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

It never fails, even though I have been doing this for 20 years, - Truly amazed.

Posted: Jan 22, 2013

I still have people who assume they can just do MT. I just had someone tell me they need temporary work that they can do "on the go." Could I help them get into MT? UGH!

I don't know how many people in the past who have told me they can type, so maybe they could do this job? Of course with the pay rates these days you should be able to just "do this job" without any education! Thanks for letting me vent.

My favorite was the man who told me his - wife could do the job because

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she had worked on a computer at the bank.

Never fails - MTME

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I have heard that one before; I need to work a couple of hours in the evening, transcription would be perfect, but the one I just cracked up at, was this lady said, "oh I could medical transcription. I watch all the medical shows on TV and know exactly what they are talking about." Hmmmmm can you spell it though? LOL

My favorite - sm

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An MT applicant once told me she was sure she could do transcription because she herself had had almost every disease. :)

My fav - anon

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A girl asked me one time what she could do to get a job like mine (and I didn't like her anyway) so I told her she would need to die and come back as somebody else. Nuff said!!!

My mom is the worst at that! - ARC

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She used to call me up all of the time and say..."Hey, so and so just had a baby and wants to stay home. I told her you work on the computer from home and she said she was pretty fast on typing back in high school and wants to know if you can get her a job."

Finally, I told her that typing has VERY LITTLE to do with the job, we aren't copying anything, we are typing what we hear, checking to make sure we hear it right, make sure the doctor says it right, etc. I used to get so frustrated with her!

My favorite... - see msg

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I love when people "decide" they're going to do MT like me before they even know what it is I do. "I'm going to do what you do. Should I take a terminology course first?"

Really?

No prob. Sit them down at your desk and give them an ESL. - and see how long they last. NM

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!

Ha ha i did that:) - craziness

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I had a friend who kept saying she could do transcription because she knew how to type "real fast." I gave her a test file that I had saved on my computer and she said...."Is he speaking English?" LOL, he was actually a pretty clear speaking dictator, I thought:)

Love this thread! - All great examples!

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it's actually hard to pick a favorite, since they are all so perfect!

My fav is from MIL who calls it "your little job." GRRRR! nm - MT56

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xxxxx

Or when someone calls me on the phone..... - NeverEnds

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and says..."Hey, what you doing?", Me..."I'm working." Them, "Oh okay...blah, blah, blah" and they start a full blown conversation with me. Like, if I worked outside the home and they called and I said I was at work, anyone would know the conversation ends there, but working from home for some reason people think it's a hobby or something and no need to worry about chit-chatting about nonsense when we should be working.

and they repeat everything 3 times don't they? - mine do

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Most people in offices get paid by the hour, so they can afford to schmooze a little. We can't! Not working = not making money.

What really got my goat - Old Pro

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was the time a neighbor told me he knew he could do it because his mother had been a nurse and he had her old medical dictionary. Yes, I know people are supposed to be nuttier in California (smiling here), but still........

Ok...I'll bite - oldermt

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I'm not going to be a popular person for saying this, but I've been in this field for over 20 years and I NEVER took a class on typing, transcription, medical terminology, etc. yet somehow I made it through. This job takes very little skill and it IS something that anyone can do without signing up for one of those courses or having the slightest bit of medical background. Being a transcriptionist or editor doesn't require much of anything besides being able to research things (Google, etc) and typing....period.

We need to focus on the fact that we have the luxury of working from home in your sweats, pj's or whatever. No commuting fees, gas, clothing budgets, etc. Be grateful we even have jobs. Sure, the pay isn't all that great, but because of the not having extra expenses, it works out. If you're so unhappy with this profession then find something else.

There's nothing worse than people who complain of their situation yet refuse to change anything about it when they have the complete power to.

Agree. My only training was my years working in a vet - clinic and I am a great MT/editor. nm

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x

I agree somewhat .... - GAMT

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I have a couple of accounts that anyone off the street could do with simple Google skills for the rare term that needs to be researched.

I have another account that couldn't possibly be done by someone off the street, takes a definite skill level and an experienced MT.

With EMR taking the brunt of most of the information, this really is requiring a basic skill level on some accounts. Just depends on the account ...

Disagree. If you can research, you can MT. Also, who cant look - at past jobs? That helps, too. nm

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x

I used to be a trainer and your statement is patently false. - anon

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It requires much more than putting on head phones and "research."

I trained MTs for years in-house and for a major MTSO and right around 50% of MTs washed out within 2 weeks.

