The VLC talks with working grads
VLC graduate Sara Penrose of Wyoming
VLC: Where do you work as a medical transcriptionist and how long have you been there?
Sara: I am working for Precyse Solutions. I am a remote MT, working in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
VLC: Do you work at home or in an office?
Sara: I work at home, 40 hours a week.
VLC: What did you do before becoming an MT?
Sara: I was a dispatcher for the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
VLC: Why did you decide to become an MT?
Sara: I really wanted to be able to work from home, as I have young children. I have worked in the medical field before and always have enjoyed it.
VLC: How long did it take you to complete your course?
Sara: It took me almost 2 years to finish.
VLC: What did you enjoy most about it?
Sara: The best part about it was being able to go at my own pace and do it from my computer, instead of having to go to a college to take it.
VLC: Do you find the practice tapes are helping you in a real-work situation?
Sara: The practice tapes are an absolutely essential and helped me tremendously. I found that the tapes weren't very easy, which was good. It really helped my listening skills.
VLC: How did you go about applying for jobs?
Sara: I went to MT Daily and browsed through the jobs listed. There's an awful lot of jobs posted there and most of them allow you to apply and test online.
VLC: How long did it take you to find a job?
Sara: I was very fortunate; it only took me a week after I started applying. I started working as an MT before I even finished the course.
VLC: Are you paid by the line or by the hour?
Sara: I am paid by the line.
VLC: Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of training to be an MT?
Sara: It certainly takes time and dedication. There is a lot to learn about transcription. Having a medical background is helpful, but by no means is it absolutely necessary. I happened to have experience, so it was probably a little bit easier for me, but being diligent about really learning the terminology, pharmacology and body systems is extremely important. Be persistent, it can be rough, but it only gets easier with time. Use all the practice dictation you have available to you, even if it is not required for your course. The only thing that will make you better is practice, the more and more dictations you listen to, the more and more you will eventually understand.
VLC: Do you have any advice on beneficial resources for new MTs?
Sara: I find that most of my information and resources come from the Internet. There are so many different web sites to use for just about anything. I also have many Stedman's books and a Quick Look Drug Book that I can't be without.
