A trend beginning...
Posted By: MT2 on 2008-08-15
In Reply to: Keystrokes - Curious
About 6 months ago, Keystrokes and Transtech were the 2 best companies going on...and now 6 months later, we are reading all negative about the both of them. Go figure. It all comes down to finding the right company for you.
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So maybe this is the beginning of a new trend - sm
in American Transcription? Turning it back into a REAL job again! If what this site says is true, I'd be surprised if this didn't become the best MT company and most sought-after employer in the Northeast. I know I'd rather have MY records transcribed at a place like that, and not in Bangalore or Manilla. I wish them every success, and that that other MTOSs will follow suit!
It seems that this became a trend
with a lot of companies several years back, with companies beginning to give psychological/personality evaluations to help determine a candidate's suitability for a particular position/company setting, etc. I was not an MT at the time, and have not yet encountered this since becoming an MT. I think it is a bit costly, but for companies who do it, I believe their financial return is expected/gained in less employee turnover and finding a good fit for the company *family*. This began around the time a lot companies started throwing around all the Quality Assurance business (again, not MT/QA, but the whole customer service QA and considering colleagues within the same company as *customers*. The company that I was with at that time was a fairly small company, but they spent a pretty penny on having people come in to conduct several meetings regarding this.
That seems to be the trend
Either payroll is correct and the management is bad, or management is great and payroll sucks.
That seems to be the trend lately sm
However, at MDI, we only have set days that we are to work and we were given the choice of Sun-Thu or Tue-Sat. No set hours, though, just a 24-hour window to get your counts in. Gotta love it!!!!!
ANOTHER NEW TREND
One more thing that has not been mentioned here. I would like to see dictating clinicians be given more mandatory training and subsequent responsibility for the quality of their dictations. It is about time that we stop accepting bad dictation habits as status quo and something that we have to accept as normal. I'm talking here about the usual bad habits, which include, but are not limited to, fast talking, slurred speech, eating while dictating, carrying on unrelated conversations with others while the tape is still running, talking while yawning, talking over background noises, etc., etc. Oh, and one more thing. Inform the dictating clinicians that many of us are long-distance and not familiar with their local geography, nicknames of local doctors, first names of which Dr. Smith or Jones that he or she is referring to, etc..
Disturbing trend
Ms. Shapin, I know nothing about your company, nor would I criticize you or your company since I don't work for you. I empathize with your responsiblities as a business owner having been one myself. What is gravely disturbing to me in your post is a glimpse of your mindset about the offshore worker. Your view of the offshore worker is similar to disturbing trends by many other business owners who flock to third world countries where there is no protection for the worker, where there are no labor laws, where there are no standard work ethics. Yes, these people in third world countries are hungry for work. They will work any hours, any days, and be extremely grateful for a few pennies. They have no protection, and until they become tired, and worn down, they will serve their bosses well. One day though, American companies will become so dependent on workers from third world countries. These workers will become more intelligently aware of human rights, that they too, will someday voice their concern for the same things we want here in America - decent pay, job security, the ability to take some reasonable time off from a very, very demanding occupation, benefits, etc. Ms. Shapin, I would be careful about praising a worker from a third world country who is so hungry to rise up from poverty. It serves you well now. You, me, and so many others, have the same human wants and needs. Think about it. If there was more decency from businesses and corporations about workers' rights, ethical practices from all sides, and a fair way to meet the same goal, perhaps you would not be attacked. The American Transcriptionist is just having to fight for every penny these days, fight to have benefits from a job, fight to work decent hours, fight to keep afloat. We all want the same thing. Decency.
Downhill trend
Not that many years ago, only ITs had to supply their own equipment.
It's sad that the large companies expect MTs to foot the bill for all the equipment, especially with the trend of giving MTs less and less of the profit pie.
I mean, when was the last time an MT got a cost of living increase? Or profit sharing payouts? Or any of the other perks of being part of a successful, profitable business?
