Thank you for finally telling the truth about this field!
Posted By: momsidelines on 2005-10-19
In Reply to: The problem is with what the schools are telling you - sm - MTowner
I have applied to two hospitals that are looking for a radiology transcriptionist. They are both paid by the hour and offer daycare which means that my son will only have to do daycare for 3 hours a day with my husbands help. I am just sad though that I won't be able to spend as much time with my son. I hope that someday I will be able to take home the work. They are interviewing in two weeks so wish me luck! Thank you so much for finally telling the truth to what this field of work is really like!!!
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
You know what? Nobody needs to be ashamed for telling the truth
If someone thinks one of the "Big 2 or 3" schools did a good job for them, there's not a reason in the world why they shouldn't say so. This idea that only those schools' supporters should be silenced is inappropriate. At the same time, other schools' graduates should do the same.
Just telling the truth. Many of their graduates
come here and say the same thing. Their program stinks. Any company that advertises on matchbooks and TV you really have to wonder how good they are. You never hear of M-Tec or Andrews advertising.
Who said I HATE this field? I LOVE this field but
also see the changes coming down the pike. Also feel it is not fair to withhold or misrepresent that part of the equation to someone who is considering entering MT or just starting out. Knowledge is power. It would take years for a new MT to have the kind of insight into this field that a 20+ year experience lends. Believe me, I would be only too happy to keep running my MTSO, making $75,000+ year while working 20 hours a week, paying my MT's well, but it's not going to happen. Try reading "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman if you want a perspective of what's going to happen to not only MT work but a lot of great white collar jobs. India and the rest of the world are breathing down our necks and in the next decade will be serious competitors for American jobs. There will be no "american" jobs - we will be competing against the rest of the world for jobs.
Friedman states: "The convergence of 'flatteners' has created a whole new platform. It is a global, Web-enabled platform for multiple forms of collaboration. This platform enables individuals, groups, companies and universities anywhere in the world to collaborate...this platform operates without regard to geography, distance, time, and, in the near future, even language. Going forward, this platform is going to be at the center of everything...wealth and power will flow to those who get these basic things right...the infrastructure to connect with the platform and the education to get more of their people working on the platform.
Please wake up and look beyond our box.
Finally figured it out.
I just use Universal start/stop and Windows Media Player. I think I finally figured it out. I had to change my iPod set up to manual and last night when I downloaded something else, it didn't end up in my library.
How do you use a foot pedal with Express Scribe?
Take the outside experience. Will be invaluable for when you finally can work
s
I have finally graduated and accepted a position! I'm so excited!
For all of you still in school, don't give up! Get stubborn, work hard, and it will happen! Good Luck to all!!
Not telling you, you are a whiner....sm
So sorry, I had posted elsewhere and forgot to remove the name and say YOUR POST IS CORRECT about not capitalizing medical transcriptionist........
sorry, tired - worked all day and still working for private MDs.........
The problem is with what the schools are telling you - sm
I have had some problems with the way the schools have been telling new transcriptionists "when you are done with this course, you are going to get a job making $35,000/year." or "You will be hired right after you complete this course." Or "You can work at home right away - no need to work at a hospital."
These are horrible statements to make to students. I cannot tell you the countless COUNTLESS times I have heard hospitals say that they would hire new students, but they have to work onsite until fully trained (which is usually 6 months to a year), and the new graduates tell the hospital "oh no, I was told I could make $35,000 at home and wouldn't need to work in a hospital. I can work at home."
This job is harder than you think. Try being at home with a computer and a dictation system that you may not be familiar with, doctors in another state dictating 100 miles an hour and you have no one to ask. So you put your report in pending for QA to review. After a month of this, QA gets sick of reviewing the new transcriptionist's work and often starts to take $$ away from them. Is this fair? No, but that is the way it is usually done.
Or think about this - you're a newly graduated Transcriptionist and you get a job with someone like Medquist or OSi or any one of them. You sit at your home computer for 8-9 hours, barely get up from it, only to find out that you made $58.00 at the end of your day because the doctors dictated words you have never heard before and never learned in school, or the doctor dictated 100 miles an hour because this is something he says all the time.
Going onsite will help you tremendously. There are people around to help you and guide you. In the long run, you will be much better off after six months to a year of onsite work.
Truth is toxic?
x
The truth about MTing. sm
You are the only one who can decide this. What you need to know: You must have an excellent background in grammar and spelling. Otherwise, forget it.
You must be able to set goals for yourself and meet them. This is not a field for "part-time" people to break into. You can work part time, but you will need to really put the time, effort and concentration in until you know the business. It was the hardest training I ever did, and I have 3 college degrees.
