A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Chasing tails - newvhmt
Posted: May 25, 2010
I've just got to gripe! I graduated in March 2009, landed a job a couple of months later, worked six months for $4 an hour (average), not paid any overtime, and managed to maintain a 99.4% accuracy rate during my entire employment. I was being paid 6 cpl for an 80-character line. I finally had to quit and have not been able to get another job since. I did turn the company into the labor board. There are laws in America that we ALL have to abide by. I don't break the law, and I will not be taken advantage of by someone who IS breaking it. I feel like I worked my tail off for this company, working 50-60 hours per week. I spent hundreds of dollars of my money to buy reference materials and anything else that could aid in building my production. I've paid membership fees and volunteered my time with AHDI, and I've promoted certification for this field to other students in an attempt to help this industry grow and become more standardized. I feel like I would make an honest company an excellent employee, yet I can't get a job because I don't have the required experience, even though I pass all the pre-employment tests with flying colors. Here is what really gets my goat: I read on here and other forums about how the transcription workforce is aging and that there aren't enough transcriptionists, and that is one of the biggest reasons these companies outsource their work to other countries. Yet, here I sit, willing and able to to do the work and can't get them to HIRE ME. They won't even give me a chance because I'm a "newbie." How in the world is the aging workforce to be replaced except by new transcriptionists coming in? If they don't intend to replace the aging workforce with U.S. citizens, then something needs to be done about shutting down these schools that still promote the wonderful world of transcription. After sitting here day after day, applying to company after company and hearing nothing in return, I am officially throwing in the towel. It isn't necessarily because I want to (I happen to actually love transcribing), but I have to take care of my 5 kids in one way or another. Fortunately for me, my degree was more generalized, and I can become certified as an administrative medical office specialist. Here's to all of you sticking it out! I wish you all well and hope things turn around in the future!
So frustrating. - LK
[ In Reply To ..]I really do feel badly for you. This is a changing industry, and it has become so difficult to break in as a new MT. The problem is that there is NOT a demand for US MTs, unless they are willing to work for ridiculously low cpl. There are far too many experienced MTs who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing and the EMR who are taking what good jobs are left, and that leaves nothing for the newbie. How can you compete with somebody with 5, 10, or 20 years experience? I agree that the schools should be more upfront, but by doing this they would put themselves out of business. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck.
Come On! That's just not true - at least not in the case of my school - Education Makes The Difference
[ In Reply To ..]nm
What part is not true? - LK
[ In Reply To ..]Please enlighten me. Incidentally, I received my local community college's course listing schedule in the mail the other day. They offer an (expensive) MT program, and had a big blurb stating that the average starting wage for a NEW MT was over $37,000. What universe would that be in?
I wouldn't go to that school. - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
The part that is inaccurate is that no new MTs can get a job - From My Viewpoint
[ In Reply To ..]Our school has a message forum where jobs are announced. Employers contact the school when they have openings. There have been more than ever recently and it looks like most of the graduates are getting jobs and talking about how they like them.
I didn't mean to be cross or say that you meant to say something that wasn't true. I just meant that it's not true everywhere. It probably is true with most graduates of most schools, but there are exceptions. I'm not talking about a community college though, so you are probably absolutely right about that.
You're right - I was speaking too broadly - LK
[ In Reply To ..]It is NOT true that no newbie can get a job, sorry if my post implied that, which it did, now that I go back and read it again. Newbies can and do get jobs. It has just become much harder over the last year or two, and a good education is a must. There is NOT a huge demand for MTs in this country at this time, though, which is what some schools are promoting, and experienced MTs are scrambling to get the best jobs. I don't know which school you represent, but there are a couple with very good reputations. I went to one of them, MTEC, and have never regretted it. I got a top notch education there and it has paid off immensely in the 5 years I've been an MT. One of the best investments I've ever made.
