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

MT as career change choice - chesh

Posted: Sep 06, 2010

Hi, I hope you don't mind a visitor from the outside

I'm here because I need to change careers. I'm 59 , female, single, and have done one career all my life which has been clinical social work/mental health counseling.

I'm burned out with this career and alot has indicated that medical transcription might suit me.

Where do I begin?

What training do I need?

Do I need training at all? (this may sound dumb)

What schools are the best? Online versus on campus?

Do any schools guarantee placement after graduation?

Is there grant or scholarship money available for a senior single female?

Is there a job market for this field now? Of course, I know our economy is making everything tough.

I have to change careers . Mine is no longer healthy for me. I'm presently out on disability because of this.

I'd appreciate any guidance any of you may have to offer. Thank you so much!

chesh

Ha, ha, ha. You must be outsider who doesnt read this board. - Or is this a joke? Someone is VERY funny nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

HA ha ha - chesh

[ In Reply To ..]
I wrote that I was an outsider, rude one.
I have read some of your postings and they make the world of MT sound like the apocalypse.

Chesh - Vandy

[ In Reply To ..]
The people here are only telling you the truth, trying to save you from wasting your time and money on a dying career. Become a contractor, become an opera singer, become a race car driver, become anything but an MT. In 1995 I made 90K. In 2009 I made 41K for working twice as hard. I am an old vet with lots of experience and I quite honestly would not recommend this career with the state of the industry and the economy. I could not live with myself for leading people astray. You asked for advice and yet seem angry when people tell you their truth about their own experience here in the trenches. Not a good sign. I hope you find what you are looking for.

I have to agree with poster above. You've got to be kidding. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Unless your intent at this stage of your life is to become a member of the working poor while spending the majority of your waking day, weekends, and holidays working and under a lot of stress, this may not be the career for you. There are a few people still having success in this field, but I suggest that you read through the archives and see the general experience of those working in this profession. I don't think that you're going to like what you read. Good luck. :(

If a school "guarantees" placement, run the other way - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
This is something the worst of the worst do to bring in students.

To Chesh re: MT as a career - Rocky Raccoon

[ In Reply To ..]
Hello Chesh,

I'll answer your questions one at a time:

Q: Where do I begin?
A: You have to begin in school, such as at a career college. Research these carefully, as not all of them are on the up-and-up. Some will "guarantee" that you'll make $40-60K a year, but that is not too likely anymore. I've been in this profession for over 30 years, and long ago made about $45K a year. Now it's more like $19-20K.

Q: What training do I need?
A: You need to understand computers, Microsoft Word (and sometimes, though rarely, Word Perfect). You need to be familiar with the Internet, sending and receiving files, etc. You need to be extremely proficient in English. Your hearing should be extremely acute. You will probably end up learning anatomy, some biology and physiology in your classes, in addition to medical terminology and practice work transcribing actual medical dictation. If you have any Greek or Latin in your background education, it can be very helpful.

Q: Do I need training at all? (this may sound dumb).
A: No, not dumb. But yeah, you'll need training, and lots of it, before you'll be able to get a job. Competition in the field is fierce right now, and employers can take their pick.

Q: What schools are the best? Online versus on campus?
A: I don't know the answer to that, since times have changed since I went to night school at an occupational school. Other posters here may have a better handle on which schools are out there, what they cost, and whether or not they are reputable. (Many are NOT).

Regardless of whether you study in class, online, or both, it will only give you the basics. Most of what you learn in this job, you learn on the job. Therein lies the catch-22: Most companies want 1-2 years of experience before they'll hire you. Getting the experience is the tough part. There are a couple large MTSOs out there who will take on newbies fresh out of school, but the pay will be very low. Still, I guess it's a foot in the door, if MT-ing is something you're determined to do.

Q: Do any schools guarantee placement after graduation?
A: Again, I think others can answer this better than I can, but based on what I've read on this site, especially on the "New MT" board, most of them just turn you loose once you graduate, and don't help with placement.

