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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

must clarify: I meant using the excuse of a shortage of U.S. MTs. nm

Posted By: TGIF on 2009-05-08
In Reply to: Are there not enough physicians in India to keep work plentiful for their native transcriptionists? - TGIF

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To clarify, by "those jobs" I meant it said some MDI accounts would be going to VR. nm
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Please excuse typo--I meant deductions
its getting late and I stacked wood all day. LOL!
need to clarify...I meant if you are taking a specific "training" class on the platform, navig
then no you are not getting paid...but if you are typing reports then yes...
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.

Yes, definitely upset about the shortage.
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.
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
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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
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I meant nothing wrong. I meant a friend who can vouch for
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Because of the shortage of work, we don't want our companies hiring more people. nm
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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.
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. 
It was not meant to be nasty. I meant that you should take every job seriously. Just because someo
is their focus does not mean that patients should suffer. 96% accuracy could mean the difference to someone who is on the receiving end of that report. I am NOT QA or management but I am an experienced Transcriptionist who believes that the reports we transcribe need to be accurate for the patient's sake.
Actually .. let me clarify ... lol
They call it Statutory Employee and in describing it (in the contract) stated that "...because a statutory employee works as an independent contractor..." -- so that is where I was getting the IC. Sorry for the confusion on my part.
Can you clarify?

I don't understand what you mean by "in the office." The only people "in the office" are techies, some senior management types (but not even all of those), payroll in Pitts, etc.


I'm thinking through all of the "supervisors" (MT supervisors) and they all work from home. Sorry to hear that you've had a bad experience, but know that they DO have some really good transcription supervisors, and that it's totally an incorrect generalization that a 'bad one' will "be supervising you." 


And, no, I don't work at Webmedx any more. Used to, knew all of the supes very well and worked with them daily. I saw how they dealt with their MTs. All had their strengths and weaknesses.


Try to not generalize in such a negative fashion, okay?  If you have issues, speak directly with the supervisor, or at least say "I have worked with a couple, I didn't enjoy the experience, but I can't speak for every supervisor there." Post responsibly.


I can feel the flames already!


to clarify
I realized when I re-read my post, it might have come across as catty. Didn't mean for it to. I think we're all going to be forced to go with the program or be out of work. It's a shame, but with so many companies going with it, it's either enter a different field (and there are no guarantees anywhere these days) or live with it. I really don't think the politicians on either side are going to fix things anytime soon. Too much money involved.
Just to clarify again...
Employees are statutory, not IC.

Pay during training is for the lines that you complete during training; there is no hourly training pay or anything like that. You may start at a lower rate and then increase within a couple of months. You would have to talk to the recruiter about this. They kind of do everything on a case-by-case basis rather than have blanket policies as far as pay rates go.
I would clarify that as well...sm
I would be difficult for you to keep up with keystroke count if they are limiting what Keystrokes are. Where I work, everything is a keystroke, even the demographics we fill in, spaces, and headers, if we have to add them in. At the 0.001575 rate, you'd be making good money. It's always better to ask questions and clarify what's covered as a keystroke, what's not, and what the daily and pay period quotas are, so if you think it's realistic enough to achieve. Where I work is very fair with that. Once you understand the formula, figuring your paycheck out is easily done.
just to clarify

I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who fraudulently receives unemployment benefits while working.  Two wrongs don't make a right.  I've had a real rough past few years here trying to recover from Medquist, but I'm proud to say I have been honest in all my dealings on my end.  I work hard and if the company doesn't work, for whatever reason, I move on.  Everyone should realize by now that THE ACCOUNT MEANS EVERYTHING.  Not the company.  Not the line rate.  Not the communications.  If you are on a crappy account, you won't make money.  You can have a low line rate with a great account and make great money.  You can have poor communications with a great account and it doesn't make a difference because everything on the account is crystal clear and you don't have to ask for clarification.  You unhappy Keystrokers got the bad account.  You happy ones have good accounts.  Simple.  Keystrokes probably should unload the bad account, but does any company ever actually do that?  I don't know the answer to that. 


 


could you clarify this a little more for me, please?

Now, my production put me making the same as full-time in each one but I was officially part-time in each company


Do you mean you were able to produce full time work in parttime hours at both jobs?   I thing I'm going brain dead from job hunting and working.  Forgive me if I am sounding dense here. 


Let me clarify
My figure is based on the fact that Keystrokes does appear to hire MTs that can work independently and are very experienced. Also, compared this with others on the same platform. That could also factor in, so you have a good point as far as platform, differences, etc.
to clarify
They don't really give you holidays off. You can choose to take the holiday off but you have to use your PTO time to cover it.
Let me clarify, since you all don't get it..sm
FLEXIBLE is that I will LEARN and WORK on MANY accounts so that I have plenty of what I want to do! So many will have a primary account and only one secondary. I have TWO primaries and TWO secondaries, and I work all of them in any given week. They are all different with regard to formatting and rules.

Considering that this is FOUR sets of rules, not one or two...considering that this is HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of dictators...and every single specialty that has anything to do with surgery...yup that is bending over backwards because MOST of you would never try it, let alone be able to do it! It is also flexibility because I AM willing to work extra hard to learn my accounts and get it right even if I have not seen that account in a week. Because I can be asked to work on XYZ account at the drop of a hat and manage it, you bet they appreciate me and you can bet I appreciate the fact that this is a two-way street.

