Have been MTSO and/or IC for 15 years....sm
Posted By: casey on 2006-09-05
In Reply to: To All happy IC workers.. - just wondering
Hopefully will retire in 3-4 years. I say retire but have no benefits. I pay private health insurance for my husband and myself. Would NEVER be without medical insurance. Would sell my home and cut my living expenses before giving up health insurance. Worried about future, but too old to start over. Will have house paid off and can reverse mortgage or sell if necessary. Would only go back to employee if absolutely desperate and going to lose everything!! Probably too old for anyone to hire me anyway! Most important advice I would give to anyone is to plan for your old age. We didn't and will probably suffer for it. In my defense, this was not something that was discussed as much when I was young and with divorce, kids, switching jobs, new marriage, that just got lost in all the other problems. I am happy as an IC, just soooooo burned out and don't want to work period!
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
not MTSO just an IC and have been doing this for 12 years.
I work for a local hospital as an independent contractor. The line rate is above average, but I also type quicker than most I have found. I use a ton of normals and expanders. At this point I have been typing 500 lines an hour for the past five or so years.
I havenot been an MTSO for years
I do work for a large national, have a good work ethic, and do not expect gifts. A paycheck twice a month is my gift, and I am very grateful to have it. People, grow up. The other poster was right, you act like children expecting Santa Claus to come down the chimney. No wonder so many people refuse to think of MTs as professionals.
I worked for a small local MTSO for 10+ years, through
3 owners, and I trained the last 2. The MTSO is a man. He is extremely disorganized, just wants the job done, not interested in providing samples, doctor's lists, etc. Frequently doesn't answer e-mails, not recognition for MT week. I lost 3 close family members within a short time, never got a card, a plant, or I'm sorry. When I worked there I did acute care and I didn't need samples, lists, because I had been there for so long I had the info or knew where to get it, but when this MTSO came on the scene things changed. He lost the account to MQ, who has since lost it to CyMed, and he got a bunch of clinic accounts. I left because I didn't want to do clinics, but I would occasionally do overflow for him. He was always calling me because I wasn't doing something right, but he never gave me samples or answered my questions, so I did the best I could under those circumstances. Pay is 7 cpl per gross line, which is 1 cpl more than I started out making 10+ years ago. Never hear from him unless there is a problem or he needs a favor. Checks are mailed and even though he is about 12 miles away it can take 3 to 4 days to get my check.
I currently work for a small national (about 50 MTs). Pay is better, MT week is recognized, my BD is recognized, Christmas is recognized. Not that I expect these things but it is nice to feel appreciated. I get an e-mail or phone call every few months thanking me for all my hard work and going above and beyond when they get in a bind, etc. Pretty much left alone to work otherwise, but provided with any information needed to do my job. I have direct deposit.
I briefly worked for YOG for a few months prior to their selling to MQ and it was the most disorganized company. I didn't know who did what, couldn't get samples, had to frequently call for work because even though I was cleared by QA and should have been getting pooled work I wasn't. Deducts if too many blanks. I still had them calling me to work extra 6 months after I left.
Worked PT for a while a few years ago. Very honest MTSO who has had her accts
xxx
the MTSO I have been dedicated to for several years has just announced NO CHOICE on VR
So regretful that we have just been informed me of management's announcement yesterday that my accounts were going escription and absolutely no voice about cutting line rate in half . . . there is no way that an MT can edit for half the pay -- especially those of us MT's who have highly depended on their abbrevations/shortcuts/expanders. They are not allowed in VR, nor is retyping the report !
Oh, boy . . . please let me know when you find a company who hires MT's without doing VR nor jobs going overseas. I will be begging for a hire date with that company !
when docs give mtso a check, then mtso pays you?
nm
Isn't she an MTSO owner - which MTSO ? Just curious. n/mnn
nnnn
I talked to them today. They want 3 years in a hospital or 5 years combination sm
hospital and at home or clinic and at home. For radiology, they want 3 years full time radiology. I thought they were very nice and I have a few friends that work for them and are happy. The pay seems average to high for what I am seeing now. I think they are 0.08 per line or 1.08 for radiology. Beats what I will have with the new MQ program.
Honda is 11 years old, 190,000 miles . Toyota was 15 years old and 279,000 superb
x
I worked on site for many years. I've been doing this for 10 years... sm
I've worked on site, at home, for small MTSOs, for nationals, for hospitals. I've been paid per line, per minute, and per hour. I've been an MT and a QA. I have ALWAYS worked weekends and ALWAYS worked nights for the shift differential because MTs can't survive on 6 or 7 cents a line. At least I can't and I type 105 wpm.
I've BEEN dedicated from day 1, sister, so you are barking up the wrong tree.
15,000 lines per pay period. 8 years with KS, 6 years on this account! nm
Not going anywhere else!
30 years - this WAS my career. The last few years you guys have ruined it.
You work 9-5? Big deal. I work more than you do. I bet I work harder too. Treat US with respect, lady!
