"Example... until we get benefits and a fair pay scale
Posted By: we do not work... PERIOD!'' on 2009-06-05
In Reply to: My input Carole - jnmd
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pay scale and benefits
I do not agree with you there. It does not matter if we are all remote or not. If ALL the qualified MTs would take a stance together and stop working entirely for a very short period of time ALL companies would have to give in. Without the backbone of their company, which is the remote MT, they would have no other choice but to close their doors or pay what is fair. Remember, when this industry went to the national carriers, they made the largest portion of their employees home-based, and for a reason, to cut down on their overhead. With that being said, who is doing all their work and lining their pockets with money. I have been involved, not as an MT, but in many other employment areas that had similar problems and demanded it to be rectified. It was not done by a union; however, very similar. ALL QUALIFIED PEOPLE MUST STOP WORKING, but prior to this must state why and for what they are demanding. Example... until we get benefits and a fair pay scale we do not work... PERIOD! I understand there is a group called AAMT with a BOS and an AHDI???? not sure of this one. But they make you do standarized formats. What I would do is contact these big groups, AAMT and tell them. We that are CMTs or qualified MTs are going to cease all work functions until we have a standardized package. We are expected to have all this knowledge and keep up all these credentials... and we demand to be compensated with a benefit package and fair pay scale. The way I see it, the MT has taken a decrease in these areas, yet expected to know and do much more. Does not make sense to me, but I am not an MT. I was directed to this board by an MT who was looking for ideas to get something done in these areas.
Fair pay? Decent benefits? Wow, you really
nm
Fair is fair -- relative or not, 1 house or 100.
She's earning income and the only fair, right, just, ethical and LEGAL behavior is to report it wholly.
That was with full benefits, which are the same benefits as an in-office employee for the QA staff..
However, I hear that their current QA staff are being asked to reach numbers that are out of sight and goals are basically impossible.
IC positions offer no benefits, employee positions off full benefits, so if you do not need
benefits, then IC would be best.
MQ pay scale
Specifics have not been announced yet, however, my TC sent a memo stating SE part time employees are required to do 4,000 lines/week...Well, sure I would, if there was enough work! My invoice just went in at midnight and because the work was low and no work over the last two week period of time, I only did approximately 7,400 lines. So, if they want to make a rule 4,000 lines/week for part time and 6,000/week for full time, I hope they provide the work.
wow, the pay scale has gone down since
I was there three years ago. How do they stay in business? When I was there, the flat training rate reflected how much you would be getting in cpl, depending on how they think you did on the test. Me having about 6 years experience under my belt at the time, scored the lowest according to them, and the starting pay was 7.5 cpl an hour and 12$ per hour during training. Of course that is still mortifying, but what you're talking about is not even minimum wage, and this is a skilled profession!!
pay scale
I'd like to know which is the best way to charge for radiology, by the line or by the report. If by report, how much? TIA!!
pay scale for MTs
Why is it that we continue to allow the MTSOs to offer a pay scale of only 7 and 8 cents a line for the work we do? They want experienced, hard-working MTs and then want to pay us entry level? I don't think so. Until the MTs take a stand on this issue, the MTSO's are going to continue this. No wonder they keep saying there is a "shortage of good MTs"---it's because the experienced MTs won't work for what they are paying. We have to make a living just like everyone else. Who else do you know that works for 7 and 8 cents a line?! Come on, MTs; don't take those low-paying offers! YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN THAT, AREN'T YOU?
Pay scale
I've looked into new jobs on the site and noted one company out of MO stating they would pay .06 cents/line. I have been a Transcriptionist for over 35+ years, retired, worked contingent, then thought I would seek another part-time job. The last job I had was .08 cents/line which wasn't terrible but not good either. Who would work for a measly .06 cents/line if you were experienced? What a disappointment. Guess I'll finally sell my foot pedal and earphones. Have already sold my two transcription machines. Sad, because I loved doing this but I could take in ironings or clean houses for more pay than that--besides which, it would be mindless
Here is how I scale it myself
General Transcription with no ESL $45-50 and audio hour add $5-10 for multispeaker or ESLs.
Medical is $60 minimum for clinic and no ESLs. I add from there depending on what else they want and ESL content.
Also, if this is general transcription and they require that you put timestamps in anywhere, I charge $1.00 each for that because it is a pain.
