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VR - Posted By: TD

The doctor I work for has offered to purchase VR in order to help reduce typing reports.


Any suggestions as to which software would be the best to purchase and should I even agree to this. I am also worried that VR will take over my job!


Thanks      



HELP Dr dictates..... - Posted By: PMT

"This patient with a history of AIDS status post Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia,"  Please help with punctuation before and after status post.  My mind is blank.

Ic status? - Posted By: cj

Can someone explain this to me 'cuz I don't get it. I thought IC meant you were independent. How can an employer hire a person as an IC and then dictate what hours/days you work? Our tax advisor, when I was self employed, told me that if I allowed a client to dictate days/hours that I would then be an employee, not independent. They could establish turnaround times but not specific shifts per se. I see this often in MT ads posted here and on MT jobs. Am I totally confused or who do you all see the IC versus employee issue? Thanks for any info.

With the heat, I'm going to try nights - Posted By: Yet Another MQer

I think my favorite account is getting cleaned out first thing AM, so I'm going to try nights for a bit.  Starting now!


Those of you who do nights regularly, any secrets to staying perky?



Radiology rate ? - Posted By: Boo

Been offered a radiology account -- what is reasonable rate?  They are paying 1.40 per report at this time, but will pay line rate if I want.   Seems a flat rate would be better on some days, worse on others, but would even out in the end.  Any suggestions?  (no ESL dictators on this account if that makes a difference - all digital, net based, no cost to me). Thanks and appreciate any input. 



What's your favorite zucchini recipe? - Posted By: Need something new!

The garden is going nuts and I need some new ideas!


TIA!



How much per line - Posted By: Kim

I am new and have been looking for a job.  I do not know what the average or going rate per line is.  Can someone help me?

"Celebratory Days"? - Posted By: kyradmt

OSI now offers "Celebratory Days" differential - what the heck is that?

Just wanted to share.. - Posted By: sm

I just had a doctor, after stumbling over some words during dictation, say "I'm sorry, you have no idea the horrible handwriting I am dealing with"

What kind of antivirus do you use on your computer? sm - Posted By: msd

I have been using Norton AV, but my nephew (who goes to ITT Tech) says that I can just use AVG which is a free download antivirus....Im just not sure what to do.  The tech guy I normally use is the one who said Norton.  Anyone here use the free downloadable antiviruses or do you get better protection with the "paid" for antiviruses?   Thanks.

Medrite XL question - Posted By: Melanie

For those who use Medrite XL ... I have noticed that the work/break hours are often not accurate on the counter, so I am wondering if the line count is likely off then as well.


Does anyone out there have any information on this? - Thank you. 



Family holiday plans (sm) - Posted By: Read this one ~

I just had to post this as it reminds me so much of a lady who posted about her family, saying that they were ungrateful.


I was going to take the Amtrak train to visit my family on Thanksgiving, it's only about an hour on the Amtrak, and about $80.00 for the ticket!  My stepmother says to me that it would be way to much trouble for them to drive the 15 minutes to the station to pick me up, they are having company that day.  My father would spend his whole Thanksgiving day going back and forth to the train station.  But I was welcome to come the day before Thanksgiving and stay until the day after Thanksgiving, that way they could drop me off at the train station when they didn't have company.  Company meaning her children, who have always come first.  So I am supposed to go to their house at an alloted time?  I'll be darned if I'm going to do that.


Now I'll be darned if I am going to pay $80.00 for a train ticket to spend a day with a family with this attitude.  I told them I won't be coming, I haven't had the time to spend 3 days there and have to work, and they said it would be too much trouble to pick me up at the train station on Thanksgiving.  Am I right or wrong in not going on Thanksgiving?  Any opinions?



Best place to purchase C-phone? sm - Posted By: BarbS

I may need to purchase a C-phone.  I've been looking at ebay and some other sites.  Do any of you have a favorite place to purchase equipment?  I live in Atlanta area, and it seems like there used to be a place to buy equipment, but I can't remember the name.


