That's because CS doesn't have an entrance exam, they will take money from anyone
Posted By: Deb on 2008-07-19
In Reply to: I disagree. I've been in a - Ellen
regardless of whether they have a snowball's chance in you-know-where of ever making it as an MT.
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Yes, new MTs have value. Doesn't mean companies should lose money on you, though.
There's an extremely high cost to mentoring/training new MTs. You've come into MT work with the wrong expectations, I think, regardless of where you got your direction.
Physical Exam
Does anyone know of any good sites (or books that are not too pricey) that describe the steps of a PE? I have found bits and pieces here and there, but nothing that puts it all together. I type for orthos and sometimes they lose me on the provocative testing words. I am mainly looking for PE samples/explanations for things like: knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle. I have a reference sheet that states their normals, but sometimes they do a test that isn't on the sheet and of course that is when they mumble and I just can't hear it properly. I think it would be helfpful for me to be able to picture the steps of the exam as they are dictating them.
Thanks for any ideas!
She is wrong--- you cannot even take the CMT exam -sm
until you have 2 years experience first of all, and yes it is through AAMT - they use an independent company that has offices all over the U.S. to give the test. No community college can offer it either, and it costs a lot more than $150 to take; AAMT member can take it for less, and non-members pay a bit more (~$300 or so), not sure of the exact prices but you can go to the AAMT website and they lay it all out, requirements, prices, etc. This is the ONLY CMT exam in existence. All you get in a course is a "certificate" for completing the MT course you took, it is NOT the same thing. You need to straighten your friend out, any company will know she is lying (however unintentionally) about being a CMT if she has no job experience.
What CMT exam? What college are you attending? (sm)
What CMT exam would this be? What organization sponsors it?
Yes, there are a number of groups offering "certification" exams, but there is only ONE recognized exam, and that is the CMT exam offered by the AAMT.
Somebody pops up monthly, it seems, offering some half-baked "exam" or other. Nobody recognizes them.
You can take them if you want, but they are a waste of your time and money. Most of them are only a means to get you to shell out money for the test, for the alleged "certification," and for continuing education units in the years after. And it's all a complete WASTE.
This is almost as big a scam in MT as crummy schools.
Please do your homework and find out exactly what this is before you spend money on it.
If it is not the AAMT exam, it is not recognized by anyone. And if it is the AAMT exam, you can't take it anyway because you don't have 2 years of experience.
Don't think that taking a different exam is going to help you get a job, because it won't. If you pass it and claim to be certified, employers will assume that you are misrepresenting your credentials and they won't hire you.
flunked my 1st employment exam
I just took my first employment exam ever with Transolutions. I really wanted that job because it seemed like the best company that still takes dialup. I live near the edge of nowhere and we don't get DSL. You have to have a 96 to pass the test, and I got a 93.9%. I am so bummed. Anybody else ever flunk one of these? Any tips on how to improve? Any job leads?
Is it worth taking the RMT exam?
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.
How can you sit for the CMT exam without the 2 years' experience required?
.
Unfortunately, you need 2 years' work experience to take the CMT exam. NM
x
I doubt its "the CMT exam" which AAMT has some organization
the test you are referring to is probabky your final exam there at the school and you will receive a "certificate" for MT, not the same thing. Also it cost $300 or so and you must have a minimum of 2 years experience working as a MT before you are even allowed to take the test. Go to the AAMT web site and look up the test certification requirements.
My final exam was all but ' simple, easy, clear
transcription. It was 70 pages long, 98% accuracy, the audio was mediocre. It was a good school, but not M-Tec or Andrews.
Um, no. Actually, it doesn't.
In any event, the OP knows what MTSO means. She wants to know how to find one. This was in the message.
So what? That doesn't mean we have to be members. I'd
rather not be involved in an association at all than a two faced one like AAMT.
So you got lucky. Doesn't mean everyone will. nm
x
...or maybe even a 3rd if the different formatting doesn't
s
Thank you. It doesn't hurt to
.
