Thinking about taking an IC position, any helpful hints???
Posted By: Pam Brown on 2009-09-08
In Reply to:
Never have had an IC position, but thinking about one. Company is Surgical Notes, but can't really find any info regarding good, bad or otherwise. I have not yet tested for this company but they have sent a couple of forms to sign. I am hesitant because of this. Seems the order of business would be to test, discuss the position and then sign some type of confidentiality/disclosure agreement and contract, would that be correct? Thanks for any insight.
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I am thinking of taking a job with Amphion, any current SM
MTs, what is the platform like? TIA
I'm thinking about applying at Keystrokes for a radiology position.
Could anyone tell me if they pay per report, how much they start you with and if there are increases along the way. Have seen past post with different amounts and have seen a post in the archives stating 1.25 per report and 1.25 more for reports over 2 minutes long.
A few hints (sm)
Yes, Instant Text works very well with DQS. The newest version has a button to automatically import your DQS AutoCorrect file, if you have one started. Instant Text can be complex -- just set it up to NOT use markers and it will emulate Expanders you are used to. Using marker keys does increase its function, but it takes quite a while to get used to them.
Cool thing about IT is that as long as you save a copy of each report you do, you can have the program automatically compile your abbvs/expansions for you, saving tons of time.
Best way to make lots of lines on DQS is to save a copy of EVERY report and make a normal from it. Save it in Notepad -- using Word or WordPad can mess up the formatting when you call the file in.
There's an old forum that is linked to from the Instant Text site that was written by a MQ DQS expert that has lots of tips. Last time I checked the forum isn't being updated, but the existing information is valuable. There's a description of an excellent way to save your reports and then access the files from the Windows toolbar (bottom of screen). To save copy of report, just cut/paste into Notepad before sending the job. DQS maintains a copy of the report on your hard drive for a few days if you forget; I know there are instructions on the forum for finding the directory in which the reports are kept, or you can just use Windows search function to look for a unique phrase in a report you've just sent -- that will show you the directory.
The problem with DQS, and with many platforms these days, is no payment for patient demographics, even when you're working on an account that doesn't import them automatically. Before DQS the MQ platform I worked on (INET) paid for things like date of service/admission/discharge, requesting/referring physician names, courtesy copy name/address, etc. If you do a lot of short reports, that really hurts.
Good luck. 
Hints and advice
The generalizations will get you no answers or probably not satisfactory answers. What is "decent" to you may not be to others and vice versa.
Be specific. How do you define a decent family insurance premium, deductibles, copays?
How much PTO are you looking for?
I think more people will respond and you will get more information if you list specifically what you are looking for. They can compare what you are asking against their experience with employers and make recommendations.
Can you give any hints as to your primary?
like initials or what type of hospital (assuming it's a hospital account) it is?
Any hints as to a good second company?
Don't want you to be in a bad position for saying your company and getting a billion resumes... but have wondered about this constantly. Send a resume to Landmark, have not heard back. Still looking for supplemental income. Would like to keep MDI, but need a suggestion for work when times are lean. Any hint at all or direction would be well appreciated. Glad you are making it work!
Any tips/hints/advice, fellow MTs???
I am posting to ask my fellow MTs for some tips/hints/advice/suggestions.
I'm starting a new position tomorrow which uses the Meditech platform.
Yes, I know MediTech is rather antiquated, clunky, and a general pain. It's the version where one cannot type into Word and paste into MediTech; everything has to be typed directly into MediTech.
It's been EONS since I've used MediTech and I'm going to be very rusty. Does anyone have any quick tips, hints, or refreshers they can throw my way to make my transition back into time a bit less stressful?
I appreciate anything you guys can offer
Going to start study group for CMT - any hints, comments? (sm)
It has been many, many, many years since I was in school and not really sure if this old dog can really learn new tricks.
At first I was thinking that you were being unrealistic, not thinking about taxes, benefits, etc. bu
surprised to find that you are not asking the moon. Let me clarify a few things: Rates charged are not as high as 0.25 per line, but no one that has U.S. employees goes as low as 0.115 or they would not be able to pay their bills. A more realistic range is 0.125-0.165, and that top end is hard to find, most falling at 0.14-0.15 per line.
