You have a great future ahead of you!
Posted By: go newbie! (nm) on 2006-01-23
In Reply to: I have been watching the "NewbieMT" drama-sm - Upset and Disgusted
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Let me just go ahead and ask you straight out then...
What are the start up fees for Proficient Transcription and what do they cover? Be honest now!
Looks like I have some practice ahead of me...
Ok... it's 'get,' not 'bet,' that's supposed to be in my last post. Practice makes perfect. :) And yes, sometimes I do get a little particular!!!
You need to plan ahead and
devise a pattern for creating shortcuts so that they are easy to remember. If you just create random shortcuts with no pattern whenever you encounter a phrase you want to shorten, you will find that you forget the shortcuts for words and phrases that you do not hear or type frequently. It will need to be something meaningful and easy to remember. For example, I try to use the first two letters of each word in a phrase for short phrases, just the first letter of each word for longer phrases, and the first two letters of individual words that occur frequently. You will also need to make sure that the shortcut you create doesn't accidentally spell a real word, which could create complications. It takes some time to create the shortcuts and some more time to get into the habit of remembering and using them, but before long they become second nature.
HARD GETTING FIRST JOB, NO WONDER INDIA IS AHEAD OF US!!!!!
I finally got my first job for 6 cents a line. I found the job myself. Keep looking around and do not give up. I encountered a lot of road blocks. Everyone basically cares out themselves. Sad to say, but the majority of Americans do not care about teamwork, and helping others. That is why India and other countries are ahead of us MTs and many other professions. TEAMWORK 
you are ahead of the game by inquiring in advance
a lot of posts on these boards indicate people might be given false promises about jobs when the graduate. Just scroll down and read some of the posts. It is very sad. There are a few companies that are supposed to be good. I graduated 15 years ago from a business college that is no longer in business. Be careful with the short six week courses. Do not be mistaken, this is a very hard field to get into, but if you can it is very worthwhile. Be persistent but do not get taken by some of these on-line courses. Good Luck!!!
India is hardly ahead of us. I have posted this several times now.
MTs required to do the same amount of work. Do you call that being ahead of us? I don't think so. The only reason there are a lot more Indian MTs, or from other countries for that matter is because it's about a 3 to 1 ratio. Yes, there is a lot of dictation going overseas, but keep in mind that the quality coming back is very poor and requires American editors to clean up the mess, which equals jobs to Americans.
You're already ahead of the pack by knowing that you will not be prepared.
Unfortunately, far too many students coming out of some programs think that they will be prepared and that the experienced transcriptionists here are just trying to rain on their parade, which isn't true. We speak from experience, something those new students don't have, and some of us are in the position to see what kind of students programs turn out.
Trans Am isn't a BAD company, it's a RIP OFF. Don't believe folks? Go ahead and find out.
x
Future of MT?
I worked in the medical field 20 years ago and often had to hire medical transcriptionists. I remember back then that there was a lot of talk about MT being a "dying field." There have been a lot of changes, but there is still lots of work for MTs. I finished MT school last April and had heard talk about MT jobs being hard to get, especially for new MTs. I was offered a job with a large national about 2 weeks before completing my MT program. I can honestly say it was the easiest job I've ever gotten. Yes, there will be changes in the field but I believe that well-trained MTs will be in demand for quite a while to come. There's a lot of negativity on this board but not everyone's experience is negative.
Future of MT
Thanks LK; i needed to hear that. Getting back into this field is something I am hopeful about; and I know I have a challenge ahead. Do you think this type of work will be available for another 15 years?
Future
With all this new technology, do you think that all clerical jobs will be eliminated?
Like MT but fear for the future...sm
you would do well to read the archives THOROUGHLY on this board. It is almost impossible to break into the field. Then go to the offshore concern board and maybe the voice recognition board. IMHO, you would be better off going into being an ultrasound tech or something similar. Me-- I'm enrolled in nursing school.