LK 37K beginning wage - Old MTSO
[ In Reply To ..]I would call whatever school made that claim on it. That is simply not realistic. It it easy to throw around made-up statistics. Make them cite their source and back it up. Sounds like baloney sausage to me.
Probable source Bureau of Labor Statistics - LK
[ In Reply To ..]My guess was they got it from the BLS Occupational Outlook data, because that always seems to be out of date, but now not so sure. Out of curiosity, I looked up the BLS data, and it states the mean AVERAGE salary for an MT as $33,350. What the brochure for the community college says (Tacoma Community College in Washington state) is that the average STARTING wage for a Medical Transcriptionist is $37,606, and this is after a "Fast Track for a New Career" of 6 months or less (and a cost of $1600 for that 6 months). That is absolutely absurd!
I actually do plan to call and talk to someone about this at the community college. I think this is extremely misleading, and prospective students are more apt to trust what a community college tells them than a "matchbook school." I think a lot of prospective students would take them at their word on this. What a shame.
It was probably written by someone who doesn't know what an MT is or does - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
haha, lol, yes, sounds to me, too, like baloney sausage, - sm / omg
[ In Reply To ..]more like "Wiener" to me.
Beginning salary for many newbies on VR is BELOW minimum wage!
Where have you applied? - Typin_away
[ In Reply To ..]Have you checked out the following: www.transcriptionessentials.com
www.WAHM.com and www.workplacelikehome.com for their transcription company forums
www.getmedicaltranscriptionjobs.com
www.transcriptionregistry.com/
www.mtregistry.com
www.mtjobs.com
These are some of the few websites I have accumulated and bookmarked since I started school. A lot of these websites have smaller less well-known companies that may give you a chance. I would apply even if they say "2-year experience" and see if they let you test.
Mentorship - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]This may be a good time to start promoting mentorship programs as an acceptable alternative in obtaining "experience." Seasoned MT/QCs could be paid to mentor newbies and petition the proper authorities and AHDI to certify that as experience. Just an idea.
I've actually been thinking a lot about this - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]just brainstorming, but I think it would be a good business model to start an MTSO that mentors newbies out of school. Pay the newbies 7 cents, get some QA/mentors to edit for 4 cents or so, then you could easily get accounts and maybe make a profit. Let the newbies have immediate feedback, someone they can contact real-time for questions, and get consistent feedback. Keep the newbies for 2 years or so, having them work on progressivly more difficult accounts. By the time they are done with their 2 years with you they will have enough experience to go out and get a good job. You get cheaper labor, they get the experience they need, and your clients are happy because their work is still coming back looking good.
If only I had the capital and start up to make it all work, but I don't ;-(
Hmmmmm....... - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]...wonder how much it would cost? I'm married to a computer whiz!
I have no idea - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]You would need to get accounts, get a platform that is user/reviewer friendly, have enough money for payroll seeing as how those doctors can sometimes not pay on time, etc, etc, etc. I was actually up for about 2 hours last night after work, too much coffee, daydreaming about how or if it could work....
You would want it to be profitable enough for the MTs not to feel taken advantage of, for you to be able to attract good QA/mentors, and still have enough left over to support yourself (or have enough work you could transcribe to make up the difference).
and I'm a 24-year MT/QA/QC/Administrative Auditor! - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]Might be on to something here ;>)
An average person says " What will this cost me?" A millionaire says " What will this make me?" A difference in perception transforms lives.
Of course, the quality would be impeccable!! - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]What URLs am I allowed to post on here?
I don't know, I think anything but other MT sites - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
.....~referencing rules~...... - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]8)
In a partnership - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]I could do the mentoring and recruiting of mentors, and the other partner would handle the business end, negotiations and sales.
Yes but - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]Who is going to put up the money? ;-)
Better idea - see inside
[ In Reply To ..]Instead of having MT schools that give such an inefficient training that it necessitates a mentorship after graduating, why not abolish these inefficient schools and leave or create only excellent MT schools?
The tuition and time spent will be the same!