TIA for your help!



Why is it that lately on this particular - Posted By: wantingtoknowMT

board, also the company board, people are trending to be significantly negative and sour, rather than supportive or constructive? The last 2 days I have seen this at least 3 times.  I have also seen people seeking honest feedback regarding a new job on the company board, only to get such negative comments back that they seem to be afraid to take this new job. On another occasion someone who was asking a simple question about QA got all kinds of convoluted answers and when people tried to take up for the original poster, they were bashed.  Is this a trend on this board? Don't we have enough with the MTSOs bashing us that we can no longer at least be constructive?


I am not trying to start a problem here, nor am I looking to get bashed myself. But I have been on here for a couple of years now and it seems like people's attitudes are just going downhill toward each other of all things.  If this is the trend, I tell you, I don't need it. I come here to see some positive reinforcement, constructive criticism and all around well balanced communication about company feedback.  Any thoughts pros or cons on this topic would be appreciated.  I guess I am just trying to decide if coming here is wasting my time because it adds to the stresses of my day, and if so, perhaps this is one habit I need to break. Thanks in advance for your comments on my observations. Have a nice day.  



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. 

Keeping on the long distance subject yesterday, are there any - Posted By: MI-MT

MTs out there who have a long distance plan that has not received a letter stating they cannot use their particular plan for what we do?  I got nailed by Verizon so don't go that route, but I need to find somebody who will work with me/us or I am going to have to find a new job. 

Passover and/or Easter....*S*....sm - Posted By: Just want to wish everyone a happy

Whichever you celebrate, just want to wish everyone a happy Spring holiday season!!  Passover commences Wednesday 4/12 evening, and Easter Sunday is this upcoming Sunday!!  Enjoy!!! 

Tired of typing 8 hours stright everyday..my hands hurt! - Posted By: Carpal Tunnel Carrie

I can't take much more of this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


My job makes me work an 8 hour shift straight.  My hands are so sore and tired. 


I hate my life right now. 


 



Question re: hospital hiring practices - Posted By: please (sm)

Recently I have found myself wanting to apply for a couple of in-house positions at two local hospitals in my area.  The main concerns I have that are preventing me from sprucing up my resume and just going to apply are:  First of all, I have not ever worked in a hospital before, and even the positions which seem to be low-level clerical positions want hospital experience.  I'm hoping that my medical transcription background coupled with my secretarial/office/customer service background would suffice for the 1-2 years of experience I see that is preferred for these types of positions.


Secondly, I am wondering about the background check process.  Unfortunately, I have a very distant past, about 20 years ago.  Our state has a First Offender Act, which I received, and this is supposed to provide, if all of the terms of the court are satisfied, no record/no conviction.  I have spent some time reading about this on-line, attempting to find answers about how far back hospitals go when checking, as I would prefer to not have to mention anything at all about this if possible.  I know that what one hospital does may be different from others, but was wondering if any of you have experience with the hiring process of hospitals and could offer information about what your experience suggests in regards to this.  I would really appreciate any information you could offer, as I have really been nervous and anxious lately, and I think that the 8 years I have spent working at home have taken somewhat of a toll on my social skills, so kind of feeling down in the dumps about whether I could successfully get through the interview and hiring process without the above problems, but hoping that some information from you all who have knowledge of this would ease my mind somewhat and enable me to get through this. 


I really appreciate you all taking the time to read this and offer any advice you can.  TIA, and a very Merry Christmas to all of you!!! 



hey - Posted By: Transgirl

Am I the only one around here who works for a decent company? ahahah


 



new to online transcription - Posted By: gabbie

I have been working for a company for 15 years doing it the old way - i.e., tapes and printing, that has just been sold to an online company. We have a meeting with them - what questions should I ask? Terms like "platform", "expanders", etc., are Greek to me. Thanks.



