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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Throw-in-the-Towel attitude! I am way past my

Posted By: Villain QA on 2008-06-06
In Reply to: There are more companies... - Donna

bedtime, but this was so worth it to read tonight. Just stumbled on this thread by accident.  Again, I have made a huge leap of faith by leaving my company, and due to these very issues, and you have all made me feel so validated!  I am so glad that you are all out here!  And, yes, we all can make a difference. The tides are shifting. Right now I would compare it to a slack tide on the ocean - the time in between tides on the ocean, not high tide and not low tide - that time when the waters are totally still and just sort of waiting - waiting for the tide to shift again.  Does that make sense? I really feel that our work leaving our country has been like an ebb tide, leaving us.  Now, though, I can feel a change coming.  I know that the clients are dissatisfied and restless. With this huge focus in our industry on this international/offshore issue, MT and client alike is becoming aware, and I know that clients are moving around, too. It is happening, and it will gain momentum. I know it. Truly, it is quality in the end, in that our international partners cannot compare with our quality document. I have seen enough personally for years to truly believe this. In India, for example, they have 3 or 4 levels of MTs, and each document does go thru all these levels.  I think the women at home who transcribe make 1 or 2 cpl, then there is at least one other MT in the centre who has to then edit that document, and I think they make 2 cpl, and then it goes to either a 3rd editor, or straight to Indian QA in the centre. They make the most at 3 to 4 cpl. Often, the final document still has to come to the US QA, but even if it doesn't, you still have several MTs in the process, at 1 to 2 cpl each, and the final document is often useless.  The cheap labor and profit margin is just not what everyone expected, me thinks.  We just have to get the clients to READ the reports they are paying for.  So, the accounts are slowly moving, the professional US MTs are moving, and we will all merge again.  The swill can find its way and merge as well. But we can prevail. We will win over time, and I've got a lot of time left to try.


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I'm about to throw in the towel
I can't pay the bills this way and it's been like this for well over a month. I'm beginning to seriously wonder if they have lost some accounts.

It's a wonderful place to work, but if there's no work to be done my creditors aren't really going to give a flying flip how nice they are.

*sigh*
I'm also ready to throw in the towel
and am counting the days (a little over two years) until I can retire. I work for a splendid company, but the industry in general is headed for the sewer.
I'ts time to throw in the towel

Most of us have had good careers before choosing to work from home but the MTSO's don't bother to see us as individuals and instead dish out the same garbage to a 20-year veteran as they do to a 20-day newbie.  I'm sick of the abuse and pay scale that is less than 20 years ago.  Let them pay a newbie 7 cpl or send it to India.  I don't care anymore.  I'm going to start looking earnestly for a real job where I can be appreciated for who I am and will probably double my income overnight.  If enough of us remember our own value maybe it will send a message to these greedy people on the other end of the obnoxious emails and instant messages.


Is anyone else ready to throw in the towel on transcription?

After years of doing this work, and actually loving it; to now looking for another job with a US based company with a fair wage and hopefully not another sinking ship, is there anyone else that would JUMP at a good paying job outside transcription?  A job that you know wouldn't be offshored somewhere else or pay less and less as time/experience goes by?


I have always believed if you worked hard, hard work would pay off.  I need some hope here . . .


