Can you use a food pedal with on-line tests, or do
Posted By: you have to control the Real Player manually? nm on 2005-11-16
In Reply to:
nm
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Oh yeah! A food pedal would be great..just think..
Supper time would be so easy..just hit the left pedal for the microwave, the right for the fridge..just push that pedal to the medal and whip up some potato salad and green beans..
If they invented a food pedal, we would never be allowed to take a lunch break, lol.
Transtech no work situation putting me in the Salvation Army food line?
This is utterly ridiculous -- NO WORK/LOW WORK. It is not even the holidays yet. D. giving the title of an email Census does not make that the reason for the low/no work situation at Transtech! There are other reasons OTHER THAN CENSUS. That is so sickening all the time. The greatest need of us MT's is honesty from their employer --- from the very beginning of employment to the end!
Even a child could see through their excuses for NO WORK.
Interview by phone. Tests are on line. NM
.
Cheating/verbal tests and cost per line.
I am sorry to hear this wonderful recruiter being called a cheater. I have been in this business for about 25 years, and I will take whatever help/advice I can get. Yes, I am in the transcription business to help people but I am also in it to help support my family. I'll take short cuts, macros, whatever it will take to increase my lines and if getting into a company that is willing to give a helping hand, a cue, a hint, whatever - I say thank you. In the end, if you do take pride in your work, the terminology will come to you in the actual report, and I bet the next time you hear those particular terms you have trouble with on the test, you will remember them. You will remember affect and effect. You will learn intra and inter because somebody's health may depend on it. Too bad for you.....
I use my own foot pedal. It isn't an EMDAT pedal either, just a regular WAV pedal. nm
nm
Easy tests versus harder tests...
Having passed both and offered jobs at both, which company would you likely go for? They both have the same basic benefits and line rates. Would I be assuming that the harder testing will mean that the dictation is more difficult? Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated!
Only difference I've noticed is the DVI vs non-DVI pedal. Otherwise, regular Infinity pedal shoul
s
They use the StartStop software&pedal, but your own pedal might be compatible. Very
s
Food for thought. What if...SM
I think helping to clarify the pay rate in this scenario was important for others to understand. It does show that the company is willing to try and compensate fairly for this transition, or at least it appears that way on the surface. But, what if there's more to it than meets the eye. What I would like to see us do as a profession is look at the bigger picture. Where does this all end? I see the potiential for it to end in our eventual professional deaths.
What if, for example, a significant enough number of MTs start doing the VR editing and do realize a reasonable increase in their base pay for their efforts. What I see is that, for an extra $200 bucks a pay period, they're getting us to help put them in the driver's seat. Small price to pay to ensure one's ability to eventually be able to cut out the "middle man" and have the whole profit margin to yourself. And once their feet are firmly planted on our ground and we have no where else to turn and no leg to stand on, what do you see happening to that extra $200 bucks a pay period then? I see it potentially turning into a scenario of: "We'll pay you whatever we like, and if you don't like it, hit the door. There are plenty of other hungry ex-MTs out there who would welcome a chance to come back at these lower wages just to have a job." Not a pretty picture of our collective future, but it could be an accurate one if we don't stand up now while we still have some ability to make a difference. What if?
Really, are the long-term results worth the minimal short-term gains in pay? At this rate, they're not only getting us to help them kill us off, they seem to be getting us dirt cheap to boot. From their perspective, the idea is to give us a couple hundred extra bucks dangling out there like the proverbial carrot while we help them work out the kinks, and all the while were really just lambs being led to the slaughter.
What if the way this particular company seems to have just sprung this whole deal on everyone was a glimpse of the boldness and in-your-face attitude to come? What if?
Food to munch on
Thank you guys so much for all your input. Yes, we do have the advantage of knowing our docs, etc. We are now using tapes, so we are not familiar at all with the service's platform. There were four of us in-house transcriptionists. One has already been deleted due to not having DSL in her area. One is doing the unemployment route and going back to school, as she said she did not feel secure with going with the service, and this would be a perfect opportunity for her to advance her education. So, there are 2 of us left and we are undecided due to the issues discussed. Our CMO, who is Indian, would just throw a fit if we do not go with the service. He has refused over and over again through the years to outsource transcription. He only wants us doing it. My doctors have been told that we are going with the service, even though nothing is set in concrete. The docs have only been okay with this transition knowing this. If the two remaining transcriptionists do not get onboard with the service, I think my company will have mutiny on their hands - - IT WILL NOT BE A PRETTY PICTURE THAT IS FOR SURE.