I have been doing this 15+ years with no formal training. - Moved to qa, MTSO loves me. SM

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Get over yourself. I am intelligent with common sense. That is 90% of the job and either you are or you are not. I have edited formally trained MTs with more years than me who are horrible.

MTSO and love in the same sentence - sm

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I don't know why, but I just can't stop laughing! :)

I HAVE had formal training and have been a CMT for over 25 years. I would like to see an "untrained" MT work on the account I work on. Constant errors by the dictators that I am expected to catch including never ending medication dosage errors, chemotherapy errors, wrong age, wrong sex, and the list goes on.

After all these years, I pretty much know a wrong medication dose when I hear it. Do you think some untrained MTs would or do they have to Google everything to be sure? I can't see how they can make any money if they are spending all day researching.

The only way that can happen is if the sentence - was written by the MTSO.

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And even then, it's a stretch.

You made my point in your snarky post, not everyone can do this - non

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I didn't have "formal" training either, never said I did. What I did say is NOT EVERYONE CAN DO THIS and anyone who thinks being an MT requires nothing more than ears and a set of headphones is ignorant.

all right if anyone can do it let's - stop saying we are worth more $

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You're right, this is a minimum wage job! Silly me!

I guess you missed the point. - sm

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Nobody is saying it's a minimum wage job, but certainly the skills that we have can be taught and though it's not a minimum wage job, it surely isn't worthy of $20 to $25 an hour.

She's missing the point all the way thru this thread. - (Kind of a tipoff that shes management.)

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I had - schnauzermom

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worked as an MT with minimal training and then got formal training with CareerStep. What I did not know then is astounding. A generation ago there were a lot more places to work that did not require formal training. How anyone does the job now without it I don't know. There is no way I could do this job without having gone to school. Working in acute care is difficult and you need to know medicine period. I know of one older lady who once had her own MT business back when it was making money hand over fist and she has asked me for help with terms. It is obvious I am more skilled due to my training.

Sorry...but if you think - sm

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that you're "more skilled" because you've had "formal training" I beg to differ. I bet my skill set is infinitely more vast than yours is. Life experience doesn't cost money and is sometimes better than "formal training."

every conversation here has to get ugly - nm

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nm

thats cause there are a lot of UGLY people - on the planet

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They cant help themselves.

I never - schnauzermom

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mentioned my age, life experience, or how long I had been an MT and I certainly was not comparing my skill set to yours or anyone else's on here. Just that in comparison to the only person I know personally who has not had training and is "old school" that it is obvious to me that I have a better knowledge base and skill set than she does. "Methinks the lady doth protest too much."

Just my 2 cents - sm

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The fact that you have been in this field over 20 years, I am sure there did not have to be such attention to detail that long ago and the medical record probably was not used as much in a court of law as it is now, considering law suits are filed about every five minutes these days and the medical records MUST be accurate.

I know that the companies WANT highly experienced MTs who can correct the physicians, check mistakes, etc. I do not believe that a person from the street could pass most of the tests that companies require. I bet your company didn't even require testing back then.

With all of that being said, I also do not believe that a medical transcriptionist should be making $25 to $30 per hour, regardless. When I started transcribing, I was working as an R.N. making $16.00 per hour in my area (low paid doctor's office) and when I transitioned to transcription I was making between $35 and $40 per hour. I in no way think that someone who sits at home and just types what a physician says should have pay that is more than a direct caregiver with a license on the line for any mistake made.

Pay - me

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My best friend is a nurse. She DOES NOT PAY costs to see and care for a patient or additional training required. I, however, am paying office space, costs for 6 landlines, a cell in case I rarely leave the house (and they need to contact me), all reference material, fax, 3 computers, iPhone and IPAD, internet, FTP, IT costs, website, my own medical expenses (including injuries from job), software and upgrades, dictation systems, account setup, advertisement, accountant, increased taxes, no paid days off, no disability, etc., etc., etc.

Do you not think of these costs? Soon my pay is eaten up by overhead costs. Their tuition is reimbursed... mine is not.

Your 2 cents - Old Pro

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is worth just that. We do a heckuva more than JUST TYPE. That's your problem.

Sorry, but I find working at home to be NO luxury at all. - Any benefit to not putting gas in - S/M

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the car to commute to work is cancelled out by the fact that I also can't afford to put gas in the car to go anywhere else, either.

I really don't care if other people respect my "little job", except when your OWN EMPLOYER doesn't respect it, either, (and the lack of respect shows, in that crappy 3-4 cpl we're being paid!), then we can see working at home for what it truly is - AN ELECTRONIC SHACKLE AROUND OUR ANKLES.

