trouble with online tests?
Posted By: newbie on 2008-10-17
In Reply to:
Anyone else applied to Medquist or FocusInfomatics and have trouble passing the test?? I cannot figure out why I did not pass the transcription test and they can't tell me...just hoping I'm not alone...thanks
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online tests
I also took the Medquist exam after they sent me an email requesting that I take it. I felt very confident that I did well but was told I did not pass. They said to take it again in three months, which is now.... and now I have no confidence at all to do it.
Trouble
Understanding the foreign doctor's. Any suggestions?
I am having trouble
with finding places that have psych transcription. My plan was to start with psych and transition back into medical as you stated, but my goodness I just cannot find psych work.
Thanks guys for the encouragement. I will keep trying, as I love transcription, if it is psych or medical.
Trouble getting a job
Hi all! This is my first post. I graduated from CareerStep in late August and have now applied to probably 20 national companies. Some have contacted me immediately to say that they do not hire entry levels, some I have heard nothing. I am in the midst of a divorce and REALLY need to be income producing! (I have two little girls at home and home school them, as well).
Any suggestions for companies or other resources that will give a new girl a shot?
Thanks!!
trouble
Get an alchol wipe and clean the little roller things in your transcriber - just be careful and don't use cotton because it will jam up. They have swabs that are rubbery stuff that do this really well at the office stores. You probably need to have your transcriber serviced. When they get dirty that is what happens, the off and on effect with the muffling stuff. Go digital. I only have one account left with tapes and it drives me crazy.
but why do they have so much trouble getting jobs?
I know half a dozen community colleges that don't teach medical transcription anymore because none of their graduates could get jobs. Why is that?
Newbie trouble
I have been at this for 2+ years. So far I would say no this is not the norm; however, my part-time gig where I type ER notes I am still on hold. It has been more than 3 months. I give clean reports -- they come back with no errors or just the occasional blank which we are allowed -- they encourage them rather than guessing and getting it wrong. Several QA stick up for me and say I should be off hold, but the head of QA has other ideas. What bothers me most of all is that sometimes I am faulted for things that are not incorrect as per the Book of Style. They want us to follow this book, yet most of QA where I am apparently has not even bothered to read it. I am searching for another company too. Good luck to you!!!
I'm sorry you're having so much trouble
I know it is hard. It took me a while to find work after I graduated. The only thing that saved me is I had a great paying job as a legal secretary so I could afford to wait. Have you tried applying to Spheris. I know I've said this in numerous posts, but have you tried local MTSO or local doctors' offices. I started out with small local MTSO as an IC and now work for a local doctor's office regularly transcribing for 4 doctors and 1 NP. If you want to work for the big Nationals, this may help get experience.
I didn't have the trouble you described after school.
The school itself was very hard and the work was similar to most of what I did on the job. There were some differences, of course, and I was very slow at first. My experience was different from yours though and the school was the biggest reason for the difference.
You're the one who's causing the trouble here. sm
At this point in time, your behavior is extremely childish and unprofessional, not to mention flat out lying and misleading. You should knock it off. I hope that people have the common sense to ignore you and your posts.
ditto trouble finding a job
Hi everyone, my name is Angela and I received my certificate for MT about 2 years ago and still have not had any luck. If anyone has suggestions on good companys that hire entry level candidates I would greatly appreciate it. I am open to any suggestions.
Thanks,
Angela Rowland
I agree. Policing QA is not your job, and will only lead to trouble. nm
x
Trouble understanding test is part of work
We intentionally put a hard to understand file in our transcription portion of the test to see how a potential employee will do with hard to understand dictation. All your dictation files are not going to be easy to understand when you get into a position.
Trouble finding Entry Level work
I just recently completed all of my course work for my AAS in Medical Transcription, graduation isn't until May, and I am having a really hard time finding entry level work. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips that they found to be successful. I have posted my resume on a few sites, I have been submitting resumes to every company I can, I have even been able to apply to quite a few, but still I keep being told that I do not have the experience required and to keep looking for a company with an internship/mentoring program, and I can not find any that I do not have to pay for myself.
I do understand that patience is needed, especially when first starting out, I was just hoping for a little direction and a little venting.
Thanks--Christina
Trouble finding Entry Level work
I, too, am having a hard time finding any work. We (all MTs) all started out somewhere, but I am having a hard time finding that somewhere. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
TAKE THE TESTS!
Most places will let you take there tests, then they can determine if they feel like you have the experience to work for them. The worst they can do is turn you down. As for entry level johs, search the boards. There are usually a few on there all the time. You might start out with a low pay rate, but it will give you the experience that you can use for the better paying jobs in time.
