Medical Transcription

[maelstrom]

I'm 26 years old, female, and married. The only jobs I've ever had have been in retail or food service (waitressing). I don't want to do that anymore; it wore me down, made me feel depressed, and for all of the crap I put up with the pay was low and I was not respected. A few years ago, I took a course at the community college for Pharmacy Technician, passed, and sat for the PTCB and passed. I was never able to get a job as a Pharmacy Technician. Bad economy, I guess.

My local community college is offering, starting in October, a year-long online program for Medical Transcription. I'm attending an open house for it next week. Is anyone here a Medical Transcriptionist? Do you enjoy it? Did you find it relatively easy to find work? What is the income range? Is it easy to find a job working from home (that would be the easiest for me due to a myriad of reasons)? // They're also offering a slightly more expensive year-long online course in Medical Billing & Coding. If you have experience in that field instead, would you be willing to share your experiences with me?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Coconut36]

Most Dr offices in my area (my own and my kids Ped included) have switched over to computer based records..meaning the Dr comes in with a laptop and types in their observations/notes right then and there during the appointment..there is no need for any transcribing anymore.

I would urge you to do some detailed research about that type of profession and the long term thoughts about the field as it seems more and more offices are switching to this (my best friend is a Tech who updates/maintains and installs software for many Dr offices).

My Grandma did billing and coding for over 33 years but even the face of that was changing by the time she retired with less employees needed and all being more computer and system based.

I would just be sure before you invest the time and money in the schooling that it will pay off for you in the long run with job opportunities and long term sustainability.

 

[Jennasis]

I know two medical transcriptionists. They make okay money but I hear them complain a lot about the companies they work for. I also know several doctors and they no longer use transcription services, instead opting for new software that does the transcribing for them through voice recognition. It may be a dying career.

 

[kidzmom3]

I work for a hospital and did transcription in the past. We now use dragon for all of our 1200 physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Depending on how far technology has advanced in your area it can be difficult to find a entry level position. We have also just recently combined our billing department with the larger hospital we merged with ,,,went with new software and laid off over 65% of the billing staff.

so....my advice is to try to get your local area specific opinions because it will vary around the country, but in my area East Coast....this would not be the route I would take.

 

[Allison]

I think it is a dying profession because of technology as others indicated.

 

[wdwmom2]

I think it is a dying profession because of technology as others indicated.

Yes, I think electronic medical records is the way of the future!!

Sorry, OP, but if I were you, I would consider something different. Being in the medical profession, a lot of places are turning to EMR, much less demand for transcription.

Just my $.02. Don't mean to be a downer.

 

[maelstrom]

Not at all what I was hoping to hear. I don't have many options. I really thought this was going to work out for me.

I could just cry. I can't ever seem to get ahead.

 

[njcarita]

why not try for a job in a doctors office............alot of them will train you.......i got a job as am optometrist tech within a week of looking..........( i was one almost 30 years ago for a few months while in college)...........the pay isnt great to start......but its full time and they are training me in everything..............insurance...billing...patient stuff etc.........

 

[Coconut36]

Not at all what I was hoping to hear. I don't have many options. I really thought this was going to work out for me.

I could just cry. I can't ever seem to get ahead.

Why don't you have many options?

 

[maelstrom]

The economy here is really bad. I can't even get a retail job at this point. Believe me, I've tried, just to get a little bit of income.

I wanted to go to beauty school to become a Nail Tech, which I would've loved doing, but my husband and I cannot afford the tuition and my mother doesn't consider it a worthwhile endeavor so she wasn't willing to contribute (she is/was willing to pay the full tuition on the Medical Transcription or Medical Billing & Coding programmes so that I would have that training/certification).

 

[Coconut36]

The economy here is really bad. I can't even get a retail job at this point. Believe me, I've tried, just to get a little bit of income.

I wanted to go to beauty school to become a Nail Tech, which I would've loved doing, but my husband and I cannot afford the tuition and my mother doesn't consider it a worthwhile endeavor so she wasn't willing to contribute (she is/was willing to pay the full tuition on the Medical Transcription or Medical Billing & Coding programmes so that I would have that training/certification).

If it is bad then the medical transcription/billing likely would be extremely difficult to get into considering the changes they are undergoing.

What about something in a school? Office work, teacher's aide? Lunch/playground monitor or bus driver? What major companies are in your area and what do they do? Can you drive to a neighboring city or would the commute be too much?

ETA-What about phone work..inbound or outbound call center? They generally have super high turnover so there are often openings to get in and once you get into a company it can make it easier to progress to positions outside the call center because you are an established employee and get first pick before the jobs go outside the company.

 

[wdwmom2]

How about nursing assistant/geriatric aide??? Shorter programs. Granted, you will not be able to work at home, and it is usually a very hands-on job, but the pay is decent. Nursing homes, assisted living, hospitals employ this type of worker.

