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Enough about Kristen Pineda and all her aliases. We remove posts as we see them, but - Posted By: Administrator (sm)

this person uses aliases, different email addresses, and IP addresses.  WE DO WATCH.  If you were taken by this person, deal with the authorities.

Question - Posted By: RADMT2

I currently work FT days for a hospital doing radiology transcription at home and have a PT supplemental MT job as well.  I have been approached by on of my radiology docs who opened a new clinic on how much I would charge to do his transcription for the clinic (starting out he is only doing 10-15 reports weekly).  Would you charge per report for this or cpl and  what is a reasonable amount? 


Am I crazy to think if he was outsourcing he would be paying $2-3 per report and 15 or more cpl?


Any suggestions welcome, thanks!



I was cornholed into a MT specialty - Posted By: Tab

Does anyone know where I can get maybe some samples of op notes or radiology notes?  I want so bad to further my career and unfortunately where I work I don't see that happening.  I will be doing ER work until I die... which ER work is not bad, but I will never make any big bucks doing it unless I work for my company forever, that is if the Indian company dosen't take it all over.  Thanks ya'll.



Inane topics - Posted By: Moi

I am have done medical transcription for 25 years -- and frankly I thorougly DISGUSTED with the "ME AND ONLY ME ATTIUDE" on this board  -- POOR babies in California whine cause they cant make a living  -- know what? change your life  -- I have managed to stay off this board work a life and help a fellow MT out who is trying to help other MTs wity Katrina  -- I live in Vegas and we have had 1000 evacuess come in -- my first grandbaby is due tomorrow -- I cant be there and I am NOT pissing and moaninng -- MAYBE what we REALLY need to think about is what this country was based upon  -- my family goes back to the Revoution on one side  -- my mothers family goes back to great uncle who said "Go West Young Man"  -- I wear the last name of one of the first men who stepped on the moon  -- you know what? NONE of these men said "get your toys"  - I dont post but when I see NOTHING BUT me -- its upsetting  -- you put the mortgages on at the tune of $100,000 plus "oh I can work at home and have babies and work when I want"  -- well with the price of gas etc and the economy going in the toliet  -- good luck!!!

Instant Text opinions - Posted By: mtmomma

I know everyone has their favorite, but I ordered IT and found it really difficult to use.  I am coming off a VR job and am looking for ways to help increase my speed.  With IT, I feel like I am spending more time looking at the bottom of my screen instead of the report, and I really would like to start working on editing and proofing as I type.  Is IT really worth it or would it be better to work on increasing my ShortHand commands?  Thanks! 

How do I make SmarType recognize a Blocks folder? sm - Posted By: cai

I just transferred my "blocks" folder which contains standards for my docs over to another computer with a thumb drive. I installed Smartype on that computer with the CD. I restarted the computer and SmarType is working, but it is not my standards are not coming up when I type in the abbreviations. How do I get the program to recognize the standards in the "blocks" folder? TIA

Lines per Megabyte - Posted By: Amy

What does this mean exactly? In the IC contract with my company, it says 7cpl or the equivalent. I know some of you might think that's beans, but I'm brand new out of school and need the experience if not great pay. Anyway, when asked how "equivalent" is calculated, the company states they have software that figures lines per megabyte. Well, I have MPCount, and when I switched the options to 7cpl and per byte checked, rather than extended characters, it comes up with a really piddly figure of like $2 for a report that figures $70 when using the extened characters option. I've got to be doing something wrong here. Anyone else get paid by lines per megabyte, and if so, is it really equivalent to the standard way of being paid by the 65 character line? I have yet to get a check to find out. That won't be until April 10. I'm anxious. Thanks!

PV exposure? - Posted By: MM

I cannot for the life of me make out a dictation. It sounds like the dr. is saying that the patient ' denies any known histo or pv exposures.' histo? I have been trying to find any and all associations with pv, lead, you name it. Any advise out there?


Thanks, mm 



Anyone used "Interpreting ESL Medical (sm) - Posted By: Rad MT/ESL

 Dictation" book/dictation by the SUM Program for MT Training?  I think I do fairly well with ESL for Radiology, but I need more experience in other specialties and subspecialties.  I want to get more info on it before I purchase it.


$99


.....TIA!