The rates of pay you propose are very reasonable IF the following is true: These are seasoned MTs who do not need a lot of hand-holding, QA or blanks filled in, unless a very difficult/impossible doctor.
How about a scale based on experience and accuracy of 0.09 - 0.105 per line (acute care), and $1.15-$1.30 per report (radiology)?
The VR one is tough as everyone, MTs and MTSOs and facilities are still feeling their way on this. As an MTSO who was an MT, I feel that VR editing is as difficult to do as regular transcription. I don't think that it should be substantially less pay or charged less as the end product is still the same.
Funny thing here? My company already follows that scale. We should work together, not at odds, to reinforce this industry and bring it back to where it should be, right here in the U.S.A. with a decent paycheck.
The DQS is an IC position and the Dictaphone EXtext is an employee position....
both part time...both making 9.5 cents per line...which is better IC or employee?
Thanks :)
I'm hoping too as I accepted position a position also nm
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Thanks - Very Helpful
I would not be paying any of the MTs at an editor’s rate I would continue to pay at their existing MT rate. I did send out a communication to the team to ask for feedback and did not even think of mentioning that there would be no reduction in pay rate. I have probably scared a few people.
Thank you! Very, very helpful. :) NM
[
A helpful way to think about it
I had asked this question awhile back when considering a job offer and they said something like 1 minute = 10 lines
Basically, if you get paid .09 cents per line, that would translate to 0.90 cents per minute of dictation.
I get paid $1.10 per dictated minute which is about equivalent to 11 cpl.
Hope that helps!
Not sure how helpful I can be (sm)
but in my short time with MDI I've found that weekend work is typically plentiful and more often than not, at least on my primary, they are asking for extra help on weekends.
I have a primary and a secondary, both on the internet platform. If my primary is low, I switch to my secondary for a little while. I have had no problems meeting my weekday lines between my primary and secondary accounts.
I would encourage you to talk with your laision about your concerns and enquire about a secondary account.
From what I've seen, the company works very hard to make sure everything stays within TAT.
For me, I was fed up with my previous employer's rigid schedule and opted for something a little more relaxed. I am much, much happier and more relaxed, and actually look forward to working now.
Thank you both - most helpful!
Actually this is very helpful ...
Thanks so much for responding.
ANYONE helpful at OSi?
Hey-I'm the one who asked earlier for some opinions on the management thing that had come open there. Thanks for your input, y'all. I'm sorry I'm staying anonymous--as long as I'm still stuck there, I need to.
Here's my latest question: Is there ANY higher-up there who is helpful?! Identifying employees not allowed. Posters can email you through the links below.
There are a couple of people there who have it in for me. I'm a XXXX good transcriptionist--I catch all the errors the dictators make, and don't even get me started on how grammatically awful and also unprofessional my team leader is (which is why I don't speak to my team leader about my problems). Ever since I caught her out in a lie and also mentioned a couple flaws in the system, it has become very clear that, despite the fact that I'm one of the best they've got, they'd love to have a reason to get rid of me.
This is unfair (duh). Is there ANYONE nice there?!
Thank you very much.
helpful at OSi
They do not have someone for the position - I dont think people have it in for anyone here, otherwise some people in power would not be there (anyone who works there knows of whom I speak)-good communication both ways is the key!
Thank you! You have all been very helpful! (nm)
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This was very helpful! thanks! (nm)
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could you be less helpful??!!
I checked the archives and there wasn't much. Just saying RUN doesn't tell us anything.
Did you actually work for them or did you simply have a bad recruiting experience? Were the people difficult to work with? Was the platform difficult? Did they cheat on line count or not send paychecks on time? Too many ESLs? Not the type of work you wanted to do? Some real details would help.
As I said in a previous post - things that one person hates, others might like - so unless you actually want to give some details, why even waste your time answering, its a waste of my time to even check your post.
not helpful
I have talked to them in person. I thought maybe they could hook me up with a specialty like phychiatry or Orthopedics. She was very discouraging...said her clients are looking for the basic 4, hospital work, which I would rather not do but CAN. Luckily, I found a good company on my own that lets me specialize if I want so I am happy now.
