Should I leave my steady job and do at-home medical transcription full-time?
(I put this under "Etiquette" because it falls a little bit under that category and I suspect I will get less spam)
I type 100-120 words per minute
I worked for two years in multi-specialty transcription (1991 through 1993)
October 1993 – Current: I work for a mental health agency where I am a medical transcriptionist by title. I still type doctor's notes, but mostly type meeting minutes now, so I've been out of multi-speciality transcription for a long time.
Also, my husband is on Social Security Disability for a refractory seizure disorder (he cannot work and he stays home). He is Cherokee Indian, so he gets free medical care.
I am thinking of doing at-home transcription so I can stay home with my disabled husband and better use my abilities.
What are some good, legit medical transcription companies, especially those that offer health insurance?
Any serious responses would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
(Please DO NOT bother to send me spam, because I WILL report you. I know this seems harsh, but this is a serious inquiry which could have implications for me and my husband's future. Thank you in advance.)
Absolutely you should do that; much better for both of you; as to finding viable companies go to monster.com and post your resume there and also check your local hospitals. You might also post your own ad stating what you're looking for work-wise and salary-wise.
yes i think u should my mom is like that and it helps having her around the house i think your husband would injoy the company too…
but i mean its your choice and u r probably know than me
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Firstly, you're doing well to be skeptical of "work at home" scams. If a company or hospital isn't willing to supply you with WHO they are, WHERE they're based, HOW to contact them, and exactly HOW, HOW MUCH, and HOW OFTEN you'll be paid, they're not worth another second of your time.
That said, I really suggest you start local. Begin with your larger hospitals & health care providers. Visit their web sites, and navigate to the "job seekers" section.
I have a suspicion that you'll not have a hard time finding a medical transcriptionist-at-home job, even in this economy.
Lastly, your question has very little to do with etiquette but you're right– this section has a higher quality of answers, and a low spam ratio. People like me who stick only to the section enjoy non-etiquette questions sometimes.
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Unless you really need to stay home, you should keep your steady job. I had a neighbor who did that from home and she didn't have a lot good to say about it, other than it let her stay home with her child. She had to work an enormous amount of hours to make any money, and sometimes the work would drop off and she'd be in a real spot.
Oh, and you're unlikely to find any where you can work at home and get health insurance. And you're likely to be paid by how much work you do, not by the hour.
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I do home typing here in the UK, although in the legal field. I do some medical as well though.
Generally a Google search will identify companies that outsource typing, and in my experience they tend to be multi-discipline. You also need to find out by word of mouth from anyone you know at your current agency, what the popular companies/openings are. When I started it sometimes took weeks, or even months between registering/enquiring at the company and hearing back from them. Some of them incorporate a speed typing test with the online application form — it sounds like you'll be first class at that! — and then usually they send a test audio file.
If at all possible, I would recommend that you stay in your current position and get set up with the outsourced work in the evenings and weekends until you build it up to a point where it becomes viable full time. In this economic climate it is best to have several agencies that you get work from, in case one goes under — which happened to me!
As you would be self-employed, it would be unusual I feel for such a company to offer health insurance or indeed any benefits except for a Christmas gift.
Good luck!
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Personal experience of home typing
I would be very skeptical of any work at home offers. Most of them are things you have to pay money up front for.
I would try and work it out so that you can have maybe one day a week at your home with your existing employer. Then you could keep all your benefits and you would know that the job is legitimate.
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Absolutely you should do that; much better for both of you; as to finding viable companies go to monster.com and post your resume there and also check your local hospitals. You might also post your own ad stating what you're looking for work-wise and salary-wise.
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In this economy, you do want to think twice before abandoning your steady job. You should talk with your boss and see what options you have. Many companies allow employees to work from home and come in a couple times a week. This might be an option for you to pursue.
It does sound like you are fully competent in your field. So you should see what sort of risks are associated with working from home. See if it is a compromise on your job security.
It can be very stressful taking care of someone. Your husband's need for help might limit your ability to work. It can also bring a lot of stress into the relationship. Since he does get free medical care, you might want to inquire about the rates for a part-time aid. Someone who can help him out in the mornings.
It's hard to find the balance between work and your relationship. You do need to care for your husband, but also you need to ensure that the household has a steady income. You have a lot of stress on your shoulders.
I don't know anything about the medical transcription industry. So I don't know where you stand.
Right now, you can start doing your research. Look up other transcription companies and see what options are available. Then you can make a better decision.
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If you can line up a job that pays you enough and you are satisfied, go for it. I have worked out of my home for 14 years. I wouldn't have it any other way.
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I am a retired x-ray tech, but did a lot of transcription when I worked as a tech. After I retired, I did medical transcription at home, but got the job from the same medical clinic where I had worked as an x-ray tech. They even provided me with a computer as I did not have one at home at the time. When I retired from that job, the medical clinic contracted with a company that did medical transcription, and I later heard this cost them more than I was paid. By the way, I received medical insurance, sick leave, cafeteria plan, etc.
If I were you, I'd get out the yellow pages and call the individual clinics and physicians. If they are looking for someone, you'll probably get an interview.
By the way, I always found it difficult to keep up on the newer medications and the spelling, but all physicians receive a small PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) every month. So, be sure to ask for their old PDR's. This is not the big PDR but just a small version (about the size of a Reader's Digest magazine) that lists all of the prescription medications.
Also, I loved working at home. You can stop working early on a Friday, relax and enjoy some time with your husband, and on Saturday, you can sneak in an hour or two of typing and not even feel as though you have worked.
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