| A few words should be written about the state | | | | field have two primary goals: |
| of the medical transcription industry today. The | | | | 1. To get a good job upon graduation |
| industry has gone from one offering virtually no | | | | 2. To work from home as a medical |
| training options a couple of decades ago, to one | | | | transcriptionist upon graduation |
| that has attracted an increasing number of | | | | Both of these goals depend on the ability of the |
| participants - not all of which are reputable. To be | | | | training program you choose to deliver a |
| fair, many of these training programs are well | | | | marketable education and to facilitate a number |
| meaning. However, some are simply ill prepared to | | | | of positive post-graduation employment |
| deliver a training experience that will yield a | | | | opportunities. |
| positive career outcome. | | | | So when you consider the cost of a program |
| Remember - you can spend just as much time | | | | that is fundamentally incapable of delivering on |
| and money (and in many cases much, much | | | | either of your goals, then what initially seemed like |
| more) on a second or third rate program as you | | | | a great value can quickly turn out to be one of |
| can on a first rate program. In my experience, I | | | | the most expensive and frustrating options |
| have found that most people who select one of | | | | imaginable. |
| these lesser options do so for one or more of | | | | Ultimately you should do your homework and ask |
| the following reasons: | | | | the hard questions. Look at the evidence of how |
| 1. Effectiveness of their marketing messages | | | | existing transcription employers view the training |
| 2. Perceived low price of the program | | | | program you are considering. Look at whether |
| 3. Lack of available information regarding | | | | the program is approved by AHDI. In the end, |
| alternative training options | | | | there are few decisions you will make that will |
| When evaluating any MT training program, | | | | ultimately prove to be more important to the |
| consider what your ultimate goals are. Many | | | | success of your career. |
| people who express an interest in the MT career | | | | |