GREAT post. I feel the same way. nm

• Do I have this right? MT Stars now supports offshoring? - U.S. MT
  • After reading everything posted here, it - seems like ghosts of web page past
  • Offshoring - JWS
    • If you are serious about Outsourcing - NR Damera
  • Offshoring will be a part of our world. - Wondering
    • Will be? Ah, I think it's here and has been for quite some time. - MTT
  • This is sad - I never thought that THE OWNER OF THIS board would support offshoring - sm - very sad MT
    • As I said, I don't EMBRACE it, that is the words of a poster, I - Administrator (sm)
      • What? - U.S. MT
        • Has anyone else noticed that - Double what!
          • My change of view occured before Transcend mentioned anything - Administrator (sm)
          • ? for transcend editors - just wondering
            • 50 percent cut in pay? Where do you derive that from? - Eloise Jacobson
              • But if you know how to transcribe very well, - you take a huge loss in pay for editing.
              • Yes, I know that - just wondering
                • Editing rates of pay range from about 4 to 6 cpl. - Eloise Jacobson
                  • Thank you for the info . . - feel a little better
  • Yep, sure do ... don't know what is going to - become of this country, anymore. nm
    • offshore - most companies send - MT too
      • Crap! - Crap! Crap!
        • some points right, but - MT too
          • MTSOs also have the option - PJ
            • They save millions - U.S. MT
            • GREAT post. I feel the same way. nm - MTSO
            • Funny, thing ... even with building, you - MR at MQ
              • This is my point - exactly.
            • Also - PJ
          • makes me sad (this is pretty long) - big sigh
            • Sad as it is, nothing is sacred anymore. - nm
              • You're right, but - big sigh
  • read sticky message "embracing..." on - main forum page

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu

We all feel like that from time to time, but it doesn't matter whether you are an MT or working in any other profession - some days a job is just a job.  You sound like you work for a company like I did.  Too much management getting in the way.  That said, look at it this way.  At one point in my career I made 0.075 cpl for many years (raises unheard of).  I took that rate and turned it into $40,000 a year because I typed by fingers to the bone.  Minimum line count of 1,200 was not enough for me, but some people will only type the minimum and then quit. This is where their problem is.  It's called ambition.  Of course the pay will be low if you quit at 1,200 lines.  Being an MT for 5-10-15 years you certainly should be typing more than that.  If you are not, and it is not YOUR fault, but because of company dynamics, it is time to find a company and account that helps you reach your full potential.  Please do not cheat yourself.  The first thing I would do is not answer phone calls or e mail during your shift (do this before or after) because you are going to have enough to deal with to slow you down while you are working as you described. 

I do not move from company to company, never have, but I certainly would if I felt like I could do better than what is being offered to me, for whatever reason.  Again, no one is going to take care of you - except you, so don't cheat yourself.  Since you already have a job - go with the flow until you find what is absolutely perfect for you and you can make lots of $$ no matter what the rate ( to a degree of course).  It would be nice if we could all make 11 cpl or better.  I never have.  I have found a company and account that is perfect for me, making good money and love the work.  The kicker is, I would have taken that job for 7 cpl and because I am very good in that specialty - I could still make a decent living with it.  Don't go jumping at the first thing offered to you.  Think about it - and yourself.  What is it that you do best as an MT.  That's what you look for.  Being at this for 15 years, maybe you should just throw in the towel where you are but I think you do have the potential for something else.  Go for it - and good luck to you. 

is not to post other people's personal names, email addresses, telephone numbers, and no client specific information.  Regarding crass posts by others, this is an anonymous board, which means anyone can post without identifying themselves.  We do moderate the site for content, but I would advise ignoring the trolls and negative information and zone in on the positive.

Thanks,

Administrator
MTStars

While I do not disagree with some of your points, I am not sure what you hoped to gain by posting all of this.  The ones you address almost certainly will not recognize themselves, and even if they do, they will not change.  And for those of us who are NOT that way and do strive to be the best we can be in all respects, it is just a stating of the obvious. 

I am an old timer too, although I hate to think of myself in such unflattering terms.  I started with carbon paper and a Selectric typewriter, transcribing dictation from vinyl belts.  I do NOT long for the good old days in that respect, although I do miss the days when line rates were higher and being paid by the gross line was the norm ... sigh.

As we all know, the times are tough now in the MT industry, and it seems we would be best served to help and support one another rather than chastising and scolding others for their posts.  Of course, as I type this, I realize my post could be seen that way as well, and for that I apologize.  I very much believe in the laws of attraction and the power of positive thinking, and I have never seen negative energy attract anything other than more negative energy.

I cannot seem to sleep tonight, so I guess I might as well transcribe a bit more and make my insomnia profitable.  

I post my opinions on companies when people ask, but always try to remind them that that is just my experience, might not be the same for everyone.

Thank you for posting this. It was well said!

nm

I've been trying to take a look at the really big picture lately.  I see almost daily tornadoes ripping our country apart.  Wildfires doing the same thing.  God only knows what we have in store regarding hurricanes this summer, too.

In addition to that, we have, on almost a daily basis, reports of someone at a school, business or courtroom killing innocent people.  We have missing children at an alarming rate.  Crane operators and miners are being killed because there's no longer any push for worker safety, and if anyone tries to sue for negligence over the death of a loved one, THEY become the enemy.  Our bridges are crumbling from beneath us as we attempt to drive across them.  Our children and pets are being poisoned by imported food and toys.  There are more people than ever visiting food banks because they simply can't afford to feed their families any longer.

America today seems to be resembling war-ravaged Iraq more than the healthy, thriving, prospering USA I remember.

I honestly don't blame Indians for wanting a better life for themselves and their families.  Instead, I blame a GOVERNMENT that would permit such personal items as the transcription of medical records to be outsourced to other countries.

