medical transcriptionist?

[jana]

I may be going completely bonkers here, but I seem to remember somebody on WT who works as (or was training to be) a medical transcriptionist? I'm thinking about doing that myself and wanted some input from people with experience in the field.

[Csara]

Hi Elfie. It's Margarita that does this.....maybe post in her journal as she is quicker to check that, I'm sure.

[jana]

Thanks so much, C!

[OctoberBride02]

I am currently in a Medical Transcriptionist program....I have 2 more classes to go once this semester is over :)

I am not in the field yet, so I am not sure how much help I'd be, but let me know if you need info.

[jana]

:wave: Hi Christine! I actually searched at BT too and found you over there & dropped you a PM.

[OctoberBride02]

Ok Elfie, I will head on over to BT :D

[Csara]

Hi again! Christine, sorry I forgot that you were also in that field. It's hard to remember everything about everyone. LOL! :D Anyway, I was wondering if you'd share some info on how you got into this and what you like/dislike about it. Do you work from home? How many hours do you work? Anything else you think might be informative for someone considering this field? Whenever you get around to it, no rush....Thanks!!

[jana]

Hey Csara! That's a good idea...a lot of those things are the type of things I'm wondering about too. I didn't mean to keep things private; I just felt a little shy (lol I don't think I've ever said that in my LIFE) about posting a bunch of questions. But SINCE you opened up the floor :D I'll go ahead and add mine.

I'm really interested in MT for a couple of reasons:

1. When I was in high school, I was really into the health care field and I still find it incredibly interesting--but I never found an area I thought I would really like...

2. I already sit in front of the darn computer all day :rolleyes: ...may as well make some money doing it!

3. I plan on staying home when we have kids, and I'd like the opportunity to make money at home if I need/want to.

Some of my concerns:

1. Picking the right school. I don't want to get "taken" by some online school that promises results but is hopelessly outdated or incomplete. I would also consider a community college program, but I don't know where we'll be living in a few months, so I can't really go check anything out yet. I just want to make sure whatever school I pick provides good preparation for the field.

2. Finding an entry-level job. I've seen job postings that all require years of experience, like any occupation, I guess. But how exactly are you supposed to find a job when you're just starting out in order to get that experience they require?

3. To a lesser extent, I'm a little concerned about the working from home part...it sounds to me almost like you have to set up a business to do that & work as an independent contractor. I'm sure there are some hospitals or organizations you could work for from home, but I don't really know how that works.

[OctoberBride02]

Hi C and Elfie :D

Elfie, glad I could help...sorry for all the PM's but I had a lot to say ;)

Csara ~

I am not in the field right now, I still have 2 more classes (once this semester is done in December) to complete before I get my certificate.

I have done a lot of research over the past 6 years on this profession because I always liked the idea of working from home, setting my own hours and (once I am good) setting my own pay!

I read a book called "How to become a Medical Transcriptionist" by G. Morton - it's a great book and he tells you the good AND the bad about the profession (he's been an MT for about 20 years. I will give you a true idea of what it's like to be one and I know it helped me to decide.

I almost enrolled but then my local community college began a program so I did that instead. I've enjoyed the program, and I am in my second transcription class right now (basically, we go to class and grab a tape with a real doctor's dictation on it and transcribe the report) - the only dissapointing part is that I thougth for my second year we'd be dealing more with foreign doctors. Obviously, it's more difficult listening to a doctor with a heavy accent and I was hoping to have more experience with that in the school setting.

Honestly, it's a lot of fun. I was able to get some equipment from my school (they were going digital so didn't need the transcriber/foot pedal) so I've been practicing at home. It's very interesting, and I am always learning. Let me tell you that you will never imagine how long some medical words can be! LOL

Elfie--

Working from home is very common. My professor last year was the transcription manager at one of the big hospitals here - she said all of her transcriptionists worked off-site. It's becoming more common because of a few reasons:

It's more convenient for the transcriptionist, as there is no travel time to work, etc.

It's cheaper for the hospital/medical office because it frees up office space needed for transcriptionists.

I just interviewed my doctor a few weeks ago (just before my wedding, what timing!) because we had to talk to a dictator - he said that his medical transcriptionists come to the office, pick up the work and take it home to do it.....on the flip side, many transcriptionists just transmit everything via cable modem. Technology is making things so much easier
:D

I am looking forward to staying home with my kids someday, and I think this career will be a great fit - although, I would like to transcribe on-site to start out and gain experience and then work from home. Let me tell you, even in class I have to lean over to my friend and say "What in the world did he just say?!" :rolleyes:

Hope I helped and didn't babble too long......let me know if you have any more questions:

Some helpful websites:

www.aamt.org
www.mtdesk.com/index.htm
www.mtecinc.com

:D

[OctoberBride02]

Originally posted by Csara
Hi again! Christine, sorry I forgot that you were also in that field. It's hard to remember everything about everyone. LOL! :D

Hey, what do you mean you don't remember everything about everyone? :p

[Csara]

Originally posted by elfie
Some of my concerns:

2. Finding an entry-level job. I've seen job postings that all require years of experience, like any occupation, I guess. But how exactly are you supposed to find a job when you're just starting out in order to get that experience they require?


Hi again Christine. As you know from our previous convos I'm looking into this now. I have an appt tomorrow with a local techical school. Anyway, I am going to ask the advisor this question as well, but considering they will do anything in their power to "sell" me, I know I would get a more honest answer out of you.....that is ofcourse, if you have any idea??? If you hadn't guessed, my question is the same one elfie asked which I quoted above. Thanks in advance!

[OctoberBride02]

Hi C - can you believe I am up typing one last thing for my project this morning! Anyway, I hope you have a chance to check this out before your appt. today...

I was pretty worried about finding a job when I first entered the program - because as Elfie mentioned, pretty much all of the ads that you see require experience. But, I am not so worried about it now - reason being:

Last semester I had my first "transcription" class where we actually transcribed dictation - my professor was a transcription supervisor at a local hospital here and put all of our minds to rest as far as opportunites - basically, someone somewhere HAS to get you started in the business! This semester part of my project in my transcription class we had to locate an employer and interview them on what they expect from new transcriptionists etc. - and the transcription agency that I interviewed encouraged me to have my classmates submit their resumes! Also, we actually have a temp agency here that only places medical jobs, transcription included - and even though some of the jobs are "secretarial" with some transcription, it's still experience and a foot in the door - until you decide to begin working from home.

You may want to go to www.aamt.org before your appt - there is a helpful checklist from the American Association of MT that tells you what to look for when choosing a school/MT program - I used it when I picked my school too. Not sure if I helped, hope I did though! Another thing is that many schools offer to help place you once you complete their program, might be another question you'd want to ask today.

I'm really not concerned with finding a job anymore.

GOOD LUCK! :D

[Csara]

Jana, have you made any decisions regarding the MT program? I thought a lot about doing it, I even went to a few schools near me to check out the programs, but I'm still not sure. Classes start in April so I have time to figure it out.

[MageJune]

hi... this is the thread I found that brought me to this site....

Was wondering how it was going for ya'll...

I'm thinkin of trying this out. I really need to do somekind of work here at home and MT seem the most legitamit and most likely to succeed...

Jana... are you still around? How is it going for you?

[Csara]

Hi MageJune. Just wanted to say welcome to the board. :) Jana is on vacation, but should be back sometime soon. Maybe send her a PM if you have specific questions about MT. I don't think she has started her program yet though. Good luck if this is what you decide to do! :)

[MageJune]

Thank You:)