towel
Newspaper showed picture of former resident waving it from the Space Needle.  Most of my family lives in Seattle, as I used to, but also from area showing the terrible towel.  If you want to see picture of it Steelers, it is at www.heraldstandard.com front page now. 
terrible towel
The terrible towel has now been waved at the Space Needle.
Yes, I have thrown in the towel already - sm
Been an MT for nearly 11 years.  Though I love the work and am good at it, I cannot stomach the fact that I make a little less every year due to no pay increases and threats of even reduced line rates for the same amount of work.  What other career do you know where the pay actually goes down every year due to no cost of living increases?  Time for some change for me. 
Throw out your opinions on my new job...sm
Some of you may have read the post from yesterday about just being hired but a little nervous now.  Was supposed to start Sun. evening but Acct. Mgrs. & I.T. people are unreliable and don't have it together.  So far they are all Indian, even tho they are all working in MA (they wouldn't lie I assume?) meaning I have a hard time communicating to begin with.  Several e-mails w/no response, several times been told I'll be getting my User ID.  Now its Weds. and it should have been sent to me by noon AGAIN (right about now).  Many other disorganized, confusing factors on their part as well but I'll withhold the boring details.  Would you stick it out? I do understand from some of you that it can often be hairy getting set up and going but I would assume the professional thing to do on any company's part is keep you informed and have a consistent contact and keep you up to date on the plan.  These people say this, send something different, no reply when I'm supposed to have it....is this usually an indication of the things I'll deal with during employment there as well?  I think I'm subconsciously looking for someone to say Get the heck out and drop 'em  because I just have bad vibes now.  Let's hear what you've got....thx :)
throw Precyse in the list
x
I didn't say they offshore. They say they don't, but they throw
it up to us all the time that if we fall out of TAT we may have to look at India.  With the holidays coming up too many people are wanting off and they may have to look to India.   I don't like threats.  
Why would they throw her resume in the trash if
She says they promised to call.  With this being basically a virtual profession (not local) that's as bad as the hiring party being absent for the interview......  It looks like Keystrokes likes mean people who say mean things to other people on message boards.  If you are the type they hire, then you can have it!!  I'm not the OP either, but I think you have a crabby attitude.  The OP has the right attitude in that she is holding someone accountable for their promise.  It is kind of funny how their dirty laundry is on this board and how posters have no problem broadcasting the fact that the HR person was overwhelmed.  Hello?  Red flag?????  I'd say so for sure......    
I can think of more volatile things to throw at them
nmsg
Throw a VR back into the pool?
My company has stated if this were the case, you could be terminated. I do not like to straight type anymore so definitely would not want to throw away a VR report.
Do their last names begin with P and M. I think they should throw them out before everyone quits.
:
Why such an attitude
So take that?  Are you sticking your tongue out too?  I certainly hope you find some serenity somewhere.  You must still be working for one of those "rotten companies" if you are complaining about their pay schedule. 
Your Attitude Says It All
It seems to me by the tenor of your posting that maybe you have an attitude problem. I have been a medical Transcriptionist for almost 30 years and have seen people like you come and go, mostly go. Did it ever occur to you, that maybe you were the problem?
Your attitude
You wonder why you don't get raises or bonuses? Take some time and think about it. You are just plain nasty. Just do your work, follow instructions from your manager and take personal responsibility, Psychic network? Sounds like you're all too familiar with it. Maybe youre watching too much of that instead of working, or maybe chatting on line in the chat rooms, dissing anybody you can for your poor performance. Take responsibility for your work, you own it. Don't turn it back on anyone else. Maybe youre one of those ones that think a tad bit more digoxin is not gonna harm a thing, or maybe if a diagnosis is just a tad bit off, no harm done right? Get off your psychic network behind and get with the real world.
We all get to have attitude ..
To save ourselves from embarrassment we should probably try to make it a good one .. ;-)
Attitude
Ain't that the truth! I try to keep a good attitude, but sometimes people just knock that right out of you.
That attitude towards others
is uncalled for on this or any other board
RE: attitude is everything..

 I'll be sure to tell my ex-coworkers you said that; I'm sure they'll have a whole new outlook on their situations when I pass on that little piece of misguided 'advice' from you.  Maybe if you removed those rose-colored glasses for a minute, you might actually see the many, many people who used to enjoy their jobs, worked hard every day, didn't say anything negative about SPi and then were summarily fired on a conference call without warning.  Or maybe those people who logged in to work only to find they had been canned - again without warning - should change their attitudes.  Or how about people who were let go because they couldn't meet the standards that were then lowered when those jobs were given to offshore workers?


If you're lucky enough to still have an account you love, count your rare blessings.  Then go ask your supervisor if it's one of the accounts that they're right now changing over to voice recognition, or taking away from US employees and transferring overseas, or getting rid of because it's not profitable enough.


I appreciate that you have a good attitude and, yes, being negative all the time and/or for no reason is not a good thing.  However, the people you're reprimanding and insinuating should just quit their whining and be happy like you are frequently now have to worry about where dinner's going to come from, whether they'll lose their house, how long they'll be on antidepressants since they lost their jobs at SPi, etc.; that's all due to SPi.   And those are just a few reasons people are venting on this board and elsewhere.  They have a right to release a bit of frustration and not feel so thankful and blessed right now, thank you very much.  That does not mean they have bad attitudes. 


