being able to make 40,000 year without a college degree is pretty good. I'm happy.
Posted By: just my 2 cents on 2005-09-10
In Reply to: What do you consider a good living? - wondering
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Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope everyone has a very excellent 2009, with all good things!
To make 40K per year,
You have to make roughly $20./hr for a 40-hour week (if my math skills are any good!). To do that, you need to either make a higher line rate, or produce more lines per hour. That means doubling either your lines per day or your cents per line.
I would venture a guess that most folks making 40K a year do NOT work for nationals, but have their own accounts which tend to pay more per line, which ups the $ per hour. Of course, with that comes a whole new set of headaches and probably more incidental hours (billing, delivering, bookkeeping...time spent maintaining an account in addition to transcribing hours.)
Unfortunately, by the time we see ads everywhere for big money opportunities (transcription, selling on ebay, raising alpacas, etc.) the prime time to get involved has probably already passed, and then folks who respond are stuck with disillusionment and bills for starting costs/prep.
Just my humble (and maybe a bit pessimistic) opinion.
first year as IC, you don't have to make payments...sm
you could pay all of 2006 taxes by April 15, 2007. But in 2007, the IRS will send you forms that you use to pay quarterly. You pay 100% of last year's taxes in 4 equal payments and then make up the difference when you do your taxes. For example, you started as an IC in 2006. Your taxes were $2000. You pay $2000 by April 15 2007 and you also pay your first quarterly payment of $500 (1/4 of $2000) by April 15. I also would suggest you make all your payments in the current year - don't pay the last quarter by January 15 when it is due because it screws up your bookkeeping and state and feds handle it different. Pay your last quarter tax by December 31.
That is pretty good.
That is a lot better than what I am making. I am making only 3.0 cents per line independent contractor status, which is ridiculous. This should be a crime to pay an MT this low of a rate. I am currently in the process of looking for a new job.
Pretty good money
You can make pretty good money as an MT, but it takes time. You might be ready posts from people who have only been in the field a couple of years. I read an article recently that gave a pretty accurate account of what can be expected for pay. It was called "How much money can you make as an MT" It was on the articles page of this website www.help4mts.com and there were other articles too if you have not gotten started. There are many factors involved in MT paid, i.e. inhouse, SE, contract, benefits, etc. Good luck.
For a newbie, that's pretty good pay. Works out to about 10.5 a line, nm
:
OSI pretty quick, MediVoxx pretty strange
I've applied to both. For OSI, I scored a few points too low to start, but was invited to retest in six months. For MediVoxx, it took about a week for them to get back with me and let me know I tested well. That led to several other things (confidentiality agreement, their company info, a personal telephone interview with an offer to test for QA after I downloaded software from their site). There was a seven digit code to actually activate that software to enable me to test for QA, which would be the final step in the pre-employment process. But, they never gave me that code and did not respond to any emails about it. It was if - POOF - they were gone!
I don't know what that was all about, maybe a recruiter problem and not a company problem. MediVoxx seems like a really nice and well put together company otherwise.
No one I've ever tested with otherwise took near as long to respond, though.
Good luck to you. You will find something. Don't give up.
If you can afford it, a college program or business school that teaches it. You'll make contacts,
s
You make some good points, BUT please SM
It's interesting how you only see PCDI grads and the like complaining that no one will hire them as new grads.
I can't remember ever seeing an Andrews, MTEC, or CS grad complaining they can't get a job.
I know a couple of recruiters who have told me they won't even look at PCDI grads. Are they possibly short-sighted? Maybe, but sometimes it's just not worth picking through the haystack to find the needle when you have another source of needles.
I would suggest looking for a smaller MTSO or a local physician/hospital to start out with.
they make it sound so good
They make it sound so good when you call and talk to them about the course. You know the $50,0000 or more a year for a course that takes less than a year to get through and the false promise of job placement. I have decided to go back to my old job ( at least for now) as good as it sounds being able to work from home and still be a great parent, sitting here waiting for work isn't going to buy my kids christmas. So I am going to go back to work and get my paycheck every two weeks and learn from my mistake. I will be looking into more course from a better school so that I can do this job someday. I can't just keep putting out resumes and keep being turned down and not passing tests and try to keep my chin up. I am starting to feel really stupid and getting seriously depressed. No career is worth that. So good luck to all of you out there.
I make good money at it, wouldn't quit for anything.
This particular board has a lot of "the sky is falling" mentality but in reality, there are many, many MT jobs.
I make about $30.00 per hour, well worth my time.
the lower you start, the longer it will take you to make good money!
those are just the facts!
Unless you can work in-house somewhere, I feel the at-home MT who can make good money is a
s
Agree...not a good reflection on our profession. A seasoned MT would not make this mistake. nm
x
Where can you get an AA degree for $2K?
It is over $2000 a semester at our local college (4 semesters for AA degree), not including books or fees or anything, and we are the lowest in our state.
Degree?
You have a degree in what? Nursing? MT? What importance does that have to your message post?
