Oh yes, *those* questions. Insight inside.
Posted By: sm on 2006-03-23
In Reply to: Transcend - sm
They are a pain, but I do know why they are asked. Every once in a while recruiters get an applicant who puts down I have used Windows/Word/IE, whatever, before, but not much. I can learn, but I might be slow.
The application typically gets ditched, and here's why.
There's no time or staff availability to teach someone how to use a computer to the point that they are comfortable with day-to-day activities. It's time consuming as all get out. So, though it's a drag for people who are proficient to fill out (even very briefly Yes. Very. or Trust me. Really. works), it saves companies from hiring people who honestly somehow never have gained proficiency using a computer. When those folks do slip through they typically leave within the first 30 days out of frustration, and waste their own time and the company's time and money.
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please see questions inside
1. What is the name of the platform that he uses?
2. What is the work schedule and where is he located (to know the time difference)? TAT? Minutes of dictation?
3. Is he American or ESL? (just curious...any will be fine with me).
4. Does he pay for ink and paper?
5. Who will screen the candidates, him or you? Does screening require signing into his computer?
Thanks so much for the insight
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your insight into the situation. Thanks too for understanding my question. What you said about the supervisor was what I wanted to know when I asked if they would be supportive I am not somebody who needs baby sitting, but I do need to have the tools to do my job. And I am sorry they did not give you the incentive for second shift, that is awful! After all that running around before starting and to have to give it up is just a shame, and to not have work and sit around is also a shame, as obviously you are talented if you are a hospital transcriptionist.
I believe that this is the same supervisor, BTW as a friend of mine got in touch with me since I wrote this question, and seems like the same thing happened to her and she felt that her many years' of experience meant nothing to the supervisor they have now. No training, never answered her e mails or calls and did pretty much tell her to shut up and type.
Thanks again for helping me. I'd hate to start a job and turn around and quit... not my style after being with a hospital for 10 years.
A little insight on George
http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/lhs1982/GCatuogno.html
Copy and paste this link into your browser or click on link below.
Anyone with exp working for InSight? sm
They are a radiology management company hiring for at-home Radiology MTs; however, you must live in Arizona. Anyone heard of them?
Maybe I can offer some insight s/m
at the risk of offending someone below who wondered why I would continue to peruse the boards if I'm retired. Well, I'll answer that question first: I woke up yesterday morning and decided I didn't want to retire after all. Did a bit of research and found out someone I worked for 15 years ago is now the CEO of a company, who will remain anonymous at the moment. I made a phone call and have a P/T job with the new company which I will start Oct 1.
Now to your problem. #1 and #2 are correct. I know this because the same thing happens to me. Several years ago (before TT) I emailed the sup and told her I knew I was getting all the crap dictation and that I didn't mind that but if I was going to do all the crap dictation I would like to be compensated accordingly. She emailed me back and said that she knew I was getting more than my share but that the dictation I was getting was way over the heads of most of their MTs. I wrote her back and said then how about giving me a raise. She wrote back and said that she was putting in a raise for me retroactive to the last pay period. You know you're getting crappy work and I know you are. If they won't at least compensate for it, then I would move on to a company that would. You never know how big of a shadow you'll cast until you stand up. I still get the crap dictation but I have trade offs. Flexibility has been more important to me than money and TT gave me all the flexibility I wanted.
Good luck!
Insight to the other side
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/gms/News/medicaltranscription.aspx
I have some insight to share if anyone is interested. sm
I started with KS a little over a year ago. I stayed on during the pay cuts and had faith that the changes would pay off. They did. I now make more than I did before the cuts, love my account, have pretty steady work except during the usual slow times, have health insurance that is OK although expensive but less expensive than none, have direct deposit with very few problems, love my lead, etc. I am glad I rode it out and will if there are changes in the future because I believe this company is looking out for the transcriptionists and by keeping work in the U.S., I think that they will be one of the biggies but definitely the best in the next few years.
Thanks for all of your insight!! Happy New Year!!
Zylomed vs DSG - insight needed.
