Remember a couple of years ago
Posted By: Don't believe all of the publicity on 2006-07-15
In Reply to: MTMOM, you need to know that,,, - displaced MT
We heard the same thing. Big articles in newspapers about the radiology group that loved speech recognition so much. It turned out that administration forced it on the doctors. They rebelled and hired transcriptionists for themselves and walked in with transcription machines. They told administration they had wasted enough of the doctors' time and they were having no more of it.
I'm sure we'll hear of some successes, but it sure isn't getting rave reviews from the majority of users. Someday, maybe.
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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.
You have not been transcribing 10 years. Your resume reflects about 4 years tops. I am going to put
very little MT experience and now you're pushing software that posters can get for free. There is a problem with that. You need to search YOUR heart ands ask yourself just how helpful you are really trying to be to new MTs or if your lining your own pocketbook because you don't know how to transcribe yourself.
Thanks! couple questions
Thanks for the reply, I have a couple of questions for you:
Do you have to pay income taxes quarterly? Do your taxes seem much higher self-employed than as a regular employee in other jobs?
a couple questions
Hi all. I have been reading this message board for a few weeks and have found many of my questions answered. I will be starting MTEC this week, as soon as my books arrive. I will also be purchasing a laptop tomorrow to use solely for school. I am looking at a Lenovo R61i, but I read on MTEC's website something about students having trouble with a 64 bit processor. How do I tell if the processor in the Lenovo is a 64 bit?
Also, I am just looking for some sincere advice about learning about the Medical Transcription program. I am so intrigued and excited to learn more and start school so that I may eventually work from home. Any advice will be appreciated.
TIA,
Linz
This is another school with a couple SM
of true references and then a bunch of homemade "books." They even go so far as to imply that you're getting a Book of Style, but what you're really getting is another thrown-together homemade shortened version of it.
I didn't go to any school at all, I've been doing this for years. This "school" is a waste of money.
A couple of things...
1. People who hire do read these boards so, for your own sake, watch spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
2. Have you tried contacting your school for help with your job search? That should be your first step.
Lots of luck.
Couple of questions for New MTs
I have a very short survey (two questions) that I am asking for any new MTs to complete. Thank you!
even I have a couple of people I call.....sm
I'm in this business many years, almost 3 decades, and I STILL have a couple of people, one especially, who I call when I have an MT question or if I want them to listen over the phone....it's networking and it's great and if you find a REAL good mt or cmt, well, then you've got GREAT help. Sometimes 4 ears are better than 2. I even have my daughter listen if she is here (albeit she is not in the medical field except 5 years so far *S*)
Best of luck!!
It is worth it, but with a couple of caveats (sm)
It can take several months to two years to train for this profession, depending on where you get your training and how many hours a day you can put into it. Then, it can take up to several months or more to land your first job (again, depending on where you get your schooling - M-Tec grads get placed right out of school sometimes). And when you do get your first job, chances are your pay isn't going to be great at first because "newbies" are generally hired at a decreased rate, and it also takes a while to get your speed and line counts up.
But, like I said, it is worth it.
There was a posting on the Job Seeker's Board here last week (I think) for a company that was offering a unique opportunity for disabled transcriptionists. If you didn't see it, be sure to check it out.
Lastly, check in regularly on these boards. Yes, there is some sarcasm and negativity, but mostly it's people willing to help other people, and I have learned a lot from here. Best of luck to you in whatever decision you make!
I have asked about a couple of companies.
I am completing a course through Gatlin Education Services and I want to know if they have a good reputation. It is a pretty simple question. Correct if I was wrong but I thought this was a site for new MTs to ask questions. Are we limited to how many questions we can ask?
a newbie here with a couple questions please....
Hi, thank you for taking my question(s). I have Windows Vista on my PC, came with it. and I am about to begin MT School online, I have asked the school, but alittle confused. The software I will need, will it be compatible, with Vista, or is there conversions I might can buy, or download for free.
