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

OK, I'm going back to school in an effort to get out of the MT - MT-No More

Posted: Mar 26, 2010

tar pits. I've narrowed my choices to Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiology Tech or leaving healthcare all together and becoming a Paralegal. I though about nursing school, but in the end ruled it out as my sister has been a nurse for 25 years or so and stopped enjoying her job about 20 years ago. She says it's all paperwork and covering everyone's behind more than it is taking care of the patient. Plus she's just not happy in her work.

I ruled out lab tech because it's a four year degree and at my age, I'm not sure I want to commit to four years of school. I'm willing to do two and get an associates, but I really want to get back out there and make good money before I get too close to retirement. I'm 42 and I want to build up my retirement nest egg, etc. Plus I'd just plain like to live a little better than MT has afforded me! I also ruled out coding and RHIT, because I wouldn't be making much more than I make as an MT and if I'm going back to school, I want to come out doing significantly better than I am now!

I've done the research, I know the growth projections for each career in my part of the county and the salary range for each profession. I'm just trying to find the best fit for me.

So which would you choose?

Healthcare is where it's going to be with the baby boomers aging. - mrs.krabs

[ In Reply To ..]
I read somewhere online that PT assistants would be in demand. Too many people in radiology.

Some of us refuse to age! After all, we cant afford - to retire. I plan to be 32 forever! (age 60 now)

[ In Reply To ..]
nmsg

lol, good thinking.... - no birthdays!

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

OT - Ima MT

[ In Reply To ..]
My daughter who has a Bachelor's degree went back to get her associates in occupational therapy. Huge demand for them around here. She did the program in 18 months.

18 months? - USED MT

[ In Reply To ..]
did she go to a local college for that? or a specific tech school>
Thanks!

OT or OT assistant? - MT-No More

[ In Reply To ..]
I looked at OT assistant and they actually done earn as much as PTA or rad techs which kind of surprised me.

OTA and salaries start mid to upper 40s. - Ima MT

[ In Reply To ..]
In our area, there's not as much need for Rad techs (east coast)

and PTA is very different than OTA, so it comes down to what floats your boat. Again, in this area, PTA and OTA make about the same money. After 2 years on unemployment when her teaching job ended, she'll be happy to be making a decent salary again!

My friend majored in that back in the day. However... - AzRain

[ In Reply To ..]
she went to USC for the last 2 years of undergrad. This was 30-some years ago so I don't know if OT was a fledgling field then. I certainly had never heard of it before then! She's been doing it ever since except for a few maternity breaks and still enjoys it.

AMEN SISTER, im going to school too - USED MT

[ In Reply To ..]
i plan to go into medical coding for a while this fall, do that awhile and try to go for rad tech. This MT business has me starvin. Being a single mother with 2 kids, I cant afford to be an MT any longer. The field has become very sad.

Back in school - Ex-Transcend Employee

[ In Reply To ..]
I went back to school in January. I'm getting out of medical completely. I am taking Legal Administrative assistant and Entrepenural studies. I don't want to be a number so hopefully I will be able to find a job at a law firm with good pay, benefits and maybe even a yearly bonus. I'm 50 and could not go back to school for 4 years but I can do 2.

I'm also an MT with years of experience... - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
presently working with my 4th and final national MTSO. Between only an employee number, ridiculously long account specifics and other beat-down tactics...well, you get the picture.

meant to say.... - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
Between "being" only an employee number....

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