Q: Is there grant or scholarship money available for a senior single female?
A: I don't know if things like grants or scholarships are available. If there are such things available to you, however, I would STRONGLY suggest another line of work. MT is drying up. The work is drying up, because much of it is going to voice recognition (VR) or being offshored to Third World Countries, where people will do the work for far less than U.S. workers. QA and VR editing jobs are gradually going overseas, as well.

Q: Is there a job market for this field now? Of course, I know our economy is making everything tough.
A: There's a market, but most of the employers out there want to have their cake and eat it, too. They want highly skilled, experienced MTs working for them, but they don't want to pay for it. Pay has not increased in the last 20 years, it has GONE DOWN. Most MTs will tell you they're now making about half of what they were just 10 or 12 years ago. I'm making less than half of what I was making just 6 years ago. If you like to type medical stuff, and don't actually NEED the money you earn, and consider MT more of a hobby than a career, then it might work for you. If you're single (and you say you are), unless you're getting alimony, or have come into an inheritance, etc.), you'll be working long hours, 6-7 days a week, without much to show for it but a lot of unpaid bills and a steadily-lowering quality of life. Those of us still in MT are hoping like crazy that SOMETHING will happen to turn things around, to take the work back from India and bring it home, or to take the work away from the middleman (MTSO) and put it back inhouse at hospitals and clinics, but who knows if that will happen. Even if it does happen someday, it likely won't be soon enough for me. I'm going under even as I write this. I have $1.87 in my savings account, and $0 in my checking account until next payday.

Q: I have to change careers. Mine is no longer healthy for me. I'm presently out on disability because of this.
A: I'm 61. I always loved the security of MT in the past, and knowing that I could get a job anywhere, anytime. Those days are past, and I, too, desperately need to get a new career, before I end up with nothing.

My strongest advice, if you're just starting out, already have some work-related health/stress problems, and would have a couple years of school ahead of you before even getting your foot in the door in medical transcription, is DON'T.

I agree with Rocky Raccoon..... - justme

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been a MT for close to 30 years. I also went from making $40+/year to $35 last year BUT that was working 60+ hours/week and 2 to 3 weekends a month. This field has gone downhill. I'm being truthful. You need to read the boards. Companies overhire, run out of work and you are NOT compensated for downtime. I worry about the future of MT and the fact I may not have a job in a few years in this field. I am 52.

MT as a career - Chesh

[ In Reply To ..]
Rocky R, Thank you for taking the time to answer all those questions and to give me your recommendation!!!! Hugs.

And all the best for you!

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO - RUN from this career..NOT HEALTHY EITHER... - McDonalds is just as good or better..nm

[ In Reply To ..]
:(

For some it is awful, but for others, it's the best option out there - Thinking Out Loud

[ In Reply To ..]
Obviously there are a lot of people who should never have gotten into MT at all and others for which it was fine once but doesn't work now. There are others who have checked out all the options available and found that it works better for them than anything else. Which group you would fall in is impossible to say, since we know nothing about your abilities, skills, motivation, personal situation, environment, etc.

There are really great MTs and some awful ones and not much way to tell the difference - My take on why so many do poorly

[ In Reply To ..]
There is no way to know if you would be one of the successful MTs or one of those who just barely hang on to a job. It's definitely getting to be the survival of the fittest out there.

Career changes - Dont choose MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Feel free to email me for specifics, but moving into MT at this point in time is not the best choice UNLESS you understand what being an MT truly is.

You must have an extensive knowledge of anatomy, excellent verbal skills, an "ear" for understanding foreign dialects saying foreign (medical) words.

You must be content to sit at your computer for sometimes 8-10-12 hours a day.

Part of the job is keyboarding (typing) the translated data, but a majority of it has become proofreading (editing) work done either by offshore concerns (India, Pakistan, Phillippines) or by a speech recognition program.

There are no standards in the industry at this point in time. So you are paid by the line, but need the line defined EVERY time, very clearly and very verifiably.

