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

Do these schools use the SUM program? - ResearchingMT

Posted: Jan 11, 2012

I'm researching MT schools and weighing the various pros and cons. On my shortlist are two schools that use the SUM program--Andrews & MTEC--and two "schools" that I can't get confirmation on--CareerStep and Ed2Go. Any insights on the latter? Thanks!

Not sure, but... - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
...it's not ALL about the SUM program. You want to make sure the school actually has :::drum roll::: instructors!

P.S.; - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Just to clarify, the SUM program is very important and I would not take a course that didn't have it. Just want to make sure you understand it's not the totality of a good course.

Understood... - ResearchingMT

[ In Reply To ..]
it's one of the items on my spreadsheet comparing & contrasting these schools. Thanks.

Old MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I heartily agree. Don't accept ANY school that offers an answer key. (Thumbs down here.)

Well... - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Shall we say not "just" an answer key. And DEFINITELY no answer key on tests.

Old MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I can agree to that. My point is that students need access to real, live instructors. They cannot "teach" themselves what they do not know. And you betcha, no answer key on tests.

Correct - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
You don't always know what you don't know, you know?

Not pertaining to MT, but a good analogy, is someone who tries desperately to do their own "legal" work, serious tax write-offs, etc. They find a manual or two, read them, then think they actually learned the correct way to do something. They get in deep stuff, go to a lawyer, and find out they really didn't know it all afterall.

Old MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
A great analogy! And usually when people try to do their own taxes, if they are the least bit complex (this happened to a friend), they will get in hot water with the IRS and have to pay a penalty. I will leave the taxes to my CPA, thanks! :)-

Researching MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
The ONLY school I can recommend at this point in time is Andrews.

Leaning that way but... - ResearchingMT

[ In Reply To ..]
At this point in my research--complete with 5-page spreadsheet and phone grilling of each admissions rep--I'm leaning toward Andrews. However, cost is an issue, and for the amount of money (and time) to be invested, I'm starting to wonder whether going for a Certified Coding Associate wouldn't make more sense.

Researching MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I understand, especially in this economy. Just remember, whatever school you choose, you get what you pay for.

To Old Pro - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Hey, Old Pro- I agree to a point about "get what you pay for," in terms of if it's cheap, you aren't going to get a decent education. BUT, just because you pay $7000, doesn't mean it will be good, either. I know some people who did that--took a community college-type course that touted MT training. It included all sorts of good stuff you need for MT (anatomy ,terminology, etc.), but did not have adequate ear training for MT.

Old MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
You are absolutely right again! I was thinking more of the matchbooks and "institutes" (which are sometimes the same thing) that advertise in women's magazines. No, sorry, they will take your dough and you won't get hired. I personally do not recommend community college training for MTs.

ResearchingMT - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi! Have you read the posts on the Coding/Medical Billing board? There is some great information there, too. Good luck in your schooling!

I would not do that. - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
From what I've read over on the coding board and learned from coders, Certified Coding Associates don't get hired easily. The employers want Certified Coding Specialists (CCS). There is a very big difference. If you go to a school that prepares you for a CCA, you've pretty much wasted your time.

Andrews - also deciding

[ In Reply To ..]
Andrews also has a very comprehensive coding program. When you talk to Linda about the MT course, speak with her about coding as well. I have done that, but I still can't make a decision, (lol.)

Also, just to point out, the cost of Andrews does include the price of books--I missed that at first.

Be CLEAR abut what credentials represent and real - VALUE

[ In Reply To ..]
Coding is an excellent chice right now, but you need to be more clear about what you are talking about and what coding is and what schools are teaching and HOW they teach.

You are not clear about who it is you are talking to on the phone. I can tell because you said admission rep. To my knowledge, Andrews does not have an admission rep . . . you speak directly to Linda herself. Big difference. If you are not seeing that it is no wonder you think they are more expensive.

You may have a 5-page spreadsheet, but you may be missing information. I hve done cost comparisons several times and fing the programs in the same ballpark for similar products. You are not seeing that all these programs do not have the SAME product.

Andrews teaches the most, using the best materials, a proven method, and actual instructors who will work with you all the time. They do not teach by computer. For coding their program will teach you enough to pass the CPC and the CCS. Those are what you need to overcome employers' reluctance to hire a coder who has no experience.

Another school may only teach to the CCA. Do you think it is a good bargain to pay less but go only part of the way and be unable to get a job? Those adm reps will not tell you that. If that school makes you teach yourself using computer modules for which you have to pay extra, it is no bargain. If they wrote the materials themselves, it is no bargain. If most students never finish, no bargain.

Some keep their cost low by omitting or charging extra for books or using homemade books. Some set their time to finish too short so students have to keep paying for extensions. Colleges make you reenroll if you cannot finish a course on time and fail you for it,

There are a lot of things to consider but deciding on the basis of cost is unwise. You will be comparing a nutritious and healthful 4-course Chef Andrews meal with a chicken-like mcnugget.

If what is most important to you is cheap food, that is fine. Just know that we know you will be back to ask about all the problems you encounter. We even know what the problems will be.

You've got several good points, but especially about not going to a school that teaches only to - No McNugget For Me!

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm still laughing after reading what you wrote, but you've got lots of good points.

I'll also agree with you that you don't want a school that can only prepare you for the CCA or the CPC. You need to forget about the CCA, which is useless, and go straight for the CCS, even though you may want to take the CPC as a warm-up, just for confidence.

CCA = Not helpful.
CPC = Minimally helpful.
CCS = Excellent help in getting a job.
RHIT = Not enough coding to be able to work as a coder.

The bottom line is to get an education that prepares you to pass the CCS exam. Nothing else makes sense. The Chicken-like McNugget poster above is right. I'm still laughing.

Let me try that again - Still Laughing

[ In Reply To ..]
CCS = This is the one you want to prepare for. It's the one that will help you get and keep a job.

CPC = Also nice to have, but not so helpful by itself. You need the CCS too.

CCA = Almost totally worthless.

RHIT = Not enough coding for you to be able to pass credentials tests or get a job actually doing coding. Very little coding taught that can be used on the job.

The one you almost have to have is the CCS. A CPC is also impressive when you have both, not so much if you only have the CPC by itself. Doesn't get you many jobs. The CCS does.

No, the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Never Makes Sense - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
The CCS makes sense. The CCA isn't marketable.

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