Best post I've read in a long time.
Posted By: mtathome on 2007-01-11
In Reply to: Some of us have genuine issues with transcription... sm - Dewglo
I tend to go back and forth with my feelings about this profession. In the mornings I am glad I do not have to get up, get ready and go to an office. Many times in the evening, after I have during the day and still have work to do, I feel like stuffing it all. Many times I am disheartened when I get my paycheck, but I am glad to be getting one, while my sister worries about getting laid off from her manufacturing job. MT has advantages and disadvantages.
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Oh, my. That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.
AHDI: Solving the world's problems, one foreign MT at a time.
ROLFMAO
Yes, I read your post, and I just re-read it, and I've copied and pasted for you in case
you've forgotten your own words! Your post above is 100% different "flavor" to it, now all positive and cheery! Your first post was 100% doom and gloom every which way, including "raining on your parade", and "if you want to go forward"...God, sounds like she's talking about jumping into oncoming traffic! Here is your quote:
My first boss (the one who hired me as a new grad) gave me some words of wisdom that I haven't forgotten. She said that transcribing at home with small children NEVER works under any circumstance. Either the work will suffer or the parenting will suffer.
****
How can the word "NEVER" in caps be interpreted in any positive way? You took about 8 paragraphs to cover every aspect and completely dash this poor woman's dream. I'm not blind, I'm not talking about day care at all, I'm talking about the total negativity of your original post! You know exactly what I'm talking about, cause you added some sugar to your second version! And that's much nicer than the first!
It's been a long, long time since I've used a C-phone, sm
but I do think jobs can be paused.
I didn't read your way-too-long post, but...
did you type all that out, or copy and paste from somewhere, cause if you typed it all out...you need to get a life and quick!
I've been doing this a long, long time...
I used to make $70,000 and up a year and did so for most of the late 80s and 90s (one girl used to make six figures a year working 7 days a week!) Because we were making more money than the supervisors and Medical Records Directors in hospitals, they began to switch to transcription services which were sprouting up all over the place. Plus AAMT came into existence and even though in the beginning it claimed it was to fight for transcriptionists (although assured us it was NOT a union), they eventually morphed into an organization that was more management friendly. They developed the "guidelines" and the 65-char line. That was the beginning of the end for those high-end wages. Then all those mickey mouse transcription schools popped up, and now outsourcing overseas. YES, we're complaining.
I work and do not have time to read such long posts, do you?..nm
nm
I'm like this all of the time! And now that I've read this
and became aware of my chair position, I have to adjust again! I think it's just one of those little MT quirks we all have.
Not me. But I've waited for this for a long time.
Been through the daily grind for over 20 years. At one point I even had all four of my kids in different schools, having to drop them off before leaving for work. I don't miss it one bit. I still laugh when I'm lying on the couch in my pajamas reading the morning paper while all of the commuters are fighting for a place in line at Dunkin Donuts.
But with 4 kids, 3 still at home, my house has always been like Grand Central Station. I have never been able to complain about the quiet for sure. Hubby works nights so is here during the day and starting early afternoon there is an endless stream of hungry teenagers in and out as well as messy little grandkids. I don't remember the last time that I was completely alone for more than an hour. I wouldn't know what to do.
Unfortunately I don't. I've had it for a long time in the closet. nm
x
Then how is it that you have time to post here all day long?
so transparent
EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE POST ABOVE FROM RutgersFanMT.
This is an example of how at least one company manipulates both the Transcriptionist and their own clients to their detriment and to the company's gain. And it is all true.
Fun With "Rick" and Jane is the best/funniest movie I've seen in a long time! s/m
Okay, it's not Rick and Jane, but the censor wouldn't let me put the short form of Richard.  LOL
Oh I know, I've studied legal aspects of med recs, too, been in this a long time. sm
I totally get everything you say, and I don't argue with any of it.
But I work for a national that has had the same errors in the same normals for YEARS, so we're talking probably thousands of charts by now. I can't fix years of apathy. If I was in charge, you betcha I would.
The doctor's name is what's on the document, it still comes down to him/her.
There is NOTHING to post! The boards were trolled for a long time by the lawyers AGAINST MQ, looking
for any lame info in a very unprofessional (not to mention unethical) manner. They used us and left. Now the law suits are in the "discovery process", where both sides are gathering info, where they can then decide whether to proceed forward or not. No news at all for us MTs. Again, the $$-hungry lawyer(s)? were all over this board months back, stirring up the pot, begging us for info, and then VANISHED!
Honestly that is the most intelligent thing I've heard from an MT co. in a long time. Completely
You have to be able to retain knowledge.
