This seems to be the trend now. I have had to change jobs 3 times this year
Posted By: ttt on 2008-10-06
In Reply to: Transcenders - watch out. - olderMT
due to this very fact. I'm at my third one now, and it is still happening. I've decided to just work 2 jobs. One part time and the other supposedly full time, but it is like a part time. The only reason I am staying at the third is because, I need the insurance, and changing between jobs before the 90 day probation has landed me without insurance, as I have had to change jobs before the 90 days are up.
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
Times change. It's not about YOU, it's about
what the reality is today, not four months ago.
Congratulations on your windfall, though.
If you have doubts, email or call the person who hired you and they'll verify this.
Times change...
I want to change jobs soon and
don't want to quit my current job until I find out how the new one is working out.
I want to keep the same shift as I think it will be easier to be hired (evenings).
I have worked for a large MTSO for about 6 months, having worked the same job 10 years before that. It went out of business so that was the reason for the change. It sure sounded good when the recruiter hooked me and reeled me in. This place is horrible, and I would like to get out before I am so beaten down I can't get up, but don't want to exchange the frying pan for the fire.
Thank you in advance for your ideas. 
I want to change jobs soon and
don't want to quit my current job until I find out how the new one is working out.
I want to keep the same shift as I think it will be easier to be hired (evenings).
I have worked for a large MTSO for about 6 months, having worked the same job 10 years before that. It went out of business so that was the reason for the change. It sure sounded good when the recruiter hooked me and reeled me in. This place is horrible, and I would like to get out before I am so beaten down I can't get up, but don't want to exchange the frying pan for the fire.
Thank you in advance for your ideas.
The slow times are ideal for trying out new jobs.
You can keep your current job and still have time to work toward learning a new job and becoming proficient before the work load picks up again.
Give it a few weeks and then make up your mind which company would be better.
last year I was down quite a few times because of
evacuations. Just decided to move out of Florida instead.
Only 4 times a year??
That's not very much work being audited. I don't see how the company is so great if people are finding it difficult to reach 1200 lines in 3 months. It doesn't sound like their platform is very good.
Then quit. There are other jobs out there. Only you have the power to change your situation.
A few times a year? I think that's normal for this industry. nm.
.
My boss waited a year or more a few times. Scary. -nm
x
I live in NY and emailed them svl times last year with no reply. They may
s
Time change is earlier this year so computer
probably will not ask you to change now, may ask you at the usual time.
I have been down numerous hours this year due to storms. 3 times with mandatory
There are probably lots of MTs still down due to Katrina and Rita.
Don't believe weather can't impact your life in a big way. Be prepared to know what your options are with your job.
I worked for them a year or so ago. Good company. Owners a little quirky at times, but set sm..
set accounts so can build speed with repetition. Pay on time and treat you very decent.
This is true..Put it this way. I made $45,000 this year but worked 3 jobs and at least 60
hours a week and sometimes up to 80. I have no desire to do that anymore. I'd be happy with $35,000 working 40 hours a week. What a dream job.
Howdy! In the last year, I applied and got offered jobs at a minumum of 10 companies
and not ONE single place checked any references - not 1. Even the one who said they would, Diskriter, never made 1 call. Do you feel lucky??
I have one full-time job and 2 part-time jobs. It can be tricky at times, sm
but at least I now have plenty of work always. I have some big financial goals, and right now that seems to be the only way to accomplish it. I can't see any reason why it would not be legal -- why would you say that? I am cheating no one, except myself (out of sleep and a social life). Fortunately, I am single with no children or anything. I cannot imagine doing this if I had a family. At least my dogige understands. 
A lot of times, if they need extra help, they will over 1-1/2 times our regular rate. sm
This is the equivalent of OT but you get it even if you have not done 40 hours already. I have also received AmerExp gift cards a few times for incentives offered. I think it depends on the account.
I do know for sure that they are working on an incentive program but I have no details and not even sure if they are still looking at it.
I do know for sure that I make more $$ with Keystrokes than I have ever made anywhere else.
It seems that this became a trend
with a lot of companies several years back, with companies beginning to give psychological/personality evaluations to help determine a candidate's suitability for a particular position/company setting, etc. I was not an MT at the time, and have not yet encountered this since becoming an MT. I think it is a bit costly, but for companies who do it, I believe their financial return is expected/gained in less employee turnover and finding a good fit for the company *family*. This began around the time a lot companies started throwing around all the Quality Assurance business (again, not MT/QA, but the whole customer service QA and considering colleagues within the same company as *customers*. The company that I was with at that time was a fairly small company, but they spent a pretty penny on having people come in to conduct several meetings regarding this.
