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

What MT Stars Taught Me - My rant

Posted: Feb 13, 2014

Everything bad that has happened in someone's life is either directly or indirectly related to MT. Everyone at the MTSO except the MT is stupid or ignorant. Anyone who dresses up to go to the office or wears a "suit" to work is the enemy, not to be trusted and is out to screw the MT over. Most QA and QC staff want to make the MT look bad and therefore create bogus errors so that they will never pass their audits. We all know that MTs never make mistakes. If an MT gets mad at her boss and wants to change jobs, there is no need to give any kind of notice, but if the MTSO withholds any or part of their final paycheck because that is company policy, time to call the labor board. Working conditions are "third world," "squalid" and "sweatshop," yet the MTs work in their own homes. No one is able to improve their situation or find a better job because MT has them so beaten down that they have no self esteem. Don't even think about training for a coding job or anything else related to medical records or transcription because all of those jobs might be gone. We know it's coming because nothing good ever comes from being an MT.

Listen to yourselves, people! Sorry for the rant but it's the same thing over and over. I know I don't have to read this board, it is my choice. This is how most of you sound to me. If there are any positive, upbeat posts here, I sure am missing them, they are all overshadowed by negativity.

Someone seems bitter. You sound as bad as those you are - ranting against. Read your own post. Sad. nm

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nm

Well, all of those things are true. - ?

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Would you rather people tell you that the sun is shinging in the middle of a thunderstorm? That IS the MT life for many. There are certainly MTs who still can make a decent living, but those are probably too busy to get on here and talk as much about it. MTs VENT on here, because it is scary and they do want support or want to hear about plans or advice from others sometimes or maybe sometimes it's just comforting to know you aren't in that boat alone. Some people don't mind just lending a listening ear and those who do mind have the freedom, as you said, to stop reading.

you mean, my mom would not have died if I had not been - an MT

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wow, where were you to tell me before I buried her?

Apparently so - My rant

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I've read things equally silly, such as the person who blamed MT for her divorce as well as other things directly or indirectly a fault of the person being an MT. Some people think that their only way out of MT is McDonald's or Wal-Mart; to me that indicates some self esteem issues. I'm sorry to get off on a tangent, but a common thread here seems to be lack of personal responsibility. I recovered from a layoff after having the same MT job for nearly 20 years, learned to code and found a job working in HIM. I'm also still involved in MT on a different level, and my MT skill set and background have only been assets to me and not hindrances. Nothing is ever as bad as people imagine it to be. I've said before that being at home day in and day out messes with people's heads and I still maintain that is true. Things are actually humming out there in non-MT land, it might help to get out once in a while and see how the other half lives. Have a good day.

and then there is something to be said to people - who continue hanging around an MT website

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after leaving the industry - unable to let go? Need a place to gloat, needle people? I think when you get to be as healthy as you say you are, you won't need to hang out here anymore.

AGREED!!!!!! - Move on already!

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So irritating when an MT is talking about their struggle and here comes "well, you need to get out like I did..blah blah blah blah blah" I mean really, you got out, this is an MT forum, so move on, find you another forum! If you wanted to come on here to help other MTs that would be different, but entertaining the fact that you are smarter or more valuable because you were lucky enough to get out, well that's just not welcome here.

To move on already - My rant

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Enabling others to continue to wallow in their misery is not lending a helping hand. After working as an MT for more than 30 years, I think I deserve to have a voice and until this board becomes exclusive I have the right to visit and comment whenever I choose.

how are you "enabling" - anybody?

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Lol

How you enable them - sm

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When you "enable" an alcoholic, you make excuses for them, support them, and generally deny that what they are doing is seriously destructive.

When you enable dysfunctional MTs, you do the same thing. You agree that they are treated as slave labor, that there is no hope, that poverty is their lot, but that it is worth it because of the nobility of the work they do in saving humanity. You support their useless plans to unionize, litigate, and roll back the clock. You support their reluctance to change by agreeing that no one will hire them, that no fields are any better, and that people who suggest alternatives like coding are lying in order to harm them.

that was a pretty twisted response - IMHO

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There are so many problems with your view as you demonstrated in that response, it is hard to begin to untangle it.

Just from my POV, I have never supported any plans to unionize, litigate or roll back the clock. From what I have read, it seems most fall into that category as well.