You have to know how to reserach effectively.
You have to be able to use deductive reasoning.
You have to have confidence in your decisions and not constantly "need assurance."
You have to be able to separate sounds in your head that are both internal and from multiple external forces.
Some of these can be taught, some are innate, some take years to develop, some either you got it or you don't.
In 12 years of MT'ing I've never re-read an entire chart. Edit/read as I type. nm
x
Oh I've read that site and continue to read it...sm
I agree...much motivation there. I have tried to quit numerous times in the past and did successfully quit when I was pregnant for the first time many years ago but I have never managed to summon up the strength or resolve to stay quit. Thus the "need" for a financial investment in my efforts. It somehow makes it more motivational to know that I have $$$ invested in this effort over and above the $$$ saved on cigarettes.
Who had time to read?LOL I only get a chance to read This Old House once in a while. (nm)
x
I had a problem with this for a long, long time sm
I have always worked days, like from 6-3. Over the last few years, it didn't matter how much sleep I got, I became real groggy between 7 and 11. Really shoots the day. Talked to my doctor and he said my blood pressure pills were the culprit but he refused to change me to another brand or dosage since I have multiple aneurysms (2 in the brain). My BP has been stable for a long time and he wants to "keep it on the low side". I tried taking them before I went to bed instead of early in the morning, but then I had headaches all day. So, I am changing to a night shift for a few months so I can sleep when those pills kick in and so far it is working pretty good. I stay mostly awake during my shift and die when I hit the bed from 6 am to 10 am, then I lay down again later in the afternoon for 2-3 hours. I still get 6-7 hours of sleep, it's just split up during the day, plus I am mostly awake now when I sit down to type. I don't have to deal with the heat in my office, either. It tends to warm up real fast in here with the south sun on the house and 2 pc's running all day, even with the air conditioner on.
Way back when, a long, long time
ago and in a galaxy far, far away, I had my own accounts also and some years cleared $75,000. Yes it can be done, but you need to have your own accounts. Also lots of delivery, and other duties involved. I work for a large national now and make much less, but I got tired of accountants, having to deal with hardware problems, deadlines, driving deliveries, printing, printers, etc. So I decided to simplify my taxes and stay home and just type. Don't have to worry about computers either, because the company will just send me a new one.
Been in this biz a long, long time, 30+ years and....sm
I love/loved MTing. However, things have changed so much during these years. The job definitely gets easier; don't have to look up much, can decipher ESLs much easier, in other words, you get pretty comfortable with things and you have confidence in yourself. The more experience you have the easier the job, but....
I actually made more money 10 years ago!! We didn't have speech recognition and you actually got paid for headers/footers, demographics, carbon copies, etc., you got paid for what you did fairly; today, I am not so sure.
You will feel burned out at times, but that passes and you find you like your job again.
Good luck to you!!
Not anymore. For some time now, I've been working 32 hours and am considered full time to receive
p
A bit long, but please read, at least, the end if you are up for an experiement
I have used Expanders from the start, and I would say they help overall. However, as time has gone by I have discovered better ways of putting them together, so I have ended up changing many I had already created along with the endless making of new ones. (Some of this due to discovering which key combos are easier for me in regard to finger dexterity and some due to overlapping use of the Expander pattern I started with.)
I think you might actually be better off since you have learned more about transcribing before creating any.
I did read a funny and interesting thing on here a few months ago though. Someone said they stopped using their expanders and were getting a higher line count by straight typing. I was really tempted to try it for a day to see what would happen but never did. It would be kind of fun if we all tried it for a day (or even half a shift) to see the range of results.
Anyone game for that?
I can't read for long in the car or do crafts because I get
motion sickness, but I've worked from coast to coast without having any issues. My issue is my DH and the radio. My DH thinks he is going to die if he doesn't have his music and I'm turning the volume down and 2 minutes later he's turning it up again.
I work for both ... my comparison (LONG READ):
HOURS/CLASSIFICATION:
MQ: You have a choice of FT with full benefits -- 39-40 hours producing average of 150 lines/hour minimum; FT with limited benefits -- 39-40 hours with less than 150 lines/hour average but more than 100 lines/hour; PT with limited benefits for 8-16-24 hour schedules all averaging 100 lines/hour.
Spheris: FT is 37 to 40 hours a week, with 10,200 lines required by payperiod's end. PT is 20 to 36 hours a week, production is 5100 lines/payperiod minimum.
OVERTIME:
Both companies structure overtime the same way; averaged in the same manner; requires approval, must be in addition to 40 hours WORKED (PTO, DT do not count).
