Plenty of jobs out there w/o typing tests. Haven't
Posted By: taken a speed test yet in years of applying. NM on 2007-10-14
In Reply to: typing test? - Lori
s
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- typing test? - Lori
- Plenty of jobs out there w/o typing tests. Haven't - taken a speed test yet in years of applying. NM
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typing tests
Don't understand the reason either.....I just take the test...
Typing tests
I've never seen a typing test, timed or untimed, as part of any medical transcription application process. Transcription tests, yes, but not TYPING tests.
If I had ever been asked to take one, I'm afraid I would have gotten up and walked out. I would have assumed that the employer didn't understand the nature of the work they were calling "medical transcription." If they didn't understand that, they wouldn't be likely to understand much else about it, either, and that would be unfortunate for everyone.
If you're applying to legitimate MT employers, I don't think they will ask you to take a typing test. I do not believe our students have reported having to take a typing test, either.
You might want to check what MT services actually require.
That being said, you should . . . of course . . . improve your keyboard speed. That isn't achieved by going faster, but by keying slowly enough that you don't make any typos, but just keep going on and on. Eventually, you'll speed up. Try keying medical reports and books. There are lots of them on the internet.
In order for you to work comfortably as an MT, you'll need to be able to keyboard a whole shift, or about 7 hours with a 10 minute break every hour and a half-hour to an hour break in the middle.
You can do this if you start now and work at it gradually and without causing yourself stress. :)
Typing Tests
I have applied to several online companies and I haven't found any that don't require a typing test. Do you know of any? Also, as a newbie with no working experience, it's extremely to get my foot in the door anywhere. Thanks.
There are plenty, just keep trying and don't give up!
x
Not true. Plenty of newbies get work everyday.
nm
I've seen plenty of these graduates scrounging for work.
This board isn't the only board in town, and I've seen many of the grads from your favorite schools searching for work just like everyone else. Just because "you" haven't seen it here doesn't mean it's not happening!
Besides, these schools are mostly affiliated with nationals, which IMO, stink anyhow. I'd much rather work for a nice small private. Nationals are not the be-all and end-all by any means, and they work with just a couple of the big boys. The ones who take the biggest advantage of their employees!
Keep looking Alicia. Don't listen to the school cheerleaders.
There is plenty of work, I agree. Grads from good schools
I haven't, yet. (sm)
I emailed her on the 12th letting her know a complaint had been filed with the BBB, she emailed me back and said she would mail out the check the following day, which would have been last Wednesday. Hopefully, it will be here soon, I know how slow the mail can be. I will let everyone know when (if) I do receive it.
If you haven't already
contact both M-Tec and Andrews and speak with the folks that run the schools. They are both very accessible and can help you figure out what would be the best fit for you.
No, I haven't talked to
anyone yet. They just sent me an e-mail with all of the info and papers to sign. I am in San Antonio.
If you haven't already enrolled...
check with the BBB.
It is one of the worst schools out there. If you haven't
paid your money don't. If you read through the archives you'll see many posts where their graduates were unable to pass tests and/or felt ill-prepared for the real MT world. They are cheaper than most, but you get what you pay for.
Still plentiful jobs in MT if you want to do it in-house. Lots of jobs
s
You still haven't addressed the issues brought up below . (sm)
The first sentence of your post above says you are going to address the issues posted on this board, and yet you STILL haven't addressed these issues, such as why you take money upfront instead of letting people buy their own software, why you charged for software that is free, why does someone need to buy a foot pedal from you when they can buy it on their own, and if someone already has a foot pedal and the software what would you charge them. It seems you're skating around the issues instead of addressing them. This has nothing to do with pleasing people 100% of the time, and it has nothing to do with personnel issues. I don't work for you. This is about enlightening those who need it about the scams that are out there.
And you DO respond to these posts very quickly. You responded to my original post INSTANTLY.
how can you rate a "car" you haven't taken out on the "highway" yet?
x
.....if you haven't figured it out by now, Trans--Am is a scam- sm
any company that asks you to pay $$$ in order to work for them is not on the level. (I am not talking about renting equipment like a C-phone, footpedal or a computer). I have not heard of Career Builder, but again do not pay to work for anyone. As for trying to get a job just keep applying and test everywhere you can.
For Career Step, yes. Their grads haven't done as well for me as M-TEC & Andrews
In my experience, M-Tec and Andrews are the cream of the crop.
Keep searching the boards for the info you seek. And go thru an MT program if you haven't already
k
TAKE THE TESTS!
Most places will let you take there tests, then they can determine if they feel like you have the experience to work for them. The worst they can do is turn you down. As for entry level johs, search the boards. There are usually a few on there all the time. You might start out with a low pay rate, but it will give you the experience that you can use for the better paying jobs in time.
Thanks!
tests
No I do not need help on the tests. I was stuck on a word in a transcription assignment. I had researched it but came up empty. I just needed to know where else to look or anything.
I do not need help with tests.
Typing on a lap top
I too type on a lap top. I use a wireless keyboard. I prefer it to a desk top.
