Finding Entry Level Medical Transcription Jobs

What type of foot pedal is it? I use the one I got from my school. It works great!

It is a ByteScribe foot pedal. That is all the info on it that they sent me

Oh ok. I think it depends on which platform your potential employer uses. I use Express Scribe to upload files from my employers server and play them. Express Scribe handles a ton of different types of foot pedals. I would assume that if you are going to a school that uses an ADHI approved cirriculum, that the foot pedal they supply is going to work with most companies. I would wait until you are closer to graduation to think about purchasing a foot pedal. You can always go looking around on some company websites that list their employment requirements and see if they list what type of foot pedal or platform they use.

Thanks, I'll go and check it out.

These are all the materials that are provided

Full-size medical dictionary
• Medical Surgical Word Book
• Saunder’s Pharmaceutical Word Book
• Medical Flash Cards / Anatomy Flash Cards
• ByteScribe foot pedal
• WavPlayer software
• AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription

Students need to supply their own headphones for listening to dictation.

Continued…..

Text Upgrade Option Available

The text upgrade is a wonderful option for online students who would
like to study the course while away from the computer. You may opt to
purchase the text upgrade directly from Career Step for $200.00 plus
$29.95 shipping/handling. Just call their College Enrollment Department
toll free:

Text upgrade

The upgrade includes the following workbooks in hard copy:

• Grammar & Style Essentials
• Medical Word Building
• Human Anatomy, Physiology & Disease Processes
• Abbreviations, Medical Plurals, How to Look Up Words, Word
• Differentiation, Formatting (commonly known as the "Smorgasbord Book")
• Making Your Career Step
• Perfect the Text
• Focus on Medical Specialties

I joined this group this afternoon and I will be removing myself from it this evening. This is a big disappointment and a discredit to the profession. And all I wanted was advice from someone with experience. Sad.

DJR - SOmetimes people get tense and have to vent. That is all. I agree things went haywire today. But, if you read all the pages leading up to the last two you will know that there is a lot of helpful information here.

SHARPER - Looks like you will be supplied with a wealth of information. If I am not mistaken, most transcriptions are in a .wav style player. With that said, I think your foot pedal will work well with any potential employer, but I am not 100% certain.

I'm almost in shock at how people are treating each other on this board!!! I have just returned home to a full mailbox of nastiness! One comment was made here previously about how working MT's should carry themselves and how potential or current employers may be looking in so they couldn't/wouldn't want to comment too much on certain things. What do you suppose any company would say about this latest mess? I have felt as though I was offending someone every time I posted here, and seeing this now I can see it's not me. Seriously, as adults and professionals, this was completely uncalled for! It appears everyone wants the last word. Sad.

Like DJR, I am removing myself from this board. I've already made acquaintances who I will be in touch with, as well as the forum at my training school. I don't need to see bashing of each other constantly, I can watch children bicker with the same effect.

Yep I hear you. Over the last 2 or 3 days, every post I made was either thought to be with an attitude or someone thinking I was offended. I cannot even offer what knowledge I have gained in the last year without someone taking it out of context. I am chalking it up to the stress one may be under while working in this field, trying to work in this field, thinking about changing careers to this field, or trying to figure out which school to go to in order to find a job and be successful in this field. While I was not completely exempt from the recent meaness in here, I also am not one to sit back and allow to be told I had an attitude when I was only, 100%, giving my true and honest opinions based on what I have learned over the last year. I suppose I will take the wealth of knowledge I gained as a newbie trying to break into this field where it is appreciated.

This is Evelyn:
And I am also removing myself from this board, after having given a lot of advice. I am not a newbie anymore and I do not belong on this forum anymore, where one is only insulted and envied by people who do not even know what school to attend.
Attending a school is a very personal choice and the results are not equal for everybody, even after attaining a certificate.
And MT schools do not train in grammar, spelling, comprehension, etc...., the basics of the English language which we require already in highschool. This is a pre-requisite for entering a MT school. Therefore most of the MT schools require a pre-enrollment test.

To let me tell from a certain Mrs. Sharper who has to take preschooling to enter a MT school, that she is going to get my job, with her miserable grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. skills...., shows how low her niveau is and that she only wants to use this forum to her advantage and venting her frustrations and inefficiencies to people who give help and advice. What advice can she give as as a newbie. She can only take and insult.
Sometimes, giving too much help is actually not good and borders on stupidity.
I am out of here.

