Your school should be helping you!
Posted By: Sandy on 2005-07-23
In Reply to: New here and about to graduate next week - Danielle Peckham
with job placement. All the best MT schools do. The first place you should go for help finding your first job is the place that trained you. They should know what employers are eager to hire their graduates. They should also have tailored their course to the needs of local employers. Otherwise, why would they think anyone would choose a local course instead of one of the other MT training options? Check with the placement office at your school. Be persistent. They trained you. They should have some idea where the skills they taught you will get you a job. Your instructors should also be able to provide guidance in job seeking. They know what was covered by the course and how you performed. They should also know where the skills they taught you are in demand. Best of luck to you.
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Helping new MTs
I really want to help the new MTs. I have been thinking about this for months. I have some more questions:
1. What equipment would a new grads have? I assume it varies by school. Would a new grad be in a position to purchase equipment?
2. Would a new grad be willing to do a 2-week trial at no pay to see if we work well together? If there is no "chemistry" the process would be torture for both of us.
3. Would a new grad be willing to work on a graduated pay scale, starting at a low rate and working up to .08? Experienced MTs should be paid more than new grads, IMHO.
4. Would a new grad be willing to enter a 2-year contract, protecting the MTSO and providing the new grad with the necessary experience to get a "real" job?
5. How much work would a new grad expect to produce in a day's time?
These are the things that have been swirling in my brain. I think there is a real possibility of working through these issues. Please post your comments. I haven't forgotten about the people I have been in contact with; I just want to work out as many bugs as possible before starting on such a big project.
helping new MT's
Has anyone heard of the medical transcription apprenticeship program? It is through AHDI and I know everyone knows who AHDI is. The program is currently having some bugs worked out but if newbies contact AHDI they will put you in contact with the right person who will give you all of the details as to how to participate and the necessary qualifications. You can contact me if you wish also. I will be completing my course soon, taking the RMT soon and completing a application to participate in the program.
Helping new MTs
I agree with Andrea. I live in a rural area and there is not a lot to choose from locally. I am looking for someone who can help me get the experience I need.
Helping a friend
Hello,
I'm trying to help a friend who started a P/T medical transcribing job from home. She's been getting rather frustrated of late because she can't seem to get her quality scored up. She has been isolated from anyone within her company with the exception of her QA people that she turns the reports into. She says she spends a massive amount of time proofreading her reports and correcting any mistakes she makes. The issue is that the QA people always seem to find new mistakes to ding her for.
Does anyone have any useful advice they could give her? Is this sort of growing pains period standard for the industry? Part of the problem is they only gave her a limited reference guide to use for proofreading. Is there any way to get more comprehensive guides? Lastly, what is the best way to find out a company's reputation? I would prefer to find out that sort of information without potentially getting her in trouble.
Thank you for any assistance. It is greatly appreciated.
Helping new MTs.....I admire your kahonas - sm
1. What equipment would a new grads have? I assume it varies by school. Would a new grad be in a position to purchase equipment?
------------Depends on the newbie of course, right out of school (2002)I bought my footpedal (9-pin), Stedman's Spellchecker, Gearplayer (which bites, get Bytescribe, or go free with Express Scribe), Shorthand, I think that is it. I also bought a few Stedman's books (3). I was doing acute care but started on PT work there, and did some clinic work (GI) as well. I had headphones, tape player/footpedal, MS Word, a FTP program and my computer of course but that was about it.
2. Would a new grad be willing to do a 2-week trial at no pay to see if we work well together? If there is no "chemistry" the process would be torture for both of us.
---------I would have at that time, but I was lucky to find a job in six weeks at .06 cpl, but you coud manipulate that by holding your work and sending it all in at once and if it was over their "hourly" requirments you could bounce that up to .085 which I did once I caught on to it, of course I was not the only one doing that, after a year they figured it out and changed the pay scale knocking me down to .07 in that move. But I really think a newbie should be paid something, kind of discouraging working for nothing. I'd say start at .04 at the lowest.
