Part of the problem with variables, and where we are today -sm
Posted By: Complacency is admitting defeat on 2007-10-27
In Reply to: I totally agree with you; however, if you consider - the fact that you are able to get your own SM
is because of how isolated we are, not only from the managers in the hospitals and MTSOs who don't have to see and get to know the people whose incomes & healthcare they're grinding down, but also because other than boards like this, for the most part we're isolated from each other. I'd venture a guess that of however many MTs there are working in the US nowadays, only a rather small percentage read this board or ones like it, and it's nearly impossible for MTs to function as a single, large entity that would get more respect from hospitals, MTSOs, and even our elected government officials.
I don't know if it's actually possible, but I still carry the hope that someday, somehow, this powerful communication tool, the Internet, can be used to once again get MTs what they deserve - even if it's just a small portion of the financial pie. The more money the employer makes, the more the employee should made, as they are the cogs driving the wheel, and it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
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Yes it is! I got mine today -- think it is great. I'm happy to be part of such an amazing compa
I feel like I have FINALLY found my home. :-)
There are just too many variables...
in this business to answer these types of questions. Line rate, platform, work types, experience, definition of a line, employee versus IC, etc. It's like comparing apples and oranges sometimes. I've personally known MTs to earn anywhere from $5 an hour to over $50 an hour. $1000 a week is NOT impossible.
Too many variables to say --
When I worked for MQ, I was on 2 primary accounts that were SR. The dictators on these accounts were pretty good and I generally got 300 lph, sometimes more or less depending on the dictators. MQ paid 70% of your line rate for SR and paid for spaces but not demographics. Some companies only pay 50%. A lot will depend on the platform, the dictators, your SR rate of pay, what the company pays for (ADT, spaces, etc), and how many accounts you are on, in addition to what your general MT capabilities are. Generally speaking, I type about 200 to 250 lph.
You might get a better idea if you state which company/platform you are talking about. 
There's a lot of variables
There's a lot of variables
Especially if you're a relatively new hire, you're probably just getting up to speed on the account they hired you for and so they may not have the personnel to change that right now. As to adding it as a secondary, they're usually pretty good about doing that as long as it's in the same 'difficulty' level. They're not real keen on having the top tier transcriptionists getting paid at the top of the scale for typing no-brainer stuff. But your best bet is to talk to your supervisor. It may be that the spot you have now can be easily filled by anyone, and if you've got skills that would work well with what sounds like a new account coming on-board, they may be more than happy to switch you over.
Of course, like everything, be careful what you ask for.
Depends on SO many variables.
I have seen 6-8 cents for a 65-character count line for acute care. There are many variables here. It might be more with incentives, if you can attain them as a newbie. I am sure others will weigh in with what they know. Good luck!
There are HUGE variables
Formulas that MT companies give as average are usually based on average work that a MT is well versed in - which companies do not always make available to MTs then act surprised. Duh. Connections, software, familiarity, accents, account types, etc., etc. are huge variables for production and should be considered. Left on the same work for awhile I used to be capable of producing 2,000-2,500 lines, but that changes if my work is changed or if I'm put on a subspecialty I'm not familiar with. It's why companies that have people on a zillion accounts and are not rewarded for it have unhappy MTs. People making huge counts are usually people who are happily typing away at familiar work. Been there, not there now, and am miserable and burnt out.
Again, there is no average. Too many variables. As for
work it out with your client or clients or find someone to cover for you. Or you can have them find someone to cover for you, but if that person is faster, nicer, or better in some way in their eyes, you run the risk of losing the work. I always provide backup if any extended time off or just work double the next day after a single day off.
You can set forth your TAT, but if the client doesn't like it, you won't get the work. I typically ask what kind of TAT the client expects and if it doesn't work for me, I don't have to take their work.
Perhaps just finding a place other than MQ would solve your problem better, though. Having your own clients doesn't always equate to more money. You might get a better per-line rate but there's a lot more involved so you end up working more hours, etc., as stated below, and don't always end up on the profitable side.
With all the variables as to what could be lurking
that dictated minute, your guess is as good as mine. Do you have an offer? If so, what is it? Is this for an IC job? PT? FT? No real way of knowing uness you take the plunge, do the dictation and see what you come out of it with. IMO, sounds like more smoke and mirrors.
Lots of variables.
I do tend to agree with the poster that a lot of it has to do with the type of work. Like her, I had an account that paid 9 cpl but because of the nature of the work, I was lucky if I could break 125 lines/hour.
I recently chucked it for an account that pays 8 cpl, have my weekends back, sit down, do my much easier work, and walk away...no more sitting at the computer from morning to midnight hoping to get enough money to get a living line count. I'm getting line counts in five hours that it would take me 12 to get at the 9 cpl place.
