5 registered
(shiny, 4 invisible)
and 4 anonymous users online.
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#97602 - 05/10/08 12:38 PM
newbie w/ a question
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stephyk98
New Member
Registered: 03/07/08
Posts: 12
Loc: New York
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Hi All,
So I have a quick question & would like to get some opinions. I am schooling through Allied and before I graduate they will write a resume since I chose the MT professional program. Now my question is that they will write me a 4-page resume right before I receive my certificate... So isn't 4 pages rather lengthy for a resume, let alone a resume with not much experience and for probably an entry-level job? And I am slightly alarmed after reading some of the posts through here as far as Allied grads not being very prepared. Should I be concerned about finding employment when I am done with my courses? I am doing well in my courses and I still have not completed MT course, still on the terminilogy course. I am hearing that Andrews & M-TEC are the way to go around here. I guess I am just starting to second-guess my school. Are they one of the schools known for employers looking past their grads because they feel that they are unprepared? Might sound like a silly question to some, but I would really like some advice. I do love doing this even though I am still on terminology and is it definitely something I want to make a career out of. The medical field is fascinating to me and I want to be able to have a career that I love and give my children the life I think they deserve.... If I do choose to switch schools, does Andrews or M-TEC allow you to just take the transcription test or do you have to start at square one?
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#97604 - 05/10/08 12:44 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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meri
Member
Registered: 09/08/01
Posts: 8786
Loc: Murrieta, California
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Should I be concerned about finding employment when I am done with my courses?
Yes.
Are they one of the schools known for employers looking past their grads because they feel that they are unprepared?
Yes.
If I do choose to switch schools, does Andrews or M-TEC allow you to just take the transcription test or do you have to start at square one?
Square one.
Get out now and do it right. Good luck.
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#97605 - 05/10/08 12:46 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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tropsicleAfter
Member
Registered: 10/30/06
Posts: 2056
Loc: MS Gulf Coast
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A four-page resume for a technical position for which you have little experience is, in fact, excessive.
Yes, you should be concerned about finding employment.
Yes, the serious, viable employers may very well look past your applications due to your school.
I cannot answer about Andrews and/or M-TEC allowing you to skip portions or having to start at square one, but Linda and Susan will eventually see your post and answer that directly, or you could visit their websites and contact them directly.
_________________________
tropsicle
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#97612 - 05/10/08 02:08 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: tropsicleAfter]
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Linda Andrews CMT
Moderator-Andrews School
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 4950
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK US
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I focus all my attention and efforts on our own program, so I don't have any knowledge about what other schools do. I can answer the question about what WE do though.
Square one.
Previous Education Credit: We do not offer a shortened or partial course. For quality control purposes, students including RN's, an occasional medical doctor, physical therapists, veterinarians, paramedics, pharmacologists, etc., complete the entire program. Medical professionals usually complete certain parts of the course faster due to previous education and work experience.
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#97664 - 05/11/08 07:54 AM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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Susan Francis CMT
Moderator-MTEC
Registered: 07/03/98
Posts: 467
Loc: Akron OH USA
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Hi All,
.... If I do choose to switch schools, does Andrews or M-TEC allow you to just take the transcription test or do you have to start at square one?
I am sorry to hear you are doubting the effectiveness and future outcome with your current program. M-TEC will not accept credits from any other program; however, we will allow you to use any of the textbooks/workbooks you have already purchased, but they must be the exact same books and editions that we are currently using. If you have already completed work in the core competencies that we cover (A&P, medical terminology, etc) then you should go through those courses more quickly.
Please feel free to contact me at sfrancis@mtecinc.com if you have any any questions, or if I can be of any further assistance to you.
Susan
[HI LINDA - Susan waving up to you from below! :)]
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#97706 - 05/12/08 01:21 AM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: Linda Andrews CMT]
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Redpen
Member
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 914
Loc: Virtual Oklahoma!
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Just popping in to add that this is a good thing!
No learning is ever wasted. You'll be surprised how much you can learn the second time around.
Even if you don't learn more, it gives you an opportunity to understand how your future coworkers learned and what they should know. Especially for other medical professionals, it doesn't take much extra time, but can help you adapt to the occupation and prepare for quality assurance positions.
_________________________
Redpen
(The Andrews School)
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#97741 - 05/12/08 03:06 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: Redpen]
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stephyk98
New Member
Registered: 03/07/08
Posts: 12
Loc: New York
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Thanks everyone for teh advice. I appreciate it. After much thought, I am thinking I may just continue on my current path. I was reading on antoher post somewhere in the formus that there is a SUM Program you can purchase with additional dictation, and I believe both schools utilize this program... Does anyone know where you can purchase these used? I know you all may think I am crazy for not getting out now, but don't employers judge YOU on interview and your efficiency? If I could take on some extra dictation on my own time, maybe I could be a better candidiate when I get that far... I am hoping that this will make me better and more prepared for the job when I have a certificate. Any thoughts on this??