A carpenter that is self-employed SHOULD pay for his own stuff. An MT who is an EMPLOYEE should not. Simple logic.
Do you think physicians have to buy their own MRI machines? Do you think police officers have to buy their own squad cars?
The transcription profession feels like a sinking ship. I pity people who are only now getting started. The hey day of this profession is long gone. (Sniff. Sigh.)
A trend emerges
So it seems that those who like VR are the ones who started out in-house and were there for a long time. Then they were switched to VR and made an easy transition. Well, good for them! But that's not most of us and if you jump into a VR account cold, it doesn't go so smooth. Plus you spend as much or more time on it than you would if you had transcribed it yourself. So if VR is the future, then pay me for my time. And not 3 cpl. Otherwise, I will and am finding something else to do and all of my years and expertise will not be utilized as they could have been.
This is the trend for all companies now. sm
Paying substantially less, 50% or so, for pre-transcribed (voice or speech recognition) jobs is now the trend.
Since the industry giants/leaders do it, I don't see it ever changing.
And why should it? Everyone accepts it and does it. Therefore, they don't have to pay more.
It is sad.
It seems to be the new trend - many companies hiring
inexperienced people or clerks (if you will) to manage MTs. It's definitely now all about money, folks. Never thought I'd see the day where folks would take approximately 10 bucks an hour, be paid salary, and work 60 hrs a week, but they are! You have to hand it to them though, this will definitely build up their resumes for the future. Can you imagine who will be managing the industry in say ten years? For once I AM GLAD I'm old. lol
Their trend is to keep their posts on top over weekends
Their pay is low, so people with a lot of experience never get replies to their applications. They want fresh meat, thus the multiple posts. I think people are figuring out that they aren't all that in the MTSO world. Personally, I would applaud this site for asking them to limit their posts to no more than twice per month, but that would be taking money out of the mouth of the board owners (no offense intended here - business is business and I understand that). It is just getting to the point that seeing these ads are making me stay away from that board and look at jobs on other sites.
The trend is passing of indian MTs as US
I am not saying in this exact case and/or company, but many times over this has happened. Buy up the US based company and use the good US MTs to edit the crap and save big bucks on the Indian MTs. Clients don't know it is happening, but those that inadvertently find out will drop them...sometimes.
Again, not every company has done this but MANY have. I understand the fears, and i would never work for any organization that offshores or supports that in any way.
I'm with you and hoping this is not gonna be the next trend...
I'm a confirmed second shifter for many years and for many reasons and recently started at a different company, doing Sun-Thurs evenings. Long story short, have been there 2 months and frequently run out of work on my Sunday night, and I'm infuriated (and maybe naive, have rarely in 30-odd years run out of work and especially not the first day of my week). Of course that means I have to make the work up, so I do that on my Friday off, though I take care to do it after 3:30. Needless to say, I deeply resent working on my day off. Like you, I say this is sacred and my wrists need it, and I'm a good employee. I'm biding my time to see how this all pans out; I may see if I can negotiate something different if possible. I was one of five new people hired on this account, (hopefully not an overhire, things are fine other than this). Anyway, NO, it just ain't right to in effect force us to compete for jobs in this way.
EHR Deinstallation Trend Hits Phoenix
Publish Date: 7/30/09 - By Allison Tsai
Source: Medical Economics
Though the Phoenix area has seen a high adoption rate for electronic health records, it also is the first region to experience a “deinstallation” trend, according to a HealthLeaders-InterStudy report.
The trend to cancel EHR contracts, especially prevalent among smaller physician groups, is a result of training, functionality or affordability issues, and highlights the need for an affordable solution, according to the Phoenix Market Overview report.
The rapid adoption of EHR technology in Arizona stems from a 2005 executive order by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, requiring that all healthcare providers install an EHR by 2010. The top hospital systems in the area, Banner Health and Catholic Healthcare West, along with several others, have installed EHRs, but are struggling with the same financial constraints as the small physician groups. EHRs require a significant financial investment in addition to expensive upgrades, according to the report.
