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Feeling too guilty to work after son breaks down. - Posted By: Feeling Guilty

My son is 9 years old and I love him very much. The very reason I started doing transcription was to be home with him. Where we live we have no family nearby so it is just me, my husband and my son. I recently lost the account I had been on for 6 years and was moved to a new account that is 3 times bigger with 3 times more doctors and all new way of doing transcription. Needless to say, this has slowed me down work wise a lot. I am slowly learning the new account but now I just don't have the get up and go to work. My son just broke down in tears before going to bed, telling me he feels like all I do is work anymore and don't have time for him. The sad part is that I feel the same way but I am having to work more hours to keep full time on new account. I love my son more than anything. He is my life. I really need to find a better balance between work and home but this seems impossible. All I can do now is sit and cry myself, knowing my son feels this sad and upset. If anyone has had similar situation and has any advice, I'll take it.

please see my post on pressure valve (nm) - Posted By: re: ex-boyfriend

Do you get holiday pay? - Posted By: me

How many of you work for companies who give holiday pay premiums or time off with pay? Mine doesn't give either and it sucks!

Another WordPerfect question sm - Posted By: Dreamweaver

I had to install WordPerfect 6.1 for a new client's work. I already have WordPerfect Suite 12 on my computer, but now WP 6.1 is apparently set up as the default WP program and any time I open a WP document from the Documents menu instead of with WP 12 running, it opens as a WP 6.1 document.

How do I re-set WP 12 as the default WP program?? I have a ton of personal documents in there (I don't currently use it for a client). I wouldn't mind so much, except that one document I use all the time, my telephone list, opens in WP 6.1 (instead of WP 12, where I originally created it) and then when I try to scroll down it says "insufficient memory" and the program closes. HELP!!!!

TIA.

Medical Bazaar is Indian and horrid. Avoid like the plague. - Posted By: In the know

escription expander? - Posted By: RandomMT

I am considering taking a job where escription is the platform but forgot what the Expander is like. Can I transfer my InstantText or autocorrect file into it?

Thanks!

Lines - Posted By: Sarah

Can anyone explain to me what 65 character B & W line is?

Thanks for the info.

Need help with invoice... - Posted By: DG

Does anyone have any samples or know where I can obtain some. I have looked everywhere. I did a fill-in transcription job for the past week and now I need to submit an invoice, but I have never done one. Please help!!!

Can anywone recommend a good vacuum cleaner? My old one broke and has to be replaced. Thanks. NM - Posted By: MTSO

nm

GUIDELINES - Posted By: MQ FT

What did we ever do before style guidelines? How did we ever type? I guess we have been doing it wrong for all these years. Now we are being graded. What is that about. Am I in grade school. I have been there and done that. Went to college and being treated like an idiot.

I would to see these supervisors and corporate try to sit and type all day.

instant text - Posted By: waiting for spring

help! I am having a problem figuring out how to put the AXIS I-V diagnosis into the expander. For instance, when I expand AXIS II it comes out to AXIS I on my screen because it moves up the line as I select it from IT running across the screen. As you can imagine it happens to the other AXIS diagnoses. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Is it too much to ask for doctors to be more courteous dictators?... - Posted By: sm

Speaking to all of you, and realizing we are all in the same boat, I guess I am curious to know how you feel about doctors and their dictating habits. Is it that they don�t realize we are being paid so little and if they did would it make them more considerate??? I am not talking about the foreigners, they have an excuse, but the ones that answer their cell phones and have a 5 minute conversation while dictating, or how about the ones that talk way too fast or use a lot of slang, chew gum, eat, have conversations with office staff or patients, dictate five lines and tell you to delete that paragraph, or just act plain goofy? Maybe I am being too sensitive but working VR and getting 3 cents a line. . . well it is getting on my last nerve!!!

READ - EVERYONE - Posted By: Goldbird (Moderator)

This is a public forum. While there is certain language that will be not tolerated, we are not going to delete every post that deems another post "stupid", "idiot", "moron", "hag", "retarded", etc. If I removed every post that had such petty name-calling in it, more than 50% of the posts would be removed.

The fact is everyone's opinion of abusive or hateful is different. We try to moderate as little as possible. I am not the board police or kindergarten cop. Neither am I on this board 24/7 trying to watch for every single offender in order to slap them on the wrist and shake my finger in their face and make them play nice.

