What is needed to begin?
Posted By: andrea on 2008-01-05
In Reply to:
Hello. I am new to all of this. In fact, this is my first post. I have not signed up for an MT course as of yet but I have narrowed my choice down to two schools based on my research. I have taken the entry tests for both M-Tec and Andrews. M-TEC gave me a response and I am waiting on the results from Andrews. I have not spoken directly to anyone from either program but I received a very nice e-mail from M-TEC. I have been through both websites with a fine tooth comb and feel that I would be very happy with either one. Other than the educational program itself, what is needed to begin? What are the computer software requirements outside of the ones provided in the courses? Also, is it recommended to have a dedicated computer for this type of work?
Thanks in advance for your time.
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items needed to begin
Hi Andrea! I am a current M-Tec student and I am so impressed. It's a great place to learn! I would recommend getting a good headset, several binders for organization, a printer (if you don't have one already), some highlighters, and a book case for your text books. Eventually you may need a dedicated computer, but for training purposes you should be fine with a shared system. That's what we do here at my house!
Good luck!
Would I qualify and how to begin?
I have an Associates Degree in Medical Secretary/Transcription, 2 years experience as a Medical Secretary in a Med/Surg unit, and about 4 years working in the Veterinary field (I know, not exactly the same thing, but medical terminolgy is still the same).
My question is - Would this be enough experience and education to start a MT career? What is the best route to take and How would I go about starting this career? Can working from home in the MT really be a goal?
Go to a decent school to begin with - sm
I graduated from MTEC more than 8 years ago and had recruiters beating my door down to test me when I graduated. I tested with several of them and had offers from every one of them to begin working immediately. I have been working at home ever since. I have also heard Andrews is good. You never see people from these schools on these boards begging for someone to give them a chance. The education alone opens doors. Best of luck to you! 
Yeah, like who? Name names if this is so. Who would want to work for Spheris to begin with? They
the biggest offshoring national out there. What's the big deal?
This bologna is repeated over and over again with no real proof of any places that hire without testing these grads just like anyone else. So, they have a deal with Spheris, big deal. There are companies much better than Spheris out there that pay better, have better accounts, care about quality and don't offshore our work!
It's all advertising. The students pay for it too, and don't think they don't.
You would cringe at what goes on behind the scenes with these schools.
You say "many" large nationals? What do you consider large? There aren't that many LARGE nationals to begin with, and the ones that are out there aren't worth the time to talk about. Been there, done that!
It is BS. All of it.
What's needed?
What items are needed for working at home. Such as best books to have, word expander, foot pedal and any other items that would benefit a person just starting out.
Where were you when I needed you?
I am glad to hear of your AHDI approved program. I wish you and your future students nothing but success.
God Bless.
Your Help Needed
I am trying to get back into medical transcription after a 10 year break. Looking to work evenings and weekends only -- still want to keep my day job in IT. My previous experience was in Radiation Oncology and Mental Health transcription. What would be the best way to do this?
I have taken a couple of tests and scored really high on the grammar and medical terminology but no offers yet. Any suggestions on what I need to do to upgrade my skills, etc.
Thank you for help and responses. -- DJ
Advice needed
I am seeking advice from the pros...I have been an MT for going on 2 yrs, however I imagine I would still be considered a "newbie". I work for a specialist and was hired with no experience, but I have found that I truly enjoy this work. It appears that I must not be too incompetent at the job, as the doctor I work for has made a concerted effort to keep me here and tells me I am quite efficient at my work. I am looking to begin working from home at some point, and I need some suggestions on where to inquire and/or search. I have enjoyed this work so much and am really looking to broaden my knowledge of it further. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be so very grateful! ~Regards~ Jennwarr
Why copies are needed
At the company I worked for, we had to have copies of the documents for audit purposes and as proof that an employee was legally eligible to work in this country. A copy was kept in the file in office and one was sent to corporate for verification of correct information (spelling of name, numbers, etc). As for filling in the information on the I-9, we would take copies in order to fill in the information when we had time. We hired 70 to 100 people a week and it was much simpler to make a copy of all of them while the new hires were in training than to have to go find them in the center when we got to their paperwork as they all worked different shifts or quit after the first day.
PLEASE HELP! MT Refresher course needed
Does anyone know of a good MT refresher course to suggest? I've taken a couple of preemploymehnt MT tests here lately and did not pass. I feel I've lost my edge by working on a radiology account for a couple of years. I would appreciate any and all ideas. Thank you in advance.
