Speed comes with practice. A job for newbie
Posted By: me on 2007-01-08
In Reply to: help - diva1sh
with no experience will pay tops 6 cpl, more likely 5 cpl. If you get a job in a local doctor's office/clinic you can expect $8 to $10/hour tops.
There is so much more to MT than typing. You need to know anatomy, terminology, how to research, be able to do different accents, etc.; though if you don't type fast you'll never make a living as an MT.
I took typing in 9th grade and I was horrible. If you had told me I'd make a living typing I would have laughed at you. I now type about 125 wpm.
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- help - diva1sh
- Speed comes with practice. A job for newbie - me
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Practice, practice, practice!! What in particular are you having trouble with?
.
Can you get some different practice tapes?
I learned with the SUM Program and can attest to their ability to train your ears well.
practice materials
has anyone used the practice/study materials listed by a particular ebay vendor? prices are good, and the seller's feedback is terrific.
practice materials
was it from a power-seller w/ a rating of about 1600? i looked at those, too. thought it might be handy for getting my ears back in shape 
Looks like I have some practice ahead of me...
Ok... it's 'get,' not 'bet,' that's supposed to be in my last post. Practice makes perfect. :) And yes, sometimes I do get a little particular!!!
You Will Get Faster With Practice
Ha! I got you beat. My gross typing speed just three weeks ago was 11wpm with tons of errors!
I got a typing program online , downloaded it and started drills for learning the keyboard. I practiced every day for about 2 weeks , but have slacked off a bit. I just did a typing drill earlier this evening and was at 37wpm with 0.46% errors. I know I will improve and get much faster (with accuracy being very important , as well) the more time I spend practicing.
If I can improve I am sure you can , as well. Don't get discouraged and just practice , practice , practice.
Practice files?
Is there an internet source I can find to download 'practice' files, the kind that sounds like a realistic dictation? Because I find my course does NOT prepare me for real-world dictations.
Practice Dictation
I'm looking for free practice dictation in oncology/hematology. I'm coming up with nothing on Google. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've got a job lined up, but I need more practice before I start. TIA for help!
You had a chiropractic practice and..sm
you want to be an MT? Oh my gosh! Let me give you some advice. Open your practice back up. It is so hard to get a good job in MT. Especially for a newbie. It is near impossible. I have 1-1/2 years exp and I can't even get another job because the current one is low of work. I can't tell you a company that would give you a chance. I honestly don't know.
Why don't you go to the chiropractic clinics and give them a flyer or something. You obviously know all the terminology with that specialty and would know it well enough I think to go on your own. That would be my suggestion.
Practice Dictation
I am starting the practice dictation portion of my training. The first examples were someone from the school that I chose doing the dictation and then I moved on to actual doctor reports.
My question: How common is it for doctors to talk like they have a mouthful of marbles? The first one was awful and there was no way I could decipher what he was saying. I had my husband listen to it and he looked at me like WTH?
The practice is on CD ... does that make any difference? Are the files that are received better in clarity?
This is really disheartening. I feel lost and am beginning to wonder if I can even do this.
I loaded the first 20 practice files and about half are understandable. The rest is a just a garbled mess.
Any input is sincerely appreciated.
If you need extra practice typing itself...
goodtyping.com
COOL!
i need sample voice files to practice
I need help. I am a recent graduate and I would like to know what websites offer free sample voice files where I can practice. Thanks
penn foster - questionable practice
I did take a freelance writer's course from penn foster and I found the course not very balanced. There were mainly mutable choice open book questions (for a writer's course?) that were too easy and most of the relevant info I found in other sources.
The other problem with this course was lack of writing for it, lack of practical lessons in the course. The course was designed as a half hearted reporters course that assumed the writer has a college level writing ability. (I had high school level from 17 years ago)
The other problem was lack of professionalism with grading the manuscripts and fuzzy grading system. The Editor (mystery editor-would not disclose who, where or what qualifications the editor had.) was NOT a professional, missed basic mistakes and went out of her way to find mistakes that were not in the script. If she did not care for your story you a poor grade a failed it. (Only 4 manuscripts [test] were required out of 14 test total.
When I called for help, the man on the phone said he could only answer questions from the text book, he could not tell me who graded the manuscript, he said they were sent off campous but would not say where. He then stated, that I would not want to talk to the editor anyways.
I researched the accreditation--which means noithing but they filled out forms and paid a 1,000 dollar or less fee and garentee the MININIMAL standard.
They are a real school, that just moved to Scottsdale AZ by the way, but they operate at a min requirement.
The price is double what the course is really worth, save your money and go to a local college.
