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

What Ways Can I Continue to Grow In Skills After Graduating? - gijane02

Posted: Jul 13, 2010

Hello fellow MT's! I am almost finished with my MT course, and I would like some counsel from everyone on their experiences with continuing education after graduation. First I am going to go for my RMT as recommended by the ADHI. What tools and resources did you use that helped? Which ones do you recommend? Has anyone gotten a degree to enhance their knowledge, and if so, what degree? I have recently been discharged after 8 yrs in the Army and I have been studying in my course for almost two years. I definitely don't want to stop at just a certification, I gotta put this GI Bill to use

I see that this industry is going through hard times, but I really want to do this and see it through. I have never finished any schooling for the subjects that I tried in college because I just wasn't sure if it was what I really wanted. Studying Medical Transcription makes me feel smart sometimes without sweating over the science, which was one of my weak subjects. It makes me feel that I won't waste the skills that I have learned in the Army in relation to my MOS.

Personally speaking... - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been at this for 6 years and I learn nearly continuously on the job, especially if I get a new account, because all hospitals don't do things the same way.

I also wouldn't do anything AHDI recommends, but that's just me. Search on here and you'll see why. If you want to get your RMT, do it for your own personal satisfaction. I have my CMT but not because of anything AHDI said.

Just Clarifying - gijane02

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for responding. Yes I agree with always learning while doing the work. That is one of the main things that make this field attractive to me. Just to clarify my reasons for wanting to take the RMT, it wasn't just because AHDI said it, but I just feel like it is a very import step to take after graduation regardless if they recommended it or a long time MT did.

I agree - about learning something

[ In Reply To ..]
new every day. I've been doing this for almost 13 years, and I still learn new terms every day. As far as the credentials, I would not spend a penny or a minute of time gaining any RMT and especially CMT credentials unless you know as a fact that you will be paid more because of having those credentials. Right now our main struggle is ENOUGH WORK!

CMT/RMT - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I dropped my CMT years ago and share other's feelings in regard to AHDI, my thoughts are that you'll invest time and money but never get anything in return; of course the choice is yours. I think that being able to learn something new every day is one of the best things about being an MT and I've been doing it for over 30 years. Try to take on all the specialties that you can (including radiology and pathology). Reading medical journals and industry journals and articles is another good way to learn. Above all, don't be afraid to ask when you don't understand something, lol!

Just in case . . . - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
As others have said, you'll keep learning on the job. You'll learn much more than you expected. It will probably overwhelm you for a year or two.

But, the real reason I'm posting is to mention that you should register for healthcare at your nearest VA medical center. You might have already done this, but if not, please do. Do so even if you do not plan to use it right now. You never know when you might need it. Registration is easy -- just bring your DD214, or just bring yourself if you don't have it -- and if you are a student your income should be low enough to qualify easily. It's important to get registered, and to stay registered (a yearly visit should do it), so that you will have healthcare benefits if you need them.

If there is a VA near you, consider joining them. There is a push to hire more vets now, and it's a stable, mission-oriented organization offering some of the best health care in the world. (Yes, seriously!) Your military skills would be appreciated.

Definitely Done - gijane02

[ In Reply To ..]
Oh I am already there! I'm pregnant right now :)We had to do that stuff when we demobilized. I am a military spouse as well, but I will activate my VA benefits even though I can stay under his Tricare benefits. They are there to use! Thanks.

CMT/RMT waste of time - shortstak

[ In Reply To ..]
You will soon find out in this industry you are not compensated for having your CMT/RMT. Its just a way for AHDI to make money. If that mattered they would not send work to India. Get it for your own personal satisfaction.

Shortstak - Nick

[ In Reply To ..]
Or do NOT get it and that will give you even more personal satisfaction. Why support a faux organization that sends your job to India? AAMT/AHDI has never cared about MTs. They only want your $$$$.

AHDI - sm - working MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Does not send work anywhere, they are not an employer of transcriptionists or an MTSO.

We don't all agree about AHDI and credentials obviously - or much of anything apparently

[ In Reply To ..]
There is good and bad in any organization. Some employers are now paying more to credentialed MTs. You'll find that if you ask 10 MTs about anything, you'll get 10 totally different answers, all of them absolutely sure they are right.

