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Is it possible to save my autotext entries in Emdat Inscribe - Posted By: nn

and copy them to Shorthand? I have so many of them saved in Emdat's autotext and I would hate to have to re-type them into Shorthand. Is this even possible? Thanks for any input on this!!

HELP! How much to charge for copies? sm - Posted By: Ga Peach

Just got a new account; however, the doctor wanted me to take half a cent off my rate AND not charge him for his templates (even though it's my ink he's using) AND he wants me to do the cc's and envelopes at no extra charge.....I do not want to do this as I really think that's a lot of extra work with no extra pay....could anyone help me with this? What do yall do?

How much for evelopes??

How much for copies?? Thanks to everyone who replies!!! I realy need help on this one as none of my other accounts have asked for a bunch for nothing.

Suckered in the South

Archivus - Posted By: Lil cc

Can anyone give me any information about Archivus in NC?

I want an experienced MT to email me please - I have questions for someone who has been there, done - Posted By: that in transcription

nm

Will DQS work with dial-up (short-term). How long - Posted By: will downloads take at 56K? Is voice quality okay?

nm

Hmmm...my line count has gone way up since I am no longer working on ExText. - Posted By: Interesting.

nm

I have something I have to say sm - Posted By: A QA who often feels ignored

I am still an MT and do a lot of that. I am also QA for one of the accounts I transcribe on. It is a difficult account and takes some patient learning.

I have had several MTs in the last 6 months who have come and gone, and I didn't get distressed about it. They never seemed to read the QA notes, no matter how patient or kind I was, they never implemented anything I asked for, their work was sloppy at best. I have been frustrated and I have one of those types of MTs right now. They are, unfortunately, the majority of MTs in my experience.

Then, I have two I have worked with who read every note carefully and made every change I asked for, even asking questions. In one case, her work is so improved, I don't have to do a thing, but fill in her blanks. I am so pleased.

I am currently working with someone who doesn't have a lot of experience. She is reading every note, soaking it all up and showing me with her work, both her diligence and her willingness to learn. In 10 days, she has improved so vastly, she deserves an award for most improved in shortest length of time. I have told her how much I appreciate her reading my notes and I tell her everyday that each report she does is better than the last because it absolutely is true.

I feel unappreciated in a truly thankless job, most of the time. This one MT...she has really made my day.

So, to all of you who listen to your QA people and work hard at this job, THANK YOU. You do more than improve yourselves, you make your QA person feel appreciated and validated.

Does anyone how to enter a new word into shorthand sm - Posted By: slow learner who hates a mouse

without using the mouse? I clicked on

add new entry (still trying to figure out what the 'key' is that opens this so I don't have to use the mouse)

keyword/text to type/ and then there is an okay butten. I am use to doing this same operation in autocorrect but without using the mouse (where i use the tab and enter key once I program it.) . The O on the okay button is underlined but I can't seem to use the alt/o to have the program OKAY my new entry. I am trying to read this help guide and I am really struggling. I wish someone could write instructions that weren't in computer languange. sigh. Thanks once again

Has anyone worked as a housecleaner part time? - Posted By: Need supplemental income

I was just hired on for about 15 hours a week to supplement my MT income (or lack thereof). I'll be cleaning residential homes. Anyone ever do this for awhile to help pay bills, and if so, how bad is it?? : )

How do you get the shorthand word expander to work in 'word client'? - Posted By: MT mom of 3

nt

C-PHONE - Posted By: MTAdvocate

Can anyone tell me if I can obtain a C-phone model 0421 manual on line? I saw a couple of posts for free manuals, but they were old posts that did not give any results.

Any help is appreciated.

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

nm

Bytescribe versus Start/Stop - which wav player is better? SM - Posted By: MissouriMT

I'm trying to decide which audio player software and pedal to purchase. I'm also looking at GearPlayer. I want something user friendly, universal to audio file types, and compatible with whatever service I end up with should I need to have my own software and equipment.

Thanks guys and gals!

Poll: What do you consider a good income for MT work currently? - Posted By: Please see inside

You can answer in your subject line. Talking about gross annual income:

1) $20,000 to $30,000

2) $30,000 to $40,000

3) $40,000 to $45,000

4) $45,000 to $50,000

5) $50,000 and up

6) $60,000 and up

MT work - IC or employee or MTSO, even QA work could be included here.

Quicken or Microsoft Money - Posted By: MslaMT

Which one do you like better?

Now Released! MTStars FlashCount & Invoice Generator. Completely FREE to MTStars Visitors. - Posted By: see message inside

Freeware - No Registration or Purchase required.

Lines and Word counter software. Scans your documents for lines, words, spaces and generates real time invoices the way you want. Full customization to generate invoices to save or email to your clients.

Click on link below.