MT mentor needed
Hello-
Saw your post on the MTStars site.
Would like someone with experience to talk to about "breaking in." Am a recent graduate of Allied Medical school. Have heard they have a bad "rep" out in the market place. I worked my anatomy off for a year to get certified with them.
Why is it they is "urgent need" for MT's, yet so hard to find work?
Thanks for time spent on these questions.
From Vermont,
Diane Mortier, RDH
company supplied all you needed???
wow...and which company would this be? i do not mind investing in myself here...and my head is spinning w/ all the various soft-/hardware i see used among MT outfits. i have one place interested in hiring me; they want me to purchase a piece of equipment, which is fine, as far as it goes...and i don't want to end up w/ something i'll never use again if things don't pan out.
in the meantime...back to googling! 
Experience needed for Nationals.sm
I've tried with 2 nationals and quit both. Both needed me because I had PT experience. Once PT work was caught up, then one gave me GYN, which I told her I had no experience in. The second gave me Indian doctors which I never got used to because always a new MD. I was told to create templates, etc., but when the dictation is not clear and the doctor's accent is as thick as mud, how do you overcome it? For now will stick to clinical until I can figure this out, but am wondering how it is done.
Maybe they got burned out and needed a change. Maybe they just
needed to break things up and they teach and transcribe or QA. Not everyone is motivated by money and they would rather do something they enjoy.
Information needed on a company.
Does anyone know anything about this company, DocMed Medical Transcription
Thanks.
Questions, Clarification Needed, Thx!
Hello to the board! Glad I found it. There's a wealth of information here and on the Main Board.
I have a few questions about what I've been researching about MT. Any replies would be appreciated.
1. Is the general feeling among MTs that if a person doesn't do a program thru one of the "Big 3" MT schools, they cannot get hired at all?
2. Or is the feeling among MTs that if the Big 3 schools aren't used, the person can't get hired at a good place?
3. If a student doesn't go thru one of the Big 3, then they can't get hired ANYWHERE and thus can't get that magic "two years' experience?"
I was really burned thru a sonography school. If you don't go thru an accredited program, you simply cannot be hired. Anywhere legit at all. No matter how great your skills are. GOT to have the certification that can only be gained thru an accredited school (can't sit for the test w/o this). I was told the accreditation of the school would be retroactive and cover us (the first students to attend the new program) but that was WRONG. And this was thru a community college!!!
I don't want to go thru a program and then find out that only Andrews, M-Tec, and CS are considered valid for any employment chance.
Many thanks for any help in clearing up the ability to get hired w/o one of the 3 programs mentioned. I find it odd because AHDI "approves" other places as well, not just those 3.
One last question: DOES A STUDENT HAVE TO COMPLETE AN EXTERNSHIP to get hired? Because I live in Podunkville USA so to speak and there is nothing here for 300 miles in any direction...
THANKS!!! 
Nevermind found what I needed for free!
d
Years ago none of us needed training and there were no schools
It's a different world. You need as many skills as you can get. Some of the worst MTs I've ever seen came from other health occupations, RNs particularly although some are good, and yes, even EMTs! I know some EMTs who can't even type, much less spell or proofread. If I needed an EMT though, I would be sure to call for them because I'll bet they were good at that. I hope so!
I felt I had all the support I wanted when I needed it.
However, you need to remember that the course is self-study. You need to be prepared (and I think you are) to work mostly on your own because that is how it will be once you graduate and get a job. I think you will find that you do not need to contact them much, as that is the way their course is designed. Take advantage of the online student group they hold weekly, post on their message boards, and involve yourself. You get out of it what you put in. :-) I think you have the right idea!
I graduated in 9 months and had recruiters banging down my door to test with them. I was working within 2 days of graduation and never looked back. I still enjoy it after 5-1/2 years!
Career Step MT notebooks needed
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I am looking to purchase workbooks from someone who has completed the program. Please contact me with a price of what you would be willing to sell them for. Thanks! 
PattyB |
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Saw a job on the Job Seeker's Board that was an internship, no experience needed
it's farther down towards the bottom
For testing I needed software that I could download free
but I could not get the footpedal to work. Anybody have experience with this? I downloaded Express Scribe to listen to the dictation.
Thanks in advance.
Have experience, but was told I needed a line for the Lanier station they let you use. nm
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