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

Depressed with work MT - NEW MT

Posted: Sep 19, 2013

I just started my first job as an mt nearly five months ago. I've struggled with production, quality, and pretty much any other issue you can think of. I've gotten more and more depressed because my confidence at work isn't good. I've been diagnosed with major depression before, so iknow itsnot the only reason. It just feels like it.

I have a lot of trouble concentrating when i have these upsetting bouts of depression. I had one today and only got 500 lines. I was hopping for done advice, maybe from those who have experienced the same thing. Thank you.

Kri

Suggestions - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
MT is tough work these days. Try to take everything with a grain of salt. Don't let your confidence rest on this job. You will only be left feeling depressed if you do!

One thing that has helped me stay positive is to play uplifting music in the background while I am working (as long as it is not too distracting). You can also set small goals for yourself, like hitting a certain number of lines each hour, staying in your seat and focused for a certain amount of time before getting up and taking a short stretch break, buying something nice for yourself if you hit a certain amount of lines per week, etc.). Also make sure that you are getting out and doing things outside of the house like spending time with friends and family, volunteering, etc. It is easy to forget that there is a world out there outside of MT. The isolation that comes along with working from home can be tough.

Forgot to add - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
Also try to get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy diet. The doctors I transcribe for are always saying that exercise is a powerful mood enhancer. and they often recommend regular exercise to their patients with depression and anxiety along with a healthy diet. Hope your spirits are up soon :)

I find yoga to be an amazing stress reliever - Really helps me refocus

[ In Reply To ..]
There are DVDs (and even videos on YouTube) that cover everything from beginning to advanced so you can do it at your own pace. I love it. I'm so relaxed and refocused even after just a few minutes of the basic stretching exercises.

Why don't you try studying to be a coder? I - here to help

[ In Reply To ..]
see job openings all of the time for coders. I know being an MT, our minds can wander when transcribing and it can be more depressing. It sounds like with coding, you have to really pay attention to details a lot. If I could go back many, many years ago, I would have studied coding. Good luck and remember you are not alone. There are a lot of us MTs out there who are depressed these days too.

You can't get a job as a coder without experience - trust me

[ In Reply To ..]
after busting my behind and studying coding and getting my CCS, here I am still an MT because no one will hire you without experience.

Not true. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

ICD10 starts 10/2014 and there will be ZERO coders with expeirence - all new - perfect time to switch

[ In Reply To ..]
xx

I'm enrolled to learn coding and ICD-10. There are not enough - coders

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I'm going through a program at a community college, but it's taught online. The instructors are experienced coders, and the program I'm going into has been revamped for ICD-10.

I figure that if I could make it from medical transcription student to a working MT, I can go from coding student to coder, too.

Yep, perfect time for coding jobs to be sent overseas as other countries have been using - ICD-10 for years. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Groundless argument because ... - sm

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That is a silly statement. You just made it up.

1. It isn't the same ICD-10.
2. Any experience with it is outweighed by other factors.

Really? I've been hearing ICD-10 is coming since 1999! - on my way out of MT

[ In Reply To ..]
If they're actually going to implement it instead of saying they will, I'll be surprised. Its a lot like saying we're switching over to the metric system or Jesus is coming soon - I've been hearing it for years and its never happened yet.

Coding - Depressed Coder Looking For Work

[ In Reply To ..]
I was a coder 14 years ago, did remote transcription for 6 years, decided to get off the sinking ship, relearned coding and studied on my own in order to pass the CCS in April of this year. I have yet to be hired as a coder. I have applied for every coding position available where I live, and that includes remote positions. There has been no big demand for coders due to ICD-10 implementation, as far as I can see. Even though I have 13 years previous experience and recently obtained my CCS, employers want RECENT experience. I feel like I have wasted a lot of time and money because I am now unable to get a coding job. I would have done things differently, had I known it would be like this.

Appreciate your first-hand CURRENT information on coding. Thanks - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
It's so frustrating when researching coding that anytime someone comes on here saying they are having a hard time finding a job with no experience, 'coders' come on to say this is not true. I was told that one of the coders who posts the most on this site is affiliated with a school, which is why they are so adamant that coding is the way to go.

Appreciate your honest experience. I'm still researching whether or not to enroll, but am waiting to I see if those who are insisting there will suddenly be a huge need for inexperienced coders because of ICD-10 are correct. In the past 2 years, I've posted more than once on the Coding Board asking if any RECENT graduate has found a job and it's been crickets....

Coding jobs - student

[ In Reply To ..]
There's a post on the coding board from a student, not yet a graduate, who just landed a coding job.

I don't know why you would make such a huge decision based on 1 person's experience, but whatever floats your boat I guess.

I personally know several new, inexperienced coders who have landed jobs in my area. There are also several hospitals in my area that are hiring for CCAs, which is about as entry level as you can get.

One more thought - student

[ In Reply To ..]
If you have doubts, then don't do it. It's really very, very simple.

That being said, it doesn't give you or that other poster any right to dissuade interested people by disseminating incorrect information or claiming one person's experience is typical of the whole.

Wow. Your response is EXACTLY what I mean... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Why so accusatory and insulting?

To reiterate, I've followed the Coding Board for the last 2 years. With all the MTs in coding school, those finding a job on graduation would be thrilled and one would think would post. I recall one who found a job about 2-1/2 years ago, but since then only those who had to settle for medical records or non-coding job to get their foot in the door have posted. In fact, there is one 'coder' who has actually accused those who can't find a job as being lazy, having bad attitudes and even liars!

I must have missed the post about the student who got a coding job without graduating. I did see recently where someone asked if anyone made the successful transition to coding from transcription. Not ONE recent graduate responded; one did who has been a coder for years. If there is another discussion I missed, I'd be happy to read it. I'm not discouraging anyone from entering the field. I'm sharing my personal findings as I research alternative careers to MT. Unless I'm mistaken, this is an MT board and I have the "right" to do that. Why would I be concerned with who enrolls in a coding school or not? If they choose that, that's great, good luck to them. What a bizarre thing to say. You, however, seem to be overly concerned. Makes me question an agenda.

I do have the "right" to share my thought process and decision-making in whatever field I choose. Newly graduated coders posting here also have the "right" to share their personal experience. You saying we don't have that right (what?!) and then accusing us of "disseminating incorrect information" is absurd and your response is over the top. Hmmm....

Here-here. I agree. - CouldbeMT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I have researched this board up and down as well, and it appears that a lot of the recent experiences being posted is students attending coding schools have had really hard times finding employment because of the "experience factor". In no way do I want any of my questions or comments to discourage anyone from entering the coding profession, far from it; I would just like the "school proponents" to allow for the fact that someone may have a different experience than them.

My niece was just hired... - Laurie G.

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I was recently thrilled to hear my niece was hired as a Jr. Coder in a hospital back East after graduating from coding courses. Seriously, she was hired less than a month after graduation. I don't believe she has taken any certification exams yet, but it sounds like they are teaching her ICD-10 while she's working. It was very encouraging to me.

Hang in there. I have been doing this for 25 years and feel the same way. nm - MT52

[ In Reply To ..]
xxxx

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