Thank you all. I will give it a few more days
Posted By: and possibly another email, then on 2006-03-30
In Reply to: Employment dilemma!!! Experienced MTs, - please help!
I will call them. I still feel really uneasy, but maybe this is just the way it is. I'm too much of a newbie to know any better! Thanks!
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
60 days is too long even for me
/
A Few Days Late?
My Discover Card was billed for the first payment on August 10th. I finally received a dictionary on September 8th - nothing else - no study aids - just a dictionary. I authorized the charges for the foot-pedal and CDs on August 17th. I still have not received them. So after 10 emails and several phone calls, and the 4th week since I paid for the second part of the materials, "a few days" is not an accurate depiction of their shipping practice. As for Carol, she writes short, precursory responses to questions - I'm not quite sure why you're singing her praises over that. I've gotten too many responses from students who have had my experience - not yours. Several said that they never even received the certificate after completing the course. So, good for you - but don't criticize others for telling the truth about their experiences. Last time I looked, there was free speech in this country. The VLC erases grades when someone speaks out.
What hours/days are you available. sm
Please email me with your the above info and where you received your education.
Ha! Some days are less productive
than others. He has times where he plays by himself. We also have a swing. Other times he just sits on my lap and we deal with it. I love nap time! Thankfully, my husband is in school and is home during some of the day to watch him.
Why the gross is 2 days before . . .
You may very well be missing something, and that something is the date the gross exam was done.
If they did not tell you, then you would have no way to know when it occurred.
Here's what happens. A specimen (biopsy, some organ removed at surgery, etc.) arrives in pathology. The pathologist looks at the specimen, describes what he sees, and then slices it up into pieces small enough for processing. That is the "gross exam." He dictates this. It's transcribed with that date.
After the tissue has been processed in the lab and slides prepared, the pathologist looks at the slides. This is the "microscopic exam." He dictates his impression and it is transcribed with THAT date.
In actual practice, you would not know the date of dictation unless you saw it somewhere. It's either on the tape or on the dictation system.
In your example, it looks as though the gross was dictated and transcribed on the 5th, two days before the microscopic was dictated and transcribed on the 7th.
This was a good question. It shows attention to detail, which is a good trait. Rest assured that there is nothing in MT -- no rules, no fancy calculations -- for determining dates of dictation or transcription. You just use whatever the dates actually are, and someone has to tell you what they are in order for you to know.
Redpen
Andrews School
work for MTSO as an IC - days
nm
From my typing school days
I recall learning that a word consists of five characters, spaces, symbols, etc., so it seems to me that they are asking for a 65-character line rate.
and yes, my children go with me to pick up tapes on their off days from MMO...nm
That company that asked you what days/hours
As an independent contractor, a company cannot dictate your days/hours unless they "employ" you. Glad it works for you! However, the IRS does not see it that way. You are providing a service whether it is transcribing or building a brick wall. They can guide you with what tools to use, how they want the job accomplished, and for that matter in regards to time constraints, but they cannot have you punch a time clock. With that said, I also IC for a company that requires 24-hour turnaround, which I am willing to accept as "part of the business". In this business, the vast majority of companies gain these accounts for you and I to work on by providing 24-hour turnaround. Most companies will train you on their equipment if you do not have experience. They will provide samples of reports if you are not meeting QA and also provide input to bring your QA score up to par. I make my own hours in that I will not say to this company, I'll work, for example, 9a-5p, because there may be days when I cannot do that due to the fact that I have other commitments whether it be with my children or with the fact that I have my own accounts that I need to tend to, which quite frankly is not their business to know. You are providing a service, which just happens to be transcription. If this company is getting away with setting your schedule, then you should most definitely be an employee. That is your choice, however, to allow them to dictate that to you. Most companies do not pay, as you already know, for your benefits. Bottom line really is you are a subcontractor. The MTSO is the contractor actually, and then you subcontract for the contractor.  Thank goodness the company I work for knows the difference. 
I started working from home within 2 days of graduation.
I have been with my same company for coming up on 6 years now. I had some tough days in the beginning, but I dug in, learned as much as I could, and made it through the hardest part. In-house may be better for some starting out, but it worked for me being at home as long as I was willing to work hard. Good luck to you. :-)
I find that lots of companies are using ShortHand these days.
They have a 30-day trial.
Don't Give Up!
I graduated in March of 2005, and I thought I would never find a job. I eventually had to take another job to supplement income, but then out of the blue my prayers were answered and I got a job working at home with my kids. So don't give up, it is possible to work out of your home out of school.
