I've been in the business 20 years and it is
Posted By: me on 2006-01-14
In Reply to: Goes to show neither of you have been in the MT buisiness very long - It is always slow this time.. - Long Time MT
NEVER slow this time of the year, especially when the beds are full because of the flu. I think maybe some MTs are working extra to pay off Christmas bills so that there may be less work for others.
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I've been in this business 12+ years
now - worked for five companies before this one - never been happier. Work is steady. Pay is above average and always correct and on time. Lots of communication and feedback. It is a good place for me - I plan on retiring from here.
I've been in this business 20+ years and never
been asked for a background check and if they want to run one they can pay for it. It is a scam.
Trying to build his business? He's been in business over 15 years!!!!!! sm
I also had a hard time, nearly impossible actually, getting paid. The owner does this on the side; he is very involved with other things.
I've had my own non-MT business, before, and when -
penny-pinching clients (most of whom were wealthy, I might add!) tried to intimidate me into lowering my rates or else they'd go to another source, I told them to do whatever they felt they needed to do, because what they WANTED to pay for my services still did not affect what I HAD to pay for my overhead. What I WANTED to pay, and what I HAD to pay, were two different things. (Some of these clients, even though my biz was not MT, were DOCTORS, too, I might add.)
Meanwhile, I had clients who knew my work was worth what I charged, and in addition to being the best to work for, they were also the most likely to tip. So whenever price-raising became a necessity, I knew the drop-outs that wanted to search for a better deal were usually the problem clients I didn't have time nor energy to deal with, anyway. Give 'em a deal, and you always end up losing money. They usually require more time, more hand-holding, more explaining, more effort to collect from, and they usually want the sun and the moon, and they want it YESTERDAY.
I also had some clients leave and go with someone cheaper, only to come crawling back on their hands and knees when they tried the competitor's service and realized it wasn't such a good deal, after all. There is a lot of bluffing and posturing that goes on in business, and those who are willing to lose a little initially in order to stick to their principles, usually come out the winners in the end. Those who allow their clients to call all the shots end up trying to please everyone, but in the long run please no one.
Well DUH - I've had a successful business for many
people who don't want to deal with the headaches of having their own accounts, one of those headaches being not being paid for an extended period of time, come here and complain about the difference between what the company makes and what they are paid.
I've been in another service business for myself -
in the past. When the time comes to raise prices, everyone gripes. But if your skill is above that of the competition (in MT case, US vs India), it's worth asking more money for.
Will you lose clients? Of course. Some, anyway. I did. But you know what? The ones I lost were always the worst clients - the ones who wanted everything yesterday, and wanted a special low fee on top of that. They were the hardest to deal with, and often ended up costing me money to work for. Losing them was a blessing, because then I had openings to take on better clients.
Not only that, but the truly GOOD clients, when told I were raising my prices, sometimes actually said, 'You're still not charging enough,' and even tipped on top of my fee for service.
So this fear people have that you can only stay in business (ANY kind of business) by undercutting the competition and cutting corners is unfounded, and does nothing but hold them back.
I've been in this business since 1978, sweetie
x
I have been in this business 27 years...sm
We used to say that some MTs are just miserable malcontents (back in the days when I worked out of the house in MTSOs offices) where they always *seemed* to complain, *itch, moan, and groan. Not all of them but a lot of them. Nothing has changed in that vein either over nearly 30 years and, as a matter of fact, seems to have gotten much worse over the years.
Oh well, for some of us, no matter what the work situation (and believe me, that's awful sometimes too), the cup remains half full versus half empty. It's all about picking and choosing which battle and which war.....not ever going to have a stroke over transcription/typing/nationals, et al. 
TT has not been in business 14 years
Hello.
No. I have been in this business almost 15 years. (sm)
I am not a newbie by any means. I do not work for MQ. I did have my own business before I had kids. I did the acute care and ER accounts and got mentored after finishing school. I have done all of that, and before having kids.
I do not feel like I am low-man on the totem pole. It is the doctor's attitude and the MTSOs attitude - not mine. We are the first to get the cuts.
I left the company that had me waiting for the work and trying to get me to sit there 24/7. My point is, people out there think it is okay to do that and that is the way of it.
If we are an IC, then we are our own boss. They give us the deadline of when the work is to be done and we comply with that or lose the contract. Simple. But until that aspect of this profession is realized, things are not going to change.
