do all schools require a speed test
Posted By: carolyn on 2007-08-06
In Reply to:
also,I know it is necessary to type very fast, but is their an actual speed typing test and so many WPM that you have to pass? What I lack some in speed, I make up for by making very few mistakes and when I listen to doctors talk (I have done transcriptions for a lady-in training) I can type twice as fast as when I have to look off of a paper and do a timed test. One school told me it didn't matter how fast you typed--if you could spell and was good at grammer, that mattered. The grammer and proofing and spelling is all very easy to me. Thanks
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Co. that does not require DSL or high speed???
The little town I live in in Michigan offeres both DSL and high speed internet but not outside the town where I live which is 3.5 miles from town. No verizon internet either offered. Almost all the jobs I have applied for end up requiring DSL or high speed connections and I am having trouble finding any companies to apply for that don't require those. Anyone know of companies I can apply to that don't? I am looking for part-time MT work and am flexible in hours and days that I can work. Thanks for any help that can be offered.
Companies that do not require high-speed
FutureNet does not require high-speed access. FutureNet Technologies Corporation
most software applications require high speed. sm
problem with dial up is like using a little pipe to get water into your home. The pipe is too little to allow a big flow. Your program will crawl on dial up. Do a search for wireless internet and your nearest town. I cannot get cable or DSL here but found out there is a tower half mile from my house that is wireless. I didn't know it and they sure didn't tell me. So check around that way. Until you get high speed, most likely you will be unable to work unless you find a place that transfers .wav files from an FTP site.
Never heard of needing a speed test in school, and you certainly won't need
s
Stedman's is the one most companies require and most
MTs use.
So YOU require experience of Career Step, though, right?
so proved a point, right?
re new mt speed
Hi Tomatoe! Remember, most important of all, hang in there. Secondly, if your company is complaining of too many blanks, with you being so new, you may want to find a different company with better mentoring. I've been at this for over 30 yr and there are a lot of variables to MT speed. But quality is way more important anyway; always make that your 1st priority. The best help towards building speed otherwise i can offer is building 'normals'. Try not to have to look up any same thing more than once. Use shortcuts for meds, ie, Tranxene might be trnx. Use shortcuts for phrases, ie, in satisfactory condition might be ins. Later, with some doctors who use the same phrases or same paragraphs or even whole reports, you can build these in your Expander and change any variables. Good luck. You'll do fine!
typing speed
So, what is the required typing speed for someone who is looking hired? Or should I say the minimum.
Your speed is probably fine according to your
email. You would be best to go and apply at some companies with your schooling that you have on hand. You will build speed as you do more work. Quality over quantity, but quantity equals money in this profession since it is production based.
typing speed
I am starting school the end of this month and only type about 25 wpm just concerned and wondering if anyone else started out typing this slow and how it went for them and if school really help to pick-up their speed...or should
i just forget it and move on to something else.
picking up the speed
If you are using an Expander (which I hope you are) I agree with the other posts. Even after 15 years, I still find it helpful to me to put in every possible drug with an abbreviation so I don't have to look up if it is capitalized or generic. Also I do things like: asp8 which spells out aspirin 81 mg, asp3 = aspirin 325 mg, etc. If you know that the drug only is in a certain mg, put the number after it and let it expand the whole thing.
Nobody really cares about speed/wpm, only that you
know your terminology, grammar, punctuation, meds/dosages, etc. If you know your stuff, you'll be fine. :)
Forget "approved" schools. AAMT set the criteria, then approved schools that didn't meet i
Stick with Andrews or M-Tec (both of which happen to be "approved") but forget about any others, they are not worth it.
Dial-up vs. High Speed
Do all companies require High Speed Internet? I can only get dial-up where I live. Can't find a company that will hire without High Speed though. Any thoughts?
I would not recommend it. Being a speed typist
isn't as important as being accurate, but if you have been typing "for years" and only type 55 wpm an MT course is not going to improve that. MT work can be very stressful. It is difficult for a newbie to get a position and the pay isn't very good even for experienced MTs who can work full-time. My MIL had MS and stress would make her muscles become rigid to the point she had to take some much Valium she was a zombie.
Speed comes with practice. A job for newbie
with no experience will pay tops 6 cpl, more likely 5 cpl. If you get a job in a local doctor's office/clinic you can expect $8 to $10/hour tops.
There is so much more to MT than typing. You need to know anatomy, terminology, how to research, be able to do different accents, etc.; though if you don't type fast you'll never make a living as an MT.
I took typing in 9th grade and I was horrible. If you had told me I'd make a living typing I would have laughed at you. I now type about 125 wpm.
What appeals so far? What's not boring? What gives you the most speed?
s
How do you increase typing speed?
