considering transcription

I am not currently in this line of work. I am a 43 year old female who was in the work force full time for the past 20+ years. I am considering medical transcription, but will doing the classes on-line through Thompson Learning. Has anyone else obtained their diploma by doing this? I know you cannot be certified until you take the board exam, and you must three years experience before you can do that. Any words of advise or caution would be appreciated. Thanks, Carrie ([email protected])

Hi Carrie, I've been a medical transcriptionist for 20 plus years and currently work doing oncology and multi-speciality transcription for large medical teaching facilities. Medical transcription is VERY difficult to get into as everyone requires so many years' experience, but once you are in it, you will always have a job. It is possible to get into it yourself, but it helps to know someone who knows someone...if you know what I mean. It takes a LOT of determination to do. Good luck with your course. I've not heard of Thompson Learning. I took medical transcription classes along with a medical secretarial course and then years later took the At-Home Professions course as a refresher course. It's a great program, and both of my daughters took AHP, too, and are currently both MTs. Take care, Teresa

Teresa, that's really encouraging as I am taking the At Home Professional courses now. I am just starting Course 4 and have done well so far. I would love to hear any hints or ideas you have about getting started. Will these courses totally prepare me to start work right away? Will the school help me in any way to find work? Leslie