Thanks!
tests
No I do not need help on the tests. I was stuck on a word in a transcription assignment. I had researched it but came up empty. I just needed to know where else to look or anything.
I do not need help with tests.
typing tests
Don't understand the reason either.....I just take the test...
Taking Tests
I am considering MT as an at-home career also and I wanted to know what is the procedure to sending in resumes, taking the tests, etc.? Also, are you hired on an hourly basis or by the amount of lines you can produce in a certain time? Any help and advice you can send my way is very much appreciated.
Employment tests
Most services want to see 98%, or at the least 97%, on an employment test. Anything less than that is "failing" in their eyes.
Think about it from their perspective. If their clients expect 98% accuracy, you need to be able to produce 98% accuracy. If you can't do that while being tested, which they assume is your best effort, you're not likely to do it on the job later.
Not saying this is a great thing or not, just that it's what they may think.
Passing tests but . . .
Is anyone else having this problem? I am passing tests and being told that though I passed, I don't have the experience required for the position I applied for. They then tell me that they will keep my application on file until some thing opens up that I do qualify for. How often do we see a position listed that doesn't require experience? I know I did well, so I don't think that they are lying to me, but it is frustrating. The only skill I lack is speed, but that will only come with experience. I guess I'm just writing this to vent. Why won't anyone give me a chance?! Ok, now I'm off to take another test.
If you can't pass the tests. . .
If you can't pass the tests, that is an indication that your knowledge and/or ability isn't what it needs to be to do the job.
If you're getting a chance to test, they ARE giving you a chance. THE TEST is the chance.
You can improve your chances by learning more. Get some materials that Allied didn't use and study with them. Get the BOS and learn it by heart and be able to apply it. Get some HPI training materials and transcribe them. Then try testing again.
The one thing that won't help is begging for "a chance." Employers can't afford to spend money on that chance--they have a job that needs doing at 98% accuracy. If you can't show them you can do that, they're not going to give you a job.
Typing tests
I've never seen a typing test, timed or untimed, as part of any medical transcription application process. Transcription tests, yes, but not TYPING tests.
If I had ever been asked to take one, I'm afraid I would have gotten up and walked out. I would have assumed that the employer didn't understand the nature of the work they were calling "medical transcription." If they didn't understand that, they wouldn't be likely to understand much else about it, either, and that would be unfortunate for everyone.
If you're applying to legitimate MT employers, I don't think they will ask you to take a typing test. I do not believe our students have reported having to take a typing test, either.
You might want to check what MT services actually require.
That being said, you should . . . of course . . . improve your keyboard speed. That isn't achieved by going faster, but by keying slowly enough that you don't make any typos, but just keep going on and on. Eventually, you'll speed up. Try keying medical reports and books. There are lots of them on the internet.
In order for you to work comfortably as an MT, you'll need to be able to keyboard a whole shift, or about 7 hours with a 10 minute break every hour and a half-hour to an hour break in the middle.
You can do this if you start now and work at it gradually and without causing yourself stress. :)
Typing Tests
I have applied to several online companies and I haven't found any that don't require a typing test. Do you know of any? Also, as a newbie with no working experience, it's extremely to get my foot in the door anywhere. Thanks.
The timed tests are a test of how well you know
your stuff. Some of comes from education, most comes from experience. If you are unable complete the test without it timing out then you know you still have lots to learn. No 2 tests are the same so you can't take it enough times to get all the answers, but it gives you an idea on what kinds of things they are looking for and shows you your areas of weakness, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I have nearly 20 years of experience and I have some across questions on testing that I had to look up. Not all tests are timed, but I did take one test that was timed and it timed out on me too; more probably because I was rereading everything and didn't realize it was a timed test, but I was still offered a position. You just might get started on clinic notes rather than acute care and your pay rate will most definitely be lower than if you had scored better.
I flunk many tests at first, but I learned from each one - sm
that is what you must do. I used to joke that I learned more from the tests than I did from my course. Not quite the case but I did learn a lot from the tests too, they were certainly eye-opening some of them. All you can do is keep trying, what is the saying you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince, well finding a MT job is sort of the same thing, in both finding a job and finding one you like. Try again at Transolutions when they say you can try again (usually 6 months) and in the meantime apply anywhere and everywhere that you can. Good Luck.
