I just put in my 0.002 cents in on this issue myself.
Posted By: Hayseed on 2007-09-19
In Reply to: Breaks & Line Count - Kristy
I think companies that say stuff like this are, well, I can't say the word but it's a banned one for sure. HELLO out there...We are paid on PRODUCTION. No one knows more than us that if we don't make lines, we don't get paid well...of course we all know that they will remind us if for some reason we fall below their predetermined robotic production requirement.
This whole 1/2 hour unpaid for lunch is absolutely infurating to me for some reason which I have yet to figure out. I can feel my neck veins throbbing even now just thinking about it because the joint where I work pulls the same crapola, and yes it is crapola.
Man, I so do feel a career change looming.
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
What is average? 7 cents, 8 cents, 9 cents? 65-character?
x
I also work for 8 cents a line. I left a job typing OPs for 10-11 cents sm
to take a clinic job. I made an average of $17-18 an hour with OPs, now make $16-17 an hour, but the work is easier on me. I do not call that poor pay. I type 200+ lines an hour. True, it isn't the $26-27 an hour I was making 10 years ago at a hospital, but that's gone for good. I have excellent skills, make better than 99% on QA at any company I have worked for, and some of those have been very demanding.
I'm afraid the people that are expecting to make $20-30 an hour in MT are going to be disappointed. A few can still make that amount, but for the average good transcriptionist, the pay is much more likely to run $15-20. Benefits are pretty much gone. However, I feel that what I'm making is considerably above what I could make in another field, unless I decide to teach, which I will not do. Still, I make more than I would at Walmart or Burger King, or even a secretarial job. It's my choice. Good luck to you.
The mentoring program does not pay 8-1/2 cents per line. Believe it is like 6 cents.
n/m
4 CENTS , SCHMORE CENTS. THAT'S WRONG!
Whether an MT is new or an editor, 4 cents a line is deeply insulting, and 9 cents per line isn't really too much better. You know, I understand that most of these MT companies want to save money, but most of them don't seem to want to pay what an MT's time and skills are really worth. Why not pay an MT who has been in the field for 7-10 years or more 15 or 20 cents per line? At least I might consider working for one of these companies at home if I were to be paid that much straight off the bat for having 12 years' experience, but I guess that would be too much like right...
Do they still pay you 5 cents a line and 2 cents if you send anything to QA?
xx
I have a problem with 7 cents and 8 cents a line because
...when I started 15 years ago, my very first MT job started me out at 8 cents a gross line, then went to 9 cents a gross line after only a year. I was SOOO happy and proud of myself for choosing a profession that paid so well - I imagined myself making a lot of $$ once I had 10 or 15 years experience behind me...
Well that never happened; in fact, it all went backwards, pay wise. The company I worked for back then sold out to a national, and of course the pay was cut, and 9 cents a gross line was never to be had again, at least not that I could find. I am considered living in poverty now. I started out great but have ended up very badly.
I think my own personal problem is that it's hard for me to let go the fact that I made good money just starting out and how everything I had ever learned about jobs, careers and pay was that the more experience and education you have in a particular field, the more your pay goes up as each year passes. Well my pay has been consistently taking a nosedive for at least a decade now. I actually have to work MORE to make at least as much as I did years ago, and it's killing me health-wise as far as my wrists, my legs, my neck, my back....
It also kills me that I'm going to have to accept 7 or 8 cents a 65-character line when I made so much more than that 15 years ago.
I suppose to someone who's just starting out, 7 or 8 cents would seem pretty good, though. Maybe that's why I haven't been able to land any jobs with my resume. They may not want me with my years of experience, probably want a newbie who will be more grateful about such low pay. I dunno.
I could just kick myself for wasting money on MT school those years ago when I could've spent it on a career that would actually LAST and where I'd be making great money after being in the same field for 15 years. There's just no reward to this business. None at all, IMO.
I would NOT recommend this field to anyone just getting started. To me, it's a dead field.
I'd have more freedom working at McDonalds (for a number of reasons), and, believe me, I've been considering taking a local job around my home for minimum wage. At least I'd have a consistent paycheck and would know exactly what I'm getting every 2 weeks, then build from there as far as another job or two.
Well anyway that's all. I really need a job. I'm going down, going under, and it's a shame because I do very good work and have all this experience but no one seems to want me, even the low-paying companies. Oh well.
