III.  GETTING STARTED ON YOUR WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL
TRANSCRIPTION HOME BUSINESS.

Once you've made your decision to pursue medical transcription, the
very next thing to do is COMMIT YOUR DECISION TO ACTION.  You need
to define exactly what your future will look like and how you will
go about realizing this dream.  It's no coincidence that the most
successful business owners are those who have taken the time to do
the next few steps.  Think of this process as drawing a map toward
your final destination, with each stop along the way anticipated
and planned for.  Going through this simple process now will keep
you from drifting off course and will keep you focused on your goal
- and your eventual success.

First, write down your final objective, and be specific.  "I want
to be a medical transcriptionist" is too vague and does not really
define what you want your future to look like.  

"In two years from today, I will have my own medical transcription
business at home that will provide me with the income I need of
$_________ per year."   That's specific.  That's real.

Next, list the individual steps it will take to get from "here" to
"there" -- every single thing you need to do to make your final
objective become your new reality.

Of course you will need training -- write it down.  Better yet,
include the step of investigating the type of training to take.

Do you need to factor in a transition from a current job?  Include
that statement.

You will probably need to modify your budget to allow for the
purchase of business equipment and reference books in addition to
paying for your training; include each item.

Will you need to provide additional daycare for your training time?

Include it.

Will you need another car when you start your business?  Factor it
in.

Do you need to also brush up on typing skills, or really learn the
inner workings of your computer?  Factor in this training also.

Will you need to do minor or major remodeling for a home office?
Write it down.

You need every step written down -- and be sure to list the steps
in logical order that they need to occur.

Next, assign a timeline to each step, and try to be realistic.
Remember, you are not only starting your own business, you are also
learning a new and difficult profession.  It's a big gulp all at
once!

Your training will generally take from six months to two years,
depending on the course that you choose.  Marketing and getting
your first client may take another couple of months, and then you
need to give yourself a few months to "settle in" to this new
profession.  Don't count on meeting your final financial goals the
first year (although with luck you may do even that -- I did).  I
do think it's reasonable to expect to meet those financial goals
within two years of starting your business.

You may not be certain of each step's timeline, but give it your
best guess.  None of this is written in stone and there are always
circumstances that can speed up or delay your progress, but you
do want to have your map drawn as clearly as you can.

To complete this step you may need to do additional research about
the requirements of a home-based medical transcription business.  

Next, for any step that will require a financial outlay, write down
the TOTAL AMOUNT, and the amount you may be able to pay
incrementally.  Many training schools allow monthly payments and/or
take charge cards.  Computer and office equipment can also be paid
for over time if necessary.  Be thorough in this step as it can
materially affect your business income and profit.  

YOUR FINAL PRODUCT SHOULD BE A COMPLETE GOAL SHEET OF EXACTLY WHERE
YOU WANT TO GO, HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE YOU TO GET THERE, HOW MUCH IT
WILL COST, AND, VERY IMPORTANTLY, WHAT "THERE" WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN
YOU ATTAIN IT.  

When you've done all the above steps, go back through and give
yourself two things:  one, a break, and two, a time for a couple of
important celebrations.  This is a huge commitment you are making
with the promise of a new career and new way of life waiting for
you at the end.  Plan to take a quick break when you're halfway
through your course - you'll need it.  Definitely celebrate when
you've completed it!  And REALLY CELEBRATE when you get that first
job or land your first client!

Spend some time reviewing your goal sheet, and by all means discuss
it with your family members who will be affected by these changes.
When you're ready, MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT to these goals.  Keep the
goal sheet handy to check your progress and make adjustments as
necessary.

When I finished my goal sheet I also made another page that I
printed in a huge font, framed and hung in front of my treadmill
where I'd see it every day over the course of my transition.  This
sheet said:  

GOAL
COMMITMENT
DISCIPLINE
SUSTAINED EFFORTS
FOLLOW-THROUGH AND FINISH
SUCCESS AND PAYOFF

Keeping this always (literally) in front of my face and referring
to my goal sheet frequently not only kept my ultimate objective
alive for me, it kept me absolutely focused on the results I was
determined to achieve.  I also played a mental movie of what my new
life would be like on a daily basis.  I tried to picture precise
details of my new home business -- what a typical day would
actually consist of -- and I was thrilled when it all came true
exactly as I pictured it; in fact, it was almost surreal.  

Whatever you can imagine, you can achieve;  the clearer and more
specific your goals, the sooner they will become your reality.

III.  MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION TRAINING DECISION

There are a number of options available to those seeking medical
transcription training.  These include local community college or
business/trade school classes; distance learning classes (home
study courses) offered by several large and well-known schools;
training side-by-side with another transcriptionist; and, possibly,
learning it on your own.  Unfortunately, the options also include
training with shortcut, fly-by-night correspondence schools - let
the buyer beware...

If you are a person who is stimulated and challenged by the
presence of other learners, if you learn best with a "live" teacher
present to answer questions and give you guidance or coaching,
consider a local community college or business/trade school.  

If you are self-disciplined enough to follow a home-study
curriculum, if you really learn best on your own and prefer to work
at your own pace, if your current schedule or responsibilities
would not permit you to physically attend classes or if there is
not a local school available, consider a distance learning school.

When you research learning opportunities, just be sure that your
course will offer ALL of the following:

Medical Terminology;
Acronyms, eponyms, abbreviations;
Anatomy;
Physiology;
Laboratory tests and values;
Medical procedures and equipment;
Drugs;
Transcription formatting;
Ethics of medical transcription;
Research methods and resources;
Brush-up typing (if you need it);
Brush-up English grammar;
Marketing;
MT "business" skills;
Instructor availability, either in person or by phone;
... and LOTS of actual transcription practice (including dictation
by foreign-accented providers).

