I have been a legal secretary for more than 22 years which includes experience in medical malpractice defense. For many years I had thought about becoming a court reporter. After much research of becoming a court reporter, I realized it would take a lot of time from my family.

Becoming a medical transcriptionist has also lingered in the back of my mind. I have always had an interest in the medical field, but didn’t have the time or finances to return to school. My sister is a trauma technician and I am (secretly) very envious. Although, I am more of a paper pusher person and have enjoyed being a legal secretary. I have always found the medical malpractice cases most fascinating.

Recently, the urge to move forward as a medical transcriptionist has grown tremendously. I guess you could call me the rock or the glue of my family, “The Caregiver” is a good name. My husband has been on medical disability since 2005 and has undergone three back surgeries during that time. My 25 year old daughter has been diagnosed with cardiac problems and may have to undergo open heart surgery. She is a single parent of three boys, one of whom is a 5 year old non-verbal autistic son, who I help with a lot. My father who lives in Florida has multiple illnesses ranging from dialysis to currently being in the hospital with a broken hip. My step-mother is becoming elderly and now I find myself trying to provide assistance from California. Many of my friends and family feel that I have just too much on my plate, but I handle each situation as if it’s the only situation, and I take care of what needs to be done.

I decided to pursue becoming a medical transcriptionistfor several reasons. First, when I eventually leave the legal field, I’d very much like to become a caregiver of some sort, whether its working with elderly folks or autistic children. I enjoy helping people and my family. Becoming a medical transcriptionist will afford me the opportunity to do this while also maintaining my skills as a “secretary.” Second, I understand that this is a type of career that I can do in any state. I would like to sooner than later move to Florida to be closer to my father and be there to help with his final years.

Becoming a medical transcriptionist would take the burden off of having to find a job when I would already have one to travel there with me. Finally, this would be a great way to help supplement our income while I gain the experience of becoming a Certified Medical Transcriptionist. I feel that having experience in the legal medical malpractice field, with my typing skills and knowledge of (some) medical terminology, I will excel in this program as well as building a new career as a medical transcriptionist, and hopefully becoming Certified. Being a legal secretary is a demanding job wherein you have to possess a strong discipline for meeting deadlines – especially court deadlines. I believe this discipline I have will also greatly benefit me as a medical transcriptionist. I am applying for the full scholarship as I believe I would be a great candidate for the program. Thank you for your consideration.

WRITTEN BY: Monica Crable

For a good article on the medical transcription field click this link.

For awhile I’ve been looking into having my own business. During my research I’ve found that Medical Transcriptionists are in high demand and growing in the market place. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “Demand for medical transcriptionists is expected to increase due to rapid growth in health care industries spurred by a growing and aging population.” With some training and exposure to the Medical Transcription industry, I believe with hard work and dedication I would have a successful business in the long run. I also became interested in getting into this industry because I always became frustrated in interpreting my mother’s medical reports. She would receive the reports and ask me to translate it to her (she only understands Portuguese), some codes were understandable but others weren’t. I figured in order to help my mom get better from her ailments, I would get into an industry that would not need extensive schooling, like medical school does. The advantage of working in the MT industry is the flexibility to work from anywhere and anytime as long as I have a computer and internet connection, with this technology I have more spending time with my family. This opportunity to earn great income at home gives me quality time with family which I don’t need to sacrifice and the things that means the most to me.

I have young children in school still and they need me to be there when they get home from school. My support as “mommy” is vital to them, which brings me back to my choice to go into this industry. I would be able to customize my own schedule and be flexible as I need fit to meet my goals and my family’s. The reason I chose Future MT for my training is the chance that I might qualify for free tuition and it is affordable compared to other MT courses out there which is essential to those that are having financial difficulty. It also gives me the freedom and the flexibility to train at my own pace; no deadlines to meet which enables to be able to work around my other commitments as well. Future MT provides course materials that were written by expert physicians and other MT professionals which I believe it’s important because it gives me the assurance that what is being taught is like hands-on material. The live mentoring will provide me with feedback to any questions or concerns I might have, and the job referral services will help me in the right path in securing a job in the MT industry. My foreseeable goal is to receive the necessary training to be in the MT industry. With the completion of the training it will enable me to secure employment within the MT industry and eventually start my own MT business. During my research I discovered that the start-up and operating expenses of a home-based medical transcription business is drastically lower than other businesses. It’s cost effective since what I need to start the business I already have in my home office. Besides these savings I would also save in fuel, time and among other things.

