Knitting. Yarn. Fiber artistry. More knitting. Nursing school. Hospice work. Death and the dying process. Phoenix Raven's. Knitting. Yarn. Oh, and Life As An Air Force Wife.
Published on January 13, 2006 By dharmagrl In Misc

I signed up for a medical transcriptionists course today.

I've been hemming and hawing for weeks over this.  I had set January 1st as an enrollment date, but I have the payments set to come out of my checking account automatically 30 days after the start of my enrollments date, so it was better to wait until the 15th (we have fewer bills to pay on the 15th of the month than on the 1st).  So, this afternoon, I filled out a bunch of e-forms and signed up.  I actually did it.  Instead of just talking about it, I actually did it.

The course I signed up for has fees if I drop out early.  That's a backup incentive for me if my primary incentive fails to keep me motivated. My primary incentive is to be able to go back to work and make a decent wage, and eventually I hope to be able to work from home.  I don't like being totally dependent on Dave.  I detest not having any money of my own, that I can say I earned.  My notary status will come in handy with this job too - lots of doctor's offices need notarys for living wills and advance directive signings.

So, I signed up, and I'm motivated to get this show on the road.  The first few lessons are about healthcare in general....but after that we get into anatomy and physiology (I'm looking forward to that) and then terminology (really looking forward to that). It sounds funny, my looking forward to studying, but I am.  I feel like my brain has atrophied (see, I'm using medical terminology already!!) from my not using it enough over the past few months...so I'm excited to have a challenge put in front of me.

I think I'm going to like doing this.  I think that this will do me good when Dave has to leave again.  It'll give me another reason to keep going, and perhaps it'll help take my mind off him being gone again.....I sure as hell hope so.


Comments (Page 1)
2 Pages1 2 
on Jan 13, 2006
Yay! Good for you, K. You're so good at medical terminology and stuff already, I think you'll do GREAT! All you have to do is learn the codes. I think it's cool you're doing something for yourself, too.

I'm proud of you! (Not that you need me to say that, but I am. )
on Jan 13, 2006
congrats! That's definitely good news.
on Jan 13, 2006
My Mom is doing the exact same thing. She has a decent job and everything already, but she wants a completely different field and to be able to work from home. She was saying how some medical billers get to choose their hours and work from their house.

Props to you!
on Jan 13, 2006
Good for you! That always was a field I thought I would be interested in!
on Jan 13, 2006
Do it! There's a HUGE need for medical transcriptionists! I tutored a girl whose mom worked from home in Fargo, ND for a hospital in St. Cloud, MN (about 2.5 hours apart) doing medical transcription. It's a *great* profession to go into!
on Jan 13, 2006

You're so good at medical terminology and stuff already, I think you'll do GREAT! All you have to do is learn the codes. I think it's cool you're doing something for yourself, too

Dave's been saying that for years, that I have a handle on medical words and procedures.  I guess I do kind of know more than a little bit about it...

I'm pretty stoked to be doing something for myself too.  This (and the knitting) is MY gig, and that makes me really happy.

congrats! That's definitely good news

Thanks, and it is!

 

She was saying how some medical billers get to choose their hours and work from their house.

Yep, they do.  A doctor dictates his notes, they get sent to me over the internet, and I transcribe them and send them back again via the internet (again).  As long as I can get them back to him within the specified time frame, I can choose the hours I want to work...and I can even work in my pajamas!  How cool is THAT??!!

 

 

That always was a field I thought I would be interested in!

You should give it a shot, Joey!

There's a HUGE need for medical transcriptionists!

Yes, there is.  This career field is growing like you wouldn't believe, and the internet has facilitated that.  I could transcribe for a physician in India or the Middle East...they send it to me at the end of their workday - which would be the start of mine - and I transcribe it whilst they sleep and have it back to them by the time they get to work the next morning.

on Jan 13, 2006
I could transcribe for a physician in India or the Middle East


Yay! Importing jobs from India rather than exporting them

Congrats Karen!
on Jan 14, 2006
Congrats, dharma.

Personally, I found my education ventures to be very fulfilling. I think you'll have a lot of fun learning about your new career, and I hope it will be very empowering for you.

I really respect your values...choosing to be available for your children and husband and adjusting your career aspirations to fit that. It's very admirable, and I wish you the very best.
on Jan 14, 2006
Congratulations!!!

I actually thought you were still working in legal at the base though. I guess I missed that change in your life. I hope the working at home part comes quickly!!

I know you are already well versed in medical terminology and procedures, but if you need a little help, don't hesitate to ask!
on Jan 14, 2006


I really respect your values...choosing to be available for your children and husband and adjusting your career aspirations to fit that

I don't want (and won't) to become a mom who lets her kids come home to an empty house regularly.  I like to be there when they come home from school, and I like to be there in the evenings so that we can spend time together as a family.  It's VERY important for me to be home for them when Dave's deployed; I'm the only parent they have then and I just feel that not being there for them would be a crappy thing to do. 

I'm not a perfect mom, but I do have standards.  Being there for my kids is my #1 priority, and I'm not about to let a job interfere with that.   So, having a job where I can work from home is ideal for me.  Even during the summer when they're out of school - I'll still be home to supervise their activities.

I actually thought you were still working in legal at the base though. I guess I missed that change in your life.

I'm still helping out over there every so often, but my neuropathy makes it difficult for me to be reliable.  They know that if they're short or in a bind they can call me and I'll go help, though.

Thanks for the offer of help!  I'm sure I'll be taking you up on it!

 

on Jan 14, 2006

Medical?  I got this funny pain in my hand...

Oh, transcriptionist! Nevermind.

Have fun!  I hope it is an ejoyable occupation for you!

on Jan 14, 2006
dharma,

I find it compellingly interesting that we are on remarkably similar career paths (though you're not running for office, as far as I know). I mean, we're both trying to make it as professional writers, and both furthering our education (with me, it's studying to be a paralegal). I, of course, wish you the best!
on Jan 14, 2006
Gid:

That makes 3 of us... The two who are studying to be paralegals and Dharma who already is one. ;~D
on Jan 14, 2006

I find it compellingly interesting that we are on remarkably similar career paths (though you're not running for office, as far as I know). I mean, we're both trying to make it as professional writers, and both furthering our education (with me, it's studying to be a paralegal). I, of course, wish you the best!

I know, it freaks me out too! 

That makes 3 of us... The two who are studying to be paralegals and Dharma who already is one. ;~D

Actually, I'm not.  I'm a Notary, and over at the legal office I was given free reign to do whatever I wanted...which led me to doing a lot of paralegal work and research.  So, I did the paralegal duties, but never got the certification.  If you have questions, however, I'm probably qualified to answer them....so ask away! 

Oh, and Lexis-Nexis should be one of your best friends if you're studying to be a paralegal. 

on Jan 14, 2006

Medical? I got this funny pain in my hand...
Oh, transcriptionist! Nevermind

If you can be a little more specific, I might be able to help you.  Where is the pain at, and is it constant?  Is it burning, stabbing or aching?  Does it hurt to move your fingers and thumb?

(I know you're kidding, btw....)

2 Pages1 2