Few cents here, few cents there stolen from you by
x
I'll add my 5 cents to your 2 for 7 cents sm
I AGREE WITH YOU!
I know an MT who sits on her laurels and whines about no work and only getting 9 cpl after 5 whole years of experience. She can type 3 specialties, won't touch an ESL, goofs off when there is work and whines when there is not. I have tried to help, but it is quite plain to me she doesn't want that help.
I have about 3 times the experience of the above MT. The only specialty I have not done is pathology. I have literally done everything else. I know the BOS 2 like the back of my hand and I have outstanding accuracy scores (even if I can't type straight here). I work as an employee and make a base rate of 8.5 cpl, which I never get because I always have some of the different incentives offered. I regularly turn that 8.5 cpl into $25 an hour and at my PT job where I get 10 cpl and faster software, I can turn that into $32.50 an hour.
I have heard, more times than I can count from other MTs that they wish they could have my income. I can tell they why they don't. It is called hang out to complain on a message board like MTStars. It is doing everything, BUT your work on your shift. It is your lack of a willingness to learn new things, even if they slow you down some. This very year, recently in fact, I was put on straight cardiology procedure notes and I didn't worry for a second that I would suffer financially. I AM FLEXIBLE and that, in a nutshell, is why most MTs will not succeed.
A long time ago I realized that if I want more money, I was going to have to work SMART, not hard. In my 15 years, I now make 5 times what I did my first year and at the same exact line rate I had then! I spend less time working to achieve that these days. So no, I can't agree with your sky is falling routine.
Most of you...your attitudes suck. If I had to have you on site as my employees, you would not last 15 minutes. The first time I heard you at the water cooler whining about your pay, I'd fire your fanny so fast it would make your head SWIM. I have eyes in the back of my head too, so when you started making that stink face you are making right now, I'd have sacked you for that, on the spot, no warning and no day's pay. The ONLY reason you all get away with this is that you THINK no one who knows you is watching and that your respective contract holders can't figure out who you are.
By and large, I can't tolerate other MTs as friends. I find them lazy, self-absorbed whiners and complainers with some the worst negative attitudes I have EVER seen! If you hate MT so very much GO GET A JOB DOING SOMETHING ELSE. I can tell you, your bad attitude, your tendency to complain, whine, witch (with a capital B), moan and ALWAYS see the most negative side of everything...THAT crap will follow you to that new career and it won't be any better than this one. You have issues and I really think they are issues for a good therapist. They are called personality disorders and many of you have them in multiples and in spades!
I think you should be completely and utterly ashamed of yourselves. Too many people are out of work, homeless, and starving this Christmas to be so opinionated and selfish.
That is so odd to me. I have never had an issue
making the line count and there has always been an overabundance of work since I've been there and they even ask regularly for us to work more if possible because there's so much work, and I don't work on C-phone accounts at all.
she had an issue with ...sm
anyone who had a brain because she was intimidated by truth and intelligence. She is driving that company into the ground. I feel bad for the blind eyes of the owner. That was a great company in its day, now all I see is a company that is going to sell or go belly up.
Do you have some issue?
Or do you just like to jab at anybody who has something positive to say?
I don't get it.
If I may, what is the issue
with the pay? Are they not standard paydays?
I think the issue is
that what started as a simple inquiry as to whether or not other people were also out of work quickly turned to bashing the company and personal bashing of management personnel. From what I gathered, half of the people doing the bashing were never employees. I honestly feel for the OP as I went 4 months making $25 a week if I was lucky at the end of my time with MQ (that was the longest holiday slow down in history). However, I have not had the same experience at MDI and actually am lucky enough to have an abundance of work at the moment. I don't know how Carlotta found out about the comments on here, nor do I care. I would imagine that since it is a public forum she may have run across it herself without an MT blabbing. I believe Carlotta's response was generally saying the issues/slamming in the subsequent posts were things that should be discussed with her, the liasons, and/or Dorothy.
QA issue
I went full through full QA and was released with above 99%. Additionally, I asked my QA for help regularly for help on some difficult dictators (for the future) and she always commented how throrough I was.
