urr!! frustrated with transcription companies!!!!!!
Posted By: MTness on 2006-03-17
In Reply to: Read the archives. Hardly a day goes by that - me
... I am not a person who believes everything posted.. I believe the truth usually lies somewhere between two extremes, so when I would read about all the complaints transcriptionsist would make about companies, I factored in that perhaps there was more to their story not told, i.e., less than optional work produced, whining, not meeting scheduled times, etc. Now here I am experiencing what most are saying about companies and I hate what I am experiencing! I am in school now, and can handle about 6 hours of work a day. I looked high and wide before I accepted a subcontractor position with a small company. The work is good, but darn if after three months, they didn't start dicking around with my expected work flow. It seems the pattern I am experiencing is that as soon as I get going pretty good with one of their accounts, the carrot gets taken away. They cut back on my work, and put me back on crappy account that pays poop. I am a highly experienced transcripitonist, do professional work, love challenging work and can do well at it, do whatever I am asked, I am not a complainer, I don't whine (except now), and have even received feedback from the company on how good my work is, but here I am after a few months making a paltry $200 a week!! I guess I either have to go to school full time to rapidly complete my schooling, or get a job in another field without all the politics!! Just venting, just venting......
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how many PRN transcription companies are there?
More transcription companies
I just posted a message about TTS, and I have several more companies that I would like ANY information on. So, instead of writing several posts, I'm going to list them here and if you have any info about any of them, please share. I am currently working full time as an employee for a hospital, and I'm interested in becoming an IC for the flexibility. The companies are:
USA Medical Transcription
Iridium Services, Inc.
MedQuist
Sten-Tel out of Mass
SmartDoc
Medical Records Corp of Maryland
World Wide Dictation
Grace Transcription
CTS: Complete Transcription Services
OSI
Thanks in advance for any information!
More transcription companies
Yes, I did searches on all of these and didn't find anything except Medquist. I admit I didn't mean to add that to my list.
Are there any transcription companies who
refuse to use ASR? It seems to be the wave of the future.
What is wrong with these transcription companies
I cannot believe the lack of communication with the company I worked for for 13 years and the new one that I just quit, after not even completing training. They show you something for less than an hour and then you are on your own, stuck in your own mess. Then you go to quit and never hear from the manager who was supposed to call you between 24-48 hours after starting. I had sent an e-mail asking if the person could call me and no reponse. I decide to call and leave a voice mail and no response. I think I am just going to give up transcription. I had done this for many, many years and really am thoroughly disgusted.
Letter to Transcription Companies
To Transcription Companies:
We are Transcriptionists or MLS. We are faces unseen, but hearts that beat. We are NOT a piece of machinery, but if you choose to think of us such, then I suggest you think of your machines as following: In order for you to have your company, you need us. We perform best when well treated. We don't require much care, but the care we do require must be gentle. Like any well-oiled machinery, we need gentle hands and warm touches. It gets lonely, very lonely being a machine by itself. Most of the time, the only contacts we get from you are your emails or IMs to us. The wording of those emails is critical to the functioning of our machines. A quick, thoughtless brash email lends our machinery to slow down and run boggy. (Many a personal relationship has been broken by email and IM communication. It's not a good way to run a business.) Just like any piece of equipment, maintenance is important. That maintenance comes in the form of our pay, and we only ask that it be on time and correct. We produce for you. We need our maintenance. Sure, some of us may require a little more maintenance than others, but you end up benefiting from the results. A little thank you now and then would be nice. And, certainly at the holidays, we don't expect you all to be able to give us a complete overhaul, but certainly a card, a pen, a special little pad of paper, a calendar, or coffee cup would be much appreciated. When feeding us input (or QA as you like to call it), we learn much better and produce more when it is given with tenderness and teaching. Some machines learn best with a variety of teaching methods. (Even speech recognition needs not only the voice, but the typist's words as well.) We Transcriptionist machines may need some visual, as well as verbal teaching; and if we only get one, it may take us longer to learn. It doesn't mean we are stupid; we just each have different methods of learning. We will give you many years of service and perhaps a lifetime guarantee, if only you would follow the manufacturer's instructions. Thank you.
