Thanks for taking time to answer.

if you go to their forums, you can find that a lot have gotten jobs.  The Career Step course is self-motivated.  You do a lot on your own, but you have a support group to help when you need it.  I have never had a problem w/ getting a reply back when I have needed one.  It is taking me over a year to finish because I work full-time, and I am transcribing for a dentist that I started working for after I started the transcription portion of the course.  Again, you have to be self-motivated, but don't you have to do that with almost everything?

Does passing the RMT exam help you find a job if you have no experience?  I'm wondering if I should try to take this test.

...that offer it, is it acceptable to use reference materials.  I didn't see anywhere on the page that I couldn't.  Just askin'.

laptop isn't quite as easy and I'd recommend you have a professional do it.

There is no difference in working on a laptop versus a desktop.  If there is a problem it may either be an equipment issue, such as the sound card, or a setting issue.  Maybe you need to update drivers or something similar.   I've worked on a laptop exclusively for 6 years. 

are usually able to get jobs without 2 years of experience that is normally required.  Is if worth it?  Do you have small children, a husband, do you want a social life - then no it isn't worth it.  If you just want to do this PT, in addition to a FT job, it might be okay for a short time, but it gets harder and harder to make a living as an MT.  A lot of companies use offshore MTs, they get the good work and the crap gets left for us, or it all goes and we get stuck editing it for pennies and you end up working for minimum wage.  You'll also burn out in a short time trying to do both. 

if there is just you and you don't care to have a life then it would be okay and if you have a knack for it you can make some decent money.  If you are a respiratory tech in a hospital talk to people in your department.  Maybe you can start out doing work-related transcription without having to go to school and you can get a small taste of what it is like to see if you really want to pursue it. 

http://www.lartechinc.com/home.html

Check on Google.Com they have many links to the company you are looking for.

Why don't you call Linda and discuss your concerns with her?  I'm sure she can put them into perspective better than I can, but I'll share that you won't need to use that website in your studies.  Nor do you need to participate in any social activity whatsoever.   In fact, should you wish to be completely invisible to all the other students, you won't have any problem doing so. 

My cyber-office masquerades as a pub, but I won't be teaching you, so you don't have to go there.  Even if I was teaching you, you wouldn't have to go there!  Many of my students interact with me only by email.   

Yes, our board is private.  That is because our students voted to have a private board and because the school administration feels that a private board is best for everyone.   That way, you can speak and participate freely, or not, without worrying about it coming back to haunt you some day. 

What's most important is that you choose the school that makes you feel the most "at home."   You need to be comfortable and happy, and you need to feel that the school meets your needs as far as is possible.   We want you to select the school that you feel is "your" school, and if it's not us, that's ok. 

I have been doing this job part time for 6 months now and absolutely love it. I am looking forward to the day when I can do this full time.  To answer your questions:

1.  There is no reason nor excuse to attach a resume when your prospective employer says to paste it.  When I applied I made sure I read everything and did everything that was asked.... because I wanted the job.

2.  There is no reason nor excuse to apply for a job where you do not have or are not willing to buy the equipment needed to do the job.  I made sure my software and foot pedal were compatible.  If a high speed internet connection is required, and you don't have one, then you can't do the job.

3.  When I applied for positions, I checked, checked and recheched my spelling and grammar to show that I did have a grasp of the English language... because I wanted the job.

4.  I did get the job, and now I rely heavily on the QA corrections that I receive.  I pull my reports to see the errors before I start my shift so I won't do the same mistakes again.  I want to learn the words and phrases of difficult docs, get the account specifics down, and improve my accuracy... because I want to KEEP my job.

This is just good business common sense.  I think feathers were ruffled because of the tone of the post, not the content, although I can certainly understand her frustration.  A MTSO owes a newbie nothing.  A newbie must prove themselves able to do the job, and a good first impression is a big step in doing that.

Just my take on it.

only cap medical Transcriptionist if it is a company name....I am an MTSO with my first name and surname coming before, i.e.,  [My Name Here] Medical Transcription Service

Instead of the traditional straight keyboard, they have a keyboard that is split down the middle so your hands can be at a more natural angle.  Its called an ergonomic keyboard.  I LOVE mine. 

If you go to this URL you will find the exact keyboard that I use. 

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043

Has anyone heard back from "Jen" regarding the internship that her company is offering? If so, please email me with your thoughts and opinions of the offer.

Thanks!

Peggy

Thanks for the push.

I was sitting in the auto shop today, contemplating how I can afford to put the money down when I have all of these expenses this week:  $100 tune up and oil change today, plus $600 for new tires for hubby, guestimate (my own) of $400-800 for 150,000 MI maintenance and fixing of a leaky tranny on my 93 volvo tomorrow, when I realized I CANNOT afford to wait. 

My kids' school is not going to waive my tuition because I haven't gotten off of my butt to go to school and get a job.  My car is not going to miraculously run forever on routine oil changes and tire rotations.  Life is going to get more expensive and I am going to have to work at some point.  Why not do it in a field I love (medicine) in a job that will give me the flexibility I need to work 5am-630, then 830-230, or something like that?  Its either that or work 8-5 as an admin med assistant/receptionist for $8.50/hr and deal with all of the fun stuff that goes along with that.  OR, even worse, work at Starbucks or Walmart because they are the only places that I can work "mommy" hours (ugh hate the term). 

Plus, it seems there are a lot of MTs who have 4 year degrees so I don't think I will feel like my education was wasted because there are plenty of other MTs out there who have the same level or more and love their work as an MT.  But I digress.

This time next year, I can be starting a job as an MT for a national company, but only if I start.

Time to go finish the paperwork and clean the house.

I think I must have posted on the wrong board earlier...I got 55 views, but no responses to the following message..if anyone can help with info, I'd really appreciate it.  I'm sure I had too many questions, but any answers will do just fine. Thx

*************************************************************************************************

Hello,

I am really hoping to get some detailed information about anyone's RECENT experience with TASK as a transcriptionist.  Are you working steadily?  How long does it take to get on board with them -- I returned the contract to them recently with no results yet.  Just a little concerned.  Also, I only found posts here on them from 2003 and 2004 which didn't sound great...how are they handling the growth spurt now? Have the checks been submitted in a more timely manner?  Sorry about all of the questions, but I really want to start working on a full-time basis and want to know who/what companies to contact that will get me started and paid as soon as possible.  Thanks for any help everyone!

Hi all!

Does anyone know anything about Allstate Transcription and the mentoring program through AIM? They are telling me that I would have to take this mentor program and that it would be $99. I am newbie and wanted to see if this is legit or just someone trying to scam me outta $$$$$.....are you hired on there after the mentor program? Someone please.....give me an A!!!

Thanks, Sher

Thanks, Keri, for sharing your experience.  The unsettling thing is that I *do* find myself missing the occasional word--not all the time, but enough to make me feel that I need to be re-listening to the file.  I am always surprised when I've missed a word because I am listening so carefully.  Sometimes I feel like a dog with its head tilted, waiting for the crunch of the family car's wheels in the driveway!  Any advice on how to be a better listener??