Learning more about the MT job

For more than a week now I have been doing MT editing, and I realized that the pay I agreed to was not worth the effort and time I devote to doing the job. I am now convinced to just do MT instead of editing; that way, the pay is more commensurate to the effort and time I put into it. But, because of disgruntlement with my present employer, plus the replies I am getting from some companies to which I applied, I am now considering other MT companies and am leaving my present employer.

Why do I want to work as an MT?

First, it is a job which will not change my mindset from a doctor-thinking to a nursing-thinking (like what happens to those MD-RNs. Remember, I took a one-year crash course in nursing before coming here.)

Second, I am a stay-at-home mother and has no driver's license yet.

Third, I am somewhat of a techie. I love techno gadgets and internet.

Fourth, it keeps my mind medically-oriented.

Fifth, there is a GREAT DEMAND for good MTs.

And lastly, I need the money to help pay the bills.

Because of my recent employment, I gained confidence enough to submit application to 19 companies Saturday of last week. So far, responses have been varied: from "your application is in processing" to "you do not meet the requirements for the position" to "please take our online test files."

I TURNED ONE DOWN after realizing they are doing mostly acute care. Why? Because the dictators are in such a hurry they tend to produce dictations that are a garbled mess; therefore, production-wise, I will be on a losing end, unless they pay me more per line.

As I have been learning the flaws of my employer, I have now engaged another company in a series of discussion, meaning to let the employer know that I am studying thoroughly what I am getting myself into this time.

I am quickly learning that these companies are in dire need of good MTs. They have a lot of jobs that they can't catch up with, because there simply are not enough MTs whose work do not need editing.

Then I got a latest reply from a company that said they "have no good fit" for me, "but in the interim, another service took interest in my skill set. For privacy reasons, I cannot forward your resume to her, so I am referring you to the above contact person for submission of your resume."

That got me excited. It seems I will be offered a job that is above the MT level.Of course, I quickly submitted to her my resume. Still waiting for her reply. (I realized now that I only need to make myself known to these companies, then the employer/HR who has the vision can think of the best way to make use of my talents.)

But then, with my recent experience in MT editing, I realized another thing; it gave me a whole new perspective of MT as a way to earn while reviewing for the USMLE.

You see, with the recent transcripts of actual practice here, I had been forcing myself to study more about drugs, their indications and dosages. I had to recall the anatomy, examination techniques and management of illnesses of the shoulder, knee, leg and hand. I discovered websites that had "Guidelines for Reporting on Musculoskeletal Imaging" and some "Operative Technique" samples. I realized that instead of paying for a review for USMLE, this is a good way to earn while reviewing, using the internet for updated information on medicine that is relevant to today's practice (no need to buy expensive reviewers; no need to enrol in expensive review centers! I don't have the money nga eh!). I am exposing myself to actual cases even without a residency training.

I had been thinking...with MT jobs (not managerial position in an MT company), I can then review while earning. At the end of 2 or 3 years when my children might probably want to spend less time with their parents, I can then probably seriously consider registering with the ECFMG and taking the USMLE and to practice medicine in this rural area where doctors are needed.

I will make it a goal to be prepared for those at the end of at most 3 years. Then I can make the MT business as a sideline. If government regulations permit, I will use offshore talents (MD-MTs as well as allied health professionals in PI, of course!) for that.

No, ain't that a smart move?

Wish me luck.