SCHEDULES:
Both require a schedule with the offer of "flexibility".
TIME:
MQ: Time sheets are used; MTs fill them in manually and submit.
SPHERIS: Galaxy is used -- you clock in and the system punches your time for you. Day's end, you see how much you've worked and allocate your time accordingly (productive time, PTO, meeting with mgrs, etc.).
BENEFITS:
MQ: You see the benefits in the Harmonization booklet. The employee's cost of insurance benefits is assigned by the state you live in (as well as which/if coverages are available to you).
SPHERIS: Med/Den/Vision are offered. Employees all pay the same amount for amount of coverages (EX: All employees wanting EMPLOYEE ONLY coverage pay the same; all wanting EMPLOYEE+ONE CHILD pay the same). It is available to all employees. Cost is not region-specific.
EQUIPMENT:
MQ: Use your own or they will provide. The current rental charges will no longer be effective in January; as well, the internet reimbursements will not either. I don't know if there will be a deposit for those just coming into the company after Jan 1.
SPHERIS: Must use their computers. No rental fee but there is a refundable deposit. You can pay it at once or have it taken out in 6 paychecks. Refunds to you when equipment is returned in good working order.
PTO:
MQ: You see the new PTO offered in the plan and can read online the PTO calculation formula.
SPHERIS: Same type of calculation formula; averaged quarterly and you receive a notice of what your new downtime/PTO rate is and what period it covers. Limit is $20 an hour tops for PTO. Lowest is $7.50. Amount of PTO depends on status and length of service and ranges for FT from 11 days to 21 days a year and PT 2.5 to 7.5 days a year.
HOLIDAYS:
MQ: You can read in the Harmonization booklet.
SPHERIS: Thanksgiving and Christmas are designated holidays. If you are scheduled to work on it, you can take PTO instead. If you work it you will earn double lines those days.
QUALITY:
Both require 98%.
PAY CYCLES:
MQ: Pay WEEK is Su-Sat; pay PERIOD is bimonthly 1-15th and 16th-end of month with paydates on 10th and 25th. Direct deposit available.
SPHERIS: Pay weeks are same as pay periods and are Su-Sat with every other Fridya as paydates. Direct deposit available.
BASE RATE:
MQ: With the new plan, you have your current base rate and it is the same on all work (unless you do part radiology or ASR).
SPHERIS: Your base rate depends on the level of the account you type on. If you type on a really easy account, you will get less pay; more difficult accounts, more pay. Each account level has a new-hire hourly associated with it. Levels go from level 3 to 10 with line rates 0.065 to 0.102. With Spheris, if your production earnings do not add up to at least minimum wage for the hours you worked, they will pay you minimum wage. However, you will not stay with them long if you cannot produce enough to keep you off the minimum wage payments.
INCENTIVE:
MQ: We know that incentive is achieved on a daily basis -- after you produce 1200 lines. Tiered so that you earn incentive ONLY on the lines produced AFTER 1200. It barely puts change in your pocket for mid-range producers. Only rewards high producers.
SPHERIS: Incentive is base on each week's production (Sun-Sat). So you can have a really bad week and only get your base and then next week have a great week and get incentive. Once earned, incentive applies to ALL lines typed and ranges depending on FT or PT status. FT: 5200 lines start at 0.002 and increases up to 7000+ lines getting 0.015 cpl incentive. PT: 2700 lines = 0.001 and increases up to 7000+ lines = 0.015 cpl. Whatever incentive you earn that week is applied to ALL LINES PRODUCED THAT WEEK. Spheris also has special teams that pay higher base rates.
SHIFT DIFF:
MQ: 11pm-7am = 0.01 and 3pm-11pm = 0.005
SPHERIS: 4pm-8am CST daily = 0.005.
NO WORK AVAILABLE:
MQ: This is not specifically addressed per se; however it is not listed under downtime definitions at all. I doubt MQ ever pays for no work situations.
SPHERIS: Has a policy: "MTs will not receive compensation for "No WOrk Available" situations. If an MT runs out of work, the MT should immediately notify their Supervisor or follow th eout of work situation guidelines for their team."
Hope that helps.
But the help file is so long and boring to read.
I know about linking and hiding the suggestion window. Other than that, I don't know many semicolon or Ctrl functions. I put hospitalization in as hosn. I wish somebody would teach a Shorthand Expander class or come up with an in-depth book going over specific SH features. The other expander books I bought were lame.
