the mistake of coming into transcription. I make less now than i did 15 years ago when I started and have to work a lot harder to make a dollar. Run, hurry, runnnnnnnn!!!!
Are you looking for a profession or a hobby?
If you just want a hobby, then AHP will be fine. It won't matter that your training will be substandard because you won't be able to get or keep a real job.
As for the hours issue, clients can't wait for medical reports to be transcribed just whenever you feel like working a couple of hours here or there. There are requirements for turn-around time (TAT) and, oh yes, that pesky thing called PATIENT CARE. The work isn't made available just so you can earn a little pin money once in awhile ("set your own hours" HA!), it's there because actual human beings require medical care and ACCURATE, TIMELY medical records are required to facilitate their care. You can't just work when you feel like it. Your employer has to be able to ensure that the clients' work is done within a specific TAT, and that isn't going to happen if they let the mommies-in-jammies brigade just "work while the kiddies are sleeping" or "work a few minutes here and there" when they "feel like it". You will likely be required to commit to a specific time frame and actually work during that time. You may have a range of choices in the time you choose to work, but it won't be a case of just working whenever you feel like it (or deciding not to work during a period to which you've committed). This is a serious job, not some make-believe game.
Thoughts on MT profession???
I've been researching for several weeks and am seriously considering enrolling in Andrews school, but wanted to get some opinions of where you think the MT profession is headed. Do you think MT's will be phased out in the next few years? Where is this profession headed with VR/ASR now starting to take place? I know the starting pay is low and I am not entering this profession with the intent to support my family. I would just like some opinions from some experienced MT's and what you think will be the future of the MT profession.
She is right - choose another profession
I too have been an MT for almost 20 years. These MTs schools will train you to become an excellent MT and they will be glad to take your money too. Then you are a highly trained and skilled MT. If there are no jobs, what do you do with it? It's useless.
Because of EMR and all the outsourcing that has increased since January 1 - you have old MTs with 10, 15, 20 years of experience out job searching again because they have so many years in and they do not want to change professions before retirement. It is so competitive that MTs with 2, 3, 5 years experience will not be able to move in their jobs. A brand new MT is not going to stand a chance. Don't waste your time and money.
heard of at home profession ....
Hi Cindy,
Yes, I took their course and it worked for me. Takes lots of hard work from yourself to make it. I'm a successful medical transcriptionist!
I honestly do feel for any new MT entering this profession. SM
Pay has gone down considerably in this industry. I believe this is a combination of large transcription companies who focus on large quantities because they have to in order to keep their client base and stay in business. A huge factor, in my opinion, is the ever increasing number of overseas transcriptionists who work at a much lower wage than we do (of course, their cost of living is lower), and the alliance they have with many of the Indian owned transcription services who operate out of this country (well, at least they have an 800 toll free number and use a U.S. adress, when in fact, they are operating out of India and not paying taxes like American businesses). I have 26 years experience in this profession and make probably 15% less money than I did over ten years ago. There are many highly experienced MTs who are having a hard time with a company fit during the past few years, because everyone seems to be sacrificing quality for quantity.
Keep searching and some company will let you get your foot in the door. One of the largest U.S. transcription companies (I won't mention the name, but most know who I am referring to) are likely losing veteran MTs by the dozens as we speak due to the recent negative changes. I believe this will make the job market even tougher for the new MT. There are many experienced in the profession who will be and probably are "shooting out" resumes as we speak.
My advice to you, as we were all new once, is to get your foot in the door of a local clinic or hospital, put your time in (at least 2-5 years) and learn as many specialties as possible. The hands on training and staff that you will have at your disposal in the medical records department will be invaluable and crucial to your future in this profession. Working from home as a new MT has many, many disadvantages, mainly the low pay and high rate of competition out there. With production pay, you will find yourself making less than minimum wage quite often. It is sad that many schools don't bother to inform you. Good luck and stay persistent. Something will come your way.
Be careful what you say.
Before you say something about a company I would make sure I was absolutely right or you can get in trouble for libel. Just looking out for ya.
