A large part of the problem is pressure to cut costs (sm)
Posted By: tnmt on 2007-04-22
In Reply to: The problem with this field today is that those in charge are clueless. - MSMT
often results in the squeeze being applied to the non-acute-care parts of the equation and very, very often that ends up being the transcription. The services end up bidding jobs lower than they want to and it just trickles right on down.
Then you have some MTSO's who insist on paying for the technology they want and need off of the worker's backs. I used to work for a guy who wanted to do this and it's one reason I don't work for him anymore.
It sucks being a mushroom and it always has. I don't see it getting any better, either.
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Excuse me, but NCLB was a bi-partisan bill written in large part by Ted Kennedy. NM
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Beware of ink replacement costs. The more inexpensive the printer, the more the ink costs.
s
not pressure, but
Pressure cooker.
Since I bought my pressure cooker (not a fancy model--just a $49 basic job from Sears), now I use it constantly! Even the toughest meat (chicken or pork) comes out fall-off-the-bone tender with excellent flavor. Quicker than regular oven too.
The pressure of it is the killer. sm
You need support, a support system. You need to take control, change your perception of "they are making me do this" to "I can do this for me" not the insurance company. Your mind is where this will work. You do have the power. It is up to you. Decide on a plan with support from good people, a doctor, a group, talk to people who have done it. But first yourself. Talk to yourself. We'll be listening. Good luck!
That is just it, I am not putting pressure on him at all and support him,
but deep inside I am heartbroken and won't let him know it.
please see my post on pressure valve (nm)
See pressure valve - need input - nm
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Pressure to work holiday
I don't think you're crabby and appreciate the venting. Usually work volumes sink really low to almost nothing around the major holidays. They certainly are aware of this every time they pressure their employees to work a holiday. Just a thought.
Do you take blood pressure medication? sm
They can make you extremely tired, too. I take Toprol XL and have for 13 years. It peaks about 3 hours after I take it I have trouble staying awake at the PC from 6 am to about 10:30 am. I literally fall asleep with fingers right on the keyboard. It was so bad that I finally changed to the afternoon shift. I asked my doc about it and he said try taking it at night. Well, that brought on the headaches I was trying to avoid. He said to take 1/2 in the a.m. and 1/2 in the p.m. No dice, still had headaches. He won't change my pills, says if it isn't broke, don't try to fix it. He wants to keep my pressure on the low side. My only solution was changing shifts and now I don't fall asleep at the keyboard anymore. I can get 10 hours of sleep at night but still fall asleep about 3 hours after taking that medication. I'm fine if I am up and about and doing things but sitting at the keyboard is another story.
No spin. No blood pressure problems.
I'm not complaining about an Indian MT taking good work from me and I don't know anyone within the company who gives out that information anyway. I do believe you might resolve your issues by telling the whole story because at first glance it just sounds like you are complaining and really don't want a solution. If that's the case I am sorry for you. I am also sorry for you that your source came up with an "Indian MT" taking your work who only wants American doctors to cause your blood to boil. Not only does this intruder come from India but she leaves you with the lousy Indian dictators. Not that you sound prejudiced or anything. But do you really need all that info to perform your job?  Or is someone trying to stir you up like that higher source you have within the company. Maybe they want you to get mad  and quit! Be careful who you believe and IF your source information is valid what are you going to do with it but fret? That's not a good thing friend.
go ahead. i don't feel supervising is any different than pressure of MT or any other job.
so you must transcribe, listen to excuses and have patience. i do that now while transcribing. i listen to excuses why there are no pay increases or why there is no work. i am patient while waiting for work and being told to cut back on work as there isn't enough or work more cause there is too much. i am quite sure i know as much as my supervisor as far as common sense and logic.
My question is why do you want that kind of pressure in a job that requires you to
work 80 hours a week? If working 80 hours is part of the job at any given time, why would you want it?
the stress level, the extreme pressure on the job
The only thing good out of my years in the industry was I had terrific insurance when I got cancer. The bad was, when I got back to work, the whole atmosphere had changed. They thought I should be ready to take on the world, and I was still with secondary illnesses from the chemoradiation. In fact, even today (3 years later), I still have problems.
See pressure valve - needed to vent.