Absolutely it is hard to get back into the outside world after being an at-home MT for a myriad of reasons, but each person possesses a way to better themselves, whether or not they are an MT, doctor, indian chief or dog catcher. As someone possessing empathy, I understand what those who come here to rave about are going through. Do I accept personal responsibility for their ability to change their situation, no.

I don't call that enabling anything or anybody.

Enablers are usually blind to their enabling - sm

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They always think they are doing the right thing, helping, supporting, showing empathy, etc.

enabling is doing something for someone they can - do themselves

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Helping someone who can't do a particular thing for him/herself is not enabling.

An example: If my sister got a job and has to wait two months before her first paycheck, and in that time her car battery dies, it is not enabling to buy her a new car battery.

If my sister has a job making good money (not having to wait two months for a paycheck), but blows it on frivolous things and her car battery dies, it is enabling her to buy her a new one rather than make her go without something else she does not really need.

Please don't lump us all into the category as you have defined for us.

Enabling takes many forms - sm

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When you support and agree with the excuses that people use to avoid taking action to help themselves, you are enabling.

Emotional validation of the negative views holding people back is enough. It gives them a reason to continue in their bad situation, just as buying a battery enables your deadbeat sister to spend unwisely.

harrassment comes in many forms - give it a rest - NM

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signed, my deadbeat sister

I'm laid off and can't find a job. I'm sorry, but - that IS because of being an MT!

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I could not find a parking place this morning - Nick

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after having been caught in horrific traffic. Yep, it's the fault of the MT world. Perhaps a class in Logic 101 should be required for anyone entering this field. Oh, yes, I made the coffee too strong this morning, and that is MT's fault, too. Come on, people, get a grip. :) If each person using MT as a scapegoat for her/his own unhappiness would come up with one viable possible solution, we could brainstorm and find some real solutions rather than just crying in our beer.

everytime someone comes on - with a solution

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there is an outcry that we cannot or should not make a change, and I am speaking collectively not individually. We are personally responsible for what happened to MT if we saw the writing on the wall we did nothing. Those who had no idea it would become this bad because they were not part of the decision making process, well, I am not sure how responsible they are. A lot of what is happening in the economy and the weather is engineered by people in positions of power. Greedy business people took over medical transcription because they could see it was a billion dollar industry and they wanted those billions, they wanted to control the data, and they wanted to find and create a cheap workforce.

If you want to talk about personal responsibility, let's talk about health. The healthcare industry is set up to keep people sick, the manufactured and processed food that is being sold to people is not healthy, and the advertising around health (vaccines,medications, etc.) are all designed around the bottom dollar, not health.

When we are told the rules of the game or we don't understand them or believe that someone in a position of power would screw us over, we are pawns.

When we wake up we can change things.

I don't know which is - worse...

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people complaining or people complaining about people complaining.

You are no better than those you are slamming - generalize much?

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Does it not occur to you that forums like this one "attract" those who are more likely than not to post negative experiences?

Does it not occur to you that many if not most of the complaints you read here are an accurate representation of the industry?

And who are you to judge negativity? Do you really think your 'rant' will do one tiny thing to change the overall picture?

Dear Friend - Old Pro

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With all due respect, I think you need an attitude adjustment. Not everyone is dissatisfied with MT. Many of us are still (gasp!) happy. I retired two years ago but do some part-time work to pay for travel and other hobbies. I think a lot of people like to come on here and whine because it is easier than taking personal responsibility for their own well-being and their own lives. MT becomes the scapegoat. That is not to say that there are not problems in the MT world. There are unscrupulous people who have become MTSOs, and big corporations that eat people. I myself lost a six-figure contract in California because of one of the giants. But I moved on. When people continue to moan about how tough life is but do nothing to change it, they are giving their power away. Many people on this board have taken action. Nick borrowed a boatload of money to further his legal education. Another person became a PA. There ARE options out there other than whining. Whining and b**ching do nothing to improve anybody's situation and are really nothing more than verbal pollution. If MT is really that awful, I am sorry for those who are having bad experiences, and I hope you can find something that is better for you, I truly do.