What's the thinking on Vera's 10th? - Posted By: ClinicMT

I know some of the older editions were very highly thought of. Anyone using this edition and finding it helpful?

Help!! Moving IT to new computer without disk - Posted By: MT Dinosaur

I have recently moved and can not find my IT disk to load the program into my new laptop!! I have looked everywhere and can not find the disk!! I have the book but no disk!! I am starting a new account today and desperately need to transfer it to my new computer from my old one. Is there one install file in all of these on there that will do the job or do I have to copy over all of these files?

Thanks!!

will Infinity pedal work with Inscribe? - Posted By: Lee

I'm switching companies and foot pedals and don't understand. I'll be using Emdat-Inscribe, and the pedal I have is an Infinity USB1. Are these compatible? I've done what it says to do on the site for other pedals and it still won't work. Does anyone know if this Inifinity foot pedal will work with Inscribe?

Please use word, drug and style boards appropriately. (NM) - Posted By: Goldbird (Moderator)

Thank you.

Goldbird

Does anyone remember the site that has hotels/motels that are - Posted By: dog friendly? (nm)

dd

Anyone else not getting paid? - Posted By: BrokeMT

Is any one else getting the run around by their company with regards to getting paid?

I started with a company PT back in March. They pay monthly and hold a paycheck, which I was fine with. But now that it's time to pay me, I seem to be getting the run around by the owner. I've sent several emails asking when to expect my pay (direct deposit) and each time she replies "this weekend". This account is not my main source of income but I would like it to be, as I really enjoy the work, more so than my other account, BUT I can't afford to devote more time to her if I can't count on a timely paycheck.

I'd hate to let this one go but it seems I'm left with no choice. Everyone else that works for her doesn't seem to have a problem and everyone seems happy and eager to help each other out (which is hard to find sometimes).

I'm just venting, really.....

Does anyone have any idea what my base pay - Posted By: MQee

will end up being on the new payment plan? I do clinical and ER reports/discharge summaries. I've been a Transcriptionist for 8 yrs (worked with them for six). I currently make 8 CPL as it is.

I really need to know what I might make with this new plan. I NEED THE MONEY. I SURVIVE ON THIS PAYCHECK. Nervous as all he** right now.

WordPerfect X3 - Posted By: Rebekah

I just bought & installed WP X3. My office requires that all documents are password protected. As I save my documents, I can 'see' the password protect box, but the program does not allow me to check the box & give a password.

Is there something in X3 that I need to go to that will allow me to use passwords? I can't find it anywhere in the program & I've used Help, etc.

Thanks!

about pulmonary embolism - Posted By: curious

Can a person be walking around with a PE and not know it? Would they be able to cough it up? I know that sounds strange, but I have a rattling in my chest that I can't expectorate. Sorry to be so graphic.

Thank you, anyone, for answering.

Anna Nicole Smith's son died yesterday (sm) - Posted By: Anyone know what happened?

I don't know circumstances but that is so sad. Her daughter was just born a few days ago. Then to have her son die just days after that. I can't imagine what a roller coaster of emotions that would be. I know that Anna Nicole is over the top, but she seemed to love her son very much. Very sad.

Problems with testing/files - Posted By: Ludi

I recently applied to a company and ran into a really difficult problem. When I was sent the files for testing, they were first in "DSS". The dictators were two different ESL's, but the problem was not so much them as the quality of the sound. The company must have gotten the same response from everyone, because they then decided to send them using "MP3". (I am not at all versed in technical stuff, but my computer person helped me and he also told me the quality was really bad.) There is no way I would want to work for a company with that kind of a problem right off the bat.

Can someone please tell me what I should be looking/asking for? I have worked in Escription and could hear beautifully. The same with Meditech. (Both of these were through hospitals.) Are these what are called a "platform"? I would really like to know what I can or should put in a resume or letter-of-interest just to head off these disappointments. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Ludi

Insurance - disability - Posted By: Judy

Does anyone have any ideas on disability insurance for the self-employed medical transcriptionist? I am always afraid of needing surgery or having an accident or something and being out of work and needing a replacement income insurance for a period of time, hopefully short-term.... Thanks

Anyone interested in an orthopaedics account - see message - Posted By: dizzi

If you are in the Connecticut/Massachusetts area and are intersted in a digital upload orthopaedic account - 3 doctors and PA - probably keep one person fairly busy, please email me. I can't handle the extra workload so would like to find a nice match for them.

ARDSNet protocol - Posted By: jswilla

What is the correct way to transcribe ARDSNet? I've seen it as ARDSNet and ARDS-net.

Programs for radiology - Posted By: Joy

Do any of you have a prefrence for transcribing your radiology reports? i.e. software program, shortcuts, etc.? I use IT and Syngo, formerly Novius, and just can't seem to get the hang of it, IT does not dock at the bottom automatically even though those boxes are checked. Any suggestions? TIA.

