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Gotta a question... When you have an offer from a company, is it acceptable to basically..SM - Posted By: MOMT

give the company a set of terms.  Here's my issue.  I have 15+ years experience as an MT and I am finding after I've accepted the job, that I am placed on the crappiest account they have because of my years of wonderful "experience".  Then I'm told that they are paying me the higher cpl rate not because of years of experience but because I'm working on the crappy account that no one else can do.


I find it very difficult to earn a living this way and wonder if there are jobs out there where a seasoned MT can just sit down and type carefree 8 hours a day.  I'm not saying I don't want to ever type ESL dictation, but can I get an account where the majority is not ESL? 


I'm good at what I do.  I love OP notes and don't mind challenging work, but it's simply not fair.  I feel like I'm being penalized for my years of hard work more than rewarded and I resent it.



how should I charge? - Posted By: Ang

I have been approached by a doc who wants me to take over doing his transcription.  He is a face/eye plastic surgeon.  Most of his stuff is all templates.  The only thing I will actually have to type would be the DX and procedure and then insert the appropriate template.  (He does have over 98 templates)


He wants me to give him a quote but I have no clue where to start.  I normally charge by the line but this would not be fair since I am just inserting templates. 


Should I charge by the page, # of reports, hourly, or what.  He does about 15 cases per week and the reports average 3-5 pages (again much of it templates).


Does anyone have any experience with this.  I want to give him an answer today. 


Thanks!


-Ang.



Smartype/dictionary - Posted By: No clue

If I buy Stedman's Smartype, do I still need to buy the dictionary? 

Unprofessional but funny thought, sm - Posted By: MQMTMT

wouldn't it be wild if there was a Tourette's syndrome for transcriptionists, and we could just insert whatever random thought or opinion we had on the patient/dictator.


I'm in the middle of a patient's social history and the doc dictates his occupation, and then in the PE he says he's dignified looking.  I mean he's obvious very impressed by his social stature and I would love to say that!


 


 



Faster way to rerecord tapes - Posted By: CCC

Is there a way I can rerecord tapes quicker to computer by playing tape double speed then slowing it down once finished?

Any suggestions on speeding this up will be appreciated. I have a lot of tapes to rerecord. BTW, my doctors do not want to use handheld units or a call-in system (for those of you who may suggest this).

help - Posted By: confused

I just bought a used digital DAC DA-125 system. Can anyone tell me where to find an insturction manual? Or can anyone give me a few tips on using?

FTP site - Posted By: Too Old to Learn

Is is difficult to learn how to operate a FTP site and how would one go about it?  It is all new to me and I'm a bit apprehensive. 

ergonomic advice - Posted By: jw

Anyone know of good websites or where to get advice about setting up your home office ergonomically correct. Sometimes I think I have my chair set at the right height, or everything just so, and try to stretch every once in a while, but I still end up stiff and I think maybe I could do better with it. Thanks all.

laptop usage - Posted By: Barbara

I am considering purchasing a laptop to use mainly outdoors this summer so that my soon to be 4 YO twins can play outside while I am working.  I already have a Verizon air card so that shouldn't be a problem.  There is a place here that sells used laptops and new ones and they are awesome IT folks so I am going to talk with them more about my needs on the tech end.  What I am looking for here is if anyone has any suggestions on a setup of the laptop itself and a separate keyboard and mouse, i.e.  What to sit them on while I am working?   I would like to find something either weatherproof that I may not have to move if it is heavy or something that i could at least roll around to bring back in the garage or something when I am not using it. We have pretty level ground where I will be at.  TIA for any suggestions.  Oh, and have a wonderful summer! 

c-phone - Posted By: Paula

Please help.   I have a C-phone model 0421 that says program locked and also I cannot get the voice through the headset.  I think this needs to be programmed in, but have no directions on  how to do that and am not familiar with this phone.  Please help with any infor regarding this. 

Work ethics ?? - Posted By: noodle

I have been subcontracting through a mom/pop company for about three years.  They have a few different accounts, but I mostly do the same doctor every day, along with a few people in his clinic.  The transcription company owner has had some health problems, so I stepped up and am now doing my share of the transcription, editing, sending the work in, and the billing.  (I am being paid (not much) for my extra work).  Anyway, the one clinic that I have been typing for about three years called me.  They are not happy with the contract holder and said that something needs to change.  She has become very unorganized and rude with this clinic.  I work my butt off to try to keep them happy on my end, but she shows no interest in trying to be nice or anything and she says she doesn't care if they drop her, it would make her life a lot easier.  The final straw before the telephone call was that she returned tapes from other clinics to this clinic and they freaked out about patient privacy (totally understandable). 


