Glad you're happy, that place has gone WAY DOWNHILL.
Posted By: QA on 2008-03-30
In Reply to: I hate to disappoint you but I am an MT. ? - FT MQ MT
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Glad you're happy, but. . .
if I may ask, who did you go with to work as an IC?
I'm glad you're happy with your pay cut...
but I'm not and do not feel that I've been over-paid. I felt that I was paid fairly under the old compensation plan for what I do and feel that I work very hard and should continue to be paid accordingly for my efforts. As I said in my post, I have always felt that Transolutions was a good place to work, and I also appreciate the intangible perks that they have offered in the past. However, at this point I do not feel that they are treating all of their people equally or fairly, and I guess I am not enough of a company man to take a paycut in any job. Someone on this board asked about the company, and I felt it was only fair to explain some of the things that I've noticed recently and to answer some of her questions that may not be answered during the interview process of any MT company. These boards are not always the most positive places, I realize, and I've never been one to be drawn into the negativity; however, this poster asked a question that I felt compelled to answer honestly and from my heart.
I will NEVER take a cut in pay in any job, as I know that I work very hard at what I do and am smart enough to demand that I be paid a fair wage. I took a paycut to get into medical transcription 5 years ago so I could stay home with my children, but that was my choice and not because of a numbers game that someone else was playing with my paycheck. I think if you asked 100 people if they'd like to take a pay cut because they've been overpaid for the last few years, 99% of them would say NO WAY, not to mention that in this day and age, most of them could not afford it.
I can also tell you that there is more than just one account where people took a pay cut, some people much more than others.
p.s. I also know my stuff and have NEVER gone below 98% on my QA, usually 99% or 100%, until the last 2 months. I also heard in the last phone conference that I was not the only person who had noticed the change. I guess you're just smarter than most people.
I plan to wait it out a couple more paychecks and see how things wash out, as I really have enjoyed working for Transolutions for the most part. I agree that they have some good people and good accounts, but sometimes companies make decisions that are more important to their bottom line than to their current employees, so I guess we'll have to see how this numbers game plays out.
Glad you're happy but....sm
Happiness is a subjective state of mind. So just so I understand your happiness versus what my happiness is I have these questions:
Do they pay enough to live on? Or to put it differently, are you making at least 4K a month? Because that is what it would take to make me happy.
If you are making that kind of money, how many hours are you putting in? If you say you must put in long hours, that is not my happiness. I don't want to have to have a chair-ectomy when I am through for the day.
So if your happiness fits into my version of happiness then I am happy.
Glad you're happy - however,
how can you say most MT's are happy with their gig? How do you know that?
The world of medical transcription is changing rapidly and the picture is not as rosy as it once was - in fact, pretty bleak - so just beware - your time may come.
Hope it doesn't, but it may.
I honestly am very glad you're happy! I juggled 2 nationals for a while, and it was exhausting.
Though if I could, I would probably go back to Spheris. Long story there, but probably would not be rehired as I never made it thru training. Just trained with the biggest bunch of, well, MTs. If one more person clapped those little hand icons at some lame joke, I thought I would vomit. Actually did vomit...I was very ill, and just folded...Get rid of the clapping hand icons!!! 
Glad you're happy -- I love MDI-MD too, although I missed out on the signup bonus. :( nm
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Yes, I think you're right about expecting downhill with them.
I've been attempting QA with them and not only is the software slow with numerous problems for QA, but the reports I'm getting to QA basically need to be redone. I find it hard to believe that an MT actually typed some of the sloppy, full of error reports I've seen, and 4 cpl is not enough money to sit around redoing every report. I'm afraid I'm finished with this place.
I got out of that place a year ago, and I'm glad I did!
I started when it was still Cymed back in 2005, and then they were bought out by SPI in the summer of 2006. The changes didn't really become evident until later in the fall, which is when my supervisor left with no notice or reason, and I had about 5 different supervisors during the next couple of months. I never could get return calls from technical support when I needed help. They also started screwing up my paychecks. I started running out of work more and more each day on both of my accounts due to heavy outsourcing, and the new supervisor was rude and didn't have a clue what she was doing! I finally got fed up and decided to leave in February 2007 and went to Keystrokes and have been much, much happier! Also, I continued to get phone calls from SPI until August asking me why I wasn't working my shift! I finally threatened them with a harassment suit, and the phone calls finally ended. I would also recommend avoiding this company! Frankly, I am surprised they are even still around after all of the layoffs that I heard about over this past summer.