I have offers from Zylomed and DSG...and am wondering if anyone has input on these two companies regarding flexibility, ease of platforms, ability to make lines, availability of work. Thanks much!
INSIGHT MEDICAL RESOLUTIONS
Has anyone worked for Insight medical Solutions? I applied there for IC work, part-time. Any advise? Can E mail me or post.
Are the Insight Radiology accounts outsourced
Lately NO work in there!
Insight Medical Solutions or Transcription At Its Best??????
Good or bad on either of these 2 compaines would be appreciated.
Well I had asked if anyone that works for DSG can give an insight into the
working conditions and if the accounts are fairly decent accounts. So far nobody has responded to this. They are hiring for 2nd and 3rd.
Excellent post with great insight. (NM)
dd
Insight Medical Solutions/Trans At Its Best GOOD/BAD
Any information would be appreciated on these 2 companies.
Anyone get started with Insight Medical Solutions in Florida? Had to fax them as
s
I recruit for a company that has had ups and downs on this board and have some insight.
I attended MTIA a few weeks back and spoke with other recruiters and some established MTSOs and some just starting to build their MTSOs. What I learned is that most companies are alike in many ways, and most want to improve. The common factor was often that they want to do more for their employees but get slapped in the face too often by MT's who do not work when they are supposed to, do not produce what they commit to and think that they are better than they actually are but cannot take criticism of any sort. There are a lot of MTSOs who do not offshore, but they are frustrated by MT's who want more and more and give less and less. It's a catch 22 for them too, so maybe it's time for everyone to step back and reevaluate.
As a recruiter, I sometimes get 100 resumes a week. Most do not even get past that first contact and here is why:
When I get a resume that has a typo in it, I do not even acknowledge it. I shred it. I have learned that if someone cannot be accurate on their first impression, they will not be later on. You'd be surprised how many resumes and cover letters are full of obvious typos.
If we have a help wanted ad that specifies 2 years of experience required, half the resumes will be from students or those with no experience. They can be very demanding and rude at times, which is no way to treat a potential employer.
If we have a specific ad for hours and/or days, about 40% of the responses are for something completely different.
We now have auto reply for resumes but will probably get rid of that in the near future. Many applicants take the auto-reply as a sign that they are being considered even if they are not, especially the often very pushy offshore applicants, even though our ads say no offshore applicants will be accepted.
Another thing that I see far too often is that some applicants, right up front, demand certain days and hours and pay, no matter what our ad says.
Finally, here is the biggest turn off for me: Failure to follow instructions. Our ads always say that we do not accept attachments, to paste resumes into email. However, there will be days when every single email I receive has an attachment. I have now set it up to send emails with attachments to spam, which automatically empties each night. Those that go into spam do not get an auto-response. That's the way I set it up and it works well. Why should I respond to each one that blatantly ignores instructions? Again, if someone cannot follow instructions when applying, they most likely will not once employed.
There are a lot of wonderful, experienced, hard-working MT's in the U.S. who follow instructions, keep their word and take pride in producing quality reports. It takes a while for us to get the great employees but we keep sorting through junk to get to them, just as they have to sort through companies to eliminate the bad ones.
I have recruited for 4 different companies over the last 10 years. While they can be very different in many ways, most are pretty decent and want to treat their employees well, but they are getting burned out by being burned over and over again.
MTIA opened my eyes. If we do not start working together, the U.S. companies will start sending everything offshore where the employees want and need the work. The offshore companies were out in force and they are looking for ways to improve, which is scary. They WANT to take over, and we are giving them a lot of opportunity.
Don't let anyone fool you. AHDI and the big-wigs from the big companies are VERY friendly with the offshore companies. Their work is getting better and their prices are better and U.S. only companies might be phased out because of this. We need to take back our industry or offshore companies and VR are going to take it from us.
Polish your skills, make sure that your resume is perfect and be persistant.
I recruit for a company that has had ups and downs on this board and have some insight.
