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

Skills rusty - where to focus review for job hunting? - Cleo

Posted: Dec 02, 2012

I graduated from M-Tec in Jan. 2011 while working a full-time job. My plan was to keep working, get a part-time MT job until I gained experienced, and then quit my other job and do MT full time. I sent out tons of resumes but received no replies except for one that expressed fear I would get burned out working 2 jobs. After that I got discouraged and stopped looking for MT work for over a year.

Now I'm newly motivated (hate my current job) and want to start looking again. However, I've gotten very rusty and I'm afraid I wouldn't pass an employment test right now. I know I need to review and practice first. I have all my books & CDs, just not sure where to begin or where to focus my energy. I've never taken an employment test so I don't know what it includes. For example, is there a timed dictation, grammar & terminology quiz, etc.? Any advice on where I should start reviewing?

TIA

McDonalds - or Burger King

[ In Reply To ..]
Transcription is dying and pay is horrid and majority of dictators suck.

I get it - Cleo

[ In Reply To ..]
Have read all the negativity about MT being a dying field and not saying I disagree. However, I paid for the course and worked hard at it. I'd like to try and get something out of it. If MT dies completely, hopefully I'll have enough skills by then to transition into a related job.

If it was me, - I would just

[ In Reply To ..]
apply and take tests for companies that are "hiring" and see what happens. Start with the ones you are least interested in so you can at least see what MT Test is like... most of them use the same service although slightly different tests. Also, I assume most of it will be editing at this time, so don't expect much actual typing, as MT has pretty much been dead for a while, replaced by lower paying ME.

Most of what you get on this message board is doom and gloom, and rightfully so, but I wouldn't let that stop me from at least trying.

Thank you - Cleo

[ In Reply To ..]
After reading mostly negative reviews on some of the big MT companies on here, I decided to start there, lol. I appreciate the advice. I know MT is not a promising industry right now, but I hate to waste the expensive training so I'm giving it my best shot. (Again.)

Not McDonald's let's - make a pact

[ In Reply To ..]
Let's resolve to stop recommending McDonald's and Wal-Mart to each other. Yes we know MT is on its way out but we can do better than McD and Wal-Mart. We all know we are better than that. A little dignity, please.

Review then just apply would be my suggestion, plus - Advice on a couple of issues

[ In Reply To ..]
Since you have never worked and it has been 2 years since you graduated, I would review your course materials first. Set up a 3-month schedule so that you cover the most important material (A&P, med terms, transcription practice). Since you already covered it once, it won't take as long. Retranscribe the CDs, but this time make an effort toward increasing your production speed. Get a calendar planner and divide the material so that you cover specific sections or units each day.

You should not need further advice on how to do this. It is easy enough--the school already organized it for you. You should not need anyone hanging over you to get this done, either. If you cannot motivate yourself, you will not be able to motivate yourself to work remotely in any job where a supervisor is not there to hound you.

When you finish, apply to one employer and take the test so you can see what it is like. They are going to be concerned about the 2-year delay, so be prepared to address that.

M-TEC grads are supposed to get jobs with nationals, so the fact that you did not is a concern. You were not even offered a test, apparently. That would make me think your grades had been poor or your application full of misspellings and grammar errors or something.

You said one employer was concerned that you would be unable to work two jobs at once. That tells me you shot yourself in the foot by disclosing inappropriate information on your application. You do not need to explain things like that to employers, nor should you. NEVER, ever volunteer information that will disqualify you from a job! Provide only what is required and what paints you in an optimal light!

Seeking only part time work may have disqualified you, as well. I believe the MTSOs prefer not to hire new MTs on a part time basis.

That being said, I think you are better off in your current job. You might hate it, but it is a steady, paying job. MT is not very good right now. It has taken a huge downturn in the last few years. Please do not come back saying that you really have to do MT so you can stay at home because you hate working on-site--that is not a good reason and it sends up red flags with employers.

