Yes, here is ANOTHER question about schooling. To someone who is new to this field I really appreciate any responses!! I have been perusing the web for any info I can get my hands on about the different on-line programs in the MT profession. I would love to hear from any of you who "attended" The Laird School. I was impressed with The Andrews School as well. What seems to set The Laird School apart is the fact that they have a recruitment program with MedQuist, as they waive the usual 2 year experience requirement. Are there any hidden drawbacks? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Hi DawnfromKC,
Your letter caught my attention and I felt I needed to share with you what decisions I made in choosing an MT school. I spent approximately 6 months on the web checking out the numerous schools. I found prices ranging from $200 to $5,000. The next thing I did was to find out what each school offered. This was very important to me because if the course is lacking, it will hurt you later on. Also, does the school offer actual doctor dictation tapes? My next step was to narrow my choices down from 10 to 5 and then 2. The school I choose was based on their course and the price. Some of the schools are overpriced and their curriculum is no different than the less expensive ones. What they do is throw in books, etc. that you will probably never use. To be honest with you, I almost went with Andrews but I was not convinced they were the best. So I kept looking and doing research until I found what I believe is a good school. The school I attend has a recruitment program with MedQuist and will waive the 2 year experience requirement. At the end of the course, I will take a test and if I pass, I receive a certificate showing I took the course and passed it. According to former students, her tests are hard but fair. Then you submit an application and resume to MedQuist. They will contact you and test you. If you pass their test, your hired. If your interested in checking it out, the school I am attending is called CAI. I hope I helped you out. Let me know how your pursuit is going.

Thank you so much for your honest assessment regarding your search- that is exactly what I am looking for (and for others out there with the same concerns). I have done some reseach myself but am afraid of possibly missing something that others may have honed in on. Because I am not in the field and not knowing what is particularlly important, everyone's opinion is valued tremendoulsly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU for taking the time to respond! Everyone is new at one point, right? Dawn

After thoroughly researching schools through another transcription board (which I never seem to be able to log-in to so I came here) I originally signed up with California College for Health Sciences b/c a couple of postings said it was one of the schools companies would consider hiring newbies from. Let me tell you, I'm not continuing with them for several reasons which I won't get into here. I'm switching over to Education Direct's program. Unfortunately, I am limited as to which schools I can choose b/c I am using some educational benefits from when I was in the Army (as an Arabic transcriptionist which is a heck of a lot harder than medical transcription) and CCHS and Education Direct (which happen to be owned by same parent company) are the only two options for me that I can afford. I feel confident enough that I can switch to a less expensive program and still get something out of it b/c I know that I am disciplined enough to do some extra studying, even if it means purchasing supplemental materials. Besides, an acquaintance of mine told me that when it came time to apply for a job, the employer didn't care which school she went to, only if she could pass their test. Best of luck.

Thanks for your post! I checked into the courses you suggested and liked what I saw. It is still amazing to me how many MT courses are out there! This is why I want everyone's opinion- you never know what your are missing. I am a bit sceptical of a lot of "at home" study programs (not the schools you referred to) b/c of the unnecessary add-ons and what not the typical newbie would think is necessary. Thanks again, DAWN

Hi DawnfromKC!

I have sent you a private message about the school that I am enrolled with. Let me know what you think.

ksjayhawk

I trained online with Career Step. I graduated last October and have been working since a week of graduation. I can definitely recommend it.

www.careerstep.com

Hi KC! I was in the same position. I researched for about a year, and then I signed up with Career Step in August. So far, I am really enjoying the program. I have even referred it to one of my friends who also lives here in KC, and she likes it as well. The people that I have talked to have all been really helpful and nice. I was also debating over the same schools, and I feel that this is just as good of a program, and cheaper. I also emailed the rep from Medquist for our area, just to see what she recommended, and this was one of the schools. She said that I have a job if I pass the test upon graduation. Give it a look.

Hi! I've just joined this site. And to put my oar in about schools, I also have completed the Career Step course and graduated last week. Am now looking for work and hoping to be employed soon. I was very pleased w/ my training and the support the course offers.

