I got this card from a fellow stamper and medical transcriptionist. Can anyone else relate? 
Archive for General
You gotta love being a MT!
It’s been awhile. . .
Since I last posted! Sorry about that!
I’ve been quite busy with working at Superior and I’ve returned to my love of stamping and crafting. Before I went into medical transcription I used to have a crafting business but some personal things in my life made me lose my desire to do my crafts. So fast forward a few years to a new marriage, 2 children, and a new career, I decided to dig out what I had left of my crafts and set up a little studio where I do my medical transcription. I started a blog at http:www.elliesstampgarden.com and re-signed up as a stamping demonstrator for The Angel Company (the company I was with many years ago!). I’m also going to teach classes with kids since I have kids now myself!
Anyway, as you can tell, I’m doing a lot which is the way I like it. I still love working in the MT field. I’ve been working as a QA editor at Superior Global Solutions since December now and just love it.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, you may have about Career Step or the MT field in general.
Ellie Jacobson
The other paths as a MT. . .
Anita posted a greaomt comment that I thought I would answer here. . .
“I am a medical assistant who is looking to become a MT. I would kill for those hours! I would love to know more about all the different position you can be offered as a MT with experience. I honestly just thought it all stoped at MT. You sound so happy, please who ever reads this, feel free to contact me. I would love to hear more..” Anita
I love working the late evening/night hours. I thought I wouldn’t like it but it actually works very well for me with my 2 small children who are under 2.
There are many opportunities for a medical transcriptionist beyond just being a MT (I would stress that it would be beneficial to be a MT for at least 2 years straight before you venture into another area). Depending on how large the company is you work for, you can progress to a QA editor (quality assurance) which is what I have done. I basically go over all the reports of new MTs or if there are blanks that should be filled in before the report is sent directly to the client. I also provide feedback so the MT can learn what they need to work on, etc. I know within the company I work for you can continue to move up by being a Team Leader or Supervisor. You can also progress to a trainer, mentor, teacher for a MT program, a MT recruiter or go into business for yourself and start your own MT business.
I like to check out MTjobs.com to see what is available out there and it gives you a good idea of the different types of avenues you can go down as a MT. It definitely does not end at just being a MT.
Anita, if you have any further questions, let me know. You mentioned you were a medical assistant which is a great base for becoming a MT since you would be familiar with a lot of the terminology.
Good luck to you!
Working from home right after graduation?
I thought I would post a question a visitor, Lauren, had posted as I think it’s a common concern with people concerning the field of medical transcription. . .
“I am a married mom of two who lives in Fl. . .I
am very interesting in the MT field and think I’m leaning towards taking the
course that Career Step provides. I am very nervous about learning the
materials (my medical background only consists of 5 years as a pharmaceutical
rep and most of that terminology i’ve forgotten since i’ve been home w/ the kids
for years now). I would need to work from home right out of the gate…do you
think this is realistic to achieve as a C.Step grad oneday?? Also, if i work
20-25 hrs a week at first what kind of income do you think that would translate
to??”
I totally understand your concern and fears about investing in a few profession. Yes, it’s very possible to work from home right away after graduating. There are so many companies that hire medical transcriptionists from home; it’s really quite endless the number of companies. The hardest hurdle actually is getting hired as a new grad. Many companies are very hesitate to hire new grads simply because there is a learning curve with new grads. Many companies would rather hire experienced people, because it’s easier and cheaper, which is understandable.
But there are many companies too that will hire new grads (I have a blog entry which links to a list of such companies). Also I recommend that grads invest in the RMT credential as that will signal to an employer that you are very serious, and educated, to take on a medical transcription position right out of school.
I really can’t answer the income question as that would depend on what company you work for and if you decide to be an employee or an independent contractor (which if you’re looking for more part-time hours, you would probably need to go down the IC route). I personally have made a stable paycheck being a medical transcriptionist but it did take some time to really be consistent with my paychecks since you are paid on production. When you first start out, you won’t be very fast and so your paychecks will not be as large but if you give yourself time to get trained and to know your specific account information, you can make a stable paycheck.