Anyway, the clinic called me and asked if I would be interested in working in-house (I'm not) or trying to figure something out as they no longer want to work through this company, but they are very happy with my transcription.  I told them that I was very sorry for the tape confusion and I that I felt that I was being misrepresented by the people who were picking up and dropping off the tapes. 


It is very hard to explain the whole situation, but the lady who I contract through has said, just in passing and I don't know if she was serious, "If they drop my account with them, you can have them."   I just don't know how bad it would be if I stopped subcontracting through her and just went straight to the clinic.


I would love some opinions on this.  Sorry it was so long. I am very stressed out about this.  If she loses the contract and I stay with her, I will lose a lot of lines...thousands.  I just don't know what to do.  Thanks.



I heard on Entertment tonight sm - Posted By: AIFAN

that Chris has  already picked up by his favorite rock band as a lead singer but he cannot do anything at the momemt because he is oblitated to tour.   They did not name the band. 

Many thanks to my OP on infant seizures. sm - Posted By: Gram

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but I went on a mini-vacation the afternoon that I posted my original message and lo and behold, I found things to do that didn't have to do with being on my computer.


One thing I'm happy to report is that my grandson laughed the other day.  First time we've heard him laugh in a couple of months, which was before he started having the seizures..  My 11-year-old daughter has a stuffed monkey that makes kissy noises and then squeals like a monkey when you push a button.  We tried it and he smiled, laughed and kicked his little feet.


He doesn't just sit and stare like he used to, so I guess we're making progress.


At any rate, thank you all so much for your input.  It is very much appreciated.




Trying to figure out if I would come out the same as employee vs. IC for taxes...SM - Posted By: Pondering

I know the IC will pay self-employment taxes, but if taxes are already being taken out of your check as an employee, you are still paying them, so does it come out the same in the long run? You are still paying the taxes...but the difference is whether they come out right up front from your check or whether you pay them yourself from the money you've (hopefully) set aside.

And how does the statutory employee fall into this? Better or worse? I've only ever been an employee but am exploring other options.

Need some advice - Posted By: Poor MT

I know this isn't MT-related, but it has gotten me so upset that I can't work, so maybe it is MT-related after all.  Anyway, if anyone has been in this situation, can you please tell me how you successfully handled it?  My son wanted to go away for the weekend and asked to use my credit card to secure a hotel room.  We went online to Hotels.com and found a nice place.  I put in my credit card number and was given a room confirmation.  I then received an e-mail from the hotel telling me there were no rooms available.  I called the hotel and they told me I would have to address it with Hotels.com since they were the ones with my credit card information.  I called Hotels.com and they told me that my card had been swept for the entire amount of the stay ($276.00!) but since there were no rooms available, the money would be credited back to my account.  I got my credit card statement yesterday and they only credited back $71.00 of my money, causing me to incur and over-the -limit fee of another $29.00.  I don't know where to turn to get this problem resolved.  Do I call Hotels.com and ask them to reimburse my over the limit fee?  Do I call my credit card company and tell them that it was Hotel.com's fault for hitting my account for the whole amount when they said they weren't going to?  If anyone has been through this kind of thing before, I would really appreciate your input.  Needless to say, I will NEVER use Hotels.com ever again!!  Thanks in advance for your help!


 



update on my job hunt - Posted By: CS

ok ladies, I applied for a job at a hospital as a medical Transcriptionist (job was listed on their website and at the employment agency)  I updated my resume, typed up a cover letter and hand delivered it to the HR person.  She said she would put it in their system and I would be hearing from them, the job is open until filled. Great!  I completed their lengthy application and sent that it to the same HR person.  I did not hear anything and assumed with the holidays and all......patience...


 


Yesterday I received a call from them.  But get this - it was from a person who runs the dietary department.  They gave her the application.  She said since their is no MT job opening would I be interested in working as a dishwasher on weekends?  I was stunned to say the least.  She repeated that there was no MT opening but they really needed help.


