Exactly! MTSOs need to get a back bone
Posted By: You sell us ALL short on 2009-03-18
In Reply to: let the MTSOs step in the MTs shoes - sm - no name
You need to stand up to the hospitals and tell them that you will provide quality work at such and such a line. Do not settle for peanuts just to land the account. This is what has gotten us all (MTs and MTSOs) to the point we are today.
Stop selling out to the highest bidder. State that your work is worthy of 15 cents a line (or whatever you charge) and then PROVE it! Make sure the quality is there and that they are getting what they pay for.
If quality sucks and the Indians will do it for 5 cents a line, then they'll just keep going for the cheapest services, not the best.
The key is to bring American quality back to this business. Show them that yeah, the Indians will do it cheaper, but do you trust their quality? and if you have to have MTs or QA to clean up their work, how much money are you really making all the while spreading your bad quality products?
Demand quality work and demand to be paid a fair sum for it.
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We have to unite and fight back before other MTSOs
In my non-attorney opinion (I am NOT and never have been an attorney or paralegal and I am NOT giving legal advice) and knowing that Transtech will be reading this, I, for one, will give you any support you need. Their case is not worth your time, but you are stuck with it. Since I know that some attorneys can nickel and dime a client to death, here are some things you might want to have with you when you visit your attorney. (I realize you may already be in the process of compiling this information and I do not mean to be presumptuous, I just want to help. I know when my brain is processing a million things, I sometimes forget some basic ones and am thankful when someone reminds me. Please take this as an offer of help.)
1. Copies of ALL your posts from May of 2009 to July 29, 2009.
2. Copies of all the posts for the other five user names alleged by TransTech from May of 2009 to July 9, 2009, especially the one they referenced about the “CEO.” You may have to contact MTStars to see if you can get them to confirm that your e-mail is not connected to those posts.
3. Copies of all the POSITIVE posts about working at TransTech.
With regard to TransTech’s statement: “These defamatory posts have affected TransTech’s reputation in the industry and have damaged it financially as well as by causing prospective employees not to pursue job opportunities with TransTech.”
1. Print out as many negative posts about other MTSOs (MQ, Webmedx, Spheris, Focus), especially if there are any from the other five user names that they allege in the lawsuit.
2. See if maybe MTStars would allow you to run a petition to disprove TransTech’s statement “…by causing prospective employees not to pursue job opportunities with TransTech.” Any Medical Transcriptionist/Editor Job Seeker who reads ANY post (on MTStars or any other Board) knows that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there are lovers and haters. There are as many cheerleaders as there are detractors. Every Job Seeker knows to take anything posted with a grain of salt and we all know that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I, for one, am currently looking for employment and I, for one, would sign a petition stating that nothing I read on MTStars, pro or con, influences my decision as to whether or not I would apply at TransTech (or any other MTSO for that matter) if they advertise a job opening. If you can get 50 or 100 other Medical Transcriptionists to sign a petition stating that your posts had no influence on them as far as pursuing job opportunities, that part of TransTech’s allegations would be proven to be without merit.
There is no Medical Transcriptist Union, but that does not mean that the approximately 100,000 Medical Transcriptionists in the United States will not stand up for each other, especially when it comes to Free Speech. We have to show the MTSOs that we do watch each other’s backs and no MTSO can get away with suing an individual Medical Transcriptionist without insulting us all.
I find that the large MTSOs are notorious for not getting back with
you. The smaller ones seem to try and give you a little better care. I personally feel that the kind of treatment you receive from a service from the time you send in a resume tells you the kind of company they are and how you will be treated down the road, so if you have not heard back, they probably are doing you a favor. If you feel your resume or app might have been lost in the shuffle then I would give them a call and try and speak to someone. If they do not call you back or you still do not hear from them, I would just thank your lucky stars you found out now.
hardly. They cut the non MT positions to the bone today. I know I'm not the only one.
I've talked to 3 others who got let go.... trust me... there will be more.
