Unless you have small children SM
Posted By: leelee on 2008-08-03
In Reply to: Basic MT course - MT
at home and really don't want to put them in daycare, PLEASE consider a different field. Transcription is drying up in the US. There is no future in it. Find a career that cannot be outsourced.
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also, the original poster asked how to stay production with small children...
not whether or not MTs are being exploited...
You must not have children. sm
Would you actually turn down a job that paid $14 an hour and have your family starve. Some people think $14 an hour is really good. I do, however, think this is a low wage for QA; I just think one should really think about what they are saying before posting it. If someone is incapable of transcribing anymore and has a family to feed, then they may have to take $14.00; especially, where I live, there are not many jobs that pay that!!! even hard labor, factory, shift jobs The average wage in my town is about $12.00
Yes I have children that I raised alone
and the last one grew up and left in 1994. Back then people did not take junk pay for work. They refused it and back then we got what we asked. Maybe you were not a QA person then (neither was I BTW), but when I decided to go for it, I got still only half what I earned as an MT with over 25 years of acute care experience, any work type. It's not the average wage in your town. It is national and I find that no matter who you work for, you can get a decent wage...well almost...if it weren't for you who take less money. It was easier two years ago.
It's all in how you learn to negotiate.
Please rethink that $14 and not a penny less than $15 bottom cuz if you do take $14, that makes them think the wage is ok.
I am on your side, but please think hard about this.
what do you do for insurance with 3 children?
Nm
Say what you will...our children will be running
that nursing home you'll be in some day. Better to treat them well and take care of them now than to wish you did later. By the way...I'm guessing you have a dog or cat instead of kids?
If you're old, have no SO, and have no children go
for it. If you have children, are married or hope to be one day no way. You can probably manage for a few weeks before everything starts falling apart, your house is a mess, you're eating at your desk, you start yelling at anyone who dares speak to you because you're working.
Also, taxes will kill you. I've worked lots of OT, 2 jobs, and taxes took a big chunk and for what I went through I didn't have much to show for it.
You could do second job as a trial and maybe you'd like to quit job #1 or maybe you decide you don't like job #2 and you've BTDT and got it out of your system.
I hope you don't have any children - you
certainly set a bad example for their future.
Are you really mother to 6 children?
nm
Go for it! Children love being with
other children if you have to put them in day care. I raised 3 boys but only 1 went to daycare. He turned out to be the most social person I have ever met. The other 2, well, they are nice kids, but don't really know how to socialize that well. I worked from home for 20 years and it was tought. It will also give you some free time from the kids that is desperately needed nowadays.
You have to think about the future, not the present. Don't listen to the naysayers in these messages. Think about the future of your family.
It's unfair to say it's only people with children.
I think the above poster is correct that it's the perception that you can work when you want to that has caused this, not just people who have kids. I have a transcription service and some of the worst offenders don't have any children at all. Even in the real world I always saved my vacation days, etc. to use for my children's school events or whatever and took time off for my kids because they are my no. 1 priority. That has never interfered with my fulfillment of my job duties, even when I worked outside of the home.
I've hired anywhere from someone straight out of school to older people nearing retirement age and some of my best ICs were mothers. Some of my worst included one gal who wanted to party every night of the week and couldn't work the next day with a hangover, an older lady who got tired earlier in the day than she thought she would so she had to stop work early, and yet another lady who had marital problems and used an argument with her hubby as her excuse not to work on any given day. I can give more examples, none of which involve kids. Most of the women with kids did well because they knew how to organize their time, worked when kids were asleep or at school since they knew it was their only chance to get it done, and they were adept at multitasking.
What you are really seeing is a lack of work ethic in general, in all different professions. So many want to get rich right now but they don't want to have to work to do so. We live in a drive-thru, high-speed society and everyone wants everything RIGHT NOW with the least amount of effort possible.
