Yes, definitely upset about the shortage.
Posted By: COMT on 2005-12-10
In Reply to: Wow - TMT
I had 16,000 lines plus in a pay period. Some of those days were supposed to be double lines for either working over or on a day off. I was told there would be a percentage taken off for header/footer. I had no idea it would be on total lines. I am getting about a 10 line difference between the software counter and MS Word counter. I have no idea about the new MTs - I am kind of new too, started about 8 weeks ago. Took 6 weeks to get my first paycheck. :( I do have another place I can work, but that lady takes more than 2 weeks to send a paycheck too. I am afraid to work for any of these companies at this point.
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Shortage
I also am questioning how top heavy some of these services seem with management. It seems to me the money they think they are saving with cheap outsourced labor is being spent on more editors and managers to clean up the mess. Also many of us are "educated" just not willing to work for less than we would make workinig at Taco Bell so I don't think the education issue is that cut and dry.
Any other MDI-MD'r's having shortage of work?
Seems like everything is dried up and can't make my line count each day. Wonder why?
Because the shortage does not exist. nm
nm
No work shortage here
Too much work for me, it's overwhelming. Of course, I work locally for a group of doctors. Do you work for just the one company? Maybe try to find another part-time position, although at this time with the economy, they may be few and far between. I can understand your frustration.
no shortage at my company either.
Not over the holidays, not now. Are you working for a company that offshores?
Work shortage.
Would you mind telling me what company you work for where there there is so much work? I am in the same boat with almost never enough work to make a good salary, and it just seems to be getting worse. I am going to be forced soon to look elsewhere.
Sorry - but BS!!! - no shortage of transcriptionists!
There is in fact not a shortage of transcriptionists in the United States. I don't give a hoot what the companies say. There are very qualified and willing transcriptionists trying to find work right now and cannot, while the work is being offshored.
The problem is that they can pay less to the transcriptionists when they are offshoring, not because they cannot find transcrriptionists!
NOT a shortage of work
I am betting the work is being shuttled off to India to train their people to do it for two rupees a day. Face it, MDI's dirty little secrets are becoming known.
Is there really a shortage of US MTs or am I blind and deaf?? sm
I was talking to a prospective employer today. First off, it is a start-up company in US. They already have a base in the Philippines. Well, that turned right off; however, we continued the conversation. My question to this person was this.....so, if you were to get contracts for MT here in the US, are you willing to just hire US MTs? Answer...Well there is such a shortage of good quality MTs here in the US and we would like to have the work done in the Philippines. My next question, and if the contract specifically states all work is to stay in the USA, what then? Well, then we would hire only US based MTs.
Finally, I had to stop him in his tracks....I told him I emphatically disagree. There is not a shortage of US MTs. The problem is that you or any other Internationally based company is not willing to pay the US MTs what they are worth. You want cheap labor, and you won't get that in the US. Our MTs here in the USA produce such a high quality patient record and you have to be willing to compensate for that. If you are interested in USA contracts but want to use cheap labor with no concern for quality, than I am not the person for this position.
I am so furious right now as I mull over the conversation......am I just blind or is there really a shortage here in the US of quality-driven MTs.
I am an MT myself as well as QA Specialist and I just do not agree with this mentality. I think they use this excuse to justify their wanting to offshore. I see through the smoke screen; however, I guess I just need to hear it from my fellow MTs.
What are your thoughts on this issue of not enough trained and experienced MTs here in the USA?
Not sure if they are hiring, but there is no shortage of work.
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No shortage on my online account
I only work via .wav account right now, so that is ONLY online work. My account has a backlog, and the total amount of minutes on the system for all online accounts awhile ago was about 2900, so I have no idea what's going on with your account, because there's no shortage that I can see.
