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Wow! Thank you for writing this. This is very important

Posted By: information. The OP on 2009-05-29
In Reply to: When I worked there about 5 years ago, I caught them backdatng the date sm - LTMT

Yes, I do depend on a paycheck being timely and so do my bill collectors. My rent cannot be late either. And I have a small child to feed. Thanks for letting me know the history of this! Now back to the drawing-board for my job search :).


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Thank you very much - I have nothing in writing! ty
Thanks again - I appreciate the information.
If you have it in writing that they pay a certain
way and they don't, you can fight them over it. When I was with MQ, I got a fat check for $1000 because on one of my accounts I was not being paid correctly. They had to go back to day #1 and pay me the difference. It takes a lot of pushing, but if you can prove your case they have no recourse in situations like that.
None of that is in writing, though. There is SM
no policy that I can find saying this.  An STM should not be making promises that may not be kept.  Unless that is in writing (and it is not), we CAN lose our benefits because they don't provide enough work.
Sorry, I was writing to fed up.
Ah, Atlanta. Lived there, as has the rest of the world it seems.

Remember when in the hospital, nurses, ward clerks, medical records personnel used to complain about not being able to read the doctor's writing. How did they fix that? Can anyone say EMR?

Keep protesting. The jobs keep disappearing and then we'll be left with what? I will put up with the ESL. And yes, we left sticky notes and the docs took offense. They said it's part of your job, deal with it.
In writing
Yes, I have the originally E-mail that sums up the whole deal.  I did contact an attorney today and it looks promising for me, per our telephone conversation.  I have a consultation with him Monday morning to see what my options are.  Will keep you posted on the outcome, although you nor anyone else will probably run into something like this in your lives.  Nobody has heard of this situation!  As soon as it is safe to, I will definitely reveal the name of the company.  Holds true for the old saying, If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.  In the long run, you're gonna get screwed!
writing congress
Good idea.
maybe freelance writing?
You tell it like it is, mamacarolina. Let us know if this letter is published -- or even acknowledged. If you're burnt out on med trans, maybe you should consider journalism?
I would ask and get in writing from the company SM
that you can work a split shift, but it is likely they will want you to commit to specific times for the split and you have to work that---that part is not flexible.  If you say you will work 7 am-11 am and 4 pm-8 pm you had better be on there working during those times, in other words.
Maybe the offshore MTs are writing the ads now too. nm
 
Writing on the wall
I think its time for us all to think about different careers...the writing is on the wall.  In NY state every hospital and doctor has to be on EMR by 2008...and I'm sure more states will follow.
Make sure you get everything in writing.
The answers change to the exact opposite every 24 hours.
What are you writing, a book
x
and what country are you writing from?
nm
Well, with your writing skills.....
They're probably happy to be rid of you .
Why not ask for this IN WRITING up front?... SM
However, most of what you get in writing from MTSOs is (have you ever read a rental lease drawn up by LL/mgmt?) almost always in THEIR favor, whether it's an IC contract or employee agreement.  Ever notice how they hedge on where it comes to pay rate?  Mine states only compensation.... on an agreed-upon rate. Still, you could probably negotiate items that are important to you and not negotiable, like in your case, no typing, specific pay rate, hours, schedules.  If they refuse to state these in writing, don't count on being able to negotiate them later.
Try writing all that to the people you sm
are contracted with.  Nothing will change, but it's better than posting it on some board where it really won't get any notice.
You know, I noticed they never put it in writing
It was always written to make up the missed work or adjust your schedule.  Nothing about when to make it up.  When there would be work.  You could spend hours and hours day and night waiting to make up that work but they would never comment about it in writing.
Creative writing at its best

I have NEVER read such unmitigated untruths (polite way of saying lies).


At least you had the courage to sign your name-----I would be afraid (and ashamed).


The writing is on the wall

If you truly believe what you say, then don't stay another minute. Run, FOR-REST run!
Does MQ in Monrovia pay for spaces - do you have this ans in writing?
?
ask PLENTY of questions and get it in writing
Ask questions like: Why has there been a big administrative turnover in the last 2 months? Why are all the people who have been there forever leaving or already gone? Why have all the former department heads stepped down to lesser positions? Why aren't editors able to track their line count? Just as a word of advice: Don't quit looking for something better. I LOVED the people that I worked with before and they were wonderful to me. They were REAL people. They cared! I can't say that about the new management!!! Just BE CAREFUL and watch your back!
I saw the writing on the wall a month or so ago
When my primary was consistently out of work I hesitated to go to take work from my secondary accts because that would take away from THEIR lines. I got a rather snippy email from my liason saying that of course I should gobble up secondary work, that's what they are there for. But the work was all gone by the time I got to that point. Can't win for losing. I agree w/previous poster; the more accts you cross-train on the more the work is going, going, gone.
I saw the writing on the wall and got out sooner after the buy out SM

It made me sick to see TransHealth become WMX!  I loved, loved, LOVED working for TransHealth.  I thought management were good people.  They even flew their QA staff to TN for Christmas parties, but then that last one was when they announced the buy out.  It was disappointing, but at least I got nice weekend trip out of the deal and a few good meals!