3. Would a new grad be willing to work on a graduated pay scale, starting at a low rate and working up to .08? Experienced MTs should be paid more than new grads, IMHO.
------see above.
4. Would a new grad be willing to enter a 2-year contract, protecting the MTSO and providing the new grad with the necessary experience to get a "real" job?
Two years of agreeing to work for you, hmmm, in theory that is what all MTs would want their magical 2 years experience that opens more doors. I think that is a big demand to make, it would have to have an easy out though that does not penalized the MT like by holding their last pay if they don't work for you for two years. As long as they give you the required notice be it 2 or 4 weeks they shoudl be allowed to quit when they want, same with you with firing/letting them go.
5. How much work would a new grad expect to produce in a day's time?
---my first IC job required 500 lines a day. I think they gave your one or two pay periods to get up to that. I was doing pretty easy work though (physical therapy) which helped me get their pretty quickly. I did anywhere from 500-1000 lines a day there for a while and eventually moved onto other specialities and still kept up that pace. It is a lot hard to do 500 lines a day in acute care when you have never done it before save practice work/schooling, and have all ESL. I would think that would take at least three months. --probably start them out at 200 lines a day and move them up to 500 lines a day in the course of 2 to 4 weeks.
--------Good luck!
Agree with an outside school, but I went to a business & tech school. Great experience, better
s
You CAN get a job at home, right out of school, but it has to be a GOOD school.
You should enroll in Andrews School or M-TEC. I know you don't want to spend more money, but at least you WILL be able to get a job. If you thought At Home Professions was a good course, you will be totally amazed at what you DIDN'T learn in that course that you WILL learn at the two good schools. There is no "required" curriculum for MT, anybody can open up a school, charge what they want, and teach what they want. Companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement for graduates of Andrews School and M-TEC, but NOT for the other schools.
School?
Has anyone graduated from Thomson Education Direct and got hired anywhere?
Just wondering about choosing the right school for medical transcription course.
MT school
I attend the Andrews School. It has a very good reputation among national services--some will even waive the minimum 2-year experience requirement and allow you to test for them if you are an Andrews graduate. I have heard good things about M-Tec as well. I would suggest that you contact hospitals, nationals, etc. that you might want to work for and ask them which schools they suggest as far as turning out job-ready graduates. Good luck!
$ for MT school
No, I don't. We have debt out of our ears but you can make payments or charge it or whatever it takes. I've always had to spend money to make money. I just want to make sure I can make it back fairly soon. When I do the math it seems like you have to be pretty darn fast at transcription to earn a living. I admire the people out there doing it!
School and $$$
Hey, sorry about your ankle. Sounds like this could be a perfect time to study for MT. I'm sure I saw scholarship information that was based on financial need on one of the "3" schools...Andrews, MTEC or Career Step. Go to their websites and see! All the best to you! 
What to look for in a school
There are three things to look at in choosing a school and neither of them is money.
The first is whether national services already hire their grads and keep them longer than 6 months.
The second is what percentage of the grads score adequately on the employer's test.
The third is how many students complete the course with a grade of 95% or better on the first try.
Even if an employer is willing to hire from a school, if few grads pass his test and qualify to be hired, then the school isn't so hot. If the employer hires, but the grads can't keep the job for even 6 months, then the school isn't so hot. If the school has a high drop-out rate and many students (sometimes "most") don't make it to graduation, then the school isn't so hot. If it takes students several tries to pass, then the school isn't so hot.
You can see that just examining whether an employer will hire a grad isn't such a good measure. You also have to look at how many students get to graduation, how they got there, how many of them passed the test, and how many of those didn't get fired or quit in frustration.
You want a school whose grads are almost uniformly hired by nationals and which graduates nearly all students (all have drops, but you want a low level of those) on the first try.
Considering all that, you have two options: M-Tec and Andrews. And Andrews has a pre-admission test you'll need to pass to get in.