C'mon on, we're hungry, give us more than a bone
nm
Sometimes you get spelling and abbrvns over the phone, typing later on. Bone up on your harder
s
Thanks Maura -- I know you didn't plan it, but my funny bone was tickled by your typo anyway -- s
 looked like something I do a lot...hopefully I look at my screen before I do something rash like sending it to QA!!
I worked in QA for Transcending back in 2000-2001. They were paying hourly back then. SM
The accounts weren't too horribly bad. The reason I ended up leaving was because slowly but surely they began to inch closer and closer to paying QA by production. When I first started, the quota was something like 30 reports a day. We simply had to make sure that we QA'd all reports that were close to being out of TAT first and then do the rest. Then, my supervisor left and they hired a new one who immediately called a big teleconference meeting and said we had to up production to 60 reports a day. Then, they started counting lines. Which was fine because they were still paying hourly.
Next, there was an MT who used VR software because she was blind - yes blind. Again, when I first started, I was told we had to edit her entire reports because she used the VR software and we had to make sure that everything was correct and made sense. Then, we are told only check the blanks. I wasn't comfortable with that and I continued to completely proof every word. Then I was called on the carpet not because I wasn't meeting the production quota, but because I was ONLY meeting the production quota. I told them I was proofing all of the MT's work that used VR, I was told that no one ever told me to proof every word of the VR reports and that I needed to fill in blanks and move on. When I voiced my concerns, I was told that was my job, to fill in blanks and I should move on and strive to product above the standards. Next thing you know, rumors abounded about changing the QA staff to being paid on production. So I left.
There just seemed to me to be too little concern for quality and more emphasis on quantity and I just didn't want to be part of company who would take money out of my pocket just to line their own and that's what they were doing by putting QA on production. I also am not comfortable with the job of QA being thought of as a blank filler. There is much more to the QA profession than just simply filling in blanks.
I don't know if Transcend ever did start paying QA by production, but I could see that the idea was being floated there. Maybe there was a enough protest that they didn't change from hourly.
Good luck to you!
Phoenix Medcom- Another apply a few months back, ask to take a test and never heard back??
I applied a month or two ago, received an email from someone asking if I would take a test and said she was getting ready to go on vacation for a week, so I hurried and immediately and told her I'd love to take the test. I never heard back. I waiting thinking she went on vacation and would contact me when she got back to do the test but nothing...very strange..Just wondered if this happened to anyone else.
Has everyone heard back from Keystrokes yet regarding the email we received a while back?
Just wandering why I haven't heard any response yet.
I sent them an email back in August and never heard back sm
Is this company on Long Island? I checked out their website and even tried calling once. Were you successful in contacting them? All i know is that the company is owned by some doctors.
Hopefully, you will hear back. Unfortunately, I immediately heard back from MD-IT
but somehow with over 16 years of experience, I blew the test. I was soooo disappoionted and yet pretty stunned. I am by no means perfect but I haven't flunked a test in years. I expected it in my early years but not this far down the road. I was so confident and they will not tell you which part you did not pass and why so it really just blew my mind. I must have been in shock for like two hours after I got the email. Oh well, someone will want me....hopefully. I was thinking about OSi but I don't think I could take another rejection if I never heard back.
I had the same thing happen, went back to MQ, went back to KS and could not be sm
happier. I am on a different account then the first time and it is as if it is a different company. I have a great lead who leaves us alone most of the time but is there when I need her. It showed me that you can have a different experience within the same company.
I have to say that in the few weeks since they have the new office, it is much more organized probably because there are a lot of people there all the time. I had the pleasure of speaking to the new HR manager who was HR at a hospital, got my questions answered about insurance as I am going to full time and had a live voice pick up the phone.
Not all change is bad. This is one company that has changed for the better.
I was reading about the back up help. I would like also to have some back up work.
 I am not getting anywhere near 12,000 lines this go around. My goal is 12,000 lines each pay period.
And what about the MTSOs that ...
yell and scream and write nasty emails just because they happen to be in a bad mood? And that goes for some QA people I can think of too. They don't know or care to be civil. I suppose the double standard would apply here though. Only the peasantry should be given psychiatric tests?!
