Not worth it for me,
Posted By: ExMQMT on 2009-04-23
In Reply to: I make 350-400 lph at TransTech - about $18 - $20/hr. consistently
I do 325-350 LPH, so VR would be a huge paycut for me. No thanks!
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
WHY isn't it worth it?
j
For what it's worth ...
I don't know about smaller nationals, but Spheris doesn't pay for those things either. If you run out of work, you can flex your time and make it up. If you don't want to do that and had rather have the time off you are allowed to do so. If you cannot get it made up AND you don't have PTO to pay yourself, then you still file for PTO and it covers you as far as failing to make minimum production -- that way you're not in trouble.
When I first started with TEM (now Spheris), they paid downtime by the hour but cut that out with their new pay plan about a year or more ago.
I don't know of any remote company that pays only on a production basis that would really afford such an offer -- paying downtime for no work. The hospital I used to work for has remote employees but they are all paid by the hour, period (yes, even at home) with incentive that pays out an extra hourly for production. If you are going to be down for 2 hours in a day, you are expected to drive to the hospital and work your day or flex it to a later time or PTO the missing time.
I'm not saying I agree with it or am thrilled about that situation but MQ is not the only company and, in fact, I would think right in line with everyone else.
Definitely worth it!
go for it
I think DRC - they'd be worth a try. nm
xx
Keep trying. It is worth it. nm
zz
Not worth it
The 12-hour window was nice and the account I was on was great. The people were nice but the payscale was just too low. Like many others have stated nice doesn't pay the bills.
The whole training in Trinidad and other countries really irked me too. The way it was presented and handled just stunk.
You are worth more than that
I have about half your experience and make more than that. You deserve better. But, I do agree with you since I make less than I did 5 years ago that the industry is drowning.
worth a try
All of the companies that I have left told me before doing so that I was welcome back at any time. You never know if that rings true or not until you ask for your job back.
I asked for my job back at 3 places....
The first one accepted me back no problems but had to jump through all of the hoops again.  I decided after receiving ALL OF THE paperwork late that that is basically the reason I left in the first place (lack of any kind of decent communication) - also noticing that the send back by date on my paperwork was due 3 days before the overnight package even got to me (if that tells you anything). Plus I wasn't able to get an old account back (that I knew had the work) so I would be going back into a situation where I might or might not have work again. From the looks of it would be running out frequently.
So, I decided to stick with the place I was with - hoping the workflow got better and that I would actually start making a paycheck again - It didn't.
I asked for my job back with the other place - they got back to my inquiry within minutes telling me I could come back! Boy was I thrilled. I left to test the waters with VR because I thought it would be easier for me -- boy was I wrong and stupid. I've been back there for a month now and couldn't be happier!!!!!! I've been through H*LL the past few months with companies and it makes you appreciate what you did have.
The third one, well, I didn't burn any bridges (minus leaving the in the first place which I think made her angry) - it was one place that I was sure would accept me back - or at least send me an I'm sorry we dont have any positions at this time. that is the kind of work relationship I thought we had -- because I bent over backwards for them as an IC basically 7 days a week. I do know the e-mail was sent and received (basically as soon as it was sent) and I never received a response back. Then again, thinking back on it, when I said that I was leaving (twice) first time never got a response, second time I got the coldest response out of any company that I have ever been with and I was with this one for almost 2 years making 7 cpl IC. So, I guess I saw the true colors then and regret now even asking for a position back with them.  I can't believe I was willing to take a 2 cent pay loss to go back.
SOOO-- moral of my story is -- follow your heart on this one. You left, match up the reasons why you left to is it WORTH going back. If it is worth it, don't waste your tiem in asking for your position back!!
Good Luck to you!!!
Not worth it
TTS - This lady is actually contracting MTs to work for the company she works for. Very poor communication, much chaos. Pay not dependable and on time, although I did get all money owed but was such a hassle, not worth it!
