Finding Entry Level Medical Transcription Jobs

I have been watching that on the news. What can you do about the fumes that you are inhaling in your house? That is really not good.

Ebony

LOL! I have been waiting to tell you. Since I have been talking back and forth with you and you have been helping me, I just wanted to share the news with you! You have been a great encouragement for me Mary. I'm excited. I should be all set up in about 10 days or so.

YEAH GO EBONY!

Ebony in Cedar Hill, Texas said: I have been watching that on the news. What can you do about the fumes that you are inhaling in your house? That is really not good.

Ebony

Hi Ebony:

If I have to, I can wear a mask indoors. Believe it or not, ash has blown in through the kitchen stove vent. I know this is not a good thing; the fires have never been this bad before. There is really no way, short of leaving the state, to get away from the poor air quality.

The San Diego Chargers football team is practicing in Arizona because of the poor air quality! The football game has been canceled because QualComm Stadium is being used to provide temporary housing for those who have had to evacuate.

At least I have Albuterol inhaler and other meds I can use.

Mary

OMG.
Mary that don't sound to good. I if don't get better you may have to get out there for a few days or something. That is not good for you

Ebony in Cedar Hill, Texas said: OMG.
Mary that don't sound to good. I if don't get better you may have to get out there for a few days or something. That is not good for you

Dear Ebony:

You are now a paid medical transcriptionist! Edit/proofread your post!

(Cough, cough, gasp.) [With her last breath, Mary, ever the professional medical transcriptionist to the end, devoted her last moment on earth to helping another medical transcriptionist in need.....]

I'm so fatigued I'm punchy, and my sense of humor is really warped at the moment.

Regards,

Mary

LOL!

Okay, I will do better. I know what you are talking about. I'm looking at it right now. :)

I don't want you gasping for air. :)

Ebony

Hey, I also work for Mrecord. Maybe we could keep in touch. It would be nice to know someone else that was working for the same company. What shift are you working? I m working 3rd.

Amanda, I responded to your email that you sent to me.

Sue in Grand Island, Nebraska said: Right out of school in 2005 I sent out letters introducing myself and asking to be considered for any jobs available then or in the future. Mainly to local hospitals, doctors and dentist offices. The reply's I got in follow up was that they hire MT's with at least 2 years experience or I needed to be certified. Recently I have been applying online to jobs available through www.transcription.net. I've tested a couple times through jobs available there. I seem to need a refresher in grammer and punctuation as that is my weakness and also need to get my typing speed up. I'm also considering taking the RMT test. Do you think that would help? It is my understanding you have to be a RMT before you can become a CMT. What study materials would you suggest for preparing for these?

Hi Sue:

I meant to respond to your post last week but got sidetracked.

Taking the RMT test is a good idea because it shows you are committed to the MT field. It would probably give you an advantage over other candidates, providing all other qualifications are equal.

I myself am not a CMT, nor have I taken the RMT. Sometimes, though, I feel like a CERTIFIABLE medical transcriptionist (LOL!). Seriously, though, if you want to find out what course materials you need to study, just Google "RMT study materials" or "CMT study materials" and look for the AAMT website listing; then click on that link.

My personal opinion: It would be more advantageous at this point for you to eliminate your weaknesses: study grammar and punctuation. Perfect your own writing style. The reason I suggest perfecting your own writing style is that there are many transcription jobs in which you may be required to create the report with just handwritten notes from the doctor or physician assistant. I've done plenty of that over the years.

Regards, Mary

To all the California MT gals, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Be safe.

Great advice Mary. I did contact the school I graduated from and they have a 12 week internship available that I'm going to do. It will give me a refresher course on grammer, formats and dictation practice. I think that will help build my confidence. Thanks for all your help and advice. Hope you are safe.

Hey Sue:

Good going! I'm glad you took action, and I know that just doing something positive will build your confidence.

Safe so far; I have a terrible headache today because of being out in the soupy air yesterday. But I am lying low and taking it easy today.

Again, Sue, I'm so happy for you!