WRITTEN BY: Mariette Gonzalez

For an interesting article about why hospitals need medical transcriptionists click this link.

I would like to become a medical transcriptionist because I enjoy typing and also have come to also enjoy typing from dictation. My first experience with both was very intimidating for me. I had taken typing and a dictation course in high school and college, but was not very good at it. I did manage to get a job as a secretary working in a hospital records department. One day I was having a conversation with one of the administration secretaries about taking dictation and how awful I was at it. She encouraged me to keep at it. Well about a year after having that conversation, I landed another position as a legal secretary working for an attorney after completing a paralegal program. About 90% of the typing was done from dictation, by the time I left this employment, my typing speed was at about 65 wpm and dictation was a breeze. I discovered that typing from dictation was actually my preferred method of preparing correspondence. I have worked in both the medical and legal fields, I feel that working as a medical transcriptionist would give me access to both worlds doing what I enjoy–helping people through typing and dictation. One significant incident that has sparked my interest in this industry was my child becoming involved in a crime. This was a truly stressful time for me, but I began a transcription program, but was unable to complete the program due to financial issues. But what exposure I received only increased my desire to pursue this particular field. The course allowed me to take my mind off of my problems and focus on the learning of medical terms and anatomy, prefixes and suffixes–it was great. Another motivating factor for me to work in this industry is the flexibility of work schedule and being able to work from home. This is important to me because in 2002, I lost my father and have taken on the task of caring for my mother. While my mother is in relatively good health, it is important to me to be available to her and the rest of my family when necessary and working as a medical transcriptionist in a work at home setting would be an ideal situation for me.

The flexibility of working in an environment where the work schedule is flexible other than a home setting would also allow me to be available to my family. I tend to me somewhat of a night owl often staying up late, so being able to have flexibility in work schedule would add to my productivity I believe–fewer distractions. During my first encounter in the late 90s taking my first course, it was rather difficult to find a medical transcriptionist training program. I was quite fortunate to find the one that I did, however it was quite expensive. Since that time, training in this industry has increased and there are a lot of programs out there–some scams and others legitimate. The program I was enrolled in was legitimate and offered many of the same benefits that FutureMT offers–mentoring and future assistance with gaining employment. The mentoring feature is extremely important when you are learning and having access to someone who knows the industry and can answer your questions and offer encouragement. At the time I took my course, typing and dictation were not being digitally prepared–the course offered tapes and cassette recorders. Contact with my mentor was done primarily through correspondence and telephone. Future employment after completing the program is also very important–what good is completing the program if you are unable to locate employment? I think having access to people who are genuinely interested in hiring you is a lifetime benefit. This allows you to become more experienced and determine what specialty you would like to focus. My career goal for the short term is to enroll in a medical transcription program and complete training and become employed. It would be my long term goal to gain training and experience to be able to work exclusively from home bringing together my enjoyment of typing and taking dictation and continue learning.

WRITTEN BY: Deborah Davie

For a helpful article on how medical transcription training can help you in other careers click this link.

I am writing this essay in hopes of receiving a scholarship to pursue a medical transcription certificate. This will allow me to return to the medical field I began my work career in along with the option to work from home or in a nearby medical facility. I have a diabetic husband who is also an amputee and a special needs daughter. Between them they have a lot of doctor appointments where I am required to write down and remember all that they need and what is best for their care. I also provide full time child care for an infant with glaucoma. Shortly after I got out of high school I went to work for the State of N.Y., Central New York Developmental Services Office, working with special needs individuals in a group home setting. This required a lot of note taking and documenting of their medical and physical needs. With this early beginning in the medical field and an ongoing immersion in current medical language, I feel this is an appropriate career choice at this stage of my life.