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I try not to pressure myself so I don't get that way. I build up speed naturally. -nm
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How is the sign-up process? Is it high pressure?
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The easy part is making the decision to leave, the hard part is
actually doing it. Been in your shoes and it took me a year and a half to leave after I had made the decision to do so. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself and my girls. I had family and friends and a counselor telling me what needed to be done and I knew what needed to be done but until I had the courage on my own to do it I stayed. One day, we had an argument and he spit in my face and that was the last straw for me. Even though it is something that I will NEVER forget, that day is also a day I will never forget because it is the day that I took my kids and left. I am a single mom of 2 and have been single and supporting us for 5 years now. I have been healing ever since and still am to this day. You can do this. I know that if I hadn't have left and I would have stayed one of us would be dead by now or both.
Well, there's your problem! You're using blood pressure pills instead of birth
control pills!! See - BP pills are for your heart - BC pills are for your - well, surely you must know!
well it's really down to the nitty gritty pay issue. everything is relative pressure-wise
I mean if you get paid enough for the pressure it makes it a little more worthwhile than the feast or famine world of the MT. You know what I mean?
If this stops hurting so much with pressure or elevation, you have a bleed, honey.
Schiavo thread has been moved to the Pressure Valve board
Link below
yep, global warming? But projected path is Galveston due to high pressure &
x
This dumb-and-dumber peer pressure is the pits. And kids with higher
great IQ still means we are all human, and frail, and forgetful, etc, etc, etc. stuff like that happens to me. I tell my son it's because I'm pondering quantum physics, just to make him grin!
Ditto and I wear my gloves inside out so the seam doesn't rub on the pressure points. nm
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costs
I also agree that the cost of vet care has gone way up in the last 10 years, having animal companions is expensive. I think as more and more people are coming to realize their companions are senient beings they are willing to do whatever is necessary for optimum care just as you would do for a human. That being said, it is extremely expensive and where I used to have 5 cats and 2 dogs, I now have 3 cats and 1 dog due to losing some to old age and illness. Although I would love to have more, I know I cannot afford it if one of them gets sick.
Can you tell us how much this costs?
Have the Martel catalogue but oddly it does not give price. Am hoping it is under $50.
Rx costs
I get 2 of my meds from Canada. Can you get yours that way and save $? Just do a search for cheap drugs or Canadian drugs.
MT Costs
I have been a working MT for 2+ years and I am still buying things. I have a full library of books but there are only a few I use all the time. Still there are days when I find I need the others. I believe I have around 16 total. The Book Of Style is an important one. I would recommend that for sure along with any other specialty books for the type of account you plan on typing. I had my computer prior to training but with books, the MT course, pedals, software (spell checker, expander) I spent over $2,500. This doesn't include a desk, chair or the other things you'll need. I would suggest you buy some 3-ring binders to keep samples in for each account you type. I have a binder for every doctor/client. Every doctor you come to learn to type will have his/her own rules. The binders are my Bibles. At first I went through a ton of legal pads. I always keep one at my desk to jot things down. Now I only need one on occasion. It will be a learning experience and slow going at first, but hang in there. Like some other MTs mentioned, it is not as easy as it sounds, but I do enjoy it. Welcome to the club! 
It costs more than $10 believe me.
They take a percentage of what is sent to you - it's not a flat rate fee. The more you make the more they take.
My costs have actually gone down
This year my property taxes will go from over $2,300 to $800 a year, that is because I have turned that magical number of 65. That is good and yet if I were to die, then the taxes would go right back up for hubby as he is 10 years younger and has not gotten there yet. He better treat me right!
Yes, and that same jug of water costs how much after it's
been paid for with tax dollars, hauled in on trucks, and handed out by National Guardsmen and FEMA workers who are being paid and are away from their own families? That little jug of water costs more to the taxpayers than Perrier.
My son did too. It costs a lot and unless you're
a real people person who can SELL, you won't make any money and you'll spend a bundle. TURN AND RUN, don't walk away unless you're ready to LIVE IT! IT has to be all you think, talk, eat, use, buy, etc....and you won't make a bunch if you don't get people to sign up.
I cut my costs a year ago...