Regards, Mary

Tricia in Southbury, Connecticut said: Sarah, you say your school is suppose to help you find something? IF you dont mind I ask. Where did you receive your training? The school I'm looking into is one I can do from home online, and they tell me as part of the program you receive life time assistance with job search. So, I was just wondering. I'd hate to finish the program and not have the help they say they will offer. On another note for all the other MT's. How hard on the arms/hands is it. Strange question I know. Reason I ask, I have MS and sometimes my arms/hands cramp or ache up. So, I'm just trying to find out as much about it as I can before I committ to anything. Sometime later in future I may become disabled, so having some training behind me would still help me find work. For example, are you usually paid by how many lines are entered and is there usually a time frame on which to complete the work that is sent to you? Thanks to everyone who will offer to info. Also, I work full time now, have 2 small children; so my time is limited. Would you all still rec I persue an MT course?
Thanks, Tricia

You have to really research your school's employment assistance programs before enrolling solely on that fact. PennFoster Schools offered the same and their employment assistance is telling me how to go to careerbuilder.com. I think that you might be referring to Alliance, which is about $2000, whereas, PennFoster was only $1000. I should have went Alliance, but if you look back through this blog forum, you'll notice several links casually mentioned. Now, after finding this blog, I am very glad that I saved that extra $1000

Hello everyone. I've been reading these posts and am encouraged that there is actually work out there. I've been working as an MT since 1995 and was working for a group of vascular surgeons before moving to a somewhat remote area in southwestern Illinois. However, I became my mother's caretaker (she suffers from Alzheimer's) after my father became ill with cancer. We have since been able to find a wonderful assisted living center for them both, but between that and our move, I've been out of work for two years and am finding it very difficult to return. Everyone wants MTs who have recent or current experience.

Hi Kathy:

First of all, let me tell you how sorry I am for the personal struggles you and your family have gone through and are going through. I can relate to some of your struggles.

In 1996, I was laid off from my medical transcription job and became my mother's caregiver until she died. I was out of work for six months but fortunately was able to get a job relatively soon after settling my mother's affairs in the San Diego area. (I live in Orange County, CA, about 100 miles north of where my mother lived.)

Be very upfront with your potential employers. They cannot take away the experience you already have. Just explain to them your family situation and that you had to take time off. I don't consider a two-year layoff a problem. I would not want to work for anybody who doesn't relate to or understand such circumstances.

I also had another such experience before becoming a medical transcriptionist. In 1988, I took care of my mother's husband who was dying of cancer. I told my supervisor late one afternoon that I had to leave that very night to go help my mother, that I did not know when I'd be back, and that if they had to replace me, I perfectly understood. I was gone for two weeks. When I returned, I still had a job. I was the sole word processor for that place, and they held the job for me. Amazing how good some people are.

Contact your local chapter of the AAMT and start networking. Let people know what your current circumstances are and why you've been out of the field for the last few years. The older MTs who have the most experience and contacts will relate to your situation, believe me, because they've all been through it with their parents.

Keep in touch and let us know the status of your job hunt.

God bless you, Kathy, and I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

Mary Ruff-King
www.mtmasterycenter.com
www.medicaltranscriptionmasterycenter.com

Mary,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry that you had to go through such sad times with your family too. It is so difficult, but something that you just have to do. I actually cherish the time I had with them even though it was so hard. Thank you also for your advice. I have been feeling "unemployable"of late. I will keep you posted; I appreciate your guidance and wisdom.

God bless you too.

Kathy

Mary,
I also wanted to express my sympathies for your fellow Californians and the horrific fires that have cost them their homes and lives. We've been following the stories all week and it is so awful. I lost everything I had in a house fire in 1983 and it is so surreal and terrifying; you never forget that smell. I'm sorry that you are suffering with health problems related to the fires, but thankfully you have not been in an area where you had to evacuate. I hope that you will be feeling better and resting soundly soon. Take care.

Kathy

Hi Kathy:

I know exactly what you mean about cherishing the time. I loved taking care of my mother and her husband until they died. It was a priceless experience but I wouldn't take any amount of money to go through it again. It was very difficult.

Thank you for your concerns about the fires; the air quality is just so awful. My throat is very sore and I'm hoarse today, even though I've managed to only go out once this week. So what happens today? I have a slab leak in my condo. Those huge industrial fans are running in my living room and tomorrow the jackhammers will be hammering away at the slab to find the leak. Gee whiz! But I do feel blessed; at least I have a residence to call home. Be it ever so flooded, there's no place like home.

Hey Kathy, I'm originally from IL (near Aurora, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia). Are you in southern IL?

Regards, Mary

Hi Mary,
After reading about your difficulties with your condo, etc. I do not think I will complain again! ; ) I hope things will start to look up soon. We live in southwestern IL in a small town (pop. 3100)about 30 miles east of St. Louis. Ny husband is in the USAF.

