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So are we supposed to just accept low wages?

Posted By: sm on 2009-03-18
In Reply to: The only thing you are doing is forcing the - Anon

Are you saying we just need to accept low wages so MTSOs can make their money? The fact is MTSOs are making more than just a living and they are doing it off the hard work of the MTs while cutting our pay even more. My time is worth more than what some of these MTSOs are paying. If I take another paycut, I am out of MT. I could care less if that means they have to send records overseas. I am not working for peanuts just to save the American MT industry.


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PLUS, a plumber sets his own hours and wages! As far as MT wages,
x
QA wages

Anyone out there have any idea of how much a QA person should make per hour working at home?


Low Wages
When I got my VERY FIRST job transcribing, it was for a national service, and the pay was 7 cpl. It's been nearly 10 years since then - The pay for MTs has not gone up at all, and even worse, it seems to be DROPPING!!
wages
Yes, I totally agree. We need to unionize.
My wages are more than that
and like I said, you must be slow not to be able to make at least $20 an hour and yes, I can add.
about my wages. My wages and sm
my job are just fine. Yes we are allowed to have freedom of speech so I have mine too.
Wages

Since this board has become a they pay what? board, let's talk about pay.   In 1992, I was working as a receptionist and got paid $10.00 an hour.  Today, I looked in my local paper and saw ads for receptionists for $8-10 an hour.  Hasn't gone up much in 17 years!  I worked as an administrative assistant for $14.00 an hour in 1994.  Today, they are paying anywhere from $12-15 an hour.  I worked in-house for a hospital in 1999 doing medical transcription and got paid $15 an hour, plus a bonus for going over my daily lines.   Today, our in-house hospital is paying $13-15 an hour.  The local Sears store is starting their sales reps at $7.50 an hour TODAY.     My first work at home MT job was almost 10 years ago and I started out at 8 cents a line for straight typing.   Pretty much standard today.  


 


I really don't understand the constant complaining about wages on this site.  VR is terrible, I agree with that, BUT it isn't terrible for an experienced MT.  What it has caused is a way for NEW MTs to compete with the experienced ones.  If you work on eScription or a similar platform, the program really can learn the doc, therefore allowing a new MT to learn while on the job.   So, us experienced MTs are working right along side someone just out of school for the same pay.  Oh well!!!   I make $120 a day on VR in 8 hours 0.04 cpl (around $16 an hour), I have hit $160 if I work a couple more hours.  So I am still making the same as if I worked in-house and I get the benefit of working from home. 


 


Please stop the complaining already.   This job is not that hard.   When I first became an MT, the job was hard.   Well, 10 years later it is a piece of cake and I would rather make my $16 an hour any day then go work at Sears for around 7 bucks an hour. 


 


Am I the only one getting tired of the constant complaining about pay and jobs going to India?  Gag! 


MT wages
What is the point of your post...to irritate already upset MTs? I think people are angry that their wages have decreased so much. I would be okay if mine stayed the same, but I am currently making 1/3 of what I did 10 years ago and working twice as hard.

You compare our job to a Sears employee making 7.50? Well I would like to see that employee type medical records.
Average QA wages
Here are some known QA wages, starting out.

OSi - around $13.50
Transcend - around $13.50 - $14.00
Spheris - Mostly start at $12 - $13
MQ - $12
Sten-Tel - $12

