Also, at times I'll skip a job due to length, not
Posted By: difficulty, but do my share. sm on 2008-07-17
In Reply to: I don't consider it 'cheating', unless it's the only - Occasional Picker
If I know I've only got 30 more minutes to work and have to leave, I'll skip over a 25-minute long file, regardless of the ease/difficulty factor, so I like that we have the option. I can finish a few more shorter reports for the client that way whereas I might have otherwise logged off altogether. BUT, I also do my fair share of the hard ESLs and long files at the beginning of shift. I used to be 100% against skipping any files, but OTOH, if someone knows they can't do that ESL's work, maybe it's best for someone who CAN to take them on so the reports are more accurate. I would at least hope that the MTs have given it a good effort first though. I agree this might not be abused as much if MTSOs would pay for difficulty factor, though.
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I'll agree. Have had the bait n switch happen to me several times. nm
s
length of time
I usually figure 1-2 times the length of the dictation if the doctor doesn't mumble, pause, or have an accent. If there is an accent of lots of vocab I have to check, it can take anywhere from 3-4 times or longer. And as above, this is using expanders. A meeting format would probably be more difficult unless they are taping it professionally. Otherwise, people's voices may fade in and out, you might have background noise, etc. In this case, I would figure around 8 hours, maybe a bit more.
Well if the file is 60 min in length
How long does it take you to transcribe 60 min of dictation? If it doesn't take that long, then swell, but if it takes you all day, then that's not much hourly...
Paid by the dictated minute is horrible especially when you've got a speed demon dictator that turns out it's actually 120 min worth of dictation because they talk so darned fast...
The font has nothing to do with the length
of a line, that is set by the margins. A 65-character count line is a line, whether the line itself has 55 characters or 85 characters. It takes 65 to make a line.
Depends on length of page
If you get $2.50 a page, that's including short pages? I find that my average page is 25 lines. They are not all full.
What about the sometimes-variable pay period length??
Twice a month, it's usually 11 working days, but can be a day shorter or longer from time to time....
We have a very generous 125 LPH requirement, which in an 8-hour day would come to 1000. Multiply that by the number of days in the pay period.
We have to average at least 1200 lines per day to make the first incentive bonus level, and it stays at 1200 lines per day regardless of pay period length. I.e. if it were a 10-day pay period, the incentive level would be 12,000 lines. For the usual 11-day pay period, it's 13,200.
My sister works for a hospital in Oregon; they have a 1400 lines per 8-hour day requirement, which comes to 175 lph.
you were able to skip
I have worked for MQ for 10 years. Started with them after 10 years of ESL experience. I got 3 cents more a line when I started with them than the local company here paid. I was never able to skip any report. Transcribed what I got, I did! I agree with previous poster about getting paid for experience. Experience is what counts in my book! I CAN transcribe the ESL dictators. I SHOULD be paid MORE for those reports. If I spent all day doing dictation that was perfect - clear, good speakers, no backing up, waiting, etc., I would make a killing in the money department. But, having to spend all day transcribing ESL, whose dictation gets worse by the day, I make nothing. I am making too little for way too much effort. I got the phone call the other day. They left a message on the answering machine. He was so bored as he read from his script! I could tell him as much as he told me in the message. What a waste of money for MQ to do this. Must have been a business expense.
As I recall, ONLY after you've been there for a set length of time.
x
Medium to long length acrylics.
I type a little better without them, but not enough to make me want to get rid of them!
Does anyone know how to set Page Length in Windows 97? See inside
New account, they need the page to stop at 8.9 or 9.1, and so I have to put in a hard page break.
BUT, does anyone know how to set the page length to be shorter automatically? Something I can create a template or whatever, and when I type on that account, the page length will automatically break at 8.9 and then I will know to put the hard page break in when the machine does?
Thanks.
I keep it on 24/7 but turn off monitor when I'm away any length of time.
I actually do turn if off every week or 2 but very seldom. I've been told it's much better for computer longevity to leave it on. Hope that is correct!
The typing itself will take 3 to 4 X the length of dictation if it's easy but...sm..
I don't know what kind of meeting you're talking aboutl. Board meetings is usually formated as an outline, which will take quite a bit of extra time even if you already have a template for it. It's just a pain. I hope you have a meeting outline template. If not, keep one after the first one you type for any after that. You could ask them for one. Tell them you want to see how they like it formatted. Hopefully, they'll give it to you on disc or something so you don't have to re-type the outline.
