Posted: October 19th, 2005

The VLC talks with working grads

VLC: Where do you work as a medical transcriptionist and how long have you been there?
Kifar: I have not headed down that path….. yet. I am a seasonal Wildland firefighter and, 3 weeks after I graduated, my team called me in to head south for the Southern Nevada Complex. Huge, fast moving, dangerous fires in desert grasslands and shrubs kept me busy for 4 weeks. Since that fire, my hotshot crew moved onto five other large wildfires in Oregon and Idaho. It was a very busy season.

On 9/19, I joined a US Fish and Wildlife Team to head to Lacombe, Louisiana, for Katrina search and rescue, road clearing, and community assistance. Total destruction is all I can say. Rode out Rita in a building which survived Katrina's 200 mile/hour winds, and then headed to Sulfur, LA, with a first strike team for Rita's search and rescue. Many small towns wiped clean. Been home now for a week BUT heading out tomorrow, 10/19, to Gulfport, Mississippi, for more Katrina assistance and to preposition for Hurricane Wilma.

VLC: What did you do before becoming an MT?
Kifar: Wildland Firefighter.

VLC: Why did you decide to become an MT?
Kifar: I am a OLD Wildland Firefighter… the kids call me "grandpa"…. Time to hang up my Pulaski and serve in a different manner.

VLC: Which of VLC medical transcription courses did you take?
Kifar: Professional Edition.

VLC: How long did it take you to complete it?
Kifar: Three years.

VLC: What did you enjoy most about the course?
Kifar: Everything…. My mind loves science.

VLC: Do you find the practice tapes are helping you in a real-work situation?
Kifar: Hope they will… when I get there.

VLC: Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of training to be an MT?
Kifar: One must train one's mind to be accurate in everyday correspondence. Proofread and correct everything! Get the latest gismos to help you with the speed and accuracy.

VLC: Do you have any advice on beneficial resources for new MTs?
Kifar: Up to date expanders, medical dictionaries, and pharmaceutical word books.