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?
re new mt speed
Hi Tomatoe! Remember, most important of all, hang in there. Secondly, if your company is complaining of too many blanks, with you being so new, you may want to find a different company with better mentoring. I've been at this for over 30 yr and there are a lot of variables to MT speed. But quality is way more important anyway; always make that your 1st priority. The best help towards building speed otherwise i can offer is building 'normals'. Try not to have to look up any same thing more than once. Use shortcuts for meds, ie, Tranxene might be trnx. Use shortcuts for phrases, ie, in satisfactory condition might be ins. Later, with some doctors who use the same phrases or same paragraphs or even whole reports, you can build these in your Expander and change any variables. Good luck. You'll do fine!
That simple, easy, clear dictation practice is what the crappy schools use.
Then the person graduates, thinks they know what they're doing, and are totally shocked when they start trying to do REAL MT work. One of many reasons these cheap, crappy, found-out-about-it-on-a-matchbook-cover schools AREN'T recommended.
typing speed
So, what is the required typing speed for someone who is looking hired? Or should I say the minimum.
Your speed is probably fine according to your
email. You would be best to go and apply at some companies with your schooling that you have on hand. You will build speed as you do more work. Quality over quantity, but quantity equals money in this profession since it is production based.
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.
picking up the speed
If you are using an Expander (which I hope you are) I agree with the other posts. Even after 15 years, I still find it helpful to me to put in every possible drug with an abbreviation so I don't have to look up if it is capitalized or generic. Also I do things like: asp8 which spells out aspirin 81 mg, asp3 = aspirin 325 mg, etc. If you know that the drug only is in a certain mg, put the number after it and let it expand the whole thing.
Nobody really cares about speed/wpm, only that you
know your terminology, grammar, punctuation, meds/dosages, etc. If you know your stuff, you'll be fine. :)
Dial-up vs. High Speed
Do all companies require High Speed Internet? I can only get dial-up where I live. Can't find a company that will hire without High Speed though. Any thoughts?
Co. that does not require DSL or high speed???
The little town I live in in Michigan offeres both DSL and high speed internet but not outside the town where I live which is 3.5 miles from town. No verizon internet either offered. Almost all the jobs I have applied for end up requiring DSL or high speed connections and I am having trouble finding any companies to apply for that don't require those. Anyone know of companies I can apply to that don't? I am looking for part-time MT work and am flexible in hours and days that I can work. Thanks for any help that can be offered.
I would not recommend it. Being a speed typist
isn't as important as being accurate, but if you have been typing "for years" and only type 55 wpm an MT course is not going to improve that. MT work can be very stressful. It is difficult for a newbie to get a position and the pay isn't very good even for experienced MTs who can work full-time. My MIL had MS and stress would make her muscles become rigid to the point she had to take some much Valium she was a zombie.
What appeals so far? What's not boring? What gives you the most speed?
s
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?
picking up speed - could use some tips!
Anyone have any tips on how to "pick up the pace" so to speak on
reports? I know I'm still not quite up to par or at least where I want
to be. I even consider myself a decent typist.
I will accept any and all advice. Thank you!
It's not really your speed that matters, it's your accuracy. sm
I have been an MT for over five years and have worked at many different MT jobs. Nobody every asked me, and definitely nobody ever tested to see how fast I typed.
Was there a time limit on the test? Was it a timed typing test, or a transcription test?
Typing speed is no guarantee of success
as an MT. If you haven't had any MT training, you will fail rather spectacularly. Get some training. Get GOOD training, not some matchbook-cover school. Andrews, M-Tec, Career Step--those schools will provide the training that will get you a job. Don't try to cut corners with a cheap school. If you get the right training, and if you have the talent for the job, you will not lack for work.
looking into a typing CD to increase speed before school...
I'm planning on learning online with either M-Tec or CS, but need to wait until January to do so. Meanwhile, I thought it would be wise to do two things: 1. learn my Mac computer inside and out (I only know enough to get around plus alittle extra. This includes Word) 2. increase my typing speed
I recently bought Mavis Beacon typing 16 deluxe (I think that's what it's called) to help w/ typing speed... should arrive soon. Did anyone else do something similar to "ramp up" for MT school? Was there a need? Did it help you? Anything else I could be doing between now and January to get ready to go back to school?! (I'm 44 w/ four teens at home. Been a full time mom, and am alittle "rusty" when it comes to studying! But I'm up to the challenge, and family is very supportive.)
Your grammer seems good, and with your typing speed.....
you should have no problem. Wish you were in California.