It really isn't a very good course and doesn't
prepare you enough to get a job. Most who take it have difficulty passng testing with companies and end spending more $$ to take another course of a mentoring program.
That doesn't sound bad at all (see msg)
What I have seen for new MTs is about 500-600 lpd for the first couple-few months.
I work an 8-hour shift with a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks (I'm an employee). I start getting slower around midshift or a bit after that point. I have found it very helpful to have a timer on my desk and take a break when it goes off, whether it be my 15-minute break or a 5-minute one to stand up and stretch. I usually have my timer set at 2 hours. It's a pretty nifty digital timer that has hours/minutes and minutes/seconds (your choice) so you can set it for more than 90 minutes, although 90 minutes might be good for you since you're still new.
We don't request work at my company; it's already there and as soon as I submit a job I grab another one which helps me stay focused and not want to take a break.
I don't know if I was helpful in any way, but don't fret about speed; it will come with time.
AHP doesn't have a very good reputation. SM
I have heard from many MTs who have a VERY hard time finding a job because major companies will not usually accept a newbie from that program. Some smaller MTSOs or offices might, but why make things more difficult? I recommend checking out Andrews, MTEC, or CareerStep. I have no bias towards any of them, just have heard good things about those 3.
CS doesn't even supply you with real
reference materials, except for the dictionary and drug book. All other books were written by the owner, who was trained by her mother, who taught herself.
I would rather have had real instructors instead of an "automatic grader" and real books instead of "home made" ones.
Form doesn't matter. I just do
it all is the usual format, headings capped and then just type. I make paragraphs if needed. Be sure and check for grammar (see your original post) because bad grammar will surely count against you, probably even more than a blank will. Just do the best you can with what you have to work with. If you don't pass it will at least have given you some experience and you have an idea of what to expect on the next one.
It doesn't sound familiar and
I don't see it in my Stedman's ENT book.
Sorry.
Sounds like my DH, doesn't care that he - sm
is leaving behind a wife and 2 kids(me and our children)---and I presume you have at least 1 child from your name. I hope you had life insurance already in place since no one will undoubtly touch him now. ---Good luck in your new job.
Andrews doesn't grade that way
The "high honors" bit doesn't apply to Andrews. They don't grade that way. It isn't just their top students who get jobs, but every graduate.
They begin the first day coaching you to achieve work that is good enough to be marketable. Their students go for 98% accuracy. Any time a student has trouble getting there, they do extra dictation to improve. The instructors work with them on this. Andrews doesn't use computers to grade or just sit students down with answer keys and expect them to grade themselves.
Andrews works with students until they are ready to graduate. When an Andrews student graduates, they are able to do work good enough to get a job with a national.
There isn't any make-or-break final at Andrews, either. Their students know exactly where they stand from the beginning, so there are no surprises at the end.
I so agree! Doesn't matter to me what school...sm
what matters is how you do on grammar and such and then the test files. I can spot a good Transcriptionist a mile away and it has nothing to do with the school listed on her resume.
Um. What? Your message doesn't make any sense.
Why should any MTSO be expected to hire someone who is clearly unqualified. Why should someone who broadcasts his or her poor skills in the initial contact be given "equal opportunity" with someone who really is qualified? It takes time and money to test and set up a new MT for work. That's time away from earning and money out of the MTSO's pocket. You think she should give that clearly unqualified and incompetent applicant a job? Why? It's not going to work out, as any experienced MTSO can tell you. You can tell from the initial contact when you've got someone who will not be able to do the work, no matter how much you try to help her or how many chances you give. It's not a matter of just being new, it's a matter of wheter the applicant is qualified, regardless of level of experience. New people with good skills will know enough not to make egregious errors in their communication with potential employers. Those people get hired. Those newbies get the opportunities. They deserve to get the opportunities because they can do the job. The unqualified, poorly trained newbies make their incompetence clear very early on, and MTSOs have learned to identify and eliminate them "right off the bat" (or bet, or whatever you think it is). Get down off your high horse and understand the needs of the person doing the hiring. Your message makes it clear you know nothing about the MT business or how to run any business. No one deserves a job just because he or she wants one. An applicant is going to have to show some potential before an MTSO is going to take a chance and make a job offer.
