Can anyone tell me if it makes a difference which online program you use? I've heard that potential employers look for someone that's been trained by an AHDI approved program. But when I asked Future MT, a non-approved program, they said that their program was as good as the others on AHDI's list but you have to pay to get on that list and they simply choose not to, so as to pass that savings on to the student. So if AHDI is just paid by the schools/programs that want them to refer them, then that doesn't actually make those programs any more qualified. But this seems like common sense to me so is it true that employers really give that much weight to AHDI's referrals? If not, then it seems like any program that offers help with job placement after the fact would be OK. Am I not understanding how emplyoers view training?? Please let me know before I waste my $$ on a program that is not going to be the most beneficial to me!

You only have FutureMT's word that they are "as good" as the programs on the list. However, money isn't the only consideration.

A school pays for the evaluation, but that doesn't guaranty they will meet the requirements to be on the list.

There's a reason for the AHDI approved list and that reason is all the fly-by-night schools that claimed to give an education "as good as" - but didn't deliver.

IMO, Asking them if they are as good as the approved schools is like asking Satan if hell is as good as heaven. Do you really think they'd say "oh no, we're not as good as those schools but we're cheaper!" Uh-huh.

Go to the list. There's a link in the links box to the right. Do not consider any school that isn't on the list.

Let's look at the math. It costs a school $1800 to apply for approval. Approval lasts for 3 years. What is the smallest amount of students a school could expect to enroll over a 3-year period? Let's assume it's 100 students -- about 33 students a year, or 2-3 a month. $1800 divided by 100 equals $18.

Is it reasonable that a school would trade the bragging rights of being listed by AHDI to pass on a savings of $20 to their students?

Here's a link to the Education Program Approval Manual on AHDI's site: Education Program Approval Manual

The fees are listed on page 9 of the manual.

Excellent.

On the other hand, being on a "quality list" is no guarantee either. You can go to a Joint Commission-approved hospital and still have the wrong kidney removed; your preemie kid can get an adult's dose of heparin; and you can lie writhing in pain on the ER floor until you die while people are calling 911 trying to get you help because it's not forthcoming from the staff.

Just saying.

So, so true.

It is, though, a place to start.

Better than nothing, IMO.

I'm currently training with <spam deleted>. After much research, I chose them because they offer at-home training, mentored internship, and a guaranteed job offer after graduation. I talked to several people in the business who talked about how difficult it is to find a job without that internship or experience. Check them out at <spam deleted by admin>. They also offer a payment plan and it's a reasonable cost. I am learning a lot and like having an instructor available to help me online.

I suggest you wait until you've actually graduated and you're working before recommending a program.

Julie, I think this is just another ad from "Lynn's Pen" -- see her first post from 11/03/2009.