working at home - kids
Posted By: sa on 2007-11-09
In Reply to: A Career Change - Brandi
I can't advise you on schools because I did not train at one.
You did not say how old your son is. If you are working at home, is he old enough to entertain himself? I started MT just before my son was born and I did not really save any money on child care although I was home. Until he was 7 or 8 I had to pay for child care. Because he wanted/needed my attention when I was working. But maybe you can arrange your schedule and your husband can help out so it will work out for you. Good luck!
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working with kids at home - sm
That is another thing I forgot to mention that these schools have a tendency to do .... "oh, it's great, you can work at home and pick your own schedule and work when you want." "Oh sure, you can work AND take care of your kids at the same time."
NEWSFLASH: There are very very few companies that will let you pick and choose when you want to work and let you stop work, pick up your kids, type for an hour, go make dinner, type for another hour, play with your kids, type for 2 hours, help with homework, etc. Very few.
Although, currently I am recruiting for a hospital that needs a full time transcriptionist. They will let you work full time at home and around your kids schedules, but you have to live within an hour of the hospital and have to work onsite for six months before going home.
Working at home
Just because you work at home does not automatically mean you get to pick your own hours. MT companies all have different needs, and coverage is needed, in many cases, 24 hours a day. Many companies will allow you to pick your own hours, but they will expect you stick to that schedule. Other companies will let you work anytime in a 12-hour window. It all just depends on the needs of the company.
working at home
I was just wondering what insurance company you worked for at home and what the name of the place was in New England. I would settle for something like this until I could get into a hospital.
Thank you!
working from home
I agree with the last post. It's so hard to get hired with a company. I was in the same situation you are....just finished school, had a baby, wanted to stay at home and do transcription. So, during one of my office visits, I got the nerve up and asked my OB doc if I could do their transcription and they said yes!!!! Their office manager was doing it and she hated it. It was great!!! I then got another account on recommendation from that office manager. I think this is more doable for you than working with a baby, meeting quotas, not being able to pass tests, etc. And, you may like "having" to get out of the house to pick up tapes! I know I did! It was a reason to get out every other day or so. Also, you may have some flexibiltiy with having your husband or friend pick up and drop off your work. I did that also. One time, the office manager dropped it off to me because she lived nearby!!!!! Good luck!!
working from home
 That is encouraging because if someone has been a Transcriptionist for twenty years and still has to leave blanks then there is hope for us newbies! 
working from home
Have you tried testing with Medi-Voxx? They gave me a shot right out of school. I'm 53 and my kids are grown but I only wanted to work from home. I'm still with them after a little over a year and they are a great company that took a chance on me as a newbie.
Working from home
In case I wasn't more clear earlier, I am interested in hearing from people that have experience in working from home. I'd love to get advice on where to send my resume that doesn't necessarily require prior experience to be able to work from home immediately.
working at home
Try this link below, because my frriend did and she eventuaslly found some work. I actually found this link on MtStars. I have 12 years experience and finally did find something by sending out over 350 resumes. You can also go to MTJobs.com and look at the company sites, that's how I found work. Here is the other link.
http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=mtjobfind&page=7
Working at home question
Does anyone know of legit work from home besides MT. Just a question while I'm in school I would like to supplement my income without having to go back to the office after having a baby.
I have been working from home since the day I graduated!
I had numerous companies wanting me to test with them. The ladies I know who graduated at the same time I did echo similar experiences. I have also made excellent money. With the right training, the ability to be a good MT, and the drive, it can be done!
Newbie MT working at home
Currently, I am working at home as an IC MT and will very soon have one year in as a paid MT post an internship. I am hoping to be able to make a change soon to another company I am now getting a decent paycheck, but I spend virtually all my time doing this because of a low newbie cpl.
I've read similar plights from other newbie MTs and from more experienced ones when talking about their beginnings. I've got to tell you, starting out is tough. Yes, it can be done, but you will probably find yourself working much more than you expected at first. Many MTs say to start off onsite somewhere. I believe that is a good idea.
The one thing I would have chosen differently is something touted on this board often and that would have been to do whatever I could to go to the best and most recognized schools. As also mentioned on this board, you just don't know what you don't know until you run into it. You will find a learning curve once you get your first job too.
I agree with you about doubting the MT industry will dry up before you finish training. But, I do think we will all have to become somewhat flexible and change as the industry changes. Change is often difficult, we all like to be in our comfort zones. Sometimes people forget or perhaps don't have the business experience to understand that business (and markets) always evolve. The MTs that can evolve with the industry trends will work, those who can't will be working at The Bates Motel or some little mom and pop transcription company. And, that's okay too, if that is what they want.