Long, informative read - Merck vet manual (sm)
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/71600.htm
Help! Long shot, but if you're near Redding, CA, please read
I'm desperately in need of a Dictaphone pedal. Mine randomly quit working this morning, I need to work today and tomorrow, and I can't find one in any stores here. My employer's Fedexing me a new one that will get here Monday. If you have one that I could borrow until Monday, I'll come pick it up, and I'll bake you one of my famous apple pies.
How long would you say it takes to get a decent grip on them. I do have samples already I have read
over and they arent hard but I havent heard the voices yet.
So I've read...
I came here hoping to find there were some fair companies out there, but that doesn't seem to be the case, so far as I can tell anyway.
Good luck to you and all MQ MTs. You've definitely been done extremely dirty by MQ from what I've read.
Too bad we can't all jump ship and leave 'em high and dry!
from what I've read
You'll lose money.
From what I've read...
Shorthand is compatible with Extext. I've read of many people using the 2 together on this forum and others.
it's what you know, not how long you've been around.
I've worked with long-time MTs that didn't do very good work, had limited knowledge...and vice versa. What we ought to have is not what we're likely to be able to negotiate for either. Many factors involved, but i'd say 9 cpl for 10 yr or more...but best to get your foot in the door, where you are happy to be, and then negotiate up if possible when they see what you're made of.
A long, long time ago, I was going thru
a really bad time emotionally and physically. I was suffering, and my transcribing suffered. I assure you - if you are to the point of not paying your rent, literally, and needing food stamps, there is something else going on in your life than current transcription rates. We are all in this industry and many are thriving, most getting along comfortably. If you are literally to the point of food stamps, you honestly would be a fool to continue. I blamed it on my job, on my line rate, on everything but the honest truth that I was ill and was NOT working as I should or could. It is a really sad thing that you keep spreading this propaganda that MTs in our culture are doomed and now destined for food stamps. Food stamps are not something to toss around lightly, as you would know if you ever had to use them. Please let's not be quite so dramatic. Again, if you are really in those dire straits, you really need to face that MTing is not the fit for you, personally, and do something about it rather than blame our industry. You dwell on the past, but we can't do that. While you may have made other wages 20 years ago, may I remind you that we were pounding away on IBM Selectrics using layers of paper and bottles of white out, going crazy trying to rewind tapes over and over to get that dang word, with no idea what an Expander was. Technology is fantastic. Things have changed, but things are still great in this industry, and in this world. Those who change and can adapt will be fine, but you need to recognize that most of us are not ready for food stamps.
I've had 3 at one time, but only one open at a time. nm
xx
He already is...From what I've read, he's been doing open act for
x
I've read different combinations, but
I googled it and got anywhere from 3-8 uncoated aspirin in a few drops of water. Like I said, some have suggested using other things to make a paste, like honey, but I found that using water works best for me. Try dabbing it on with a cotton ball all over or just in problem areas. Leave on until it's dried 10-20 minutes, it seems. Then rinse off, carefully. Good luck. Let me know! TK
my typo - should've read.....sm
kids, not kinds - putting all kids in public schools - (but not in today's world)
I've read there how they are posting here, that's all.
they speak openly of spam, etc. We see through it and there you are.
we've come a long way, baby!
As the old hymm goes "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now".... I did work on the belts too, my brother was my boss and loved to torture me about it! Talk about archaic! Now I am So spoiled! (and so thankful).
One more thing, I've been in MT and QA long enough to know that just
feel like you had no trouble with the terminology, doesn't mean you didn't have trouble.
I have come across many MTs who believe they know what they are doing and really don't.
Did you read my post?
First of all there was tear gas canisters thrown by the guardsmen into the crowds and they were thrown back at the guardsmen. That is documented in articles, (look on line) and by first hand eye witnesses that were there.
Anyway, my post was not about what exactly went on at Kent State. I was using that as an example of how your child could go to college and find themselves in a position of danger. Serial killers, rapists, what have you. It was in response to a post about how Natalee went to Aruba and found trouble but that probably wouldnt be likely at a college. OKAY????? I never said people didnt have the right to protest or that war was good OR that the gov was responsible or not.
I am all for protesting and exercising our rights as private citizens of this free country. But somewhere along the way from my original post, someone got off on a completely different subject. this was about natalee.
Did you even READ my post?