How do you help those who are.... - sm

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Just unable to leave their homes at this point, whether it be due to lack of confidence, disabilities, age discrimination in the work force or whatever? You mention to stop whining and do something about it, well MTs TRY so often to do something about it. They job jump, try to find a better company, take on several different jobs, but then it ends up being the same old story, NJA, so what now?

I would suggest that the persons to whom you refer - seek professional help

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either from career counselors, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, psychologists, unemployment counselors, schools, etc. It is not up to us as the general populace to "fix" all these individuals' problems. It is one thing for us to offer verbal support, yet another thing altogether to be responsible personally for those individuals. Self-responsibility seems to be lacking among those with "lack of confidence, disabilities, age discrimination in the work force", etc. And those who try and do something about it, well if they try the same things and aren't successful, they need to try something different until they are successful.

Self-responsibility seems to be lacking in your thinking.

Dear General Population - lack of self-responsibility

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Many MTs have done all those things you mention, and there really are no jobs. And there really are hundreds and sometimes even thousands of people applying for the same one job. And yes there really are people working as counselors, self-employed, or at agencies who are not helpful at all because they have not been through the same experience, and they all have the same tired trite advice.

There is discrimination in the workforce, whether it is based on your race, your age, or the level of your education. Saying otherwise, pulling the wool over your own eyes doesn't make it go away.

The career counselor at my local state office had the same job for 18 years, had a degree that did not relate to counseling, and had nothing to offer because there are no jobs. She acted like I was bothering her. I had scheduled an appointment with her. While I was sitting with her, an appointment before lunchtime, I noticed her eyes looking out above and beyond my head. Her coworker was in the hallway motioning to her watch. It was time for their lunch.

it depends on what you want to do - there are jobs

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I applied at a physicians office and they were thrilled to talk to me until they asked me what I do in my free time. When I explained I volunteer at my child's school, they weren't so interested anymore. I didn't hear from them again. Discrimination, yep.

So I applied to the school. They have a hard time finding people to work for them. I started out working at the school through a temporary service, then was hired by the school system as temporary through the end of this school year, and two months later, hired on permanently.

I still say there are jobs if you are willing to bend to get them.

Yes, it depends - My rant

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I was 58 when I was hired for my HIM job and that was after going on at least 10 interviews, all I can say is keep trying. One interviewer may not seem interested but don't take that personally. When I got my job, it was a full-time temporary position but after a year my status changed. Temp jobs are an option. Volunteering is an option because oftentimes that leads to employment too. We all understand the job market. I applied for positions with at least 500 applicants; it's tough but not impossible. Don't give up and don't believe that everyone who once was an MT is a failure or not suitable for re-hire. Many of us have done it, don't give up.

That is complete - Just me

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Some people TRY and TRY to do something about it, but fall short, not for lack of trying. Being afraid that you cannot pay your bills or afraid that you cannot feed your children, even though you are TRYING to get out, I think is quite understandable for people to "whine". It's called BEING CONCERNED, BEING WORRIED, we all do it. Sometimes it takes a little while to "get out" or some extra training to "find something better" so, honestly, can't the MT just come here and whine just a little, or ask for support, etc., so she/he doesn't feel completely alone in the struggle? Again, if you don't want to hear about it, don't read it, that's YOUR CHOICE.

There is a difference between being worried & - concerned versus

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Being down right bitter & mean spirited. I agree with the OP. EEverybody vents, but the problem comes in when day in and day out you come here moaning and groaning continuously intead of taking responsibility and doing something about it, then getting mad and attacking the people who are trying to change their circumstances or have moved on and calling the MTs that still make a decent wage liars. It's hard to feel sorry for people who carry on like that.

Talk about taking responsibility - SM

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When coming to this board, you have a choice. You can read, respond, or if the negativity bothers you so much, don't spend time here. Sometimes I read the negative posts and just don't respond. No one is forcing you to read other people's whining or ranting. Why anybody would want to come back to a board where they are being attacked for making a good wage, I don't understand. If I was out of MT, I would not come back here. There are so many other positive sites or constructive use of your time than responding to negative posters. Why do you waste your time arguing? Life is too short.

One of my favorite positive web sites is Marc and Angel hack life, practical tips for productive living, with one entry called 30 things to stop doing to yourself, and another 30 things to start doing for yourself. You want a dose of positivity, there you go.