Who would join an MT school that advertises: After graduating you must complete an internship to be qualified to apply for a job."
The situation NOW is like that, only these schools do not say it.
Better idea - Old MTSO
[ In Reply To ..]You have identified the problem exactly. One thing that I am seeing is that some (not all!) people are entering MT who have no business being here. They are only attracted to it because they want to be able to work at home. That is a heck of a reason to choose any career. It is fine to want to work at home (my home has an office in it) but people need to realistically assess what MTing is all about. MT requires a specific skill set--some folks have it, others don't. (I would have enjoyed being an engineer, but my math skills don't come anywhere near to being where they should be for engineering school, and I readily admit that.) I wish that more people would consider many things in depth--do they really love language? Is their grammar excellent? Do they understand syntax? Do they like science? The answers to those questions are the things to consider and weigh, not "Oh my gosh, I need to get a job where I can work at home and it needs to be quick!" Maybe some kind of career counseling would be helpful for people considering MT. And the onus is on the prospective MTs to check out the schools carefully. I have actually had people tell me they wanted a job and that they had graduated from some "good" program, but had not a clue what the SUM program was. They had not taken the time to check out their schools. Again, I have painfully little use for AHDI (for many reasons) but I do think they could provide prospective MTs with some valuable feedback on choosing an MT school. Good luck to all!
I'm concerned about what I've been seeing in MTs overall - They seem to be unprepared and unteachable
[ In Reply To ..]Just look at the MTs who are angry because QA has told them their work is unacceptable. A better attitude would be to fix that, but that's not what we're seeing. We see the MTs out to 'get' the QA person for daring to correct their work, which of course isn't really all that bad in the MT's opinion. This is a really big problem for the MT industry. People who don't have a clue are doing it and thinking they are doing a good job. These are so-called 'experienced' MTs who are the worst offenders. What's up with that?! I suspect that it's a symptom of the disease of thinking MT was an easy career and anyone can do it. Things are changing and many of those MTs are going to be on the outside looking in.
Those same unskilled and overly sensitive MTs don't want more education/skills - Watching The Trainwreck
[ In Reply To ..]Just talk with any of these people who are fed up with QA correcting their work. They don't want to improve the quality of their work. They just want to get rid of QA. LOL. (nervous laugh)
Well... - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]I'm not looking necessarily to be a millionaire, but I do enjoy teaching and administration much more than pounding the keys, and I like helping people and I hate to see so many people spend their time and money on an education they can't use. How many times have you heard "you just can't find good MTs anymore" I know I've heard a lot of doctors say that.
Even if you could train up a small fraction of the new graduates, I think it would be good for the US workforce to have a better reputation.
I totally agree! - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]I've thought that, too, for a while now. It definitely beats pounding keys and would be a worthwhile venture/adventure, money notwithstanding. I just threw the millionaire comment in because they have the big dreams that have driven them there and beyond. They know how to make the money that would be needed; therefore, they can teach others, including you and me, how to make enough to get our business started. That is the goal.
Gotcha - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]I'll have to look into this further, see how much it costs to use a platform (Chartscript, etc), how much it costs to use a voice system (VXP, lanier, etc). I've only worked as a hospital employee and just recently as an IC and employee for 2 MTSOs, so I have absolutely NO experience in any of all that. BUT, I think I am a good seller and have a good head for business and things.
Something to keep me up tonight again! ;-)
Probably me, too! - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]hmmmmm.......
you should have started earlier with your projects - omg
[ In Reply To ..]You will be overrolled and outpaced by EMR, or even something that's better than EMR.
You have to look forward instead of backward and try to fix wrong things that have to be eliminated as a whole and replaced by adequate things.
In some fields "improvements" are not enough!
Would you be able to create/find a solution for that? - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]That is how teams are built.
