Posted: January 5th, 2006

The VLC talks with working grads

VLC: Where do you work as a medical transcriptionist and how long have you been there?
Renee: I am employed by SoftScript, Inc. located in Santa Monica, California, and I started May 15, 2005.

VLC: Do you work at home or in an office?
Renee: I work out of my own home office that my husband constructed for me after completion of my course with VLC. I have three children (ages 9, 13, and 16), and knew I would get NO work done if I did not have my own "space," so my husband and I decided to take the end of our wrap-a-round porch and enclose it to make me a cute little 7 x 16 ft. office. It is cheerful, quiet, and ALL MINE!

VLC: What did you do before becoming an MT?
Renee: Before children, I worked for a costume jewelry designer as an assistant designer. It was a WONDERFUL job that I loved very much, but we decided it was time to start a family and I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom so I resigned. Money was tight on one income, but it was worth every hardship because I now have mature, independent, self-sufficient children. I like to think it is partly because I was always "there" for them. It is so much easier to teach children by example, a little at a time, BEING there if they feel like talking over a problem, situation, etc. If they know you are available with an open ear, non-judgmental attitude, and will not pressure them to talk, I have found they will eventually open up.

VLC: Why did you decide to become an MT?
Renee: After my youngest started kindergarten and I could clean my house in 2 hours and it actually STAYED that way longer than 2 seconds, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. With all 3 kids in school, I was ready to start a new phase in my life. I decided I did not want just a job, but a career. I knew I wanted something with flexible hours because my family is first and foremost in my life and each child has something to do or somewhere to be almost every day of the week, so it had to be something flexible that would fit in with my busy lifestyle. I had previously researched medical transcription when my youngest was 4, but did not pursue it at that time. The more I thought about starting a new career, the more I thought about my research on medical transcription. I am a very curious person by nature (must be the Leo in me), never happy with just a simple answer, always digging deeper to investigate and dissect every topic of interest. What better topic to be curious about than the human body? I knew I was interested in science and medicine, I knew I could work from home while the kids are still at home, and when they eventually go off to college and I am suffering from "empty nest syndrome," I liked having the option of working from home, or outside the home, without having to change careers. Medical transcription seemed the perfect solution for me. It is a never-ending, learn-something-new-every-day kind of job, and I can research until my fingers fall off, and I will STILL have plenty to learn!

VLC: Which of VLC medical transcription courses did you take?
Renee: Back then, I think it was called the Professional course. Hillcrest, SUMS, Forrest General, etc.

VLC: How long did it take you to complete it?
Renee: It took me 2 full years to compete the course. I started February 14, 2003 and finished March of 2005. I did every report assigned and spent a LOT of time researching those annoying little blanks, but it sure is paying off now that I am working in the "real world". I remember way back when, when I thought I would NEVER remember how to spell auscultation!

VLC: What did you enjoy most about the course?
Renee: Reports, reports, and more reports. That is where you get the hands-on experience. Of course, I would never have made it through the reports if I had not retained all of the "stuff" we had to learn before transcription. STUDY, STUDY, STUDY and retain all of the basics. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH every word you do not understand. It will make your life a lot easier when you go to work. I have just a little bit of bad news though. Those ESL doctors we dreaded transcribing, THEY REALLY EXIST!

VLC: Do you find the practice dictation is helping you in a real-work situation?
Renee: Yes I do. Nothing is better than experience, but trust me when I say you WILL still have a lot to learn upon graduation. It is amazing how much more I have learned in my short time with SoftScript, but thank goodness, we have GREAT mentors and editors because I am still full of questions and blanks! Currently, I transcribe ER, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, orthopedics, and some cardiology reports, and I can say the more you transcribe for a specialty, the easier it gets.

VLC: How did you go about applying for jobs?
Renee: I used the employer list on the VLC site. I printed the list, started at the top, and sent my resume to everyone on the list. Some responded, some did not. Some responded quickly, others took FOREVER, if and when they did respond. After going through that list, I started surfing the Internet for any national companies not on the VLC list. Eventually, I was offered positions by two different companies. It was hard deciding between the two, but I eventually decided to go with SoftScript and I am SO glad I did! Everyone is so helpful, friendly, and PATIENT with newbies! They go out of their way to help new hires every step of the way. I LOVE SOFTSCRIPT!

VLC: How long did it take you to find a job?
Renee: I finished the VLC course in March of 2005 and was hired by SoftScript in mid-to-late April, but did not actually start working until May 15, 2005. Paperwork, training, software setup, etc. FYI: I did not have to pay anything to start work for this company. Be VERY careful of companies wanting you to purchase their software, etc.

VLC: Are you paid by the line or by the hour?
Renee: By the line, 65 character line with spaces. Those spaces DO make a difference in your line count. When I first started with Softscript, we did not get space pay, but our lovely boss and fearless leader has started paying us for spaces, and it is amazing how tapping that space bar adds up!

VLC: Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of training to be an MT?
Renee: I guess I would say do not think this is a nice easy job to undertake just because you want to stay at home with the children. It is hard work. The patients' care is literally at your fingertips. It takes concentration, and every time your hands leave the keyboard, you are breaking your concentration and losing money. I know I could not do this job and take care of small children at home. If you are trying to translate an ESL doctor while keeping an ear open to hear what Junior is tearing down in the kitchen…wow…I do not think they make strong enough medication for me to be able to handle that situation! However, everyone is different; you have to do what works for you.

VLC: Do you have any advice on beneficial resources for new MTs?
Renee: Get some type of word expander and learn it inside out! I am still using Smartype that came with my VLC supplies and I would not trade it for anything. The less keystrokes you have to make, the more productive you can be. As you gain more experience and are out working every day, you will be become familiar with your doctors' formats. Some doctors say the same thing on certain types of reports every time. For example, I transcribe for an Endoscopy Center. One doctor's colonoscopy report is worded the same every time. The actual procedure is the same and then he lists findings and recommendations at the bottom. I have a template made for his report so all I have to type is "docnamecolon" and the report is complete after adding demographics and findings. A 10-minute report turns into a 3-minute report. In this line of work, time is definitely money.

In closing, I would just like to say I LOVE MY JOB! Every day I learn something new. Every day I understand my doctors a little bit better. They make me laugh, growl, cringe, and even groan (when you see THAT doctor pop up in your queue) but the medical field is so interesting and ever changing. I have yet to have a dull day. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, and the best part: I am now not only labeled Mom, but also Medical Transcriptionist!