She is right - choose another profession
Posted By: Carla Cupp on 2009-03-16
In Reply to: Your money would be better spent on - sm
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.
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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.
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!
Please be careful with use of the word profession vs. occupation..sm
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...
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.
Not the profession. MTs in house at hourly pay do great. The world of the
s
Agree...not a good reflection on our profession. A seasoned MT would not make this mistake. nm
x
Why did you choose that course?
Did you do any research on transcription schools? I took on a graduate of AHP, and she didn't know 1/3 of what she needed to know just to do radiology, which is an easy specialty.
why did i choose this course
This is a complete career change for me. I was a mortgage broker for ten years, had three years of typesetting experience for a newspaper when I was young and decided it would be a good idea. Why this course - just because you had one bad experience doesn't mean the course isn't a decent course. Maybe the person was one that skimmed by on the seat of thier pants? Who knows? I've found a couple of people already that took the same course and have jobs. So I believe a lot of it has to do with your resume, wherr you post it, and what you did before school. I managed a mortgage brokerage firm and worked my way from the bottom to the top. I think I am capable of doing this. - if i can't find a job I'll just kill myself - NOT. But I can tell you this I have more constructive things to do with my life then to go around bashing other people and their choices.
i would choose another fied.
you won't have a career in this one. it is phasing out fast.
i seriously doubt in 5 years you will have much of a job, let alone a career.
go to school for something else.
many schools to choose from
from reading other messages.. PCDI is a 'no' Penn Foster.. is inexpensive.. but.. is it good???
I can't afford to go, nor is my credit score high enough for SLM.
rochelle
Trying to choose a school
Hi,
I have been trying to decide on an MT school, and I am so unsure as to what I should do. What things should I be looking for in a school? Has anyone ever heard about the online programs at Brighton College, or Blackstone College? Are they any good? I want a school that will provide lots of practice dictations, what is a reasonable number of practice hours to expect? Any other input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
~Bea
Which school should I choose? Is this right for me?
Hi all! I've been researching this profession and would really appreciate some input from 'those in the know'!
I need to be at home with my family (long story), but my children (all 3 of 'em) are getting older and I'm in need of some 'mental stimulation'! I would like to find something that will hold my interest, keep my thinking, and requires constant learning (I like that!). I saw an article in our local paper a few months back about med trans, and it really sparked my interest! I had no idea about this profession before, but it seems like it could be my cup-o-tea.
I'm an accounting clerk by profession (if that makes any difference), so that would probably come in handy if I become an IC. Also, I've had a great deal of training with voice recognition (Dragon Speak), which I think could be of an advantage to me as I have an idea of how these program behave (and misbehave!). Also, since I was a child, my preferred reading has been medical books (....weird kid!).
I'd probably prefer something part time, and I'm not in it for 'the big bucks'! My husband has a great job and that has allowed me to stay home, but I would find it fulfilling to make some kind of financial contribution to my family.
To make a long story long.....I'm looking at a Canadian online school called CanScribe (I'm Canadian, by the way!). They seem to be very legit, with a good reputation and are recognized by the AAMT. They are kind of expensive, but it seems to me that the good ones are! I'll be receiving a 'settlement' soon, and I think investing in my education is always a good bet! However, I don't want to be foolish with my investment, and would like some input, like I said, from 'those in the know'!
Good day to you all, and thanks so much!! Margaret 
Choose the best school... sm
You have experience in general transcription, but that's not the same as experience in MEDICAL transcription... Unless, of course, you typed a lot of brain surgeries and cardiac caths for the police department. *winks*
Right now for a newbie, competition is absolutely fierce for landing that first job. Don't cut corners on your education. Your 'experience' in general transcription will NOT open any doors for you, but completing an MT course from Andrews or MTEC will.
Choose either CareerStep, M-TEC, or Andrews...all 3
I know. I accept grads from Career Step!
Choose a good school!
M-TEC or Andrews. Then follow their program to the letter!!! Best of luck!
If you choose your school solely because it is cheap
you will get a cheap education and pay for it over and over and over again in lost income. Many people who have chosen the crappy schools end up having to be retrained by one of the good schools before anyone will hire them. Just something to think about. It has ever been true that you get what you pay for. And don't let anyone snow you with that old lie "You get out of it what you put into it. Just work really hard and you'll get a good education." Not true with education. You can only get out of your training what is there to be gotten. If it is deficient, it doesn't matter how hard you work, your training will still be deficient. Get a part-time job to save money for one of the good schools, hold a yard sale, wait a few months while you save money, whatever, just don't waste your money and time on an inferior education.
newbie trying to choose a reputable school
Hello all,
I am trying to decide between the MT schools approved by AHDI. Does anyone have any experience with M-Tec, ExactMed, and Andrews? Any suggestions..thanks for the advice!
Why did you choose this post to voice your opinion?
It appears as if the OP was so happy about passing the test and receiving that phone call that she rushed to the computer to share her good news with the world. Would it have been so awful to just wish her luck and share her joy? I have been an MT for a year, and I still feel proud and happy each time I pass a test. It is hard for a newbie or someone with less than 2-3 years of experience to get a company to even let you test. When you then pass the test and get a phone call, that is veryexciting and makes you feel good. You could have wished her luck publicly and then sent her an email making her aware of her mistakes along with some tips. This New MTs forum is the last place on this board to post a message like yours.
Why can't some people just let others feel good about themselves?
If you choose Andrews or M-TEC, you won't need a fast track or extra training.
You also will receive, with your course, many of the books that CS students purchase on their own - the Book of Style, the Language of Medicine, better grammar books.
I graduated from CS also. And if I had it to do again, I'd choose Andrews or M-TEC.
Whichever you choose, you might find one on www.half.com. Great spot for books! nm
s
This all sounds nice, but newbies have to choose MTSOs wisely and this one is not a wise choice.
me, I will explain.
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