Don't talk to us like that and don't expect us to kiss your feet. Kiss ours for a change!
See if you'll be producing more after 30 years of MT'ing and at 50+ years old.
I don't think so. My income increased every year also, until I reached age 50 and 30 years of MT'g, been downhill ever since.
It wasn't tough 5 years ago. Or 10 years ago, yet
How to you spell
G-R-E-E-D ???
All the shifty, dishonest, greedy pigs in this country belong in JAIL.
Did MTfor 10 years; QA for 2 years and now
doing editing of speech/voice recognition. I find all three to be very different. MT you start with a blank page or a template, QA you have the whole document and you need to give a good quick read and check for correct name, MRN, formatting, and all blanks, etc., and if you know the MT you do not necessarily need to give the whole document voice to typed - editing is a whole 'nother thing. From what I have seen so far - you have a document and you cannot count on anything being correct - you need to change almost everything in some cases - which is more difficult than a blank sheet as there is a lot of deleting and it is confusing. It can be helpful because some of the medical words are in there and some of the drugs can be correct - and although I have found easier on the wrists some days - still very, very difficult. You must match exactly voice to type because you cannot count on anything to be correct - JMHO
I think it just boils down to years and years of
If you kick a dog often enough, it's going to not only turn on you, but other dogs as well. Even though I made more money as an in-house MT, our managers were the worst. All greedy, self-serving women who lied, cheated, and made their way up the management ladder by stepping on those of us who worked under them. They created hostility, distrust and ill will in the office by pitting MT against MT (I suppose they figured it would keep the MT's from turning on THEM!), and the suspicion it bred created a hostile workplace like no other. I finally couldn't take it anymore and quit to work at home, for less than half the money. I'm lucky - I have an employer that at least treats me well, even though the pay stinks. But from what I've read here, that isn't the norm at all. So it's little wonder so many at-home MT's are ready to chew someone's head off. They're tired of being lied-to, cheated on line counts, disrespected, and at the same time expected to produce more and more work, with little to no mistakes. So it's little wonder we're all a mite cranky.
Some of us have been at MDI for years and years. Why should we have to start all the way at the bot
x
MTSO
New here. What does MTSO stand for? Thanks
Looking for an MTSO where I can do mostly ops.nm
nm
Better MTSO
I would contribute myself. Sorry to sound conceited, but I'm really good at my job - and I want to work with other people who are good at it, too.
I think that the MTSO can
anonymously or pseudonymously respond with line rate range info to provide general info to the posters.
Another MTSO here
Feeling just like you. Look at the ones who complain about working weekends - how many medical professionals do you know that don't have to work weekends? Why are they in this field if they don't want to work weekends? It's a pity trip. How about working in retail or restaurants?? You want a 9-5 job, go get it, away from home of course.
Would like to talk privately but I don't spend much time on this board and don't really know how to do so. Let me know if you do!
To MTSO - sm
I don't fish, so I don't know what you are smelling, but perhaps something from your personality? I have posted this before, and will continue to do so, as IT DID HAPPEN to me, IT IS THE TRUTH, and I have no reason whatsoever to lie. I want the original poster to know what can happen if she gets
hired by Keystrokes. I want others to benefit from my hiring experience so they don't have to go through what I went through. If my posts are so distasteful to you, do not read them. Your attitude in your posts leaves much to be desired as MTSO...wish I knew your company so that I never cross your path. Perhaps someone posted the truth about your company once too often?
MTSO
Not all MTs are employees. There are ICs and there is a difference.
To: MTSO
Many of the MTs who send that great looking resume' with what appears to be a solid work history...are totally bogus. They may have worked for company x, x, x, x, and x in the last five years, yet they condense and fudge to make it looks like they only worked for company x, and x in the last five years. Many MTSOs don't take the time to check. If the MT passes the test...the MTSO is usually so desperate to get somebody in to work, they hire them without checking.
Also, many claim that they job hop because a company runs out of work....guess what? This happens at almost every MTSO, so instead of quitting only to find yourself in the same situation a few months later, get a second part time IC job to fill in the gaps.
MDI, anybody know how big this MTSO
is and how many MTs they have? Does any body know if it is IC or employee status?
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Does your MTSO allow you to use your own
I'm torn on this issue. My company has just strictly forbidden us to use normals unless they were created by the client, since apparently some MT's have left text in the document in error by not editing correctly. I can see how this causes a serious QA issue, but I can also see that my pay just got cut seriously yet again by not being able to use them.
So, what' s the answer here? How does your MTSO handle normals/standards, and what happens if you make an error with one?
To MTSO
At the risk of causing a stir, I am curious about your comment that no serious MTSO would hire a PCDI grad. I am the poster titled Another PCDI grad right below this post. Again, I state that I do not believe it is all about the school, I believe the person and the determination has a lot to do with how far you can go. I feel very comfortable with the 2 jobs I have. I also know that I am not the only PCDI grad with a job. I truly wish that more people would stop looking at just the school, and start looking at the person, because there are all types.
mtso
If I may ask, what does MTSO stand for? Thank you!