Hand pain question - Posted By: ....

My hands are absolutely killing me!! I've been tested for carpal tunnel about a year ago, and nothing was abnormal, but I've got the classic symptoms, the numbness, the tingling, the pain. I've got a good ergonomic setup and I've been transcribing for 6 years, so it's not like my hands aren't used to this. I get cramps and spasms in my wrist/fingers, and I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this and if so, what have you done to help it? It's really cut my production down.

Thanks so much!

You have to check out this Microsoft VR....sm - Posted By: casey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkeC7HpsHxo

Quiz - Posted By: sunny

Would like to do an in-service on terminology but make it fun and get all involved. Anyone have info on sites for downloading a quiz, game, etc. that could accomplish this? Will need before next Wednesday, 8/13. One possibility was using medical terms for regular English words to make phrases..always interesting! Any help out there? TIA!

Remember the jacket problem? - Posted By: theresa

A few months back, I was very upset about my sister-in-law taking a jacket that belonged to my husband's father (that we gave him for Christmas) after he passed away and wasn't sure what to do about it. Well......we did get it back. I gave the problem to the Lord and tried to forget about it and told myself it was just a jacket and ended up getting the jacket back anyway. He must have been working on her heart as well.

20 years as an MT - now I am on strike...sm - Posted By: on strike

After 20+ years as an IC I have seen my salary go down, down, down! Not because my speed has decreased, no, it has in fact increased dramatically due to the availability of shorthand programs. No, my salary has gone since the inception of AAMT and their "standards" and practices. The organization that was going to help MT's become more respected has done the opposite. Yes, there were doctors out there who initially thought of me as a "typist" but I quickly showed them the difference between a typist and a "medical transcriptionist" (medical language specialist). Some of them were unwilling to pay for the difference, but most were pleased to pay a bit more for someone who knew when he was making a mistake and was willing to call and get it right. Today, however, the large MT companies have driven the IC out of business. They offer 4-hour turn around at ridiculously low rates. Many of these companies outsource to India, Pakistan, the Philippines, etc. Some of the outsourced work is done perfectly. Most is not. I am hearing this from office managers who cannot convince the business owners that it is "cheaper" to have the transcription done correctly the first time rather than have more time (money) spent doing QA.

Most of my work has been for large radiology clinics. Conglomerates that own upwards of 100 to 200 radiology clinics across the country own these clinics. The bottom line with management is the "bottom line". Their bonuses and hefty salaries are dependent on keeping costs down...therefore cheap transcription is a "must".

Finally, the reason for the steady decrease in salaries for MT's is the availability of cheap foreign and (yes!) American labor. MT's in this country are becoming more desperate and accepting the lower line rates. Yes, of course you need to in order to pay for food, etc. However, if ever there was a time for us to organize a "strike" this is the time. It will never happen, however, because we are too busy just getting by. And where has the AAMT been during this time (in particular the last ten years when salaries have been eroding the fastest)? They have been telling us the "proper" way to do transcription. In the "good old days" if we did not transcribe correctly we were fired. If we used poor grammar, we were fired. That simple! Meanwhile this group (AAMT) purporting to be working to benefit MT's has instead been working to benefit themselves. They benefit themselves by touting their CE courses and the need for us all to become CMT's, that we can only do through their courses and their tests. None of which are free.

No, I am not an AAMT hater. I hate the hypocrisy of the AAMT. I hate the fact that experience counts for naught in this field. I hate the fact that the moment corporate America realized that medical transcription was an income producing product mostly male executives realized that they could take over with large companies, offer work at a much lower price than an individual could, and force the medical Transcriptionist to work at the prices they foist on us. That is what I have seen over the past twenty years.

Don't bother flaming me for telling you what I have seen. Most of the flamers will be from large corporations or IC's who have accepted their fate. Yes, you are making good money typing thousands of lines a day at a few pennies each line. Yes, you pay your bills doing so. I am not putting you down for doing so. What I am saying is that over the past 20 years the medical transcription field has changed (been hijacked by large corporations) and as such the bottom line is "how cheap can we get the transcription done". Such is corporate America. Get it done cheap or someone else will get the contract.

So, what am I suggesting? I don't know for sure. Perhaps there is no answer for most transcriptionists other than to accept their fate. As for me, I am lucky enough to have an income so that I can go on "strike" until I find a job that pays me what I am worth. Or, until I go back to school to find another career! Which is the most likely course of action a lot of us will be taking no matter how much we love what we were doing.