What did you come up with? - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]:o)
this way will not help at all. The ONLY - see inside
[ In Reply To ..]solution is to do away with MT schools who advertise falsely and offer inadequate training.
a newbie making 7 cents, what should an experienced MT make? - WHAT
[ In Reply To ..]while I certainly think that 7 cents is fair for a newbie... why does someone with 10 years experience possibly get offered 8 cents a line with a company? I mean, that just aggravates me like no other. I personally have 10+ years experience, started at the age of 18. I feel extremely LUCKY to have worked as an IC at 10 cents. BUT now my hospital outsourced to an MTSO.. with these line rates I dont know how Ill survive.
9-12 - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]As far as a mentoring program, newbies 7 cpl; and after the program, 1-2 years, he/she could "graduate" at 9. Most facilities would pay a very good, experienced transcriptionist 9+. Just my thoughts.
or nothing - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]the "graduated" now-experienced MT would be released into the wild to find a good job with her/his newfound experience ;-) Makes room for new newbies.
Yes, you are right! - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]There would have to be a follow-up program with a helpdesk for a time.
Totally, an hourly QA person to answer e-mails and resume/interview support - sapient nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
Not to cast a pall on your dreams but - Old MTSO
[ In Reply To ..]Don't forget that the market for MTs is waaaay oversaturated right now. Don't let that stop you; just be aware of it. Good luck.
Very true - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]but a lot of the experienced MTs are also getting older, and a lot of the newer younger MTs are graduating from these crappy schools rather than being trained on the job like it used to be. The workforce is changing, no doubt about it. I honestly think once the economy as a whole picks back up we are going to have an entirely different demographic working as MTs
Don't forget this has been done many times and the losers were the students being mentored - Mentors take the money and run
[ In Reply To ..]We've seen it before. The only people who benefit from it are the so-called owners of these mentorship programs. They are essentially schools for people who went to bad schools.
You do have some good points about the workforce changing and a different demographic when the economy as a whole picks up, but there have been so many crooked mentorship schemes that it's hard to imagine one that is legitimate and doesn't cause more harm than good.
That is exactly why... - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]...I am having this vision of what is needed in TODAY's market. I've seen the changes, and I know of companies that are hiring only EXCELLENT MTs. That would be my goal, to teach the finer points of transcription and that excellency is paramount.
So aren't you in effect 'subsidizing' the poorer schools and punishing the better one - Thinking Out Loud Here
[ In Reply To ..]School A does an excellent job and their students do have job options. They screen applicants and don't accept those who are obviously not good candidates for MT. The vast majority of their graduates find work and are able to keep their jobs. They get and keep jobs without mentorship programs.
School B does a mediocre job of teaching but they accept anyone who has the money. The course is too short to be able to cover all the material adequately and although what they do have time to teach is well done, they just don't have enough time to get good results. Some of their graduates get jobs and many of those keep those jobs. They do have a high number of graduates who can't get hired and although the school has job placement assistance, that doesn't always result in jobs.
School C has a very poor program, but they have a great PR staff and are very successful. Graduates sometimes get jobs, but the jobs aren't very good and often they don't keep them. Job placement assistance for those who have trouble is nonexistent.
School D has teachers who try, but materials are poor and the program was developed by people who aren't even connected with MT and have little respect for it.
CLINCHER: They are all "Approved By" the professional organization.
Now your mentorship program comes in and takes graduates of schools B, C, and D, gives them the training they should have had in the beginning, and makes those schools look good. Look how well their graduates did.
Actually, you just were the school and education those students enrolled in, paid for, but never got. Interesting. What would be wrong with this, other than the fact that in most states you would have to be licensed if you provide training. I'm not sure. I've just seen too many people get burned by mentorships. Maybe yours would be the exception. It sounds like you are sincere.
Certificates don't really mean much today. - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]I have no certificate, but I have worked in the medical field for 31 years and learned the terminology and have now worked my way up to what is a "dream job." I have always been concientious of spelling and grammar. You could say I'm anal or OCD about reports that I produce.
