| One of the biggest challenges for a newly trained | | | | would have landed my own first medical transcription |
| medical transcriptionist is finding that first job. It's the | | | | job. MT Desk has a good forum. |
| classic dilemma of needing experience to land a job | | | | You can also do your own searches online or in the |
| when no one will hire you to give you experience. | | | | newspaper. There are plenty of job sites such as |
| This is one of the areas where quality training comes | | | | Monster where you can post your resume and easily |
| in handy. If you make the right choice in medical | | | | apply for any medical transcription jobs that are |
| transcription schools, the reputation of the school will | | | | posted. You can even have the site email you job |
| help you to land a good job. Schools such as The | | | | search results daily. |
| Andrews School of Medical Transcription, M-Tec and | | | | There are also sites that have lists of medical |
| CareerStep each have good reputations with many | | | | transcription companies that you can contact and ask |
| employers. This makes getting hired much easier. | | | | if they will test you. Many require 2 or more years' |
| If multiple levels of training are offered, you may be | | | | experience, but if the site doesn't make their |
| better off taking more than just the minimum level. My | | | | preferences clear, ask! |
| own employer, for example, preferred students who | | | | If you don't mind working outside the home for a time, |
| took at least the Gold level classes through | | | | check with local hospitals and clinics for on-site |
| CareerStep. They weren't particularly interested in | | | | positions. It can be much easier to land a job on-site |
| students who only took the basic, Silver level classes. I | | | | than off when you lack experience. It can also be |
| won't say it was impossible to get hired as a Silver | | | | extremely helpful to be surrounded by people who |
| level student, merely that it was more difficult. | | | | already know the job quite well. |
| Many schools will offer job placement assistance. If it's | | | | Whatever you do, keep practicing your transcription. If |
| offered, take advantage of it! | | | | you have the tapes from your studies, keep on |
| Another great way to find your first job is to start | | | | transcribing them. It's good to keep your mind on it, and |
| asking around at medical transcription forums to see if | | | | you'll keep improving your skills. Once you land the job, |
| anyone knows of a company that hires newly trained | | | | your ability to type fast and accurately becomes even |
| and inexperienced medical transcriptionists. There are | | | | more vital. You don't want to lose your touch. |
| companies out there that will do this. Otherwise I never | | | | |