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

Where do MTs go from here? Anybody had success leaving? - sick and tired

Posted: Jul 09, 2013

With the MT business completely flushed down the toilet to nonexistence, where does an experienced MT go when this certification means absolutely nothing in the job market these days??

I wish I had an answer for you. I am literally counting down until (sm) - mtwith6yearstogo

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I can retire. I can't make any money doing this anymore.

...and don't get me started mush mouth doctors and VR. I wish I had the capability to cut off their food and water supply until learn to speak properly for theVR!

What I'm doing - ll

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I'm trying to decide whether to take a coding class and trying to get a job with that, or go back to college. I'd like to do both at the same time, but I'm not sure if I could handle that. I am going to college, but I'm not sure if I should take the coding class first.

In the meantime, I'm going back to the temp agencies and seeing if they can get me in a job. I need to get out of the house and learn to be around people again. lol

What I'm doing, too. - I had to balance all things... sm

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I have the prerequisites to apply to an RN program. But at my age, I don't think that level is helpful, even if it pays more. So I went to my community college and applied to the medical assisting program so I can take the certification. Its a perfect mesh with 20 years of MT. I don't want to work nights or weekends so MA is perfect. There are a lot of choices out there. Look at your local community colleges. Its so helpful.

jobs - camt

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I have literally applied to over 100 in-house jobs since Dec 2012 and gotten 3 interviews (not hired) by any of the 3. Two were in medical records, one was a receptionist for an accounting firm. Two of the jobs I was over qualified for working in medical records. I honestly think my age (51) and the new healthcare laws are playing a part in my not getting hired.

I have GIVEN UP the search for any medical office/hospital/office job. I just canâ��t and donâ��t want to do it any more.

I am currently in the registry for my county IHSS office as a provider but there are so many people in my county doing IHSS (In home supportive services) that I canâ��t get any clients. I am waiting to take the class next month for a neighboring county where they have told me they have plenty of clients waiting for help. The county I live in pays 8.70 and hour and the next county over pays 9.25 an hour. BUTâ�¦all you are doing is caring for seniors in their homes with light housework, cooking, helping them dress and bathe, taking them to appointments and shopping, or doing the shopping on your own, laundry etc. The work is very easy and very fulfilling if you like helping people.

I am also a member of the CUHW (Calif United Homecare Workers Union) and when I am able to get 20 hours per week, I will qualify for some sort of health insurance also.

YOU pick who you want to work for, YOU make your own hours. The pay might seem very low, but compared to the 8.00 an hour I make now, 9.25 sounds pretty good to me. When I can get enough clients to work full-time or longer, I am getting out of MT for good!

Check with your county senior services programs and see if they offer the same kind of jobs. Like I said, mine is called In Home Supportive Services but your county may be called something else.

Transcription is NOT the job it used to be and I don't want to sit in this chair any more day after day! After 15 years, I want up and out the door! I went from 40K a year in-house job to minimum wage.

Good luck and I hope many many more of you can look into the Senior in home services in your county and find higher paying work.

Most who were going I think left long ago and can't - "hear" you. Most still hanging around ar

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older and waiting for Social Security to kick in before too long, don't really need the money, or...are the sort who just won't help themselves.

There is another group, of course, of newbies, mostly younger, who ignored all warnings to chase the dream of finding gold in their sweats. I expect most of those to go before they're thrown out. Some landed here looking for a way to bring in a little money with even less effort, of course, and lots of those may just hang around until they're kicked out since their expectations were so low to begin with and they're familiar with applying for assistance. We oldies and this group are the reason pay has been able to drop this low.

In any case, if I hadn't been approaching my 60s in a rural area with health issues, I'd have been gone literally years ago. I've retrained more than once over the years, and enjoyed it. BTW, I do have a plan B in place in case my income collapses completely before I'm ready. I'm a hanger-on, not an ostrich.

As for your question, there are lots of new jobs opening up. Population growth and Obamacare alone mean a pack of them in healthcare as more people get treatment and records are better kept.
You're already here and already understand the lingo, so how about taking a first step and deciding to move within the industry?

How about becoming a respiratory therapist and teaching preemies how to to nipple?

Or become a clerical specialist in handling eldercare issues, applying for programs, etc., from the paperwork side. If a job that sounds interesting requires a bachelor's degree in Sociology or some such thing, look for a job assisting that position, then sign up for some industry classes. In a couple of years, you'll be ready to apply for that job. Most degree requirements are very soft and easily set aside for experience. I KNOW, been there, done exactly what I'm describing.

Forgot to mention, on the 4th I was listening to a rep - from a corporation that hires

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physical therapists and then sends them to live and practice, usually as employees, in small towns. There are many, many areas with patients given PT prescriptions but not enough enough of them to support a full-fledged PT clinic. Listening to this, I imagined a person moving about the country now and then, or going back to live to where the parents grew up.

Now, this may not be the right fit for OP, but it sounded fantastic for a lot of people. Start as a PT assistant, which requires an associate's degree and usually a state license, and pays $37-51 median depending on which group is being polled. (PT aide is a lower level, but COULD enter the field faster that way while continuing training.)

Note that today's on-line courses may not be much less expensive than on-campus yet, but they can turn a 2-year degree into a 1-year degree...!

