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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!
you are working slave wages! Companies sm
were paying that wage in 1980 where I lived at and that was on the gross line not 65 character. I just got hired by a company today that their base rate is 8 cpl and goes higher for experience. You are getting ripped off for sure!
We're ALL earning slave wages. Our job should
You can make more money standing in the middle of highway construction zone with a 'slow' and 'stop' sign in your hand and your finger up your nose, than you can at even best-paying MTSO, these days.
editing rates are 1.5 cents per line....can you say SLAVE WAGES??
Hope you're enjoying those slave wages you're earning.
.
tons of work because no one wants to work for slave wages
think about it
PLUS, a plumber sets his own hours and wages! As far as MT wages,
x
Slave no more!
I recently left Spheris after 8 years. At this time last year, I loved my job there. Then we were all moved over to the new Cornerstone platform. I watched my paycheck fall $500+ per pay period. On top of having to learn the new platform, we also had a new SR engine. It is a complete joke. I sat in on many conference calls where we were told to just be glad we had a job in this economy. Guess what? This economy has not had any impact on the need for highly skilled, trained, acute care transcriptionists! I am now working for another company. I was given a huge sign-on bonus and have been told again and again how much my expertise, experience, and skills are appreciated. I feel valued and respected, something I never felt at Spheris. The platform is so easy and reminds me a lot of TWS, the old Spheris platform. The speech rec actually works the way it's supposed to.
When I gave my notice, my supervisor started to cry. She said that the upper management has been warned that they are going to keep losing their best talent - their biggest asset, and they do not seem to care. This was the 1st time in 7 years my supe ever said that she appreciated my work, and I was one of the highest producing MTs on her team! They are using MTs to train their speech rec engine, and not paying what they should be. The new platform relies on tagged ShortHand commands -and you will work twice as hard to make the pay you're used to getting.
Please do not buy into that garbage about how we should just take whatever little Spheris is willing to hand out and be happy with it. If you have experience, I strongly urge you to leave Spheris. I did, and it was the best decision I ever made. I now work for a company where almost every employee is a former MT. I don't want to say the name of the company as someone may think I'm a recruiter, which I'm not. I'm just an MT who is now happy to go to work every day instead of dreading it.
As an experienced MT, you have options. Don't ever believe that what we do is something that just anyone can do, or that we should just be happy to have jobs. There are companies out there that value their MTs and will compensate us what we deserve. I was told the company I went to would never pay me what I was making at Spheris, but when I asked for it, they gave it to me. If you have the skills and the quality - you hold the cards.
No. That's SLAVE CHANGE.
.
Slave No Longer
Ditto to your post. This new compensation plan is insane. I am now having to work 12 hours a day instead of 8, while all the while making less $. I probably make less than the greeters at Wal-Mart. They expect us to be on standby during our scheduled shift, yet there is no work, and we are not compensated for this time with no work. Now I have work at midnight and on weekends in order to get my quota, and end up working what should be paid as overtime. I am going to call the labor board in my state because this cannot be legal. I suggest we all do the same.
Yes, they seem to have put in place a director of OPs that came from MQ, only to now be doing her damage at SPi. I understand she is also busy putting into place managers from MQ, so it is obvious what her agenda is...to mimic MQ, so we know where the direction of SPi is going, and it seems to hold true with this new comp plan.
In a matter of 18 months, SPi has successfully turned what was once a well-respected, successful company with a talented team of MTs and mangers that was once Cymed and turned it into a cold, disorganized machine. They have had to have have lost millions in revenue with all the clients and MTS who have quit them due to poor service and disorganization, including ongoing unresolved IT issues. It's almost as if they want to fail!
Folks, it's tiime we all stand up for what is right and make someone pay attention. What is a transcription company without transcriptionists? We are not slaves and we do have options. If SPi wants to be another MQ, then let's let them have it and see where they end up in the court system.
I have been in this profession long enough to know that you can be successful at whatever you do by working hard, treating people with respect, and never compromising your integrity, a virtue that is foreign to SPi. I for one am sick for us all at the latest turn of events and am going to spend this time when there are no jobs available making the necessary calls and then submit my resignation.
Let's all stand together and see how long this compensation plan works for them when there is no one to do the little work they have. They may have people offshore who will do it for even less than the slave wages they are paying us, so I say let them have it and suffer the consequences when what business they have left walks out the door.
Hate to be a slave driver, but
Our apologies for letting her out. She has no sense of humor.
Okay then, why did you jump in? sticking up for slave labor?
that's what it is
If offshore owned, they want to play by their rules, treating MTs like slave labor, much like
:+
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.
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
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.
So are we supposed to just accept low wages?
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.
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.
Oh, but its OK that the MTs barely make living wages?
Shall we feel sorry for the poor MTSOs now? Please...buying meat past the expiration - most of this winter I had to hit the FOOD BANKS, and while working full time.
I didn't ask for your wages. I asked for help and if I'd have to work
and I didn't really think it would be like pulling teeth because MOST people at Transcend are willing to help when you ask WITHOUT the attitude. But if you post on the forum like you do here, it's obvious who you are.
Totally agree. No line wages please!
No way no how for me anyhow!
That is the most asinine statement to make about bad wages!!
This has to be your hobby.
