Heck, coding is complex, but definitely FINITE and physically non-demanding. sm
Posted By: di on 2006-03-11
In Reply to: Supposedly more dfficult to find work as coder, than as MT. - Good luck.
Typing can get to you, physically. And coding has SO many resources, catalogs, books, online resources. Once you understand the concepts and rules, it's kinda like playing a card game, and not that difficult. I think MT is way more demanding, mentally.
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Too physically demanding
That is the reason I put when I quit a standing all day/heavy lifting job in bank operations after a few months. And it was true, too. I was dog tired and not good for anything after my 4-5 hour shift of standing, walking, bending, and heavy lifting, most of which I didn't know was involved when taking the job.
Avoid the "hostile work environment" excuse. Potential employers will think you are the troublemaker. Sad but true.
Motel housekeeper when I was 16. That was a physically demanding and disgusting
job. The supervisor was always riding us to clean faster, but we made less money if we got the job done in fewer hours. Why on earth would we work faster to clean a room in 20 minutes or less just so they could pay us less?
Anyway, it was a nasty job. The things people do in motel rooms were often immoral and illegal. I had teenaged boys on a soccer team throwing condoms at me. People used to rent rooms to party, get drunk, do drugs, and other things. They left behind pornography and other things an innocent 16 y.o. had never even seen before.
Then this adult male "guest" was wandering down the hallway in just a pair of shorts. We were supposed to help the "guests" so I asked if he had misplaced his room key. He pulled his shorts off and came after me. I grabbed a bottle of acid to spray him in the eyes and called security, but the cops never found him. He had overturned the bed in his room and set up a pup tent in there. What a weirdo. I quit that same week because the housekeeper supervisor was a shrew. She's still there 20 years later. Never had any motivation to do anything else, I guess. That job taught me how to clean thoroughly and quickly, but also taught me that I would never be anyone's grunt.
Ortho is finite and fun, ETC is interesting, Ophtho is awful! If you like Surg...
Lots of companies will like YOU.
I should have specified, hospital inpatient coding and doc office coding are very different.
They follow different coding rules and an entirely different set of codes. I learned both while earning my B.S. in H.I.M., and both are challenging, though inpatient more so simply because there are more codes.
Honestly, you could get a job in a med rec dept without ANY certificate; some computer experience and your experience as an MT would get you in the door. It might just be doing chart assembly/completion, filing, etc., but there are certainly jobs in MR that don't require specific schooling. Then being in the dept you can really learn more about all the functions and pick the one you REALLY want to spend time, money, and effort on for additional schooling.
Complex question as others have
but obviously government policy has a direct impact on this. If you give tax cuts to billionaires while cutting basic services such as Medicaid, Headstart, etc., to the poorest what else can be expected?
Excerpt from article in link below:
"But after a decade of improvement in the 1990s, poverty in America is actually getting worse. A rising tide of economic growth is no longer lifting all boats. For the first time in half a century, the third year of a recovery (2004) also saw an increase in poverty. In a nation of nearly 300 million people, the number living below the poverty line ($14,680 for a family of three) recently hit 37 million, up more than a million in a year."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9287641
Met him in the apartment complex I lived in.
We were just friends for about a year and a half. I was newly divorced and not ready to have a relationship, but we became great friends. Here we are 11 years later - happy, happy, happy!!!!
At my apartment complex, our post boxes are
in a large mail kiosk and I can sort my mail right there, open everything and throw away all trash before ever getting back in my car or walking back to my apartment. Anything unnecessary never makes it to (1) my purse (used to be a bad habit of mine), (2) my car (used to be another bad habit of mine), or (3) my apartment. It really is amazing how much paper is wasted on advertisements that I'm not even interested in, envelopes, etc.
It can be very stressful to have all that stuff staring at you on the desk, demanding more of your time.
B6 complex. I would also recommend splinting at night.
I found that it really helps me not to bend my wrist and also not to put any pressure on it. I have had surgery for CT, but before surgery my orthopod recommended 15 minute soaks, hot, cold, hot. Try putting a standard size bed pillow in your lap and putting your keyboard on that. The pillow cushions so your wrist isn't taking such a banging with typing, plus it also gives you a cushion for your wrist instead of an edge on a wrist rest. I also find that I sit straighter with my back pressed against the chair typing this way which helps with stress on back and shoulders.
I also live in an apt complex and plan to deduct
75% of my ISP, 100% of my ULD and I am considering 50% of my utilities (haven't decided on that one yet).