There are many different platforms used by many different companies and you must be prepared to learn (and retain) the functions of each.

There are no standard specifications for accounts so you need to learn these for each account you are assigned and retain these. You may need to learn 4-5 accounts in order to stay busy enough to earn a living.

Earning a living-- I'm in the social work arena as well -- I get the burn-out. HOWEVER, as someone just starting out in transcription you will be looking at $20k or LESS your first year of working with slow increases after that (increases because you got faster, not because you were paid more). It may take you 5 years or more to make $35-40k.

The field is being impacted significantly by technology. Only the absolute best will be employed in the positions which still pay well. The rest will be working for nominal pay (3-5 cents per line).

The major reason I hear of people wanting to do MT is because they want to work at home. In times past, I would say that was a significant enough reason to deal with the downside of the field. I no longer think this is so. In order to make a full time salary, many MTs are working the equivalent of 50-60 hours a week. Because you work at home, many employers expect you to be available when THEY need you as opposed to when YOU need them.

I'd look into some other options if I were you, but if you are still interested, the Andrews School gives you a solid education and they seem to have a successful network in helping new MTs get hired.

Don't choose MT - chesh

[ In Reply To ..]
Ah, fellow burnout buddy!

Much obliged for this info. wonder if the circus is still in town.

If you want to be poor and stressed this is the job for you! - old and frustrated

[ In Reply To ..]
Wal-Mart, McDonald's or my personal favorite Barnes and Noble would be far better choices. I'm 57 and just hanging on another year (or two) until I can retire. If my husband didn't make a very good living - I'd be living in a cardboard box with a very long extension cord about now. Don't believe the hype - there really is little future in this business.

MT Job-Positive side - jeannieb

[ In Reply To ..]
Chesh, Try your local community college or a trade school near you. Find out what type of placement help they will give you. Then you can make a decision. I am 65, a newby who finished in May 2010 & I got a job in July 2010 with a local company. The pay isn't great, but working from home is a big plus. There are many nay-sayers on this board. I basically ignore them. MT is a good profession, but the jobs are a bit difficult to get, and the industry is moving toward voice recognition editing. You might want to check if your local school trains you for that. Don't just enroll in an internet school. You will need placement help after you take the course, and a local school can help you.

Positive side - chesh

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks Jeannie. I thought there would be no end to being stoned.
I really appreciate the information and supportive words!!!
AMEN :-)

Welcome to the world of MT message boards. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
d

positive side - Viva

[ In Reply To ..]
chesh, I finished the basic MT course in March, passed the RMT in June, and am still working on specialties.
I have had five interviews already. Two were for transcription in house (more like data entry), one was for health editor, and two were for non-medical editor/proofreader jobs.
I am starting coding class next week.
It doesn't hurt to have a MT/terminology background. Be sure to look for more than just MT work, though. There are other kinds of transcription to do, and you will need to scour job sites (mods here won't let me list them; I would have to email you) to find jobs. They do exist.

If you think your job is unhealthy, try being an MT sm - webba

[ In Reply To ..]
seeing "no jobs available" all day and night while your bills go unpaid.

Sick and tired - broke MT

[ In Reply To ..]
of sitting on an account that was deliberately overstaffed, and asking why this is...and being told to go take a break. E-V-E-R-Y time.

Similar Messages:

Dec 09, 2012

If you are considering being a transcriptionist, do not waste your time, it is career suicide. There is no money in this field of work anymore and it is all going over seas where the people are paid practically nothing. ...

Apr 14, 2013

I would have in the past, but not any more. Unless I really hated the person and wanted to see them totally fail in life. ...

Jun 25, 2011

I am considering taking classes for MT as I am ready for a change in my life. As I am looking into MT I have come across several questions that I want to ask to save myself the stress, etc. of preparing to start something that may not be what I am looking for. I see the different schools listed that others have recommended and yet I also see where my local community college offers course in MT. In your opinion would the courses there be suffice to work as a MT? For those working as MT, what do ...

