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

May have found a way out........ - Willow

Posted: Aug 24, 2013

I have been in this (medical transcription) boat for a long time. I have enjoyed it and been able to support myself. The last few years I have been stubbornly trying to hang on and "ride the waves", but have finally gotten it through my thick head that this is NOT working for me anymore! I hate what this industry has become!

Anyway, was looking on the website of our local technical college, and I think I have found something I may be interested in. Going to look into getting a Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration. The one problem I have is that I tend not to be very assertive, but I think I could learn to be. I was looking at the curriculum, and a lot of the 1st semester classes are things that I already have experience in, so am thinking I may be able to "test out" of those classes. Wish me luck!

Don't count too heavily on "testing out" on a lot - becauswe what you know SM

[ In Reply To ..]
could be a lot different than what the current course/curriculum requires.

I ran into that when I applied at the local tech college. It's not the course itself, but what the state requires students to know. Anatomy and Physiology 20+ years ago is somewhat different and a lot more complex than A&P taught now.

You may, however, find that the classes you're required to take will be very easy with the knowledge that you already have. Talk to the instructor of each class and see what's required, see if your knowledge will suffice for "testing out." Or maybe you could be allowed to show up for what you don't know or what you may want to go over again, then the exams and that's your class. I did that on one class.

Good luck.

Thanks :-) NM - Willow

[ In Reply To ..]
.

considering getting out myself and going back to school. - whattodo

[ In Reply To ..]
I feel a bit old to go through the college thing but liked to learn a new trade.

This is not trying to sound - negative...

[ In Reply To ..]
but to be honest, it sounds to me like the course you are considering is community college speak for glorified secretary, especially when you say you already feel you know a lot of the prerequisites. This may be something more suitable for someone more fresh out of high school. I say this because a long time ago, I took a course at ECPI in medical office administration, which is basically how I ended up as an MT.

If it were me, I would consider something more along the lines of coder or even that health informatics course someone on here has posted about, which I think can be done on line and not take too long. If in doubt though, I would really question the guidance counselor in the school concerning placement rates of graduates for that course in your community. Even a CC can be an expensive and time consuming undertaking these days, especially if you need a sure thing job when you graduate.

Best of luck, and let us know how it works out.

Thanks for posting this - Thought the same thing

[ In Reply To ..]
I posted below, almost sure I would be flamed. LOL!

HIM is a much better choice. It isn't dead-end at all, and it leads to some good jobs that can pay well.

The thing about tech college programs is that they don't go anywhere. You can spend a year or two in them, and they can be rah-rah fun because the instructors need to entertain and keep you there, but that work won't transfer to a regular college. If you want to keep going, you will end up starting over.

Some work might transfer from a tech college - (see message)

[ In Reply To ..]
If the technical college is part of the university system, then some of the core work might transfer over to a 4-year college. At least that is the case with the technical college I am attending. The college level classes such as A&P I and II transfer, English 101, some of the core college-level math classes all will transfer over. The program-specific ones will not, though. The program I am in is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and I have a 4-year degree in biology (BS) from a state university. It is intense, but I am doing clinicals with my program as well as academics, and those clinicals are HARD.

You are correct, but that does not - sound like office administration!

[ In Reply To ..]
I think some state programs might teach that, but it is usually a course taught at for-proft sub-college-level tech schools.

No, it is not office administration - I see what you are saying

[ In Reply To ..]
Sort of like medical transcription being taught at Kaplan University as an "associate's degree" for $30,000!

Not the college thing anymore - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It isn't "the college thing" anymore, not like you may remember it or think of it.

Classes now are online with minimal instructor interaction and even less student interaction, which means nobody has a clue how old you are. Or cares. But, because of your age, your life experience will really help.

You may be surprised to find that students in your classes are more mature than you expected. People often change careers. Colleges, especially community colleges, are for everyone now. Classes are set up for adults.

Suggestion for college credit and - testing out

[ In Reply To ..]
Before you sign up for a technical college, be sure it is not a for-profit. "Degrees" from them aren't worth much. You will waste time and money.

Also check their employment rate for that program and what jobs students are placed in. You may find it is low and that students are working in fast food.

With your background, if this is a general office program and not medical, Iwould suggest aiming higher than that. It sounds like something designed for high schoolers who have no work experience and not much in the way of ability. If you have been an MT, you should not need a program at that level. Even if you do get a job, it is likely to be low-paying.

If a college will accept CLEP tests, you can test your way out of loads of college classes. All you have to do is take the test. There is a fee, but it is less than taking the class. Pass it and you get credit. The college will tell you which ones they take.

If you do want to test out of the class at the school, just get the textbook and go over it. There is often a copy in the library. You can also get used copies online for very little, especially if it is the last edition.

Willow - Good luck and let us know how goes it. - anon NM

[ In Reply To ..]
Good luck!!

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