Hi from a pharmacy tech! Although I truly love my present profession, I would like the opportunity to work from home. Since I am a very detail-minded person and have a lot of familiarity with medical terms (especially in the drug field), I think medical transcription just might be a perfect career choice for me. My debate is whether I should find a "regular" school to enroll in or rather I can take a correspondence course to accomplish my goal. A correspondence course would definitely fit my work schedule better but is it recognized as sufficient training in the "real" world? Also, the advertising I have seen for MT's to work at home almost always states that experience is needed before they will hire you. Does one need to work in a hospital for a few years before considering working from home? Thanks for any and all replies. I appreciate this site and this forum! Denise from Portland Or

Hello, rxtech! Just wanted to share what I have learned. My schedule and along with my husbands does not permit me to go to school to become a MT, so distance learning was my only choice. But before I chose a school, I called a MT Service that was running an ad for MT's and asked the owner re: schools. Her primary concern seemed to be the tapes some of the schools use. Very rehearsed, clear and precise and not what you would hear on the job. So I chose California College for Health Sciences since they use the SUM tapes and I hope this works for me. I am very excited to start...just mailed my enrollment agreement yesterday! Now I just hope that my 3-1/2 year old and 11 mo. old will let me study! Hey! Just noticed you are in Portland. I'm in Newberg! I have heard that a few years of on the job training is rec. before working at home. Due to working close with your supervisor and having other MT's around to help you, sufficient reference materials, etc.

[This message has been edited by homeschoolmom (edited March 02, 1999).]

Thanks for the followup, homeschoolmom! I have been doing a lot on online investigation since posting my first message. This site has lots of good stuff to check out. I went to the sites of several schools they listed. I got some great e-mail from Linda Andrews, the owner of Andrews School. I like the professionalism their program projects.

Good luck in your training, homeschoolmom. BTW, I love Newberg; it's a wonderful little town. I worked at the Albertsons pharmacy in Sherwood for several months before transferring to an Albertsons closer to home.
I would love to correspond via e-mail with you as we start learning our new careers. My e-mail address is dove2@uswest.net
Denise

Denise...I just typed this big reply and this wind storm! What a surge I got and it wiped me out! I will type more tomorrow...have to get to bed before my teething 11 mo. old wakes! Ugh! Sometimes I wonder why even go to bed. Anyway, before I get cut off again, my email is armit4@prodigy.net. I want to write about Andrews tomorrow. Have only lived in Newberg since July. Moved here from Wilsonville. Like it soooo much better.
Tracy

Denise...Before I got cut off last night, I had typed that when I was looking for a school, I didn't even know about this site & was searching via search engines. I didn't find this site until I went to search for Med. Trans. books. When I was looking for a school, Andrews came up quite a bit. I might be confusing it w/ one of the other 100 schools I saw, but my concern with them was that they were not accredited. Is that right? I came across CCHS through the ICS web site. ICS was SO high pressure. I called them to ask just how much their program was...that I was not interested in enrolling yet...and twice (at least...maybe three times) the girl said, "And how will you be paying for this today?" I literally had to hang up on her! Since then, I have received 2 brochures and a post card "reminding" me to enroll. (Like one is going to 'forget' to enroll in school)! Operating like that puts out a red flag to me! CCHS was really nice to deal with. I had originally enrolled with PCDI but they don't use the SUM tapes. When I talked to the MT Service I called, I had asked the owner what college she recom. and she said Mt. Hood and College of Legal Arts. Location wise, for me, they are both out of the question. I did get a brochure from COLA, however, and they use the SUM tapes, which makes me feel good about my choice with CCHS. I hope I made a good decision and I wish you the best in finding a school to your liking! Another thing I found was the big difference in price with schools. This I was cautious about, too. Why so cheap and why so expensive? I liked CCHS because besides getting the certificate for their program, I can also go on to get my Assoc. of Science degree, too.
Let me know how you make out. Got some books from Amazon.com yesterday. Still need to get more that Amazon.com doesn't carry and my machine.

Hi Homeschoolmom. I'm new to this, so bear with me. I just recently enrolled at PCDI and I'm happy with it so far. I just sent in my third test. I work outside the home, but with an 8 month old son I am looking for work at home. At least this doesn't seem like a work at home scam, some of which I can't even believe. I wish you luck and hope to hear back from you. I'm not sure what I can expect from these courses as far as a new career goes, but I'm hopeful something good will come of it.