MTSOs?
Is this the correct board for me to ask a question of other MTSOs? I'm new to these boards. Thank you. D
MTSOs
Thank you! I have been in business 12 years and, if you can believe it, I have never implemented any guidelines for acceptable error rates from my transcriptionists. I have 19 transcriptionists and am finding that I need to do something to make them realize that they can no longer be lazy and just figure, oh, Dell will fix it. We have reached a volume of work where I cannot fix lazy transcription problems any longer. I am unsure how to go about this? What are various ways to figure out the allowable error rate?
Thank you for all the help you can provide! D.
MTSOs
I currently do offer a three tiered pay scale where the transcriptionists work their way up -- but I nevertheless find so many things they simply are not looking up or aren't sure of themselves and so will put question marks.
Do you know how the nationals figure the 98% accuracy? That's my real problem, I don't know how to go about figuring the 98% accuracy.
Good luck on getting that big account!! We have a large one starting on 02/01 and I'm nervous that with the sudden increase in volume I won't have the time to QA the way I have to now. In my area it is hard finding really top notch transcriptionists -- the couple I am having trouble with have been with me awhile and I've tried and tried to train them but they lack self confidence and don't THINK about what they are typing -- hard to teach that THINKING skill!!!
Who are the top 5 MTSOs (most MT's)? nm
nm
To all MTSOs...sm
I am just curious. I am sure it is very hard for MTSOs to find dependable, well-trained, honest people that work their required schedules as it is hard for dependable, honest, hardworking MTs to find companies that pay well, when they are supposed to, and have decent accounts and availability of work.
My question is where are you? I have close to 15+ years experience in multiple phases. I have been burned by 2 telecommuting companies already. I have been employed with this last company for over a year. I thought they were great but over the past 5 months or so things have began to have turned sour. Plus absolutely no benefits are offered. I can handle not having any benefits as long as everything else is good.
I have been skeptical to change jobs but things have just gotten to where I am completely dissatisfied.
If any MTSOs are hiring, I would be happy to take any test, send resume, etc. I just don't want to be burned anymore. I love this profession but times have changed. But like I said, it is hard for the MTSO as well as the MTs.
MTSOs
My opinion, I think part of the problem is with offshoring and the fact that offshored MTs can be paid less, therefore dropping US MTs pay. According to a lot of posts and my researching, MT pay has drastically dropped over the years and it's not getting better. Maybe if the MTSOs would post on what changes are happening on their end that makes them lower hire-on pay, that would help. From an MT standpoint, it seems that MTSOs are dropping MT pay but still lining their pockets, which is not a fair assessment, but that's the way some see it. We work hard and have to have a pretty much ongoing education to keep up with the medical terminology. I know some with 20+ years of experience are very frustrated that they cannot get a decent line pay. I don't know what MTSOs can do to make the situation better. Not all MTs are unhappy with their situation. I am very happy with the company I work with, although I do miss the statutory status and bonuses that I previously had at MQ, but times are changing and we have to adapt, and no I DON'T like it! Anyway, this is just my opinion.
MTSOs
I figure, it could get worse and for me, it actually has, so I try not to complain too much, but it does get frustrating and I try to look at it from both points of view, even though I'm not an MTSO and never actually owned one myself.
MTSOs
In the last 5 years that I have worked for an MTSO, I have seen a lot of changes in these companies and the way they treat their employees. When I first started working from home for one, the pay was good. They didn't bother you. They got your work to you...their were benefits. Now...with more experience and even certified, I get the run around too. Take a typing test with 20 minutes of dictation. Like being certified isn't good enough? My biggest concern is the fact they need to rethink how work-at-home employees should be treated. They tend to group us all together and try to treat us like we work in an office. It just isn't going to be the same. We obviously made this choice to work from home for our families. We give up a lot working from home, but they try to pretend that we should pay the same dues. The fact that they NEVER EVER CLOSE is a big one. Not to many companies out there make their employees work all hours, all days, all holidays with NO!!!!! reward for it. No thanks, nothing. They expect you to work on Christmas day in your home where your family is celebrating, perhaps 5 - 10 feet away and not participate?