It also depends on how many people are speaking in the meeting and if they're speaking into the recorder.
I think it means any line no matter what length.
but that's a guess
4 yo Papillon - Mr. Skip
I call him a Dat - a dog-cat combo. He has a wide vocabulary of human words that he knows. He's particularly responsive to the words cheese burger and pizza.
Is this an every 3 second type skip? s/m
I get many files from different places and it seems from one client in particular, sometimes I will get a 3-second skip on files. Once the skip starts, I have to close the file, close Start/stop, delete the file from my system and then re-download the file. This seems to take care of the problem, but some days it doesn't. I have no idea the reason why, but this is just what I do.
This is one place the font and line length absolutely
make a difference. If you have to use a small font and long line length, you will make the same or less than a 65 character count. Always check out the number of characters that can be put on the line with their defined margins. For example, 1 company uses 1 inch margin, but a tiny font, so the line length can actually be 104 characters, or almost double what the counted 65 character line is. Some have a "secret" formula for saying it will come out the same as a 65 character line, but that is a hoax, as well, as only part of the report is adjusted for that, not the entire report. The only gross line count on WP51 was the only good way for gross lines. Word has really changed that picture.
I just bought one and returned it! Headachy. I think more vertical length would be better for our pr
nm
Unfortunately, CS seems to be the easiest debt to skip out on
You'll get into more trouble if you bounce a $25 check. I have used one of those private agencies because my ex had moved out of state and once that happens, if the ex doesn't want to pay and moves around in jobs, you can pretty much forget about getting anything.
The private agency works a lot faster, but the contracts are very complicated and you are pretty much signing up for the life of the CS obligation; otherwise there has be nonpayment of CS for a year before you can end the contract. And yes they take a big chunk of money but at the time I thought it was better than getting nothing at all.
But in the end, once payments have been established, the private agency ends up filtering the payment through your local CSEA anyway.
I think your best bet is to use some kind of locator service and if you can get a good address provide that to your local CSEA.
I wish they had an "America's Most Wanted" for deadbeat dads/moms. It's amazing to me that it is seemingly so easy to stop paying, change jobs, and just not be found.
Skip the games but here's an idea sm
My friend had a baby shower. The invite asked everyone to bring a pack of diapers to be entered in a $40 gift certificate for Applebees. She left with a HUGE bag filled with diapers. That was the game if you want to call it a game.
Not worth the trouble - skip it
Create a new tradition with your kids.
If they're vegetarians, skip the dip.
My neices are both vegetarians. Check out Vegweb.com for tons of vegetarian recipes.
SCIP or SKIP protocol
Has anyone ever heard of SCIP or SKIP protocol? This is a surgeon talking about prophylactic antibiotics. I have found on the internet SCIP protocol for skin care intervention program but am not sure if this is reliable info. Does anyone know which way to spell this/what this is and have a source to back it up?
I agree. I'd skip the school SM
altogether. It might take a while to find a training position doing MT, but not nearly as long as the school, and nothing matches actually doing the work to learn. As suggested, I would take--and nail!--a terminology course at the very least. I started with on-the-job training, but I took anatomy and physiology courses in night school. True, the labs spent hacking up various parts of a cadaver with nursing and premed students and studying tissues under the microscope were overkill for what we do, but I definitely recommend skipping the expensive trade school and taking courses at a local college, or on line perhaps?
Easy enough to just skip over subjects that don't interest you? NM
z
And supposedly they are to be fired for that on DQS. I bet they are. They break the report and skip
to the next one on DQS. I get it all the time and I report it and guess what, nothing happens to them but I figure they will hang themselves eventually. They inevitably drop off the account because they really cant do it anyway.
Skip the games - focus on the mom-to-be. I HATE going to those showers. nm
Just skip over it.. A little lively debate spices things up.
c
Actually, it is quite easy to skip jobs, and I work for a national. sm
Depending upon the account, just press the appropriate number on the C-phone, and *poof* you're at the next job. In my case, I have no "proof" per se, but when jobs skip from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. then to 1 p.m., etc., and then it gets back to "normal" when you get to the non-ESL docs where I guess they stopped working. it's not too hard to figure out that someone took what they wanted and left the rest. It doesn't matter to me. As has been stated, the MT who cherrypicks cheats himself/herself out of the chance to master everything and assure himself/herself of a larger pool of work. That goes also for those who limit themselves to only certain work types. Sure, we all have our preferences (I prefer admit notes and consults), but if you can do everything, then you're more likely not to be one of the ones coming here complaining of no work.
