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

concern - dot

Posted: Sep 02, 2012

I am thinking of getting into the field of MT but not hearing good things about it as far as steady work and getting paid. I am also courous about the average yearly income because I've heard a wide range of numbers. Also what is the real deal about getting work right out of school with no experience.

Answer - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
I would recommend finding something else. Salaries are dropping as easy work is sent to India and VR takes over.

It is still possible to get a decent job, but I would not count on it happening to you. If you do decide to do this, you need to attend a top school in order to get a job without experience. Employers prefer Andrews graduates.

There is a lot of discussion here about this. Please read the boards for a month or so back and you will find most of it.

My opinion - Leaving MT

[ In Reply To ..]
If you are able-bodied and don't live in a rural area where jobs are scarce and can work outside the home, I would highly recommend NOT getting into MT. The profession is very unstable right now, and what you are hearing is pretty much true. If you look at the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, you'll see that MT is expected to grow slower than average for all jobs and much slower for health care jobs. I definitely would recommend you absolutely not get into MT if you are planning to support yourself.

If you do decide to do this, go to Andrews and get the best MT training possible. Expect to hear from those promoting MT training to tell you that there will always be a need for qualified MTs or medical language specialists. Yes, but the trend is now to offshore, especially the easier, less technical work (which is where the money is in a productivity-based profession) and leave the harder stuff for US MTs, making it especially hard to earn a decent living in the US.

My Suggestion - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with the comments about Andrews, but have you considered their coding program? I find coding even more interesting than I've always found transcription to be.

about MT - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I really wouldn't suggest getting into MT. If you are interested in part time only/supplemental income, it may provide that.

Concerning yearly income, I made less than $25,000 last year working my butt off. This year, I'll probably make the same, give or take, but I've worked longer hours this past year than ever before. And getting paid by the line, I'm not getting paid for the time it actually takes to get an 8 hour shift of work in, which sometimes can stretch into 10 or 12 hours, just waiting for jobs to trickle in. With work availability being so unreliable, the pay is unreliable. My 2-week paycheck can range between $1200 and $500. That is with a somewhat decent line rate which someone right out of school probably would not be offered. You just cannot predict it or count on steady pay if you choose to work at home and are not paid by the hour.

I'm done shopping around for better companies. I'm just trying to hold onto this job until I get out of school and on to something else with set hours and steady pay.

As for being hired as an MT right out of school, Andrews would give you the best chance of that. Andrews is not cheap, but they are excellent. If you are going to spent money on an educational course, I do not see one in MT being a good investment. Andrews' coding program may be an option to look at, but not one to jump into without doing some research on what it entails. Best wishes.

If You Really Decided to do This... - ...then go to the best school

[ In Reply To ..]
Ditto. I am not recommending this profession in any way, shape or form, BUT, if you are going to do it, do it right and go to Andrews.

May I ask what is propelling you to do this after researching and hearing mostly bad things about this profession?

I'm at a point where I am not going to train for something else, but sure am getting out the first chance I get. I'm just looking for clerical work right now, just to hold me over until I retire in a few years.

Similar Messages:

Mar 27, 2012

I have been trying to get a MT job since September. I have thirty years of experience. A company called me last week because they were looking for a seasoned radiology transcriptionist. They saw my resume on a board from 2010. Anyway I interviewed and was ready to take the test tomorrow and I just got an email saying one of their MTs want to increase their hours so I won't be needed anymore. They did not know this in advance. ...

Nov 13, 2012

Can someone please help me. I am new to the company, I have not been here 90 days yet. my TSM is "gone" so I have a new one now and have not yet spoken with her. I am very concerned because I realized that my "contracted" rate of 4 and 9 cpl at 150 lph does NOT meet my state minimum wage, I rarely get straight typing to get the 9 cpl. I also am not meeting the 150 lph yet, even so that is only like 6$ an hour, that is horrible. I should have done my math beforehand. I didn't think they coul ...

Dec 06, 2012

They seem to be on every board and they just keep coming down and it reminds me of winter. I don't really like winter. I'm more of a summer person. Also, is there any way to change this site from blue to yellow? I prefer yellow. TIA! ...

Nov 03, 2014

Just a thought, has anybody noticed that all TLs and TSMs are CMTs. I believe they discriminate against those of us who do not have our RMT or CMT for any positions of authority. I have applied for many TL and TSM positions and have never heard a word. They CYA by putting that preferred line in, but what they mean is don't bother. I believe this is discrimination. What do you all think?? ...

Jan 06, 2015

He has not contacted her for a week and she feels concerned about him. He has not contacted her for a week and she feels concern about him. should this be changed to concerned? ...

Mar 15, 2010

My ASR rate x 100 is less than minimum wage. My transcription rate x 100 is just slightly higher than minimum wage. I wonder if MQ is planning to increase the minimum lph to 150. ...

Feb 17, 2011

How of HIPAA compliance yields profitable partnerships? I guess a lot of emphases given to HIPAA compliance is truly justified, especially in the case of outsourcing. The thrust on confidentiality and security of patient records grows manifold when it's done across 7 seas. ...

Aug 28, 2012

This is what I understand to be true: If we had supplemental insurance through Alpha Staff, such as Critical Accident, Cancer Insurance, Short Term Disability, etc., the expiration of this coverages ends this Friday, August 31. I have spoken with Colonial , the company we are supposed to call to discuss new coverage, this morning. They told me they are waiting on "something" from our company before they can give quotes or put us in the system individually. It sounds like if we get a c ...

May 12, 2011

Because of the concern of the marked leukocytosis and the (s/l presumption) of sepsis due to that ...