I miss the old TransHealth.  I would give my I-teeth to find a company and job like that one again.


I feel for you ex-TH-ers who have weathered the WMX storm only to now take pay cuts.  It sucks! 


AWESOME! Very creative writing.

Just wish it would happen.  I do believe that management should take a pay cut also!  There is no reason that they should not have to do more work for less pay like the rest of us.  After all, this is a very tough economy we are dealing with and we have to keep the clients happy.  That is our number 1 priority! 


Some people don't like the truth, I love to shout it out LOUD. 


To the other poster who keeps bashing the original poster.... anyone can obtain an account.  That is the easy work.  The hard part is keeping them, and I believe that is the job of the MT. 


 


Who from management of OSI keeps writing in to pump themselves up to look great?
Did OSi hire somewhat to sit and post on MTStars all day good things so that people would apply there?   This company kills me! 
It is time to read the writing on the wall and get out NOW!
They are going down and real fast!
Anybody into scrapbooking?(LOL).

Get out while you can. Major changes on the way.
Perhaps writing the letter boosted her self-esteem, which
obviously she felt was lacking due to the reasons expressed in her note. Writing something down, such as in a diary, can do wonders to boost the self-esteem. Re-read her post; honor, (dignity), self-esteem. I don't blame anyone, especially oldtimers, being p'od about being offered a piddlin wage after decades of hard work employed as a MT. It is belittling to accept the wages that are being offered now. I'm glad she wrote it and got it off her chest. HOPEFULLY, she is feeling much better about herself. NO JOB is worth become depressed over; which is where I think this poster was headed if she had not expressed her feelings in writing, and on a board such as this. I applaud her.
Well, I put in writing mine has to be when I see a doctor or hospital.
Yep, took my daughter to the ER last week and told them that the record MUST stay in the U.S., be transcribed by an American citizen (inhouse) or only to a company that employs only American citizens, and they better darn well note that in the chart. They do. I do this every time I go to a doctor, hospital or any medical center. I tell them if they have no such option, I'll transcribe my own records, which always gets a chuckle.

I saw the writing on the wall a long time ago. Sorry for those who stuck around!! sm
I sure hope you find something soon......my heart goes out to you. Lesson learned, I suppose. When people show you who they really are....believe it.


I'm all for writing our congressmen about offshoring medical info, but...
These are old bills introduced to the 109th congress in 2005.  I wish people would get their information straight.  It just makes us all look like idiots if we write to congress refering bills that don't exist anymore or we are actually referencing current bills that have nothing to do with protecting privacy and offshoring medical info!
Read today's letter by **** - it specifically DOES SAY in writing sm
that this will not happen.
The company does if you contact them about the job. I like to inquire before writing things off nm

at first impressions. 


It isn't important...

which account I work for.  I have worked for the VA account in the past.  I worked to help out with the backlog.  In 2 days I typed 3000 lines.  They were my first 2 days on that account.  Hope that answers your question.


and this is important because.....??
x
if it is important -
They outsource.  Apparently have set up shop in at least two cities in India, looking at Phillipines, have 2600 transcriptionists in India.
important
I have a message already from the recruiter. since your e/m isn't working for me, can i call you in about 30 min? (got to go do something).
and ... this is IMPORTANT
You do get paid by the line, NOT by the hour, and the only way you get credit for all the lines in the report is if you do a full listen from start to finish. If you are filling in blanks, no matter how many blanks, you get credit for only 15 lines. I am going broke and I can't understand my manager because he is in Bangalore, India. Also, there is NO paid training and I had to start working as an MT although I was hired as a QA. It took me over a month for my so-called promotion to QA. So I made a LOT more money as an MT than I am making as a QA because I make no money on reports with blanks.
That's why it's important...
to wait until you're released from QA at MDI and are free to type as many reports as you like before quitting another job.

But that's just common sense, no matter what the circumstances. *shrug*


Something VERY important to consider!!
If you really to to try to fix what has gone terribly wrong in the MT industry, you have to be willing to be educated about how our system of government works, and how it might mean that a UNION is not the only answer, if an answer at all.

Seriously, stop and think. Supposedly the Democratic party (and this is not all political so chill) stands for the average joe right? Then why did Clinton with support of the Republicans sign NAFTA into law - which was the vehicle that drove our MT jobs to India?

In other words, this was done to provide the cheap labor Americans WON'T (and can't) provide.

The reason? Obviously to bump PROFITS for the corporations who provide the service.

Now I don't suggest the above is the whole story, but it's a critical point and if we in this discussion don't understand that part of the problem is that we are where we are because it was INTENDED, then starting a UNION in and of itself is not going to be a fix-all.

Our country is in an economic free fall - no one knows if or when we will stabilize. Keep this in mind, too, if you are hoping for a magic solution. There may not be one.