Be careful, please.
The typical scams here involve wanting you to work without pay to gain experience, to work at low pay, to be penalized for "errors," to pay for "training" supplied by their employees, and to pay them to supply your computer, software, etc., and/or to put up a deposit or something like that before you can work.
If you encounter any of those things and start thinking how wonderful they are to "give you a chance," remember that it's going to be less expense in the long run for you to just pay for another, better, school like Andrews or M-Tec, after completing which you will get a decent job.
You need to work on your writing skills, too. That problem area is going to hold you back, both in finding a job and in keeping one!
Be Careful
I just want to let people know it is very frustrating trying to find a job in Medical Transcription, especially when you are a new MT graduate! It seems to me no one wants to give us a chance, but I did have a chance with a company called Transmedical. But with this company it did not work out! In the little time I was with this company she lost 2 accounts and did not tell everyone that was working for her what was going on we all had to call and find out ourselves. So please be careful when someone does give you a chance! So please if anyone knows of anyone that is willing to give new MTs a chance please let me know. I do check MTstars and MTjobs everyday.
Thanks,
Sonnett
Good Luck to all new MT Graduates, we need it! 
Not the profession. MTs in house at hourly pay do great. The world of the
s
Be careful, though, a lot of the scams use this and Monster too
If it sounds too good to be true ($70,000 a year!) or if they are directing you to a course that they sell, it's probably bogus.
Please be careful on using that term certified MT.
You are only certified if you have taken the CMT exam for the AAMT.
Otherwise, you have a certificate for completing a course.
You can face legal action for claiming to be a certified MT without an AAMT certification number to back it up.
It also misrepresents yourself.
Be careful. M-Tec may not be very forthright with you about it. It has often been posted here
about newbies being shocked at how hard it is to get a job. You may email me for any further questions. I have been in the MT business for 25 years, worked for hospitals, doctor's offices and now have an MTSO. I am always happy to help newbies. One more thing I would do right now is archive everything on this board. That will give you a taste as to what you are up against.
Be very careful of anyone promising you "experience".
The AIM program -- you do work for them for free in that program.
Please be careful about the term "certification".
Getting a certification for completing an MT course does not make you certified. Only passing the C.M.T. challenge exam by the AAMT allows you that.
Be careful to avoid scams . . .
A lot of people who contact newbies with offers to help them get training are scam operators. Some are just well-meaning, but misguided people who think they're "mentors."
They may offer you the opportunity to work for nothing, or they may offer to pay you, but subtract penalties for editing and errors, or they might just never bother sending your check at all. They figure that you're desperate enough to put up with it for six or twelve months, and you probably will be.
Please check carefully before you agree to this sort of thing.
Agree...not a good reflection on our profession. A seasoned MT would not make this mistake. nm
x
Be careful when people have to write you off the board
It may be totally innocent, but often the scammers do that. If they offer you a job and you have to buy equipment, come back on the board and let us know.
If they offer you a scholarship or an internship or offer to be your "mentor" and you'll just do the work for free, you're about to be scammed.
Just be careful not to get Office Works or Suite
that is advertised as compatible with MS Word. I accidentally bought that once, the packaging was similar and the box said it did everything MS Word did. Well, it sort of did, but that software changed every document I had in my entire computer upon installation to its own version. That certainly would not have worked in transcribing and transmitting reports. While it did work with Word as the packaging said, it did so by changing Word to something else. I don't recall the exact name of this, but just read the packaging carefully and get Microsoft and not a lookalike. Just wanted to give you a heads up to avoid one of my many mistakes. Good luck.
Please make sure to ask word questions on the Word Help board. There are
people who specifically answer questions there.
If you currently type in word, then do a word count
then I really can be of no help. Usually when trying to get an idea of a line count with spaces and without spaces, you can use this method. Some people have actual line counting software. I, however, do not, so I am not much help in that regard. Hope this helps at least a little.
