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

Any good news for the future of MT? - Hopeful in Hoboken

Posted: Dec 07, 2009

I've been following the MT boards and what I mostly read are MTs complaining about losing jobs, lower pay scales, outsourcing, offshoring, voice recognition, electronic records, and other technology enhancements that seem to be putting MTs out of work. Is there any future for the MT profession? Is there any good news or is this profession going the way of the buggy whip? I would certainly like to read some good news about the future prospects of MT.

Thanks

Hopeful in Hoboken

I'm not sure myself - imanmt2

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been reading these posts and watching the job opportunities on this site, also. They have diminished.

I was going to sell a transcription training kit that would provide mentoring, consulting, and extensive internships for a less than reasonable price. MT schools are charging 9000 to 29,000 (for an online associate's degree in MT.. but still no work exp.) and I wanted to actually train people for a reasonable price but if there are not going to be any decent jobs I don't want to take people's money. I was thinking after MT we could cross-train in coding but I'm not sure people want to work that hard.

I'm just not sure myself, now.

Who knows - kimba2

[ In Reply To ..]
I read a lot about that, too. It can be very discouraging. When I went into the field of MT, I thought I really researched it. I've been in the medical field for almost 10 years now, but I want/need to stay home with my kids.

I have read so many diffrent opinions about this, and it's hard to know what is the real reality of this business, espeically when both sides say things with such conviction. I recently read the book "You're A Medical What?" which was really cute. The author made it seem as though there would always be work out there, despite all these other things you mentioned. My opinion is, that it depends on a number of things, such as; location, type of education, and how well you test on applications. Unfortunetly, with ANY job these days, employer's do not appreciate their seasoned employee's who have been with the company for years and years, that have been loyal to them. Instead, these corporations look at them like they've been there too long and are making too much money, so it's time to scrutinize everything, to find a reason to let you go. THAT seems to be the sad reality of the day we live in, and it's not only MT's who go through this.

oops, caught it, "unfortunately" - kimba2

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

just another thought to this - kimba2

[ In Reply To ..]
Sorry. I had posted a message with the same concerns as you and had no response, so this is a topic of interest to me.

Another thing you have to consider is "what are you expectations". I am going to assume that you are a "newbie", as am I. I totally understand that before I can get certified, not just registered, that I am not going to make diddley squat. I am very hopeful that after those 2 years of work I put in and get my certification, things will get better as far as the money goes. I look at some of these job websites for MT positions, and the companies hiring make it sound so promising, especially with experience. So unless they are totally full of it, it sounds like a good career choice to me. I am personally in a position where I can take the time to get the practice and experience in, to apply to the "better" jobs. I really have no expectations as to what kind of money I will make in the future. All I know is I WANT to do medical transcription, and that is it. I don't feel that there will come a time where a machine or computer will completely replace humans, but that's just my opinion. I am by NO means even close to being experienced as some of the MT's on here, in fact knowing what I know, I haven't even scratched the surface. Best of luck to you! All we can do, is do our job well, and stay positive!

Reading your post and I do not think certification means - much to a potential employer

[ In Reply To ..]
Employers are looking for experience and I would say most saying they are "certified" means nothing when it comes to what you are paid. I think the majority of places offering 8 cents straight typing and 4 cents voice recognition, if you have 4, 8, 15 or 25 years in this business.

To some extent - kimba2

[ In Reply To ..]
No, I hear what you're saying. My main point is to even get your foot in the door to almost ANY MT job, they want 2 years or more, experience. When I have gone to fill out apps. one of the first questions I am asked is, am I certified.

My question to you, is when you do the online pre-employment tests, is that how they determine what they will pay you? You know, how well you do or is it just based off previous work experience. Thanks :)

Never did a test on line but I would ask others if they are - asked the first thing about being certified

[ In Reply To ..]
I worked inhouse jobs for years and years and the job I have now never tested for, just told them I worked for the hospital whose work they were doing and hired on the spot, no testing at all. Maybe others can answer this. I will post at top of page and see what kind of answers there are.

