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

Is this profession even worth it? - txgirl

Posted: Nov 19, 2010

I have to say this is my first time to this website and I am deeply discouraged by the forums I have read because it sounds like this line of work is basically dying a slow death. I am currently enrolled in a community college and am about to finish getting my certificate ( I am in my last class which is practice/internship) to become a Medical Transcriptionist but I'm beginning to wonder if it was worth it? I already had fears because of accounts going offshore and EMRs but reading some of the posts just confirms my fears. It sounds like unless your a veteran don't waste your time. The idea of working at home is not realistic anymore (which is why I got into this profession in the first place). Even working in an office doesn't seem to make much more money than someone working without a certificate at any job. It's very frustrating because it took me a while to get through all of these courses only to find out there's really nothing out there anymore. I don't have the time to start over and go back to school for a completely new certificate/degree in something else. Even if I do get a job it sounds like I shouldn't get too comfortable or secure because the first people to go in an office are the transcriptionists when there are budget cuts. I don't mean to be such a downer but it's hard to look on the upside of everything I've been realizing lately. Is it worth getting into coding and billing? Some of the classes I have taken are the same so I would only need about 6 extra classes to do that.

Sorry for the rant. I'm nervous and scared because I used up so much time and money only to find there's no jobs for a newbie. Even the job postings say things like "No newbies" or they want "---- years of experience". Thanks ahead of time for any advice and listening to my rant!

Not worth it - Disappointed

[ In Reply To ..]
I went through the Careerstep course. Had a job in 2 days after graduating. Problem is that the pay is so low I can't see how anyone can make a living. Most of the companies are VR now. They pay about .025 cents per line. I'm pretty fast and my QC reports come back 99-100% and I'm making about $2 per hour!! forget this profession and move on - that's what I'm doing.

There is a wide range and some do better than others - as with in any career

[ In Reply To ..]
It's easy to pick up a job really fast, but not all of those pay well or are worth having. Some are though and some medical transcriptionists are doing very well. We are definitely seeing a 'culling out' period right now. It used to be that people would tell each other how great it was to sit around in their 'jammies', take care of their children, watch a few soaps, do a little bit of laundry, and crank out as many lines as possible with the distractions of friends calling to chat or coming over for coffee. Those times are over. There is no doubt about it. The jobs that are left take more expertise, focus, and it is definitely not a job to do in your spare time.

Thanks for the insight... - txgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
I never went into this profession thinking I could sit around all day and maybe spend 2 hours a day then get paid a great salary. I always knew that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is so I never bought into the "flexible schedule" stuff they always push. I've always been a hard worker so I'm not afraid of putting in my dues. I just hope someone gives me a chance and I'm also nervous about what it's like to actually work the job because I know school can only prepare you so much...

the flexible schedule depends on the job - sm - BTMT

[ In Reply To ..]
If true IC you can work whenever as long as the work is in by deadline. I can work any time I want as long as I meet the MTSOs TAT requirement. I split mine up as working 8 solid hours just won't work me and my kid's schedules. I work late nights a lot, or get up very early sometimes in order to meet TAT. But I get it done and still can be there for my family, though really tired sometimes, and tend to nap on some days during the day when I have no work coming in. Obviously if you work as an employee you do not have the flexiibilty unless you work a split shift (did that too, hated it). IC is what works best for me and it all depends on what you need in a MT job. Everyone is different in their needs and wants in that respect.

billing/coding - nycmt

[ In Reply To ..]
i agree with everything you've said, about the future, the difficulty finding work, etc.

i know the whole situation totally sucks, but if i were you, i'd get those 6 extra classes and try for a billing/coding career. at least you'll have a lot of clerical medical education behind you, so someone will see that on a resume and might be impressed.

one worst case scenarios? you get hired in patient registration at a hospital, you make more money than you would transcribing from home for an MTSO, the benefits are better, etc. and work your way into a billing/coding job.

best case? someone hires you as a newbie for billing (or transcription, since now you'd have both opportunities).

good luck! it's tough out there!

But remember the huge difference between a billing job and a professional coding position - Big Difference

[ In Reply To ..]
If you decide to go into billing, not much training is needed or even expected or recognized. Coding is a whole different animal. You'll want more than a few lessons in coding with lots of extra 'non-coding' topics thrown in to beef up the class. If you go for coding, go for solid training that prepares you for certification, which is what employers (hospitals that pay benefits, etc.,) want. If you want a quick fix, go for a quick community college course in something like Medical Assistant or Medical Administrative Assistant. It all depends on if you want a long-term career or something fast and with less potential for future job growth.