DONT FORGET GOOD WAGES!!
nm
The wages offered to MTs with alot of years is (sm)
in addition to the adjectives you used, downright demeaning, and bordering on questioning one's self-worth. I'm really so sick over it because for the past 2 decades I have devoted my life to MTing; gave 100+% each and every day, kept up with the new drugs/terminology (on my own time). I even have gone so far beyond what is expect because of my love of MTing and medicne, that rather than read a good juicy romance novel at bedtime, I'd read one of the doc's I transcribed for leftover medical journals, just keep on top of the game. This was while working inhouse--- and all because I was properly compensated for my hard efforts. Working from home for an online,....that don't give a rats azz....all they want are the lines and 98.5% accuracy at all times. Period. That's just one of the problems with working from home -- the impersonalization that accompanies it. I'm headed back inhouse where I'm appreciated, have a blast with my coworkers, docs, nurses, tecs, and be paid what I am worthy of after doing this for over 1/4 century. No more penny checks for me. No more line counts. No QAing. AMEN.
No MTSOs publicly post their pay wages, etc.
of the huge problem. The MTSOs lie and bluff and change their policies any chance they can to save a penny or 1/4 of a penny. If you believe they are honest and upfront about same, you have a lot to learn. Which is fine, we all do, but for sure you have been duped if you believe that. Again, I can only say this with certainty after having been duped for years myself. 
First poll on what constitutes fair MT wages
The numbers are in from the weekend USMLSU poll regarding fair compensation for full-time US MT employees:
BY THE LINE: All work types
- $0.11 per line base starting pay for MTs with 10+ years experience and scores of 95% or higher on pre-employment testing.
- $0.095 per line base starting pay for MTs with 5-8 years experience, and scores of 95% or higher on pre-employment transcription testing.
- $0.085 per line base starting pay for MTs with 3-5 years experience and scores of 95% or higher on pre-employment testing.
BY THE REPORT - Radiology and Pathology
- $1.10 per report for plain film radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound
- $1.25 per report for interventional radiology
- $1.25 per pathology report
HOURLY PAY FOR MANDATORY BABYSITTING NO OR LOW PRODUCTION ACCOUNTS
Hourly pay would benefit those of us who spend countless mandatory scheduled 8-hour shifts babysitting overstaffed, underproducing accounts with little to no transcription work to be done. As it stands now, in order to sit in front of our PCs for 8 hours doing little to no work (because there is none), in order to be paid for this mandatory idle time we must work weekends or night shifts to make up pay and quota for benefits, or request to use precious PTO time in order to be paid to sit idely for 8 hours to fulfill an unreasonable request promised to the client by the company:
- $18.00 per hour base MT pay to monitor an account with little to no work - 10+ yrs experience and 95% or greater on MT pre-hiring test.
- $15.00 per hour base MT pay to monitor an account with little to no work - 5-9 years of experience and 95% or greater on MT pre-hireing test
- $12.00 per hour base MT pay to monitor an account with little to no work - 3-5 years of experience and 95% or greater on MT pre-hiring test
Please email your comments/suggestions/opinions.
But how do MTSOs make sure that clients will pay those wages we sm
demand? We have to keep in mind that hospitals are under a lot of pressure to reduce costs too.
FOR HIGHER WAGES WRITE YOUR LEGISLATORS!
We have to take our cause to the national level. Below is the link for all the legislators' email addresses, and don't forget to send one to the Commander in Chief! Look what he has done already for us little people (the homeless lady in Florida he helped find a home)! Even send one to the First Lady, it'd be a great cause for her to get behind, since the real backbone of this industry is us women.
http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm
Tell them we need their help in ensuring that we keep our jobs HERE, in the USA. Also, you'd think HIPAA would totally frown on sending our work out. Point out all the information that gets bounced around in other countries by outsourcing overseas...I wouldn't want MY info going over there, would you?...would they?
The way this will help all OF us MTs, and this is the ONLY way to help, as it will put the work back in the hands of us capable US MTs, here in the US. When that happens, we will demand the wages we deserve and NOT wages from the 80's and 90's! At that point, once the demand goes up for our services because they HAVE to use us, we have to get tough, band together and demand what we're worth.
If we spent as much time (myself included) griping to the people that can actually make this happen as we do posting on here, we'd REALLY get the ball rolling. How 'bout it? Instead of replying to MY post, email the Powers that Be!!!! javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
Actually, I'd be happy to work for 80s wages -- I made a lot more then. nm
Hey, wages were even still good 5 years ago, now pretty much gone. nm
x
You're happy your wages have stayed the
same, even though:
Gallon of milk, 1992: $2.78
2009: $3.75
Gallon of gas, 1992: $1.13
2009: $2.50+
Dozen eggs, 1992: $0.93
2009: $2.25
So your salary stayed the same while everything else skyrocketed... yay!
And according to the IIAP, the median salary for a 'secretary' in 1992 was around $25,000, and in 2005 was already up to around $40,000 (no stats listed for 2009 yet). So are you still feeling good about sliding backwards?
I agree to disagree with you. In many fields wages
have not really changed that much over the last 10 to 15 years, however, in my case, as well as many, MANY others, the wages in this field have changed drastically. They are still changing as evident on the job board most days. While I have been a MT for over 20 years, fifteen years ago I was making 15 cpl and today I am at 8 cpl. I feel like I have every right to be angry about this and had you taken a cut in pay as such you would be angry as well.
As far as VR, I have no experience with it and hope that I never do but I am not stupid enough to believe that it will not ever happen.
As far as our jobs being sent to India, if you cannot get pissed off as a MT about this and seriously have no fear that your job will be sent there, then at least as an American and a patient in the healthcare system, you should be pissed that patient's personal information is being sent to another country, as well as fellow Americans are losing their jobs. All, IMHO.
Surgical Notes Transcription wages
Their offered wages are more than the $12 hour I was paid in a rural hospital.
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