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price per page - Posted By: sue

I may have to outsource some work to ICs what is the going rate for a company to pay for radiology reports, I was told 1.75 to 2.00 does that sound right. I hate doing line counts. Any thing will help.

Thanks

OF INTEREST TO ALL TIME WARNER CUSTOMERS...THEY ARE GOING TO START CHARGING FOR USAGE AND NOT A FLAT - Posted By: Charlene

This really sucks as the article said it would impact heavy users only. My cable bill is already high but to be charged for actual using will skyrocket my bill. I think I could spit nails right now. I can post the article if anyone is interested. They said it will be a trial period. Anyone else use Time Warner?

Let's Do the Math!!! - Posted By: Deenie

Okay, here and on other boards there are many questions as to "which school to attend" and "best schools" and "only three schools matter" and so on and so forth.

There are at least 100,000 MTs working in the U.S., according to the BLS stats.

100,000.

Not even 1/10 of the working MTs could have possibly gone to those schools.

That leaves 90,000 MTs trained elsewhere, for those of you following along at home.

And yet, the constant refrain is "Andrews, M-Tec, and CS."

And they are good schools, certainly, especially the first two. But they aren't the ONLY schools and people who are spreading the hysteria that "you won't ever work unless you attend on of those three schools" are not helping the profession. Some of the message boards on other forums (fora) are so obviously biased that it's laughable, yet the newcomer to the field might not pick up on that.

A challenge: Tell where YOU went to school.

I went to Meditec and I'm working, folks. And doing well. And enjoying it! I have several "online buddies" who attended MT Advantage. They are working, too!

And to those who will say it was "mere luck:" 90,000 people gettin' lucky -- I like those odds!!!

Changing burial sites...(sm) - Posted By: Kicking myself

Anybody know anything about changing a loved one's burial site after the fact? We lost my mom a few years back and buried her in the "wrong" cemetery (we were all heartbroken and didn't have the strength to argue with her dad, who bought the plot for himself many years ago and decided HE didn't want it, but didn't want the money he spent on it to go to waste--she always deferred to him and our immediate family did not want to make waves--now we see that this was the wrong thing to do). Anyway, she is buried in an ugly and dangerous part of town. The cemetery that my immediate family had originally chosen (me, my dad, and siblings) is close to my dad's house, beautiful, and peaceful--and where my dad wants to be buried, as well, and we want to move mom there. Any ideas? I don't even know where to start with this.

What are the things that keep MTs - Posted By: from making high line count?

I'm putting together a list of things that make it hard for MT to get decent line count. Can anyone give me their opinion? TIA!

Should Michelle Kwan go to the Olympics - Posted By: OLympics

She has been injured all year. She did not compete at nationals and she is requesting a bye onto the olympic team. She should be allowed to compete and take the spot away from a young, deserving skater that did compete?

ANY GOOD IDEAS FOR VALENTINES DAY GIFT FOR HUBBY - BESIDES ME! - Posted By: NOT MT RELATED

I love flowers and he surprised me tonight (since he is working tomorrow) with a beautiful plantar full of different plants and flowers I can keep inside and transplant outside this spring. Would like to surprise him as well but stumped as to what to get? What do you get a man who has everything?

wake me up!!! - Posted By: tired!

I am sitting here about to fall asleep -- not because there is no work, but just ready to fall asleep on my keyboard!! I keep telling myself- GIRL- WAKE UP!!! I know there are several families out there that have no work or their significant other is laid off, which mine is off for two weeks, so I have to be THANKFUL for my job and make myself wake my booty up-- oh, along with my fingers!! Hope you all had a wonderful X-Mas! Santa was good to our family and friends- hope he was to you all also! Now, I have to get back to work!!!!

Deleting Bytescribe wav files (just recycle bin?) - Posted By: The B-S tech could not answer this question for me

Not much action on the Tech Board so I'm pasting my question here: Bytescribe people told me that once you delete the wav files (Options/Clear File History), it only deletes them from the player but not from your hard drive. I did a search for .wav files on my computer but none of those BS wav files come up, other than in the recycle bin. Is that the only place they would wind up after deleting them from the player then and am I done with them for good at the Recycle Bin? Thanks in advance for anyone who can help with this. (I still cannot believe the tech did not know where the files wound up.)

