Their verbal test was not hard at all. I was amazed
Posted By: sm on 2006-02-13
In Reply to: JLG did, but it was so ridiculously hard that - sm
really that it was as easy as it was because when she said she was giving a phone test, I panicked. I received a job offer a day later and gladly accepted it as they sound like a very nice company.
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I just messed up on a verbal test - sm
I cannot believe how badly I did. I completely froze on the questions for meanings of ostial/osteal, ileum/ilial. I feel like such an idiot! I'm pretty sure I answered everything else correctly, but those sound alikes always get me, and I always have to pull out my Dorland's. I'm fairly certain I blew this one. 
Has anyone taken the verbal mini-test
Is it very difficult? I don't do well with these types of tests. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
IMO I would rather have a verbal test on the phone
than one of those two hour web tests before you talk to the company only to find out you passed with flying colors and they offer you 6 cents a line.
Verbal test for Spheris
but not Medware. When I called the Spheris (Edix) recruiter I was surprised by the verbal pop quiz, wasn't expecting it. I worked for Medware last year and I don't recall the test. The worst are the online tests that you have to use your keyboard for rewind/play...a total PITA, very awkward.
Webmedx did a verbal test when I applied last year (sm)
The tester/interviewer was very pleasant and apologized for poor sound quality due to her using a head set (which she continued to use) during the testing. You could barely hear her and I had a bad feeling about the quality of transcription from this and turned the job down.
Just took a test today for a company and I am amazed how rusty I am after not testing for years and
years. I had to really think about things again. I guess after you test enough you get used to it. That is the first one I took in about 13 years. I just more or less did it to see how it was. Should be interesting to see how it went because I really dont want to work for the company I just wanted to take the test. A lot of tricky questions in it.
Ridiculously hard? I must be a genius then because I aced that test. nm
nm
I didn't receive a score but the test was hard.
I'm almost afraid to ask what I got.
I was amazed also about...sm
the MT who stated she did make many errors. As we all know, in our field we have to be particular in what we do. And, everyone, I mean EVERYONE makes mistakes...we just have to watch them and try to prevent them and do the best we can. But it does go both ways: MTSOs need to work hard for us to provide us with plenty of work, half-way decent benefits and also respect us because we are what is keeping your business going after all. It is a two-way street and we all have to realize that we cannot have one without the other! 
I'm always amazed (sm)
that whenever they offer a bonus like that and the work is so far behind, somehow it almost never fails, everyone pitches in, even if it just for a few hours, and the work somehow gets done. They have been a great company to work for, and I think a lot of it has to do with morale and actually wanting to help out, not just $$.
I'm AMAZED that
Amazed would take the time out of his/her busy life to post something like this. You know, I hesitate to even post on here anymore because of all the snippy comments like this one. I have to wonder how many hours it took you to come up with such a witty answer. Not that it is any of your business, but I wanted to be semi prepared for my phone interview, which is Friday, about which direction I wanted to go as far as part time, flex part time, etc., but thanks for your most helpful input. The next time I need someone to state the obvious, I will be sure call upon you.
To those of you who did respond, you've answered a lot of questions I had, and I sincerely thank you.
I am always amazed at
how many people say they do not get paid by their MTSO! Not sure if they are the same companies (we know there are at least 3 from your experience).
Seems to me we should be able to give the names so no one wastes their time getting hired by them!
I think you should try some lawsuits and get those late fees covered!!
And would you be amazed to know that most MTs
have now just topped out at 7 to 8 cpl, while the newbies make 9 cpl on clinics, yet they experts struggle with the difficult ESLs, being paid less. That is exactly what the problem is, and you've nailed it but don't even realize it. Why should I 30 years into my career make the same as a newbie who doesn't know a boil from a blepharoplasty. That is what we are talking about - wages comparable to experience, fair wages, fair benefits, etc. This is so much more than MTs whining. We have valid problems in our industry, not to mention that the work is being offshored right out from under our hardworking feet, and some of us are trying to brainstorm a SOLUTION. What is so disgusting to you about that? You don't want to participate - fine. You don't believe in any of our causes? Fine. Either things continue as they are now, status quo, and you'll never notice, or things will deteriorate as they are, and you'll be out a job, or imagine - things might improve and you could benefit from change for the better. How hard is that to swallow?
only verbal from an employee there nm
nm
Verbal testing
Verbal testing is so much better. Years before people with no idea of transcription came to me with their tapes, like I would do that, NOT. If you say you are an acute care Transcriptionist you better know the standard dose of Coumadin, the most common incision used in hysterectomies, just simple stuff that all MTs would know. If you are letting these people cheat, you know, garbage in - garbage OUT.
Verbal testing.....
