Just thought I would do an update here. Got my books Friday from CCHS (California College for Health Sciences) and started my studies on Saturday. Have turned in my exam for English and could not believe the grammar and the plain old fundamentals that I had forgotten! It was tough (for me), but I am glad in a way because it turned a light on upstairs! I hope I did well...or at least passed! A passing score is 90% (out of 100 questions on this test.)! Now I am moving onto the anatomy and physiology and I wish I could devise some system to remember! Of course, I'm trying to remember it all the first time I read it and I know I'm being too tough on myself; I just wish to do well.

When researching MT courses, did anyone consider using MediTec? It has really appealed to me, but I would like to know if anyone has had experience with it or even heard of it. Thank you.

Hello MT's,

I am a Certified Medical Assistant who wants to do Medical Transcription at home. I had to take a MT course from the medical assistant program. I wanted to know if I would need additional training/education before I try to persue a MT career at home. ANY EXPERIENCED MT W/ ADVICE.....Please respond, Thanks!

Hi! I have really enjoyed everyone's messages and I'm really glad I found this website. I was feeling alone on this new venture to becoming a MT and in one day I have found so much info. on this site. I enrolled in PCDI and am about 1/2 way through the couse. I have completed the textbook part of the course and just started on the actual transcription. I was unaware of the SUM tapes until I read about it on this site. I might have to rent them when I am through. I was wondering if anyone has tried to purchase a transcription machine over the net and if anyone knows how much money an at home MT can expect to make part-time. Also has anyone heard what kind of machine is best to get? I know there are three different size tapes and I have heard the micro size is the most common. I am anxious to get started and scared too. I am also a stay at home mom and am hoping to support my family doing medical transcription while my husband is in Physician's Assistant school next year. I have about 5 years exp. working in a doctor's office, but mostly doing insurance and billing, so I am a little scared about being able to do the transcription. I don't know how well this course is actually preparing me for the real world of MT. I worry about being able to type fast enough and of course about being able to transcribe medical words correctly. I would appreciate any input.

Mondae99 ... I've found a great resource for equipment. eBay.com is an auction site. When you check it out you will see how well it's run. To date I have purchased a NEW Sony2000 microcassette transcriber for $85 (S&H), a used Dictaphone standard for $81 (S&H included, a new Dell Ergonomic Keyboard for $32.22 (S&H). I will have all this equipment by this weekend and will then have the opportunity to do a hands-on try-out. Many of these sellers are discounting and can because they have 'bought-out' a store somewhere. The above people I have done business with have been extremely courtesous and responsive. I bought the two machines (one standard and one micro) because my course tapes (and all SUM tapes) are on standard size cassettes. I bought the micro because most dictators today do so on micro equipment. (I plan to do some legal transcribing while studying ... ) MAKE SURE that any transcriber you purchase has RERECORD capabilities. Otherwise, you're wasting your time. If you plan on working from your home, you need to be able to rerecord incoming dictation. (When you go to eBay.com, then search for "transcriber" and it will take you to that section.) Best of Luck and I will report on the condition of the items I just purchased as soon as I've tested them out.

Dear tutu

Thank you so much for the info. on transcriptions machines. I will definitely check out eBay.com. I haven't been able to find any machine under $200.00 in the stores. I have just recently got on the net and I am so thrilled with this ability to be able to communicate with so many people nationwide. Thanks again!

Mondae99 ... Fantastic ... just got my Dell ergonomic keyboard and it's a must have. Easy to get used to and really helps the hands out. Great fast key action (which I was looking for). Before you make a bid at eBau, email me. I'll let you know if it is someone I've dealt with and the price and machine are right. Glad to share and help. My email is charro@home.com.

HI THERE! I TOO AM NEW TO THE MT WORLD. I AM AN AT HOME MOM WHO IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO HELP OUR INCOME. MY HUSBANDS WORK HOURS DO NOT GIVE ME THE TIME FOR A FULL OR PART TIME JOB. I CURRENTLY WORK AS A UNITL SECRETARY IN A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BUT ONLY ON EVERY OTHER WEEKEND. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS WHERE DO I LOOK TO GET INFO. ON MT CORRESPONDANCE SCHOOLS? I HAVE READ MANY OF THE HELPFUL RESPONSES HERE ON THE BOARD BUT THE ABBREVIATIONS LEAVE ME LOST. DO I JUST TYPE THOSE INTO A SEARCH AND FIND THEM? MY OTHER QUESTION IS REGARDING JOBS. I TOO HAVE READ THAT MOST PLACES REQUIRE AT LEAST A YEAR OF IN OFFICE EXPERIENCE AND THAT SIMPLY IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME. WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB OUT THERE W/ OUT IN OFFICE EXPERIENCE? I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS WEB SITE, IT IS SENDING ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ERIKA

Hi! I have heard of MediTec, and at first, i was ready to sign up with them, because of their low cost ($499). I looked and looked and i couldn't see anywhere on there, that they are accredited, or any such thing. They also stress, that they don't do job placement and such. I am still considering it, because of the cost, but i'm not sure how much it will help me in the future.
Does anyone know why there is such a difference in prices? Andrews is $3800, and M Tec is like $2500. Who can afford this???
Thanks
amberm@jps.net

amber:

Meditech's "Personal Edge" training programs are less expensive for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they are all "home-study" courses, so there is no overhead for the training institution. I would suggest you check out the Frequently Asked Questions page at:

team.meditec.com/medword/faq.shtml

You should find your questions answered there.

________________________

I would like to take this opportunity to say that Meditech's courses are the first I have seen that have a good choice of packages at a realistic price with good payment options. We're putting our reputation on the line by recommending the programs but we do believe them to be a very good buy for people who want to become MTs. We have looked for years to see if we could "hook-up" with a good training program to offer our visitors. Meditech's "Personal Edge" programs finally met our criteria. Most MT courses are unbelievably over-priced but these courses, I believe, are priced properly and fairly. There is also a reasonable period of time where you can receive a refund if you are not happy with what you bought. (No school that I know of will give you a refund, especially for something like an MT course.) I would be very cautious about spending large sums of money on any MT course, no matter how "nice" the course materials look. It's the content that counts, as I am sure you know.

(Start Begging)
Medword.com is now an associate of Meditech and as such receives a modest commission on any sales that originate from our bulletin board or site links. If you do decide to buy one of the packages, we would be most grateful if you entered the site through our links. We are a privately owned company that runs our site and BB at our own expense. None of the commissions come anywhere near paying even a monthly bill, but every little bit helps.
(End Begging)

Whatever you decide, Good Luck.

SOMara


[This message has been edited by SOMara (edited May 04, 1999).]