What the best software to use? - Posted By: ana

Me and a couple of my MT friends have decided to make a small little MT company. You know just the three girls, made a lil pamplet and all. We're hoping by banding together we can met new clients ect. I was wondering what Mt software -for when the clients upload the audio files-should we use? We're on a budget and can't afford the 2,500 SW that's we've seen online. ANy suggestions?

How does Dragon work? - Posted By: KYradMT

Has anyone used "Dragon" VR - and if so, how does it work? Is it worth shelling out the big bucks for?

clinic capitalization QA dispute question - Posted By: SP

I recently had two different QA people give me two different answers to a capitalization problem regarding clinic names.  What are the rules for capitalizing clinics and specialties?  If the doctor dictates, "The patient will be seen in the Cardiac Clinic . . . ." do you capitalize those two words?  I have one QA saying yes, one saying no.  If the doctor dictates, "The patient was seen by Cardiology . . . " do you capitalize "cardiology"?  Again, one QA says yes, one says no.  TIA

Arkansas MTs - Posted By: MTme

I know we have state boards, but no one ever checks those. Are there any Arkansas MTs out there?

Inquiries about companies, jobs, etc. (PLEASE READ) - Posted By: Goldbird (Moderator)

Please ask about specific companies. If you are looking for a job, see the Job Seekers board. There are literally hundreds of job advertisements. Each one is very descriptive and each one has contact information. Please research for yourself. Ask about companies by name but research for yourself.


If you wish, we have a free resume bank for you to post your resume on.


Please do not post asking for good companies or companies that only do certain types of work: Look at the job ads on the Job Seekers board. This information is all provided there. If you have problems or issues, please let me know via email.


Goldbird



Could someone help on word board please? Thank you! - Posted By: nm

x

need help on word board please - Posted By: theresa

thanks

need help fast! Is 8 per 65 character line a "good' rate for an - Posted By: LynnC-Ohio

MT with 10 years of exp? Was offered a position yesterday with a company and right now I make 9.25 - I know I will be losing, but right now I am on DQS and am so sloooowww.. What would you do? Not take it/ Tell them it's just too low? What?!

Tommy Lee... - Posted By: KYradMT

Did anyone catch "Tommy Lee Goes To College" the other day? It was soooo funny. That's 70s kid just could NOT relate to the uptight 00's kids, but he sure tried! He barely made the marching band - and I think got kicked out. I didn't see the second part - did he get kicked out? Is there going to more to this show? Actually I thot Tommy was the kewlest kid in school,even if he IS 40 something...

Jill H, we have a question about the spa basket you won. Can you - Posted By: Keystrokes

send you email to us (our email is on here).  We have two different choices for the spa basket and want to ask your preference and we also need your phone number for the UPS label. 


Thank you!



It seems it does not pay to work and to the right thing... - Posted By: GOING UNDER

Sometimes I want to just sit back and kick and scream.  Work my ____ off and still can't keep up with the stacks of bills or calls calling about the bills.  When my son was born with an illness I could have taken the easy way out like so many do.  He has a life long illness that qualifies him for benefits but my DH and I make too much money.  LOL.  He's a teacher and I'm scraping by with transcribing.  Sometimes I think why should I bust my butt when I can sit back and collect "benefits" and be there for my child when so many people do this.  Taxes and the increase of cost of living expenses are about to do us in.



how would one find out if there was a keylogger program installed(sm) - Posted By: suspicious one

on your computer?

I posted earlier about small print - Posted By: Needing assistance

Well, got that fixed and I be darned if now the screen seems to be flickering between pink and white. It is not just my eyes- driving me crazy and trying to work, almost impossible. i had tried several things including going into properties and trying to reset the font size. Can anyone else give assistance? I am not enjoying today. Thanks!

C-Phone - Leaving mid-job - Posted By: Dixie

When using a C-Phone can one leave a job on hold to take a break or leave for a period of time?  Or do you have to finish the job before you leave?



Re: Getting started - Posted By: Cynthia L

I am a 12-year claims examiner veteran. I am wanting to cross-over into the home Medical transcriptionists field. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get started; what test to take to be recognized; and how long will it take? please let me know. thank you in advance for your input.

Does anyone else hate VR? - Posted By: mt

We get paid less for VR but it seems like I do the dictations faster if I just type them myself. 

Flame - Posted By: Luvs gardening

What does it mean when messages have a yellow flame at the beginning of a message?  At first I thought it was because there were so many added posts after the first post, but I posted a message yesterday that I got no answers to, and this morning there is a flame in front of my post.  Does anyone know what this means?  Thanks.