Just my opinion, and you know we all have one. Happy Friday the 13th! I have the weekend off for once, and it is actually beautiful weather here. Yippee! 
In Word I can't see my field boxes anymore that I use F11 to skip around to. Does anyone know ho
x
It means to skip the jobs in your work queue that - sm
are by difficult dictators, or have no line-count-bolstering templates, or require too much backing up, re-listening, sentence restructuring, or nose-in-reference time to get in your minimum lines. That's especially true if the employer doesn't weight the job's pay by difficulty. Most MTs voice disapproval of the practice, but sometimes an gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do, in order to survive and make that next car payment, rent check, or grocery bill.
I find you do tend to skip maybe a word sometimes when you dont reread. I guess
your brain doesnt keep up or something. I dont know what causes that.
It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get! No point in joining. nm
s
It depends on font size, line length, margin size, etc.
There are too many variables.
I'll go! I'll go!! I won't take hormones and will be ready to defend your honor :) n/m
.
No. It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get, and it's unnecessary
s
You'll get used to it. It is keeping the right leg propped up at the same time that'll be the
When I broke my ankle, I was just grateful it wasn't the hands. Without our hands we'd be totally screwed.
I broke my right ankle slipping on ice and was lucky to have gloves on because the palm of the glove was totally torn up and my hand was okay.
Good luck and be sure to do your exercises when it is time.
Skip it. No one cares. Either you're good on the test or you're not.
x
hit left Shift key 3 times, then right Shift key 3 times -
nm
Skip Christmas Day and do drinks/snacks Christmas
Eve and spend a peaceful Christmas doing whatever it is you want to do. If you're all of 47 years old you're evidently a slow learner : )
It'll happen. You'll find your fit.
You might have to kiss a few frogs first, though.
Oh she'll spice it up alright, she'll be
placing hidden cameras in the other ladies' dressing rooms! LOL!
continue your goal; he'll/they'll get used to it/over it
nm
I'll vent and I'll sign my name sm
I have two IC contracts right now. I recently went back to a job I had quit earlier in the year to work for the other company I am still working for.
The newer job has 80% ESLs. I transcribe OP notes primarily and I can fill in other work types as the opportunity arises. I am frustrated with this particular situation. After 6 months, I am making less money and working longer hours. I am past the learning curve and I should be doing better, at least in the number of hours I am spending doing the job. We have run out of work for 24 hrs at a time at least 5 or 6 times since December 1, and in November it was more than that. I have a friend who worked for this company as well and she was having similar difficulties. The only thing that we can figure is that they are shorting us line count some way, because after 6 months at it, it should be easier/faster/more money, but it is less and less every single pay period. It is not a nice thing to accuse a company of doing, but it SEEMS that way to us. I am fed up with being expected to type every single OP note that comes in 24/7 and meeting the 6 hr TAT for them on weekends, evenings, holidays, wee hours of the morning...
I took back a job I held for 2-1/2 yrs. The team leader has changed and this gal thinks that I should be on call 24/7 for whenever she has work. I might have some at 7 a.m., or perhaps not until 6 p.m. or later. I can't plan my personal life and between these two IC situations, I find that I am not eating on a daily basis, not showering on a daily basis and not sleeping more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. I have lost weight and I don't feel very well. I woke up today with a rip roaring head cold (my first in nearly 8 yrs) and it has already moved to bronchitis and I am expecting pneumonia by the weekend because I develop it very easily. I already have deep pain in my back.
Yes, I should call in sick tomorrow, but I really can't take the fallout. The job I took back I am covering for another gal who wanted vacation over the holidays and if I have to call in sick, the team leader will call me and pitch a fit about how this is my responsibility. It IS my responsibility, I did say I would do it, and I will do it, despite being quite ill. In the past, when I worked for this company, they would not allow me to call in sick for a "cold" without a doctor's note. I worked through many illnesses with them and only called in sick when I developed West Nile Fever and while I was sick for over a month, I only called for my last 12 reports one day when I could no longer see the computer screen because my head hurt.