Geez, nothing like that for me. I have employee+children
nm
I love my children but having a child does not mean
everything is honey and sunshine. I really think nothing anymore about people who say they do not want. I think they are being realistic about a job you give yourself to for 18+ years, sometimes with not the most pleasant of outcomes in a relationship when a person who wants other things strives to have what they want and what they need. I used to think people who said no children were selfish- I understand their statements now. Motherhood is very much played up as far as I am concerned. Most of these posts are speaking from having young babies, toddlers before teen years and grown- those are the really good years. No pity needed nor wanted. My children had a very priviledged upbringing.
How many foster children are living with you?
The two comments made after my initial post left me so frustrated that I debated on responding. In the real world, most consider me to be kind hearted and easy going. For that reason, I usually avoid controversial issues for the sake of arguing.
This particular subject matter just hits very close to home and I have zero tolerance when misinformed people offer unwarranted advice. I feel it's very inconsiderate. The OP just asked about companies with insurance plans that covered IVF. She didn't come here asking for opinions or the blessing of MT Stars. What she is going through is difficult enough without complete strangers (probably sitting home with their 2-3 kids)telling her that wanting to start a family with her husband is completely unnecessary. I'm still amazed at how cold people can actually be.
Now to respond to your post.
First of all, if you did any research at all on the foster care and adoption systems in this country, you would not only be saddened, but you would not have posted. I'm not trying to be mean at all, but you are truly so misinformed that I don't know where to start.
My husband and I actually looked into foster parenting and even took the classes. We have a couple of friends as well as my in-laws who are foster parents. First of all, becoming a foster parent IS NOT a permanent situation. The small percentage of adoption that does result from being a foster parent can take up to 5 or 6 years! Plus, a very high number of foster children have special needs, severe behavioral problems, or mental issues caused from abuse. I do have one daughter who was 4 at the time we were taking classes. After spending years being protective parents, researching, and taking classes,we were afraid of exposing our small child to the abuse (physical, mental, sexual, drugs), that put these unfortunate children in foster care to begin with.
Yes you are right about so many beautiful children that need homes. There are literaly 1,000s of childless couples in this country that would love nothing more than to get serious about caring for them. Have you tried to adopt in this country? Good luck if you decide to take your own advice. You are looking at a long waiting list, tons of red tape and buracracy, not to mention a few grand. Oh and there is that chance after you have brought that sweet child home and bonded with him/her, that the crack-head bio-mom will decide she wants to play house and ger her an attorney (that you are paying for with your tax dollars.) After the court hearings are finally over (1-2 years later) you can kiss that little one good-bye. I've seen it happen to people very close to me...not on Lifetime. It does happens.
Seriously, why do you think so many Americans pay obscene amounts of money for international adoptions? Think about it.
Out of curiosity, do you have children?
My children are insured by their father and I purchase my
insurance. For vacations, I work an extra day a week for a twice a month for a couple months going into the month of my vacation. As for holidays, I usually work them. I look at it as being blessed enough to have a job at home where I can be with my girls and so if my usual days off happen to fall on the holiday, I usually volunteer to work 1/2 day, usually in the evening of the holiday so I can have the day with my girls and I work after they are in bed. Hope this helps!
I believe those were on the test for psych work because a lot of children
nowadays are watching shows such as Spongebob and using the X-Box, Playstation, etc., and they just want to make sure that you know all the new stuff out there that they will be using in their dictation. I've done psych. work before and they use a lot of modern jargon in their dictation.
No worse than screaming children in the background!
When you've done this a while you can block anything out.
What kind of future do our children and grandchildren have? sm
To begin with, they will be burdened by taking care of their elderly parents and grandparents who devoted their lives to working hard to make a living, only to have that living yanked out from under them.
Unfortunately, it seems that the philosphy of our government is to run all over the globe taking care of other countries while allowing our own people to slip further and further into poverty. I wonder how far this will have to go before the powers that be open their eyes and see what is happening to our own country?