That seems to be the trend
Either payroll is correct and the management is bad, or management is great and payroll sucks.
That seems to be the trend lately sm
However, at MDI, we only have set days that we are to work and we were given the choice of Sun-Thu or Tue-Sat. No set hours, though, just a 24-hour window to get your counts in. Gotta love it!!!!!
ANOTHER NEW TREND
One more thing that has not been mentioned here. I would like to see dictating clinicians be given more mandatory training and subsequent responsibility for the quality of their dictations. It is about time that we stop accepting bad dictation habits as status quo and something that we have to accept as normal. I'm talking here about the usual bad habits, which include, but are not limited to, fast talking, slurred speech, eating while dictating, carrying on unrelated conversations with others while the tape is still running, talking while yawning, talking over background noises, etc., etc. Oh, and one more thing. Inform the dictating clinicians that many of us are long-distance and not familiar with their local geography, nicknames of local doctors, first names of which Dr. Smith or Jones that he or she is referring to, etc..
Disturbing trend
Ms. Shapin, I know nothing about your company, nor would I criticize you or your company since I don't work for you. I empathize with your responsiblities as a business owner having been one myself. What is gravely disturbing to me in your post is a glimpse of your mindset about the offshore worker. Your view of the offshore worker is similar to disturbing trends by many other business owners who flock to third world countries where there is no protection for the worker, where there are no labor laws, where there are no standard work ethics. Yes, these people in third world countries are hungry for work. They will work any hours, any days, and be extremely grateful for a few pennies. They have no protection, and until they become tired, and worn down, they will serve their bosses well. One day though, American companies will become so dependent on workers from third world countries. These workers will become more intelligently aware of human rights, that they too, will someday voice their concern for the same things we want here in America - decent pay, job security, the ability to take some reasonable time off from a very, very demanding occupation, benefits, etc. Ms. Shapin, I would be careful about praising a worker from a third world country who is so hungry to rise up from poverty. It serves you well now. You, me, and so many others, have the same human wants and needs. Think about it. If there was more decency from businesses and corporations about workers' rights, ethical practices from all sides, and a fair way to meet the same goal, perhaps you would not be attacked. The American Transcriptionist is just having to fight for every penny these days, fight to have benefits from a job, fight to work decent hours, fight to keep afloat. We all want the same thing. Decency.
Downhill trend
Not that many years ago, only ITs had to supply their own equipment.
It's sad that the large companies expect MTs to foot the bill for all the equipment, especially with the trend of giving MTs less and less of the profit pie.
I mean, when was the last time an MT got a cost of living increase? Or profit sharing payouts? Or any of the other perks of being part of a successful, profitable business?
A carpenter that is self-employed SHOULD pay for his own stuff. An MT who is an EMPLOYEE should not. Simple logic.
Do you think physicians have to buy their own MRI machines? Do you think police officers have to buy their own squad cars?
The transcription profession feels like a sinking ship. I pity people who are only now getting started. The hey day of this profession is long gone. (Sniff. Sigh.)
A trend beginning...
About 6 months ago, Keystrokes and Transtech were the 2 best companies going on...and now 6 months later, we are reading all negative about the both of them. Go figure. It all comes down to finding the right company for you.
So maybe this is the beginning of a new trend - sm
in American Transcription? Turning it back into a REAL job again! If what this site says is true, I'd be surprised if this didn't become the best MT company and most sought-after employer in the Northeast. I know I'd rather have MY records transcribed at a place like that, and not in Bangalore or Manilla. I wish them every success, and that that other MTOSs will follow suit!
A trend emerges
So it seems that those who like VR are the ones who started out in-house and were there for a long time. Then they were switched to VR and made an easy transition. Well, good for them! But that's not most of us and if you jump into a VR account cold, it doesn't go so smooth. Plus you spend as much or more time on it than you would if you had transcribed it yourself. So if VR is the future, then pay me for my time. And not 3 cpl. Otherwise, I will and am finding something else to do and all of my years and expertise will not be utilized as they could have been.
This is the trend for all companies now. sm
Paying substantially less, 50% or so, for pre-transcribed (voice or speech recognition) jobs is now the trend.
Since the industry giants/leaders do it, I don't see it ever changing.
And why should it? Everyone accepts it and does it. Therefore, they don't have to pay more.
It is sad.
