Questions for any seasoned transcriptionists....
Posted By: KC on 2008-03-03
In Reply to: IC pay - need opinions - curious
I am supposed to do a typist and word processing test tomorrow for a place called KCS Psych Type in Illinois. The reason I replied to the job was because it advertised work-from-home, which I desperately need right now due to family matters. Anyway, I am debating on whether this is worth the trip right now because its a 2 hr drive each way, and I have to get a rental car, and for some reason the lady isn't answering my questions about the rate of pay. She also said in her last email for me to keep in mind that if I am hired, I would need to commute to Bartlett until I am trained; when I emailed back immediately to ask her how long training would usually take, I have received no reply. Should I do this? I really can't decide!! Help!!
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For seasoned, fast transcriptionists, hourly would be a step down ...
I agree with your post. I've given a lot of thought lately to whether hourly would be more fair (given the extras that we have to do), and I've come to the conclusion that it is not. In the spirit of honesty, if I were to take an hourly position, my production would suffer for it.
As an experienced and fast transcriptionist, the amount of time I spend looking up unfamiliar terms is negligible, and I've reached a point of knowing what mush-mouthed blanks I won't get, after listening six or seven times.
The only thing I ask for is pay commensurate to my experience and knowledge. With a decent line rate, I could accept that there are other things that go into my job and that my line rate doesn't just pay for my production - it pays for the emails, and the instant messages, and figuring out line counts, and spending ten minutes every so often looking for a doctor's address.
As it is, at 8 cpl, those things are not worth the amount of money that I'm making. They seem superfluous and cut into my real life.
So, in answer to the first question, with 12 years of experience, an ingrained attention to detail, and all the knowledge of this profession that 12 years can bring, I believe my worth is 13-14 cpl. That's roughly $47,000 a year at 1500 lines a day. I think, given the intensity of our work hours (and the fact that, unlike other jobs, we don't get to spend an hour talking to coworkers or daydreaming or resting for any reason), that's a very, very fair wage in this day and age.
Precyse MT's: Can a seasoned MT do 250+ LPH
nm
The reason the seasoned MTs won't
for them is because the line rate is offensive.
Don't you think, though, that one reason seasoned -
MT's are making more mistakes and not caring about it, is that we're expected to produce more and more, and yet we're getting paid less and less. 'Back in the day', when I was getting paid hourly, my production was higher, and my quality was better, but that's because I received a good wage, so I actually CARED. Now, it's a race against the clock all day long. The industry is getting what it's paying for, which is 'NOT MUCH'.
How many lines per hour should a seasoned MT
I know it depends on work types and such but I just need a generalized idea. This is my first time being paid by line. The job offers a good mix of exams. TIA
Seasoned, we were told from the very start we could not
retype the entire report, better not zap it off and start over because it was a no-no and your pay would still be for the lesser amount per line even if you were allowed to retype. It is not VR that I am steaming, enraged at, nah, it is mostly the ESLs we have now. I love VR myself even with its quirks.
Resume Tips & Tricks for Seasoned MTs!!!
We should all add these qualities to our resumes. It's what they expect anymore anyway:
- An outstanding ability to take muddy, garbled jibber-jabber and severely fractured English in 155,000 dilects and turn it into unbelievably beautiful transcription, with no blanks!
- Oh, and don't worry, Mexican, Cuban, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Indian, or even rabid auctioneer doctors who speak so fast they could not understand them self on a play back . . . no problemo! It doesn't matter, because I am so good if it sounds remotely close with even one syllable barely audible or intelligible I will struggle until I get it. I do this eagerly because I know you are selling me pride in my work, not a decent wage and because I dread your miserable QA autopsy of my work.
- Will work as hard as a slave for $3 an hour average with a college degree on the most gut-wrenching work you have, and all this without an occasional can of salve for the whip marks on my back.
- Will also fill in hundreds of entries for free on patient information, courtesy copies and researching things like how to spell Waccamaw even if I don't live in South Carolina. Things doctors could spell, or dictate clearly but won't because they are too lazy.
- I will also run those dates of service through my magic crystal ball formula to know when the doctor says The patient was seen today, I should look back on the ADT screen and see when he dictated it to know what he means by when it was dictated. I will do it because you will bonk me on the head and tell me, It's your job to do this for free!
While I am at it, I will run a medical quality assessment through my head to see if it sounds logical and reasonable for all medical sciences and diagnoses. I will happily verify those medication dosages are correctly dictated because even if the doctor has been to medical school and I haven't . . . I should identify that 325 mg of Coreg will kill someone and correct it! Again because, It's my job, to run around behind doctors and wipe their butt for free!!! I'm happy to do that, even if I haven't had the benefit of medical school because . . . . yes, I'm that good baby!!