Doesn't work in Word XP (2000)
Dern it lol. I was told this answer a long time ago and was so greatful to finally have it, but have lost it..literally!
Well now I'm confused. She doesn't even make sense. nm
x
I'm an employer and I say it doesn't matter where you go to school.
I'm impressed by an applicant who shows the ability to follow directions, troubleshoot and stick-to-it-ness. I have seen crap come out of the big three and I have seen crap come out of community colleges and matchbook schools. I have seen superb MT's come out of community colleges and I dare say matchbook schools. As a matter of fact, I didn't even go to school. I was a paramedic and just applied for a job typing x-rays. So I say it matters more what your natural abilities are. If you a linguist and type like the dickens, and know the medical field, you don't even have to go to school. 
I'm saying a certificate doesn't sway me either way. Performance does. nm
It still doesn't sound like you're getting the point
It would be great if we could just do our job, but when you're thrown into a national workpool where some MTs are getting 45 different clients with 45 different client profiles to try and keep straight on any given shift, that's next to impossible. I don't think any of the MTs want to be nurtured, but some simple respect would be a step in the right direction.
What else do you want to know? Some of the service areas have gone through numerous production supervisors in a short amount of time so that an MT may never know who they are supposed to report to or direct questions to, especially if a PS doesn't answer e-mails. (I am fortunate in that I have a PS who is very good with communication).
Add to the national work pool the fact that daily bonuses that a lot of the MTs depended on as part of their pay were done away with and with very little notice . This was replaced with a quarterly bonus, the formula of which is so convoluted and confusing, I have no idea how it's even calculated. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, confuse them with BS, I guess.
This is the "real deal" from where I'm sitting for the next 2 weeks before I go elsewhere.
Exactly. Just because you get a certificate doesn't mean you're certified.
.
Allied doesn't care if you learn anything OR if you get a job. They just want their $$. nm
x
59 hours doesn't come close to teaching
you even the basics. You could apply to do only ophthalmology. Typing speed isn't that important, but 95% accuracy isn't good enough for most companies. It might be enough to pass their test, but QA usually requires 98+%. You might want to look into a menitoring program.
"approved" by AHDI doesn't mean its great (nm)
TRSI is "approved" and they are a terrible school. They ignore students, they don't teach you anything, and I wasted my money there. I'm at Medline now and its a great school, yet both are "approved," so just because a school is approved doesn't mean its the best. Its how the school treats the student, I have learned. Jeni.
Why doesn't someone give some good reports on other schools
One person on this board constantly rips the so-called Big 3. Instead of doing that, why doesn't she bring some good facts forward about her own school. That would be more productive.
Newbie from here was earning 3 cpl with them in January. Much too low! And your first check doesn
s
If you file jointly it doesn't matter who paid for them, it all comes
from the same pot anyway.
You don't need the medical education for GT but that doesn't make it easier
"General" covers a lot, some of it is easier, some of it is a nightmare - just like MT.
Doesn't land her a check when she sends potentia students away
Private schools have the luxury of not having to enroll people when they know they can't do the work. Public schools do. Private school managers, owners, or directors can be honest with you and tell if you if they don't think you can type or spell well enough and would be wasting their time and your money.
Money
What are the chances of making $35K yearly and still having your wits? That is really what I am concerned with. I live in South Florida and am considering this profession. I would like to make enough to supplement husband's income of $85K. However, I don't want to be so stressed out that I can't enjoy life, either. Is there a happy medium here?
money
Those are good ideas.
Its not that I don't have the money, I just have a hard time spending large amounts. I can fritter away $100 here and there at Target and Walmart, but, phew, a $1500 check is hard to write.