It's been a great, lucrative career for me. I've loved it from the start and still do. I've mentored and encouraged many along the way. I'm a QA specialist, college instructor and a consultant. I'll exceed 50K this year and have a very flexible schedule. No weekends, no evenings, and take off when I want. Additionally, I've been at home with my kids all this time. I've worked my way to the top and I'm good at what I do. No gloom and doom here. The point I made (that you somehow missed) was that times have changed. It's much more difficult than it used to be and sometimes it's nearly impossible to get a break. I'll repeat myself--I work for a private college. We trained many great MTs. We were FORCED to drop our program because of job market for new graduates is so poor. It's not too difficult to place a graduate in an in-house position (I teach in a large metropolitan area), but few women enter this profession with working in-house as their goal. Tuition at a private college (students could earn a certificate or an associate's degree) is very, very expenstive. No, you don't HAVE to spend thousands and thousands, but many students do. Then when they graduate, many are faced with harsh reality. I'm not SPECULATING on this; I've seen it happen time and time again.
The daycare issue is a personal choice and has been argued into the ground. We all know it's difficult for an MT to be productive and accurate with a 2-year-old whining in our ear. Some of us make it work; others can't. Making an informed decision requires hearing stories from ALL sides.
Oh my!! I think we should all NOT read the new post at the top! Looks like another
flamer to me! Now its gonna spin into birth control issues and world over population! I'm not mad at anyone! I am happy! Please be happy, too!! I will try warm milk, but just in about 6 hours when I'm hitting the hay!
Are you the OP? Yes, I read your post.
I didn't even say anything about "correcting their wrong crap." (Nice structure, by the way.)
The question was "Why go to MT School." I answered it.
1. It gives you more flexibility/choices in employment.
2. You learn relevant aspects of medical terminology. I didn't learn "perineal" vs. "peroneal" in K-12, nor did I learn that 125 mg of Synthroid is an incorrect dose.
3. You get experience in hearing what was said and transcribing it accurately. Many MTs lacking an adequate MT education have difficulty separating "what they hear" from "what they said."
I read your post below, thank you and....
As for above I should say people do need "protein" in their diet, NOT meat, especially not like this. I've also been trying to slowly get it out of my diet the past few years and after seeing the images, knowing and hearing those sounds I don't think I could physically eat it. Its unbelievable to me. We need people like you out there spreading the word, these animals have no voice so they need us. Do you know if putting pressure on them by PETA has brought about any changes??
Do you have ADD? Did you read my post? sm
I have work now that pays me well and it's more than 10 cents a line (which is considered an "excellent line rate.") I do not need to "start my own company."
However, if some companies can charge 18 to 20 cpl (which I have read on this board), why can't they pay quality MTs more than they pay newbies?
This is a MUST READ post, the 20 yr exp...etc. nm
x
Of course I read your post.
I can comprehend that you are a WEE bit prone to exaggeration and apparently it is making your life miserable. If you look through this website you will quickly see that many posts do not concern MQ.
My take on this is that right now there are many more MQ posts because of the looming change in our jobs/status/benefits and it's got many of us worried.
If you want an edited MT forum to your liking I suggest you open your own site. Otherwise live and let live, please.
when I read your post...
I get angry that as transcriptionists we have somehow found ourselves in a no-win situation. There should be no reason you are having to work yourself to death to learn a new job. Only in our profession does one NOT get paid to learn. Any other job you go to, you are paid while training for the job...no matter how much you know the work, places are different and everyone has to learn the routine. And in transcription, this can be VERY, VERY hard to learn a new company and all their account specifics, rules and guidelines and systems! I feel for you. I understand your feelings about your son. I raised my son alone on my sole salary and worked from sun up to sundown ... but I did stop long enough in between to take care of him. I went to ballgames, I went to school functions, I helped with homework and projects, etc. and when he went to bed at night, I started working again.... well into the night. It was not easy, but I got to be with my son and participate in his school and curricular activities while he was growing up. I would not take ANYTHING for that time and wish I had more of it now. I did what I had to do. Thank goodness in your situation, you have a husband who can share some of this responsibility with you. It's a matter of prioritizing... and it's not easy. It means giving up certain things. I sacrificed a lot over the years .. I don't drive fancy cars, I don't live in a fancy house and I have a very functional wardrobe. I don't compare myself to others. I find that I am much happier than others I work around now who have all those things. My son is much more well adjusted than many of their children also.I am very blessed. We have our children for such a short time, it's not until we get older that we realize exactly how precious every single minute of it was! I wish for you the best and hope you can make the right decision for you and your family. May God Bless you.
I did read the post
I think she means the virtual money that the MTSO would be pocketing if they had no QA. The money they would not need to be paying to QA if all of their MTs were "up to par" and did their jobs, or the "reality" of a company needing fewer QA personnel when they have more MTs that need less/no QA.
Do you really think that MTs who send work to QA to save themselves time rather than looking it up and finding it on their own deserve to be paid the same as the MTs who take pride in their work and ensure quality work is sent in by them rather than having someone else complete the job?
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