Far and away the best advantage of working in the MT industry will be the flexibility of being home. This will allow me to maintain the same level of stability of getting my children off the bus when school is over, and continue their structured routine that my daughter and son have come to expect by my being home. This has proven crucial to my daughter’s emotional growth. I will also be able to continue babysitting the infant with glaucoma and, with my increasing knowledge from the MT course I will be more efficient at helping the infant’s mother as she tries to navigate doctors’ notes and critical care instructions. Given the extenuating financial circumstances of my husband’s disability and the demands of my daughter’s care, it is imperative I contribute more effectively to the family’s economic stability as would be the case with employment in the medical industry. A return to full-time employment outside of the home is precluded by family needs and therefore this path, MT, appears to be the most adaptable to our circumstances.

With a passion for and having begun my career in the medical field these are just a few of the many benefits that will appear in my life. I have researched a lot of programs and at home courses over the past few months in a search to further my educational goals. I feel that training with Future MT will give me the flexibility and time needed to work on my skills. They appear to have the most affordable program that I’ve seen so far along with the schedule that I, as a busy wife and mother, can fit into a hectic daily routine. With my children and the infant I care for during the day, I need to be able to work at my own pace and in my own home where I can continue to give the level of care they have come accustomed to and deserve. With the advancement of new technologies and more interest in outsourcing medical records and transcriptioning, it appears to be an opportune time to enter the field of MT. Immersion in a medical language education and keeping current with vocabulary and jargon will enhance my effectiveness as a parent and child care provider. As for where I want my education and career to go, it is apparent to me that my goal is to attend a reputable MT course. My second goal is to establish myself as a credible and reliable MT in the local medical community. Then as my reputation grows I want to expand my field of influence. Within 5 years I want to seek out other MT’s to build a small agency helping them get their start since my skill in running an effective home are immediately transferable to running a small business. Considering the amount of growth I could achieve with an MT agency, especially with the rate the medical field is growing along with the advances in technology, I can remain where I am needed here in my home working with and for the ones that matter most, my family.

WRITTEN BY: Elizabeth Blake

For an interesting article about why medical transcription is the future click this link.

For most of my life I have wanted to work in the medical field. In high school I poured myself over medical books and dreamed of becoming a nurse or a genetics counselor or even a veterinarian. But with so many options how do you choose? My own medical problems made that an easy choice for me. In my late teens I developed an anxiety disorder which made working in crowded or noisy places uncomfortable. My work in a busy call center became so difficult that I had to quit. Then one day I read an article online about stay at home jobs and everything just fell into place. For me, medical transcription became the dream career. There are so many advantages to working in an MT career that they are hard to count. First of all, it would remedy the problems I have with working in crowds and noise. However, one of the very best reasons would be my ability to stay home and care for my infant son, Orion. Its so hard to trust others to care for your children in todays’ world and it would be such a comfort to know that he is always in my capable hands and not subjected to the goings on of a baby sitter. Not to mention I wouldn’t have to miss one smile, giggle, or milestone unlike other parents who sadly miss so very much having to be away from home to work. So I’d have to say being able to be at home is the number one advantage to an MT career.

This MT course was the most appealing to me. I’ve looked at dozens of different courses ranging from three months to two years until completion. On many of the longer course it is required to take a lot of basic math, science and English classes. In high school, I completed many college level and advance placement classes which eliminate the need to repeat such classes to be a successful MT. For me it feels like it would just be an unnecessary repeat course. This translates to time wasted when I could have already completed the course and be working. For this reason alone the FutureMT course offered here is my number one choice overall. I am very motivated to move my career along quickly so that I can begin providing a better life for my little family. Therefore, within six months I wish to have started and completed an MT program. Within a year I hope to be working in an MT career. In five to ten years I hope to have steady work and an established reputation for the quality of my work and the speed in which I do it. I am not looking to be a grand career woman or make ridiculous amounts of money. I have more of a realistic point or view. My only wish is to provide a consistent and steady income to keep my family afloat in this ever changing world.

