what lies beneath · 2009-11-03 · career step student forum the cs student forum exists for...

Volume 12 | Issue 3 | MAY/JUNE 2009

What Lies BeneathBirds are singing. Trees are showing

their buds. The thermometer is on the rise. No, it’s not an episode of ‘Desperate Housewives’ but, rather, spring is indeed in the air!

Change in general conjures up a host of imagery, but springtime in particular is indicative of a change of seasons and a time of renewal. If you pass by any home and garden center these days, you’ll no doubt see seeds, plants, soil, and of course, tools galore. It’s time to unearth the soil, plant some new seeds, encourage growth, tend the crop, and reap the fruits of labor. This all holds true for gardening, but it also applies to you, the student, in your study/career pursuits. Without becoming overly metaphoric, one must admit that spring is a perfect season to encourage new growth within you as well.

As a writer, one of my favorite challenges is found on a blank sheet of paper. Call me old fashioned, but I love taking pen to paper and cultivating the thoughts and emotions churning inside. That blank sheet of paper represents a fresh start for me, a place to begin a challenge, if you will. Friends and family have asked why I just don’t use my laptop and head for a coffee house to write. Personally, there is something genuine and raw in paper and pen that stirs up the creative juices and allows the prose to more freely flow.

Similarly, with all of the technologies available to us, walk around a suburban neighborhood this spring. No doubt,

someone will be digging into soil, a bed of flowers nearby, a sprinkler system spraying its water to and fro, and tools of the trade strewn about. There is something very raw and rewarding about digging in and creating from the ground up. There are specialized soils, treatments, and even tools to assist, but nothing beats the fruits of labor produced at the hands of a gardener.

Now apply this formula to the stage of studies or career path on which you presently embark. You’re reading this newsletter because you’ve got your eye on a goal. Literally, you’ve already unearthed a need from within. Starting to feel spring fever? Maybe you’re like some of us, and already planning a vacation. Goal setting and looking ahead is something you should embrace, as long as you stay on task.

All of this sounds terrific in theory, but how to do this is quite another story, right? Not really. Consider one of nature’s insect friends: the honeybee. Unlike other colonies of bees, the honeybee cycles perennially. They are social creatures, each with a responsibility to keep the hive functional and operational. Consider what might happen if the queen bee took the week off: the colony would cease to exist and tens of thousands of honeybees are suddenly no more.

If the paper stays blank, the book doesn’t get written. The gardener who forgets to water his flowers for any length of time might be dismayed at the

dismal results, or lack thereof. The honeybee’s colony ends if everyone doesn’t work together.

The same applies to you: Stay on task and take the time to keep your momentum going.

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In This Issue What Lies Beneath

Nourishing

Stepping Up Challenge Results

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Important Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Stepping Up Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . 3

. . . . . 3

Student Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Dear Susan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Forum Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Work Smarter, Not Harder . . . . . . . . 8

Chat Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Graduate In The Spotlight . . . . . . . . . 9

Commonly Confused Words . . . . . . 10

From the Tech Help Desk . . . . . . . . 10

Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Wellness Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Nourishing“Without continual growth

and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

- Benjamin Franklin

While nourishing a garden often takes back-breaking work, spending time in the outdoors and enjoying the sunshine and raw gifts of the earth can be just as rewarding as plucking that first juicy tomato off the vine. It takes patience and diligence to work through hours of coursework

only to be faced with hundreds of transcription reports, but bit-by-bit you reach closer to your goal. Recall how daunting everything seemed in keyboard kinetics? With every exercise, module, report you complete notice the knowledge and skills learned every step of the way. Remember: Joy is found in the journey. When you think about it, success really tastes the sweetest when you know the hard work you put into that result. Keep up the great work! You CAN do it!

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Apply the study habits that brought you this far (think back to New Year’s Day and those resolutions you made) and eliminate any static that acts as a barrier between you and your goals. Spring is a time of renewal, true, but it’s also a time of growth. Remember what motivated you to sign up with Career Step, treasure the path you’ve taken thus far, and look forward to the unearthing of what lies beneath.

-Carol Bryant, CMT CS Product Development Team

Important Tools Summary of Student Support and Tech Support Tools

Gardeners use various tools to assist them in producing the garden of their dreams. Spades, shovels, tillers; all have specific purposes that contribute to the ultimate success of the garden and the quality of the produce. Similarly, Career Step provides numerous tools to help you grow through the course and contribute to the overall success of your MT career.