I am a fairly new MT who can type approx 150-170 lines per hour. I work p/t approx 500-1200 lines per day but it seems like I work f/t hours because of my typing speed. I have kids at home so when I get an hour long report I tend to try to hurry and that means I make more errors and slows down my typing speed.
My problem is I am constantly working so I can't find the time to work on my typing. I have only been working for about 3 months and am at 150-170 lph. How long should I give myself to get up to 200-300 lph like many can type?
picking up speed - could use some tips!
Anyone have any tips on how to "pick up the pace" so to speak on
reports? I know I'm still not quite up to par or at least where I want
to be. I even consider myself a decent typist.
I will accept any and all advice. Thank you!
It's not really your speed that matters, it's your accuracy. sm
I have been an MT for over five years and have worked at many different MT jobs. Nobody every asked me, and definitely nobody ever tested to see how fast I typed.
Was there a time limit on the test? Was it a timed typing test, or a transcription test?
Typing speed is no guarantee of success
as an MT. If you haven't had any MT training, you will fail rather spectacularly. Get some training. Get GOOD training, not some matchbook-cover school. Andrews, M-Tec, Career Step--those schools will provide the training that will get you a job. Don't try to cut corners with a cheap school. If you get the right training, and if you have the talent for the job, you will not lack for work.
looking into a typing CD to increase speed before school...
I'm planning on learning online with either M-Tec or CS, but need to wait until January to do so. Meanwhile, I thought it would be wise to do two things: 1. learn my Mac computer inside and out (I only know enough to get around plus alittle extra. This includes Word) 2. increase my typing speed
I recently bought Mavis Beacon typing 16 deluxe (I think that's what it's called) to help w/ typing speed... should arrive soon. Did anyone else do something similar to "ramp up" for MT school? Was there a need? Did it help you? Anything else I could be doing between now and January to get ready to go back to school?! (I'm 44 w/ four teens at home. Been a full time mom, and am alittle "rusty" when it comes to studying! But I'm up to the challenge, and family is very supportive.)
Your grammer seems good, and with your typing speed.....
you should have no problem. Wish you were in California.
Typershark. It is fun and helps with speed/accuracy.
x
More important than typing speed I hope
you chose a good school. Doesn't matter how fast you type if you can't get a job because she chose a more "affordable" school that didn't give you the education you need to get a job.
Just test, test, test anywhere you can...
Trust me, I know it's discouraging. Don't give up though. I am still going to school but I got lucky enough to find some MTSOs to do overflow work for. Granted I am lucky if I get to work three days a week but it is giving me a little experience and keeping my skills fresh. I am now working for a national that ran an ad wanting 3 yrs experience. I took a chance and now I am working with only a couple of months under my belt.
Good luck.
Test everywhere!
If you look at the posts here, everyone says to test everywhere, and it's true! Anyplace that will let you test, test! Some are harder than others, but don't give up. I graduated from my school last November and didn't find a job until March of this year, and I actually found it through a friend of a friend and I consider myself lucky. The important thing is to NOT GIVE UP. I know you studied hard so now work at your job search just as diligently. It is frustrating, but it can be done. Do a search on the internet for medical transcription agencies and test with each one that lets you. Try Spheris, Medivoxx, and Cobb Medical Transcription for starters. Good luck!
Sure you can test 100's.
you set up a worklist off of email responses, send out the grammar screening, when it comes back, run it through a macro to cross check and give scores, then you have an objective measurement of who has potential. Found it weeds out much more successfully than "I completed a medical transcription course and scored a 94%" drivel.
Test everywhere....
By testing with different companies you will soon learn where your strength and weakness are. Regardless if they require experience, if allowed, take the test. It will not hurt and it will help to build your confidence. Most of all, keep trying. Good luck!
Test, Test, Test
Test with absolutely every company you can. I tested with at least 50 companies before I found a good company. Did you get feedback regarding why you failed from these mentoring companies?
Something will happen, you can't give up. I wanted to give up several times, and I am so glad I didn't! Just keep trying - test with every company that allows you. You'll gain that experience while you're trying to find someone who will give you a shot. Good luck to you.
Test
Can anyone tell me how many test they took to get a job because i have taken like 5 so far and be very confident researched everything and they still turn me down. I am getting very depressed because in school I did excellent on all of my reports and they graded hard. I am starting to think that I will never get a job. What is it? Please can any one explain and help me. I am very sad
test
I took a test for MQ last week. When do you think they will get back to me?
98 on Test
Hi,
Is that true you have to make 98 on test to get a job?
Thanks for your imput.
test
test
written test help
I am testing for a new job. Anyone have any info on where to find practice quizes or something. Any help would be great!
They test them and if they do well, they get hired like anyone else.
nm
It's likely that most companies won't test you without
I'm a small MTSO and won't even consider testing someone if they haven't been trained, preferably at one of the better schools (M-TEC, Andrews, etc.)