An interesting talk from a Medical Assistant who knows as much (she says) as the nurses and doctors - Choices

[ In Reply To ..]
I went to a meeting where the community college chose a "successful" graduate talking about how much she loves her job as a Medical Assistant. I was really impressed until she started sharing what she was taught. The school representatives sat there beaming as she went on telling about her experience and selling the course for them.

She was taught that as a Medical Assistant, she knew as much as not only the nurses, but the doctors. She was qualified, she said, to do those jobs, because that's what her instructors had taught her. That's just a sign of the times these days. Whatever courses you take, make sure that the people teaching you didn't 'just graduate' and start teaching. Make sure they have a few years of success behind them in what they are teaching you to do. Also make sure they have a reasonable expectation of what the job is. For example, it was insane to think that this woman who just finished a community college course in medical assisting should be told she knows as much and can do the job of the doctors and nurses. Where is the common sense?!

Also, before you tell me that this is one person with a weird outlook, NO! She is the one the school chose to represent the school in promoting that career field.

Thanks for the advice - txgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
That's the way I was looking at it because I figured even if I don't necessarily get a job in my field maybe it will get me noticed and I could still get a good job somewhere. I was also worried about the stability because I always hear about medical transcriptionist being the first to go at an office so I guess I'll just have to see.

My perspective - Another MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been a transcriptionist for 35 years. I have worked at home and on site and currently work on site. I would have to ask you what your expectations were when you decided go become a transcriptionist. One thing you need to know is that no one who is inexperienced begins at the top of the pay scale, and that is true in any job. I would have to say that working at home can be difficult and I would not recommend it for a beginner. It's straight production and it would be difficult to meet your line count and QC expectations. I would suggest trying to find something with a clinic, hospital or doctor's office on site at an hourly wage until you learn what you are doing, then try to work at home. I don't mean to sound harsh but there's a big difference between school and the workplace. Take what they offer you, be thankful for the opportunity and learn all you can. The jobs are still out there, my local hospital has 2 openings now. Take what you read on the message boards with a grain of salt, there are a lot of basically unhappy people here. When I first started working fresh out of school I was hired as a "trainee" in a hospital transcription department. I got paid very little but was eager to learn and stayed with that employer for 5 years. That experience opened up a lot of opportunities for me and I've had some really great jobs. I'm not giving up on transcription because I love it, and still learn new things every day. If money was what motivated you in the first place, you are definitely in the wrong field. I'm sorry to say but coding is difficult too and the work at home opportunities there are even less than for transcription. If you are at a community college, find out if they have a placement office, perhaps they can help you find your first job. You may need to go door to door, landing a job is hard work. Good luck with whatever you decide.

nycmt and Another MT make very good points. - My 2 cents

[ In Reply To ..]
You did not say how old you are or what prior experience you have; however, you seem to be dedictated to some type of work in the medical field to put in the time and money that you already have. If you are looking to work at home because you have small children, the reality is that you are not going to make much money, but perhaps you do not need to if it is more important that you stay at home. Do know that if you choose to pursue a career in this field at home, it will be a long time before you make "good" money. There are so many specialties to learn, BOS to learn, and then the different company platforms, VR, and account specifics. This is not impossible, but hard. You seem dedicated and motivated so perhaps you should try this job market before moving on to something else since you have already invested time and money into it. You will soon find out if this is for you or not. If not, and if you are still young enough, then as a previous poster said, go for those additional 6 credits and look for a job in-house.

MT professon - HappyMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been an MT for 25+ years. Yes, these boards are discouraging most days. Yes, I'm employed my MQ and yes I'm earning a decent living and happy with my job. Its not a piece of cake however, I work "harder" now than I ever have to make that decent wage and simply exhausted at the end of my shift. I "usually" have plenty of work and even offered OT occasionally. I do agree, however, that getting your certificate does NOT prepare you for this job market and only after several years of actual work experience can you become very fluent with the naunces of dictation and specialty fields. This only comes with several years of typing. Get your experience in an "on-site" location where there will be another set of "ears" to help. Ya will no doubt need it for a minimum of 3-4 years. Good luck!