Future of MT business
EMR/VR is described in previous post. If you do VR you are an MT and an Editor with a pay of 3 to 4 cpl. Not my cup of tea but some people may prefer it. You will see the large outsourcing companies send work out alot more often now to increase their profit margin - ALOT. Therefore you are going to be limited as to how much you can make with them. If you earned $2500 a month full time, there is someone sitting in India or the Philippines just waiting to do your job for an average of $239 a month. Bottom line is that saving $$ will almost always be the deciding factor. To avoid that situation, I have gone to a company that hires U.S. MTs only. That is proudly posted on their web sites and companies who post on MT Stars. You get paid more, there is steady work, and it will not be outsourced. That is not to say that the client will not end up outsourcing as a cost saving measure. Try to support U.S. companies and help them to grow. They are the ones trying their best to protect U.S. jobs, not the AHDI. If it is up to them, in the future the MT positions will probably be cut in half or more by 2015.
As far as satisfying work. If you have an account that you get good on, maximize your potential, and earn up to $20 or more than hour - that is satisfying!! And by the way, there is no way your husband could ever guess what it is like to be an MT. Stressful, yes. Boring, no. The knowledge and technology training you receive are invaluable, as long as you can make money doing it. Not so easy these days, but possible if you don't mind changing companies/clients until you find the right fit.
the future of medical transcription
I don't know what to think! I see postings saying that this field is on its way out, and I see postings from people who are actively pursuing this field. I was really hoping to get into transcription, but I just don't know what to do at this point. Anyone have an opinion?
Is future MT a good school?
I have put out my resume out to a couple of places but because I don't have any training I have been recommended to this school.
Thanks for your input. I love my job but would like to spend time with my baby at home and my husband works shiftwork so I would also like to spend time with him.
Yes, I believe there is a future for MTs who do quality work
You hear a lot of sad stories, but many, not all, of those complaining are just not very good at what they do for a living. That is the main reason why they lose their jobs. It isn't overseas MTs taking their work, it isn't speech recognition, it isn't even electronic medical records. It's the quality of their work. They will never admit it. In fact, they will yell and scream and protest! There are many out there who are doing well and making some good money, and no, it hasn't been going down for everyone. Just remember that there are whiners and complainers in every industry. Medical transcription is no exception.
Looking for honest answers about the future of MT...
I am considering MT (again). I already do some transcription but have never trained for medical.
Many of the posts I've read on different forums are pretty discouraging about the future of this profession.
I am a relatively fast typist (80 wpm, 99% accuracy)and have a pretty good command of spelling and grammar. (I'm sure I could use some improvement.)
I would really like some flexible work from home. I have a child with special needs and don't want to go out to work in an office for ten hours a day.
What is the average pay? Is off shore and voice recognition going to make the profession obsolete in a few years? I hate to invest in training and have it be for nothing down the road. Though, I guess I could look into coding in the future! Maybe there will be more at home jobs in that field down the road.
Many thanks,
Mariah
...now. Might want to apply and get name on a future list
s
Please use the Word board for this in the future.
Thanks.
Future of Medical Transcription due to outsourcing
I am seriously considering Medical Transcription and now wonder if this is the right path to take. I guess there is no way to have absolute certainty, but would like to feel secure about investing time and money in learning the field. I would like to hear from some MT's who are fresh in the field and hear their thoughts. Thanks
You're quite welcome. Feel free to e-mail me in the future :o)
Coding has much more of a future than MT right now. Coding can't be sent out to India and
it requires an active thought process to do it, so it's not likely to be replaced by software. Yet. I bet there's a lot of MT's right now that wish they would have chosen coding...
Great way to put it
Thanks so much for your response. That helped a lot!
I think I am just scared and need to get over it.
Hopefully some day soon I will be stopping by your pub as a Module 1 student. 
great
 yeah, some positive messages for newbies/students!
LOL! Thanks. I did wonder a bit. Have a great
.
great
Awesome, great to hear before I waste my money! Thanks!
