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


Question about CMT certification - wondering if I should get it eventually


Posted: Jun 02, 2011

Hi all,

I have been a transcriptionist for right at 6 years.  I have been thinking about certification, but wondered if I should do it.  The only problem I see in obtaining it is my experience.  I have basically been doing clinic work with my company and a little acute care, but not much else.  I know that pay wise, it really doesn't seem to help having the credential and I think that is a true shame, because I know the MTs who do have the credential have worked very hard to get the experience which is needed to have it.  However, I thought it would be a nice to have. 

 

Thank you for your input! :O)

CMT - look in archives

[ In Reply To ..]
Look in the archives of NEW MT and see the pros and cons of CMT

CMT certification? Are they still out there? - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Nice thing to have? Don't know where it gets you nowadays. Go back to school. Spend the money on increasing what you know and then become a nurse or something else that gives you more respect and appreciation.

I'm Not Doing It - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
There was a time when I was new I thought I'd go for the CMT credential, but it really doesn't mean much so I nixed the idea early on. If you have a personal propensity to just have the accomplishment, that's fine, but don't do it as a career move.

I have little respect for the credential. I used to do QA at a big company, and there were plenty of CMTs who didn't know their you-know-what from their elbow and they did sloppy work. SO, that is my thing on that.

It sounds like you want to stay in this business, so I would definitely get some more acute care under your belt if you want to milk what is left of this business.

CMT certification - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't waste your time and money. This organization has a lot history of exploiting the American MT. (Just check into their relationship with MQ.) They were instrumental in making offshoring acceptable. They have done nothing for the American MT except exploit and take money. I have been an MT/MTSO for four decades, have done extremely well, and do not need or want to support this organization. As an American, I am not going to support someone who helps my livelihood go overseas. Thumbs down on AHDI or ADHD or whatever it is they are calling themselves these days.

SAVE YOUR MONEY! - oaf

[ In Reply To ..]
At this point in time unless your company requires it and they pay for your testing I wouldn't bother. I was certified and got zip, zilch extra from any of my employers so I let it lapse. It's just another way for the AHDI to get more of what little money we make.

I Agree - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
It costs money to take the test, and it's not cheap. I don't know what it is these days, but it was in the 100s.

I always said, if my company all of a sudden requires it, then they can pay for it.

Thank you all so much. That's why I come and get your opinions :) - wondering if I should get it eventually

[ In Reply To ..]
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded. When I first started, I didn't really see any need for it, and now it just confirms my first thoughts on it. From what I have seen, the credential is just an abbreviation at the end of a name, and that is truly sad. :( I am currently in coding school, but am not sure if that is what I want to do and now wish I would have spent that money elsewhere as well. I don't think I have the stomach to be a nurse, and believe me, I have thought about that as a career, as well. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to respond. :O)

"ADHD" ---- ROTFL ----- you made my day! - MT Wordz

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

MT wordz - quick question - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you affiliated with company MT Wordz?

just wondering - thought unique name for a company and original, wondering if they are still in business.

CMT - SS

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with one of the posters: focus on acquiring acute-care experience. Solid acute-care experience will enhance your employability more than "CMT" on your resume.

If there are two interviewees of similar qualifications, CMT vs. non-CMT might be the deciding factor who is hired.

CMT - SS

[ In Reply To ..]
Ask your employer if they will reimburse you, at least in part, if you pass the exam and if they will increase your compensation if you pass. Some MTSO's do.


Similar Messages:


MT Certification Help!
Mar 07, 2010

I have set my goal to become certified after being a transcriptionist for 5 years. I wondered if anyone knew of any good study guide or books that may have helped them? I have been to ADHI and they have a monthly course I was considering. ...


CMT Certification
Mar 31, 2010

Just talked to sup and was informed that MTs who get certified will make a whopping half cent per line more!  ..... ROFL ...


Certification?
Apr 27, 2010

I took online coding program years ago as well as an MT program.  I decided to go into MT but am wanting to start back up with coding again.  Is it worth it to do another coding program or to pursue a certification?  I'm not sure the money I'd need to spend would really justify either.  I've been doing a lot of research and while certification is preferred, it's not always a requirement in job descriptions.  Thanks ...


Certification Or Not?
Aug 19, 2010

With all the news about AHDI MT certifications and such, is anyone not certified taking steps to get certified? I find this very frustrating. I have been in the business 15 years and have leared on the job. Not sure what to do? ...