The school is in La. and the program is Career Steps. ANY info will be greatly appreciated. ~Leslie in NWF 
It only took me a couple of months to get out of unpaid status!
Great to get my foot in the door!
I don't know. I have asked my recruiter a couple times .....sm
about the line count and I have received no answer.
Remember,
she asked if she can do it on the side, not change careers. She also asked if she could take the RMT. I checked, and I believe it said that you have to either have experience or have taken a course in MT. I agree with the person aboving stating she could not pass it. As I said before, these days you will not even be able to test most places unless you have experience or if you have passed an MT course.
As far as someone wanting it bad enough, that will help but if that was all you needed, that's all people would need to put on a resume. From listening to many people over the last 2 years who hire for these companies, they certainly do not find nursing to be adequate experience for MT nor do they hire people just because they will try
hard.
It is true that some people just don't realize all they don't know and you just shake your head. You have to go to school for any specialized field. Why do people think that MT is any different? Maybe it is because it WAS different years ago.
I would challenge anyone who is a nurse and wants to do MT on the side try to get hired by a national. Not going to happen. As stated before, in a local office maybe, sure. You aren't going to be as good as a trained MT, though. That's just a fact.
remember, you get what you pay for...
I am in my 5th month with M-Tec and it is so thorough, challenging and wonderful. Be careful not to rush your training and waste money whle doing it. The final goal is a really good job and MTec is proven positive.
I remember my first day as an MT -
I could not believe how worn out I was. I could not have been more tired I had run a marathon. It was pretty tough for a few weeks, but I made it and so will you! Get a good night's sleep. Best wishes for a good day tomorrow. 
How to remember
I don't use it but there is a system called ABCZ by John Knowles. It makes it easy to remember how to form expanders. The basic rule of the ABCZ method is to use the first three letters of a word (hence ABC) and its last letter (hence Z). So for example, you use hosn for the word hospitalization. Then I believe there is an ABCZ Glossary which you can buy and use with Instant Text but if you read more about how ABCZ works, maybe you can adapt it and not buy the premade Glossary. That's it in a nutshell but Google ABCZ. There is a lot of info out there. Also there is a great site called Productivity Talk if you can wade through it.
Please remember this when you are applying
Send yourself an e-mail first ... make sure you have your email account info updated so that it actually shows your name.
You really will score points if the recruiter or HR person can find you by seeing your name in the email list rather than "dogsRpeople2@whoknows.com"!
Thank you.
One thing to remember..
A lot of companies won't hire newbies who took just any course..it has to be an approved course (AAMT-approved or at the very least a course that is approved by that particular company.) If you take an unapproved course and try to go to work for one of the big companies, you might find that they won't accept you without more experience first.
One thing to remember
Maybe 7 years ago they would hire (or even test) someone in your situation, but these days there are so many who have taken the MT courses that they choose to test those first. Hands-on learning positions are around but usually only locally. Just want people reading this to know that. As you can see a few posts down I believe, there is someone who went to school and cannot even test because she did not go to a well-known school and/or she does not have enough experience even to test. So to say that it is possible is technically right, but people out there need to know that these situations are rare.
for spirit328: How do you remember all
the abbreviations? What stands for what? I still use AutoCorrect.
I feel bad for the newbies, I remember how it was too
I started about 12 years ago, I was lucky because my school helped me find a job (all tapes, talk about bad quality) and the MT office was a little nook in the corner of an ER. The docs were always stressed out and I could not understand much but did the best I could. I remember fearing being fired just about everyday because it was so hard. I didn't get the hang of this job until over a year into it, and when I went home, it started all over again, because I didn't have a second ear. When I first went home for MQ a year and a half out of school, my then fiance was so happy to have me home he came up to give me a loving hug, and I actually shoved him I was so frustrated with work. I later apologized, but the stress level is crazy when you are new, you don't have a grasp on the medical terminology, no one to ask questions in person, on top of the crazy accents.
