See "Cheapie Correspondence Schools" post below for our most recent mention of PCDI. (nm)
Posted By: Me on 2006-08-28
In Reply to: PCDI??? - Lisa
(nm)
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- PCDI??? - Lisa
- See "Cheapie Correspondence Schools" post below for our most recent mention of PCDI. (nm) - Me
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Cheapie Correspondence Courses
Hi everyone,
I really need some advice. I've looked into all sorts of different MT training courses - all I want (and need in the amazing job market in which I live) is a basic course to learn Medical Terminology and basic MT skills.
With this in mind - would taking a course like Stratford Career Institute's course, or ICS Canada's course help me get an entry level MT job? From there, would I be able to train on the job and take additional courses to gain more skills?
I am fortunate to live in a market where there are too many of these jobs and not enough workers. I even heard from one person that with just Medical Terminology you can sometimes get an MT job.
But, I thought at least one of these courses would teach me the very basics. Opinions?
Thanks,
Christina
check out Hattie Helper's post a few lines down regarding schools--nm
x
Forgot to mention
There is no such thing as a dumb question. "Ask, don't assume."
What is definition of "Without Mention"?
I'm still new here, so i'm sorry if this is a double post. I'm just really confused with this problem.
I've noticed that in transcribing procedures and using ICD9 codes, there are some codes that use the term "without mention". For example, on a gallbladder procedure, the code 574.10 means that "Calculus of gallbladder with other cholecystitis, without mention of obstruction."
Does "without mention" mean:
1) The doctor literally didn't mention anything pertaining to obstructions
2) The doctor did mention obstructions - but to say that there weren't any
3) Either 1 or 2 is correct - the doctor literally didn't mention anything about obstructions, but if s/he did, it was only to say that there weren't any.
Please help! I'm so confused by all this!
This site is a wonderful tool for anyone...not to mention newbies
Speaking for myself....it's always nice to have another MT to bounce things off of when I'm stuck on something. I can't say enough positive things about this site. It's amazing at all the helpful people on here willing to help someone else.
Can any of you that have been at this for a long period of time answer me this question? When you first started out...did you feel overwhelmed? How long does it take a person to really see if this is something they'll be good at? I find myself getting headaches really easy and only after a few hours of typing. I feel fatigued. Is it normal to feel this way in the beginning and what suggestions do you have to help? When do you feel that things are finally settling down and you start to move along at a normal pace? I'll give it a few months I guess...I'd think at that point I would have a pretty good idea if this is something I'm going to be productive at or not.
Sorry for all the questions.....I guess I am feeling uneasy and was hoping for some reassurance or words of wisdom from none other than another MT. 
Their website hasn't been updated since 2005. No mention of US-only MTs or anything of importance
s
Re: Recent Grads
Hi Amy,
I am the one who made the original post. I'm not so "upset and disgusted" anymore. :-) I thought I might give you a little advice on finding a job.
I think I said this in my post, but the way that I went about it was sending my resume to every company I could send it to. Even if the company stated they wanted two years of experience. My resume outlines my specific skills as an MT, i.e. computer, terminology, etc...and also outlines lists the specific courses I took in my college program.
There are literally hundereds of companies out there. I don't know if you are wanting to work from home or work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office, but I would do the same thing either way. I sent my resume to many, many companies.
If you are looking online and the company website offers testing for employment, take the test. That is how I ultimately landed the job I have now. The company I work for states they want 2 years of experience, but I tested for them and they hired me because I passed.
It is not easy to land that first job. You just have to be determined and keep at it. Since I got hired I have had 5 more job offers. It will happen for you too. Good luck!
recent grad
Just wondering if there are any companies that hire new graduates. I am a recent grad. (Dec 06) and I am having a heck of a time finding people who hire newbies.
thanks
There are several recent posts....
from their graduates who have found jobs. You may want to do a quick search.
Try this link to a recent ad on another board. sm
http://www.mtchat.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=164984&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1#164984
I am a recent Andrews Grad.