It does take 3-5 years to get comfortable with this field. If you are looking for something that will start making you money in 6-12 months, forget it. You will just have started. The money is there for those that do the work, realistically $12-18 an hour for the average MT. Sometimes when I start a new account, I'm lucky to make $8-10 an hour for the first several months. Do not be fooled by the "make $25 in your spare time ads," they are scams. A few exceptional people make that money or more, but most of us make a decent living, $25K - 35K a year.
If you are looking at a training program, be sure you get into one of the really reputable programs that can place you after graduation. (I only know of 3 of them although there may be several others. The rest give you a certificate and you're on your own; you're lucky to get a job.)
Yes, many of the companies are going off shore. Fortunately, there are still companies that insist on American quality. I have 18 years experience, including 10 years in-hospital. I can send out 2 resumes and get a job, but that's a lot of experience. Also, I no longer make the $24 an hour I did in hospital. I adjusted.
If you have the qualifications and you are willing to put in at least 3 years of dedicated training, then it's still a decent field, and I think it will be for years to come. But if you want a quick, stable income fast, I would look elsewhere. Just my opinion.
Truth about MT jobs
Your are so right. I have done this for 19 years, but had to take off the last 2 years. I have been back transcribing for the last 5 months. I now can truly say that I regret ever going into this field. It is ridiculous what they pay now. It is insulting and impossible to make a consistent living doing this anymore. I make less than I did over 10 years ago. Eight cents a line is ridiculous, but anyone that takes anything less than that is insane. You will not get ahead doing that and never benefit from this job, working for a service. Im sorry, it is truly sad what has happened to his occupation. Very sad, and will get sadder..... unfortunately
You can "believe" all you want but there is such a thing as truth. sm
Medical transcription is not relative and you won't get a job because you "believe" you will. It takes a lot of hard work. As the other posters have said, you need basic English skills and they're not coming through on your posts.
Well, sugar-coating the truth isn't
much help though, is it? It doesn't matter if you can type 100 wpm if you lack the necessary English grammar, spelling or punctuation, true? You still can't pass tests with picky companies.
Quit telling people they HAVE TO GRADUATE FROM ANDREWS (sm)
to get a freaking job in this field. I didn't go to any overpriced overrated schools, I have my own accounts and I make well over $40K a year. I have plenty of work (too much in fact) and I am so sick and tired of you people saying the only schools that are qualified are Andrews or M-Tech.
If you want to work for a slave-wage national, sure, then spend your money and get the "good credentials" and see how long it takes you to get your $ back.
However, if you want to succeed, it's possible without being suckered in if you are willing to pound the pavement, sell yourself and do a good job. It is possible. I, for one, am proof of that and frankly I'm sick and tired of all the negativity towards people who didn't go to the coddled 2 schools.
Most smaller MTSOs don't give a flip about where you got your education. We care that you can do the job. Period.
Why are companies telling people they are hired but they need to wait in line for available mentors.
from their company. How long should someone wait? Is it even worth taking the test?
I'd tell you my opinion on the whole MT field, but
I'd be accused of being negative and bitter. LOL Yeah, people get buffaloed into thinking that there is good money to be made doing MT. Evidently, some people do make good money at it. I haven't met any real life person who actually does, though. I've never seen it myself either.
Yes, this is still a good field!
Hey Porr - Welcome! First of all, you have come one of the most negative MT sites on the internet. If you are easily discouraged or depressed, I would advise you NOT to come to this site. I have been an MT for over 30 years and every time I come to this board, I leave so dejected, I wonder if I have wasted my life doing MT. I have finally realized that this board drags me down, so I don't come here very often. The people who do come on here legitimately, come to relieve their frustrations, get advice, vent about work situations, etc.... we are not all this stressed out all the time  But there are a lot of really good people on here, too, and you can get a lot of valuable knowledge, you just have to learn who the "trolls" are and ignore them (easier said than done at times!) The MT world is undergoing a lot of changes these days. A lot of work is being sent offshore and now they have the voice recognition platform that they are working on. The nationals make you feel very unappreciated, but I have worked for doctors, hospitals, clinics and had my own service for a while, and there are a lot of people out there who will appreciate your skills, just not the large nationals. Stay away from them until you are more seasoned, then, if you feel like tackling one of them, I say go for it. They have their negatives, but you will gain valuable knowledge and you will be able to get a job just about anywhere with one of the nationals on your resume.
This is a great field, just keep your nose to the grindstone and stay away from negative websites (). Do not let the comments you read here sway you one way or the other. I find this to be a personally rewarding field to work in. I hope that you do, too! Hang in there and don't give up!
Is this a good field to go into?
Does this line of work have a future? Is it a good field to go into? I welcome your opinions.
PT is an easy field.
i type a PT account from home. Like any other field, you just get used to it and it's easy. I think you should do well. susan
seriously considering the MT field, but I have a few questions!
Hello Everyone! first of all, I want to say thank you for all of the great information I have found so far from these boards. I am very seriously considering being an MT. I currently work full-time as a Transcriptionist in a Psychologist's office and I really enjoy it. However, I believe I would enjoy the medical field more. I have a few questions that I would really appreciate you guys answering...