The MT who wrote the newspapers and such - - YOU ARE MY HERO!!! Way to go.
You get to a point where you are tired of being #%#@@#. That's where I am.
I would take it. That would pay for food for the week
and maybe something better than the usual mac and cheese and hot dogs we have been eating. Uggg. I would perhaps even try to buy meat like chicken or steak for a change. LOL.
Why have cable and little food. You don't say
internet. But like you said you get your priorities straight.
Transcender who doesn't want to go on food stamps
How is Spheris as an employer? Are they hiring? Are they fair? Do they have benefits? Can someone make a decent living there? If their employees give them everything they've got, is Spheris loyal to them? TIA. 
Praying doesn't put food on the table.
I'm back in school getting the degree that will get me out of this crappy business.
Complaining doesn't change anything, but neither does putting your future in someone else's hands and "praying things just work out."
Gotta take the bull by the horns and take action or the world will run you over like a steamroller.
Does that $0.9/65 Independent Contractor job come with food stamps?/sm
Does that $0.9/65 Independent Contractor job come with food stamps?
INDEPENDANT CONTRACTOR |
|
EXPENSES |
$0.09/65 |
|
$0.11/65 |
lines/8 hr day/40 hr wk |
1200 |
|
1200 |
$/day |
|
$108.00 |
|
$132.00 |
$/wk |
|
$540.00 |
|
$660.00 |
$/yr |
|
$28,080.00 |
|
$34,320.00 |
Health Ins @ 60+ |
$12,000.00 |
$16,080.00 |
|
$22,320.00 |
2 wk off/pd vac/PDO |
$1,080.00 |
$15,000.00 |
|
$21,240.00 |
op costs |
$1,200.00 |
$13,800.00 |
|
$20,040.00 |
minus taxes |
$2,760.00 |
$2,760.00 |
|
$4,008.00 |
|
$17,040.00 |
$11,040.00 |
NET |
$16,032.00 |
Does credibility put food on our table, gas in our cars, and
clothes on our backs?
We must have been credible at some point in time. After all, we made good incomes because we were paid higher wages, we started MTSOs that were later bought out by the big boys with the big bucks, and we loved what we did and the product we produced. When did we lose credibility? Maybe when the big boys started offshoring? Do you think credibility will be brought back when the big boys bring our jobs back into our own country? Huh? Huh? Huh?
The company is not putting food on her table,
SHE is putting the food on the table?
The company is not putting food on her table,
SHE is putting the food on the table?
Sadly, I make $300 too much to get Food Stamps
I was going to bite the bullet and get them. So obviously I'm overpaid. Time to switch companies.
If poisoned pet food and toys doesn't keep people (sm)
out of Wal-Mart (and it doesn't seem to, read the blog Behind the Counter), I can't see it stopping offshoring.
Not to excuse it, but I've watched the trend over the last decade, and I honestly think a lot of companies offshore only because of the bottom line; transcription is one area that hospitals are always trying to cut and the pressure to drop line rates is tremendous. I used to take several calls a month at the small MTSO where I used to work requesting us to drop our per line rate. It ranged from whining and pleading to outright threats of losing the account if we didn't comply. It was a constant aggravation and stress.
I think some companies dipped a toe into offshoring just to try to keep up and then it trapped them into continuing so as to meet expenses and the TAT. JMO on the mid-size MTSOs; not sure how it worked in the big ones.
There are, Food Shelf, Goodwill, Salvation Army. LOL! nm
.