Long-term benefits of the technology include reduced transcription costs, lower chart and file storage expenses and the potential for reduced premiums on malpractice insurance, but in areas like Miami, where the recession is threatening the profitability of hospitals, EHR installation has been slow due to lack of funding for such projects.
Chris Clancy, a market analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy, says Phoenix may be the first area to experience the deinstallation trend due to its aggressive adoption of the technology, but will likely not be the last. In addition, physician shortages in Phoenix make it difficult for doctors and staff to carve out time for EHR training, Clancy says.
In response to Disturbing Trend posted by MTness
Bravo! Where I have no opinion either way about Ms. Shapin or her company, this attitude is what is killing America. Our daily needs cost more because of our hungry politicians and situations created by these type of businesses who feel that off-shore people are grateful for the opportunity to work for an American company who they know is taking advantage of them. I do not know if any of you recall, but a few years ago in a hospital local to our area, one of the Indian doctors shared what the American MTs were making compared to what a relative was making in India. This MT was enraged and threatened to release countless numbers of medical records of American patients on to the internet if her needs were not met. Not much information was given in followup and probably compressed by foreign diplomats. This is one of the major issues of outsourcing.
I agree with you, all we want is the right to survive in OUR OWN COUNTRY.
This seems to be the trend now. I have had to change jobs 3 times this year
due to this very fact. I'm at my third one now, and it is still happening. I've decided to just work 2 jobs. One part time and the other supposedly full time, but it is like a part time. The only reason I am staying at the third is because, I need the insurance, and changing between jobs before the 90 day probation has landed me without insurance, as I have had to change jobs before the 90 days are up.
Transcend's positive posts stay here cause negatives are deleted! That's the trend!
You cannot rely on honest referrals on this board, especially the archives. They are edited and deleted forever. Just as the negative posts on the Transcend forum "magically" disappear once discovered...Don't be so naive, unless you're the one "editing"!
I did notice that one job posting stating exactly that, haven't followed the trend closely, thoug
I have been with QT since the beginning, have been
looking the past year. Every decent offer I've gotten comes from a company who offshores and I've turned it down because I don't support it. M did say there were working on something though back when we were getting the Friday e-mails.
I am beginning to think we all should
and then when we sit, like I did today for four hours with NO WORK, we can jump to the other account.
If they are going to over hire and spread out the work, our response should be similar in logic.
Probably - she has been there since the beginning.
nm
uh uh you never said that in the beginning..
stop confusing yourself
you just said it, right here, that's the beginning
of the end for the MTs.
AVR TO ITS PERFECTION.
DQS was the beginning of the end for me with MQ
That was the first sign of bad things to come for me. My line counts dropped quite a bit, then they added VR, and of course the cesspool soon after, which was disastrous. I went from making 25.00 an hour to maybe 10.00 if I was lucky. However, I did think it was a great platform, only problem was manipulating line counts.
DQS was the beginning of the end for me as well with MQ! nm
..
Thank goodness - I was beginning
to believe this was a company from hell - according to the other posts.
Not related, but they sure like they are beginning to
nm
I had a little trouble in the very beginning
getting my direct deposit going, but on time every time since. I started 6 months ago. I checked BBB and found them to have a BB rating, which is a good rating according to the BBB themselves.
I hate being paid late myself, it is really frustratign and has happened to me far times than I can remember, but I am sure they will work things out with you. 
No other national beginning with "M"...
I worked for Cymed and stayed with SPi. I hate it. Absolutely. TAT is so tightly controlled that there is almost never any work. It totally sucks. And they don't give a damn about us MTs. Just in it for the money. A HORRIBLE company.
I do - have from the beginning - going on 2 years.