My parents always said that anything worth having was worth working for and if it wasn't worth working for, then it isn't worth having. I like this work and, to me, yes it is a worth working hard for.
I don't know if any of that is helpful, but those are my thoughts. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.
When I started working from home we only had one
I just made sure that my programs were closed out before my husband or kids got on. The only problem with letting others on is that they will surf the net and download things that bog the computer down. I would suggest if possible for you to have your own PC. Usually bare bones is okay as long as it's fairly new. Actually, Vista does not work with some companies, so you may want to look into a refurbished tower running XP and maybe Office 2003. I've also seen others post that they work from a laptop on the go, which I haven't done yet, but it seems to work well when MTs need to travel. Good luck in your endeavors, and welcome to the MT world. It is a satisfying job.
Working at home as a newbie is
no fun. Unless you go to one of the 2 schools we know prepare people, you need experienced ears sitting nearby you to listen to every mumble you can't puzzle out. On-site, hourly jobs are hard to come by, even for experienced people. It's true that the medical records department is usually in a dingy basement, but when you're new you concentrate so hard it doesn't matter.
Been working from home since graduating from M-TEC 10 years ago - nm
x
Would the docs trancription system allow you to keep working for him from home? nm
s
I started working from home within 2 days of graduation.
I have been with my same company for coming up on 6 years now. I had some tough days in the beginning, but I dug in, learned as much as I could, and made it through the hardest part. In-house may be better for some starting out, but it worked for me being at home as long as I was willing to work hard. Good luck to you. :-)
If you're young and don't HAVE to work from home, then working in-house
s
kids
my son is 11months old and will be just over a year by the time i finish school (if all goes as planned) my husband works different hours every week but I think i will be able to work around that also i am very much a night owl and plan to actually do alot of my work while he is sleeping and if all else fails my mom will take him a couple of days a week I would just have to work around her schedual. I know that if I needed to hire someone to watch him now and again I could, but if i were to work out of the home full time I would have a hard time finding child care because i don't know anyone who could watch him every day and because we live in a smaller town there are not very many day cares they tend to have long waiting lists and do not take children who are not potty trained. I am concerened that when he gets a little older it might be hard to entertain him while I am working, but wether I am working or not I had already planned to get him into a day care once he is potty trained a couple days a week just for social interaction since not many of my friends have kids his age. but thank you for the insight, maybe working at home will be harder then i originaly thought.
kids
How is everyone working with kids in the house??
What do kids have to do with it.
Hmmm. Okay I appreciate the advice here. I really initially inquired as to whether or not you could attend one of the less expensive schools and actually find work.
As far as the kids go, I have been attending college online for 2 years and manage the landscaping business we have as well as homeschool my children. I have worked from home doing inbound customer service calls as well. My children do not and are not a problem. My husband is supportive and the older ones help out. I don't work or study with children on my lap....whatever gave you that impression. I am a firm believer that anything can be accomplished. Why do people think that children limit you. You are only limited to what you believe your limitations are. Since I have been working from home for four years I would like to continue to do so but....with a steadier income. Any career I choose will require sacrafice and I am aware of that.
Back to the school thing.....I didn't want to waste time or money on an inexpensive school that will not train me or allow me to work. Once the training is completed I need to be a working woman. Thanks again for your opinion. I guess I am to assume that there are no schools worth the time besides the top three. So perhaps I need to wait until I have the large deposit required.
Kids and transcription
I cannot image having small children under foot while doing transcription. When I did transcription, I had to have total concentration. Of course, I only worked for 12 docs in a small hospital, and I was "it" -- the only transcriptionist.
However, I worked for a good hospital, and they allowed me to leave and pick up my two elementary school children and take them to what was then called a "nursery". I then went back to work and made my 8+ hour shift. A wonderful and challenging career!
Job/Kids - I understand
Hi Lisa,
I have heard your story many times. This is nothing new. You are, unfortunately, the victim of an advertising campaign by MT schools who -- quite frankly -- care only about the money. I have been shaking my head for YEARS at the ads stating MAKE $50K a year working at home as an MT!!! Oh sure, it can be done. I could do it if I worked full time. BUT....I have been an MT for 20+ years.
Here's the thing. If I had started working at home right out of school there is NO WAY I would have loved this job the way I do...and there is NO WAY I could have overcome the frustration of trying to work at home with small children. No way. Sorry, I know that doesn't give you hope....but it is the truth.
People are ALWAYS asking me about how they can get a job like mine (they seem to think it is something that should be EASY, yeah right). I explain to them that MTing is a great job and I encourage them to get the education but I emphasize that they SHOULD NOT have high hopes of working at home right away.
