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#106085 - 08/04/08 08:43 AM
Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
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missrei
New Member
Registered: 08/02/08
Posts: 4
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Hello!
This is my second post at this forum. I've received very helpful responses to my first post, thank you!
I'm in the process of comparing the curriculum at Andrews School and M-Tec, and planning the payment plan with my family. I've been reading through the forum this past week, and the information has helped so much.
I feel that I've found the schools that will provide me with solid training and the support that will help me find a job as a newbie MT. However, I would love to get some feedback from the community regarding common pitfalls at first job(s).
If you would like to share your experiences, it would be much appreciated. I'm interested in 1) challenges you've faced with work practice/processes (whether it be on your end or difficulties created by employer), and 2) challenges you've faced regarding pay (I know this can be a sensitive subject with many unique variables - I am looking for COMMON pitfalls).
I am especially curious to know of anything that would fall into the realm of "...if I had known this during training I would have paid more attention to XXX..."
Thank you in advance!
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#106090 - 08/04/08 09:09 AM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: missrei]
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casagrandeMT
Member
Registered: 12/05/04
Posts: 1936
Loc: Casa Grande, AZ
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The first year of being an MT you will make hardly any money. As you improve, the money will get a little better.
The number one thing I feel is important is train your ear to ESL (English as a 2nd language) docs during your schooling!
This was the only area that my school was light on (back in 1999). We only had a few ESLs in our SUM tapes. After I went out in the "real world", I went back to my school and talked them into adding a whole component on ESLs. I trained my ear myself and after 7.5 years could transcribe any accent, but it would have been easier if I had more exposure in school.
Good luck.
_________________________
Casagrande ex-MT
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#106137 - 08/04/08 04:03 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: casagrandeMT]
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Donna2
Member
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 6152
Loc: Sunny FL
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These aren't necessarily personal experiences, but they're possibilities.
1) Challenges with work practice: If someone corrects you on something, and you know you're right, make sure you have a reliable reference resource to back yourself up; otherwise, you just look like a newbie who thinks she knows everything. ("I did a Google" does not qualify.) If you are incorrect, make sure you take the information and not make the same mistakes over and over. Know how to phrase the correction. "Gosh, I'm confused. It says here in _____ book that... Are there 2 correct ways of doing this?"
2) Pay. Don't sell yourself short if you truly are talented and took a good course and did really well. However, you're not wanting to go barreling in like you have 10 years experience. Do consider that someone giving you a chance is worth a lot. Also, as stated above, no matter how good the line rate if that's the route you take, you will not make much money, especially if you are willing to learn, learn, learn by accepting any reports/dictators that come your way so you can get really good. It will pay off later on.
3) Definitely, definitely get a lot of experience with ESL dictators. The only way to do that is to take a good course, which you are, then do as stated above on the job.
_________________________
Donna
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#106911 - 08/09/08 01:46 AM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: Donna2]
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jmtmm
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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Be sure to talk with the instructors or before you sign up see if the school you are looking into will be able to help place you somewhere once you have finished. It is a wonderful career but most places do not tell new graduates that it is hard to find a job at first. Once you get in somewhere you should be good to go and gain that great experience. Most companies are looking for at least 2 years of experience.
Also, know that when you do get ready to find a job you will more than likely need to work evenings, nights and weekend schedules. For example a Tues-Sat schedule or Sun-Thurs. The Monday through Friday spots are rare these days.
From my experience many places do not go over these things with the new graduates. Again, it is an excellent career and you have picked 2 of the best schools. You should do very well.
One last thing, when and if you take the course be sure if you can to learn the inpatient acute care work also known as the basic 4 (Dicharges, Consults, History and Physicals, and Operative notes). Many companies look for really good basic 4 MT's. The Operative notes are hard but you are very marketable if you can do them.
Andrews and M-tec are 2 of the best schools out there! Wonderful choices!
I think that is it from me...haha!
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#107067 - 08/10/08 04:45 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: Donna2]
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newbie
New Member
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 1
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I have been doing MT school research. I was considering Allied because it is located in CA (my residence) and thought the job placement help would be good. After reading your blog I realize that's not where I'll be going. However, I was considering Career Step. The other schools are twice the price (Andrews and M-Tec). I used to do medical transcription 20 years ago (mostly oncology, hematology and radiology. I was a medical social worker and psychiatric social worker for the past 20 years so have lots of knowledge in those areas. Will this matter in terms of chosing a school or do you suggest I still attend the top two schools?