A couple years ago, I worked for a company that (thankfully) didn't outsource (to my knowledge, anyway.) 

I began to transcribe the note and started giggling because the patient's name was the same name of a politician whose name was being mentioned at the time as possibly running for President in the 2008 election.  I thought, Wow, this person must be teased a lot, but I KNEW this couldn't be the same person because Washington politicians certainly have the best security the USA has to offer, right?

WRONG!  As I progressed through the note, my heart sank when I realized that this patient, indeed, WAS that politician.

I have to wonder how many members of Congress have had their personal medical notes transcribed by someone living in perhaps a less than friendly country.  If there are any, they probably don't even know, and their physicians, as well, probably don't even know.  All these physicians know is they pick up the phone, dictate the note, hang up, and it magically appears in print a short time later.

I was prepared to send mass emails to EACH member of the House and Senate, warning them of what I had just experienced, without divulging the name name or gender of the politician; however, the way their contact emails were set up, if I didn't live in their district, I simply couldn't communicate with them, so I abandoned the effort.

Just as it's recently been discovered that our ports aren't secure, now (along with our borders), almost seven years after 9/11, I wonder how many other lapses of security are present in the USA today.

Outsourcing is okay for some things.  Private medical records isn't one of those things.

It is refreshing to hear someone look at the positives for once.  I, too, have found a company that I am happy with.  I have been with them for almost 3 years now and I am very happy.  I feel I am extremely lucky to have such a great employer.

I always have work, a make a good line rate and I have excellent benefits.  Do I have to stick to a schedule?  YES!!  Do I have my work audited and have to provide quality work? YES!!!  Do I always agree with everything??  NO!!!  Can I support my family and make a decent wage? YES!!!  Do I have to pay for clothes to go out to work?  NO!!!  Do I have to pay for childcare?  NO!!!  Do I have to pay for gas?  NO!!! Most importantly, do I have to put up with the constant drama of working with a bunch of women?  NO!!!!

I feel sometimes people in this profession want to have their cake and eat it too as they are always complaining about sticking to a schedule, QA being too harsh and people hurting their feelings when they do something wrong, etc.  I think we are lucky to have the opportunity to work at home.  We do not have to deal with gas prices and all of the other things that come with working out in the real world. 

This is just my opinion. 

Many companies take the chance to say you're appreciated to their MTs at this time of year.  I work for 2 companies-- One sent a card, one send rather expensive (greater than $50) gift.  It's nice to be thanked for doing a good job.

It's not at all greedy or any other negative adjective unless you're an MT that does little but kvetch, rarely hold up your end, etc.

Keep holding on to the positive and let the negative posters simmer in their own words. 

we can only lead a horse to water, we cannot make them drink it....if they choose to be intolerant, it's their choice as sick as it seems.  I choose to go through the life as a loving, compassionate person.  Others choose not to go this route.

Yes, racism and neonazism is, unfortunately, alive and well, in the USA and all over the world.  So, if we raise our children with our awareness and our love and compassion, hopefully the future generation (our kids) will Do The Right Thing!! 

I started in a clinic but quickly moved to a large teaching hospital, and the mentorship and listening parties was very valuable.  Another thing that works that I particularly like is to walk away, go have a cookie, then come back.  Sometimes then you can hear what the doc is saying!  At least as bad as ESL are the docs who have a 15-minute report but by the time they're done uhh-ing and ahh-ing and emm-ing through the report you have about 40 lines. 

you are told upfront what the benefits are and what the requirements are, so if they are not to your liking, why take the position?   I am quite happy here at TT, and am thrilled at the news about the 401k.  Of course, I've been doing transcription for over 30 years now, so I guess that puts me in the age bracket where thinking about retirement is a little bit higher on my list than maybe someone 20-something, although I wish I had been smart when I was 20 and started putting away.  Oh well .......

Again, great post ... thanks for sharing. 

I wish that you would share your post directly with MTSOs who may not see it here, by anonymous email or some other method.  Actually, I just might send the link to the HR manager of some of these MTSOs, if that's okay.

Recently, my Indian manager was replaced by a female USA manager, who has some of these traits/habits, the worst of which is that we have received emails that indicate her inclination to always assume that 100% of the clients concerns are the fault and responsibility of the MTs, that MTs should be able to read minds, etc., etc.  Her communication style is very condescending.  If you email a question, you don't expect an answer unless she decides that it is important.  You know the type.  I can't wait to find out how it all works out in the months to come.

As an MT, IC for years, I have never had to rely on anyone but myself and am grateful for that.  There will always be a place for me in this field as an IC, as I stick to commitment.  Keeping my word is important to me. 

I have thought about venturing out and hiring a few MT's to help when my workload gets busy, but after trying it once realized I do not have the patience.  Thank goodness for the MTSO who has the patience. 

Good luck with your new hires.

And stayed on the Selectric for nearly 10 years pre-word processing computers (pre-Internet).  I remember, we had no self-correcting - we had to use a white tape to remove a letter.  But in those days, I did 2000 lines PER DAY!!!  At 6 CPL. And I worked 5-1/2 days a week in their office.  I had 12 accounts there.  So, I know my value and I know I'm not making my line counts for the BIG national since 1/1/06. 

I agree with you that MTs will always be necessary. I too have been doing VR for about nearly 2 years and it all comes in terribly garbled via VR and we have to make it all nice and professional looking.  I love VR though today, I rarely get any VR reports. Don't know where they have been farmed out to either.

Thanks for your insightful post!!!  I, too, am tired of the moaning and groaning....something I never *indulge* in.  All this complaining is an indulgence in my mind. 

Be well and thanks again for your insightful post!!