My dictator, smart as he is, just told me the patient's name is - Posted By: ROFL

"Brittany, you know like the singer so to say, that young person who thinks she sings."

line rate - Posted By: michelle

Hello. I am applying for an MT job and I have 21 yrs of expereince. They want to pay me 8 cents/line. Is that the going rate? It seems it should be more since I started 21 years ago getting 7 cents/line.

Presidential Proclamation for MT Week - Posted By: Kim Tallitsch

I want to wish everyone a Happy MT Week! Below I've included the text of the presidential proclamation by Ronald Reagan designating the week of May 20th as MT week (here's a link to that text also - http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=38668). Nothing like a presidental pat on the back to give you the warm fuzzies!

Happy transcribing :-)

Kim T.

***************************************

Proclamation 5345�National Medical Transcriptionist Week, 1985
May 21st, 1985

Ronald Reagan
1985: Book I

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Record-keeping is a vital function in our society, and one of the most important records for every American is the medical record. That record, including reports prepared and edited by a medical transcriptionist from physician dictation, is the permanent history of a patient's medical care.

A century ago, physicians knew many of their patients from birth, knew all their ailments, and provided all their medical care. Today, with medical specialization and greater mobility among people, many skilled physicians may treat the average American during a lifetime. Using transcribed medical reports, each physician can easily and quickly review a patient's medical history even if the physician has never seen that patient before. Because of the work done by trained medical transcriptionists, patients can be assured that the history of their medical care is portrayed accurately and legibly. Medical transcriptionists have therefore become a vital link between the physician and the patient.

It is appropriate for our Nation to recognize the contributions of medical transcriptionists. We should encourage hospitals, allied health education programs, and community colleges to provide appropriate courses of instruction recognizing the high standards that must be met by medical transcriptionists and the vital function they perform.

In recognition of the need for medical transcriptionists in today's society, the Congress, by Public Law 98-609, has designated the week beginning May 20, 1985, as "National Medical Transcriptionist Week" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week of May 20 through May 26, 1985, as National Medical Transcriptionist Week, and I urge all Americans to participate in appropriate ceremonies in observance of this event.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and ninth.

RONALD REAGAN

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:50 a.m., May 22, 1985]

Chartnet? - Posted By: Joanna

Does anyone know of ANY company that is hiring that provides Chartnet for their transcriptionists? I heard it is a a big timesaver and easy to use, especially for non-tekkies like myself. Appreciate the info, THANK YOU!

Does anyone have any voice files they could share for testing purposes? - Posted By: DB

One space or two after a period. - Posted By: J

Which is the correct way, one space or two spaces after a period in medical transcription?

Thanks for any help in advance.

any rad mt's....gotta question for ya - Posted By: mammomama

ok i would like to know on average (of course) how many mammo's and chest x-rays do ya type a day?

so me typing about 30-40 mammos a day and lots and lots of chests...is this normal or what?????

Something to make you smile. - Posted By: tired fingers

QWERTY ergo sum...I type, therefore I misspell.

I cannot claim the credit for this, but I thought everybody could use a little humor today.

Best People Search Engine! - Posted By: gums

Hi Friends,

The below site would be helpful for you to find names.

http://gums-people-search.ws/

What passes for clear and concise . . . - Posted By: Lllls

I'm really getting some good ones today. How about this for a clear and concise statement?

Dictated: The patient was not agreeable to returning to the skilled nursing facility from which he was readmitted on the day of discharge initially.

Is there an organization (informal, not like AAMT) for radiology MTs? - Posted By: Okie MT

Just wondering....I think it would be nice to be able to communicate with other rad MTs.

Broken tape - Posted By: Shell

HELP! I have had a microcassette tape break. Any ideas on how to fix it (if possible!)?

Thanks!

