Medical Transcription – The Reality
By: Dawn Moreno, Meditec Program Manager
Medical transcription students, New MTs, and seasoned MTs all need to keep in mind the importance of research, verification, and certainty when transcribing the patient medical record. Instructors/editors who receive reports by an MT student or beginner who simply “typed what they thought they heard” can be frustrating. It is pretty much evident from the transcription itself, if research was done, words and spelling were verified, and some degree of certainty was obtained. You can’t really be lazy and try to succeed with MT.
Some may view medical transcription as a way to “get rich quick” or “work at home with my 10 kids.” The reality is much different. The fact is that medical transcription is not easy to learn and it takes time to build both speed, efficiency, and accuracy. The newly working MT’s primary goal is not to try to make X amount the first few weeks. If that is the main goal, it might well be reflected in producing less than good work with potential errors that validate insufficient research. The primary goal should be to provide the very best work one is capable of doing, no matter how long it takes. If this approach is adopted, the money will eventually follow. Many women (and men) DO have young children at home and still make a successful career out of MT, but it may not be easy. They schedule work round their children and their needs, and this sometimes makes a very long day.
Some new MTs go into their first job assignment with a wish list for the MTSO (Medical Transcription Service Owner), like wanting to work x hours on x days and noting they cannot work during x time because their child eats lunch then. These new MTs are under the illusion that this scheduling is easy to work out. No service owner is going to want a new MT with that attitude or wish list. They want a new MT who says “I’ll do whatever it takes to get up to speed on your accounts accurately and efficiently. I’ll work the hours you need, and I’ll figure out childcare on my end.” This is the proper attitude for a new MT. Yes, down the road, this career field can offer much flexibility when one no longer needs QA help and has built the speed and accuracy needed for the job. However, it is important to understand that the first 3 to 6 months on the job, a newbie is going to “pay their dues” by working really hard, making a little money, and researching, verifying, and being certain of everything. The new MT will need to verify such things as the capitalization of drugs, spelling of even common drugs, medical procedures, proper headings, and lab tests, for instance. Terminology associated with the specialty one is typing will need to be verified with appropriate references, and all of this takes time, dedication, and attention to detail.
Medical transcription is not a career for everyone, nor is it easy, and it is not a get rich quick avenue. It is a wonderful career choice, and after one has moved through the “learning curve.” It can be flexible and enjoyable. If you enjoy learning ever expanding information about medicine, and you don’t mind research, verifying information, and being certain of what you transcribe, then MT could be an ideal career choice for you with the perk of being able to work at home, having suitable tax deductions, and some flexibility in your daily schedule.
SOMETHING NEW at Meditec!!!
MEDITEC IS NOW ON FACEBOOK AND BLOGGER:
Meditec now has pages on both Facebook and Blogger! On both pages you will find unadvertised specials on our products, services, and programs. Additionally, we will have interesting industry specific articles, news, and career information. We intend to have new medical terms, quizzes, and games as well for our students and new MTs. Please join us! The links are below!
Medical Coding- Ongoing Education
There was a great article in the BC Advantage magazine Oct/Nov issue about on-going education being the final piece of compliance. The article stated that above and beyond compliance plans, policies, and chart auditing, that ongoing education is a very important component of any compliance plan.
Some great on-going education options that were discussed were utilizing Medicare bulletins, seminars, coding certification courses, coding and reimbursement newsletters, society meetings, Internet, and tests. Even the idea of creating your own inter-office tests on compliance policies and procedures was discussed. In addition to these ideas, rewarding office staff for coming up with better ideas, policies, and adhering to them is a wonderful way to increase compliance. Rewards can be a gift card, a small gift, or even a paid day off. Motivating office staff to adhere to the compliance plan is an important duty of any office manager. Motivators can be employee meetings, rewards, and having an open door policy to discuss problems, issues, and office concerns.
Working in the medical coding and billing career field entails keeping up with current laws, rules, and regulations. Continuing and ongoing education is imperative to maintain compliance and to reduce the rejection of claims.
Starting A Home Based Business? – Avoid These 6 Costly Blunders:
A lot of people would like to start an internet home based business. However, many people do not know where to start.