The reason I won't file for paying taxes is this. I live in a large apartment complex. Most of the complex is located within city limits, but I live in the back part which is actually located in what is considered as incorporated county. So, you can see that the property management pays a different tax rate for the majority of its property from the location of my apartment and because I cannot hand the IRS a statement showing I paid XXX amount in property tax, I will only claim the square footage...something I can prove in writing by printing out the floor plan, taking pictures of the office, and having a copy of the lease.
I am not sure. I am chicken. I live in an apartment complex
I do walk around my house, but there is an elderly woman who lives below me and I get worried that she hears my foot steps pacing. I have a fan blowing on me, and keeping it cold to keep me awake. Maybe a cold glass of water and some sit ups. Problem with sit ups is I bet if I lie on the floor, I won't sit up, I'll fall asleep!!! Thanks for the idea, though. I wish I were not a chicken to go outside.
Verbally and physically abusive to all of you -- sm
That's the line that jumps out at me in your post. I know you're scared, but you've got a responsibility to your children and yourself to leave if this is true.
Start planning. Contact your YWCA. They have free counseling. If there's no YWCA near you, look in the phone book for other numbers. Women like you leave their abusive spouses all the time, and they have children just like you do. There are resources. Courage, lady. Bolster yourself up and find them. You have to do this for your children and yourself regardless of fear.
Hugs and prayers...
If you physically work at a company in another
xx
I seriously doubt that type of work is as complex as medical reports.
nm
No, I mean physically type faster with my hands.
x
That kind of stuff makes me physically
I have one doctor who always has a piece of hard candy rolling around in his mouth. For some reason, I just feel sick to my stomach whenever he stops talking to roll that around, and he does it often. It's so bad, I've sometimes wondered if I will have to give up that account because of it. It's just a little side thing I do, but it just grates on me so much and makes me feel so ill. Ugh.
Question on training at a company physically?? sm
The few that I have ever trained for were done through conference calls. Never physically going there. I have check about this company called Silent Type on the board, and read several other posts that say you have to physically train there. That is possible, as I am in NY state, but isn't this sort of out dated in this technology. Does anyone who work for them that reads this can you shed some light on this? I have 3 under the age of 12 and not sure how that would work?? Is it worth it?? javascript:editor_insertHTML('text',' ');
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Well, then I am gonna be more demanding
as some of these posts seem to be. There is not 1 single person that I know of, have ever known of, probably will ever know of that has a company pay them to come into the office to work. If a traveling salesman, I could see that but more likely a company could hire plenty of others who are glad to show up and have a job rather than thinking it was their place to pay for gas. I still find that post AMAZING.
It seems like a lot, but I have demanding clients
who don't telecommute, so I have to drive 44 MI each day to pick up and drop off. I have to print the original note and any copies, print envelopes. If they call and need something ASAP, I am expected to drop everything and type and fax it to them. If I am out sick or on vacation, I am not permitted to subcontract it out to another MT. It sits until I get back and then I am expected to work extra hours to make up the work. There are only a couple of MT's, who work from home, and we are supposd to complete dictation for 9 Drs/NP's in 24 hr turnaround. Also, I am supposed to abbreviate as much as possible to cut down costs.
Feeling healthy mentally and physically and being grateful for that. nm
s
I've thought about coding. My DH does medical coding and I think with an MT's medical termino
background and anatomy and physiology knowledge, a transition into coding wouldn't be hard at all. From what I can tell by looking through my husband's books, an MT would have to learn insurance regulations and legalities. We've basically got all the medical background down or we should be if we're worth our salt as an MT.
I even contacted AHIMA and found that the qualifications for taking the CCS or CCP coding exams are completion of the a coding program, RHIT program, or RHIA or related work experience. Transcription is part of HIM, albeit the red-headed stepchild of the HIM department, but a part nonetheless and so satisfies the qualification of having work experience.
The test is tough though. My husband didn't pass it his first time out and I think I read something like only 20% or so pass it the first time. So it would probably be best to take some sort of formal coding class, in my opinion.
Do you follow the BOS when you test? Are you demanding too
s
"Suggesting" is entirely different from demanding a set shift.
x
You're anonymous and demanding to know? Who cares? We come
to chat and get advice and these boards are made available to us at no charge. Who cares who "owns" it?
Ugly, physically repulsive people with nasty attitudes have that effect on me.
Ugly, ugly, ugly
Anyone know if coding would pay as well as MT? Is coding being outsourced too?
xx
Don't forget Marilyn Monroe for being too demanding of the president.
