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

Help been out of school since August and still cannot find a job!!! - Ayashi

Posted: Jun 19, 2012

Hello,

I have been trying to get a job since I graduated last year from Kaplan University Online. I take the online test and fail some how everytime I do it. I have went as far as to screen shot the test in progress just to research the answers ( I found a few mistakes). Yet my main concern is the transcription portion. I can never seem to format it properly. I use my school books and online reference tools and I feel I am still doing something wrong. Now im looking for online help and a corresponence. I need someone who can over look some practice transcriptions and tell me if I have formatted it properly. If not what am I doing wrong.

I really want to break into this field and I will not give up due to a few errors on my end. So the only way to get better is to ask for help and now I ask all of you senior MT's for your knowledge and guidance. Please help and thank-you for all of your time and patience with me as I grow from a new MT to a Pro.

It is probably not formatting errors - that are

[ In Reply To ..]
the problem. Formatting is a tiny issue, not something that will cause an otherwise good test to be failed.

Every account has its own format rules, so employers don't expect applicants to know the rules for specific accounts. You learn that once you're hired and get the samples and normals for the accounts you'll be working on.

You could be failing on grammar or spelling issues (just going by your post) or more likely making too many critical errors on medical terms.

Focusing on improving your transcription skills, grammar, spelling, terminology, etc. would be a better use of your time. Don't worry about formatting as every employer has different rules.

You might want to ask your school if there are any employers who routinely hire its graduates. If they know of no employers who seek out their graduates, ask they why.

Thank-you - Ayashi

[ In Reply To ..]
I never thought it could be my grammar, but after re-reading my post I found a few.I will look over my work and see if that helps.

I will help you. - e-mail me

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I can look over a few things and help if needed.

Ayashi - Old Pro

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Many MTSOs are wary of Kaplan.

what is a MTSO and why? - Ayashi

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I heard that before, but was never told why.

Ayashi - Old Pro

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Would you have us believe that you have graduated from an MT course and do not know what an MTSO is? Not making you wrong, am just incredulous!

Graduating - Ayashi

[ In Reply To ..]
Not only did I graduate honey, but I graduated at the top of my class. Yet that does not mean there is a ton of information I do not know. I have learned today from trolling the boards that "Kaplan" was not a good choice of a school to pick. I have plenty of gaps in my knowledge and this is why I am on this forum. I thought, "Each One, Teach One", so I came to where the advice should be plentiful.

I understand that you may be a old pro to this field, but also remember that there are plenty of schools that will teach a field to make a quick buck. Since I was approached by them I didn't think to check out another school (foolish of me I know); yet, as I have said before I am willing to make this work. So please fill me up with all the info you guys know I am totally a empty cup.

What is an MTSO - Sylvia

[ In Reply To ..]
One of the primary skills an MT must have is that of doing research. With all of the tools available to you on the Internet, I think you can learn what an MTSO is fairly easily. And why is Kaplan not recommended? Because they do not provide an adequate education. Look at a school that uses the SUM program (Andrews or M-TEC) and that has live instructors who are or have been MTs themselves. Just trying to help you. There will be a lot of things you will have to research (we all do) in the course of a day's work. This can be a good opportunity to learn how to do it.

what is a MTSO - Ayashi

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I have been looking around today and saw that I might want to go to another school. It also sadden me cause I paid 16,000 for my course and I found Andrews to be much cheap. I am learning today that I still have a lot to learn. The good thing about it is that I am willing to.

You paid what?????? - just me

[ In Reply To ..]
You paid... is that US dollars? OMG!
I took a course at a local vocational school for 1 year that was a waste of time and money and went to a community college, which was a 2-year program and received great training along with getting hired by the lady who sat on the advisory board transcribing for a surgery center. She took a lot of time mentoring me and answering questions. I also attended several AAMT workshops. Your education never endoscopic scissors if you want to be good and make great money. I was very fortunate. I worked at another smaller company where the owner then trained me on office work, workers' compensation. If you can, work for a smaller company and go to a community college. Good luck!

Just me - Nick

[ In Reply To ..]
Endoscopic scissors?

Yes, and it is almost poetic. . - Funny

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, endoscopic scissors. ROTFL! I think it was supposed to be "ends."

That has to be one of the funniest expander thingies I've seen in ages. Or it could just be that I need some sleep.

Oops, yes I forgot to toggle my expander off. - just me

[ In Reply To ..]
Oops, sorry. .... Also, the AHDI workshops are great for augmenting your education and networking, although I have been too busy with work to attend one lately...

Ayashi - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
You paid HOW MUCH? And you didn't check out other schools? Did you do any background research on Kaplan before enrolling? Do you know how to do research? Do you know how to use the Internet to learn what an MTSO is? (And why did Kaplan not teach you that?) My best suggestion is for you to call Andrews (I am not nor have I ever been, affiliated with them.) I am told that the woman who runs Andrews is very kind and also very competent. She should be able to assess where you are and give you some suggestions. May I ask where you discovered Kaplan in the first place? Good luck to you!

Kaplan - Ayashi

[ In Reply To ..]
They were referred to me from an old co-worker. I know now I was cheated I can only fix it now. As for doing research, yes I do know how to research. I just so happened to be in a bad financial state and anything sounded good to try and get back on my feet and stay closer to my kids. I know now in hind sight that I should have took more time. But what is done is done and I can't cry over it. I can only try to make the best of it. That is what I am doing now.

Ayashi - Been Poor

[ In Reply To ..]
When you are in financial straits, you need to be especially careful with how you invest your money. A good MT education is an investment, just like a house or stocks. You need to (a) work on grammar and (b) augment what you learned at Kaplan. I really do believe that you CAN do it if you want to. It will not be easy or fast, but it CAN be done. And yes, I know what it is to be in a bad financial state. Because of the MQ debacle, I nearly went bankrupt.

MTSO Medical Transcription Service Organization - (no message)

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Ayashi This may help you - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I wish I could help you. If I met you in person, here is what I would offer:

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.

Please carefully consider the part about choosing a school. I truly hope it can help you. Best of luck!

Most important skill for MT - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I got my first MT job with ZERO training in medical transcription. I was hired at a local physician's office based strictly on STRONG English skills.

That is the absolute #1 skill you MUST have to make it in this field.

Most MTs don't work for physicians, and the jobs require much more than you described - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You are right that strong English skills are a prerequisite for MT success, but if you stop there, you aren't going very far. Physicians sometimes hire medical typists and train them to do a limited type of report, but anyone who comes out of a job like that isn't prepared for the typical MT job. I agree though that English skills are imperative! You are correct about that.

Strong English skills are the foundation - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
If you read through the OP's comments you will see why I emphasized English skills. You can have a certificate and know the medical terminology but if you lack English skills, you are doomed as an MT.

Obviously, my point was not that English skills were all that was needed, but it is the most BASIC skill you absolutely MUST possess.

Exactly! - We agree

[ In Reply To ..]
Excellent point.

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