I'm beginning to wonder if the person who is using the name (sm)
Keystrokes Recruiter really even works there or is just stirring things up!
it is not actually 30 days, it is just the beginning because....
you get paid on the 15th and last day of the month. You submit your invoice on the 16th and 1st. So right now, if you were working you would submit your invoice on the 16th and get paid on the last day of the month. After that, you would be paid every 2 weeks.
No not now. Through beginning of March I did though.
It was awful, awful, awful.
I actually have a very large primary, so I am quite surprised we were out and you weren't. Usually everyone else is in the pool for 2 or 3 days before I hit it. When it hits us, we know they're very low on work.
I use it quite a bit, but it was slow in the beginning. sm
If you get the regular version instead of the medical one, you need to program it for drug names, diagnoses, etc because it doesn't know any of them. But you can train it to recognize those words and once you do that, it really goes pretty quick. You still have to watch and go over your work when you're done - kind of like VR editing, because you're never quite sure what it's going to think you said. It's worth a try, espeically if your transcription is a lot of conversational work, like psych reports or H&Ps. Good luck to you! =)
this only in the beginning; doctors have to get used to it!...sm
then it becomes all routine.
When you are put on a new account, they give you also 2 weeks' time to get used to it, isn't it?
I'm beginning to see a pattern
and that being how every time new accounts are brought on, and more MTs hired, then they are 'temporarily' spread onto other accounts, driving the workload into the ground. I am no manager, but there has got to be another way. I've been trying wait for all this to normalize, and every time it does, then it quickly deteriorates into a new account coming on board situation. I cannot keep rearranging my hours dramatically to compensate. Been doing this way to many years to take all the crappy hours/days to make ends meet. As great as MDI is, they must do something differently or else they'll just have to keep retraining, rather than keeping their good help.
I started there at the beginning of this year, and..
have had no problems whatsoever. Never had to call even once about a late paycheck. I have the schedule that they gave me sitting in front of me right now. It gives all of the pay periods through 12/31/05, and the exact date that the check will be deposited in the bank. It has never been late; always on time. You can even go online a few days before your scheduled deposit, and see the amount that is going to be deposited on pay day. Are you sure she worked for the same company?
Terribly unorganized is just the beginning with them
They take your lines from, send rude e-mails daily, never answer your questions, and have about 90% ESL. Too bad you took the job as I would recommend you go elsewhere.
It's been happening since the beginning of time.
Jobs get phased out and are no longer needed.
I don't know any blacksmiths, mule skinners or pony express delivery people.
But live in your world of denial if you want to. That's up to you. I'm going where there is a future, and that's not this industry.
My membership is up beginning of June.
.
Slow going since the beginning of July..nm
/
Just beginning to resume normalcy here.
dd
No other "national" beginning with "M", Ginny! lol
nm
I'm just beginning to job hunt and I'm askeered.
There are like a gazillion MT's looking for work now, right? Why are some MTSO's still offering large hiring bonuses? I'd think they have more candidates than they can handle.
Do you reckon since the MTSO's do have so many applicants right now, that they might overhire just for fun to keep their TAT's down, and there will be a serious lack of work wherever I apply?
Beginning today all OSI MT's need to use holidays as PTO!
Don't stand for this total BS. Ask for PTO right now for the upcoming holidays!
That's what happens with me, too; it'll work at the beginning of the day but then not.
My tech guy said he'd look into it but I'm thinking it's just a glitchy program.
She has been there a very long time, but not since the beginning. sm
If it is who I think, she came from DDI to OTI. I was with OTI in the beginning and SE was not there until years later.
that's exactly what I mean - she knew that was too low for that many reports in the beginning. nm
x
Beginning to sound like you made this up.
That could be any number of companies. Put up or shut up as they say.
I'm beginning to wonder if that's how he gets his work done for free.
testing MTs. Lol.
Did you read this thread from the beginning, so that
you know what it is all about?
Do not jump in in the middle of a thread!
We all know that we can creat a 2nd email address for ourselves on our computer.
The discussion was about something completely different.
Read the thread from the beginning and then comment.
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