The problem is that yes, many MTs lack work ethic. They don't take their responsibility seriously. This is not a work as you please career, not even for an IC. I can see the MTSO's point of view, I truly can. Like finding experienced, reliable and capable MTs, for the MTs who are these things, finding a company will treat you like a human being is equally difficult. I sit here, feeling lousy and like I am an utter slave labor with no consideration whatsoever. I know that my work needs to be done, but when I am this sick it is better that someone else do it for the sake of the work, for accuracy and for speed of getting it out. I know that I am needed, but to be the MT these companies need me to be, I also need to look after my own health.
I will also mention that when I have asked for vacation, I have been approved for the time, but the MTSO queues up my work and calls me then I am not on the system getting it done. I have told them I had been approved for time off, but the MTSO didn't schedule anyone to cover for me and I am told to get on work, vacation or no, if I want to keep my job.
Thus, I work 24/7/365 and have for years. I work sick, I work when I am in pain (I have an AI disorder), I work exhausted from staying up all night covering for others who are allowed to call in sick and have vacations when I can't have either. I work having no health insurance and not being able to afford the $125 a month to buy some with a high copay so I can see a doctor. I work without breaks for breakfast, lunch or dinner and I sometimes come close to having an accident because if I leave my desk to go to the little girls' room I get nasty calls about where I am at and what I am doing.
Many MTs are mistreated, and I am one of them.
Tell him you'll give him your macros if he'll give you his Lexus, his ski cabin, and (nm)
;p
Control. I'll still get OT though. And you'll
still sit and complain!
I'll join you on that one, I'll be 58
@@@@
different times
Question to a long timer. I have been transcribing for 15 years. I have been with one hospital for 10 years. I recently added a part time national using the same equipment and same format as my original account. For my original account I average 15-20 minutes an hour. After a month with second account, I am still only at about 8 minutes an hour. They do have a lot of ESL but so does my primary account (just not as bad, even when I first started them). I'm suppose to do a certain amount of minutes for this secondary acount, thinking I could do it in 2-3 hours a day, but I just can't reach my goal and I just do not have the time to work any more hours. Any advice?
Too much, several times a day.....but usually only for a
xx
End of times?
Does anyone think this unusually hot weather in practically all parts of the U.S. has anything to do with Bible predictions?
Can be done..but at times it can't...(SM)
I am never amazed at people that are in "awe" over the fact I work at home, which of course to them means I can keep my kids there and save tons of money on daycare. I have had countless people that have never touched a keyboard ask "So how do I get started doing that so I can stay at home with my kids?"....sorry..butI can't help but just giggle inside..much in "awe" of their cluelessness.
I did this job for years in house before ever finally being able to work into an at home position. I worked in house with my 1st child and was of course broke...so needless to say he was in daycare as early as they would take him. About a year and a half ago I had my 2nd child and really milked this one for all it was worth. Wanted to keep her home with me as looooong as I possibly could. I made it to 5 months and honestly, should have probably stopped at 4. The age of your child makes all the difference in the world. When she was a very young baby and slept most of the day..yeah it was fine, worked out really well. But the older they get..the more they are aware you are there but not paying them 100% attention...and the harder it starts to get. He's 19 months old now..and even if the daycare is closed for a day that I have to work we end up having to send him to my mother in law's house for the day..it's nearly impossible to get anything done with him here. He sees mommy sitting here staring at this screen and will bang on the keyboard, stand here and scream for the attention he wants to be focused on him instead. At this age..keeping him home is not a good thing. My oldest child now is in grade school..days out of school..he's fine to stay home. He can play and entertain himself and needs nowhere near the attention the baby does. If you have a schedule that you can work a couple hours here and a couple hours there and late evenings after bedtimes, then you might be able to make it work out fine. I'm an employee, not an IC...therefore I'm required to work a set schedule and keep up a required amount of production...cannot be done with a lil one interrupting that on a constant basis. Look at your schedule..look at the age of your child..look at your obligations/requirements to your employer. It can be done in some situations...others it cannot. Be realistic...be fair to your child's needs when considering this as well as yours and those of your employer..it's a whole big picture to consider. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do :)
I can't tell you how many times
feeling a touch or carress on my arm and it turns out to be a stray hair dangling from my head being blown by the fan. I guess working remotely plays tricks on us once in awhile?
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