I think you are right - imanmt2

[ In Reply To ..]
I have never been asked if I'm certified. Well, you would broadcast it, if you were. It would be on your resume at the top, behind your name.

And those that care have it in their ad.

Most services already know what they can afford to pay to have the typing done, QA, and still turn a profit.

I have seen a differential for CMT and shift work advertised.

Your resume weeds you out first, so experience - variety/specialty, specialty they are looking for now, and length of experience are looked at. Work experience (I almost even hate to say that, now.) Are you and your experience going to be of use to them? Is it going to be more work or a seamless entry and production right off the bat?

Then you test. That tells the story, right there.

Although, I have talked to service owners who say people test fantastically and then can't perform on the job. I don't understand that. Tests are usually harder than the work you are testing for. It's a process of elimination more than finding the right MT. I know that sounds unfair to the applicant.

Some have a range based on testing and experience that they will pay. Some don't have a range. 8 cpl is it and there are so many applicants, it's take it or leave it. That doesn't bother me, it's the 6 cpl for experienced MTs that gives me cause for pause.

I really like ads that give you the rate of pay... I don't want to waste my time applying, testing, waiting for a job I'm going to just turn down anyway and I don't like turning down jobs but it's not fair to take a job you know you're not going to keep. Wading through resumes and testing people is a straight hassle, especially when the "other" work has to be done, too, and on time and obviously at least one person short.

Being as never had a resume, never tested except - earlier years inhouse tested only

[ In Reply To ..]
on seeing my typing speed, nothing else. I never had a resume in my 60 something years.

just another thought to this - sparky

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been at home for 16 and 9 cents a line is the most I have ever made. I worry about the future of MTs too and often wonder if I should be training for something else. I have not worked in the hospital for 16 years and they won't even consider me because I have been at home.

So, "sparky"... - kimba2

[ In Reply To ..]
are you looking for a new job now? Are you still working from home and just want to switch to working in a hospital?

Have you ever considered medical coding?

CMT (this is kind of long so....) :o) - imanmt2

[ In Reply To ..]
Pardon my tone if it's offensive, this is a pet peeve of mine. :D

It means $ to AHDI (AAMT with a new name). There are just a few people who require CMT certification. The government likes it (the contract specialist is not usually an MT or even knows what MT is) and services who contract with the government like it. When I worked at the hospital the incentive didn't pay enough extra to buy you lunch once a week so why go through the trouble and .... EXPENSE. I did look into it recently, (those letters impress some people but so does cubic zirconia) the company that proctors the test in Tulsa, OK, does not allow you to use a foot pedal. What? And AGAIN they have turned me off of them. And I was really close this time, wanting to impress the impressionable.

I'm going to say this slowly, and I told all of my students this, too. AAMT - the T stands for transcription. Notice no ist at the end. Not for us, not really. These are the same people who PAVED the way for India to get up to speed (if that's what they call up to speed). They even charged them less money to get certified.

As far as this RMT thing goes, I am assuming it is to try and compensate for the industry catch 22, of call me when you have experience, and possibly understanding that just because an MT hopeful shells out thousands (or tens of thousands of dollars - gasp) doesn't mean they were taught anything necessary. Perhaps (I'm guessing here) AHDI has realized that most of us thumb our noses at their certification/club/organization but a newbie desperate for a job would spend the bucks on an RMT - which does not equal years of work experience.

I'm on a roll, now.

I just want to CRY when someone tells me:
A) they didn't get a Dorland's or a Stedman's dictionary with their books at their school or

B) they don't even know what the Book of Style is.

C) what's a .wav file? FTP? etc., etc., etc.

HOW? HOW does this happen? There are some very unscrupulous people out there. And, listen carefully, schools are open to make money, period.

I had a VA contract once (upon a time) and I couldn't FIND trained MTs to work the account for me.. that's when I started looking at the different training programs and flirting with training "my MTs" myself. For free, of course. This was before the gold mine of "training MTs" was realized in America. I must say the craze caught on quicker in India than here. The schools and MTSOs are just now getting up to speed on that cash cow.

