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

Is there really noone who thinks taking the CMT exam is a good idea? - QuestioningMySanity

Posted: Jun 20, 2012

I am studying for the CMT exam, but the process is taking the joy out of my life. I noticed that on a previous post, everyone unanimously voted NO regarding the question about whether the CMT is worthwhile anymore. I am seriously considering dropping the idea of sitting the CMT exam. Am I making a mistake? (I really do not want to take jobs of increased responsibility in the field, just make sure I stay employed.) I'd appreciate your words of wisdom.

CMT does not give you increased responsibility in the field - just letters after your name

[ In Reply To ..]
You might make a few cents more per paycheck, depending on company, but for what?

Re: Just letters after your name - Old Pro

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There is an old German proverb that says "Empty heads are fond of long titles." Certainly that applies in certain quarters of the AHDI. Remember, the CMT is not an academic agree. I can tell you, that whether someone had or did not have a CMT had no effect whatsoever on whether I would hire them.

Depends on whether the OP is working for a hospital or a service. (sm) - CMT leavin da biz

[ In Reply To ..]
When I received my CMT (the first time), I immediately received a 10% raise (in 1999 dollars) as well as reimbursement of all my test expenses. To be completely honest with you, that's the only reason I bothered with it in the first place. BUT--and here's the important distinction, I think--I was working for a hospital. See my further comments about the differences between hospitals and MTSOs and the CMT later down in this thread.

A handful of MTSOs will pay just a penny more per line, or something of the sort. Not worth it.

I don't believe having a CMT would make one's job more stable if working for an MTSO, whereas it actually could at a hospital.

I used to think it - was a good idea

[ In Reply To ..]
but not so much anymore. For me it was a way to say that I supported encouraging professionalism in our field. My company will pay for the exam and my AHDI membership, so it's no skin off my back other than the effort to keep up my CE, but if the companies aren't going to pay more for getting it, then it seems like they don't really support that professional ideal either. By the way, I have never had a supervisor who was a CMT.

cmt - mls

[ In Reply To ..]
Our hospital used to pay for CMT, so there was no expense on our part to get it. Did they pay anything extra if you did - NO. When our hospital was taken over by a service, those who had completed the CMT got the exact same pay as those who had not, not to mention everyone got the same pay regardless of years of experience or expeience/expertise on various work types that not everyone else could/would do.

So, to answer your ? - no, not worth it, especially if you are paying for it yourself. The only, possible and even questionable,advantage I see is your resume MIGHT possibly get a second look vs. being passed over because of the credentials. Otherwise, I have been in this field 20+ years and have never seen a single person I know get ANY benefit from completing CMT.

Agree w others, no increased job responsibility OR higher pay. - You get nothing for it, really. I vote no FWIW. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I did it because - (see message)

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I wanted to for personal satisfaction. I did it on my own, but I am an IC, so I got a break on taxes. Also, although my company does not pay for it or give any pay increase to those who have it, it looks good for them when they bid on contracts to have a certain percentage of MTs credentialed (so they say). I did it for that reason in order to help my small MTSO with procurement, which in turn means more work for the MTs. I do not regret having done it, and I am actually proud to have accomplished it. I think the biggest advantage might be for the resume, but that is questionable, too.

I would NOT do it because - Old Pro

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I am an American who believes in American jobs for American workers. AHDI has been instrumental in the offshoring movement. No, thanks.

Don't question your sanity - Old Pro

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Just don't drink the AHDI Kool-Aid. It is an organization that seeks to promote itself and cares little about the MT. Look at its history from its inception. That will tell you all you need to know. Actions speak louder than words.

I took the test, passed it several years ago. It made absolutely - no difference

[ In Reply To ..]
in my paycheck or employer relationship. The continuous education requirements to keep it up are a joke for the most part...just conference calls where you listen to a lecture and maybe see a Power Point presentation. I let the certification expire last year. Haven't missed it a bit.

Those Power Point presentations and seminars are not worth my time - My opinion

[ In Reply To ..]
The seminars and workshops, Power Point presentations, etc., are all pretty much worthless other than they provide income to the presenters. This is one of the things I like least about AHDI. I'm probably in the minority. There are things I do like about them. I like most of the people I've met, not all, but I rarely like the decisions leadership tends to make. They seem to benefit someone, not necessarily AHDI even, but definitely not the MT. It's junk meant to fill our time so that we think something is happening. In the meantime, we lose ground because they have valued the MTSOS and vendors who pay big money to them instead of the MT members the organization was supposed to serve. In fact, now the word is, it doesn't serve the membership at all. We serve some entity, healthcare documentation or whatever the newest new thing is, which is not helpful to us at all.

