medical transcriptionists, anyone

[lmoliver]

I'm having trouble getting enough student loans for medical school. I'm thinking of becoming a MT and doing that part time while in school. What do you think? My typing is excellent. I sure know a lot of medical and anatomical terms. I can do it anywhere I have a computer. Pros and cons please.

[jjb1980]

You already have a job. . . it is called Med school. I doubt seriously anyone has time to have a job on the side while attending Med School. Anyways, that is just what I think.

[jpryor]

Originally Posted by lmoliver

I'm having trouble getting enough student loans for medical school. I'm thinking of becoming a MT and doing that part time while in school. What do you think? My typing is excellent. I sure know a lot of medical and anatomical terms. I can do it anywhere I have a computer. Pros and cons please.

Only you can decide if you have the time to do it. If you do decide to do it, you can establish your own limits. A few words of advice:

The best rate of pay is per line, although most places try to pay per page. If you can get per word, even better.

Don't try to learn formats...that info will be provided to you.

Invest in a medical dictionary CD if one isn't provided to you. Many companys have their own software programs that you must load onto your own computer. Today, a high speed connection is required by most companies.

It's virtually all dictation these days and the big problems are various accents and rates of speech.

If you contract with a local hospital or group clinic, search on line for transcription companies for the going rates.

Good luck!

[lmoliver]

Thanks Jpryor. I went and enrolled for the Certificate program at a local community college. It's set up for 4 quarters. I'm hoping I can do it in 3. Also, most of the courses are distance learning, so I can do it in my spare time.

Yes, I know that it isn't ideal to try to work and go to medical school. however, my original plans were to do a concurrent masters to get stafford loans. That would take time, too.

And I figure that will the rest of you are going out and having fun and playing or watching sports, I'll just have my nose to the grindstone. Hopefully, I can get it set up so I can work a few hours/day and maybe take time off prior to exams.

What I like about my idea is that it will complement my education. I really like the idea of paying as I go also. Having a $200,000 debt really makes me almost sick at my stomach. My credit may be lousy due to a divorce and a bankruptcy, but I've always paid as I went and don't do anything I can't afford.