check your local hospitals' job boards
Posted By: MGM on 2009-06-06
In Reply to: New Grad Needing to Vent - Corrie
You might find MT jobs posted there that aren't ever advertised anywhere.
My coworker had no experience, but took a job in the secretarial float pool at the hospital while she was finishing her online MT schooling. When a swing-and-evenings part-time slot became available (posted on the jobs board, but never advertised elsewhere), the MT manager was willing to give her a shot and roll her out on easy stuff first. Two years and a bazillion questions later, she's turned into quite a good MT, I must say, and just last month she began working from home. :)
I also had to take the bad (weekends and swing and all holidays) shift to get my foot in the door when I first started. It's the nature of the biz.
Also, I would highly, highly, highly recommend you work in-house, sitting pretty much knee-to-knee with a seasoned pro who can mentor you... as you both are paid hourly. A newbie working on production all alone at home will be making less than minimum wage. I hope I'm not crushing your dreams; just giving you a dose of realism. You need a mentor.
Best wishes to you all.
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check with local hospitals
I contacted a local hospital (SW Michigan) and was told that they hire MT students and graduates. But they also said that all you really need is physiology, medical terminology, anatomy and typing skills. Seeing how you have a strong medical background, you might want to check into something like that.
Check with your local hospitals
Sometimes they offer training if you have the basics. There is a hospital in my area that will work with you for up to a year until they feel you are ready to be on your own. Definitely worth checking out.
Local hospitals
Have you checked with your local hospitals? There is one near me that will hire you with or without a formal training program behind you. They work one on one with you to train you. The pay is good too. It might be something for you to check out. You also might want to send resumes to local doctor offices.
Have you tried local hospitals, doctors, small MTSO's
That's how I started out working for a very small local MTSO, then I went on to become an employee of a small local nephrology group where I still am today with great pay and benefits. I had no experience when I stated but the small MTSO decided to give me a chance. Don't give up.
check with local offices
I agree with the above poster. It may sound mean, and I don't mean it to sound that way, but a course through Penn Foster doesn't mean much to employers and doesn't even come close to the education offered by the top schools. I would try to start local if you can, get some experience in, then check out some of the bigger companies if that is what you want.
Check into your local community college.
You will get an excellent MT education and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. What people say about the "Big 3" schools is a lot of hype. JMO
Don't forget your local papers and local Temp. Agency or Manpower office. nm
s
Why not try local MTSO's or local doctors' offices
That's how I started out when I first became an MT. I found a very small local MTSO who gave me a chance and now I work for a local company and have been there for two years. It might be worth it to take a look. I basically trained at the MTSO's office for about a month so there was no testing involved at all. Just learning along the way. Good luck whatever you decide.
If you want to work local, take local course. Otherwise, online is the way to go.
Most msjor national MT companies will not be familiar with what kind of training you get locally, but they are familiar with Andrews and M-Tec training, and will waive the 2-year experience requirement for grads of those schools. A local hospital or doctor's office would be more familiar with a local MT training program than they would with national online MT schools.
The "expensive" online options really aren't all that expensive in the long run when you realize what an excellent education you get, not to mention help finding a job afterwards.
Pay in hospitals
I sure it depends on the area, but in California I was
making $18.00/hr in a doctor's office.
Hospitals
I did some research in the surrounding areas where I live and I found one large and well known hospital that will train for medical transcription. They pay $11 an hour to start and they work with you for up to a year until they feel you are ready to be on your own. So, there are some larger hospitals out there that are willing to train you.
None of the hospitals around me
do on-the-job training anymore. In fact, some of them are using VR already, or outsourcing.
Any hospitals nearby?
I think if you want hourly pay a hospital is a good bet.
I think there is a national that pays hourly for the first few months or so, but I am not sure who.
Well, that depends. Some hospitals have in-house sm
and others outsource. I have found it depends what state you live in due to the large corporate health systems.
In my state, there are hospitals that hire for at-home positions after 6 months to 1 year of being in-house.
