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How does one get into being a veterinary assistant/tech? sm - Posted By: Metu

Are there schools to go to or does the vet train you?

Best word expander? - Posted By: Stargazer

What is the most efficient word Expander to use with Windows XP? Do any of them utilize the space bar to expand the word (I find hitting the return key takes more time)? Is Smart-Type any good ?

I did not start this to divide us..It was to unite us - Posted By: lets fight

I am in the beginning stages of this fight..Whether HIPAA is a fighting point or not I am not yet sure..It was a thought...I am researching more on Homeland Security...HIPAA and this new electronic medical record thing that people have been speaking about...While I research..All I am asking for is two things one is if you are willing to go forth with this with me...I blind copy mass emails so NO ONE will get your emaill address... And two give me ideas and guidance...If when the research is done and it doesn't look like it will fly what have you lost,,,nothing..What have I lost a lot of time and energy but at least I gain knowledge...Lets not fight amongst ourselves that was not the idea...

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Quick question to Instant Text users: What does this come with? sm- - Posted By: backandforth

May be a dumb question, but is it a download or a CD? Once you pay, can you use it on multiple computers? I have several computers in different locations I use to transcribe, including a laptop, and am wondering if this can be used at multiple computers with just the one purchase. I have found several sites where you can purchase it. Any suggestions as to the best site to purchase it? Looks like a great program. Thanks ahead of time!

EMDAT/InScribe foot pedal issues - Posted By: CB

I have an Infinity foot pedal that I am using with EMDAT/InScribe. The pedal works, just not very well. There is a 2-3 second delay and sometimes it will not stop the audio. I cannot play the audio file at all if I am not in the InScribe program window. Sometimes I will lose the audio all together if I am on the web researching things. It is very frustrating! I have tried every suggestion on the support page. I have updated everything on my computer and ran every scan possible. I do not want to buy a new pedal as this one works. I hope there is some kind of "fix" for this. Any suggestions would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

I am running Windows XP professional with Service Pack 3, DSL, Trend antivirus, and the latest versions of Windows Media Player, IE, InScribe, etc.

Thank you Thank You THANK YOU in advance!

I have to tell this ... - Posted By: Nunniemus

I have worked at the same company for 10 years, IC, no benefits, nada. I don't mind working like a horse day in and day out, sometimes 7 days a week w/o shift differential, I need the money, all 7 cpl of it. Basic 4, clinic notes, ESL, I do it all.

I have watched the company grow and grow and know that this past year the revenue was $3 million. I know the bosses and owners live in big home with acres and take nice vacations. I still don't mind, I get by, and enjoy my little house and garden and can cut back when necessary to pay my bills, rent, utilities, groceries, etc.

Anyhooo today I received a card in the mail that said happy MT day, we appreciate all you've done for the company, your contribution is appreciated, etc. And a gift card from Wal-mart.

My heart picked up the beat a little. I thought, maybe it's $50 bucks and I can have a nice Memorial day bar-b-que this weekend with ribs along with those burgers and hotdogs.

So I scratch off the silver on the back and call the 888 number to see what the gift amount is. It is $5.00!!!! I called 3 times to make sure I was hearing this correctly.

Am I right to feel like I've been slapped in the face? $5 !?

Transcription company - Posted By: sm

Anyone heard of a company called Priority Medical? I sent my resume to the owner **** but when I check on Internet Priority Medical is not owned by her and she claims she is the owner. How can I be sure?

I am looking for samples of podiatry notes typed in SOAP format. sm - Posted By: Jan

I have a potential client who would like to see some samples typed up and then let him know how much that report would cost. I charge by the line, and this is something that he is not familar with. Would appreciate about 3 or 4 reports, hopefully one of them being lengthy. TIA

Why is it that when you owe money, they're real - Posted By: venting about $$$$ nonMT

jerks about collecting on it, such as taxes or medical bills. However, when the shoe's on the other foot, do you think they pay up in a timely manner? We're owed tax money from 2002 that we're still waiting for. There was some kind of mixup with the IRS, so we had to pay the taxes or they threatened us with collection. I had to file an amended return to get our money back from their mistake. The amended return was received over six months ago.

