I'll give you an honest answer
Posted By: gourdpainter on 2009-06-29
In Reply to: I have been trying to find honest answers myself. - SM.
I've had many, many years experience in all specialties and doing all work types, as well as radiology, pathology and autopsies. When I went to work for TT in 2003 the best the recruiter could give me was 8.5 cpl despite the fact that she knew me and knew my work. When I retired I had the occasion to be talking to someone I had worked for some 15 years ago. He also knew my work and my production. He offered me 10.5 cpl which he said was the top out pay for their MTs. He said the usual starting pay was 8.5 for experienced MTs. I didn't take the job because I wanted to stay retired. When I left MQ I was making 11.5 cpl plus bonuses. It had become unbearable when the MT supervisor quit and her replacement was a control freak. I don't know the person who said they had been offered 9 or 10 cpl but I think if he/she was offered that amount, there were other factors in play so don't feel bad. I should think that while CNAs do hard work for low pay, you would be better off. MT was good to me but it is not a career I would choose these days.
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I'll give you an honest answer
I've had many, many years experience in all specialties and doing all work types, as well as radiology, pathology and autopsies. When I went to work for TT in 2003 the best the recruiter could give me was 8.5 cpl despite the fact that she knew me and knew my work. When I retired I had the occasion to be talking to someone I had worked for some 15 years ago. He also knew my work and my production. He offered me 10.5 cpl which he said was the top out pay for their MTs. He said the usual starting pay was 8.5 for experienced MTs. I didn't take the job because I wanted to stay retired. When I left MQ I was making 11.5 cpl plus bonuses. It had become unbearable when the MT supervisor quit and her replacement was a control freak. I don't know the person who said they had been offered 9 or 10 cpl but I think if he/she was offered that amount, there were other factors in play so don't feel bad. I should think that while CNAs do hard work for low pay, you would be better off. MT was good to me but it is not a career I would choose these days.
Give a really honest answer here
What amount do you think per week is a living wage? Don’t want by day, not hourly, but a weekly amount.
Not sure why you wouldn't answer an honest
lots of clues and signs, but I still have no idea what you mean by cutting payroll. Would have been nice to just answer that. Payroll dept getting cut? Employees getting payroll cuts? Lots of things that you could mean, but guess wasn't important enough to answer me.
Can you give me the names of the companies here that were not honest?
nm
I think you need to know recruiters don't always give honest answers, either.
nm
I start tomorrow, I will give my honest ...
take on things. I will let you know how it compares to other companies I have worked for.
Nope, not at all. I'll answer whatever I can. nm
OMG! You'll reply HERE but won't answer my emails... sm
about when you might pay me for work I did 3 months ago for you?????????
Hesitant about it but I'll answer this question too.
I work for TT. I use my own equipment so I don't pay a monthly fee but apparently it is 9.80 per pay period to basically rent their computer.
When I worked for MQ some 13 years ago, I paid a rental fee on their C-phone and computer. That was so long ago, that I'm sorry I can't remember what it was, definitely more than 10 dollars a pay period.
When I worked for YOG (Your Office Genie) also several years ago, I paid 20 dollars a pay period just to rent their C-phone.
IMO, renting is not as common now as most MTSOs usually want a deposit if they supply the equipment. Most of the time the deposit is spread out, so as to avoid taking a big chunk out of one paycheck.
I'll answer questions, email me. nm
@
That is the answer most give who cannot do VR
It amazes me that some downplay their ability to do VR. The pay is good if you know what you are doing. I feel like perhaps you are the one who cannot read and exit fast enough for VR. Just leave it to the pros!
Ok, give me an answer- why
are you opposed to VR (other than the salary cut) - anything else?
I'll answer questions about PDA. They're great. sm
The ladies are great. I had a really good account and I'd never leave if it weren't due to tax issues in my state that really suck. If you're a good MT and keep the hours/lines you promise them, you''ll be fine.
I'll give you sm
With the advent of EMRs that allow you to fill in the blanks for exams, clinic is on its way out...to some extent. It is not as easy to find jobs in clinic work as it was.
Acute care is another matter. You have a couple of regional companies who have shut down their VR departments and let all their MEs (medical editors) go. The company I work for ramped up the use of VR over the spring from about 30% on many accounts to 90% on many accounts...then back down to around 50% of the work on the same accounts. The reason is that MEs DO NOT do a very good job, they edit in every way imaginable other than how they are supposed to do it. You are to listen WORD FOR WORD and edit the text in front of you. The programs are not at the point with accuracy where they need to be. Unless we go to faster computer processors and we have pretty well maxed out the current computer chip technology, and unless or until we can write programs that learn better as they go along, the quality of VR is not going to get much better than it is currently. I don't care what the VR software companies say.
The need for VR is something we have created ourselves, as MTs. There is more and more need for our services every year. The problem is that there are relatively few of us who have the necessary skill sets, who will actually show up to work when we said we would be there and get our minimum lines or better. Most of the platforms out there are NOT conducive to higher levels of production, no matter what recruiters say about them. There are just not enough of us to go around. What else can be done? This business takes years to learn properly and to get to where you make a living with it.