That was before the company changed hands, however, and all QA personnel changed.
pay issue
My pay has actually went up, not because of the VR necessarily, but because of DH getting laid off, and the need to work harder, not just meet line requirements (which was my goal prior to lay off). That is the reason I worked so hard at learning VR. I didn't want to starve (starvation is great motivator) 
Well, I'm sure you'll get over your issue with me
and you should stop adding the fuel, I think you are enjoying yourself 
don't fret over the OT issue yet
You may find that OT is offered (and sometimes begged for) more often than you think. If you keep a good line of open communication going with your PS, then I really don't think you'll be as bad off as you are projecting.
Something else, too, is that it's always good if you need >40 hours to have a part time company to supplement.
This is not an EXText issue (SM)
It is a company issue. Not all companies that use EXText deduct 30% of your line count. There are several companies that use EXText. Don't get in a panic! Find out what the company's policy is on headers and footers, what they pay for, what they don't etc.
Yes, I contacted HR, this is not an issue
with my paperwork. It is that they have not sent my contributions to MetLife - not one cent all year, and I am having 10% withheld. That is a lot of money the company has been using. Almost seems like stealing, doesn't it?
I don't think the comma is the issue.
Looking at other people's work is a violation and perhaps, just perhaps, the attitude is more the problem that was being brought up. I QA all day as well and I am appalled at the lack of care taken with records and have to agree with the MTSO above. To do this dance properly, you have to understand the steps. I live in fear of becoming ill and ever having the opportunity to see my chart and read what it contains. I will take 1,000 lines of good clean work over 2,00 lines per day of typing for dollars transcription any day. I do not think that you should be made to feel like you do not know anything .. but I do think that there is a responsibility to point out errors and expect compliance.
The quality only became an issue when
the offshoring began. I don't understand why they wouldn't QA 100% of the work knowing there were quality issues.
I know we're not the only MTs to go through this, but many of us have a long history with QT and unless you've been on the inside you don't truly understand all the emotions we're going through. I feel like my best friend has just stabbed me in the back.
Your attitude is exactly what I have an issue with...
Healthcare should be about humanity, in my opinion. It should not be a business.
The only thing QA is for, is a place to go in between management for MTs to make more money.
You are making the salaries MTs used to make.
If I am burned out, it is from your kind of attitude that it is happening everywhere and we just have to deal with it.
I know better, I know I am a worthwhile human being and not just a grunt for some corporation who makes millions off my hard work, and then expects me (as you echo) to just shut up and type, and be ever so thankful I have a job.
You sound burned out to me. You sound like you do not care a bit about humanity or people. You are only interested in yourself, and you found a way to make more money rather than just do MT.
Some day the trend will change, and people will matter again. Your little digs to me do not bother me. It only shows your character.
Speed is a big issue
10 cpl is more than I make, but I'm pretty fast. My base rate is 7.5 to 8 cpl depending on which of my 2 accounts I'm on, but since I do enough lines daily to qualify for bonus, I acutally make 9 to 9.5 cpl per line. I average about 1500 lines per day. Production is what drives pay, so that's why I'm making what I do. I think it's unfortunate that years of experience isn't really compensated in this business, but years of experience doesn't always equal what the employer wants, which is speed and low error rate. Everyone brings a different set of skills to the job. In the end it's what you produce and not how many years you have behind you that the employer cares about. Fair or not, that's the nature of this business.
What do you mean by a spacing issue? (sm)
Why would you use the ShortHand for your normals? It is so very slow playing out, wouldn't you be better off to use the built-in ESP? I have Shorthand in my computer, but am gradually changing everything over to ESP and it has helped my count greatly. You can put your normals in the ESP (at least on my account you can) and it is so much faster than the SH. 
and I'm not saying this is your issue, but I know personally
my company will make things not so nice for an MT hoping they'll quit rather than firing them. If quality continues to be poor, not meeting TAT, etc., then there may not be enough work, only the horrible dictators, etc. If things are slow and you are a new hire maybe the old-timers are getting the work. If a new account went VR that might also explain the work load too. If you are otherwise happy at KS I'd call and be firm in that you need more work.
I feel like companies should offer some explanation if work is low. I know they can't give you what they don't have, but if you are a FT MT, there is a reason you are and you have obligations to meet and it isn't fair that they can't provide the work you need and not give you some feedback.
lol It's a punctuation issue!
