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

Best RMT/CMT prep course to take is....? - MTgirl

Posted: Sep 03, 2011

Hey everyone!

I'm looking into taking an RMT prep course to prepare me for the RMT exam and then will be going for the CMT exam later on. I took my MT training with Career Step, but they keep pushing the time frame on re-releasing their RMT prep course back later and later. It was due to release this August and now it will be mid-fall.

I got an e-mail from M-Tec the other day about a RMT prep course they have, which was priced well and seemed to take a reasonable amount of time at 16 weeks. I've also received e-mails from OmniScribe.

My question is this.... Which place offers the best training for the course? (I'm looking for replies from those who have taken a course and felt that they were well prepared for the exam.)

Thanks in advance!

I didn't take a prep course at all - Ayn

[ In Reply To ..]
I bought The Language of Medicine 8th Edition (VERY good book, highly recommend it), The CMT Review Guide (not full of practical information, but is a good "guide" to what topics to study), and the BOS3. I read all 3. That is the only prep I did, and I passed the test just fine. I have 13 years experience in acute care transcription, and I think that helped me as much as the books/studying.

I did take the "old" exam last December, before the switch over to the new exam, but I don't know how the two tests compare.

Hope that helps. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

Prep for exam - Old Timer

[ In Reply To ..]
Ditto for me. I picked up the CMT Review Guide used, reread my copy of The Language of Medicine (just as a refresher) and reread the BOS3 cover to cover. Since the exam takes practical info out of context, so to speak, it's important to study a bit. Working as a medical transcriptionist or editor allows certain information to just roll out of your brain into your fingers and onto the keyboard....not necessarily so in the exam setting. That's all I did and passed without a problem. For me, the most difficult part is MAINTAINING the credential with those CECs. You absolutely must make a plan so you wind up with the correct number of CECs in the right groupings at the end of your cycle. I wouldn't pay anyone for a course, but that's just me. Good luck to you!

[Sigh!] PLEASE don't waste your money on these - scam "credentials" - AHDI is evil.

[ In Reply To ..]

AHDI changes with each new group of leadership - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
There are times when I treasure the friendships and colleagues that I've gotten to know through AAMT, now AHDI. Other times I have threatened to cancel my membership because of something stupid one person has done. Sometimes I get mad at the whole BOD. They are just people though, some more competent than others. They aren't evil.

Some of the finest people I've ever known were the original leaders. They were not "a sorority" as someone put it.

Now there is a brand new leader. She hasn't even had a chance to get her feet on the ground yet. Let's hope she does well. I believe we need for her to do well. It will help us if she does.

The smartest thing AAMT (now AHDI) ever did for us was to come up with the credential of CMT. Whether the RMT is worth anything remains to be seen. The CMT means you didn't just think this is easy and anyone can do it. You worked hard and took a test to demonstrate that you had solid, marketable skills. That doesn't mean that someone who didn't take the CMT exam can't also be a very good MT, but they haven't taken it to the next level, credentials. If everyone had gotten on board with the CMT, we wouldn't need a union, which by the way we don't have anyway. It would demonstrate that MTs care about the quality of their work. I believe that would have been a game changer.

To say that AHDI is evil is ridiculous. There are competent people who run and serve on the BOD and some who aren't. They make good decisions and bad decisions. They are, when all is said and done, all we have, if we can make sure that under this new CEO, the one who just got there, will care about us more than feathering her own nest. I'm willing to give her a chance. The first thing that has to happen though is, we need to let her know what we want. Just saying that an organization or a person is evil accomplishes nothing other than showing your ignorance.

I do know one thing. Right now those on staff that I've talked to are listening. They mean well. I hope they succeed, because of they succeed, we succeed.

It is in my best interest to get credentialized - MTgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
The company I'm working for will reimburse me the cost of testing to become a CMT and pay me more per line if I become a CMT. I've been an MT for 3 years but do not have 2 years of acute care experience. Therefore, I will need to take the RMT exam first and then go back later for the CMT. I probably wouldn't think much of getting credentialized otherwise, but the company I am with now is offering me a good benefit if I do, so....

This comment illustrates my point about the CMT - Old Hand

[ In Reply To ..]
If the "CMT" credential meant that an individual is a seasoned experienced highly-skilled MT who could walk into any hospital in this country and after a few days of orientation, whack out a competetive number of lines of whatever came up next in the queue, THEN and only then would it mean something. But it doesn't, it doesn't really speak to the skill set and capability of the MT who does or does not choose to buy one.

Good grief! - MTgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
All I asked for was if anyone on here has taken a course and, if so, was it beneficial toward taking the exam. What is wrong with this board these days? It's like some of you are just hovering in cyberspace waiting to pounce on someone's post to spew negativity and try to bash someone. I've worked hard and studied hard to get into this field and don't look down on anyone else, because I've not been in their shoes to know what they've went through or had to endure. Judge not, lest ye be judged!