IMO it would be rare for an MT to start working at home right out of school and have the knowledge to earn ~really~ GOOD money. Skills and knowledge are mastered over time and they are the key to making big money in MTing....and I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned from my co-workers while I worked in the doc office for 7 years and in house at the hospital for 4 years. I have been working at home for 10 years now and LUV LUV LUV it. I have a 13 yo and twin 2 yo. I *do not* work full time. Not while the kids are young. I work 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. M-F, set schedule believe it or not...and can earn a pretty good income.........but it came from years of experience. I just really don't know if it can be done *WITH A LOT OF SUCCESS* right out of school.
So now for some advice: Try to find a job that is doc office or clinic work. It is so much easier. SOOOOOOOOOOO much. Get some good reference books. Study the book of style 2nd edition. They teach you minimal med term in school so you will probably need to find a way to keep advancing your medical vocab.
Current medical terminology by Vera Pyle might be a good reference book to get not only for when you get *stuck* but also just to read through when you get a free moment (Being a Mom I know those are few and far between).
I still learn stuff and I have been doing this for 20+ years. It really is a great job and I hope you are able to hang in there.
E-mail me if you want to discuss it further.
Grandma now, raised my kids doing
medical transcription. I worked when they were at school and at night after bed time. When they were very little, the played around me. I worked at home while my children were growing up. When too young to start school, I had them home with me and also typed after they went to bed and during naps. I had to be flexible. My 3 children are all in their late 20s now and one has children of his own. All three tell me they felt I was a wonderful mom and their friends would always come over to our house. They tell me they are so glad they had a mom who was at home. My own mother was a single mom and had to work outside the home and I remember in grade school, her leaving the house before I did and how sad I felt that she wasn't home for me. I decided no matter what, I would raise my children and work at home to be with them. I am SOOO glad I did this because now in my 50s and they are all adults, I can see the benefit of it. I worked in an office for a while when they were in their late teens, didn't like it, now I work at home again and spend lots of time with hubby. I don't know about others, but for me, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change and thing, and I would definitely keep my children home with me. They are so precious and are only little once, then you miss it later on. This is a very special time only once in a lifetime when your children are babies.
MT Moms w/small kids
Hi!
Yes, I just read through a lengthy thread that touched on MY question in a round about way, but... I was just curious what hours MT moms with small children work and (just as importantly) when do you sleep!?!?
I have no problem with daycare and I have family that would glady watch my 5 y/o but I choose to keep him home to save everyone trouble and myself money! He actually entertains himself quite well, better in fact than my husband when he's home during my work hours! 
I had considered working during the hours that my son is sleeping, but I don't see how that would work well, at least not for me. Even if I were to begin work at 8 PM and work until 3 or 4 AM, I would barely get to sleep before he wakes up, which is normally around 7:30. Three or four hours of sleep each night would get old QUICK, not to mention that by the time I begin work I would be tired and ready for bed and unable to think clearly, be productive, and would likely have trouble staying awake.
Right now, I'm working 32 hours per week with 2 half days and 3 split shifts and it seems to be working somewhat well... but can be rather hard to concentrate and be productive with the bustle of spring and summer daytime activities around the house with a 5 y/o.
Although a lengthy post, my question was simple: what work hours and sleep hours have you MT moms of small children come up with that works for you? And sure, any advice or tips would be appreciated as well. 
Yeah, I know what you mean. I tried to do it all for years with small kids,
schooling, learning a new job, handling the household and finances. Something's going to suffer, and most likely, EVERYTHING will suffer. We can't do it all by ourselves and we shouldn't be expected to. Unfortunately, smacking someone upside the head with a 2x4 is considered assault, but smacking them upside the head with a legal document outlining child support amounts and visitation requirements is quite effective.
You deduct your kids' school supplies? OMG!
And a TV? Wow, it never occurred to me to be that dishonest. I am in awe of your evil ways. Teach me, please.
These kids fresh out of school don't realize sm
that what they learned in school "mastered" or not is equivalent to just spit in the ocean.
Apply for child care assistance and put the kids in daycare.
You can't juggle all that. Either that or have the father watch his own kids for a while so you can work.
working
I finished my course and now I am trying to work from home, but everyone wants experience. What can I do?
Working for them and....
it seems to be going well. I am a newbie and they are giving me a chance, which is more than others would do. All I can say is give it a try.
But if you are working as an IC, YOU
should purchase the software, pedal, etc. needed to do the job. Otherwise you are trying to be an employee. But at any rate, no I would not pay an 11.95 admin fee to get a job. Why don't you get a job somewhere else for free if you want a job?
If you are already working, why do you (sm)
need to change jobs? You said you have references from the doctors you are working for. So by working for do you mean transcribing for, or other work?
I'm confused.