And while I'm up here on this soap box, I might as well correct another error you made.  A LOT of the people you're referring to did NOT have a choice in the matter (see above about the firings - and those are just two examples).  Yes, there are people who quit, but many of them that I know were virtually forced to do so by the circumstances they were forced to work under.  And others were told they'd better move on before they got fired.  I personally know people in QA, MT, tech support, supervision, and management who have felt the ill consequences of working for SPi specifically.


I'm glad you're happy at SPi, and I'm not suggesting you shouldn't be or even that you're wrong in your idea that attitude can make a difference; it certainly can.  What I am saying is that not everyone has had the good experience with SPi that you seem to have had; in fact, you may even be in the minority, believe it or not.  And you should be aware of how condescending your message sounded.  You might have a good 'attitude' but you certainly don't have good manners.


Attitude is everything...

I have personally been with SPi four years.  We have gone through a lot of changes.  What company doesn't?  It is really unprofessional and concerning when you see negative posts about SPi.  I started as an MT (15 years experience already), and I now work in QA.  I love my job!  Attitude is everything!  People choose to have a good or bad atittude.  People also choose where they wish to be employed.  Could go on and on but won't.  The positives for which I choose to stay with SPi consist of working an account I love and am committed to, direct deposit every 2 weeks (they have not missed one, can't say that for some others); and awesome benefits package for all employees.  This company is here to stay.  It is financially strong and structurally solid.  I'm sure everyone has heard the saying, If you can't say something nice....then don't say anything at all.  It really is a bad reflection toward those who choose to be negative.  Life is too short!  : )


 


attitude is 90% of everything
I know, attitude doesn't pay the bills.  but with the right attitude, you will be patient for an hour or two if work is slow, or talk to your liaison about any concerns, and i per my experience, he/she will do all they can to work with you to overcome any obstacles.  I researched this job/company before i started and in 33 yr of MTing, i've never been happier.  Again, it depends on what you are looking for in a job, and the attitude you have.  Don't let the naysayers worry you. 
NO, IT'S YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS MTs..sm
What we take offense at is the general overtones of contempt of MTs by QAs on this threat and the transcription industry in general.  The QA is above having to look anything up because now most are paid on production.  Well, what do you think the MT is being paid on?  We don't get paid to look up Dr's name, unfamiliar names, terminology, etc., only what's actually down in black and white.  QA is asked to perform this job because it is assumed she has more experience with a particular doctor in that hospital, medical term, etc, that's why she's a QA instead of MT.
The only one with an attitude here...
:-( Feel better now after being nasty to someone looking for help? Pathetic!!
That attitude by most (it seems) SM

at KS really puts me off.  She is sitting there bragging about doing CLINIC WORK, for Pete's sake - and then implying that someone whose work pool runs out is a slacker.  I guess she has to put her brain to use typing meaningless implications on this board because she doesn't use it typing clinic notes.


Sad as it may be...it is not MY attitude
Just the way things are, so I am told.  Can't say that I agree with it but I do have to live with it.  I am paid at the top amount for my skill level and I am told that the industry standard has not changed, so I cannot receive a pay increase.  I guess I should consider myself lucky that my pay has not been decreased because that, in fact, seems to be the industry trend.  My production is at least 2000 lines a day, will work overtime, good audit scores, and I am very reliable also.  Still does not constitute a pay increase.  I guess it is what it is.  Having said that, I am still pretty happy with my company, my work, and my pay.  It is better than most and for the 6 months I have been here, I have never felt mistreated, over-worked, and management has actually taken complaints to the doctors on behalf of the MTs.  I really cannot complain.
First of all, have a decent attitude
Lets face it, working for a living sucks.  Unless you're doing whatever your passion is and getting big bucks to boot.  MT is not my passion, but I still put all I can into it, in order to get a paycheck and stay on the good side of my supervisors.  Simply a good attitude, work when i'm scheduled to do so, focus so the quality is above 98%.  I agree, its getting bad in this industry, you can complain all you want, but some of us are working hard to hold onto our positions...at least until we have something better to fall back on.  I don't have hubby to pick up my slack so I do what i'm told and collect my paycheck.
I think you just have a negative attitude. Why
Actually, you sound like one of those people who complain about everything. I am really sorry for you. Wish you could be happy too!!

