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

Entry-level - strawberryshorttart

Posted: Apr 09, 2012

Hello, I am a new MT looking for entry-level work. Is there such a thing? Is there a new law that requires a minimum of 1 year experience as an MT? Please help. If anyone knows the answers to my questions, please post them.

Thank you

Entry level - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi. What school did you go to and do they provide assistance in placing their students?

Entry-Level - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
I went to Career Step and they have minimal job placement services.

Entry level - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I saw an ad for Accentus looking to hire new graduates from an accredited institution. This was on another job site for MTs. Sorry, I can't post the actual site because it's against forum rules.

I am not necessarily recommending them as I don't know anything about the company, but they were specifically looking for new MTs. Good luck in your job search!

Entry-Level - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for your help and valuable information. I really appreciate it.

Who tld you there was a law? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
No, there is no law saying you need 1 year experience. There are no laws about education or how to do the work, and accrediting agencies do not address that, either.

Every so often someone comes up with nonsense about state licenses or requirements for transmitting files across state lines, but that is nuts, too.

I have to wonder why you are asking about this. It sounds like a component of some employment fraud schemes that have made the rounds over the years. Were you told that you had to work for free or at a reduced rate under supervision because of this "law"?

In an interview with an MTSO, I was once told that I would have to work on local tapes at a ridiculous rate for some months to qualify for advancement to a higher-paying (but still ridiculously low) client via C-phone, then for them some months to qualify for clients located out of state. The pay on those was better, but you had to meet the requirements for a state license to "engage in satellite transmissions across state lines" which required experience, a recommendation from the MTSO, and taking some exam administered by the state. There is, of course, no such thing, but the MTSO went on about this in such a bizarre manner that I expected the contract to require wearing a tinfoil hat. This woman also demanded that I turn over transcribed files and account specs from a hospital for which I had worked and that I agree to a penalty scheme whereby a large percentage of my pay would be docked for failing to meet various impossible requirements.

She turned out to be a convicted felon with a history of perpetrating various kinds of transcription-related fraud. The company still exists.

Were you hearing something along those lines?

Entry-Level - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
No, but a few of the jobs that I have applied for stated that you have to have 1 year of experience due to new requirements. I just figured it was some type of medical law. I guess I better be careful as to which company I apply to huh? Right now, I would just like to be employed and given the opportunity to prove myself, but nobody seems willing to give me the chance as a newbie.

There is no such "law" (sorry long) - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
There is no such law. I have been in this business for 33 years and never heard of such a thing. I learned MT "on the job," in a hospital setting. The reason that MTSOs state they want one year of experience is because a "newbie," such as yourself, right out of school, is overwhelmed at first. Sure, you have done "practice dictations" while enrolled in your particular MT program; however, it does not really prepare you for the real world of medical transcription at home. There are many companies out there also, who frown on their MTs having ANY sort of communication whatsoever -- not like the "old days" when you could have a coworker "lend an ear" if you were having problems understanding the dictator. Too many people have gotten into this profession for the WRONG reason -- the main one being, "I can work at home, be a mom, blah, blah, blan, I don't want to work weekends, etc.," ad nauseum. MTSOs have to have coverage 24/7, 365 days a year. They overhire because of the MTs who say they will work a "certain schedule or do a certain number or lines per day;" however, when a weekend rolls around, the MTs whom have promised to work are MIA. I worked for a company last year, that I thought I would be with until I retire in 5 years. All of a sudden, the work dried up and we received an email from the MTSO stating that the hospital had gone "to another service because they felt we were not meeting TAT." It was a wonderful company - weekly pay, IC status and I could work when I wanted to; however, I put in long hours because we did have a backlog and I was dedicated to the company. Why people are getting into this profession now is beyond me. I lost my job in February because the MTSO was sold to another company and I have been looking since and again -- over 30 years of experience and before anyone says anything, I have been in QA and management side of MT as well, so I am not one of these "old MTs who needs to be replaced." I am sickened as to what this profession has become and about to be homeless -- no money since February, save for family members and a friend. I did receive a call today and have been hired for a company; but it will be something that is going to be very different for me and yes, I'm scared to death that I won't live up to "company expectations."

Sorry for this being so long :(

Entry-level - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm sorry to hear about your current happenings, but am glad to hear that you got a new job. How did you get your resume out there? Are you just applying to individual jobs or is there some massive website that I am missing out on?

what massive website do you want? - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
The FIRST and of UTMOST important step as an MT is learning how to research. I really don't mean to sound "snarky" but have you learned how to do that? There are websites that have MT jobs listed and this, is one of the things that I mentioned or tried to mention in my previous post -- in this business, we "older MTs, since we are trying to make a living as well, really do not have the time to 'hand-hold' a newer MT." THIS is the reason why you see companies asking for a minimum number of years of experience.

gotta start somewhere - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
I know how to research...but as a new MT there is a lot I don't know, so I just thought I would ask in case any of the more experienced MTs had anything constructive to contribute.