Orientation Consultation This group consultation is offered

to students who have just enrolled in the MT Training program. It reviews items discussed in the Program Orientation—specifically the Tips for Success section. Featured discussion items include the best way to complete the course, how to make your schooling a priority, proofreading, and course completion. This consultation is held weekly on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. MST, and it is conducted by one of our Student Support counselors through a toll-free number.

Career Step Student Forum The CS Student forum exists for

students of Career Step’s medical

transcription program to research, ask questions, share information and tips for success, and find (or provide) encouragement and support. The forums are private—only CS students, graduates, staff members, and industry professionals allowed—so it’s very safe, searchable, and helpful. If you prefer not to interact you don’t have to—you are welcome to just read and benefit from the information already there. If you are short on time you don’t have to read through everything—simply use the Find feature to locate the conversations and information you are interested in. Absolutely every question you will ever have during the course has been discussed on the forums, often in great detail! Course announcements and scheduled chat schedules are also found here. If you haven’t discovered the forums you could be missing out on a lot!

Resources Forum The Resources Forums provide

an extensive information database of MT-related resources in a clean and organized format. They offer a well-organized pool of information on

books, productivity, resource materials, terminology, MT equipment, and much more, organized to coincide with your course modules. These forums are always being added to and improved by students and staff, so they are dynamic and up-to-date.

Student Resources Page (6th edition) or Resource Guide (5th edition)

This resource is so helpful and answers a lot of frequently asked questions.

Both guides contain information on word expander programs, medical spellcheckers, and recommended reference books. Under these guides are sections devoted to technical solutions detailing enabling cookies, good browsers to use, antivirus software, and common tech terminology. Also included are Frequently Asked Questions sections that address issues such as course completion, how to become a Certified Medical Transcriptionist, extensions, and the best methods to learn medical terminology and pronunciation.

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2 MAY/JUNE 2009 STEPPING UP

Stepping Up ChallengeCardiology Word Scramble

Stepping Up Challenge Results

STEPPING UP MAY/JUNE 2009 3


Moderated Chats Quickly becoming more popular,

moderated chats allow you to ask questions and receive answers in real-time. Every Thursday a different Career Step department or industry guest will be invited to answer questions from the students in a live chat format. All students are welcome to attend. Moderated Chat schedules can be found on the training program homepage and in the Career Step Student forums.

Newsletters We are going online! As of this

issue, Stepping Up is available online in a printable PDF format. Not only are you able to enjoy current issues, but you also have access to the past 6 issues. This resource can help you keep track of your favorite articles, employer information, and other helpful tips.

Benchmark KB Standing for “Knowledge Base,”

this incredible resource is a one-stop shop for online MT resources including medical dictionary, physician lookup (finder), drug resource, AHDI Book of Style, and medical word books. 6th edition students will sign up for this when you first come to

the Medical Word Building unit. 5th edition students already have those resources in hard copy, but if you want to sign up for the online versions give us a call.

Transcription Consultation Student Support offers

transcription consultations every Monday at 1 p.m. Mountain time, every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Mountain time, and every third Thursday at 4 p.m. Mountain time to all students who have begun the transcription portion of the course, or who are currently working anywhere in the transcription units. This is done utilizing a toll-free conference telephone line here at CS. The transition from the objective portion to the transcription portion can be difficult, and this consultation works to facilitate that transition and provide you with tips for transcription success. During this consultation counselors will discuss technical aspects, using resources, developing the “listening ear,” analyzing transcription, and networking. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to maximize your training and to help you become a proficient and productive MT. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

to schedule a date and time.

Skills Assessment Worksheet As an independent study course,

students are always worried about “grading” themselves throughout the transcription units. It can be a little disconcerting to not have a teacher constantly examining your work. The Skills Assessment Team created the Skills Assessment Worksheet to help you in that endeavor. It allows you to categorize your errors for more effective study. This worksheet should help you overcome obstacles now rather than on the final exam.

Tech Support Team Isn’t technology grand—until

your system decides to crash, then you wonder why we invented computers at all. Have no fear! Our Technical Support Team can help you with numerous issues that would impede you from doing the course. They can help you with foot pedal problems, sound file players, course page bugs, and basic Benchmark KB support. If there’s something they can’t fix, they will work with you or direct you to where you can find a solution.

- Chelsea Pyle & Jill McNittCS Student Support

Student Spotlight Hello! My name is Heather,

although some of you may also know me as MT2BE. I live in the beautiful state of Virginia surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was home schooled from K-12th grade and loved every minute of it!