They do testing on the phone to weed out people who don't know the first thing about MT. Many people think because they work in a doctor's office as a receptionist or a medical assistance that they are qualified to do MT.
Your reasoning regarding the transcription quality at WMX based on the recruiter's phone line quality was faulty at best. I've been at WMX for a year and their sound files are wonderful.
Do you like where you are now? If note, give WMX another shot. It's a good place to work.
Usually a spelling test, a punctuation test, and maybe 3-6 test files to do. Sometimes done using
s
i am constantly amazed
at how MW can make such a good impression on new employees, but then they are good at doing that. you have not worked for these people long enough to see how they really are, obviously!
I am amazed by how many ungrateful MTs there are
posting on this board! People complaining about making 9 cents a line on clinic notes??!!! Ranting about 9 cents a line with only 3 years experience! Wanting to form a union now? Come on, people!!! After a few months doing this work, most MTs can do 200 lph. At 9 cents, that's $18 per hour! Work on your speed and your expander, type 250 lph and you can give yourself a raise to $22.50/hr! Can anyone else tell me what other field out there can you make that kind of money after a short home study course with no college required???? And on top of that, work in the comfort of your own home??? Americans are so spoiled!!! That's part of the problem with this country right now! We want, want, want as much as we can get, get, get for as little effort possible. That's the American way, and look at the economic mess we're in now!!
That's just my two cents... take it for what it's worth.
I am always amazed to read what others put here about TTS
I think without a doubt that there must be something terribly wrong with anyone who writes a post like you. I have worked for TTS for about 2 years or better now and never have 1 single, solitary problem with them. No one has attitude with me. People let me work independently. I have no one to micromanage. I have no one breathing down my neck. I have no dominating person and God only knows, would never put up with a person with threatening behavior. I for the life of me just do not believe your posts. I never run into what you are describing. This has been a place that I am truly happy with and hope to be there for as long as I can.
Verbal testing on the phone
Would someone be able to tell me what companies verbally test applicants on the phone? I thought I had read somewhere that Medware and Amphion did that, but I could be wrong.
Transhealth, they do written and verbal,
x
I don't work for TT. I'm just amazed at your lack
xx
I don't even work there and am amazed at the bashing here. sm
From everything I can tell, there are only a handful of good companies to work for of the bigger ones yet I see a lot of negative, bashing posts for these same company that stink of one or two people with chips on their shoulders.
From all accounts, I think that the few that are good, including Webmedx, Keystrokes and MDI-MD, want experienced MTs who produce quality reports and do what they commit to doing in the time they commit to completely their days. Not too much to ask, but there are handful of people here at MTStars that feel like everyone is out to get them.
My advice to all of you that complain about QA departments and strict companies: Brush up on your skills, learn from your corrections, work your shifts OR GET A NEW JOB IN A DIFFERENT LINE OF WORK.
You all give professional MTs a bad name.
Do they have both a written and verbal testing process? Thank you. nm
nm
verbal tests also show what you do when you aren't sure
I had 2 sound alikes with different meaning out of all the questions asked. On those 2, I nailed the first meaning but wasn't sure of the second because I was nervous. They (meaning any company who does verbal tests) expect a certain amount of that in a verbal exam. I admitted that off hand, the answer didn't come to my head and I would have to look it up to be certain. I probably would not have gotten a call back if I had just guessed and gotten it wrong or didn't say I would like it up because then they would think I would throw in words into a document that didn't fit and it would show I didn't care. They want to know what you aren't sure of, too, and if you care to find out the answers.
I am still really amazed about that MT who bashed the co this week for being fired because of her
poor quality! You rarely see an MTSO fire an MT because of poor quality (boy would I love to see it having seen some of the poor quality that is sent to the facilities) because there are some who are just given so many chances that they do not deserve. They need to be weeded out and continue to be weeded out and for one to publicly come on here and bash an MTSO for doing what they had to do really has stuck in my mind.
I still think MTSOs really need to be a cut above the MTs when it comes to going off but yes I do understand that sometimes they just have to say something.
I am just totally amazed at this what some people think is fair for us!!
You want us to go on assistance?, in a profession that takes 5 years to get good enough to do this at home, that is 1 past a college degree, and many, many wonderful transcriptionists listening, listening, until we could hear it too, and not having to have our nose in books constantly, it takes at least 5 years, I have heard that over and over when I trained in a hospital, girls telling me to hang in there, major mark at 5 years. Now you think with all that if I don't make enough to pay my rent, buy groceries, utilitieI (and sometimes not much more), that there is assistance out there for me when I work my buns off and my nose is not in books constantly anymore, but you think that counts for nothing. What a stupid, stupid remark to make for hard working transcriptionists with years in this profession to make a remark like that to bow to the people who are living like kings and we need to get assistance. Why don't we give a break to the patient's whom we do their reports? The hospital that provides a place for the doctors to dictate (I am sure if they get a break it will be through us). Maybe you think we should get an outside job so we can contribute more to the nationals who are getting vulgarly rich off transcriptionn. Sheesh, I am constantly amazed at stupidity in this profession, if it is one anymore.
