Actually, a lot of careers have had wage cuts
Posted By: AnnuderMT on 2009-06-01
In Reply to: DTS NO WORK - INDIAN OWNED - anon
Anything that can be offshored to India for under a penny on the dollar has seen their wages cut. Do we remember what happened not too long ago to all the software engineers that used to make really good money? They're probably making half of what they made 10 years ago. The few customer support people that remain stateside probably make at least $2 an hour less than they made 10 years ago. Heck, even the radiologists that used to make great night, weekend, and holiday pay took a beating when they discovered they could offshore that, too.
So the pain is spread around, but it doesn't make it less painful. They have to find a way to bring American jobs back to America. It doesn't do much good for the so-called global workforce to lower the price of a plasma TV if I can't even afford to buy Wonder Bread.
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taking a low wage does not lower the pay for a field. The fact that they are offering stated wage
means that is the market. You don't see ads for McDonald's for $36/hour and you don't see ads for A.G. Edwards for $20,000/yr. If they didn't think they could fill a job for $14, they wouldn't post it. Notice MT jobs are now posting at 5, 6 and 6.5. So guess what editors are going to make?
Under careers.
x
just noticed their add on careers
I guess they have lowered the pay again. Now they are hiring in at .075 cpl. Gee, that much?
Changing careers
I was a Transcriptionist for 11 years and going through the same thing - less pay and terrible accounts. Changed companies a lot, but it was always the same - little or no work. Finally I had a friend of mine who is a doctor (has her own family practice) tell me that she hired a company out of India to do her work for 7cpl with 24 hour TAT and they would incorporate it into her computer system. This was the last straw for me and I got out. I found a job transcribing and captioning videos for the deaf and hearing impaired students at a local university. I also take classes with a couple of these students and take notes. There are other things out there - I am happier than I have been in years!
There are a lot worse careers.
At this time, I would not advise anyone to become an MT. There is no security at all, but until a few years ago it was a great career choice. I have done this for 23 years, have always had a husband that could support his family, have never needed the insurance so can be an IC, and have all the flexibility that goes along with it. Those who are trying to raise a family, I understand all the problems that you are having. Maybe it is time to look at another career choice and go in another direction. All the energy put on these boards complaining about MTing could be directed towards a new career.
NEW CAREERS OR HOBBIES?
Well, I'm not sure whether this is a new career, or maybe it's a hobby, but I've recently started making stuff to sell at an online auction. I already have a stash of fabric, so I thought I would put it to use. Also, I've joined 3 companies that promote holistic pet products and/or nutritional products for people as well. I've been a discount customer for one of these companies for a few years now, but I've decided to take my involvement to the next level. I've always had an interest in nutrition and did manage to figure out, finally, how to lose weight at my old age and subsequently get cured of diabetes, while actually, for the first time in my life, thinking outside of the traditional medical box. While I truly enjoy most of what I do with medical transcription, I realize that medical transcription may become the part-time hobby, while these other pursuits may become my full-time business. Wish me luck..
Scoping Careers International
Is anyone familiar with a company called Scoping Careers International? I came across this on mtjobs.com and it says you will edit legal documents? Wondering if it is legit???
You'd be surprised. You can switch careers.
No longer doing MT and loving it!
MQ is where many of us started our careers so many moons ago.
a
You said it! Women defined careers just don't pay
no respect.....men would never put up with the crap we do
All through this century careers have been phased out...
...due to technological advances. This is happening at an exponential rate - especially during the last decade. We're on the cusp of this business being obsolete. Maybe obsolete is a bit dramatic. It will definitely morph into a different business model.
Eventually it will take just a handful people to do the work that it once took scores of people to accomplish. Look at front end VR. Many docs are utilizing this right now, with no need for an MT/editor. EMR is vying to eliminate narrative dictation/transcription. We're at the top of a slippery slope.
Not on thing on their website about employees, careers, etc. nm
s
sorry about the typo... shoulda been careers... sheesh... NM
x
I'm thinking............Time to change careers.
Why do people struggle so hard until they are so miserable that they live, sleep, and breath misery. You are right though about struggling, it's never going to change so I am taking classes to get my coding degree. I am choosing NOT to be miserable anymore.
And on top of that QA really cuts your pay
///
pay cuts
Unfortunately, she couldn't say who gave her the information so that person wouldn't get burned, but she did decide not to apply. That seems significant since I know with all her experience she would have easily passed the test and been hired.
It seems interesting to me that you say the company has went down in the last 6 months to a year. I've been there quite a few years and have seen the company take a drastic tail spin as soon as they hired their new chief of operations, formerly from Speris, he then hired some MQ buddies of his, and now they have systematically taken a really nice place to work and turned it into just another MTSO that thinks of its CEOs (and they seem to have added quite a few of those!) wallet before its MTs!