A Transcription Machine
Same way you did...just googled some transcription companies.
Thanks for your input!
Benefits from transcription companies
I'd like to hear opinions on companies who say they offer insurance to their employees. Just today I was offered a position by a company who said they offered benefits and then when asking for details, I find out they don't pay a cent toward the monthly premium, it ALL comes out of my pay. I am sorry folks, but that is not benefits to me. I may as well be an IC and get my own insurance. Probably would be cheaper too. I counter offered to them asking them if I could work IC status and just get a higher line rate........they wouldn't go for it. Another thing is they require you to type 12,000 lines in a pay period to be eligible for the insurance. What in the world for? They are not paying out a red cent toward those benefits so why would it matter how many lines you transcribed if you are paying for the insurance yourself. This is the first time I have ever heard of something like this and I am pretty ticked about it (I know you can tell)....... In my opinion, there would no benefit at all to being an employee other than they would take your taxes out for you!!!
TODAY'S TRANSCRIPTION COMPANIES
NOT SO MUCH! Why do so many excellent MTs stand for the terrible treatment? Experienced MTs deserve so much more.
AMERICAN TRANSCRIPTION COMPANIES
My Dear Angelica,
In my opinion, USA transcription should stay in the United States.
Transcription companies in general
AMEN SISTER! couldn't have said it better
What companies have straight transcription
What companies are offering only straight transcription jobs? A list of these would truly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Transcription South and TSI are 2 separate companies
nm
That is true of most companies, not just in transcription. Benefits are usually sm
only for full-time employees. It only makes sense for a business owner to offer to only full-timers; they do not make as much profit on part-timers, so there is less money to spend on those benefits.
Why do you think hospitals pay less for transcription companies who outsource or do VR?
These stinky companies do not want the hospitals to know that is what is going on because they charge the hospital the same rate whether it is a towel head or a machine typing their work versus a real MT. The transcription company just makes a bigger profit margin and finds another way to take money away from the MLS who live and work in the United States.
frustrated
I finished my DQS training almost two weeks ago. I was cleared for DQS two days later. The next day I received an email saying a DQS user request would be submitted for me and an update provided when I'm added. I've heard nothing. I've emailed several times with no response. Every email up till then was answered within minutes. I want to call now but fear sounding annoying and having it held against me in some way because I really need this job.
Is this typical? If so I can deal with it. I just wish I'd get some type of response. Should I call and risk being annoying after sending several emails?
to frustrated
I agree with the above post, it could just be an oversite with all the changes going on...as my Daddy used to say "it's better to make a move than to sit and stew"
frustrated
Had you had any warnings in the past or did they have a policy on mistakes?
I'm Sorry Frustrated....
....I know how much of a pain in the rear it can be when no one will give you the chance to show your stuff. Keystrokes requires at least 5 years experience (I do believe).
I also just checked my email and another company has offered me a position, but it's not doing Radiology because they are fully staffed on their Radiology accounts, but has offered me a position in one of their medical records accounts. Waiting to hear if they will tell me what type of reports that account has and see what they say. I doubt I will take it though.
The only problem I see with Keystrokes is my schedule. I am not going to like working 2-10 p.m. Central time at all, but it was the only schedule that they had open. I wish you luck Frustrated. Just keep at it, someone will give you that opportunity.
Frustrated
I'm with you. I know what I should be doing, but get bounced all over the place from account to account. Just when I get my momentum up, I get either an ESL or a sloppy Engligh-speaking person. I don't want to wear out my rewing, but....I would love to be assigned 2 or 3 doctors and be responsible for just them. Dream?
Frustrated MT
company maybe CPR Technologies?
I am frustrated
with the ability to make lines at some of these companies and would give a pay cut in terms of cpl if I could have the chance to just MAKE the lines. Also, all these short 1-minute reports and the info put into the patienet information screen takes soooo much time and sucks the line counts from me daily.
Frustrated
Wow, $100? I thought my $400-500 per pay period was bad, but in order to make that I have to log in every day.
frustrated
Thanks for the info. Guess they are out because of the set schedule. I am so sick of seeing companies hire as an IC but then turn around and make you work a set schedule!!!!!