I seriously doubt there will ever be a work shortage again (sm)
This company is growing so rapidly, it's hard to keep up. Several new accts in the last few weeks, and they seem to be big ones. True enough, they may fully staff them soon, but as long as you have a backup acct for slow times, there is no problem. You want them to be flexible, but you have to be flexible as well. I have typed on about 6 or 7 different accounts and the most I've EVER run out of work in 2 years is for about an hour. I have learned to take advantage of a few slow hours here and there. I don't foresee it happening again any time soon though.
There is no shortage. And as far as the "aging workforce" sm
if they'd pay me what I am WORTH instead of fractions of a cent maybe I wouldn't have to work 2 jobs 7 days a week and age myself even effing faster.
Agree - No shortage on my account
I don't recall seeing any complaints about no/low work at TT really until the switchover to voice recognition on some accounts. I can't help but wonder if those running out of work are the ones refusing to do VR.
Oh well, I'm back to typing, too...tons of work on there to be done!
It's a good company. There is no shortage of work.
If anything, too much work
Shortage of work has been a MAJOR complaint....
with all 4 MTs that I know who work at MDI. We are all trying to stay loyal to them, but it seems as though no one is listening and they just keep hiring!! If you have work, you should be counting your blessings, but it is only fair to let those people seeking employment at MDI to know what a lot of us are experiencing.
Do you know there is a bonus this weekend on some accounts. No shortage here. nm
x
I totally agree! How can there be a shortage of American MTs when
so many of us have lost jobs due to outsourcing?? There is a greater shortage of reputable companies willing to pay reasonable rates than there are unavailable MTs. What's worse is the growing number of companies that don't pay on time, bounce checks, cheat line counts etc. GRRRRR!
Then they should give that work to those who have a shortage. Otherwise, they are overhiring. nm
x
must clarify: I meant using the excuse of a shortage of U.S. MTs. nm
x
sorry...just very upset
=( not big on being put down by strangers!
Please don't get upset at everyone here
I understand why you don't want to come back. I always say to myself that I will only go to the gab board where life seems normal. And that negativity and name-calling abounds here.
If you don't come back, I would not blame you. But please don't leave thinking we are all nasty, and I personally am sorry how your question has been handled. I do not understand why trolling (nasty attacks) is not monitored on this board anyway, and the other boards on this site.
Everyone has a right to ask a question and no question is stupid. Except a baiting question or a redundant question like why is so and so always running out of work, etc. which is obviously a nasty hit to a certain place of employment.
What I am saying is I am sorry you are possibly being attacked (maybe they don't realize they are attacking your question, maybe it is not personal). But not all of us out here are that way. Finally, I want to say as I said a week ago, after this incident again, I too want to get out of this place except the gab and boards where people are supportive of each other. And although I have not been attacked like you, I sympathize and do not want to keep coming here and getting a bad taste in my mouth. My 2c.
Me upset? LOL
Now why would I be upset? I work for a great company and make great money. It is a little annoying for people to say these things don't exist when they do!!!
As far as posting my company's name, I am not at liberty to do so after I posted my line rate. This is a very confidential topic at the company I work for. I will say that they have been talked about frequently on this board as a great company to work for. I don't believe they are currently hiring at this time.
The upset is...
Not that we are just switching to VR from straight typing. They are switching our VR to new software (that they claim to be more productive) and decreasing our line rate with the switch. We are currently paid a decrease of 30% of our transcription rate for VR but will be paid a 37.5% decrease when the switch to the new software takes place (this is about 1.2 cpl less for me). Unless the new software is really that much better right off the bat, that is a significant pay cut for us. If I can only do the same number of lines on the new VR software that I do now on our current software, I will lose a little more than $3 an hour for editing. I would have to be able to do about an extra 100 lines per hour on the new software to make the same amount of money that I am currently making. The problem is that there really is no proof that the new software will lead to significant enough productivity gains to justify dropping our line rate. I'll believe it when I see it. The idea of working harder to make (hopefully) the same, or maybe even less, money does not sit well with many....
Because of the shortage of work, we don't want our companies hiring more people. nm
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I am so upset, but not sure whether should ask boss or not...
