As Economy Slumps, Firms Line Up to Hire Skilled Foreign Workers
Posted By: Tli on 2009-03-19
In Reply to:
 What the heck is going on around here? It just gets better by the day!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/19/economy-slumps-firms-line-hire-skilled-foreign-workers/
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It's not the foreign workers who are at fault sm
The fault lies with the big US corporations who are the greedy SOBs that have outsourced the jobs so they can save billions over what they would pay workers in the US.
So, to be rude to and cuss out these working people is not going to get us anywhere. What we should do is boycott the corporations who are sending the work overseas. Maybe if they lose enough business they will get smart to themselves and bring the jobs back to the US workers.
they don't REFUSE to hire new MT's. They REFUSE to hire them at 6-8 cents per line.
mostly because you can now hire experienced MT's at 6-8 cpl. In the near future, you will be able to hire experienced MT's at 5 cpl. Then people will start getting out of this business and new people will stop trying to get in. I had a job opening and asked people to bid what they wanted per line. One very smart young lady was a new grad and bid 3 cpl. I hired her a year and a half ago, she has been terrific! and I was willing to spend my time training her because a) time is money and she saved me money so I could spend my time and b) she had definite potential!. In another six months, she will be the MT with 2 years experience applying for jobs. AND she will get them because she will test well and essentially "bought" her experience. So use Economics 101...
It's hypocritical to not give your workers health insurance but sell it to the public to line
:+
Unions may be good for workers short-term, but look what has happened to American car union workers.
They priced themselves out of the market while making an inferior product. Ford and GM are now junk bonds. I'm driving a Toyota. So if that's un-American just like shopping at a non-union store like Walmart, well you can talk to whoever is in charge of wages and taxes who have created this monster where even middle-class has very little extra money to support a union store where the employees are paid well and you pay the price in the product they sell. I can't afford it.
Hey rimrods!!! He fully disclosed he was foreign, it was foreign
trying to catch him telling lies when he already told you he was. Really smart people around here. Call names, insult, tell everyone to leave and go to another site and then wonder why your posts are being deleted. At least he's not feeding everyone a load of CRAP about offshoring. He simply told the truth.
Rumor is that Kat's daddy has hired PR firms
in a few areas across the country to vote and text vote for Kat. You know, I wish you could hear Taylor's indie CD that's out. All original songs and it is absolutely fabulous. Everyone who thinks he's "loungy" or can't get past his antics on stage and think it won't translate to listening only...you are really wrong. This CD is great. The songs he's written are great and he performs them well. I am a Taylor fan all the way, but I will admit that it's almost better only listening to him. Nothing at all to distract you, although I do think he's a great entertainer.
I meant to say *US firms are NOT taxed to the max* ! nmsg
*
Maybe people working for private firms but I would be willing
to say the going rate for independents is around 8 for straight. I would think the ones here showing the 12 or more per line probably not working for a national. I am only part time and make enough to satisfy my needs.
Maybe people working for private firms but I would be willing
to say the going rate for independents is around 8 for straight. I would think the ones here showing the 12 or more per line probably not working for a national. I am only part time and make enough to satisfy my needs.
I understand what you are saying, but this is a highly skilled sm
field, not "washing dishes" or even "working at Wallyworld." Yes, there is VR and other things out there making this our jobs easier and in very rare cases, null and void, but this industry STILL requires skilled MTs who will pick up what VR and computers just cannot do.
I do VR on a regular basis and there are so many gross errors it isn't even funny. I would say 50% of any given document contains error that would be a detriment to direct patient care.
I received a newsletter recently from my company that stated this industry is growing and that the industry is having a very difficult time finding experienced, good MTs to do all of the work given to any given company. That, to me, was very, very positive in the way of where our jobs will be in 10 years.
I don't see in 10 years VR or foreigners taking our jobs. In 30 to 50, maybe, but not anytime soon.
So, a company offering 7 cpl to an experienced MT is a disgrace (especially if they take it). On new grads, I think 4 cpl is just fine because I also taught MT at a local college and there was no way that any of my students (graduates) could do this from home without a mentor/QA, etc., full-time for at least a year until they could be on their own. They would make way too many mistakes.
