To Keeping My Head Up and other Newbies - Fingers

There is good reason that these ladies sound a little negative.  It is not about you, your initiative, or your dedictation.  They do know what they are talking about, but they did not even begin to explain to you why, probably not enough room or time!  This industry has changed drastically.  You can not believe the ads you read about being an MT, great money, work your own hours, train in 2-4 months, blah, blah, blah.  None of that is true.  This has become a low income occupation that many companies will turn into a sweat shop if they can.  The income for MTs has steadily gone down with increased work that you do not get paid for, and hours that can change constantly.  If that is not the problem, then you continue to lose jobs and accounts due to the client changing services or the company offshoring your work to other countries.  The only thing that has saved many jobs is going to VR.  Whole different story there and you will have to read up on that.  It suits some and not others.

Please know what you are getting into.  Do not believe what you read on the internet!!!  Talk to actual MTs who will tell you the truth.  There is a problem that you do not see on these boards and I will probably get flamed to death for this.  There are too many incompetent, unreliable, and lazy MTs.  Oh, there are hardworking professional MTs on these boards but honestly, truth be told, about half the MTs out there will not do what it takes to be skilled and successful in this job.  They only want to work certain hours and even then, they are not reliable enough to work the hours they commit to.  Management is constantly having to juggle work because of this.  Then there are those who refuse to actually LEARN.  I have to pull in reports from previous patient visits.  I have seen many transcribed reports that are worse than what comes in from offshoring.  I do not mean commas, semicolons, and punctuation.  I mean drugs, dosages, syndromes, and actual diagnoses.  These lazy MTs just typed it as it sounds phonically.  They are not willing to do the research it takes to complete a document with 100% accuracy.  No, you do not get paid for that research but it is your responsibility over and over and over as many times as it takes.  That is NOT what QA is there for.  This is called building your experience.

Too many MTs, right of the bat, say I have 10, 15, 20 years experience - like that makes them a good MT.  Companies do not care about your number of years typing.  They want someone with a high skill level.  That takes many many years to build.  I actually tried to help an MT on these boards get a job with my company.  She was very confident with her 10 years of experience.  The work was M-F 9-5 clinic work in rheumatology, nephrology, and cardiology.  Come to find out, she had never transcribed these specialties and said, "I really don't like those."  What good is her 10 years experience?

I admire anyone who has the dedication to learn this occupation and to stick with it and build upon their skills.  Sadly, not many MTs do anymore.  If you want in, do some extensive research.  Know the good and the bad and what you are getting into.  Also know, if you are too demanding, there are dozens of people in line behind you just waiting to take your job.  Realize you could lose your account or job at any time with no notice.  Do you alone depend on this income?  I have read that the average change iis every 18 months (not sure I believe that though)  I went 7 years on the same account.  That does not mean your job is secure.  That is an unusually long time.  Think about what this is going to mean to you.

Personally, I have been in this business for decades.  I love it (and what it used to be).  But honestly, if I were younger at this point I would get out and look for something more secure.  I would further my education in another field.  This is just not what it used to be.  If you do pursue this, you will know in a year or two if it is what you wish to continue doing.  You may also find out it is not worth it just because you have kids at home.

My advice to you is to go to the Main Board and request a mentor.  Gourdpainter is a retired, very skilled, and knowledgeable MT.  She knows the in's and out's.  She is flamed a lot but she is always willing to help newbies and older MTs.  Good luck to you in your pursuits.