Frustrated IC
I just have a question for the other ICs out there. Isn't one of the advantages of being an IC that you do not have to be tied to shift work. I ask this because I have been looking for a part-time job to supplement my current one that has gotten slow because they lost one of the doctors in the practice and all of the ones that I see posted for IC work mention the shifts that are available. For a variety of reasons, I cannot be on the computer at the same time every day or even the same hours week after week, but I have never failed to get my 24-TAT accomplished. I am just frustrated and was wondering if someone changed the rules in the middle of the game and forgot to send us all a memo...
frustrated
What a great post! As a new graduate just starting out, I expected it to take some to get my first job. Hearing that experienced MTs are having trouble is really disheartening. Hopefully everyone WILL be busy next month! When I get my career going, I will gladly vacation in a tropical climate during the slow time, as my husband is also in construction. Good luck to all!
frustrated
Do you know why they had to hire so many all at once?
frustrated
Yeah, I wonder how hard the Transcend/MDI mucky-mucks are crying? All the way to the bank.
KeystrokePro and Keystrokes Transcription Service are two different companies. sm
I have worked for Keystrokes Transcription for 4 years. They are in Illinois and our hospital uses them for both Radiology and Medical Records. The other one is on the east coast and called us this week at work. If you are looking for a company to do your radiology work, the "real" Keystrokes' web site is www.WeTypeXray.com.
Any other companies besides United Transcription use MPWord software? nm
s
Any national companies out there that allow at-home radiology transcription?
Transcript USA and Transcription Relief Services are 2 different companies
I have an interview with Transcript USA on Thursday. I will pass on what info I find out then. I am pretty sure that they do provide the computer though. Don't know anything else right now.
Holistic/homeopathic/complementary transcription companies?
Does anyone know of any holistic/homeopathic/complementary transcription companies? Or, for that matter, what kind of standards these practitioners are held to in terms of documenting patient encounters? Do they even do transcription?
I'm just finding more and more that I really disagree with a lot of straight orthodox healthcare, and I'd really like to step outside of it and work in an area that I'm more comfortable with.
Any ideas?
I got so frustrated, I was continually
we would sever the relationship and I would not be responsible for paying them the $125 for the computer. Haven't got my last check from them yet, so it might be $125 short. Go figure. Will keep you posted. I was having headaches and chest pains when I worked for them. The day after I quit, all that went away.
Just Frustrated and down in the dumps....
I work for a National, everyone told me I would love this company, I am trying so hard and cannot seem to get the daily line count they want or that I want. I am using word Expander for the first time with this company and love it but sometimes, to me, it is a hinderence in getting your typing rhythm down, and sometimes it expands things that I did not want, so I pause, hesitate, delete, find what I am looking for etc. then go on, but again, my line count isn't what I thought it would be. I work Sun-Thu and on Sun and Mon I meet the line count but then they switch me over to doctors I've never had on Tue, Wed, and Thu and then my line count goes way down, trying to find reports, trying to understand the doc, and end up leaving blanks. I love being an MT, I just want to be able to pay my bills AND have some extra money to save....I guess I just wanted to vent....I know there are many excellent MTs out there, and Ill be replaced without hesitation, I just wanted to make this work. I've been doing it for 2 years and this is the first time I've had this problem. I don't do laundry while I work, I have a private room for my office and rarely leave the chair. I have not taken any time off and even worked holidays. Any ideas to increase my line count?
Also frustrated in searching
Is there anyway you could archive posts sooner, like maybe only keep two pages of current post? Or set up a search for non-archived posts?
Focus frustrated
I am very happy to read your post. I have worked for Focus for three weeks. I expect my first paycheck next week and I think it may be for $1.25.ha ha I get 100% on most of my reports, but some of the foreign doctors are soo hard to dictate and I get an occasional 95% because of it. That is my money!
Also, I have been keeping track of line counts. MS Word and Escription are drastically different. MS Word shows 118 lines and Escription shows 67. At .08 cents a line that is about a whopping $20 a day!
I make more doing contract work! Think I will just make the leap.
Do you mind me asking what company you went to?
