work from home?

**frugalvegan** · 10-23-2006, 04:55 AM

how many of you work from inside your home? what do you do? just curious...

**JustJoy** · 10-23-2006, 08:22 AM

I don't anymore, but I used to have a gift basket biz.

**Amanda W** · 10-23-2006, 09:42 AM

I've been working at home as a medical transcriptionist since January 2005. I'm a full-time employee for a company out of Tennessee. I love it, and I've really found that it's my calling.

The biggest difficulty I face is that the majority of people don't have a clue what I do. Most people have the misconception that medical transcription is just "typing" that mommies can do from home for some extra money.

**Dedlered** · 10-23-2006, 12:00 PM

Amanda,

That sounds like a great job. Is it hard to get into? I used to do transcription for a periodontal practice years ago but I didn't think that anyone used a dictaphone any longer.

Thanks

**MTS04** · 10-23-2006, 12:54 PM

Amanda,

I too am wondering how that works. Any tips or pointers in how to get into it?

Thanks

**Amanda W** · 10-23-2006, 02:32 PM

The best advice I can give is to spend some time going through the posts at mtchat.com As a warning, they're not always the friendliest bunch over there, so you definitely want to read the FAQ section and the stickied posts before asking questions. There's an unbelievable amount of information on the boards, and some very big names in medical transcription are active posters there.

If you graduate from a quality school, it's not difficult to find a job at all. I had four job offers within two weeks of graduating. I went to Andrews School and I highly, highly recommend it, but there are two other schools that are approved by the American Association of Medical Transcription. If you graduate from one of the "matchbox schools" that advertise in magazines and on TV, or if you don't have any formal education in medical transcription, it is difficult if not impossible to break into the field.

I work for a company that's based in Tennessee, but I transcribe for a large multi-specialty clinic in Summit, New Jersey. Everything is done online. I download the voice files, transcribe them, click send, and the reports automatically print in New Jersey. We very occasionally have conference calls with our supervisor, but almost all communication is through email.

Every company is different as far as how much flexibility they offer, but currently I work Sunday through Thursday, and I have a 12-hour window to get my 8 hours in. I have to work 8 hours anywhere in between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. We do have a virtual timeclock, and I have to punch in and out every day. We also have minimum line counts that we have to meet every day. I'm an employee, and I have full benefits like medical insurance, 401K, vacation, etc.

A lot MTs work as independent contractors rather then employees. As an independent contractor there's a lot more flexibility, but you also don't get benefits. So it's a trade-off.

I hope this helps! If anyone has more questions, just ask!

**Dedlered** · 10-23-2006, 03:51 PM

Amanda, that is a wealth of information. I checked out the Andrews School and it looks very interesting. I love the fact that you can obtain your certification on line

Thank you so much

**MTS04** · 10-24-2006, 03:48 PM

Wow! THat's awesome. Thanks for taking the time to explain it all.

**Missy** · 10-24-2006, 06:24 PM

wow!! that's great information!! thanks for the info!!

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 10-24-2006, 06:52 PM

i'm a foster parent. the thing i like most about it is that i'm home with my own kids plus making very good money. i can still accomplish my housework, and be a fulltime mommy too.

**inneedofhope** · 10-25-2006, 11:52 AM

I'm looking for something supplemental to do from home, part time. I don't have any $$ to put out, so I need something that requires no training. Does anyone know of any resources??

**BusyMomma24** · 10-28-2006, 10:23 AM

I ghostwrite content for clients to put on their websites for search engine optimization purposes, write articles that I submit to different places myself and do link building for websites. I also sell on ebay and have been involved in direct sales of and on over the last several years.

Kate

**banana** · 10-28-2006, 11:48 AM

Look over www.wahm.com as well as www.workplacelikehome.com. These message boards are full of information regarding companies that hire people to work from home. I was lucky last year I became an independent contractor for one of the companies and it is working out nicely.

**frugalvegan** · 10-31-2006, 01:10 AM

has anyone had luck with taking surveys?

**JustJoy** · 10-31-2006, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by frugalvegan

has anyone had luck with taking surveys?

I've been doing surveys for years and I've gotten a couple of $10 checks and one $5 check, but they are few and far between. I have tested alot of products from different survey companies though.... food, shampoo, lotions, cigarettes and more. That's kinda fun