I have been in this business for 15 years and am less than 20 years away from retirement age. According to my last Social Security statement, I will have to work until age 66 years 10 months before I can draw full Social Security and, if I can keep the arthritis and the carpal tunnel away and keep my wits about me, I can even earn a couple hundred more at age 70 IF there are even funds left in SS at that point. With the pushing of the retirement accouts by the federal government, my money says there won't be any money when I get ready to draw it.
Children's Health Insurance Program
You didn't say whether you needed the insurance primarily for yourself or for your child. If the need is primarily for your child, please look into your state's Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP. This is for children in families that earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid but cannot obtain or afford health insurance for their children. In Illinois, the program is called All Kids, and the governor is actively trying to get the word out, since many people don't know about the program at all or assume it is part of Medicaid and requires you to be in dire poverty which is not true.
Single mom, homeschool all 4 of my children AND work. it can be done
x
A job is not an afterthought to me. I had a FT MT job before my children and CHOSE to work PT so I
can enjoy them. I think anyone with children can understand that. I do take my job seriously and work and am a high producer. I enjoy my job but I also enjoy my other FT job, which is my children!
There are young children who have hearing issues
from babies on up. Why do you think this is age discrimination and why would you say sue?
Wow, expecting a gift. CHILDREN expect gifts. Maybe..
your gift is the fact that you have a job during this current economic crisis. If you get something, fine; if not, are you going to quit? You still have 4 days to wait by your mailbox for your gift, if you should get one.
Stop putting up with adults who are children. It is IRRESPONSIBLE to go to a payday loan place. sm
As transcriptionists, we have options. We can take on more work with the company we are with, move to another company, get a second job, get our own accounts.
If everyone would be mature and take responsibility for themselves, there would be no problems.
By the way, for your information, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 WONDERFUL CHILDREN and I have been for many years. Transcription allowed me to buy a house, pay my bills and be able to buy nice things. I knew when I was getting divorced that I either needed to cut corners or earn more. I did both. My kids and I live in a nice home but my girls share a room and my son has his own. I pay cash for cars and drive them until they cannot be driven or are not safe. We eat at home with home-cooked meals rather than eating out, except when celebrating something like a birthday or good report cards or an award one of them receives. They have nice clothese, a clean house and everything they need. I work while they are in school but make every minute of my work day count, and I have an extra job that I work on weekends in the early mornings when they are sleeping and evenings when they are asleep. We have friends, go to church and have a close family. I have never had child support and have never had to be on welfare.
I budget carefully and have a savings account. I only make 35,000 a year on average but I make it work.
Excuses are just that. People need to do for themselves. If they have medical issues or a tragedy, that's one thing, but so many of the people I have worked with just spend all their time whining and none of that time making their lives better.
I am not going to apologize. I am not a mean person, just tired of hearing people complain about EVERYTHING in this profession. Yes, it has changed, but we still have options. Many other fields do not.
What do you consider small or big? nm
nm
NOT everyone, some are too small for
]]
Small co
Milner Transcription - Atlanta, Ga
About 50 MTs
If you need one (very small fee)
nm
Yes for a very small fee
.
Yes for a very small fee that is
Probably a really small co OR the sm
recruiter is temporarily assuming job duties for an account supervisor while they look for someone or maybe a leave.
Put your questions here and we can tell you.
Small MTSO
I am a small MTSO and I have two part timers that work for me. I try to allow them to make a good living but there are costs of running a business. I do the pick up and deliveries, I print, I buy the paper, toners, etc. I do the invoicing. I do the customer service. I do the QA, etc. So when I make 2 to 3 cents a line, that is sometimes barely $5 to $7 an hour after gas, paper, etc. I keep my line charge reasonable -- 0.11 to 0.12 and that allows me to pay 0.8 cents per line. But if my gals use their brains to use word expanders, templates, etc. they can make $16 to $24 an hour (200 to 300 lines per hour) which to me is fair. I pay them on time often first and sometimes wait for the check to come in. But you guys we do not make a lot when subcontracting out. But if a document is 400 lines I make $8 to $12 for the report and that is before all my expenses. So we are not jiving any of you.