I attended MTIA a few weeks back and spoke with other recruiters and some established MTSOs and some just starting to build their MTSOs. What I learned is that most companies are alike in many ways, and most want to improve. The common factor was often that they want to do more for their employees but get slapped in the face too often by MT's who do not work when they are supposed to, do not produce what they commit to and think that they are better than they actually are but cannot take criticism of any sort. There are a lot of MTSOs who do not offshore, but they are frustrated by MT's who want more and more and give less and less. It's a catch 22 for them too, so maybe it's time for everyone to step back and reevaluate.
As a recruiter, I sometimes get 100 resumes a week. Most do not even get past that first contact and here is why:
When I get a resume that has a typo in it, I do not even acknowledge it. I shred it. I have learned that if someone cannot be accurate on their first impression, they will not be later on. You'd be surprised how many resumes and cover letters are full of obvious typos.
If we have a help wanted ad that specifies 2 years of experience required, half the resumes will be from students or those with no experience. They can be very demanding and rude at times, which is no way to treat a potential employer.
If we have a specific ad for hours and/or days, about 40% of the responses are for something completely different.
We now have auto reply for resumes but will probably get rid of that in the near future. Many applicants take the auto-reply as a sign that they are being considered even if they are not, especially the often very pushy offshore applicants, even though our ads say no offshore applicants will be accepted.
Another thing that I see far too often is that some applicants, right up front, demand certain days and hours and pay, no matter what our ad says.
Finally, here is the biggest turn off for me: Failure to follow instructions. Our ads always say that we do not accept attachments, to paste resumes into email. However, there will be days when every single email I receive has an attachment. I have now set it up to send emails with attachments to spam, which automatically empties each night. Those that go into spam do not get an auto-response. That's the way I set it up and it works well. Why should I respond to each one that blatantly ignores instructions? Again, if someone cannot follow instructions when applying, they most likely will not once employed.
There are a lot of wonderful, experienced, hard-working MT's in the U.S. who follow instructions, keep their word and take pride in producing quality reports. It takes a while for us to get the great employees but we keep sorting through junk to get to them, just as they have to sort through companies to eliminate the bad ones.
I have recruited for 4 different companies over the last 10 years. While they can be very different in many ways, most are pretty decent and want to treat their employees well, but they are getting burned out by being burned over and over again.
MTIA opened my eyes. If we do not start working together, the U.S. companies will start sending everything offshore where the employees want and need the work. The offshore companies were out in force and they are looking for ways to improve, which is scary. They WANT to take over, and we are giving them a lot of opportunity.
Don't let anyone fool you. AHDI and the big-wigs from the big companies are VERY friendly with the offshore companies. Their work is getting better and their prices are better and U.S. only companies might be phased out because of this. We need to take back our industry or offshore companies and VR are going to take it from us.
Polish your skills, make sure that your resume is perfect and be persistant.
Speech Recognition Editing - Can someone explain/provide insight?
Can someone explain how Speech Recognition Editing works?
When a company hires people to do this, are they usually looking for MTs or those who have done regular QA before?
Do you listen to an entire audio file based on what a speech recognition program spits out and fix? If so, what kinds of fixes are you normally looking for?
I'm completely ignorant on this topic so if anyone could explain the basics, what they like/don't like about it, what it's like, etc. I'd appreciate it.
Also, is there a consensus that this is perhaps the future of MT? What do you think?
Any other MQers at WebMedx? Just got an offer. Any insight greatly appreciated. TIA!
How does the incentive pay work out for you? Please E-mail me if you'd like. We all went through enough with the evil Q. Thanks.
Actually I posted looking for answers to my questions above, not looking to answer questions, but
to here goes...firstly, I don't know about the platform, only that it is Word based. Secondly, I have many years cardio, and thirdly, no the test was not hard. Still looking for any answers to my questions above. Thanks in advance.
see inside
As I mentioned before, the best thing to do would be to send a resume directly to the medical records director. If they are in need of a transcriptionist, chances are they are going to walk that resume right down to HR and have them get in touch with you for an interview. And it also lets the MR Director know that "hey, there are people in the area, and we don't have to outsource overseas or out of the hospital."
I can't say it enough - I wish I had lived in St. Louis because I would have taken the job in a heartbeat. Some people did work at home and others worked on site.