Assoc. Degree
Your school should have some sort of placement program that should help you get some sort of placement assistance. As for working at home, I started working at home right off the bat and did okay. I worked for 4 months for an Oncology practice and am back working at home again - they decided to go back to outsourcing their stuff. Anyhoo, there are some companies that will hire a newbie. You just have to keep at it until you find the one that likes the look of your resume and is willing to take a chance. Good luck.
$600/year!! I would LOVE to pay 600/year -
I end up paying in $2000+/year EVEN WITH MY DEDUCTIONS, and I deduct anything and everything!! My accountant keeps telling me to buy a house or have a baby and then I wouldn't pay in so much.
3rd-degree-perineal tear or 3rd degree-perineal tear or 3rd degree perineal tear?
hyphen confusion.....burn classifications are dropping the hyphen. What about the rest of the degrees?
i would do third-degree perineal tear OR 3rd-degree perineal tear
/
No employer ever cared if I had a degree or not. They did
All the employers have ever cared about is whether I could do the job the way they wanted it done. Never once has anyone even asked about a degree. In this industry I don't think it's that helpful, because most of the degree programs teach you everything except how to transcribe. The employers know that. It's not a selling point on your resume. So if you have a degree, that's fine. Degrees are good. You also need to have training on there that shows you can transcribe.
I'm pretty sure it does
:)
Getting pretty bummed
hey everyone. i've been searching and searching for a job but it just doens't seem to happen. lol. i finished college in dec. and haven't come close to finding anything. i'm pretty bummed. i took this course so i could continue to stay home and raise my autistic son, but i'm not so sure it was the smartest idea. i've never wanted a job so bad in my life! haha. anyways, just wondering if anybody else was feeling discouraged.
pretty bummed
I understand how you feel. When I first got out of school, it took me about three months to get a job. I would try Focus, I worked for them for a little over a year. Although there are issues with an Indian based company, they do hire new grads and as far as I was concerned, I would take what I could get. I also know that New England Medical Transcription will waive the experience requirement if you do good on their test. I don't know much about them but take anything to gain experience then look for something better in the future. Hang in there, something will come along. Just keep sending resumes and testing with whoever will let you.
Don't know the course, but it's pretty in depth to do
x
Usually and they are pretty strict
I'm pretty sure it isn't recognized, as the other person
said, it is just a basic course and in way prepares you for being an MT.
The CMT is pretty worthless and all it means
is you passed the test, doesn't mean you are a good CMT. Some people get stuck on the initials and use then every possible opportunity as if it were MD instead of CMT. I've been told many times that my work is better than lots of CMTs and I've always been paid the higher line rate, same as CMT. Very, very few MTs have any respect left for AAMT - whatever they are called now. If it makes you feel better to have it, got for it, but you don't really better yourself by having it. You have to have 2 years of experience first. If you really want to better yourself you'll find another line of work. This one is going down the tubes so fast that I wouldn't waste any more of my time with it.
Happy as well
I have just recently graduated from Career Step with High Honors. I could not be happier with this course. I was a platinum student, which means they offer career placement services. I did not even need to use their services because I had two job offers. The grammar training and transcription practicum was excellent. I would recommend them to anyone.
IM SO HAPPY
 Im so happy im getting a .....FOOT PEDAL!!!!!! YEAH!!
Is anyone happy?
I am finishing up my studies and getting ready to look for a job. I keep reading posts from people who are unhappy with their current situations. Can anyone recommend some good employers? Thanks!
thought it soundy pretty scammy...
thanks for the heads up...thought it sounded pretty fishy/scammy. I just need to find something ASAP and am really getting aggravated with the whole job search drama. Any input or help would be greatly appreciated.
I have been more than happy with my school.
It's MT Advantage Career Center. They used to be blasted for their old director but she's not there anymore. I signed up anyway and just love it. I couldn't imagine a more friendly place and a more thorough school and instructors.
Job offers...I am happy....! sm
Well, ladies (and gentlemen), I graduated from my school with High Honors at the very end of February. I have been looking for a job for just over two weeks. I have no medical transcription experience, but I do have about 10 years of legal transcription experience.
So far, I have been offered three jobs! It is a wonderful feeling to know that you are wanted! Granted, one of the positions is paying terribly (although they seem very nice, and that's important too). The other is a sporadic assignment (not medically related). The lady in question will call me every couple of months or so with different interviews to transcribe. This will be nice as an added "extra" now and then, and I have already accepted her offer. The third position is paying fair money, and they seem like a dream company--just what I am looking for! I wanted part-time IC work (20 hours a week), all work conducted through the internet, the ability to use my own equipment and software, steady accounts, and decent pay. I will probably go with this company!
I have told the two employers offering steady IC work that I would like a week or so to think about it, and they agreed. I just want to make sure that I think everything through. This way, when I accept a job, I'll know for sure that it's the company I really want to go with, and I will be the best MT I can with no regrets.
