medical assistant or transcription?

[sbpebbles]

So I know I want to go into health care for my chosen college program..these are the 2 programs I am interested in but I only want to go for up to one year maximum and I also know i have to complete at least a year to qualify for financial aid..Is anyone currently working in either of these fields? I'm wondering which is the better of the two to get into and which one will have more openings..granted I do realize it depends on the area where you live for openings..I'm considering going through an online school, right now leaning towards University of Phoenix since I have a friend who is going through them and loves them, but i am also considering Globe University...Are online schools looked down on in the job market? I want to make the right choice and I want to do something I'd get real satisfaction out of and I know I'm great with computers..Another concern I have is whether they will run a background check for me to get into these programs? I made some mistakes when I was younger and since i was older than 21 a lot of it will stay on my record and can not be expunged..If anyone has any advice for me in regards to these 2 jobs fields I'd LOVE to hear it..thank you!

 

[Aristomommy]

For medical field, I would attend a local school. My area is huge on health care and there is a need for just about every medical profession. But medical assistants have a hard time finding jobs especially right after school. There is more need for transcription though, so I would check your area and what professionals are needed. As someone who has done online classes, I would not recommend medical assisting online. In my state they can also get phlebotomy licenses, so learning that skill would be done in person somewhere, I'd think. Most schools have off hours classes and accomodate non traditional students.

As far as your "past" issue, it would really depend on what you are referring to. If you would work in the medical field as a medical assistant, you would likely be finger printed and they may conduct a background check periodically as well. Since I work one on one with people, it is the standard for me. So hard to say without details.

 

[999ghostslover]

I looked into these two years ago and ended up just getting my RN.
My mother in-law has been a transcriptionist for 25 years. She has worked from home and in a large office. She has managed other transcriptionists and she has done transcription editing. She started working for a large local doctors group and now works for the world's largest transcription company. The one that like 70% of the transcriptionists work. And most work from home.
She imagines by Christmas she will quit and be working at an entry-level job at her grocery store. She is paid full-time but based by the line. Her salary has been slowly cut by 60% over the last few years. Transcription is being outsourced to India. She is still expected to work a shift. So she has to be at her desk from lets say 3pm-11pm one day. But barely any transcription comes to her and since she is paid by the line it just isn't worth it. She is barely making minimum wage and she used to make a great salary. It is really sad.

So many of the medical assistant schools and transcription schools can be really scammy. They charge an arm and a leg and can't help you get a good job. And their credits do not transfer to an LPN or RN program. That seemed fishy to me. I would just bite the bullet and got o nursing school We make great money! If that isn't an option talk to lots of grads of the program and see what jons they have.

 

[999ghostslover]

I did not read the end of your post until now. Sorry. I don't know what law trouble you had but most health care places will not hire you with a bad past. It is waaay too much liability. And you will never be able to get professional medical licenses. I'm sure U of P and Globe will take your money and let you graduate but that doesn't mean hospitals and nursing homes and medical practices will allow you to work there. I'm sorry to be blunt. I was a healthcare HR person for Kaiser Permenente (HUGE medical group all over the country) before I went to nursing school. We ran background checks and all felonies and most misdemeanors disqualified applicants. It is just too much of a liability.

 

[999ghostslover]

sorry for the multi-post...
But a really big push right now is electronic medical records. Maybe you could get a job with a company specializing in that. The President has a big initiative to get all medical records online in the next few years so there are a lot of companies that specialize in that. You could get a degree in medical billing and coding or health IT and you wouldn't have to give patient care so your past may not be as much of an issue.

 

[Sadie22]

I don't know about medical assisting but you can get more information regarding medical transcription as a career in the transcription folders on forums such as wahm.com and workplacelikehome.com. If you decide to pursue that as a career only choose an AHDI-approved school such as Career Step.

 

[rbork]

A quality medical assistant program will require attendance and include hands on training.
State Board of Nursing that issues your licence will require info regarding any felonies or misdomeaners (sp?)
PP is correct, your background will be check by employers. And indeed some backgrounds are frowned upon by some employers. I wish you good luck in your pursuit of a marketable skill.