I agree with L that on this forum giving help is not appreciated and brings only jealousy, envy and insults from newbies, because we are ahead of them and they wish they were where we are. They even take giving advice as an insult, as being condescending.

And I am waiting that L from Naples, Florida, the good Samaritan, what she really is, I mean it honestly, no other person gave more fruitful advice than her and she still continues after all this ingratitude, I cannot believe this, learns also her lesson. She can do better with her time.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Unsinkable Milly, I've just started M-TECs transcriptionist course and you are scaring me. I did hear salaries were low and realize that I couldn't expect top rates, especially here in TN, but YUK can I not expect more than 5 cents a line as a newbie?

Depends on you education and where you find a job. I did not attend an ADHI approved school, but 2 months ago, before even finishing my course, I found a job as an IC making a bit more than 5 cpl. The good are out there, and the better you education, the better your chances of getting one. MTec is a great starting point!

Thanks, L in Naples. Did you find work near your home? I'm hoping that M-TEC will be able to get a job for me to work at home when I complete the course. In that case, should I expect to get less pay working from home? Can you find MT jobs working for a national firm if nothing is available near you?
The reason I'm asking this is because I live in a small TN city and prefer to not use the time and the gasoline required (unless I have to) to travel back and forth every day to work in a larger city.

TO ALL WHO ARE ON THE BOARD. I AM SORRY ABOUT THE LAST THREE MESSAGES THAT I POSTED BUT SOMEONE THREATENED ME, ALL BECAUSE OF MESSAGES ON THIS BOARD. IT LOOKS LIKE INDEED.COM TOOK OFF THAT MESSAGE THOUGH.

RUBY AND L, WHERE I STAY I KNOW THAT THE HOPITAL JOBS HERE PAYS AN ENTRY LEVEL EMPLOYEE $13.50 AN HOUR. THE ONLY THING THEY ASK IS THAT YOU ATTENDED SCHOOL FOR IT. I WONDER IF THAT WOULD BE A BETTER ROUTE TO GO AT FIRST.

I LIKE WHAT MEDITECE OFFER THOUGH. THEY OFFER INTERNSHIP. I GUESS A PERSON CAN DO INTERN WHILE WORKING ON ANOTHER JOB UNTIL ONE GAIN THE EXPERIENCE FOR THE ONLINE JOBS.

WWW.MEDITEC.COM

I work from home for a smaller company based in TN. I do not know about competetive wages or in-house vs. at-home. I like what I do, I stay at home, and I make good money considering I dont need gas or certain clothes to work at a hospital. Working at-home, or "remote" as they call it, means you can work for any company offering it. I live in FL and work for a company in TN. 99% of companies offer at-home work. However, I have been told that getting experience in-house a.k.a. working in a hospital gives one valuable experience. But, I think you made an excellent choice in choosing MTec and should feel confident that as long as you do well in school, you should not have a problem getting a job. MTec is one of the best! (Wish I would have gone there)

Sharper, I read that message you responded to and I understand how your 3 messages came to be. I would have responded the same. Please know that even though we had a disagreement a few pages back, I only wish you the best of luck in this field. Being able to stay home and work, especially with kids, is awesome.

I will be receiving my certificate within the next few weeks. I have been job hunting for at least two months now. I will graduate with a 3.8 GPA and I believe my resume is considerably professional. Why haven't I heard anything back? I didn't think it would be this hard to find a job as a "newbie". What should I do? Do I go to the Doctor's personally? If so, how do I go about doing that? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

A few pages back I listed links to 2 places that have 100s of companies. Start applying to them all. The more you apply to the better your chances. Unfortunately, most companies do not care about your GPA or a certificate. If you did not go to Andrews, Mtec, or Career Step, you will have a harder time getting a job, but it is not improssible. You just need to find the right company to give you a chance. You will be better off with a smaller company, as they are more willing to help mentor and fine tune a new MTs skills. Bigger, national companies expect perfection from the get-go. Like I said, the more companies you apply to, the better chance you will have. I applied to over 137 before I found a job. Good luck.

Hi. I am a recent graduate of not only medical transcription, but all aspects of the medical office. I am looking to work from home. Any ideas of companies that will give a recent graduate a chance. I live in the middle no no where so commuting is not easy not to mention not many jobs in the area. I also have 4 children so working from home is my best bet of going back to work. Thanks to anyone to has a suggestion.