WRITTEN BY: Kerrie Snyder

For a helpful article on why working from home takes discipline click this link.

The day I turned six is forever etched in my mind as the beginning of my journey from “then to now”. My 19 year old sister had just finished nursing school in December and my family was so proud of and excited for her. Fast forward to Jan. 24, and I’m waking up, excited to be six, only to find all of my extended family gathered at my home; saddened by the tragic car accident that had taken my sisters life. The events of that day have shaped my life in more ways than I can begin to explain. It was a snowy night that she was taken from us. My mother instilled a fear in me of being anywhere but home when it snows. She did this without meaning to, I realize now, but it’s a very real fear and it cripples me every winter; sometimes to the point that leaving my home to go to work becomes impossible for me, causing me to lose a job.

I always wanted to be a nurse but the timing never came around to get to school. My father had MS, diagnosed when I was a child. I had my own children when I was young, 18 years old. When they got to be in school, I was going to go to nursing school. Then my father took a turn for the worse. My husband and I bought land and moved my parents close to us and I helped mom take care of dad, putting off going to school. Dad passed away, and it was time to put my son through college. That had to come first. So again, my dream is on hold. No regrets, son completed college, with honours, top of his class. Time to go to school!! No, not yet, my brother is diagnosed with cancer, my mother and I are caregivers for him during his year long battle with cancer. The fight was good, but in the end, it was not enough. I feel that time for me to go to school for nursing is now or never. So much medical experience and no degree. But I’m growing older, It’s now or never. Mom gets sick, I put off enrollment. We begin our journey back and forth from one doctor to another. Just this past October…finally…a diagnosis. Pancreatic Cancer. It’s the day the world stopped being black and white to me; everything is gray now.

My dream is on hold, not that I would do anything else, as I want no regrets…when mom is gone. I will within 6 months or so need to leave my full time job and be a full time caregiver again. I cannot go to school now and I cannot afford to take your course without working. If I am considered for the total scholarship, I would be able to be doing something in the medical field through working as a medical transcriptionist; as well as be able to continue to have an income while I stay home and care for my mother, who gave so much to all of us. I believe I would be a good candidate for this consideration and thank you in advance for yours. That’s my story from “then to now” Please help me get to “there”

WRITTEN BY: Chris Graber

For a great article on how to juggle a career and family click this link.

I am a wife and a mother of two beautiful children. I recently, moved to the Louisiana area from Virginia where I was attending Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University. My intentions upon moving was to take a break for my mother and sister to get the chance to know my kids better. My husband and I plan to move back to Virginia after the summer of 2009, but family sickness occurred. My mother getting sick with breast cancer in March, my grandmother getting sick with Ovarian cancer in April, my great-aunt getting sick with lung cancer in June, and my first cousin getting sick with brain cancer in August have been devastating for the entire family. Therefore, I had to put a halt to my plans and dreams for a while. I started working for a blood bank company that I loved. My schedule allowed me to work full time and be home with my husband and kids as well. I didn’t have to miss out on my kids coming home from school, because I worked the full time shift over the weekends. While, working I began to feel pain in my neck, and back. One day getting off from work my entire left arm went numb. I went to a professional doctor to find out what could be the problem when I was diagnose with neck, back, and left shoulder problems. I could no longer go to work according to my doctors and this enabled me from helping my family financially which is hard in this economy today.

