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


Finding Experience - SB


Posted: Sep 20, 2010

Why is it so difficult to find a job in the MT field?  There are many more quality jobs for MT's that have 2+ years of experience.  Can I use my schooling as experience? How do I find a job as a graduate with an Associate Degree?

 

SB

It isn't hard. Don't depend on the Associates degree because employers don't care abo - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
What really counts is what was covered in your course. If you just went through a couple of years taking courses that kept you doing things other than transcribing, the employers will know it. They will have hired graduates of that program before and know that they didn't learn to transcribe, although they can create a mean spreadsheet, something not that helpful to the employer.

If, on the other hand, the courses you took were really heavy on the right kind of transcription, you will test well and get job offers.

The reason MTSOs want 2+ years experience is because (sm) - Yochana

[ In Reply To ..]

it is costly for them to train a newbie, especially if their schooling wasn't up to par.  In this depressed economy everyone is watching every penny and using every strategy to remain in business.  It is hard for an experienced MT to find a job these days.  Just keep looking and testing and maybe you will get lucky. 

Finding Experience - Retired MTSO

[ In Reply To ..]
I hope I can answer some of your questions. If I were going to hire you (and I was in a management position for many years as well as being an MT), here is what I would say:
1. It is not terribly difficult for people with the right credentials and qualifications. The problem is that many of the so-called "schools" promise there will be a job waiting for they do not adequately prepare aspiring MTs.
2. No, you cannot use schooling as experience. It is SCHOOLING and NOT experience. I know of no MTSO who would accept schooling in lieu of experience.
3. I do not care if you have an Associate Degree when it comes to hiring. I am happy for your accomplishment, but it would not make any difference in hiring. That is nice, and I commend you for the effort it took to get it, but it makes no difference one way or the other in hiring MTs. What I need is someone who is adequately trained in medical transcription. The thing that I valued most was someone who had trained on the SUM program. Young people come to me and ask what advice I would give and I always tell them to seek out a program that trains with the SUM program. I would recommend they start with a call to either Andrews or M-TEC. I do not think people can go wrong with either one of those. Or, if your program did not use SUM, you could augment it by doing SUM yourself. I wish you well and hope you find what you are looking for.

finding exp - emily84

[ In Reply To ..]
I do not think that you can use your schooling as experience. If at all possible, you should find a place to intern and get experience through that. Good luck!!

I disagree about one part of your message - the internship part - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
If I saw "internship" on a resume, I would know that the education that applicant got was not good. How do I know that? From experience. I would allow that person to test, of course, but the chance that they would pass is very slim. There may be a few exceptions, but not many.

Disagree - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with your disagreement! I, too, think that if a school provides adequate education, "internships" are not necessary. Can you imagine an Andrews grad or an M-TEC grad needing an "internship?" Nope, didn't think so. Neither can I.
old pro - emily84
[ In Reply To ..]
Actually, an internship means that an individual got the best practice ever, on the job practice. That is more than most schools can say. Sure you can listen to hours of doctors talking, but the experience is what companies are looking for in the end. Also, internship helps students configure computers so they can work at home. I went through an MT course, accredited, and could not find work b/c everyone wants experience. An internship provides that.
That's the story "they" tell to sell internships, but I don't buy into that one. - Been around the MT block
[ In Reply To ..]
I've been around long enough to see through what I believe MT internships to be, a gimmick to make money for everyone but the MT. I'm not in favor of them.
Around the block - Old Pro
[ In Reply To ..]
I'm with you. If the students have been properly trained, they will be ready to go and will be hired. I know of both Andrews and M-TEC students being offered jobs BEFORE they graduated.
Who pays? - for internship
[ In Reply To ..]
Do you pay them to provide you with an internship or do they pay you to work the internship?

I've seen others discuss the outfit you "found" your internship with and the companies they were putting them with were disreputable to say the least.

In most professions, and I'm not sure that MT would be any different, internships are NOT considered experience but rather an extension of the educational process. So I'm failing to see how this helps you "gain" experience?? In the end, SOMEONE is in it solely for profit.
Who pays? - emily84
[ In Reply To ..]
In my situation, I payed for the internship along with the program. I was willing to pay for it because I had looked for a job for almost a year and that was very frustrating. I paid more for my schooling from AHP and that did not inlcude job placement, just "helps" which did not work and from Med Workshops, I got an internship, and a job instantly and paid no more than I paid at AHP. I have been working ever since.
One of many problems I have with internships - See message
[ In Reply To ..]
One of a long list of problems I have with internships is the quality of jobs. I've seen cases where people were hired into jobs, but not kept, because they had committed to 'hiring' the graduates of the internship. Others were hired, but the jobs had no potential. In other words, they were terrible jobs and the people who took them were stuck, because nobody would hire anyone with the experience of working for those particular companies. I guess that's the reasons the internships have arrangements with those companies.