If you would have read all the pages leading to this one, as well as my comment above, you would know that 3 or 4 pages back I listed links to 2 websites that have 100s and 100s of companies. Thats a good place to start. Good luck.

I am taking a Medical Transcription diploma course from Penn Foster Career School. I am taking medical technology right now, but I am searching to see how to get into this field. Any tips on what I need to do before I get done with my course. After reading all the forums and talking to some MT's in my area, most of them won't hire you unless you have 2-3 years experience.
Does anyone know where to find entry-level jobs on the net; especially in Georgia?

The clinic that I work for wants to go to line counts instead of page count or characters.

My question is:

If I type 1,000 characters @ 65 per line (including spaces and expanders), how many characters is this? I dont know why this has me so stumped. Probably just exhaustion.

I, too, found my job on mtjobs.com. Apply for all of them that you qualify. Then your phone rings off the hook.

Thanks!

Tuesday in BLue: Please read the comment I made right before your post.

Mardiboo:

You take the total number of characters you typed (if you are using word, in the tool bar, click tools, then word count, and select charcater WITH spaces, if you get paid for them) Take that number, and divde by 65. I, too, am paid on a 65 charcater line. When I am done with one set of documents, I click the word count button, take that number, say 29066 (which was 1 I just finished) and divide by 65. For that set, I typed 447.17 lines.

I just want to post a comment to the ladies that seem to answer all of the posts. I have noticed that everytime that someone new ask for information that may have been repeated the responses seem so mean that I think people will not even want to join. If you have already answered the question on previous pages and your upset that someone new ask the same question again. I would be nice if you just don't respond. Let someone else respond to the post if you have to come off as having an attitude. The negative vibe that is given from your responses is really not nice. By the way you just never know who is reading them. :)

To Ebony:

Very smart comment, I agree !

ok fine. i wont offer my help anymore.

That's what I meant: If they do not get an answer (on a 'siverplatter'), they will go back to the previous pages, hoping to find an answer. Dear L, you are amazing, but you are going in circles.

Or:

The forum website should be designed in a way that if somebody asks a question that has already been answered, there would be a pop-up: This question has been already answered, go to page........!

How about that? I hope I did not offend anybody or displaying an attitude. It is only a well-meant suggestion, I only want to help.

Ebony, that is what started the entire blowup on here a few days ago. Part of being a successful MT is to reaserch and learning how to research effectively. I only point it out because it is TRUE that if someone really wants information and wants to find a job, part of it is looking for it and researching it. An employer is going to get irritated if everytime you cannot figure out a word or medication you leave a blank. An MT NEEDS to learn to research an answer. And starting with reasrching how to get a job is a great jump start. After a while it gets irritating to answer the same questions over and over when someone could read a couple of pages and be blessed with a wealth of information. Instead, people sometimes get lazy and just want the answers given straight to them instead of looking for it. I answer the way I do because it takes a bit more work for me actually go into my favorites file, pull up my links, and copy and paste them. It is much easier for me to suggest they flip through the last few pages and read all the info posted within them given my myself and several other MTs, as well as the links I put over and over. I am not being rude or mean. But newbies also need to learn to hunt around a bit for information. If everything is always given straight to them, they won't possess the skills needed to research an answer when it comes to actually working in this field. This is a tough field to break into and the faster you learn to look for things on your own, the better you will be. The demand for this job is so high. And if you cannot fend for yourself when in a pool of other MTs, you will get booted when another MT comes in who knows how to use the resources available to their advantage.

I aplogise if you think I was rude to suggest that someone actually read what this forum contains. But, someone might find more information in doing that then they will by myself or another MT posting a few quick links.

L,
I understand and I can tell how you feel about it.

DJR in Bismarck, North Dakota said: Forgot one question. Do you need to take a Certification or Registery exam. Allied school guarentees that you will pass this test. Is it required? Thanks for any info. I am just trying to decide which online school to go with.

I have done some research on this. You don't have to be certified to do medical transcription, but most companies would hire you if you were certified.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong. I am currently going to Penn Foster Career School taking a medical transcription diploma course. Since I have little knowledge of the medical field (I was Business Major and Education Major), I thought it was best to get some foundation on this field. Penn Foster offers career services with their program.

Mary Ruff-King in Los Angeles, California said: To All Entry-Level Medical Transcriptionists:

I have never forgotten my roots, nor have I forgotten those who have helped me to get where I am today. I am always willing to teach what I have learned.