I've been working from inside my home since my first child was born 18 years ago. I get paid for my expertise, which I got only through experience. I'm talking about a program that would be intensive and would cover all the finer points of creating a near-perfect medical document.
yes, they DO. Both are required, certificate AND experience - omg
[ In Reply To ..]In the real world it works like this:
"If you have a certificate and no experience, you are doomed.
If you have experience and no certificate, you are equally doomed."
Maybe the 2nd is less doomed.
But peers will always mention when it's about competition and getting promoted, "well, she has experience, but NO certificate."
Like, "well, she is good, but she has only a BS."
One needs both to get ahead.
Only if you think you are doomed. - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]I tend to be optimistic and driven; that is why I'm brainstorming with y'all.
With EHR becoming more prevalent, companies will still need editors and auditors. Applicants of the mentor program would not need a certificate but would need to take a course, or courses, of medical terminology. This is an entirely new concept in MT training!
I don't think so. What will be needed for MTs - future
[ In Reply To ..]working with EMR will be to be more efficient in the computer department, technical and software department.
How do become a "superrobot" directing a robot to work correctly.
The technology end of it is definitely going overseas - In fact it already is
[ In Reply To ..]Technology is easily done overseas and there is no confidential information involved. No problem.
The technology part of everything is going overseas - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
what is the first thing one is asked for? In person - omg
[ In Reply To ..]and when filling out an online application?
PAPERS !
It is good to reach for the sky, but keep your feet on the ground.
We all start out with the "not being doomed feeling," usually to be proven to be doomed by employers. Then the so called "consultants" come along and try to restore our self esteem.
Are you 1 of those?
Believe me, nowadays, how are you going to be accepted to take a pre-employment test as a new MT without being an MT graduate? Only in the good old times.
Without certificate or experience one is doomed, in general, but some make it, well, I did, some years ago, with a certificate.
Market is evolving, referral bonuses are offered, inside referrals are a trend. - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]Just sayin'.
...and thinking outside the box. - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]:)
right, MTschools partnering with certain MTSOs - ..
[ In Reply To ..]to employ its students and receiving commissions, also MTschools partnering with CCs.
MT is a whole lot more than 'medical terminology' these days - Remembering the old days
[ In Reply To ..]In the old days people just studied a few terms and became a medical transcriptionist, because you said you were, you are. Now we have to know so much more than just medical terminology. I've heard it said that terminology may be about 20% of it, but I think even that is high.
true, we have to be "computer scientists" and "programmers" - nm
[ In Reply To ..]the technology will take care of inserting the correct medical terminology.
We have to be able to tell these robots how to do this, correctly and error free. VR was the first try, it mostly failed,
Say, what?! LOL - Tech will insert the correct terms
[ In Reply To ..]In your dreams!
Seriously, talk to me about 'technology', whatever in the world that is this week. On second thought, maybe this isn't the week to talk to me about how 'technology' does anything. I'm tempted to rant and rave about that comment, but I'll just say that so-called technology is overrated and somewhat brainless. :)
It should work like these online translation - omg
[ In Reply To ..]websites. Google, etc..., I quote:
"This page is in English. Translate it using Google Toolbar!"
When you click on it, you choose the language you want the text translated into, you can choose among hundreds! and in seconds the text comes up translated in the language of your wish. This is fascinating. It is nto error free, but still impressive!
Why can they not develop something similar for MTing? It is said that the medical terminology is comparable to a foreign language.
IT and software experts have to come up with something reliable soon, since, until now, nothing works satisfactorily for everybody involved in MTing (except the MTSOs, but they deny it).
Maybe this will be the next step after EMR.
I agree with you that technology per se is brainless, but to make the brainless technology work for us like we want it to work, this needs a lot of brain!
Careful what you wish for. - anon
[ In Reply To ..]If they ever do come up with something perfect enough to please everyone, YOU will not be needed. Personally, I hope the crappy VR stays exactly like it is so I can keep my job.