See inside...
I love the fact that there is always work (except on a few occasions around holidays, etc). I love that I can generally get an answer to a question when I ask it. I love that my pay is always on time (as the previous person said). I love that they do not outsource to India. I agree, there have been some changes, but I really love MDI.
There are some minuses too, but I have worked for a few other nationals after working at a hospital, and really, MDI is the best I have seen.
sm inside
I was in a simlar situation once. I didn't want to burn my bridges, just in case the other job didn't work out so I told them I could not commit to full time as some personal issues came up but that I would be able to help them out 1 day a week. They allowed me to do this, and it ended up that I went full time with them later, as I actually made more money in the long run... better dicators, etc...
Look inside for what
Rolling On The Floor Scaring The Cat Laughing My @$$ And Other
Body Parts Off. Teresa, they may have an opening at OSi or SoftScript for you.
Thank you!!!! Please sm inside
Thanks for all the information! Did you feel that you were able to get yourself on some sort of 'schedule'? I just left somewhere because I had no idea from day to day when I would get work or how much and ended up waiting around all day long sometimes and either getting very little to nothing or too much at once for the TAT. Did it seem pretty manageable? (I would also rather work during the daytime hours...) Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your help!
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I worked for them recently (within a year). They had software changes earlier to that, so if you see negatives about technology problems, it was before that. Evidently they did have lots of problems back before they were on their current system. Still some occasional bugs.
IC only. Good accounts. Put you on one account, and you stay on that account. If you have a similar experience to mine, you won't run out of work on your account.
Software getting dated. Not written by/for MTs or with requests for MT input. Hence, you have the programmer(s) doing really strange Keystrokes that are not productivity-friendly. They fix one thing and break three others. Need to fire the programmers and invest a bit more in getting decent programmers.
Office staff--THE best, hands down. QA will leave you alone unless there's a problem. You don't get QA scores sent to you or nitpicking. You either have good quality or they'll be contacting you about it.
Hours--THE best, once again. You have a quota to get in every week, and you give them a weekend day. Other than that, you're free to get that time in when you can.
OTI is also the company in my experience that's come closest to actually treating ICs as ICs.
I have worked for many nationals, and OTI remains my best overall experience. I had to leave because of needing benefits. That's the only reason I left. I would recommend them to anybody who's got at least five years of acute care experience in the Basic 4.
See inside. sm
SoftScript pays up to 10.5 cents a line with full benefits.
JLG, I believe, pays up to 9.5 with benefits (or at least they used to).
Be sure and watch the job boards for hospitals hiring for at home workers. Good pay and full benefits at a great price. Don't settle without checking all options and best of luck to you.
See inside. sm
Their ad on MTJobs says 7 to 9 cents a line.
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I used to work for them. Is this transcription or editing? Is the patient name not there, or are you having problems getting the template? Is there a button with three dots near the patient info on the screen? If the patient name is not there you need to listen first and then input the first and last name on the screen. It is hard to know exactly where you are. Hope this could help some.
See inside
Pay rate - range is 0.7-0.9 depending on a lot of factors (for clinic). Includes spaces.
Flexible - for clinic and ortho - YES!!!!
Weekends - I do my Friday work on Saturday but not sure if required.
Word - some accounts yes, some no. I type in Scribe, which is Word-based and very easy.
In fact, flexible has hurt me today. I have not started yet. Queen of the game shows today!
No. Inside is what you said in your OP.
I just completed an interview process with JLG. The owner presents herself as an MT who understands our situations
You are wacked and definitely not someone that any co would want
See inside
Then I guess Scribes/Nightingale lowering their rates (without notice) from $1.05/minute to $.80 or $.85/minute sucks even worse than I thought.
Please see inside.
This is my first time doing IC work. I imagine it will eat up some of my profit, but I am just having my other job hold out a little more.
You only do as much as you want. She will send an e-mail out to the P.R.N. pool of transcriptionists stating, I have 60 minutes of Dr. Mickey Mouse available. His speciality is ENT. It is due back by noon tomorrow (Pacific standard time). Does anyone want all or part of this? Then (based on whoever responds first) she will assign the work. Let's say you want 30 minutes of it--you would e-mail her and state, May I have 30 minutes of Dr. Mickey Mouse's work? If you're the first to ask, she will assign it to you.