? working as IC
I have a lot of questions. When you work as an IC do you need to set up as a business and file your taxes in a business name or -- just add the income thru a 1099. We file a joint return.
if not working, i would still take it.
knowledge has no price. if she is not working right now, than gaining the experience is well worth it.
If she is earning a living transcribing, than no don't quit your job to earn $0 and learn.
I, on the other hand, think the offer is generous. It takes me just as long to proof a report than it does to transcribe it myself. Why would I want to pay someone to transcribe it, if I am going to have to proof it. It just does not make sense.
Yes, I am working now but
not for A Scripts
Keep working
I plan to keep working FT at the university where I currently work. I have talked to a few people who did Career Step for their training and were pleased I am trying to weigh the $1600 price tag with what realistic options that I would have upon completion.
working for peanuts
I am new to this board, but I will be glad to work for peanuts if I can just get my foot in the door!! Please feel free to contact me about any lesser paying jobs that are available. I'm articulate, but I still know I have to pay my dues.
Student and working
Well I can say this, I am a MT student at Career Step now. I am also taking their coding program. I have been subcontracting for a few months now for a couple of different places and I was just hired by another place yesterday so it can be done. 
Just Started working PT
I just graduated from Career Step and got a PT job within 2 weeks. Mind you it was the only company that was interested in doing the PT thing, plus I have dail-up, so I was really limited on my options. But, so you know, PT jobs are out there. Good luck.
They are probably all busy working! LOL
x
Wow! I could be working for the same company!
I felt the exact same as you do!! After six months I am finally on paid status, but the pay is not much. Good luck! Let me know if you find anything better!
working in a hospital
I work for a hospital and have for 20 years. I am an at-home MT.. I am a full-time employee just like anyone who has to physical go there everday. The pay is much better and benefits too.. There are some still out there.
I have been working now for 4 weeks (sm)
I am supposed to be typing 1200 lines a day, but I am now at 800 lines a day and can't seem to reach 1200. It is an acute care account with many dictators. I hope this week to get to 1000. I feel like I will never get to 1200!
working in a hospital
If you have the opportunity to work alongside another MT in a hospital, TAKE that opportunity. It will be much easier to learn with someone available to help you right when you need it instead of waiting on e-mails with corrections or using IM.
traveling and working
One last question today. Are many people able to travel on the job. For example, my parents are 4 hours away, and I like to visit for extended time. How many people use laptops and transcribe where they are? I just would like to know the freedom you have on being able to leave town and still continue working.
working from laptop
You can either tether from your cell phone or get a wireless card that goes into your computer. This is secure. If you use the hotel wireless it might not be. The teathering is about 60 dollars a month and it is monthly. The lap top card is the same price but it requires a 2 year contract, at least that was the last time I checked. Tethering actually works the best for me. You can actually use it riding in a car at 80 miles per hour if you are in range of cell coverage whereas the laptop card drops the signal.
Also, you better hope you like working for them, because (sm)
that's all they're training you for. Most companies have never heard of this training program, and unless you have 2 years' of experience, they won't hire you. This place trains you to work for THEM only. You have no way of knowing how qualified you would be to work elsewhere.
Working for a "national"
I've only worked for a local hospital, but from all the negative comments I've seen about MTSOs, you'd be better off applying for one of those work-at-home jobs stuffing envelopes. The biggest complaint seems to be overhiring, with people waiting around for work to trickle in. It makes for excellent turnaround time, no doubt, but what MTSOs are doing should be against the law. National MTSOs should be outlawed altogether in my view, at least in the hospital setting. Any hospital that can't afford to do its own healthcare documentation isn't fit to serve the public. Another complaint with national MTSOs is way too many accounts, e.g., you rarely get the same doctor more than once and each account has its own profile/format that you have to familiarize yourself with on your own time. Add to that "clocking in" (for which you don't get paid) and unrealistic production requirements (taking everything above into consideration), and what you have is basically a minimum wage job. Good luck if you want to start your own business, but you will be competing with those nationals that can produce desired turnaround times (again, for the reasons stated above) and are offering lower and lower rates to compete with other nationals. I have nothing against local MTSOs, who do a good job for private practices and clinics, but national MTSOs are the root of all evil in this business. Greed does not begin or end on Wall Street.
How do you get around this besides working in an office first?
or maybe I am expecting too much, and it just is not going to work without some office time before me.
I am not sure how anyone expects a new graduate to get a job when everyone wants experience; however nobody is willing to hire us so that we may gain that experience.
I've always mentored someone along the way. Have 2 now that I'm working with. Can't take on
,
I'm working, why would I need to make myself feel better?
I'm sure if they wanted them to know, they would have told them. I think you know we don't give out names here!!
Facts are facts! Good job cheering them on though!
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