My last question is this: When you are applying for transcription positions, is a pre-employment test standard, and what is involved with the testing?]
Thank you,
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#97744 - 05/12/08 03:35 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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Linda Andrews CMT
Moderator-Andrews School
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 4950
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK US
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HI Susan and Redpen up there!
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#97746 - 05/12/08 03:43 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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14tonks
Member
Registered: 10/25/01
Posts: 5931
Loc: Only 3rd world country in US
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don't employers judge YOU on interview and your efficiency?
No. Most of them don't waste time on an interview unless you have already passed their transcription test and they have a current opening available. Pre-employment tests are standard, and they involve doing actual transcription typical of what you will be asked to do on the job. Many of the nationals will not allow you to test with them unless you have two years of acute care experience--or a recent graduation certificate from one of the schools for which they will waive the experience requirement (and Allied isn't among the ones for which the experience requirement is routinely waived).
Doing the SUM tapes on your own and checking your transcription against the answer keys may make you better prepared, but you will have no way to prove that to companies that won't let you test. They don't waive experience requirements for "I did the SUM tapes myself" either. Also, you will have no way to know for certain why things you do that don't match the SUM keys are wrong if you go the teach-yourself route. In addition, the tapes themselves are meant to provide ear training and transcribing experience. They are not the whole schooling enchilada, which for the good schools involves a lot more anatomy and physiology, terminology, pharmacology, etc. than your course provides.
There are good reasons why the original advice you got was what it was.
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#97748 - 05/12/08 03:58 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: Linda Andrews CMT]
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las
Junior Member
Registered: 07/13/03
Posts: 57
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I cannot imagine being hired for a medical transcription job without being tested. Our small firm requires a short multiple choice test first. If you pass it, we then test you with actual dictation from our pool with a general medical exam and then an OP dictation. None of it is tricky. We do not mind mentoring people with basic solid knowledge. However, our idea of what is basic and what your school thinks is basic possibly are very different. Unfortunately, I can tell you that for us your application would have been skipped over because of the school you attended since your only experience in the business would be your education, and we do not feel it would be extensive enough even for an entry level position.
I do wish you the best of luck though and hope this helps a bit with what to expect out there when applying for a job.
Lesley, CMT
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#97761 - 05/12/08 07:56 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 2772
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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1. Ask for advice.
2. Thank everyone for the advice.
3. Ignore the advice.
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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#97764 - 05/12/08 08:18 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: FarAwayDeb]
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tropsicleAfter
Member
Registered: 10/30/06
Posts: 2056
Loc: MS Gulf Coast
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4. Invest more money on items that would be supplied by better schools.
5. On graduation, return to forum and complain about not being able to find a job.
6. Ask for advice.
7a. Thank everyone for the advice. OR
7b. Complain that the advice is mean-spirited.
8. Ignore the advice and become a beautician.
I couldn't resist. Unlike those usually labeled as mean, I really am.
_________________________
tropsicle
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#97774 - 05/13/08 01:52 AM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: tropsicleAfter]
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Mojeaux
Member
Registered: 09/21/03
Posts: 2115
Loc: Kansas City
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Unlike those usually labeled as mean, I really am.
You can come sit by me.
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#97793 - 05/13/08 11:44 AM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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meri
Member
Registered: 09/08/01
Posts: 8786
Loc: Murrieta, California
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Thanks everyone for teh advice. I appreciate it. After much thought, I am thinking I may just continue on my current path.
Well, your choice afterall. I just want to ask you, though, did your decision have anything to do with recent PMs from people on this very site, encouraging you to go this route? Maybe advice that they didn't feel "comfortable" sharing in public? Cheering you on because "twenty years ago" they broke into this business exactly that way and they just know you can do it, too? Anything like that? If so, they are wrong. If I'm wrong, then I apologize in advance and wish you the best of luck.
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#97795 - 05/13/08 12:03 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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JustJ
Member
Registered: 09/24/04
Posts: 1226
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Thanks everyone for teh advice. I appreciate it. After much thought, I am thinking I may just continue on my current path.
When you complete your program and come to the employment testing process, would you mind coming back and posting which companies will waive the 2-year experience requirement for people who complete Allied as there have been many questions before about that from other Allied graduates which we have been unable to answer. I don't remember ever seeing any company names posted who are willing to do that.
Thanks.
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#97898 - 05/14/08 01:25 AM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: JustJ]
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AmBeck22
Member
Registered: 11/02/06
Posts: 313
Loc: WV
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Too funny, Deb! That little thud man just makes it!