We actually have enough money in savings, IRAs and investments to live at our current standard for at least 18 months without either of us working. Not that I would want to do that, but it could be done. So, its not that I don't have the money, its just a matter of spending it. I'm sure you can tell that since we have almost 2 years of living expenses saved up in the bank (and we have about 30-35 yrs to go til retirement), we are kind of tight with spending money.
Thanks for the suggestions though. I do need to have a Yard Sale, as much to get rid of stuff as to get some cash on hand. I have a pile of childrens' clothes to take to the resale shop for some cash too.
Where is the money at?
I was wondering...do MTs make better money working for someone or having a business of there own? Just wondering. I realize being new I will not have my own business for a couple of years but will I be able to make a "living" until then?
Big name=big money when you-sm
can get the same elsewhere at much lower prices. This board and its members often advocate only three schools that charge more than the others and don't offer a lot more. Most companies don't even know these names and could care less as long as you have a certificate and are certified. If you look into these higher priced courses, the only thing different is that they might use the more expensive transcription tapes, that's about it. These courses, all of them, are basically taught by sending you a few books then it's up to you as an individual to make it work. You will see members of the big three schools advertising their wares left and right here and everywhere they see someone looking. They are out to make a catch, so don't be fooled by the nonsense you here about their grads being the only ones being hired out of school. That's total bull and being said their by their little advertising cheerleaders, as well as the owners themselves who have no pride or too much. They order a bunch of books, sell them to you at twice the price and sit back and rake in the profits.
The money isn't what it used to be, and
job security isn't what it used to be.
It might still be a good career for somebody who is especially suited to it. That is, someone who has outstanding skills in written English and has the time and money to to to one of the best schools (Andrews and M-Tec are two two IMO, and cost about $4000. Some people have reported it took them 9 months to graduate, just to give you an idea). He or she must be interested in constantly researching new things and learning every day. You need a great work ethic, especially if you end up working at home. It isn't easy to sit at a computer at home working when there are so many things at home calling for your attention. You need to be able to invest in books/CDs, computers, and equipment when necessary. There are many factors to consider. You should go to Monster.com. I think you can take little tests there to see what kind of work you are suited to. You'll be happier in your work if you choose something you will be good at.
No money for us
Simple....corporate greed. Make more money sending work abroad. It'll turn around, may take a while but once the first big law-suit happens, it'll turn around.
Wow, this busy message board and no one has a response? Doesn't matter anyway, I've already s
nm
I never said she owed me any money.
nm
Before you spend your money -
Do tons more research before you spend your money, please! I went to MTEC, graduated in 9 months, and have been working from home for more than 8 years now doing acute care. I had recruiters banging down my door to test and was offered positions after every test I took. The little medical backround you already have is nowhere near enough to be an MT, so get a SOLID education so you will not come back here at the end begging for someone to hire you for 2 cents a line. Best of luck! 
Your money would be better spent on
coding and billing. The MT profession is making less and less and having to work more and more. A new MT has a hard time finding a job. As far as boredom, it is what it is. If you find sitting for hours with headphones while mumbling baboons try to put a report together entertaining, than this job is for you. If not, select something different. The top schools is where you want to go if you decide, but again, if I could start my career (been in this for 20 years), I'd go with the billing/coding. It can be done onsite or at home, and all practices need these people to bring in the dough. You'll make more money at it anyway especially since new MTs make next to nothing.
My living is a fair wage for the time and effort, but the effort is from having many, many years of experience. A new MT will have to look a lot of words up which takes time away from production.
Good luck whatever you decide.
P/S: EMR will be mandated probably by the year 2015, so if you're young and smart, you'll choose another profession. I hate to be that way but it's the truth.
If I were you, I'd want my money back from whatever MT course you took.
If you've had any decent MT training at all, this shouldn't have been any problem for you.
Don't waste your money. It's ridiculous
to think that you'll get an education for $12.00 or $50.00.
If you are going to invest money in something, invest it in some legitimate tapes at Medword or HPI.
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