Remember, that stapler was the only thing that
made it through the fire! You kind of need that kind of durability on this board!
but of course remember if you DO go to a Comm Coll, at least
you will have college credits, and a two year degree under your belt when you go back to school for your next REAL JOB. But if you go to the BIG THREE, and it's time to go back to school, you can start with all the other freshman in English 101 and Speech.
but of course remember if you DO go to a Comm Coll, at least
you will have college credits, and a two year degree under your belt when you go back to school for your next REAL JOB. But if you go to the BIG THREE, and it's time to go back to school, you can start with all the other freshmen in English 101 and Speech.
Remember Nipper, the RCA dog with its head tilted?
Well, sometimes I feel like poor old Nipper as I try to listen oh-so-carefully to dictations. Can anyone offer some suggestions/opinions as to what headphones are really good for transcription? Currently I am using the headphones from an old portable cd player, and now I'm wondering if there are some headphones that are especially good for transcription. I've checked out a few websites, but there are so many to choose from. Does anyone have a favorite?
I took their course 5 years ago - sm
I was quite happy with it and the price, cost a little bit more now but still reasonable. If you do all you are supposed to it does prepare you well enough, though I skipped a couple things (learning the abbreviations); and I skimmed on the actual practice dictation which was a big mistake but I wanted to graduate and get working. But I still passed the final, though not as well as I would have if I had practiced more in advance. Took me 2 months to land a job, another 2 to actually start that particular job though; in the meantime I cold-called and landed a job with a small local MTSO and started that one first, then the other fell into place about 6 weeks later (acute care where I was thrown to the wolves basically). Nothing beats learning on the job though and I learned lots while testing my butt off to land that first job. There are plenty of CAI grads, just many look down on them though the program is very good and you come out adequately prepared though I think no school can prepare you for the real deal, it can at least give you the tools and knowledge to deal with reality.
They have been saying that for years, but...
from what I gather, MT's will always be needed, even to just proof the voice recognition. I will say, however, that I am a recent grad, and am finding out that it doesn't pay very much unless you get perfect dictators, which is very slim to none in this business! Good luck with whatever you choose, but I would look into something else as far as medical to do.
MT for 5 years sm
My advice to you is to do as much research when looking for a job as possible. I did not do this and until I came to MTStars I thought the 0.7 cents per line was what everyone was making. I did not realize I was making almost the lowest rate in the business. I have been doing this parttime for 5 years and there are jobs out there, just make sure you do the research into the companies like you seem to be, and as others have said make sure you go to one of the reputable schools that companies will look for. Do not get discouraged, this can be a wonderful and lucrative business if you make sure to take your time before jumping.
With almost ten years of MT, I would say...
If 'q.d.' follows a medication as part of a medication sig, you must type 'q.d.' If 'q.d.' is dictated within context as a "short cut" for the doctor, you must type "daily".
These edits are required to produce more professional medical/legal document...and we all know that some dictators need all the help that we can give them.
IMO...
-Jade
I took this course years ago.....
I did get a job at a local hospital, but I had an advantage. I had previously worked as a CNA at multiple hospitals and nursing homes, and ward clerk at a hospital. This is a basic course and you will probably have a hard time finding a job. I'm not trying to be rude, just truthful.
How I did it and have been doing for over 10 years....
Okay, it is time to let the cat out of the bag on how you are going to be successful as a Transcriptionist out of school.
The first thing I am seeing is that these schools promise that you will be working from home making in upwards of $40,000 a year. Forget about that. You are new to this. If you come out of school working on a production basis you may very well fall flat on your face and make $3 an hour by the end of the day. I was a transcriptionist for almost 5 years working for a hospital and I decided I could make more working on a production basis.......I failed miserably my first year.
