I thought I would address this topic here on the public board rather than on our private, educational forum. I haven't been here for a while and I just realized how much I miss this place!

Medical transcription graduates typically have a small panic at the end of the course when it's time to go to work. They wonder whether they will ever find a job! They can be divided up into several groups.

1. Many find anywhere from one to three jobs immediately, usually all work-from-home positions. Their biggest problem is which one to take.

2. Others get a slower start. They call or e-mail me in a panic. It has been TWO WEEKS and I haven't heard back from any of the employers!

3. This doesn't happen very often, but on some rare occasions, the student has been on the "job search" portion of the course for six weeks without finding the right job.

The third group gets bigger during certain times of the year when employers are taking a break from hiring. It may take several weeks to find the right job. The economy has some effect here as well. When patients lose jobs and medical benefits, they can't afford to go to the doctor.

I do have to admit that even after all of these years, I sweat it out with each and every student until the student is appropriately placed.

There are some special cases:

1. Student does not test well. I think most of our graduates have had so much experience taking tests by the end of the course that they usually won't panic in a test-taking situation.

2. We provide remedial transcription experience throughout the program for those who need it. There is no additional charge for remedial work.

Students with the best of grades often choose to do some of our optional transcription tapes just to build speed and accuracy. That's a great idea too! There is no charge for the optional tapes either.

3. A student (very rarely) refuses the necessary remedial work and, against our advice, goes out there before he/she is able to do marketable work.

My telephone is ringing, so I'd better stop here. This message is already too long anyway. Once I get started, ...


Originally published at MT Chat(external link) June 9, 2003