Hi, Arizona Mom! I don't think PCDI is a scam...my sis is enrolled there & is happy. I just felt better that CCHS uses the SUM tapes. Denise & I have been emailing one another and I found out that my books are included in the CCHS program...the brochure was a little confusing. I think that if you are ale to pass the test that a potential employer gives you then it shouldn't matter where you attended. If a potential employer looked at me like, "I don't know..." because of where I went to school, I would ask them if they would test me anyway...even to ask them, "Give me your toughest test." If, after you graduate, you want to try the SUM tapes, I know you can rent them from www.hpisum.com (or buy them even...they aren't cheap, however)! Then if a place asked you about the SUM tapes, you can tell them you've used them. I am more of a newbie than you, so maybe I'm reading into the SUM tapes more than I should...they do seem to be mentioned quite a bit. Good luck & keep us posted on your progress or email me!

Hi! I am very new at this so bear with me also. I have been taking the MT correspondence course through ICS. I chose that course, because I was unsure of other courses out there. I hope that I have made the right decision. I am almost done with the course. I have maybe two months left. I feel as if I need some additional training. I have enjoyed being able to do my studies at home, because I work full-time, as a beginner MT, and I have a 7-year-old daughter. I would like to furhter my education in this feild. I was reading homeschoolmom's entry, and I found CCHS to be interesting. I too want to work at home. Can you give me any advise. This is my first time really trying to communticate online. Sorry, if I have messed up. My email address is ANOT1128.@aol.com.

[This message has been edited by Christi (edited March 08, 1999).]

Christi...I'm sure you can carry over your credits to CCHS for that add'l. training. I would email or call them for their brochure.
To all...I want to make sure that I haven't offended anyone with their choice of school. Like I said, my sis is happy with PCDI and the main reason why I didn't choose them was the SUM tape issue. I'm sure ICS is a good school, too, but I just had a bad experience with someone there when I was just calling for info. And "first impressions" can be a deciding factor, of course, no matter how good the school. Afterall, I haven't even begun my studies at CCHS yet, so I wouldn't begin to stress that it was better than others. But my experience with them so far, and the fact they are accredited and use SUM tapes plus being able to move on to get even your Masters Degree there, helped me make my decision. It is so hard because you can't judge by a web-site appearance! Before I chose a school, I contacted Medquist (since they were running an ad in our local paper) and went a lot by the advice I got from them, e.g., the SUM tape issue. I hope others will share their experience with different schools. I'm sure it will help others!

Hi, It took me about 3 months to decide on a school. After lots of research, I chose the
Stratford Career Institute. I am in my 4th month of training at home and so far I feel the course is great. I have been working for an insurance company for about 10 years (claims, medical review, transplant unit and now programing). I am real tired of corporate America. Our office is shutting down and I felt this is the perfect time to change careers. I am still working full time while taking the at home course. As soon as I get my lay-off package, I will be able to study full time. If anyone out there has any comments on Stratford, I would be glad to hear them. MarGry

Just thought I would do an update here. Got my books Friday from CCHS (California College for Health Sciences) and started my studies on Saturday. Have turned in my exam for English and could not believe the grammar and the plain old fundamentals that I had forgotten! It was tough (for me), but I am glad in a way because it turned a light on upstairs! I hope I did well...or at least passed! A passing score is 90% (out of 100 questions on this test.)! Now I am moving onto the anatomy and physiology and I wish I could devise some system to remember! Of course, I'm trying to remember it all the first time I read it and I know I'm being too tough on myself; I just wish to do well.

When researching MT courses, did anyone consider using MediTec? It has really appealed to me, but I would like to know if anyone has had experience with it or even heard of it. Thank you.

Hello MT's,

I am a Certified Medical Assistant who wants to do Medical Transcription at home. I had to take a MT course from the medical assistant program. I wanted to know if I would need additional training/education before I try to persue a MT career at home. ANY EXPERIENCED MT W/ ADVICE.....Please respond, Thanks!

Hi! I have really enjoyed everyone's messages and I'm really glad I found this website. I was feeling alone on this new venture to becoming a MT and in one day I have found so much info. on this site. I enrolled in PCDI and am about 1/2 way through the couse. I have completed the textbook part of the course and just started on the actual transcription. I was unaware of the SUM tapes until I read about it on this site. I might have to rent them when I am through. I was wondering if anyone has tried to purchase a transcription machine over the net and if anyone knows how much money an at home MT can expect to make part-time. Also has anyone heard what kind of machine is best to get? I know there are three different size tapes and I have heard the micro size is the most common. I am anxious to get started and scared too. I am also a stay at home mom and am hoping to support my family doing medical transcription while my husband is in Physician's Assistant school next year. I have about 5 years exp. working in a doctor's office, but mostly doing insurance and billing, so I am a little scared about being able to do the transcription. I don't know how well this course is actually preparing me for the real world of MT. I worry about being able to type fast enough and of course about being able to transcribe medical words correctly. I would appreciate any input.

