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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

She said she had both coding and MT training

Posted By: SM on 2008-08-03
In Reply to: I said in my post that she can't get - around the block

She initially said she had both coding and MT training. 


First, she said, she had coding and a CPC certification, but could not get a job, so she let the certification lapse.  She apparently quit looking for a job.


Then, she said, she went through an MT training program and now can't get a job.


People get jobs every day with those exact qualifications.  That's no guarantee that a particular person will get a job, but it's also no indication that NO person will get a job.




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I do both coding and MT work. I'd definitely say to go with coding/insurance billing
The way the medical transcription profession is going, you'll best be served by doing insurance billing with a coding certificate than doing transcription. There will always be a need for billers and coders. JMO.. and I make more money billing with the way our cpl are going down.
Coding has much more of a future than MT right now. Coding can't be sent out to India and
it requires an active thought process to do it, so it's not likely to be replaced by software. Yet. I bet there's a lot of MT's right now that wish they would have chosen coding...
coding
I don't know about coding programs, but I took coding in college and found it a lot harder than transcription.
I don't think M-TEC has a coding
program; however, their transcription program is excellent. I don't know very much about coding, but I chose MT because I did not want to deal with something so directly related to money since docs and hospitals get paid based on how something is coded. However, I think some might enjoy that. Personally, I like the feeling that I am doing something to help a patient without getting caught up in the money end of it. From all that I have read, it is easier to start out working from home in medical transcription than in coding.
Coding vs MT
If you check the salary surveys available on other websites -- sorry, I can't tell you what they are because the moderators delete my posts when I do that! -- you'll see that coding can pay more than transcription.

My thinking is that MTs tend to burn out faster than coders. Coding is less physically strenuous than MT. Coding jobs tend to allow for advancement into different types of work, which helps relieve any boredom that might occur. MT jobs tend to be of one type.

If you want to give MT a go, you certainly can. Right now, it's easier to find work from home in MT than in coding, at least for someone with no experience. If you do that, you can consider a few years working in MT to be a time spent gaining very useful knowledge for coding later on. The knowledge MTs have about reports, medical records, procedures, office visits, and the way medical care "works" is invaluable. MTs learn coding very quickly, much faster than someone without MT background, even people with other types of experience in health care.


Coding vs Transcription
There is salary information available at the AAPC website, www.aapc.com. The link to the 2004 survey is http://www.aapc.com/recognition/salary_survey.html .

Coders tend to make a bit more and have more room for advancement into consulting, training, and compliance positions. The work requires somewhat more in terms of medical and technical knowledge, the ability to deal rapidly and effectively with constant change and uncertainty, the highest attention to detail, an absolute intolerance for error. Coding, like transcription, requires very high literacy and deductive skills--you have to enjoy reading constantly and solving frustrating puzzles.

Coding is not as amenable to working at home, although rapid progress is being made in this arena.

You can't go wrong with MT. Most of your training for that, and your on-the-job experience, will give you a huge head start in coding. Much of the background material is the same--coding just adds to it somewhat. If you choose your school right, you'll get an MT job right away, working at home, and you can then think about broadening your skills into coding. At that point, a few years from now, there will be more remote coding opportunities for you to move into.





Coding and Transcription

 Thank you so much for the information I have a little background in coding but it seems as though Medical Transcription is in more of a demand right now as far as a work at home job. The cost of tuition with either Andrews or Career Step is a bit expensive for me and I want to make sure that I make the right choice in terms of being able to find a wahj after certification.



billing and coding
Billing and Coding is totally different.  As you know coding is putting terminology into numbers, nothing like putting a H & P on paper or an OP note into words.  I coded for 2 years for family practice and it is not cut out to what people think it is. 
Not many coding jobs
nm
Medical Coding or Transcription
I will be applying for online training soon and have noticed that the price of tuition for medical coding and medical transcription are not too far apart. I always thought that there was more opportunity and a higher income for medical transcription. Can anyone with experience in coding tell me how the average salary is for coding? Thank you in advance for any answers on this.
Coding/Billing is TOTALLY different
from MT work. You are not trained or qualified to do MT work.
Coding is most certainly being outsourced offshore. Who
told you that coding isn't being sent out of the country?
Also, coding education/certification will not get SM
you a transcription job at all.
What? Coding most certainly can and IS sent out of the country! You're confusing
You're funny!

Is your coding work done from home? I have heard it was very difficult sm
to get coding work at home, you have to go to work for a company somewhere. Has this changed? I know coders are always needed, but we don't have any openings locally for at-home coding. TIA.
Medical Transcription/Medical Coding

Hi,


I am a MT and can't find a job or pass employment test.  So, I have to take one of the AAMT approved schools this time around and was thinking about Medical Coding but, not sure of this.  Does anyone know if Medical Coding is harder than Medical Transcription to pass or is the stress more intense?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks a bunch!