Praying most certainly DOES put food on the table! I am extremely offended by your post.
t
Have to agree ... keeping the lights turned on, food on the table, and sm
a roof over my head is pretty good motivation! Plus, I do not want to exist. I am single, but I want the same things my married friends have with 2 incomes. Since I haven't found the seeds for my money tree yet, I work. As I mentioned below, I have been an MT for 30+ years, but I have worked the last 10 years or so at home, and it is MUCH different than having to get dressed up and drive over town. Working on a Saturday or evenings or anything is not so bad when you can sit wearing a t-shirt and shorts and have your doggie curled up under the desk.
What about IQ tests?
start doing....!
Take other tests
There are lots of MTSOs that have online tests through MTtest.
sorry....not sure about any tests
Someone just mentioned something about a test. I just had to say that I was never offered a test. I DO NOT like tests either. I do great on employment, but get extremely nervous with tests...lol. Sorry if it made you nervous.
tests
Phoenix Medcom has new and improved voice files for testing.
tests
I just tooked the tests and not at all what is being described so the tests must have been updated recently.
Tests
I refuse to test for a company until I have received some background. Your're right some of those tests are quite extensive and I refuse to spend 2 or more hours on a test to find out they only want to pay 7 cpl and have lousy benefits. Funny thing is, when I want to inquire further before taking a test, I never get a response back from the company.
Need help with MT tests
I have almost two years MT experience and have transcribed and edited just about everything short of pathology and radiology. I am currently doing ER. I tested for a national today and did well on the grammar and terminology, but not well enough for the transcription. No direction was given for the transcription test such as to type bedtime as opposed to h.s. and daily or q.day instead of q.d. or mL for cc. I never know whether to do those things or not do them, it seems like whatever I choose to do is always wrong whenever I take an MT test anymore. I could not even slow down any of the dictators for clarity. I need to find a better paying MT job.
What would you do for prohibited abbreviations?
Also, would you expand or not expand for diagnoses and impressions?
Would you type short physical examination sections in paragraph form with the headings or would you list them individually under the section heading? I have had clients that wanted it both ways.
Maybe I have lost my edge by doing strictly ER. Still, I would really appreciate the thoughts of other MTs about the above questions and any other pointers anyone would like to share.
Thanks in advance.
TESTS
Hi Jan:
I am a newby fresh, new blood. A post graduate from community college. Use mL in place of cc.
Am also looking for transcription work myself; do you have any leads?
tests
Sorry to hear you failed their test. I also failed theirs and Medquists twice. I hate that they don't give you any feedback on why. No idea whether it was writter or transcription or what. Just thanks, you can reapply in so many months. I really think they should give some feedback, don't you?
I don't think anyone tests with MDI-MD
I could be mistaken, but I work for MDI-MD and there was no formal test required. Instead, they review your resume, see if they have a 'fit' for you, and then there is an extensive phone interview where they assess you skills and go over your experience with you.
I've seen several MTs post to this same experience, so I don't believe they have any formal testing at their site or elsewhere.
Easy tests
Nope, you can't go by that. In fact, you can't go by anything but your own experience. Make your wisest decision. Use your gut instincts. That's all any of us can do.
It might help others to answer if you named the companies, but I understand why you can't.
Good luck. :)
I though the tests were very fair sm
and although not simple, they weren't extremely hard and certainly much better than some I have taken. The actual verbal, I thought, was the easiest. By the way, definitions ARE a MAJOR part of transcription ability. Sounds like you are sore at the company for not getting the position.
TESTS UPDATED
All tests for Phoenix Medcom have been updated as of 7/26/2006
Long tests
I was thinking the exact same thing! LOL! I once took an enormously long test that was in my specialty and I knew it was good. Never got the courtesy of a reply. Soured me on tests.
Long Tests
Yep! I think that some companies out there do use MTs to get work done for free. Absolutely agree with you.
Tests and Companies
I have taken a test for DR,Inc; Chronicle, and O-Script. Have offer from the last two. Would really just like to work part-time because of health reasons, so I went ahead with the test for DR. Now, if I passed the test for the last two, which weren't just a piece of cake but showed that you had knowledge , it would seem I would pass the DR,Inc. test, but you never know. I just would like to work when I feel really good which is about 4 hours after lunch every day, I have had 2 back surgeries and a neck surgery and it just takes awhile to get going and after sitting for awhile, I can hardly get up. Any suggestions on what I might could do to alleviate some of the pain? I take about 3 hot showers a day just to get the tension and stress out of my neck and back.
transcription tests
What is the grading criteria for these company tests? Must the transcription be totally error free, 95% error free or what. I've had some good results, but some where I thought I had every word correct gave no answer at all.
thanks.