Subversives, all of them! LOL
Well, you're a rare one... mostly I get newbies demanding I hire them...sm
for a variety of reasons- because I really-really-really want this job, because I have to work at home to take care of my kids/mother/handicapped sister/old dog, because how can I get experience if you DON'T hire me, etc. etc. Most can't pass a grammar test to show they can use effect/affect effectively, and some even reply with emails riddled with typos and sloppy work. So good for you, but you're about one in a million...sad to say
Send him a certified letter with bill demanding payment within
within five days from receipt (make it RRR). You have your proof that you notified him. If it is not picked up or signed for, you have your proof that occurred to. All these things go in your favor when trying to collect money. that's just a starter. I would never have let him get away with it this long. Once would have been it.
Gack! Is nursing your idea or his? Nursing is highly demanding and long hours.
I'd check with a college counselor/advisor on programs they have for women over 30 to return to academia and enter new careers. Then I'd ask to take some career tests to see what your interests are and what you'd be be suited for. Also, there is scholarship money available for women over 30. Ask about it.
Since I've already raised my kids, I'd also like to state that jr. high and high school are the years our kids need us at home the most. Those are the years they can get into the most trouble if left to themselves. If he's already 9, why not just enter college part-time to finish in about 6 to 7 years? But definitely go talk to a college counselor.
Kids are demanding and so is MT work. My question is how CAN you do this with kids, rather than how
When you have two young kids, 11 months apart, (like I stated they are now 4 and 5) and have been doing this since they were born with no help from their father and no family around, YES, the kids get neglected. Part time might work but living on one salary, part time, is not an option. How can you possible tell me that anyone with two young kids can stay at home and work a full-time, 8-hour shift, and still give their kids the attention they NEED. I dont care how good you are at multitasking and how great your organizational skills are. It is a very difficult thing to do. And I am offended by your post making it sound as if it is easy to do.
I do agree that it can depend on how well your kids behave and how well they are able to play on their own. But my kids were not able to play well on their own. They needed constant attention.
So please take the time to realize that there are people out there in different situations than your own.
Reading our posts should help you to understand that everyone has a different situation. I believe everyone should have the right to shares their experiences as it might benefit the original poster in her questions and concerns.
I dont think anyone should be bashed for taking the time out to write about their experiences. I dont usually come on here to argue but you really ticked me off with your post. And try reading the post correctly. I said next time around I would have put them in day care. What I DID do with them was set them up to an activity like art or put on a movie for them. Geez.
Oh, heck, YES!!!
It's always feast or famine around here. One week, I'll be sitting on my thumbs stressing about bills and not enough work. The next week, everyone dumps so much on me that I'm working double shifts. Why can't it be regular instead of sporadic? Then again, I do rather like those unexpected days off and not being chained to a desk during certain hours like with the nationals. I work when I want to as long as I meet TAT.
Do you really want to work 10-12 hours a day? And you know that some days it will be 6 hours and some days 18 hours because it is truly feast or famine. I took on a third IC job recently because things were so slow for weeks with my other two. The other two must have heard me accept the third job because I got dumped on. I wound up wigging out and quitting the third position. I feel really bad about leaving her in the lurch, but holy cow! A human body can only take so much of this.
I don't see the little sleep deprived icon with cramped up fingers and pedal foot. Owie. I'm just not going to gripe about not getting much sleep or time off. Work is good. Being unemployed is bad.
Do the local docs pay more than the national? And their workload is a lot easier, too. You get the same dictators every day saying the same things over and over again so you can use your word expander to the max. Make a list of pros and cons and see which is better.
How the heck did you get that?
Interpretation of my post: I like ESLs not for any other reason other than I LIKE ESLs. Whatever impact that has on those who can't or won't do them is not MY problem.
Oh so thankful to have a job? Sounds to me like you are the one who should be thankful to have a job considering you have a hang-up about doing a majority of what our job description is.
What the heck is CMT?
x
No way in heck!
Everytime I scroll through the channels and I even see that show for 1 second, I feel like getting a hammer and hitting the wall with it repeatedly. Those women are gross!
What the heck are you looking for?
Most women I know that think men are scum continue to end up with the same type.
It's usually a self-esteem issue on the woman's part which harbors lack of trust and very high expectations concerning the opposite sex.
You need to lower your expectations and give to others as much as you would expect to be given to you.
Only then will you realize that not "all" men are scum, just possibly the ones that you choose to hook up with.
Heck no!
 I mean, like really, why in the world should you let your clients know that you're going to be out of town for a couple of weeks??!!
Why, let em' wonder where you are and why their work's not being done. I can't think of a better way to do business, get lots of referrals, and build a solid bond of trust!
