A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Why I Chose To Go Back To MT After Doing Something Else For A Few Years - My Story
Posted: Nov 20, 2011
I never was one of those people 10-15 years ago who made $60,000/yr. I always got stuck working with a company that didn't allow the use of expander programs. I also was very good at some of the tougher ESL dictation and got more than my share of that, and actually enjoyed it. I always loved doing MT because I have always found it to be interesting. It is hard work though, so after a number of years, I tried something else for a break. I went back because it has advantages that outweighed the disadvantages for me. I've learned that I can do better now that I have better skills, a little perspective from having stepped back from it a few years, and I know enough about the employers so that I wouldn't allow myself to be stuck in a hopeless position. When I first started, I didn't have the knowledge I needed, but as they say, I didn't know what I didn't know. I think it's still possible to do very well as a medical transcriptionist if you have the skills, tools, knowledge, motivation, and personality for it. It certainly isn't for everyone. I have close friends that are doing great and others who are just as smart, maybe smarter, but just don't have the right disposition, I guess, because they can't make it work. I respect them for realizing that and getting out and doing something else. Nobody should do what I did in the beginning, trying to make a particular job work when something was missing. What was missing in my case could be fixed. In my friend's case, it can't be fixed. It's never going to work for her. She's smarter than I am. She's a hard worker. She's motivated. She has skills. She just has a different disposition. She very stubbornly has to do it her way, which means she won't, can't, and will never make any money, no matter who she works for. I admire her for realizing that this is the wrong field for her, and that's why I'm posting today about the differences in our personalities, skills, dispositions, and personal situations. Maybe someone who is struggling can see themselves in what I described and it will help somehow. I hope so.
this post is very vague - sm
[ In Reply To ..]You tell "your story" however, you leave everything out. What is the dispostion for this kind of career? What is your disposition and how does that blend well with this career? What is the disposition of your friend? What did you do when you took a break and for how long? What works for you as far is this career as opposed to what works for your friend? This post was very nonspecific and just...weird.
More information? - My Story
[ In Reply To ..]I worked as a Medical Administrative Assistant for about 3 years. My disposition is that I want my work to be as perfect as I can get it, but I keep looking for tools, knowledge, updated skills, so I can do better. My friend is also very perfectionistic, but has no desire to learn new tools or a different way to do what she is doing. She will just keep trudging on, not making any money, because she keeps doing the same thing. She does it very well, but not very fast.
You're not keeping up. - Realist
[ In Reply To ..]NO, it is not possible for someone with the "skills and drive" to make a good living in MT. At least not like it used to be back in the 90s.
MT for Americans is doing the death rattle, so those cushy gigs are now few and far between. Just read this board.
In a dying industry/profession, all the
"skills, drive, and determination" will NOT change the FACT that the industry is DYING.
But what about me? - Facts and Realism
[ In Reply To ..]I'm still enthusiastic about MT. I still make close to $60k working about 7 hours a day 5 days a week. I do a bit of VR (and paid higher than any other company I've seen), and I do the rest straight type.
How can I do this? Because I *am* skilled, determined, dedicated, and GOOD at what I do.
Stop telling everyone it's impossible. It's not. Stop screaming the sky is falling. It's not. The clouds may be shifting, but there's sunshine.
I'm with you, Facts and Realism - Just ignore the cranky people
[ In Reply To ..]There are people who are doing well and some who aren't who would like to think that everyone is failing. Just ignore the cranky people, be sympathetic with those who are sincerely struggling, and keep doing what you're doing. It's working.
Well... - Old, Tired MT
[ In Reply To ..]I always get a little bit suspicious when a cheery 60K per year note comes on here working those minimal hours, then a followup note agreeing. Is it a director of an MT school? An MTSO manager who wants to keep MTs around for when they need them?
No director, no MTSO - do the math
[ In Reply To ..]Do the math. She's probably making 9 to 10 cpl and doing a minimum of 300 lph, probably more. That's absolutely doable.
Those jobs are few and far between these days, but they are still out there. The whole industry is changing, not dying.
It's not my job to convince you - Facts and Realism
[ In Reply To ..]I'm paid just shy of 8cpl for VR and can do about 625 lines an hour of VR.
I'm paid 10cpl to straight type and do between 300-400 (usually closer to the 400).
I'm not a school, not an MTSO (was a decade ago), just an MT who gets up, gets it done, and lives her life.