No, not worth it
Editing by the line can be profitable, but not with this company. Reason being just about all the work is typed offshore and needs to be listened to, even though some are just said to be read throughs. There is also a constant lack of work. The changes are what drove me out the door. Person after person just GONE. I had an account manager who had been there more than 10 years and just all of a sudden her job was gone. The HR lady is GONE, the other HR person is now helping manage accounts. No new accounts in ages. No information is the worst thing, people leaving, pay dropping, and no explanation why. They used to be an awesome company, but not now.
Why is it that men know what they are worth...
...and most women have that 'awesome' attitude in your opinion that we do not count, do not matter, and should be happy just to have a jobs, no matter how we are treated, how low we have to go, how much heavier the work load gets year after year...
sorry, but that attitude is not going to get your anywhere but the unemployment line in the long run...good luck with that.
When your companies start weeding you out, because they WILL eventually, get back to us on how great they are and how happy you are about it.
Seems like you not only agree with that, but you like it.
We always think we are worth more, don't we? (sm)
LOL - seriously though, this profession is not what it was 10 or so years ago. I am very happy at TT. They are very easy to work with, I love their platform, and I especially like the tech support which was practically nonexistent where I was before. I plan on retiring from this company.
Job not worth it
I know how you feel. Now they are going to be cutting our holiday incentive in half too. We only get 2 holidays now as it is.
Not worth it at all
I have done seminars, meetings and all of the above. With everyone talking very hard to do. In 60 minutes of taping, I easly got over $100 for line counts so $50 is WAY UNDERPAYMENT. Again it is not easy to do. I did a three day seminar once and make close to $1000 but it was an orthopedic one and with all the questions, etc. very hard to understand and lots of blanks. No way you can get 98% accuracy and if you have to look over all the presentation material to see what they are talking about, you are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy down there for pay. My two cents worth.
Definitely not worth it.
I made $52,000 one year. No social life, bad health, bad attitude, and that aged me about 10 years in one year. I worked in a transcription office all day, went home, ate dinner, and worked until I could no longer see, finally crashing on the bed (if I made if that far) around 2 a.m. Why did I do it? Looking back 10 years later, I have no freaking idea. It definitely wasn't worth it and I would never, ever do it again. I've learned to live with less, changed my spending habits, and now, as an IC, I take off when I feel like it. My life is way more important than my annual income.
please say it was worth it lol
/
What I am saying is, and take it for what it is worth....
Leads usually have quotas too. Work is directed to other transcriptionists and even though they say it is first in first out, that is usually not true! If you have a way to see who is working, what jobs they are getting you will see this is true. What she said was she took a stand for no work, realizes that the consequences were and went with it. Do you know how much time and lines you lose checking back and back for work? They could have let her go as most companies probably would or maybe a higher up would do something about the unfairness, though I doubt it. It is not going to change until we make it change, I certainly don't have an answer but when you cannot see what is in the dictation pool and leads and managers know this, anything can be done to you and is. Leads have quotas too and they also know where the dictation is. Probably how the girl got dictation, she knew probaby the person would be asked why she was quitting. No Transcriptionist that is solely working on line count is stealing dictation from you, you know that. She just got lucky. You should be mad that her company would give her jobs that should have gone to everybody working, where were they that they could be produced. You said it was showing no work for you. I am on your side too because it happens to me too.
MT worth
I see a lot of people say pay me what I am worth, so I would like to know - what do we think MT is worth and how did you come to that figure? What do you do to make yourself worth that? Do you proofread? Do you follow the BOS or whatever the client preference is? Do you know proper grammar, punctuation, etc? I am really curious as to what the consensus is on what an MT is worth and why? I am starting my own business, lining up several accounts, and looking to work with only the best. What things do you look for from a company? What is most important to you? What would make you want to work with someone or not work with them?
