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My fingers started hurting a few weeks back and I'm thinking, no big deal, goes with the territory.  Then my keyboard started leaving out "i" and "e" on occasion. I realized I have had the filthy old crumb ridden thing for almost a year and a half now, but was still to cheap to go buy a new one.

Finally dumped my coffee on the keyboard (sign from above?), but turned it over and tapped on it figuring it was good as new until the next morning when everytime I hit "r" I'd get rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

So I sped down to the local "pharmacy that has everything store" and bought a generic keyboard that was on sale for $8.99. I was amazed at the fact that all I have to do is touch the keys. No effort whatsoever and I was flying with my wpm..

I had no idea my keyboard had become so bad that I was basically pounding on the gunky old keys.  DUH! 

Finger pain is diminishing already and I've decided to stop being such a tightwad and replace my keyboard at least every six months.

I also invested in a coffee mug with a cover on it.

Hi.  Where I am working is going to VR with Editscript.  Sounds like a bunch of  crapola what they are going to do to us, put us off an hourly wage plus incentive pay to only being paid incentive at half of the rate we make now, but the union contract runs out in July 2010, so I have until then to get my financial affairs in order.  I cannot believe what the services offer out there. I actually ran into one that paid you for every character you type. So if was a normal or a word Expander you would get paid for the actual keys you typed, not actually was on print on the page.  so if you typed "the patient"  as "tp" you only got credit for those two key strokes not the whole two words.  normals were paid by the Keystrokes actually used too.  Needless, to say better to stay put than go there.  I am tired of being outsourced and tired of being gyped. 

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I am starting with All-Type soon, and the handbook says that their platform works with any Word-based expander.  That's all fine and good, but I have never used one.  I'm a PRD+ girl from the old WP51 days, and currently work in Bayscribe, and the Expander in it is a lot like PRD.  Are any of the Word-based Expanders like that?  I tried Instant Text once and hated it.  I don't want popup windows and such.  I like it to be simple, like PRD ... enter copdd and get chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.  Are any like that?

Thanks for your help!  

Just have to vent a little...

I have several extended family members and friends who give the impression that "just typing" and getting to work from home translates to "waiting for a REAL job to come along."  I have tactfully tried to drop the hint that first of all, a Transcriptionist does way more than "just type," and I'm sure make more per hour than any of them, to no avail. 

Anybody else noticed this, too? 

I am only accustomed to the per word rate in MT, but I know that the GT companies prefer the PAH rate.

I was wondering if any MT companies do use the PAH rate and what would be a fair price if there are indeed any companies using this method.

Hey there,

I work for Spheris.  My supervisor just informed me that from this point forward, I cannot work OT.  

 Are there any Spheris MTs from California who could e-mail me about what I could do as a cut in pay right now is devastating. 

 There are exceptions for people who do piece work I have read and wonder if there is a way to get around this.  I am paid by exam and sup says when I work 2 minutes OT, they have to pay me OT for every exam, plus if I work over 5 days, OT for the whole week, or over 8 hours, OT for the hourly pay...

Needless to say, I am devastated by this... as I live alone.  Need I say more?  ::sigh::

In the midst of moving last weekend, I discovered my long forgotten kitchen appliance graveyard.  All the cool gadgets that I thought I HAD to have at the time that have long since moved into that cabinet.  I had three juicers dating back to the 80's, an ice cream maker, a sandwich maker, a George Foreman grill, a food dehydrator, and a the most recent one I got for Christmas, a smoothie maker.  Oh the humanity!  I have decided to resurrect some of them for fun and because I feel so guilty.  How about you all ?  Anyone suffer from this gadget collecting problem? 

I have a painful sprain on my ankle and need to sit in my recliner with my feet up while I transcribe for the next few days. 

I have MQ's computer that I rent but I have downloaded DQS onto my laptop so I can sit in the recliner (MQ system in my bedroom). 

Any advice about how to use the footpedal in this awkward position? 

Appreciate any response.