Actually, you should be MORE amazed at the fact that the majority of our profession has been
outsourced and to add insult to injury, we are expected to survive on what is practially tantamount to Third World wages? Not only that, but as a MT for the last 25+ years, I am livid about the fact that our medical information is in the hands of individuals outside of this country not to mention SS#, etc. IMO that particular issue among others I have listed should be a legitimate cause for concern....
Cheating/verbal tests and cost per line.
I am sorry to hear this wonderful recruiter being called a cheater. I have been in this business for about 25 years, and I will take whatever help/advice I can get. Yes, I am in the transcription business to help people but I am also in it to help support my family. I'll take short cuts, macros, whatever it will take to increase my lines and if getting into a company that is willing to give a helping hand, a cue, a hint, whatever - I say thank you. In the end, if you do take pride in your work, the terminology will come to you in the actual report, and I bet the next time you hear those particular terms you have trouble with on the test, you will remember them. You will remember affect and effect. You will learn intra and inter because somebody's health may depend on it. Too bad for you.....
Verbal tests show the information that is in your head.
There is nothing wrong with a company that does this and if someone flunked that portion of the test and passed the other portions, I would think that portion weighed more heavily because we are supposed to utilize our knowledge of MT also, not just the things we have to look up in reference material. We must know what we are doing, hence the reason for verbal testing.
I personally wish more companies did that. The ability to think is a big part of being a good MT. I say two thumbs up for TransHealth for testing that ability.
Okay, here is how a recruiter who is a friend of mine explained verbal tests to me.
Verbal tests are to give the recruiter a feel of what that MT knows off the top of their head. Not all people get nervous at verbal tests but a good recruiter has the insight to know if a wrong answer or lack of an answer is from not knowing or is from just being nervous. A verbal test is done just to get a feel for the the off the top knowledge of an MT plus you know that MT is taking it. This recruiter is also an MT and having gone through so many tests the long hard way decided this was the lesser of the evils. She did tell me though if she felt that MT knew their stuff and just could not respond because of nervousness that she noted that and just by a general conversation based on experience would not flunk someone like that. Lenghty tests prove very little except that an MT has been working for companies that all have different ways of style and that she felt that was not right to an MT; as well having to take tests that are hours long after an MT has been working long hours is also not fair to the MT. And my friend told me that in many cases there are MTs that literally have other MTs take their testing for them and you would not know it until that person starts the job. It depends on the recruiter and their knowledge of the industry. Each recruiter or company has their own way and usually they find the way that works best for them. I personally find that many recruiters just have no knowledge of the industry (inside knowledge) and it annoys me that someone like that is allowed to even have the opportunity to interview and test me. I can remember one with a company up north and their idea of punctuation was way too much. It should not have been an issue unless it changed the meaning of the report but had they gone by the Book of Style they would not have added those 20 or so commas throughout the 4 reports that they had me transcribe. I passed but when you have been in this industry for over 15 years and are being judged by someone that has not and who has not been in your MT dancing shoes then something about that just does not seem right. Anyway I doubt there really is a best way to do anything, but if I had my choice, I would prefer the way that is the shortest. Time is precious and for the rates they pay nowadays those tests are just too lengthy to go through that for a whopping 7 cents a line. No thank you. I'll chance my nerves over all that.
Not a KS employee just amazed at the conclusions that people on here jump to. I work for a
small MTSO and hope that they are never mentioned here. I would hate to see someone I know attacked so constantly. I feel sorry for service owners that are not MQ or that big.
Great post and very true! I read these today and was amazed that someone's first thought was pay
I agree that circumstances can make loans necessary but the OP sounded more like she uses these on a regular basis. No I'll have to learn to budget for the difference, just oh no, now I need to go to Payday Loans and pay 400% interest.
We have the potential to earn what we need to, although sometimes lately it is harder and harder.
Good for all of you. Wish I had seen these earlier.
p.s. Can someone call and tell my BIL to grow up too?
I took a test for a company and my foot pedal would work with the test and I had keep going back
over the dictation time and again to get all the words because I couldnt stop and start it by the foot pedal. What can I do about this.
Just took the test myself. No actual dictation to transcribe. Just a written test.
For 13 cpl, I might do it if the dictators aren't a total horror.
I just took the test today - thought it was a great test of MT skills.
x
There is no written test. Must have been a different company. I took their ortho test sm
and it was easy. You had to know your terminology but it was easy to understand AND I used my foot pedal.