 


I cannot make this stuff up!  What in the world?


 


The job is still posted on their website and at the employment agency.   Is this just too weird or what?



NEMT, Inc. - Posted By: SL

Has anyone worked for or does anyone currently work for New England Medical Transcription, Inc.?  I am looking for information on this company regarding pros/cons. 

Confused about test taken. sm - Posted By: CC

I took a test for a company, but some of the errors they said I made don't make sense to me. Has that happened to anyone else? The grammar is not in AAMT BOS Style, the spelling of some terms is incorrect, lots hyphens are placed that are no longer necessary according to the BOS that was marked incorrect. I'm confused!

If I did the test the way I used to type, before the BOS Book, I would have passed the test!

BTW, it was cardiology. I took a test for a company that only does cardio reports and passed, but I bombed on this one due to BOS-style rules that they don't implement. What's the point in learning all this stuff and still can't meet their standards?

C-phone & cigarette smoke - Posted By: So not happy right now

I just bought a C-phone off of eBay. I unpack it and it smells like smoke, something bad. I'm a non-smoker. How do I get this smell out? If I had known it was owned by a smoker, I wouldn't have purchased it. The auction didn't say one way or another, so I figured I was safe.

Yuck. Please help! Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Febreeze isn't working so far and I'm sitting here smelling this. Gross.

Please see msg. Prostate question. - Posted By: Carole

Urologist felt that the prostate gland itself was normal, but that there was some type of a firmness between the (kind of sounds like) "corolya" and the wall and the prostate. 

Best unlimited long distance companies? - Posted By: RadGuy

What's a good monthly rate (or average)? TIA

Single person and bills - Posted By: broke and broker

How does any single preson today make ends meet as an MT?  I work a 2nd job and still way behind in bills.  Job-hunting for a full time position other than MT is fruitless, as employers take on look at all of your years in transcription and ask you how you think can do anything else.  It seems like a curse.  The dreaded "transcription" word is getting me nowhere fast when it comes to breaking in to other clerical work.  Had I know this would be the case, I would have left the MT field years ago.  I can do SO much more than transcription if given the chance.  Maybe I should lie on my resume and not mention all the years of transcription. 

Keystrokes - Lanier system - anyone work on it? - Posted By: is it hard to learn - n/m

nm

font size - Posted By: cpl

When paid by cpl, does it affect your line count if you type in a size 10 or size 12 font?

My job is great sm - Posted By: Whew!

I have been to where I don't average more than 150 to 175 lph and it is lower not higher mostly.

New job: First full day. New expander. New software. New doctors. Looked up old reports for every single ESL so I didn't have blanks. 175 lph.

Today: Average was 190 lph. There is room to grow with lines per hour yet. I was tired today and felt like I was going slowly.

I have not broken 200 lph in...oh I can't remember. Part of it is my hands, part the dull as dirt work...and I am sorry to say...the fact that I stuck with Smart Type and Word clients for the past 5 yrs and I think now I should not have done it. Using IT and I love it. I think I like it better than my Smart Type which I have used since DOS days.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Did anyone contact HR at MQ yet? - Posted By: ER

If anyone has yet contacted HR at MQ, please post underneath what was said to you.

E-mail says I have been left 1/4 million bucks by distant relative. Do you think this is a scam? - Posted By: They know my last name!

I could really use the money.

Okay, here's a poll. see inside. - Posted By: MT

Who has the best pipes, Barbra or Celine?   Personally, neither is my cup of tea, but I listen to the radio at work a lot and I have to admit, Celine just knocks Barbra out of the water as far as power and range and just about every other way.  Let the voting begin!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

One of my favorite research sites is gone. s/m - Posted By: penny

A website that I use very frequently seems to have disappeared.  AAMTonline.org/resources that I use to look up terminology seems to be gone.  It has been replaced with something that is not a resource site.  Has it moved or changed names?  I would appreciate any info on this!!



Anyone know why an HP all-in-one printer would would intermittently not respond? sm - Posted By: elle

Only about 1-1/2 years old.  No new software installed on computer.  Should I uninstall and then reinstall?  I can't track any certain document/reason why it does not respond.  Thanks.

want to try a new dish-chicken marsala-sm - Posted By: Debra

and need to know if heavy cream is the same as heavy whipping cream which I saw at the store and what is dry marsala--a wine? Had this dish at an Italian restaurant recently and it was so good!!