In your case, you should not go for a school which will allow you to skip any courses. You don't know anatomy and terminology like you'll need it for MT--what you know is what you need for billing, and that is different. Unless you hold a PhD in anatomy, you need to refresh your memory. Any school that lets you get away with not doing that does not have your best interests in mind.
School
I recently graduated from Thomson Education Direct. Recently changed to Penn Foster.... I made 49.00 month payments with no interest. Is a good school!
yes, I'm still in school ..... nm
zz
Still in school????
I assumed from your post you were a recent graduate.
school
I agree.....Accept a challenge to succeed.
School
Education Direct,,,now called Penn Foster.
Great School!
School
HHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMM! I just graduated and landed a job within one week.!!!!
School
Are you stocking me? Your a stress ball!
Is school a must?
I have been an administrative assistant for 8 + years and I will be graduating from my Medical Office Specialist/Billing and Coding class in May. Do I absolutely have to go to school to become an MT or can I just test to get a job? Any responses will be greatly appreciated.
Shona`
re: Is school a must?
Yes! Have you mastered anatomy and physiology? Do you know pharmacology? Can you know medical abbreviations? Can you decipher various dialects of providers well enough to produce a medicolegal document? How about the body systems, brain functioning, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, orthopedics, pulmonology, etc., operative techniques? Medical terminology of all the above specialities, plus more, then if your answer is yes, then test away. Transcription is a labor intensive occupation that requires medical knowledge, dedication, and accuracy.
Is school a must?
If you are really good at learning from a book and feel like you lack experience in just a few areas, then study that way. I got a little training but mostly I was self taught. I knew what I wanted and studied from books and listened to any dictations I could find. The hardest part is getting your foot in the door. I put applications in everywhere and was lucky to have a small MTSO let me show them what I was capable of though. If you have the extra money for the schooling, then go for it. I dont believe that it's a must though.
Good luck!
What school did you go to?
They should be able to help you, if the school was any good. If not, then you need more education from a better school.
school
I graduated from Career Step recently and I felt they thoroughly educated me on just about everything i needed to know. I took the online course and it took me about 9 months to finish.
School
NC Newbie -- what school did you attend? I assume you're from North Carolina, and so am I. Since I have done acute medical transcription years ago, I am in the process of trying to find a school for refresher courses. A lot of medical stays the same, but there are a lot of new procedures, drugs, etc.
Perhaps your school? (sm)
I would first check with your school for assistance. Many schools will offer some type of program to help get you pointed in the right direction.
If you went to one of the top three I know for sure that they offer assistance in this area.
Get your school to help you.
Your school knows which ones of the employers really like graduates of the school you attended. They know where they have been successful. If they have no employers clamoring to hire their graduates, you've got a problem. That means the employers have seen what their graduates can do and they don't like it.
Then you may have to work in a doctor's office. The pay isn't good, there are rarely opportunities for pay increases, but at least it's something.
I hope the first scenario describes you. Good luck with your new career!
The School you went to?
Career Step. I've heard of this school before, but like you I am still in the researching process for the best place to take the on-line course. How expensive was this course? Can you email me your answer. Thanks
My email address is: louisem@cinci.rr.com
Thanks again. Awaiting your response.
Where did you go to school?
Many comapnies will waive that 2-year requirement if you attended a school with a solid reputation of producing work-ready grads. Again, you get what you pay for.
school
I wouldn't go by one person's opinion. I am going through that program and I think it is good. It is very detailed and they teach about everything. They didn't even say what they sent the 14yr old there for anyway, maybe that particular course was bad.
The best school for you
In the MT world you will hear people talk about the Top Three. That would be Andrews, MTec, and Career Step. These are all good. The best school is the one that is going to be the most comfortable fit for you, and you will find that out by visiting their websites and forums. Like everything else in life, cost may be the determining factor. All three of these "top three" schools are good and their courses are very comprehensive, so you will have tons of work to do whichever one you choose. Be sure to choose a program which will help you find a job. It is surprising how many people enroll in courses which do not offer them any assistance at all. Courses also vary in length and instructional methods, so you'll have to decide how much time you can spend studying each day. Good luck!