Happy New Year to ALL!!!nm. - Posted By: MDI-MT



A little laugh - Posted By: WNYMT

I told my 18 yo son today about a close family friend and his wife had a baby boy today and that he called me right away to let me know because he was so excited.  My son looked at me and said, "Yeah right mom, really, he had a baby today."  I looked right back at him and said, "Yes son, it takes both people to have the baby, a girl certainly can't get pregnant by herself!" 


This is funny to me because I know my son not sexually active yet (remember I know his girlfriend) and I certainly didn't expect to hear something like that, just reminded me of the little boy my young man still is. 



Firefox Crashed - Posted By: KC

Anyone know how to restore website/database after Firefox crashes ??

Has anyone moved 3 older dogs in together? sm - Posted By: Georgia gal

Hello,


I recently got married and have a 7-year-old female  terrier-cocker spaniel, and my new husband has a 7-year-old male cocker spaniel and an 11-year-old female lab retriever.   My dog has become more aggressive against the other 2 dogs, especially over the past week, where she's not wanting them to eat or drink.  We've separated their feed/drink areas but she's still being aggressive with them.  So far she hasn't bitten one of the other dogs but has come very close to it with their fighting.   Fortunately his dogs only fight back when she actually attacks them and ignore her when she's just growling and barking at them, so that cuts down on the number of dog fights.


Does anyone have any other ideas on how to get her to be nice to his dogs? 


 



Radiation Oncology - Posted By: Shasta

Does anyone do radiation oncology dictation, and if so, what sites do you use for help.  I am a very experienced oncology Transcriptionist having to face doing radiation oncology (which I have never done before) and I am having so much trouble finding the words I need.  Help would certainly be appreciated.  TIA

Has anyone here ever received a response or job offer SM - Posted By: sm

from posting your resume in the resume bank at MTStars?  TIA!



Question on MQ lawsuit. I do not want this to be a - Posted By: NO FLAMES, please

thread for flames or negatives, just would like a brief and simple explanation of what the actual issue(s) are for the lawsuit. 

the downward spiral of the MT - Posted By: time to get out

I apologize for this being long but I have reached the point where I am ready to be finished with medical transcription and this is my catharsis..  I started my journey in this field in the early 1980s, being self taught and working on an IBM typewriter with correction tape.  At the time we thought that was the greatest thing we could ever come across.  I actually made good money transcribing on the typewriter  with my neat little Dictaphone that played cassette tapes ( I even transcribed from the old belts).  Then we moved on to computers, I think it was with WP51 and an "expansion" program, wow, how great was that.  Then someone that was a little more computer savvy decided to improve the system and then the downward trend started.  Put in the demographics so they feed, be they right or wrong, the Transcriptionist will fix them.  Then along comes the internet connections and we no longer need the cassettes, the people who have never transcribed decided that was a good deal, overall it is but the quality a lot of times is much worse than the cassettes.   While all these wonderful changes are taking place, the MT is still being compensated at a rate pretty similar to what they always have because they can now produce more, thus making more.  Then comes the larger companies, who have to have management, middle management, lower management, supervisors, team leaders, trainers, sales managers, sales people, QA managers, QA editors, QA mentors, computer tech supervisors, computer techs,  very few who actually work a weekend,  all the people in between the MT and the upper management, while the MT continues to generate the income, still making pretty much the same.   The MT has to be familiar with all specialties, all report types, the AAMT BOS, Vera Pyle, a continual need to be re-educating ourselves, yet no compensation comes for that.  Oh, yes, some companies will pay extra for a CMT, whether you have any real knowledge or not, hire a CMT with 2 years experience or hire a seasoned transcriptionist with 30+ years,  who is not a CMT and pay them the same.   Then the benefits start to trickle in, which are supposed to be enticing, QA incentive, production incentive, ESL incentive, weekend and shift differential, of course, they are all tied together, if you achieve a good QA score, you have to have the production or you do not get the QA, if you work the weekend or evening, you have to produce a minimum amount of lines to qualify for the incentive, in short, probably at least 50% of the time, there is no incentive earned.  But do not make any errors or your pay will be docked by some companies out there.   Then comes the lowering of the wages, change from gross line to character line, but don't count spaces, header or footers, remember now, the MT has to do the demographics but we will not pay them for doing that, it is part of their job.    Okay, through in some insurance for which the transcriptionist pays the equivalent of 2-3 days pay every 2 weeks for the privilege of having.  Have I missed the part where the wages increased?  I have over 30 years experience in transcription, I have been a QA editor, an assistant office manager, a trainer, and the majority of the time an MT, which I have always loved, yet when applying for a new position after my last employer of 15+ years, where I was still paid by the gross line and did no demographics,  yet paid me very well,  went under due to the big company buying them out, I am offered 8 cpl and the company offering it makes it sound like they are doing me a favor by hiring me at 8, when the newbies only get 7, wow, what kind of incentive is that.  I have always had a very high QA 99-100 and always produce 275-300 lph but I am only worth 8 cpl.  I am sorry if this sounds sarcastic, it is probably what about 90% of the people reading this board feel, I just decided to finally put it in writing so I would feel better and yes it does help to express my anger, disappointment, sadness about the way the MT has gone downhill, yet generating enough income to provide  a really nice salary for anyone in the company who is not an MT, the MT generates the income, yet is the lowest paid.  The MT does the work but they hire computer techs to set up the program, all the indians (not the kind from India)  before you get to the chief to decide what the MT should be paid and yes, all the of them constantly wanting the MT to produce more and work harder, 7 days a week, very few holidays, while very few of the higher ups have to work a holiday.  My team leader sent out an e-mail that she expected us to keep the account current and she would be checking in periodically over the holiday weekend to see how things were going.  I am really saddened that the MT is so often expected to do everything required yet have very low compensation.  I have decided when the company closes its doors, and I do have to move on, it probably is time for me to go elsewhere for a career. I am too old to go back to college but maybe will figure out something were I can make my nominal wage that I now make as an MT.  Again, I apologize for this being so long, if it does not get deleted and if you make it this far, I applaud you for reading it all. 