Amphion - Posted By: m

Can anyone give me info on this company, good or bad? I just took their test. Waiting to see what happens. You can email me if you want. Thanks in advance!

graveyard shift questions? HELP!! sm - Posted By: txmwmt

for those of you who work the graveyard shift, when you initially started how did you get your sleep pattern to adjust? i did this for 2 nights and loved it!! i got sooo much work done without any interruptions and it was wonderful so i have decided that i would prefer to work at nighttime but i am having a hard time staying awake now through the night and by 1ish i am falling asleep. how did you get ahead on your sleep well enough to get you past the initial getting used to it? and do you keep that same schedule even on weekends or when you aren't working as far as sleep routine?

Esq.? sm - Posted By: bunny

Are all attorneys esq. ? What does esq. mean when following the name of an attorney?

ENTER NOW - Pulling from Santa's Bag! 1 MT Magnet - Posted By: & MT Mousepad courtesty of MTStuff.com (details in

To enter, click on the MTStars Santa's House banner at the top of the Main board or click on the link below. Do not attempt to enter by sending me an email.

Anone MTers use wireless connection for MT work such as Alltel sm - Posted By: Snowflake

Does it work well - all in can get in my area is dial-up at 26.4 SLOW!

ENTER NOW - Pulling from Santa's Bag $20.00 Avon Gift Cert. courtesy of Crystal King! - Posted By: See details inside on how to enter!

Please do not send an email to enter. To enter, click on the Santa's House banner or click on the link below

chat room - Posted By: mtjen

anyone ever use MT stars chat room? Just discovered it.

I need a land line and I need it now-suggetions? - Posted By: panicattack

I moved and I can't get a land line for (perhaps) another week. I've already lost a week's income because of the promblem (THANK YOU, CHARTER!!). I need a quick fix. I am open to any and all suggestions to getting set up on Friday with a land line or VoIP, even if it is with Vonage for a week until I get my land line phone to work with my DAC phone. I just moved into this apartment on Monday, but I let Charter know on 1/4 that the previous tenant had turned in her keys, but until she pays the outstanding balance -- heck, she probably hasn't even gotten her final bill yet!!!), they put a "freeze" on phone service. I got that unfrozen yesterday by going into their main local office with my lease agreement, but I have already lost a weeks' pay because of this and I need a quick fix. They installed my ISP and TV today. I REALLY need to work this weekend.

I am probably in real jeopordy of losing my job.

On top of this, when my son and his roommate came over last weekend to help me pack, they told me they had both lost their jobs to a family of Indians who had come in and bought out their store's owner. By our State's examination, only one passed the English literacy exam so she is the only only who can answer the phone. Since the 4 Indian brothers need the managers' positions and they bought 4 stores, 4 managers (my son any his roommate and 2 others) are out of jobs and another 25 or so have left because of the new managers' incompetence.

Please offer help in getting a land line so I can work. I am feeling so overwhelmed and it is hard to think with this kind of pressure. I'm thinking of installing Vonage's VoIP for a week until Charter can get their act together and I get their service. It's hard to reach other services like ATT when I don't have a phone to contact them. Charter changed their protocol for getting land lines last week (just my luck) and did not tell my installer/sales rep of the changes. They are telling the independent distributers it is because of having to reset 911. I call that baloney.

Can I get a cell phone? How would that connection fit together? OMG, I am so in panic mode. Please kick around some ideas so I don't have to start job hunting after 1 week after moving.

What's the best online dating service? - Posted By: Lonely this season-NM

NM

Offshoring going away too? - Posted By: RLA

Hi all;

Offshoring may not be the problem. All of the local med facilities here are moving to EMR (Electronic Medical Records) and releasing ALL of the transcriptionists, both in-house and contracted. Truth be told, we are more than a little worried over this. Has anyone else seen this move in their area? Is there a way to 'cash in' on this move to EMR? Thanks.

jammed dot matrix printer - Posted By: Eileen

I was wondering if anybody else uses a dot matrix printer. I have been doing this account for 10 years. We are constantly having the labels jam all the time. We use labels that the doctor's office provides. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Atkins Diet - Has anyone stayed on this program for the long run? - Posted By: Pokey

I've tried it a couple of times, did well, lost weight, but never really got going with the maintenance program. Has anyone done so? If so, I would appreciate any advice, hints, etc. Thanks!!