I do QA and I MT. The work I QA from so-called trained graduates of programs is horrendous. Even MTs who seem to have experience are often not much better. They don't care about the quality of their work, only the lines they produce. They either don't know or don't care about their accuracy.
A QA person can help teach an MT...if they even know what they are doing...if they have the time and moreover, if the MT is willing to learn. I am the one who recommends that someone be released from QA and I have input into firing MTs who don't make the grade. It is my call as to whether an MT is willing to learn or if they should be let go. We have a small staff and in the last 6 months, I have recommended that one MT be retained and worked with (it turned out very well) and suggested 4 other MTs for being let go and they all were, because not one of them would take constructive criticism. I have about the driest feedback style I have ever seen because I don't want anyone to feel personally attacked, but they still would not listen.
My biggest gripe about MT training right now, since I have your ear, is that no one is trained to use an expander! If you want to see less VR you have to see bigger production numbers with traditional MTs. An Expander is the only way to do that. It is critical to making a decent income sooner, critical to accuracy, critical to job satisfaction and therefore critical to this industry. The best way would be to teach by system (body system and specialty) and include expansions for that system while you are at it.
Give me a second and I will be able to answer that question. Asking a single gal here. nm
.
Thanks! I'll give that a shot....nm
nm
Simplistic answer. I dont personally give $. What
x
Please, give ME a break! Just do your job and you'll be fine!
Why, if you were doing what was required of you, would Transcend single you out to treat unfairly and why would you be afraid to post publically if you were not stirring up trouble? This what the rest of us wanna know!
GIVE ME THE NAME OF A BETTER PLACE AND I'LL APPLY!
PLEASE, PLEASE, I'M BEGGING!
They can give you what you like, but it'll depend on what Their need is at the moment. nm
s
which one? give a short description and I'll let you know if Im one of many
.
Okay..I'll give ya that one. I came from the MDI side as it merged with Transcend so...
I was offered more than 4 cpl per line on editing and I'm not sure why if everyone else prior had been given 3 cpl. There is no way I would do editing for 3 cpl and trust me..coming from MDI into Transcend was not happy days for us. The biggest problem that I did have was when I found out our work was getting sent to India. Nothing is worse than being told we share work with our overseas partners and have too many days of no work. I have no doubt where it was going. So, never having come from the Transcend side, where you came from, I'm only going to relay my experience and apologize if that is what actually happened there. Yikes..I rely heavily on the MTs and supervisors who came from MDI because I know they watch our backs.
Give it time, they'll get to you. The grand plan is
my shoulder, it's a block(head). The games they play, the excuses/reasons are old, worn out, and it's aggravating to sit there staring at that NJA cyclops when others are getting the work. Dog-eat-dog is not conducive to a good work environment. We didn't create the situation but we bear the brunt.
Thanks, I'll give it a shot! Hope they are hiring PT. nm
..
sorry dont give out my email address but happy to answer questions here
They don't give a hoot - they'll take the poor quality for less money.
It is clear nobody is held responsible for poor quality medical transcription - do you often hear of lawsuits for errors on dictated reports? How about JCAHO failing a facility for errors on reports? Rare. And as an auditor I have seen what gets through. Either nobody checks or nobody cares. Part of the problem with MT rates. Very unfortunate.
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.
And that would be an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. LOL.
Typical transcriptionst. :)
TT management does not answer questions that you ask them; only answer those they want to answer.
I know, work for a long time and tried asking questions, but they just beat around the bush and don't answer the true question that you presented to them.
Maybe it is kite flying weather where you are !!!
If you'll read through past posts you'll find lots of
recent info. Why do you need menitoring if you already work as an MT. Unless you do clinic work most companies will require you to work at least one weekend day, at least initially.
If you'll read the archives you'll find out everything
you want to know, none of it good.
I can answer that question with a simple answer!
Strengths - none.
Weakness - all.
"warned" by someone who won't give facts or sign her name. Give me a break! nm
x
Nationals give at least a week to learn program. Give
xx
Probably figure you'll want Way more than they'll offer, whatever it might be. :) nm
s
If you'll read more carefully you'll see
I was referring to AFTER she's missed out on a job, having a friend do sort of an audit to tell her what what was wrong with her test she submitted -- not cheating.
They used to give out $25 Amex cheques -- give them time. :-) nm
Thank you for being so honest!
I work for MDI-FL and I know they post on here but I don't say anything on here that I have not said to them or would say to them. Honesty, it's an amazing tool, huh? Again, thank you and good luck to you!