I worked for a private college and believe me when I tell you this... they are only interested in the money. The title IV money. Pell grants and student loans, that is. Because, because, because, realistically what unemployed person has 9000 dollars (or more) laying around to spend on re-education. So, they all work on accreditation... to be eligible for title IV money. If painting their faces blue would make them eligible for title IV money, well welcome to Smurfville. (Do people still know what smurfs are?)

The SAD thing is everybody is skipping over the cheapest and best training material on the net, HPI's SUM Program. Well, not entirely, because a lot of the schools (mine did) use their tapes but toss everything else, even the rationale behind SYSTEM UNIT METHOD. Which made so much sense. I took it at a hospital (my first J-O-B). They PAID me 6.50 an hour to do the SUM Program. What? I worked with women that got on-the-job training straight out of high school. And, yes, they had typed on typewriters and used carbon paper and erasers... many, many erasers I would think. They were good MTs. And we SO worked together. I wish that experience for everyone. We were truly a team. No egos. Just get current and stay current.

Yes, in 2005 some schools were still using cassette tapes and selling students standard sized transcribers for 350 dollars.) I told my students it will make a lovely door stop when they are finished with the course. And introduced them to contemporary medical transcription as best I could. I had neither the understanding nor the support of my superiors in this regard. When I was hired I had to HUNT for their copy of the BOS, I found it in the bottom of a box, in my office, collecting dust.

Their internship? Oh not necessary. I could go on and on and on and NOBODY wants to hear that.

CMT? You need work experience. Talk about catch 22, how about catch 44? You need two years' experience to even sit for the exam.

If your training doesn't include:
1. A medical dictionary doctors use, there are only 2.
2. Book of Style.
3. Contemporary means of practice dictation.
4. Grammar, grammar, grammar and vocabulary words till you're sick of them and feel insulted.
5. At least ACKNOWLEDGES the value of a lengthy internship.
6. Costs over 2500 dollars for the training materials (intenship may be separate and cost money - it's worth it if you can't find a free one on your own).
7. Isn't taught by a WORKING MT or an MT who was working before turning to teaching full time.

Then run don't walk.

People are going to argue the cost and justify more expense as the cost of a qualified teacher. But are you GETTING a qualified instructor? (I refer you to #7 above.)

I have 15 years of experience and most women I talk to with comparable or much, much more and much better and more successful MTs than I, are not certified, wouldn't get certified, and if they are certified doesn't think it has helped their career that much, and if they are and had it to do over again, wouldn't waste the time or the money. These are service owners. The top o' the heap.

You'll have to read this fast, I'm sure it will get removed. I'm talking about the elephant in the room, now. It's funny, the elephant USED to be offshore outsourcing and voice recognition. The room is defintely getting a little crowded but there's still room. :D

RMT - RMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, that is a very long response, just trying to process it ;)

For me, I did not pay thousands of dollars for school ( $1,300.00). I'd agree with you, and believe it is to help with the catch 22, that goes with MT. I've tried to go out there-with no MT training-to see if people would be willing to train me to work for them [as an MT]. I'm not just some person that woke up one day and said I want to be in the medical field. I have my nursing pre-req's, medical assisting diploma, nurse aide, veterinary technician, and have worked caring for the elderly passing meds for years. (sorry, I'll get to my point). So what choice do I- or anyone else these days- have other than to pay someone to teach us. It's not like the good ol' days, where people saw your potential and were willing to give you a chance,and it stinks. I feel I ALWAYS get over looked for jobs, because everything is done online, never in person. I just feel I hit a hot button with the whole "certification" thing. It's just a goal OF MINE, and was not meant to take away from people who have been doing this for years and years, believe me, I have A LOT of respect for seasoned MT's. I never at any point stated "a certification is better than experience,' I just simply stated that I was asked first thing on an application if I was certified. Anyways, thanks for sharing:)

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