Need help, so confused - Posted By: jenny

I use short cut for windows as an expander. Today was the first time I ever checked the statistics. When I divide the total characters, including those put in by short cut, then divide by 65, my line count is 2415, (which is about what I used to do on my old job) if I take the total characters only transcribed, not the ones inserted by short cut, I get 1611 lines. The line counting program for my job gives me 1600 lines, does this mean that I am not getting compensated for anything put in my shorthand? If that is the case, then this is really discouraging and maybe I need to stop using my shortcut? Can anyone tell me if I am figuring this incorrectly. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance

Opinions please for Allergy work - Posted By: LilB

I have the opportunity to pick up some additional work for an Allergy/Asthma Clinic. I have not done allergy/asthma work before. How tough is it and how easy is it to transition into? I have over 10 years experience but mostly in Orthopaedics, Radiology, Family Practice, OB/GYN, and ERs. Also, for this account I would need to pick up and drop off the work. Do you think I could ask for $3.00 a page? All opinions appreciated. THANKS GUYS!

? for anyone who works on Meditech Magic. - Posted By: me

I'm starting a new account on Meditech. I've never worked on it. I haven't been through training, but after looking at the manual I have to say - UGH.

I've heard MTs who love it and many who say it is terrible. Can you give me some feedback, likes, dislikes, etc.

Are you able to make your lines in an 8-hour day? Does it have its own spellchecker or can you use Stedman's?

Breitner Transcription - Posted By: questioning

I did a search to find info in the archives on Breitner. I just completed their testing site in answer to the QA Specialist ad. Can anymore tell me anything about the company, how their pay rate is, etc.

Anyone have one of those all-in-one - Posted By: pools?...sm

They're blue, have the blow up ring around the top...We are thinking about getting one and would like some opinions if anyone has one of these pools and would like to share!

First time on verbatim - must VENT! - Posted By: NoNameMT

Disclaimer: I'm not perfect, never will claim to be...

Now that I've said that...I'm on my first-ever verbatim account, and the QA is making me nuts!

I have more than 20 years as an MT and have been on numerous accounts. I consider my skills solid, and I've never been on QA more than 3 days on a new account.

The QA folks are nice and they do a good job. But the details involved in this account are beyond anything that makes sense to me. I really don't know if I want to be on an account where I have to sweat each and every character placed on the page.

I'm only in my third day, and I'll give it a couple more. But if the feedback continues to be along the vein it is now and I can't make some headway, I think I'll have ot throw in the towel.

The last year has been tough for me in this industry; I feel like I've been through the wringer, and just want to find my niche.

I'm feeling tired and frustrated and insecure about my skills. And I think verbatim is for the birds!! Thanks for listening.

possible dental lab job? - Posted By: kris

Has anyone out there in MT land ever worked as, I guess you would call it, a dental lab person? I have a possible job opportunity to do this, making dental appliances, etc. It seems to have a high turnover, as the job ad in is the paper a couple of times a year. The ad always says, "someone who is good working with their hands, likes arts&crafts". Wondering what info someone might have who has done this? Evidently the pay is pretty good at this dentist office, although I think it is piecework $17-25/hour.

Meditech/radiology - Posted By: tia

Does anyone know if there is a way to get a line count in Meditech's radiology platform. Each report has a line counter at the top but that is all lines including blanks. MP count (Free program) does not work. Meditech has its own character counter/line counter for other reports. Just wondering if they did for radiology.

Trying It On For Size... - Posted By: Multiple IC positions?

I've been transcribing for nearly 10 years, so I'm no longer considered a *newbie,* but there are still a few things I don't know about, so I'm hitting this board to see if anyone can offer up some advice...

Does anyone out there work for more than one company as an independent contractor?

I already hold one IC position and I am considering taking on a couple of more. I have to commit to a certain amount of lines for each, but no set schedule. They all are paying the same primo-rate with no incentive scale, so it doesn't pay extra to put all my lines in with one company.