MTs ... plural ...more than one
MT's ... possessive ... something belonging to one MT
MTs' ... plural possessive ... something belonging to more than one MT
You're too funny with your holier than thou crap! LOL
They really need to address this issue because
they will find all the good MTs bailing out. This has gone on long enough, they enabled ctrl I, but that is not the real issue. If they want to keep us, they better come straight. I think many are on the verge of leaving, I know that goes for me and I've been with them well before they signed on all these new accounts.
About this demographics issue...
I don't understand...there's one number we must fill in on the DI, unless the MRN doesn't pull up the patient name, which is rare. It takes all of 2 seconds to put in the visit number, so to complain about that is just ridiculous. AND, we are VERY lucky to have so much work,while other companies can't even provide enough to keep their MTs making the minimum required lines...I, for one, Love Amphion...going on 2 years with them and am very happy. But hey, if there is a mass exodus, just means more work for me...and I only work 7 hours a day, make well above the minimum requirements...maybe you all just can't handle the perfection that it takes to be an Amphion employee...
I was able to help someone I know with the Meditech issue because
their manager did not answer the question. I knew how because I worked with KS briefly. I really loved the idea of the work I was assigned, the docs were good and I was about to learn another hospital, even my schedule was really awesome. But, nobody would get back to me on questions, even how to get line counts, etc. and I felt left out. I did not come on here, but I figured stuff out myself, which by the way cost my line count, but once I learned I could do the work. In the end I gave up and left because I did not feel valued. I thought of trying again when they are not so busy, and I have seen other people have wanted to or tried to go back; but in the end I guess I learned my lesson. If proper training up front is not given and e mails are neglected it is not the kind of place I personally feel comfortable working. How hard is it to set up check points in a training system and giving the basic information before someone goes on line. All it takes is some organization and TLC and the MT is on their way happy for the duration. And that is the job of management, to make sure these things take place. Oh well just MHO.
Slowness issue still there for me
Some accounts must be affected differently than others, because its as slow or a little worse for me lately. I guess as long as someone is willing to say the problem is fixed they'll never really fix it.
Issue resolved here, too!!
Issue resolved here, too as of 2:30 p.m. I really never had any doubts to begin with as pay has never been late.
They are the most professional group of people I have ever worked with in 20+ years.
It really irritates me that people have to come to a public forum and tell ALL to people who really have nothing to do with the issue. If you have issues, go to management. Maybe it's the people who have to run their mouths (fingers) to every MT in the country that haven't gotten their checks yet.
Boy, things sure do come back to bite sometimes, don't they?
Does anyone else have the same issue as my friend?
I have a friend, also an MT, who is a supervisor. There is one MT who, every time you turn around, is playing the kids card to get out of working her share. My kids are sick, I have to take my kids to soccer practice, I'm taking off a day to be with my kids, I'm going Christmas shopping with my kids, etc. The list goes on and on, at least 20 days this past year. She keeps on asking me Should I terminate this MT? I would have done that long ago, but she's too nice for her own good. What do you all think? Have any of you had a co-worker who played the Kids Card all the time?
Platform or other issue
Wondering, too, if it would really be the platform or maybe RAM or connection issue. It's hard to believe a software company would test and not fix a software that was so slow. Plus you would think the MTSO would test it out and not buy something that would be such a problem.
Get used to it. Communication has always been an issue. Also....
be forewarned that one of the bigwig frequents this board. Not that you care, but they will figure out who is saying what. Overall, when I worked there, I liked it but hated the communication issue.
I always force the issue and ask what their pay is....
although I don't apply to IC-only companies - I never like their offer, and know the IRS rules to the nth degree. However, I do think one should have an idea of the range of pay before proceeding with any further testing - saves me and the recruiter time, IMO!
hughesnet issue
I know your problem. I just moved from the Oregon Coast and had Hughesnet. The only company that I know of is Oracle Transcription, Inc. I am not sure if they are hiring though; work has been slow. Good luck!
That is NOT the issue at Webmedx. NOT AT ALL.
You must not work there.
Here's how I see IC issue with Transcend
Here is my opinion. I feel that we will all have to become employees in Jan. From what I remember in meeting, Jan 1 date was mentioned, and it seemed to me evasive when asked if we could stay IC. I do remember them saying if you wanted to be employee now you could do that now. Well, I wonder then if we are going to have a choice, and if we could do it now, why then would there be a Jan 1 date at all? Do you see what I mean? Jan 1 for what? Wouldn't you think that if one wanted to be employee, they'd do it now. So, that's why I think we will not be offered IC.