I appreciate the viewpoints of the others about how they felt the Language of Medicine book and the CMT Study Guide were all they needed to prepare for it. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I did not mean that the way you took it - Old Hand

[ In Reply To ..]
The point I was trying to make is that the CMT credential as it currently stands, doesn't mean much. Yes you could spend the money and take the test but you still don't yet have the solid background to make it really mean anything (which is not your fault, you are still a fledgling MT doing your best.) The CMT simply doesn't make that statement. I have heard people explain to me their rationale for the importance of the CMT in that it indicates a person's committment to this but all I can say in response, so a seasoned highly productive smart MT with 15 to 20 years of acute hospital experience isn't committed? The standard for getting a CMT right now is not nearly tough enough. It certainly doesn't say whether the person really is capable of doing the job the way it needs to be done.

The CMT really needs to mean something to each and every single potential employer and at this point it simply does not.

I was a traveling MT for a number of years, working some of the toughest hospitals in the country, CMTs were few and far between, it just doesn't make any difference; not one single hospital cared one way or the other, what they did care about was if the MT could get up to speed on their system and start seriously cutting into that backlog very quickly, and that the work was of an acceptable quality.

In addition, when I was the one doing the hiring I never cared one way or the other whether an MT was a CMT, I was just looking for right kind of experience.

Perhaps if a CMT were offered as an entry-level credential, and then there was a master credential which you could only get after meeting very stringent criteria (including adequate verifiable acute hospital experience) then the CMT might be worth pursuing as a first step toward that master credential.

But right now I just don't think that you should bother buying a CMT credential, you should just continue as you are doing, getting experience. I don't think the CMT really matters enough. It's not going to get you want you want.

I don't post a lot here, but I do post from time to time, and I don't think I have ever been one of those witches that just lie in wait to jump on the opportunity to hurt someone. I'm sorry you took it that way.

she was quick to judge you, though. I found your post informative and - anonmtme

[ In Reply To ..]
not judgemental at all, not of original poster. I'm not her, but I see what you are saying, and find it great food for thought. Can only hope AHDI people take it all in.

Good luck to MTgirl. Let us know how it all turns our.

ps - you might want to change that name - sounds like "empty girl." Like MTpockets, MTnest, MTtank, and other truth-be-told cute names I've seen here.

Yes, it IS evil. - No fan of the Queen Bee

[ In Reply To ..]
It is evil because it has taken both money and jobs from MTs. All it cares about is enriching itself and its officers. The sorority may be disbanded, but its philosophy and legacy live on. Don't waste your money.

MT girl: They already know what we want - and deserve. That is SM

[ In Reply To ..]
FAIR COMPENSATION for the ability to perform this job well. It has become a minimum wage job, and that is not acceptable. If you can make more money flipping burgers then being a qualified, experienced MT which, contrary to the thinking the past few decades by many, takes education and skills, there is a real problem. This organization already knows all of this. They are not in our corner.

MT girl - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I used the CMT Review Guide and the BOS and studied A LOT. I used the CD with the practice questions. I also found writing things down, reading them over and rewriting them helped me to remember.

Also, I have to respectfully disagree with some of the posters who say that CMT means nothing. I work for a company that acknowledges the CMT certification with an extra week's vacation every year. That being said, I would like to say that I don't always agree with how AHDI operates, just that in my case it is worth being certified. Good luck with your studying!

In theory, you are right, not sure in practice - Other things to think about

[ In Reply To ..]
This was made a requirement for my position. Ive been an MT for 20 years, and never took this exam because it never commanded an increase in salary. And certainly a pay raise was not given if we passed. And AHDI is not an official board exam beyond them trying to legitimize themselves in that way.

That being said, with the current economy and market environment, getting credentialed can only help, and it does give an employer a really good picture of how motivated you are in this market. While passing does not make you any better of an MT than one who does not, it was not an easy exam, and I think it speaks quite a bit about a person who has taken the time to do that intense a study to be able to pass this exam - and credit should be given to those who do and also to those who try.

There are 100 applications being sent for every 1 good job posted - it is possible this makes you more hirable or preferrable in the interviewing and hiring process.

If the MT industry continues at all, it is very possible this may become the minimum standard, and why shouldnt it?

Ive also seen a number of job postings requesting this designation or asking that one commit to taking the exam if hired. I see it more often than I did 5 years ago, so, again, it can only help a person in the job market now.

I think its ridiculous to force people to take this test, and politically I think it is b.s., but I also know my main issue with taking it to begin with, and the main issue my peers had to taking it was more surrounding the issue that they did not think they could pass it, and did not want to go to that expense to not pass it, especially when it did not mean a difference in salary.

CMT Exam prep - What I did

[ In Reply To ..]
I took the course by M-TEC, and I did not find that as helpful and frankly it was outdated. They spent a lot of time in review of prefixes and suffixes, which while they are helpful, are not tested, per se, on the exam. I would not take that in preparation for the test. the info worksheets they gave, however, were helpful on each specialty.

The CMT Review Guide was helpful, doing the CD is helpful, though dont get caught up in the comma craziness of that CD, as that was not on the exam. Also the CMT Blue Print, for me, was the most insightful as to what you will be tested on.

Another hint would be to make sure you study the appendices in the CMT Review book.