You don't have to take work...only e-mail her when you want it. There is not that much work. She e-mails maybe 1 to 3 times a day. So the work volume is pretty minimal, but it is something to fill in slow periods with another job.
Hope this has been helpful.
Chickadee
see inside
I usually get what I need.
inside
www.advancedtx.com
See inside.
SPi Transcription - web site is:
http://www.spi-bpo.com/web/spi/text_page.jsp?fldr_id=199
I read some of the MT Stars archives entries that gave the impression they were now an American company.
After reading more, you may be right. I think they may be foreign-based. They acquired an American-based MT company several years ago and set up their corporate office in Nashville, TN but sounds like they are still pretty much an overseas company. Kind of confusing. Anyway, check out the web site for more info. 
Oh, OK - see inside
I work for Cymed (now SPi) and no change at all as of yet. Hopefully this will continue.
See inside.
It's an Indian company, run by (India) Indians, but they hire Americans and the accounts are American hospitals/doctors.
They have both straight transcription and voice recognition editing, I believe you have to do both. Mostly hire ICs.
What they did was ... (see inside)
Suddenly, with no warning, cut people's salary by a huge amount. I had worked there for almost 3 years, and the cut took me back to the starting pay they had given me when I was fresh out of school. This was despite being able to do absolutely any kind of work they had, plus working on weekends and holidays with no extra pay or compensation.
They were originally Scribes Data, bought out by Nightingale. We were assured absolutely nothing would change regarding the MTs with the buyout, but they lied.
I really miss some of the doctors I transcribed for there, but I couldn't take a huge cut like that, especially without notice, it was a real slap in the face, in my opinion.
I did learn an awful lot working there (acute care of all types).
See inside...
The present job may be sending you tons of work, but if they're not paying you, you're not making any money.
I would do minimal work for them, and maximum for the new place. Old place can't complain about you not working if they're not paying. And the only way to see if new place will work out is to try it.
Good luck!
Sad see inside...
First let me say I am not paid by the line, but by the report. Secondly, my lead has been wonderful. I keep in close communication with her. I also let her know that if extra help is needed I am available. I honestly feel like me keeping busy is related to the two accounts that I have as well as my lead. I was adamant about getting a second account.
I am sorry that your best day this pay period has been 175 lines, but you really have to question the variables surrounding this. Do you work on a large account, what about your scheduled times. I know that with radiology, usually the doctors are very active first thing in the morning taking care of the films from the night before. This is a good fit for me and I will continue to voice that. Even if things were really bad, I would be ringing the phone off the hook with my lead and the office trying to get resolution. Jumping ship is not always the answer as we change and find ourselves sinking.
In the past I left one company that I had been with for 6 years and it took going through 3 other companies before I found one worthwhile, which was not KS. I hope things work out for you and you can pick up more work because no one can survive on 175 lines per day. Good luck!!!
Looking for a job? See inside, please
MTStars provides the most extensive listing of job opportunities anywhere. Our Job Seekers forum is free and the job advertisements are usually very descriptive.
We also offer a free resume bank for you to post your resume on.
If you have questions about a specific company, please ask here on the Company board.
Please: Do not post job-wanted posts. Do not ask what are good companies.
Otherwise, you will have to search for your position through the job ads and the application process like everyone else.
If you have questions, feel free to email me.
Goldbird
See inside
Granted, there are many, many Americans who do not use the language properly even a little bit, but these people typically do not become MTs either!
Oh, if only this were true! Some of the work from India I have seen is MUCH better than some of the American work. Way too many poorly-trained Americans with terrible grammar skills, and many of them can't even spell grammar!
More inside ....
I know now that they pay by production and that the minimum per day is 1350.
I'd have to go in house for training but only until I'm comfortable with the system (it's a new platform for me) and they are comfortable with letting me go. The transcription manager told me it would probably only be a few days. The hospital is about 45-50 miles from my house so I'd want to come home just as soon as I could.