I know it's not great, but...
it's a start. I don't expect to become a millionaire overnight, but I didn't expect that when I took the course. I didn't say that the MTSO was sainted, and done nothing wrong. I also won't be dissappointed if my check only adverages about 400.00 a week. I don't have to pay for gas, I get to stay home with my kids, and most of all, I get the experience that I need to find a better job. And to be totally honest, since my husband is dying and can't work, and I have two small children to take care of, right now, anything is better than nothing. I know that all of you are just trying to let me know that I probably will not make as much starting out, and not to get my hopes up. I really appreciate that, but you have to understand my situation to be able to understand why I'm so excited.
I have 0 experience. This is the first company that gave me a chance. I also have an associates degree in business. As soon as I learn the ropes, and get a little experience, I plan on opening my own company. With a little hard work, I can make this job work for a while, and I am willing to do that. No one starts out at the top. I just have to be excited because right now, it's all I've got to keep from giving up all together. Please let me enjoy my happiness for a moment at least. I don't get much of it.
Everyday, I watch my husband die a little, I watch my children grow up without a father, and until now, the four of us lived off of 700.00 a month. Now, maybe I can afford to by them a bag of m&m's if they ask for it.
great
I will definately check out that website. I'm assuming it is adhi.com? And yes spell check is not a bad idea. Is there anything bad about putting medical terms that I commonly have trouble with into my user word list? My school said that spell check is a no-no but it has saved my butt a time or 2. 
that is a great question
One I have been wondering myself.
Thanks for the great advice! nm
Great idea!
Thanks for the tip!
I went to a not-so-great MT school. However,
I supplemented my weak areas with other materials and was able to pass MT employment tests before even graduating my course. I did the SUM tapes for practice dictation, read every sample report I could find, and independent study for pharmacy and A&P.
Great information.
I will definitely keep that in mind.
Wow, great comeback!
nm
That's a great idea! Let's do.
Best idea I've heard all day.
I am doing just great without having gone to any MT school.
I'm sure all are great, but I chose CS.
I also posted my answer on the main board for you, but here it is again.
I am also working right now typing acute care. I was hired before I graduated, so now I'm trying to finish the course in my spare time. Andrews and M-Tec are great schools, I am sure, and any school you choose would be a good choice. Good luck!
Great way of explaining it.
I was trying to not sound so.... ya' know. I just didn't want her to think that you needed some sort of special phone line. However, some companies that use C-phone may require you carry a long-distance plan, but they may reimburse you. Happy C-phoning. I kind of liked it when I used it, but I no longer do.
great post... nm
x
Great Post!
Couldn't have said it better mahself!
great advice!
I just wanted to say I've been transcribing 10 years and I think this is FANTASTIC advice!
A great site
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
M-TEC is a great school. They will help you. nm
x
Great Schools
I have also heard nothing but great things about these schools. I signed up for MTEC three weeks ago and have learned so much already. They are SO thorough and comparing them to a local home-study class I took about 11 years ago, they are wonderful!
If you go on the MTEC website to the message forum, you will see messages on there every day from current and past students and they are pretty much all 100% positive. I'm not sure about Andrews. I almost signed up with them, but I changed my mind at the last minute for some reason. I am soooooo glad I'm with MTEC. They make it fun and interesting to learn.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
It's a great course, and it would work
your brain. You'd learn a ton from it. You would use everything you learn from the course, and have the skills to research new terms.
Being afraid of medical terminology and wanting to be an MT would be like wanting to be a plumber but being afraid of funny smells, working in small places, and getting dirty.
:o>
What a great gift
I hope he continues to improve and get stronger.
That's great news!
Wishing you and your husband the best. I hope the news continues to be good for both of you.
Thanks DJ! That is a great list! nm
Focus is great
I started with them as a newbie and they have a great mentoring program. I now work for them part-time and another company and I will always be grateful to Focus for giving me a chance.
This is a great school. sm
I didn't graduate from there but am very familiar with the school and their teaching methods and would hire anyone from there in a minute. From what I understand they have 100% job placement rate and will work with you personally until you get a job; however, many students get job offers even before they graduate because the demand is there for good MTs.
great start...
I agree---the program gave me a great start. I have posted many times on Focus. If you search the forum you will see many posts.
Good Luck---Sue
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