If you are an experienced MT with acute care experience to include op reports and radiology, and you do the above studying, you should do well.

Thank you everyone - MTgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
I appreciate everyone's input and advice about how to study for this, and your comments were appreciated.

I'm sorry I mistook your comment, Oldhand, and apologize for jumping to conclusions too quickly.

Everyone's comments helped me decide the route I wish to take in preparing for this and, again, I appreciate your comments and input! :)

Similar Messages:

Aug 27, 2010

When the doctor says "there was some liquid stool and prep left in the colon.." are you supposed to type it "preparation"? ...

Feb 22, 2010

I have a question regarding the different prep courses offered for the RMT exam. There is one offered through OAK Horizons and one offered through Career Steps. I am wondering if anyone has used them and found them to be helpful at all or a complete waist of money. I really want to earn my RMT status, but I graduated from my mt course a little over a year ago and think that I could really use a refresher course. Any thoughts about these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! ...

Jun 30, 2010

ESL doctor dictating a hemorrhoid preparation s/l anoate, NOaid, anuate, anuH. Really lost on this one. Have been looking for hours so any help is appreciated. ...

Nov 15, 2011

My company is offering an incentive in pay if I get credentialized, so I am going to go for CMT. My question to all of you is which course is the best to take? I see that Career Step, M-Tec, and Omniscribe offer prep courses, but I don't want to waste time and money on these if they will not adequately prepare me for the exam. ...

Feb 21, 2010

Is this a test? I've searched it and find very little - maybe hearing it wrong? ...

Nov 10, 2010

After being so tired of not being taken seriously and dealing with management shifts that don't know me from Jane, I really would like to take the CMT test. I've been doing this for 13 years so not a newbie but honestly the test scares me. I would like to take one of the prep course but don't really know which one to take. I don't want to overdue if not needed and the prices for the courses vary by quite a bit. AHDI has multiple classes listed but I� ...

Nov 30, 2010

Has anyone taken the test and used the CMT prep quizzes CDs? Are they useful for the test? ...

Jan 01, 2011

I am an IC. Just told must invoice company I have been with for 5 years, with lines per day, cpl, etc. Do I charge for this and if so how much? Never had to do this before. ...

Apr 11, 2012

Once the manipulation was completed, the tourniquet was placed around the upper thigh and the left lower extremity was prepped with s/l prellgo/perlgo and draped in a sterile fashion. Thanks! ...

Jul 30, 2012

Hi - Has anyone here taken the 4-month AAPC CPC Preparation course? How did you do on the CPC Exam? ...

Sep 17, 2013

Extremely strong Israeli accent performing cervical ESI using some type of solution for sterile prep and drape that sounds like chlorograt. Any suggestions?? Am drawing a complete blank. ...

Feb 20, 2014

Has anyone heard of chloraseptic prep stick for knee surgery. ...

Feb 08, 2015

I am asking that anyone who has taken this course to please give me your opinion about it. I am specifically wondering if it does truly prepare you to pass the CPC exam. Thank for your replies. ...

Nov 10, 2009

x ...

May 07, 2010

Is anyone familiar with all the Carol Buck books for coding certification training? I'm attempting to go through her 2010 Step-By-Step Medical Coding book and workbook along with the online "course" through Elsevier that accompanies the text. My plan is to finish this and then move on to her The Next Step Advanced coding book and workbook, and then go through her 2010 Online Internship. Here is what the publisher says about the "internship." Get the practice you nee ...

Mar 17, 2011

I am thinking of buying the CMT Prep Quiz CD Bundle from AHDI. but, I want to make sure it is completely current with the third edition of the BOS. Has anyone bought these and what did you think? Where they helpful in taking the CMT exam? I notice there is an RMT Blueprint available, but sold out. So, wondering if I should just wait for the RMT and CMT Blueprints to come out??? Thanks for any info! ...

Apr 12, 2012

After appropriate preoperative evaluation including informed consent, the patient's right elbow medial side was prepped with ( ). Using a sterile technique, the solution of lidocaine, Sensorcaine, and dexamethasone was injected in and around his medial epicondyle as well as the flexor pronator muscle, flexor pronator muscle mass, and the brachialis tendon. The quality of my voice note is very bad and so I'll give you some sounds like options. Cordrop Clo ...

Jan 25, 2013

I am currently a coding student, but worked as a transcriptionist for 13+ years. I am getting an associates degree and plan to graduate in the spring next year. What review or exam prep books will help prepare me for the CPC exam? Thanks in advance ...

Mar 28, 2011

"Vaginal discharge wet prep DNA obtained"....I am not used to GYN stuff, so please help if you can....TIA! ...

Jul 30, 2013

I never have and I have had a gastroenterology side job for years. ...

Jun 30, 2010

:) ...

Jan 18, 2011

I'm finishing up an operative report on a transrectal ultrasound-directed prostate biopsy. The sentence reads: The patient confirms mechanical and s/l "prolonged" prep within the hour. Does that sound right? Thanks -- ...

Jul 25, 2011

x ...

Jan 19, 2010

"Movie" prep for colonoscopy? ...