I am now officially an MT Editor!

I am excited...This is just so great, being a stay-at-home mom and working, earning, making use of my time productively, with a job that makes use of what I have learned in Medicine, without malpractice lawsuits lurking in the backgound...

I started revamping my resume last week, around Feb 16. Then out of the 4 or so companies to which I applied (through Monster and CareerBuilder as well as JobsinME) one immediately replied to me, gave me their number so we can discuss the details.

It was a small company, and after studying my capabilities, they decided they needed me more with the proofing of transcriptions done by their other girls. Of course I agreed, because that is easier! However, I won't be able to hone my typing skills, but that would give me immediate exposure to the style/format, names and addresses, the way certain American doctors pronounce drugs and other words and names which would have been easier for an American transcriptionist to decipher, without spending too much time just looking for it. It fells like a fast-forward training. The best part is, I am training my ear with the various accents, and orienting myself with their protocol in medical management. I get updated with the US style of management without really meaning to.

I feel lucky to have been given such a break. In the past I have been trying to apply but most companies need MTs with 1 or 2 yrs experience transcribing (nurses, PTs, etc, allied health professionals were advised to take an MT course first). I have self-studied with the help of sherry (PT-MT in PI who transcribes mostly ortho notes from a US-based client) about the MT tools like ExpressScribe and foot pedal, that the only lacking thing was training my ear with the dictation and typing at the same time. Sherry provided the initial tapes and edited the first actual transcriptions that I made. I saw it useless to enrol in an MT school, especially if what they are going to offer are mostly things that I already know about. I know that the technical tools MT use varies from company to company. Would the schools provide a single student with all those types? I don't see that happening. I can only predict that these schools will teach the technical aspect with what they have on hand. Any company should train their employee with what they have and use. The technical aspect of MT is easy to learn for a technologically-inclined student. I have something to offer that most MT's don't have: intensive knowledge in medicine and medical management. Of course! I am a doctor by heart!

Anyway, I was beginning to feel desperate...I actually considered enrolling in a course just to get hired, but then I could not help but think that upon graduation, if these companies still would like to hire only those with 1-2 yrs of experience, then how can I have that? It is a vicious cycle, and that's what many new MT grads are facing now.

But alas! I got this editorship job! I am actually going to have my experience with a higher position! And without a formal MT course at that!

When my then employer-would-be explained that proofers have lower rates because it is an easier job (I agreed), I was just too ecstatic at the opportunity they are giving me! Though the job is low-paying at present, I consider it not only as a free training, but as PAID! Good thing I did not enrol! (I was planning on enroling by March of this year).

God is really good, I'd say.

I am still submitting my resume to other bigger companies, eyeing in particular the MT company based in Portland, where they said in their ad that there is the possibility of working at home upon training...

Of course I updated my resume and included my latest position: Medical Transcription Editor/Quality Assurance Specialist.

Bongga...