For instance, I had to work last Christmas (and trust me, I've paid my dues on holidays). But it was a new job, so I had no choice. Sure I started late. I spent the first 2 hours celebrating with my family, opening presents, etc. As soon as that was over, I got on here and started working. I made my line count well before my shift was to end, but I got the mean e-mail about not working.
I think they need to get real. We work from home. We don't leave our problems at home when we go to work. Sure, you have to separate home from work while your working but I think they need to treat us with a little respect. Perhaps realize that we sacrifice for a reason instead of pretending that our reason doesn't exist.
Maybe they should take a clue from Google on how it treats its employees? Man I would just love to work there!
I feel so frustrated in this occupation lately, that I don't know what to do. I get the run around myself. Scheduling interviews and putting your whole day off for it and then the recruiter doesn't call!!! But e-mails saying sorry can we reschedule? NO, we can't.
I've seen and done it all in the last few years, offshoring, holidays, bad employers, horrible bosses. Its been a long time since I enjoyed my job.
Sorry if this runs on, but its late (since I have to work late shift to compete with the overseas people because they work while we sleep!) but I'm tired. Time to go to bed!
Here's hoping that something in the future happens and once again, our jobs are great and we brag to everyone about it!
This is what I believe about MTSOs
Most all of them are probably offshoring work secretly or not. They overall don't respect their MTs. They offer baloney rates. They lie through their teeth. They offer steak and deliver animal chow. They punish all MTs supposedly because of the faults of a few MTs. They keep tabs with countless instant messages and phone calls to keep their ignorant little children in check. They are constantly running ads because they can't keep good MTs.
How can any industry survive with this treatment? I think almost every one of them is offshoring whether they admit it or not. What other explanation could there be? It can't be simply because the MTs put up with it. There HAS to be something else behind it. MTs as an industry don't put up with any more crap than any other type of employees. BUT the MT industry has a way of offshoring work with nobody the wiser, unlike other industries and I think that is what is behind the whole sham. 
MTSOs
The way I see it (and probably others) is the reason many companies are struggling or not making it is because they did it to themselves. Coming from a hospital setting, it's like comparing USA to Aruba, and I'm not talking scenery, here!
MTSOs
The way I see it (and probably others) is the reason many companies are struggling or not making it is because they did it to themselves. Coming from a hospital setting, it's like comparing USA to Aruba, and I'm not talking scenery, here!
MTSOs
Shutting down the in-house hospital transcription department. Given the names of Alliance, Transcend, and Central Transcription Services. Not much of a choice. I need benefits. HELP!! Any information appreciated.
Those MTSOs
should spend the time making their company better instead of pretending it's so great.
You just wonder about people!
MTSOs and others
From what Im reading here on this board there are definitely some less desirable companies out there to work for. There have been warnings many times on this board about these companies. Its a vicious cycle it just keeps coming round and round, same company different month or week. It could be that recruiters for these same companies keep posing as MTs and hooraying about what a great company it is, lots of fuzzies and smiley faces to reel people in. Then, those very same people that were reeled in come back here to complain. Heres a clue for ya, if the company is not talked about on this board its probably one of the rare ok places to work. If you see too much bragging about a company then red flag- guess what, its a sneaking low down recruiter people!!!
if you ask me, MTSOs - sm
can cut corners by doing their own hiring and eliminating these recruiters.
with over 30 years experience I have said no to low-ballers because I started 20 years ago on production at - guess what - 8 cpl.
My personal favorites are the 'difficult' (and they know it) accounts that offer 7 - 8 cpl and claim commensurate with experience.
uh - run that by me again, and this time with a straight face, please.
JUST SAY NO, GIRLS. We can put them in a corner, too.
MTSOs
I work for 2 different services, one pays 10 cpl with differential for any weekend and holiday work typed. The other pays 9 cpl, but is very easy clinic work. These people who complain about not making any money on 9 cpl just aren't keeping their butts in their chairs.