Other hospitals are hiring in-house only, and others only outsource.
Most of the larger national teaching hospitals...
with residents (on 6-week rotation), PAs and RNs and ESL docs are already using VR for at least the last 4 years. Don't delude yourself. About 80% of my work was VR for multiple national accts...The only straight transcription I got recently was the worst of the ESLs or mumble-mouth English speaking docs... I've done acute care, basic 4s (op notes, consults, H&Ps, ERs) procedure notes, multiple specialities, rare clinic notes for one company for 14 years.
It would be nice to work for one small docs ofc with a coupla docs in it and do just clinic notes again...Those were the days!  Cat
You can shoot on over the other boards
which is the pay. You can also shoot on down this board and read posts about people that have no idea how they are going to get hired when most companies won't hire a new MT. There are a few answers for ya'. Hate to sound unkind, but it takes a good 5 years to make a little more than min wage. Save your money and time or attend that college for something different because there is no way you'll make what they are promising; I can almost guarantee that especially with the fact that most of our jobs are being given to offshore MTs at this point in time. 
Dear Sue - there used to be many different boards on this forum
but most were eliminated due to it becoming overwhelming for Dear Administrator. So that's why you will see ramblings on the Main Board - other boards were absorbed here.
Post your resume on the various job boards.
Most of them are free. There are some companies that do not post openings but hire from the resumes. You can also apply to companies who do post. Those that want experience may be a bit more willing to hire you because of your medical background.
Place your resume on the various job boards.
There is one here and I know other sites have free boards too. You can also send resumes to local offices/hospitals.
Post your resume on the various job boards. It is
free.
for Angela: Right above the questions on this boards
you find a box. Enter into this box: 'Penn Foster' and click search.
You'll get opinions of MTs about this school
Post your resume on all the job boards. There are companies who
do not post openings for whatever reason, but they will hire from the resumes posted. It isn't a guarantee, but gives you more exposure and the chance to perhaps get a job. I agree with the other poster to try for an in-house position. When I first started out 20 years ago I never heard of an at-home MT, we pretty much all worked in an office or in a facility. Many times medical offices hire someone to work in medical records and there may be several facets to their job, one of which is transcribing and might be something you want to consider.
If any company offers you a position but want you to buy equipment/software up front be very cautious. Come here to see if anyone has heard of the company, as there are companies preying on newbie MTs. If a company offers you a position at a radiculously low rate also proceed with caution and come here and ask about them.
Have her post resume on the various job boards. Some companies
don't advertise, but they will hire from resumes. You have to be careful though as there are some companies who will try to take advantage of newbies.
Your MIL will have a much harder time finding a position than someone who took a course through a company that is known to have a good program. Programs like the one she took are pretty much a waste of money and many end up paying more $$ to get into a better program or going through a mentoring program.
I miss the CareerStep message boards
The boards are closed to people who didn't go to that school. I didn't go and love the school I went to, but that board was great because it had a lot of job leads and information on companies, especially smaller MTSOs. I would love to be able to access it again.
You will hear responses from both ends of the spectrum and everything in between on these boards. (s
Personally, I LOVE MT. I went to The School That Dare Not Speak Its Name (not one of the "big three") and I had a job before I finished my course. I have had plenty of work since then working for a local service.
I only work about six hours a day. I could work more if I wanted, but I have children and would like to spend my time with them. I make about $1500 a month, which was what I needed to make to supplement our income.
You will read here about people who say they make $60K a year, and you will read here about people who swear they have no work and that the end of the world is nigh. Take it all with a grain of salt.
For what it's worth, I love what I do. I spent six years in college getting a BS and an MA, and I will never use them again... I love MT! Good luck, and feel free to email me if you like. I think you'll be just fine.
