Kaye15, they probably did tell you they are accredited, but when they said that they meant they were accredited by a state, not AHDI, which involves very different standards.

I got the following from the ed.gov website:

The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs is compiled entirely from publicly available information reported to the U.S. Department of Education by recognized accrediting agencies and state approval agencies that have been asked to provide information for each institution and/or program accredited by that agency. This reported information is not audited. The database is updated to reflect additional information as it is received from recognized accrediting agencies and state approval agencies but the Department makes no guarantee that the database will be updated immediately upon receipt of such information. The U.S. Department of Education cannot, therefore, guarantee that the information contained in the database is accurate, current, or complete.

AHDI actually determines by examining the school's curriculum whether the curriculum meets the minimum standards set by AHDI to be approved by them.

Having said all of that, I'm sure there were some AHP grads who are working in MT now, but that was probably several years ago when the economy was much better. You are now competing with lots of very experienced MTs because some of these services are losing clients to other companies here in the United States or offshore. The offshore MTs are paid much less than MTs here so they keep the costs down which is what the hospitals want--they don't seem to be concerned about quality, though, from what I've seen, but I've seen big mistakes in work that has been done here in this country also.

Let's face it--these seminars that are advertised on the radio are designed to do one thing--get people to sign up so the company can make money. Not that the better schools don't want to make money too, but they don't seem to have to have seminars to get students, and there are even some who require that you take a pretest for admission to make sure that you have the basic foundation of knowledge that will ensure that you succeed in the course. I admire those courses because it's not just about getting paid--they really want you to succeed. The graduates of those schools are the ones that employers seek out because their graduates have a proven track record of success.

I've never been to one of those seminars, but I've heard the ads where they say how much money you are going to make, how in x short months you can be working in the comfort of your home, with plenty of free time to spend with your family, etc. I know experienced MTs who have gone to the seminars and asked the hard questions and the salesperson (the vast majority of them are salespeople and not MTs)does not know how to answer them because they don't usually have to take questions from people who are familiar with the industry.

If anyone wants to read the AHDI's Model Curriculum for Medical Transcription you can find it here:

http://www.ahdionline.org/portals/0/downloads/modelcurriculum.pdf

I'm sure your course addressed a lot of these, but perhaps not to the extent they should, and there are many courses where no commonly-used style guide is used (such as the AMA Manual of Style or the more commonly-used AHDI Book of Style).

Sorry to be long-winded, but it really breaks my heart when people who have spent so much time and money taking these courses aren't able to find employment of any type. Some of it is the economy, and some of it is that the course, while it taught you a lot and you learned a lot, did not teach you all you need to know to succeed in MT. Most of the large transcription companies have tested hundreds of graduates from different programs over the years and they know which schools teach what they are looking for.

That being said, there are a few employers who will consider hiring you if you can pass their test (i.e., no experience required). The problem is that some of the big services are so fixated on making money (and obviously they need to be to some extent) that they don't have the time and/or don't want to spend the money to get someone up to speed. Even an experienced MT has a learning curve in any new job but it is not usually as steep as a newbie. They want people who can hit the ground running and the experienced MT is more likely to be able to do that quicker than a newbie.

That is the reality I see from my corner of the world. Even excellent MTs with decades of experience are having to look for work these days in this economy.

If there is any way you can start local, do overflow for a small practice, etc.--anything to get your foot in the door--that would be where I would start. Network, network, network--tell anyone who will listen that you are looking for MT work. You never know what can come of it!

I wish you all good luck!! You have to sell yourself in this economy!

Thank you for all of your feed back. I may be in for a huge battle to find a job when I finish but I honestly believe all through are possible through Christ. Not always easy, but possible.

As for not getting a job, did any of you challenge this "Success Promise" posted on their web site? I know I cannot challenge it because it has taken me over 15 months. I made the mistake of getting started when I was still working instead of waiting until I retired so I could work more full time and getting it done. I copied the promise from there web site below:

Success PromisesmWe are so confident that our Medical Transcription & Editing Program is the most dependable and effective way for you to learn and start your new career that we give you our Success Promisesm: When you complete your coursework and our Success Promisesmprogram, you will get a job within six months or we will give you all of your money back. You have our word.

I hope that information is helpful to some of you.

Keep the faith.
MAG55

What is the Success Promise Program?? I have never seen this anywhere? I called the school two weeks ago and was told they do not offer money back. I graduated in August and have not found a job....more than six months. Point me in the right direction!!

Good morning,

I had never heard of it B4 either, but I found it on their home page, never seen it B4. When I looked yesterday, it was on the right hand side of the page. Had never seen it when I was logging in regularly throughout my taking the course. Plus nobody from AHP ever mentioned it to me either.

BUT you have to start their Career Development Strategy course the week after you graduate & I am assuming if you do not follow & fulfill the weekly agenda, well, you know the rest of the story. Check out their home page, the page where you can log in.
Good luck.

Thanks Lakelife, I'll check it out... but it sounds like we're sh__ out of luck. It's good for the upcoming grads to know about.

You are welcome caw,
You said the exact words that are going through my "pea brain".
I hope the new grads will see this on the site & follow it, if they want some help.

Thanks Lakelife! Have to get my rear in gear to finish in time.
Seems odd that you need to have half of your tuition paid to qualify....

You are welcome.
I was done way B4 the deadline & had my course paid in full B4 I finished too. BUT I was not aware of the Promise, thus, I never got started on the list when I should have. Make sure you find the Promise on the home page & check it out, so you know what is expected of you. Just trying to help.