Mondae99 ... I've found a great resource for equipment. eBay.com is an auction site. When you check it out you will see how well it's run. To date I have purchased a NEW Sony2000 microcassette transcriber for $85 (S&H), a used Dictaphone standard for $81 (S&H included, a new Dell Ergonomic Keyboard for $32.22 (S&H). I will have all this equipment by this weekend and will then have the opportunity to do a hands-on try-out. Many of these sellers are discounting and can because they have 'bought-out' a store somewhere. The above people I have done business with have been extremely courtesous and responsive. I bought the two machines (one standard and one micro) because my course tapes (and all SUM tapes) are on standard size cassettes. I bought the micro because most dictators today do so on micro equipment. (I plan to do some legal transcribing while studying ... ) MAKE SURE that any transcriber you purchase has RERECORD capabilities. Otherwise, you're wasting your time. If you plan on working from your home, you need to be able to rerecord incoming dictation. (When you go to eBay.com, then search for "transcriber" and it will take you to that section.) Best of Luck and I will report on the condition of the items I just purchased as soon as I've tested them out.

Dear tutu

Thank you so much for the info. on transcriptions machines. I will definitely check out eBay.com. I haven't been able to find any machine under $200.00 in the stores. I have just recently got on the net and I am so thrilled with this ability to be able to communicate with so many people nationwide. Thanks again!

Mondae99 ... Fantastic ... just got my Dell ergonomic keyboard and it's a must have. Easy to get used to and really helps the hands out. Great fast key action (which I was looking for). Before you make a bid at eBau, email me. I'll let you know if it is someone I've dealt with and the price and machine are right. Glad to share and help. My email is charro@home.com.

HI THERE! I TOO AM NEW TO THE MT WORLD. I AM AN AT HOME MOM WHO IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO HELP OUR INCOME. MY HUSBANDS WORK HOURS DO NOT GIVE ME THE TIME FOR A FULL OR PART TIME JOB. I CURRENTLY WORK AS A UNITL SECRETARY IN A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BUT ONLY ON EVERY OTHER WEEKEND. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS WHERE DO I LOOK TO GET INFO. ON MT CORRESPONDANCE SCHOOLS? I HAVE READ MANY OF THE HELPFUL RESPONSES HERE ON THE BOARD BUT THE ABBREVIATIONS LEAVE ME LOST. DO I JUST TYPE THOSE INTO A SEARCH AND FIND THEM? MY OTHER QUESTION IS REGARDING JOBS. I TOO HAVE READ THAT MOST PLACES REQUIRE AT LEAST A YEAR OF IN OFFICE EXPERIENCE AND THAT SIMPLY IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME. WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB OUT THERE W/ OUT IN OFFICE EXPERIENCE? I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS WEB SITE, IT IS SENDING ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ERIKA

Hi! I have heard of MediTec, and at first, i was ready to sign up with them, because of their low cost ($499). I looked and looked and i couldn't see anywhere on there, that they are accredited, or any such thing. They also stress, that they don't do job placement and such. I am still considering it, because of the cost, but i'm not sure how much it will help me in the future.
Does anyone know why there is such a difference in prices? Andrews is $3800, and M Tec is like $2500. Who can afford this???
Thanks
amberm@jps.net

amber:

Meditech's "Personal Edge" training programs are less expensive for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they are all "home-study" courses, so there is no overhead for the training institution. I would suggest you check out the Frequently Asked Questions page at:

team.meditec.com/medword/faq.shtml

You should find your questions answered there.

________________________

I would like to take this opportunity to say that Meditech's courses are the first I have seen that have a good choice of packages at a realistic price with good payment options. We're putting our reputation on the line by recommending the programs but we do believe them to be a very good buy for people who want to become MTs. We have looked for years to see if we could "hook-up" with a good training program to offer our visitors. Meditech's "Personal Edge" programs finally met our criteria. Most MT courses are unbelievably over-priced but these courses, I believe, are priced properly and fairly. There is also a reasonable period of time where you can receive a refund if you are not happy with what you bought. (No school that I know of will give you a refund, especially for something like an MT course.) I would be very cautious about spending large sums of money on any MT course, no matter how "nice" the course materials look. It's the content that counts, as I am sure you know.

(Start Begging)
Medword.com is now an associate of Meditech and as such receives a modest commission on any sales that originate from our bulletin board or site links. If you do decide to buy one of the packages, we would be most grateful if you entered the site through our links. We are a privately owned company that runs our site and BB at our own expense. None of the commissions come anywhere near paying even a monthly bill, but every little bit helps.
(End Begging)

Whatever you decide, Good Luck.