In my opinion, a good QA should get 16-19, true, but that is just not the industry standard. It is lower than that.
That way they can bring our wages down
even further. I think some company suits must get on here and use this as their forum as an excuse as to why they rip us off. Come on people, this is what they think of us? Yeh I would say getting our own accounts or better yet just stop working for the asses that rip off. I say lets list every company on this board that cheats MTs and everyone stop working for them. Thats the only way things might change is to unite in our efforts.
Ugh --- SLAVE wages. - (nm)
nm
slave wages
These companies really want a return to slavery for the worker. The sad thing is that if you need any income, you'll take it and there is desperation out there, which they are counting on.javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
Slave wages??? Not here,
Why are you earning slave wages? Maybe you should take a look at YOURSELF and what is holding YOU back! Probably easier to blame the big bad corrupt MTSO for your problems. I am not earning slave wages. I consider the $20 I make per hour to be decent. For 18 months of schooling, it's not that bad. My husband is a company executive and just took a 15% cut in pay. Hey, maybe he should organize a union for beaten down and repressed executives. Now there's an idea!
So did I! 80's wages were great! nm
x
I bet you complain about your wages
And it all can be traced to company waste, not to mention the economy. No time to be wasting money. As I said, this is MY opinion. We are allowed in this country to have freedom of speech and opinions, aren't we?
walmart, wages, etc
No I do not work at WalMart, never have, don't intend to.  I was told the wages recently by a greeter who works there, and she also said she gets a raise every year.  I was surprised to hear it.  I have never once told anyone to get 2 or 3 jobs, because I think that is easier said than done.  I believe people need a life too.  My whole point is simply that I think the MTSOs are largely responsible for the downturn of our wages by underbidding each other and then wanting to hire others to work for inferior wages.   I used to work in a hospital and we did it all, transcription, charting, xeroxing, etc., and we did it well, made decent wages too.   I don't think anyone should have to work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet.  Especially in this job with its knowledge. I think you have misunderstood what I am saying.  I am on your side!  I am sure you are worth a lot more than being offered.
walmart, wages, etc
No I do not work at WalMart, never have, don't intend to.  I was told the wages recently by a greeter who works there, and she also said she gets a raise every year.  I was surprised to hear it.  I have never once told anyone to get 2 or 3 jobs, because I think that is easier said than done.  I believe people need a life too.  My whole point is simply that I think the MTSOs are largely responsible for the downturn of our wages by underbidding each other and then wanting to hire others to work for inferior wages.   I used to work in a hospital and we did it all, transcription, charting, xeroxing, etc., and we did it well, made decent wages too.   I don't think anyone should have to work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet.  Especially in this job with its knowledge. I think you have misunderstood what I am saying.  I am on your side!  I am sure you are worth a lot more than being offered.
What it will get is ever decreasing wages. n/m
x
who would even accept a job for $10-15
anon
About to accept...
I've spoken to a couple of current employees who are totally happy with the company, and I'm hoping for a good fit for me, too!
How do you accept
without knowing the cost of benefits and the coverage provided?  If that was an important part of my decision I would know those answers before I accepted.  It should have at least been a part of the interview.  Just my 2c.
would not accept 0

Yes, I tried to leave a 0 but it would not accept that either, has to be at least a 1 or I cannot even continue. 


I have asked the lady that I subcontract for to find out the user ID for me of the clinic's Olympus DSS software, although she is thinking that I will need the ID # of her Olympus software.  I do not know, but I would think it would have to be the # from the clinics since the dictation originally comes from them??   Anyone shed any more light on any of this for me.  I would really rather not have to purchase Olympus software if possible, as well as another subcontactor in the same boat.  Thanks.  Bon


Do not accept that pay
It works out to be more like 0.0575 cents per line. They may not be billing their client for them, but they are getting paid, probably billing company 0.20 per VBC and paying you 0.08.
Taking a cut in wages with new company.

Am considering taking 1 and 1/2 cent a line cut with a new company, unlimited work, no set schedules, employee status with benefits.  They count each line typed (including headers, carbon copies, etc) and spaces.  I am thinking I will come out ahead over DQS program.  I know after being on DQS all this time my line count has NEVER returned to what it was prior, close but not there. 



Anyone taken this big of a cut without a suicide note? 


I think I will try it part time to be sure, but if the LPH are better than DQS I may take the dive and go FT. 


 


No, but they want Exceptional MTs at those pitsy wages, too! nm
s
Fighting low wages: Has anyone ever considered trying to (sm)

organize MTs throughout the country?  It seems like, judging by what I read in MR forums, that part of the problem is that when people first come into the business, they have no idea of what their hard work is worth.  Regardless of the fact that hospitals want to pay the lowest possible price for transcription, the only people who should be settling for less than 10, 12 or more cents/line are ESLs in India, etc.  American workers should be standing up for American wages.  Yes, there are some companies who will say, Fine, I'll contract with India.  Believe me, you wouldn't want those companies as employers, or to work for hospitals or clinics that operate that way.  Heck... I sure wouldn't put my care in the hands of a doc that uses offshore transcription services, that's for sure! 