Hi Ebony,
Congrats on your new job! How very excited you must be! Let me know how it goes.

I'm still chugging along, and have met with a few local hospitals and clinics in the local area just to get word out that I'm interested in doing transcription. The fact is though, that I live in the middle of nowhere Nebraska and every clinic only needs 1-2 transcriptionists and all positions are filled. I gave them my resume and business cards and flyers and maybe someday will hear from them. I also check out internet sites constantly and am applying constantly, but never hear anything back from places I've applied at. I did awesome in MT schooling and want so bad to have a career in this. I refuse to give up.

Mary-I love reading your forums, just never really get a chance to reply. I have a 3- year-old girl and a 2-month-old boy...so as you can imagine, it's crazy here.

I'm excited to keep reading your posts.
Sarah

Hello Sarah:

Thank you very much. Yes, I'm very excited. I have not started yet, but hope to this week. Have you tried to test with MRecord? I did not hear from them right away after taking the test, so don't give up. You will find something.

Hello To All!

Sarah, Angie, and Kathy: Thank you for your kind responses. I'm glad to be of help.

With regard to being a medical transcriptionist (especially with regard to the job search aspect), I just want to say my philosophy has always been to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing. If people are doing X, I do Y.

Another philosophy is this: If people are doing X, then do X+Y+Z.

People scan newspapers/Internet and respond to ads. This may be the only type of job search they conduct. It is very competitive because 99% of people are doing exactly the same kind of job search.

I have responded to some ads, but the face-to-face networking is my main marketing technique. Yes, it takes longer but pays off bigger in the end. I think that's why others don't do it as much; they may feel it is too much work and will take too much time to pay off.

Our first priority should be to project ourselves as giving, passionate, intelligent, articulate, loving human beings who have an absolute love of medical transcription. This is critical.

Consider this: We are the product. We as human beings have to sell ourselves first so that others want to deal with us and work with us. This is essential. We cannot go out into the world and say, "I need a medical transcription job!" and expect others to jump up to help us.
No, that's not how it works. We first have to show that we as human beings deserve the chance, the opportunity.

After we have succeeded in showing others that we are worthy of the opportunity, then we need to prove that we can add more value than anyone else to the company who will be hiring us. We have to know our "stuff," and stay current with changes in technology.

I'd love it if you would all respond to this post; let's have a good discussion about this.

Regards,

Mary Ruff-King
www.mtmasterycenter.com
www.medicaltranscriptionmasterycenter.com

Cassandra Lavender in Warner Robins, Georgia said: How does a recent graduate in the field of Medical Transcription obtain a job? Seems no one wants to provide an answer and/or there seems to be no jobs available to those who have just recently graduated.

MT companies tend to hire graduates of the three big MT schools, which are Andrews, M-Tec, and Career Step, and they are willing to overlook the 2-year experience requirement for those grads.

I've never really heard of a grad from those schools that couldn't find a job within a reasonable period of time. If you did graduate from one of those schools and can't find a job, your resume might need some tweaking...

Hope you find something soon.

Hi Mary,

I do agree that face-to-face networking makes a bigger impact on people than responding to ads from the internet or newspaper. So, point well-taken. I think I'm already a member of AAMT. I get their magazine anyway. I'll need to check into that and if not, do I need to be a member in order to attend their meetings and events?

I believe talking to someone in person says a lot more about the person,their character and you can give a better feel for the person that way.

Speaking of the current changes in technology, have you heard of any MT's losing their jobs or the market slowing down for MT's due to EMR (electronic medical records)? I recently had a nurse who works at a local hospital tell me they are going to EMR and their transcriptionist is going to be losing her job due to this. She's concerned about me being able to find a job when I'm done. That concerns me too, but isn't something I can worry about.

I appreciate your time in responding. You are a great help!

Stephanie in Rome, Georgia said: Hi, I have been self-employed in the medical transcription field since 1997. Having worked in a hospital and doctor's office before this venture, I had a lot of networking going on so I had no problem finding individual physical therapy clinics, physicians, etc. who became my clients. In the past, I have also worked for MedQuist which is a wonderful company and they hire newly graduated MTs, as well as those with 1 year of on-the-job experience/training. I would highly recommend MedQuist because they are flexible in your scheduling, pay is competitive, they provide your equipment, and there is always work available. Log onto Medquist.com and click on the link for transcriptionists. On going at it on your own, the main thing is to NETWORK because you are going to be wearing all the hats of your business...accounting, transcribing, and especially MARKETING. Good luck everyone! I've been extremely happy and successful in my venture.