Not so frustrated anymore
I was frustrated a little while back. My account manager quit and I wasn't getting paid for my 2nd shift differential, but now things seem to have settled down. They have a new person doing payroll, and everything seems to be fine now. I have always loved the account that I work on and I even just got a new secondary account, so things seem to be getting somewhat back to normal there.
Expect to be frustrated
You'll try to communicate with them in English but they will not understand and just keep pushing other issues. They do not understand NO so be prepared to repeat yourself over and over when you are unable to work a certain day or time etc. Good luck with that one. People do not stay long there and your QA is done by people in India so do not bother taking any notes on the correct or incorrect way to transcribe as what you learn will never apply anywhere else you ever work. Best wishes..
I'm frustrated with this as well. We must be on same account! :)
//
You think you're frustrated now, don't even consider
them. Read the archives. The rare good post has a definite management undertone to it.
Getting frustrated w/Transcend
I've been working there for about six months now and due to lack of consistent work I haven't been able to meet my quota of 12,000 lines. Now granted there are times that it's my fault, albeit uncontrolled circumstances like tech problems and such but there's just no excuse for going days without adequate work. I'm going on five days with no work! It's true. I was promised a $1000 sign on bonus and was told that unless I can meet my line count this pay period (ending tomorrow) I won't get it, well guess what, I've got a total of about 1900 lines for this week alone, which gives you can idea of how much my pay is going to suck immensely, PLUS I had to work all night long doing some of that, or I wouldn't even have that. Now they're offering me an option to work on another account but using their BeyondTxt platform and I don't know anything about it except for what I've read here on these boards and none of it sounds good. I've hung in as long as I can afford to but I guess I'll have to find another company. Why put me on an account in the first place when they clearly didn't need a full-time MT? Now I've spent six months learning these doctors and will have to start all over with new ones most likely.
Why can't it just be frickin easy !
Dear Frustrated
I am so sad for you and the other MTs at MDI experiencing this problem. I was offered a position with MDI last month and after reading this board, I emailed back my liason and declined the position. I am sure glad I did, but I am still looking for adequate employment right now. I have employment, but the environment is not great and I am still wishing to find a better environment. I understand why you posted here and I applaud you for speaking out so other MTs may be warned. I was warned againg MDI from this board, and I appreciate the warning. I just want to say keep your chin up and move on. God will bless you and your blessing could be just around the corner.
Extremely frustrated
After three years with FN, to be treated this way is just uncalled for and very unprofessional. Every account they put me on only lasted a few months and then they lost it, then another and they lost it, five times so far, and now told about the new account with a billion lines, ya right. Where is it? I have not see it yet! Bunch of lies, all lies.
extremely frustrated indeed
Hi Paul,
When did you start with FN, as I started in 2/2005 and what you are saying is exactly what I have been told also. This new account was supposed to keep us all overwhelmed with work and I am lucky to get 1 or 2 charts PER DAY. I'm practically begging for work and I'm just lucky if they decide to answer my emails or phone calls. Ready to pull my hair out...
Yes, kidding, but he's getting frustrated with me!
Exactly right Frustrated and Uh Oh..not that there is any work for anyone right now.
nm
In Reply to Frustrated
I have worked at Amphion for years and couldnt be happier. In my humble opinion, this is one of the smartest things they have ever done. Why should the company keep supplying (and paying for) computers so people can let their kids get on them and download who knows what. Then when they are fried, the company has to replace them (at the company's expense). I think it's a very good (and smart) move to get out of supplying computers to everyone. Times are tough, people. This economy is horrible. Amphion bends over backward for their employees. Try to find anyplace else where you are treated better. I doubt you will.
I have no main squeeze companies and Transcription Matchmaker isn't even a sponsor
so I cannot see how you justify that I show any kind of favoritism to that company. You are grasping at straws to put down this site.
Reply to "Focus Frustrated"
I got 1 check from them .... only for their 5 reports per day during the 1-week review period. Which equals 25 reports and I got @ $50 !!!!
How sick is that ! They are getting slave labor...but I quit after a very short time with them, because I know I deserve to be paid better for my espertise and skills... and so do you I'm sure. I haven't acquired other employment as yet. But I have learned some good lessons in the brief time I was with Focus. What a crappy outfit !
..and that should be "just" not "jsut". I am frustrated right now LOL
xx
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