Being in this field for 22+ years, I have read the writing on the wall.

GO FORWARD with plans for a Union but understand there are many many factors at work here.

In the meantime, how many of you here have contacted YOUR representatives in Congress to ask about regulation for this industry? Don't wait for a union, or for someone else to do this simple act: Look up the numbers and call them. Follow up with a letter. There is power in numbers and if they hear from us throughout the nation they will take note.

Just my 2 cents.

Best wishes for a better 2009.
Exactly. Seriously important.
.
Depends on what's important to you.

Low pay, no raises, deceitful but polite about it (hard to get your vacation time, say they will not bounce you around but do, say they will customize to what you want but don't, etc.), expect you do to a lot of free work, very top-heavy, volunteered AAMT Employer of the Year (don't know by whom, I was not given a vote). It probably also depends on what accounts you are on, whether you do acute care or multispecialty clinic, and who your team lead is. Communication: Very one-sided; lots of e-mails, etc.  from them for you to read/take action/respond to (unpaid),  but not so interested in you communicating with them and giving you timely answers; I've been blown off A LOT. They are VERY into AAMT and CMT certification, but don't pay well for it. Oh, and they offshore. When their system goes down, you don't get paid and can't take sick or vacation time to make up for it (was down for 2 days last week).


On the plus side: Good insurance benefits, easy platform, my accounts were good for the most part, pay on time.


My opinion: If you're experienced, you could probably do better. If not, good place to get more experience. Hope this helps.


I think the most important question is
whether it is good money for YOU.

:)
While the work is important,
please keep in mind that you're doing it to earn a living. While it is often said that it takes about 3 months to get up to speed on an account, it seems that you have some sense of the situation already.

If the finances aren't working out, I would start looking. If it's not a win-situation for the employer and the employee, it's not the right job. Good luck.
Doesn't seem too important to get especially

if you have to get CEU's and renew. I already do that as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I don't need the additional expense and there doesn't seem to be a financial benefit.


Thanks for all your responses.


the most important question is how
important is it for you to work from home versus out of the home - with today's escalating gas prices, figuring in everything related to traveling to and from work, dress clothes for work, meals, day care, etc. etc. etc, you must weigh the pros and cons - for some it is not enough whereas others find it very worthwhile.
Yes, you are so right. The account will be important. nm
xx
It's important to ask if you will have 20,000 a pay period
xx
and I never claimed to be more important than others
LOL LOL LOL. How do you know what is FAIR to you and others? You don't know me. LOL. Stop analyzing so much and stop twisting people's words around. I bet you're one of them gossip-busy bodies that have nothing to do interrupt other people's lives. Take care of your own business.
Could I please ask for an important opinion?,,,,,sm
I work for a great company as an IC, and love the work, my bosses have been great (been there about a year), love the accounts, platform, etc., but something bugs me.  In the beginning, I told them strictly, verbally and in writing, that I needed to really be flexible hour-wise, I have 3 kids and also take care of my 90-year-old mom part-time, etc.  They said sure, jump aboard, very flexible.  Okay, lots of days they are okay, but we have dedicated queues and at times I know i am working TWO JOBS instead of part-time, I signed on for approximately 25 hours a week.  I have a fabulous line count to show for it, but I keep getting roped into these 12-hour work days, 1200 lines or more, and I am getting wiped out.  They are great about so many things and the pay is fantastic, but should I complain, what would you do??  THANKS!!!
Thanks for sharing, very important!!!
Though I did not apply at MDIT, I can relate. United Transcription out of North Carolina used ExpressScribe and MPWord (not MTWord) plus a FTP. The lady VP was not a transcriber so had not ideaaaaaa.

With this setup most of the demographics are entered by the MT (remember her/him making production, not paid unless something on the page).

There were plus 15 different popup screens to click, unclick, delete, type in name, plus flipping back and forth between window screens. Really ridiculous. These things should be put in the system by programmers not the MT EACH REPORT. Image with very small reports, making nothing and those Keystrokes are not paid.

There was no hard copy of doctor roster, so had to scroll through entire list trying to figure out the name referenced. Equally hard to even figure out first letter sometimes. I was told, why didn't you look it up I said I could not even figure out the first letter.

It was a ridiculous way to work. She was probably a good person but she just had not IDEA what MTs need, are about, about platforms. Just got the impression she had not idea how to process pertinence of something as she had bad-mouthed previous MT or MTs during the interview, has general bad thoughts, I told her she was wrong, MTs work their guts out, they are not lazy and on and on, I said they make nothing and go to great efforts to get the answer (I volunteer on 2 Word Help Boards.) Pissed me off her idea what an MT is about.Like sneering (sp?
It's so important to her that she mentioned it not once
Maybe it's just my perception, but that post came off as really pretty arrogant. I know things can be conveyed wrong in writing but she does not sound like she would be a pleasant person to work for, that's for sure. The whole tone of the post made me go EEK...