2 computers - no room for mice - Posted By: An MT

I run to computers, one for work, one PC.  I have one desk and seem to always be crowded as far as the mice.  Any suggestions?

QAing - Posted By: sw

You know what?


If the dictations were not so crappy, maybe the whole OAing would be obsolete.  This would save a lot of money and the MTs would be paid better.


Ooops!



Anybody else get letter from Frank today? - Posted By: ssc

Got a letter from Frank about "document preservation"  and the ever-threatening "new pay plan."  He keeps mentioning his new pay plan, but never has the balls to tell us what it is.



Meditech - Posted By: sasyf

Has anyone ever used a word Expander with Meditech? I understand that there are several different versions of this program and we use it for Radiology. We have V. 3.25.  I was specifically thinking about ShortKeys?  Any input would be appreciated.



Average MT pay - Posted By: Abby

What would you say the average MT with one year experience should be making right now? 


Thanks,


Abby



Payment - Posted By: Susan Osmer

Just wondering what alternatives there are when you don't get paid for work that was done and it's been months!!!!  Two people (individual MTs) owe me money from back in February and I can't get them to respond, etc.  HELP!!


 



Wanting to buy EX125 Voice system - Posted By: Dorothy Edwards

I am looking to buy a EX125 Voice Turnkey System, with at least a 6.5 build - prefer 7.0.  Anyone have one they want to sell?     Just found this site and thrilled to see it -- please let me know if anyone has such a beast available. 

Need to vent.... - Posted By: dm

I am so angry and I need to vent.  I work for a psychiatric facility and have been there for about three months now.  I really enjoy working there and they have been very flexible with my schedule.  Approximately 2 months ago, a temp was hired because we were so far behind.  The person they hired did not have any experience whatsoever in medical transcription, but she was a fast typist so she was hired. 


A couple of weeks went by and it was noticed that she was making quite a few errors.  One of the other Transcriptionist e-mailed her to inform her of her errors and advised her to proof her work.  She became so upset, she e-mailed a nasty letter back to this particular person.  A few more weeks went by and a different transpcriptionist noticed she was still making these errors so she tried e-mailing her as well with basically the same response.  Well last week I happened to come across one of her reports and noticed some errors that were totally unacceptable.  For example, Licinopril, psychogenetic polydipsia, albuteral, ibuprophen, etc. 


Anyway, I mentioned this to our supervisor and he asked that I correct the report and give him a copy so that he could go over it with her, which I did.  I also brought in a book from the course I took a couple of years ago so that she may review it.  She came in yesterday absolutely livid, she was slamming things around, speaking so loud that we could not hear the doctor and using the most foul language.  I turned to her and asked if there was a problem to which she replied I was not talking to you!  So I stated, in a very calm manner, then could you please keep it down as I cannot hear what the doctor is saying to which she replied that's too bad!  She then proceeded to call our lead and left the room. 


I started to think about the whole situation and could not believe how this person reacted.  I called the supervisor at home and informed him of the problem at hand and told him I was on the verge of walking out as was the other transcriptiont.  I told him this behavior was totally unacceptable and I would not tolerate it.  Mind you, this was all because she was still making errors on her report.  She felt people were talking behind her back.  She does not want us (transcriptionists) to tell her of her errors.  She wants us to speak with the lead, have him write the errors on a piece of paper, place it in an envelope and put it by her work area.  Can you believe this?  Who does she think she is? 


Well a couple of hours ago, my lead called to get my side of the story.  I told him exactly what happened to which the other transcriptionist can attest to.  He stated he would speak with her but that the next time there was a problem with a partiular report, we are to bring it up to him or our supervisor (which I thought I did).  I totally feel she should be reprimanded and that this behavior should not be tolerated by anyone, but it looks like she is just going to be "spoken to."  I am so angry and upset, I literally feel like giving my two weeks notice, but then again, I do not want to give her the satisfaction.  I really enjoy what I do but I am afraid if this type of behavior occurs again, I will not be able to hold my tongue as it took every bit of strength in me not to *******, well you know.


Sorry this was so long, I needed to vent.  I know I probably made 100 mistakes on this post, but I am very upset at the moment. 