I will also point out that a lot depends on what company it is. Some of the same people saying that there was no way in hello they would work for 7 cpl, yesterday said they would work for even less for a small mom-and-pop American company to help get it going.
So, in a nutshell, if it was one doctor, one account, plenty of work, free-form schedule, for a small company, yes, I would do it for 7 cpl.
Variables in cost of living
Some states sound good, but then check out the taxes - real estate tax, personal property tax, sales tax, cost of heating/cooling, transportation, license plates, insurance, etc. A lot of it balances out in the end. Some states have outrageous license plate fees, (I paid over $600 for my car last year). I also get a personal property tax bill each year for everything including my dishes and silverware. State income tax is out of sight. Cost of heating in winter is unbelievable. I have to have 2 sets of tires for the car, 1 for winter, 1 for summer. I have to have 3 complete wardrobes for the weather changes.
Something is missing here. Please answer a few ??ing variables here. Please sm.
I'm not affiliated with Landmark, but have perused enough archives to see that not paying their employees is not a common practice with them. The majority of posts regarding LM are very positive. No MTSO has 100% positive info, especially on this forum.
I'm not taking sides here, but to quote a poster below, there is a lot of missing information.
There are always two sides to every story, which is the reason for my questions.
1. How long were you employed with Landmark?
2. Have you returned any and all of their equipment?
3. Is nonpayment why you quit? If not, did you give the customary 2 wks notice?(Not that this justifies holding back pay, just trying to find ALL the answers.)
4. Were you in breach of contract in any way?
Whether your statements are true or not, they are still considered slanderous/libel. You may want to be prepare yourself in case you need to back them up.
Good luck!
Do they count spaces? If not then it would be a lot less. Find out what the variables are from your
Good Luck. Had the same problem with a job I had to leave. I got half the lines I used to. Now with another job same thing, just a little more than half of what I used to. Still looking for a company with the fair line count (65 with spaces, headers, footers, etc). Tired of looking but still trying. Good luck to you.
Many variables affect work load
Sometimes I have run out of work. Sometimes my accounts are swamped with OT, while other accounts are caught up. Some platforms have more work/accounts than others. Some specialties are overstaffed, some are understaffed. Its pretty much the same at other companies. Its just that people speak in absolutes on this board about their experience. You have to take it all with a grain of salt. I have come to understand that everyone's situation is so different that maybe we all should put a disclaimer that my situation is this and not make blanket statements using words like always and never, nor argue with one another about who's reality is valid - they all are.
Sounds good to me, but lots of variables. Employer stability, for one. nm
x
Too many variables to count. A lot depends on shift, accounts, what types of work you do. (sm)
I can be totally out of work on my 2 accounts and pull up backlog report and see some accounts have OT offered.
Every company has some employees totally satisfied with amount of work and some who run out totally.
Like I said, many, many variables to be figured in.
It's all the variables that can make it difficult - lousy software, mangling ESLs, inaudible dic
s
OH - I thought part transcription, part escription, but don't know for sure
nm
They no longer hire part-time and may be eliminating part-time employees within the next 6 months.
They are going to have those that are PT go FT if possible. Some accounts require 1 weekend day, but not all. Most transcriptionists have 1 account with 1 back-up account. I know that they are hiring for hospital accounts in medical records and radiology right now.
No PTO for part-time. Not sure if you can work part-time or not since recent rule change. sm
You do pay a deposit for their equipment.
There is a part-time and a flexible part-time, just left there and they offered
me both. Flexible, however, is more or less when they need you (I.e. weekends), part-time is fixed hours.
Yes I know they hire part time because I referred someone there for part time.
They are internet based.
From what I understand, the part-time positions will be only be for those that are already part-time
It is not a restructuring of the company, just of some of the existing part-time positions.
I know that there are a few employees who have been with Keystrokes for many, many years who are part-time and they will not displaced.
Other than that, there have been many discussions why there will not be any new part-time employees hired, and I really don't think they will back down on that.
So, what's it going to be today?
Who is gonna stir up the pot today? Come on gang, lets have a good fight.
How about the ad on TV today....
make $7000 a month PART-TIME....hmmmmm.....
Since today is all about KS (sm)
Ha! Could you tell us if we have our check direct deposited. How do you see it? Do you get stub in mail or intranet, etc.? Thanks!
Way of Today
I don't post here frequently because so many of the messages are vitrolic and full of negativity and meanness. I think the mindset of today's world is reflective of just the opposite of the life advice given by your mother (and mine, too). So many, not all I know, but so many folks these days seem live their lives based on the belief that they should
-say ugly and hurtful things every chance you get.
-be rude and insensitive each and every day in each and every way.
-it is not necessary for people to like you, just make sure they know (that you believe) they are less that you.
-nothing is private, nothing is sacrosanct. Let it all hang out.