Is the test through mttest.com a timed test? Thanks. nm
Hard to say...
In my experience, one minute of dictation is roughly equivalent to 10 lines of transcription, so, approximately 180 minutes of dictation, and figuring an average length of a report at around 3 minutes, that's probably around 60 reports.
Hard to say
what the situation is. It is fairly common to have times here and there where there is no work in this business due to many different things. The company may have over hired and don't have enough work. Do you work on clinic or acute care. If clinic and you work on only one account, is it possible a doctor is out of town? There could be many different reasons, although I think it is somewhat strange that they can predict that there will be no work at all for you for several days (this might make me a little suspicious). Might not hurt to try to find another part-time position to fill in the gaps.
it is hard
to say that our profession is not going to exist. I see a high demand for experienced MTs. If you look on the occupational outlook handbook, it even says that there is going to be greater than average demand for MTs. I copied and pasted below what it says.
Contracting out transcription work overseas and advancements in speech recognition technology are not expected to significantly reduce the need for well-trained medical transcriptionists. Outsourcing transcription work abroad—to countries such as India, Pakistan, Philippines, and the Caribbean—has grown more popular as transmitting confidential health information over the Internet has become more secure; however, the demand for overseas transcription services is expected only to supplement the demand for well-trained domestic medical transcriptionists. In addition, reports transcribed by overseas medical transcription services usually require editing for accuracy by domestic medical transcriptionists before they meet domestic quality standards. Speech-recognition technology allows physicians and other health professionals to dictate medical reports to a computer that immediately creates an electronic document. In spite of the advances in this technology, the software has been slow to grasp and analyze the human voice and the English language, and the medical vernacular with all its diversity. As a result, there will continue to be a need for skilled medical transcriptionists to identify and appropriately edit the inevitable errors created by speech recognition systems, and to create a final document.
JLG hard?
If you thought the JLG phone test was hard, you are in for a rude awakening in the MT field. They are standard questions you would know if you have any experience.
Trying hard
I'm trying to like Amphion, but the platform is awful. If I could ever get the chance to type, I could really get a good line count, but the filling in the DI screen and constant looking up physicians is killing me. I kept track over one hour, and I had to look up 14 doctors' names and numbers and cc them. And this is going into a separate window and then coming back to the chart, not using just a keystroke to look them up. I love the dictators. They're very clear, and the supervisors are adequate, not overly helpful, but pretty nice. Right now, I'm struggling to make $10 an hour.
Yes, hard at first but
you get used to it. I dropped 2 cents a line, but the company part of the taxes worked out equally. At least I don't have to pay in the quarterly taxes anymore! Not as much freedom but if you are with a good company it helps.
Not that hard
I do the acute care on 2 accounts. What I find with Keystrokes is the accounts I do are not 50/50 ESL. I don't mind ESLs but something is fishy with other companies I have worked for when I get over 50% ESL. I am not making a good living. I can't do it with 90% ESLs and I have 17 years experience.
I am now making a GOOD living and enjoy going to work every day. I have ESLs but they are the average ESLs, not every other dictation and the accent so thick I despair.
I have some hard dictators but I am making a good living and I haven't for over 5 years. I am also not the fastest typist but I am picky, and I am still making a good living. I work on Ex-Text and the Control I is not blocked. That being the case I can check constantly if I want. I am averagin between 1500 and 1700 lines if I turn the TV off, concentrate and work. Like I said, I am not the fastest typist, but I can live with those lines.
Don't be too hard on yourself, we
spend a lot of time researching words/equipment, looking up CC docs, checking old reports to get proper dictation, etc. You have to figure that in.
It really is hard to believe...
I have been gone now for at least a month, and I cant believe how unaffected my life has been. I mean, I wouldnt leave MQ because I was afraid that I would have to start all over again and worry more about income, etc., etc. Well, stupid me, I shoulda, shoulda, ad. infinitum...
Hard to believe.
nm
not hard
The test was just a general test but beware. I took it along with two friends of mine and they told all of us we failed (we took it for QA/QC) and offered us by line VR jobs instead of hourly. Then a month later, got called back for an interview for QA, then the next week told they hired somebody else. Then I got an email asking if I was still interested in a position. I didn't even bother to answer. There's got to be a reason they are always hiring for every position.
I tried really hard to believe this, but SM
I'm still trying to get past why anyone there would spend all that time and energy doing something like this when they could have just let you go. They don't have to have cause to let you go.
Before you call me a cheerleader for All Type, know that I have my own not-so-pleasant experience with them. I just don't believe they (or any company) has the amount of time to do something like this. Bottom line. If you are as good as you say you are, then you should be employed by the beginning of next week. Don't waste any more time on this, just apply to some companies.
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