I do not think my expectations are high. But that is just a difference of opinion and we can leave it at that.
Actually, I did not have my business for 19 years. (sm)
It was 19-hour days. No. I never, ever required them to work the weekends. I would, as the owner, but not them. Just a sacrifice you make when you are the ownere of a business.
I have been in a place where I HAD to have a paycheck. My husband was laid off for 5 months and we were living off my income.
I am not the one who originally said that someone who did not work those hours was a Prima Donna. It is a matter of opinion and up for discussion. I think that is what these boards are for. Right?
And actually, you are not reading the posts correctly. Get some coffee and come back.
I have almost 32 years in this business sm
and I agree with you 500% I never treated a person like that in my life when I managed and I wouldn't put up with anyone treating me that way. I dont' know what the heck has gotten wrong wtih people, but its like there is no humanity left at all. The other poster is just proof that this business has gotten very cold and mechanical and companies are treating MTs like machines.
Family comes first, they can suck up the job! There are companies out there that treat you very well and the OP won't have a problem finding one either. Might be the boost she needs to get out of whatever sorry company she is working for
Of a MT who has almost 40 years in this business
I have been able to raise a family on what I made in the past, mostly in the $50-60,000 per year, not much for maybe today's living but in the 70s and 80s ok for myself and 2 children. From the early 70s to when I first started no one at the hospital where I worked EVER asked a physician or dictator to change their way of dictating for the MT. It just was NOT done and to say differently must have just had the cream of the crop. Ten plus years at 3 different hospitals and they were all the same. Dictators could dictate how they wanted. Even though outsourced, still doing the same hospital work where I started in 1990. I make good money and care less really how they want to dictate as long as my pay makes it to the bank on time. I can retire if I want to. I decided to stay in MTing because basically like a bowl of cherries to me. I would again say and would never change my mind, if a MT lets work just run through without trying to correct, then they need to go. Anyone who says differently apparently not much of a transcriptionist.
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.
GREAT post. So true. I've been in this business
for 30 years, and never ever had more than an hour or 2 with no work. Not acceptable and doesn't happen to me. I work my behind off, am fantastic at this, and not 1 employer has ever done that to me, and probably never will. Just like you said, if I hit no work, I call and straighten the situation out. Don't ask questions about the account, about what MT can or can't transcribe it, just state that no work is not gonna fly with me, and I am always treated with respect and instantly given work, which I also thank my bosses for. Give and take - it goes both ways. I'm there when they expect me, and I'm there when they need me, and we're all happy. Can you imagine some MTs getting ANGRY at you? Again, another scream or throw up reaction from me. Some of you MTs really need some psychoanalysis, if you know what that is...obviously your income is NOT a necessity, and this is probably a job for you and not a career. You get out of MTing what you give and what you expect, nothing more, nothing less. Expect to be treated like garbage, expect slave wages, expect no work, expect disrespect, and you'll get it, and it seems like many MTs are looking for this! Thus the continual postings asking about companies we all know STINK. There is no other explanation - you want to be kicked to the curb and probably put little effort into your life across the board. Such a shame.
Are they still in business? They used to be mentioned years ago on MTD. nm
s
I have had my own business for 12 years and STILL have days that I am sm
wading through mud instead of flying on air!
I agree with you. I have been in this business a lot of years and
it has never been this slow before. I do acute care work and I would think that there would still be more work than there is. Flu season is on its way so maybe things will pickup soon - I hope so anyway.
I have been in this business for years --- holidays are always slow.
I also think, as I stated in my last post, that the 3 cent per line incentive has everyone coming out of the woodwork to work.
I personally work every holidya and have always had a lot of work. You must be on an eScription account, I am on BeyondTXT. eScription accounts for a very small percentage of Transcend work.
Are you kidding me. I have worked in the business for over 20 years
and they are WONDERFUL. I have never had a question go unanswered. Everyone is super nice. This company is THE BEST.
I've been a QA 15 years and I've never heard
of any company only paying for the actual Keystrokes of the blank. You would literally make less than minimum wage that way. Waaay less.