No one is going to give you something for nothing.
Life just doesn't work that way. You will need good training to have any reliable prospects, regardless of what line of work you decide to go into. If you want to be an MT, get the best education you can. The better your training, the more options you will have and the better your income will be. There are two schools that are universally recognized by MT employers as turning out job-ready employees: Andrews and M-Tec. With an education from one of those two schools, doors will open for you. Don't waste your money or your time on one of the cheap schools or allow yourself to be taken in by someone who offers to "mentor" or "train" you "for free", then just keeps you working and working for nothing. Andrews or M-Tec, period.
Don't give up
Rainbow...your post goes to show that it is not EASY. Some people think we just sit and type. There is so much more involved. The only way to get the hard words is through experience. If you try using Stedman's Smartype the words come up if you can get the first few letters. It helps a lot.
Hang in there.
Don't give up...
I also took the PCDI course. What a waste of money! However, before I even finished the course, I tested with a company and was hired and received a job offer from another company. Both companies were small and local. I think your best bet is to check with local transcription companies, check newspaper classifieds, and check with any MTs in your area. Another MT gave me a list of several small MTSOs in my area that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.
Good luck! You can still find a job even with the education (or lack of) that you got from PCDI.
Don't ever give up!!
I was pregnant when I graduated from my program at the community college. So I waited until I had the baby before I started looking for work. After I had the baby, I started pounding the pavement (or keyboard for that matter). It took me four months, but I finally landed that first job!! I love it!!
Keep looking, you'll find your match when the time is right!!
Don't give up!!
As a new MT, I understand your frustration. It took me 3 months to find a job. I work at home for a local dermatology clinic with 2 wonderful dictators. They hired to me so they could free up the in-house MT to work on insurance stuff. I've been doing all the typing since my 2nd week.
The only advice I can offer is to make sure your resume looks awesome and apply and test everywhere possible.
It will happen for you. Don't give up. We have to prove to everyone that we can do it.
Good luck!!
Don't give up!
I have been in this field for over 7-1/2 years and never have taken a course...my mother has taught me everything and basically I worked for her. I have so many people that want to do this profession, but basically they want people with experience...and that is it. I got into it in 1998 with a BS in Biology and after working as a retail manager...I was lucky. My first on-line job, I cried, even after working with my mother on local accounts for over a year. It is tough. I will even say I lied and told them I had worked for a major hospital in order to get jobs...you do what you have to do and hopefully you can just pull it off. This is the only advice I can give you...and good luck! Also..if you can narrow down your expertize, that is a HUGE help...I personally do ophthalmology, which is truly simple, but not many people out there can do it and that narrows the focus for employers. Find something you really like doing and focus on that subject...Radiology is another good one. :0)
Don't give up!!
I went to community college for my MT degree. I was pregnant when I graduated and waited until I had the baby before I started looking. I had some voice files to practice on to keep my ears in "tune." But once I started looking, I found a job working at home for a local dermatology clinic in about 4 months. I love it and don't really care to work for a national. From what I read on here, there aren't any "good" nationals to work for.
Keep plugging. You'll find your opportunity.
Good luck!!
Don't give up...
Don't give up. I started out without any training at all and never worked in house. I actually had a BS in accounting. I convinced a local doc to let me do his transcribing. Because he was so difficult to understand and it was oncology none of the other transcribers would take him on. Three years later and I have worked for Spheris and now a local hospital. Just remember, don't give up.
Don't give up.
All I can tell you is to keep taking those tests. I too graduated from at home professions. I don't think they adequately prepared me and sadly I have experience doing transcription. I has been years since I was actively working though. Good luck and don't give up. It can take up to 5 months to get a job in this field. You might also want to consider trying local doctor's offices/hospitals where you could work in the offices. I am wishing I would have had the money to take a different course.
Don't give up! If you can, get the BOS II. A lot of SM
schools still teach MT based on the first BOS (AAMT Book of Style), but almost every company tests their applicants based on book #2...there are a lot of differences between the books, so I highly recommend you get a copy of the 2nd edition and study it. (You might already, but if not, that is my suggestion.)
Good luck to you!
Chickadee
just don't give up...sm
You will pick up a lot of negativity on this board.
I got my first MT job last March after searching for approx. 4-5 months. I did not go to one of the "Big 3", I went to my local community college. I wanted to work for a local clinic rather than a national because of all the scam artists there are in the world.