The medical company owes me a refund from a year ago because they forced me to make payments and threatened me with collection on my account. They are the ones that didn't provide documentation or follow up with the insurance company. I had to do it for them! I should be happy that I'm even getting my own money back, but I need it today. Even the bank messed up on me last night. We made a car payment by check that got taken out through ACH electronic check processing and they deposited the check, too. They got a double car payment from us because of their mistake. It's going to take the bank two days to research it and process the credit on my account. I don't think so! These people need to cough up MY money NOW!

SETTING UP A QA PROGRAM - Posted By: Quality gal

Need some ideas/suggestions for setting up a very tight QA program. I have no idea where to start with this one. Any help is appreciated.

How do you eat your corn on the cob? - Posted By: KS

Vertically or horizontally?

Just wondering.

Foot pedal - Posted By: Wanda

How do you know what foot pedal and head set to invest in? Are they all pretty much the same? wav pedal, digital pedal, computer pedal? Are these different kinds or just diff names. I've always done my transcribing from mini tapes. Thanks in advance.

What's for Dinner? - Posted By: hungry typer

Tried everything --- - Posted By: forum subject still missing

Please help!!! I really love to this site, switch forum subject, recently all forum subject was missing when I open the main board. It's just the "top, home, contact" thing that keeps on following you when you scroll up and down that remains on the blue box

This is what's written in my links: http://forum.mtstars.com/main/boards

OK so, may I know what is written in your links.

Thanks in Advance!! I'll appreciate any help!!

Please don't delete - We need you! - Posted By: Veteran

I do not understand why this post continues to be deleted. I am simply stating what you have already said in your statement to the board. It IS sad to think that this wonderful board, who has been so supportive of American MTs, seems to have given up the good fight. I truly believe if legislation to enforce HIPAA regulations, as well as regulations on financial records, is focused on, rather than simply trying to compete monetarily with offshoring (which, frankly, we cannot do), we will have a real chance of at least stopping the flow of medical and financial personal records from leaving this country. Just because outsourcing exists does not make it right, and as long as we continue to fight it there is a chance to make a real difference. There are still many, MANY physicians for whom the "bottom line" is not the most important aspect of transcription, and many others who have experience offshore transcription first hand and realize the quality is not there. As long as there are people in this industry like Sheri with integrity and the willingness to fight for what they believe, even if it is against the odds, there is hope. THAT is why I am quite saddened to see this particular forum, one of the staunchest supporters of US-only transcription for US physicians, fall by the wayside. I don't think I"m bashing anyone. I'm just hoping you will reconsider. We need people like you!!

Technical help - Posted By: desert girl

I'm really lousy in the technical department and I just got a message on my computer that my local C disc space is almost full. I'm thinking I need to empty my recycle bin, but not sure. It is quite full, as I type the reports in Word and send through Outlook Express. Is that what this means? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Express Scribe experts, I need your help, please. sm - Posted By: Tech challenged

I'm having trouble getting my pedal to work with Express Scribe. I need to transcribe in WP5.1 so the hotkeys conflict if I went that route. I use the same pedal for 2 other companies and it is installed in a game port to work with a VXP player. I downloaded the hidwatch driver but that apparently only works for USB pedals. My pedal is not USB.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Hey what's for supper? - Posted By: Supper-maker

I made some of that pasta mix with the veggies from Schwan's with alfredo sauce and garlic bread. Cinnamon applesauce for dessert. Yum.

He is already in trouble. - Posted By: Jodi

He just had his sister call me which is a direct violation of his Stay Away Order. Tee hee. The police officer last night told me that no matter what he tells him that he WILL do at least one of the three things to violate the order. Ta Da, he obviously hasn't improved his listening skills in 24 hours. He will never ever change. He doesn't hear God knocking like I did. I pity him in his blindness, but not very much....