Can you make a decent living as an MT working for an online company? (i.e. Spheris, Focus or accuscribe?) Currently, I would need to make at least 25k a year to suppliment my husbands income for our family, and I do not mind working full-time.
I believe I am going to being training with CareerStep... will companies like that consider hiring me if I test and score high enough, even without prior MT experience?
Thank you so much for your help!
Maybe the OP should consider another field of employment. NM
x
Getting back in the field
I have a certificate in medical transcription with four years experience working from home; however, I have not worked in five years since quitting to be a full-time mom. Can anyone recommend a great way to back into the field or a refresher course from a reputable company? I would love to do transcription again but don't want to spend a lot of money to do it since I already completed a course a few years back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Getting back in the field
Thank you for the advice. I do need to update my reference materials. The school I attended no longer offers the program and unfortunately the company I worked for is no longer around after my supervisor retired, so I am at somewhat of a disadvantage. Has anyone ever heard of FutureMT? They have one of the least expensive programs on the internet. I'm looking at that one and MedTrans Inc. I hate to repeat a lot of what I know, but may not have a choice at this point.
Getting back in the field
I'll look into this. Thank you!
No, not really. Experience in the field - but not just more education.
x
It was a good field at one time
but I wouldn't go into transcription today.
I learned transcription the old fashioned way - my boss said "come here and let me show you how to transcribe." It turns out I had a knack for it and did very well. For several years I had no problem finding a job. I was often hired on the spot in many places. All hospitals had transcription departments in house, paid well and offered great benefits.
Gradually though more and more work was outsourced. Then one by one, hospitals closed their transcription departments. Now hospital jobs are extremely rare, yet most companies want you to have hospital experience. The jobs that exist now are mostly with agencies that pay you by the line rather than by the hour. No matter how fast you type you can't overcome the little things that interfere with your line count - foreign accents, mumblers, people talking and laughing in the background drowning out the dictation, line noise, phone lines going down, computer problems, servers going down, being switched to new accounts constantly so you can't adjust, etc. When those things happen you don't get paid.
It's very sad because I loved being a transcriptionist. Nowadays it's a completey different job than it was one a I started and one I would not recommend. You don't get compensated enough for what is expected of you.
I would recommend finding something that will pay you by the hour and guarantee you have a job. Best wishes to you and your new baby.
It takes a while to break into the field
and start making a decent living. There are huge differences in companies. You might get paid the same cpl but make much better money with one company over the other. If you keep your eyes open, sometimes you find a really good one. Also be sure you have a good Expander program and keep finding ways to speed up your own typing.
If you do decide to enter this field,
I would visit www.aamt.org and check out their approved schools.
This is a tough field to be in - I have been transcribing for 12 yrs (sm)
I understand your frustration - the best advice I can offer is to try to find a small MTSO to work for - an individual who has maybe 20 or less employees, so that you can develop a good relationship with that person (you have to look around, they are not all great!) That has worked the best for me. I work close to full time now, but when I was part-time (also because of my children) I once worked for a company who gave me a terrible account...no one wanted to type this guy...after a while I had learned that he repeated many phrases again and again and I worked hard to make hundreds of abbreviations for him. I got to the point that I could do his work very quickly and he was very happy with me doing his work so the MTSO kept giving his dictation to me. One day, I did a 30 minute tape from him in an hour and a half....I sent my work in...my boss called and told me that I could not have possibly done that tape that fast. I told her that I had made tons of abbreviations for the doc and that I had actually done the whole thing in an hour and a half. I told her that I liked doing his work now because I had gotten very used to him, being given him every day. Guess what? She never gave me his work again. I guess she kept it for herself? But she wouldn't let me have it back? Why? I don't know but I know that if you try to pick and choose they will almost never let you because someone else might want the same account. I guess what I am saying is you have to play it smart...don't directly ask for an account. There are a lot of small-time supervisors in this world who are power hungry and want to flex what little muscles they have over anyone they get the chance to do so with. I hate having to play the game and wish everyone could just be open and direct and honest, but they aren't. And in this field it really can be very dog eat dog.
Newibies need to earn a place in the MT field, just like everyone else. sm
talk about disrespect - how about wasting someone's time when you can't do the job or don't want to buy the equipment.
Why do people feel they can scam their way into this field?
With inferior educations for cheap and now wanting to lie to get jobs? Whatever happened to working for what you earn and telling the truth? :-(
I have to disagree. I think it's a great field and I make
Or if you're interested in investing 2 years to break into a field that won't be around...
but if you are wanting to get into a field where you can invest some time and money and actually have a job, you better look elsewhere. Seriously. I don't like it either but that's the way it is.
I absolutely agree. I have 4 years' experience, but wouldn't try to enter the field now. nm
nm
|
