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

2008 medical transcriptionist - joesharl

Posted: Nov 09, 2010

I am a 2008 graduate in medical transcriptionist. I have not been able to get a job. I would like to work from home. I am considering taking an exam to become a CMT or RMT. Can anyone direct me to where I can find my first job. I am really getting aggravated.

I can identify... - Just Me

[ In Reply To ..]
It happens to the best of us. It is really, really, really hard to get your foot in the door with no experience. They don't tell you that in school. I put in at least 200 resumes before I finally found something. I ignored the minimum qualifications that companies would post (i.e. 2 years experience required). I know that some people even lied about having experience (I honestly didn't do this and am, of course, not recommending it, just saying). I went to the job board here and on mtjobs.com and applied to every single available job. Good luck!

In your cast RMT a good idea - You cannot do CMT with no experience

[ In Reply To ..]
You need to be a working MT for at least 2 years to get your CMT. RMT sounds like a good idea in your case, as you graduated 2 years ago and haven't any experience. It will definitely look good on your resume. What school did you go to? Have you been doing online testing with all the MTSOs? Look at the above message - that person tested with everyone. That's what I did, after I graduated from Career Step, and I got a job almost immediately. You have to test and test well, and you shouldn't have a problem finding a job. It also depends on your school. Certain MTSOs will hire graduates from certain schools. I got hired by an MTSO that's known to favor Career Step High Honors grads.

CMT does not "require" 2 years experience - Penny

[ In Reply To ..]
In the past, Andrews School has encouraged brand new grads to take the CMT, touting that the 2 years of experience is not an absolute requirement. This has been done, and some new grads have passed the CMT.

However, I vehemently disagree with this approach. Even if a new grad passes the CMT, any potential employer even somewhat familiar with the requirements will be expecting that CMT holder to have the knowledge, skills, and ability that comes only with experience.

In my opinion, encouraging and having a newbie obtain the CMT credential is a disservice to that grad AND to any company that ends up hiring that grad on the basis of the credential.

I also believe it is extremely disrespectful and insulting to all those dedicated MTs who did follow the rules and EARNED their experience. Encouraging and having a brand new grad take the CMT cheapens and demeans the value of the CMT, IMHO.

Penny - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
The value of the CMT decreased exponentially yearly. Too many seasoned MTs are onto the fact that the AHDI was one of the prime supporters of offshoring, and that they really done very little for the average MT in the trenches except take her money. This highly touted "credential" is not worth nearly much as its parent organization would like you to believe.

Penny - CMT - correction - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Whoops, too early in LA--that should have been HAVE done. Sorry.

I disagree with your conclusions and apparently there are no such AHDI rules - CMT

[ In Reply To ..]
You mentioned the "MTs who did follow the rules" when there were no such rules.

I don't agree with your conclusions and it certainly hasn't demeaned my own CMT, but if you feel that it demeaned yours, you might talk to AHDI and ask them to consider making such a rule.

I'm just curious though, did you get your CMT more than 15-20 years ago or more recently? I wonder if that may have something to do with your strong feelings on the subject. Not criticizing your opinions, which are valid opinions, but wondering if it may have something to do with how strongly you feel about it. Otherwise I'm not sure why it matters that much. My own opinion is, if someone wants to sit for the exam and can pass it, they sat for it and passed it. If they fail it, they fail it, no matter how much experience they have. Demeaning has nothing to do with it.

It not only wasn't an 'absolute' requirement, it wasn't a requirement at all - CMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been an AHDI member for many, many years. Some would argue that a CMT isn't worth having it all, but others do, new graduates and more experienced ones. However, the idea that a new graduate should be ashamed because they wanted to take the test and in fact did take and pass the test doesn't make sense to me. As a CMT, I am proud to see these new graduates who are motivated and excited about what they are doing. I wish them well. I also wish you well with your own career decisions, whether you are or hope to be a CMT or want nothing to do with it whatsoever. We'll never all agree about any of that. Good luck!

I haven't decided whether to keep or drop my - Long-Time CMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I just wanted to say though that your ideas about who should or should not take the CMT exam don't make sense to me. If I decide to drop mine, it will be because of some of the decisions that have been made that are completely unrelated to the CMT exam. The CMT exam is one of the best ideas the organization has ever had, and that's why I hesitate to drop it. I took it because I wanted to know if I could pass that test when many others could not. It was a personal thing to me. It still is. Anyway, just wanted you to know that I don't follow your logic, but do respect your right to your opinion as another CMT who sees things differently than I do.

joesharl - Me

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't waste your time; it is a useless credential.

First, be sure you know the difference between an RMT and a CMT - Big Difference

[ In Reply To ..]
The fact that you listed them in that order may not mean a thing. You may know the difference. Employers do though, so be careful.

Similar Messages:

May 19, 2011

Where can I get information about transitioning from a medical transcriptionist to a medical coordinator? ...