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#107068 - 08/10/08 05:03 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: newbie]
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tropsicleAfter
Member
Registered: 10/30/06
Posts: 2679
Loc: Vicksburg, MS
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The very fact that Andrews and M-TEC are twice the price (you do realize that there are variations in the prices of Career Step programs, don't you?) should give you a big clue about what to do here.
It really all boils down to whether you want to work or just go through school. We never see any Andrews or M-Tec grads in here moaning that they cannot get a job, but we see lots of same from all other schools.
Can it be done by going to some other school? Sure, but the odds of finding decent work as a graduate fall off rather quickly.
Don't go cheap. Going cheap on your school will only short you later.
BTW, I am not connected to either Andrews or M-TEC, and did not attend either. I have, like others here, seen the entry-level output of those two schools, and of CS and Allied, and others, and wouldn't hire from anywhere but the first two.
_________________________
tropsicle
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#107077 - 08/10/08 06:56 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: missrei]
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Glory1863
Member
Registered: 03/27/08
Posts: 366
Loc: Beyond Antares
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If you are working in-house, pay close attention to how you are trained. Is there a dedicated trainer or lead transcriptionist who spends quality time with you or is your training short, slapdash and constantly interrupted? Is this person readily available to you should you have questions once you are working on your own? Are the manuals for the transcription platform and voice recognition platform (and any other program/equipment you might be using) readily available for you to read to brush up on your training and to help you handle something the trainer said would only happen once in a blue moon or are they locked away in the manager's office or unavailable to you on-line under your sign-in?
What kind of references, if any, are provided at your workstation? Is there at least an English dictionary, a medical dictionary and a drug book? If you are in a specialty clinic setting, is there a word book for that specialty? Do you have internet access so you can research terms? If you do, how tight is the content filter IT has in place? (By that I mean, for example, that a too restrictive filter might prevent you from searching OB/GYN terms because it thinks you're looking for sex/porn.) Are there samples for difficult dictators? Is there a name and address list for doctors who frequently refer in or are used as consultants? How often is the staff list updated (especially if there are residents and/or medical students)?
Is it permitted for allied health personnel to go to Tumor Board or Grand Rounds? Are you encouraged to go (even if that means you come early, stay late or eat your lunch there) to learn more about the facility's specialties or the new techniques the physicians are learning?
How you are trained and the resources made available to you say a lot about how your job, and by extension, you as the worker are valued. Look for what gives you the greatest opportunities to learn. Don't let yourself be set up to fail.
_________________________
The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. Abraham Lincoln
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#107091 - 08/10/08 11:09 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: tropsicleAfter]
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jmtmm
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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tropsicle:
I completely agree. I am not affiliated with M-tec or Andrews either. I have been on the Operations side of this business for a while and know how the MT's test and do as far as working goes in this industry. I would strongly suggest not going to the cheaper school. If you are really serious about this as an occupation go with the better school. I am sure you will not regret it.
Edited by jmtmm (08/10/08 11:11 PM)
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#107710 - 08/15/08 05:14 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: missrei]
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Amanda88
New Member
Registered: 08/13/08
Posts: 3
Loc: AZ
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I am a Newbie also, and what is the going rate of pay per line? I'm in the process of looking fior work. Do you know any websites with practice tests that I can do, so I will be better prepared for these applications tests. I tried MT desk but alot of the sites are not working that they have posted.
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#107753 - 08/15/08 09:38 PM
Re: Newbie: Common First Job Pitfalls
[Re: missrei]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 2916
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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I am especially curious to know of anything that would fall into the realm of "...if I had known this during training I would have paid more attention to XXX..."
Anatomy. The better you know and understand what you are typing about, the better your work will be and the less errors you will make. You will also be more likely to recognize when something doesn't make sense.
I would also work more on concentration. No surfing, message board reading, or checking email during the time you have set aside to study. Especially if your time at the computer is limited, either because of needing to complete a certain amount of work during set hours, or having a schedule because of children, family, etc. to work around, you need to make the best use possible of the time you have.
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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