Visible black characters help!?!?!?
Posted By: FTC on 2009-01-07
In Reply to: T-C Transcription - No way
So I'm trying and cannot figure out for the life of me how to compute what a proper rate would be once the switch goes over to visible black characters. I want to get this figured out, so that when the call or email comes about my adjusted line rate, I can either accept it or not.
Does anyone know, at a line rate of 8 cpl right now, what an equal VBC line rate would be? Is there any way to figure this out?
And does this mean we can stop the double spacing? I mean, if it won't affect the company's pay (because apparently they only bill on visible black characters), it's more in keeping with the new standard of only one space after periods and whatnot.
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I would think that black and WHITE means they pay for both black characters and spaces.
There is no such thing as a white character. But I would definitely clarify this in your interview.
Are you sure it's not 55 visible black
xx
Visible black character spaces
I work for a company that only pays VBC and let me tell you it takes forever to get that line count. In my opinion that space bar does not move by itself. Getting cheated but I need the job.
visible black character (VBC) spaces not counted SM
I just ran across this as bit long article but it is worth saving to your PC and reading a bit at a time. I recall posting that Probity used this, I posted this meant NO SPACES and somebody came back and said they do pay for them. Boy they are really really making extensive calculation, guess always have and we did not know it.
Last year, KLAS reported that the industry appeared to be moving towards a standard
pricing model based on visual black characters (VBC), especially given the joint announcement from AHIMA and MTIA endorsing the adoption of VBC. The vision was for the VBC to be used to develop service level agreements, benchmark internal
transcription performance, foster better business relationships with the MTSOs, and improve the tools for evaluating and selecting MTSO partners. However, based on this body of research, adoption of this standard has been slow and billing per line is still the predominant approach.
http://www.californiahia.org/Content/ul/8694//Kivi_Dale_Transcriptions_New_Standards.pdf
VBC - visible black character - no spaces, returns,
It reduces your pay by about 30%, because you still have to hit the spacebar and return even though you are not paid for it.
black characters?
Sounds like no spaces counted to me.
Black and white characters
I worked for a company that used the DQS software and I never could get my line counts, even though I typed like a fiend! In an 8-hour shift, I could get maybe 800 to 900 lines with that program. The way my company said, is Black and White characters, which means no spaces. I didn't get any credit for the ADT screens either.
Hope this helps.
black characters=without spaces.
nm
Cquence pay is 65-character with NO spaces, only black characters which equates to
approximately 1.5 to 2 cents per line less than 65-character with spaces.
It means characters that are printed in black and white - no spaces included. nm
x
He is going to pay 8.5 for 70 characters
which is more than 9 for 65. There is definitely something wrong with his math. If he paid 9 for 70 then it might be the same as 8.5 for 65.
65 characters
I've ALWAYS been told it means characters AND spaces.
and which characters... sm
print in white exactly, I wonder?
TIA
Lines are 65 characters.....
Not based on the actual line you see on the page.
I love those little characters! sm
Where does everybody get those? I have to have them! I love the pot disturber! Too cute! LOL!
I have got to get with the times! (Yeah, it was a good laugh, huh?)
55 characters with no spaces
Using the Apex platform, I found this calculation to be a major rip off. Not sure why.
Maybe it's not 65 characters per line???
1600 lines is a lot. It doesn't mention vacation time though does it?
55 is better--less characters for a line,
therefore more lines UNLESS it is black character only--i.e. not counting spaces. Some companies do it this way instead of paying for 65 character line (spaces included).
Black and white. nm
Black Lists?
No, I don't believe there is such a thing. Then, do companies talk to each other about former employees? Yes, sometimes that happens. It's simply the course of doing business. It's called a network and often called checking your references.
As for recruiters not knowing each other, at any given AAMT meeting there will be 5 to 20 companies exhibiting, each with their recruiter there. Of course they get to know each other. It is, again, about networking.
I am curious, though. If MTs can create a blacklist for companies, what would be wrong with employers doing it??
black and white?
I understand what you are saying about transcription being black and white, but I have to disagree. While transcription itself is pretty straight forward, there are many different fields that require the same service.
To say that someone with no medical transcription experience does not need additional training does not make sense to me. I have dealt soley with psych. transcription and won't fool myself into thinking that once I've done one area, I've done it all.
If you go to websites of top online companies, they specifically say that any other transcription experience outside of MT does not apply towards years of experience required for employment and my conversations with them have confirmed that.
I appreciate all of you who have given me honest, useful and valid information. It will definitely influence my decision! thanks again!
Pot - Kettle - Black
Shelley,
Talk about bad business practices.
Your post is blatant example of the pot calling the kettle black. Just how marketable have you made yourself posting openly this gripe about your former employer you left months ago. Perhaps you may sway a few MTs from applying with D&L, but I bet your post instead turns many more prospective employers away from you.
Next time, think before you speak.
Anyhow, good luck to you.
Current D&L IC
- always paid in full and on time.
Pot-kettle-black
What's true is true, and I can't change that for you...however, it hasn't hurt my marketability in the least. Thank you so much for your concern.
Have you checked outside, there might be a black
Why care who reads what, if you're telling the truth it makes no difference. Management might take the time to read this site (as if they have nothing better to do) for entertainment but give them more credit for intelligence than to base any management or company decision making issues on anything said on a board like this. If you say nothing on here you wouldn't be afraid to say to management, then who cares what they see/read. If management is particularly bad or corrupt, etc., they don't care if you know it because they've already figured out a way around what they're doing. Now go close all your blinds and cower in the corner and wait for them to come busting through the door.