Certification
Aug 11, 2014

Ok my certification is due in a few months and I'm tired of paying dues to Recertify.  I feel it is not benefitting me at all.  I haven't had a pay raise in years and I'm getting extremely frustrated.  Any advice appreciated! ...


RHIT Certification
Jan 05, 2010

Looking at college courses at the local community college, I figure I am two semesters away from an associates degree and ability to be RHIT certified.  Are you guys certified?  Is there online work for coding?  Is the pay decent?  In your opinion, is this a good move to make?  ...


Is CMT Certification Worth It?
Feb 14, 2010

What are your feelings about obtaining your CMT credentials when VR (at least with my employer) doesn't follow BOS or acknowledge the styles, forms and practices that, at one time were the norm? I get blown away with sentence structure and grammar these days.  Do you think one should become certified with the latest trend with VR?  Seems to me "No", not worth it, unless I moved on to a company who did not use VR. But, then again, if this is the trend hospitals and companies a ...


Why Does Certification Cost So Much?
Aug 23, 2010

I'm eligible to sit for the CMT and the RHIT and both exams are over $200 to take. It feels like I'm buying credentials! Why are these certification exams so much money to take and keep up! It's ridiculous! What do you pay for? ...


Certification Requirements
Oct 26, 2010

I am curious about whether one has to have a certain amount of experience in coding before you can take the CCA or CCs certification exam.  I have had 20 years of A&P and know a considerable amount about disease process.  I have been studying coding on my own for about a year now.  I know that your chances for passing the test are better if you have been in the coding business for several years, but has anyone out there taken the CCS just by studying and utilizing their life e ...


Considering Pursuing MT Certification
Dec 13, 2010

Hello, I am looking for some input. I have been a veterinary technician for several years and am very well versed in medical terminology as I have published and lectured. I am looking for a change and MT appeals to me for many reasons. My main concern is being unable to find a job after completing certification for I have no contacts and have heard of "newbies" having a hard time finding work. Obviously I do not want to spend money only to find no way in afterwards. Does anyone know of progra ...


Certification Required?
Jan 04, 2011

Do I have to be certified to do medical transcription? Do companies hire without it? ...


Mandatory Certification?
Jan 14, 2012

I was told by someone who attended a recent ICD-10 academy (for trainers) that the OIG is requiring all (current) coders to be certified by the October, 2013, ICD-10 implementation date.  I am aware of the OIG's compliance guidelines, but nowhere in that document do I find anything about mandatory certification. Also, I am not sure if they meant certified in ICD-9 or 10, but it is my understanding that the last ICD-9 CCS/CCS-P exam will be given in March, 2013, and at this point nobod ...


Certification Exams
Mar 08, 2012

I'm seriously considering going to school for coding and have started to make plans accordingly.  This isn't a big question, but one my husband brought up:  Do you take the certification exams online or do you have to travel to a facility to take them?  Do you take the exams through your school or through the agency doing the certification?  Thanks in advance. ...


Passed The CPC-H Certification!
Sep 25, 2012

I just got my results in the mail from AAPC that I passed the certification exam for CPC-H! I have been an MT for decades and when my last in-house MT job was outsourced, I decided I'd better get moving on to coding. Coding is very difficult and I had quite a time completing the online CPC-H course offered by AAPC. I started in the Spring and just got certified. I want all the MTs out there to know that terminology, A&P are helpful to already know! It was not easy to get this certificat ...


CBCS Certification?
Mar 05, 2013

My junior college offers (in partnership with Gatlin Education, now called ed2go) an online coding and billing course that prepares one for the certified billing and coding specialist certification, offered by the National Healthcareer Association.  That's a new one on me.  They also have a program that leads to the CCS, but they caution that it is not an entry level program and is designed for people who are already coding.  Can anyone tell me yes or no about this CBCS ...


Coding Certification
Mar 24, 2014

Now that it has become evident that M*Modal is willing to utilize uncertified coders, do you suppose other employers will follow suit in not requiring their coders to hold certifiications?  Will this become a trend?  Why or why not? ...


CCS CERTIFICATION EXAM
May 05, 2015

Can someone tell me how many questions there are that pertain to medical terminology, A and P, etc as opposed to actual coding questions on the CCS coding certification test? I am an MT, have basic knowledge of terminology, but there are so many new terms that I must learn, not to mention the A and P section.  I do the lessions, do the chapter review tests, take the weekly exams and do well, but I do not think I am retaining too much after I test.     The coding tests, however, ...


Docuscribe Training And Then Certification?
Oct 20, 2009

Recruiter said after training you take some sort of certification test which goes in for scoring.  I assume this is just to make sure you understand how to use the Docuscribe program.  Is this correct?  ...