- And at the end of two or three years of struggling to make a wage above the poverty level learning all this garbage, if you find some foreigner will do my job cheaper to make you more money, don't sweat it! Just fire me . . . in a conference call with 101 of my coworkers in mass humiliation. No problem!
why do so many MQ transcriptionists
on the boards seem to be having such a hard time with keeping up their line counts? I am getting ready to send them my paperwork today and I'm getting really nervous. Right now I average anywhere from 1400 lines to 1700 lines, however, I'd like to get that up to 2000 per day....what's the deal with MQ????
MQ Transcriptionists
To the Administrator:
Since MQrs are practically occupying the whole main board, and it seems this company has the most transcriptionists in the MT business, may I suggest that an MQrs Board be set up for MQ so as not to waste the time of MTs who would like to be informed of other matters on said board.
We, who are not MQrs would like to know more of other MTs' problems with other companies and not only with MQ.
Thanks,
jgl
Some of these transcriptionists are
so ignorant. They don't read anything other than MT stars. They constantly bitch and moan about MT companies that offshore but they're typing on a computer that was made by someone in a foreign country...they have a ragedy imported vehicle sitting in the driveway......they have a Japanese vacuum cleaner, etc... Yet you come to this board and state how dirty and poor these people are.
Intelligence says a whole lot about a person no matter what part of the globe they live in. All of the offshore MT's who work for the company I QA for are college educated (4 year degrees). They may be poor but they are doing everyting they can to make a better life for themselves. They are not lazy. They don't call in sick every other Friday. They are dependable. They are loyal to their employer. They would NEVER come to MTstars or any other forum and berate and belittle their employer like many of you do. Most of you people don't know what the word loyalty means.
Offshoring is nothing new. It has been done for years and will continue to be done. Nearly everytime you purchase an electronic item you are supporting offshoring. You're just too stupid to realize it. You are no different than the MTSO's who offshore. The MTSO's who offshore are looking for the same thing you are when you buy an import-QUALITY.
Perhaps they have transcriptionists that they-sm
know frequent this site and they don't want those transcriptionists to know they are hiring editors or any other personnel. just a thought.
Is it just me, or does 100 transcriptionists
seem like way too many for 1000 beds? Would hate to see people sitting without work...
No, you are NOT transcriptionists....if you were...
you would take more time to learn the ENGLISH LANGUAGE and how to use it *correctly*. Studying in a large institution doesn't mean squat if you put out poor work for medical records. It scares the bejeezus out of me to think that you might be transcribing a record of mine! I've seen some of the stuff that comes out of your country - not sure which institution taught the *stuff* I've seen but have serious doubts about it being MIT! So all in all, you've lowered the standards of the medical records field, you've brought down our pay, and you've put fear in Americans about the security of our personal information. Don't ask us to feel sorry for you, and consideration won't be in the bag, either. Generosity? I guess you've already achieved that by undercutting our field in ribbons. We're hoping for somebody to stop this mess, and I'm working feverishly by bugging my elected representatives to achieve just that.
No more transcriptionists
If there are not enough transcriptionists, perhaps they are still at Precyse Solutions stuck on 100% QA.
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.
any steno transcriptionists here?
I use a steno machine to transcribe with and was wondering if any of you do too.
I'm getting ready to start with Medquist and wondering if there are any tips for me.
thanks
Not all managers were transcriptionists.
I know of one manager who used to be in marketing. She is still there now. She is and/or was not very well liked because she was not a transcriptionist. There is no teamwork. I tried teamwork, until the manager put an end to it. They could care less if you get a lunch break as long as the work is done. You only know about your manager and co-workers. You would know nothing about other account managers and their employees. They changed their name because TSI has a bad reputation. They were losing accounts. They laid off people. They can't afford incentives. The insurance premiums are insane.
happy transcriptionists!
It's really sad that someone who is obviously a disgruntled EX-employee would bad mouth a company that treats it's transcriptionists so fairly and with respect. There are 34 girls that would be more than happy to say how much they love their jobs. Being the relatively small, but incredibly busy, group that we are, we are honestly one big happy family and I plan to make sure that it stays that way!
Why don't ya try giving the transcriptionists
a limited number of doctors to learn in the areas they were hired for? NOOOO....gotta know 15 doctors. Then you folks want us to fill in on an emergency in a field never tried before by the transcriptionist...the Transcriptionist tells you she's never done that but you say....ahhh...you won't have any trouble...please??? She says yes and tortures along trying to figure it out for pennies on the dollar. Two days later she is still struggling along, has told you several times, but you say you're doing great...Two days later you send her an e-mail saying that if her work doesn't improve you'll have to dock her pay. Stick it man.
Lets see....doctors specialize but we who make peanuts have to be able to transcribe ALL specialties or are punished. Wake up.
travelling transcriptionists
I am new to this site, and not sure this is the proper place, but does anyone know anything about travelling transcriptionists? Worth it? Are there many companies that hire travelling transcriptionists. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
WebmedX Transcriptionists
Can anyone give me any information about WedMedX. Is this a good company?
