The VLC talks with working grads
VLC graduate Julie Hostetler
VLC: Where do you work as a medical transcriptionist and how long have you been there?
Julie: I was just hired by MedQuist.
VLC: What did you do before becoming an MT?
Julie: I was, and still am, a minister.
VLC: Why did you decide to become an MT?
Julie: First of all, for the extra money! Secondly, because my sister is an MT (for MedQuist) and really likes her job. She likes the flexibility of working as an independent contractor for them. I needed a job that allowed flexibility of scheduling and also that would make a decent income.
VLC: Which of VLC medical transcription courses did you take?
Julie: I took the Professional [now Advanced] Course.
VLC: How long did it take you to complete it?
Julie: It took me 15 months.
VLC: Who was your instructor?
Julie: My instructors were Bev, Carol, Sheila, and Carole.
VLC: What impressed you the most about your instructor?
Julie: The thing that impressed me the most was their obvious years of experience in the MT field. Secondly, I was impressed by the way that Bev and Carol, in particular, were very constructive in their feedback. They were never critical, but used very constructive instruction.
VLC: What impressed you most about the course?
Julie: The thing that I was most impressed with was the amount of dictation that we were given. I compared VLC to other courses and it offers a lot more minutes of transcription than any other courses that I looked at.
VLC: What did you enjoy most about the course?
Julie: I enjoyed the transcription part of the course the most. I also enjoyed being able to interact with other students on the message board and have their support and encouragement.
VLC: Do you find the practice tapes are helping you in a real-work situation?
Julie: I've not yet started working, but the practice dictation was definitely helpful to me in taking the transcription test that I took for MedQuist.
VLC: Do you have any suggestions for improving the actual course?
Julie: I think that VLC offers an excellent course. I was very satisfied with what I received. My only suggestion is that for me, personally, MedQuist Advanced [dictation] was very long and very difficult. While I think that it was very good experience, it was also very discouraging. I would have liked it better if the harder dictations were alternated with some that were not as difficult as I think it would have done more for my level of confidence in myself. I began to question whether or not I was able to be a good MT. I think it would be more productive if we could finish up with a little more self-confidence. Aside from that, I would certainly recommend VLC to anyone wanting to become an MT. (VLC note: the MedQuist Advanced CD has been replaced with an alternate CD with improved dictation and sound quality.)
VLC: How did you go about applying for jobs?
Julie: My sister works for MedQuist and spoke to her boss concerning me when I was finishing up the course. I then spoke with him and he was gracious enough to allow me to test for them.
VLC: How long did it take you to find a job?
Julie: I was blessed to find a job just as I was completing the last of my assignments.
VLC: Are you paid by the line or by the hour?
Julie: By the line.
VLC: Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of training to be an MT?
Julie: Find a course that has lots of minutes of transcription. The more practice you get, the better! Realize that becoming a MT is hard work. It is not an easy course; it is extremely challenging! Study, study, study, and don't become discouraged.