Thanks for the heads up, but I rarely post on this site - and very seldom come...

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Here anymore. But when I do, I read what I wanna read. As far as being responsible,you totally missed the boat. I was talking about taking responsibilty for your livelihood, not the websites you read; however, too much time spent on MT stars can't be good for a person's mental well-being.

Now...goodnight, I got work in the morning.

Giggle - Yup

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that sounds about right!

I'm a positive poster but rarely post because it's always met with Misery Loves Company mentality.

Whether your post is accurate or not doesn't matter, it made me laugh. Thanks!

so true - this place is full of

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people wallowing in self-pity and misery. If you don't want to wallow with them, you get downvoted, called a liar, a braggart, etc.

I think there are a lot more happy people here than we realize, they just don't post because they get slammed immediately. It's too bad, this place could use some positivity. Surround yourself with positive, happy people and you will feel better...surround yourself with negativity and miserable people and you will start to feel that way too :(

Kumbayah - My Lord

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Kumbayah

point proven - pass the smores

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lol

But... my home IS squalid! - nm

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someone needs a nap. feel better soon. NM - anon

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`

To the OP - Anon

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Excellent rant! You are SO right! I agree 100%.

So absurd it's funny (sm) - Rose

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You say we said:

"Everything bad that has happened in someone's life is either directly or indirectly related to MT"
What problem mentioned here have NOT been a result of how we are treated as an MT today?

"Everyone at the MTSO except the MT is stupid or ignorant"
Personally, I have never encountered an MTSO that is not ignorant.

"Anyone who dresses up to go to the office or wears a "suit" to work is the enemy, not to be trusted and is out to screw the MT over"
Please post one insult to an in-house MT. I've never seen one. List one critique of an MTSO suit that was not true or justified.

"If an MT gets mad at her boss and wants to change jobs, there is no need to give any kind of notice, but if the MTSO withholds any or part of their final paycheck because that is company policy, time to call the labor board" Do you mean to tell me that we should give notice to an MTSO that does NOT give us notice? Why? Do you condone withholding of earned pay because notice is not given to an MTSO that doesn't give notice? Why not complaint to the Labor Board with an MTSO illegally withholds pay?

"Working conditions are "third world," "squalid" and "sweatshop," yet the MTs work in their own homes"
I find it odd that you are pretending to not know that the reference to "sweat shop" is not literal.

"No one is able to improve their situation or find a better job"
Haven't you read just as many positive posts from people who have gotten out, decided to go back to school, are exchanging information on other careers? I guess you missed those posts. There ARE people who are stuck in this profession due to disabilities and for you to berate them for the same is inexcusable!

"Don't even think about training for a coding job or anything else related to medical records or transcription because all of those jobs might be gone"
Let me get this straight, you want reality to be sugar-coated in an attempt to deny it is happening?

You definitely have tunnel vision or prefer to only read negative posts so you have something to be angry about. Why bother? You are no longer an MT, and hate the posts here so why do you come here?

The world is filled with people who love drama and fights, and will go out of their way to find something to fight about. Perhaps that explains your presence here?

Most of us are struggling to make ends meet. We are comparing notes on other careers and sharing job and company information. We are talking positively about the MTSOs where positive comments apply. We are supportive of those going through job loss and the horror of single moms trying to keep a roof over their heads and care for their kids. How dare you criticize us? Time to get off your high horse or ride into your pleasant, sugar-coated sunset.

Thank you, Rose!!! I agree. - NM

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s

If making less than minimum wage... - Depressed

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..with no paid time off, no benefits, and on the verge of losing everything you own (house, car, etc) BECAUSE of your MT JOB isn't enough to "rant" about, I don't know what is. :(

but see we're supposed to change it - get another job

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Like that's sooooo easy. Like we haven't tried.

You forgot something... - sm

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MT keeps you from getting jobs ... the minute "HR" sees that you were ever an MT, you're blacklisted!

[Please note, this is intentionally sarcastic. I don't believe it is true. I just keep seeing people claiming it is. It is really utter nonsense.]

I am finding this to be absolutely - true

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The interviews I've gotten don't focus on the qualifications I actually have, but only on the fact that I haven't had any real world experience for the last decade. I might as well have been a stay at home mom and nothing more. I am worse off now than I was 10 years ago and further behind on the career ladder. That is an absolute fact for me. Working in MT was the biggest mistake of my life.