Post your resume on all the various job boards, send resumes to
local clinics/doctor's offices, apply to local hospitals. As a newbie getting a job is hard, but some companies will hire you based on the school you got your certificate from. Some schools are better than others and if you didn't get your certificate from one of the better ones changes are harder of getting a job. Most likely you'll need to work in-house for a while. There are some companies that will offer you a job, many at low to no pay, and there are a few companies that are not legit, so be sure you investigate before accepting. If you have to fork out any money for equipment or software in order to get the job be cautious, especially if they require you to purchase it from them.
Newbie post your resume on all the job boards. Respond to
ads posted on the job boards. Look through your local paper.
Keep searching the boards for the info you seek. And go thru an MT program if you haven't already
k
Newbie MTs, do not post test questions on any of the MTStars boards. To do so will result in your
posting privileges being revoked. Take your tests honestly.
Search the boards and send out resumes, and review your grammar and punctuation
s
Read back thru the Word Help and Style boards, too, to see answers to ?? others have. You'll lear
s
online vs local job
Where I live the local votech school has a very high placement rate and if I wanted to work in house, I would start by taking their MT course. My local school's course is far from complete though, and there is no way a national company would hire me with just that course and no experience.
I have no idea what the local employers would think about an online program. We're kind of in the sticks and they really rely on the local tech school to pump out grads that can do the work the local companies need them to do. Its practically tailored to the needs of the local economy.
I'm going with an online program because I want to be sure I can gain employment, and I want thorough training.
Not sure how much this helps.
I went to a local college here.. and now...
I started off with $19/h plus incentive. Now, I make $22/h plus incentive at a local hospital. Yes it can be done.
Local Clinics
Have you tried applying at local clinics or is there a small MTSO in your area? I got my first job as an IC by applying to all the Transcription companies in my area. Now I work as an employee for a Nephrology Clinic also local. Good luck.
How about seeing what's available thru your local college? Might be able to take
s
You may have to work in a local sm
service, maybe even at their office in order to get work with 6 months of experience. If you do manage to find an online company to offer you work (that is not a scam), consider yourself extremely lucky.
Was your local course a single class or
a curriculum? How long did the training take?
I'm deciding on whether or not to train locally here or online with Career Step.
The advice you've been given sounds really good. I hope it helps you! Hang in there! :)
Did you find the job in a local ad or on a web site? Thanks! nm
x
I replied to an ad in my local newspaper.
Work for Local Company
I work as an IC for a small local company at the moment.
Have you tried your local hospital or physicians?
I work for my local hospital and my supervisor hired "newbies" all the time. However, some clinics or hospitals require you to do a little onsite time before going home, at least mine did. I had to meet a certain productivity rate and QA rate before I was "turned loose".
I'm not sure if you are wanting to work for a national company or not from home. Since I have no experience with that someone else may be able to guide you in that direction. I just know around here, having tons of experience isn't really needed to be hired locally.
I went to my local Commuinty College
took all my courses online. Much less expensive than those "other schools" and the program I was in was more intensive than the others. I was hired by a national before I even graduated.
You can always try on-line local paper ads...sm
I see them all the time and not really looking for experience, but for schooling and skill in Word. Call hospitals and listen to their employment listings or even look them up on-line. There are tons of ways to find work, not just with the big companies. I once looked in my yellow pages and found a neighborhood MT needing help. I just called her and asked, and she said yes! Good luck!
Best bet is local college for MT training
Please do not waste your money on those "fast track" schools that promise you training in 6 months to a year. I did one, and then had to go to the local college to get my real training along with a 2-year mentoring program typing OPs. Money used to be good (I was making $90,000 to $100,000) but now I cannot even make enough money to cover expenses (call-in system, phone lines, office rent, reference books, AAMT membership, DSL, voice file equipment, C-phone equipment, transcribers for local clients, stationary, constant software upgrades and reference book upgrades, business license, etc. Get the picture? Oh yeah, the most expensive of all--the medical expenses from 16 surgeries from all my work injuries as a Transcriptionist with 4 more surgeries to go and all the doctors, prescriptions at $1400 a month with insurance, insurance premiums, electric, etc. The list goes on. I truly wish I could get out.