Worth of MT......sm
I would have to wonder also, would MTs rather be paid production or hourly? When I was paid hourly I had the time to proofread, research terms and do a fantastic job, however, when I went production, it is just produce, produce, produce. Don't get me wrong, I still research terms, I never guess what a doc might be trying to say, but, I will only listen for so long before leaving a blank, but, when I was hourly I might take the time to look at a previous report for the same doc or a previous report for the patient.
I am wondering if MTs paid hourly, with the same benefits as most full time employees, such as paid time off, paid holidays, health benefits, retirement plans might not show more accuracy and feel more appreciated and therefore do a better job.
You have great questions, I would like to hear what others have to say.
I don't know how to determine what pay should be, however, I know what I make compared to many on these boards and I can say I wouldn't be able to pay my mortgage on what some of these companies want to pay. For an educated Transcriptionist with 3-5 years experience, I don't think $26-30k is out of the question. There are some on here that may make more than that, there are probably some that make less.
Anyone else have a figure that they think is fair?
Not worth it. (sm)
Crappy pay. Expect lies when they lose accounts and have no work for days on end, and the worst part, it's not true IC - they expect you to keep the schedule you set in the beginning. Yes, you get to set it, however.... when I was interviewing on the phone, the VP asked me to hold on while she IM'd some people asking where the hell they were because they were supposed to be working and weren't sticking to their schedules. They called me once at 8 a.m. on a Sunday asking me why I wasn't working, even though I worked second shift! I was an idiot. Don't make the same mistake I did.
How can this be worth it?
Do these companies actually save any money sending the work to India? If it still has to go through multiple people to get a legible document, how much could they be saving? I hope it is worth what is happening to the US workers (in all fields) here who are left either jobless or making the same salary they made 15 years ago. I have no ill feeling towards the Indian MTs. I understand that they do what they have to do to make a living, but something needs to be done about companies paying foreigners ridiculously low wages so they can make a higher profit.
is it worth it....
Recently hired by OSi. When the tech went to install the software, he said he couldn't because I had Editscript installed. I use Editscript for another part-time job and really don't want to take it off, however, he told me he could not install their software unless I removed Editscript.
I guess my question is two-fold from anyone with similar experience. Does OSi keep you busy? And, is it necessary to remove another software platform just because you work for more than one company?
Please. WMX is not worth 2 more SM
months (and maybe longer than that) of sitting around. Work runs dry often. The OP should just move on, nothing special about the company at all.
I'm not so sure 8 cpl is worth
Needs 2nd or 3rd shift, flexible hours, but they need to know when you are working. I find that a little odd. I don't know who they subcontract for, but I would think a little higher line rate for IC status and 2nd and 3rd shifts would be in order. I could be wrong on all accounts though! 
TSSC definitely worth it. sm
I just started with TSSC 6 months ago. I think it was the best move I could make. I have assigned accounts. I know when my work is coming and don't have to worry about it being given to someone else. Pay is never an issue. They have direct deposit and set paydays. No waiting for the check to come.
I have been there through the changes and agree that it has been worth it
staying. I use the benefits and they are actually good. They do pay a portion of the health insurance but I do not think everyone knows this as they only give the employee portion when quoting.
My DD was late once by one day. Not a biggie as we knew in advance. Less important as they have a system of double checking the dates so it does not happen again.
3 cents worth
I just started doing QA for 3 cents a line. It's my first shot at doing QA and just want QA experience, but I often feel I'm wasting my time since I'm doing this part time. My first check will be sad.
that is sad, you're right, NO job is worth all that
/
Thats nobody's fault but your own, go get what your worth!!
There are too many companies out there that will pay you what your worth, why settle?
That's about 17 million more than he's worth. nm
x
Is it worth it to you to pay more for insurance and such...sm
to work for a smaller company that does not offshore compared to paying less for insurance, having smaller deductibles, but working for a company that does send work to India? I just left a large national that had great benefits, fairly inexpensive insurance with low deductibles to work for a smaller American owned service that does not offshore, but now I have to pay more for insurance and such, but I really feel like it is worth it to be treated like a person, not a number. What do you think? What would you do? Just curious.  