I am glad someone is happy there! Not many were. :-)nm
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I am glad it is going well and you are happy, ME TOO! nm
nm
Glad you are happy
I just quit a job with VR too and found a small local service with no VR. In the first 10 minutes of just getting used to working on the new platform & fooling around, I made $4.30, so I am extremely hopeful that I will once again earn a living wage.
The sad thing is, I actually ENJOYED the VR and learning something new. I thought it was fun and a breeze whenever I would get a decent report (very rarely). However, a BIG HOWEVER, I did NOT enjoy getting 3 cpl for VR when I had to edit the living CRAP out of it and it would have been faster just to transcribe it. There were too many MTs on the system trying to train it and it was a nightmare. 3 cents per line is INSULTING. What was I thinking even taking that job? I guess I am too willing to give the benefit of the doubt to some people. I blame myself for being STUPID and I learned my lesson well.
I quit that job a few weeks ago and am EXTREMELY HAPPY that I did so. I have hope once again! It's an AWESOME feeling. 
I'm glad you are happy and have found a fit.
A happy MT is a productive MT. Yes, the platform is good. Have a good and productive night!
While I am glad you are happy, the part about
everyone starting at 8 cpl is not true. Thought I would point this out, as this could definitely turn off many applicants. They might say they start everyone at 8 cpl, but they definitely will offer more than that depending on the applicant. Everything in life is negotiable, particulary when hiring on.  So, in case there are MTs reading, who are interested in KS, but who won't accept 8 cpl, give it a shot!
Glad to hear you are happy.
Maybe they save this behavior for their ICs. There is no reason for me to lie. They are threatening in the way they DEMAND that you work a set schedule, even though one is SUPPOSED to be an IC.
The micromanaging comes in when as an IC you don't log in exactly at the SCHEDULED time to work.
Bottom line, TTS does not respect the law when it comes to IC workers. Period. They will eventually be dealt with if they do not begin to follow the law.
Glad you are happy there LTMT!!! You and I were hired
I never could make that work, so went to Transtech instead. I had suggested for you to go to Keystrokes, because I worked there for a very short time and knew they were wonderful. I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I have thought of you and glad you finally found a company which appreciates you. For me, I reapplied to Keystrokes, but because I left them previously (it was a second job and I could not do 2 jobs full time), they have only responded that they got my resume, and they never again offered me a position. You are lucky to be in a good place, and I am very glad to hear things have worked out... all things happen for a reason! All the best... from your friend from the E-trans plus days...
Glad you are happy. You making good money there? sm
as well?
They're probably glad you didn't too - (sm)
Now, now. Glad you're having a nice experience but no need to
By the way, I worked at Precyse a year ago and had a terrible time getting specific questions answered. Maybe it's a problem with individual supervisors. It's unfair to discount others' experiences.
I still think the company has good potential.
I'm sorry you're in a bad place, but when you make a post
others who are currently working for or are looking for employment with Medware. I honestly think you need to give at least a little explanation instead of doing such a hit and run comment. But I really do wish you the best. I hope you get a better job soon. (By the way, I don't think anyone pays too much attention to Wilma :).
We're glad you're gone too.
The more people that quit, the more work left for me. I love it when people say they can't take doing MT anymore.
I work 40 hours a week. I'm glad you're
back to making good money, but I don't feel that I-chart is ripping me off. If I did, I wouldn't stay.
Oh boy, glad to see we're still rewarded for experience and talent...
NOT... I guess I wouldnt be as offended if I didn't know what these MTSO charge their clients, especially hospitals. I realize they have to stay competitive with India, make a profit ..blah blah, but let's share some of the wealth with the talent behind all that work. I think for 6-7 cpl they might be able to get a newbie..but yet...somehow, they EXPECT experience, not on my dime i.e. 6 cents. LOL
The many negatives? You're the only one I've seen bash it. Not every place is for everyone.
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Well, I HOPE they're a good place to work...
... since I worked for TRS and thus got acquired by Transcend when TRS did.
Interestingly... when I was job-hunting about 7 months ago, I basically read every entry in the MT Companies section of another forum (M T Chat)looking for companies that got good reviews. Because it got very good reviews there, Transcend was the second-to-last company I applied to, just before TRS. At that time, Transcend was only testing for acute care (my 36 years of clinical in multiple specialties wasn't good enough, I guess) so they told me no thanks. And now they've got me anyway.
I am still reserving judgment because the merger only happened 2 weeks ago; and I am still working on my same accounts, under the same supervisors, on the same platform, so there have been no visible changes as yet....
And we're glad you left too. Plenty of work for the rest of us. nm
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I'm glad you're going to give it a try. I think you'll like it. I can't imaging giving
only 3 days, especially since we did have the 4th slowdown. They will work with you to get you a secondary account if your primary is not enough. Good luck to you.