Jul 10, 2012

I've been doing medical transcription for 17 years now. It used to be a good field to get into and good pay, but as the medical transcription field seems to be slowly phasing out and it's getting harder to make a decent living as we are getting lower wages and less work, I've been thinking about going back to school and getting a bachelor's in health informatation managment or administration. I already have an assosciate's degree, but I would like to know wha ...

Dec 16, 2012

I have been doing transcription for 30 years. I am fed up with it. I started working in a hospital and was making $17 an hr when they decided to lay us off. Then we went contract with the company the hospital was using at .10 cpl. Then, in October, we found out that Nuance had taken over. Now I am making .8 cpl. I want to make a career change. I have been sending out applications since August, probably close to 30 or more, with no interviews at all, no calls, nothing. I think all they see is all ...

Dec 15, 2009

I've finally made myself accept the fact that medical transcription is never going to return to its former state and have been wondering in what other field I have an interest and could once again earn a decent living. Does anyone on the forum have any paralegal or legal secretary experience? I've been researching this field online and have found a few on-line courses but, as with MT, I know I have to be really careful which course I choose and from whom. If anyone h ...

Aug 24, 2011

I've been a medical transcriptionst for 25 years (most of that time working at home)...I can't believe how much money I am losing....I used to think that I would never go back into an office/hospital to work because I wouldn't be making enough money. Now, I am at my wits end. My pay has literally been cut in half, no thanks to EMR/VR. I am at a loss as to what to do...should I change careers (at age 49) or keep doing what I'm doing, while getting further and ...

Sep 24, 2011

I was a medical transcriptionist for 9 years, working from home. Two years ago, I left the field and took an opportunity elsewhere. At the time, it was a better opportunity financially. It turns out that this position is not what I thought it was going to be. The money is nice, but the stress and the job itself are making me miserable! When I quit transcribing 2 years ago, I was making about 0.9 cents/line and only working part-time. My current position pays a ...

Jan 29, 2012

I have been working at an OBGYN office for 10 months now and for reasons I'd rather not get into, I am having issues with my MT supervisor. I love MT work. I do feel it is the right niche for me. However, my LPH is under 100 and I do not feel that I am getting enough work to improve my speed. I am still new and still learning. I'm starting to wonder if I might be better off setting up a home office and trying to get on with a company like Medquist or something. I am getting paid on ...

Jun 06, 2012

Hello! I just found this board and am hoping for some advice. I will give you some background information first. I am a LPN, but have been a SAHM only for nearly 4 years. I actually left the profession because of burn-out, and my husbands job allowed be to stay home. I love being home, but I'm feeling a bit restless. I'd like to start contributing a bit financially, without huge committments. (I am VP of my kids' PTA and I keep plenty busy in many aspects). Last w ...

Jan 29, 2010

Makes sense to me; I'd opt to be an electrician (if I can't get on disability). Automotive technicians and mechanics repair and maintain automobiles and light trucks. Motorists need these services near their homes and businesses, meaning this hands-on work would be pretty hard for someone in another country to do. So rest easy. This job is staying close to home. Training is a 6-month or 1-year automotive repair certificate program or a 2-year associate degree program.& ...

Aug 02, 2011

I've been an MT for 10 years but for the past year I have been in school working towards an AA degree in Health Information Management. I would like to be an RHIT and do coding somewhere. However, I like it but not enough to want to do this for the rest as my life as I am only 34. I love the medical field and want to stay in it but am thinking of switching my major. I think maybe switching to LPN and then eventually become an RN. I think that I might enjoy working with people more ...

Aug 09, 2011

I've decided I am getting out of MTing. The two options I am interested are completely different yet in the medical field which I love. First is health information management, 2-year degree. Would like to be a coder but worried it will end up like MT in 10 years. Second is becoming an LPN and then down the road an RN. I am in my early 30s and I've got a long work life ahead of me but want to be happy! Which way to go? ...