Black AND white (sm)
Doesn't that mean white (or spaces) are paid for?
To the IC's is 10 cpl based on 65 characters a good
rate for an IC, even with having to pay your own taxes, social security, vacation, sick time and all. How does this all pan out in the long run. I'm a single parent and tired of all the crap I've taken the past 28 years as an employee - but too afraid to step out and work as an IC for fear of not being able to meet ends, covering for my own insurance and all. Any and all feedback would be appreciated.
Pay is based on 65 characters and includes
spaces. Line rate is based on experience, if you have CMT, and shift. There may be some other things too. I don't know 100%, but I'm pretty sure they offshore. Get conflicting stories about accounts depending on who you talk to. I think pay is average, PTO is accrued based on lines and is available immediately. You can take in $$ or time off I believe. Not sure of other benefits because I had already decided after talking to them that I wasn't going to take a position with them, so didn't pay attention to benefits.
line count/65 characters
Is it possible to change the number of characters that are a considered a line, i.e.
Could you redefine the line as being 50 characters. Or is this just stuck into the program at 65/line. You may E-mail if you like CTighe3568@aol.com. Your help would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
And my lines were often over 80 characters long. NM
x
sounds like "black characters" only
which is no spaces. I wouldn't automatically rule it out. I know you probably already know this, but if you have an account at 8 cpl and the work is pretty easy and the platform is good that is MUCH better than the hideous ESLs/static/cumbersome formatting/slow platform of an 11 cpl account, right? Maybe you should ask more info or give it a try & maybe it might be worth your while?
That being said, 3 cpl VR will NEVER be worth my while, unless it requires almost NO CORRECTIONS - still, I'd rather transcribe...
I was black listed because I refused a job with TRS
Then, I was told they called the other company I as going back to and I would not be allowed to go back there either. Lucky for me, I had 2 jobs already.
Looks like the pot calling the kettle black to me....sm
Obviously you have time to come here and check out the posts. Ever think other people might be the same way?
Visual black character perhaps
You might want to check to see if they have switched to no spaces and are paying the VBC method. That could account for such a drastic cut. It would not be surprising to me at all. I am always more than appalled when companies do this on their own without notification or at client request without feeling the need to inform the MTs. Do they think that we do not notice that we are working harder than previously for less?
Yoo hoo! Black Swan! I'm 60 yrs old. I just want to retire.
xx
pot calling kettle black
Your whole post was a snipe! and who would want to work with you anyway?
$1.35 per 1000 characters. hiring process is too sm
daggone long. they SNAIL  MAIL you a tape to transcribe for testing. DUH!!!!!
Transcribing = 9 cpl 65 characters including spaces.
Good company, great people. Give them a try.
75 characters per line?? Today I called about a job
and the pay started at 7.5 cents a line ----- but 75 characters per line. Has anybody heard of that before? The job is acute care with high amount of ESLs. What will they think of next? 
Depends. How many characters make up a line?
.
It could mean that a gross line will not exceed 65 characters. nm
x
by my calculations, 10/78 character is equal to 8.33/65 characters - nm
nm
usually 55 does not count spaces and that's a lot of unpaid characters. NM
.
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me!
Like we don't know of a BUNCH of absolutely whacked-out nutty MTSOs? And then the MTs that move from company to company are the ones off the deep end. I think you need a stand-up comedian side job! I'm over here LMAO! hahahahahahahahaha
I don't think so. What you see on paper or on the screen in black and white.
If it were me, I certainly would ask specifically the HR person or MTSO. Pick up the phone, dial their number, and ask. Never take a job, unless you know how and what you are getting paid for.
I do believe it means without spaces, but I could be wrong. Things change so fast in this industry, what it means one day, does not necessarily have the same definition tomorrow.
Definitely is spaces include, black and white.
Indeed it is.
Anyone know first-hand about a black list shared by
nm
Paid for 55 char black line...
Can anyone tell me if they get paid this way instead of the 65 w/ spaces? If anyone else does, can you tell me roughly the difference it makes versus getting paid for spaces?
Thanks
VBC= virtual black character link
a bit hard to understand but those out there are sure using the calculators. This was on the internet and note this VBC listed on a job listing.on MTStars. Not only have to provide expensive Lanier equip and provide free long distance to their clients but lower line pay. See how they keep lowering their business client cost. and pass it on to the MT
Posted By: K&R Consulting, Inc on 2009-06-30
We currently have several fulltime positions available for acute care MTs with a minimum of 3 years exp and exp with ESL.
Equipment required - Dictaphone or compatible Cphone and unlimited long distance.
Start dates of 8/10 and 8/18 available.
Pay is 9 cents on a 65 VBC line.
Please send resume to resumes@knrconsult.com i
mean black character on white paper
also called virtual black character or VBC. Spaces not paid for. Never do it. This is just horrible.
Ever heard of the pot calling the kettle black?
Or are you too dense to get that reference as well? Here's a clue: there is NOTHING mature about your sour posts - slamming another for supposed 'immature behavior.'
You think you can separate out one comment in a 'gotcha' moment - and that somehow justifies your lectures?
What part of knee-jerk, simplistic judgmental commentary being unhelpful and unfair don't you get?
On second thought, make those rhetorical questions...because its crystal clear you thrive on (harsh) judgement of others who may be different from you - despite how ignorant that action makes you look.
Not paying for spaces can be okay if the characters per line is shorter.
55 characters without spaces is roughly equivalent to 65 with spaces.
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