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

has anyone found success after leaving MT? - sm

Posted: Nov 26, 2012

I am going for a degree in counseling. I'm scared to death because i have not worked away from home in almost two decades. I get belly aches just thinking about it. However, it has been a dream of mine to get into the psychology field since high school. Times have changed and I have no idea if I will find a job out of college. I'm scared to say the least. So far, I have my associates, a certificate and will start on my BA next year. I worry there will be too much typing or paper work my hands cannot handle, social anxiety will tear me up inside, or I will just be incompetent! You name it I fear it, however, I have no choice. Anyways, anyone successful after leaving the MT field. Care to share what you do for a living? Thank you

I mean this seriously - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
although I realize it may sound flippant, but maybe you should meet with a counselor.

First to get help with your anxiety. Second, to gain insight into your chosen career field/job market/etc. Who knows--maybe some networking will come of it too.

Good luck to you. Remember all new things tend to be a bit scary at first. I think you'll be fine, especially since you've had this dream for so long.

I have not left MT yet, so can't speak directly to that, but plan to do so in the next year. I'd also like to go back to school for coding, but just want to get out and work for a bit first. Whole Foods is building a huge new store in my area that's due to open next year. I'm going to try to get in as a cashier there when they open in January. Hopefully the fact I worked for them some 15 years ago will be to my benefit, lol! And yes, I'm nervous. I haven't cashiered in a loong time.

Whole Foods is an excellent employer. - RC

[ In Reply To ..]
I hope you do get a job there and enjoy it...I worked there for 5 years, and my husband still works there. We've enjoyed benefits that are incredible. I haven't paid a medical bill in I don't know how long, and our stocks actually paid for most of our wedding.

Trader Joe's too. - if only I could stand on my feet 8 hours a day

[ In Reply To ..]
xx

Trader Joe's - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
My neighbor started there recently. He loves it, loves it. The standing all day is a pain, yes.

I swear though, they must put something in the water. I have Never met a grumpy Trader Joe's employee in all the time I've shopped there.

Thanks! - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I hope I get in there again too. I really enjoyed it back in the day and only ever had 2 "bad" experiences.

I can only do part time right now--my husband works full time and goes to school full time and we have 3 kids--so I'm a bit restricted in my schedule. I hope the fact that I can/prefer to work nights and close and can work 2 full weekends a month will be in my favor.

I was excited to see their benefits though! When I worked there, they had Nothing for PT--not even a discount!

Do you know offhand how long it takes to be vested in the 401K?

What does your husband do? And if you don't mind me asking, why did you leave? Did you two meet and fall in looove there? =] (Ooh, I do love workplace romances--that's how I met my husband!)

We did meet there! - RC

[ In Reply To ..]
Here's the ironic part--I left Whole Foods to do transcription full-time. Oh, stupid me. Now I make less money and have zero benefits and no socializing. Idiot! But I was enticed by the idea of having my own schedule.

I don't remember how long it takes for the 401K, I'm sorry. It might have been 90 days?

I've never seen a company that held their employees in such high regard. Discounts, benefits, stocks, paid vacations. Hell, they even PAY you to volunteer in the community, 40 hours per year, I think.

I'm enjoying life outside of MT - alana

[ In Reply To ..]
My IC contract was not renewed in Oct (acct went completely off shore) and I decided not to look for an MT job. I completed a ServSafe certificate, CPR training, and signed up for some retail management classes online. I have two elderly clients lined up to do private cooking for so even though the ServSafe is not necessary, it looks good and it is a refresher for me. CPR hopefully will not be needed but ya never know. The retail classes are to get a better job in retail, which are aplenty here. I used to be a territory rep for a fine china company and I loved it. It only paid $13/hr but it was such a creative outlet. I DO plan on taking coding but need to work while I study and pay for that. So doing all the above, which cost under $200 in total, will open up more ops for jobs. Who knows? Maybe I'll ditch the coding and become a full time private chef or a regional manager.

A few antiques that I've been meaning to sell went up on Craigslist and eBay and sold. I restored some other pieces I picked up (two in the trash) and one of these will be a Christmas gift. An oil painting of a farm in winter will be finished in time to give to my Mom at Christmas.

I'm feeling successful.