Simply don't read posts that are offensive to you. If there is swearing, hate speech, vulgar language, threats, by all means report those posts. However, please consider that this is a public forum and that there simply has to be some tolerance here.

No one is forced to post nor read. Everyone should look for the posts that are of interest to them. Yes, it would be nice if all posters were mature in their discussion; however, they are not.

If anyone needs or wants to discuss this policy, please do e-mail me.

Goldbird

Does anybody else ever have days that you just - Posted By: wannie

absolutely depise transcription? Usually I enjoy my job, but today McDonald's, Hardee's, Pizza Hut, cleaning toilets, etc. is looking better.

Tech support for Dictaphone - Posted By: Wanda

Does anyone know where I go to get tech support for Dictaphone foot pedal 148519, the one that you use with adapter? I can't get my computer to pick it up. So I don't know what to do.

Regarding the CMT exam, do you have to show proof - Posted By: of your 2 years of acute care experience??

nm

Any horse lovers out there who would care to email me. I have - Posted By: pkmt

a problem with a skin infection on an Arab. Need some advice or chat websites. Thanks.

RE: Tax question. Long - sm - Posted By: Kris

I work IC for one company and employee for another. I had $50 extra taken out per pay period from the employee status company for federal tax and also paid in quarterly. My husband and I are getting about $1200 back from federal. We are thinking about just having extra taken out from his and not do quarterly taxes. Does anyone have any insight they can provide me on this?

WORD EXPANDER - Posted By: Jacqueline

Does anyone know what shortcuts program works with wordperfect 5.1?

Empty Queue - try freerice.org - Posted By: birdlady

An MT told me about this site, it's interesting..

MT Student Has Question - Posted By: Jessica

Hi,
I am a medical transcription student at Sinclair Community College in Ohio and I am taking a business communications class that requires me to interview a medical transcriptionist. I don't know any MTs personally so I was wondering if anyone here could possibly answer 10 questions for me. I would really appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!! The questions are below.

1. How long have you worked as a medical transcriptionist?
2. What certification have you received?
3. What attracted you to pursuing a career in medical transcription?
4. What type of environment do you work in (i.e. from home, physician�s office, hospital, other).
5. What do you think are the most important skills a medical Transcriptionist should have?
6. Did some skills come naturally to you, while others required more practice?
7. In addition to transcribing medical reports, do you engage in other forms of business writing while on the job (such as memos, proposals, or progress reports, etc.) to clients, coworkers, or supervisors? Please explain.
8. What do you think is the most difficult aspect of medical transcription?
9. What do you find to be the easiest aspect of medical transcription?
10. As a medical transcriptionist, do you often need to collaborate with others to ensure that all the information in your reports is correct?

THANK YOU!!!

Help creating letterhead templates - Posted By: libby

I would like to take an existing letterhead, scan it and create a template for it that can be pulled up and typed right into. Someone I used to know did this for one of my accounts at one time, but I have no clue on how she did it and no contact with her anymore. It doesn't seem like this should be anything difficult to do, but I have played around with it and just can't figure it out.

Would really appreciate any pointers, or even links/websites where I might be able to find simplified information on how to do this. I am a little "behind the times" and not very experienced on much besides typing at this point. I will be changing direction soon and need to update my ways of doing things.

Thank you in advance for any tips or direction.

Keyboard Opinions - Avant versus Kinesis - Posted By: Dixierose

I am faced with a decision between these 2 keyboards, both with pros and cons. I would like to take a survey to see what everyone's opinion would be. I strongly prefer a programmable keyboard, as I would like to change some of the keys around to suit me, but will I regret not having an ergo keyboard in the long run? Will I like the IBM clicky type keys?

KINESIS FREESTYLE KEYBOARD
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-v3-10-blk_690x306.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo_us_legend.jpg

It splits and tents.
Delete key is on left side (which I love)
All other function keys are in the wrong place for me.
Quiet low-force tactile membrane switch
10 function keys on left
Keypad separate purchase
2 year warranty
60-day money back guarantee
Price: $124.15 with the options I chose

AVANT STELLAR KEYBOARD
http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/Avant-Stellar-Programmable-Keyboard/productinfo/KB%2D00%2D1001/
(click on additional images for close up)
I actually went to the manufacturer website (http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm) but they didn�t have any large photos so I went to a reseller for larger images.