Taking Tests
I am considering MT as an at-home career also and I wanted to know what is the procedure to sending in resumes, taking the tests, etc.? Also, are you hired on an hourly basis or by the amount of lines you can produce in a certain time? Any help and advice you can send my way is very much appreciated.
Employment tests
Most services want to see 98%, or at the least 97%, on an employment test. Anything less than that is "failing" in their eyes.
Think about it from their perspective. If their clients expect 98% accuracy, you need to be able to produce 98% accuracy. If you can't do that while being tested, which they assume is your best effort, you're not likely to do it on the job later.
Not saying this is a great thing or not, just that it's what they may think.
online tests
I also took the Medquist exam after they sent me an email requesting that I take it. I felt very confident that I did well but was told I did not pass. They said to take it again in three months, which is now.... and now I have no confidence at all to do it.
Passing tests but . . .
Is anyone else having this problem? I am passing tests and being told that though I passed, I don't have the experience required for the position I applied for. They then tell me that they will keep my application on file until some thing opens up that I do qualify for. How often do we see a position listed that doesn't require experience? I know I did well, so I don't think that they are lying to me, but it is frustrating. The only skill I lack is speed, but that will only come with experience. I guess I'm just writing this to vent. Why won't anyone give me a chance?! Ok, now I'm off to take another test.
If you can't pass the tests. . .
If you can't pass the tests, that is an indication that your knowledge and/or ability isn't what it needs to be to do the job.
If you're getting a chance to test, they ARE giving you a chance. THE TEST is the chance.
You can improve your chances by learning more. Get some materials that Allied didn't use and study with them. Get the BOS and learn it by heart and be able to apply it. Get some HPI training materials and transcribe them. Then try testing again.
The one thing that won't help is begging for "a chance." Employers can't afford to spend money on that chance--they have a job that needs doing at 98% accuracy. If you can't show them you can do that, they're not going to give you a job.
typing speed
So, what is the required typing speed for someone who is looking hired? Or should I say the minimum.
typing programs
I used this website www.typingtutor.com and it was very helpful. You said you were using a MAC? I don't believe you will be able to use that once you are working, and I think that is a problem with training with M-Tec because of the software they use.You can check with them, but I'm pretty sure I saw that on their website.
typing lab values
Can someone please help with ponters on how to type lab values in H&Ps. Which ones are commonly dictated one way but meant to be typed using decimal point values? thx in advance for your help.
The typing program I have is .......
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, which I have had for years. It doesn't cost much and allows you to practice your typing and improve typing speed.
Also, used to get a lot of headaches sitting in front of the computer but since I bought a radiation shield/screen to hang in front of my monitor, that has relieved a lot of my eye strain and headaches. It tones down the brightness of the monitor, which I didn't realize was so bright and how it affected by eyes until I put the filter screen in front of it. But I also wear glasses now for nearsightedness as a result of sitting in front of computers for years in previous jobs.
Anyway, hope this helps.
$5....but what the heck are you typing about? :) nm
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typing test?
I am testing for jobs, and they want a typing test sent to them. My comment... why? I type what I hear not what I read. The brain is trained in a different way. I can only type 60 wpm without my shortcuts and stedmans smart type. They want 80 wpm. I dont know if I should test or not?
First you aren't typing 150 lph, you are
transcribing 150 lph - big difference. That lph isn't bad for being a newbie and you can't compare yourself to an MT with 10 years of experience.
You can make more macros, use more expansions. If you are trying to work around kids you probably aren't working as much as you think you are. There is a free program you can download called Time Stamp (I think) and you use it to clock in and out to show the time you are actually transcribing. You'll be surprised how much time you think you are working and how much you are actually working.
Try to get up early before kids and work 2 hours. If they are young enough to still take naps, work when they are napping, or give them at least an hour of quiet time in their rooms so you can work. Work after dinner when your husband can look after them.
Don't get on the internet unless you are researching and do your research and don't visit other websites or check your e-mail. If possible make a note about what you need to look up and save it for when you take a break and you can look up several at one time.
I've been doing this for 20 years. I'm not a fast typist, I can't transcribe with the speed ramped up. I know people who can turn out the lines, but I have also seen some of their work and it isn't a quality product - not saying that it isn't possible to do both, just that fast isn't always good.
typing speed
I am starting school the end of this month and only type about 25 wpm just concerned and wondering if anyone else started out typing this slow and how it went for them and if school really help to pick-up their speed...or should
i just forget it and move on to something else.
You aren't going to be typing 60 wpm. You are going to have to
look up words, format, spellcheck, etc. so just because you can type 60 wpm doesn't mean a thing. You also have to figure it the difficulty of the account, how lines are counted .........
typing error
Who are you, the typing police? Do you get pleasure out of insulting people? Or are you the perfect typist who never makes any errors? Don't think so!!!!!!!!!
typing test
It was a timed typing test.
I was not fast or accurate enough to pass, but I am improving. Have you worked online without taking a typing test?
typing test
I agree, when I first started radiology I had to look up every 30 seconds or so - and I'd been doing this for 10 years. If you want you can take a quick typing test at www.typingtest.com, It would be purely for your own knowledge but it is kind of cool to see your improvement.