 

[maelstrom]

If it is bad then the medical transcription/billing likely would be extremely difficult to get into considering the changes they are undergoing.

What about something in a school? Office work, teacher's aide? Lunch/playground monitor or bus driver? What major companies are in your area and what do they do? Can you drive to a neighboring city or would the commute be too much?

The only major "company" in my area is an enormous medical practice... they basically swallowed up all of the small, local practices and turned it into a monster. I hate that place. I'd work there, but for medical needs I refuse to go there; they're awful. There are no other major companies in my area, I live in a small town.

I've applied for jobs as cafeteria/playground monitors to no avail. I'd love to do office work, but all the jobs around here want prior experience and a college degree (to be a school secretary... yeah). And there's probably about 100 people applying for one position. Don't get me wrong, I've applied anyway, but hear nothing.

My husband and I only have one car, and he has a Monday-Friday 8-4:30 job as a Network Admin making $23/hour, so he has priority on the car, because he's the breadwinner. Driving to another town is, obviously, out of the question, and there is no public transportation here.

That's why this Medical Transcription programme seemed like such a godsend. I could do the coursework from home and probably even get a job working from home.

 

[njcarita]

The economy here is really bad. I can't even get a retail job at this point. Believe me, I've tried, just to get a little bit of income.

I wanted to go to beauty school to become a Nail Tech, which I would've loved doing, but my husband and I cannot afford the tuition and my mother doesn't consider it a worthwhile endeavor so she wasn't willing to contribute (she is/was willing to pay the full tuition on the Medical Transcription or Medical Billing & Coding programmes so that I would have that training/certification).

have u tried Craigslist??? that is where i found my last 2 jobs..............have u signed up with a temp agency????? they can find u a job that can lead to a permanent job

 

[Hannathy]

You are young and untrained and or uneducated of course you can't find a job!

But only you can let this be your life. Decide what you want to do and do it.

You only have one car so what He works in an office, take him to work and then go to school or a job, then go get him. Car pool, get a bike, lots of ways if you want to.

As far as school do what most people do (including my DD) get financial aid and loans. Cut out everything non essential.

You need to do some searches on the computer,, look up what areas of employment are growing and see what you would want to do and do it.



I have to ask- how are you going to Disney so much? A stay at the Grand Floridian would pay for most Beauty school courses, so there is some major discrepancies here. oops not the grand floridian but I see the poly in there, same difference

 

[Coconut36]

have u tried Craigslist??? that is where i found my last 2 jobs..............have u signed up with a temp agency????? they can find u a job that can lead to a permanent job

Temp agencies are a great idea..sometimes it gets your foot in the door with a company or it can simply provide you with the experience the other employers are looking for. What about jobs with the city or county? I know it sucks in a tough job market.

What about commuting to the next city if all yours has to office is one medical company?

 

[Hrhpd]

The only major "company" in my area is an enormous medical practice... they basically swallowed up all of the small, local practices and turned it into a monster. I hate that place. I'd work there, but for medical needs I refuse to go there; they're awful. There are no other major companies in my area, I live in a small town.

I've applied for jobs as cafeteria/playground monitors to no avail. I'd love to do office work, but all the jobs around here want prior experience and a college degree (to be a school secretary... yeah). And there's probably about 100 people applying for one position. Don't get me wrong, I've applied anyway, but hear nothing.

My husband and I only have one car, and he has a Monday-Friday 8-4:30 job as a Network Admin making $23/hour, so he has priority on the car, because he's the breadwinner. Driving to another town is, obviously, out of the question, and there is no public transportation here.

That's why this Medical Transcription programme seemed like such a godsend. I could do the coursework from home and probably even get a job working from home.

Have you looked into student loans and grants? Many people go back to school utilizing these. While a BA/BS is not always necessary for a job like school secretary, it does give you a leg up in the interview process.

You could take classes online or in the evenings. At least start getting some of the classes under your belt while you search for a job.

In 4 years, you can be a RNA. The 4 years are going to go by no matter what you do, so you might as well be filling them with a goal.

 

[emer95]

How about watching kids in your house? I did that when my own kids were little and I was a SAHM. I made fantastic money.

Just be careful w/state regulations. Don't take so many kids that you'd need to be a licensed day care provider. I watched 2 kids and made enough $$ to supplement my husband's income until my kids went to school.

 

[allison443]

Can you get a second car? You are really very limited in options if you "have to" work at home.

Have you considered moving someplace with more employment opportunites/public transportation, etc.?

Have you given up on the pharmacy tech option? Around here there are so many pharmacies and a lot are open 24 hours. So they hire a lot of techs.

Good luck.

 

[njcarita]

Thank you in advance for your help.

another idea is dont quit the job u have now till u find a new job............did u say u were waitrasing? are u doing that on nights when u have the car??