So before the usual management/CEO posing as an MT comes on and tells me to quit, why should I? ... this is where all the transcription companies are headed, no need to change one devil for another. But retirement will be coming for me sooner than later because I can't see things getting any better for us MTs.
no pay cuts!
I dislike VR but it took some reasearch for me to understand why the reports kept coming in filled with junk/errors. I never suggested any pay cuts--heaven forbid! I do about 50/50 where I work but more traditional whenever possible.
Pay cuts
Wonder when the CEOs of these companies will figure out it's the MTs that are keeping them in business....you get what you pay for. Outsourcing to India and then having to hire a US MT to QA their work seems rather ludicrous to me. I was always proud to say that MDI didn't outsource - although I realize everyone has to do what they have to do, I have mixed feelings about this merger for that reason, whether it brings additional work in or not.
Pay cuts
I'm in nursing school at the moment and getting the heck out! I have 20 years experience and remember when I was getting paid a nice 12 cpl WITH benefits. Can't even seem to find anything, but contractor jobs at 8 cpl! It's disgusting what they have done to the MT industry.
Man, that makes me mad when it cuts off like that. sm
Bush actually supports offshoring and has implimented plenty of tax cuts to companies and hospitals alike for sending work offshore!
Webmedx pay cuts ?
I had a friend who was applying but later heard that there were going to be restructuring and pay cuts announced next week. Any one else heard this? 
Acusis Pay Cuts
True, true, true. Been there, experienced that. If you want to hear all about it, e-mail me.
Watch out, MT pay cuts are next
I know there was some trashing of someone who posted on the Company Board about Editor pay cuts, but I know someone who knows an editor, and all the editors except the new ones got at least a 30 percent pay cut. MTs are next, and we are going to have to get by on less.
If you love Spheris and the indian companies, you're gonna love Acusis.
Acusis pay cuts
Your pay may not have been cut if you're a newer MT with them. Its us MTs who have been there and know all the ropes who are getting the kick in the face. If you're an old MT with them, I'm sure your pay is cut and they just haven't gotten around to calling you yet!
Notice it's always the MTs who get pay cuts, never
Feh.
BAD - ISR pay cuts in the near future :(
Some mumbo jumbo about how their fancy new ISR program will up our production, and thus we get pay cuts, since we have to be competative in the market. Funny how we are getting million dollar accounts, but yet they can't afford to pay us a decent amount. Knew it was coming, just was hoping to avoid it for another year until done with school.
Transcend pay cuts?
At the time of the Transcend purchase of MDI, we MDI'ers were encouraged to ask questions, so I asked the Transcend president directly if my pay rate would stay the same, and her answer was yes. I have not yet heard anything from anyone at MDI or Transcend about any pay cuts. Could someone provide further information?? Thanks.
Transend/MDI pay cuts
To all Transcend MTs, I am syaing without any form of hostility, welcome to our world. I am wondering if any of you have the answers to the questions us MDIers have been asking: Is IC still an option? Will be be limited to a 40-hour work week? Will our schedule include 1 weekend day EVERY weekend? What happens if we can't (because of lack of work) meet our commitments? Can we expect a cpl drop? Will we be forced to VR? Will we have a set schedule or can we work when we want? How is the current work flow, is there enough for everyone? What percentage of work is being outsourced and what are the projections for next year?
These are questions that us MDIers cannot get answered. Do you Transcend MTs have any REAL and credible answers?
Yikes - with the pay cuts and all? You can have 'em.
nm
The only problem is, we were taking pay cuts
Do you think we'll all start getting raises from 7-8 cpl to 9-10 cpl when the times are good again? Nuh-uh. They'll just hire on more Indians, and buy more VR equipment.
Transcend Cuts Pay rates for All
Anyone else hear about the cross-the-board pay cuts for all at Transcend??? We started getting the calls today from our manangement team. Starts October 1st. This goes into effect whether you are brand new with the company, or if you've been with them 10 years. Team leads are the only exceptions. These cuts in rates are in the 30 - 35% range. There are no more shift/weekend differentials And of course, quota remains the same....you just now have to produce 35% in a night 5 nights a week to make it . So for some....guess than means no more benefits. This makes an overall pay rate cut for me of about 50% over the last 5 years. (The first 20% cut came 4 years ago when they first took over the hospital where I worked --- and now this second one for approximately 35%). Crazy, isn't ? Where else can you work 5 years someplace and loose 55% of your pay? I'm disgusted and discouraged. Is MT even worth it any more?