I hope this helps a little. You can make it if you really feel this is the right field for you and it would be something you would like to do. Medical transcription is the right career path for me as I greatly enjoy the medical field (I didn’t have much of a medical background either when I started, just secretary work) so doing this is a great pleasure. Just now, it’s not easy and you need to be very motivaated and focused and it helps to have the support of your spouse/partner to make it work.
Good luck to you!
Ellie Jacobson
Watch surgical procedures on your computer
I got a newsletter in the mail yesterday from Allina and they have some surgical procedures you can watch on your computer. Click here, for the website. You can watch a myomectomy, brain surgery, total knee replacement and a gastric band procedure. I type a lot of operative reports so I thought this would be useful. I’m the type of person who likes to see the big picture to understand exactly what it is I’m typing and/or editing.
Your MT New Year’s Resolution?
I’m not normally someone who does New Year’s Resolutions but I guess I’m thinking about this upcoming year from a MT perspective and the goals I would like to accomplish.
This summer will mark 2 years of being a medical transcriptionist and I decided I would take the certified medical transcription (CMT) test. It’s a certification from AHDI and many employers do look for MTs to have that if you would like to move up the ladder. Plus I like challenges.
So I will keep you updated on my studying and of course the test.
So what are your goals as a medical transcriptionist (either if you’re a student, not working or a working MT)?
Happy New Years
I just wanted to wish those that stop by a Happy New Year!
I’m very grateful for 2008 and my new career of medical transcription. 2008 was the first full year I was able to work from home doing my job and that is a great thing, especially during these tough times.
If you ever have any questions about going into medical transcription, Career Step or need any advice, don’t hesitate to send me an email or post here.
Onto 2009!
Keeping yourself up to date as a MT
I want to thank Sally for stopping by my blog and I thought I would write an entry based on her question. . .
“I ran across your blog searching for information in the MT field. My question is, other than resources that can assit an MT, do you know of any resources that can help keep an MT up to date on the most current education in this department? I will soon be a graduate from Career Step, and I would like to place something in my cover letter that shows that I am attempting to “further my education” in the MT field. Thank you.” – Sally
First of all congrats on your soon graduation!
I would recommend checking out the official website, AHDI, on more information for further your education. You can earn 2 credentials as a medical transcriptionist to show that you are furthering your education and making this career a life long one. There is the RMT (registered medical transcriptionist) credential which is for new medical transcriptionists. It’s a newer credential so not all employers will pay more for those MTs with that credential but it does show your seriousness for the field. And there is also the CMT (certified medical transcriptionist) meant to be taken after you have 2 years of acute care experience (I’m working on this right now). If you desire to move up in the field many companies require this certification and also pay more to those who have that certification.
When I was a student I joined AHDI (it’s cheaper to join as a student) so when I graduated I could add that I was a member to my resume.
I hope this info helps a little and thank you again for stopping by. . .
Ellie Jacobson
Used Medical Transcription Reference Books
I’m cleaning out my bookshelf because I’m realizing which reference materials I really use on a daily basis. I also want to switch to using the Stedman’s Word books on CD versus print material. I have just a few books left and I’m selling them on Amazon. Click here to view the books. If you have any questions, just let me know!
Oh my…
Ok I haven’t updated my MT blog for a long time! I had my son, Alex almost 5 months ago and I’ve been slowly getting back into working again full-time. I took about a month off after Alex and now I’m working about 32 hours a week (that is my goal!). I try to work 16 hours during the week (mainly in the evening after my husband gets home from work) and then 16 hours on the weekend. It’s not an easy thing with 2 children under the age of 2 but it’s working. It really helps to have a super, supportive husband!
I’m still working at Superior Global Solutionsand I really love it! I have 3 hospital accounts that I do acute care reports for and I’m always busy. I mainly do VR (voice recognition) editing, which I also love too. Right now I typically edit about 300-450 lph (line per hour, the rate most MTs are paid). SGS uses the EditScript platform is very user friendly and makes the editing work very easy to do (as long as the dictator speaks pretty clearly which most of the them do on my accounts). If you have a few years experience and are looking for VR editing work, send your email to SGS. Click here for their website.
I will try to keep up more with my blog now. If you have any questions, regarding the world of MT, let me know!