2 cents worth
Thanks, I really think it depends on you and what you are comfortable doing. I have worked some really bad jobs before, but as long as I did my job nothing everything went smoothly.
I just have to put my 2 cents worth in and
say that it has become ridiculous what companies are offering for those of us capable of editing, which requires years of being an MT and being well-versed in all specialties, etc. With all this experience, we're supposed to work for virtually nothing? I think not. I would plead with everyone on these boards not to accept low pay for editing...or for transcribing either. It has become sadder than sad.
Benefits are worth a lot
If they offer great health insurance, I would say that is good. Also paid time off and holidays. They probably give raises every year.
The Truth - for what it is worth on here....
I worked for Nicholas Transcription for around 7 years as one of the main editors on about 1/2 of their accounts. I recently left the company because it was time to move on and I kicked my small MTSO into high gear.
When you sign on with Nicholas, your contract clearly states that you get paid when they get paid by the client. For some of the accounts - that is weekly - for others it is semi-monthly or monthly. You know this going in - she is very up front about it and it is clearly stated in the contract for services.
The accounts are cream of the crop honestly - and I have been doing this type of work (MT and editing) for many many moons.
The accounts are steady - you have the same accounts daily and the volume is as much or as little as you care to dedicate your time to.
If you want to put in a decent days work for a decent days pay - then this is an excellent MTSO to work for. If you want to try to 'get by' and job out your work - look elsewhere.
They are flexible with scheduling and very easy to get along with. I know first hand that they are undergoing a lot of changes in the setup and flow of work through the office. They are streamlining things so that they can grow even more.
When you work in this business as an IC - you know that a payday every week is rare, and often unheard of. They do pay weekly on the invoices that have been paid by the clients. They even do direct deposit for ICs, which is super nice and not offered by most MTSOs.
So if you are an MT or an Editor worth their salt, you will give this MTSO a fair shake. I can basically say - if you are asked to leave this service - you were basically not doing your job - and for some time on that - because they will work with you and bend over backwards to accommodate you and your skill level.
I put my name on this post because I choose not to hide behind a blurbed name - I think if you are going to post on these boards, you should be honest, fair, and be able to back up what you say. If you cannot put your name on it - then why bother to clutter the boards with junk - plain and simple.
Not worth the aggravation.
I was all gungho but quit within a month.
Not Worth Applying With
I tested with them last year and spent a very long time on the test to get it just right, but they never felt the need to even respond to me with good or bad feedback. Just ignored me completely, like you should do them. I feel no response in either direction to an applicant says a lot for a company. Maybe if they read this they will learn some business decent procedures and treat their applicants better.
not worth my time
I wasn't justifying myself not to the likes of you at least.. I was trying to point out to you just how judgmental and uneducated your are in a way that maybe you could understand without me attacking you, which seems to be your area of expertise....
I will say it now so even someone like you can understand..it wasn't that I didn't understand what you said, it was that I was giving you the benefit of the doubt that you surely can't be that ugly..and trying to point out to you reasonably how judgmental you are..I see you missed that point too...I guess for someone like you who lives by the hammer it was just a little too finessed for you to comprehend..
thanks for verifying everything I said about you...
I don't plan to waste any more time on you...
VERY MUCH WORTH THE WAIT!
Agree 100%. I'm so glad I got hired on with them. That was a blessed day. I applied a long time ago, but since I live in a rural area at first I didn't have DSL, then I couldn't get unlimited long distance, now, I've been blessed!!! I have it all and FINALLY got on with Keystrokes!!!! Been there about 3 months now and loving every minute of it! I've been working hard, earing GOOD paychecks, making good relationships with Becky, Lee, Ginny, etc! I LOVE this place and hands down for me it is the BEST company I have EVER worked for and I've been doing transcription for 20 years!!!
exactly how much is "what you are worth"
x
It's not worth doing QA on production IMO.