Before graduating from high school, I began volunteering at local medical offices -- including a chiropractic office, an eye clinic, and our local hospital. I loved it!!! I knew that I wanted to do something medical, but little did I know that I would

Heather Gray soon be experiencing the medical field from a different perspective. I had planned on going into nursing, medical assisting, or something of that nature, but I began experiencing knee/hip pain my senior year of high school. I ended up having 6 orthopedic surgeries within 4 years.

I have learned a lot about patience and perseverance. I had so much fun researching orthopedic terms, procedures, lab tests, and treatments. I love spending hours researching anything related to the orthopedic

topic! I thoroughly enjoyed compiling several huge orthopedic notebooks. I collect all sorts of medical books and anatomy models. I also enjoy watching video clips of real-life surgeries being performed.

One day I met a homeschooling mom who worked from home as an MT. She loved her job! The enthusiasm she had for her job was amazing! She loved the flexibility of being able to work from home, make money, and be there for her two little girls 24/7. After hearing from someone who


actually worked as an MT (proving this work-at-home thing was not a Dear Susan...scam!) I became very excited--it was something medical that would not require me to be on my feet for hours! Several months later, I met another lady who had just recently graduated with High Honors from the Career Step program. She highly encouraged me to check out Career Step and the rest is history. I enrolled June 2008.

I’m currently in Clinics and plan on graduating within the next few months. I have completely enjoyed this course and absolutely love transcribing!!! I’ve had a blast learning many new medical terms. As a matter of fact, I realized what I was learning in the MT course was paying off when a nurse asked me a question and I replied casually in “medical-lingo.” She looked at me and asked, “Are you a resident, or a nurse?”

Studying is hard work and it is easy to become discouraged due to life circumstances. I would highly encourage each student to visit the MT forum where you’ll find tips for studying, great word lists, yummy time-saving slow cooker recipes and so much more!

Remember to keep pressing on -you can do it!!! ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’

I want to thank everyone so much for the encouragement and help you have given me --it’s an honor to be part of the Career Step student family!

-Heather Gray

Dear Susan,

I am just writing because all through the program it is stated that there are many ways to correct grammatical errors. Yet, in the Perfect the Text module, if we don’t choose the exact way to correct the errors that you would, we get marked wrong. It is impossible to know how you are going to correct some of these errors since there are several acceptable ways.

Signed, Frustrated

Dear Frustrated,

Thank you for contacting Student Support! Editing and proofreading are definitely skills that take time to develop! Ultimately, like any skill, practice is the key. The more you do, the better you get! I am positive that as you continue to do the exercises in this section, and as you advance on to the transcription units, you’ll find that your editing and proofreading skills will continue to grow and improve.

It’s important to remember that the graded version represents only one possible fix for these sentences. The online grader is not a perfect tool. It will compare your answer to its key, and consider any differences incorrect. Because it’s a computer, it can’t decipher minor variations from its key. The final exam is graded by a

human being who is able to decipher acceptable variations from actual incorrect answers.

Remember, also, that when you are actually transcribing, you will have the whole context of the report to use. Some of these sentences can be hard to clean up when you’re not exactly sure what the context is!

In many cases, if you simply read the sentence aloud, your ear will naturally pick up things that just don’t sound right. Also, it will help to review the grammar unit. Reviewing the rules in this unit will help you to recognize problem areas in this section. Ultimately, what will really help is to keep it in perspective. When you are transcribing in the workplace, you will not be editing random sentences without the context--you’ll simply be typing what you hear and making simple grammatical fixes. These exercises are presented in this way, though, to help you learn the appropriate principles.

I hope this insight helps, and I’m sure you’re doing wonderfully! If you need clarification on any of these exercises as you progress, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Keep up all the great work!

- Susan Tuckett, CMT CS Student Support Counselor

a

in an automobile accident.”

Doozies of the Day ME: Cervix was grasped with 2-legged

thyroid clamps

KEY: Cervix was grasped with 2 Lahey thyroid clamps

“This is 20-year-old female who was the front seat

ME: bilingual hernia

KEY: bilateral inguinal hernia


A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Getting through Clinics! The Clinic Notes section of the CS

course is an opportunity for immense growth. Some students even go so far as to say it’s the most difficult section, or that it never seems to end! Eventually, however, every student does finish Clinic Notes, and it IS an accomplishment.