After 8 years in the business, I start buying presents in August, cause I know the slow period SM
is coming around the holidays. :-)
Not to say we dont all starve and Im not totally stressed out come December, but at least Ive got my gifts :-)
I've been doing it for 4 years now. There are many
options available. Lots of campgrounds have some type of connection. Sometimes they just have a central jack for dial-up, sometimes they have connections at each site, though there may only be xx number of lines for the entire campground so that you are still limited with on-line time. I found that even in this day of technology some dial-up speeds are really, really slow and it may take 4 hours to download a day of work. A lot of campgrounds now are going to WiFi, especially in the bigger cities. If you have a wireless card and the campground is a hot spot you can access their network (usually for a fee) and get high-speed access from your RV. You can use your cell phone, which I have done in a pinch, but we often traveled where there was absolutely no signal of any kind like in the Black Mountains of SD. There are wireless cards called air cards and this will allow you to access an open hot spot while doing down the road, though most hot spots are not open networks so you can't rely on that 100%. Places like B&N and Starbucks are hot spots for a few. You could access them from the parking lot so if you are traveling from point A to point B, you could just stop to rest or have a coffee and download at the same time. You can also use satellite. With satellite as long as you have a clear view of the southern sky you can get access, even in the middle of a field with no electricity (as long as you have a generator/inverter). You can get a system similar to what you would have in a residential situation and set it up every time you move or you can have a system installed on your roof that makes it much easier for about ($5000 and $99/mo). Downloads are not always high-speed and if weather conditions are severe you might not be able to get a signal or keep it, and uploads are much slower than downloads. We have utilized all of the above at some time or other. I had Earthlink as my ISP and they have lots of local access numbers and an 800#. Only twice in the 9 months we lived on the road full-time was I not able to get a signal of some type (before we got out satellite).
I recommend getting a campground directly from Trailer Life. You can find it at probably any parts/service center or dealership for campers and may find it at B&N. The don't list all campgrounds, because you have to pay for a listing, but there are campgrounds all over the U.S. listed and they list amenities, such as if pets are allowed, if they have internet access and what type of access, etc. This will help you make decisions about where to stay. You can also go on-line before leaving and print out a list of B&N and Starbucks and the like that have hot spots to use in a pinch. KOA campgrounds should all have some type of access, but they are more expensive and I don't think they are as nice a campground as some others.
If you don't already, you will want direct deposit setup and have all your bills setup to be viewed on-line, so that if you don't have to worry about having your mail forwarded so often or about paying bills on-time. I had all regular payments automatically drafted and bills like credit cards I paid on-line.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.
I've been an MT for over 20 years now.
Others who have seen me type say they've never seen anybody type so fast in their life. My typing speed has been described as truly amazing by others. There's no question that I have true natural ability when it comes to being an MT, so my knowledge or abilities are definitely NOT the issue here.
For years now, I have purposely worked for many of the companies out there in order to evaluate differences between line counts. I've done every kind of work there is too (Basic 4, ER, radiology, etc...). I'm a very well rounded MT.
I've found that MDI gives the absolute lowest line counts. I was able to average anywhere from 250-400 lph with all the other companies I worked for and this was after only 1-2 weeks of working with them as compared to working for MDI for years and knowing the account up, down and sideways!! So when I see people like you posting they average 300-350 at MDI, I really question this??? Also, I never had to pay long distance for anybody else either. Most other companies offer an 800 number or went internet files a long time ago.
I'm sorry you can't stomach the many negativities your company has, but in my experience, there's way better out there and I'm entitled to my opinion.
Merry Christmas :)
I've been doing this 20 years and still need
reference books and need to research. If you are putting out a poor quality product and you know you are there is no excuse. You should be proofing your reports or going back and relistening. I'm sorry life is rough, but that is no excuse for poor quality work. I don't work for KS, but I think you are wrong in putting the blame on them.
I've been an IC for 13-1/2 years and it's
bites me in the ass, it's the social security tax.
I've been an IC for years, While it has its sm
drawbacks, it also has its advantages.
A drawback is having to buy my own health insurance and having no other company benefits such as paid time off. Any time I'm not pounding the keys when I'm supposed to, I'm not making any money.
The main advantage is that I can draw up a contract with a company for hours/production that realistically fit ME! The easiest thing to do after this is stick to my commitment and schedule and things usually balance out.
Another advantage is being able to deduct expenses, reference books, computer, at-home office, some utilities, phone, gas/car if you pick up and deliver, etc. This means extra tax forms which cost$, but that's part of having your own business.
Don't forget, though, to stash away the taxes that the company would have matched for social security, etc. This is the self-employment tax.