What is MTSO?
nth
Well, that's why you are the MTSO and we are the
MTs!! Its your responsibility to divide up the work, and sorry, but most MTSOs I have dealt with have asked me to commit to XX amount of work. They know full well that is all I can handle due to MY other commitments, yet the MTSOs are more than happy to have me at my commitment of XX. That is OUR agreement. I am an IC and on my own. So it is not my problem if Sally has an earache or Dr. Jones has extra work. That is YOUR problem. MTSOs should ASK if we can handle more due to the above situation, but when MTs get dumped on with 2 or 3 times the amount of the agreement, it is WRONG, and very frustrating for the MTs. Thus why most quit and move on to a MTSO who will keep the agreement. Its only common sense, really. Which seems to be a lot to ask for in this day and age.
Top 5 MTSO
Cymed advertises as the 3rd largest for domestic MTs. Not sure how you would verify that though.
Of course....but where are you and are you an MTSO?
It is just hard to give up all my info all the time only to never find out who an MTSO is or if they are legitimate. All of my info, address, etc. is usually on a resume which we submit via e-mail, but if a supposed MTSO never e-mails back, how do we know who we just sent OUR info to?
TO the MTSO
You are not being 'bashed.' People are merely using a public forum to forewarn fellow MTs of poor experiences. If you are truly concerned about your reputation, you will re-examine your business practices and make some needed changes.
Bashing implies an 'unfair' attack - that's not what is going on here.
This is why when you are an MTSO
You should have a payroll account. Any business person knows that you must have an account to pay out subcontractors. My brother pays his subs (painting contractor) every week. He doesn't see his payments for work done until sometimes 90 days, but why then should his subs wait?
If you want to run a business, you must have a payroll account and not rely on what the client pays to you and when.
If you do not have the capital, then quit using subcontractors thinking you are making a buck. Do your own work!
Just yet another view. 
Which MTSO's allow you to use your own
nm
Seems to me an MTSO needs to see example of
x
MTSO
Where in the heck do some of you people get this mess? We have more work because the hospitals are busy. Stop trying to invent things. Pretty cut and dry if you really want to know the truth. You people always get on here to plant negative ideas in people's heads. Why don't you pay attention to the job numbers and you can see or is it just easier to assume. SHEESH!
me too!! Must be MTSO above..nm
nm
Which MTSO
was this?
Not only can your MTSO see....(sm)
your posts, management, supervisors, etc., etc., BUT anyone who Googles your name or anything associated with your post. I have even gotten onto boards that are subscription only by Googling words and posts showed up on their boards. True, I may not have been able to post on that board, but I sure could read whatever was associated with my search results.
I have a second job as an IC. I let the MTSO
know when I can work and how many minutes I can transcribe. They will then assign me that many minutes and I have it in by their TAT time. If I can't work, I don't. If I request work and they have none, that is fine too. I have no set schedule and am not on call. I work when I want. They have requested I work 1 time when they had a backlog which I did, though I didn't have to, because at that particular time my FT was out of work. As an IC, you set your schedule, they don't tell you when to work.
You must be an MTSO?
x
To MTSO
Maybe it's time for you MTSOs to get together and lobby Washington to stop this off-shoring that is destroying the American dream. Most MTs today are making less (including myself) than they were making in the 80s and I dare say the MTSO profit margin is probably also less.
Because the MTSO will probably know who I am if I do this.
I am still working for both of these companies (no other choice right now). Both companies post job openings on this site, so I am sure that they also read some of these posts.
MTSO
because this was my company being owed $10,000, which was at the time about 6 weeks' worth of work. It was easy at that time to rack up that kind of money...that is also about the time I found out that a company has 30 days to pay another company each individual invoice. I was billing, per contract, every 2 weeks.
MTSO not MT
This person is looking for an MTSO with subs or employees to do 5000 lines a day not one MT.
Being an MTSO is not for everybody (sm)
I wish you luck, but be prepared for sleepless nights, major stress, and hassles you can't even imagine now. You'd probably be surprised how many MTs have done this in the past and gave it up because it's just not worth it. Being an IC and letting somebody else do the legwork, the marketing, the collecting, etc., is waaaay less hassle, believe me. I wish you luck, but I'm just sayin.... be prepared. It's more stressful than you can even imagine.
If an MTSO does not need 8 to 5
coverage, then they do not have to let an IC work those hours. They only have to let people work when they need the coverage if you are an IC.
They (MTSO) can also tell you when you
x
But the MTSO should tell them no, right?
Am I missing something?
If VR is not more cost effective, it's the MTSO's responsibility to educate the client. It's not right to make the MT pay by cutting their CPL. You're going to lose your experienced MTs, and all you'll have left to edit are the MTs who don't care about quality.
|