Social work - Elssa

[ In Reply To ..]
My friend (a widow with 4 kids) was an MT for many years and in her fifties finally got fed up with it and went back to college and got a BA in social work, specializing in geriatrics. She was able to find work in that field for a few years (adult day care center).. Eventually she went back to MT part time, though.

Yes, I found success - RHIA

[ In Reply To ..]
I found the transition into coding and then health information administration enjoyable and satisfying. Because I began with just one area in which I could find a job relatively easily, I was never worried about spending several years in school with no job at the end. I also had a good job to fund the remainder of the degree and my employer contributed.

HIA might not be what you want to do, but I think the "start small and work up gradually" applies to any field.

I do agree with anon that you might benefit from counseling. I especially think you need to find out if your degree program actually leads to employment . . . it would not in my area. If your fears make you that ill now, your internal wisdom might be sending you a warning message.

Studying for psychology is good, but you might feel less stress if you are more sure of being able to get a job with it. Counseling can help with that.

I am taking this route...just curious - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
how you got your first job in coding? Or did you even get a job in coding? I am about to take the RHIT exam and then will go on further to get my RHIA through WGU. I am worried about finding a job as a coder or even in HIM or HIA even though I have worked in the medical field for 15 years.

I have been checking Craigslist a lot and - found many jobs for coding

[ In Reply To ..]
as part of a medical office assistant or medical secretary job. Coding is the one thing I have not trained at, but could easily do all other things listed in these jobs. That is an option to look at. Also, if you already know anyone in medical office, i.e. doctor, nurse, etc.., who could help you find leads. You can do this and at this point I would dig ditches and get paid more than what I do now. Good luck to you. I also will be looking for myself a way out of this MT world.

Got my first job in coding by - Applying for it

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't mean that to sound snarky, but that is what I did. I took a coding trainee position to get my foot in the door because that came up before anything else and I had no experience. I got invaluable experience from that and was doing real coding within a few months.

You need to take any HIM job you can get, at whatever pay. Move up from there. I advise you not to hold out for a coding position because it is far easier to move once you already work in HIM.

Take the RHIT exam as soon as you are eligible. Do not wait to "study" for it. Just do it. If you do not pass, then you know what to study for.

Even though you have worked in the medical field, you have not worked in your new career. Recognizing that you are starting over is important. Your first job might not compensate you as much as you would like, but so what! Your experience will come into play later in the form of improved job performance and that will get better jobs and higher pay. You will move up faster than your inexperienced classmates.

reassurance - donna

[ In Reply To ..]
have been doing MT for almost 30 years after having done EDP, MA, and clerical work for physicians -

Six years ago, saw an ad in the newspaper for a job i've always wanted, applied, was hired and trained, and worked there for five years.

You can do it. You've done it before. You got your MT job, didn't you? That was new then, too, wasn't it?

If it's what you want, or even if you're not sure, but you think it might be what you want, go for it.

You may just find the job you've always wanted!!

Good luck!

and then....and then..... - and then...

[ In Reply To ..]
I got into MT because I was making more in a week than I had been in a month. And because I had a kid at home. The company sold, I became an MTSO. DH was being a jerk, and I needed benefits. Went into teaching. Got out of that finished a regulatory affairs medical device certification, and went into clinical project management - the research side. Looking at a move now, and may end up with petroleum engineering certifications before we're through.

I am looking for something PT, though, in transcription.

How do you get one of those? And why? - wheres_my_job

[ In Reply To ..]
What kind of a job can you get with the cerficate? It's 1700 dollars to take the coursework...

Medical Devices

Register Online

Register by Fax/Mail

The Regulatory Affairs Certificate: Medical Devices provides a cost-effective, convenient option that will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to progress your career to the next level and stay ahead of the competition.

Regardless of whether you are new to the regulatory profession, medical device industry, transitioning from a related discipline or you simply need to refresh your knowledge, this comprehensive resource will meet your learning needs.

Cost:
RAPS Members: $1,700 USD
Nonmembers: $1,925 USDâ��includes a 12-month RAPS membership

reg affairs - and then...

[ In Reply To ..]
What you do with it is make more money. :)

Seriously, any class 2 or 3 device that's on the market in the US today has been through the FDA in one form or fashion or another. The reg affairs person is the link between the companies manufacturing the alligator obturators and the FDA to ensure that there is sufficient evidence that the device is safe and effective for use in the market. I also took classes for clinical trials. :)

Where'd you find that course? Much cheaper than what I did. :)

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