I have noticed very little difference. I get the same speed and the only things that inhibit that are the usual things such as when the ISP is doing an update etc. Everyone I know with different DSL companies have said the same. You can always go back up to the higher speed if it doesn't work well in your case. To me it was worth saving the extra $20/month
AT&T business costs
I pay 230 a month for three lines, unlimited long distance, and DSL on a business plan. The biggest difference is the DSL cost is higher, and they charge per jack on installation. As opposed to 20 per line, i pay a flat rate of 50 for the LD for all three lines.
hidden costs by being an IC
The taxes are more as an independent contractor. period.
you pay the matching that the employer would pay.
Normally your benefits pkg from the hospital or employer of sick days, holidays, insurance, etc is worth about $10,000. Somehow you have to absorb that with what you charge. In addition to losing the matching the employer is paying. Otherwise the company you are contracting with is making out like a bandit -- and you truly are coming out on the short end of the stick -- they know this -- and they are laughing up their sleeve until we wake up out here and start charging so they won't be coming out the winner in this all the time. The very reason they OUTSOURCE is to get rid of those hidden costs and we now have taken on.
And then of course the hidden days down for work on computer, waiting for storms to pass, and the various and asundry responsibilities you take on and absorb that the company you are contracting with gets to turn loose of.
p.s. and oh please don't pop up with ITS WORTH A LOT TO TYPE IN MY JAMMIES. No, we are expected to be professional whether in Gucci or WalMart specials. And we should be paid accordingly. That argument doesn't fly. and being home with the kids doesn't either. Only one thing can be done at one time, and you can watch the kids or you can transcribe but you can't do both simultaneously. The guilt factor may be less when one needs to do errands in the day -- but guess what -- while people are sleeping guess who is up into the night beating the keys. No, this should not be a trade off. It's a business like any other business who does a contract with another company.
phone costs
Hi,
Cell phone runs 89 per month,, that is the whole package, unlimited internet access, free text, nights and weekends, etc,,,,and I was able to do away with home internet altogether. No longer have a land line or DSL at home so the savings there made up the difference
Actually, VR actually costs the client....sm
less money,which is why some are changing to it...to pay less for transcription, which is why WE get paid less. That is how it is with my company. So in essence, the company is taking a cut in pay as well....why else would anyone use it, including the MTSOs??? I'm just sayin'.
Well, it costs sometimes. I have had to change employers before because
they were not going to negotiate with me. HOwever, there are plenty of places to work and I have luckily landed in 2 good ones.
I feel very fortunate today with my employment. I know full well it may change tomorrow but I am prepared - emotionally and financially - and will not let that disrupt my life. Too many options out there, folks.
I noticed this too! Costs me approximately
$50.00 more for the usual items such as health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, paper products. Cost of living is going up and our salaries are not.
India's MTs are living very well, according to a friendly gal working for AOL out of Bombay.
I don't know what I am going to do. I got cable t.v. for the winter and feel like I am living extravagantly. There is so much I need. Even keeping my car warrantly valid requires a $500.00 tune up which is hard to budget for.
One thing I do not have is credit card debt.
MediSpell is decent and only costs around
It was about $10-$20 when I first got it, but I'm sure it's gone up since then. There's a free trial (or at least there was) and you can compare it to others. Not sure what Dorland's is like so I can't tell you comparison, but I've found MediSpell to be a decent medical spellchecker at a reasonable price for starting out. You can add to it, of course, too, but I don't think they ever issue updates like new drug names, tec. so you might want to invest in a more thorough one later on.
I too believe it is a trend, basically to cut costs. As far as MQ, SM
I don't work for them, but honestly, from reading posts, seems like they were just bought out by a mad scientist who thinks up ways to drive people crazy. Sort of a game of how far can we drive people before they crack.
Keeping up cert costs too
I was a CMT for 20 years before I finally let it go. Only one company I worked for in all that time paid extra for the CMT; then they were bought by Medquist who didn't care. If you ever change companies - voluntarily or otherwise - the CMT may no longer bring you extra cash. Remember, too, that you'll have to pay to keep up the cert. I went to the conventions every year. They ran me at least $1000 then with registration, airfare, hotel, food, ground transportion, etc. Worked in-house then, and my employers didn't reimburse. I was *lucky* I could get my vacation then. It would probably be more now; everything else is. If you don't have PTO where you work, then it will cost you what you would have made for those days as well. Perhaps you're lucky and have a strong local chapter that will provide you CEs for much less cost and aggravation. If you use the articles in the Journal, it will still cost. Plus, it's not just any credit-worthy activity, it's one from column A, two from column B, etc. It makes it much harder to get what you need (which may or may not have anything to do with what you REALLY need to improve your skills). I didn't regret it while I was doing it, but I wouldn't do it again unless forced. I hoped for 20 years that it would mean more than *personal satisfaction*, but it never did.