Glad I apparently put so much humor in your life tonight. You're welcome.
If you work for the hospital in my town, you get a RAISE on a regular basis. When did you get your last raise from your MTSO? The hospital furnishes the MT with a new Dell, pays for the virus protection (mine goes up every year - yup, it does), and pays the internet (yuppers, mine goes up every year). Good for you, count yourself lucky, but don't get too comfortable in your Ivory tower. Downsizing, cpl rate cuts, lots of things are coming your way. You just haven't gotten hit yet, but good luck with that attitude of yours.
Please refer to the statements the above poster mentioned about the brown-nosers and such. My post was not intended for you!!! Evidently YOUR company pays you for some of these things, or are you an MTSO, but mine didn't. Work for myself now on local accounts. Got tired of your MTSOs and the little profit I was making.
Glad I apparently put so much humor in your life tonight. You're welcome.
If you work for the hospital in my town, you get a RAISE on a regular basis. When did you get your last raise from your MTSO? The hospital furnishes the MT with a new Dell, pays for the virus protection (mine goes up every year - yup, it does), and pays the internet (yuppers, mine goes up every year). Good for you, count yourself lucky, but don't get too comfortable in your Ivory tower. Downsizing, cpl rate cuts, lots of things are coming your way. You just haven't gotten hit yet, but good luck with that attitude of yours.
Please refer to the statements the above poster mentioned about the brown-nosers and such. My post was not intended for you!!! Evidently YOUR company pays you for some of these things, or are you an MTSO, but mine didn't. Work for myself now on local accounts. Got tired of your MTSOs and the little profit I was making.
Glad you're sticking to your guns. We all need to turn down these unacceptable offers!
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Better be glad you got the easier dictators soon, because you're time is coming for the ^^^REAL^^
dictators! Be glad you got off now. I wondered where my better dictators went the last week or so !!!!! Lucky you !!!!!
I can always tell when the TT favorite MT's are off, because I get their dictators -- making it easier for me to get my line count. Yea !
TT is constantly hiring, so the above scenario is a norm.
Glad you you don't "call off sick" but you're missing the point. This is a pay downgrad
Nm.
You're quite welcome. I'm happy to help!
I've been with Amphion for 4 months now and in the past 15 years of working from home I've never been so impressed with the professionalism and class that is this company. Best of luck!
If you're not happy with the Q...
then give your notice. It's a very easy thing to do.
If you're happy with that atmosphere
I just can't believe Transcend management is promoting such a cut-throat / get it while you can / if you can atmosphere. Everybody knows this field is feast or famine, but when the famine gets so bad that management isn't taking control of an already bad situation it becomes a scavenger hunt. What's worse yet is that they're promoting it. I wonder how many MLSs working during the day and hopping on in the evening, middle of the night, or early morning hours realize that they're working over 8 hours just to make their usual 20K? But we'll just turn our heads. Hop on when you can, wink, wink.
I have worked for Transcend before, within the last couple months in fact. I got so sick of scavenging for work and mismanagement that I left after years of giving it chance after chance. There isn't one person on earth that can tell me I didn't give them the benefit of the doubt. Once when the work was very low, I logged every single minute worked for 3 pay periods just to get an idea of how many lines I could type working various shifts throughout an 8 hour day. Every time I sat down at the computer and checked for jobs, I counted it no matter how short the time was because that's still considered working. Every time a job came in and I did it, I counted it. No matter what shift I worked, I counted it. I wanted to figure how much I could do in an exact 8 hour period. I can usually do about 250-300 lines an hour when the rhythm is there and the work flows continuously, but some times I had to work every single day to equal 40 hours per week because some days there was no work when I was on. Anything over and above 40 hours is OT and OT was not authorized. So if "Get a Life" is making 20K when the work is low, she is definitely working more than 8 hours a day or has some inside track to "know" exactly when the work is there to grab. But, if she is actually working more than 8 hours a day without figuring exactly how much time was worked, and is only popping an 8 into that little box, that's illegal. If she is claiming more than 8 hours a day, I'd like to know how she got OT when others can barely make the 11K requirement by working their 8 hours.
I wonder how many MLS at Transcend actually sat down and calculated the exact time it takes to make their regular lines when the work is slow instead of just working at all different times and just popping an 8 in the box. You'd be surprised at how much time you're actually putting in to make your usual lines per pay period. But then, hey, of course Transcend would promote this. They don't have to pay OT that way, they get the work done, and they appease the MLSs who "think" they're treated so well because they can work whenever they want, when they want. Next time the work is low, try it some time. You'd be shocked at your hourly wage, especially if building up those lines with editing.