MDI merge issue
Has anyone from MDI quit without giving any notice, since the merge announcement? I'm not sure if I should give notice or just quit right away and start new job. Thanks
Overhiring is the other issue
Many of us have no work NOW, and can't pay our bills NOW. What will it be like when we're all even faster and getting paid even less? We've been losing accounts as fast as we can recruit new ones.
The sound quality issue...
There is one account that the voice is uploaded from another system and it's only the voice files dictated on 2 specific ports there, not all of their dictation. The company is working to get the problem resolved with the client presently. I'm holding out because overall I don't think the company is bad.
Transcendite MT
Not so, and really don't feel the need to debate the issue with
I was referring to you being wrong about the software bundle, and what Medware furnishes. I could care less about your opinion of Medware. We all have opinions and you are most welcome to voice yours.
I think you are the one who started this with the wrong information about the software and references, and then you got upset because I am happy with my employer.
Maybe you are the one who doesn't like to be called out. Once again, sorry bout ya!
Lots of work - I have NEVER had this issue
x
Not to be gloomy, but the LD is a HUGE issue.
Did you not see the posts on the main board over recent weeks on how the LD companies are cracking down on MTs who use LD for work? They can tell and the MTs are getting hit with HUGE bills and penalties. You absolutely have to sign on for business LD account, and that is MAJOR BUCKS. LD was the #1 reason why I turned down my offer from MDI-MD. It is a major issue and could really cost you in the long run. Of course, they down-play it, but times are changing and the LD companies are NOT putting up with MTs anymore using normal LD plans. I certainly did not have $500 to $700 a month as quoted to me for business LD.
Check on that downtime issue
They are a wonderful company; however, they may not have updated the manual, because they have dc'd paying for no work downtime only recently, I would say within the last few months. They do pay for technical downtime but not for no work any longer. Check with your lead or personnel.
Line count issue, again!
Maybe I'm just in a grouchy mood but I'm finding it hard to work for a company that cannot keep the line count program up and running. It has been down for the last 2 days (Thursday and Friday) and I'm just so frustrated with this. It's not like it only happens once in a great while, oh no, this is a weekly problem. Maybe I'm just miffed because the entire line count program seems shifty to me in the first place.
Would you have issues with this or should I just keep plugging along in the dark?
It is a long standing issue at
Davis Transcription including bounced checks (notice I did not say check). I gave up. My work is worth some respect and that is measured by when the company pays. She has excuse after excuse and the office staff just floats along with her. Soooo glad I left!
Good luck
The pay issue was not a one time occurance.
TTS talked a good game but couldn't hold up to what they promised.
I had my line count switched with someone else once, but other than that my line counts were correct with TTS. Getting the correct pay for that screw up was another matter.
Pay was, for me, an ongoing issue for several months. I called the owner late one night and while she was pleasant on the phone, I got a not so pleasant email the next day.
I heard the whining about how mean this board is and how it hurts her..and then I got paid late again. Can't say I care if it hurts her feelings. I'll never recommend her company. There were some MTs that never had an issue. Good for them.
There are companies out there, like the one I work for now, that REALLY does respect their MTs and treats us well. My line counts are correct. My pay is on time every time.
I agree to take what is on here with a grain of salt, but becareful who you work for.
Not a foot pedal issue - I used my own.
Actually, it's more like $165+ but who's counting when it ain't gonna be paid! This isn't bashing. It's trying to call them out--some of these outfits deserve a bad rap if they do this to an MT trying to make a living. My work was never criticized, QA was good. It's MTs treating sister (term loosely used) MTs badly. That's all I will ever say about them again. They cheated me out pay for work I performed for the, without the slightest apology or explaination. I quit working for them, not the other way around. Why should I continue working in good faith when one pay period went by, then another... I'm done. Thanks for the forum. Good luck to all current happy folks there.
But he does address the MT weight issue...
xx
The only thing I have an issue with at TransTech
Is that it sometimes takes a while to get an email response. They will eventually get around to it but are obviously very busy. No other problems whatsoever, and I'm happier here than any other place I've worked. Particularly slow at the beginning, but they will answer you. They recently had their email server crash, but that has been fixed.
|
