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

Finally got out of MT - sm

Posted: Jan 01, 2014

I just wanted really to say for those of you still hanging on, worried about work in the outside world, I finally got out about 3 months ago and I haven't been this happy in YEARS and to be exact in the last 12 years that I was an MT. Working as an MT, I don't think I ever felt good enough, because I would be torn apart due to missing a comma or not being able to understand a term well enough to find it. I was so stressed about money all of the time and even dreaded holidays because I knew there would be no work. With my new job, I actually got two days paid off at Christmas and am being paid to be at home today on New Year's Day, it is amazing to me. No checking the computer, no wondering if I work tomorrow, because I know that I do.

One thing I would have to say I gained from being an MT though. I get constant compliments on my new job about how fast I am at everything and really that comes from having to do everything on production. My mind hasn't wrapped around the fact that I get paid salary yet, so I am always rushing to get everything done and to get it done fast. I am also told daily how efficient I am and how I pay attention to details and that also comes from being an MT. Many people in my company don't know I was an MT, because they are at other offices and don't work directly with me. The other day though, I had to send an email to many people in higher up positions and one of them responded back to me and said I have "amazing documentation and writing skills". That also, is thanks to being an MT, I suppose:)

I just wanted to let you all know there is hope after MT and sometimes we don't realize how great it will be at a real job, because we THINK we have it so made working from home. As an MT, I always felt less than adequate, because I was made to feel that way, no matter how hard I worked. Now, I am just amazed at how much I love my outside job.

Such a great post, thank you! - And congratulations! nm

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Congrats! - OldsterMT

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It's nice to know that your skills as an MT carried over into your next career. Thanks for sharing this great story that there is a life besides MT for those who want to pursue that route.

Best wishes for the new year.

Life After MT - MBINNM

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Congratulations! I'm genuinely happy for you! It's nice to read an upbeat, inspiring post on this board.

What type of job do you have now? How difficult was it to get out of MT? I ask because about a year ago I was searching high and low for a non-MT job locally and had a very hard time finding anything. I got a few offers, but nothing that seemed to "fit" at all. I'm currently training for another career (broadcast captioning) and am so excited to be leaving the MT world.

Congrats but can you tell me SM - Hiya07

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I've looked at job ads but never seem to "fit" what's out there, although I feel I could do a myriad of jobs based on my 20 plus years as an MT but don't have the degree or experience. What field/job did you enter? I'm hoping it's something that I can look into in my city.

Outside Job - OP

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I got a job as an administrative assistant in a mental health facility. I do various office tasks and also interact with the clients and such. Our facility is in the stone age and previously did handwritten notes for documentation and have just implemented an EMR system. I have only been here three months, but got chosen to help implement the system and train staff how to use the system. I really do just love my job though and really, really love the extra money! It doesn't pay more than MT, if we were to break it down hourly, but considering I am on salary....I get the exact same amount every two weeks, no matter what. I don't have to worry about when I can work and such. I also have an excellent benefit package, including three weeks of yearly sick time and three weeks of yearly vacation time.

Finding New Employment - OP

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I know it can be difficult, especially when you have been out of the "real world" for so long. When I would apply, I would find that it was difficult because everyone wanted references and I really just didn't have any. Being an MT, I did have to job jump often and I didn't really feel any of my previous supervisors would give me a great reference. You know, it somehow becomes our fault that we decide to leave a company because we are STARVING.

I just applied for everything and put it in my mind that I would accept any job just to get out and just to get references. I actually did apply for a job once and the man who interviewed me told me he wouldn't hire me becuase I was an MT and his daughter-in-law was also an MT and he knew he could come nowhere near my salary. I told him those were the "good old days" and most MTs don't do that well anymore. I really thought he was going to hire me and I never heard back.

With my job though, it was advertised with my department of labor as a "temporary" position. I definitely wasn't looking for temp., but decided to apply and maybe get a good reference out of it. After being on my job only a week, one of the very high people came to me and said not to look for other employment that he was getting approval to make my position permanent and they didn't want to lose me. So, they got approval and I am now permanent and love the job.

So, there is hope, you just have to basically be willing to accept anything just to try it and to me ANYTHING was better than begging an MTSO to let me work, begging for lines, worried about being broke, etc.

You hit the nail on the head - Hiya07

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on so many points. Love your posts and story...inspiring. Take care!

Congrats! - I got out, too

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Kudos to you. We CAN get out. I did a little over a year ago.

I just kept sending out resumes. When the dreaded references were required, I just put my former supervisors' names and for the phone number, I put "last known number" or words to that effect. Covers your you-know-what if it's a disconnected number or whatever.

Best of luck to all who are trying to get out. Keep trying! I have no skill other than MT/typing/attention to detail, but all is not lost because I have found a wonderful hourly position that pays more than MT when broken down. I had to learn medical scheduling software, but the office I work for trained me.

Best to you all!

Agree with OP - Me Too

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I would encourage people to apply for everything, even temporary positions because many times they lead to permanent jobs, or you can try for other things within the organization. My position was temporary when I was hired but it changed to permanent status. It goes without saying that I went on a lot of interviews. Hopefully 2014 will be a better year for all the job seekers out there.

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