I hear they pretty much watch your every move, when you are punching in, when your away, when you punch out, etc. Is this true? Do they have a lot of ESL? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Hiring new transcriptionists?
I have a friend who completed a transcription course through a 4 year college and wants to find a company that will allow her to work at home. I can mentor her having 20+ years experience in the field. Does anyone know a company that will hire new grads and allow them to get some experience that way? I have told her about doctors' offices, but we're very rural here and there are not too many doctors around. Any help would be appreciated. I have been searching the job board here and MTJobs also, as has she, but we can't find anything. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
documed transcriptionists
HI. Are there any Documed transcriptionists out there? I am a new employee and while everything is going fine, there are some questions I have that I am not getting any answers to. TIA! 
Sorry - but BS!!! - no shortage of transcriptionists!
There is in fact not a shortage of transcriptionists in the United States. I don't give a hoot what the companies say. There are very qualified and willing transcriptionists trying to find work right now and cannot, while the work is being offshored.
The problem is that they can pay less to the transcriptionists when they are offshoring, not because they cannot find transcrriptionists!
Traveling Transcriptionists?
Thought this sounded interesting to somebody. A place called KForce evidently has job openings for transcriptionists. Hope the link works:
http://www.kforce.com/Jobs/job.aspx?job=1696~HLC~925995T1~99&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed
A Question for TransTech transcriptionists!
TransTech has a job posting and lists an array of benefits, and at the end it says "much, much, more." I'd like to know what the "much, much, more is." How is the starting pay? Is there a low-premium major medical health insurance that covers any state in the US? Thanks yall. (From the South)
AND DOCQMANAGE THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT TO CHEAT THE TRANSCRIPTIONISTS!!
I hope it all comes out in the open soon!
Any TransTech oncology transcriptionists
I started working at TT almost 2 months ago and was told they were inundated with work, but after working for about 2-3 weeks, the work has steadily dwindled. I am scheduled to work the weekend but there is never enough work to get my hours on Sunday. Has anyone else experienced this? Also it seems to me that I don't get the line count there like I have with my other jobs. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Would like to hear what you think of the account and the company. Thanks for any info.
They told me the same.. that they would always have transcriptionists in both countries. sm
Remember the lovely talk not too long ago about the sale of the company, and how even if they did sell, the new company would want to keep MTs and QAs who knew the accounts?
Ha!
Then all got quiet for so long. We were supposed to hear by December... then February... nothing from Paulik. I knew something was going on. They were too quiet.
Then supervisors started getting extra whiny about every little thing, changing everything, work dropped off.
I can't wait until everybody gets theirs. Wait until they outsource the supervisor and HR jobs.
Bad news for Medquest transcriptionists
First off, yes I mean Medquest and not Medquist.
To any Transcriptionist still working for Medquest Associates based out of GA,
If you are not in any of their transcription pools that they have set-up, then sorry to say you will be losing your jobs. As they put it, they want typist that work for 9 or 10 cents a line and are going for a more cost effective approach....... whatever.
She is posting on Guru now for transcriptionists
to do the work. Guru does not force vendors to pay the employees for doing the work! Instead, they just stop them from doing any more postings. So then dear Robin will move onto Elance and start her little game there... and the cycle will continue and she will never have to pay for anything she has done wrong. Great world we live in right?
Just ask me, and I will give you names of transcriptionists
I can provide you names with transcriptionists who have worked with me. They have all been happy. Never had one quit.
company run by lawyers, not by transcriptionists...
for what this at is worth.
That's when the transcriptionists turn into editors - nm
x
Oh no! Remote transcriptionists put on mute! That's a whole new low to sink to!
So sorry for you, though I can relate. Ah, I'm sure their ad really fooled us all, huh? More than just a number! 
Transcriptionists with years of experience - question for you
Since there is currently no standard of pay across company borders, is anyone who has recently started with one of the major companies willing to say what rate of pay you were hired at? I have been working for the same company for more than 10 years, but I have no way of knowing if my pay rate is competitive or not - and I have nothing to back up a request for a raise by saying that other companies would pay me more if I were to move on.
Since this board is anonymous, would you be willing to give your rate of pay that you were hired at, assuming that you had at least 10 years or more experience in acute care? I don't care what company you work for - just whether it is a national or a small, privately owned company and how much experience you were hired with.
Just a question - if you don't like the question, don't respond.
Anyone know of companies that hire orthopedic transcriptionists..
I liked to find a company that has a great ortho account and needs help whether it be FT or PT, IC or employee, but it seems hard to find anyone that has any good ortho accounts.