I also agree with the poster below too that mentioned "Get a Life" never stated if the 20K lines were editing or typing. If she went from 20K ppp while typing with high volumes to 20K ppp while editing when the volume is low, that makes sense. She was able to keep her usual 20K, but 20K lines editing still makes for a smaller pay check and that wasn't brought out. Usually when a person is that evasive in their replies, won't come right out and say how many hours they worked, or if it was editing or typing, there's a reason for it. Why not shout it from the rooftops if it is actually on the up-and-up? Or worse yet, why take such great offense at someone asking for a straight answer if you're doing nothing you shouldn't be? If you make the claim, be proud to back it up with details.
What do you care, happy OSI'r? You're obviously
since you have so much time on your hands and are able to post to this board and God knows how many others all day? What do you know about 12000 lines except what you hear from employees who actually DO work.
Thanks - doesn't look like you're too happy about it.
The suspense is killing me - not that there is much suspense left anyway, but I still want to read it.
For someone who is so happy, you're sure a mean person.
But hey, that's how it works here, isn't it? Socially retarded person who can't discuss anything without resorting to personal attacks.
If you're happy there great, but it is
the worst company I've ever worked for.
Of course we're happy to have jobs (sm)
However, the job is becoming less and less valuable, in my opinion. The employer is becoming more and more just like every other MT company, in my opinion, yet they're doing it while using the marketing ploy that they're remarkable. Well, they're becoming less and less remarkable.
Another issue is the fact that they were not routinely giving raises before the economy tanked. Rather than give a raise to employees, they bought an MT school.
The obvious is that we're glad to have jobs. However, I'd hope to go beyond the obvious. This reminds me of the industry's typical response to requests for higher pay (how many have you heard?):
1. You get to work at home. Look at all the money on gas and clothing you save! You should be grateful. Gee, I wish I could work at home!
2. You should be doing this for the patients and not thinking of the money. It's a service industry, and we are serving our patients. [yes, I actually heard this one before]
3. You can give yourself a raise! We offer _____ (fill in the blank with any of the following: (a) weird schedules that nobody would want to work in exchange for a small incentive! (b) an Expander program! (c) overtime! (d) flexible scheduling: You can actually sit at your computer and look for work all day, catching work as it trickles in!)
So do we really need to add #4 now? Has the industry sunk so low that the answer to our complaints of not getting paid adequately and BEFORE the economy tanked and only having things get worse, is the answer really Gee, you should just be grateful to have a job. I know X number of people who have been laid off! Are we really going to excuse YEARS of this widespread poor pay in the industry and the excuses while a company buys a school (and how much did that purchase cost?) as basically just be glad you have a job? The trash man has a job. The bagger at the grocery store has a job. If that's all it is, just get any old job and be grateful, then what's so remarkable about this company that says it's remarkable?
You've stated the obvious. Yeah, we're grateful to have jobs. Yeah, we're realists. Can we get back to the point now?
:-) If you're not happy there, there are hundreds of other companies.
Truth: There is no Lanier equipment on my account; there obviously still is on yours.
Truth: If you don't want to work extra, you don't have to, and you can't say that you have been forced to. Yes, naturally, if the account is behind, the owner is going to ask for folks to help out if they are available.
Truth: Contact with the recruiter virtually ceases after your initial QA period unless you just want to email to chat.
The recruiter also is responsible for putting a team together for starting new accounts, but after the account is up and running, the recruiter has nothing to do with the day-to-day operation of the account. I have been involved in 2 new account start-ups myself (by invitation and with my agreement), and the client specs have been updated as issues came up and were addressed.
I concur with the other poster who suggested that you contact Dorothy with concerns about the recruiter (although, if you're off QA, why is that even an issue?) and your account liaisons with concerns about not having updated account specs.
Meantime, I'll get back to work. :) If any readers would like to email with specific questions, please feel free.
QA compensation - anyone happy with what you're making?
I'm sorely tempted to look into a QA position and I was wondering how the compensation compared to transcribing. I would love to be paid hourly, but it seems most offer by-the-line pay. I know there are variables (platform, ESL, etc.) but I'm trying to come up with some type of comparable compensation formula just as a jumping-off point for negotiation. Anyone care to elaborate on what they're earning, how they're paid, and how this compares to their transcribing earnings?
When you post something like that and sign it that you're not happy, sm
the bashers have a field day. I wrote a post a few months back that was taken wrong and by the end of the thread, it appeared that KS is the worst company in the world. To me, it is the opposite. I have been around the block too many times, and they are far and above the others out there including all the bigger ones and most of the smaller ones!