SO, what I'm saying is, there must be some way to bring MTs from all areas, and of all experience levels together (OUTSIDE of AAMT, which has been in large part responsible for alot of the problem!), and organize for a decent living wage and health benefits.  If all of us were to stop working for 3 days, 1 week max, do you think that work would all suddenly be sent offshore?  I don't think so.  Some might, but then again, it's a good way to week out the undesirable clients & employers. 


I think we our often our own worst enemy when it comes to wages.  If we continue to accept less than what we're worth, then that's all we can expect to earn.


Also, I'm surprised that some entrepreneuring MT company hasn't cashed in on all the newbies and in-school MTs out there who just want experience and a chance.  Imagine if one of the larger, more respected services were to open an MT SCHOOL as well.  They would receive an income from instruction fees.  MTs could gradually cross over from student to trainee.  MTs could earn extra money as teachers.  (And should be paid well for it, too.)  The company training the MTs would have first pick of the best and brightest for work in their own company.  Beyond that, there would be more money to be made when it comes to referrals. 


The healthcare industry needs to be more educated in the fact that transcription is a vital part of their work, and how well their reports are done is a direct reflection of their competency.  If you look at how much money is wasted in these establishments on FLUFF -- excess management, inept management, some community programs, and in some cases excess in building glitz and glamour, one has to wonder why they feel transcription is a less-valuable service than those provided by their janitors, groundskeepers, or food service personnel.


One way to fight the low-wage problem is to continue to lobby for an end to offshoring of personal information, not only in the healthcare industry, but in ALL American industry.  NO personal data: phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc. should EVER leave American soil without the express written consent of the owner of that data.


Another way to fight low wages is to do as much research as possible on prospective employers.  Remember, they are not just interviewing you, you are also interviewing THEM!  Go with the best-paying company you can find.  If you are new to the field, that will be harder, but in your case finding the best learning environment is your best bet, and then work hard at getting proficient enough to be able to LEAVE a low-paying employer ASAP for a better-paying one. 


In terms of being an IC, I know it's difficult to deal with people undercutting you.  But once again, don't forget that when someone turns down high-quality transcription and goes with the lower-quality provider, simply because of a couple-cent-per-line difference in cost, the way to look at that client is Good Riddance!  I used to have my own, non-MT, service-related business.  I had two ways of weeding out the undesireables: 


One was a waiver of liability.  If they squawked about signing it, or started picking it apart like they were big legal experts, then I knew right away they were a future legal liability.  (Of course, that is less of an issue with MT... I don't know of MTs that make clients sign waivers!  It's just a 'fer instance.)  But the best way to weed out the cheapskates and nit-pickers was to charge a slightly HIGHER fee than my competitors.  I offered a higher-quality, more personalized service than my competitors.  So I stood firm on my prices.  And you know what?  There are clients who will actually LOOK for the higher fee, knowing that if you can command and get a higher fee, you are probably a better service provider. 


Also, steer clear of new clients who want a special deal or discount right off the bat.  They will NEVER be satisfied; give them an inch and they'll take a mile.  I believe that discounted rates are EARNED, not given out on demand.  A long-time client who is honest, pays on time, tips, is slightly flexible, etc., who gives you steady, reliable work that is easier to do, should be rewarded with a deal.  But that deal should only be between you and them, and not broadcast to other clients.


Some of my BEST business clients turned out to be people who at first pooh-poohed my fees, and went with the cheaper provider.  Quite a few of them came crawling back on their hands and knees later; sadder but wiser, and more than willing to pay what I charged.  And often they had such a big mess that needed to be straightened out (usually caused by the cheaper provider) that I initially had to charge EXTRA, on top of my normal fees, to straighten it all out!  These people often came to be my biggest TIPPERS, as well! 


 I think we have all been conditioned to believe we are lucky to have a job at all, and we need to start rethinking that.  MT's need to stick together, network, lobby against offshoring and unfair pay, UNIONIZE if at all possible or beneficial, and be far more VOCAL.  The normally quiet nature of most MTs and their behind-the-scenes work usually works against them when it comes to fair labor practices!  Those of us with many years of experience & skill need to TURN DOWN job offers that are insultingly low. 