This is a definitely growing field, wherever one lives.

Diagnostic sonographer. Median salary $65k, - 1-year degree and/or train on the job to

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enter the field, most states not requiring licensing (yet). Getting clinical experience by hiring into a sonography department any way you could and taking classes while waiting for a chance to take on technical duties would be the way to go.

about sonographer salary - CoopeC

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i think a median salary of sonographer is higher than $65k, it's around $75k per year, here's the proof (source): http://sonographersalarydata.com/

Want to sit, don't want to retrain? Learn a couple of - office programs on line and do a

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quick step-together-step into medical secretary, a modest but GROWING field. Pays no better than other office work that's dropped salary in recent years, but, hey, median $31K is a lot better than $21, and not only are there are jobs out there, but any of us could be better qualified than the typical entry-level person in a WEEK. Almost all of us have a bunch of medical offices of various types within reasonable distance too.

Here you go, OP, while you're thinking about other options?

what office programs to take - mt3

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Can you tell me which office programs to take on-line? Thanks!

MS Word (a few extra functions), Excel, maybe - PowerPoint or Access, but, hey, the EHR?

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You chuckle sympathetically at the interviewer's horror stories of the mistakes entered by previous clerks, keep the manual screen open, and are up and running by the end of the first day.

There'll be other stuff, but what can compare with already knowing that "rhonchi" goes in the lung field? :)

If it were me, I'd probably get the sweet, chatty clerk at the Extension Office to show me how to answer her phones. It's been a looong time.

I am still hanging on but retraining - Leaving MT

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Even though I have only been working as an MT for about 5 years, I am retraining for something else. I got in at the wrong time. I hope to finish up my surgical tech program next month. I am not sure how long it will take me to actually get out of MT, but I am definitely taking steps. It feels really good to be learning something totally new and different and completely challenging. Talk about being way outside of the comfort zone! I assisted with brain surgery today! It was amazing.

Wow! That sounds terrific. Funny, but while you were - assisting I was typing brain surgery

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reports (neurosurgeon with a lot of pituitary referrals) and thinking it'd be nice to be on the team doing something so so important.

Oh, how funny - you know I never have typed... - Leaving MT

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...any brain surgery reports. I've done all kinds of open heart surgery reports and orthopedic and spine surgeries but never any brain surgeries. The surgeon used a StealthStation navigational system and used craniotomy approach to the right frontal lobe where the tumor was located. I saw a real, live brain today. Whew, it was so amazing. I gained a new respect for docs today, that's for sure.

Yup, mine used Stealth nav too, but you know 20 - times more than me now. Good for you. nm

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x

Yes, I left - Really glad I did

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I learned to code and got a job as a coding trainee in a hospital, then as a coder making $40-55K. I then did an online program in health information administration with informatics. I am now an RHIA making $70K.

Was it worth it? Yes. Absolutely yes.

RHIA - LisaCT

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You are an inspiration to the rest of us on how to get it done. May I ask how old you are? I just wonder if my age will be against me when I go out into the "real" world again. I got to do something. My hospital account just got yanked from us a second time because they have to go EMR.

Excuse my ignorance but.. - out of touch

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what is an RHIA?

What is an RHIA? - sm

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Registered Health Information Administrator

www.ahima.org

Leaving transcription - Lissybell

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I am considering entering school in the fall to become a coder. I am 56, soon to be 57, but see really no other options as MTs are not paid commensurate with the amount of knowledge we are expected to have. It is an insult to hear a company tell me they pay 0.38 cpl. Are you kidding me? Some of these MTSOs sound like sweat shops paying what equals to less than minimum wage. My only concern with school is finding that first job with no experience in coding, but I am determined to make it happen!! So glad to hear you are happy in coding :}

Perhaps we should have a Leaving MT board instead of a New MTs board? - Just a thought

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So many of us MTs have finally had it, maybe we should have a board for all of us planning our exit! :)

I concur - sick and tired

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It would be helpful and supportive for all of us in one place to give advice, share experiences and spread some encouragement.

I would love that! Great idea. - Leaving MT (no message)

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:)

I got my real estate license in April - FBL

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My first sale is pending now, should close soon, but the broker I ended up signing with focuses mainly on leasing and property management. I was in training for the first month so virtually no income at all until May. It is all commission except for the monthly property management fees...broker said this is the "bread and butter" steady income that saw him through the real estate bubble burst.

Once I get past the learning curve and build my business (it's all IC with a large portion of everything I make going to broker) the income will grow, but still pretty much living on spouse's income now. Used my 401K from MT job to pay down credit cards (our only debt, house and cars paid for) and to pay my COBRA premiums. NAR just started offering health insurance so will be switching to that soon...will spend $400 a month less then.

I really like the work itself. I have lost 30 pounds just by getting out every day and moving around. Most of the people I meet are pleasant and professional. I didn't realize what a recluse I had become...MT is such an isolating profession. It is nice to feel like an active member of society again. I would recommend it to anyone who can afford the startup costs (around $2000 for classes, license costs and Realtor fees) and to do without any real income for several months. I expected and planned for all of this, so doing okay financially and so much happier than I was. I believe I was actually clinically depressed and didn't realize it.

Best of luck to you all!

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