It seems to be the new trend - many companies hiring
inexperienced people or clerks (if you will) to manage MTs. It's definitely now all about money, folks. Never thought I'd see the day where folks would take approximately 10 bucks an hour, be paid salary, and work 60 hrs a week, but they are! You have to hand it to them though, this will definitely build up their resumes for the future. Can you imagine who will be managing the industry in say ten years? For once I AM GLAD I'm old. lol
Their trend is to keep their posts on top over weekends
Their pay is low, so people with a lot of experience never get replies to their applications. They want fresh meat, thus the multiple posts. I think people are figuring out that they aren't all that in the MTSO world. Personally, I would applaud this site for asking them to limit their posts to no more than twice per month, but that would be taking money out of the mouth of the board owners (no offense intended here - business is business and I understand that). It is just getting to the point that seeing these ads are making me stay away from that board and look at jobs on other sites.
The trend is passing of indian MTs as US
I am not saying in this exact case and/or company, but many times over this has happened. Buy up the US based company and use the good US MTs to edit the crap and save big bucks on the Indian MTs. Clients don't know it is happening, but those that inadvertently find out will drop them...sometimes.
Again, not every company has done this but MANY have. I understand the fears, and i would never work for any organization that offshores or supports that in any way.
I'm with you and hoping this is not gonna be the next trend...
I'm a confirmed second shifter for many years and for many reasons and recently started at a different company, doing Sun-Thurs evenings. Long story short, have been there 2 months and frequently run out of work on my Sunday night, and I'm infuriated (and maybe naive, have rarely in 30-odd years run out of work and especially not the first day of my week). Of course that means I have to make the work up, so I do that on my Friday off, though I take care to do it after 3:30. Needless to say, I deeply resent working on my day off. Like you, I say this is sacred and my wrists need it, and I'm a good employee. I'm biding my time to see how this all pans out; I may see if I can negotiate something different if possible. I was one of five new people hired on this account, (hopefully not an overhire, things are fine other than this). Anyway, NO, it just ain't right to in effect force us to compete for jobs in this way.
EHR Deinstallation Trend Hits Phoenix
Publish Date: 7/30/09 - By Allison Tsai
Source: Medical Economics
Though the Phoenix area has seen a high adoption rate for electronic health records, it also is the first region to experience a “deinstallation” trend, according to a HealthLeaders-InterStudy report.
The trend to cancel EHR contracts, especially prevalent among smaller physician groups, is a result of training, functionality or affordability issues, and highlights the need for an affordable solution, according to the Phoenix Market Overview report.
The rapid adoption of EHR technology in Arizona stems from a 2005 executive order by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, requiring that all healthcare providers install an EHR by 2010. The top hospital systems in the area, Banner Health and Catholic Healthcare West, along with several others, have installed EHRs, but are struggling with the same financial constraints as the small physician groups. EHRs require a significant financial investment in addition to expensive upgrades, according to the report.
Long-term benefits of the technology include reduced transcription costs, lower chart and file storage expenses and the potential for reduced premiums on malpractice insurance, but in areas like Miami, where the recession is threatening the profitability of hospitals, EHR installation has been slow due to lack of funding for such projects.
Chris Clancy, a market analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy, says Phoenix may be the first area to experience the deinstallation trend due to its aggressive adoption of the technology, but will likely not be the last. In addition, physician shortages in Phoenix make it difficult for doctors and staff to carve out time for EHR training, Clancy says.
In response to Disturbing Trend posted by MTness
Bravo! Where I have no opinion either way about Ms. Shapin or her company, this attitude is what is killing America. Our daily needs cost more because of our hungry politicians and situations created by these type of businesses who feel that off-shore people are grateful for the opportunity to work for an American company who they know is taking advantage of them. I do not know if any of you recall, but a few years ago in a hospital local to our area, one of the Indian doctors shared what the American MTs were making compared to what a relative was making in India. This MT was enraged and threatened to release countless numbers of medical records of American patients on to the internet if her needs were not met. Not much information was given in followup and probably compressed by foreign diplomats. This is one of the major issues of outsourcing.
I agree with you, all we want is the right to survive in OUR OWN COUNTRY.
Transcend's positive posts stay here cause negatives are deleted! That's the trend!
You cannot rely on honest referrals on this board, especially the archives. They are edited and deleted forever. Just as the negative posts on the Transcend forum "magically" disappear once discovered...Don't be so naive, unless you're the one "editing"!