One of the greatest resources you have, while working through this section, is the knowledge, perspective, sympathy, and support of others who are also tackling this task, or who have finished. CS students find this support on the forums. The following is a thread discussing the Clinic Notes section:

Forum member #1: Hi all! I am so proud to be a part

of CS. I haven’t ‘forumed’ much but love to take a moment to read what everyone has to say.

I am FINALLY going to start the transcription part of my studies! YEAH!! I am so much better at hands-on then bookwork!! I am nervous, ready to be frustrated, and feeling curious if I took enough time on that bookwork!!

Can anyone, or tons of you, share some love in my direction; give insight, give laughter, give encouragement, give advice, etc.? I appreciate and would love it!!

FM#2: Some things to remember? How

about that you are NEW to this so of course it’s not going to be perfect the first time you try. Each note is not a test for you to pass or fail. Instead think of them as stepping-stones. The clinic notes are mostly about learning to hear and understand the gibberish that passes for dictation. I was REALLY bad at it and had to go through all of the transcription

a couple of times before I made any progress, yet I am working today. And now when I go back and listen to the stuff that had me in tears....I can understand it! MT is a career that the longer you work at it the better you get--you hear more and transcribe faster with every passing month.

So try not to take the red and blue to heart. You really can do this. Career Step is preparing you better than you can tell!

FM#3: Oh, to be naive at this and just

starting those darn Clinic Notes! I’m just about to wrap up Clinics myself and head on to Intermediate. My problem was that I got discouraged at how long it was taking to get through them so I let myself go for days without working on them. However once you really apply yourself and devote regular time each day to working on them, you will really make a dent in them! It actually goes quickly, and I started documenting my daily progress so I could see it for myself. Here is what I learned so far:

1) Don’t let a day go by without working on them, no matter how tough it is! Even if you only do 1 or 2 reports, it was a step in the right direction that day, and you’ll feel better about yourself.

2) Record your line counts each day. This is something I just started doing, but I went back and put the whole thing in a database so I could see how much I was doing. I used an Excel spreadsheet that listed the report number, date finished, line count, and a formula to count my total lines for each day. For line count, I use the total # of characters w/spaces and divide them by 55 (or 60, 65, whatever you think is “standard”). I work as a clerk for a hospital MT department, and I noticed when the MTs log off

each day, a report prints out showing their work for the day, including line count. (They use 55 cpl.) I thought it would be good to get used to thinking of our work in terms of production like they do in the real world. I started to pay attention to what they put out on a shift -- from part timers in the 500-700’s to the die hard MTs who work 10-11 hours and crank out 2600 lines (INSANE!). I have found that tracking my progress is a good game for myself, and gives me an incentive to meet goals for the day.

3) Keep a list of those drug names -- seems like we had the least amount of training in this area prior to starting the tapes. I was too cheap to buy Little Red Notebook, so I just use Wordpad and keep an alphabetical text list. I’ve heard good things about QLDR (Quick Look Drug Reference), so I just may give in and spring for that.

Hope this helps!! And remember, just log on to the forum whenever you need a little encouragement!

FM#4: Take a deep breath. . .be sure

there’s plenty of ice cream in the freezer. . .don’t throw things at your computer; it’s expensive to repair. And every once in awhile, have some fun: type exactly what you hear. You’ll be rolling on the floor!

FM#5: I wanted to get everything right

so badly (the perfectionist in me)! I would research to fill in the blanks or spell the meds correctly. Sometimes I couldn’t find what I was looking for and would just have to have the grader give me the correct answer. I would then (and still do) add the words to my word lists, print out the report, and highlight new things I learned. I have to think of this as a learning


experience rather than a test. I am in Advanced Transcription now and so far I think it is easier than the Clinic Notes. Just remember that you will get better at it!

Your ear will also get better at deciphering what the docs are saying. I can relate it to understanding my 2 year old learning to talk. I know what he is saying when nobody else does. My ear is trained to understand the way he doesn’t say his “s” and “f ” and “l” correctly, among other things, because I am with him the most. The same thing will happen when you get used to listening to the reports and get used to some of their voices and styles of speaking.

Hang in there!

FM#6: My advice to anyone who is just

starting clinics is the advice that another forum member gave to some of us back when I was about to begin clinics. Oh how much grief I would have saved myself had I listened.