They say they do. Reality is that they pay the same wage to - an experienced MT nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

Working MT re: AHDI - Nick

[ In Reply To ..]
Of course then do not send work anywhere on a microscale, as they are not an MTSO; however, on a MEGAscale, they have facilitated and enabled sending work to India. They are certainly not, IMHO, patriotic Americans when so many American MTs are out of work. AHDI has a long history of being on the wrong side of the MTs. Just look at how they got into the financial bed with MedQuist years ago. Do your homework.

I get paid more for my CMT, worth something to me. - oldi

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I guarantee that there are a slew of people without CMT but with - experience making at least what you do on hire. n

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I doubt it. CMT and 15 years' exp. nm - oldie

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I keep seeing more companies paying higher for CMTs - Recently

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

This is consistent with the greater skill level required these days - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

The fraction of a cpl you get for CMT is not worth - what youll spend to get it & maintain it. (sm)

[ In Reply To ..]
Also, by supporting AHDI by buying into their bogus "credentialling" scam, you are helping them to siphon every last American MT job out of the US, and off to some 3rd-World country. AHDI is NOT about helping American transcriptionists. (Notice they took the "American" out of their name, when then changed it from AAMT to AHDI.) It is all about a get-rich scheme for a couple of greedy American women. We should be asking the Feds to investigate this organization, NOT giving them our hard-earned money.

I agree about AHDI - Lone wolf

[ In Reply To ..]
They have NEVER been for the MT. They were built around a "queen bee" CEO (long ago gone for greener pastures) and her entourage. While this little sorority raked in the big bucks, they also made alliances with MQ and managed to sell MTs down the river by supporting offshoring. Indeed, they made much of their money by selling out American jobs. And yes, you are right, it was/is a get-rich scheme in which the MTs are most certainly not included. I would love to see the figures of how many people have left the AHDI. I know I have, and so have many of my vintage. It just is not worth it. It is a waste of time and loyalty. Support America. AMERICAN JOBS FOR AMERICAN WORKERS! Let the AHDI become the mouthpiece for Indian workers. Maybe the good people at AHDI can all learn Hindi and move to India, since that seems to be where their loyalty is.

Similar Messages:

Jul 21, 2012

Given the increasing and ongoing trend to blast anyone who doesn't post a miserable comment/response, and thinking about the ADVICE given yesterday (which I obviously am having difficulty adhering to), I just want to tell those of you who persistently hold others accountable for YOUR stuff to just grow up. If someone posts they are doing well, just grow up. Don't be so dang codependent that you can't have original feelings, that you can't imagine a world that exists be ...

Dec 06, 2012

:( ...

Feb 15, 2010

Hello! I was hoping someone could give me some pointers or ideas on where I could get my first job as a MT. Does anyone know of any companies that are inclined to give newbies their first chance? Are there any transcription jobs, not necessarily medical, that one could get easier to build experience? If anyone has any comments please let me know. Thank you. ...

Mar 28, 2013

I'm curious how many of you graduated from your medical coding/billing course and found a job to work remotely? I'm currently a transcriptionist looking to enroll in a coding/billing course, but will not be able to work onsite to gain experience that most of these companies are wanting. I've been doing some research and most of them want you to have 3 years onsite experience. I will need something remotely after graduation. I thought I would check here and ...

Jan 20, 2010

I am currently taking an MT course through At-home professions schooling and was wondering of anyone else that went through the program. How did you like or dislike it and was there job placement after graduating? ...

Oct 02, 2012

I will be finished with school at the end of this month. Does anyone hire recent grads? How can I get into the field if everyone wants to hire only those with experience? I could use some help on this. Please let me know if anyone has any advice. Thank you, ***** ...

Nov 30, 2012

Before I get jumped on for trying to "stir the pot", I come to this forum quite often. I am a medical transcriptionist and am almost done with my coding course. I will be taking the CPC sometime in January or February. However, upon doing research on obtaining a coding job after graduating, I came across this. Of course the date is 2011, but it's still fairly recent. This is from the AAPC forum board. My heart literally sank when I saw this. O ...

Jan 03, 2013

Mark me for missing the word "the" in a sentence??? - and on a dictator who mumbles 100 miles per hour? ...

Mar 28, 2014

Just wondering if those of you who oppose offshoring would work for a foreign company? I know of some MTs who work for Australian company Ozescribe - they have MTs in Australia, USA, Canada and Israel plus probably a few other countries. Isn't that the same as Indians transcribing for US companies? If not, what makes it different? I'm trying to understand why it's okay for US workers to work for other countries but not the other way around? Or would it be ...

