A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

New to this board learning about MT looking at options as a career alternative - Jean

Posted: Dec 28, 2012

Good morning or afternoon everyone

As I have run through a list of companies that hire medical transcriptionists I found on the website Rat Race Rebellion (a work at home website) I was directed to this forum and I must say it is a wealth of information so I am glad I have found it !

I am in Kentucky and graduated with an Associates degree last year in medical billing and coding hoping that would give me a leg up on my resume aside from my experience just in healthcare insurance customer service. I have had trouble finding a company willing to hire me since I am yet to be certified as a professional coder and also aside from my internship I don't have any experience. I am sure there are a few of us who have run into that circumstance too and there are probably the same hurdles with MT too. But I am willing to give any and all options a look.

All I have right now especially with the holidays is time to research things and give myself as many options as possible. I am happy to see there are some companies who will take a chance on someone who is a graduate with no experience. I am looking at starting the MT program through CareerStep/Everett College early next year. Thank you have a great New Year !

Sorry, but sorry to hear it. - A lot of us rats in MT

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(I say that because we are pretty much treated like vermin any more) are racing to get off this sinking ship.

I would not consider MT a career option... - and I certainly would not pay for a program

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Paying for a Program - Jean

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At this point I need a job and because of my gap in employment a lot of companies aren't willing to look at me face to face and interview me. This time of year a lot of companies are hiring for warehouse work and temp employment. I am just trying to do what I can to keep my home and I would just hope there is a company who would take a chance on me if I didn't have experience but they are few and far in between

I'm currently employed (as an MT) and can't get - interviews, either. There are - sm

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several reasons for this. One is the economy, and the fact that every job, in every field, has hundreds of people apply for even the most menial job. When people with Masters degrees are applying for secretarial jobs, I don't stand a snowball's chance in H___ of getting even a callback, let alone an interview.

The other problem is just being an MT. I'm trying to get out of the field, am currently working, have no gaps in employment, and yet to most outside industries, my 35 years as an MT is all but worthless.

Of course, everyone's experiences and needs are different. If you've got your heart set on MT and nothing else, all you can do is give it your best shot. But right now there's the problem of competition for every single job, even the crappy ones like MT. They're getting pretty particular about what they want: Fantastic MT school training, 1-3 years' experience - but often not one iota MORE than 3 years' experience. And only a couple places hire recent graduates. You'll pay your dues working for those companies, but if you don't need the money to live on, and MT is more or less a hobby, then you can still learn under those circumstances, but it's a very low-paid,aggravating field right now.

Most of us can make a better living at an $8/hour job at McDonald's than we can working tons of unpaid overtime as an MT.

I think your best option - anon

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Would be to sit for both the CCS and CPC exams and get your coding certifications! There are a lot more places willing to hire a new coder who holds both credentials than a new MT.

Jean- looking for new career - gltrgrami

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Amen to that. Stay away from this career. Run and don't look back.

The problem is, MT is no longer a career. - Its just underpaid sweatshop labor. N/M

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nm

Agree entirely. - NM

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x

See message... - MT

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It is a common problem when finishing coding school to have difficulty getting the much needed 2 years' experience. Have you tried networking locally, going to AHIMA chapter meetings, etc.?

If you really want to eventually have a career in coding, medical transcription is not going to help you. Your best bet is to, as I said above, network locally. I would also recommend trying to get a job at a local hospital, any job, as they often hire from within. You can take a fast and easy course, like phlebotomy, for example, and should be able to market yourself better with regards to office jobs and/or hospital jobs. You already have the core education requirements for many careers in healthcare.

If, as you said, you need a job now in order to keep your house, medical transcription is definitely not going to help you. Even if you complete a program and find a job, you will not begin to make even a remotely decent wage for several years... and that is assuming jobs will be available and pay will be fair (which it really is not anymore). There are many of us with years of experience who cannot even get replies to our resumes. Whatever you do, do not invest any money in medical transcription.

check out these MTStars links - some good positive and negative info - Des

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http://forum.mtstars.com/442087.html

http://forum.mtstars.com/442094.html

http://forum.mtstars.com/434221.html

This is the New MTs link (same as the New MTs tab on the left)
http://forum.mtstars.com/newmts/
Scroll all the way down and click the November (Nov) link for more good threads.

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