Shameless Plug: Please visit www.mtmasterycenter.com (blog) or
www.medicaltranscriptionmasterycenter.com (website) for further information that may help you in your quest. These are my websites in which I post helpful information and articles to help others succeed.

I hope I'm allowed to post this here; if not, then someone let me know!

Mary Ruff-King

Thank you so much! I checked out the website. Very good source of information!

Gaining your CMT is not required. In fact, you are only eligible to take the CMT test AFTER you have been working as an MT for 2 consecutive years. However, any newbie is eligible to test for the RMT. This may be helpful but is not a necessity, nor is it required. You can gain more info about it on the ADHI website.

Dear L:

You are really amazing, L, I mean it from he bottom of my heart. You are so giving, patient and unbelievable. You are not giving up trying to help people, no matter what.
You must be a wonderful mother to your kids and a wonderful wife to your husband. You deserve the best.
You believe in the goodness of every person and if everybody would be like you, the world would be a better place.

Thank You
Evelyn

Thanks Evelyn. I like to believe that what goes around comes around. I try to help when I can because I am sure that someday I will need help in return.

Jean in Cleveland, Tennessee said: Brooke, I am a gradiuate from At-Home Professions, I recently completed an internship.

Hello Jean, I'm surprised to find someone here in Cleveland, TN, where I live! I'm just starting a course with M-TEC and enjoying it very much even though it is very time consuming. This forum is very informative (LOL) and I'm hoping that when I'm finished with the course at M-TEC I will be able to find work...do you work locally or at home? If you (or any of our other MT members) would like to communicate with me via email I'm at rubygailc@bellsouth.net.
Ruby

Hey Ruby! Chattanooga is so beautiful! I have family all over TN. NAshville, Brentwood, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Franklin. Good luck with yout course at Mtec. It is one of the best and you should have great luck finding a job when you are done. Graduates of Andrews and Mtec as well as Career Step are in demand. Good luck.

BTW: Yes, this forum IS informative, if you can get over all our little squabbles.

You guys seriously need to grow up!! I get e-mail notifications when comments are posted on this site and my mail box is full of back and forth bickering. Isn't this a forum for medical transcription? Just a thought.

L in Naples, Florida said: Gaining your CMT is not required. In fact, you are only eligible to take the CMT test AFTER you have been working as an MT for 2 consecutive years. However, any newbie is eligible to test for the RMT. This may be helpful but is not a necessity, nor is it required. You can gain more info about it on the ADHI website.

Thank you. This was very helpful information. What or who would you suggest to go to get started in the MT field? Our local hospital seems to be hiring only medical coders. It seems they go through them a lot. Would you suggest Doctor offices? I thought of focusing on one or two fields - not sure which ones yet. I am working on medical terminology in my course right now and have been trying to absorb all the terms. It's a lot for someone who studied business previously.

I agree. This forum has been a wonderful source of information and encouragement to many of us and it is sad that a few people have to ruin it. Lets stay focused and positive. At one point this weekend I considered quiting this post all because of the childish banter. What's that saying "if you cant say something nice then dont say it at all".

Amanda in Rome, Georgia said: Go to MTJobs.com. That is where I found all of the jobs that I applied for. They have many listings on there. It is called MRecord. Just click on it and submit your resume. I didn't have anything to even put on my resume, so I played up my grades in school. They then sent me the test to take. I took the test and then they called and hired me. They are in the process of hiring alot of new people. Good Luck!! Let me know if you need any help with anything.

What kind of skills are they looking for on a medical transcription resume? I have a business resume, education resume, and writing resume. Are they looking for wpm or certification, programs?

Most new MTs looking to gain experience are more likely to get a job in a hosptial pool or with a larger Drs office that would be willing to hire a newbie and help finish their training. However, getting a job working from home for an MT company is not impossible. The key is to not give up. Take the time to beef up your resume, research how to write a superb cover letter, then submit it to EVERY SINGLE MT COMPNAY YOU CAN FIND. A few pages back I put 2 links to sites that have links and addresses to 100s and 100s of MT companies.

RE: Resume, while listing your wpm is good, typing as an MT is not about speed for a newbie. It is accuracy over quantity. While your wpm may be impressive, it will do you no good if your documents are chock full of mistakes. What I did was list all the specialities I had typed reports for suring my schooling as well as what types I did. IE: Dishcahrge summaries, consultations, clinic notes, etc. Also, list what you posess, as in computer, foot pedal, books, etc., that you have at home that will help you work at home.