Things written on a public board can be taken wrong and can damage the reputation of a company or person. My daughter is going through a bad time right now because of a post that was supposed to be a joke. She's 14 and they are no different than adults when they see something to jump on.
You're happy your wages have stayed the
same, even though:
Gallon of milk, 1992: $2.78
2009: $3.75
Gallon of gas, 1992: $1.13
2009: $2.50+
Dozen eggs, 1992: $0.93
2009: $2.25
So your salary stayed the same while everything else skyrocketed... yay!
And according to the IIAP, the median salary for a 'secretary' in 1992 was around $25,000, and in 2005 was already up to around $40,000 (no stats listed for 2009 yet). So are you still feeling good about sliding backwards?
They have gone WAY downhill...I quit
I just left SPI a few weeks ago after a year. When I first started back in February 0f '06, it was still Cymed and was a decent place to work. Then, a couple of months after the SPI buyout, my account manager quit, a lot of MTs who had been there for a while quit, and I got a new manager who just doesn't care and does not know what she is doing. She put us all in these awful work pools, making it nearly impossible to get a decent line count without working about 14 hours a day. I started getting nothing but heavy ESLs and lost a lot of money. They even screwed up my last pay check. Also, they demanded a lot of overtime, and would not pay us any extra for it. I quit right away and went to another company and am SO MUCH HAPPIER! I make much more money now and I am actually able to enjoy my days off and not have to worry about working!
You know what flows downhill?
The supervisors (for the most part) were just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I believe their hands were tied at SPI. But, starting from the top layers on down to the supervisors, everything was in such chaos, with no answers being given, no timely decisions made, no pre-planning, no standardization that, to quote Yeats (I think - correct me if I'm wrong) *Things fall apart, the center does not hold*, and no truer description of SPI/Cymed.
Downhill trend
Not that many years ago, only ITs had to supply their own equipment.
It's sad that the large companies expect MTs to foot the bill for all the equipment, especially with the trend of giving MTs less and less of the profit pie.
I mean, when was the last time an MT got a cost of living increase? Or profit sharing payouts? Or any of the other perks of being part of a successful, profitable business?
A carpenter that is self-employed SHOULD pay for his own stuff. An MT who is an EMPLOYEE should not. Simple logic.
Do you think physicians have to buy their own MRI machines? Do you think police officers have to buy their own squad cars?
The transcription profession feels like a sinking ship. I pity people who are only now getting started. The hey day of this profession is long gone. (Sniff. Sigh.)
Downhill, I agree
Nono No, the suck it up reply was not normal. Her behavior was so needlessly cruel and aggressive that I can only assume she is not a prima prime example of mental health. She might consider counseling by a professional.
Last 5 years downhill decline
is what I have seen in the MTSO/working from home environment. I had an easier time finding a job (5 years ago or so) with half the experience that I have now. It is my opinion that a lot of this is happening because of the MTs coming on in this timeframe. Their education is not of the same quality for the most part. I cannot imagine learning this at home and being good at it. I had a hard school and it was still very hard when I had my first on-site job. As far as the overseas thing, call me hopeful but I'm hoping within time, it will decrease. Here's why: In my own experience, a US company is happy to pay me say 5 cpl to edit reports typed 100% overseas by say India. Now the quality of these reports is AWFUL when they get to me. The process to get them to me is this: They get typed by an overseas MT. Then they get edited by overseas QA. Then they would come to me for 100% editing (mandatory on every report). Imagine the delay of time this causes and how can they make a profit paying me 5 cpl to edit when its already went through at least 2 other people? Wouldn't it be cheaper, faster, less of a risk as far as quality and as far as privacy (as they don't have to abide by our HIPPA laws) to just pay a good US MT say 8 cpl to type it to begin with? Give it some time. We are all pioneers in this work-from-home career. No one has done it before. We are all learning as we go and our companies will learn as well. Eventually the cost of shipping vital information overseas with no regard for privacy laws will become more of a financial risk than it is worth. If my health records with my private info went overseas and my identity was stolen because of it, you can sure bet I'd be suing the MT company who sent it there. It sucks right now but here's hoping the good US MTs and QA will keep their heads held high and have a positive outlook for the future. :)
Absolutely not, things just keep going downhill. NM
NM
Don't have mine yet either...agree with above post about company going downhill..sm
A constant lack of work since November. One day we are working and then the next day we are told to sign off because of no work and to not sign in until they tell us. In total since November I have missed 17 days due to no work. That is a lot of money for me. Hard to get another job because I need my insurance.
Good riddance! They have gone way downhill in the last few years and do an awful job.
Thats why we fired them.
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