Help with raising food costs sm
While not available in all areas, this is a wonderful program to help out families and communities. I used it for years when I lived in Colorado and now that I have moved, I am in the process of finding this program in my state.
The program consists of paying a certain amount for a given box of food (you can buy more than one) on a certain day or days. Then, you put in volunteer hours in your community for each box you purchase. You have a volunteer slip signed where you volunteer. On D-Day, you go and pick up your boxes of food.
The boxes consist of fresh fruits and vegetables and meat items. Occasionally there is cheese too. There might be pasta and/or rice. There is often a prepared food item. They offer seasonal boxes for holiday baking, meat lover's boxes in time for summer grilling and Thanksgiving boxes. The retail value of what you get in a SHARE box is usually at least double the cost of the box, and that has been my experience. The kids and I used to go and help on D-Day, passing out boxes, cleaning up for our volunteer activity.
http://www.sharecolorado.com/
is for Colorado and several other states, but should link you nationally too.
I wonder how much it costs? will it be cheaper in the long run?nm
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I'm a member, it costs me $20 to take a webinar.
Over 3 years, 30 CEs at about $20 each.
Over 3 years, CMT differential at $6K a year.
You do the math.
LOL
high healthcare costs
two little words, consider waste and fraud, people who have zero hope of meaningful life being on total support which many of them do not want, many disposables could be changed back to reusables by proper sanitation. up coding to get more $$, etc etc. there is probably more but those two came to mind.
yes $40 an hour seems excessive to me too.
It costs $275 bucks. Robbery sm
I don't see how it helps money-wise (job) You need to renew every 3 years $.
I think the association that offers this is not with the MTs but with business. They are the ones who helped Medquist manipulate line counting.. Oh yes, it is documented in court papers and can also Google Medquist and AAMT, articles come up. They sell their Style Guide for a whopping $90 bucks 2nd edition, now $70 still toooo much about 400 pages. One can get a hugeee meedical dictionary for half that. They are not for MTs. Years ago when this test was developed, nobody could pass it, so what did they do, they reveloped the test so MTs could pass (thus they got income). Hardly a validity of MT skills. Been doing this 30+ years and I am not bothering.
I use a AirCard 875U but costs almost as much - sm
as satellite would. I pay $67 a month for it but is is faster than dial-up, but not as fast as DSL. I live in a rural area and rumor has it we are getting DSL in 2 or so more years, we will see, it is available 4 miles from me, but is not quite reaching out to the farther out areas right now, need to live within a mile of our major highway through the county. Dial up will probably still work for you, just take a lot longer. Hope you figure something out.
Because owners, managers, and CEOs are all trying to cut costs
so they can make as much moolah as possible. EVERY OTHER JOB I have ever had provided on the job training, EVEN the salaried professional white collar positions. Going to school or college does NOT train a person to automatically step into a position knowing everything. Nurses, doctors, lawyers, managers, HR directors, personal bankers, vice presidents, all of them had apprenticeships, internships, training, or worked their way up. MT is the only field I know of where nobody is willing to train or mentor newbies. The training at my last MT job consisted of an emailed two-page explanation of how to pull up their jobs. That's it. No account specs, nothing. Go live on day one.
Daycare costs have tripled between the time I had my
first and third children. Yes, many of us do work at home and need flexible schedules to accommodate our kids. It would cost $1,040 per month to put my three kids in daycare, and that's considered CHEAP!!! You might as well work in the office if you're going to just put your kids into daycare anyways. How much money do you think will be left of a mother's paycheck after daycare, gasoline, car expenses, wardrobe, and all other work-related costs? Besides, I didn't have kids for someone else to raise them in a snot-infested daycare where the workers are underpaid and don't care for your kids as well as you can. Times have changed since you raised your kids.
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