You can't make any money & do a full edit, provide feedback, etc., if you're only paid a few cents per line. To answer your question, I think the average is about 3-4 cpl, and you just can't make a living on that, especially if the company hires new MTs or offshores. You'd be basically re-doing the entire report & then providing feedback to the MT for less than half of what you'd be making just straight typing as an MT. Hourly is the only fair way to provide effective QA, and I wish some of these companies would open their eyes & see that.
My 2 cents worth
Every transcription company has something bad going on... In an effort to keep my stinky job, I won't tell you the name of the company, but here's what goes on....
They are cheating us out of line counts every day in may ways.. skimming money off the top. Am working harder and more used to the account I'm on. In the beginning, I had less reports transcribed and more lines than I make now... get it... more lines, more reports, less lines. How can that possibly happen? Checks are short... they make it impossible for you to hit your quota so they don't have to give you benefits. When I ask about this, they beat around the bush so you just don't get it - you end up scratching your head and saying WHAT !!!???
They want us to work all day and all night every day and night and try to make you feel guilty if you don't.
Okay, I'm off my soap box. Later people.
MDI is definitely worth a try. However you must be patient
and understand right away you are restricted to 5 reports a day or 20 minutes of spoken word. This goes on for 2 weeks or so, until you are ready to be let go onto full contract typing. That is the test. If you make it and you want to stay it is worth it. However, you must want to be a contractor and willing to go with the flow of workload and as the work comes and goes. Personally, I think it is fine for a back-up or part time job. Have never not had my part-time lines. Pay is always on time. So if you want to be patient, and understand the process of hiring you will be okay for part-time for sure. Good luck!
They are not worth the bother.
After they are extremely nice and you get hired, they suddenly begin treating you poorly. I guarantee you will be placed on an account that forces you to work weekends and they call you on days off. That is how they operate. They also dump tons of operative notes on you that are VERY time consuming because they are dicated by residents who do not give the proper patient information. You spend most of your time doing detective work and NOT typing - which is what you get paid to do. They also teach against the AAMT book of style which is the incorrect way to learn if you are a newbie and will do you more harm than good in your future MT jobs! They are very demeaning to their MTs. Glad I'm out of there!
So, is it worth still looking into? I had heard
such good things, and now here, I am not.
No job is worth your sanity! Get out
of that job before you lose yours. Good-luck to you!
Here's why it's not worth 2 cents...
You make the assumption that there is a consistent amount of work at your example of 9 cents/line. I have spent a very long time trying to find the right combination of work that would allow $18+ per hour. You are dismissing the *common* occurrence of overstaffing, losing accounts, low volumes, etc.
You really should read the legitimate problems and complaints that hard working MTs have before you lump us all in the 'spoiled' category. I am so spoiled I'd like to not have to choose between food and paying the utilities!
2 cpl isn't worth getting out of bed for in the morning.
.
VR would have to pay 6.5 cents to be worth it... nm
what iswrong
I'm in Fort Worth
But I'm looking to work at home, not on site.
My experience...for what it's worth. sm
I was a TRS transplant as well. I am sorry that so many people have had such bad experiences, but mine has been rather the exact opposite. I accept that my experience is probably not the norm, though, and respect everyone elses opinion as well.
I started at TRS in February, and went full time right around the same time as the merger. I still work the same accounts I did at the outset with TRS, and had added a few more within my team as well. However, when I started running out of work, I got an email asking if I would be willing to cross-train on another platform. I am now cleared on a few accounts on this other platform as well, and the now work available situation has eased.
What may help my situation, though, is that from day one, I have been up front with my supervisors and said that I would be willing to take on as much as they wanted to give me, and I didn't care what I typed as long as I was working.
I really think this flexibility has helped to ensure my work load. I do not have a listed primary and secondary account, but rather I have primary and secondary PLATFORMS, as I work primarily my entire team's list of accounts.
|