Each course that you investigate will be structured somewhat
differently and will offer different values - one will suit you
better than the others.  One course may include a computer, another
may include a transcriber, another may offer an apprenticeship
program at the conclusion of the course, another may offer some
sort of accreditation.  Some courses offer employment opportunities
or job-placement services.  Some courses provide reference
materials, others require that you purchase them in addition to the
course.  Ask about the details of each course and find the one that
gives YOU what YOU want -- and then investigate it thoroughly.

A reputable course will EXPECT that you wish to check with its
graduates for references.  DO take the time and DO make the effort
to call and talk with former students and be specific in your
inquiries.  Ask if the course material prepared them to work in the
"real world" without a long period of post-study apprenticeship.
Ask if foreign-accented dictation was included (there are many,
many foreign doctors practicing in the U.S.).  Ask how strong the
research training was -- this is absolutely critical to your
success as a home-based MT.  Get a feel for how extensive the
actual transcription practice is, and how thorough the anatomy
training.  Don't ask questions that will yield a one-word answer
but start with "can you tell me about...."  This is your time and
money you are investing -- be sure that you will get value for your
investment.

This is a good question to ask online -- you will find many
students and former students eager to share their experiences with
you.

In my opinion, to be well prepared to work at home, you can't rush
through a course.  This is one area where you really don't want the
"bargain basement" deal.  As in everything else in life, you get
what you pay for.  Much of the terminology, anatomy and physiology
learning is done through memorization -- and you just can't rush
the process.  You need time to understand what you're learning, and
time to cram it into your brain.  When it comes to the actual
hands-on transcription, you also need time to accustom your hands
and brain to work together typing words like "endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography."  (You think that happens overnight??)
You also need time to build up your transcription speed to the
point where you can make the money you expect to make.  When you
are paid pennies per line, you must type a great number of lines to
make the good income you hope for!

Be aware that, although some courses offer a "certificate of
completion" and/or claim "accreditation" -- none offer
certification in the American Association For Medical
Transcription, the "CMT" that some medical transcriptionists are
proud to add to their names.  This certification is offered ONLY
through AAMT and requires two tests.  The general advice is that
transcriptionists with less than three years' actual experience
should wait for certification.  (You are not required to obtain
this certification in order to work.  Many institutions will pay a
slightly higher wage to certified MT's, but many other
employers/clients are not aware of either AAMT or the CMT status.)

One final word:  In my years of participation in MT online
exchanges, I have noticed that most of us feel the way that WE
prepared for this profession is the best way.  Because my
experience is with a formalized training, I find it difficult to
imagine someone NOT taking a transcription class but instead
learning the necessary skills at another MT's knee or on one's own.

With the foundation of terminology, etc., that my course provided,
I find it hard to understand where that particular knowledge would
come from if you are trained one-on-one by another MT.  Yet -- it
happens, and those new MT's feel they are well prepared.  (This is
another area where I yield to others' experience.)  It would
certainly be a good way to ease into the business once you have a
basic knowledge of terminology, etc.

On a personal note, I took a year to finish my home-study course,
and I worked full time for most of that year.  It was a demanding,
exacting course, it was not cheap, but it gave me the results I
wanted.  You must not expect to be a top-notch medical
transcriptionist the day you complete your training.  You will
"graduate" with entry-level skills, and hopefully this will be just
the beginning of your learning experience.  This is one of the
reasons so many of us find this field so challenging -- the
learning never stops.  


TRAINING AIDS

These are a few of the methods I used to supplement my training
class and enhance my learning to better prepare me to begin my
business right away.

** I switched from my familiar but inadequate word processor to
WordPerfect and learned it thoroughly.

** I studied as much as I could by TYPING THE TERMINOLOGY.  While
learning medical terminology, I typed each word and its definition
into documents and then manipulated the text so I was able to
"test" myself constantly by bringing up either the word (and then
typing the missing definition from memory) or by bringing up the
definition (and typing the missing word).  I also made my own voice
recordings of both words and definitions and used them in learning
to type the missing elements.  Both of these methods accustomed my
fingers and brain to work together long before I was required to
try actual transcription.  It's a little like learning to play the
piano or other musical instrument -- your brain is not the only
organ being challenged, and the more practice you get, the better
off you are with transcription.

** I used my re-recordings of terminology and definitions while on
the treadmill, in my car, while my husband watched racing on TV --
or any spare minute that I had around the house.  I truly immersed
myself in the course work as much as possible and feel I gained a
good foundation of basic knowledge this way.

** I supplemented the course anatomy and physiology text with that
from a local community college MT course, plus other texts my son
had used for his paramedic training.  While learning each
anatomical system, what may not have been covered by one text was
certainly taught by one of the others.

** I learned many of the features of WordPerfect while studying MT
so that when I was finished with the course I was also fairly
expert with the word processor.  This proved to be beneficial when
clients asked for "fancy secretarial stuff" in addition to MT work.

It's much harder to learn how to produce tables, lines, text
enhancements, etc., when you're working against a deadline.  It's
also very much to your advantage to know how to REALLY use macros
-- even the advanced programming macro language features.  They
truly enhance your productivity (and they take awhile to learn).
For a few years, the backbone of my business income was based on a
workers' compensation form I developed for a client that is driven
entirely with macros -- well worth the time it took me to learn
this particular feature.

** From my former job, I was already a database program user -- and
I highly recommend knowing how to use a simple database program.
You can use it in future marketing and in your daily work, and you
can also use it to supplement your MT study program.

** I purchased a medical online speller utility (Stedman's) while
I was still doing the course work.  I still learned how to spell
all the terminology by using my learning methods as above, but I
also produced quality work to send in for grading.  You will be
using the speller as you work for clients and I felt like I wanted
my first "work" to be as professional as it would be later on.

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