Microsoft Word/Microsoft Word 2003 are the same
MS Word 2007 is an upgrade. Are you sure that you don't have it installed on your PC? I don't know if that helps...good luck, and please don't pull your hair out, it comes out with age (lol)
Word
When I have to copy and paste admission notes, for example, and then have to reformat the whole page, all the BOLD HEADINGS become BOLD HEADINGS. Then I have to go back and re-bold them all. Is there a fast way to jump between headings, besides just scrolling?
Just go to the Word help
section of this website. It's wonderful!! I've been in the business five years and still use it quite, quite often.
word help
How do I use word help? Do I have to pay any money? Do I have to be signed up with anything? How long does it take for me to get an answer. Thanks everyone.
Need help with a word.
the word is in regard to a type of incison for laparoscopic hernia surgery. No mesh was necessary. Sounds like lachsimen incision was made and there was no tension.
One word...E-bay.
You can find most of the books you would need on E-bay. If not, Amazon.com has a used book section that will save you some money. Also, you can buy directly from Stedman's and sometimes find discounts of their word books.
Pay by the word
I work for a company that pays me .02 cents per word. It is for a research company and it brings me in a nice sized paycheck. It's definitely a fair price I feel. Hope this helps.
I am sure she will take your word for that.
word help
I need some help with this transcription. It reads Patient was on a cruise recently and she traveled in an airplane about 10 days ago and ear pressure persists and the patient denies any hearing loss. No ________, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting.
Can anyone help???
Word help
Hi,
Has anyone heard of Officebestdeals.com? They are advertising Microsoft word 2003 for 11.95. So cheap!! Kind of hesitant. Any information on that would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Barb
Look up the word slander, Lin. SM
One would think someone so focused on quality would know the proper term, or at least know how to consult a dictionary.
word jumble - ENT
gilpoetyitrca
Clue: _ r _ _ _ _ _ _ t _ _ _ c
stuck on a word
Hello. Is there a site that I can ask other MTs a question if I am stuck on a word or medication? Thanks for all your help.
The operative word being SOME...but not very many
I did not come across one company in my extensive search for employment that began before I graduated from Community College that stated they would not let me test because I didn't go to one of the "top 3". In fact, most companies have links to their testing on their websites. Those that don't will send you an email with the proper links for testing purposes. To keep stating that the "top 3" schools are the be all and end all to successfully obtaining employment in this field is just plain wrong. I was hired before I even finished school. It depends on the determination of the person. Two different people can come out of the same MT program and one can be an excellent MT while the other can be absolutely horrible. Being a graduate of the "top 3" has nothing to do with it.
Might want to post on Word Help
NM
Word Expander
Please someone tell me which one is best word Expander which works with MS Word.
Thanks in advance!
try on Word board
x
Its probably your system, not Word
There is a time delay because your puter probably isn't keeping up with you. Clean out your computer and run a disk defrag. That should help.
The word - newbie. sm
Does that word sit wrong with other people? I'm not new to the MT business but when I see that word it just makes me cringe. It is so commonly used in this industry and, to me, comes across as demeaning when we all are fighting so hard to gain some respect in this business.
Just my gripe! 
Have a great day.
Yes, same with me, a word is/was considered - sm
5 characters, so 13 x 5 = 65; I would of course confirm this with the prospective employer though before agreeing to anything. If it 65 then that is the norm and acceptable; unless they are offering dirt for pay.
Anything with the word International in it is a big
s
Word expanders
What is the best Expander out there?
Work = word
x
Post on WORD HELP......you might get
xx
Ask on the word board.
What word program
do most companies require you to have to work for them? I have wordperfect 12 right now and have been using it for school. I am planning on buying something else before I start working, but I'm not sure what would be best.
You will want Word 2003 most likely, but
while you are waiting, look into Chesapeake Transcriptions and Letni. Both advertised last year for MTs with Word Perfect/Corel experience. Just an idea.
MS Word 2007
If you get MS Word 2007, it gives you the option tocreate a document and save it so that it is compatible with MS Word 2000-2003. I would get it so that you don't have to upgrade later.
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