 

[sbpebbles]

sadly my record is something i can not change and if i could go back in time i would by any and all means..so maybe I should look into Medical billing and coding..I have a hard time finding any job right now based on my record cuz based on first look it seems worse than it was..and I understand employers run background checks but I was wondering if schools do that as a process of selecting students? I really want something I can do online or have stuff mailed to me so I can do it on my time..i guess i"m just lost cuz nothing is really hiring in my area and if they are hiring there are so many applicants with so much more experience so I've moreless given up the job hunt and decided going to college and getting SOMETHING is better than just sitting here and wasting away..what fields are really hiring? and RN is definitely ruled out for me..thanks for the responses so far..keep them coming

 

[Sadie22]

Backgrounds are most likely checked for any health-related professions due to health privacy regulations. You could call the HR department of your local hospital and ask about this before enrolling in a course of study.

 

[Virgderon]

I am a recruiter and I hire medical assistants. My clients will not hire anyone with a felony on their record, but they will consider people with non- violent, non drug related misdemeanors.

Having said that, medical assisting is tough to get into , and the pay is low to start- $10 to $12 per hour.

Many, many medical assistant schools are for profit scams. Careful who you choose!

 

[sbpebbles]

I am a recruiter and I hire medical assistants. My clients will not hire anyone with a felony on their record, but they will consider people with non- violent, non drug related misdemeanors.

Having said that, medical assisting is tough to get into , and the pay is low to start- $10 to $12 per hour.

Many, many medical assistant schools are for profit scams. Careful who you choose!

my record is none of the above so maybe I'll be ok..maybe i will call the local hospitals and see if they would consider someone with my background before enrolling in schooling..why is medical assisting so hard to get into? I thought it was one of the most in demand jobs? or is that just a line that the colleges give people to get them into the programs? and honestly most jobs here only pay min. wage-$8 at the most so I'd be happy with anything more...and i wouldn't go to a medical assistant specific school, just an online school that is acredited

 

[bemily]

I am a medical transcriptionist (self-taught)....I have worked for 2 companies in the last few years and I dont believe a background was run on me?? I know I had to do an online course for compliance for my current company, but that's it (I dont have a record, so if they did, nothing would come up).

999ghostlover: I am curious what company your MIL works for? I actually just got into "speech editor" since my contract was ending on my other job and this is the way of the future for transcription and I got in with a company that contracts Mass General Hospital and I have nonstop work 24 hours a day. It took me about 3 months to get used to the speech recognition process, but now I am up to speed and am making what I was when I would transcribe the document by typing completely and it is in the range of 25-30/hour depending on the flow of work and types of reports.

 

[csharpwv]

I am a college admissions representative and from the majority of the job outlooks - Medical Transcription does not look good. This is due to the advance of digital medical records typed BY the physicians themselves. I've actually read stories about hospitals that do not even hire them anymore due to bed-side computers/tablet PC's/ and other portable computing devices found in the health care environment now.

As a college admissions representative that represents a 99% brick and mortar institution - I can 100% attest to the fact that the quality of online education varies VASTLY between institutions and even between programs at the same institution. DO NOT get an applied degree online - it is absolutely totally worthless in the marketplace that is crowded with individuals that earned their degree in a classroom environment. PLUS often time those individuals completed their clinical/practical hours with an employer that is far more likely to hire them - since their work ethic/attendance/hygiene etc etc is not a sight unseen when they apply for an open position.

Be sure to compare the COST of online education versus a traditional Community College/College/University. There are some online schools out there that offer an excellent value - but there are some that are absolutely a waste of money - forcing you to spend far more than you could ever repay based on the earning potential of the career that the education prepares you for. As a whole - if a school is 'for profit' ..... buyer beware! You are a customer - shop wisely - and make sure there are opportunities available.