Best school
A good school to look at is Janet Stiles electronically taught transcription. You can get more info at www.settinc.com
Best school
I took Career Step and it was great. I graduated within 7 months with high honors and I got a job in less than a week. If you go directly through careerstep.com you will only pay about $1350. Yeah, it sounds like a lot of money, but it's not when you actually see how much experience you get from just taking the course. I got a job that was looking for 2 years of experience.
Anyone know anything about CAI School?...sm
I have a friend who is finishing up the course and wondering if anyone here has graduated from this school. I don't really see anything here about them.
TIA!
school
I graduated from the Virtual Learning Center.
just got into school!
OK, I've been lurking around this board since 2004 can you believe it and just now started a program! I was registered in '04 but dropped it due to financial and health issues, I start EvCC's program in Spring (community college program that is linked with Career Step). Thank you everyone for all your info that has helped me make an informed choice.
school
Just wondering if anyone can give me advice on going to school for mt. Do you think an at home program is okay?
School
I went through Career Step. I loved it. I graduated with Honors in Feb. 2007 and have a job already. I would recommend it to anyone. At least have her contact the school with questions. Good Luck.
Which school
Thanks folks! Hope to hear from more of you! Just read that CanScribe is the Canadian extension of Career Step. Margaret
And you went to school where? (nm)
.
School
I did a transcription course at home. (At-Home Professions.
school
You absolutely cannot go wrong with Andrews or M-TEC. They may be a bit more expensive, just remember you get what you pay for I graduated from M-Tec in May and had a job within hours of sending out one resume. If you work hard and keep a good GPA you won't have a problem finding a job when you graduate. M-TEC has contacts with many companies that are willing to work with grads and will hire them without experience because of the good reputation they school has.
Good luck with your decision! 
school
I am trying to decide between MTec and Andrews now. It's a toss up between lower cost of MTec vs faster program at Andrews. Any help in this decision would be great as well!!
school
what seminar did you attend and is thw name of the program you took? i too went to a seminar. i was just wondering if it might have been the same. thanks for any info you can give.
School
I have been an MT for 10 years. I do not have my certification. My sister is an MT and she trained me. With all my experience, I have had no trouble passing tests to get MT jobs. Not having a certification has never been an issue for me. How much you make really depends on you. It depends on how motivated you are, how able you are to work with distractions (i.e. kids, phones, etc). As my kids get older, it gets easier for them to understand that even though I am home, I am still working. In addition, being sure that you have a ShortHand program and are using your autocorrect option in word are a big help with speed and allowing you to make more money. Hope this helps! 
Go to school all over again?
Hello! I graduated from one of the main AAMT approved schools, but now that I have been working 6 months and reading about the other two bigger schools, I am thinking that maybe my original school did not prepare me well enough. I know I am capable of way more than where I am at now. I know that if I had known then what I know now, I would have gone a different route education wise.
I was thinking of going back to MT school and enrolling in one of the better reputable schools, but I was not sure if this would be a waste of time and wanted some opinions. I could get trained again the right away, or I could just stick it out and continue learning on the job.
Just looking for some opinons on that matter....thank you very much!
Why not go to a school that
is proven to prepare students for anything?
M-Tec and and Andrews are both on-line schools that will have you actually ready to work from home. Go to their websites and find out what a good program is all about.
Where did you go to school?
?
Which school is the other big school? nm
nm
Which school then?
MTACC does sound cool, but you're right, you do get what you pay for. Their tuition is $1995..until the end of the year..and then it goes up to $3500 again (so they say)
Andrews is $3800 and M-Tec is $3395. Question is, which school has more "bang for your buck?" They both look pretty much alike. I've taken both their pre-enrollment tests and scored 85% and 90% respectively. I just can't decide. Anyone have any insight?
School
Unfortunately I attended Penn Foster and they don't give any help with job placement. I haven't given up hope yet, but I am close!!
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