MTSOs
Boy, you are correct! I used to think the horror of horrors would be to work for someone who was not an MT. For the past 10 years or so it seems that more than likely the strings are pulled by the suits who probably can't even type. There are also those MTs who have sold out' and managed to get into management and they are just puppets for the suits so poor MTs have few anymore who will stand up for them. You are loyal to your MTs and chances are most of them reciprocate.
I think most MTSOs don't want MTs with
they don't want to pay for it. And it's quite obvious in my experience that the same goes for their QA people, as well!
$$$$ by MTSOs
As a past MTSO from the days gone by - not now... you cannot make a profit if you don't charge 3 times what you are paying your employee... so, 8 cents a line to the employee - the MTSO is making at least 24 CPL. Don't kid yourselves. We are all getting the screws from the MTSOs of today and they are getting rich as H-E-L-L.
you are so right! Plus the MTSOs sm
to put up with the whiny MTs who are worrying about what the MTSO is chargin and other things that the IC shouldn't even care about when its none of their business!
Need for MTSOs?
Despite working for an MTSO, it seems to me that I am receiving my work directly from the hospital already. It's just that the MTSO QA and Admin people have access to the same platform and jobs as well. In order for a job to go to our QA department, we have to pend it to them. Otherwise, it goes directly to the facility. I am an IC. As I see it, the only thing that the MTSO has provided after my hiring has been the computation and delivery of my paycheck and QA when required.
If I were an IC working directly for a facility, I would be happy to cover stats for an additional fee. Plus, I would charge an additional fee for the more difficult dictators, for rude behavior such as eating when dictating, for heavy lookups that could have been prevented if the dictator had provided sufficient information, and for those times when I have to spend several minutes listening to non-dictation, such as when the dictator is just having a conversation with a colleague or other person on the tape, apparently not able to push a pause button. Contrary to these extra charges, I would look forward to being able to communicate directly with the facility to possibly effect changes/improvements. As it is, I work for an MTSO whose owners are apparently afraid, too lazy, or noncaring to confront the facility in order to correct some problems that continue forever, never to change, that affect only the MTs and QAs.
Even with all this, I would bet that the facility could save money. After all, it seems that right now there are a lot of people at the MTSOs that do not produce work, but still are receiving paychecks.
MTSOs would like you to believe that, but they
are ultimately responsible for the product they sell.
FYI - A lot of MTSOs do have
offices. Not everyone can work from home. The MTSO I work for has at least 20 people in the office.
Don't let the MTSOs and other
negative posters run you off. SOME people obviously don't like that you stand up for MTs and speak out about us getting a raw deal lately. I for one completely appreciate it.
NY MTSOs....sm
I am speechless, why so rude???? Geez, I am not saying all people from New York are that way, but I have worked for 2 services out of New York in my MT life and they take the cake for being so nasty.
Please understand that MTSOs
must provide a client with a quality product. If an MTSO continuously allows poor quality work to be sent to their client, then the MTSO risks losing the entire account.
Many MTs assume that because they have the ability to send a report to QA that this makes it ok for them to do sloppy work. When I first started as an MT, I averaged 100 lines per hour, sometimes less, because I would check my work as I went along and then I went back over it again. I would work 9-10 hours a day in order to meet my quota.
It is better to make less money and have a job than to get a lot of lines (that are of poor quality) and lose your job as a result by being terminated.
I think it is very fair that you were fired, especially if the issue has been discussed with you before. If you are fortunate enough to get another MT job, take your time and focus on producing a quality product.
Okay, then that confirms some MTSOs... sm
DO withhold federal and some MTSOs don't withhold federal. Medquist DID for the nine years I was an SE there.
It's a point worth noting to ask about in a job interview if anyone is considering SE status... 'cause it sure is a nasty blow when you have to pay quarterly taxes and there's nothing there to your credit.