Barb


If you got your training from one of the
schools recognized by employers to turn out job-ready MTs, in most cases, the two-year-experience requirement will be waived. Also, those schools will work with you to help you with job placement. In any event, your school. whichever one it was, should be helping you with job placement. If the course was designed to make you employable, your school should know for which employers you are prepared to work. Good luck to you.
MT Training
I would be glad to talk with you.
If you get the right training ...
i.e. from one of the schools that turn out job-ready MTs, you should have no trouble working from home from the start. If you decide to skimp on your training and go for a cheap, inferior school, it is unlikely that you would be able to work from home for a long time since you would need so much supervision and hand-holding. Get the right edcuation and you can write your own ticket.
right training?
Is Career Step considered the  " right training " that would allow me to work from home from the start?
CS training

Anne, I 'm with you. I want to work PT from home. I'm seriously considering Career Step also. Please feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to toss this around some more. I'm wondering about the sitting aspect of the job also but I think it would probably go quickly when you're transcribing. Hoping to learn more while visiting this site. Good luck!


Training
Hi, thinking seriously of becoming a MT. Background has been in med field many years ago. Now cannot work in old job due to physical disability of permanent nature -no cure. Not mobile anymore. Work at computer would be limited in sessions - is there anyone out there with same type of dilema and going thru and has been thru training?
Training
Okay,  I have been looking into the field of MT for some time now and I am a bit frustrated and confused.  After viewing so many messages posted It seems almost futile to even consider becoming an MT.  Today, right now, is it worth my money and time to become an MT?  Is there still a future for MT's (maybe not in the tradtional since)??!!  Thanks for responding!!!  JSanders 
training
I did recently receive a great gift.  A friend introduced me to a 28 year Transcriptionist who is willing to let me work with her!!
Training? Are you in a training
program? When will you graduate?
training
I have been working on a course through Trans Am Associates.  My resume does not have any jobs in the transcription field. I need someone to give me a chance. I tested for a hospital where I used to live and the head Transcriptionist said that it was one of the best tests she has seen. Any more ?? let me know.
You might want to look into training
available in your own country, wherever in South Asia it happens to be. It would surely be cheaper.
I did on the job training. sm
When I started 10 years ago I had no schooling in this profession and I did complete on the job training. Now I own my own service and have for 6 years. It is possible. I am sorry you feel the way you do.
MT Training ...what's best?

I'm looking to do MT training, preferrably online.  Can any of you offer opinions/suggestions regarding the online courses you may have taken for training?  The one I've thoroughly checked out is CareerStep.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!


 


mt training
career step so far has been on the up and up lp
I'm an LPN/MT and KNOW you need MT training.
One of the biggest problems I had in my MT training was getting rid of the nursing mindset, especially with respect to abbreviations. The same abbreviations I knew and used for years as caps without periods suddenly had to be lower case with periods, etc. Old habits were hard to break. When it comes to the MT world, there is a lot more to it than typing and knowing medical terminology. I was very surprised about that myself! You will also have to develop an ear for listening, hearing and understanding each dictator. You may be able to understand Dr. Jones (for example) on the phone or in person, but he might sound like Elmer Fudd when he dictates! Possibly worse.

Please do your homework, pick the very best school you can afford and work hard to get your money's worth out of that school. Don't expect to make the same money starting out as you can walking into any nursing position. Unless you are extraordinarily lucky and gifted, you are well advised to take some MT training.

I do wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.



training
I need additional training in this field! How or where should I go to get the help I need?! I went to school and graduated with my certificate in MT but am having no luck on tests and feel that I need more time to learn and build my skills up. Any suggestions as to what I should do? please contact me!
Do you have training?
I would recommend sending a resume anyway IF you have some formal training which might be considered in lieu of experience. I was hired for an opening asking for 5 years experience and I only have 18 months. It's worth trying! Good luck!!!
Do you have any training?
Your grammar and spelling are terrible.
new training
Thanks so much
Training

Good luck Lisa. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. The top schools ensure entry into this profession and choices of decent job ofers with good starting rates. When we stop learning - we are dead. Hee! Hee!


I sincerely wish you well.


Lilly


Training
I am a current student with M-TEC.  They offer a basic and an advanced course.  I would highly recommend them and the directors are always more than willing to talk with you and answer any questions you might have.  I think you will find it extremely difficult just getting your foot in the door without the training.  I'm sure with the background you have, you should be able to breeze through the program.  I worked for over 10 years in the field but took time off to raise my kids.  When I was ready to return to the field, I found it hard to even test.  No one wanted to give me a chance so I enrolled with M-TEC.  It's really been the best experience and my ultimate goal is to get certified so I really need to learn other specialties.  If your goal is to work from home then definitely check into one of the top schools.  My guess though is you will definitely not be making the kind of money you are used to for quite some time.  Good luck though.
I had no training but
had enough medical terminology knowledge and speed to try out for an acute care position and got it!