Kim

As an old-timer with some years of both teaching and recruiting experience, here are the "distance" courses that have my respect and that of many employers: MTEC (www.mtecinc.com), Review of Systems (www.mtmonthly.com/ros), The Andrews School (www.andrewsschool.com), and Career Step (www.careerstep.com).

Try not to be too concerned about cost. A low-cost program that gets you 95% job-ready is worthless because you are not employable at the end of it. A top-notch program that takes a little longer but gets you job-ready for a running start in the medical transcription profession is worth the time, money, and hard work you put into it. Medical transcription is not easy. This is a major career decision. Take it seriously.

Mr. Morton! Hello! Just wanted to let you know I read your book before I began my new career as an MT. It was GREAT. Thank you.

I graduated from Career Step October 2001 and have been working as an MT since about one week from graduation. This is a second career for me, as I was previously an accountant. I am making less money now but working on getting the earnings higher. Quality first though!!

It was very cool to see you here!!

Rennie

Thanks for your opinion George. I would like to say, also as an old-timer with some years of both teaching and recruiting experience myself, that Medword.com has been selling Meditech courses for almost five years and this has been a positive experience both for us and the students. Meditech has been in business for over 32 years; is a family-run business; has great student support, and; cares greatly about their students' success.

Many people do not realize the amount of study that is required to become successful. We sometimes ask people to think again about going into the profession because they are so unrealistic in their expectations, especially if they are considering a home-based business. They often do not appreciate the effort required to make it successful.

I also have to add that a low-cost course is not automatically bad any more than a higher-cost course is automatically good. Each course and each course provider, has to be judged individually , as I'm sure you'll agree.

In my experience, some students do not care about MT certification and many do not need a job guarantee. This makes less expensive courses appealing to them.

On our web site we give visitors as much information as possible regarding a career in medical transcription (See links at bottom of page, please) and we also advise them to be very careful if they are making a career change - it is a serious, life-changing decision.

I agree with Rennie! Very cool to see you on here Mr. Morton. I, as well, read your book before embarking on my "first" career. I say first because all of the jobs I had in the past were just that "JOBS". I love being an MT. Although I am a newcomer to the field, I feel as if I have been at it for years.

I appreciate your honest and straight-forward approach with your book. Thank you!

I cannot say how glad I am to have switched to a LESS EXPENSIVE program which presents it's material CLEARLY. If I was not using my education benefits from the time I was in the Army, then I would have chosen M-TEC, or ANDREWS, or REVIEW OF SYSTEMS; however, none of those programs are approved by the Veteran's Administration, so I was limited to choosing between two schools. I initially went with CCHS in an attempt to acquire an Associates in Medical Transcription, but decided to switch programs b/c I was not happy with their textbook, tests, or their support. Do I have to work? No, but I want a challenging career and I love languages, whether it be English, French (Graduated Magna Cum Laude from NC STATE with BA in French), or Arabic (try transcribing this stuff! much harder than medical transcription). So if a prospective employer is going to look at my certificate from Education Direct and say "not good enough" without looking at my other experiences and without giving me an entrance test, then they don't know what they're missing. I've said it over and over that it's what you put into it. I plan on doing extra studying so I will be prepared. No amount of $ spent on a better program can replace that;they just give you better quality materials to work with which can be purchased on the market or even on auction sites. I've already spent plenty on reference materials and practice tapes. I'll be prepared when it's time to look for a job. So for all of you at the "less expensive" or "cheaper" programs, don't give up! Remember not to rely only on the materials your school gives you.

This is my first post as a newbie in this esteemed group. I am about one week away from finishing my course. I have started sending letters out to doctors here in our county and the surrounding counties. I live in the country and I am hoping to be able to work for the doctors our here, instead of 'the big city'.
Are there any graduates here from At-Home Professions? I am very interested in hearing what you have to say. I noticed Mr. Morton did not mention that school as one he recommends. Is there a particular reason? Since I have nothing to compare my school to, I have felt that I have learned a lot and I am ready to 'face the MT world now'.
It's a bit scary to get ready to take this first step. But I feel like I'm ready....I have some questions though.
Glad to be here. Sue

