I did it. I really did it.

from JoeUser Forums

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.

misc
14,165 views 29 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
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. )
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
congrats! That's definitely good news.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
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!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good for you! That always was a field I thought I would be interested in!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
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!
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

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.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I could transcribe for a physician in India or the Middle East


Yay! Importing jobs from India rather than exporting them

Congrats Karen!
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
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!
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top


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!

 

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

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

Oh, transcriptionist! Nevermind.

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

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
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!
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gid:

That makes 3 of us... The two who are studying to be paralegals and Dharma who already is one. ;~D
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

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. 

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

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....)

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

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?

Yes, how did you know? Amazing!  can I call you in the morning?

Doc Dharma.  Buddist Medical practioner.  AAA rated, and Doc Guy approved!

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Buurrrpp! Sorry, that taco gave me gas!
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

can I call you in the morning?

Doc Dharma. Buddist Medical practioner. AAA rated, and Doc Guy approved!

Yep.  Take a couple of asprins washed down with some soy milk, and call me in the morning.

Oh, and stay away from those tacos.  Unless you have beano, that is.

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey doc, it hurts when I do this.....



Congrats and I hope you do well (I'm sure you will)
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, and stay away from those tacos. Unless you have beano, that is.


Beano! I knew I was missing something!
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Best of luck in this endeavor Dharma. I hope it works out better than you even imagine.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hey doc, it hurts when I do this.....

Well, don't do it then.

Congrats and I hope you do well (I'm sure you will)

Thanks, Mason.  Hey, have you made a decision about going back on the road again yet? 

Oh, and I read a book recently that reminded me of you.  It's about a guy who rides a bike across America and finds himself on his travels (called 'The Memory Of Running').  When I read I conjure up characters in my mind, and this guy took on your characteristics.  I think it's because you both have found a passion for riding your bikes!  If you'd like it, please let me know.

 

Beano! I knew I was missing something

I wish to gawd I could get Dave to take that stuff.

Best of luck in this endeavor Dharma. I hope it works out better than you even imagine

Thank you!  I'm very excited about it, and I can't wait to get started!

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey, have you made a decision about going back on the road again yet?

I'm waiting to see what happens where I am currently working. The sale fell through so maybe we'll still be operating for a while yet.

It's about a guy who rides a bike across America and finds himself on his travels (called 'The Memory Of Running'). When I read I conjure up characters in my mind, and this guy took on your characteristics. I think it's because you both have found a passion for riding your bikes! If you'd like it, please let me know.

Sounds great, I'd love to read it. Think I could find it at the library? Who's the author?
I would love to be able to ride across the country.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.


Ah, yet another perfectly good misconception, down the drain. ;~D

Somehow though, I still feel perfectly comfortable going to you for help once I get into the down and dirty of paralegal. ;~D
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top


Somehow though, I still feel perfectly comfortable going to you for help once I get into the down and dirty of paralegal

WOW.....thank you!  That's a wonderful vote of confidence!

Sounds great, I'd love to read it. Think I could find it at the library? Who's the author?

It's called 'The Memory Of Running' and it's by Ron McLarty.  Basically this 40-something Vietnam Vet who has let himself go and is wallowing in a pit of despair is traumatised by the death of his parents and the discovery that his long lost mentally ill sister is also deceased.  He rolls out of the driveway on his old bike that he discovered in his parent's garage....and he just never goes back.  It's about his journey across America; the people he meets along the way, the weight he loses, the things he discovers not only about others but also about himself.

I'm done reading it, and I would love for you to have it because it reminds me of you so much.  If you can email me your mailing address, I can get it out for you sometime next week (I have a couple of scarves that need to go out then too so I'll ship it when I ship them).