There are new procedures and equipment all the time

• MT Terminology Question - takeabreak
  • Continuing education is required to do this job, you must know terms as well as the providers do. - nm
    • CE - Gerri
    • MT terminology question - queenofkeyboards
  • There are new procedures and equipment all the time - absolutely
  • Gotta know your stuff or you'll have to look up everything you hear. Must - know terminology, anatomy, instruments, etc. nm
  • I really think you do. - MT in MT

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I will be graduating soon and the school I'm with doesn't do placement. What equipment should I have right away (foot pedal, c-phone, ....) to be prepared when I start taking tests? Where exactly is the best place to get the equipment?

Thank you for the help.

I am a newbie, just finishing up school and I have no idea what kind of equipment I should be looking for.  Can someone give me some idea's?  Should I jump into digital?  Thanks 

Couple questions. Is the dictation equipment portable, ie., could I plug it into someone elses computer???? Also, we have to buy our own equipment, or do some schools include it in tuition?

Also, translate per line, into what you make per month and how many hours you're working. If you get a certain amount per line, how many lines do you type in how many hours of work, and what would your pay check be.

Also, I found out that MTEC works with vocational rehab centers across America, SO I can get help with paying for the course!! Yahoo! They may pay for all of it, since I have a disability.

I need a line counting program that can be used on Windows XP.  I am using Microsoft Word.  I also need a good medical dictionary on CD that can be used on Microsoft Word.  I only have a couple of small part-time accounts, but I need these two items. I've looked on the boards and I am just confused as to which ones listed are best.  Please help!!

GC from NC

Thanks.  I have the hard copy Stedman's.  I have an older Stedman's on CD.  But I doubt if it is compatible with Windows XP.  I appreciate your help.

I need advice about the type of digital handheld wav recorders.  I need to get one that I can set up at a Doctors office and I am not sure what to get or even how to set one up.  I need any info on the best ones to use and how to get it up and running.  HELP!!!  I know nothing about that stuff.  I just took courses and they didn't tell me anything about that stuff. If you have any advice I sure would appreciate it. 

use the abbreviations book a lot. 

www.drugs.com or www.rxlist.com for drug references.  I have Dorland's but in 22 years I think I've only used it twice. 

Hi everyone - I graduated from US Career Institute earlier this year.  Since that time I have moved out of state and am new to my area.  I have put together a marketing packet including a letter of introduction, a flyer describing my service, a business card, a reference letter from my school and a coupon for one free report to try my services. 

I have a list of 65 doctors that I will methodically start marketing but what if someone actually gives me an opportunity??  AAK!  I was told to get a Start/Stop pedal as it is the best, but I see that the Infinity USB-1 is much cheaper.  Also should I get a microcasette transcriber too?  Anything else I should have?

Any positive feedback is appreciated.

Getting out of the MT biz and want to sell my word books, spellchecker software, C phone, wav pedal, etc.  Anyone interested please email me.  See inside for list

Stedman's word books:  $16 ea including shipping Psychiatry/Neurology/Neurosurgery 2nd ed

Surgery including Anatomy and Anesthesia

OBGYN 2nd ed

Endocrinology GI & GU 2nd ed and 3rd ed

Pathology & Lab Medicine 2nd ed

Equipment words 3rd ed

Oncology 3rd ed

Orthopaedic & Rehab 4th ed

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary including respiratory 3rd ed

Plastic Sx ENT/Dentistry

Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols 2nd ed

Other books:

Handbook of Commonly Prescribed Drugs 14th ed $5

Mosby's Rapid Reference to Diagnostic & Lab Tests $5

Drake & Drake Pharm Word book 2000 & 2003  $5 ea

American Drug Index 1999 $5

Current Medical Terminology Vera Pyle 7th ed $5

Stedman's SpellChecker for Word 2000, 2002, 2003 $18

ea

Medical Acronyms, Eponyms & Abbreviations 3rd ed $5

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed hardback $15

101 Best Home-Based Buisnesses for Women 2nd ed $5

An at home medical transcription training course - all manuals, text and tapes included.  Contact me for price.