SOMara


[This message has been edited by SOMara (edited May 04, 1999).]

I am currently enrolled with ROS (Reveiw of Systems MT course) After many months of researching home study courses I chose this one. ROS uses the SUM tapes and the one-on-one help with instructors is wonderful. But what impressed me most was the fact that the program offers a paid internship for it's students. For me that was important to be able to gain experiance while being able to work from home. The cost is about $1300, depending on you if would like to purchase your equipment through them. They do offer a payment plan and they also offer a refund, if you don't like what you get. For anyone trying to decide what course to take, I can only suggest you do your homework. There are a lot of wonderful programs available. You just need to find the one that is right for you! Good luck!

Nettie, I am currently taking the MT course from MEDITECH.E-mail me if you have specific questions. Good luck!

------------------
Beth

Hi,
I wanted to ask how everything is going with CCHS. I just received my MT Program package from them. I am still researching courses and wanted some feedback from someone who is enrolled in CCHS.



------------------
V Lynn

This topic should read, "Choosing an MT school, not Choosing a MT school"
Regards,
Sparkle

Career Step was a great choice for me. The staff is very hands on and they work with over 700 different MT companies to help get you placed as soon as you graduate.

Hello All! I am new to this site. I am a stay at home mom and am interested in becoming a medical transcriptionist. I am having a difficult time choosing which school to sign up with. I was in the last steps of signing with Career Step and then I realized that they weren't accredited. I would really feel more comfortable taking courses with an accredited school. I am now considering Allied Schools. Does any one have any suggestions/comments about any schools? I would appreciate the help. Also, does anyone know of a school that also offers editing along with medical transcription, besides Career Step? Another question for all the MTs out there...is now even a good time to enter this field? Thanks!

Hi Moat,

Being "accredited" by the State has nothing to do with whether it is a good school--at least in the sense of whether you will learn what you need to learn to be able to get and keep an MT position. The states are looking for different criteria.

My suggestion would be to go to www.ahdionling.org and choose one of their approved schools. These schools have been reviewed by this organization's very knowledgeable MTs and have passed the minimum standards to be approved. There are differences even among these schools, so research carefully. Find out what you get for your money--some schools furnish equipment and books as part of their tuition and some do not.

Also, do not go with a school where you are transcribing with tapes--they are almost completely obsolete (example: I was at an MT symposium and I took a poll--this was 2009--and asked how many people used tapes to transcribe. Out of 50 people, 3 raised their hands). I would assume that all of the AHDI-approved schools would require that you use the AHDI Book of Style, 3rd edition. This is a must for MTs.

There are other schools that offer editing among the AHDI-approved schools.

As far as whether this is a good time to get into the field---wages have dropped dramatically in the past 5 years. It is also hard for newbies to get work because many services want people with at least 2 years of experience. You are paid by the line and the line rates these days are the same as they were 15 years ago--around 7-8 cents per line. As you get more experience you can make more money and a small percentage make a decent wage, but the majority of MTs do not. There is a lot of pressure to make a certain line count. In addition, with many of the national services you are usually given multiple accounts and so it is difficult (especially for a newbie) to get any traction to get your line count up when you are constantly being given different dictators on a daily basis. Some services are better about that than others.

Anyone who has come into the field in the last 5 years or so doesn't remember the "gravy" days when you actually got paid a decent salary commensurate with what you were required to know, but I could now work at Wal-Mart and make about the same.

It was nice to be able to stay home with my children, though, so if you are willing to make less than you should be to do this job in order to stay home with them and your spouse has good benefits, you might make out okay. The national services have insurance but it is very expensive.

Not trying to be a downer, just a realist.

kkb,

Thank you so much for your response! As far as accredited goes, I was hoping to do online schooling and I came across an accrediting agency called DETC or Distance Education and Training Council. DETC is a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Allied Schools is accredited by them. I guess the accreditation makes me feel more comfortable in the school itself. I spoke with someone who basically explained to me that if you go to a school that isn't accredited then your certificate/diploma is basically worthless or not valid. However, I realize that with MT schooling you can take a certification exam to basically have a paper to show you are certified as an MT. My husband and I are struggling to figure out if it really matters for me to go to an accredited school or not.

I have been to the AHDI website. That site seems to provide useful information. Thanks for the information about AHDI and the approved schools. Also, thanks for the tip about the tapes.

I hope I will make the best decision in choosing the right school. I appreciate your honesty with wages and the career field now. I would love to be able to continue to stay at home with my son and contribute to the household income.

Any other comments are welcome! Thank you!

I'll send you a PM.