Do not think of the program that compares your submission with the report that CS has in its database as a GRADER. Your report is being COMPARED with a report that another MT transcribed. That MT might have used I, II, III; and you might be using 1, 2, 3. That MT might have used the heading “LABORATORY FINDINGS”, and you might use “LABORATORY DATA”. These are style differences, not errors. If you try to get a perfectly matched report by worrying about matching styles, you are wasting time on trivia. Spend your time on ensuring that your spelling is correct and your tenses agree. Check that your brand name drugs are capped and your generic drug names are not. Spend time developing your ability to hear the words in slurred speech. Spend your time learning to be critical--if the dictator talks about a fractured right wrist in one section, but then refers to a fractured left wrist in another, that needs to be flagged. That is the type of discrepancy that matters.

FM#7: Today was a rough day for me. My

mind was plagued with “what if.” The only thing that keeps me going are the words of those that have said “if I can do it, so can you!” I only transcribe “maybe” 3 reports a day. With that being said, I spend about 2 to 3 hours doing so. Just keep going. I will too.

FM#8: We have ALL been there. I will

speak for myself, though. I had a terrible time with clinics. It was nails on a chalkboard for me every time I logged in. Clinic, Intermediates, and Advanced are in the order they are in, because it is what works.

Just keep on trudging! You can do it! IT WILL GET EASIER, I promise. Keep going....

Your ‘listening ear’ will come, be patient. I learned so much from clinics being first, that Intermediates was such a relief. What I did if Clinics got too hard, I would load an Intermediate report and type it out, do all of the research, see what it felt like. I did NOT submit it. I did this basically so I could get through Clinics. By the time I got to Intermediates I had like 10 reports done. They just needed to be checked over (and flags filled in that I learned while doing clinics).

Please hang in there....

FM#9: It took me 5 months to finish

clinics. I actually gave up around group 5. I quit working on the course for over 2 months. I know what you are feeling. Trust me, I’ve been there. It took me 5 months to finish clinics and only 2 months to finish the rest of the transcription. I felt better after finishing the clinic reports than I did when I finished advanced in all honesty. I did not like working on those reports, and for a while, had to drag myself to the desk to work on them.

It will get easier, I promise. I found it comforting and motivating to have a study buddy myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t find my study buddy until intermediates. She would have really

helped me trudge along through those clinics, and I might not have quit for over a month.

Just remember, very few people come into this training with that ear that you will develop eventually. I did not think I ever would, but I did. I still love it when I’m having trouble hearing a word, really struggling with it, and then.. it hits me. It really is like a light bulb clicking on. I would get out of the chair and take a breather for a few minutes to clear my head and then come back and listen, usually having success. Sometimes I still wouldn’t hear it.

Just take your time and try to relax. I know, easy for me to say, but you can get through this. Pace yourself and keep your eye on the prize. The feeling of submitting that last clinic note is soo goood.

FM#10: I sure needed to see these postings

today!!! I am nearing the end of Clinics,

but I have continuously had a difficult time hearing the audio. I volume up; I volume down; I speed up; I slow down. Unfortunately, I even curse on occasion - depends on the day and the other stressors. HEARING is my main problem. I was beginning to think that I was tone deaf. I am sooo glad to see that I am not the only one.

If it makes anyone feel any better, I have a registered nursing background. I am burnt out on nursing, and so decided that surely the MT world could not be that difficult a transition. I was sooo wrong. Even after my years in nursing, I am finding the “hearing” part very difficult and very frustrating.

So, please to all of you who are struggling without the medical background, give yourself many kudos. There is an overwhelming amount to learn.

Thank you, everyone, for this posting today. Thank you all for being there. I guess we will “hang in” together, and know that others before us did ultimately succeed and so will WE!


Work Smarter, Not HarderMaintain Your Momentum!

Whether you are a professional gardener extraordinaire or just have an herb or two sitting in your kitchen window, you’ve likely, at some point in your life, had an experience with gardening. Depending on how much time and effort you put into that experience, you may have had enough juicy tomatoes and succulent strawberries to last you all year, or you might have had 3 shriveled-up plants in your home office (guilty as charged!). The bottom line is this: Once you plant something, you have to maintain it in order for it to grow! Your Career Step medical transcription course can be thought of in this same way—unless you pay regular attention to the coursework, your skills and plans of becoming a quality medical transcriptionist will not progress; they will not grow! But what is needed in order to maintain your momentum throughout the training and progress to seeing the fruit of

Water Daily Every garden needs some water so

that it will not dry up. Some gardeners need to rely on an automatic watering system that adheres to a very strict schedule while others prefer to water whenever they have the time. Whether you find that following a precise study schedule or allowing yourself a more flexible study schedule works best, making sure you give regular attention to your medical

others know not to bother you unless it is a real emergency. (2) Turn the ringer off on your phone so that you can’t hear it, and only allow yourself to check messages once your study time has finished. (3) Have a “family meeting” to discuss what is expected of both you and your family members during study time. This could include a maximum TV volume or other noise level, and ways family members can contribute to your success such as by helping with chores or childcare during your study time.

