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Career Step Graduates recommendation - Judy G

Posted: Aug 11, 2012

Any graduates of Career Step that can recommend the course? Also, is it a licensed school. I am told that it is based in Provo, Utah.

why are you wanting to pursue MT? - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
please read the posts on the new MTs board to the left. Been in this business 32 years and you will get some great advice there.

Haven't graduated - Holly

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I haven't graduated yet. I'm happy with the course so far, but I have about half of the course to complete.

From what I understand, it is a training program, not a school. But you can take the course through a regionally accredited college if you wish or need to do so. If you live in North Carolina, you can register for the course through Fayetteville Technical Community College. That college offers it on a not-for-credit basis to residents at a significant cost savings. Some other colleges do offer about a year of college credit for completion of the program.

Holly - ancient MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Go to the NEW MTs board to the left -- read the posts, one of which I just posted on -- go to the company board. You, as a new graduate (maybe) are going to be dealing with those of us who have YEARS of experience -- 32 here. I very seldom have to deal with computer issues, when something goes odd with your software, do you know how to deal with it? Do you know how to do a thorough web search on the internet? Drugs, Doctors, cities, etc? A question as well, why did you decide to pursue MT? Working from home with kids? This is NOT a "hobby profession." You cannot come and go as you please, work around kids etc. This is a job, just like working in an office. The people who want to hire independent contractors are asking for "availabilty" That is just like someone installing carpeting, electrical work etc. If Joe Schomole says I can work from 7-5 and I assure you the work will be done in this time period, and you have Darth Vader who wants to say I will work from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. but you find Darth sleeping on the job and your kitchen is a mess the next day then whom should you have hired? Same way with MT Even ICs have to give a "schedule" and be dependable. When there is no weekend coverage, accounts are lost, wages go down.

Not worrying about my computer troubleshooting skills - Holly

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for your concern. Yes, I most certainly can deal with computer problems. I graduated with a B.S. in Computer and Information Science back in the days when, if you wanted your own computer, you HAD to build it from a kit. I spent many years supporting fellow employees at a computer software magazine. Additionally, I supported online forums that predated the internet. I certainly can do web searches. I should have no problem working a fixed schedule. I prefer to work at home because I am a companion to my very elderly mother. She is still mentally sharp, just frail.

Ancient MT - On Site MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I took a coding course from Career Step, they are a good school. I also have 30+ years of experience as an MT. Not knowing how to do an internet search would be pretty rare in this day and age. The course I took had a section on doing internet research and also taught computer basics, I'm sure the MT program does the same thing. Many companies have IT Departments to assist with computer issues. There was no need to talk down to the OP or make the assumption that she was stupid ("new graduate (maybe)"). She asked about Career Step, I don't know what you having 32 years of experience has to do with the original question.

MT courses - Career Step grad

[ In Reply To ..]
The MT courses did include modules on internet research and computer basics.

to Judy G - MJINATL

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I bet you are so sorry you even posted a question here. So much negativity here. Anyway, Careerstep is recognized AND....at least I know with their coding courses, ARE accredited/credentialed through AHIMA, so having said that, just do your homework as far as accreditation for transcription through AHDI for MT. They also have their own forum where these type questions (and responses) are on their forum. I wish you the best in your courses, whether it's MT or something else! :)

Judy G - Career Step grad

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I graduated from Career Step a couple of years ago now. It is based in Utah, and all the courses are done online. I never had any problems or issues with Career Step. They state that you can finish in 3 months, but it took me a year. Maybe someone can finish in 3 months if they don't have a family to take care of or anything else to do but school work! :-) I was contacted about 2 weeks by a recruiter after getting high honors on my final and have been with the same company since.

Judy G. - Old Pro

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If I were in a hiring position, I would take an Andrews grad, then an M-TEC grad, and Career Step would come in a distant third. JMHO.

That's the way I look at it too. - I agree

[ In Reply To ..]
That's the order I put them in too.

Career Step - Jolly MT

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I am a Career Step Honors Graduate. I took the course over 13 months. I got a job withing three weeks. I recommend that you take the course through a school in your area because the instructors know people in the industry and can help you get a job.
I had no problems with the course at all. I highly recommend it. Most people who are hiring look at your skills, not the course you took.

Career Step - Kim

[ In Reply To ..]
I graduated from Career Step and I believe in my experience that they prepare you for success in the MT/MTE field. I recommend Career Step to everyone that inquires about being a MT or a MTE.

Judy G. - Maybe this will help - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
This post from awhile ago was based on a professional seminar I did. In the hope that it will give you some focus as to what to ask, I will repost it here. I recommend Andrews (although I am not affiliated with them) because you have access to real LIVE instructors (not an answer key), and I have never yet known an MTSO (including me!) who would be afraid to hire an Andrews grad. Here is the info: Do with it what you will:

Several people have asked me if I think MT is still a viable career. Coincidentally, today as I was cleaning out some files, I found notes from a seminar I gave and thought I would summarize a few of the thoughts, hoping they might be of value to someone out there. (Moderator, if you don't feel this is appropriate, please just delete the post.) First, there are three "myths" to consider: 1. The myth that medical transcription is easy money. Many of the not so reliable schools push this idea and use it to exploit people. It makes me really disheartened that many people who do not have much money to begin with get taken in by this. Shame on the schools who do this! 2. The second myth is that it does not matter where you go to school; you can get a good medical transcription education anywhere. Again, another myth. The old saying that "you get what you pay for" really applies. When I am counseling people face to face, I always advise that the two things they MUST have from any program are the SUM program and real, live instructors. 3. The third myth is that you can always learn "the old fashioned way--on the job." That was true up until perhaps the end of the 70s; it is surely not true now. The marketplace and its structure (and pace) have changed too radically. When interviewing schools, ask questions: 1. Where are your graduates working? Can you give me the names of 2-3 grads who would be willing to share their experience with me? 2. How long has the school been in business? Is it a private entity? A sole proprietorship? Who are the principals? How are your instructors chosen? 3. Do your financial homework. Call the BBB and the Department of Business Regulation for the locality in which the school is registered. Have there been complaints? Have the complaints been satisfactorily resolved? 4. What form of financial aid do you offer? 5. How accessible are your instructors and by what means? E-mail only? Are telephone calls permitted/encouraged? 6. Does your school use authentic physician dictation such as in The SUM program? Or does it merely use scripts read by actors? 7. What type of follow-up does your school offer? Can I "retake" any portions of the course with which I have difficulty? How many tries do I have to pass the final? 8. What kind of placement program do you have? What percentage of your grads get placed? (There should not be a fee for placement.) 9. Utilize the wisdom of the "old salts"--ancient MTs like yours truly who have been in this business for decades. Most older MTs are happy to help newbies. Many people helped me when I was starting out, and in gratitude, I try to help people just starting. Those are just some thoughts that I culled from the seminar I did. I hope something in here helps someone. Have a great week!

Good luck to you in your decision-making process. I wish you all the best.

Career Step Graduates - Jenn

[ In Reply To ..]
I graduated from Career Step. I had a great experience and felt I was very prepared to enter the MT field. I also found that many companies only hire from specific programs and Career Step is one of the top programs out there. I would recommend it to anyone interested in becoming an MT!

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