And on top of everything else you have no idea what you are talking about. You have been proven wrong on here at least 2 times.
Please don't think we all share this attitude. sm
First of all, I'm not saying I'm in favor of offshoring MT work. On the other hand, Kasmir, it's not YOU that any one of us should be angry at. I've talked with many MTs from India, and they're basically the same as us. They're nice people, trying to do their job and provide for their family. I don't have a problem with that. And out of all of my dealings with people from India, and I've worked with many at a previous company, I have always found Indian people to be very polite and respectful, with never a bad word to say and always a positive attitude.

I just thought maybe you needed to hear some encouraging words in the middle of all of this. :)
YOU have an attitude problem, not me
I have found other work and am happy. You really should watch judging others. I have been an MT for 5 years, and I have never encountered a judgmental attitude like YOU. Walk in MY shoes first before you go saying that I am a problem, which I am NOT.
Now that is the attitude I would hire in a second ...
Great perspective you have!

(No, I'm not an MTSO or employer yet; just a worker right now.)

What a sad attitude about professionalism.
I hope you mean a laidback lifestyle. You should ALWAYS be professional with your work, regardless if you are working from home in your PJs or working in an office in a business suit.

Professionalism is what is expected. It is how you will get rewarded.

AAMT sets the standards, whether you like them or not.

Sounds like you generally have a poor attitude toward anything that takes effort or education.

No. Guess I have the been there, done that attitude!
I figure if I left, I must've been pretty unhappy about something. But I know things can change like new management or a better platform which could make a big difference.

I suppose it's something worth considering.
Your attitude is exactly what I have an issue with...
Healthcare should be about humanity, in my opinion. It should not be a business.

The only thing QA is for, is a place to go in between management for MTs to make more money.

You are making the salaries MTs used to make.

If I am burned out, it is from your kind of attitude that it is happening everywhere and we just have to deal with it.

I know better, I know I am a worthwhile human being and not just a grunt for some corporation who makes millions off my hard work, and then expects me (as you echo) to just shut up and type, and be ever so thankful I have a job.

You sound burned out to me. You sound like you do not care a bit about humanity or people. You are only interested in yourself, and you found a way to make more money rather than just do MT.

Some day the trend will change, and people will matter again. Your little digs to me do not bother me. It only shows your character.
Editor attitude
MTBucket wrote: How easy it is to sit through and listen to an already typed report, and make corrections. That does not even take a lot of skill, if you ask me.

- You’re absolutely right, sitting and listening to an already typed report is easy...easy on the wrists that is…BUT…as far as an easy job - any Editor would challenge you to go out and get a QA/editor position and then come back and post a truly insightful comment. You would quickly realize all the researching skills, patience, tolerance, time, and knowledge an editor actually needs/uses. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of time it takes to figure out and look up all the blanks MTs can leave because they couldn’t find or hear something, all the doctors we have to look up because the MTs couldn’t find them, all the terms we have to “know better” to correct because the MT mixed them up (left instead of right, hypo instead of hyper, clonidine instead of Klonopin, etc.), all the different format and styles we need to keep track of for the many different client preferences, etc. Not to mention the feedback we have to send back to the MTs, etc.

Despite what you think, there is quite a bit of skill involved in being an editor.

Both MTs and editors in this biz require skill, knowledge, etc., so it’s not fair to assume one side has it easy.

