Any other Medical transcriptionists out there?

[Roemama1]

Just wondering if there are any other fellow DIS'ers that re MT's?

I have been doing it for about 7 years. I currently work at home for a local hospital here in Syracuse, NY. (I've been with them for about 3 years). I started doing this after I tried the home daycare thing and I loved the kids...it was the parents that were driving me nuts so I went to school to be an MT.

I love the fact that I can stay home with my DD's but sometimes it's a little challenging convincing people that my desk is actually my "office" and I am working right now, etc. I'm sure you know what I mean.

So, if you're in the same boat and want to chat...let's hear from you.

 

[Cindabella's Mom]

I am!

I've been a transcriptionist for almost 15 years and I've worked the last 9 years at home. I've worked for several services and currently work for a hospital based in Atlanta - LOVE IT! HOspital benefits w/o working at the hospital.

My husband's grandmother still doesn't get the fact that I actually have a job.

My kids are school age (4th grade and one in pre-k) now. Last week was spring break. Several new kids have moved into the neighborhood and don't understand that I'm working. I can already tell rules are going to have to be established for the summer.

 

[Hillbeans]

What happens when you want to vacation?

 

[legs22]

What is the pay range? Can you do it part time? How tough is it to find a position?

 

[Roemama1]

Hi Tonya,

Glad to hear from you. It's nice to have a little "water cooler" talk for us that work at home.

I work about 32 hours per week now (used to be less but we got busier and busier). The hospital I work for lets us choose are scheduled but we are bound to work those certain hours. How does it work where you are? I usually work mornings and nights but am probably going to ask about doing full time days when my youngest DD goes to kindergarten in the fall.

I usually do admission notes, consultation notes, discharge notes, ED reports and some other misc stuff. We get reports for ANY doctor in the hospital so it is alot. What do you do? I never really wanted to try OP notes. They seemed to hard.

Hillbeans,

When I want to go on vacation I simply ask my supervisor for the time. There are 20 other MT's that work for my hospital and if there are not too many other people taking the time, then we are allowed to take it off. (We get paid vacations which just started because we recently went union). HOpe I answered your questions.

Leggs 22,

The pay range depends on your experience. You have to know medical terminology and takes classes. When I first started out I was paid by the hour but now am paid "by the line". Depending on how fast you can do it (although you need to know the medical terms) the average where I work is anywhere from $15-$25 an hour. That is without any interruptions for kids, husbands, relatives, etc, or having a foreign doctor who is dictating, etc. When I first started I wanted to give it up because even though I took the classes I thought it was hard. I kept with it and now I love it. I still learn something new every day.

 

[melk]

I used to do data entry/medical coding for an insurance company and DH suggested this might be something to get into so I could work from home (I'm a SAHM right now). I've looked a little at some local junior colleges and am not sure about what to do...is there an actual program or did you just take courses like medical terminology? Any info you could give about getting into this I would appreciate!

 

[nyyankees5]

Hi all

I am also interested in how to get started in this. I am a SAHM of 2 (DS,DD) with one on the way. Before I had my son I was and Data Entry, Adminstrative Assistant, and Quality Assurance System Anaylst (So the typing is not the problem). What class would I have to take? Should I go to my local college or take the classes from on the many Medical Transcriptionist Schools here in NY.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. You can reach me at Nyyankees5@aol.com or PM.


Thank you

Erin

 

[Tinkim]

Hi there. Another at-home MT here. I have been doing MT from home for about four years now. I do clinic work with lots of different specialties. I really enjoy it for the most part but some days I wish I was doing something else. My DD who is 6 did not realize I had a job. I was talking about working "two jobs" and she said "Mom, I didn't know you had a job." Unfortunately that is also what you get from adults too. They think since you are at home that you are not really working. As far as being home for the kids, picking them up from school, and being able to attend school events and baseball games, dance recitals, etc. you can't beat that.

Kim

p.s. For those of you looking to become a medical transcriptionist there are on-line courses you can take at home if you are unable to go to school. That is what I did and it worked out well for me because there were really no local MT schools here.

 

[Cindabella's Mom]

Nice to meet you Roemama. The social aspect of working in an office is what I miss most. I currently work 40 hrs/week, day shift, 5a-1p, but I also have an hour every day that I have to make up for getting the kids to school. The hospital I work for is a children's hospital, totally different from doing adult transcription. I do H&Ps, discharges, consults, clinic notes, and especially op notes. You really should give ops a try, they're what I prefer as they seem to go faster (i.e. more $$).

Ditto to what Tinkim said.

For what it's worthy, I actually went to a local college for transcription; actually wound up with an associate's degree since I had enough credits but the transcription program itself is a certifcate course. For those interested, you might look into local technical schools as well as the on-line courses. I do feel it is becoming a harder field to break into. Lots of people have got into this field.

Someone asked about vacations - I currently accrue PTO hours every pay period so have paid vacations. BUT when I worked for the services and did contract work, I took any time off w/o pay. The money is really good if you're really fast.

 

[Roemama1]

Hi Kim,

Welcome. I'm glad to see you. That is so funny what your daughter said!!! I guess I know now that is just not me that has the same problem.

ERin, I sent you an email. Hope you got it.

Melk, to answer your question. I already had an associates degree in business administration. So, I went to a local vocational school and took medical terminology which is a MUST, MUST, MUST!!! I also loved that class. I teaches you the meanings of PARTS of words and if you know what PART of it means...you'll be able to figure out what they are saying. For instance, hepato always pertains to the liver, etc. You can be as fast as lightening as a typist but if you don't know the medical words they are using you won't be able to go very far.

I also took a medical transcription class that actually showed you the formats of reports and how to use the dictaphone and do actual reports, etc.

As far as getting a job, I don't want to discourage anyone but took me a while. They were all looking for experience which I didn't have. I finally was able to "fill in" for vacationing MT's at a local family practice doctor's office because I knew one of the people that worked there. I did this for a while and then went to work for a transcription agency. They went out of business and now I work for my current hospital. WHich I LOVE!!!

My advice is take the courses, try it out and STICK WITH IT!!! It seems a little discouraging at first but you'll get it. Hey, I don't know everything there is to know. LIke I said before, I learn something new every day.