The information you gave about MedQuist was helpful to me. I will look into them further upon graduation. Thanks so much!

Ebony in Cedar Hill, Texas said: LOL! I have been waiting to tell you. Since I have been talking back and forth with you and you have been helping me, I just wanted to share the news with you! You have been a great encouragement for me Mary. I'm excited. I should be all set up in about 10 days or so.

YEAH GO EBONY!

Congrats Ebony! I read your replies to Mary as it seems like she's been a huge help to a lot of people. I look forward to learning from all of you now that I've found this website. You'll do great in your new venture. I'm happy for you!

Angie N in Indianapolis, Indiana said: Speaking of the current changes in technology, have you heard of any MT's losing their jobs or the market slowing down for MT's due to EMR (electronic medical records)? I recently had a nurse who works at a local hospital tell me they are going to EMR and their transcriptionist is going to be losing her job due to this. She's concerned about me being able to find a job when I'm done. That concerns me too, but isn't something I can worry about.

I'm not Mary, and sorry to jump into your convesation, but I'd like to answer your question about EMR, if I may. EMR is great for some types of medical records, generally short entries from clinics and ERs. The longer dictations like H&P, discharge summaries, and op notes are too complicated to be punched into an EMR system. EMR is good for inputting vital signs, symptoms, diagnosis, Rx's, etc. My own PCP has been using EMR in our clinic for a couple of years now. Long hospital dictations are too complicated for EMR, however.

I welcome anyone to jump in! So, thank you! I appreciate your feedback on this. I wasn't sure just how the EMR system worked, so this really helps me. Thank you!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all in California. I hope you are doing OK.

Mary,

This is a follow-up to the previous reply I sent you. I am a member of AAMT. I will look for ways to network and get involved. Thanks again!

Hello Angie:

Thank you so much. I'm very excited. I haven't started working yet. I plan to start next week. Mary has been a great help to me and to a lot of others. I value all of the comments that she gives. We all could learn a lot from her, so keep on reading her post. She is full of information!

Ebony

Mary and everyone-
Hello! I agree that joining local AAMT Chapters and talking to other transcriptionists is a good way of networking and finding jobs versus searching and applying for jobs via the internet/newspaper. The problem is though, that I live pretty close to the middle of nowhere and there aren't any local AAMT Chapters around. Any other ideas on networking?

sarah p in chappell, Nebraska said: Mary and everyone-
Hello! I agree that joining local AAMT Chapters and talking to other transcriptionists is a good way of networking and finding jobs versus searching and applying for jobs via the internet/newspaper. The problem is though, that I live pretty close to the middle of nowhere and there aren't any local AAMT Chapters around. Any other ideas on networking?

I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to use the MTDaily job site. There are so many jobs listed there, literally hundreds of them, and it's easy to find a job there. MTs are very active on the internet, and so are MT employers.

www.mtjobs.com/

Guys. There is an MT site that has 'live chat' available all of the time. Maybe some of us can meet there and have a real time conversation via chat. The site is MT Utopia and the web address is www.mtutopia.com. You do not have to be a member to chat. To reach the chat room, look just under the picture of the beach and you will see 'Live Chat'. Maybe we can have regular sessions on a set day and time.

What do you guys think?

Cassandra Lavender in Warner Robins, Georgia said: How does a recent graduate in the field of Medical Transcription obtain a job? Seems no one wants to provide an answer and/or there seems to be no jobs available to those who have just recently graduated.

Hi, Cassandra. If you are interested in working at home, you may try Spheris or Medquist. www.spheris.com and www.medquist.com. They consider new grads. You have to score well on the tests, though.

Hi Angie! Thanks, I do want to say this. Mary is great, and I would advise everyone to listen and read her replies. She helps a lot of us on the forum.

Brooke in Battle Creek, Michigan said: I might be willing to hire a newby at home......E-mail me. figelo@yahoo.com I am a legitimate recruiter inside the US. I need Radiology and Neurology transcriptionist, home-based on an independent contract status.

I would like to work at home. I graduated from Career Step in January 2007 and have not been able to get a job in Topeka, Kansas. You can email me at p_jones_2008@yahoo.com or call me at 785-383-0954. My name is Pamela Jones. Thank you.