Katie, some people are much more skilled than SM
others, some work harder than others, some work faster than others, some work longer than others.
First off, I do not because, I choose not to work a full 40-hour work week, week after week.
But by multiplying my own hourly earnings: It is very possible to make comfortably more than $50, even more than $60K/year as an employee of a national putting out good-quality work (even transcribing lots of ESLs!) IF:
You are fully skilled.
You are working on accounts you are nicely familiar with and have all your templates et cetera set up for.
The accounts do not run out of work (a biggie) so that you can get 8 hours of production within a reasonable workday (should not have to spend 12 hours a day married to the offce to get it).
You are paid somewhere in the upper 20ish percent of the rate range (note I didn't say have to have top pay).
You are either an exceptionally fast typist or use an Expander a great deal and take advantage of computer features.
You work hard.
You work smart and don't waste time where it doesn't count.
You have some talent for the work.
You WORK A FULL 40-HOUR WORK WEEK.
Reasons why some don't even approach that include:
Not fully skilled. Just think, for instance, of those who don't use an expander. And a skilled worker will produce many lines in the time it takes another to look up one term.
Not familiar with accounts.
Account frequently runs out of work--and MT accepts less income instead of walking.
Is a whizbang registered nurse/racecar driverccur et cetera, but lack talent for THIS work.
Doesn't work HARD and push for high productivity. Just working is not the same as working HARD (it is tiring).
Has enough work but doesn't put in a solid 8 hours of production per day (although might think so, maybe forgets to subtract time spent complaining here from the work day).
Katie, although average incomes have gone down significantly, a lot more people are making decent money than posts on this forum give any idea of. Those people don't spend a whole lot of time here, though. Guess why! Best wishes for your own good income.
It is a shame that it takes such a skilled..sm
person to be a MT yet the jobs are just pitiful. The companies can't provide enough work. The pay is pitiful. Why isn't this profession looked at with more prestige? I mean it is sad when you have been an MT for years and can't make a living doing this even with 2 jobs.
Long-term skilled unit?
ss
You're a big girl and a skilled worker. SM
If you haven't resolved this problem already, go ahead and do it this morning. You know, as a high-skilled MT you should be making at least 3 times whatever your local minimum wage is. Best wishes.
It goes both ways. Not all those with positive experiences are skilled or professional.
Some are in it for the referral bonus, some are company recruiters posting anonymously. It's really hard for anyone to tell the motives, but you can usually tell from the way a person posts who is on the up and up from those who are just spewing sour grapes and those bucking for the referral bonus. I tend to believe negative posts that don't personally insult other posters over positive posters that completely rule out any type of problem. If a person is saying that their company is perfect and there are NO problems, that should send up red flags.
FutureNet --- treating me like the highly skilled professional I am.
you can apply on their web site. they sought me out... grape vine told them i was hating MQ --
only downside... no benefits, gotta be SE... it's what MQ was going to do to me anyway, so no big loss..
Good answers and becoming a skilled MT takes surprisingly long, but SM
although 5 years may be about average, there's an old saying about how some people have 20 years' experience and some have one year repeated 20 times. If you want to cut that 5 years down VERY substantially, work full time (a conscientious full time, not just slopping thru the day) and push for new work types and accounts as woon as you've milked the old ones for all you can learn from them. Plus, a reality is that availability of the Web as a resource now helps people function at a much higher level earlier than previously.
What future demand is there for higher-skilled MTs? Inquiring mind wants to know. SM
Seriously--with computers taking over the keyboarding and the electronic medical record replacing much (just HOW much?) of the currently dictated verbage, what need will healthcare providers have that we can train to fill at least the same remuneration if not better? What potential is there for remote work? I confess I'm very fond of my current commute down the hall to my office, and googling MT in England, which has had the EMR for some time now, suggests it's high time I figure out how I'm going to keep it. Any thoughtful or knowledgeable answers would be greatly appreciated.
