Companies switching to VR...
Posted By: NY MT on 2009-03-20
In Reply to:
I work for 3 companies currently and ALL of them have in the last 2 months announced that my accounts with them are going to VR. Two will be using MModal platform and the other eScription. Every one of them has quoted us a rate of 3 CPL!!!!!!  At first when the first company told us that line rate I was like, no way, that's ridiculous, but then when the other 2 also announced the very same line rate (with absolutely NO negotiation) I was extremely dishearted to say the least. From my research I was under the impression that 4-5 cpl was the going rate, but it appears that these companies are now down to offering only 3. 
For anyone working on the above 2 platforms, what are you currently making per line and are you able to at least make a decent wage? All 3 companies are touting well, you will be able to do 3-4 times as much work but the most I've heard tell of is 1.6 to 2x. Guess they're buying the crap sold to them from the VR software company.
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Switching Companies
In the last 5 years or so, every company I have worked for has done the bait and switch to one extreme or the other. Whether it was schedule, benefits, position, accounts, etc. They all did it. It is getting frustrating trying to find a decent company to work for.
you were scared of switching companies?
nm
Give them a call. So many people switching companies all the HR depts must be really busy. nm
.
switching
You could work for Webmedx. They try to keep you doing the same accounts from day to day. I work there. I do the same accounts on a daily basis. Of course, you can ask for more accounts if you want.
Give them a try. Well worth the call.
They are switching over to SR SM
in a short period of time and I anticipate many people leaving because of the decrease in pay that will ensue.
Switching to VR
I worked for a local neurologist for over 13 years when one day he suddenly decided to go to voice recognition and have me come back into the office to help a very incompetent office manager run things. I informed him that I was a MT and not a billing or payroll clerk. I gave my 2 weeks' notice and went to work for a large MTSO.
A few months later I ran into another employee of his and they told me that VR was a total train wreck. He had programmers in the office on the average of once a week to change or enlarge voice plates, etc, etc. He had invested a large amount of money in this contraption and still had no success. In fact, he was losing money because instead of seeing the number of patients he could before when I did his transcription, he, himself, had become the MT, watching the computer screen to make sure it made no mistakes and if it could keep up with his speed. No one in the office had MT experience, so he was on his own. In fact, it got to the point that he actually consulted an attorney to see if he could have the patient sign a waiver indicating that they had given him a complete history, so he could just dictate the patient has agreed that the history he/she has given regarding the current problem is accurate and therefore, he did not have to take up the huge amount of time it took to dictate the actual history given, while editing his VR.
This brings me to the current use of VR and VR accounts. It is a popular speculation that VR will one day replace us all. However, if VR accounts still need MTs to edit and correct, how does that make it a wonderful technology? What would happen if MT companies nationwide, large and small, refused VR accounts. If a doctor or hospital wants to go to VR, then let them go it alone. Do you realize what a disaster that would be in perhaps less than a day? VR would be gone for good. I do not know of any doctors or hospitals that would want to sit and watch a screen to make sure the computer was not making errors. We are enabling VR to take over our jobs. I know it will never happen, because money is always the bottom line, but if we ever want to eliminate VR from our profession, that would be the only way to do it. Unfortunately, however, one day those of us who still wish to work in this profession (and who have not been lucky enough to retire by then, as I will have)will be working with VR accounts, making less money, and enabling a machine to take over what used to be a profession occupied by human beings who could do a much better job.
You're switching to DEP?
I was switched from DEP to DQS and my production drastically decreased. Made very good line count on DEP. What office is still using DEP?
switching from old programs
I posted this theory on the main board a couple of weeks ago. I read in the court papers for a lawsuit from a hospital that Medrite (specifically) had been inflating lines. It's an allegation, not proven, but if it's true, that means that transcriptionists on old programs such as Medrite are now experiencing a decrease in DQS because they were getting inflated lines before but no longer. I worked on MTs before and have noticed an increase in productivity on DQS. My MTS came out to a 65 cpl count, as does DQS (spaces included on both). Has anyone experienced a decrease in line count moving from MTS? So far I just hear people complaining who came from Medrite or cottage.
Switching accounts
I have been working at Webmedx for some time now and have not had any account switching going on. I have my primary account and a secondary account. I absolutely love it here!
thinking about switching too...sm
but do you have to work specific hours and days? I am used to downloading my work, m-f, and sending it back by ftp. do you have to work online through their platform? they sound great, but I am worried about having to work a weekend day. do you work until you meet your lines or set hours? just some questions. you can email me if you want to. thanks for your help. tough decision.