Use Your Tools A gardener who makes use of the

most efficient tools for his garden will be able to accomplish more work in less time. The same is true of both students and graduates of Career Step. Use the tools you are provided with in the way they’re meant to be used. Examples of tools included with your program are the Skills Assessment Worksheet, the Final Exam Grading Scale, and the opportunity to participate in the Transcription Consultation. Tools outside of the course include reliable websites, research books or CDs, reports you have already transcribed and can search, and your own wordlist. The quality of your work will, at least in part, depend on how well you use these tools, so be sure to make the most of them!

By tending to your coursework much like a gardener tends to the garden, you will be able to maintain your momentum and celebrate your results!

-Heather Garrett CS Skills Assessment Team

your hard work? Let’s take a look at a few things that will contribute to your success:

Make a Plan A gardener always has goals for

the year’s harvest as well as a plan for how to reach those goals. He/ she knows what they want to plant, where it will be planted, how to make it grow, when to harvest it, and so on. Likewise, you will be able to maintain your momentum if you take time to plan some goals. Please join us on the Career Step forums (if you haven’t already). There are forums for both 5th and 6th edition study groups. You’ll find designated threads for students with completion goals, along with “study buddy” groups to share both your frustrations and your triumphs with! You will surely find this type of unique support to be very motivating!

transcription education is a very important endeavor! Without regular study time, you will be more likely to put off until tomorrow what you could do today. Don’t let your momentum slacken—study daily!

Control Weeds and Pests Even the most adept gardener has to

take action to control weeds and pests in order to be successful. A garden overrun with dandelions or aphids will surely not thrive! Your weeds and pests might come in the form of the telephone ringing off the hook, an especially intriguing TV season, family members who do not understand the importance of quiet study time, or any number of distracting things. A few possible solutions to some of the most common distractions are: (1) Have a Do Not Disturb sign that you can hang on your office door to let


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Moderated Chat Schedule

Please join us for Career Step’s Thursday moderated live chat room sessions. The topics vary weekly and include course-related topics, industry topics, and employment issues. This is a very user-friendly system – you just click on the chat room and join the fun!

Thursday of month, 12-1 pm Mountain, Industry Topic/Guest Thursday of month, 12-1 pm Mountain, Student Support team Thursday of month, 12-1 pm Mountain, Skills Assessment team Thursday of month, 4-5 pm Mountain, Graduate Services team Thursday of month, TBA, wildcard topic when applicable

Please see the MT student forum http://www.careerstep.com/forums and online course main page announcements for scheduled chats times and topics. The times are subject to change.

The Career Step student forum is a great place for you to connect with other students and graduates, receive help with questions, and

Graduate In The SpotlightI am a Chicago, Illinois native who

grew up on the south side of the city. I am an only child, and my parents had been married 19 years before they had me. A simple thing like my mother’s anemia kept her from getting pregnant all those years. When a doctor finally gave her a blood test and followed up with the news that iron supplements would fix the problem, I was soon on my way. Perhaps this is the reason I am so interested in health issues and the human body. I am very active and play tennis, golf, bike, hike, swim, and workout in the gym.

I grew up in a family that loves music. From a very young age, I took piano lessons, sang, and taught myself how to play guitar. Later, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music composition and then a master’s degree in jazz studies. I am a professional jazz vocalist, composer, and recording artist. However,

Linda Tate throughout my musical career I have worked at many other kinds of jobs to earn a living including owning a scrap iron business, being a typesetter at a printing company, a paralegal in a law firm, and a public school teacher.

After my husband retired from his position as a university professor, we decided to split our time between Chicago in the summer and fall and the Palm Springs area of southern California during the winter and spring. I wanted to continue working and needed to find something I could do from home no matter where that happened to be. One of my California neighbors had recently finished the Career Step Medical Transcription Program and recommended it to me. It took me a while to finish the program because while I was working through the modules, I was also working in a public school in Coachella, California.

I started the online program in October of 2005 and finished the objective portion of the course right away. However, the transcription portion was put aside until budgetary cutbacks eliminated my school position. Afterwards, I finished up the transcription portion of the course and took the final exam. Finally, on November 17, 2008, I graduated with high honors from the program. I immediately took advantage of the graduate resources. I received assistance to develop my new resume, and participated in a phone consultation with other graduates to learn what to expect during the job hunt, including interviewing and testing with companies.