Medical Billing Certification
Nov 09, 2010

In looking for a change - does anyone know of a Medical Billing Certification class you can take on line. Since, being gone from MQ I was able to get a job as an ROI Specialist, but I found out medical billers - make pretty good money. Yes coders even more. But for me I just think I want the medical billing certification.       ...


Medical Transcription Certification
Mar 02, 2011

Does any one know if certification is going to be required for all MTs?  Did ADHI pass the ruling on this?  If so, is there a deadline? ...


RHIT Courses/certification
Jul 06, 2011

Hi, I was wondering if anyone in the Chicago area would care to comment on the RHIT associates degree course at College of DuPage?  Does it prepare  you well for the RHIT certification exam?  Is it a good preparation for the RHIA program you later pursued (I am thinking of University of Illinois-Chicago)?  I am an 18-year transcription veteran hoping to become a coder and then possibly a Direction of HIM eventually.  ANY help would be much appreciated!  Thanks in Ad ...


Coding School And Certification
May 04, 2012

I am presently training in a new position at a physician's office.  I will be doing coding and billing.  I have coded in the past but I would like to go to school and become certified.  Can anyone please direct me in a good program rather on line or in the middle Tennessee area?  I have been an MT since 1986 and sadly this is a dying art.  Thank you. ...


Online MT Courses For Certification....
Jun 14, 2012

Does anyone know if there are any online MT courses for certification that have financial aid?  Most of the ones I have come across so far have no financial aid, want payment up front, or want at least 200/month payment, which I cant do.  I was a MT for about 10 years, got out of it for a couple of years, and cannot seem to get a job now that I would like to return to it, so thought getting certified would help.  With our financial state though, I cannot afford a big payment of an ...


Certification Exam Requirements
Aug 06, 2012

At the present time . . . AHIMA *coding* credentials (CCS, CCS-P) REQUIRE a high school diploma.  That is all.  AAPC coding credentials (the CPC, CPC-H, and CPC-P) REQUIRE 2 years experience coding that specialty.   You may sit the exam prior to that and will receive the credential in "Apprentice" status until you have satisfied the experience requirement.  One year of the required 2 years can be satisfied by attending a course that meets certain requirements.  I am aw ...


Leadership, Unity, Certification
Nov 02, 2012

This industry really needs an association of some kind for the purpose of providing certifications that clients can trust. These certifications can be used to certify that a MTSO or an IC is really U.S. based and does not offshore. Certifications can also be used for other purposes such as certifying accredited MT invoicing software. There needs to be more cohesiveness and leadershup in this industry and so far I have not seen it. Having worked in the real estate industry before joining my fam ...


AHDI Certification Questions - To Be Or Not To Be...
Dec 03, 2012

Can some of you shed light on the subject of certificaiton through AHDI. I am of the old school when AAMT was in existance and the only certification was a CMT. It did not seem to be a defining factor to receiving higher pay. Now the AHDI has several classifications. Is it worth it? Do you feel it makes a difference in your income potential? ...


Apprentice Designation And CPC Certification
Mar 03, 2013

I applied thru Indeed to a recruiter for a Navy hospital coding job and received 13 pages to fill out, which I did. The 8-pg coding assessment test was completed and all were faxed back. The response I got was, can't hire an apprentice. I said I was an apprentice in the application, I said I was an apprentice in my resume submission and took a lot of time to take their coding assessment test, only to have the application tossed back because I was an apprentice, they said nothing about how I ...


CPC Certification -- Outpatient Coding Only??
Mar 26, 2013

With every intent of taking some classes in the fall to be able to sit for the CPC exam, I just read a post from another coder that the CPC only qualifies you to code for doctor's offices.  I currently work in a hospital, with the idea to try to transition to a coding position.  Will this just be a big waste for me?  What about the CPC-H?    ...


Certification - You Can't Sit For CCS With AHIMA Anymore
Nov 14, 2013

I was going to begin AHIMA program for coding but someone told me you can't sit for CCS with AHIMA anymore. The certification I want is CPC-H or CCS. Isn't AHIMA the gold standard for coding schools?? Why can't you sit for CCS anymore and where else can I look. Our local college only offers RHIT and I am not interested in that. Local hospitals want CCS or CPC-H. ...


Noob Question About Certification
Mar 28, 2014

Curious, when it comes time to take the exam for certification, how is that normally handled - is the exam taken in a physical location here in my town?  Someplace in my geographic "region"?  How do I go about finding the nearest testing location?  Thanks in advance ... ...