I agree with all the above. Know how to treat transcriptionists, and I don't just mean on holida
nm
Time for Transcriptionists to Take Back Transcription
It is my personal opinion, that we as trasncriptionists are an elite bunch. We have wroked hard, we work hard, our work is technically and physically and mentally challenging. I have a problem with others capitalizing on our skills, knowledge, training and expertise. Not only that, hospitals are closting transcription departments one by one and outsourcing. I am protesting outsourcing. Why give our money to services when we can work directly for the hosiptal under an intentive program and keep our benefits and earn more than the service can earn, and put the money back into our pockets instead of theirs. We are people, not machines, not a commodity, we should not be for sale.
SOUTH FLORIDA transcriptionists - PLEASE READ
I have been trying to respond to people from south Florida who applied with Sage Street Staffing for traveling transcription.
The emails are kicking back as undeliverable. I have tried from multiple email addresses, and they are all kicking back as undeliverable.
If you sent a resume from the email address ************, please send an alternate email address so that I may respond.
thank you
Question for long-term TransTech Transcriptionists
I have read so many wonderful things about this company, but no one seems to talk about cpl. I know what they offered me is about average for nationals, but I also was told they do not give raises. Is this really true. Does that mean if you are an excellent transcriptionist, and more reliable than normal, they would never give you a raise? That doesn't sound good to me. Would anyone care to say if they have gotten a raise while working there.
Your help is much appreciated.
Well I work on an account that probably about 4 part time transcriptionists on it ...sm
There is hardly ever enough work. Never get a full day because the account is overstaffed. There are 2 doctors on this account also. It might not be as bad with you because you only have you and 2 part timers. But on this account there is a handful of MTs. Ridiculous!
Sage Street Staffing - South Florida transcriptionists
I have been trying to respond to people from south Florida who applied with Sage Street Staffing for traveling transcription.
The emails are kicking back as undeliverable. I have tried from multiple email addresses, and they are all kicking back as undeliverable.
If you sent a resume from the email address *********** please send an alternate email address so that I may respond.
thank you
New, naive, desperate, carpal tunnel, slow transcriptionists... I don't know.
x
Are there not enough physicians in India to keep work plentiful for their native transcriptionists?
I just can't imagine with India being such a large country that they are not swamped with MT work that can stay in their own country. I have always been curious in this regard. So tired of these large transcription companies using the shortage of U.S. MTs to get away with offshoring our work for slave wages. LET THEM TRANSCRIBE FOR PHYSICIANS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND FOCUS ON THEIR COUNTRY'S HEALTH CARE AND QUIT BOTCHING IMPORTANT MEDICAL RECORDS THAT BELONG TO U.S. CITIZENS WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHO IS PRODUCING THE REPORT.
I totally agree with this but I edit Pakistan typists. Won't call them transcriptionists, they
:+
I agree. Transcriptionists have turned into a big whiny mess who have inflated egos. sm
Look at the economy. There are very few jobs out there that have not seen wages go down. Costs are up, wages are down, jobs are not as plentiful as in the early 80's. IT people have seen their salaries cut to less than half of what they were 15 years ago and they need more knowledge than back then. Nurses, physician assistants and CNA's fight to have jobs because everyone thinks they can do away with them. Teachers are at the poverty level in many states.
Get over yourselves. I personally chose to send work offshore because it is less expense and guess what? The people WANT to work. I don't have to pay for insurance or take out taxes. I don't worry that deadlines will be missed because they know that I will replace them and they need their jobs.
When all U.S. jobs are gone, you will all wonder why and the reason is that YOU let it happen.
I am not making excuses, simply stating facts. Greedy MT's who want the world force MTSO's to look for alternative solutions.
Mgmt Enhances Dividends Quiety Undermining Its Steadfast Transcriptionists
Questions for you.
What benefits might not be the same?
Also, as we're paid for what we type, I'm not sure what you mean by "I put all I had into it and didn't get much in return."
I guess I'm confused as to what the company isn't doing in terms of what you are owed in returns Not trying to pick a fight, just wondering what I'm missing myself. I work, I get a paycheck. I have benefit opportunities that others do, at least as far as I know. Medical, dental, etc.
Can you help by clarifying this, please? It might help the rest of us to understand.
A few more questions
What about the rental fee for part timers. Do you pay that forever or until equipment is paid off? Can you use your own equipment? Thanks.
Questions
I went to Wegmans, but the only copy of RBJ they had was for 7/27. I am wondering how all of this is going to affect my job??? Are there specific changes pending that threaten the existance of this company? This may sound bad, but there are slimy people all over the place, but as long as my job is secure, I am not going to quit my job because of her lack of ethics. They seem to be a pretty good fit for me and I have never had a problem getting paid, which I have with a few other MTSOs in the area. They are pretty consistent with the work and have good dictators and a great platform. I wish someone would post the actual article, as I can't seem to get to it no matter what I do.
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