Typershark. It is fun and helps with speed/accuracy.
x
Companies that do not require high-speed
FutureNet does not require high-speed access. FutureNet Technologies Corporation
do all schools require a speed test
also,I know it is necessary to type very fast, but is their an actual speed typing test and so many WPM that you have to pass? What I lack some in speed, I make up for by making very few mistakes and when I listen to doctors talk (I have done transcriptions for a lady-in training) I can type twice as fast as when I have to look off of a paper and do a timed test. One school told me it didn't matter how fast you typed--if you could spell and was good at grammer, that mattered. The grammer and proofing and spelling is all very easy to me. Thanks
More important than typing speed I hope
you chose a good school. Doesn't matter how fast you type if you can't get a job because she chose a more "affordable" school that didn't give you the education you need to get a job.
most software applications require high speed. sm
problem with dial up is like using a little pipe to get water into your home. The pipe is too little to allow a big flow. Your program will crawl on dial up. Do a search for wireless internet and your nearest town. I cannot get cable or DSL here but found out there is a tower half mile from my house that is wireless. I didn't know it and they sure didn't tell me. So check around that way. Until you get high speed, most likely you will be unable to work unless you find a place that transfers .wav files from an FTP site.
Never heard of needing a speed test in school, and you certainly won't need
s
NEWBIE HELP!!
Hello,
My name is Diana and I am a new MT, I just graduated from Texas Womens University and PIE with Gatlin Education and I have to find work soon. I have applied to many places but I do not have enough experience, but how can I gain experience when no one will give me a chance? I need any advice I can get. Please help me find work and ANY advice would be beneficial to me. Thank you so much.
Diana Strand
Newbie
Hi mommawolf23. Don't be frustrated. Keep going through those job boards and eventually you will find a place. Good luck.
renauda from Canada
Newbie Help
I have been out of school for about 8 months and I have worked for two different companies. The first job I had, while it gave me experience they had no benefits and they paid me very poorly. But, it gave me the experience I needed to pass a test at for a very good company that has benefits galore. My whole point is that even if you have to take a crappy job at first, do it. It will be worth it. I know that OSi hires newbies. They put you through a program that I have heard good things about.
Newbie pay...
starting at $10.90/hr, 800 lines per day, incentive pay and good benefits. Is this a good offer for in-house transcription job.
Thanks in advance.
RE: Newbie pay
Yes, very good pay in my opinion wherever you are located.
Newbie pay
If it gets your foot in the door and you can swing it, I'd say take it. You didn't say if this is clinic work or hospital, of course.
Newbie
Please let me know of the company that is hiring!
just another newbie
I am so new and I am getting ready to get done with my course and I am even wondering if I will even get hired or looked at. I know I am new. I dont have 2 year experience, but I wouldnt mind getting 2 years experience. Do you know who even hires someone without experience?? I just have what I learned through Allied Business School. Now I dont have the experience but I know if some company would give me a chance I would make then a good employee. Anyone could give me advice I would surely appreciate it.
I am newbie as well, but......
n/m
newbie
Well believe it or not if you go to superpages and pull up a list of physicians in your area, take the time to send a brief letter to them that you are a new transcriber in their area. Even though you may send out 100. You will probably get 10 or 20 responses. That is more than enough work.
A NEWBIE
I am a newbie to MT, not the medical field. I have been in this field for 17yrs. I am taking a course from A-Z Transcription, and I really feel like I am getting a quaility education. You will find there are rude people in every line of work, and like the previous person said, most are perfectionist. I am not, nor do i plan to be and I think the seasoned MT's need to pipe down and help the newbies out and not be so critical, becuase everyone of them were "newbies" at one time.
Just take a lot of what people say with a grain of salt, and do some research on your own, because frankly you will find better info,then getting it from someone else, and avoide being critisized for asking questions, and don't forget why you choose this field. For me, it is to be home with my children. I want to make this job a fun and rewarding one, otherwise I would stay in the rat-race of working in the hospital. Good luck, and if you ever need someone to talk to email me, as I am learning as I'm going too. 
Another Newbie
I know you've all heard this same story over and over but I am a graduate of At-Home Professions and have been looking for work from home for over two months. I've exhausted all possibilities locally and emailed countless resumes. I realize now that I should have done more research before choosing my school. I'm getting very discouraged; it seems like I'll never find that first job. Any suggestions or possibly an experienced Transcriptionist out there who would be willing to mentor me?
newbie
Yes, I've taken many tests and sent out more resumes than I can count with the same results. Many companies did't even respond. Congrats to you for getting two jobs, that's quite an accomplishment for a newbie. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I'll keep trying.
newbie
Is At-Home Professions not a good idea? I am looking into to thier course as we speak, and it seems o.k. I checked them out with the BBB. The payment plan I guess is what has me very interested in them, the other training courses do not have that. Please let me know if there is something I need to know before I enroll.
Thanks
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