The "affilation" with the local hospital may or may not....sm
...hurt you for future employment with other companies. Make sure you check out whether this school is reputable with other employers. I do not think the price is too high, if you consider it as an investment toward future income. Good luck! :)
local or online school?
I live in Spokane, WA, and I'm considering studying MT
to become a transcriptionist. I am very much attracted to the idea of studying at home at my own pace. I am deciding
between 3 distance learning schools:
1. Andrews 2. M-Tec 3. Career Step
I have read that Andrews and M-Tec are very good (both
cost under $4,000) and that Career Step doesn't prepare one well for the MT profession (costs under $2,000).
After I spoke to a former student at the Spokane
Community College MT program she advised that she wouldn't spend more than $1,500 on the MT training and strongly recommended Spokane Community College.
Here's my dilemma:
The SCC program takes 4 quarters. If I signed up on January 3, 2008, I would be done at the end of 2008 - the program takes the whole calendar year.
The online options are self-paced, and because I only work part-time, I imagine I would be done a lot sooner, maybe in 6 months.
The former student at the SCC also explained that if I attend a local program = Spokane CC, I will have a much better chance of getting a job locally.
However, at this point in time I don't know if I will be staying in Spokane for the foreseeable future (it depends on my husband's job situation) and might be moving out of Spokane sometime at the second half of 2008.
I have a Master's degree in English. I'm mentioning this because I know a good portion of a MT program is language study.
Would you please give me advice on what to do? Take the Spokane Community College course or one of the expensive online options?
Thank you very much.
maybe a small local company
might be worth a try. My first job was with a company like that. I did not have an MT course or experience. It was relatively boring transcription (mostly insurance exams, worker's comp exams - tons of neck and back sprains) but it was a start. I trained in their office for a week or so and then they let me do it at home. After a year or so I worked for another small company and started doing clinic and hospital work. So if there are any small companies like that still around... check it out.
Why don't you search out something local on-site
Most companies will not let you use your "school" time as experience.
I am no expert on the hiring processes, but new MTs need more attention which costs the company more money to pay QA. It is sad, but all new MTs get lumped together it seems.
What suggestions does the school have for you at ths point? Unfortunately, if you did not attend Career Step, M-Tec, or Andrews, you may have to work harder to find that first break in this field.
MT is not what it used to be. You'd have been better off to become a biller/coder and find a job at home.
I had to start out in the office of a local hospital sm
for a year, then went home. I didn't want to go home to be honest, too many distractions and my twins were babies at the time, but they were sending everyone home. I really don't know what to tell anyone when I see these posts. There are lots of companies out there needing help and you'd think that if they are willing to send their work overseas to people that don't even speak English as a first language, then they would be willing to hire a new graduate. I would be a little more pushy, offer to do 30 days at a lower cent per line then have a review, something like that. Keep pushing, someone will see potential and take a chance on you. Honestly, these companies that don't hire new graduates I just don't get it. I work for a small local company that is always behind on their work and I always suggest they hire some new graduates from the two local schools, but they never do it, they just sit and wait for people to apply. Good luck! 
Our local hospital group has a few people in
radiology and pathology, but the rest has been outsourced for about 25 years. Hospitals are looking to cut costs where they can. There are still MTs who work for the hospital, just not in-house.
If you need a job you do what you have to do. If the US MTs don't take the jobs guess where they will go. I make more working at home per line than what any hospital pays that I have seen. I don't have insurance (because it is outragenously priced), but I do have some benefits. Also working at home you have fewer expenses, so it pretty much equals out.
local hospital versus national
Hi,
I was with a national company and, like you, only did about 1200 lines per day at 7.5 cpl with 18 months in. I felt like I was never going to make the big bucks!
In May, I resigned from the national co. and went to work locally. After a short 1-month in-house training, I am working from home again. This hospital has some great normals to use and yesterday, I did 2200 lines!!!!!
Finding a good fit is the hardest part. Thankfully, I think I have found mine!!!!! Just keep in mind that there are other options out there. GOOD LUCK!!!!
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