A really thorough doctor - Posted By: trose

One of the doctors that I work for gives a lot of details about his patient but this one really seemed a bit much. 


The patient is seeing him due to snoring. 


The patient states that she snores very loudly.  Her husband complains of her snoring.  She also has a dog that sleeps in her bedroom and the dog snores as well. 


Very important info LOL!



I subscribe to another web site and within the boards on this site they have - Posted By: coupons and bargains.

Would anybody be interested if adminstrators would allow us to have this type of board or even put it on the main board.  Like on this other board they tell you to go to a certain web site for a coupon for 20% off Barnes and Noble or when Target has reduced prices on seasonal things.  Anybody got ideas or bargains they would like to share to save money?   We could call it the MT Stars penny-pinchers board.



VR - Posted By: MSMT

I hate it hate it hate it with a purple passion.

please see my post on pressure valve (nm) - Posted By: re: ex-boyfriend



Doc trying to go digital and having a heck of a time/can't open files. Please see message. - Posted By: libby

I am working with a doctor's office who has an Olympus recorder (I think it's the W-10).  She has been trying to send me a sound file.  She sent a sound file that was left in the recorder from about a year ago to see if it would work and it opened up just fine for me with my transcription player (Philips Executive SpeechMike kit). 

 

Since that time, she has tried to send many more test dictations that she just recorded herself to try and I am unable to open up any of them.  She says that when she downloads the sound file from the recorder to her computer it is a WAV file, but as soon as she tries to email it to me, it changes to a VAL file extension. 

 

This is quite frustrating for both of us and I am trying to find any reason at all that this is not working (since it did work on the first dictation that someone else had recorded previously but won't work since on anything else).  This makes me think it might be something she is doing while recording?  Is anyone able to tell me anything she might be doing wrong that might be causing this problem?  Or any suggestions on anything else we can do? 

 

I did download the voice software that came with her recorder.  I am able to play the files there, but not on my Philips transcription player, which I need to do to transcribe the files.  As I said before, the first file she sent did play on my transcription player, but none of the files she sent since then will work.  I would greatly appreciate any help or suggestions you might have at all.   Thank you. 


Anyone else working today? Am I the only lowly sole with nothing to do until dinner time? - Posted By: Turkey Day

I feel like I am the only on working today, as the Boscov's parade is on TV, my two teens are sleeping, my husband is working OT and here I am working also.  Gotta cover my account today, at least until this afternoon, when I have to cook for my little family. 


 


Just wanted to see if anyone else is out there today! 



Need to prepare -- Anyone out working at home delivered by C-section? I know they say 6 weeks to - Posted By: memt

recover and get back into an 8-hour day job routine, but did anyone come back sooner because they worked at home and were able to rest more and space out your work time?

Any suggestions for meds that dry mucus? nm - Posted By: NM

nm

Have a friend who wants to join our group but - Posted By: Old age kicking in

I forgot exactly what I did to get to chat in the first place. Can someone walk me through it so I can let them know? Thanks!

ASR question (speech recognition). sm TIA - Posted By: anon

For someone who transcribes roughly 250 LPH on acute care, what would the introduction of ASR due to her line count?  Could she potentially increase it? 

Ortho progress note samples - Posted By: LieseOrlita

Does anyone know where I could get samples of ortho progress notes?


 


TIA



I have heard of a program for Shorthand that has 90% of all sentences a doctor could use, does anybo - Posted By: Moving on

nm

Doubling Speed - Posted By: Kristy

I am pretty new at transcription and only typing approximately 100 lph.  Any good tips on ways to help me double this?  - I do use word Expanders (constantly making new and revamping as see fit).


I suppose practice, practice, practice is the main way; but I am guessing many of you who are experienced have discovered some helpful things along the way.


Really need to pay my bills, so I am willing to give any ideas a shot!