OK, add Anatomy and Physiology, and English. - evolved
[ In Reply To ..]Put together maybe a semester in the most helpful/critical areas of study, terminology, anatomy and sentence structure/grammar (which really should have been covered in high school). Sort of an elite group, if you will, could come from the mentorship. Details about the college training, i.e., cost, scheduling, would need to be worked out. Basic knowledge is good, but repetition and kind critiquing are the keys to becoming excellent MT/QA person - and there are advances from there that you don't know about until you get there. We are trying to take back our PSPs and MTSOs and give MTs, QAs, and the MT/QA relationship a better reputation. ~stepping down from soapbox~ :o)
I love it. "Less Doomed!" - nm
[ In Reply To ..]nm
Isn't this a very risky undertaking - mentoring
[ In Reply To ..]from your side considering the technology future of MTing?
I think you are way behind.
Do you want to make out of all "bad" MTs "excellent" MTs?
How much will you have to invest into this project and how much will your tuition be?
In the meantime new technology will have outrun you;
You are not the first to have this "great" idea, a lot tried it and it did not pay off.
You have to remember that all reports that these mentees produce have to be QAed 100%, regarding everything, for a rather long time.
There aren't practically any mentoring programs out there. There must be a reason for it.
Much too risky, think of something else, unless you want to be a good samaritan.
You've been thinking a lot about this - Old MTSO
[ In Reply To ..]Don't let not having capital stop you. When I started my business, I didn't have any either. However, I did get linked up with a very good venture capitalist who specialized in small business. If you really want to do it, and if it is viable, there are ways. Don't give up!
FYI - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]I've changed my nickname on all my posts so they would be the same and easily identifiable. I just realized I had posted like 10 different nicknames and I could hardly keep my own posts straight ;-)
In other words, you want to start a school - Why not make the schools teach instead
[ In Reply To ..]Just get the schools to teach. Then your graduates won't need to graduate and then go back to school, I mean internship or mentorship. This has been tried before many times and fails. The answer is to get the schools to do a better job. There are those who always have and continue to do a good job and those who never have and never will. A mentorship isn't going to fix that poor training. A degree isn't going to fix that poor training. They just need to do a better job of teaching. Your theory is like fixing the toaster when the phone is broken.
did you have an MT certificate or generalized degree? - sssdt
[ In Reply To ..]It just seems kind of odd, you saying you pushed to have places require MT certificates and then later you say you just had a "generalized" degree. Or maybe I don't understand what you're saying.
I know lots of new graduates who are getting and keeping jobs - But MT is not for everyone
[ In Reply To ..]Your message sounds as if you think other graduates or maybe graduates of other schools aren't able to get and keep jobs. New graduates are getting jobs. Not all schools are preparing their students very well. For that matter, not all schools are screening applicants all that well. Some are bound to fail regardless of how well a school screens, but some will take students when it's obvious that they don't have a chance to succeed. Then they give them all kinds of exercises that don't prepare them, have them write essays instead of learning to transcribe, and then wonder why they can't make it. In the meantime, I have seen new MTs who are making it just fine, even in this bad economy. Go back to your school and get help from them, if they are willing to talk to you. Some are and some desert you the moment you graduate. Medical transcription isn't about a degree. It's 'Job Training' and learning the skills necessary to be able to get and keep a job. Go back to your job placement people at the school you attended and tell them that it didn't work for you. Get some help from them.
what help can you expect from a school - help ?
[ In Reply To ..]that educated you inefficently?
Helping in job placement consists for them in handing you a list of MTSOs to apply, lol.
Wow.... - sapient
[ In Reply To ..]this entire thread has gone off completely different than what my original reply intended it to be ("been thinking a lot about this lately")
I wasn't thinking I wanted to start a school. I wanted an MTSO. An MTSO that hired newbies and yes paid them less, but used that difference to hire more QA people to be available to edit and offer advice and feedback more 1 on 1 instead of 1 QA person for 100 MTs.
This and the tread above are not at all what I was thinking of. But good luck.
I'm out
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