I finished the course in 9 months. It is at-your-own pace to a degree. You do have a time period to turn in each assignment--but it is completely doable. I graduated, started sending out resumes the next day and landed a job the day after that. I am very pleased with my choice. Just my 2 cents.
also a recent graduate and jobless
I really think we have to take into account the times and hope to see a little economic recovery soon. I have been told that things typically pick up in January. It seems a lot of recent grads are in the same boat.
Survey for recent MT grads with up to 1-2 years
experience.
I work for a company who is presently looking at starting at MT program with an internship and then a job offer when over. I would like your responses in what could have made your program better or if you feel there was anything bad about it and what that was. If you would like to respond, please email or feel free of course to post here. At this time, I am not able to provide the company name that is starting this program, but I can tell you we are going to be working to make it the best possible, and with your help be able to offer a better program to future MT students. Thanks in advance!
If she is a recent graduate she has NO experience, just school practice.
Why would she need a mentoring program if she went to a good school?
Have a friend who is a recent graduate for MT, does anyone know of a company who hires with less
than one year's experience or has a mentoring program? TIA!
CAI School - Any Current Students/Recent Graduates?
Hi Everyone: Have any of you ever heard of the CAI School of Medical Transcription? Any current students or graduates out there? I've been checking out their website and they seem to have a terrific program. I've searched the archives and the last posting on this school was from 2006. It got rave reviews then, just checking on the school now. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! FYI, the website address is http://www.caihometype.com
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.
Forget "approved" schools. AAMT set the criteria, then approved schools that didn't meet i
Stick with Andrews or M-Tec (both of which happen to be "approved") but forget about any others, they are not worth it.
PCDI training
Nicole, you if do not know what H&P is after finishing a transcription course, then you did not get what you paid for!
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.
please e/m me -- my post didn't post.
x
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.
Where should I post it?
Is there a section on MT Stars that you post resumes or are you saying to just post it in a message? Thanks
I appreciate your post and I do
recognize what has been happening in the field. As you stated, many MTs are allowing it to happen which is sad. There is no way to go up from there and they don't have a clue to recognize that.
sorry..about my last post..
I thought I was answering on another string of posts.
In regards to my post
I never said MTec was dishonest. The gist of the post was that an MT training school could not give objective advice to a person considering purchasing their product. The OP was simply told to take this into consideration. Surely no one can disagree with that statement? 
they won't let me post to you...
e-mail me.
Thanks for this post.
I have another six months before I reach that "two years experience" everyone seems to want. I did bite the bullet and settle for a less than top paying job to be working and getting that experience straight from training. My outlook was the same as yours. I am glad to know I'm in good company. I thought your post was very nice.
Very useful post. I wish
this post would automatically pop up every time somebody came here asking about schools, and whether the extra $1000 or whatever is worth it.
i only got about 2/3 of the way through your post.....
and thought there are much better ways for you to do this. Here are some suggestions that might save you a little money.
1. Try finding another internet provider. I pay $30 per month for my high speed.
2. Do not spend money on books anymore. Use reliable web sites. This is the beauty of Internet. In the old-days when we worked on-site and there was no Internet, we had to rely on books, but nowadays you can have the AAMT Styleguide on your computer, and there are so many reliable web sites for surgical instruments, medications, etc.
3. Can you possibly e-mail your invoices. This will get it to your provider quicker, and hopefully a paycheck back to you quicker, i.e. no paper or ink. My printer has been out of ink for 2 weeks. I do everything on line now, and never print anything anymore.
3. The cabinet was a one time purchase, but will be a tax write off.
4. Talk to your husband about the importance of your job and income. I hate to work when my husband is home. Some times I need to, and he and the kids all know that mom is working and cannot be disturbed (for the most part).
5. I hear you on the CPA thing. Mine charges me so much money to do my taxes. I am seriously considering disolving my corporation and going back to using my social security number. I really have not seen any perks there.
Anyway, hope some of these help.
I said in my post that she can't get
a TRANSCRIPTION job with just a coding education.
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