First off, get experience under your belt and make an hourly rate in the meantime. How did I do this? Well, I started out getting a job in a hospital, any job I could get. I started out in billing, even though I wanted transcription. I watched and waited for openings, when finally someone in the psychiatric unit called me (I made friends with everyone, the key to getting calls like this one) and said they were losing their transcriptionist and I should apply. I applied and got my first transcription job, making an hourly rate. Had I not gotten pregnant with twins I would probably still be there.
After babies were born, went back part time in the evenings. This time since I had experience and another local hospital was willing to hire me in the radiology department. Again, hourly. I watched and waited once again (I hated radiology transcription). I got to know who was in charge in the transcription department. I sent her a fax asking her if she needed any part time help (back then there was no work related email). She said, yes, I could work part time (I now had "experience"). The part time went to full time with benefits. However, I got bored and decided to work for, of all companies, Medquist. I thought with my speed I would be making at least $20 an hour.....hahahahahahahahaha, what a joke. I was lucky to make $8 an hour with them. After about a year of struggling I finally got my foot back in the door of a hospital in another state. I had to commute to the hospital every day during training, it was awful, however, now I again work from home, have the ability to make about $20 or more per hour, I own my own home, own a half decent car, I am divorced and don't take any child support from my ex, instead we share in the custody 50/50.
The moral of my story........
Get your foot in the door. Look for jobs that are front desk, secretarial, whatever. Once you are in there and they realize how great you are you can go wherever you want. My first transcription job in the psychiatric unit also involved secretarial duties, so not just straight transcription. I highly recommend getting into a hospital. The bennies are the best and lots of hospital transcriptionists are working from home with full hospital benefits. If you can't get into a hospital, get into anywhere where you can do some sort of typing/transcription, that way you have your first reference/experience when you apply to a company that is strictly work from home. Everyone wants experience, they just don't want to be the ones to give it to you.
I am so tired of seeing these schools and companies swindle people.
If you are looking into training, I highly recommend your local community college. You will probably take some credit college courses that will be able to be used should you decide to do something else. My local community college has a course for under $3000 and there are college credit courses that are able to be used towards another degree.
I did my training as a medical assistant, transcription was only part of the course. However, now I am so bored with transcription that I am going back to school to be a nurse.
I hope this helps someone out there. Good luck to you all!
I know 2 different MTs with 30 years
in this business. One lost an account to EMR and the other lost a good portion of an account to "writing in charts" which is a clue that particular account is going EMR most likely in the near future and trying to save money to purchase it... It is very expensive for the doctors (more than our pay). My PCP uses it and he said it is very costly but he is still using it.
Now those MTs that lost accounts are working for nationals and averaging between 6 and 8 dollars an hour because they are being thrown horrible dictators and platforms that aren't up to par.
Everyone in this business is struggling and thankful for what they have and afraid to ask for a raise. I have 2 of my own accounts that I haven't had a raise in 10 years because I know someone will underbid me in a New York minute if I were to raise my rates.
I just like what I do and like the flexibility, but if I were to spend $4,000.00 it would definitely not be to become an MT, not by today's standards anyway.
Been at it 25+ years, still love it the same way I did at first. NM
x
Two years this month.
I was just telling some gals that I have made the mistake of attaching versus copy and paste more than once. I was applying to many companies and simply not reading directions word-for-word while doing so. With "many" companies actually preferring the attachment method, I just honestly got in a hurry and didn't pay attention. I did this as a new grad, I've done it with a couple years' experience! I also caught it right away too, and resubmitted, but that's not the point. Just like MTSOs "scan" resumes in a few seconds, I scanned ads. Just a fact! I'm busy too, whether I'm working or not. I know better now though!
I think as a newbie, and with so many companies using the "two-year experience clause," I just felt like a submitting machine. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I was actually submitting, because I really didn't expect anyone to pay much attention to me no matter what I did.
I did, however, make sure that I spellchecked any communications and tried to be as professional as possible. You might be surprised at how "unprofessional" some MTSOs are! I am hearing them say that they don't want to hear about personal issues, but I have also had many come back and burden me with their own! They sometimes set the tone for casual-type communications, which I find offensive and unnecessary.
