WAHM Forums

I was just about to sign up for Career Steps MTE course, with a BIG downpayment for me. But for the past few days I have been reading online about how MT's are becoming obsolete, or are being used as editors more often than not. AND that because they are being hired to "edit" their pay has been cut in half. So everyone's saying that becoming an MT, "today", "in this time", would be worthless.

I really cant afford to spend that much money on training for nothing! So I came here, and have read a little about general transcription. Seems, good to me. It seems like there would be a more need for GT than MT to me, for the fact that MT work is also being outsourced to other countries. And I was just at the doctors office the other day , and all the rooms have computers in them and the doctors enters all the information himself. Doesnt this mean that there is less opportunity for MT's?

I am thinking the CS training wouldnt be worth it for the price they want. There used be a Fayavette college (I don't think I spelled that right) that offered the CS program for WAY less money, but it's only for local residents now! :(

In this day and age right now, what do you guys think I should do?
Pay the couple thousand for MT training, try to find work as a GT, or I was thinking legal transcription too.
But keep in mind that I want to work from my home. and I have no experience in really anything except for taking care of kids, cooking and cleaning. I have been a stay at home mom all my adult life, dont even have anything to put on a resume!
My typing speed is about 45 wpm! LOL. I know thats really slow, but I believe the more I do it the faster I will get. So, anyone have any advice for me???

And I was just at the doctors office the other day , and all the rooms have computers in them and the doctors enters all the information himself. Doesnt this mean that there is less opportunity for MT's?

Clinic notes are commonly done in the office on the computer by the doctor. Acute care (hospital work), which is what I do, is often still done by the MT, either from dictation or through a speech program.

...used as editors more often than not. AND that because they are being hired to "edit" their pay has been cut in half

I edit acute care speech reports 8 hours every day, and, while the pay for editing is lower, the work is faster, so I come out even. My pay is the same as it was when I was doing straight transcription. (A lot of MTs will tell you they make less editing, and I'm not sure why that is...maybe some didn't make the transition from transcribing to editing very well. It does require a different skill set.)

If you don't care for medical in particular, either general or legal transcription could be for you. I enjoy medical, personally, and I particularly enjoy editing, which is much easier on me. I'd hate to go back to straight transcription now.



.

And I was just at the doctors office the other day , and all the rooms have computers in them and the doctors enters all the information himself. Doesnt this mean that there is less opportunity for MT's?

Clinic notes are commonly done in the office on the computer by the doctor. Acute care (hospital work), which is what I do, is often still done by the MT, either from dictation or through a speech program.

...used as editors more often than not. AND that because they are being hired to "edit" their pay has been cut in half

I edit acute care speech reports 8 hours every day, and, while the pay for editing is lower, the work is faster, so I come out even. My pay is the same as it was when I was doing straight transcription. (A lot of MTs will tell you they make less editing, and I'm not sure why that is...maybe some didn't make the transition from transcribing to editing very well. It does require a different skill set.)

If you don't care for medical in particular, either general or legal transcription could be for you. I enjoy medical, personally, and I particularly enjoy editing, which is much easier on me. I'd hate to go back to straight transcription now.



.

I actually do have an interest in medical. I WAS planing on being a nurse. But I changed my mind, due to having 4 kids and I want to be home for them in case they need me. Since my husband works long hours, he's never really here except for nights. So thats why my main interest was in medical transcription. But again, all the many comments I hear about MT's careers not be worth the time. I am scared to waste the money. The Career Step enrollment person is still waiting on me to make up my mind too! And I dont know what to do.

You say you do mostly editing, and you seem to get things done pretty quickly. I dont have a very fast typing speed, do you think I would benefit more if I did become an MT then?

I have also thought of becoming a medical coder or biller. The medical coder seems more interesting to me than biller, but again, I hear they cant work from home.

idk.....

You say you do mostly editing, and you seem to get things done pretty quickly. I dont have a very fast typing speed, do you think I would benefit more if I did become an MT then?

It really depends on what you want...what you think you'd enjoy doing and would be able to do well. If you aren't a fast typist, maybe editing would suit you better, but that's just a guess on my part. I would think that new MTs would adapt better to editing than older MTs who are used to transcribing...again, just a guess on my part.

I have also thought of becoming a medical coder or biller. The medical coder seems more interesting to me than biller, but again, I hear they cant work from home.

I don't think coders can work from home right away but may be able to after a few years, from what I've heard.

So I guess you dont really think it would be a waste of time and monney to become an MT then?

Does anyone else think I should go ahead and sign up for the career step MTE training?

No, I didn't say it was a waste of time, not at all.

But if you have doubt, go another direction, as my mother would say.

MTHome, do you get to hear the audio while editing?

Yes, I listen to the entire audio while editing, on the fastest speed possible, never listen at normal speed.

Well, I have decided that I will just stick to GT. But I noticed that alot of companies want your typing speed to be at least 75wpm. Mine is only 45. When they do the intitial hiring test, will they test me on my speed or just acuracy? I would hate to have my speed hender my getting a GT job, becasue I KNOW that the more I do it the faster I would eventually get...