Worry about your own attitude
MTs raises, bonuses, TV-habits and/or chat room time are between her and her supervisor and none of QAs business. And if MTs want to share on an MT board their positive or negative, past or present work experiences/pet peeves that's also no business of QAs and neither is it their place to ''approve'' or ''disapprove'' with their condescending nasty tirades. Get off your own behind, worry about your own nasty attitude, and go ''check'' something.
Terrible attitude
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why our profession is going down the skids. Bring suit? Pulleeeze.
You have an excellent attitude - sm
I will remain anonymous but I am a supervisor with another national MT company. Your attitude is AWESOME. You've hit the nail on the head about ASR, changes in pay, etc etc. I only wish more MTs would see it your way.
Fix your resume and attitude
If all you really had was hospital MT work, (your words) then you were very vague. Sure, one would think you were probably exposed to a number of work types in different specialties, but why should they have to guess at it? The recruiter does not have time to play games with you and only asked a simple question. It would not have hurt you one bit to just answer the question. If you get your panties all bunched up over questions as minimal as that, I'd hate to hear how you handle any REAL questions. Yes, get off your high horse, fix your resume to appear professional and do something with that attitude.
Attitude is everything/Ontogreenerpastures
Thank you, Thank you!
You hit the nail right on the head...I left SPI because I was on the verge of bankruptcy because they lost my account and then put their compensation plan in place. I had no choice!! A good attitude is very hard to have when you can't pay the bills!

I now work for a great company and am so happy...I hope those that aren't happy with SPI find other work and those that are happy, good for you!!!
Honestly, you have a bad attitude...

The company offered to pay you after 1 week's worth of work.  You should be grateful.  They even offered to wire transfer the money to you, yet you are complaining about *the bank's fee*.  I surely hope the name you posted is not your real name.  If it is, everyone will now know your true nature.


When the day comes where all MTs adopt the attitude (sm)
that I don't get paid to research doctor's name and keep up with new terminology (drugs, surgical equipment, procedures, etc.), then, sadly, that is the day when we really will be nothing more than typing monkeys.

I'm not saying spend so much time looking up a doctor's name, drug, or term that you get kicked out of the system. General rule of thumb at all companies I have ever worked for is don't spend more than 5 minutes on research. I think that is a reasonable expectation. If you find what you're looking for, great, make a note of it so you don't ever have to look it up again. Better yet, pass it on to other MTs. I have done this on occasion, if I think someone else might come across the same thing.
No, but you can because your attitude is not nice and
Like the poster said, there are people who DO want to, so let them do it. Don't force people. Sorry you have to work Christmas.
Maybe it was your attitude as well as your crappy sm
transcription skills that got you let go from there.
Attitude check, please....
What's MY compensation for doing the best that I can do? Well, pride and self-respect are the first two responses that come to my mind.

To my knowledge, all MTs are MDI-MD are paid very decently and have a top-notch QA team to turn to in the event we need help. Apparently, unlike many other MTSOs, there is no MT-versus-QA at MDI-MD. We work hand-in-hand and share a mutual respect for our jobs. I refuse to believe any MT working with MDI-MD would strive for the elimination of QA in exchange for another penny or two per line. I just don't believe that's the way we operate at MDI-MD.

MDI-MD is not like many other MTSOs posted about on these boards. In my experience, we at MDI-MD truly are a 'team' and work together as such.

With the attitude that permeates your post, I'd say you're likely not even an MDI-MD employee, just someone out to rattle some chains and see if you can start a cyber-war.


You need the attitude check...

Sorry, but your post came across as very snarky.


chicken little attitude
The sky must be falling if they have a job or two out of TAT. 
If this is your attitude, I would suggest sm

that you not move forward with Webmedx.  Nothing against your point of view, you are within your rights to have your opinion about VR, but it is not the right attitude to have or to display with this company.


The CEO is full bore, gung ho for VR.  You need to know that.  Most every account that I know of is VR for the most part.  If you are resisting it, you will not fit in with this company. 


It's very obvious to me who it is--all the secrecy and attitude....nm
nm
attitude. I also think it makes a HUGE
difference if you like the account your on. I hate my account and have requested to be moved on numerous occasions. I work my schedule. I work when they call for OT. I don't call in. So please don't preach to me, I have worked the worst accounts and the worst shifts without one complaint. However, I would like to be treated with some respect. The office I work out of has totally changed in the past 3 months and not for the better. I used to be just like you - all was good. I hope your good fortune with them continues. Just don't be so quick to judge others and say they suck as you really don't know the whole picture of their situation. And by the way, I don't have a husband to fall back on either, but I do have a child to feed. We are not bad people because we share a different opinion that you do - that is our right and as I said everyone is different situations.