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

New to field Need HELP - Harleygirl

Posted: Dec 26, 2009

I am in need of any help I can get.....I was trained as a medical transcriptionist in the late 80's and transcribed for approx 2 years. I am now trying to get back into the field and needless to say my training from back then is not what employers today want. SO my situation involves some major confusion. Here goes, 1. Schools-----OH MY GOD all of them claim to be the best, all claim that they have what you need, etc.....I am looking for some input into schools and any advice would be well appreciated. 2.. Jobs---can't get a job without experience and can't get experience without a job??????????????mind boggling---also again any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am reallly looking for some mentor advice in all areas of transcription, the ins, the outs, the etc.........and to not get caught up in all the information overload and have good advice from experienced MT's who love what they do so I can get into the field, start to make money and enjoy a career that I once loved.

THANKS:)

Start to make money, back it up there - Read the posts

[ In Reply To ..]
You really need to read the postings here. There are people on here trying to get out in order to earn money. This field is not like it was in the 80s. Most places are paying 8 cents a line for straight typing with 4 cents paid for voice recognition and most places going towards voice recognition now. Most in the know will tell you not a good place to be anymore. Read for yourself.

This career is not worth reviving - Try something else

[ In Reply To ..]
There's no money to be made here. MTSO's are killing this industry. Don't waste your money on a school, the schools are lying about the future of this industry. This is the only industry I ever heard of where every year you make LESS instead of more, and that the more experience you have the less attractive you are to employers. RUN, don't walk, in another direction.

Not a job you should spend any $ to learn SM - good days gone

[ In Reply To ..]
Why would you spend a few thousand dollars in order to earn MAYBE $18,000, which is not even a living wage.

Harleygirl, this isn't the field to be getting into . . . - Sunshine State MT

[ In Reply To ..]
right now. I agree with the above posters. I've been doing transcription for over 20 years (the only thing I know) and in the last couple of years I have made less money than I did when I first started. Tax returns don't lie!

If I were you I would use my money to go to a school where you can make a living. We are all having to get second, third jobs, etc., just to compensate what has been lost to be able to pay bills, etc.

I would seriously reconsider your career choice. But that's up to you only.

I wish I had the finances to go back to school!

Good luck and let us know what you decided!

Just my opinion . . .

Amen to what is being said here.. It is sickening sm - Tired of Typin

[ In Reply To ..]
that we cannot make a living wage anymore. The only ones making money on transcription are the ripoff schools charging thousands to learn a worthless trade.

It is still a viable career, although much has changed . . . - SoCal MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Many here will try to discourage you, but there are many, many MTs whom are still making a very good living in MT.

You won't go wrong with Andrews for updating your MT skills. Grads from Andrews can always find jobs, and the program is comprehensive.

Don't let the naysayers here discourage you. Feel free to email me if I can be of further help to you.

Mind boggling doesn't even cover it - Chrisi

[ In Reply To ..]
I went with Kaplan University to get my AAS in Medical Transcription, it was a great school and I learned a lot; but I do not think that is what you are looking for. You can try local community colleges and take some transcription courses, they may be able to refresh you since you have done MT work before.

Work...not sure I remember that anymore, lol. I graduated in March started working in May, was 1 of 25 laid off in November and have found no new MT listings since. Since you have some experience, even a while ago, you may be able to get to apply for a lot more positions than newer MTs (like me) can.

******

Finding work as an MT is getting harder, especially if you have less than 2 years experience, so my advice would be to not quit your day job, so to speak, but keep looking around and applying where you can. There are a lot of good companies out there that are looking for work, you just have to look for them.

Good luck!

Which company laid off 25 MTs in November? - Worried

[ In Reply To ..]
If you don't mind telling me/us, which company were you working for that had the layoffs? How terrible to have a layoff right in the holiday season of all times.

I wish you the best of luck finding something else.

I agree with the previous posts...sm - MidwestMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been doing this since the late 80s and I love what I do. I stand to clear about 44K this year but I worked day and night 6-7 days/week to clear that. Ten years ago I made the same amount working a lot less hours. Last year I only cleared 32K because of all the changes with the last company I worked for. This new company is better but I have to work twice as much as I used to. If you're doing this because you truly love the job then go for it and definitely do not quit your day job until you're absolutely sure. I also love being at home with my kids and to me that privilege is priceless.

Run for the hills... - Susan

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't believe all the lies the schools tell you. Check out this board in detail and establish contacts to verify the information. Most of us working in the industry for decades can't even make a living beyond minimum wage at this point and things are getting worse...less work, lower pay and higher insurance premiums. I think a career at Burger King would yield more income and growth potential at this point!

Or not - LK

[ In Reply To ..]
Everyone seems to have a different opinion about working in the MT field, although most would agree things are trending downward both in terms of pay and working conditions (not enough work, etc).

I've been an MT for almost 5 years, and other than my first 6 to 9 months, have never had a problem making in the $15 to $20 an hour range and having enough work. Maybe it's luck, but I've also had to make my own luck by switching companies when necessary and suffering some short term pain to find a better situation. When I hear people like Susan saying that many MTs working in the industry for decades are making minimum wage, all I can say is that I'm not one of them (and haven't been doing it for decades, either). That being said, I don't think I'd recommend the field to someone entering it now. It is going downhill, and I don't see it getting any better. It's particularly hard for someone without current experience to get a foot in the door now and get that first job. That has definitely changed since I took my first MT job 4-1/2 years ago.

rapid changes in medical field daily makes 80s experience equal to none. - not likely to happen. (no msg)

[ In Reply To ..]
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