It would be helpful if you said just
how long ago you worked there. Sometimes a company can get its act together and it would be a shame if they had improved but are still getting a bad rap. I think that is why the archives are sometimes not so helpful.
Sometimes you just gotta try 'em out. There are no guarantees. 
Not sure if this is helpful or not
And unfortunately I'm going to be very vague on specifics, but there are a couple of services out there who actually lease out extra space on their dictation servers for small companies. IOW, you could find clients, and then they would dial into the Company X's servers with their dictation, where you could then access it to transcribe it and send the reports to the physicians via internet.
I'm sorry but right now I cannot remember the specific company's name. They had an ad up within the last month or so looking for transcriptionists, and while investigating that I saw that they also had the above arrangement set up. If my feeble brain coughs up the information or I come across it, I'll gladly post it for you.
Thanks to all for your post...very helpful
Thank you everyone for your input. It is helpful! nm
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Rude & not helpful..
Notice a trend here? :(
Thanks SO much - you've been very helpful! nm
xxx
you're so helpful.thank you. sm
Do you remember if they had a certain amount of minutes/week or # of days per week minimum? or mandatory weekend time?
Too, I have been afraid to work IC as opposed to employee because someone told me I'd have to take out errors and omissions insurance which would be very expensive. If I don't get the insurance and work IC they said I could be sued for any errors I made. True or not true? And . . . Are you you're own business when IC?
Any info helpful.
This is very helpful - thank you! nmsg
nm
Is this Shelly H.? That is not helpful
They were never in the least helpful to me. I found my
own job/s and never heard a word from them. I would not recommend them at all. I know a private individual (MT/QA) who has led me to more openings than any employment service could ever have done, but in most cases, just contact the companies you see advertise and you will find a job. You might want to try Phoenix MedCom if you are interested specifically on ops.
Thanks so much for the responses. You were very helpful!! nm
x
Thank you for the info, very helpful. nm
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Not a helpful reply if you don't say WHY. nm
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Thank you all for your helpful info.
I really appreciate it!
Would be helpful to know WHICH OSi you work for.
One puts a bad taste in everyone's mouth because of their business practices, which I'm assuming is the one you're with. However, the other out of PA, is a delight to work for, so it that's the company you're talking about, I'd be really surprised.
Thanks for all your answers; very helpful!
Helpful link:
http://employment.families.com/blog/transam-the-scam-part-two
It would be helpful if you would post.... sm
what division you work(ed) for. There are several divisions within MD-IT, and not all of them are the same.
You have been most helpful. Thanks a bunch.
You helped all of us worker bees with your information. I decided I really don't want to work for a company who offshores anyway. It's like aiding and abetting a traitor.
That's a personal preference and not meant to rile or judge you or anyone else. We are in dire times, and we all have to take care of ourselves and our families the best we can.
This board is a life saver. I take my hat off to all those who answer questions and provide useful information.    
If you think their website is not helpful
Horrible experience. As the other poster said, awful platform. I didn't find the office staff all that helpful. The account was the worst I've ever worked on and I've been doing this a long time. The voice files were full of static and hissing sounds. Certainly no money to be made. We also ran out of work A LOT.
Exactly - And NEW opinions are always helpful too. nm
x
This was so helpful. You made my day!
nm
A link to their website would be helpful. nm
Thanks - you have been so helpful. I promise, only one more post about this! SM
Are you talking in terms of the minutes of dictation (i.e. five hours (300 minutes) of the doctor's dictation every other day) or the time you worked? Also, would you receive work at various times times during the day where you would have to keep checking around the clock to see if there was more work or not and essentially feel like you were working all the time. I had a job where I would never know when I would get the work and would wait around all day long and then get it when I had the least time to work and then get more work again later that same day. That did not work out, and I would like to avoid that situation again. I would really like to find something where I know when to expect the work and that I could get it done during the time when I was most available (of course there would be some exceptions...). Thank you again for all your help!
Thanks--that's very helpful. Just the insurance companies
.
Wow, I didn't see any sarcasm, just being helpful.
?
Now that's helpful! I wonder if that's true for other programs?
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Why??? This kind of post is not helpful
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