What in that MTSOs rant
made you think SHE had gotten past grade school? Did that sound respectful to you? Power outages happen, cable outages happen, family deaths happen, jury duty happens. I broke my back for someone like her and when the above things happened to me, one right after the other, way beyond my conrol, I got the line about the client wanting me off the account because of three errors in two years. I will tell you this....it was the best thing that ever happened to me. No more stress, no more harassment, no more Harpy. It's a beautiful thing.
All MTSOs will be out of work at
You should get a part time IC positions to fill in for when there is no work at your primary employer. Do you think that there is an MTSO who is loaded with tons of work 365 days a year. IT DOES NOT EXIST. There is no such animal.
MTSOs also have the option
of walking away from a client who is not willing to pay an adequate rate that is required to get the job done. The money that the MTSOs save by using overseas MTs is spent on Editors who basically have to redo all of the poor poor quality reports.
If you are a building contractor and someone calls you and tells you they want a screened porch built. You as a contractor know what it's going to take to build that porch using quality materials and quality labor. If it takes $5000 to build the porch, are you going to let the homeowner tell you to do it for $3000 when you know it's not possible. Guess what...the contractor walks away and tells the homeowner they'll have to find someone else who can do it for that rate. MTSOs have the same option.
There is NO excuse for offshoring. There never will be.
I am not 'covering' for MTSOs
There are two sides to everything.
There are 83 or so MTSOs under the umbrella of the
that has a huge investment in Indian transcription.
MTSOs, I hope, have enough...
sense to make their own business decisions without letting other MTSOs, who are in direct competition with them, make their hiring decisions. There are some very vindictive people out there and some folks would stoop to anything just to be mean. To take the word of another MTSO, that may have had a bad experience with an MT, as gospel could be very costly, not only to the MT, but to the MTSO.
BTW: Isn't it illegal for companies to give out any info on an IC/employee with the exception of hire date and termination date? How can companies share with other companies the actual work that an MT has done for a company? How can these companies disregard HIPAA regulations simply for the name-bashing?
This all sounds very underhanded and illegal to me and any MTSO who does this sort of thing, I don't want to have anything to do with them.
This should tell MTSOs to value their REAL MTs sm
by offering a higher line rate and benefits to maintain the good MTs in their companies. Why the seasoned, experienced MTs are offered the same rate as newbies is beyond me, and insulting, too.
As the old saying goes: You get what you pay for!
Suggestion to MTSOs: You should require all MTs to own a set of reference BOOKs! (The Google-only MTs are obvious. They are not serious about their work.) When testing candidates, arbitrarily select pages of the most important reference materials each MT should own and ask the MT to say what's on that page. Or pose a question where the MT has to look something up. An MT without reference books is like a carpenter without hammer and nails.
This is a response to What does this tell you? and agrees with what the poster said.
Not sure if I should mention the MTSOs name but
Is their an MTSO around that doesn't nitpick your work and make you feel like you're not worth a hoot. Maybe the problem is that by the time I work my FT job and type 1500 lines then have to go home and do it some more I am just tired. Also, I have a huge packet called style guideI should look over but I just have not had the time. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to leave it than get fired. They sent an E-mail saying that if I did not raise my score from 96 to 98 my job could be in jeopardy. I am not sure I will ever get it right. They have changed words in my documents and told me it should be this way but I go and relisten and I still hear what I had originally put. Even got DH to listen and he said he heard I heard. I wonder if they are that hard on their foreign employees.
I really started this MTSO to test the waters. I just got so tired of driving back and fourth I was hoping this would work out. I am just not feeling confident in my self to do this job anymore but I have to pay the bills somehow. I cannot get by on my good looks. So, I printed this style guide, going to poke holes in it, put it in a binder and will look at it while the kids are getting their hair cuts. I will carry that thing with me everywhere I go along with my corrections and study it when I can. If they can me before I get a chance to bring my score up, I will burn it. 
Oh, goodness. We WANT MTSOs and others to
This way open dialogue continues.
If we shut this place up to ONLY having MTs here ... we'll never get any information in/out!
You don't have to like anyone else's posts.
MTSOs who use DocQscribe
Does anyone know of any companies that use DocQScribe other than DSG and MedQuist.
TIA
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