Dec 09, 2010

Now if one was just proofreading and not really listening and editing every single word, how would you possibly know that was incorrect? Also on my last report all through it, the doctor said "his," such as "his cardiac catheterization . . " and ASR left off the "his" every time, and he said "the CT scan," which ASR just put "CT scan." Not a major life-threatening omission, but enough to get me dinged on an audit. I have to really listen, and it takes every bit as long to edit ...

Jun 16, 2013

I am trying to find a good training program. I have looked into career step and then a local training program at a technical program here in Denver. The Denver program has an internship as part of the course but is not ahdi approved. It is a 17 month program and looks thorough but I don't know how big the ahdi approval is. I've heard that career step helps graduates get a job. Any advice for me on this? Thanks. ...

Jun 11, 2015

I researched on Indeed Jobs. At Parkland Hospital the requirement to work as a Medical Transcriptionist is to have a certificate in medical transcription or at least one year of medical typing experience. You must be able to type at least 40-59 words per minute with a minimum of three errors. You must be able to operate a dictaphone. You must have medical terminology knowledge and be able to pass a spelling test with a score of 80%. I would prefer to start my career in a hospital setting so that ...

Jun 27, 2015

I am currently studying to be a medical coder / biller. It is a long study time and tough too, but I love it. But just curious, how do we become a Medical Transcriptionist? Now that I know some medical terms and good at the computer. Maybe I can do this job as well. I have a friend who is medical transcriptionist but seem to be secretive about this career. How do we become one? I hope it does not need a long degree or diploma, or something like that. I appreicate any information. Thanks ...

Mar 14, 2010

Can someone please explain to me why Canada is considered OFFSHORE? We have the same extremely strict confidentiality and medical data security laws and, in fact, tougher standards in the definitions with Independent Contractor versus employee status. Why is Canada considered offshore? It's not nearly like sending something to India or Pakistan where you don't know who is working on the dictation or what the ulterior purpose is. Why can't the two countries just get along?� ...

Aug 30, 2010

I would really appreciate any help you are willing to give me. I have not been having much luck finding a job and am getting desperate. I am wondering if my Resume may be putting me at the bottom instead of at the top of the contact list. I have over 30 years of experience and my resume contains the names of 15 companies that I have worked for (I sometimes had 2 or 3 jobs at one time, but I include everyone because some were Acute Care and others were Clinic Specialties). I am ...

May 14, 2011

Just wondering if anyone from WMX is betting on a token gift for MT week. Last year we got the Pharmaceutical Word Book to install on our (their) computers. Did appreciate that. The year before we got nice BBQ aprons with their logo on it. This year we got yet another reduction in our ISR wages. Hoping that was not supposed to be our gift. I know they don't have to give us anything and expect we might get a general company-wide E-mail telling us how REMA ...

Jul 09, 2012

I'm looking for information about what to do if you get a part-time job where you are not an employee, but make over $600 for the year, but they do NOT provide a 1099. This is a case of a man who is looking for my help in providing his transportation to medical appointments. He seemed clueless when I asked him about these options. Then, I was thinking. Well, when a contractor came to my home and installed a fence, I paid over $600, but did not provide him with a 1099. Is there som ...

Aug 20, 2012

I was thinking of applying since I'm looking for a day shift, but I saw 10 dislikes. Any info? ...

Jan 15, 2013

I'm looking into doing online training to be a medical transcriptionist. I was wondering how much money you make once you get out of school, is it worth it? How much an hour? Also, is it easy to find a job? I really would like to work from home because I have a 5 month old daughter. Thanks! ...

Apr 29, 2013

Hello: I am 58 years old and have been doing medical transcription for 25+ years. The group I transcribe for online is transitioning over to total EMR, thus will be leaving me without a job in the not too distant future. I don't do Acute care, so there are next to no opportunities for other transcription jobs. There are no jobs to be had in my very, very small town (including the 25-bed hospital) so I'm considering going with online classes for training and cert ...

May 24, 2013

My how far the profession has fallen One can either hate or love technology. It brings both good and bad. Ron Reagan proclaims glorious MT Week in 1985 and makes it sound like a truly valued function in our society. Fast forward to the beginning of the millennium and share your story on how glorious the profession has become Does your company provide health insurance? Yes, no, maybe? If so, can you afford your share of the premium that is deducted from your paych ...

Nov 12, 2014

I am not trying to sound discouraging, but when do I get this supposed 34,020 salary that it says on BLS website MTs are suppose to make. I graduated from my training in 2009 and have worked for 2 companies, niether of which has offered me anything close to that, and where do they get the $16.34 per hour figure from anyway? ...