This is all if you are the one typing though too. If you are planning to outsource any, you will have to go up at least $15/hour to cover your overhead or end up with unskilled labor and/or India for subcontractors.
QA scale
Forgive my ignorance, but what is a weighted QA scale? I really don't know.
Does anyone know what the pay scale is for MQ? At what line
anyone else with ideas on pay scale for
Can email me if you'd like. Sure would appreciate it!
Amphion pay scale
Can anybody tell me what pay scale is at Amphion? Just curious about them because they have clinic but not sure about how it would balance since it looks like they require computer rent and internet expense. What kind of clinic work do they have? Is it just letters and short notes or more meaty clinic stuff, like neurology consults or things like that? Oh, and do they require a schedule set in stone or do you have any flexibility in getting lines in? TIA
Hospital MTs: What is your pay scale?
Just wondering what your base pay is, and how your incentive program works. If you would like to give your city or geographic area that would be nice, but not necessary. I'm just hoping to get an idea.
Also, what benefits does your hospital offer? I'm specifically wondering about 401K and whether any hospitals match the employee's 401K contribution.
RE: Hospital MTs: What is your pay scale?
I work for a hospital in Tennessee and my base rate is $23/hour. Full health plan with medical/dental, hospital pain retirement plan, also contributory 401K, sick/vacation days, etc.
There is a standard scale!
I know this is an old post, but I just ran across it. There absolutely is a standard scale. The AAMT website has it under an article titled Metrics for Measuring Quality in Medical Transcription (2005). I wish I could give you the exact page, but I only have the .pdf of that article - but it was only downloaded last week, so it'll still be there. 
I am in need for a weighted QA scale sm
I need to give some feedback and I'd love a weighted QA scale to use. Would someone be kind enough to email me one? I can't find the one I had and I didn't lift it off this site when it has been mentioned.
Many thanks.
QA scale--see inside--sm
I would think each company woudl have its own criteria, but this is one from an account I helped draft.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF Quality Assurance SCORING CATEGORIES
Medical Word Omitted (CTRL1) Point Value 1.0
Omitted medical words found in a trusted medical publication source (dictionary, specialty word book, drug index etc). In CS.com, there is not a distinction between critical/noncritical.
Medical Word Misspelled (CTRL2) Point Value 0.75
Misspelled medical words found in a trusted medical publication source (dictionary, specialty word book, drug index etc). This includes failure to adhere to AAMT Book of Style Dangerous Abbreviations list, as well as other medically related errors addressed in this reference guide, that could potentially harm a patient. In CS.com, there is not a distinction between critical/noncritical. Measurements typed incorrectly. Typing wrong form of word.
Punctuation (CTRL3) Point Value 0.25
Punctuation that is omitted or included in error that changes the meaning of a sentence, having the potential to cause harm to a patient.
Capitalization (CTRL4) Point Value 0.25
Capitalization that is omitted or included in error that changes the meaning of a sentence, having the potential to cause harm to a patient.
Grammar (CTRL5) Point Value 0.10
Any grammatical errors.
English Word Misspelled (CTRL6) Point Value 0.50
Misspelled general words.
Omitted Word Minor(CTRL7) Point Value 0.25
Omitted word that is not critical to the meaning of the sentence.
Typed extra word that does not not cause misunderstanding to the meaning of the sentence.
Omitted Word Major(CTRL8) Point Value 0.75
Omitted word that is critical to the meaning of the sentence.
Omitted modality in the title.
Contrast vs. noncontrast
Changed format (no techniques on required studies, no history, etc.).
current pay scale
I am an IC with 30 years experience. I am currently making 12 cents a 65 character line with no benefits, no time off, no taxes taken out, which is nothing compared to what I used to make in the hospital with all benefits.
None of us make enough, nor are we appreciated for our speed, knowledge and hard work.
Good luck! I hope you get your raise. You deserve it.
MediTech is in Marietta, not sure of their pay scale though
x
Where on the scale of conditions would a guarded
condition be?
First thing I would point out is that 8 cpl is the low end of the pay scale
x
Any MQers heard of 'new pay scale'?
There has been some rumors about this on this board. Some say they have recently received communication (har, har, har...sorry) about this. Anyone know any specifics? Any other changes?
What is paid by page per sliding scale?
New one on the job board. Never heard of such. Just wondering.