Heck no, 41's not too old
Honey, 41 is NOT OLD...OK! Go for it...you'll do GREAT!!! Best of luck to ya...and I envy you...I wanna do that too, so bad. I might...when I get 41!!! 
Me too, then got the heck out of there. (sm)
I thougth for sure I was going to have my computer light up, start erasing data, or something.
What in the heck is EHR and what does this mean
to us as transcriptionists? I have worked in VR and know about this but am told here lately still a demand for MTs as healthcare is steadily moving towards EHR. Where exactly does this leave MTs - out of a job or like VR, some sort of editing? TIA
Why the heck don’t you all just
quit, do something different, anything? I have so many years in this and enjoy my work. If you don’t like the salary/work, etc. you can always do something else, can't you?? This job paid for homes, vehicles, travel, raising kids, the bills- if you don’t make enough money and just want to stay at home, how about a second or third transcription job to go along with the one you have already. Quityourbellyaching.
I say, to heck with that!
There is no way I would work for a company that does that. You should not, either. Work for a company that respects its MTs. There are such around. Look at the company board for ideas. Plese do not accept this!!
Well, heck, do tell about it! :-)
I'm in the market, I think. I'm starting from scratch and I want to get what's right the first time, if possible. 
Well heck. -sm
The link didn't work like I thought it would. If you put cardiology in the specialty field it will bring up a list of cardio sample reports. Sorry about that.
Heck no.
Too much? Not nearly enough, if you ask me... but I guess the question is really, can you actually GET that kind of $$ or more....
And that wasn't of any help at all. Sorry. Guess you have to decide whether you are willing to work for that, if your costs will be covered, and whether it's worth it to you.
where the heck do you go to even log in to your e-mail? sm
I can't even find the flippin place to log into my e-mail! Why did they change it? It was so much easier before! Guess that's just too much to ask, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? 
Where in the heck do you live? sm
I would definitely go to the DMV and tell them what happened and try to get this cleared up, but I don't understand how someone could get away with saying they were you. You do have pictures on your licenses, right? Or are you a twin?
In my state everyone is issued a driver license number when they get their license and keep that same number as long as they live. The number is run through the computer if you are stopped by the police to make positive identification. Our new license cards are supposedly computerized to make it even more difficult to have someone steal your identity.
One more thing. Why you weren't wearing a seatbelt, I will never understand. That's just plain dumb.
What the heck! No RadGuy!!!!
x
What the heck happened to my most of us are........sorry about that! nm
,
What in the heck are you talking about?
I didn't say how much it costs per dictated minute, because that's now how you figure it. What matters is how long you are on the phone line. It costs $1.50 an hour on the phone line, whether you type 1 minute of dictation in that hour or 30 minutes of dictation. If you transcribe for six hours during the day, it would cost you $9 of long distance for that day. What's so hard to understand?
heck yeah
I've only been at it a few mos but I am getting so many aches and pains from sitting. I am still in the process of adjusting my workstation so that my shoulder stops hurting. I thought working again would satisfy me, but what I really need is people too!
Love the flexibility and dress code - hate being alone and doing the same thing all day. Sure the dictation varies, but my body stays in this chair and my fingers stay moving.
I would not mind doing MT as one of many duties, but 38 hrs per week of it is making my rear end wide and flat.....
Heck I am an IC and can't stand it
I was told when considering the position that they wanted someone who could work at least 30 but closer to 40 hours since they had a lot of work. I thought about it, and decided to do it, and placed my 2 little ones in daycare. I have since adjusted my schedule so that one is in only 2 days per wk, and the other goes 5 days but abbreviated hours -but, I still have to pay the weekly rate plus the full day drop in rate for the other one. Not a problem if there is a lot of work.
About a month ago, it slowed down and we were told that it would pick up soon, as one MT was leaving and we were getting a new account. I feel like we are fighting each other for scraps, as the volume has not increased and all of the new hires (I was the first in a hiring wave) are picking up speed as they get better on the accounts. I can see from the company's standpoint where it is better to have MTs running out of work than to be behind on TAT, but its a balance, because some people are willing to walk away from a job if lack of work goes on long enough.
I honestly would prefer fewer hours and if I were not paying for daycare, I would be happy to cut back, but I just know if I pull my kids out, the long awaited glut of work will finally arrive and I will have to pull all nighters. I AM getting ready to do this anyway. The extra money helps us out, but mostly it is going into savings.
It has to totally suck to be an employee and be required to sit there. I at least can get tired of checking for work that is not there and decide to go run errands. Even as a waitress, I got minimum wage if I had no sales for my shift, and the managers were wise enough to cut some people free for the night if business was slow.
Good luck to you in your situation.
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