Feb 02, 2013

Currently hold Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. Worked as executive admin asst for past 15 years. Considering going to Andrews on line MT school. Is this a good investment and career change for me or should I look into something else? Like the ability to possibly work from home. Also, which school is best choice for finding work at home job (Andrews, Career Step, Mtec, etc..)??? ...

Dec 22, 2013

Anybody got any ideas for a career change for someone that has been doing medical transcription for 20 years? ...

Mar 06, 2014

My son is attending massage therapy training and will be done the end of June. He will be making more money than I will be once working. It only took a year. He is going for another year to earn an AA, but will start working and go to school at night. It's kind of expensive, but I think it would be a rewarding career. There is an extensive anatomy course that we MTs would breeze through, so I thought I would pass this suggestion on. I realize some of you are in remote areas and thi ...

Mar 11, 2015

The last one on here wanted to charge $497 for a 3-month package of some junk book and phone coaching and followup coaching sessions. I've got her email. I'd hate to find out what her "expanded " package costs. You can find all the same information on line yourself for free. How much time have you already spent job searching on line? Don't waste your money with these people and your time. Use your time wisely yourself. You could also lik ...

Mar 05, 2012

Anyone have problems passing Career Step MT testing. ...

Dec 08, 2011

If you could go back in time, would you still be a coder? I guess I'm just curious if the "Oh, I wish I had done something different" sentiment is a prevalent here as it is in MT. If you wouldn't change a thing, what is it that you really love about your work? If you hate coding and what you do, what would you do instead? ...

Jan 11, 2010

I found a company called Physicians Choice Transcription Service (PCTSI) which says they take newbies but you pay them money weekly as a payroll deduction. You start out paying them $100/week. Does anyone know anything about this kind of service? I've been looking for work for weeks and have seen several places want "start up costs" in the thousands, but never a place that takes $100 a week from your pay when you work for them. http://www.pcts1.com/Employment.htm Has it ...

Sep 08, 2010

I work 7 days a week because I WANT to and I like the money I make doing that. I have a daily personal goal that far exceeds what MTSO expects. I resent that I have to share my lines with on-and-off IC who just pops in whenever. Expecially when they pop in at the end of a pay period trying to get all their lines in 3 days. The MTSO knows when I am going to log on and she knows she can count on me. I should not have to share MY lines with an irresponsible sometimes IC. ...

May 18, 2012

any info good or bad appreciated. Thank you ...

Mar 12, 2013

How many started working for Mmodal because of their choice and how many because Mmodal bought out the company they were working for?? ...

Oct 02, 2013

I see they have an ad on the other site and don't see their name often so I'm hopeful! ...

May 25, 2015

Hello fellow MTs, In July, the only Acute Care Hospitals left in my area have been taken over by Nuance. Everything in my area has been taken over, as the rest of the country. Basically, only the BIG GUYS are left anymore. They are eating up the rest of the smaller transcription companies. I have been a transcriptionist since the age of 21, back in the typewriter days. I am now going to be 54 and have to stick it out until hopefully 60s. I worked for MedQuist a few years ba ...

Jun 11, 2015

Keystrokes or TransPortal? Both are running ads and I was just wondering which one would be the better choice. TIA! ...

Jan 08, 2010

Does anyone currently work for First Choice Medical of Florida? I have a question. ...

Feb 10, 2010

If you want information on Clear Choice Transcription out of Pittsburgh please search the archives for Davis Transcription. **** had been kicked out of her own company and started a new one, Clear Choice Transcription. Don't be fooled by this con artist and her side kick,****. Davis Transcription is now run by a reputable business owner and the name changed to tMedica. **** No names, please. Email names if you wish. **** ...

Feb 12, 2010

I know this is beating a dead horse, but-- I'm seeing a slight increase in my pay. It's not as high as it used to be, but not as low as it recently was. Work is sometimes low enough that I'm almost having to log in first thing in the morning and log out before I go to bed to get the line count in, but I've heard it's going to get better. I've got an offer from another company that I have heard is not problem-free either. I just don't know. You know the old say ...

Apr 26, 2010

aaaaaaaaaa ...