And don't forget to save receipts for any business-related items, income coming in, etc.
As another poster said, gauge your taxes on what you made the year before if that is typical of what you usually do.
Don't be late with your quarterly estimated taxes as that will bite you in the buttocks as a late fee come tax prep time. By this, I mean that by January 15/16 (the date of the fourth quarterly payment for the year before), you should have sent in all you think you owe for that year.
Talk to a tax specialist and get the best advice. It's a bit complicated, but that's THEIR job. You just need to transcribe, pay your estimated taxes on time, keep track of expenses, and save receipts for tax day.
I find it helpful to keep a folder for the year and just plop IC-related receipts, etc., in it as they occur.
not the OP, but I've been there 4.5 years
nm
I've been with them for 4 years..
and I'm very happy there. They've gone through some management changes recently, but I think it's for the better. They've changed their pay structure also which has meant an increase for some people - in all honesty, though, not for everyone. I did take a pay cut because of the way my particular account was set up but I'm making it up pretty easily. The benefits are great. Next year on my 5th anniversary I'll be getting 3 weeks vacation. That's separate from personal and sick time by the way. I love my account and make good money with it. I posted below (or by now on the previous page!) with more detail, and so did a Transolutions supervisor. If you have any specific questions, I'll be glad to see if I can answer them. Otherwise our recruiter will be glad to speak with you. Good luck!
I've been doing it for 7 years. No
different that using a desktop. I do use an external keyboard the majority of the time.
I've been there almost 2 years now and
(guess I shouldn't call myself newer TT'r any more?) I haven't run out of work very often, or for very long. Oh, sure, over the holiday it was a little low, so I just took some much needed time off.
Other than that, the work has been as plentiful as when I started. I have a primary and 4 secondary accounts, but I'm rarely on my 1st seconday very much, and forget the other 3. I haven't seen a report from them for months! My primary keeps me very busy.
If you've been at this 20 years you (sm)
should know by now that in order to get the real skinny you're not going to get it from the recruiter, but rather the wounded. Yes, some may simply be disgruntled, but those are usually easy to weed out. When there is a pattern, you have to take some of that information into account when making your informed decision.
A recruiter is nothing more than the car salesman. His/her livelihood depends on bringing that MT in and unfortunately in some cases, he/she will do anything to accomplish that. To a recruiter, the MT is just a piece of their paycheck. Where is the incentive to tell the truth and answer honestly? Heck, they probably feel like many MTs do, disrespected and underpaid. I'd think after 20 years you'd summize that?
I've been doing this for 15+ years
that the same thing is said over and over and over again about this business. I do it in my spare time now and if I had to do it over I would NEVER have become an MT. There are MTs on this board who have been in the profession alot longer than me and they cannot believe the amount of pay ( OR LACK OF MONEY) to be made and how things are going downhill. MTSOs want more of our time for less money. Of course, I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know.
I've done that for quite a few years
I have 2 resumes; one for MT and one for regular jobs. I list my MT skills first, equipment/programs I know how to operate, and only jobs pertaining to MT, plus my education. It doesn't go over 1 page.
My second one, I leave off all the MT info. References are available upon request, but I do not include them with the resume.
If you have a lot of companies on the resume, I would suggest only listing them with the starting and ending month and year. Your skills/work types should be in the skill section. It's not necessary to repeat it.
I used to be a resume writer and my clients all had good luck landing the jobs they wanted, but that was a problem. They got the job they wanted, so I was essentially cutting my own throat. He-he-he.
I've been there 2 years myself
...and I'm never going anywhere else! The BEST MT company ever!
I've been there for 10 years sm
Although the pay is low, the platform is super easy and no one bugs you; they just let you work. They have been through a lot of changes in 10 years, but I have also and they have always been willing to work with me.
I find the dictators super easy for the most part; however, I have worked on some of them for 10 years so I know what they are going to say before they even say it. There are a couple of ESLs that are a challenge and one who is American that is worse than the ESLs. There seems to be plenty of work on my account during the day but I do type mainly the ESL pool. The people in the office are very nice to deal with as is the owner. Obviously, I think they are great because I have been there for a LONG time. :o) Hope this helps.