-if you're miserable, do your best to make everybody else miserable, too.
-do all manner of dirt unto others, but become aggrieved and just downright highly pissed if (when) you reap what you have sown, and feel empowered to lash out in any and every way you can.
Lyndia, you struck a chord, and I just had to respond
I know. Got my W2 today and I'm down 3G from
deficit and I always thought the idea was to increase; at least that's how it used to be. Never thought I'd see transcription turn into a limited income industry.
QAs being cut today
From what i was told they cut 100% of the US based eScription QA force, 75% of the US based SWAT QA force. I was making 6 cpl as a QA on escription, nice first shift M-F job. They offered me 4/8 cpl as an MT 3rd shift in escription or 5 cpl to be QA for a new account on the Dictaphone side, and told me that being they offered me a new position I would not qualify for unemployment.
is always like that, not only today..nm
nm
Wish I did. Know nothing. It is indeed bad today.
nm :(
wonder why the ad today then sm
 very low paying (April 2009 was 6.5 to 7 cents. Good grief.
Here's another one from today
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090826005962&newsLang=en
got a job today... sm
Well I had an interview today and received a job offer about two hours later. Whoo Hoo! Smaller company but they supply all equipment etc. Tech support, one weekend day a month etc. You never know the whole details until you get started, but at least its something. Money isn't bad either with incentive scale to boot!
Had interview today . . .
Pay is per hour. They have .8 and .7 positions. Both are elligible for full benefits. $196 per month insurance for family, dental family is $32 a month. Hours stink. 4 days a week 5pm to 10pm and 8 hours either Saturday or Sunday. 0.55 shift differential. Don't know what hourly wage would be...yet. Strickly radiology reports. Would have training at the head MT's home, about 45 minutes away from me. Don't know how long that would be. I was showed basic platform and it doesn't look to bad. WordPerfect 5.3. Their computer and equipment. I guess they are swamped. They have 19 hours of dictated minutes right now on their system with 8 MTs currently. They like to see it more around 4 hours.
Opinions?
RE: Had interview today
If you are lucky enough to get hired, I personally would not turn down a chance to work that type of environment.
Today is my first day! Whew!
Shorthand only works with Radnet, so I'm told, and now I'm trying to figure out how to import my old expander into Shorthand. So far going good though. I'm excited. Good luck to you and welcome aboard!
SORRY CANT TYPE TODAY NM
NM 
PMSing Today?
Applied with them today...
I think: Individual $26-something per pay period, employee+spouse was $180-something, employee and children was somewhere close to $200, and I think the whole family was $360-something (really high for family), but these are guesstimations so don't hold me to it, but this is what I remember.
Have you taken your medication today?
Settle down.
Got the call from MQ today
Came from "Mike" at corporate MQ number on caller ID.
Just wanted to verify that I got the letter and that I would be getting the new benefit package in October. I politely asked if he could give me any advance FYI on any of it and he said, nope, they were just calling & verifying we received the letter...and that October was not that far away my last name starts with G & I'm in the midwest, so maybe their going in alpha or by office, who knows.
I did ask him a question about the new links on the QNet, about what to find on there and he actually had to pull the page up and his computer was running so slow he said, that I just told him never mind.
So...the suspense goes on ladies and gents.
Got a job offer today . . .
considering it. I wish I knew more.
oh my.....are we in a bad mood today?
hee..hee
So, you got your packet today?
I didn't get mine yet! Does it say the requirements for part-time versus full-time?
Here's what I've been doing: for example, today...(sm)
I had a patient with 2 cysts, in the OR for fine needle aspiration. The dictator very clearly said, "the 2 needles were aspirated." So, I put what he said, and made a note in QA, but did NOT leave a marker in the report. That way, it goes right to the client WITH the note, but doesn't stop at QA. That covers my butt, and helps the client.
Called her again today ...
asked about start date, schedule, etc. and told her I'd call her back tomorrow. Will probably be accepting with them, starting on 11/28. You know how it sounds too good to be true? I sure hope it's not.
Did everyone get paid today?
;
I did not go to the interview today because
it seemed like it would be knocking down the value of QA to get paid 2 cents per line. I think if more people would be willing to do as I did today and refuse to take jobs that pay so little and sacrifice quality for quantity we might have more respect in our field. Getting paid 2 or 3 cents a line is demeaning and completely unacceptable. What makes me so upset is companies will only hire someone to do QA if they have considerable experience in transcription, yet are unwilling to pay for our expertise and knowledge.
And where did my work go today -
And offshore for no reason but to save money? Happy, happy, happy, very happy I don't count on MT for anything anymore!
The new PT job I have stated today they had others from MQ (sm)
joining them. I said sorry, we are all trying to cover our financial bases/asses. His response was bring em on.
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