I now work for a dermatology clinic in town and pick up tapes daily. I have 2 kids, 4 and 17 months. They go to mother's morning out, 3 days a week for 3 hours. I cram everything I have to do in that time (errands, workout, etc.). I do the bulk of my work when they are napping. When they get up from naptime, they play while I work. I have up a gate so they are contained while I sit on the other side at my desk and type. If they have a problem, I deal with it. Otherwise, they are happy to play while I type. I type until time to start dinner and if I am not done, I finish up after they go to bed at night. I feel that I am more than able to concentrate with 2 small children in the room and do not feel that my work suffers because of it.
If you want to work at home, you can. It is up to you to find what works for you and make it happen. Just don't let anyone on this board make you doubt yourself and your abilities.
Keep plugging and good luck!!
Do not give up!
Doesn't your school have a list of companies where you can apply? You could also post your resume on various forums. There are also lists of companies on the web, and you might have to send out many resumes. You will have to be persistent, though.
Don't give up....sm
I don't even remember how long I searched for a job. It was a lot longer than 2 months though. I took test after test and no job offer. Don't throw in the towel. Go to mtdaily.com and look under MT comapanies on there and it has 30-something pages of companies in all states. Go down the list. That is how I got a job. Finally one of them gave me a chance. The company is no longer here because the owner passed away but that is what I done. I said the same thing how do I get experience if no one will hire me? Finally someone will. I sent close to 40 resumes to companies.
Do not give up
I am also a newbie. I finished school in October and was just offered 2 jobs last week. I convinced someone who did not want to train me that I would do a good job and the same day I was offered a job with a mentor. I started my job last night and feel that I will really learn a lot.
I sent my resume to everyone. I did not send if it said no new grads but if not it was fair game for me. I tested with several companies, which is good practice.
I feel that it is a learning process and you have to start somewhere. If you need to make less money for a while to get experience there is nothing wrong with that.
I know that Medivoxx will hire new grads if you pass their test.
Good luck!
About 20,000 give or take - (nm)
xx
I give up - how many? nm
Don't give up
Don't give up hope on working from home. I took countless tests online for 7 months. I just passed one. Just keep trying, the tests you fail will help you to eventually pass one. Good luck!!!
Won't give up!
Well, at least I'm not alone! You know, I got discouraged for about a day or so. But this course has taught me something, when all seems hopeless, keep plugging away and you will arrive and succeed. That is the way I am looking at this. I've come this far and I'm going to finish and do something with this. I think we both need to remember that there is more negativity out there than not, so I know we're going to go somewhere with this. Hang in there!
Don't give up!
I know it is so hard to find experience when you have just graduated. I spent over 6 months looking for a position. I eventually had the good advice to do the following:
1. Look at local transcription companies. Smaller companies are often more willing to hire someone with less experience.
2. Call your local doctors office. If anything, you are at least getting your name out there.
3. Offer yourself as an intern/overflow worker. Maybe one of the doctors will be willing to hire you when their Transcriptionist calls in sick.
The above are great ways to get your foot in the door, but you want to proceed catiously. If you know anyone who works at a local office, find out the situation. You don't want to irritate anyone in the process of trying to find a job.
It takes time, and it can be a trying experience, but eventually you'll get something.
Neither one of you should give up yet.
It definitely is harder to get a job when you finish a course like At-Home Professions, but people have done it. The grad who got the job so quickly probably attended Andrews School or M-TEC. They are much more expensive, but they are much better schools, and the people hiring MTs know this. Unfortunately places like AHP just want your money and don't really give a crap if you get a job or not.
If you really want to be an MT, don't give up. Test anywhere that will let you test. Point out that you are hard-working, honest, and dependable (I assume that you are). Of course I don't guarantee that you'll find a job, but I'd really hate to see you give up!
Cyndi- How do you know you've passed the test if you haven't heard back from the companies?
don't give up
Don't give up. I graduated from AHP too and I have been doing this for about 5 years now. My first job was typing legal and then I slowly crossed over to medical. I couldn't get hired at first either, but I didn't give up. I send out resumes to everyone and took everyones tests and finally it happened. I live in Michigan too and I tried sending flyers to doctor's offices but ended up doing the working from home through a main company since most hospitals go through them now. Best of luck to you.
Never give up!!!
