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

Insight needed - Jess

Posted: Jan 15, 2010

I have been reading your posts for sometime now and I can’t imagine how much this field has changed for some of you who are veterans. I have been considering going to Career Step through a partnership program they have with Fayetville Technical Community College.

I would like some insight from those who are MT’s. I do not expect to make the salary I am making now working in the legal field but what I am looking for (besides wanting to get away from lawyers) is flexibility in my work schedule and still be able to bring home some money in the process. My family and I move every 4 years due to my husbands military career and job hunting along with a salary cut every 4 years because I need to learn a new states law tends to be tiring to say the least.

I guess what I am asking is, is it possible to still enter this field and still bring in decent money? ( I use the term decent loosely). Any insight would be great.

Thanks!

Jessica

MT and military spouses - some info

[ In Reply To ..]
Do a google search for medical transcription and military spouse. There are several websites that offer information. I did a quick search and found a website that even offers a scholarship for military wives wanting to learn MT (see link below). I assume there are forums out there so that you could communicate with other military spouses regarding training and working. I believe the AHDI has an initiative. Also on the M-TEC forum is a special group for military spouses. I think Career Step also has something specifically for military spouses, but you would have to research that.

Regarding the income. I don't know what you mean by "decent money." I am happy with the money I am making, but I don't know if you would be. Many things play a role regarding how much you can make. Is there enough work to begin with? Difficult dictators and account guidelines? Have to look up many addresses? Working on an account with hundreds of dictators or only a few? The list of things that affect production is long. My experience has been to stay away from the big national companies and work for the small MTSOs. There will always be the risk that the company you work for loses the account you are working on. That has happened to me twice. Depending on how many other accounts that company has or whether they can find new accounts, you can either stay with that company or have to move on. I have never had a problem finding a new job. I work as an IC, and all I have to adhere to is the TAT (turnaround time), which gives me plenty of flexibility.

I am happy to work at home as an MT and really enjoy it. I am lucky that my husband is retired from the Navy, and we don't need my income to survive, which takes the pressure off of me to have to produce a certain amount to make ends meet. I also don't have to worry about health insurance or other benefits.

Hope this info helps.

Thank you - Jess

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you.

I have looked into what Career Step offers for the Military but at the Community College they charge $175.00 each for their two part training of the Career Step platinum program with the exact same benefits and certificate from Career Step.

My husband only has 9 years left before he reaches the 30yr mark for retirement. By decent money I mean between $700-$1,000 monthly. I consider that to be decent since I will have more time with my kids and family. I am a lot like you in not needing my income to make ends meet but more for paying smaller bills or everyday necessities. I assumed this would be a good career since we will be transferring a couple more times prior to his retirement and cut down on the anxiety of trying to find a yet another new job. I just keep reading posts from other MTâ��s saying how terrible the industry is (and will continue to get) and got a little worried if Iâ��m making the right move.

Thanks again!

Monthly income - some info

[ In Reply To ..]
It should not be a problem to make the amount you stated. Based on working 20 days a month, you want to make $35-$50 a day. That is reasonable and definitely possible. There often are clinics/hospitals on the military bases. Have you ever spoken to someone there? Maybe they would have some info or tips for you.

You will find negative statements on various message boards, but compared to the number of working MTs, I believe the percentage of critics is small. I am not saying that everything is fantastic in the world of MT, but there are possibilities.

It is hard to say where this profession is headed. Some say the EMR/EHR is destroying it. Well, I have worked for a few MTSOs that take the transcribed report and put it into the EMR/EHR. Sort of like copy and paste. I have heard from MTSOs that some of the doctors they have went to VR just to go back to transcription. All kinds of things are happening. There is a large number of small to mid-size MTSOs out there. I would definitely try to find a job with one of them instead of a large national company.

You said you have worked for lawyers. Why not do legal transcription? You already have the legal experience, and I assume you can type. Ever look into that?

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

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