I've been an MT for 40 years and
I have done this dance before. Here is what you do:
1. Inform your MTSO that your pay is not contingent upon when SHE gets paid. Your agreement is with HER and not her creditors. 2. Tell her that if you are not paid within five (5) days of this request you will do the following: A. Put it in the hands of your attorney for action and collection. B. Notify the Fraud Division and Small Business Division of your State's Attorney General. Ask her if she does, in fact, have a valid business license. C. Tell her you will make a written report to the Better Business Bureau and any other consumer-service bureaus that exist in your area. I have see all too many MTs get sc***ed only because they allow it. Remember the old saying, YOU DESERVE THE KIND OF TREATMENT YOU WILL ACCEPT. Meanwhile, do not transcribe one more line. Further, you should warn her that this needs to be a one-time event and if it occurs again, you will quit. I trust you have a written contract or memorandum of understanding with her. If not, send her one, including a clause that states your pay dates are not dependent upon her getting paid by her client(s). You are not helpless. Start advocating for yourself. You can do it.
I've been there 3 years and I think they might have sent (sm)
a notice once...but the other 2 times I had to call or e-mail the person in HR and ask them.
I've been an MT for 36-1/2 years,
and never bothered with certification--until I went to work for a company that actually rewards the credential--1/2 cent per line raise for passing the RMT, and another 1/2 cent for the CMT. They also have free prep courses for both exams, AND they reimburse the cost of sitting for the exam if you pass it. So what's not to like? I took the RMT the first moment I could, passed it, got my raise (and my reimbursement) and in a few months I will join the study group for the CMT, and go for that as soon as I am eligible.
But for the first 36 years I had no use whatsoever for the credential. If one is not rewarded for it as we are at my company, what's the point?
I've been there nearly 3 years now and like it a lot (sm)
Try to get a backup account when you are first hired, unless there is absolutely a ton of work on your primary. I went through quite a dry spell with my primary account being very, very low. I finally got a good backup account. But even when things were bad there I knew they would work with me to get me more work so I hung in there and stayed with it and now I have plenty of work. They are one of the best companies out there. Good Luck!
I've been with them a little more than two years.
It has never been less than a wonderful place to work. The accounts are easy, for the most part (there is the rare exception, as with any place). The platforms are easy (I work on two different platforms and like them both). The owners have been more than accommodating when I have had emergencies and, as a matter of fact, have bent over backward for me more than once. I have always been paid on time, and the one time when my pay was off because I worked on an account I normally don't work, I simply notified the owner, and I had a check in my hands within 3 days. I've never had a problem getting hold of them. I was trained, and the trainer/QA person is available nearly instantly for any questions I may have, and it is probably THE MOST PLEASANT work atmosphere I have been in for a very, very long time.
I've worked other places, and the last place I worked was given absolute hell. I'll stick with Landmark. No employer is perfect, but they're pretty darned close.
I've been with them for over 10 years (sm)
have seen lots of management come and go, wish the latest batch would go soon. They used to be pretty flexible, right now are in a very militant mode as far as hours, production, etc. Not sure how many platforms they have, but the one I'm on requires a lot of mousing and very slow to change screens (patient info to document screen, etc), my production has dropped a lot as a result. Hoping things will turn around again somehow!
Well, gee whiz. I've been at this for many years SM
know my terminology and even build my own computers. Is that literate enough? What young whippersnapper can do that!
I wouldn't work for someone like that.
I've had 2 computers in 5+ years and SM
The only reason I got the new one was because they were sending them out to every one - no problems with the old one.
It's like cars - sometimes you get a lemon. LOL!
In 2 years, I've never had a problem
Sometimes ichart runs behind a day, but then they get the kinks worked out and it's back to current. I've double checked my line counts several times too and have never had a problem.
I've been with them for a couple of years
Nothing changed from that article and it was a story about an incident from 15 years ago. The work is steady and my paycheck is on time. I have no complaints.
8.5 cpl?? Are you sure it was NE? They've had pay stuck at 7 and 8 cpl for years! nm
s
I've worked for MDI-MD for several years and no,
my liason either. But that's okay.
Honey, I've been an MT 25 years. I never
that I post on a message board, but if you look at my work, it is top notch. That's why I have contracts with local hospitals. I have my own accounts. Can you say the same? No, I doubt it.
I think the recruiter is WRONG to encourage people to cheat.
In 5 years I've never had a day without work, though
have had probably 4 days of about half my usual line count, due to the hospital system being down or due to hurricanes, but never went completely without work. My company isn't hiring though.
And you've been with them for SIX years? "Close"
.
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