3 registered
(tropsicleAfter, 2 invisible)
and 13 anonymous users online.
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#16080 - 04/02/06 07:38 AM
Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
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PatriciaB
Member
Registered: 11/04/05
Posts: 217
Loc: Ontario Canada
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Hi Rachael!
It looks like you and I are the only VLC grads here or at least the only ones who are proud of it.
:clap:
Pat
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#16081 - 04/28/06 09:26 AM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
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sharononeal
Junior Member
Registered: 01/19/04
Posts: 4
Loc: Pflugerville, TX
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I am a recent VLC Grad. It took me 3 years and 9 months studying part time. I am from the Very, Very old course and I graduated with a 96%. 
Sharon
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#16082 - 04/28/06 05:19 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
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PatriciaB
Member
Registered: 11/04/05
Posts: 217
Loc: Ontario Canada
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Hi Sharon!
Nice to see you here! Congrats on graduating!
Pat
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#16084 - 07/04/06 10:53 AM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
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countrymouse
Member
Registered: 01/08/05
Posts: 258
Loc: PA
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Here I am. I graduated last spring on May 15 and went to work the next day. I am doing this full time now and loving every minute. Glad to see this board.
Shirley
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#16085 - 10/11/06 07:13 AM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
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mrsscaggs05
New Member
Registered: 10/08/06
Posts: 4
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Was it easy to get a job after attending VLC? I can't decide on a school to go to. I like the fact that I can start with only $88 down. How do you upgrade? I would like to start with the cheapest one because I don't have much money right now, and then upgrade later. What are your opinions on this?
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#16086 - 11/02/06 09:25 AM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
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troutonsteroids
New Member
Registered: 10/27/06
Posts: 21
Loc: Montana
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I'm replying to this quite late, as I wasn't in this forum for quite a while. Anyway, to answer your question (hopefully you have decided by now, but in case there are others asking questions about VLC), it took me personally about a month after I graduated to become employed. That was including testing time, sending out tons of resumes/on-line applications, etc. I actually had one job offer not too long after graduating, but I had satellite internet, which wouldn't work with their system. So, considering how "difficult" it is for newbies to get into the field (supposedly - though it seems like there are lots of companies that do hire them, otherwise there wouldn't be so many graduates that are getting hired), it wasn't too bad in my opinion. There are others that have gotten hired in less time, and some others it has taken longer, of course.
They have the internship program now too, which they didn't have then. If you are concerned about trying to find a job after, you might want to consider this option. Lots of students are staying on with the company they interned with after they graduate as well.
I graduated several years ago now, and the program was a bit different then. I felt I had a great education then, but it seems like it has only gotten better now. Of course, you can only do what you can afford, but my advice would be to go with the course that prepares you for what you want to do - i.e., work at a doctor's office, at home, etc. I hear that it is more expensive to upgrade than to actually just go with the course you want in the first place.
Hope this helps!
Rae
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#50228 - 11/30/06 06:26 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: PatriciaB]
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becca
New Member
Registered: 11/30/06
Posts: 3
Loc: Michigan
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Hi! I graduated from VLC about three years ago - VLC prepared me for medical transcription very well. I started as an independent contractor before I graduated and have worked for a little over three years now. Love it! The only thing I wish I would have had to prepare me better was more Microsoft Word instruction. I have taught myself a lot of the conveniences that are built into the Word program and purchased books to instruct me, too. Afterall, the only way you can really make any money at this is to be fast and efficient - time is money. There is so much embedded in Microsoft Word that I did not know in the beginning - I am soooo much faster now and I am more productive per hour by making the computer work harder for me. I am glad I chose to do this work. I love being at home! Fulltime work at home is waaay more fun than fulltime work ANYWHERE else. Of course, if my home was in Hawaii rather than Michigan, that would be even better!!! 
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#73394 - 06/08/07 05:48 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: sharononeal]
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VSusan
New Member
Registered: 10/07/06
Posts: 1
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Hi Sharon;
I am also a VLC graduate and was in an internship class remotely with you, although we have never met. I am currently working for Focus Infomatics part-time and I work for another company full-time as a proof reader/editor. It took me 5 years to finish the course because I took many long breaks, but within a month after finishing (5/2006)I had my first job, so I am glad I stuck with VLC!
I wish all VLC students much success!
Susan
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#78723 - 08/13/07 06:02 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: troutonsteroids]
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PurpleM
New Member
Registered: 01/09/07
Posts: 5
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I graduated Nov '06. After the holidays, I began seeking employment. Came to a MAJOR stumbling block with my low-speed, dial-up internet access. Took me over 2 1/2 months working with the local cable company to find out that in fact I could not get cable out in this very rural area (DSL is not an option either). Then, I started researching satellite options/pricing, ready to take that big plunge. Again, after quite a period of time, I also found out that companies will not work with you via satellite. I have yet to find out why satellite is a "no no" for companies. Thought you might have some insight. I checked HIPAA regs and they are not the culprit. The only reason I went through MT training is so I could work from home. Now, I am so bummed because it doesn't look feasible for me (would have been good to know before enrolling huh?). Do you happen to know why satellite will not work? I have been trying to find out why, but no one seems to know. Looks like I will be "ebaying" a lot of wonderful resource/reference materials.
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#78759 - 08/14/07 11:28 AM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: PurpleM]
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Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3468
Loc: At the computer - where else?
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Because many companies use a VPN (virtual private network) and satellite is notorious for having problems with VPN. There are some people working with satellite on VPN, but it is enough of a problem that many companies have decided they don't want to deal with the hassle of either trying to provide support or with workflow problems caused by MTs unable to sign in for their shifts.