I am so frustrated with how long it is taking me to get my quota every day.  Today is going to be rough because all the kids are home from school, but on most days, it is just myself and my 4-year-old son.  I do about 1000 lines per day and it takes at least 7 hours.  Is this normal or should I producing way more in this time frame?  I have been in this field for 16+ years now.   I work for a great company and most of the accounts I have are terrific with excellent dictators.  I am up and down a lot, but it just seems like forever! 

Oh - and I do not spend a lot of time on this board during my working day.  In fact, I haven't posted here in a long time!!

I'm just curious how long it takes other experienced MTs with normal work-day interruptions to complete about 1000 lines of transcription each day?

Is it worth it.  Are there many people out there that have landed new accounts this way?  Most MTSOs that have been in business for a long time say it is by word of mouth, but what about MTs like me who have been doing this five years.  I feel I'm ready for my own accounts and am not sure if this is the best route.

Any opinions?

Please tell me how to run my linecount.  I really need some help with this.  Started with a new company and asked but have not received an answer yet...maybe they don't want to discourage me??  Thanks in advance

The doctor said:   "He denies bloody or cloudy urine, pain with urination and vaginal bleeding."

I crack up laughing and quote this to my husband, stating the patient's gender.

And his response was, "I hope so."
(think about it)  

It is

The patient's last clinical breast examination

I type tplc and the sentence comes into advisory to top line.  I hit [ which should expand it but after only three words, "the patient's last," it fizzles.  Sometimes it throws out mumbo jumbo, sometimes two words, never the full sentence.

THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY.  What is it I am doing or not doing!!!!

ahem...thank you

The other day a technician (from the doctor's office that I work for) was in my computer fixing a problem I had.  The next thing I know, my medical spellchecker is nowhere to be found.  He insists he didn't delete it.  Has this happened to anyone else?  Any idea if it's still in my computer somewhere or how you could tell.  I did a simple search but came up empty.  Needless to say I'm not very happy. 

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I received a 1099 from a business I've never heard of, but the amount was just about right for a company I subcontract for.  I asked them if my 1099 would be coming under this other ame and they said no, which made it sound like they didn't even know that company.  I proceeded to research the name and found out that the same owner owns both companies with the business on my 1099 now dissolved and in poor standing.  I'm confused as to why this happened and requested that my 1099 come from the company I did the work for.  They said that is fine and that they would reissue it with that name. 

How does this work with the IRS now that they will have two 1099s for me with the same amount, but from different companies.  I can only claim one as that is how much I worked, but won't they audit me or something because of this.  The business owner said not to worry about.  I should probably put a call into my tax man, but was wondering if anyone here has any knowledge with anything like this.  It just doesn't seem right and makes me uncomfortable.

TIA

Can anyone help me?  How close am I???

Hi

Does anyone know for sure what type of medical transcription funeral homes would use?  I don't think they would be autopsies, but someone told me they utilize this service.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks....Kymee

I am considering getting into a retirement account this year.  I am a sole proprietor with no employees to contribute to.  I am also looking to reduce my tax obligations for next year with this account.  I am also over age 50, so this may be a consideration.  Any suggestions from knowlegeable MT/business owners out there?  Some of this stuff is very confusing.  so any help would be appreciated.  Also include who to go through for set up, if known. 

thanks  

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Has anyone gotten out of jury duty from being an MT? I get paid by line...no health insurance....no work no pay......Any advise for when I have to go present myself. 

TIA.

I'm so sorry you are going through this, it must be hard for you.  I get the impression your son is hurting and in pain so it's good you are "in tune" with him on this and have him in counseling.  How about yourself?  You may need some sort of help also.  I believe you said dad isn't in the picture, but what about extended family - grandparents, uncles, someone who can help you out with his care.  I am no expert, but I would say try to have patience (yes easier said than done at times) and pick the right battles.  Keep loving him unconditionally knowing he is hurting. I'm sorry I have no clear-cut answer, but I know if you are consistent as a parent, keep loving and teaching and doing your very best your relationship with your son will get stronger as he grows older. 

Reaching out for help as you seem to be doing, is very good.  You are doing the right thing.  Life can sure be rough and parenting is one of the toughest things to do.  I wish you all the best.