Looking at expanders and - Posted By: need your input! (sm)

I have been working as an employee with the EXText system/Wordclient by Dictaphone.  I really love the "esp" system that is part of this program as I find it very quick and easy to use.


Years ago I tried IT and didn't really care for it, but I don't know if I didn't become familiar enough with it. 


I guess it comes down to an Expander that works with just hitting the spacebar and entering the shortcut I know I am getting with that abbreviation.  Really mastering the shortcuts without having a list to choose from.


If anyone out there has any recommendations for a similar expander as the Dictaphone esps, I would love to hear what you have to say.


Thanks.



IC vs employee - Posted By: Tired MT

With the exception of a short stent a few years ago as an IC, I've always been an employee.  The problem I am finding with most companies now is even as an IC, they want you to commit to a set schedule.  Maybe I'm thinking of it the wrong way but I thought being an IC gave you more freedom without needing to stick to a schedule.  I currently have 2 jobs but was hoping to find an IC position to fill in the gaps when the work runs low on my other jobs so my paycheck isn't affected but sadly, I'm not having any luck.


I referred a friend of mine to one of the companies I work for and she works as an IC.  At first I heard that as an IC, you can work whenever you want and that's what they told her, but then they changed it and wanted her to work at least 1 weekend day.


Does anybody out there know of any companies that hire ICs to work whenever they want?



Oh my! Just found out with my new promotion....sm - Posted By: Marie

They will also pay the cost of books and tuition for any college courses I want to take.  Basically anything but fine arts courses. On top of everything else, I'm college bound for the winter semester.



How can I record patient data as fast as possible - Posted By: Need to keep record

Radiology patients, so reports are short most often.  We have to log two several digit numbers, the types of exams (chest/abdomen) dates.  We have sheets to do this on but am thinking I should keep Wordpad open and type in there.


Any ideas on how I can do this and not lose momentum or time?  I do about 100 exams a day.


Thanks!



DSL - distance from office or switch. - Posted By: Ex-Slave

My hubby is retired from the phone company.  DSL services don't have anything to do with distance from the office/switch.  Each community has a "box," usually green, on the side of the road, normally at an intersection, where phone services for that area are handled.  If the equipment in the box is not fiberoptic compatible or old technology, you can't get DSL in the area served by that box.  Once enough people ask for DSL so that it is "cost effective" in that area, you get new equipment installed and that area gets DSL. 

VR funny. - Posted By: Lllls

Dictated: Today at home, she was walking her dog when she suddenly passed out.

VR: Today at home, she was walking her doctor when she suddenly passed out.

It's a good thing she had her doctor on a leash when she needed one! You just never know when you might pass out. Best to keep them at your heels.

This really BUGS me, & I'm getting sick of it! - sm - Posted By: Flibertygibbit

                   


Why is it that MTSOs can't get at least MOST of their QA people on the same page when it comes to style, format, spelling, abbreviations, etc. etc.???  I have 4 different people editing my work, and I keep getting 4 different opinions on what is correct and what is not!  Half the things they *correct* were right when I typed them, and now are WRONG once they're edited!  Yet it's MY initials on the page of the final product, so whoever reads it will think I produced that trash.  Gaaaaaaa!


 



Name something that has to be just right sm - Posted By: Before you can type effectively

Me? Short and very clean fingernails. Chair exactly the right height. Wintertime a space heater right by the desk for warm hands is a MUST. I gotta have a cup of coffee by the desk until about 11, then I gotta have tea.

test, this is only a test. nm - Posted By: hmmm

<img scr=http://bestsmileys.com/silly/11.gif"></center>


 


If this don't work, I'll quit.



Good PT company - Posted By: Linda Hollis

Does anyone know an excellent company who hires part-time transcriptionists and furnishes equipment?


 



MS Natural multimedia keyboard deal for under $12 sm - Posted By: HappyFlaMT

I love this keyboard and have tried other ergonomic ones but none have been the right fit for me, and this model is discontinued. If you use this one, I just got a deal on ebay for $11.05 including shipping ($0.99 for the keyboard + 9.99 shipping + Florida sales tax). I'll be happy to get it here but wanted to pass along this information as this seller is only doing this price for the next couple of days - seller is "recycles" & item number is 200331770552.