AMEN...ME TOO! Only 6 for me and I absolutely regret it! - sm

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I've had the same thing too. Either employers think MT's are stupid and lazy or else we're "over" qualified for even entry level receptionist. I can't get a job no matter what. Temp agencies won't help you either because "at least you have a job." I absolutely regret ever being an MT and I am still "new" and have never been in-house. Straight up MTSO at home since day 1 and it sucks!!

It is NOT just because you are an MT!!! - sm

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It isn't because you are an MT. It is because you, yourself, can't see beyond that when you apply for jobs.

Employers need to hire for the job THEY have, not the job you had. Half the time, they have no clue what MT is, or what ANY job is.

You have to apply for a job you can perform, at an appropriate level, and you have to relate your knowledge, skills, and abilities to what THEY need.

Larger companies are using software to screen applications, so if you are not using the language they used in the job announcement, the software won't think you fit. You have to match their needs, and this requires adapting your resume for each job.

You might consider reading online articles about today's job market, hiring practices, and how to apply.

I still see resumes listing skill in using office equipment like copiers and typing speeds! Really? What does that communicate? Outdated skills, for one. Cluelessness about today's workplace, for another. Try MS Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook, with advanced skill in them backed up with an online class. Try skill in online information retrieval.

Get some interviewing skills, too. Learn what NOT to say. Learn how to answer performance-based interview questions. Learn how to dress appropriately and groom for an interview.

RE: it's NOT just because you are - MT

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Exactly! I have no idea why you got down votes. You are absolutely correct. It's about marketing and selling potential employers on the skills you DO have after being an MT.

So many people don't understand that a lot of places use computers to screen resumes first, and you really, really do need those keywords in there. People are too lazy/uninformed to make the changes to tailor their resume/cover letter to jobs they are applying for though.

Been there, done that, ad nauseum - clb

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I totally get what you are saying and suggesting, which I do appreciate, but I have done all that. Many times over. I change each and every job application/resume to match what they are looking for to the T and still nothing. I've applied at least 12 times to my local hospital over the past year and still only get the thanks but no thanks generated form emails. Or I apply by resume via mail and hear NOTHING! It's frustrating. I've lost count at 50 jobs I've applied for since becoming an MT, and since 2008 only had 2 interviews where 1 led to a temp job for 3 months and the other one left me hanging is more than I can handle! I've tried ad nauseum. I've done fake interviews with friends, family, Googled until my fingers hurt and still nothing. I'm better off being unemployed this whole time versus being an MT, that's easier to explain. It's beyond frustrating. So, yes, I'm sure I'm not the only MT who feels blacklisted. This field ruined me! And no I don't have a defetist attitude, poor me, none of that. I'm the most optimistic person that just "knows" that I will get an interview, get hired, and start a new job on Monday. And yet it never happens! Believe me, don't believe me, it's fine. I can only speak to what I know happened to me!

I find that hard to believe - considering

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most people outside of the medical field have NO clue what MT even is, so they wouldn't be blacklisting anything.

If you are trying for something in the medical field and this is a problem, maybe it's more to do with your (not you specifically, just people complaining like you) craptastic attitude, self-pity, blaming, woe is me attitudes and your complete inability to market the skills you DO have.

THANK YOU! I thought it was just me. NOPE! - sm

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I've applied to any job in any field for anything and the only place that will hire me is retail. Sad part is, I'm seriously thinking about going for it because THEY PAY HOURLY plus commission, and are closed all major holidays. I will lose my insurance benefits, but what's the point of paying for insurance that a) doesn't pay for anything anyway or b) I can't afford to go to the doctor anyway because I can't miss work.

Pretty sad that MT did this to us! I loved just straight typing in a doctor's office. Those days are long gone. MTSOs, VR, hospitals outsourcing did this to us! Technology is NOT always a good thing! It put us out of a job!

Rant over.

shaking my head - in disbelief

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People seriously believe they get blacklisted because they were an MT??? Yep, it's all a conspiracy *rolling eyes*

You guys have some serious issues...Do you realize how utterly ridiculous that sounds?? No wonder you can't find a job.

oh not necessarily - black listed

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but it does seem that employers don't consider what we do to be "real" work.