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#81728 - 09/25/07 05:42 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: Endiqua]
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Sparrowhawk
New Member
Registered: 09/25/07
Posts: 9
Loc: CA, USA
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I am in the process of looking for a school as a refresher(haven't done medical transcribing in 7 years, but want to get back to doing it, and eventually at home. So far I have seen at least four schools, Career Step, VLC(need website please), Med-Tec and Andrews. Do each of these programs have refresher courses? or should I just pick a school and start from scratch. I read the Career Step forum in regards to them, so am investigating other schools as well. I took a course through a community college back in the late 80's.
Thanks Sparrowhawk
_________________________
Sparrowhawk
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#81746 - 09/25/07 08:43 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: Sparrowhawk]
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haggis
Member
Registered: 04/29/04
Posts: 2638
Loc: Left Coast, FL
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M-TEC has a course that might specifically apply to you as a refresher, geared toward people who've already got experience in healthcare. That'd probably be my choice because you're pretty much assured of multiple job offers with anything M-TEC (or Andrews) on your resume*.
*(stinkin' board won't allow accent marks  )
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#81823 - 09/26/07 03:56 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: haggis]
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Sparrowhawk
New Member
Registered: 09/25/07
Posts: 9
Loc: CA, USA
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Hi Haggis, I haven't been in the business for at least 7 years, should I go for the refresher or just take the whole course. Also are there any advantages over one school or the other, say Andrews, M-TEC, Career Step, etc..?
_________________________
Sparrowhawk
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#81827 - 09/26/07 04:29 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: Sparrowhawk]
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14tonks
Member
Registered: 10/25/01
Posts: 6295
Loc: Only 3rd world country in US
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Also are there any advantages over one school or the other, say Andrews, M-TEC, Career Step, etc..?
Very definitely, and when you put Andrews, M-Tec, Career Step and VLC in the same sentence, you've gone so far from the sublime to the ridiculous that it's hard to believe you've given any thought to or done any research on the question at all.
Start with a search of the archives here.
While you're researching, keep in mind that volume of advertising does not equal level of quality. Any school can have a banner ad and a forum here, for instance, simply by paying for it. By the same token, appearing in the AHDI list of approved schools means only that the program was deemed more or less adequate, or possibly that it was deemed inadequate in many areas, but they promised to improve and managed to rack up enough points in some other area to just squeak by. Caveat emptor.
Edited by 14tonks (09/26/07 04:34 PM)
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#81871 - 09/27/07 10:07 AM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: Sparrowhawk]
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haggis
Member
Registered: 04/29/04
Posts: 2638
Loc: Left Coast, FL
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Hi Haggis, I haven't been in the business for at least 7 years, should I go for the refresher or just take the whole course. Also are there any advantages over one school or the other, say Andrews, M-TEC, Career Step, etc..?
It probably depends on where your initial training lies. If you were a terrific MT with near-perfect work whatever came at you and you simply want to brush up on the latest terminology and equipment, the M-TEC refresher would probably do it. (I have seen them suggest to nurses that they should take the full course instead.) If you were trained on the job by someone with sketchy expertise or you only worked a clinic specialty or two, definitely take the full course (either M-TEC or Andrews is probably a toss-up as to quality). Even though that might involve a lot of repetition for you, they're both self-paced and you could zip through the parts you're still strong in.
As for the rest. . . I defer to tonks, who already said it very well. 
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#81896 - 09/27/07 04:31 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: haggis]
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Sparrowhawk
New Member
Registered: 09/25/07
Posts: 9
Loc: CA, USA
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I do definitely plan on doing the research here, that is why I am here, and why I am asking the questions that I am(hopefully they make sense.:-))Andrews and M-Tec are expensive, to say the least. I actually went to a community college late 80's for my MT training, and I worked 7 years ago for a G.P; a clinic late 90's, and drug/alcohol rehab. was my first position...
_________________________
Sparrowhawk
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#81897 - 09/27/07 04:51 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: becca]
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2busy2much
New Member
Registered: 09/15/07
Posts: 16
Loc: OH
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The only thing I wish I would have had to prepare me better was more Microsoft Word instruction. I have taught myself a lot of the conveniences that are built into the Word program and purchased books to instruct me, too.
Hi Becca; May I ask which books you found helpful in learning Word? I am a WordPerfect know-it-all (hee hee), and know only the basics on MS Word. I'd like to be proficient before I start training, or at least work on it during training. Tx
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#81902 - 09/27/07 06:25 PM
Re: Any other VLC Grads or Students out there?
[Re: Sparrowhawk]
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14tonks
Member
Registered: 10/25/01
Posts: 6295
Loc: Only 3rd world country in US
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I actually went to a community college late 80's for my MT training, and I worked 7 years ago for a G.P; a clinic late 90's, and drug/alcohol rehab. was my first position...
Okay, so that means you have no acute care experience whatsoever. If you are thinking about working online for one of the nationals, neither your now long past community college course nor your work experience is going to get you hired or even get you a chance to test. If your clinic experience wasn't with a huge multispecialty clinic, you probably aren't even going to get anywhere with a mid-sized company. If you're thinking about just working for a local doc again or working for someone local who just does clinical work for a few docs in the area, it may be enough if you're willing to wear out the shoe leather knocking on doors to find that job.
If you want your pick of companies, though, you need to head to one of the good schools and sign up for the whole enchilada. As noted, you should be able to finish the work a bit faster than someone with no MT background at all, but you need to go through all the modules and make sure you've filled in the gaps even on what you think you know.
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