Straight keyboard
Can program any key to another function.
Mechanical click/tactile key switches like the old IBM keyboards
12 function keys on left that can be reprogrammed
Keypad built in
2 year warranty
30-day money back guarantee
Price: $189.00
Macro programming features
PS/2 interface but can buy PS to USB cord (I find this a little odd)
Programming software not compatible with Vista but can be programmed through the keyboard

This is from the sales rep I spoke to this week:
Have you ever heard of Northgate OmniKey keyboards? We purchased the rights to the keyboards when they went out of business. It is like typing on an old IBM keyboard. It is a loud click, you know when you hit a key. A lot of customers say they make fewer errors and I personally agree. I have had my Avant for a little over 10 years and I type all day long. I also have one at home. It might help for you to listen to this review on our website: http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/menu.htm
Click on HEAR OUR INTERVIEW ON Lets talk Computers. Avant is VERY reliable. We sell to a lot of medical transcriptionists, writers, gamers, call center operators, etc. People that type 8 hours a day 5+ days per week. Our keyboards can really take a beating.

What'cha think?

FOOT PEDALS - Posted By: Phyllis

I need help quickly. Someone gave me a foot pedal with a serial adapter. However, there is no serial port on my new computer. Is there any way I would be able to use this foot pedal with my new computer? Thanks in advance for your help.

Keep your present job while trying out a new company; the grass may not be greener - Posted By: n/m

nm

Specialty dictation - Posted By: curious

Just wondering how many lines within 8 hours do you "speciality" transcriptionists type? Not acute care, not SOAP notes, just the specialty accounts?

I type for 11 different specialities that just feed into my "pool" of dictation randomly and am lucky to accomplish 1000 to 1200 lines within 8 hours -- any suggestions on how I can increase this number of lines would be greatly appreciated.

Physical therapy format needed... - Posted By: tbpmt

I just started a new account which is typed in a form in Word. It is not very efficient. Can anyone suggest where I can find a basic format for transcribing physical therapy evaluations.

Thanks

I would love to be an MT - Posted By: NAREY

But I have been doing my research before getting into the program...and every website that I see will not hire unless you have experience!! I did find ONE place that would hire a newbie....but it was FULL TIME!! I need at home....part time...for about four hours a day b/c I have a baby.

Is this possible anyone? Tell me your experiences. This is a lot of money to spend if I can't find a job once I have finished!!!!

comments on platform MTword? - Posted By: western gal

I think I have heard good things about this platform and would appreciate any and all comments, good and/or bad.

Thanks so much.

not holier than thou - Posted By: moral dilemma about our profession...

my belief system does not allow me to do ITOPs and has me really boxed in trying to find employment. been offered 2 really good jobs lately and now realizing that working for MTSO versus my old inhouse job might not work. Any ideas?

can't get on word board - Posted By: ginny

Please excuse me posting on this one - sounds like "Parogy" material in sacropexy. Thanks !

QA editors, this is how I would - Posted By: QA people, this is how I would

like to be corrected (general format): (a) Here is your error. (b) Here is how I want it done (c) If this is a change, this is a notice of the change (d) If I have had to correct you on this before, consider this a warning. (e) This correction deserves some explanation, so here it is. (f) Research this first, but if you really do not understand it, contact me. There are no unnecessary remarks either way. There are no attempts to toss mean shots, because they serve no purpose. A professional QA Editor can teach a new MT a great deal, and get that newbie to work WITH her, by setting a good example in terms of professional behavior.

An IC question on production... please see message... - Posted By: tpmt

Do any ICs with their own accounts charge more for extra work? For example, contracted with a small hospital, there are certain times of the year when there is hardly any work and then BOOM the next week doctors decided to dictate their charts from weeks ago or there is a heavy load of patients in the hospital. Turnaround is still the same no matter how many patients are admitted that week so Transcriptionist ends up working longer hours to get it done within time frame. Again, my question is do you charge more for type more within a short time frame and if so, what is production limit that you start charge more?

Thanks for any help.

I'm being overpaid! - Posted By: kyradmt

I just discovered that I was paid for overtime I didn't work on my last paycheck! How could MedQuist do this to me???

Meridian - Posted By: Cynthia Attebury

I tried to post this earlier and dont think it went. I am wanting to know if anyone is familiar with Meridian HealthCare Solutions out of Indianapolis and also how easy DocuScribe is to use?

