It was the same 18 years ago - When I started Posted: Jul 7th, 2016 - 9:47 am In Reply to: No one will hire new MT - Jeri
Just out of school and everyone wanted a minimum of 1-2 years experience, preferably acute care. I went to a local MT group sponsored through a hospital and made some contacts there and finally was hired by an independent contractor who paid me half her usual going rate for the first 6 weeks while she proofed all my work and gave me feedback. She then hired me at full starting pay (which back then varied depending on where you worked but with this IC was 8 cents per line for the first year) and I stayed with her for a decade. I would have made more in a hospital but I liked the dictators.
I have no idea if these groups still exist but that is what worked for me. You might also try a local community college to see if one of the MT professors there can steer you in the right direction. Does your online program have suggestions?
It may be the case that you have to sacrifice pay (already low now as it is) to gain the needed experience, but may be worthwhile if you are determined to get into the field.
Interestingly, other than the knowledge of anatomy and terminology you walk in the door with as a former nurse, MT/editing is so different that it doesn't help as much as you might think. Over the years I have worked with many nurses transitioning to MT. To develop an ear for dictation, to possess excellent grammar skills, the ability to punctuate well, a tendency toward perfectionism, and a familiarity with the multitude of rules as per the BOS, company style guides, etc, are equally important. It is a ridiculously impressive amount of skill to need for a job that has come to pay so poorly overall.
Also, when you first start, you will be amazed at how slow you are in the beginning. The development of speed in conjunction with accuracy is a skill that comes with time, so don't be discouraged. It will come. It is still a decent field, though some of the major companies have made it a heck of a lot less rewarding, financially and otherwise.
Anyway, best of luck to you! Keep trying and you will get a foot in the door somewhere!
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- No one will hire new MT - Jeri (Views: 1308, 2016-07-07, 8:04 am)
- Jeri - Obi Wan (Views: 911, 2016-07-07, 9:01 am)
- It was the same 18 years ago - When I started
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- Paragon - Bea (Views: 710, 2016-07-16, 4:48 pm)
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