I remember seeing a job posting that said (this job is not worthwhile unless you can type 75 WPM) which I thought was very stupid. But they pointed out this website and I was at 73 wpm - when I started 10 years ago I was only at 45 WPM.
WPM doesn't matter as much as your knowledge - this is true - so consider that before you apply for a job that even mentions WPM!!
The timed tests are a test of how well you know
your stuff. Some of comes from education, most comes from experience. If you are unable complete the test without it timing out then you know you still have lots to learn. No 2 tests are the same so you can't take it enough times to get all the answers, but it gives you an idea on what kinds of things they are looking for and shows you your areas of weakness, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I have nearly 20 years of experience and I have some across questions on testing that I had to look up. Not all tests are timed, but I did take one test that was timed and it timed out on me too; more probably because I was rereading everything and didn't realize it was a timed test, but I was still offered a position. You just might get started on clinic notes rather than acute care and your pay rate will most definitely be lower than if you had scored better.
I flunk many tests at first, but I learned from each one - sm
that is what you must do. I used to joke that I learned more from the tests than I did from my course. Not quite the case but I did learn a lot from the tests too, they were certainly eye-opening some of them. All you can do is keep trying, what is the saying you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince, well finding a MT job is sort of the same thing, in both finding a job and finding one you like. Try again at Transolutions when they say you can try again (usually 6 months) and in the meantime apply anywhere and everywhere that you can. Good Luck.
Are you not passing the hiring tests or isn't
s
You can leave blanks and some tests even have
instructions on how to notate a blank. I have 20 years of experience and I have only had one test in my career that I have had to leave a blank, but there are usually different levels of reports. One report may be very clearly dictated, clinic type work where there really isn't a lot of medical terminology. Another may be an acute care report, possibly an Op, and then one may be a report there the sound quality is bad, an ESL dictator, or a fast talking US dictator.
The company is trying to get an idea of your skill level. If you do very well on the first report but not so well on the second and horrible on the third, then they will probably offer you a clinic account and start you off at the bottom of the pay scale.
Leaving a blank wouldn't count against you as much as guessing at something and getting it wrong. I don't think leaving a blank will stop you from being offered a position, but excessive blanks would probably would.
trouble with online tests?
Anyone else applied to Medquist or FocusInfomatics and have trouble passing the test?? I cannot figure out why I did not pass the transcription test and they can't tell me...just hoping I'm not alone...thanks
Sorry, meant pre-employment MT tests.
nm
If you need extra practice typing itself...
goodtyping.com
COOL!
I was typing 150lph my first week. sm
It certainly isn't impossible. No, it isn't great pay for someone who has a skill that is needed and is good at it, but you do need to start somewhere. I don't think companies are willing to start newbies out at 7-9cpl because they can and do hire experienced MTs at that rate. Why should they take a chance on someone unproven when they can get someone who has been in the industry 5+ years at the same rate? That doesn't happen in any profession that I know of.
I've been a working MT now for just under a year and can type 300 lph doing acute care and more if I am doing podiatry. Even at 6-7 cpl I can make a decent amount of money. I'd love to be getting more money, but that just isn't happening. Look at the job boards, most companies are advertising for 3-5 years experience starting at 7-9cpl, any higher than that is not the norm. Is it fair? Probably not, but it is the reality of this industry. Those who don't love their work, are not good at it, or are only in it for the money will be getting out and finding another profession. That will leave less competition and eventually the wages will begin to go up again.
I think there has just been a huge surge in new people entering MT in the last few years because of all the 'get rich quick' ads out there, but people are starting to realize this isn't an easy job.
Who knows, maybe I'm just too optomistic. 
From my typing school days
I recall learning that a word consists of five characters, spaces, symbols, etc., so it seems to me that they are asking for a 65-character line rate.
How do you increase typing speed?
I am a fairly new MT who can type approx 150-170 lines per hour. I work p/t approx 500-1200 lines per day but it seems like I work f/t hours because of my typing speed. I have kids at home so when I get an hour long report I tend to try to hurry and that means I make more errors and slows down my typing speed.
My problem is I am constantly working so I can't find the time to work on my typing. I have only been working for about 3 months and am at 150-170 lph. How long should I give myself to get up to 200-300 lph like many can type?
what type of reports are you typing?
I do alot of psyche and some of my reports range from 150-450 lines per report. So when you look at it like that it is not bad. On the other had if you are doing radiology that would be totally different. Again some of mines average from 15-30 lines. That is with a 65 character line.
Are you taking tests and failing or not even getting responses? nm
s
eMedicine website - neurologic tests
This website is great reading. This link takes you to a page of neurologic physical examinations, but it has everything, not just neuro. I guess it's a site for doctors. You do have to register to certain things, and I don't know if they require you to be a doctor to register because I haven't tried it lately. There is plenty to see without seeing close-ups. Something constructive to do while waiting for that first job.
http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic632.htm
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