C-phone model 0421 $125 - good working condition

wav pedal $25 - older model uses game pin port, good working condition

Two microcassette transcribers with foot pedal $40 each

through a third party so AMA is no help with getting your money back, although they told you what company to buy it from.  You don't get paid until your work is good enough, but your work is never good enough, so you work and work.  Now I can't figure if they actually have real work and so you're working for free and they are making big bucks, or they don't really have any work and are making their money on ripping you off on the software.  I figure where has got to be some connection to the software company. 

They have many, many complaints still unresolved with the BBB.  They have moved to a different state and changed their name at least once that I know of.   They also represent themselves as very religious. 

keep in mind that if you are applying to a company who is hiring independent contractors, that the IRS definition of employee vs. contractors hinges on three main areas, one of which is how much control the "employer" has over the worker. If the employer is providing equipment to get the job done, the IRS tends to look upon this as more of an employer-employee relationship. So if you are applying for a job that is independent contractor status, remember you are self employed and have to provide your own equipment.

Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status is a hot area of IRS Audits.The IRS, state taxing agencies, as well as the Departments of Labor (which are responsible for Unemployment tax collections) have been stepping-up their audit activities. The purpose of the audit is to misclassify a subcontractor as an employee. The taxing agency can then collect the taxes which "should have been withheld" as well as large fines, penalties and interest. So if you want to be an IC, expect to provide your own equipment.

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??

I work 8 hours per day, 4 days per week, at my job outside my home.  I'm doing transcription on Fridays and what I can fit in on Saturdays and Sundays.  I'm an IC.  I love doing the work, but you really have to discipline yourself to sit there in that chair and do it.  It's very easy to get up and wonder off or take off somewhere and say "oh I'll finish this later.  Before you know it the weekend is gone and you have to hustle to get it done.  Luckily the company I'm working for has a QA person that is the greatest and she knows my schedule and time limit and sends me work accordingly. 

The company I worked for before would send me work all during the week, and I was busting it trying to do that and work during the day too.  It was tough.  Best of luck to you.

My friend made $50,000 last year and has only been doing MT work for 4 years now.  It can be done.  You just have to find the right companies and work hard to get what you want.  She has never worked for any nationals.  She does do IC work for 3 companies right now.  I just graduated and am looking forward to getting my first job. 

Good luck! 

I think most do, but I have heard some do not.  You just get to where you can proof as you go.  I know it seems like you are not very fast right now and that 1200 to 1600 lines a day is completely unreachable, but it is possible.  There is an MT with the company I work for who commits to 2300 lines a day.  I could not do that.  It just takes time to build up your speed and make as many shortcut keys as you can. 

Hello everyone,

I am interested in becoming a part-time MT and thought I would ask anyone willing to respond a few questions.  Though it may make no difference whatsoever, I am about to graduate with a master's degree in education. I am interested in supplementing my current income. I have been researching MT for several months and would really appreciate any feedback. Here are a few questions:

How difficult is it to receive job offers without any formal training like Career Step in MT?

Does anyone know of a place that offers internship or other opportunities where I can obtain practical experience in lieu of formal MT training?

Is it realistic to make the amount of money publicized on many of the training websites without working 12 hours a day?

Thank you for your responses!

a newbie trying to get a job.  We have a number of services not hiring at all right now and one that even just laid people off.  You have a lot of experienced people out there looking and they will always have a leg up on someone with no experience.  As long as the economy is bad and the MTSOs are tightening their belts, it's going to be tough for you to find a job.

I graduated from a local college/vocational school that is not accredited, but they have tried for a few years to get accredited by AHDI. This was not an online course-I went to class several times a week for 12 hours. I graduated at the end of last September. I was in my first trimester of pregnancy, so I was not motivated to do any serious day-to-day hunting until after Thanksgiving. I applied to over 100 national companies and finally got one that had a new account and was ready to hire new MTs at the end of February.

My advice would be to just keep up the hunt. Two of my other classmates also succeeded in finding jobs at home like me with different companies. I actually tried contacting their companies and was told they don't hire newbies.  Baloney!! Just apply to as many places as you can. If you need suggestions for job hunting let me know. There is no real secret besides persistance.

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.

I graduated from U.S. Career Institute in December and have started nursing school.  I did this to work from home part time while in school.  Does anyone know of any jobs out there for part time work. I have been a phlebotomist and CNA for 9 years and have a good medical background.  Thanks for any help that you can give.