I began to search for things I could do to generate substantial income to take some stress off of my husband, since we now have new expenses from my mother being sick. I came to a conclusion that I could work from home doing medical transcriptionist work. I had worked in a laboratory setting ever since 1999 and I have plenty of experience dealing with the medical field and terminology. I did my research online using the google search engine to find the best educational program that I can take from home. After, reading and doing pros and cons on whether or not Future MT would be best for me turned out in my favor. I concluded that training with Future MT, allows me to be home with everyone I love and also give me the resources and educational skills I need to be successful as a medical transcriptionist from home. Upon completing this program I plan on pursuing a great career from home and help my family financially. I have always been a computer geek and what is better than working with a computer and making money while doing it. I see myself being very successful in the medical transcriptionist business in the near future. With hard work and dedication as well as support from my family and friends, there is absolutely nothing that will stop me from achieving my new career goals. As well as, letting my kids know if they put their mind to it anything is and possible.

WRITTEN BY: Jessica R Joe

For an article on why medical transcriptionists are paid so well click this link.

The main reason for my desire to be a medical transcriptionist is my children. I have four children all under the age of 11. I want to be home to raise them with my values and my ethics, not those of a daycare or babysitter. I want to see all their firsts, and go to their games or practices. However I still want to contribute financially to my family as well. I feel that this career opportunity is the way to go. It is a field that is growing and has the advantage of being serviceable not only from home but from anywhere in the US. I do not have to live in a metropolitan area to find work. I can easily work from the comfort of my home in a rural area and not have to pay a babysitter or daycare, why wouldn’t I want to be a transcriptionist?

I have worked as a CNA for 10 plus years now and am familiar with most of the terminology used in the medical field. I am comfortable with typical medical charting and procedures. This I feel gives me a way to still interact in the healthcare field and accompolsih my own goals of being a stay at home mom. By doing this job sucessfully and accurately I am still helping patients with thier continued care, my ability to transcribe records in a timely, accurate and consie fashion and return them to the physician ensures that less mistakes are made in patient care. This is one way I can continue to be involved in a field I love and be envovled with my family at home as well!

I am a quick learner and feel that I do best when I have the ability to move at my own pace. This is the reason I have chosen to enroll with Future MT, the schedules are set by me and around my life I can go through the courses as quickly or as slowly as I wish. Another added benefit is the career placement assistance. I live in a rural community and will need help in obtaining work after I complete my training. Beyond that FUture MT offers other benefits that lead me to choose it over other programs, such as: the low tuiton, the money back gauruntee, the list of MT employers, and the fact that Future Mt is an accredited program means alot to me. I looked at many courses ranging anywhere form $795 all the way up to $4000 some included a laptop computer and the equipment as well as the books, 24 hour help, and employment services. Some offered the payment plans, some offered money back gauruntees as well, I chose Future MT because it offered everything but the laptop which I did not need. I chose to go with Future MT because it was one of the lowest priced courses that included everything I did need. Lastly, but certainly not least, is that list of MT employers that see my resume monthly. This is a service I did not see on any of the other sites. Future MT truly does offer me the ability to work from home in a career that I am sure to love!

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Dorley

For a helpful article on how to choose an online medical transcription course click this link.

In today’s economic climate, I feel it’s imperative for most adults to consider expanding their career options to keep themselves marketable. In most instances, when our parents and aunts and uncles were young and entering their careers, they didn’t have to worry so much about career options. As long as they reported to work in a timely fashion and performed their job responsibilities, they were often able to retire from their first or second employer. Back then, there was an overwhelming two-way loyalty between employer and employee that today – seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Not that those of us in the work force today shouldn’t continually strive to further ourselves in our career and personal life, or set new goals, but we almost all need a “fallback” or career change option readily available.

