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

Wanting out - LBG

Posted: Dec 29, 2009

I've been a MT for 10 years. Not long compared to a lot of people on here, but unfortunately for me it has become a nigtmare instead of the job I once loved. The last couple years with the change to SR has cost me approximately $10.00 per hour. I am the only income in my home raising 3 children, on the verge of losing the house... Same old sad story all over the country I suppose. I'm looking for some advice on other jobs that can be done from home that might make close to the same income. I'm at the end of my rope, tired of someone else's bad grammar and poor English determining how well my family will eat or if we will even have a place to live next month

Wanting out - Raven

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm so sorry about your situation. I don't know of anything immediate you can do at home for around the same money or else I too would be doing it as I'm completely burned out after 15 years. However, for a more long-term option, maybe you could consider taking some classes to become a medical coder? I think they pay around the same as we get (you can see that on the AHIMA website). Good luck in whatever you do.

medical coder - this too

[ In Reply To ..]
This too is being outsourced like our MT jobs.

...and what jobs aren't being outsourced aren't - going to newbie coders.

[ In Reply To ..]
Almost all jobs in healthcare information are turning to crap unless you're among the highly-trained - like a software engineer - or someone with an MBA or other qualifications for an executive position in healthcare IT.

I feel your pain. Career counseling might be useful. - TechSupport

[ In Reply To ..]
If you have a community college nearby, they usually have people who do this kind of thing and it usually includes testing you to ascertain your innate abilities, personality traits, inclinations, etc. and matching those up with various careers - perhaps some you hadn't thought of.

At one time, I might have recommended that you consider being a home-based customer support representative - perhaps for a pharmaceutical company, etc. I had a friend who just had one year of college and who worked at home answering drug rep's questions for Pfizer. She was very good at it and held the position for around 18 years, I think.

...right up until Pfizer outsourced their phone support to India like almost all American companies seem to be doing these days. I can't think when the last time was that I called a company and didn't wind up talking to someone in another country who I wouldn't have been able to understand if not for my experience transcribing ESL dictators!

I'm optimistic for you that there's an opportunity of some kind out there, but I think you'll need some help finding it and without knowing more about your background, personal inclinations, etc. I wouldn't even try to think what it might be. Think about career counseling as it might be the avenue you need to take.

P.S. - TechSupport

[ In Reply To ..]
I think your local unemployment office might also do this kind of counseling and if I remember something I heard awhile back, you don't have to be unemployed to use it since it's paid for by the state. (Tell 'em you're trying to avoid becoming unemployed. :D)

Checking CNN this morning I see top jobs for the coming - years but have a

[ In Reply To ..]
question for you, why do you have to work from home, is there a reason you cannot go outside your door? Many of the jobs I saw this morning relate to the health field but you have to go to them, they do not come to you. I saw the field needing people to work in doctor's offices, giving elderly care and so on.

Thank for the replies - LBG

[ In Reply To ..]
Our adult education center does have a career counseling department, hadn't really thought about that at my age. Thanks for that advice. I really don't have to work at home anymore I guess. My youngest is 8 years old so could go to an after school program, I just didn't want her raised by a day care center.

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