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

NEWBIE GETTING NERVOUS - Hlengelsman

Posted: Aug 29, 2010

I'm new to the profession and new to the boards. I am here just trying to get a feel for the real world in transcription. I have to say the few things I have read on here so far are making me very nervous. I am just finishing my course within the next month or two through Penn Foster so the search for a job is in my near future...

These are a few things I am curious about:

Is the MT job market really that bad?

What advice can you give me as a new MT?

Have any of you MT's out there gone straight from studies to doing transcription from home or have you all had to work in some type of medical office first?

newbie - Pat46

[ In Reply To ..]
My suggestion to anyone starting out in transcription is to get a job in a clinic or hospital first before you try doing it from home. I know I could not have done home transcription fresh out of college. I got a clinic job at Carle Clinic in Urbana, Illinois. I am now working at Graham Hospital here in Canton where I live FROM HOME. More and more hospitals are sending their transcriptionists home. We have just added VR and our pay didn't get cut like it does with the big companies. No one ever explained to me why that is. Just because you are faster doesn't mean that we don't have to have the medical terminology, anatomy, etc. In fact you will probably use those more doing VR than typing as the machine can put in some of the darndest things...sometimes not even related to the report.

Good luck. I hope you find a job. I have been in transcription for the last 25 years and have found it a very enjoyable career. I always said that even if I didn't use by degree it was something no one can take away from me and when my kids were sick and I had to take them to the doctor I know what he was talking about.

Thank you - Hlengelsman

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for the encouraging message I suppose I have no choice but to try to get a job in a hospital first. Its something I really didn't want to do, I am just very squeamish when it comes to hospitals. But it would be good for me to get a well rounded perspective on transcription. hmmm decisions decisions....

Often hospital and clinic transcription departments arent - even in the same part of town, - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
let alone in the actual hospital building. They're usually so pressed for space, that the space for inhouse transcription got used for exam rooms, waiting rooms, or x-ray or MRI rooms, etc., and the MTs were moved to a building they rent offsite. Often hospitals and clinics have their medical records, MT, HR, and other clerical functions offsite. So, you're not very likely to run across anything that would make you squeamish.

I enjoyed the old days, when MT depts. were inside the hospital. Often the doctors would stop by to ask a question, or answer one, or to bring us treats! I miss those days!

LOL TREATS!!! - Hlengelsman

[ In Reply To ..]
LOL you cracked me up with the treats thing... but in all seriousness thats great news. I wonder if the hospitals around here have their transcription team in a separate building that would be wonderful. LOL o well I guess it really depends on how much I want this to work and I REALLY WANT THIS!!

Medical records - mt2long

[ In Reply To ..]
offices are not usually on the hospital wards, they're tucked away, so the likelihood of you being squeamish is odd thought! LOL!

I also recommend an on-site position. You don't know what you don't know until you need to know it and don't.

Doing this job just because it can be done at home is NOT a good idea (and you didn't say that, it's just an opinion I have.)

Good luck!

newbie/job hunt - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
Good luck on a job search. If they are out there, I can't find them. I have over 15 years experience working from home and have been searching for the past 4 months, but would suggest as everyone else that you try a hospital/clinic first as a newbie. Might have a better chance. Good luck

Finding an on-site job,,, - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You may not have the choice between an on-site or at-home position. Most hospitals outsource their transcription to the large MTSOs. Acute care hospital transcription done by hospital empolyees on-site, or even in an office away from the facility is very, very rare.

In addition, most of the clinic transcription is done by the physicians themselves, using EHR templates (point and click) or front-end SR (they edit themselves or just leave it misktakes and all).

A 60% to 70% reduction in line rate for SR is the standard compensation. It's only be a matter of time before that happens to anyone making their straight transcription line rate for SR. It is not cost-effective for the hospital administration or MTSO to pay hte straight transcription line rate for SR, especially when that is certainly not the industry-wide norm.

That being said, if you test for and are hired by an MTSO where you are home-based, and if you are persistant and willing to learn you will succeed. I did, straight out of school and am happily making a good yearly salary, working full time, after over 5 years with the same MTSO. For me nothing beats working from home. Best of luck.

On-site jobs - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been an MT for over 30 years and have always worked on-site with the exception of a couple of short periods of time at home, I've done hospital and clinic jobs. MT offices are traditionally in the basement or somewhere else away from patient care areas, I currently work at an office off site combined with a couple of other departments who share space with us. If you're squeamish and that is what is holding you back from working on-site, please don't let it. As others have said, for your first job it is the best way to learn the ropes. Unfortunately, on-site jobs ARE difficult to find but they are out there. I also agree with the person who said that if your main motivation to do this job is to work at home, you are doing it for the wrong reason. Being able to work at home is a perk, but there is certainly a downside as well. Whatever you decide, good luck and best wishes.

Hlengelsman - OldPro

[ In Reply To ..]
My advice would be to get additional education to supplement your course at Penn Foster. Try Andrews and M-TEC, which are more acceptable to employers.

nervous newbie - Viva

[ In Reply To ..]
I also suggest additional keywords for job searches: transcriptionist, transcriber, editor, proofreader, data entry, medical records, medical clerk, health editor, medical editor.
I am a total newbie and have already had 4 interviews--two by phone and one in person. Jobs are out there but you have to scour the internet to find them and don't limit yourself to just one keyword or phrase. Also go for general or media transcription, not just medical.

Thank you for all your replies! - Hlengelsman

[ In Reply To ..]
I really appreciate all the replies you all have good info!

I assure you I didn't get into the field only to work from home. I have always wanted to work in a medical field of some sort but because of my squeamish nature I was afraid, so medical transcription seemed like a good fit. And I admit that yes the fact that you can do it from home has been on the forefront of my mind since I started training but if I need to work in a hospital first I will... I can't wait to start looking for work! I have a full time job that I am content in currently so I won't be as desperate as most so we'll see what happens...

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