As an alternative, you might consider using what you learned in your MT course by applying it to coding. This is especially true if you currently work in healthcare, but consider it even if you do not. You should be ble to learn enough to pass the CPC exam and get an outpatient coding job by taking an AAPC-type course. They have them online and they certify instructors who teach them locally. I would recommend the local option because it will give you networking opportunities. It might take only 3 or 4 months. To me, that seems to be a far better option. It will take you much further than MT.

Thanks. So a question about applying in the future... - Cleo

[ In Reply To ..]
My GPA was 97% and there are no spelling errors on my resume, so I don't think that was the problem. You're probably right about my seeking p/t work and my f/t job that worked against me. I did show my current job on my resume. Maybe that was a mistake, but I wanted to be honest about my work history. If I don't show my current job, it suggests that I'm unemployed or available for daytime work, which I wouldn't be. Sooo... how can I get around this in the future so I'll be considered?

List your current job but ... - do not offer that you intend to keep it

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, you must like an accurate work history, including your current job. Just don't explain that you intend to keep it. If they ask your reason for leaving, say it is because you want to do MT and that you prefer night hours.

MTSOs may prefer to have new MTs on days. I don't know . . . perhaps someone else knows.

You can always ask Linda Andrews for advice, too. She will be happy to talk to you no matter what school you attended. Let her review your application before you send it in. For that matter, contact her now. She may have very good advice.

Question - Cleo

[ In Reply To ..]
Well that's kind of what I did. I wrote in my cover email that I was looking for part-time work and that my goal was to transition to a full-time MT career once I gained experience. Who is Linda Andrews and how can I contact her? Sorry for all the questions. The advice has been very helpful.

another way to look at this - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
How about making a list of the companies that you don't want to work for? Take their tests, fill out the applications, and learn your problem areas. When you are feeling more confident, apply to the companies you actually do want to work for. Just an idea.

Linda Andrews - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Linda Andrews owns and operates the Andrews School for medical transcription and coding, enough said. How someone like that has time to review resumes from people looking for work escapes me unless there is a hidden agenda, just saying. You could also check with your local Skill Source or Employment Security Department, they offer resume advice and career workshops to job seekers. Not being able to find PT work as a transcriptionist probably has nothing to do with your resume or your skills. Many MTSOs want full time employees and set schedules unless you have your own accounts. Also, the job market is very tight because of VR and templated health records and fewer MTs ae needed. If you have a job, even though you might think you hate it, my suggestion would be not to quit, there is a lot to be said for stability.

No "hidden" agenda - Kathleen

[ In Reply To ..]
Linda Andrews has no hidden agenda. It is a well-known fact that she helps answer questions from anybody who contacts her--whether they attend her school or not. She gives solid advice and recommendations and quite often does favors without any expectation in return.

There ARE good, decent people in the world who are kind and help whenever they can. Linda Andrews is one of those people.

She would never cast aspersions about your character, "just saying."

How sad that your world - only includes

[ In Reply To ..]
greedy, selfish, hateful people who are only out for themselves. No wonder you are unable to appreciate the kindness and generosity of someone like Linda Andrews. She has no hidden agenda. She cares about the MT profession and is highly respected by all truly professional people in the industry. I hope you are able to find someone like that in your life at least once.

Just sayin'.

Did you ask Linda's permission - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Before you volunteered her services? Just saying.

No, I did not ask her permission - If she objects . . .

[ In Reply To ..]
. . . I would be very surprised. She is well-known for this.

I just know that she is a great mentor. She is a calm, kind, generous, and sensible person who enjoys helping others. She also has a fabulous network of experts to call on.

Her students get hired fast, so it seems that she is attuned to what employers want. I think she can spot the problem in a resume from a mile away.

And no. I don't work for her. There is no ulterior motive.

To the OP . . . you can get her number on the Andrews School website. Google that and coding or transcription. I will try to put a link below.

Whatever - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
You have never met me and know nothing about me so do not be so quick to judge others. The fact that Linda Andrews would steer anyone toward a career that has no future regardless of the education received does say something. Your "call Linda, in fact call her now" response also caused me to question your motive. I'm sorry to have misjudged you, Linda or the school.

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