Although the job search was an arduous and sometimes discouraging process, I worked at it consistently over a 2-month period. I applied to many companies and tested with at

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least 10. I actually took my very first employment test using the hospital’s wireless internet service while I stayed overnight with my husband after his back surgery. Finally, I got a position with Medware, where I am now training to be a Medical Transcriptionist/Speech Recognition Editor. I am enjoying the work and the process of learning their specific platform. The skills I learned at Career Step continue to serve me well every day. I like being able to work a schedule I choose, which, after training, will allow me to have mornings free for fitness activities and composing music. Additionally, I will be able to work wherever I have my laptop and internet access, whether it is in California or Illinois. Thanks to the wonderful folks at Career Step for encouraging me and for allowing me to purchase those course extensions! It has been worth the wait.

-Linda Tate

Commonly Confused Words

Additional resources that will help you avoid commonly confused words include the Word Differentiation unit in your coursework, your standard English dictionary, and the following website: www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html.

AID vs. AIDE

AID (noun, verb): help or assistance (noun), to provide help or assistance (verb).

- Many organizations raise funds and awareness to aid the fight against breast cancer

AIDE (noun): A person who provides assistance. - The President’s top aide provided a summary of the recent events.

Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, www.m-w.com

From the Tech Help Desk Updating Your System

As technology rapidly grows, so does the hardware and software options for computers. Companies are not the only ones that need to update systems—we need to update our personal computers, as well. For this topic of growth, I’ve decided to talk a little about how updating your systems and software can make a whole world of difference to the smooth operation of your computer.

First and most important, is an OS upgrade. OS stands for “operating system” and generally refers to Windows and Mac. Upgrading your OS system is not always necessary; however, more than 90% of computers today run Windows XP or higher. When I say it is not necessary, I mean that you don’t have to upgrade your computer for the computer to run, but it is highly recommended

and beneficial to have the most upgraded software/hardware when running more recent programs. Most software out there today requires XP or higher to even run correctly on your computer. As far as Career Step, and other medical transcription companies are concerned, XP or higher is recommended for everything to work properly.

The second suggestion is more of a software update. There are a couple of things you can do to ensure that everything will work properly on the course websites. Internet Explorer is the recommended browser because of the foot pedal. Firefox works perfectly if you don’t want to use the pedal. IE uses ActiveX controls that need to be downloaded in order for the pedal to work. The most updated version for the course would be IE 7.

Adobe Flash player is also a key install for the course pages that require Flash for them to work correctly. You can update Adobe at www.adobe.com. This is a critical upgrade for the chat rooms and forums. The most current version of Flash is 10.

If you are a Windows user, you should know about an application called “Windows Update”. Getting Windows updates from Microsoft will also improve the performance and speed of your computer. Make sure you update often because of all the new technology that comes out faster than you can say, “I just bought this thing a week ago and it’s already out of date!”

- Robby Anderson CS Tech Support Team


GrowthNow our seedlings are growing

steadily on the windowsill, nourished by water and fertilizer and grow lights. The early May days are getting longer; the sun is a more frequent visitor, and most of the snow is gone, but we still have days of chill wind, sleet and freezing temperatures at night. It’s a time of transition, struggle and much growth. By mid-June, we can count on mild temperatures and strong sunshine. In this segment our garden will grow from pale seedlings to sturdy plants, still tender, but getting tougher, finally finding a home outside, fully exposed to nature.

It’s time to look the Clinic Notes directly in the eye.

More than any other module, the Clinic Notes is a challenge, a test of resolve, a backbone stiffener; it’s definitely a period of immense and intense growth. Finally, you are actually transcribing! Everything you’ve learned so far in the course begins to come together and it’s exciting and exhilarating…but…but …what are they saying…? Yikes! You strain to produce coherent text out of mumbling, chewing, snorting, whispering, paper rustling, and ringing phones. You struggle to slow down the dictation so you can make sense of the garbled words—words that are vital to the patient’s medical record. You listen over and over again and fumble with new websites and other research options. You visit the forum and vent your frustration. Yep, you’re in Clinic Notes.