Dec 18, 2009

ancillary tests: The parents bring in s/l Conner reading skills. ...

Mar 29, 2010

I have to get out of MT. Been doing this over 20 years and am so burnt out. What are some other industries where these skills would be transferrable? I'm feeling like MT is all I know how to do and its depressing. Thinking about taking a Medical Assistant course or something. ...

Aug 08, 2010

Anyone noticed these tests are asking some of the same questoins? My little answers keep popping up when I start typing in the answer. The transcription portions are way too long though. Some are super easy and others are the scum at the bottom of the barrel. I'm beginning to think we're doing somebody's work for them! Now I'm thinking about all the money I could have made by transcribing these stupid test reports. I think one company test ...

Oct 08, 2011

when the doc says something like the: Skin is pink, warm and dry and intact. Is that how you would type it? Not sure about the proper comma usage. Nothing looks correct to me anymore!!! ...

Oct 29, 2011

I only wish the rate of MT pay matched the MT skills, but why am I complaining? Still have a job .... Many years ago, I can remember that my niece would always ask me about my MT work and how I was able to stay at home and do this sort of work on a full-time basis. Back then, I would try to explain to my young 9-year-old niece that it is all about my preference to stay at home and work full-time, instead of working in Corporate America which I did for many years, and having to commute to work ...

Mar 04, 2015

descriptive narrative for the MTs who have or will be leaving this company, to go along with the ones we recieve when the VP and such leave. I mean really..we need to be ackowledged for our committment, dedication, accomplishments, etc. Sarcasim is encouraged! ...

Jun 09, 2010

I really wanted to get out of the MT business, but I am having NO luck finding a job in another field, and now my marriage is breaking up and I have no financial security. Is there ANY company out there worth working for anymore as an MT? ...

Apr 17, 2011

x ...

Jun 29, 2010

I've been an acute care transcriptionist for 15 years... can anyone tell me if I qualify for Pathology transcription or is this an acquired skill that needs more schooling? Thanks! ...

Jul 15, 2011

This is part of the physical exam. It is mentioned after cranial nerves (although I'm not sure if it goes along with that or not) and sounds like either burr skills or murr skills. Any suggestions? Thanks! ...

Oct 17, 2011

I am currently an MT but will probably try a career switch in in the next few years. I'm just brainstorming right now. What are some good career choices for someone with the skill set for MT? ...

Mar 26, 2012

I am looking for work as an Mt and not having any luck. Today, I searched the job service board and found a cool job. It is an IC position with flexible hours and very good pay. It is collecting data for the county/township and entering it into a lap top. They want you to be ableto enter 7000 or more strokes per hour. I meet all the qualifications except this which, of course, is "key" to the job. I know nothing of data entry but I hate to pass on the opportun ...

Sep 08, 2014

I took some skills tests, non-MT related, and I'm not sure how to interpret something. I received a 90% (that part I get) which put me in the 56th percentile, and average of 67%. I THINK I know that the 67% means the average people got, who took that test. Is that correct? I don't understand at all the percentile part (the 56.) What does that mean exactly? Thanks! ...

Jun 21, 2012

to strive for the 99%. It did not matter I had 98.8. and there have been times I was over 99% They are out of their freakin minds. I wonder who in this world is perfect at their job. ...

Oct 15, 2012

nm ...

Jan 25, 2013

I'm told the low volumes are due to the time of the year. I just don't remember this happening in past years. My time sheet has 10-15 entries by the time of the day - this is nuts. Can't take no pay, can't use up all my PTO in a week. Seriously, what are we supposed to do? ...

Apr 07, 2015

Get with the program! ...

Jul 20, 2010

What are some ways that a doctor can dictate a chest CT? I can't understand what she is saying. It sounds like amiable mirror column images were obtained. ...

Oct 12, 2011

My employer has agreed to pay to have me fax reports to several different facilities. I have to print out every report I fax (if someone knows a different way, I'm listening)... so, we're talking time, paper, toner, wear and tear on equipment..... How are people out there calculating to do that? My employer hasn't a clue and I'm treading unfamiliar waters? Any help?? ...

Feb 20, 2013

preferred way. ...