I did notice that one job posting stating exactly that, haven't followed the trend closely, thoug
Cherrypicking is when you work from a pool of jobs and being able to reject the worst jobs to those
,
Monster Jobs and Career Builder usually have a few path jobs. nm
s
my first year I made 16k. Doubled that second year. Going on year 6 with (sm)
two local accounts I earned 23,000.00 and a national I earned 35,400... 58,400 this year. Don't ask me how many hours, though, I really have no idea. I'm pretty motivated. (When people ask me how many hours I work a week I reply as many as it takes I'd say 40-50/week. I am also a fitness instructer and personal trainer, about 5 hours a week or so. Decent money (sometimes under the table!) but mostly I just do it for fun and to be social and wear cute work-out clothes.
that first year was a rough one... but I consider it part of my education.
I'm pretty motivated.
Nothing will change unless we make it change..SM
As long as we accept the exploitation that this MT profession has reduced us to, it will keep going on. The top of this is the outsourcing.... well, get your legislators involved....better yet, the MEDIA. How many patients know their private medical information is being outsourced to halfway around the world? The squeeky wheel gets the grease. Do the patients know that their info won't be sold by some unscrupulous MT (halfway around the globe) to insurance companies, etc., making all this Medical records privacy a joke. It's not just our T-shirts being made in other countries; it's our most personal, private medical information, of which the public is not being made aware of. Not to speak of undercutting out profession to the bare bone. Granted, most US MTs are willing to work below market wage just to have a job, especially in economically-deprived areas, where outside jobs are scarce, and kids need to be fed and mortgages need to be paid. MTSOs know this. I'll bet they'll be the first to lobby against any action against outsourcing. (Wouldn't you be...if you got people to work for pennies while you're raking in the big $$$'s ? Still, notwithstanding the outsourcing problem, we're still going along with all the BS...working for pennies, whatever the client wants, he gets... ever notice how all of the MTSO flak seems to be re. unpaid work...mostly, demographic issues we're not even paid for... bec. It has to be done.. Part of the job... The client put the wrong info but we have to correct it...all unpaid work. Just give me a job with nothing but straight transcription, w/o the unpaid/demo. flak..I'll take it even at the present, absurd pennies-per-line state of the profession.
Don't think any do except for those in-house jobs. Some QA jobs are paid hourly. nm
s
They didn't take our jobs, QT gave them our jobs. The account is now
back in the hands of US MTs, or will be in just a couple of weeks.
Are MTs that are looking for jobs finding good jobs right now with everyone looking or is it
getting more difficult to find a good job. I am most interested in jobs for experienced MTs with more than 10 years service. I wonder if it is better to put a resume on or just keeping applying or what is the best way to go about this.
Last year, there was a letter sent that told us what we earned the previous year. sm
In the past, it has been all or nothing; if you did not hit the lines for full time for the year, you did not get PTO. I talked to my lead this morning about a last-minute vacation and she told me that the yearly packets are going out in a week or so and that the new policy will acrue PTO by the pay period or month. I like that a lot better, but she also made it sound like they are upping the amount of lines needed to acrue PTO. I normally get between 15 and 20,000 lines per pay period, so I am sure that will be fine but I am worried about the periods that have lower volumes, like most of January every year.
Webmedx lets you carry them from year to year sm
You can accrue up to 140 hours (I think) before you stop the accrual process. Don't have to use it all in one year.
I would stick it out, most places are slow now through the end of the year every year (nm)
x
Look at all the jobs on the jobs boards.
You can find a job and won't have to apply for unemployment. You would be surprised how many companies need qualified MTs! Go get 'em and get 'em now!
Don't wait until the 11th hour. Too many needs to put your hat in the unemployment slot.
What they lost is our gain.
Last year $36K part time, going to make more this year full time BUT sm
I AGREE it IS getting harder to make money. I used to make $24 very part time 10 years ago and now...well it is Word and platforms versus WP5.1. I got 7.5 cents a byte line then and I get 9.5 cents a character line now. That IS a huge different in point of fact.
OH I WANT MY WORDPERFECT 5.1 BACK!!!!! Bwaaah!
Me too. I got cut off one too many times.
x
I can't tell you how many times....
this has happened to me! It's as if they either don't listen, or don't want to hear that you are only able to take X amount of work each day. Don't you feel taken advantage of? The only solution I've found is to leave the MTSO and keep looking for someone who will respect your requests. It's tough to bounce around like that, but I don't think your existing MTSO will change. Good luck.
I think so, although at times the
communication can be not so great. I don't know how many MTs KS has, though they seem to be growing so fast that the number is subject to change weekly, but there is still a small feel to it. The owner is fairly forthcoming with information, at least from what I have seen thus far.
|