Oct 28, 2009

I was wondering for all of you MTs who work full-time from home, what health insurance does your company provide you and your family with and how much do you pay out of pocket? I work for a company (will not mention the name) and pay $62 per pay period (for just me) which I didn't think was so bad - BUT i just found out I have a $3500 calender year deducible and will have to pay 35% of hospital fees if admitted (which I will be in 2010). So besides paying the $62 monthly, I will be paying $ ...

Nov 16, 2009

I was wondering if anyone who is a transcriptionist also does medical coding/billing. I wonder if we are any safer with this field and what the pay is like. It looks to be about the same from what I have found on line. I have been doing transcription for 10 years and am getting tired of what is happening in the industry. It is tedious, hard work to sit on your butt all day and only get paid when your fingers are on the keys. I am thinking of working in an office or hospital for a chang ...

Jan 21, 2010

Hi! For a medical transcriptionist who wants to work from home, is the cost very expensive to have the company install their software in my Pc, and is the overhead expensive each month, such as telephone, internet, and electricity? ...

Mar 29, 2010

Yes, current graduate of Stratford Career Institute with a diploma in Medical Transcriptionist, having a hard time finding entry level work--any suggestions..?????I am a Certified Medical Technologist as well..I need part time work at home for now.. ...

Feb 21, 2011

National Medical Transcriptionist Week is May 16 - 22 What are you doing to celebrate it? I'm looking for some creative ways for our work group to celebrate. ...

Apr 11, 2011

I am updating my resume, and I am wondering if I should include Acute Care experience. I do multi-specialty clinic work and H&Ps, Discharge Summaries, Consults, etc. for various Veteran's Administration hospitals and clinics. I would like to say I do Acute Care on my resume to beef it up, but because it is for the Veteran's Administration, the Acute Care reports are usually for things typically related to older patients. No trauma-related stuff, only minor surgical procedures. ...

Mar 31, 2011

Does anyone knows the difference between, Medical Transcriptionist or Transcriptionist I, II, and III for job title? Also, Is it really only experieced can get a job? Thank you. ...

Oct 19, 2011

I've been an MT for 12 years. I started out with MedQuist as a subcontractor. Life was great! Then came employee status and being performance managed, VS, crappy software, overworked supervisors and nit picking about being literally 10 minutes late for work or getting heavy points taken off my quality score for typing "were" instead of "was." I went to Focus, which was then taken over by Nuance, and the same experience as above started happening. So I went ...

Jun 24, 2014

What are the advantages/disadvantages to having an EIN as an MT? I have been an MT for over 14 years and have been asked by a company to do some work for them, but they require I have an EIN, which I have never had to have. ...

Feb 19, 2015

As MTs, we have seen over the years how our jobs just keep bottoming out more or less. Companies are taking advantage of us while they "suck up all the money" that is paid out by healthcare facilities; we just "don't count." On top of that, companies are now trying to turn us into ICs supplying our own software programs AND equipment. In 25 years of doing this, I have not seen line count pay increase one iota quite frankly. The only thing I can think of is ...

Apr 08, 2015

Does anyone know off hand if MModal pays for jury duty for part-time employees? ...

May 21, 2015

It's time for the medical transcription community to come together to insist on better pay. As the fast-food industry employees have joined together in protest for better pay, it is now the medical transcriptionist time to do the same. It time for the medical transcriptionists in America to unite and stand together as one, just as other underpaid employees of other companies are doing, such as McDonald's and Wal Mart. If our services are so valuable, then we deserve better pay. ...

Feb 18, 2011

My husband is 6 years old than I am and retiring and starting Medicare in couple months. I have always been on his insurance. Anyone have any good leads to health insurance for us self-employed types. Thanks. ...

May 17, 2011

Dear Fellow Transcriptionists: I just want to vent and tell you what happened to me today. I lost my job today because I got a 97.9 on my quality review, which was done on my work in about 3 years. I was working as an independent contractor and I was told that I was being terminated and when I asked if I could be put on another account, they said they were not hiring employees just independent contractors, no employees. I am so upset. I have been a transcriptionist for 10 years this ...

Apr 23, 2012

I am a potential MT, and I was researching this field and came across an ebook called The Successful Medical Transcriptionist. It's by a lady named Shelley Wipper, she claims to have been an MT for 12 years and made a successful living doing it, and the book is supposed to give Step-by-Step insight in how to succeed in the industry. I just wanted to know if anyone the industry has in fact heard of her and her $50 ebook, or is her website thesuccessfulmedicaltranscriptionist.com just a scam. ...

Dec 15, 2010

Hi folks - Well, astonishingly enough, I just got hired as a brand new MT at a private facility, with a pretty good salary & full benefits. I was just certified last year, and all I had was a strong letter of recommendation from the Director of Medical Assisting at the JC I attended, my externship experience (online with ZyloMed) and the 4.0 GPA on my transcript. No paid work experience. You could've knocked me over with a feather! I really can't belie ...