Or they could have "restructured" (i.e., cut) their pay scale and lost most of their editors.
shhh
How is QA score measured? Is there a standard scale? sm
Is it per report? Is by the number of characters in the report? I am guessing that a missed comma is counted differently than a wrongly used medical term...
Thanks for any help!
My economic dilemma is the same only perhaps on a higher scale...
I have had my cable connection shut off so many times for nonpayment, my utilities are not being paid in full because we simply never have enough money, groceries are now a luxury rather than a necessity as are utilities by the way...my pay has diminished greatly due to the global market and competing with countries like India in Medical Transcription.
I am aware of India and their problems but I am concerned for my own situation and survival.
got interrupted, cannot finish, but had to make my point
Current pay scale for radiology transcriptionist
Hello Cyberspace,
I am wondering if anyone can direct me to a website that will help me calculate if I am getting paid correctly for the work I am doing. I would like to know the going rate per line and per report for radiology transcriptionists.
I have several years experience and need some documentation in order for me to request a pay increase.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Leslye
Will you share what you think poverty wages means, i.e. pay scale? nm
x
1000 lines / 1.5 = 667 X incentive pay scale rate?
Ok, I inquired about a job and this is what they told me. Does this make sense to you all? What are they trying to say they pay for QA work?
We have an incentive pay plan ranging from 0.07 cents to 10 cents per line.
Our editing accounts are converted into typed lines. If you edit 1000 lines,
it is divided by 1.5 to get 667 typed lines and then paid on the incentive pay scale.
Thanks
I don't know but I try to be fair, but I can tell you
that I have had some management jobs that required 25 years of experience plus QA experience and MTs with less than 15 have applied and I had to tell them that it was not enough experience. That was hard, but they did not know what all was involved. I have had people get bent out of shape about it, but to be honest, I had my orders specifically from a company and nothing less would suffice, plus it was posted clear as day.
Also, there have been situations where people did not have resumes--yes, can you believe that? They said they had less experience yet they did not have it in a resume.
I think many do not understand what a recruiter has to look at and what we deal with.
still not fair
I understand how you feel, I too am in the same position. Its like you want to do a good job with quality work and once you prove that to whatever company you might be working for instead of appreciating your high skills they treat you like a door mat and start sending you all the work that none of the others want to do. We lose time doing bad reports/dictators just like any other MT and just because we can get through it with no blanks or it having to go to QA is no reason to give us all of the bad dictators/reports because its not fair and it doesn't make me feel appreciated what it makes me feel is used. I get no extra for doing these type of reports back to back to back even though we are supposedly working from a pool and the MTs who don't want to do these bad reports/dictators just keep zipping along. ITS LIKE THE BETTER YOU ARE THE WORST DEAL YOU GET AND ITS NOT THAT I MIND DOING IT (because I do want to keep my job) BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT JUST BECAUSE ITS TOO DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE ELSE WHO MAKES THE SAME cpl BUT THEN END UP MAKING A HIGHER LINE COUNT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THE BAD REPORTS/DICTATORS.
There should be some kind of way to be compensated when you are put in that kind of position but right now there isn't and you just do it because its your job. I have been in a situation lately where 95% of my work is from the list of bad dictators to be aware of and I am so frustrated. If there was some kind of compensation for say a multi-specialist Transcriptionist or ESL transcriptionist then it would make the situation so much better and there would be less resentment all the way around, I think that is something most companies should think about.
Of note I am not complaining, not whining, and not venting but just saying.
That is not really fair -
It is not as easy for some of us. I have gained 30 pounds in the past year from just sitting and emotional eating. Once you get down on yourself about it - well that makes it worse. A terrible cycle. Has anyone tried hypnotism?
Fair enough. I see what you mean.
I didn't mean to imply going straight for .12--lol! And I see what you mean by "demanding." I didn't mean that either, but I should have been clearer about what I DID mean. I do mean that the OP has SOME control over the situation--maybe not total control, but some control. As ICs we need to remember that we are in business for ourselves. We ARE a business, and we need to act accordingly. I'd be looking for another client as well. No need to put up with that!
I can't say I do, very fair here.....
No sideburns, no moustache, a few hairs under arms and not much leg hair either. I'm a freak! LOL!