Switching to Digital - Posted By: LilB

Can anyone tell me anything about switching to digital? I only have one very small account of my own but the tape quality is awful. With only 1 account is it even feasible to do so? Thanks guys.

Does anyone know a good lawyer? - Posted By: MTSO

I am faced with my clients demanding I use the "AAMT" line count which is characters divided by 65. This cuts my income by 33% from my usual gross line. They came right out and said AAMT line. Even though AAMt has disavowed this, they put the seed in the minds of the powers that be and I want compensation from those who did me wrong. Please let me know if anyone knows of a good lawyer. TIA.

Eavesdropping .... when docs forget to hang up! - Posted By: MTforLIFE

Does anyone have any juicy gossip us MT's are forced to hear when docs forget to hang up the phone after dictating?

Well, I had a 57 minute report to listen to once, coming from the surgeon's lounge. Most of it was pretty boring - except when this one, young, cute surgeon was talking about how good it feels to put BenGay on his testicles!!!! I kid you not people - this is what I heard. I thought I was going to fall off the chair. And do you know, to this day, I cannot look that guy in the eye without envisioning that!!! God help me!! lol

Stolen computers from the VA Hospital------ - Posted By: mee

Did you hear about the two different workplaces getting their computers stolen? Someone from the Veterens Hospital brought a computer home to their house and then is was stolen. It has at least 50,000 name of Veterens whose medical conditions and personal information was on it. The news said the diagnostic codes are universal and can be easily read. Someone else was on a plane and their laptop was stolen which had Stop and Shop employees info on it. Then at a college in CT someone broke into the computer system and they are not sure what was taken so they sent a letter to anyone who was associated with that college in the last8 years even if you got a letter because you were inquiring about that college and so my daughters had to call the credit bureau to warn them because my two daugters are associated with that college.

any opinion on working for VA hospitals....dont know a thing about them. - Posted By: bd

are they pretty much compared to any reg hosp? or is there something i should know?

MT pet peeves - Posted By: peeved pet

I can't stand it any longer. I have to vent! I have two pet peeves that are driving me crazy.

Number 1 is music playing in the background during the dictation; not the overhead "elevator" music that's piped in....I'm talking a radio sitting right next to the dictator! Number 2 is the dictator carrying on a conversation with others in the room....laughing, telling jokes, discussing weekend plans, while the dictation system is running. I have to sit here and listen to the whole conversation because I don't know when he or she will decide to resume dictating. Ahhh....I feel so much better now.

Anyone use Cox Communications for unlimited long distance? Just wondering how their service is. - Posted By: sm

There aren't too many reasonable choices here in the Midwest, unless you know of some out there. Thanks for the input!

Question. How many MTs sit and wait for work when companies overhire and there is not enough work - Posted By: NewMT

on your shift. Is this what these companies want for people to sit around and wait on work. As an IC, this probably doesnt amount to even close to minimum wage. What do you do in these cases of no work and sitting waiting for practically nothing to come in when obviously lots of others are doing the same thing. It actually almost seems as though you need to have 2 jobs to survive in this business really. I cant image how you can get the lines in they require. Crazy business this is.

can you work for two different trans. companies? - Posted By: JUST ME

JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS POSSIBLE AND/OR LEGAL?

alternative keyboards - Posted By: Sharon

Is anybody using an alternative keyboard? I have seen some pretty nifty designs and wonder which one has the most sensitive touch. Any users of the kinesis contoured keyboard?? Please give your comments, as I am currently shopping...

software to transfer files quick - Posted By: Eileen

Is there any software out there that is cheap and transfers my files easy, as I am running out of space on my computer and would like to transfer them to a cd disc for each year. I already created the folders. Any help would be appreciated.

I have room -- do you? - Posted By: Small home, lower middle class

Looking at all of those thousands of displaced, hardworking, honest people and families you have to know that their homes and jobs are simply gone. They will need to start over elsewhere.