Small companies
Please list the names of some small companies. I need to get out of a big national but don't know where to turn. Thanx.
To Small MTSO
No suggestions here except to keep up the great work and appreciation for your team.
I agree, don't waste your time on the ignorant's on this board that think everyone is out to screw the MT...it's a sad fact, but there are some who just have such blackened lenses to see through. It sounds like you really appreciate your team and there are more employers out there like you, really there are.
OR - sm = small message; nm = no msg NM
nm
oh by the way.....*S* small message...sm
did YOU write the acronym book? HAHAHAHAHAHA -
Well, I've online over 10 years and on boards/forums and SM means small message versus NM meaning no message versus LM meaning long message.
To each his or her own *S* It's not etched in blood.....*S* Hope you have a better 2006. *S*
Not small, not huge. When I was there it had 350+ MTs.
x
wow, this is a pretty small
x
Three small accounts that I do by myself..sm
I do not do any type of billing for the accounts, just do the work like regular work that I download from the company...so I think that would be a good reason for a raise. But, I don't want to say anything to make them think twice otherwise because these accounts that I have are really good. Does that make sense?
Must be a small company
It is a small company. Sorry if you're not impressed with my work. It works for me. I could do over 1,000 if I wanted to, but this suits me. I have another part time job that supplies me with income also.
and that is only a small part of the
problems they have. Communication is nil, rude people to deal with, and total chaos.
Small companies not for me
I have worked for both and I think that small companies are very, very particular. Not that that is a bad thing, but ZERO room for error (everyone knows perfection is impossible 100% of the time). So if you can QA at 100% every single time with a national, a small company would be perfect for you. In all of my experience my lowest QA score was a 99.2 with nationals. Small company just made me feel extremely inadequate. That is one thing about communication with a small company, you can start feeling attacked for very (and I mean very) minor things.
HTH.
Not MDI-MD - they are a small company
x
small company
has anyone ever left a national company to work for a small company? just wondering if its a good choice to make.
small companies
Anyone give out some names of small good companies?
Small national
Try - www.milnertranscriptionservices.com
maybe ... small MTSOs can go either way .. sm
pay small because they are small ... or pay well, and say they appreciate quality work, and joke with you about other MTs they have on their payroll ..... and then you realize they are probably making the same remarks about you behind your back too.
TO: Small MTSO
see above post, it got posted in the wrong spot somehow.
small companies
Sorry about being so vague. I'm looking for smaller national companies - probably 100-200 MTs (?)
Small MTSOs that I know are not
The only reason they use subs is that the client needs more work done than they can physically do themselves. Most small MTSOs did not start out wanting to be an MTSO at all, but just having their own accounts. Then there is too much work and they have to use subs. And most of the line count is forwarded on to the subcontractor, not kept as profit for the MTSO.
I am just such a small MTSO and I make more money when I don't have subs because I can spend my time typing instead of listening to blanks, setting up templates, explaining format, etc., doing payroll, etc.
They do some ASR but a very small percentage, something like less than 10%
of all their work is ASR. I am not sure what the pay for it, as I only do straight transcription.
They do pay shift differentials. I think it's a half cent for second shift and a penny for third shift.
They are wonderful people to work with and for. Everyone I have ever spoken to has treated me well. Even the President of the co. has been wonderful to me and will take my call anytime I need to speak with her (which has only been twice).
I would go for it. I am so glad I did.
Its a small world
I just put in my application this morning at Webmedx. I had to go to a doctor's appointment and when I got home I had a message from a recruiter there. I think it is the same recruiter that I talked to 2 years ago with another company. They said I did not score high enough on the test to sign on with that that particular company. The person said I did fine actually until I got to the ESL portion and it looked too much like swish cheese. I wonder what the chances are that they remember that.
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