All their employee MTs work at home except the manager, and she has been there for I think 13 years herself.
The other thing that I didn't mention is that I have done work for this hospital before, but I usually do ops and I probably wouldn't get those from the hospital as obviously they send those out.
I guess I'm just not sure whether to jump ship now since this particular new position is open (if I could get it), or wait until I actually have no job.
Inside...
Do a search in the Company Board forum (make sure that's what is selected) for Focus and/or Focus Infomatics. That should give you plenty of resources.
Their pay is 8 cpl standard transcription and 4 cpl edited.
Amanda
Look inside....sm
They require everybody to be at least 20 hours a week. I work 25 a week and make the 6000 minimum line count (for part time) in the 2-week pay period. I'm usually at least 1000 above that so I could probably work less than 25 hours a week and still make it. I have been working at least 30 now with extra hours during the time they need extra help, so I'm easily beyond and don't have to worry. The account instructions aren't so bad if you stick to your primary most of the time. It's just flipping back and forth that makes you pause and think it through when you come to something that you know can go either way. They are awfully picky on some things. For the demos, a lot of things fill in but not all, so you have to take some time to do that, depending on the particular account. It's not hard, just time-consuming.
It's like any job...some good...some bad...but overall it has been fine for me and I'm glad I tried it out. Of course I don't have any other national to compare it to since I've only been with local clinics before.
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1. No longer treated as professionals. **********I have never experienced this. I am always treated as a professional business owner. Maybe it is the way you carry yourself??
2. Just got offered 14.00 to 16.00 per hour to write a transcription training program for company in India. (yea, for that amount... it is not going to happen). ***********I would not accept $14-16 either. Is that the maximum you can get these days. I have been fortunate enough to have good accounts so the per-hour-figure has been good for me and others from what I hear.
3. I truly feel SOME MTs do not take the work as seriously as it was several years ago so therefore the more need for QA (added cost for companies) *********Not sure about that either. The work is now outsourced where as before it was done in the hospital, and the doctor could just pop in the department and ask for a correction (that drove me nuts but they did it). Services have to offer some sort of guarantee (second review by QA if necessary) to be competitive don't they??
4. People that work at home do not work the schedule they agree to. (this is a job).************ It is a job, but for some a subcontractor's job. That means work the hours you choose. If I agree to a schedule I'll work it, but I'm not sure what others have agreed to work and either are you. How can you presume??
5. I can't be grateful for not having to purchase clothes for work. I still have to have clothing to wear and that same clothing is what I can work in. ********Can't speak for everyone, but I am definitely not transcribing in heels :)
6. More and nmore people look at this job as a way to take care of young children at home. i.e avoid the cost of daycare, etc. Please!! It is still a job!! You have to work! **********It has been exactly that for me. I have been able to raise my children and earn a great living. I do my job so well I can do both. Sorry you feel you have not been able to or others like you could not achieve that.
7. Absolute thing worst about working at home..... there is no difference from being at work and at home. *********I don't know any other job where I could throw a load of laundry in, start the dishwasher, run an errand, or work at 3 in the morning if I could not sleep.
Sorry for the typos, but I am so tired of seeing/reading how great it is to work from home. It would be great if people took it seriously, but they do not! *********Maybe all don't take it as serious as they should, but honestly is isn't it that way everywhere?
5. ********Just my humble opinions :)
See inside please
Since when does a Transcriptionist have a college degree? Well I have had my degree for eight years now. And yes it is a degree from our local college, and yes it is in medical transcription thank you very much.
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be a high producer, be able to cover every work type on your account, be able to work more than one account -- and be very consistent in meeting line counts! My raises were for bribes to get my line counts higher. I've been on start up teams for several new accounts because of the versatility in adapting to different account specifics.
In other words, make yourself invaluable and the money will come.
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Dan,
I just read your post and I think it is great that you so openly willing to discuss your business, mistakes, strengths, etc. If only more business owners were like you who realize that everyone is human and mistakes do happen and would accept constructive critism. You sound like you would be a great person to work for!
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