Switching accounts . . . . sm
When hired I was asked to please let them know if I wasn't happy with my account. I think they would rather place you on an account that you're happy with than lose you. It's just a win-win situation for everyone. I wouldn't hesitate to ask to be switched.
my company is switching to DEP and I
want to know if anybody uses the DEP (document enterprise platform). Can you tell me how you like it. Currently we are using a Microsoft Word based program. Just looking for some feedback. Thanks in advance.
Do they still pay vision since switching
to TriNet? The rates went up pretty significantly on everything else.
Switching platforms
I switch platforms back and forth (not as much as I used to because I work on Chartscript primarily and keep busy enough) but I do help out on BT when needed or when Chartscript is slow. I don't find it difficult at all to switch platforms and maybe I've been lucky but I don't find the acct specifics on these different accts to vary too much where its been a problem. At one time I had about 12 different accts in my pool but that was just me...I had been burned so bad working for another service that I was terrified of not having enough work. I don't have the problem anymore.
Working with MQ, but thinking about switching.
Does anyone work for Transcend or Ascending Healthcare systems??? Just wondering if they are good companies. I am really fed up with MQ. Just cannot make any money with them. I am getting tired of working my rear-end off and not making anything at all. Seems like only nickels and dimes when I get my paycheck. Anyone care to comment or agree with me or even disagree???
Please someone respond to my post.
Suzy Q
Me too. I work in a Drs office, they are switching to
nm
Switching career paths
I switched paths a few years ago, but backwards from you. I am an LPN, but went back to school for medical transcription. I have an autistic son who is 15 now. I left the workforce when he was diagnosed at 2 years old. About 4 years ago, he was getting more independent and I wanted to go back to work. My dilema was the child care issue and that is why I chose to study for something that would allow me to work from home.
I also had been going through personal issues with my marriage and know where you are coming from and how difficult this decision is. I still work from home doing transcription because balancing the costs of working outside of home (travelling, food, wardrobe, child care, etc.) against the benefits being at home, it has worked out for me better to stay at home. It was really important to me to be the one to provide care to my son and to be flexible enough for the day-to-day things that usually come up. My advice would be to really decide what is most needed and important for you right now, and go from there... and weigh the cost of both.
I tuck a little bit away each pay ( whatever I can manage) and claim my utilities and anything I can as expenses on my taxes each year.
Good luck with any decision you make.
Can't image switching back and forth sm
use this format, use that acct specifics. No thanks, guess must be self-limiting huh.
Anyone switching from IC to FT for MQ - qualify for sign on bonus? (nm)
;
LOL ... I loved switching those little font balls too. sm
I was in Heaven when we got the correcting Selectric -- no more white out, which of course is a major faux pas nowadays. I still have my old IBM Wheelwriter in the closet -- first typewriter with memory that I used and could store reports. I thought I had reached the technological edge then. (smile)
Thanks for making me smile. Although I love my PC, it is kind of fun sometimes to look back and see how far we have come. 
Switching jobs is an opportunity, the door to better
x
Are the Precyse and MQ DQS platforms the same thing? I'm thinking about switching
nm
I started there about a month ago. My two accts are good. Not sure on the switching nm
General question on training vs. switching to production...sm
Does there seem to be an average number of training hours/weeks for most companies before they switch you over to regular production? Here's my concern: I started with a new company a few weeks ago. They put me through one week (40 hrs) of training at an hourly rate and then switched me to production. I am typing any/all specialties for a total of about 50 different docs who of course each have their own specs along with the two clinics that each have their own specs along with having to learn the logistics of the software along with researching all the new terms I don't know and get used to the docs I cannot understand (yes that sentence was a run-on on purpose:) My point is, after one lousy week of training, my daily line counts are still so low since I'm learning and reading every little thing still that my hourly rate is literally about $3.50 right now and I'm busting my butt 40 hrs. a week. I thought companies usually utilized at least a 30-60 day training period. Am I way off here? My count goes up a TINY bit each day but not enough to continue to survive on this job.
True. Most have less issues than the Q, though. I worked there 10 years before switching.
Webmedx definitely beats them. You can trust management at any of these larger places anymore.
Perhaps they took the opportunity of switching to a new platform to slash line counts?
Maybe they figured everyone would blame the new platform and not THEM??
TransTech and Medware, are these companies considered large, medium-sized or small companies? (sm)
TIA
Yikes.. That is only inline with companies like Focus and such. "Real" companies pay their MTs
decent rate. I make over 5 cpl editing. So, if I got that slap in the face, I'd be outta there.
