Hi Dena,

I can relate to your frustration on finding a job. There are very few companies who will hire MTs right out of school. They don't want to spend the time, or may not even have the time, to train them. I have learned not to let the word "Experience" stop you. I have heard of "Newbies" beating out experienced MTs on testing.

If you can, drop a line after you take MedQuist testing. Would like to get some idea of what their test involves.

Best of Luck!

Noreen,

I started taking the MedQuist test this morning. There are 4 parts to it and it's all done online. The first is just your personal information (basically job application style questions). The second part is what they called a screening test. You have to make an 80 on it to proceed to portions 3 and 4, but I found it really easy. It mainly pertained to medical terminology, grammar and punctuation. I also finished the third portion this morning, which was very similar to the screening test, but longer and a little more difficult. But if you take your time and use your reference materials, it's not too bad. The fourth portion is a transcription test, and it's supposed to take 2 to 3 hours to complete. Since you can leave and come back to the test, I arranged for a sitter tonight for my kids and I'm going to take that portion in peace and quiet. I'm a little nervous about it, but all I can do is try and hope everything works out!

Hi Dena,

I hope everything went well on your testing. Now you have an idea of what type of questions transcription services ask on their tests. I have taken an online test at MedScribe. It included grammar, punctuation, terminology, spelling, and abbreviations. There was no dictation on it.
How did MedQuist send the online dictation to you? Was it sent over your phoneline?
Thanks :rolleyes:

They had me download a program called ExpressScribe and then I had to download sound files and then transcribed the dictation through that program. It was really interesting! I've never done transcription that way before. Since I'm just out of school, I'm used to the old-fashioned cassette tape way!

Dena

Dena,

I see you have done your homework on MedQuist - I don't need to steer you anymore I see!! That's great! I found the testing for them very interesting....I got a 90% on the preliminary test, a 95% on the objective part, and a 93% on the actual transcription part. Average of 93% on the whole thing. I got hired and start work end of this month! Hope you get hired!! That certainly would be nice!
Paula

Noreen,

Hi again! You won't ever find South Fork on a map; I suggest you look for Johnstown, PA, I am 15 minutes away from there. S.Fork is sooooo small.

Did I tell you I got hired by MedQuist starting at end of the month..........Can't wait, but I have no intention of quitting my other full-time Med. Trans. job for now, just trying to get my feelers out with MQ for now part-time.

How's things going now for you.......How's all of your testing going??????????

Paula, MT

Hi Paula,

Saw South Fork on the map. Just a fly speck next to Johnstown. Small towns are nice. Have lived in several of them. If there is a sizeable town nearby to shop, it is convenient.

Working on getting my courage up to take test at MedQuist. Took online test at MedScribe. Know I passed it. Faxed them a resume, and when they saw I had no transcription experience, I never heard anything from them. They want you to have 5 years experience. Working for a doctor for 15 years, does not count for anything.

When you tested at MedQuist, how many reports did you have to transcribe???? Do you remember if they were H&Ps, discharge summaries, radiology, pathology, consults, or operative reports????

I read on the Gab board, that you have to download a program called ExpressScribe and sound files to do the dictation. I read that some who have taken it, found it to be relatively easy. My medical background is gynecology. Perhaps if they hire you, they let you transcribe what you are the most familiar with.

Glad to hear it is going well for you. Good Luck

I wish we weren't moving to Europe now! I can't wait to finish my program and start working. I sure hope I can find a job in 3 years when we get back. Don't get me wrong, Europe is great, but I just want to settle down somewhere and get a real job. We are military so everytime I've wanted to work, it's had to be part-time and temporary. I know that we'll be settled when we get back.