The reason people are still getting into the MT profession now... - Maggie May

[ In Reply To ..]
is because regardless of how many people explain how bad things are getting, there is always SOMEONE who posts that they are doing just fine and that everyone else is just a naysayer, debbie downer, etc. Same reason that even people barely getting by still purchase lottery tickets. They always hope (or assume) that it will be different for them.

Your experience as an MT - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
Do you enjoy being an MT? I chose this career path because I was told that there was an explosive need for MTs. (the ones with experience anyway)I dug up some information that the field is forever growing.

Was that info from a school. The schools are - still telling prospective

[ In Reply To ..]
students that there is a huge demand for MTs. This is not true. There is LESS of a demand and will continue to be less for as long as companies are allowed to send work to places like India, who will do the work for much less than we can afford to. Plain and simple. The info you have pulled up may be out of date if it's not from a school, because this USED to be an in demand profession.

Oh you - poor thing

[ In Reply To ..]
There's no law, they just don't want to invest in training you and then find you can't do the job! If you're darn sure you can do it, just fake it on your resume. There is no integrity left in the employer-employee relationship anyway, anything to get your foot in the door... if you're sure you really want to.

Re: Oh you poor thing - Woman of integrity

[ In Reply To ..]
You are encouraging this person to LIE? There ARE some of us with integrity. Don't judge everyone by your standards. Shame on you.

Strab - In the know

[ In Reply To ..]
There is no such law.

New MT - Kat

[ In Reply To ..]
My advice to you and this is what I did over 18 years ago, is to apply to every transcription company you can find and be willing to take midnights. Midnights are a difficult shift to fill. Meanwhile, once you get your foot in the door on midnights, re-do you resume to show that you now have an employer and just keep looking for something from then on until you get off of midnights. It took me 3 months and I was in an afternoon job. Good luck, I know it is frustrating.

Thanks - strawberryshorttart

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks Kat! I will take your advise. I already have tons of resumes out there, but there are still tons more placed that I could apply. So, I think I will get something eventually. Somethings got to give. Congrats to you as a new MT with a job!

Try posting here on the job wanted board - Tara

[ In Reply To ..]
Try posting here on the job wanted board. I was in the same boat as you not too long ago. I decided to post on the job wanted board and that is how the woman who I am working for now found me.

She is great. She gives me tons of work. I would try posting there.

Similar Messages:

Jun 10, 2011

Hi all, Just a quick question. In all your years of experience, what would you think would be a fair starting pay (hourly please) at a smaller acute care hospital doing varied types of jobs? I do a lot of typing for the actual hospital, the two clinics (one inside the hospital and our satellite clinic in another town) and physical therapy. I do alot of transcription but I also have a lot of other medical records duties as well that I have to balance. I do ...

Oct 27, 2009

Also would not get my first paycheck for 60 days. Does that seem fishy? They also want me to sign a no competition contract that I will not seek employment with another company that could be considered competition for 3 years. Is that normal? ...

Apr 05, 2010

I was wondering if anybody knew of any companies that hire entry level coders. I went to school and got my CCA certificate, but have never done coding in a clinical setting. I'm also a medical transcriptionist with 20 years experience. ...

Oct 20, 2014

I am new to M.T. Does anyone have any great advice or know of any companies that hire entry level mts ...

Mar 26, 2010

Okay, here's the situation I am in. I graduated school in 2008, but i got hired before I even graduated and I have been transcribing IC for a local family practice for 3 years. Therefore, I have school + 3 years experience, just not in a hosptial or acute care setting, which seems to be everyone's requirement! I noticed someone said Spheris hires newbies so I checked out their site. For the new graduates, it says you must have graduated in the past 6 months or within the past year and ...

Mar 29, 2010

Yes, current graduate of Stratford Career Institute with a diploma in Medical Transcriptionist, having a hard time finding entry level work--any suggestions..?????I am a Certified Medical Technologist as well..I need part time work at home for now.. ...

Sep 26, 2012

Work has slowed down doing transcription in the entertainment business and I work for three companies. I've had discharge summary experience in the past with light radiology. Does anyone know of any companies hiring newbies for MT work? I can't stand not working. Type 85 wpm, use Word and Express Scribe and a digital foot pedal. U.S. citizen. ...

Sep 16, 2013

Feeling frustrated and seeking advice. I graduated from Career Step with Honors but can't find an entry level position. I am hoping for flexibility and ESLs are not my first choice for transcribing, but beyond that I am very flexible in what I am looking for. Any suggestions of where to look?!? ...

