I've had spot spelling tests over the phone for svl places in my years. Not fun when you rely on
Posted By: your spellcheck so much. nm on 2006-02-12
In Reply to: Testing over the Phone? sm - niteowl
s
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I recently took two over the phone tests.
It is not that bad. In both cases the person giving the test made me feel quite at ease. I passed both tests and even took a position with one of the companies. It is easier, does not take forever to do, and the questions in both cases were things you see every day in transcription. I have heard of about four other companies who have started testing on the phone now. I remember years ago the old Edix as well as the now gulped Your Office Genie all did phone tests. There is a lot to be said for these tests. I took them then with those companies and also passed and got job offers.
Interview by phone. Tests are on line. NM
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Spot on! You've got it right! I am so sick
of these MTSOs taking advantage of ALL of us, newbies and oldies alike. It makes me sick, yes, sick, to read the posts from all the innocent new hires, who are so excited about their new job, and on here all happy with a few questions. My heart sinks when I see the company they signed onto, and then my BP starts to rise when I read how they love the recruiter, she was so nice, blah, blah. Boy, been there, done that, and these MTSOs and their lying recruiters are still playing the same game they were 5 years ago. I nearly went bankrupt believing the lies, and why not? Why would MTSOs lie to us? Why would recruiters lie to us? I'm not saying all do, but definitely the ones discussed regularly on this board are what one might otherwise term pathological liars. They have NO shame. Promise the MT the moon, get them to say YES and commit, and then just wait til that first week or two. That recruiter will vanish off the face of the earth. They're done with you, got their commission or salary, added another notch on their belt and have moved on to the next victim. Yet MTs read the experiences of all the rest with no work, no work, overhiring, and still fall for this. Its beyond a shame. I think it must somehow be illegal. I'll never forget a great recruiter at Transcend. I thought she was a saint. She thought I was so wonderful and special, she put me on their best account... I kid you not, exact words, and I think paid me something like 8.5 cpl. Which she also told me was their MAX cpl, and only done for me as I was so special... Well, unbeknownst to me, or her, a coworker who I shared my wonderful Transcend experience with, applied a day or 2 later. The same saint recruiter told my friend (again, not knowing this), that she would put her on a different account. When my friend asked if they had any accounts in the state I had told her - as I didn't give the account name, the recruiter laughed and told her it was their WORST account, full of garbage and ESLs, and only chumps got put on it. She was too special for it, and also got at least another cpl offer more than I did. And I had tested better and had years more experience, but my friend was more assertive. Well, she called me and compared notes. She never started, as she was so insulted at the BS, and I tried, but hated it. I just didn't have the heart, knowing I was deceived. That's just an example of the game, and its still going on. When you see the same company names hiring all the time, there IS a reason, and don't fall for the excuse that its because they are getting new accounts. Oldest story out there - right up with the check is in the mail. Cover this stuff up front with those recruiters, get a guarantee in writing of a work load and hit the ball out of the park when asking for your line rate. You can bet that whatever they offer is bottom barrel offers, so go for it! You have nothing to lose, believe me.
Sometimes you get spelling and abbrvns over the phone, typing later on. Bone up on your harder
s
I'm assuming she freezes on the phone with a pop spelling and abbrvn quiz. nm
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Worked on C-phone for 10 years with 1 phone line
nn
I've had two places tell me no
I'm not 100% sure, though. I was told I had to have 2003.
I've done VR at 2 different places now....
Both places, I could see old reports and while I'm seeing all these old reports with ridiculous errors and some just downright mind-boggling, I'm seeing the same crap on my screen for me to fix.
So, I'm talking to my supervisor one day about going back to just regular old transcription and she says to me I've got girls doing 3000 plus lines per day on VR, you'll get there eventually. So I said, With good quality? She said yes, of course....I started looking for work right then. Now I come to my 2nd place with VR and I'm getting the same crap. I see these godawful mistakes and no one seems to care. I've pointed them out and have been told If the hospital doesn't complain, don't worry about it.
If I sit here and make these reports good quality, format-wise as well as content, I CANNOT double my line count and I've been doing this for over 10 years. If I just run through them like apparently every one else is doing, I might make some money....at least until someone complains....then I have no job.
I've since gone back to just plain old transcription. My wrists burn, but I'm happy and making money again. I wish you all the best of luck at 4 cpl, which seems to be the going rate. Good luck!!!!
Here's a few I've gathered. Some places only
Amphion, Charts In Time (CIT), DeVenture (some), Focus, eTransPlus, Keystrokes (some), Landmark (some), MedWare (some), NEMT (some), Opti-Script (Penn.), OSI, Probity (some), Professional Transcriptions (Pensacola, Fla.), Rapid, Superior Global, Transcriptions South (Fla.), Transcription Systems (Ill.), Transcend (some), TransTech, and TTS in New Hampshire. Good luck!
I don't think it's that bad. I've done a lot worse at other places.
nm
Last 2 places I've worked I was off QA
after one day.
Two should be fine. I've found that most places don't even
s
Here's a few places I've noted that use Meditech...sm
Ascend, Accentus, DataKey, DeVenture (some accts.), Keystrokes (some accts.), MDI - Florida (some accts.), NEMT (some accts.), Philbrick Transcriptions, PMSI in Alabama, SA Wynn, SPI/Cymed, Superior Global (maybe in conjunction with ExText, and Synthescribe... so far. nm
I've applied to 15 places here in 2 weeks and
nm
Sounds like several places I've been with! They can tweak the distribution of work any way they
s
I've been with places that disabled Ctrl/I as they said the line count given was "too high.
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Wow, years ago. Are they still in existence? Some places with lists of MT services are extremely
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You've got a computer and if you need a C-phone you don't need
DSL or cable because you obviously are having to call into the system. Most people would have DSL or cable whether they were an MT or not, so that expense really couldn't be attributable to the job.
Easy tests versus harder tests...
Having passed both and offered jobs at both, which company would you likely go for? They both have the same basic benefits and line rates. Would I be assuming that the harder testing will mean that the dictation is more difficult? Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated!
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.
Really sad where people will readily list places they hated but not name places that are great.
What a wonderful, sharing group of people MTs are. :-(
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.
I did phone training years ago on the platforrm and was paid 50.00 per call (sm)
The call usually lasted an hour, and was one-on-one.
Not new at all. I don't rely on
my company giving gifts to show how much they appreciate me nor do I need the gift card to feel warm and fuzzy all over. I do my job each day, get my paycheck, and don't complain. I have learned how to save money over the years, live a comfortable life and don't stress about what I will or won't receive at Christmas time. Greed is the big factor here, expecting that trickle down thing to happen. If you don't like the company you work for MOVE ON. If you don't like your job, FIND ANOTHER PROFESSION. Someone earlier said we women were the smarter gender; yeah, smart enough to work from home for what is a lousy wage at times, b*tching and complaing about not making enough money, what kind of gift our company is going to give us, how to pay the bills. That sounds intelligent to me! Whiners.....
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!
Never rely on just one MT service...sm
In my 13 years as an MT, I have been nearly evicted because I relied on only 1 company to make ends meet. After that experience, I vowed to always keep at least two companies to work for. It takes about that many or more just to make job security in this industry, depending on who you work for.
I'm really hearing good things about Transtech and Keystrokes, though I've never been involved with either one. They are saying these companies give you back-up accounts with plenty of work. Again, this is hearsay from this forum. Sounds like it is worth a shot, though.
Rely on your contract - you did have one - right? nm
nm.
Do not rely on Radiology
it is dying a slow death. Insert crying emoticon here.
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.
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