Thanks,


Kristy



One of many articles on - Posted By: Starting a union at work - sm

How to Start a Union at Work


By eHow Careers & Work Editor



A union is an organized group of workers who join together to help make decisions about their work, and if you've never considered being in one before, it's time to look into it. Joining or starting a union can give you greater bargaining power for wages and benefits, and create a sense of community at your place of work.



Identify Your Rights



 
1.  Know that federal and state laws both protect your right to form a union.


 
2.  Contact a union organizer to help guide you when planning your union.


 
3.  Keep in mind that your rights extend to organizing interest meetings, wearing union buttons and signing up new members.


 
4.  Know that the majority of workers who are considering unionizing must work in similar capacities and roles in the workplace.

Consider the Benefits of Unionization



Step1
Know that you will most likely receive higher wages with a union. Union pay tends to be higher for all occupations.


Step2
Expect better health care and pensions when forming a union. Union workers are also more likely to receive disability and retirement.


Step3
Understand that your state may not have "right to work" provisions. This may help your union become even stronger, with better bargaining power.

Contact the Right Groups



Step1
Know that you should contact local unions for support.


Step2
Check your phone book for local union contacts or contact a union by checking out the Resources below.


Step3
Look into the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which can help you unionize your line of work. Even those whose jobs aren't covered by the NLRB should verify that the unionization of their profession will be considered by the NLRB.

Begin Creating Your Union



Step1
Obtain a Union Authorization Card to start organizing your union. You will need to collect 30 percent of the employee's signatures.


Step2
Submit your Union Authorization Card to the NLRB for review.


Step3
Wait for NLRB to recommend the next step. Once approval of the Union Authorization Card is reached, you can prepare for an election.


Step4
Set the date of the union election.


Step5
Campaign to keep potential union members in the know.


Step6
Obtain union status by getting a 50 percent plus 1 result in your election.


Step7
Know that after approval, NLRB acts as the bargaining unit between the employers and employees.








Tips & Warnings



  • Research your eligibility to form a union. Supervisors may be excluded from coverage, as well as some other types of employees.


foot pedal w/adapter help - Posted By: sandys

I bought a USB adapter for my foot pedal that was a 15 pin serial because that port was in use. I cannot get it configured. I used Express scribe help, installed the gameport 2 axel/4 button one. Attempted to use the foot pedal wizard with Expresscribe. The adapter did not come with drivers, but I got some off the internet. My computer says the the device is working. What am I missing here?

Another question, as far as etiquette when applying for a job... SM - Posted By: SadMT

I was thinking about applying with the service that the hospital is outsourcing to and I was wondering say I take the test and get a job offer, is acceptable for me to request that I be placed on my former employer's account and will they honor my request?


They have been handling our over flow for several years and so I'm sure that there are MTs who have been on the account a while.  So I guess I was just wondering if they would let me work on an already well established account.



Need help on tech board before my post is deleted a third time. Thanks. nm - Posted By: SP

nm



Any ER fans? - Posted By: sm

I've missed a few episodes as it just wasn't pulling me in like in the past.  I love Sally Field and remembered she was guess starring and turned it on but 1/2 hour into the show.  But now I'm lost!  What happened to Sam? And is Luka leaving?

An IC question on production... please see message... - Posted By: tpmt

Do any ICs with their own accounts charge more for extra work?  For example,  contracted with a small hospital, there are certain times of the year when there is hardly any work and then BOOM the next week doctors decided to dictate their charts from weeks ago or there is a heavy load of patients in the hospital.  Turnaround is still the same no matter how many patients are admitted that week so Transcriptionist ends up working longer hours to get it done within time frame.  Again, my question is do you charge more for type more within a short time frame and if so, what is production limit that you start charge more?


Thanks for any help.



What would you do when testing? - Posted By: JustMe

***Edited by Moderator***



On job board. Some goof posted 11:50 hour for 2 years experience - Posted By: OMG we are Walmart employees



Not testing - Posted By: tia

Has anyone every been hired without being tested first?  I was just asked to sign on with a company and start as soon as possible.  I've already got ID# and everything.  There was only one other company that did require testing but that fell through, could never get the information straight or help with it.  Should I be leary of this one too?