I am on a very, very hard ESL account that the company has a hard time getting people to work on. I have the ability to see who is assigned work and have noticed that a certain MT when they help on this account gets all the easy doctors assigned to them, but us who are stuck on this account get all the hard, nasty reports. I do not understand why they do this, other than maybe the person does not have much experience or such, but it just does not seem right to me. I do not know whether to say something or just let it go. I am making a horrible line count, but this person is probably doing very well as they have all the easy dictators on this account.  Any suggestions, as I do not want to be a trouble maker, but now I am so upset over this I don't even want to work today. Thanks.
Yes, they were so upset they said in the call...
yeah, right! I hope they slept well last night! I am sure they did not miss a wink of sleep. It was Colleen taking today off according to her email on Friday night at 10:26 pm that she sent out to all of us.
I am very upset about this situation
It is very upsetting to me to see what is happening to us and to see how people just seem to be accepting it. I can go on and on about it because I am to the point where I just want to cry - I made a good living at this for years and now when things should be getting better in my life - I have to revert back to years ago and work in a hospital instead of home to make ends meet. This is total injustice.
If you are not upset with the insurance, you must be under 35. SM
What really got me upset was that they blamed the older MTs who used insurance too much for the switch. Very low.
should be ++ thought ++ - upset about this! n/m
b
So tell your boss instead of getting upset. nm
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looks like you have the problem of being upset
You evidently have an issue with some MTs having a good job and good employer. Why else would you take that post as being anything else? Maybe you should work on your jealousy issues???
I'm upset myself because she makes 10.5 cpl yet
does not know that a lot is TWO WORDS. She no doubt works at that company that values quality above all else.
Truly trying to help you upset folks
If you want to leave Transtech because of the VR issue you should be able to EASILY get hired ASAP by OSi in Douglasville, Georgia, or Focus but I think Focus does mainly VR. OSI always has a huge backlog and they don't do just VR. They also provide computers for full time. The links are www.ositranscription.com and www.focusinfomatics.com. These companies are always hiring. 
Explain yourself. Are you upset that
I choose to work, but it is not necessary in supporting my family? How is that self-righteous, it is just fact. I definitely think it would be very difficult to be the sole provider for my family, but I don't know why you think that is a slap in the face. I am agreeing with you, it would be difficult. But how am I self righteous. I want an explanation. You may cut and paste anything I said that you consider that I am looking down my nose at you.
What people are also upset about
is the fact that management at MDI kept us sitting without work for weeks, telling us that there would be many new accounts in September and October and everything would be fine. I personally feel used. I was loyal to them, they were not loyal to me. Lesson learned.
I don't understand the VR upset
I can make about $15-20 an hour with VR, eScription, what were you guys making before on straight typing? You do have to have a great account, but even on my bad accounts (ESL nightmare), I do okay. I am not saying I love VR or anything, but I can make a living. I also don't know what VR is like on other platforms, it might be terrible, but I'm just curious as to what you guys were making an hour before VR? I was making about the same.
Just started with DSG not too long ago and finding a shortage of work right now. Do they overhire
sometimes or what. Seems it goes in spells. Anyone seeing the same thing right now. This started before the holiday time.
Hope this doesn't upset you....
But, try to look at it this way. You are in a healthcare profession, part of the team that takes care of that patient, even though not IN the hospital. That means nights, weekends, holidays, etc., someone from the healthcare team has to be available for transcription.
I don't know anything specifically about this company, but from a manager's standpoint, I just wanted you to realize WHY some companies are specifically looking for nights, weekends, and holiday help. It's tough--everyone wants to be off on weekends, be off on holidays, etc., but the reality is that MT just like nurses, doctors, and other allied health professionals are needed when the patient is an inpatient. :(
Does anybody else get upset when companies that test you
and exchange e-mails with you does not have the common courtesy to at least let you know if a position was given to somebody else after the decision was made. I HATE THAT. Just wanted to know if it bugged anybody else.