I looked facility up on line - checked careers and found they had a current opening for MT there. (
That pretty much told me they did have inhouse. It was an MT position for acute care, not just one of the ancillary departments.
better than Lanier - darn short-cuts! NM
q
Probably getting together to discuss line rate cuts. nm
x
The line cuts are happening across the board...sm
for VR. This is not just about individual MTs. I know there are a select few who roam the board thinking they are above everyone else and hence their wages will never be cut, but they are just a number in the end like everyone else.
Why is it when anyone objects to having their wages cut for VR or because India can to it cheaper, there are people like you who imply MTs deserve it? Anyone who says anything is told 'obviously you are not a good MT.' This isn't an original or compelling response. It's kind of stupid.
Short cuts go a long way with ortho. A good speed typing engine will
dd
Min. wage
That isn't even minimum wage in San Francisco, where it's something like $9.25+ per hr.
Min wage in NY
In NY minimum wage is now $7.15, so that is not min wage here either.
Min wage
I thought I had read something recently that stated Nuance/Focus was developing some software that would completely do away with transcriptionists in the next few years. I worked for Focus 5 years ago and they were a terrible company then to work for, I see they have just kept getting worse. You are entitled to minimum wage if you are an employee. If your line count does not come to that contact your local DOL and apply for unemployment benefits. if you don't you are hurting yourselves and other MTs who come after you.
I believe that would come to a little over minimum wage...
Not good at all! 
Minimum wage at best, probably not that!
I would not take any QA/editing position unless it is a set hourly rate. Again, I have said it before, do not sell your fellow QA/editors down the drain like AAMT has sold us. Hourly is the only way!
don't accept the wage, but I would!!!!
nm
Medware Wage
The most you can expect to make at Medware is 0.08 a line. Medware has some extremely difficult accounts with a lot of ESL doctors. It is very hard to make a good line count. Additionally, Medware watches how many minutes you work during the day. You must work a full 8-hour shift. If you have problems and need to call your supervisor, need to email your supervisor, create samples or go over files from the editors, have a problem with pay or vacation time or anything similiar, you will do it on your time. You have to put in your 8 hours TYPING, nothing else counts.
Is this a fair wage?
I'm a new graduate and I got an offer for 0.75 cpl. Any input would be appreciated.
QA Wage question
If getting paid hourly for QA, let's say $10.00 an hour, do you get paid for every hour whether there's anything to QA or not?
if you are still working there for that particular wage...sm
you are settling. 12 hour days x 6 days per week? You are definitely selling yourself short if you accept this. I was only trying to be honest based on the information you chose to share. I don't want others to think this is the norm in this industry because it most certainly is not. Again, I am basing my comments solely on the information you provided, which in fact saddened me as an MT who has been in this profession for many years. I apologize if you see this as an insult, but I was just overwhelmed by your breakdown of pay. To me this is completely unacceptable. Good luck to you.
They have to pay minimum wage s/m
They have to pay for minimum wage if you do not reach that on your line counts.
GOOD WAGE
If you find anyone that pays 10 cpl to start, let me know!!!
I took me 4 months to find a job as an IC where I would make 10 cpl after 90 days!! and that is maintaining minimum line count of 1000 lines the whole time...
Minimum Wage
You have hit on a point that the service owners did not plan for. Pursue this with the DOL office in your state:
USMLSU Initiative
Washington, DC
ONLINE, REAL-TIME CONFERENCE CALLS/MEETINGS BEING SCHEDULED FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF 2009 !
Respect, reasonable compensation, and humane treatment for all U.S.A. Medical Transcriptionists
a wage one can live on is no more
I don't know about you, but when I see 7 and 8 cents being offered for independent contractor work, I scream a little scream inside me and then implode for a few seconds, and then I move on as that is too insulting for words. How can a person take out their own taxes with such low pay? It's really not worth it, when you do the math, figuring out 25 to 33 percent is delegated to tax.
If a person does 6000 lines for a 40-hour week and takes out 28% taxes, this leaves them with $8.65 an hour for their effort. My 18-year-old son, whose part-time job while he is in school is sweeping the floors at movie theatres in between shows, makes $7.00 an hour. I am a grown woman with 18+ years of MT experience and would make only $1.65 an hour more than my son if I had this job.
How's that for a come-down?  
VR or not, need to pay MINIMUM WAGE--sm
Not just my 2 cents' worth -- that's the LAW in all 50 US states. At 3-4 cents a line, this is hardly possible, especially at the start, to make at least a minimum wage that any 16-year-old kid makes delivering groceries. Add to that all the UNPAID work we are required to do for the privilege of being fleeced by the MTSOs, CCs, researching doctors, endless demographic work having nothing to do with transcription... 
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