Pamela, Spheris and MQ hire CS grads. Have you contacted them? CS also has a training track program. It pays badly, but it gets you some experience so you can move on to a better company.

Hello everyone! I'm glad I stumbled across this forum! It's been helpful to read what others have been experiencing. I just finished a course in Medical Billing and Coding, which also has practical training in MT, from Penn Foster. I'm now looking to work from home as a MT. I'm a young single mom and daycare isn't an option for me, so I would really like to find an entry level job! One company that I came across was Trans Am Associates and they want you to spend a lot of money on their software just to take their tests, never mind get an actual job. That sounded rather fishy to me and I'm glad to see that someone else posted on here that it's a known scam. I'll need to check out some of the sites mentioned by others that are known to hire newbies. Here's to hoping it won't take too long to find a job!

Hello Jaime,
Log onto www.mtdaily.com they have a lot of job postings there.

Ebony

I noticed that when Mary mentioned Transam it was shot down as a scam. I have been trying to research as best as possible to prove or disprove this before I get burned, but I have not been able to. Have any of you had an experience with them? I have read the rip-off reports and one person posted about this company. The report does not seem legit to me. It seems more like someone who just can't grasp the concept and is angry. Someone from Transam even responded to him and he blew it off. Does anyone have an opinion about this? I am interested in Transam because they pay for your training. I have a 2 yr old little girl and we are really struggling to keep our heads above water. I just can't afford the $1000 for some of these other schools. Please someone help me. If you want to email me my address is shadowofluxor@yahoo.com. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you.

Brandi, even if Transam wasn't a scam, (but the vast majority of comments about them on the web indicate that they are) you'll notice on their website that they give absolutely no indication of what they actually teach. There is no curriculum, no course descriptions, no information about the type or number of physician dictations they will have you transcribe....nothing. You would have absolutely no idea of what you'd be learning from them after buying their "special software."

I've never heard anything good about them.

The only reason I ask is because all the things I have read state that the software was bad or it was hard to pass. Although everyone has said that they offer the training. It's not like they aren't offering training it just that people say it's too hard to pass. Isn't that a good thing? If their standards are high doesn't that mean you are getting worth while training?

Brandi,
Stay away from them! Transam is a scam. If you google "Transam Scam" you will get all kinds of info. about it. Apparently they are charging the $300-$400 fee for software and do not provide any type of work or training. They've taken ads out in several newspapers across the country. I heard from an MT in Delaware and another in South Dakota that had seen their ads. They are TROUBLE.

Brandi, I would have to agree with the last comment about Transam. Everything that I have read about them was not good. Don't waste your money on them. Check around, there are some good schools that you can get assistance with if you need it. Just because they are cheap don't mean that they will teach you anything. If you are not taught properly it will be hard for you to find work. No one test like they do. That test is so easy and they still say that you need more training. Please do more research on them before you pay for anything.

Ebony

No, it isn't that Transam's standards are too high. Andrews and M-Tec have extremely high standards, and they produce MTs who are ready to work at home as soon as they graduate. Both of those courses are very comprehensive, and if you look at their websites, you'll see that they tell you up front what their courses cover...you know exactly what you'll be learning in those two schools. They don't hide their curriculum like Transam does.

You definitely get what you pay for.

Does anyone happen to have the websites to those schools?

You can read about MT schools, including Andrews and M-Tec, that have been approved by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) on the AHDI website. Here's a link to that page:

www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/mtapproved.cfm

All of the good MT schools have links on that page, and you can click on their websites there. There are 11 AHDI-approved approved schools, but Andrews and M-Tec are the two best, and companies tend to overlook the 2-year experience requirement for graduates of those schools.

Hi Brandi,

I don't know anything about Transam other than I've seen them before and what I've read on here. As far as the money for schooling goes, you might be able to get a loan through Salle Mae and pay $10/mo while you are in school and then once you are done you would pay more per month..like $30 or so depending on your total course tuition. That might be something for you to think about.

Problem is I have an outstanding student loan. I had to drop out when I got pregnant with my daughter and haven't paid it all back yet.

Mary I read a piece on your blog and I have some questions:

Can you privately email regarding wages? I have a few questions. I also have a legal background in fact I am a legal technology specialist and previously I was a paralegal.

kurt.fung@gmail.com