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

Just completed my MT courses. Now what??? - jna

Posted: Apr 27, 2010

I just completed my Medical Transcription course through Penn Foster. When I first decided I wanted to become an MT it was the being able to work from home and being home with my young son that was my deciding factor. Now after completing the course and getting an idea of what all is involved, I'm a little insecure about it all. I did ok in my courses, but being just "ok" isn't gonna cut it in the real world where the reports are not just for testing purposes, but for REAL people. I don't want to be responsible for making a mistake on their record and take the chance that the insurance be billed wrong or worse, the patient recieving the wrong treatment or medication! I really think I need some on-site experience working in an office under someone before I would really feel comfortable working on my own at home. If there was a way I could work at home and have live support when I came across a term or something I didn't understand or have someone double check my work before it goes out, that would be perfect. But unfortunately, I don't think that kind of support exists. : (

I literally just finished my schoolwork as of yesterday and my final two grades haven't even posted yet, but I need to know where to go from here. I'm ready to put my time and money spent on my education to use! I have a resume, but no cover letter yet. Any suggestions or helpful advice? Thanks!

well - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
to ease your fears a little, if you can find a job that hires new graduates, many places put new hires on full QA from anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks. They have someone check every single report that goes out.

However, I would strongly suggest you try to get on at at your hospital if you can. They will give you the best training and feedback, and will be more willing to hire new grads.

Thanks for the info - jna

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for the info! I'm still a little nervous because what happens after that "couple of days or couple of weeks"? I know it would take me longer than that to be good enough to make it on my own. I fell in the trap of being a single mom who wanted a quick, inexpensive education for a good paying career that can be done from home. Now over a year and nearly a thousand dollars later, I am feeling so unprepared and wishing I hadn't cut corners. (And I'm still terrible with commas!) But what's done is done and I need to make the most of what I DID learn. Besides, like you said if I get a job at a hospital I will get more training.

I did apply at my local hospital several months ago and told them I was taking MT courses and was almost done. I made follow-up calls and they would just blow me off. So I think by now I've got the hint they don't want me. My next plan of attack is to get my resume out to all the doctor's offices and clinics in my area. I would like to work for one of them for awhile until I feel comfortable enough to work from home. Just hope there's something out there. Even if I have to do non-MT related work, like patient registration or something, at least I will have my foot in the door and it will help build my medical terminology!

Thanks again for your advice!

To Be A Beginning Medical Transcriptionist: Some Hints - On Having a 4.0 GPA

[ In Reply To ..]
Let's say you have two brand new MTs and both of them have a 4.0 GPA. One went through a course taught by successful MTs and got a huge amount of transcription practice while the other one got lots of theory, tons of medical terminology, but less practical transcription experience. In fact, the second one only transcribed reports that had been dictated by paid actors or sometimes 'read by' doctors, which is entirely different than being dictated by real doctors. The second one got grades, but no really detailed feedback and has no confidence at all.

The first one will test well and probably will be placed at a higher level from the beginning and will be given raises more frequently than those with less transcription experience.

The second one, with what you might call an inferior education, heavy on theory and short on practical transcription experience, has a problem. One solution would be to try for a job in a doctor's office, somewhere outside the home where there are other duties in addition to the transcription. Then, over time, that person will be able to build the experience needed for the better jobs and maybe even work from home over time.

That's just one scenario. It may not fit your circumstances, but it may be spot on for some other readers.

yep - jna

[ In Reply To ..]
Yep. I think the second one is exactly where I'm heading! Thanks for your input!

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