Age & Experience - txgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
I am 24-years-old and have no work experience but I am working in a simulated work environment/Capstone for my final class to earn my Medical Transcription certificate. I do have a 6-year-old that is in school so I thought working at home would allow me to still be available for my daughter and get my work done while she was at school. Money is definitely an issue because I'm recently divorced and don't have too many people to depend on so that's why I thought this was an option. I never thought it would be easy or I would make ridiculously good money but I thought it would be a start and I could work my way up. I'm really nervous about what work will really be like, whether I'm working at home or in an office. I need a job that offers stability and I'm worried since everything is going offshore, speech recognition, or EMRs will basically steal my job before I can really begin. Thanks for the advice.

Expections - txgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
I understand that to get good pay you have to work your way up. I never went into this profession thinking I would be making a whole lot of money especially being a newbie. I also understand what you are saying about school and real work experience being two different animals. That's another concern I have because I don't know what to expect when I start out, whether it be in an office or at home? As I stated in another post I don't buy into the whole "make your own hours and get paid good money" stuff, I've learned that if it sounds too good to be true it usually is. I didn't get into this thinking I could sit around all day.
Unfortunately my school doesn't offer job placement so I'm on my own.
Thanks for the advice.

on the money side of things when you do land - sm - BTMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I doubt you will make more than $1K a month. I think I made $700 a month at first, took me 8 years to work up to $2500 a month-- part of that is experience the other is finding a job that clicked with me. So obviously if you have to live off of this on your own, it is just not possible unless you are living rent-free and your ex is paying you good child support, which I really hope is the case.

That's true. Some schools don't help at all, probably for good reason - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Schools either have people who hire their graduates or they don't. Well, some of them have people who will almost automatically, with no testing, hire their graduates at very low pay with absolutely no chance for future advancement and experience that won't help in future jobs. If your school has no job placement assistance at all, it's probably because they can't find employers who are willing to hire their graduates. Short courses/community college MT courses usually don't provide placement help for that reason.

No...sm - SassyPants

[ In Reply To ..]
I went back to school in 2005 for MT. I wanted to "stay at home and be a mom but still make money for myself with an "easy" job". Quote unquote.

Graduated 2007. Was offered an in-house position with the hospital I interned with but turned them down to stay home. STUPID! They pay hourly and benefits.

Got another offer in-house. Turned that one down b/c it paid less than my office job. STUPID!

Got 1st "big break" in 2008 with 1st MTSO as an IC. Working weekends, holidays, no benefits, first paycheck was less than $100. STUPID!

Got "2nd chance" with current MTSO. Paid $10/hr during 90-day probation, and have yet to make that now since switching to production pay. Only Pro is the insurance benefits.

I, too, even had it in my head that I was going to not work in an office anymore and stay home with my babies and work PT and make a little extra money and the whole June Cleaver life.

Well, no babies to date either.

Told every nay-sayer that they were wrong about EMR and VR taking our jobs away, very angry and defensive about this profession, and now I couldn't agree with them more.

I originally wanted to go back to school for x-ray tech (or whatever the PC term is) but was told that profession was even worse. IDK if it is or not.

Fast forward to 2010 and I'm miserable. I left a $14/hr office job with a 1-hour drive to stay home b/c I wanted to not drive in the winter anymore and save alot on gas and etc, but now I wish I could go back there.

I even tried applying back at the TWO hospitals that offered me in-house that I turned down BOTH to stay home. STUPID AGAIN!! and I couldn't get back into either one.

So my advice is either A) Do not enter this profession at all especially at home or B) Only work in-house!

Unless you're a "real housewife" of some big city, you will not make any kind of life for yourself with this (lack of) income.

Both MT and coding are very hard to break into - sm - BTMT

[ In Reply To ..]
now unless you have friend in MT or coding already that can get you into where they work. I have been doing it for close 10 years and it was hard then but not as hard as it is now. I got very lucky and landed my first job about 6 weeks after completing my MT program after applying to about 30 places (and in case you don't know you will just a have a certificate in MT, not be a certified MT, totally different things). But if you have no connections/networked friends in MT then you will have a hard time, not impossible of course, just very hard. You will need to just apply, apply and apply, take as many tests as possible and just keep pushing until someone gives you a chance. My work will hire newbies rarely. I was able to get a friend a job with my MTSO due to my recommendation but otherwise I doubt she would have been able to find one quite so easily. My previous employer hired newbies too (was one of my first IC jobs) but they unfortunately lost their hospital account about 18-months ago to Medquist and went out of business due to that. They are out there, just hard to find. Someone listed on here recently MTSOs that hire newbies, look for that posting and see if you have any luck there.

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