"The grad who got the job so quickly probably attended Andrews School or M-TEC. They are much more expensive, but they are much better schools, and the people hiring MTs know this. Unfortunately places like AHP just want your money and don't really give a crap if you get a job or not." (quoted)
I do not usually post here, but I do read occasionally. I felt the need to reply to this post because I continuously read about no one will be able to get a job unless they go to one of the "top 3" schools. Another poster wondered why more graduates that were able to find jobs did not post such. Well, I am here to give that little bit of hope and inspiration to these grads that are not able to find work. NEVER GIVE UP :)
With that being said, I did NOT go to one of the "top 3." I attended VLC (go ahead and slam me; it makes no difference. :) I am a big girl and can take it. I not only found one job, but two; one being BEFORE I even did my finals, and the other shortly thereafter. One is doing acute care AT HOME and the other is for clinic work, also at home, and let me add that the latter PREFERS VLC grads over the "top 3." I feel my training was more than adequate to be able to work at home, although this may not be the case for everyone. I feel it all depends on how much work and dedication one is willing to put in. This is hard work ... period.
Nonetheless, to all you new grads out there, never give up. Work hard, be determined, and you WILL find that chance. Best wishes to you all!!
everyone wants experience but no one wants to give
us that experience. Anyone else frustrated at this? There are no local MT jobs in my area and the closest city is 45-50 miles away which I can't do. Any suggestions on someone who is willing to give experience????
Can you please give a link or something
x
Should you give SS# when applying?
X
Definitely don't give up, but keep practicing while you are looking.
Not a newbie!
What would give you that impression?
/
There are plenty, just keep trying and don't give up!
x
Do not give up Lisa.
Hang in there. Do not give up because some people are just jeolous and do not want to face their insecurities and would rather tear other people down to gain some self-assurance. There is more to life than that. Take care and God Bless in whatever you decide.
give yourself a break and...
hang in there. You just started last week? Oh... then plan to give it at least a month or so before you start being too hard on yourself. I remember having total meltdowns in the beginning and wondering why I was even trying. I spent all day and night trying to get the work done. I got a new account recently and had to learn my first ESL Dr... At first, I felt like giving up, but after a few weeks, it got so much better. I think anyone can relate to how you feel. Dont give up, at least not yet!
Dont give up...
I might add I did eventually get a job I have been with for 8 months now so don't give up.
Give Her A Break
All she asked for was a good school that is affordable. For you to imply that she cannot go to school and raise a family is uncalled for.
The negativity on this board is so disappointing. I thought this was a board to help out prospective/new students, not a board to that discourages someone from a new career.
Lisa - I currently attend Career Step and I am fully enjoying it. Good luck.
Don't hit and run- give us some insight
You must be an authority on this from your post. I'm willing to learn. Please inform us what I said was wrong and give the correct information. It does no good to hit and run and provide no substance. We are here to share, but we are not all perfectly correct. We could use your guidance. I love to learn- help me out. My information came from people I trusted, but it could be wrong.
As I stated, I started out as a business major then worked for a large healthcare company. I became an MT later. I was lucky enough to have met many of the original founders of the AAMT because I lived in central CA and they came in on seminars, etc.
Provide help to the newbies. Your post is only worth what you impart. Share something interesting. Let's keep it lively and informative. Don't make any mistakes!!! :)
Would like to give transcription another chance
Hello,
My name is Cathy and I did medical transcription in the past, but they kept on switching accounts everytime I got to the point of making more money. To say the least, I have been very discouraged. I would love to find someone to work for again and give this a try.
oh lordy......give it a break already...nobody...sm
believes you.....ROFL...
Shorthand will give you a free 30
day trial to try it out. After 30 days, if you choose to buy it, it'll cost about $100.00. It's pretty good.
Good luck.
I'll give you a figure....
If you are working full time, to be on the safe side I would not expect to do more than 800 lines per day to begin with. You may get up to 1,000 after a period of time, say 3-6 months...maybe. As far as average length of dictation, there is no such thing. A VERY general ratio is 4:1 (4 minutes transcribing/proofing 1 minute of dictation), and that is after some experience. HTH
I think the MTSO probably does give equal chances
Accepts the people who demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of use of proper grammar and rejects those who don't. She probably feels sorry for those who do not understand this and appreciates those who do.
She didn't get where she is by starting out with a lack of common sense. That's something you have or you don't. No gray area or inequality about that issue as I see it.
I was a newbie once too. We are were.
Does speech recognition really give you less typing?
TTS, LLC says that you really only have to proofread. Does anyone know if this is true?
|