_________________________
Amanda
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#98102 - 05/16/08 03:43 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: AmBeck22]
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stephyk98
New Member
Registered: 03/07/08
Posts: 12
Loc: New York
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The reason I have chosen to stay on my current path is that I cannot afford to mack out & start all over at another school. I paid almost as much as going to M-TEC or Andrews, which I would have loved to attend, had I known about the chat site and been able to talk to more people woth more experience than I. Unfortunately, I was not aware of any chat sites at the time for MT so I am now dealing with the decision I have made. There are people from Allied who have had success in locating jobs upon graduating. I am willing to do extra work to make myself better prepared and I know that I am going to have to start from the bottom, but doesn't everyone, at least to some extent? I just cannot ask my family for $3500 or $3800 more to start all over again! I cannot afford it myself right now. And I am hoping that I can come back here when I am done and tell you all that I was successful and doing well.
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#98114 - 05/16/08 04:48 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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Ebit
Member
Registered: 01/10/03
Posts: 1280
Loc: Black Hole of the Internet
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I'm going to say it . . . Yes, you can get a job with an Allied "education." But yes, you will have to educate yourself on the side/afterward as well - quite a bit. I understand the budgeting issue, especially if you've already paid the whole cost for Allied. I understand that you're hoping to get whatever you can for your money, even if it's not as much as you expected. What the posters here are worried about, though, is that Allied may actually teach you things wrong and you just won't realize it until too late.
Yes, the SUM dictations will help, and if you're going to do it that way they're the best bet. But that's not the same as having actual guidance by knowledgeable instructors.
I score the tests for applicants to our company, and I can tell you that at least 95% of all Allied graduates fail. Graduates of these other programs pass about, say, 85% of the time. Even for those who pass easily and don't take 4 hours to do 4 dictations, their first few months on the job are incredibly demanding. It's very hard for any school to prepare a student for the unrelenting production pressure in today's MT world. What the best schools CAN and DO prepare you with is knowledge - knowledge at your fingertips, so you don't have to spend 5 minutes looking up every other word, because you already know how medical terminology works, you've got that long list of prefixes MEMORIZED, you already know the commonest drugs for the commonest illnesses, you already know the musculoskeletal system - it goes on and on, there's so much to know!
Yes, you can do it, and no, it's not your fault that you didn't know of any way to evaluate your program beforehand. If I had a magic wand, I'd use it to make this bulletin board common knowledge for anybody even vaguely interested in medical transcription. But since it isn't, people get into situations like you're in. If you can possibly, possibly find a way to afford M-TEC or Andrews, you'll thank yourself forever. Don't forget there are student loan programs!
MT is a hard job that requires a lot of research skills, instinctive English ability, and a certain amount of cold detachment (as in, I'm not wasting another second trying to understand this guy if he's going to dictate through a sandwich). In order to be a success at it, you have to be very determined and very smart about how you approach it. If you're exceptional in that regard - yes, you can do it. Please think about it HARD.
The reason we're telling you this, believe it or not, is that we want you to succeed. We need more good MTs!
_________________________
The means are the end. - Laia Asieo Odo
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#98122 - 05/16/08 06:36 PM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: Ebit]
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meri
Member
Registered: 09/08/01
Posts: 8786
Loc: Murrieta, California
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You could go with M-TEC and get one of the Sallie Mae loans, which would cost you about 20.00 a month while you are in school. Then you would be sure to get a job after graduating, no surprises there. I would do that if I were in your shoes. I'd go with the school that would definitely ensure the best education and a job within a couple weeks of graduating and write the money I had already spent off as just another one of those things. At least this way, you know you are going to get a return of your money, whereas if you stick with Allied, those odds go way down.
Either way, good luck to you.
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#98132 - 05/17/08 12:17 AM
Re: newbie w/ a question
[Re: stephyk98]
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Kabbn
New Member
Registered: 01/16/08
Posts: 18
Loc: Canada
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I'm in pretty much the same boat as you. I knew nothing about MT when I began my Google search. The two schools Google returned were the ones I researched (neither M-Tec nor Andrews). It was after I paid my money that I found this board and realized my mistake.
I have since referred prospective students from my school's board to this forum for information, hoping they won't make the same mistake I did. I am seriously supplementing the education I'm getting with Chabner's Language of Medicine, lots of research, and typing and listening drills.
These two sites have been particularly helpful:
http://www.emedicine.com/
http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/introduction.htm
Daily lurking on this board has been helpful as well.
I, too, am hoping for a job at the end, but am also prepared to try the Andrews/M-Tec route if employment doesn't come my way. It's a lot of money to spend twice, though.
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Moderator: Annie
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