Starting a home based business can be overwhelming and confusing for the inexperienced. The fact that there are a lot of ‘business opportunities’ on the internet does not make it any easier.
You can easily succeed with your home based business if you just avoid some common mistakes which people make.
So what are some of the common mistakes that people who are starting a home based business usually make?
No plans and objectives. A lot of people try to start a business with no plan, a very costly mistake. It is important to take the necessary time and effort to plan the business and clearly state the objectives you intend to achieve. Some people start their home based business like a hobby and treat it like one. Do not expect to make millions with your online home based business if you treat it like a hobby.
Reinventing the wheel. Some people starting a home based business make their learning curves very hard and long. The Internet is full of proven money making business models. You can succeed easily by identifying the business type that you would like to have your home based business focused on, try to find someone who has succeeded with that business and learn from them, and duplicate what they have done to succeed. It is also important to have the necessary support network, which can be a relevant forum where you can learn more about running your home based business successfully.
Thinking that you can make money overnight. This is a common misconception which people have, which is also the reason why many people fail and give up easily. Your online home based business is like any other business – you will need to apply the necessary effort and dedication to make it work.
Believing that your online home based business doesn’t need any capital. This is another very common misconception. If you think you can start and develop a home based business without spending a dime, you are misleading yourself. Be prepared to spend some money to get all the resources you will need to develop your business. Although it varies with the type of the home based business you want to set up, you would need some initial resources that you have to invest in the business. This can be for setting up your website, just as an example. You may also need to buy some resources to make your online home based business fully set up.
No market study before creating a product or starting the business, another very common mistake. For your home based business to succeed, you will need to have a market for whatever you will be offering. Demand for your products is the most important factor that determines the success of your home based business. A market study on the current market size and future potential of the product or service is therefore very important.
Lacking focus and commitment. Your online business will need a lot of effort for it to succeed, especially during the first two years. You must therefore be prepared to give your business your total commitment.
If you avoid the 6 mistakes outline above, you will succeed with your home based business. Best idea to get it done right: ORDER YOUR HOMEBIZBOOK, a marvelous planner and how-to book right here at www.meditec.com [Scroll Down On the Shopping Cart Page to HomeBiz General Industry or HomeBiz Medical Industry. The HomeBiz books are $39.95.
Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory
About the Author:
Jeff Casmer is an internet marketing consultant with career sales over $25,000,000. His “Top Ranked” (http://www.24hourwealth.com/) Earn Money at Home Directory gives you all the information you need to start and prosper with your own Internet Home Based Business.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS FOR DECEMBER
By: Dawn Moreno, Meditec Program Manager
As our economy is slowly recovering, many people are finding it still difficult to get by. When things get tough, it’s easy to lose our perspective and fall into a negative cycle of thinking. This nearly always keeps that negative cycle fueled with energy and ongoing. Remembering to take a moment and align our thoughts with positivity, faith, hope, and compassion can help us weather life’s storms. Whereas we were not promised a rose garden of life, but we do not have to bask in thorns day in and day out. Seek to find your own inner joy!
Source: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-24-2006-94315.asp
MEDICAL FUNNIES:
A well-respected surgeon was relaxing on his sofa one evening just after arriving home from work.
As he was tuning in to the evening news, the phone rang. The doctor calmly answered it and heard the familiar voice of a colleague on the other end of the line.
“We need a fourth for poker,” said the friend.
“I’ll be right over,” whispered the doctor. As he was putting on his coat, his wife asked, “Is it serious?”
“Oh yes, quite serious,” said the doctor gravely.
“In fact, three doctors are there already!”
Source: http://www.medijokes.com/hospital-patients.php
This Month’s Recipes
By: Dawn Moreno, Meditec Program Manager
Cranberry-Orange Sauce: Quick and Easy
-2 Cans Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
-1 Can Mandarin Oranges- drained
Simply mix together w/ a spoon. This is fast, easy, and very good.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
-1 Graham-Cracker Pie Crust
-1 Tub of Cool Whip
-1 Can Pumpkin
-1 Package of softened Cream Cheese
-1/2 Cup Sugar
-1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
Mix ingredients together w/ a mixer and put into pie shell. Chill for 3 hours before serving.
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