I’ve worked more than 20 years in the environmental science field, and in the past two years have seen a dramatic decline in clients pursuing voluntary efforts to re-mediate existing environmental problems or implement additional strategies to reduce or eliminate future environmental problems. As history has proven, there are trends in most work fields, and with time this decline in environmental consulting will likely turn its self around. In the meantime, as a self-employed environmental consultant, I’ve found myself struggling through these difficult economic times and looking for career options that fit into my strengths and abilities. Having worked from my home office for more than 15 years, I think my extreme self-discipline and strong work ethics are a good fit for a Medical Transcription (MT) career. With more than 20 years experience in a science field and extensive experience in the health and safety industry, I already have a good handle on medical terminology and attention for detail. As I suspect with most people pursuing an MT career, one of the main advantages to pursuing an MT career is the ability to work from home. Furthermore, I believe that an MT career option will also allow me the ability to continue to perform my environmental consulting duties as those opportunities present themselves. I foresee that with an MT career I could fill the gaps so-to-speak when my environmental consulting opportunities are limited.

The main reason I am interested in training with Future MT is the flexibility offered to proceed at your own pace. Again, having more than 15 years experience working from home, I know what it takes to be able to focus on a project through its completion. I enjoy the ability to work at my own pace at whatever time is most convenient and efficient for me. I strive for efficiency in all aspects of my life and I believe being able to study and attend class should proceed at a pace that is best for each individual student. I also believe this approach removes the element of class attendance being an “obligatory task” and puts the focus more on it being a “learning experience”, which presents a more conducive learning environment. At this time, I foresee myself enrolled in an MT training program within the next three months and completing the course within four to six months thereafter. As my environmental consulting duties allow, I foresee myself seeking MT part-time employment immediately upon MT certification. In the long term, I foresee an MT career as a great opportunity to supplement retirement. Two days ago, I would not have envisioned writing such an essay; however, in doing so, I find myself even more excited to expand my career opportunities in the MT industry.

WRITTEN BY: TERRIE L SWANSON

For an interesting article on the benefits of online medical transcription training click this link.

What is my motivation to become a medical transcriptionist? I was looking for an at home job with flexible hours to supplement my income because I have accumulated quite a few bills, probably as everyone else has lately in this economy. I have worked with computers all my life. I have also done quite a bit of secretarial/clerical work all my life. I have taken many courses in typing, transcription, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Word Perfect, office practice, accounting, shorthand, etc. I can type very well and at quite a bit of speed which will increase as I work more with medical transcription. I already have typing skills, transcription work, word processing knowledge, and computer knowledge. The training for the medical transcriptionist won’t be that difficult for me because I feel that I already have most of the skills and experience to complete the training with very little problems. This seemed like the ideal job for me right now in my life and in the future. I can keep my part-time job and work around it with the medical transcriptionist job. I am considering working full-time as a medical transcriptionist. Right now, my most important motivation is to help catch up on my bills, which I am behind in payments due to lack of funds.

What are the advantages of working as an at-home medical transcriptionist? First of all, there is the convenience of working at home. There is no commute time involved. There are no clothing restrictions. There is the comfort of being at home instead of being in an office. There are no interruptions or distractions. The timing is relatively flexible as long as the deadline is met. Break-time and lunchtime are conveniently in your own kitchen and you can have exactly what you want to eat. I can work the medical transcriptionist job around my current part-time job. I can work early morning, into the evening, and weekends if I would like. It would provide me with a way to make supplemental income to pay off some of my bills that have piled up in the last couple of years. It also will allow me to make additional money into retirement so I never really have to retire at all. It seems like it could be somewhat portable so I can take it out of town or on vacations if I want.

Why would I be interested in taking the Future MT course? It seems to be more of a complete course than at other training schools. It also provides you with plenty of practice and assistance. Future MT also will help to you to get a job after you finish the course which is important in this economy because jobs are hard to find right now. What are my career goals? First of all, to take the Future MT course to get my training and certificate in medical transcription. Next, I would work with Future MT to find the job that I am looking for. I would then work full-time or as much as possible to start paying off my bills and get out from under them. I would continue to work as a medical transcriptionist well into my retirement.

WRITTEN BY: Mary Belczak

For and interesting article on what causes demand for medical transcription services click this link.