Wow. Don't be upset! These are just board comments
Please dont take these things so personally, it isn't worth ruining your day. Leave if you want, but not on a bad note! JIMHO
Don't get upset, then, when offshore takes your job.
If we are not willing to give coverage nights and weekends, they certainly will be.
For what it's worth, I don't see the message you posted from your company anything near being a tyrant. Not a threat. Not a bully. Just stating facts. You can exercise your option to leave, just as you state you will be doing.
That word "margins" has me upset sm
Margins...that is PROFIT for the company! Any of us who have tried ASR full time understand that these MARGINS are what they don't pay us to do!
Again, and again and AGAIN I'll remind all of you as I would any MTSO in the world...YOUR COMPANY TURNS A PROFIT ON THE BACKS OF YOUR MTS. WE ARE the ONLY money generators in your business. Mistreat us, cheat us, lie to us about making more money with ASR and YOU WILL LOSE US right along with your company, you ignorant fools.
WHY aren't there enough MTs do to do the work? Because most newbies and those thinking about join this work force read up on what the MTSOs are doing and they don't get into this excuse for a career that we are in! OF COURSE there are not enough qualified MTs do the work. There is plenty of demand for MTs and not enough qualified MTs do the work, no kidding. As long as companies think the answer to this is to boost the Indian economy and/or pay an American a pittance to edit an ASR document, we will NEVER have enough MTs to do the work available here.
ASR is a flipping joke. I have talked to dozens of MTs who have done, tried to do it or are doing it. WITHOUT EXCEPTION they are scanning a document without the voice, or they are editing every other paragraph or listening at a pace that is not conducive to accuracy, leaving errors, etc. I work for a company that uses it and I can see all the past documents in the system. They are error ridden with nightmarish formatting. Many of them do not even make sense. There are so many spelling errors one has to wonder if they even spellcheck the document.
With a little luck, a company using a high percentage of ASR will get themselves sued to a point where they have to shut their doors. No, it won't come from a doctor, but if a patient with a creepy record sues the hospital who has demanded X amount of work to be generated as ASR to save money, and the patient prevails and undermines the hospital's *margins*, they will turn around and sue the MT company for even suggesting such a thing. This sort of a suit is not without precedent.
spelling police not necessary. OP obviously upset..
she does not need her spelling errors shoved at her as being *cheered up.*
With the alleged shortage of decent MTs, which you managers are quickly turning into VR editors sm
You should not be complaining about graphics or colors on resumes. You should, frankly, be grateful for any applications you get. The way MTs are being turned into editors for you voice recognition crap is horrible, and you should be apologizing for it.
If she was so upset about your letter not representing her feelings...sm
then let her write her own letter and express how the minority in this situation feels!! Kudos for you in your quest to let the country know what kind of shaft you all got! Don't ever forget that you have a bunch (and I mean a bunch) of MTs behind you, ex-Heartland or not!
Sorry, meant MRMT as upset poster.
x
Yes, it is as bad as it seems. In fact, it's worse. More upset than happy. nm
...
You went back? I thought they were upset at me when I left because they were looking foward to
working with me and I put them off. :(. I am too shy to even let them know this which is why I put anon. I loved my supervisor Ginny and Becky too, and the work. Thanks for the nice thought. I guess I am chicken LOL, and too chicken to ask to come back. Glad you did and it worked out!
I am not her spokesperson just happy with the company I work for and upset that people can be so sm
misleading because the fit was not good for them.
If you have been on these boards a while, you would know that she always posts her name. I emailed her today to tell her what was happening on here, and the response I got back was she does not even look on here as it is too upsetting and has promised herself not to come and look. She has too much else to do with her time and defending herself and her company is always misinterpreted. She basically told me I should spend more time working or with my family than spending time on this soap opera. It is better to not care and let people form their own opinions. Everyone takes the postings with a grain of salt anyway. I think it is sad that she has to be so tough-skinned.
If you're that upset about it, do what I did and work for a company that doesn't outsource
nm
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