Quig.
Most tests are done in Word
and emailed, so you'd have a copy of what you submit. You can always copy/paste your test from the online sites as well. I'm not really sure why you have such a big problem with her seeking feedback from a fellow MT either on her previous tests, or actually as I suggested in my original post, HER PREVIOUS WORK she's done to see where her weaknesses are so she can improve her skills.... ??
For the majority of tests, you HAVE to go by
BOS2. No way you can pass it if you are not following the rules.
About the book/tests - have you not ever sm
done any in-depth research into the field you are working in? Had you done that, you would have probably ended up at the AHDI site at some point (creator of the BOS) or MTChat or here - references to BOS and tests come up daily. How could you have been working and not know there was a BOS?
transcription tests
 What a bunch of BS. If you have years of experience the testing process is so ridiculous. I think taking the test before you even know what they are going to pay is so unfair. If they are paying ZILCH - which seems to be it today - why waste your valuable time transcribing anything. I agree 21 notes - give me a break. They probably just send them to QA and on to the client and get free work!
A line is a line is a line. Doesn't matter if we are talking about radiology or acute care.
1600 is not a fair minimum requirement. Sure you can achieve 1600, it shouldn't be the required minimum.
Oh let me tell you, they know how to pass the drug tests! (sm)
One woman I worked with was talking about how to use "Yellow Root" to "beat" the drug test! (that's what she said, "beat" the drug test) They know all of the tricks of the trade. One company stopped using the urine drug test and now they use the hair strand drug test, so I don't know what they use to "beat" that one (I guess they pull the strands out of somebody else's hair!) :-)
In my testing experience the tests that were the
hardest had the easier dictation and the testing that was the easiest had the hardest dictation and worst doctors. I don't think that the testing really has much to do with what the dictation for the company will be like.
In depth, what exactly are you looking for in these psych tests?
Just "crazy" people or stressed out individuals, what? Aren't those who are truly crazy obvious to those not so crazy individuals? Why couldn't you, the MTSO, use your own judgement rather than pay for expensive psych evals?
Good judgement is part of being a good business person. I, as a MTSO, would look upon this as a failure if I could not use good judgement and hired "crazy" individuals. But then again, not everyone has good judgement I guess!
If the MTSO did hire anybody with working fingers, I don't think there would such a problem.
This is my 2 cents. I do not agree with such psych evaluations, but to each their own.
Good judgement is the key. If you don't have that as a MTSO, than you probably should not be in business, and if you are, you won't be for very long.
Psych Tests To The Company!
I haven't been on here in a few days, so I'm just catching up here, and reading about the psychiatric evaluations. I have to put in my two cents.
Personally, after dealing with the crap from various medical transcription companies out there, I feel that it is the Transcriptionist who should be giving the owners/managers/team leaders of these companies psychiatric evaluations! They are the ones that expect us to do all this extra ancillary work for free and then bow down and kiss their feet to thank them for giving us a job paying an average of 7 cpl with virtually NO benefits to speak of. I'm sorry everyone, but if these companies are starting to give psychiatric evaluations to their prospective transcriptionist, then maybe we should create one for them! After all.....they are the ones making us crazy!
Update. All tests taken are for ortho. All who have taken and
passed have been offered a job and either have started or declined. There is no one who has taken the test prior to 3 days ago that has not heard back and had resolution. One person does the hiring for Keystrokes and this person has never told someone that they are too busy to respond or always on their phone or that they get 150 emails a day. Hiring is priority as we have added at least one account per week for the past four months and anticipate this year following the same pattern.
No, I do not work in the office either, but that is irrelevant. I went to the source and called HR and asked her. This was concerning to me as the account I am in charge in is expanding, and I need four more MTs to run it. She assured me that this is absolutely not true and everyone has been contacted.
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