As far as your criminal record - a reputable program at a reputable institution will brief you on the requirements to apply for and eventually obtain the licensing necessary for a specific career BEFORE you ever attend the first class or pay the first dollar (APPLICATION FEES INCLUDED!!!!!) to make sure you are making a good decision for you in light of anything in your past - whether it is on a criminal record, credit history, previous employment history or whatever else an employer may ask to review these days.

But first and foremost - make sure its a career that you can stick with for the long haul - a career that you will love- and a career that will give you the opportunity to advance when you are ready.

Also - before you start a degree program contact a major state/public institution to assure that credit you earn will transfer. There are a lot of career education companies that will tell you they are accredited - but they will not tell you that they are not regionally accredited. When it comes to college accreditation national accreditation is not what MAJOR institutions look for. Nearly any school can receive national accreditation - even the WORST of schools.

Do your research before you make any decision!

 

[sbpebbles]

I am a college admissions representative and from the majority of the job outlooks - Medical Transcription does not look good. This is due to the advance of digital medical records typed BY the physicians themselves. I've actually read stories about hospitals that do not even hire them anymore due to bed-side computers/tablet PC's/ and other portable computing devices found in the health care environment now.

As a college admissions representative that represents a 99% brick and mortar institution - I can 100% attest to the fact that the quality of online education varies VASTLY between institutions and even between programs at the same institution. DO NOT get an applied degree online - it is absolutely totally worthless in the marketplace that is crowded with individuals that earned their degree in a classroom environment. PLUS often time those individuals completed their clinical/practical hours with an employer that is far more likely to hire them - since their work ethic/attendance/hygiene etc etc is not a sight unseen when they apply for an open position.

Be sure to compare the COST of online education versus a traditional Community College/College/University. There are some online schools out there that offer an excellent value - but there are some that are absolutely a waste of money - forcing you to spend far more than you could ever repay based on the earning potential of the career that the education prepares you for. As a whole - if a school is 'for profit' ..... buyer beware! You are a customer - shop wisely - and make sure there are opportunities available.

As far as your criminal record - a reputable program at a reputable institution will brief you on the requirements to apply for and eventually obtain the licensing necessary for a specific career BEFORE you ever attend the first class or pay the first dollar (APPLICATION FEES INCLUDED!!!!!) to make sure you are making a good decision for you in light of anything in your past - whether it is on a criminal record, credit history, previous employment history or whatever else an employer may ask to review these days.

But first and foremost - make sure its a career that you can stick with for the long haul - a career that you will love- and a career that will give you the opportunity to advance when you are ready.

Also - before you start a degree program contact a major state/public institution to assure that credit you earn will transfer. There are a lot of career education companies that will tell you they are accredited - but they will not tell you that they are not regionally accredited. When it comes to college accreditation national accreditation is not what MAJOR institutions look for. Nearly any school can receive national accreditation - even the WORST of schools.

Do your research before you make any decision!

Based on your knowledge what are some jobs that have positive job outlooks in the near future? honestly if i were to pick a dream job it would be something in the travel/hospitality field and I do live near the Wisconsin Dells so there are opportunities there, just not sure what programs fit there..i just don't want to pick a career and do the schooling only to find out there are no jobs available..it's hard enough to find a job, let alone seeking a job AND paying back any financial aid...thanks so much for your help guys!

 

[rbork]

You received excellent advice from csharpwv.
Hospitality and travel interest you, so may I ask why medical? Big difference beween packing/dressing someones MRSA oozing odorous wound and booking air travel or managing travel business.
Actually when I was younger I went to college without a clear goal and finally stopped and said, "what exactly do I need to do to get a JOB?"
So I think it's great your thinking ahead.
Good Luck and Do What's right for you.

 

[Juls]

It really angers me that someone who made mistakes in the past and hasnt had one bit of trouble since that mistake is still categorized the same as say a murderer or career criminal that is always in and out of trouble. Some people truly made a mistake and just want the opportunity to do a honest days work. Ugh sorry for the rant but I have an in-law in the boat. A good good person still paying for a mistake that happend over 20 years ago.