Stedman's Speller Question - Posted By: Alice

I have two accounts in Microsoft Word and just received a new account and they use Word Perfect.  Does anyone know how to bring the Stedmans speller from Word into both Word and Word Perfect? Alice



if they can do THIS in India there is no hope - Posted By: QA girl

for the MT biz.


 


http://www.cbsnews.com:80/stories/2007/12/31/health/main3658750.shtml



Question about typing test - Posted By: Carla

and how do I figure out words per minute with one.


Is there some website that can give this information to me. I have never done this before so trying to figure it it out. I was told to find something for her to type and then give her a 5 minute typing test for an H&P. Does that sound too long, too short or about average. All or any help would be appreciated.


 



Instant text expander - Posted By: amj

I want to download the Instant Text word Expander for the 30 day trial but what website do I go to for this? amj

Out sourcing...long debate sm - Posted By: NY2

Oh, and yes, outsourcing will collapse in times to come when the financial divide reduces among nations, especially once major unions like the EU are formed. Moreover, research indicates that it's more of a hassle to manage and offers only marginal cost reduction.


DM




Outsourcing is what caused the demise of the United States economy, in my opinion. The rest of the world depends on the U.S. economy; listen to the news. Multilingual for the U.S.? Realize we are from different backgrounds, but in the U.S. English is the official, unofficial language. In the U.S., learn the language. Reap the benefits but can't speak the language? Automate Spanish and French for our bordering countries but beyond that? I have had very bad experience dealing with customer service reps from another country. You can't even understand each other some of the time. Ask them where they are from and they mispronounce the name of the city and state. Ask them their name. Fake one given. Very misleading. Our country in the last few years has gone downhill economically--lost jobs, lost homes, medicines unavailable for those who need it, because they cannot afford it, etc. Keep people in jobs in the U.S., and the U.S. will do better economically, hence the world would do better economically. Worldwide recession did not start until after U.S. failed--the trickle effect. 24/7 coverage? Pay people enough, and they will work. Heck, at this point, pay them anything and they will work the off shifts. Some people want the graveyard shifts. Americans working in America who aren't bilingual in certain areas (Texas, for example) can't even get a job at Wal-Mart. Think about it. Outsourcing was our demise.


julia




I agree that stopping the outsourcing would be better for the economy since Japan blamed its problems on outsourcing and temp agencies 2008.


Gail




In our big publishing company, help desk and infrastructure support have been consolidated and outsourced several years ago, with disastrous results. Since then, we have had to deal with extended production-critical outages, with CSRs who don't understand simple technical words that everyone in U.S. knows, and with CSRs whose heavy English accent is no good for any kind of customer support.