In this economy? I don't think 5 cpl for ANYTHING
Especially when they state they want someone who has experience, and is good at what they do. And more than that, such as 9-10 cpl, is an insult for straight medical transcription. MT isn't a 'career', it's a US sweatshop run by Indians.
economy
I think the biggest part of it is the economy right now. People are out of jobs, out of insurance, or worried about their jobs and trying not to spend any money, even on health care (dentists seem to be getting the worst of it). Unfortunately, aside from perpetuating the bad cycle of no spending = low business profits = job cuts, in medical terms it is especially bad that people are delaying things that they really need to avoid future problems/expenses, such as colonoscopies, screenings, etc. From everything I have seen so far, this is happening across the board with transcription volumes down. It's normal that we are in a slow period right now just after the holidays, but it seems there are a lot of people on these boards having a hard time finding a new MT job, even with a good resume. I don't think that is going to change until the economy rebounds. There are other challenges for the industry from India, EMR, SR, etc., but I think the economy is affecting our volumes in the immediate present more than anything right now.
Does it have a lot to do with the economy
Do you think it has to do with the economy or is this the way it has been for a while? I see posts from last year where people were being placed pretty easily and quickly.
I thought that maybe in a year things would look a little better. Hopefully anyway...
already signs its bad for the economy
As consumers, we are cutting back, because the price of everything is going up and wages going down. Its completely out of balance. Since Bush has been in office, consumers have had to increase their spending because of higher prices in the last year by about 200 billion. Three years ago, consumers were spending 100 billion, now we are spending 500 billion. People have just started to cut back, thats why movie theatres are advertising more to get people back in there, not as many kids are eating out, especially with the gas prices skyrocketing. We've got a complete moron in the office.
THIS economy is doing well, unemployment at 4.9%. Where do you get
x
I think it is the economy. People don't have the
money to buy insurance, or are contractors because their company won't provide insurance, and they cannot afford to have the surgeries they used to. Unless it is a true emergency I bet the hospital rolls are way down. The economy is just very bad right now, and most folks can't even put a doc visit on a credit card, because the credit cards are maxed out. BTW: Even McDonald's recently closed at a mall close to me. Even they are feeling the economic crunch. Yikes!
I think most in this economy would not have a problem
accepting an inhouse deal, some yearn for the chance to have a so called steady income, steady work. The pay seems good. You just said you ran out of work for a few days. You have to ask yourself would you rather sit around in PJs, no money perhaps or inhouse with money. Simple.
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AND if another country's economy fails
it will greatly affect us.
In this economy I would not dare - they may look elsewhere, be careful!
.
This economy is so bad, and the past overhiring
have made MTSOs scared, I believe. I sent out a zillion resumes a day and finally ended up with 1 full-time and 1 prn just in case the FT runs out of work. It took a year while I worked at a bad place and went broke. But you have got to keep trying, please keep up the faith. Statistically the more you send out the better chance of getting a response. Did not help when Medquist's thousands of MTs left at once too, so the market is flooded right now. Good luck to you.
Yeah, the whole world economy is going to be derailed because
Do you realize that the Bush tax cut saved this economy after 9/11?
Everybody got a tax cut. Now you can't cut taxes to those who don't pay any, can you? That would be socialism. BTW, do you realize that the unemployment rate in those countries with cradle to grave entitlements runs more than 10%, as compared to our 4.9%. France for example. I know it seems like a simple solution that the taxes from the high wage earners should be taken away and given to those who don't earn anything, but in economic terms, that can destroy an economy and therefore hurt the low wager earners even more. Case in point, the Clinton luxury tax back in the 90s. He put a huge tax on boats and jewlery and had to remove it because of the trickle down damage that did to all the jobs those luxury items created.
Make sure you don't have it in express or economy mode.
Is it faint all over consistently or is it uneven? If it's consistently faint, go to your Start Menu, Control Panel, Printers and Faxes, right click on Dell Printer 720, Properties, General, Printing Preferences, and make sure Quality/Speed isn't set on Quick Print. If that doesn't fix it, post again and we'll try something else. You may have to put in a new cartridge.
They encourage outsourcing, global economy.
x
Unions are increasingly a thing of a by-gone era. In this global economy,
x
economy doing well? did you ever consider unemployment is lower because after people lose their job
or temporary jobs. well, obviously unem. would look low. what town do you live in? we have major closings of businesses almost on a monthly basis.
we have stores closing all over the place. even 3 burger kings. gas is over $3.00, from $2.00, and is intended to stay that way.