Thank you so much! That information is exactly what I was wanting to know.
When should I start submitting resume. My next class is Anatomy and then HIPPA. Then medical transcription 1. I took dictation and transcription class in another college, but it was not for medical transcription. It was for a business major.

WHen you should submit your resume depends on how much you know and how confidant you are in what you know. I applied for and found a job before graduating. I still actually have one more transcription assignment to get graded, and I have been working for nearly 3 months now. I felt I had gained enough knowledge and was confidant in what I learned and how to apply it that I was ready for a job. This is not recommended however. I just feel lucky that I found a job when and where I did.

I would not suggest looking for a job until you have transcribed all the different reports there are and you have studied each of the body systems and specialties. 99% of the companies you apply to are going to ask you to test. You wont be able to pass the test if you have not learned everything I stated above. You also need to gain some internet resources and know how to use them, i.e. online medical dictionary, abbreviations, etc., as well as how to use google. Google is by far my most important online resource. It has answered many many questions for me.

Also, if you can find someone who has a few years of experience in this field to help guide a bit, you will be on the right track. I have seen a few people go onto MTStars in the 'new mt' forum and ask if anyone would be interested in being their mentor. Having a mentor will help you tremendously!

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely check into a mentor. Is there any specific books that you recommend?

I was told by my mentor not to buy any specialty books until you secure a job. However, I was told to get Stedman's Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Abbreviations. Also, I am sure the Book of Style, which is put out by the ADHI (I think) would be helpful. The company I work for does not adhere 100% to the BOS, so I do not own it. Once you get a job and see what type of specialties you will be working for, you can get the Stedman's for it. But, I still say that google is the best resource out there. If you are not sure of a spelling, but can make out most of it, you can google it and most times it will ask if you meant....whatever....and it will be the correct word. I then take that word and look it up in the online dictionary I use to be sure it is the right on. I LOVE GOOGLE!!!

L, you seem very knowledgable about things. I am trying hard to find a company that will hire me as a newbie. I not only took transcription but all aspects of the medical office. I did very well in my schooling. I actually went to a school but opted to take most of my classes on-line. The problem is that I live in the middle of no where and there just aren't many jobs in the area. I don't need to tell you with the gases prices it is hard to commute very far. Do you have any other suggestions as to helping a newbie find an online transcription job. As for everyone, thanks for the heads up on trnsam, I almost got pulled in until I read this forum.

B, I do not know of and specific companies the hire newbies. Lets face it, if a company advertised that, they would be bombarded with resumes from newbies! This is what I would do:

1. WRITE AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME. As I said a few posts back, add in all the specialties you learned about and did transcriptions for in school. Also, list all the types of transcriptions you did. Put this in the EDUCATION portion of your resume so it doe not appear you have actual on-the-jon traning. In the educations portion of my resume, I put that "I had 9 months experience, in school, doing transcription." Then I listed all the types and specialties I learned about.

2. WRITE A COVER LETTER. Research how to write one online. It should be 3 paragraphs plus your "Dear whoever" and your "Sincerley" Come up with a one that works for all the companies you want to apply to. When applying to them be sure to change the "Dear" part to include the name of the company or better yet, the contact name of the person if it is listed on their website.

3. Go to these websites:
mtdaily.com/mtcos.html
www.dmoz.org/Health/Professions/Medical_Transcription/Services/North_America/United_States/
Print them off and grab a highlighter and pencil.

4. Once you have what you believe is an excellent resume and catchy cover letter, start at the top of those lists and work your way through them. The list from mtdaily if divided by state, but that does not mean that you have to live in that state to work for that company. 99% of the companies have employees working from home or "remote working" Some places only hire "IC" workers, which means you dont get employee benefits and you are responsible for 100% of your taxes at the end of the year. It may take some digging around on some of the company links to find who to email you stuff to, but it is worth it.

CONTINUED...

Use the lists you printed off to make notes, such as the name of the person you emailed if it on there, the email address, or anything else you might think you would want to know if they contacted you. Even though you have no experience I would apply to the ones that say 1 or 2 yrs experience, as long as they do not have anything on there warning that if you do you will never be hired in the future (which I came across a few). If a company says to mail you resume and cover letter the old-fashioned way (LOL) do it. Apply to as many as you can in one sitting. I emailed out over 130 before I found a job. It may not happen over night, but if you send out more than a handful of resumes, the odds are you will find a job.