Mar 03, 2010

Hi everyone. I am a recent graduate from Rasmussen online college with a 2 year degree in medical transcription. I just graduated in September. I did land a very very part time homed medical transcription job in mid November and was let go in January because the lady I subcontracted for told me she needed me to be perfect within 2 months and I wasn't delivering the kind of perfection she needed. I kept reminding her that I had 0 medical transcription experience before my education training ...

Jan 22, 2013

When typing "Dig level," does the "D" need to be capitalized? TIA! ...

Apr 06, 2010

Will be taking my first employer test. Do you get a chance to skim your test afterward to clean it up, or is it first take goes? Thanks. ...

Dec 30, 2011

I have been working for a doc's office doing traditional transcription for a couple of years and I have charged a per line fee for my service. I have recently been approaced by another doc's office to work with their EHR. A very small amount of the work is actually transcribing. Most of it will be point-and-click from a list of selections based on the doc's dictation. I have no idea how much to charge for this kind of work. Does anyone have any idea w ...

Apr 14, 2014

I applied for a data entry job today after being unemployed for nearly 3-1/2 months. I can't seem to find anything I think I could start out doing after being home over the years. It seems data entry would fit for me. Getting back out there is hard. Depression has taken over, but I'm trying to manage without medication. Most days, I would like to go to bed and stay, but haven't up until this point. Anyway, thanks for listening to me vent. I pray I will at least get to interview, ...

Nov 02, 2010

Does anyone know how to delete entries from user dictionary? Thanks in advance ...

Mar 20, 2014

Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated regarding the salaries for a data entry clerk versus a transcriptionist. Should a transcriptionist's pay be less, the same or more than a data entry clerk, and if you feel it should be more, how much more? Thank you for your comments. ...

May 04, 2011

the angiography entry site was sealed with s/l "Mint" device?? ...

May 13, 2011

It seems that more and more companies, including some hospitals, are paying per line but then expecting you to do data entry, which of course you are NOT paid for. Just a few examples: Acute care on Dictaphone ExText/Word Client -- faxing, etc. McKisson -- Looking up and changing orders for radiographic studies Rad job posted here -- Entering patient demographics If an employer expects me to sit there and do data entry -- which has NO shortcuts -- IN ADDITION TO transcibing, then they' ...

Mar 26, 2012

I am looking for work as an Mt and not having any luck. Today, I searched the job service board and found a cool job. It is an IC position with flexible hours and very good pay. It is collecting data for the county/township and entering it into a lap top. They want you to be ableto enter 7000 or more strokes per hour. I meet all the qualifications except this which, of course, is "key" to the job. I know nothing of data entry but I hate to pass on the opportun ...

Jan 01, 2013

During a lull in my workload (Happy New Year!), I googled Wiki's take on our profession. I have to say I'm impressed with the description--pretty much every aspect of the evolution of medical transcription is covered, even the negative turn of events (VR, pay cuts, etc.) in recent years with regard to us MTs being unappreciated-and underpaid. Thought you guys might want to check it out if you haven't already. ...

Dec 23, 2009

nm ...

Mar 02, 2014

unfortunately, I have to report my daily lines on Fiesa log sheets in order to be paid. ...

Mar 09, 2011

Ok, Level 2 or Level II. I went back to the material from when I was going through school and is shows as Level 2, however, researching via Google comes up as Level II. Which would be correct. ...

Aug 04, 2011

Has anyone ever heard of a BUN level as low as 3? The creatinine is 1.1. The patient is in the hospital for weakness and is not on dialysis. ...

Dec 15, 2009

is planning on a lumbar epidural steroid injection. I am not sure of the level he is planning on. If it is at 4 5 or 5 6, I think he has a good chance of relief of arm pain ...

Jun 07, 2010

Has anyone ever heard of a chloride level being as low as 13? He clearly says this, but I've never heard of it that low. ...

Oct 28, 2010

"Clinically he is doing really good." And we are the ones making minimum wage? ...

Aug 30, 2011

is correct to transcribe pain level is 0/10 or zero out of ten? ...

Sep 30, 2011

He's referring to a Digoxin level and shortens it to say "s/l Dij level". I realize that it's probably not spelled with the j, but if I write it Dig level, then it's like digging with that "g" sound....would you leave it "Dig level"? ...

Oct 25, 2011

I now the pH scale, but I'm confused by what this doctor said. "...her pH remained low at 717" She said "Seven One Seven." She speaks clearly, so I'm confident she is saying this. No other pH levels are given in the report. ...

Nov 07, 2011

The last pay cut they made to me was with ASR. they did not touch my transcription rate YET, but I know I read on here someone was at the top of their level as to how much they could make and they went from 0.009 to 0.003. It sounds like this was the transcription rate? Did they actually cut some of the MTs base pay to more than half? This just blows me away if they did this. I have not been on here too much on a steady basis because I get even more d ...