There is no shortage of workshops and seminars though, useless as they are, because that's what someone in their great wisdom thinks we want and need. Sorry, we're not buying what you're selling. Get back to the organization serving us, the MT, and membership will increase.

Some of the MTSOs are getting into the workshop and seminar game making $ on us too - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Now we see some of the big MTSOs deciding to go the same way, making money by convincing MTs that they need to pay money to learn "editing" or whatever it is that they are selling at the moment. Next month it will be something new so they can get more money from the people who bought into it last time. It is productive, for the people who are taking our money.

I think it's a good idea. For me... - SouthernCMT

[ In Reply To ..]
...I think the continuing education is valuable. It keeps me up to date on the industry. It has helped keep my skills sharp. I never really expected any additional pay when I got my CMT - since credentialing/licensing is not mandatory (like for other fields where you have to be licensed - electrician, plumber, hair stylist etc.)

I am not, however, a member of AHDI. I don't see that that membership was worth the yearly dues. I do keep up with my CECs and renew my credential every 3 years.

It's more of a personal accomplishment and something I am proud of. And every 3 years I write off my recredentialing fee as a business expense.

That being said, a CMT may help you move up in job status (from MT to QA, supervisor, team lead etc.) It did for me.

Thanks for your great input - QuestioningMySanity

[ In Reply To ..]
I really appreciate all of your wise comments--on both sides of the issue. You have helped me resolve the issue for myself--for now.

Got a big promotion AND kept my job when everyone else was let go. (sm) - CMT leavin da biz

[ In Reply To ..]
When the manager made the announcement of who got the newly created Team Lead position, she specifically mentioned my CMT (which the other candidate did not have, although she's worked here much longer). It also meant A LOT more money to me.

It also can be useful in terms of pushing your resume to the top of the stack for first call-backs.

HOWEVER, I actively advise every MT to head for the exits while putting on your life preserver. MT is a sinking ship. Go back to school and learn a new skill.

So, by day I am the Team Lead. By night, I am going back to school, in a race against the clock to finish before Epic makes it so that there will be nothing left for me to lead.

By the way, I'm in a unique position to have taken (and passed) the CMT twice. The first one was in 1999 (which I let lapse--to my great regret later), and then again in 2010. The exam had been revamped and was *significantly* more difficult in 2010, despite my broader depth of experience in the intervening years. These people here who poo-poo the CMT exam likely could not pass it today.

Question for you, OP. (sm) - CMT leavin da biz

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been thinking more about this.

Are you working for a hospital, or are you working for an MTSO? Big difference.

The times (2) when having my CMT *did* matter (and both times got more $$$ because of it) have been when I was working for a hospital. When I was working for MTSOs, it mattered not one iota (which was why I let my first CMT lapse in the first place). This is likely what's behind the difference in opinion and experience here.

If you are working for a hospital and want to be assured of being the last (wo)man standing, should it ever come to that (as it did for me), I would encourage you to become the Super User of your transcription software. Also, jump on the Team Lead position, if/when posted. (They might be the same position.) It's a PITA, but will keep you in your job, making a really nice income... which you can use to pay your tuition and books for night school. It's merely a means to an end at this point and will buy you some time.

Beware of when eScription comes to town. That's the beginning of the end. I've seen this play out time and time again at every hospital system in this city as well as the next one over. In our case, it took 4 years, but I've seen it happen locally in as little as 2.

Do you realize you MUST NOW take and pay for TWO - L&L

[ In Reply To ..]
examinations, even if you have been CMT in the past. I have been a CMT before. Now I was told I must still take and pass the prep exam BEFORE I can take the CMT exam again. It's around $350- total now and NOT WORTH A SINGLE CENT. Has never helped me, not in the 1980s, the 1990s, or the 2000s. I don't expect it to help in the 2010s.

Yep, I realize - The Owl

[ In Reply To ..]
That is why I left the AHDI in the dust back when it was still the AAMT. You are right--it is not worth a single cent! Worse yet, it wastes your time.

I did it for myself only - sm

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Just to prove to myself that I had what it took. I am not, however, EVER renewing it or taking the continuing ed credits as I do not personally believe in AHDI and what they stand for. Has not made a bit of difference in my pay as an MT or in two other different roles at MTSOs.

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