I started out with all my resources in place. I think that MTSOs have to remember that a newbie is just that. We have just spent thousands to be educated, bought a new computer in some cases, bought a library maybe, and had to set up an office in our home as well. I invested thousands before I applied for my first job! An experienced mentor and friend told me not to scrimp where resources were concerned, and I didn't! The generalization of the MTSO about newbies was what ticked me off. We might make mistakes, but who doesn't? That was unfair!
As far as the $400 phone system, that I would have noticed and passed on immediately. Some schools don't even explain what these are. I had to ask! I now own one that I haven't used in over a year since I bought it. You are trained with Wav files, which is the more prevalent of the two forms of obtaining voice files, and no, I don't have one sitting around "just in case." These bad boys cost from $300-$800. Get real. I doubt there are many experienced MTs who have this or would spend that kind of money upfront before ever hearing the dictators and knowing what you are getting into.
I do, however, think it is perfectly fair to expect that applicants have the basics in place, i.e., resource books, Word processing program, updated computer with protection, and at least a USB pedal.
There is no excuse for punctuation, spelling and grammatical errors in any communications related to finding work. I agree with that.
I hired on with Medquist out of school, or soon thereafter. Here was their attitude at my office: Leave a ton of blanks, time is money, you will learn from your feedback (if you are lucky enough to get it).
I was very uncomfortable with that! I wanted to learn and grow. I was perfectly willing to spend ten minutes researching a single word or phrase in order to learn, and I felt good about my results. Fact is, more companies than not could care less. I've been told that we hire editors for that, so move on. Time is money!
I continually st rived for perfection, and that does take time. You have to be willing to spend countless hours in research and then verification through viable resources your first years. I did, and I don't regret it. Let's take into consideration also though that I was in a position to do that! I do this because I'm good at it and I love it. If I had to pay the mortgage and support a couple of kids, I might look at things in a whole different light.
I think that schools and their ads are a big problem when it comes to moms at home. They give the impression that having children, as well as not being able to pay for child-care services is some sort of prerequisite for this work! If you have these needs, this job is for you. Bull!!
Then, you have people replying to questions like, "why did you choose this career" with responses like, "I have kids and can't afford child care," versus, "I love this work, and I am good at it."
I personally strive and always have for perfection. I have done my time in downtime, and that is with an extensive medical background beforehand! You really have to be willing to give your all, work hard and for little to start. That's a fact!
IMO, schools are failing sometimes to provide their students with essential information in important areas. I see new grads out on the moon alone the day after they pass their exam with nothing but a lousy outdated list of companies to apply to.
Yes, I think you addressed this issue appropriately. I hope it turns into a revealing and learning thread for all concerned!
Thanks,
Missy C
been filing IC for over 15 years
You will definitely need a CPA for this one. You will get to deduct what ever portion of your home you use from your mortgage payment (if you use a room that is 250 squre feet in your 1,000 square foot home, you can deduct 25% of your mortgage payment and utilities), part of your auto (depending if you use your car at all to pick up or deliver work), internet costs, phone costs, and the list goes on.
Personally I do not set aside taxes for my share of the household income. My husband claims 0 and covers mine and his; seems to work for us.
You will definitely need a CPA because there are things you must pay such as self employment tax. If you try to do this yourself and make a mistake it can be very costly later on.
Good luck!!! I hope you enjoy being your own boss. I certainly do.
This is the 3 cpl job, right? Your pay should go up in several weeks, NOT in several years! nm
s
Experience: 2, 5, 10 years
How are newbies supposed to get experience?
Does anyone know of companies who hire newbies?
My mentor 12 years ago.
was the owner of a small MTSO here in town. She took me from typing psychiatric accounts to acute care and I worked for her for 8 years. The pay was low at first at $7 an hour, but in a few months I went to incentive and was making a lot more money and learning every day. So I would say to get some resumes made up and get out the yellow pages and see what you can find around town. Most hospitals I applied to would not accept me until I had experience, which now I can understand why. It's really hard now if you're new and most MTs are at home. I miss that I can ask any questions of my coworkers if I was stumped on something, or asking if they would please listen to something.