I disagree - IMHO

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If someone looks at my resume and realizes I've been working from home for 20 years - raising a child in a single-parent home without family support - while NOT being on welfare, they know I have been working to be self-sufficient. NO ONE can take that away from me, and it gets recognized all over the place, in every interview I am granted. They know this person has been working for two decades and has something valuable to offer. They see it in the way I dress, the way I speak, the way I behave and even in my address (which is not in the ghettos).

If you have a defeatist attitude, well, they know that too.

and so what do you do for a living - now?

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What is your job title now? Where do you work?

as if - IMHO

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I do MT from home PT and work full time outside the home in a completely unrelated field. Thank you for asking.

And you? How do you spend your time?

I work full time as an - at home MT

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and I don't do too badly. Thank you for asking. But the times I have applied for other jobs I have either not gotten an interview, or I have not gotten the job.

My main complaint is that there is - not enough work..

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..especially with all the snow on the east coast this winter.

Sorry, OP, if hearing complaints is a drag for you, but we are mostly hard workers here who just want to do this noble work. There is just not enough of it, either because of the weather or off-shoring, etc. As difficult as it is, we want and need to do it. Just wondering, does anyone out there have as much work as they would like?

BTW, my company is fine, very nice people, etc. Just need more work in general. I don't blame them.. Just the way it is these days apparently. :p

I always appreciate the feedback from - people here about MT..

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whether it be negative or positive. It keeps me from going crazy and makes me know that I'm not alone in my struggles. This is not an easy job for many reasons. Thank you to everyone here who shares their experiences. :)

The real sourball here - is the OP

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Can't believe she spent all that time complaining about people complaining. LOL!

That was not complaining - sm

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It was more like a humorous way to point out the truth of how some here view their situation, in order to help them see the reality of it. Seeing it for what it is is the first step toward changing that reality to one you like better.

that was humor? - nm

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X

I found it humerous. She was telling the truth. - NM

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nm

Not funny to make fun of people - who are suffering

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and who are just blowing off a little steam here and sharing their experiences.

Yes, I have enough work and more - sm

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I have enough work!

After work dried up and my income dropped to 12,000 with MM, I learned to code and got a real job that paid 3x as much just to start. I have since gotten more education and moved into a coding-related field, making more.

There has always been a struggle to get enough work in MT. If an MTSO does not over-hire, there is a risk the work won't get done. MTs in 1989 complained about it. It is never going to be any different.

You have to take the steps to help yourself and get out of your situation. It can be done.

Congratulations you have advanced - to the coding board

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and you no longer need to post here. I'm sure you'll find many kindred spirits over on the coding board. Bye-bye!

Didja think? - clb

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That maybe MTs come on here to b---- it out because this is the only place they can? All employees of any job no matter where they work have good days and bad days. The thing with at-home MTs is, we can't go out for a drink with our coworkers and unwind. We're stuck at home with no one who knows what we go through, so our only recourse is an anonymous online forum where we can scream, cry, yell, say FU to the man, etc.

I do understand what you are saying OP, however it's not just as simple as "get another job." Hello, I've tried, we've all tried, to the umteenth degree. Don't you think that if/when an MT did get a new job that he/she would post the good news and then move the heck on? I know I sure would! I've only been an MT since '08 and I've tried to get out ever since. I've only had ONE seasonal job in '08 that lasted 3 months as a CSR taking Christmas orders and ONE interview in '10 for a chiropractor that never called me back. That's it! I've applied, applied, applied until I'm typing with nubs and I never hear back or else get the thanks but no thanks form letter. So don't tell me that I'm not trying to make my situation better. And yes, I do all this when I have NJA and stuck at home missing Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family because I'll lose my job if I don't work. So yes, MT did do this to me, but I agree with you that it is up to me to fix it. And I'm sure as heck trying. :-)

WHOA -- how about a time out all!!! - mijamigramma

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I have been following this thread and I guess my one BIG question is how many of you had "other jobs" before you became a work at home MT?