3 cpl isn't fair for ANYTHING!
k
Seems more than fair, to me! nm
.
fair
I think that your employer is being harsh, but I do believe that by the end of a year 1200 lines a day should be possible, especially with your background. Of course, if you are working with extremely difficult doctors that may be different. I have what I consider to be a very good account with few ESL and most doctors are very clear, and was able to produce up to 1600 lines a day with relative ease if I actually typed 8 full hours at about 6-8 months. I had no medical experience, but I did have writing and editing experience, along with two college degrees. In part, I think it's the ability to use Expanders as tools efficiently that makes that possible. Are you able to use online resources well? Do you have a good drug reference on your computer with a flexible search tool? Do you have an Expander that you are using to advantage? In order to be productive at the rates people expect these days, I think all of the above are a necessity. I also think that even with experience as a medical secretary some training is needed in order to get up to speed as an MT. In fairness, it sounds like you just jumped right into the job, and that must be difficult. Good luck!
fair
There is a world of difference between a good Expander and using auto correct. An expander will show the possibilities with a few keystrokes, whether you know the words or not, and often as soon as you see a new word you will know it is what the doctor is saying, even in a new specialty. They usually include a very complete medical dictionary, some give the possible words with any letters typed in order, not necessarily having to spell it correctly at the outset, like a mini wild-card search function. With auto correct you are only able to get what you put in yourself for expansions. I would say that using an expander during my training was what made it possible to become proficient quickly, above all else. If you can, try one of the commercially available products before leaving. It can make life SO much easier as you learn.
what is fair
I worked for a small rural hospital and we (3) were on call 24/7/365 and rotated carrying a pager on weekends plus working on Sundays.
That isn't being fair
Whoa there - my husband has a terminal disease and we usually end up hitting a 0 tax bracket because of medical expenses (we file long-form and itemize). We spend well over $700 per month on co-pays for drugs every month and then when he has to get certain IV drugs as out outpatient, our drug bill hits over $2000 for that month. Why should my family be penalized when I work my butt off seven days a week, 365-days a year? I pay in a huge amount of FICA and Medicare taxes each year. Until my husband became ill, we paid in a huge amount of federal income taxes every year. We also have two chldren in college and we are allowed to deduct some of their expenses we pay out of pocket. And, yes, we usually qualify for some Earned Income Credit, but not near what you mention. My family can use the extra money just as much as any other family and I don't think we should be penalized because of exorbitant medical bills that place us in a 0 tax bracket.
That's not fair --
I never said I have common sense!
Seriously, sometimes the most obvious things can be right in front of me, and I miss them completely. I might be slow to get some things (although I am highly intelligent; doesn't make sense to me), but once I do 'get' something, then that's a completely different story. Some day I'll tell y'all about all the other common sense things I shouldn't have needed help with --- but did.
{;-)
Is if fair to ask
a company what the average line counts of other MTs on same the account are? I know there are others who feel this particular account is hard to make a decent line count, so I would like to know what the average is. Otherwise, how do we know if their expectations of us are fair?
Seems fair to me. sm
As long as accounts are consistent 1200 is a very reasonable expectation.
I would think 1 would be fair, it probably would
not scare them away.
oh well. no one said life was fair
you just have to make what you can out of it. There are many, many other subjects that can be debated as well. That is what makes life what it is; a great variety of people and view points. Enjoy the day. 
I think I get a fair mixture
I get ESLs, some I can understand easily enough, others I really have to work at and it slows me down. Then I have some docs who are very easy and good moneymakers. I get a mixture. I am not a newbie and can do harder docs. I just find that my managers are great at evening out the work. IMO.
FAIR and Honest... sm
I have worked for DSC (Document Solutions Center) in Alabama for many, many years, and have become good friends with the owner of the company... she is very fair to her girls - they come first, she is very flexible, they have a tightly established management team, and the work is abundant... she pays very fair, and gives bonuses and raises as often as she can... Another GREAT company is OSi... I am currently working for them, and they are just the BEST... I get the best pay per line, the greatest accounts, never-ending work, constant bonuses, gifts, 24/7 contact with staff... I can give you contact information on either if you wish... and no, I am not looking for a finder's fee... I am honest, and just enjoy helping those out who are asking for help... Contact me by email anytime... Bobbie
uhhh...not fair! sm
I work for west coast...and I didn't get paid. When I asked TC about it, she said there was no pay for it!!! 
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