LD carriers - Posted By: Belinda

What LD carrier is the best for at-home transcription? Thanks for any info.

Need tips for remembering - Posted By: Lucy

Does anyone have any good tips on how to remember things after looking up a definition &/or spelling while working.  It seems the information is more fluid with me, and I find myself looking up the same thing on different days (to make sure it fits in the area dicated or whatever).  I have always been a bit on an ADD type and have trouble retaining things I read.


I even have trouble when proofing, because I will not remember hearing/typing something at the top of the report (by the time I get to the bottom) and feel the need to verify by relistening to that part.  It seems to go in one ear and out the other.  I'm sure this sucks a fair amount of my time when added up.


Any effective technique hints will be greatly appreciated. 



Be careful when doing business with TVPS, also known - Posted By: Ticked off and then some

as Executive Communication Systems.   I bought a foot pedal from them that was SUPPOSED to be compatible with a particular program.  Right out of the box it didn't work.  Told me to send it back and they would repair it (shipping at my expense of course).  Received the foot pedal back and it will work for a little while and then won't work and I have to reinstall it.  They say the only way to unstall it is to unplug it from the computer.  I'm sitting right in front of the computer with a job open and the *$#*$!#@)$ pedal doesn't work.  I have asked to return the pedal (again I eat the expense) and get a refund and they refuse.  I paid $75.00+ for a pedal, had to pay nearly $9.00 to send it back for repairs, and now they won't give me my money back.  I can't even sell it to try to recoup some of my money, because I don't want to shaft someone like they did me. 


I'm going to file with the BBB and also my credit card company. 



Will Olympus foot pedal work with Express Scribe? TIA - Posted By: tired of buying new pedals nm

nm



Help on Word Board please!! - Posted By: Pokey

nm



Stoopid mistake - Posted By: Too Ashamed to Say

Okay, I need some feedback here.  I did this stoopid mistake on one of my accounts over the weekend.  I downloaded the jobs, was typing happily along and oh, about 30 reports in realized I had been putting the wrong doc's name on the darned things.  AFTER they had been uploaded to the client.  I've worked on this account for about six months now, and I have NEVER made this kind of error before.  As soon as I was aware of the mistake, I immediately emailed my supervisor, but unfortunately there was nothing I could do to get the reports back and fix the errors. 


I know that 'confessing' my mistake was the right thing to do.  I also know the client must be pretty upset.  To make matters even more embarrassing, I had just asked for more work from the powers that be since my monthly quota is only equal to about an average week's lines. 


I guess I am looking for someone to tell me that I am not the only person who has done something so very stoopid.  I hope I don't end up losing my job over this.  It is the first major mistake I have made, so hopefully the company wouldn't be so short-sighted, but you never know.  We had just gotten an email memo from the pres of the company a few weeks ago saying how since there were not enough reliable, quality MTs out there, the company is switching totally to VRE by the end of the year.  Anyhow...


You can bet I will pay extra-close attention to the next jobs I get, if I get any...Can't believe I did this. 


What do you all think?  Thanks...



Need Word Help - Posted By: Jay

I have an ergonomic keyboard that I attach to my laptop when typing at home.  It is attached through a USB converter and then to a USB hub.  I have never had any difficulties until recently.  What is happening is it seems like certain keys (I have no idea which ones) start spellcheck and sometimes when typing fast for some reason words that are spelled wrong get marked as ignore or are added to my dictionary so then I can always type it wrong and spellchecker does not pick it up.  Does this make sense? Has this happened to anyone else?  Anyone if any ideas to try?  I am wondering if it is some sort of bug versus something I inadvertantly programmed the keyboard to do.  Thanks for any help anyone can provide.  This has started to drive me crazy and affect my QA.