I disagree. You can teach yourself to be a great MT. I am so tired of all the CMT snobs out there. Anyone with medical terminology, speed and a good knowledge of grammar and language can do it. I have seen too many do so to understand that this is true.

The certificate does not by itself make a good medical transcription. Too many variables come into play.
MT Training
I have just completed the MT training through Everett Community College Online where they utilize the Career Step Course Ware. They MT program is online and is offered nation wide. The great thing for me is that my financial aid paid for my training, where in a lot of cases the training program is not offering financial aid. You can go to EVCC website and check it out. Another great website for informational and EVCC training stuff is http://www.workathometranscription.blogspot.com/

Hope this helps
Has anyone used VLC for training?
I was considering VLC, Virtual Leaning Center for training.  Their website seems like they'd be good, but I don't personally know anyone who has used their training.  I am not sure I trust their website testimonials, all online schools have "testimonials."  Does anyone have any real experience with VLC to share?  I'd appreciate anything.  Thank you in advance.
Re-Training

This is going to be long, so please bear with me.  I have graduated with my certificate and went to a junior college to complete it; however, the program was new and I do not think I received the schooling I should have.  I do work for a national company and doing okay with it, but feel I am just "not with it."  I feel I should know more than I do.


So my question is-how do I retrain myself?  I still have all my books and have the new AAMT Book of Style along with the workbook.  My school did not teach me of the BOS, but my empolyer requires to know it.  I would love to get my CMT, but feel I need to get my line count up.  So, should I extensively work on my expansions (since I was not taught about them).  I do own Saving Keystrokes and have read about the ABCZ style form.  So, should I work on my expansions first to get my line count up?  Or go through my transcription books?  My goal is to be the best, but at this point I am a little overwhelmed.  My anal personality is getting the best of me:)  


Any suggestions will be appreciated.   


Do you have any MT training?
x
MT training
I too am considering Career Step's traning and would like to hear from students who took thier training and how successful they were in finding employment.
your training

Donna:  Where did you go to school?  I am just curious because I am trying to decide where I want to go. 


Your first test experience was horrible.......


TRAINING
I need some suggestions for training since I am new to this.
Training
Hi,

You might want to try Career Step. They have a great program, and it is more affordable than most. (Plus it is approved by AHDI).


MT training

Any feedback regarding online MT courses?  I've done ortho for years, but would like to learn to do it all.  Any input appreciated. 


MT Training
You asked if, since you were a general transcriptionist, you could just take continuing education courses rather than a full MT program.

I think you may be asking if your training and/or experience in transcription of general material can qualify you to skip over part of an MT program. In other words, since you're a general transcriptionist, you feel you know enough to just learn the details that differentiate general from medical.

While it will help you somewhat since you already have the ability to process voice and key it, it's not going to enable you to skip much, if anything, in an MT program.


You might be thinking that much of what is taught in an MT program is the PROCESS of transcribing or, possibly, that it teaches general, plain English transcription as a prelude to medical. This isn't the case.

With few exceptions, MT programs do not teach general transcription, nor do they focus much at all on the process of transcribing. They do not, for instance, feature practice drills in keyboarding plain phrases, etc., from voice. Very few, except those at the community college level where any high school graduate must be allowed to register, even teach keyboarding.

If you took a course to learn general transcription, I can say with some certainty that whatever it was is NOT going to be part of an MT course.

MT education typically begins with instruction that consists of medical language, anatomy, and such, possibly grammar and style as it pertains to medical writing, and leaps right into transcription of medical material.

So, it's not that you could skip over the parts of the course that you'd already be able to do, because there aren't likely to be any parts of the course that consist of what you can already do. Medical transcription is far different from general. That isn't to say that there is no value in general transcription, because there is. It is just that an MT student doesn't "go through" general transcription on the way to learning MT. Most programs consist entirely of MT-related training. There isn't anything to skip.

This shouldn't discourage you. You WILL be able to utilize your background in MT. It will enable you to make faster progress, particularly early on in the course. You'll still have to learn to understand medical dictation, which is nothing like anything you will have heard before.

There is no advantage to skipping things, anyway. If you're that proficient in the subject, then you won't have to spend much time on it.

You might find MT to be just what you were looking for. I'd encourage you to get the best grounding in it by doing an entire, good course rather than trying to get by with less just because of your background.


Are you truly self-training or
are you doing this in addition to an actual MT course?
training
does that include career step?
Hours / MT training

Has anyone here done at home professions MT course? Is it legit?


Also why do the job posting have set  days and hours MT's have to work. I thought if you worked at home you could pick your own hours? Can someone clarify this for me


Thanks