Observer




It is of course expected that someone from Nuance Communications, which makes IVR software, would be in favor of automated response systems, which drive their revenue. And of course Nick Sharma would prefer outsourcing to India. What are needed are neutral viewpoints. If customers could get a choice of country (Press 1 for U.S., Press 2 for India), when they call their support line, this would make clear what customers prefer.


My issue with outsourcing has nothing to do with the call center agents themselves. My issue is with the executives who implement this solution without thinking it all the way through. They are puppet masters, walking off with all the money on the backs of their employees. Their only concern is the bottom line, the shareholders, and their yearly bonuses. Customer satisfaction seems to have taken a back seat to greed long ago, and outsourcing is merely one facet of this big picture. Don't blame the tech in India who's busting his ass for next to no money to feed his family, just like us "high-and-mighty" Americans do. Blame the executive who hasn't spent enough time and money on training these people, sending them to English class to speak and write clearly, and not paying them enough to get the high quality people that they need to man the call center.












Why I deserve more money and better treatment as an MT... - Posted By: MSMT

I do NOT transcribe "medial sonoscopy."  


Good Lord.   



Anyone use the birth control patch? - Posted By: inquiring minds

Just researching a bit.  Do you like it?  Dislike it?  Any other info?  Thanks!

Completing Andrews vs MTec - Posted By: Laura Scaggs

Just wondering if anyone can tell me why Andrews is a 9-12 month program and MTec a 12-14 month one? I am very interested in both, but if I can do this in a shorter time frame then I'm for Andrews. Thanks!

Accents - sm - Posted By: Curious

Just wondering - do you southern MTs have as much trouble with northern accents as I do with southern accents?  They sure take some getting use to; no disrespect intended, but some words are pronouced so differently that I have to listen several times to get them.  I suppose I'll adjust eventually - I hope!! 

What's for supper tonight? nm - Posted By: A

x

ankle edema question - Posted By: mary

I am very concerned because just recently I started getting pitting edema in my ankles.  They are extremely bad.  I can't wear socks it is so bad.  I don't have a clue what could be causing it.  I did have 3 kidney stones last year that I don't think ever passed out of my bladder but I have no more trouble out of it.  Then no other problems.  I dont go to the restroom hardly at all, which has me worried.  I have tried Lasix which worked but I get scared because I feel dehydrated.  Mouth is dry, etc.  It has me worried for DVT or CHF.  I am only 38.  


Any ideas what else it could be or if I am needing to go to ER ASAP.  I dont have insurance so I dont want to go if it is just from sitting at the computer all day and is normal. 


tia,



Does anyone here ENJOY their job? - Posted By: violetmt

Does anyone on this board actually enjoy doing med tran?  It seems like all everyone does on here is complain about how bad it has gotten and how they hate it.  I just want to know if anyone feels the opposite and still enjoys mt'ing?

Question about Editing for those who do editing - Posted By: Charlene

What would you consider to be  the average amount of lines a day of editing based on a 65 space line in an 8 hour day.  If you can do an average of 1200 straight typing what would be the expectation for a day of editing?  What do you think is a fair rate of pay for that editing? Do you know of companies that offer a tiered incentive rate for editing rates to do most of them offer a flat rate for lph?   Do you find you make more money,  less money or about the same than straight typing?  Thanks to anyone who is willing to share this information.  Feel free to email if you would rather share by email. 

re rx word searches, did you know - Posted By: sm

 


I just discovered it, that drugs.com has (to right on main page) a special drug search link "for transcriptionists" ????  it not only works very well, BUT, it gives the usage of the med also -- it is very helpful.  I used the wild card search and it brought up 1/2 dozen possibilities, one of which was what i was looking for.  anyway, i am actually liking it better than the FDA site now...so thought i'd share!



Any editors go back to typing and realize they are sloooooow now? - Posted By: SM

I do not know what the deal is, but I can only do about a THIRD of what I used to do.  VERY frustrating.  Anyone else have this problem or am I a lone dummy?  I feel so worthless lol!!

Does anybody else ever have days that you just - Posted By: wannie

absolutely depise transcription? Usually I enjoy my job, but today McDonald's, Hardee's, Pizza Hut, cleaning toilets, etc. is looking better.