Can someone create an information bank of those of us willing to offer housing availablity (such as an extra bedroom) on a short-term basis. Sort of a temporary arrangement for the family to have shelter and food while looking for a new job/home etc?

Is there an agency for this?

Financial Assistance??? - Posted By: Ravennwings

I am currently a full-time-college-student-but-otherwise-SAHM. Pretty soon we'll be needing more money, but I have neither time nor resources (day care around here is INSANELY expensive) to work outside the home. I've been doing the reasearch and have come to the conclusion that MT is a good job option for me.

The problem is the training is sooo expensive! I mean,if we didn't need the money I wouldn't be looking for the training to begin with--so obviously I don't have $1600-4000 up front for the training. And most of the payment plans I see aren't looking much better--like $1000 up front, $350 every month after that. Right now that's just not feasable.

Are there any MT schools that offer reasonable financial assistance? Or, I'd even be cool with a payment deferment plan or something!

Anybody know of a school that's willing to help the financially strapped?

Easter Dinner What are you making? - Posted By: HungryMT

For those preparing an Easter dinner, what are you making this year?

I think Pete's Pond is up and running again...can anyone..sm - Posted By: Melissa

tell me how to have this play so I can watch it while working? I did it last year but can't remember how I did it! Thanks.

JLG Transcription, FL - Posted By: gigli

Looking for information/references from MTs in regards to working for this company. Any information would be most grateful

To The Singing MT - Posted By: Retta

Have you heard of The Singing Podiatrist? I stumbled upon her very interesting site. She has a lovely voice

Convert 9 pin to USB? - Posted By: MT NW

Help please! Does anyone know where to buy an adapter to convert a 9 pin pedal to usb? Appreciate the help!

Flashing Icons - Posted By: Cece

What are the flashing icons beside the job postings on the Job Seeker's Board? Are they intended to indicate that the jobs have been filled or still open? Thank you.

Carpal tunnel surgery?? - Posted By: mammamt

Has anyone had the surgery on both hands? I just got done with the left hand and now will have the right hand done next week. Just wondering if you are right handed if that hand takes longer to heal. My left healed enough for me to type in about three weeks. I am hoping my right does too. I want to change companies, but cannot really apply for any jobs or even test if I do not know when I can start.

Thanks for any help. I am new here and it has been a wealth of info for me.

Problem with Transnet - Posted By: Radtyper

Is there anyone who has used Dictaphone Transnet with Windows XP that experiences a problem with it closing down occasionally upon doing a rewind/listen or lifting your foot on/off the foot pedal to listen? Sometimes the voice gets garbled, sometimes the program shuts down. Any resolutions? Thanks

An Outsourced Life -- anyone see that on MSNBC? - Posted By: Amy

I didn't know whether to laugh or be disgusted, so I have decided to do both.

Just saw a story on MSNBC about some jerk (an American jerk, looks like the biggest geek in the world) who has outsourced all his worries to a Pakistan company and a young, pretty Pakistani girl named "Honey" takes care of answering all his emails for work, for home, for his family, etc. Hired a second Pakistani woman, a middle-aged woman (forget her name) to handle his WIFE. When his wife is upset with him or he with her, he emails this Pakistani woman and she handles it -- emails the wife and argues FOR this jerk. Even picks out the gifts he gives his kids and wife. OMG.

What a stupidman for doing it and, I must say, a stupid woman for putting up with that.

How's that for Americans outsourcing everything and sending it overseas?!

Posting name - Posted By: Pat

Why did my full name show up on a posting? Never did before.