Welcome CurleySue! Well, from posts that I've read at several MT message boards, At-home Professions was never mentionned as one of the top schools. It's probably right alongside my school, Education Direct, and other programs such as PCDI. I agree with Mr. Morton that the schools he mentions are probably the ones from which you will get the most for your money; however, I don't believe it is fair to assume that" A low-cost program that gets you 95% job-ready is worthless because you are not employable at the end of it". That other 5% + is the extra effort YOU need to make. I think SoMara is fair with what she says about judging a school individually and I would like to think a person should be judged individually too. It shouldn't be assumed that all graduates of school such-and-such are incompetent . I certainly do not agree with what I read somewhere that those who choose the less expensive schools aren't as serious about gaining employment or don't really need to work. Let's be realistic: We'd all like to attend Andrews, ROS, or M-Tec but many of us don't have $1000 to put down and $500 a month afterwards. We can afford to pay $50 to $100 a month(interest-free no less) and are willing to take 2 years to pay it off and train if that's what it takes. I'm very serious about becoming an MT, but there are mouths to feed here too. Yes, it may take you a little longer to find a job but you will find one eventually. Be willing to look outside home employment too. My school, Education Direct suggests not taking that route to begin with but rather finding an office or a hospital to work at. I'm going to try a hospital when I finish. Best of luck!

The whole purpose of me taking the MT course was to be able to stay home and work. I've set my sites on that. I'm tired of the commute, office politics and stuff likd that! I understand that MTs in a hospital are usually put out of the way and stuck in a corner somewhere. Or in the basement -- with no windows!
I'm working with an MT once or twice a week now to get the hang of things. I'm not getting paid, but I'm getting real experience that's not part of school. And from my point of view, the 'real world' is easier than school! My school seems to specialize in foreign-speaking doctors who mispronounce words and use incorrect terminalogy. Working in a hospital you will have to deal with those complexities all the time, but working for myself at home, I can be a bit more selective. That might sound arrogant, but I do have that choice now.
My school isn't cheap, but they do allow for the easy-payment-plan. That has really helped us out since I was laid off in March. I got a small severance package but that pretty much has gone toward school.
Now that it's time for the 'rubber to meet the road, I'm getting a little scared! But I'm also very anxious to get this new career going!

This message is to give the real truth about transcription schools over the internet. I am a recent grad. of Education Direct. It is a great program and gives you a solid foundation for medical transcription. Here is what I have learned and I am sure that this applies all around. You will get out what you put in! You can test with Medquist with any school you attend. Practice tapes with REAL physicians is a plus. Hillcrest tapes are much slower and easier to understand, but DO give you the starting practice that you need! I chose Education Direct because I get two actual transcribers. I am going into business for myself and this was important to me. I would definately be realistic about the work-at-home possibilities. Most compainies do not take "newbies". The Medquist test will test ALL of your ability and the transcription part is VERY difficult if you have not listened to actual physician reports before. GOOD LUCK and be prepared to give it your all.

This is for Curley Sue. I sent you a private message about At-Home Professions.

Dena

Thanks Texasflower! Your message made me feel better about my choice with Education Direct and should encourage others who can't afford the pricier programs. Everything is overpriced anyhow! I can't believe how much some practice tapes sell for. I am currently studying the unit on law for medical office professionals and really enjoy the textbook. Once I finish that, then I'm ready to start the actual terminology and transcription portion of the course. I've already had practice with the SUM beginning program from the previous school (in my opinion, the only beneficial item I received from there) and have some of the Absolute Experience tapes too which sound pretty challenging but I haven't tried transcribing them yet until I am well into this course. For Christmas, I'm asking for a Microsoft Natural/ergonomic keyboard. Best of luck to all!

For everyone looking into schools here I wanted to post this again. YOU CAN TAKE THE MEDQUIST TEST even if you do not take a program that says they will give you "an opportunity" to test. YOU MUST choose a school that is strong on terminology/body systems and reference materials. Also, if you want to work locally - go with the transcribers. There ARE good schools that do not cost a fortune and you can pay monthly. The MEDQUIST test is given through MTTEST.com. A lot of companies offering at-home employment test through this site. LOOK OUT for "to good to be true" promises from some of these schools. They can't get you a job - YOU have to do the work and test for it! GOOD LUCK! Being a NEWBIE is VERY challenging, but if you put your heart and soul in it you can find work.

I needed to read some encouraging posts this morning, and thank you Texas.