Attention, Pittsburgh Steelers fans! - Posted By: Fatty

HGTV DESIGN STAR - sm - Posted By: curious

Anyone else vote online or text message for one of these kids? Just curious as to which one you voted for....my vote was for David. Alice's designs did nothing for me, and she had a somewhat fake affect. Any other opinions?

anyone free to use the chat? - Posted By: mandy

i am there now.

Do you always consider 8 cpl too low a rate? - Posted By: What if it is a clinic account and sm

you have one doctor that you have every day unless he's on vacation, the doctor uses a lot of the same phrases constantly, usually does 900 or so lines a day, and it only takes you about 3 hours to do his work? I have one like this. He's an ESL and does have an accent but I understand him perfectly.

Also have another account, same situation but instead of clinic notes is an endocrine doctor dictating letters to referring physicians. Again ESL but I can understand him perfectly. I have to put in addresses but I just make macros for all of them so after a while I have most of the addresses he uses. Again, 8 cpl and I average 250 to 300 lph. Usually 900 to 1000 lpd. Is that so bad?

I guess it would be different if you had a bunch of different doctors but doing the some ones every day you get used to them.

It's Monday - Posted By: AnnieM!AnnieM!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I come here to gain insight, vent, laugh, commiserate, learn, and share. Maybe we can start the week by ignoring the few that come on here to attack, belittle and chastise. Constructive criticism is great as are differences of opinion. Isn't that what this site is supposed to be all about? Name-calling and bullying are what we teach our children not to do. When it happens TO our children, we tell them to ignore it.

Anyone use VoIP phone system - Posted By: cowpatty

and are you having problems with connectivity? We switched to internet-based phone service a few weeks ago and recently I started having problems with downloading the voice. I get the report but without any voice. If you have had this problem, how did you remedy it? I'm about at my wit's end. Thanks!

Pattie - DO tell me about - Posted By: ER MT

your floating home! Is this floating as on a river? It sounds wonderful! What's it like and how do you get power?

I saw a job posting today that wants the applicant to submit.... - Posted By: bewilderedMT

a bid per line. Have any of you ever heard of that? Would you have any advice as to how to bid for the job with having almost nine years of experience in orthopedics? I have been paid various line counts over the years, all with different formulas.....any suggestions?

TIA

c-phone. Can somebody tell me - Posted By: mtv

what it is and exactly how it works.

in preparation for conscious sedation - Posted By: SOS

the patient had a good Mallampati score with good _______ distance. Help anyone? s/l thyromaly test distance??? UGH #@#* GRRR

need help with project - Posted By: iagirl

I am trying to work on graduation announcement, but running into problem. I cannot figure out how to get microsoft project into landscape. I need 3 columns on a page with the page turned sideways. It used to be in the print setup, but cannot find it now. Does anyone know how to do this?

Is anyone watching Hell's Kitchen? If you think MT is hard, watch this show. The abuse of the - Posted By: Just curious

wannabe chefs is second only to MT abuse by the nationals. Really, to work in a kitchen in a restaurant seems the hardest job ever pressure-wise. I say this after watching "The Restaurant" and "Hell's Kitchen" reality TV. I wonder what the pay is to subject yourself to this agony and pressure.

need help!! newbie! - Posted By: miss lynn

could someone give me some tips/inside info on how i can get into this field on a part time basis? i have 9+ years of medical coding/billing experience - 4 yrs. specializing in OB/GYN and over 5 yrs. PT/OT and Orthopaedics. is it possible to get hired on experience alone and no classes or certification?

thanks!

Does anyone use a space heater under their desk? Is it safe? sm - Posted By: j

My computer tower is also on the floor under the desk, could this make the computer itself too hot? I get so uncomfortably cold working in my lower level of my house, so I bought a space heater, but I can't get it close enough to warm my feet up, I would like it under my desk. Safe or not? Thanks in advance.

Another contract lost to offshoring . nm - Posted By: old ears

My company recently bid on a contract that was lost to offshoring. I cannot find hard evidence that they offshore, but there are tons of links on Indian sites indicating that they have their fingers over there. I have 10 days to dispute the bid, because it specifically says must be done on US soil. Any help here guys? Will be a small blow to the offshoring mess, but a step. I won't necessarily win the contract, but would like to see a US MTSO or MT IC get the contract.

The company is Clairsol with a posted address in New Jersey. Any information please share with insight, first hand knowledge, or links on the web to indicate offshore involvement.

Thanks!