How bad is this going to make me look. - Posted By: Texas Girl

I signed on with a company 2 weeks ago. I got set up with IT last Thursday. Friday I was supposed to train but the postponed it because the trainer had something else to do. It was supposed to be today. I had asked for a specific time and they said sometime during the morning but did not know when. I waited by the phone all morning, no phone call, no e-mail nothing. I e-mailed the recruiter to ask if she could find out the exact time. She e-mailed me back hours later this evening at 6 p.m. and gave me the name of the trainer. I had already promised my girls I would take them to family night at the swimming pool. We were supposed to meet friends there as well. I am really frustrated with this. I had already given my notice at my other job so I really need this job but how bad would it look if I asked to postpone again? My shift hours were supposed to be 8 to 4:30 Tues through Saturday so this would be out of my shift hours anyway. I would have never planned something like that if I would have known they were going to schedule training that late. I get really frustrated sitting by the phone. The IT guy did that to me as well. He was supposed to call at 10 and it was 11:30 before he called. Oh well, I know people are busy and I guess I should practice more on my patience.

OSi - Posted By: anon

No work continues. When are we going to be honestly treated with an explanation, placed on other accounts or just be fairly dealt with by a lay-off which is much better than trying to live with no work???? At least long-term employees would be able to buy groceries with unemployment while searching for another position elsewhere.

stedman's editions - Posted By: rookie

is it worth buying the latest 2004 stedman edition vs. a 2002 edition. I debating on getting one for the GI and GU book. Wondering if a nephrology transcription can let me know if there's such a difference among the two. Thanks

HELP! - Posted By: mc

Can someone please help me? I am trying to figure out a syndrome diagnosed by a rheumatologist by a skin biopsy that sounds like arrolidanilous syndrome. Please help! Thanks!

my phone co busted me - Posted By: kels

My phone co, which i have been transcribing through for 10 yrs says I am using their long distance service for business and they will not give me unlimited long distance - i will not have to pay 3.9 cents per min. which comes out to be very expensive. I cannot get it through local service as the # I call into is long distance. Any ideas???

Ohhhh, the TEMPTATION... - Posted By: A. Nony. Moso.

... sent my team lead an e-mail message asking what to do when the patient being dictated on is a brand-new newborn baby, who apparently does not have an account in the system yet, and thus no demographic information can be found for the patient.

She wrote back and actually asked again if the dictation was on the baby or the mother.

I would not have asked the question if it had been the mother, who has an account in the system. Honestly, I am not THAT dumb. But I was good. I refrained from pointing this out, and merely answered "yes, it's the baby."

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Transcription South Inc - Posted By: Lee

All these days I was told that TSI is a "do not outsource company" but I was shocked to find this claim on the net by an unknown Indian company in their site "SSAPL, parent company of ISPL has recently acquired Transcription South Inc.(TSI), in Florida which is now a sister concern of ISPL and has been serving hospitals from Tallahassee to Miami for over twenty five years." (infovisionsoftware.net) Can anybody shed some light on it

8 cents per line 65 character - Posted By: Leanne

At 8 cents a line, to me, that should be just straight typing. No looking up - leaving a blank, and no struggling more than 1 time to make out what some doctor is mumbling. I am sorry, please don't tell me I have a bad attitude, but each and everyone of us is worth more than 8 cents a line. When we were paid (in the past) at a higher rate, it made up for the researching or trying to figure out what the doctor is saying. I had been out of this work for quite some time. Worked in a hospital for 22.00 an hour for years, worked part time for a service for about 9 cents a line - maybe 3 days a week for 4 hours a day. I did not pay attention that closely then as I had the hospital job. But now, working 8 hours (or more.) This is complete and total B.S. This p_____s me off so bad. But I have to do it in this economy, I am not in a position to do anything else. Everytime I try to really pick up my speed - as there was a time I could about 200 lines or more an hour. (I cannot do it anymore straight through 8 hours.) The QA people find something (a comma or whatever) and then I get nervious and slow way down. I know they have a job to do, but come on. There are some, but very few, doctors who care where a comma goes. Give me a break. It just infuriating for everyone that does this. I had a few doctors on my own accounts years back, but they would not pay on time, regularly, etc. Anyway I just had to vent.