I don't know how much you need/want to make, but.... - sm

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My stepson works from home answering calls for Direct TV. He got the job with six weeks of paid at-home training and the job starts out at $9.50 per hour. He got a raise fairly quickly and he makes $11.50 per hour now. He answers calls and does troubleshooting, just reading on his computer screen and relaying that information to the customer. I am not sure if we can type websites on here, but if it does not get removed, the company he works for is New Corp., you can Google it. They have other troubleshooting places, like Verizon, ToysRUs, etc., his is Direct TV.

I agree with your unpopular view - sm

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I don't understand why some MT's are so arrogant about the "skills" it takes to do this profession. Lets be honest, it's an easy job for good pay, or at least it used to be good pay. That is exactly why I chose it, so I wouldn't have to be challenged in any sort of "real" way when it came to my profession.

Sit down, type, research, be disciplined, nobody bothers me, collect a paycheck.

You are wrong. - anon

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It is "easy" for you because you obviously have the basic skill set necessary. Is it brain surgery or quantum physics, No, but it does require a certain amount of English skill and an "ear."

I have trained a lot of MTs and the FACT is not everyone can do it but hey, go ahead sell your skills short. I guess I will agree with you then, if you can do it, I suppose a monkey could do it too.

Even if you can do this job with little training,... - sm

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Getting a job when most of the ads request 2-5 years experience or at least graduation from an MT course is another matter entirely.

It would be rather amusing actually ... - anon

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to drop a new MT with "little or no" training onto an acute care account with heavy ESL. Let's see just how "easy" they think the job is then.

If you are doing nothing but clinic notes, fine it's easier but let's get real, this job takes some mad skill.

Yeah I take pride in my skills and know without question that a whole lot of my fellow MTs rock at their jobs and it isn't because it is easy.

Also - schnauzermom

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they may have worked for the same place for a long time. If they had to move on it would be near impossible to get hired elsewhere without formal education and the flexibility and adaptability that training provides.

my first MT job... - OHMT

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I was working front desk in a mental health clinic 30-some years ago when I got thrown into the job of transcribing for the psychiatrists. All were ESL so it was an instant education. I did this job for a few years and was jealous when the other MT decided to work from home after maternity leave. She would come in a couple of times a week and pick up the cassette tapes.

Fast forward to a dozen years ago, when I decided to get back into the transcription biz. I thought with my prior background I'd have no trouble, right? Boy was I wrong! I tested with one of the big companies and failed miserably. So I contacted them and asked what school I should go thru to learn how to do this right. So that's what I did, and now I have the best job ever. Had to "kiss a few frogs" along the way, but finally got what I wanted. I love working in my sweats & slippers and having my dog to keep me company all day.

As for some of posters later on this thread, what's your problem? This started out to be an interesting thread and you've turned it into a pi$$ing contest. Everyone has gotten to this point through hard work and education (formal or otherwise) and I know a lot of people wouldn't be able to do this job. When I see all the typos and misspelled words in emails from some of my friends, it's clear they wouldn't be cut out for this work. Those of us who are should be proud of the work we do. We are providing an important service to patients and doctors without having to get our hands bloody or clean up vomit and other disgusting things... and we don't have to leave the house to do it!

Have a great day everyone!

Isn't it odd how many replies to this are about how EASY it is to be an MT? - anon

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Is it just to be contrary? Is it low self-esteem?

I think being an MT does require at the very least higher range average IQ, good English and grammar skills and a good ear for accents. These are not skills that are shared with every human being on earth, they just aren't.

The argument seems to be that "anyone" could "learn" the job. Perhaps, but as we have all seen from looking at reports, clearly some people are very BAD at being an MT. So, technically, yes anyone can do it, however, not everyone can do it well.

You would think anyone could be a waiter and technically I suppose so, but who hasn't had a HORRIBLE waiter?

The argument isn't CAN most anyone who can tie their own shoes do this job, it is can they do it WELL? The answer to that question is an absolutely not and I dare anyone to prove that statement incorrect.

I have worked many years doing QA. Trust me, not everyone can do this job. - anon

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Put your feet up some night and pull up a few reports. You will see it takes more than just a pulse to do this job correctly. Key word here is correctly.

More likely - sm

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Comments minimizing the skill set necessary for MT/ME appear periodically and are most likely from bitter administrative/clerical/tech/office MTSO staff who couldn't accurately transcribe/edit the most basic EGD or tonsillectomy if their life depended on it. Very obvious and kind of amusing.

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