Help with taking test
Hi there....I'm hoping somebody can help me. I have to take a test using Windows Media Player (no foot pedal yet), and I can't figure out how to type in Word and still be able to use the keyboard keys. Any tips would be much appreciated.
Some companies won't even let you test unless
.
You'd have to test for companies. How would you do?
What would happen when the truth came out? There is no faking it when it comes to doing hospital work. Did you see the ads for general/religious transcription? If your English skills are top-notch, jump on those. One of the companies says they also have or will be getting some MT work, I believe.
Good luck.
so are you saying your test scores are too low?
you may want to consider buying a book and brushing up on grammar, etc. With all due respect, I noticed you misspelled "receive" in your post (it's I before E except after C or when sounded as A as in Neighbor and Weigh). Now that may just be a typo posting, which is fine, but if you actually don't know grammar and phonics rules, it's the kiss of death in this field.
Test scores
No I am not saying my test scores are too low. I usually denied because of lack of experience. As for misspelling receive that was a typo in my post. I asked for suggestions on how for find a job. I thank you for the tip about the grammar brush up but that isn't the problem. I have never worked for a hospital and I think that the school I went to is holding me back. Unfortunately I had no idea that At-home professions or Us career institute as they call themselves now was considered such a bad school. Again thanks for the tip but I believe that my problem is more a lack of experience problem than a grammar problem. When I did this about 10 years ago the field was so much easier to get into. Any other tips would be appreciated.
Test everywhere you can, you learn a lot that way - sm
also make cold calls. This is how I landed my first job. I had tested with a company and passed and was hired, but was waiting to actually start (took 2 months for that to actually happen). In the meantime I started calling local companies, I got hired over the phone by one willing to take a chance on me. I was on probation for 3 months, doing about $200 a month (she only had little bit of extra work), after I a month or so I knew I was "hired" for good and eventually got a little more work as the MTSO wanted to do less herself. I applied at another place (while working the 2 jobs) and picked up a 3rd. All were PT but different types of work, etc. so I packed in a lot of experience that way. Just keep plugging away, took me 2 months to land the 1st then 2 weeks later got #2, and 3 months later got #3. Just takes a little time, patience, and lots of persistence.
I took their online test on 8/21 and just
heard back from them yesterday. The lady I talked to there told me that she is really behind on contacting people. When did you apply with them?
typing test?
I am testing for jobs, and they want a typing test sent to them. My comment... why? I type what I hear not what I read. The brain is trained in a different way. I can only type 60 wpm without my shortcuts and stedmans smart type. They want 80 wpm. I dont know if I should test or not?
No companies have let me test yet
I haven't received any replies yet from companies to let me test. Is there any way to test other than sending out resumes?
Test answers
I wondered that myself! But then again I am a pretty naive critter
MEDQUIST MT test
I replied to your message once, but never saw the reply here...so if this shows up twice, please forgive me! I took the Medquist test a few days ago, also, and today I got the same letter...FAILED...with no explanation. Like you, I thought I had done pretty well as a newbie. Now I am trying to take the Focus Informatics test. However, the very first test...I cannot understand her at all, and it is supposed to be a test for newbies. Is there someone who can give me some insight into Focus Informatics and their MT tests for newbies? I really want to get started working and thought I had a chance with Focus, but if I can't even transcribe the first couple of lines of the first report, I'm doomed. HELP, PLEASE!
Is this a test question?
x
First Test Experience
Newbie took test at local hospital last night. I had to just post my experience. I was in a small, messy room with no windows. The MT who gave me the test sat me a a workstation, brought up dictation file and said 'now you just type'. The head phones they gave me didn't work. They gave me another set and that set kept cutting out on one side. I wasn't at all nervous, but my experience was less than enjoyable. I was given 11 dicationas to complete that were actual doctors at that hospital. I would say half were ESL. I had to chuckle or I would have cried. There was no terminology test or anything - just dictation. I didn't do very well. Even the English speaking doctors were mostly just mubbles. Had I been able to even understand a little of the terminology they were speaking I could have done better; however, they were horrible. Slowing down the dictation didn't help - in fact - I don't think that was even working. I spoke a little with the MT and she said the courses don't prepare you for what you will really experience. Is this really what I'm in for? I've never run across any dictations, even the ESL, in me courses that were this bad. Although the MT told me it's better to work at a hospital as a newbie, I think I disagree. I think I would feel more comfortable working from home. I guess you get used to the doctors eventually. On the lighter side, I did watch the MT doing dictation and noted her Expander usage and ya know what --- I think I can do this and will not give up!
Medquist Test
I recently took the Medquist test and failed for a second time. I looked everything up before submitting it, and still failed. I have been in the medical field for for almost 20 years, and this really surprised me. Does anyone know how many questions you are allowed to miss?
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