Hi Teresa! I agree that this messageboard could be an outstanding resource. I've been an MT for over 30 years and type all specialties and prefer large hospital work so I don't get bored. I was originally trained 30 years ago using an Olivetti electric without any correction mechanism. We actually had to erase by hand or retype the whole report. Can you believe it??! Actually in retrospect it was a great way to learn because I learned then to avoid common mistakes and to listen ahead to see if the doctor would change his/her mind. A funny story--I remember when our hospital got our first xerox machine. It was put in Medical Records because that's where it got the most workout. The insurance and other departments would come in to use it. The paper was real shiny and came on huge barrels and we'd have to rip off each sheet. And slow....It was molasses! It made a loud, distinctive noise when it was working, and I still remember how people from the other departments would come running into our department and go "oooo" "aaahhh" when we saw the dark and slightly fuzzy but still legible copies coming out!!! Then there was the time we got the IBM selectric with the CORRECTION key!!! We thought we'd died and gone to heaven!! Except we all typed so fast (120-140 wpm) we were all jamming up the "golf ball" typing element and the guy from IBM was always in our office having to unjam it. He was not very happy with us. ("Why can't you girls just slow down??) Then I started staying at home typing for a service that gave me a computer to use with a typewriter that served as a printer!!!! Wow! I knew I'd arrived in the space age watching reports I'd typed an hour earlier printing out on the other side of the room. Then we got these Lanier word processors that had floppy discs about 9" square. The hard drive was about 3 feet high and large enough to serve as a piece of furniture, but we thought it was quite portable! Well, I could go on and on...but you get the picture. I'm an old lady (49) who's seen and heard it all pretty much. .....I should tell you when we got our first fax machine!!!....

Okay, calling all medical transcriptionists and those that wannabeone....where are you? I think it would be great to get this message board going strong. What a great support system that would be. Just to introduce myself a bit...Ive been a transcriptionist for what seems like forever. I work for a great company doing transcription for a large medical college and all types of transcription, from infectious disease, heme/onc, genetics, neurosurgery, etc. Very interesting work. I had my open RNY December 31, 2002, and have lost 150 lb., with about 43 more to go. Then, PS, here I come. Hope all of you MTs out there will come on down and participate in this board. Teresa

Well I went for the interview and the test. Did great on the interview but when I took the test I f&*#%ed up royally. It was a report by a female doctor that spoke so fast and I literally could not hear her. It was done over a phone line and I swear that I was straining so hard to hear her. But when the woman proofed it she had no problem. She corrected my work and it looked like a road map. She was concerned that I had so much trouble because she said that doctor was their easiest and the one she trains on. THen I got the speech about well I have to meet with other people, blah, blah, blah. So we all know what that means. I got in my car and I was so drained. I know that the doctors only get worse due to accents so maybe I'm leaning towards the wrong line of work. After the surgery I'm going to send resumes to doctor's offices and such and see what happens. Thank you all for your support though!

Hi Diane, I've been a transcriptionist for over 30 years. I understand your frustration in trying to start out in a field where they routinely require 3-5 years of experience. One of the suggestions I have for people just starting out is try approaching a clinic or hospital and see if you can work out a deal with them. Offer to work for cheap (consider it part of your education costs) if they will train you on the job. Set a time limit so you don't have to work at limited income forever though! Just an idea... Good luck - Judi H

Hi, I'm new to all these boards. I am starting my wls journey and am researching everything. I just graduated from Molloy College in New York and received a certificate in Medical Transcription. Only problem is no one will hire you without experience and my logic is how do you get experience if no one will hire you. Sooooooo, who will give a 54 year old, overweight, eager to learn person a shot!