It’s important to have a good understanding of your task. First of all, there are a lot of Clinic Notes. A lot. We want you to be well prepared for the workplace, and many first jobs involve clinic notes, so we give you a lot. Transcribing a couple dozen reports is just not enough to expose you to the vast scope of medical terminology, procedures, structures,

and equipment used in a doctor’s office during the course of a visit. So

we give you a lot J

While you work through these units you will also be exposed to many different examples of acceptable styles and formats. Many students are frustrated at this point and wonder why the highlighted feedback seems inconsistent. One report will “correct” you to hyphenate a word, and the next report will “correct” you not to hyphenate that same word. It’s important to realize the keys are not perfected answer sheets; rather, they only represent the work of the original transcriptionist who typed the report, including the account preferences for that particular account. Since the course reports come from a lot of different hospitals and clinics, you will see lots of acceptable variation in the feedback you get from the computer regarding style and format choices.

It’s also important to understand the computer does not really correct your work; it only compares your work to the key and highlights any differences. It’s up to you to analyze the highlights, then, to determine if they represent real errors (like misspellings, incorrect terms, or capitalization mistakes), or if they only show differences in style and format (like semicolon versus period, or list versus paragraphs). You should only be concerned with real errors; take note of the style differences, but don’t spend a lot of time trying to mimic the style of the original MT.

We don’t do this just to drive you crazy! Your job—and mine—would be much easier if there was only one correct way to format medical reports! The problem with this approach, though, is that this would not adequately prepare you for the workplace. The reality of the industry is that you will be asked to comply

with different account specifics with each client. Learning to recognize and handle these variations now, while you’re a student, only makes you a better, stronger, and more flexible transcriptionist, able to handle anything any employer may throw your way, without missing a beat.

When you have a handful of Clinic Notes under your belt you will have some questions. You should contact our Student Support department to schedule a transcription consultation. Many students report it helps a lot with the questions and concerns that keep you up at night in these modules. During the consultation we address questions like how to approach a report, the best use of your time, how to interpret the grader, errors versus style/format choices, listening tips, equipment, research and networking

By the time you reach the last Clinic Note you find yourself feeling more confident, a bit stronger. Your base medical knowledge is expanding and you can feel it! You no longer have to look up every term now; every time you don’t have to stop and research a term or procedure you save a little time, so you’re getting a bit faster. The mumbly doctors are still mumbly, and you still struggle with the reports, but you can feel your transcription skills growing! It’s like you’ve stepped over a boundary line—off of the windowsill now and into the garden soil, soaking up the real sunshine and rain, putting out little roots and becoming more solid as you acclimate and adjust. It’s a lot of work, but you can do it!

- Jill McNittCS Student Support Counselor


Stepping Up is published bimonthly by Career Step for its students, graduates, and client partners .

The first 6 months (3 issues) of subscription are included in the student enrollment . Additional subscriptions are $10 for the first year and $20 per year thereafter .

Career Step Quality Medical Transcription Training

1220 North Main, Suite 6 Springville, UT 84663

Phone: 800-246-7837 or 888-657-5752

Fax: 801-491-6645 Email: SteppingUp@careerstep .com

Website: www .careerstep .com

Andrea Loflin Anaya, CEO Maren Toone, Editor-in-Chief Chelsea Pyle, Associate Editor Jill McNitt, Associate Editor Alesa Little, Assistant Editor

Wellness CornerHealthy Body Image

At the ripe age of 16 I realized I was never going to be a supermodel. In fact, I would never be taller than 5 feet! And you know what? I’m ok with that. Somehow I’ve managed to have a very healthy body image.

Today, our media shows us images of what “beautiful” is---but do you think the average woman is 5’10” and 120 pounds? Far from it! In reality the average woman is 5’ 4” and150 pounds.

We should strive to be our best selves, being as healthy as we can be for our body shape and size and not buy into what the media tells us to believe. Like I said, I won’t ever be tall, but I love my short stubby legs because they are strong.

Here are a few tips to developing a better body image:

1. Every time you look in the mirror tell yourself you are beautiful. I know it sounds cheesy, but, trust me, it makes a difference.

2. Replace your negative self-talk. Instead of “I have such a chubby face,” say, “Look at the structure of my face--wow I have beautiful eyes!”

3. Change how you perceive overweight people. Stop thinking “if only they...” Don’t judge. In my experience, those really struggling with their weight get there because of serious issues with themselves--it is almost never about the food.

4. Remember to be good to yourself. Believe that you are blessed to get up in the morning; believe that if you want to be healthier, you can be. Believe that if you want to have more energy, you can. Keep those positive thoughts in your head--you can accomplish your goals.

- Mahogani Thurston CS Wellness Coordinator


what lies beneath · 2009-11-03 · career step student forum the cs student forum exists for...

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