Do the research...most companies, and not just MT companies, do not pay for maternity leave...
we get time off but not paid...and I really don't even understand the point of you posting this...
How do you know which companies are Nationals and which are smaller companies.
Is there a list somewhere? I'm new to this.
By "most of the companies", I meant MORE than MT companies.
clarification
Sten-Tel is the platform. Different companies use it, pay and how companies run are different. nm
:P
Nobody said MT companies were not for profit companies. (sm)....
As MTs we are an important segment of what it takes for the company to thrive, but we are still just part of the whole structure.
Not trying to be argumentative, just think sometimes we get that "I'm the quarterback" attitude and forget that we can't get anywhere without our line men.
Companies that outsource to other companies?
Anyone know of any reliable companies that will outsource to American companies and pay a decent line rate? I am amazed at what the companies charge and then want to offer in this business anymore.
2 companies with that name. Was this the NJ job? nm
.
I have been through a lot of companies and
they are all the same. I just found that out not too long ago. I am with a company now that everyone cheers about. They are just the same as everyone else. Nothing to cheer about IMO. This business has gone downhill fast. Sad.
What companies, if any,
. . .
. . . hire and actually promote professionals who have forgotten more than many MTs know, have years and years of experience, work when needed, don't rock the boat, and produce excellent work? At my company, the editors and managers usually have just a few years of experience as an MT, if any, and many have no management experience. Some managers have never even seen a typed document. That doesn't make sense. What companies give one a chance to actually grow with them? Any of them? How do the promotions go to those who took an on-line class and have been an MT for 2 years? Kudos to anyone who could answer this . . . Bewildered
He said that some companies do that, but
usually when they do there is a reason for it, so told me to keep an eye out for future class action lawsuits or that sometimes they use it as a means to withhold severance pay, etc. IMO - basically it's a CYA letter. Atty agreed. But again, IMO, why be worried about a CYA letter if you have nothing to CYA for? Any company that wants ex-employees to sign a release from future lawsuits is definitely not up for nomination for Employer of the Year, that's for sure and just one more bit of proof that it isn't the MLSs at fault. I'm not concerned about it, but I'm sure as heck not signing it either. I just think it's hilarious that a few Transcend groupies come out of the woodwork ready to blame the MLSs that left as if they weren't the GOOD transcriptionists and that's why they left. Seems to me if they weren't any good they wouldn't be able to get hired anywhere and so would want to stay put where they know they have a sure thing.
Some Companies...
Charge you per report for their useless template. What a rip off...
QA Companies
Anyone who works as a QA; I am curious as to what you think of the company you work for? Good or bad. Looking for a new QA position and would like some information on the companies. Thanks.
Here are some companies
First Choice Medical
QT Medical
JLG - some accounts still on WP.
TeleType
That is all I know of right now.
Good luck.
Some Companies Pay Less
Some companies, especially small ones, lure you in by starting you at less and tell you that once you're off probation in a couple of weeks your line rate will be raised a couple of cents. Months later, despite quality work and that pitch-in attitude during backlog periods, you're still making 6 cents a line. A lot of good begging does....What a joke these companies are...........
Any companies out there?
with:
1. ENT, cardiology, family practice or internal medicine work.
2. Require a minimum line count of 500 lines a day with the option to do more.
3. Word based with a 24-hour TAT and have direct deposit with assigned docs/accounts?
Are there any companies out there using DQS except MQ? (sm)
If I were going to try to work 2 companies at the same time until I could decide I thought it would be easier if they used the same program. This old dog is getting too old to learn too many new tricks at once.
That would be companies. If you
want to make it in this biz, you have to learn to spell!
Are any companies besides MQ using VR right
x
Not sure of any companies (sm)
I've worked on it for hospitals. I am not aware of any MTSO's that use it.
companies
Diskriter has some ChartScript accounts. A lot of hospitals use ChartScript also. I used it with my in-house job. Very productive platform.
None of the companies do! That's the name of the
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
There are probably less than 5 companies
(and that is probably stretching it) that don't offshore. I've interviewed with probably 8 companies the last 6 months, all either offshored or had less to offer me than QT. I immediately turned down all the companies that offshored (that I knew did anyway) and all the others I turned down because it would have been a significant cut in pay. We have a no frills lifestyle as it is so there isn't room to take a cut in pay.
With all the companies looking for MTs
I don't understand why you are thinking unemployment. I think you have to be unemployed xx days before you are eligible anyway.
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