Typing speed is only one of many factors that affect how quickly you can actually do transcription, but if you're only at 45, you should take some typing lessons and try to get faster. IMO you need to be at least at 60 or it will seriously cut into your earning ability.

As for MT, if you are still interested in it, you may still want to go into the course after you have some general transcription experience. I know most MT places prefer to hire people who have some transcription experience behind them rather than just a fresh graduate with an MT certification.

Going this route will also earn you extra money while you're going through your MT training. :)

Yes I need to work on speed. Do any of you know of any online typing classes I can take to increase my speed?

I was also looking on companies web sites and alot of them want you to have a foot pedal and head peice. I dont have either. I do have head phones, dont know if that will work. Do you guys suggest I run out and purchase these things or wait until someone even hires me?

You should definitely get a foot pedal. I don't know what you mean by differentiating between a head piece and headphones. All you need are good headphones. If all you have is cheapo earbuds, though, you may want to consider getting some higher quality ones. It can make a surprising difference.

Here is a list of typing tutor programs you can download. Most of them are free. Try out a few and pick one you think suits you the best:

ALL the touch-typing tutors! Freeware, shareware, online, direct links to download. (http://typingsoft.com/all_typing_tutors.htm#Stamina)

What kind of foot pedal should I get? Where should I get it, and how much would it cost? The headphone I was speaking of- my husband just bought some really expensive ones for music, Sony. They're kind of big though. I wonder if I could just use these for now?

I also read that I should use firefox, I currently use IE, but I also have google chrome on my laptop. Which one would be best to use? I dont know much about getting everything started for working as a GT, and I have read a little on this site about the different software and hardware needed, but it sounds like munbo jumbo to me right now. lol What software would I need to download and so forth?

So all your guidance on getting me set up to start working is much apprecieated!

Thanks for the typing links, I will have a look at them!

You could just check out all the old threads in this folder. That would answer a lot of your questions.

You can also check out my link in my signature line to the website.

You can learn a lot just by researching. :)

Barbie4,

Emery is right - you can learn so much by doing your own research.

The ability and willingness to research are vital if you are to be successful as a transcriptionist, whichever specialty you end up in.

Good luck!

I dont mind doing the research ( I am aware that researching is vital for an MT), but I said above that the many different equipment and software I read about on here just confuses me since I know nothing about any of it yet. So thats why I was asking. In simple and lamage terms, ya know. How and what a beginner would need to get started.
But thanks for all your suggestions anyway. I will follow up on that link.

What kind of foot pedal should I get? Where should I get it, and how much would it cost? The headphone I was speaking of- my husband just bought some really expensive ones for music, Sony. They're kind of big though. I wonder if I could just use these for now?

Yes, just use what you have for now for headphones, or buy a lighter pair...they don't cost much. I use little ear bud ones that I got for $20. For a foot pedal, you can buy them used if you want to save money, or you can get a new one online....see link below for Express Scribe; you can get one there.

I also read that I should use firefox, I currently use IE, but I also have google chrome on my laptop. Which one would be best to use? I dont know much about getting everything started for working as a GT, and I have read a little on this site about the different software and hardware needed, but it sounds like munbo jumbo to me right now. lol What software would I need to download and so forth?

I wouldn't worry about that until you see what your employer requires. You may need one web browser or another, whatever works best for them. And most use Word, but you may end up using an employer's platform instead.

You could go ahead and download Express Scribe, which is free on the web, to transcribe digital voice files. Express Scribe also sells foot pedals that work with ES on their website, link here:

Digital Transcriber - Free Transcription Software Player (http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html)





.

Ok, thanks for the info MTHome!

I'm new to this site & in the exact same boat so I'm extremely curious...what did you decide to do? I am back & forth with the MT course from CareerStep also. It's a lot of money to put out when it appears that the job market for MT's is slowly going away.

I'm new to this site & in the exact same boat so I'm extremely curious...what did you decide to do? I am back & forth with the MT course from CareerStep also. It's a lot of money to put out when it appears that the job market for MT's is slowly going away.

Hi im-mom22, you can always start with general to find out if you can do or even like transcription and then decide if you want to go to school or not.

There is plenty of work to be had in general transcription. Good luck.

I have a silly question. Who do general transcriptionist transcribe for? I'm so confused as to what I should do. I want to be at home with my kids so bad but I have to work. I just don't know which route to take!

General transcription covers a wide range and there are also other types of transcription that fall, sort of, under the GT umbrella like: entertainment/video/TV, financial earnings calls, insurance, law enforcement, etc. GT itself also covers focus groups, interviews, conference calls, letters, memos, etc.

Since you are new, before you decide, ask youself some questions. Do you know if you'll like transcribing? Do you know if you can do transcribing?

You can get into GT with relatively little expense to start. And you will need experience to move into either legal or medical transcription. MT does require certification unless you are able to get on with a company like ANP that has a medical side.

Good luck.

Thank you for the help!!