Anyway, that's my take on the el-cheapo employers & clients, and the low pay they think we'll get down on our knees and thank them for!   


Happy 2007!  


It is hard to just compare wages....sm
Because there are so many other variables involved - like how many characters make up a line? What percentage of the dictators are ESL? Do you get paid for headings and spaces? All of these (and more!) could end up affecting your cpl (cents per line - if you get paid that way). You could end up making more, earning less cpl, if the dictator is really easy to understand and you get paid for spaces, headings, etc. Make sure you check these out!
Who is receiving Third-World wages...
Really?  I certainly am not.  I have never made less than $20 an hour as an MT.  If you are making Third-World wages, it is time for you to find a different job.  There are plenty of good opportunities out there.
Someone indeed WILL work for that, which is why our wages are in the gutter - nm
xx
just more creative manipulation of our wages

It's facinating watching THEM dissect our pay in the most inventive and --don't forget-- cost-effective ways. 


Most unusual is the tiering of wages related to lines produced, and, of course, the *visible black character* and *not paying for spaces* continuing controversy, among the glut of other insidious ways they have their hands in our pockets. 


Bollocks.


 


 


and before you correct me, it's ACCEPT
haha
yes I could but if I already said I would accept work, I don't
with no work. As they say, your word is your bond.
They offered me 6 cpl for IC. I did not accept. nm

Some newbies have to accept 6 cpl unfortunately - any sm
other experiences with Shapin? Thanx.
Did you accept a position? (nm)
nm
don't accept the wage, but I would!!!!
nm
Only if you accept it. Put your foot down
.
When you accept so little, you not only ruin it for
.
Don't accept anything less than $50K and be prepared

,,,


...and how do you accept criticism now
Reality: MTs are usually working to support themselves, with bill collectors right on their backs.

If the quality of newer MTs as you say not caring what kind of work they put out, thank the hospitals and insurance companies, the greedy people who demand 100% accuracy, but who do not care about patients or employees because they want us to compete with other countries where their cost of living is probably half of what ours is. They are setting the trend and attitudes in this industry.

As QA you had the luxury of going over a report that was already transcribed by someone else - who sat through the screaming in the background, or struggling to understand the dictator, all while trying to make the lines needed on a time schedule.

The MT is under time constraints - you must type so many lines, you must work so many hours, you must type so many lines per hour...or you will lose your benefits, not be able to pay your bills, etc.

What would QA do without us - it bothers me the way you are judging MTs in categories.

We are losing benefits more and more all the time, told to work longer, work harder, for LESS than we actually made years ago.

Then you have people going over our reports with a magnifying glass sadistically sometimes, almost happy when they find errors you have made.

A company tests MTs, has the choice whether to hire them or not, then starts slamming them with how lousy they are because they are making errors, which is going to happen whenever you work with humans?

Errors are made mostly from older MTs in my opinion because we are now working piecemeal, we are not hourly anymore, we only make what we type, and we have to type a lot of difficult work because the easier work goes overseas. To expect great quality is unrealistic. Something is going to be sacrificed when the compensation is not appropriate.
I did not accept position
I did not accept offer. Too many negatives........
Has the pay come up to average at least? 1-1/2 yrs ago it was too low to accept. nm
s
Just wondering - did you accept the job?

I was offered the same 7 cpl with one company, but 8.5 with another, 12+ years exp.


She could tell him but probably wouldnt accept.
x
You have the right to accept no more jobs or if
x
They use more than one platform. If you accept, (sm)
stay clear of the Mongoose platform. I found it very slow and clunky.
So what happens after accept offer? sm
I have accepted a position with Keystrokes but haven't heard back after leaving message for recruiter. Just wondering what next step is. Should I expect paperwork via snail mail or E-mail, etc? Thanks! 
Then don't accept the offer...

There are many companies who pay much higher than that.  But, what you quoted are not Third-World wages...low, yes, but not Third World.


Anyone accept job with SmartMed, LP?
If so, can you tell me a little bit about it, i.e., dictators, mostly hard, mostly easy, etc.
And we were SO WORRIED you'd accept... nm
.
yep saw 1 ad 2.5, 4 and 4 VR pitiful don't accept
.