Similar Messages:


I Have Not Worked In 6 Years, And Only Have 3 Months Experience, Is There Hope In Finding A Medical
Jul 05, 2012

I graduated from a local Technical College with a Certificate in Medical Transcription. I had spent a year searching for a company that would hire someone new, but had no luck. Then, out of the blue a local company had seen my resume and offered me a job. I got the job, but the thing was I was almost 7 months pregnant with my second child! I had only worked a couple months until our baby was born and after consideration, decided not to come back so I could be with our baby full-time. Well, it ha ...


New Graduate - Experience In Transcription Is Experience
Nov 11, 2009

I am a new graduate and need to find a job! I am also new to this site. I got the site info from a friend that has been doing transcription work for many years. She has given me some leads, but as of now, nothing! It appears that most of these companies wnat 2 or more years experience. Does anyone know how I can start and get some experience? I suppose in anything and not just medical. Experience in transcription is experience, right? ...


Ekg Finding
Nov 22, 2009

EkG shows subacute S/L semi versus pericarditis. ...


Help Finding Gel Name
Apr 25, 2010

This is for a 7-yo with a chin laceration. Wound was anesthetized with s/l "lead" gel. Or could be bled gel, black gel-not clear at all.   Can anyone help here? ...


Finding A Job
Aug 11, 2010

I am getting ready to graduate from Penn Foster in the Medical Transcription program. I was real exited about this at first, but I am hearing that it is not easy to find a job. Does anyone know of a transcription company that hires newbies?                                                                      Jenny ...


Finding Own Clients PLEASE HELP
Oct 21, 2009

Hi Everyone, Right now the company I work for hardly has any work.  I am thinking about sending out a letter to local clinics and also maybe putting out an ad on craigslist for transcription work.  Have you tried this?  I have questions:   What things do I have to consider? How do I charge people (I know I can do line count in INstantText and figure out line count and cost)-is 10 CPL a good place to start?  Are there other costs I need to factor in?  How about tax ...


Finding PA/PAC Names!
Oct 28, 2009

For those "low-talkers" who won't spell the PA/PACs name, combined with my endless list of names, does anyone know the easiest way to just do a generic search for all of them? It's exhausting! Thanks, y'all! ...


Finding Another Job Vent
Oct 31, 2009

  I need to find a new job.  The company I'm working for is replacing med transcriptionists with voice recognition and electronic health records.  This is not the first time this has happened either, . . it happened at another hospital I worked for.  The company's response was "you can go work for the service."  Yeah, right, at half the pay.  After working at a good in-house hospital job for nine years, I realize how home MTs are so mistreated.  And, ...


Still Having Trouble Finding This
Jan 30, 2010

I have asked this before and got an answer but do not see what was suggested I would be able to see.  After I have requested a day off in schedule source, if I go into the "days off" page, where is the approval?  I see a yellow box that says "request" but do not see anything about the answer to the request.  I also checked my calendar - is there something on the calendar about it?  Last time I made a request I found out at the last minute I did indeed have it off, but had not ...


New MT Finding Position
Jul 01, 2010

I am a current student at the MSU of Technology.  I am currently looking for a position in Medical Transcription or Medical Billing.  I am very fustrated.  PLEASE HELP!! ...


Need Help Finding Pay Schedule Please
Oct 05, 2010

I lost pay schedule for the year in the e-mail purge. Can someone please help me? ...


Finding A Position?
Jan 18, 2011

I graduated from a medical transcription course last April.  I still haven't found a position. I have tried everything!  I have sent out resumes, flyers, letters to Dr. offices. I have applied at several of the companies online, and everyone wants experienced MT's, taking a course isn't enough!  Any ideas?  ...


Finding A Job For A Newbie...
Apr 22, 2011

Hi, Does anyone have advice for a "newbie" transcriptionist finding work?  It seems all the job ads want minimum 2 years experience.  I've just completed a medical transcription course and would appreciate any advise on finding work.  Thanks! Happy Easter!   ...


Finding A Job As A New Coder
Sep 30, 2011

I am an MT considering going to school for coding.  I have been reading the message boards of the coding professional organization and found it to be full of comments from new certified coders who can't find jobs without experience, and some have been looking for over a year.  I am leaving the MT field after only 6 years due to salaries going into the tank with SR.  I think coding would be a good fit for me, but hate to spend thousands of dollars and a year of school time on ...


Finding It Hard To
Jan 17, 2012

sit at a keyboard for 8 hrs a day everyday.  Guess I'm just getting old.  Wish I could find part-time work.  Does anyone know of any good companies that will allow part-time (20-25 hrs)? Doesn't seem to be very many out there.  TIA. ...