Many honest MTs/not all bad
Yes there are many dishonest owners I am sure, been there as stated above. But rest assured, there are some great MT and owners out there who are very honest and will pay for the hard work we do, I know I work for one!!!! Just beware of the ones who have numerous accounts floating around among all their MTs, being done all times of days at their convenience(as they are working their day job at the same time)and dont always have time for you, and promises of many new accounts to come that you never see. These are the ones to watch for. I think all MT need to look out for this behavior and warn others to run when it comes their way. Make sure you are being mentored on your work and not doing there work that they claim as their own. Get your credit where it is due. keep looking good, honest owners are out there.
honest MT
I know myself of that practice with PJ transcription. She had her pay with her day job while mentoring me and getting my pay for my work also, must be why she gets paid vacation and I did not. Well I learned the hard way.
Yes, and I'm not being mean just honest..
There IS a difference.
Well, to be honest
Most companies don't consult their employees when they decide to sell. Someone either was ready to retire or tired of the business. Face it, it is a high-stress business.
I have a feeling not just the MTs were surprised.
No need to be mean, but do be honest.
In this case, I would tell her that most companies cannot provide the kind of help that you were, and what she needs is to go to school (or back to school). If she presses you and says she just needs something easier, explain firmly but kindly that radiology is mostly anatomy and contrast terms, so it isn't one of the more difficult specialties, but it does require near 100% accuracy, which is why you tried so hard to help her. If she is not willing or able to return to school, she should think about another kind of work. Just say it as kindly as possible IMO.
To be 100% honest
Thank you for your response. I totally agree. Actually, I've already decided not to accept work from them unless it is way over the limits and 300% better than any job I could ever find anywhere else on the earth. What I am wondering now, of course, is just how I can best JERK THEIR CHAIN in each of 2 scenarios---a BAIT and SWITCH where they offer a different account than what was originally advertised, and a we needed you yesterday for this account, but someone better came along and now they have quit? But, I guess I already know the answer to this. It's kind of like letting the telemarketer go on and on with the speech, asking complicated questions, taking up their time, pretending to be interested, and finally saying NO.
Well to be honest....
A lot of times a terminology course is all you need providing it's thorough. There's almost no point in learning the equipment in school because so many places use their own equipment which you may or may not even be trained on. Each place I've worked I've used something different. Tell her to take the term. course and brush up HARD on her English skills and everything else can and will be learned on-the-job. My friend only took a term. course, worked in the Med. records dept as a clerk first, then there was an opening in our MT dept which pays more so she just jumped in the deep end. We were all there to help her which was time consuming but we were happy to do it and she was eager and wanted to do well so she absorbed as much info as she could and now she's been doing this for 4 yrs and is working at home.
Tell your friend to go for it. I wish her luck! :)
okay, then let's be honest here....sm
It is really no skin off my nose whether you care about me or not. That does not negate the fact that MTs should behave as professionals if they wanted to be treated as such.
Bottom line......The levels to which I have read of some MTs stooping to on this board does not belie a professional attitude. Personally, the whole thing makes me pretty nauseous. Backbiting, conniving, and manipulating may get you to the top of some professions but it won't keep you there long because there will be someone somewhere along the line that will pull the rug out from under you.
In the immortal words of Forest Gump.....that's all I have to say about that.
Thanks for being honest! (nm)
x
To be honest...
I wouldn't do it unless you really like working twice as hard doing VR for half the pay. I worked for them for a while until I went from 80/20 to about 60/40 or less typing/VR. The VR takes a lot of correcting and on top of not making money, it was pretty boring...much like monkey work to me in my opinion. I also had a few doctors who were accented and I could make great lines typing from who went to VR because they passed the testing but their VR reports were horrid and took me longer to review than to just type it. I would never do VR and especially not for pennies. I hope this helps. They seemed like a nice company but it was just more work than it was worth without any challenge for my brain.
To be honest
It's the wave of the future and even companies such as MDI-MD are making the transition.
My honest advice would be to stop fighting it, join a great MTSO team, and learn it. Make sure you get decent pay for it and just go for it. Unfortunately, I don't think any MT will be able to avoid it for much longer, so it's better to get on with a good company and learn it before it becomes mandatory.
Just my 2 cents...
ANP is not honest
Why did I keep working for them after 3 months? You don't keep working with ANP - you are lucky to get 1 to 2 files A MONTH with them. If you make $100-$150 A MONTH with them, you are lucky! This is not steady by any means. Larry will tell you that it can be hit or miss on the workload when they sign you on, but they absolutely do not have the work that you think. They have a calendar that you put your work days availablility and how many hours of dication a day you want - you will never, ever get that - not even close. I went the entire month of May with ZERO files. They have their favorites and that's where the work goes. I know this because I accidentally was sent a e-mail that definitely wasn't for me to see. It is not medical transcription at all - it is medical seminars and if you haven't done general transcription with multispeakers and poor audio, you will be in for a surprise. You don't just sit there and type - you have PowerPoint presentations and slide presentations you have to look at while you're typing to see where you are at and what they are talking about. It is rather time consuming. Bottom line is they don't pay you for whatever measly pittance you earned! 
To be honest
I don't think you're gonna get a straight answer anywhere. I just suggested Transcend direct because they're the only ones who COULD make any type of guarantee, but I'll betcha they don't ;-)
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