You are very lucky, with 4+ years exp, I get .09 cpl - nm
x
where have you been for the past two years?
You say, "In-house jobs are being outsourced rapidly" and then draw the conclusion that there must be a demand for more MT's? Where do you think those jobs are being outsourced? It ain't Kokomo, it's New Delhi, etc. It used to be new MT's COULD get a job, back in the old days when the market wasn't imploding. But even then, you really needed to work in house before you could work from home. It ain't as easy as it seems, especially with ESL's.
Look I'm sorry you got misled about the field. But flogging a dead horse isn't going to help.
That was not the case 6 years ago, though - sm
things might have changed. MQ will allow graduates from certain programs apply though they have no experience, granted you have to pass the test in order to get a job. If you fail it they say to reapply in 6 months.
We were all newbies, but 5 years ago you
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.
MDI-MD requires their MTs to have 3-5 years of
experience, I think. They are a great company, but they aren't set up for mentoring newbies. Good luck.
I did not incorporate until 15 years into being an IC
My husband and I file a joint return, and my social security number was what I used in lieu of a federal tax ID#.
I worked for probably 12 years with only one
computer, but I was the only one who pretty much used the computer. That was years ago before the internet became what it has and you weren't downloading music, uploading pictures, etc. I would make sure you have a good virus protection program. If you have a SO that likes to play on-line games or computer games or have kids who need the computer for research I wouldn't spend the funds for a second computer, especially if funds are tight.
as an MT with 17 years experience....
your offer is more than fair. with all the new MT's on this forum saying they can't get a job, this is a fabulous offer.
my hat is off to you for taking the time to train, and pay 7 cents a line. I started out at minimum wage 17 years ago...just grateful for the opportunity.
I only made $13.00 after 20 years
If you want to just get the experience, then go for it. Once you've gained talent and speed and enough experience, you can take that and make more than that much per hour by working production, but at least hourly, you can slack a little at times and not worry. 
After13 years
I'm back in now after 13 years off and it was a big difference. I don't think you will find the same. We were just beginning on computers, no one worked at home and there were no expanders, etc. I'm learning all these things now, but I'm working and doing o.k.
If you had a previous specialty it might give you a jump ahead to look for a job in that, i.e. neurology, radiology.
Look I've been at this for 20 years
It really isn't something you just go to school for a while, and then go and grab a part-time position and think it's going to make you some cash. I have always encouraged others who wanted to enter this field, but I can tell you that after 20 years, I am only being offered 7-8 cpl and the accounts I can get on my own are few and far between with the VR, EMR, and large national MT companies taking all of the clients at low rates and offering spit shined reports and fancy platforms for easy access.
Your best bet is to go ahead and choose the closest flower shop and work the register. It will be much easier on your heart, soul, and sanity! Trust Me!
I'm only 38 and I'm so burned out I could scream and throw my headphones. I make 45K a year, but I work long hours and put up with a lot of crap from the offices I service as they know they can find someone cheaper in a heartbeat. I've had no raise in 10 years. I worked on-site for 17 years at 13 dollars an hour with benefits only to find out I would be training my replacement (C-Bay). I gave 2 weeks' notice and here I sit.
My rt hand throbs, my back aches, and my stress level is high. If you really think after hearing this that it sounds like a good idea to go to school and become an MT, then have at it, but it will have you in a tail spin and wishing you never did.
My sis-in-law thought she'd be on easy street! Well guess what? Two years later, and she's not an MT but has the education. She gave up because it was too hard!
I wish you all of the luck in the world, but keep you day job and keep your money in your pocket that you'll pay for the education because we're being sold down the river and fast without a paddle or life jacket!
Yeah, right, like we will see that same post in another 10 years or even 5. (nm)
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