You might ask, *Why don't you just increase how much you are working with your first company?* Well, my answer is that I don't like having a primary and then having my backup account constantly changing in order to provide me with work. I am thinking that it would work better to work for a couple of different places, each giving me just one primary account (and yes, there are still companies who do that!), and then just sign off of one and onto another when the first one runs out of work...

In my mind, this works out beautifully, but since I have never done it before, I'm hoping to get some pointers for those of you who have.

Please help on Word Board - Posted By: Thank you! (nm)

xx

A Modern Parable --- see msg. - Posted By: Need a new start!

Some of you have probably already read this before, but for those that haven't, this was too close to reality for all of us, so I just had to share:

A Modern Parable:

A Japanese company ( Toyota ) and an American company (Ford Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River . Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The pension program was trimmed to "equal the competition" and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.

The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India ..

Sadly, the End.

Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US . The last quarter's results:

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

Ford folks are still scratching their heads and collecting bonuses��.

IF THIS WEREN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY.

Writing rates - Posted By: Curious Katrina

Hi all,

I know this is probably weird and not related to medical transcription. However, I have been doing MT for 3 years. I was just asked if I would like to update an article for an online job search. I had actually just given some information about a former job I had held for many years and wrote the site to let them know there were some inaccuracies in the article I had read. I got a response back asking if I would like to write some articles to fix the inaccuracies and he asked what I would charge to do so. I have written essays in college before, but I have never written an online article. So, I was wondering if there happened to be anyone on here that has done such and wondered if you guys had an idea of what a fair price to charge to do this.

Thank you in advance :)

Would you put up with this? (Another vent) - Posted By: me

I have worked with a company for over seven years as an IC. I work part time and whatever work I do that morning has to be turned in at 3:00, which gives me around a six hour turn around. I have two young kids and another account that I work on that has stats that I have to take care of too. I have only gotten one raise in seven years, and a crappy one at that. Every other company I have worked for gives me at least about 24 hours to get it back to them. I am trying to get my kids ready for school and I also have other things going on at the moment. I get an email in all caps "I NEED THE WORK NOW." I am just so fed up with this. I don't want to quit because the work is easy for me since I have been doing it so long, but I feel the need to put my foot down.

line count and pay - Posted By: meg

I switched companies, and used to be paid by line including blanks, such as lines between headings. At this new company, it is by 65-character line. Is this the industry standard? Am I spoiled?

8-1/2 cpl as employee = what as IC - Posted By: Beezle

I'm just considering the tax ramifications. They have worthless insurance (reimburses doctors at the rate they get paid by Medicare and you know how doctors don't want to see Medicare patients) so I'm going to get my own insurance and add it to the line count, but not considering PTO, etc. (which they don't have) Their owner (never done MT) pulled out his calculator and said 8.5 as an employee equals 9 as an IC. That doesn't sound right, does it?

Transcription Companies - Posted By: anybody have this problem

I recently tested for a part-time job with one of the companies listed on mtjobs. The test was easy and I had it typed and back to the company within half an hour. I received an email late yesterday stating that my score was very high but there were others who scored higher and they would be getting the posted jobs but that they would keep my resume on file. Now the problem is, I was only looking for PT work. I have a FT job where I've been at the same company for 6 years and am a team lead and senior Editor plus I have over 20 years experience in the transcription field. I know I do quality work and I correct a multitude of errors everyday all while keeping within the accuracy range that my company requires. I am just a bit disturbed that they have the nerve to tell me my score was very high but not high enough. What were they expecting a grade over 100? My other guess is is that they probably only had one job to fill and it went to somebody's aunt or sister....I have really come to the point where I feel the transcription industry is going downhill fast and I like other people on this board are past ready to jump ship and get a real job...

How do I clean my keyboard? - Posted By: Keyboard help please :)

My keyboard is getting nasty down under the keys. The vacuum used to do the trick, but now some dust, crumbs, and Lord knows what else remains in the bottom of the tray. If I unscrew the screws on the bottom, will that allow me to lift the top off?

I figured I would ask, because I often do things like that only to end up with the wrong part coming off or nothing at all happens. (I hate that.)

Any tips appreciated!