I have worked very hard for this. I took many grueling tests, which I passed with very high marks. I have written scores of letters and made dozens and dozens of phone calls. I have plugged away at it religiously, and my dedication has really paid off.
To anyone out there looking for a job: Be professional, keep your chin up, and try your best everyday--and you will succeed!
Different considerations - happy MT
On the side of nursing the money is great, the demand is high. You have to consider whether or not you are a "people person", how much money you need to make, etc. I am enrolling in nursing school in the spring, but I still love being an MT. Frankly, medicine is facinating to me and either one is great.
On the side of MT, I did this so I could be home with my daughter. She is in school now and getting older. Being at home has a lot of plusses like obviously being there for your kids, but it also requires a HUGE amount of self discipline. I have seem other people fail simply because they were not equipped when it came to separating home/work and scheduling themselves and sticking to it. Money wise, NO, you will not make the money a nurse does, not even close at first, BUT after you get your feet wet and get some experience, you can do very well.
I flew through MT school and my experience doing this has given me credits for going back to nursing school. I have to take 2 prereq classes to get into the actually "nursing" part of the program.
Every job has some form of stress no matter what. I like the fact that I can get up and work around my daughter right now. It will not be able to be so flexible as a nurse.
Don't let what has been said about the AAMT discourage you. It isn't a requirement to be a member or have a CMT. Also it is an adjustment being paid on production and can get a little frustrating when you are first starting out and really have to take your time; however, before you know it, it will just click right into place.
Good luck not matter what you choose. 
Happy CS graduate
I'm a graduate of Career Step and have to say I'm very happy with the education I received from them. I didn't get the textbooks, so I can't comment on those. I studied completely online. I don't know much about Andrews or M-Tech except that they are very good schools. If I hadn't gone with Career Step I would have chosen one of them. Someone mentioned the graded/comparison difference between the schools and I think that would probably be one of the main differences. I think to like Career Step you have to be a very independent studier. Someone who just likes to be given the material and left alone to get it done unless you ask for help. That's me. I graduated from CS in 2004 and have never had to buy textbooks for additional education. I've bought resource books but not because of something lacking in my education but because that's one of the things that goes along with being a successful MT, but what I learned from CS is what I took with me into the workforce and it has been all I've needed to successfully find and keep an IC position where my boss was very pleased with my work. Eventually, I decided to go the employee route and found a job with one of the largest companies. I've had no problems or worries doing my job. There are a lot of opinions out there. You will either love Career Step or hate it. I've very seldom seen anyone "on the line" or "undecided". They have a definite opinion one way or the other. I think that's a compliment in itself. I'd much rather have someone "like" me or "hate" me. No in between or lukewarm for me.
Congrats...I am happy for you
So, tell me more. I guess I am excited for you because I remember those days...but not quite the same senario. I was considering voluteering when I landed my first job. I did not care...volunteering would bring about experience so I was willing but instead landed a job. The day that I was to start part-time, a full time position came up in medical records (my supervisor was willing to let me transcribe when I was caught up on my work). She was the greatest. She taught me quite a few things. She initially started me out on an ESL doctor and told me that if I could do him then I could do anyone else in the hospital. I really benefitted from that. I can go on and on...
But you tell me about your excitement.
Anyone who is not happy with outsourcing...
...might want to consider Barack Obama for president: He says he will ensure that US companies that outsource work to other countries will LOSE the tax breaks.
Something to consider anyway.
This could really be an important issue to all medical transcriptionists.
Thank you guys!!! I am so happy that ...
I found this board. I am feeling better when I am taking the tests and actually have a possible job offer when the company is able to hire again. They said they were on a hire freeze, but they are going to keep all my info until the freeze is over so that they may contact me.
Of course that doesn't mean that I can stop looking either. Again I just needed to vent, but i do thank you for the uplifting go get em comments from you both. It is very helpful.
Jenn
I am very happy for your situation
I have about 20 years experience and am at the top of my game...but I now only get VR work and I am paid about 0.5/line (and according to some reports...my VR is paid more than most..some are paid .02 to 04 line. So I will no way make 40,000 a year...and I do about 2300 lines a day VR...working my a$$ off.
I love my job and am very happy!
However, I feel like I should warn you that after a year and a half, I am still making around minimum wage. This is okay with me. I like being able to work at home and the flexibility. However, I know my salary would not work for everyone. Some people simply need more money right off the bat, so I don't think MT is the best choice for them.
I disagree. Allied has a pretty decent program.
Are there any happy Heartland employees out there?
t
6 cents a line and happy
Hmmmmm....you must not have any real bills, just blow by money eh?
CC - email me. I'll be happy to give you recommendations on equip. :) nm
nm
Even some of us most experienced MTs don't make that. Make your
s
It is a year old. n/m
n/m
It was quite awhile ago...maybe about a year or so.
nm
How to ask for a raise? 7 cpl for one year now...
Are raises given?
You don't even have to buy the upgrades every year, just
add to it. I only update every other year.
transcriptionist with 1 year's exp
I think Spheris has a program to do that.
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