I am asking this because I am 58 -- I had "outside secretarial/administrative assistant jobs and learned MT on the job at the local hospital. I became an at-home MT, when it wasn't even really heard of -- through a local lady and it came at a time, when due to my mother's illness and subsequent death, she could no longer watch my children, before and after school. Too many of the MT schools made this sound like a GREAT career and I think a lot of people, who really didn't have a lot of "outside work experience" got into this career/job when they got married and started having children with the idea that they could essentially have the best of both worlds. One of the jobs I had as well was working in the employment office of a major local employer, and I advanced myself enough that I would pre-screen applicants in the secretarial/clerical fields, before an actual interview was held. IF the only position you have actually held is "work-at-home MT," then yes, your application would be looked at slightly differently; however, you do have research skills, the ability to type fast, good hand-eye coordination etc. These are qualities that you should stop and think about and play up on a resume.

Luckily, I found an MT company that is all straight typing with no plans EVER to go to VR (they already tried it and neither the docs or the MTs liked it). I am hoping that my hands and wrists will hold up for another 4 or so years, when I will be eligible to retire early.

Instead of "pissing and moaning," stop and think of why you became an MT in the first place and start networking to see if you can come up with a solution to the problem -- I am sure that something is out there if you REALLY put your mind to it -- Good luck all!

Whoa there yourself :-) - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
I did have a job outside of MT. Lots of them. I may have been a jack of all trades so to speak. I became an at-home MT in my early 30s after graduating college for MT, getting married, and yes, wanting to stay home and have babies. Well that never happened. But before I went back to school to be an MT, I worked many fields: Restaurants, retail, telemarketing, packaging, receptionist both medical and office, seasonal, customer service rep, fitness center, and 2 chiropractic offices. But yet I don't have enough skill to be an entry level receptionist for my local hospital that only required HS diploma, some medical terminology, and one year experience in an office setting? What a joke! I did have a career outside in the real world before I decided to stay home as an MT, and yes I did make that choice, and now regret it. And I've been trying to get back out into the real world since and I can't get an interview anywhere! Before MT on my resume, I ALWAYS got a call back. :-(

I was not attacking YOU per se - mijamigramma

[ In Reply To ..]
Boy, talk about getting defensive and touchy! When I made this post, it was NOT directed to you personally. Just a generalization and my opinion of what may be happening to some of these people that are having problems finding work outside of MT.

I didn't take it personally. Just venting :-) - I see your post too n/m

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I'm grateful for the rants - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If it weren't for the rants on this board, I wouldn't have been motivated to go back to school and get out of MT. The rants showed me I wasn't a bad MT, the field was changing. From my work station at home, I couldn't see the course of these changes until I read many of them on here.

I'm also grateful for your rant. It reminds me of the person I don't want to be. I will not write on this board that anyone can get out of a bad situation by their own power. I will not use myself as an example that "anyone can do it."

Everyone's circumstances are different. Opportunities vary according to if you live in a metro or rural area, have a family to support or have family to support you.

And unfortunately, I have found that an MT salary puts many of us on the cusp. Try getting financial aid to go back to school, and many of us are not making enough to afford school but make too much to get appropriate financial help.

Anyway, I wish everyone the best who is struggling. For those who found brighter horizons, I'm happy for you. I just don't see why anyone needs to be insensitive. The rants may disgust you, but they help others.

Thank you - you brightened my day - wheres_my_job

[ In Reply To ..]
My day was already pretty bright, 'cause I got paid direct deposit today - what a relief THAT is! Got some ingredients for French onion soup, went for a walk. Sometimes it's the little things...

Getting out of at-home MT work can be EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I support anyone who needs to vent, or needs to read what other people are venting about, to make it through the transition. It can be tough, absolutely demoralizing and depressing. I had one interview where the person glanced over my resume, and said, "I see you have a lot of "IT" experience" - no, MT - but I didn't put "MT" on my resume anywhere, only "medical transcriptionist." I have no idea where they got the IT thing from. 'Cause I use Word and Wordperfect? That's not "IT."

Anyway, have a great day. Spring is on the way!

We are all trying.. - and doing our best.

[ In Reply To ..]
I teach piano on the side, but that profession is in as sorry a shape as MT. Who can afford piano lessons these days? I admire everyone here.. Rant on and thank you for sharing your feelings and experiences. Makes me feel less alone. :) The OP was kind of insulting IMO, but I ignore that and am still proud to be an MT. It is challenging to do and still beats a lot of things, like being homeless, etc..

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