I know of hardly anyone personally who is working full-time with any good benefits to speak of.
of course unem. would look like it is going down. 2000 people lose their jobs, 500 people find lower-paying, service jobs, and then unem. is down?
just look around, if you think the economy is so great. we are suffering in our area. we now face heating fuel prices going up may 100%, which is just went up about 50% last year, for some excuse or another.
americans are being extorted, and it is by our own rich in this country, who are what, the top 3%?
ever wonder where ALL that tons of money goes that is saved by closing shops, getting rid of full-time employees and all the benefits.
DOES THE SAVINGS GET PASSED-ON TO US, THE LITTLE GUY? No, we are actually pay MORE for everythiing. do you grocery shop? ever notice prices going up almost monthly, if not some weekly? salad dressing, 99 cents a few years ago, now over $2, and going up to $3?
how is that good for the economy again?
And we have the largest economy on earth, and lots of good comes
x
Considering all that you mentioned, the fact that the economy is growing is amazing. But,
f
Dignity, get real. It's a changing economy. Get with the program.
p
Dear, I'm wondering if the economy has effected your paycheck...
something tells me it hasn't.
foreign....
Oh, boo hoo! Those foreigners learn our language so they can take our jobs and our money, you numbskull. They aren't here to help us. They take advantage of our laws which actually seem to favor foreigners over citizens, especially if the foreigners are "minorities." (An interesting term since the only true minority in this world is white people. About 85% of the world's population is non-white.)
People like you who think you are so tolerant, are part of the problem. In this country we would all be learning Chinese if the situations were reversed and China was the country with the open door policy and all the wealth.
BTW, I lived and worked in Latin America and learned Spanish BEFORE I went there - I didn't expect the people of Colombia to pay to have everything I needed translated into my own language, which is precisely what these foreigners who come here to leech off us expect.
I'm an MT....slavery is not foreign to me.
Whatever it takes.
foreign docs
And why do a lot of those same ones who speak such poor English also make no sense in putting together their sentences? I have several that sound like they are clenching their teeth together and straining to get the words out which makes it even worse. I know exactly what you mean. Their oughta be a LAW! 
Those foreign guys
Yeah, we've all had our share of "those" guys. I worked in Radiology for a Spanish guy for about two years. He thought his English was perfect, so anytime there were blanks he went off of his latino-rocker. So I finally get this guy "nailed" where I can transcribe his reports just as fast as the others, and then what happens.. ? I lose the stinkin' account to VR! So he still sends me work on occasion and guess what .... he's crystal clear NOW, and why? Voice Recognition doesn't DO gibberish ... it trained HIM! HA! (Course he has to speak slowly now, losing lots of "billable hours" And of course, they had to hire an Editor to clean up the reports, punctuate, and correct his English.) Go figure! ');>![](https://forum.mtstars.com/smileys/sowhat.gif")
Seriously, though, if you can't stay with that ESL day-in and day-out for at least a month, you will never get him. Why companies bombard MT's with different docs from day-to-day is just beyond me. If QA were REALLY that important, they wouldn't do that.
You all are talking foreign to me
I have ShortHand and love it, but you left me way behind. A Shorthand course would be great.
isn't SPI a foreign company
Maybe you could work for them. They bought out Cymed.
foreign dictators
Wow, you sound so full of hate!!!Do you even know how difficult it is to learn another language? Have you ever tried to speak another language?
I don't particularly care for ESL's but...
foreign dictators!!
From one blondie to another--I couldn't agree with you more!
Drives me crazy, not to mention my so-called "productivity!"
What does the site being down have to do with foreign MTs?
Bonus from OJT - foreign dictators. (sm)
I learned OJT in a small hospital with a PDR, Dorlands and a boss with an attitude from &*^%&*^. There were only about 7 doctors on staff, 4 of which were foreign. I started off learning to cope with a Thai accent in a physician who had had a speech defect, a Nigerian, a Swede and a Czech. It was a painstaking way to learn, but I am greatful every day that accents have become a way of life for me. I almost prefer them to some of those mealy-mouthed speed demons.
I can remember cursing when they would say "Go back up and change this". Just rip that paper out of the typewriter and start again.
My children can't imagine a time before computers. Will have to take them to a museum someday and show them what life used to be like.
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