Laparoscopy Finding
Jan 18, 2012

Dictated:  She underwent an uneventful laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for a right colon cancer.  Laparoscopy failed to reveal any signs of carcinomatosis or liver s/l studying or stutting.   Thanks for looking and for any help. ...


Knee MRI Finding
Feb 02, 2012

Dictated:  MRI reported as positive for minimal s/l truckation (truh-KAY-shun) of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, possibly secondary to prior injury.  No displaced meniscal fragment was identified. I was thinking "truncation" (shortening), but does that fit in context?  I have not heard with regard to menisci before. Thanks for any help. ...


Laboratory Finding
Oct 21, 2012

Doctor is dictating "Assessment and Plan" findings. She is dictating about Restless Legs.  She dictates "Looking at his last labs, his  (sounds like Endo sees) were low. " Not sure what "Endosees" or "Indosees" or it even could be "NDCs are low." I am not sure what she is dictating. I cannot locate anything close to that. Wondering if it has anything to do the patient's iron level.. any help would be appreciated. Thanks! ...


Finding MT Remote Job
Dec 01, 2012

I recently obtained my Certificate from a community college for Medical Transcription/Coding. I also work full time at our county mental health clinic, scheduling appointments for patients, answering telephones and transcribing reports for 3 psychiatrists (2 speaking in broken Indian dialect). I have submitted many resumes online to all types of transcription agencies and physician's offices. Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get a job as a remote transcriptionist and if you have any ...


Disability & Finding A Job
Dec 19, 2012

I am ready to come off of disability. Should I tell whomever I am applying with that I am on it? ...


My BOB Is Finding Out Restricting PT To 28
Nov 26, 2013

PT has been offered to work anything less than 37 hours.  Do ya think they will reinstate PT PTO as the next bribe to get more PT'ers to work? ...


Is Anyone Having Any Luck Finding A Job Right Now Or Is It
Dec 02, 2013

actually getting worse than before.  I have a lot of experience and can do ESLs very well.  ...


Don't Give Up On Finding A New Job
Dec 30, 2013

I have been transcribing for 31 years. Hospital laid us off in 2008, went with our contract provider, then Nuance took over her employees. I have been looking for a job for over a year and finally found one. Starting on Jan. 6, I will be working for a local pathology office doing minimum transcription as well as other things, meaning no more sitting all day long looking at a dumb computer. It is 8-5 M-F. They are starting me out at $13.50 an hr. The only problem I have is Nuance wants me to give ...


Is Age A Factor In Not Finding An MT Job?
Mar 31, 2014

Have any of you had a hard time finding work as an MT because of age discrimination?  I have run into this for the very first time this year.  I have not worked for a few months because they laid off a lot of MTs at the company I worked for; mainly because they promised something they could not give.  We would have 4 or 5 accounts and no work on almost all of them.  We would be left scrambling for work and got the worst work possible.  The supervisor at night watched the ...


Finding QC/QA Positions
Apr 15, 2014

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find a QC/QA position? I find it's rare to find them here or on any job boards. I do know a lot of companies promote from within, but I also know there have to be companies that hire for these positions from the outside. Any helpful info would be appreciated. Thank you.  ...


Is Anyone Having Any Lucking Finding A Job Right Now. Nm
Jan 08, 2015

I have no idea the best place to post a resume for a job.  Any suggestions. ...


Suggestions For Finding IC Jobs
Jan 01, 2010

I am moving to a very very large city in March and was thinking about soliciting dr's offices for independent contracting jobs for medical transcription.  I've been employed by nationals for the past 11 years and earlier worked for a couple dr's offices independently, but got word of them through the hospital I worked at.  Can anyone advise me the best way to approach a dr's office for transcription?  I'm thinking about trying to pick some up and do the wo ...


Is It Regurg Or Regurge?? I Am Finding Both.
Jun 25, 2010

nm ...


Hard Time Finding A Job As An MT
Sep 29, 2010

Hi everyone my name is Amanda and I am a recent MT graduate.  I have been completing application after application and I either get an email saying that they are looking for 2 or more years experience, they are not currently hiring, or no response at all.  I was just wondering if anyone could offer any advice as to how to go about getting a foot in the door.  I am getting really discouraged and this process is so grueling!! ...


Having Hard Time Finding A Job As An MT
Sep 29, 2010

Hi everyone my name is Amanda and I have recently completed a MT course.  I am finding it very difficult to find work...I have completed several applications and keep getting emails that say they are looking for more experience, they are not currently hiring, or I get no response at all. I am just looking for some advice from anyone if they have any suggestions about getting into a job. This process is very grueling! ...