If you have any useful insights I would love to hear them. Flamers will be ignored.

what I don't like - Posted By: toodetached

This is about a month & some change late, but this is what I DON'T like about working at home. On 9/11/01, I did not know what the heck was going on, because no one thought to call me. Not my husband, not my sons, not my friends. In the late afternoon, I got an general E-mail from the hospital I was working for saying there was going to be a prayer service for our country in the chapel at such and such time. SO I jumped up, terrified, and turned on the TV and saw my country being bombed and attacked and thought, is this WWIII? And I didn't even know a thing about it? Anyway, my 2 cents, what I don't like about working at home. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't be in my dark little tax-exempt room, shut off from planet earth -- not in a New York Minute. I would be connected.

Dell printer 720 problem - Posted By: Needen to print

Have a problem with my printer. The cartridge is okay but the printing comes out really light, unable to see. Don�t know of anything else I can check. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

scam or possibly truth? sm - Posted By: jus me

My sister is on disability and has decided to return to college. She received a phone call from somebody who told her that since she is on SSD and going back to school that she is eligible for a grant of $5000. All she has to do is allow them to debit her checking account for $300 and she will receive the grant. Sister was desperate financially, so decided to do it. She borrowed the money from our mom and only after the fact told me about it. I'm sure she has been scammed for $300. Has anyone else had this happen and/or could I be right in this matter? I'm curious to hear from anyone on this. Thanks.

Do I want a cordless keyboard and mouse? nm - Posted By: What are the pros and cons?

nm

nuther question about interviewing - this one about MT positions (sm) - Posted By: interviewee MOM

I have been working at home for the past 13 years. Went from working in the hospital (next to the morgue in the basement - isn't that where all the Med. Rec. departments are?) to an at-home position with the same hospital to an at-home position with a national company. The dress code of the MTs still in the hospital is very lax (to the point where flip-flops are allowed and no stockings!). When I interviewed 25 years ago I wore a suit, stockings, etc. Once I had the job I relaxed to pants, stockings, and casual shirt/sweater but never flip-flops. What are you all wearing on job interviews these days? I'd be inclined (possibly) to wear a pant suit rather than skirt or dress only because that's not who I am - I'm a casual pants and shirt type of person but would put on the pants suit for the interview. However, since I've been out of the loop for so long, are dresses and skirts still the norm for job interviews?

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

Question about Acute Care - Posted By: clinicmt

I have been doing clinic transcription now for over a year. I am wanting to get into acute care. I went to one of the top three schools, M-Tec and graduated with a good GPA. Can anybody give me any tips on getting my foot in the door to acute care or what companies might even consider someone with just clinic experience.

Thanks.

Please click on Santa's House for Christmas Angels above to donate and help - Posted By: kids receive gifts (sm) Administrator

for Christmas. MTStars is matching your donation, dollar for dollar, and on Dec. 1 everyone who has donated will be able to pull a gift from Santa's Bag!

Thank you!

Administrator
MTStars

Digital Recorder - Posted By: Curious

Is anyone using the Olympus DS-30 for physician transcription. I am looking to purchase one for a doctor and would like some feedback. Thanks!

Help in making decision - Posted By: Happy Hygienist

I would like to know: are there jobs for MT's that you can work PT as in: log on, take the work you can do for the day, turn it in, and get paid for it? What I'm wanting to know is if PT work is available to work at your convenience or is it always told to you when and how much you need to work?

Thank you in advance for your response. I feel like I have read so much about MT's but can't seem to find this out!

Has anyone been following Psycho Fear Factor? - Posted By: RadGuy

I don't think the Bates Hotel looks all that bad - in fact it looks a lot like MY house! So far I think the worst torture was having that newly divorced couple sleep in the same bed! I guess they signed up for the show B4 they knew divorce wuz pending, LOL.

Anyone into numerology? - Posted By: sm

Both my husband and I have been seeing lots of 4s and 1s lately...anyone into numerology and can tell me the significance...if there is any? I'm not superstitious (sp?), but...it's getting really freaky.

PRECYSE SOLUTIONS---PS MT EXASPERATED--SM - Posted By: Michele

Tonight an ad posted on MT Jobs 03/24/2006 claims tons of work available, yet I know for a fact quite a few MTs have had little to no work for 4 out of the last 6 weeks. Any current PS MTs out there having the same problem? If so, do you have any insight as to why?

Easy backup file transfer alternative for non-tech-savvy client - Posted By: Please help :-)

Hello all,

I have a new client who is not tech-savvy at all. She lost her Transcriptionist and transcriptions are backing up. She is so desperate she is willing to try digital with me. (yay) I hope everything with the FTP setup goes easily for her, but if for some unforseeable reason we cannot get it to work, I was wondering if someone here could recommend an easy alternative, if only to get the first few dictations to me while we work out the FTP. She is incredibly frustrated and on edge at the moment, so anything to ease this transition would be a lifesaver!

Thank you all so much for your help!