I know about a lot of you out there. I have worked other places and I am the MT who ends up cleaning up after you. I do the doctors you won't, I pitch in on my days off because you don't make your line counts or don't show up or didn't work your entire shift. This is NOT every MT but believe me I have seen it all.

I get tired of being accused of not working very hard, of selling myself short working for TT and I am rather offended that I am accused of not being a very good MT. I have been the punching bag for people who are not bright enough to understand my meaning and I am left wondering just how it is that such people call themselves MTs, let alone human beings. I have also been accused of lying because I am here and claim to make my line counts. What, are you jealous that between my 2 jobs I have racked 42,000 lines so far this month and it isn't over yet AND I was here?

Well ladies and I use that term loosely, I am GONE. You are a jealous, rude, nasty group of women and I don't care to be associated with you any longer.
and to clarify
there is a difference on these boards between OSi and OSI, 2 different companies
Pls clarify, OSI or OSi..
These are 2 different companies... OSi is one, OSi is another.  OSI, who knows where they are... OSi is in PA....
Let me clarify
that I in no way mean to cast MDI in a poor light or deter anyone from considering working with MDI.  I am still with them because I think they ARE such a great company, and intend to stay with them for a long time, and I think this work lull will pass soon.  I really don't think the lull is MDI's fault, and I think they have been trying to juggle people so everyone can get some work.  I am here because I think they are a great company to work for, I love my liaisons, love my schedule, etc.  This lull has not been the norm in past years, not that I recall, so it has been a surprise to me.  The fact remains that it has been very REAL on my accounts, and very frustrating, and my paychecks have taken the hit to prove it, at a bad time with the crappy economy and soaring gas prices.  So it really irked me to have someone state that it was nonsense and imply that it never happened/isn't happening. 
Can you clarify
I don't understand ... do I literally type what you have typed here? - then went to start-run-type in cmd- and when it comes up type ping *space* www.google.com ?

Thanks for further claification. :)

Oh please let me clarify,
I am not questioning their line count, only my own ability on most days to achieve it.
Please, let me clarify.

I totally agree with you, but it is getting harder and harder to find non-VR jobs.  If MTs have to do VR, then the only option may be to become as proficient as possible  just to survive.  I recently found a job doing staight typing  because found VR to be a losing proposition.  Being paid considerably less to make a sometimes totally worthless VR program look good is not my idea of a good time.


Sorry, could you clarify?
Is it a 3-cent per line cut or is it a cut TO 3 cpl? 
Just to clarify
I'm not looking. I read here and see so many people unable to find secure, satisfactory employment, and I was wondering where they were getting their job leads from.

The ads on here seem to be recycled weekly so that sort of lets you know that those companies have a pretty active turn-over.

Thanks for the reply tho and sorry I didn't expand the purpose of my question.
Can you clarify
Do you mean pre-made normals coming from the facility/doctor, or normals made by the MT in the expander.

I get paid for both now. Not concerned too much about not getting paid for their normals, but certainly would want to get paid for mine. I can still do 350+ straight typing with my expanders.
Please clarify

Are you saying if we don't catch all the errors (as in correcting everything), we shouldn't be an MT or are you saying we should just accept gobbledy-gook word salad from VR and be happy to deal with it?


I agree with the catching errors, but not with the expectation that every report will be a piece of garbage to be cleaned up and I should be happy to clean it, ectstatic to get 1/3 or 1/2 the pay or I shouldn't be an MT.  No, no, can't agree there.


To clarify...
To clarify how the fraudulent resignation worked is this.  Everyone who works on the account I do knows my first name, last name, and my email address just as I know theirs, as we are sent it along with each and every email we receive from management's cc's.  Therefore, the person created an account with yahoo, as that is where my account is, the person then, knowing my first name and last name, created it to be showing on the outgoing from line.  The person then used my exact email address, but simply left off one number at the end.  I have to say, when the team leader emailed a screen shot of my supposed resignation that she received from the account manager, I sat her scratching my head and staring at it, I knew it was not from me and then of course it wasn't from me, as it wasn't my email address and it showed first and last name on the from line, which I only use my first name on the from line.  Hope this clarifies on how anyone can be a victim of fraud, it is very easy to do once you know the person's name and email address.  Point is, when the company is made aware by me that is not my email address nor did I send in a 2 weeks resignation, why would they choose to accept it?  I can only come up with one reason, they wanted me out!
Sorry-to clarify-$80 or more PER DAY - sm
for that particular day to get calculated into UE benefit eligibility.
Perhaps I should clarify
I asked the question (riddle) to make a point, not to challenge people to say where they shop or don't shop.

In other words, if the shoe doesn't fit you don't need to defend yourself. And if it DOES fit, you still don't need to defend yourself.

I was merely pointing out that the whole issue is VERY complex - trying to give examples, etc.

P.S. When I speak to customer service, if the PERSON on the other end of the phone can help me, I don't refuse to let them do so merely because they are Indian ?? If you want to hate something, I strongly encourage you to direct that passion toward the laws your Congressmen and women have enacted which have created this horrible system we are experiencing.