Hey Oldpro (sm) - me2
[ In Reply To ..]Really, there are people out there that are still making good money. Last year on my taxes I made 58,000. This year, I am a little ahead of the game. I work 40 hours a week, get extra pay if I work on the weekends, and most of my work is still straight typing. Sorry that you are having a hard time believing, but it is still possible!
Great information! I'd be thrilled to work up to that amount - Thanks for sharing
[ In Reply To ..]I know people don't just jump in as a new MT and make $45,000. I also know that not everybody reaches that amount because of all of the variables; skills, speed, motivation, physical ability, time, education, etc. It's good to know that there are some success stories out there. Thanks for posting!
Old Pro - ME2
[ In Reply To ..]Sorry, I think you are replying to the wrong person. I do believe it. I made 43K last year part-time, and did so the year before and the year before that. I am not having a "hard time." Au contraire, my dear, I am planning a trip to Italy.
Facts and Realism - Old Pro
[ In Reply To ..]I am in agreement with you. Until beginning retirement earlier this year, I made 43K a year working 5 hours a day. Like you, I am good at what I do. I am a perfectionist. I tried very hard to accommodate the people I worked for. I absolutely do not think it is impossible to make a living at MT now, although I think it is much more difficult than when I began. I also think a big factor is that there are many people in MT who should NOT be in MT at all. None of us can be good at all things and many of the people who "want to work at home," simply do not have the skills they need, nor will they be likely to get them. I think part of what we are seeing is a weeding out of people who should seek a career elsewhere. It happens to the best of us--back in the day, I wanted a career in engineering, but my math skills (or lack thereof) weeded me out. So, we all have to take an assessment of our strengths and how to use them. I keeping hoping that some of these "institutes" and schools that offer very little will close, and that people can get an honest assessment of whether they should try for an MT career BEFORE they spend money and time. But yes, I do agree--the sky is not falling, and, for those who have the necessary skills, there still is good money to be made!
Old Pro - Facts and Realism
[ In Reply To ..]I've been saying for two years, that what we will end up seeing are all the MTs who thought "good enough" was good enough finally being weeded out. Those who wanted to argue about whether this or that impacted healthcare.
I believe in service to whomever is writing my paycheck. I've been lucky to find a company that appreciates that attitude. I have health issues and they accomodate me because they know I go above and beyond when asked.
Just because an MT is still successful, doesn't have to elicit snide comments or someone denigrating them. We exist. Simple as that.
It's impossible to know if someone will be able to succeed at MT - My Own Experience With Relatives
[ In Reply To ..]I had a fairly distant relative who was so excited because she wanted to do what I do. This was years ago. I know better now. I bought into her enthusiasm because she just knew she could do this, even though grammar was not a strong point with her and I don't think she could spell. I offered to invest in her by helping her pay for medical terminology books, medical dictionary, pharmacology book, etc., so she could study up before enrolling in a course. I don't believe she ever opened the books. Maybe one or two. Then she lost interest. Over time I've realized that what MTs do is interesting to some people and boring to others. I'm a curious person. I would study the dictionary if I didn't have anything else to read. Not everyone is like that, which is probably a good thing. It would be sad if we all were good at the same things.
Anecdotal is statistically MOOT. - Realist
[ In Reply To ..]With your income you are the exception to the rule.
After tooting your own horn, feel better about yourself now? GOOD. Congratulations.
I have been a CMT, have a 99% accuracy rate, made As Latin in school, have done this for many years, was an English major in college, and fly on the keyboard. My first year in business back in the 90s I made over $50,000. Unfortunately the MT picture has changed dramatically since then. Those skills ONLY GO SO FAR IN A DYING PROFESSION.
Your situation -- or mine -- DOES NOT change the overall big picture, the FACTS, and the TRENDS that EVERYONE has to deal with.
Even though you are feeling bad about yourself and your situation - see message
[ In Reply To ..]I hope you aren't saying that those who are doing well can't admit to it, that they should hide that fact. What do you want from us, that we only allow posts from people who are failing or if not failing, not doing well? I would rather see posts from everyone. I want to know details from those who are doing well. What can we all learn from what they are doing right? By listening to success stories, some will benefit. There may be reasons why others can't do better than they are doing now, but that's no reason why we can't hear the good along with the bad. Remember that old saying about surrounding yourself with those who do well? I believe it. It has worked for me as I've gone through tough times that slowly got better. Let's hear from more successful MTs!
Maybe you need to look into working for another company - me2
[ In Reply To ..]There are still companies, and hospitals that hire at a decent rate. Personally, I would never work for under 11 cpl, and have never had a problem getting that. When I do VR, I get 6 cpl. The smaller companies and hospitals still pay well.
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