Are you not passing the hiring tests or isn't
s
You can leave blanks and some tests even have
instructions on how to notate a blank. I have 20 years of experience and I have only had one test in my career that I have had to leave a blank, but there are usually different levels of reports. One report may be very clearly dictated, clinic type work where there really isn't a lot of medical terminology. Another may be an acute care report, possibly an Op, and then one may be a report there the sound quality is bad, an ESL dictator, or a fast talking US dictator.
The company is trying to get an idea of your skill level. If you do very well on the first report but not so well on the second and horrible on the third, then they will probably offer you a clinic account and start you off at the bottom of the pay scale.
Leaving a blank wouldn't count against you as much as guessing at something and getting it wrong. I don't think leaving a blank will stop you from being offered a position, but excessive blanks would probably would.
Sorry, meant pre-employment MT tests.
nm
Are you taking tests and failing or not even getting responses? nm
s
eMedicine website - neurologic tests
This website is great reading. This link takes you to a page of neurologic physical examinations, but it has everything, not just neuro. I guess it's a site for doctors. You do have to register to certain things, and I don't know if they require you to be a doctor to register because I haven't tried it lately. There is plenty to see without seeing close-ups. Something constructive to do while waiting for that first job.
http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic632.htm
Not true. I score tests for new and experienced MTs.
I'm shocked at what should be basics that newbies do not have. Shocked.
There are a few good newbies but most have not a clue what they are typing. Applying knowledge to actual transcription is FAR different than just spouting off what a term or value means.
Have you taken and passed tests for anyone yet? MQ? Spheris? Keep testing even w/o experience, if th
,
I always found the tests more difficult than actual work (sm)
I think they try you out on their most difficult to see how you do. It also may be the stress of taking a test too. I tested with anyone who would let me test, and I failed a lot of them, but just keep trying. Persistence does pay off. It sounds like you have a great start and you should probably stay where you are to get the experience. Yes, it will count. Best of luck to you!
Does anyone know how long it takes for tests to be graded at MediVoxx or OSI?
I recently tested at both companies and am beginning to wonder how long this process takes. While I am waiting for their replies, if anyone could tell me of other corporations that hire new MTs I would appreciate it.
Plenty of jobs out there w/o typing tests. Haven't
s
Employment tests are not easy, even for entry level.
They need to know what you know. Sometimes the things you blank are just as important as the things you get right.
I believe most of these tests can be played using Winamp or Windows Media Player.
Not as a newbie! Lots of new drugs, lab values, tests, implants, etc. Clinic would be better. nm
,
A USB foot pedal would be good to have. You can download Express Scribe for free to take tests. nm
s
best MT online course
CanScribe - they provide you with books and supplies, as well as programming and guarantee you a job at the end of it. Agencies know that a graduate of CanScribe is worth a chance.
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.
my experience in online MT course
Hello everyone,
Just thought the information on my website will be helpful and/or interesting to anyone who is thinking of trying medical transcription cource.
it's here
http://www.volkovs.com/family/julia/default.aspx?p=mt
Considering that most colleges are going online
this advice doesn't hold water. It doesn't make any difference what format the program takes.
Can someone tell me what the online schools
Career Step, M-Tech, Andrews - I have a family member who is interested in getting her daughter directed on a career path (she's 18). I'm not so sure MT is for her, but I'd like to at least give her some basic info. So, how much do these programs cost and how long do they take?
 Thanks!
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?
help for finding right online course
I have tried to get info on online courses and it is very hard, since i have no other MT friend to talk to. I was told to take courses from Ashworth(formerly PCDI) Does anyone know about this one? Seems like everywhere i turn, Career Step is always the most talked about. I realise they all have pros and cons but someone please help!!! Want to do at home training online. Had a year experience of part-time transcribing and did fine. Barely told what to do, but completed it anyway. I've had EXPERIENCE THE HARD WAY by doing this. Thanks
online quizzes
It's important to keep studying and practicing right up until you land the job you studied and worked so hard for. Time away from your studies will nevertheless, leave some cobwebs in your mental attic.
I've started to assemble some online quizzes (free) so students can keep learning. It's so new in fact, I have one done. lol But I intend to put some more out there if the response is good. I need a beginner and one who will test this out with me and for me. It would be nice for the others if we can get this in the right direction.
visit: www.gotranscribe.com and click on MT Learning Studio for instructions.
I'd appreciate it and so would some of the others if it works as I think it could.
Kim
AHDI online
I don't know if this would help or not. I think they would be your best bet at finding your answer 100%.
online testing
at focusinfomatics.com They have online testing specifically for new people, and if you do well enough they will invite you into their training program.
You can always order it online....
xx
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