Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Heck yes, go specialty! Psych will never bore you!

Posted By: (sm) and once you get your fund of knowledge going on 2006-03-12
In Reply to: Need opinion... - SM

your production will go up. Psych is different, but at least it's a specialty so you can get good at one field instead of having to do 50 dfferent specialties.


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

Op notes bore the crap out of me.

Specialty
I will be graduating May 2007. I was wondering what your favorite specialty to transcribe is? So far from the assignments in school I like surgery reports and internal medicine. I did not care for dermatology very much. I had to many visuals in my head of lesions and sores.
What specialty will you be doing?
Have they hired you for a specific specialty?
This is my specialty sm
email me, we'll see what you have for IM and we'll connect. You can IM me anytime and pick my brain. I have done a ton of retinal surgeries, scleral buckling procedures, pars plana vitrectomies, YAG lasers...
Specialty dictation

Just wondering how many lines within 8 hours do you "speciality" transcriptionists type?  Not acute care, not SOAP notes, just the specialty accounts?


I type for 11 different specialities that just feed into my "pool" of dictation randomly and am lucky to accomplish 1000 to 1200 lines within 8 hours -- any suggestions on how I can increase this number of lines would be greatly appreciated. 


Every doc is different and you should not blame the specialty. sm
I do dictation for a podiatric surgeon and he is the most perfect dictationist one could ever hope for. He is a perfectionist about every thing, spells other doctor's names, spells other city names, spells out the claim numbers, etc. I would trade all my 11 docs for one more like him. it is not the specialty..it is the doctor.
Can be one specialty or multiple ......
xx
I was cornholed into a MT specialty

Does anyone know where I can get maybe some samples of op notes or radiology notes?  I want so bad to further my career and unfortunately where I work I don't see that happening.  I will be doing ER work until I die... which ER work is not bad, but I will never make any big bucks doing it unless I work for my company forever, that is if the Indian company dosen't take it all over.  Thanks ya'll.


Cardiology is my favorite specialty (sm)
I can't say why, though. I just like the terminology and it just seems like it's easier to look things up maybe?

Be sure you have a good cardiology book. It will be helpful, but if you do caths and PCIs, etc. there are new instruments and stents that come out like it seems every minute, so having a few good cardiology sites and knowing how to search the web is a big help.

I ENVY YOU!! And good luck!
Would appreciate comments from any specialty transcriptionist
who transitioned to another specialty.  Also, have been doing strictly psych transcription for 10+ years but would like to branch out, does anyone have a recommendation as to which direction I should be looking and learning?  I don't mind hard work and have mastered a lot of dialects, but am clueless as to what direction I should be looking to better myself in the field. 
Which specialty have you found the most difficult and why?
I find cardiology to be most challenging.

Any good cardiology links or websites?
Just started ortho specialty... Does anyone
Thanks a bunch!
If it's a woman and specialty is ENT, I've done her.
She's truly awful.
Go down page to By Specialty, cardiology
http://home.adelphia.net/~ktm58/links.html
Asthma Allergy specialty
I am working as an IC for a asthma/allergy specialist who has recently went into private practice.  In the 10 months that I have worked for her she has changed the format of her PE, new patient, D/C, well all of her forms, several times.  I have tried to explain to her that it is her practice and I will transcribe whatever information she feels is necessary to have in the permanent record (she does not do dictation, I transcribe from written report).  Can anyone give me an example of final transcription for an asthma/allergy specialist, and possibly an example of the forms used?  I would like to present these to her to compare so she can feel comfortable with what she is transcribing for the final record.  I would really appreciate any help I could get with this.  This is my first job and I want to keep this doctor satisified......Thanks!
What is your favorite specialty to type and why?
I only have a year and a half of transcribing under my belt, but I have had the opportunity to do a few different specialties: General practice, pain management, orthopedics, physical therapy, endocrinology, psychology and oncology. I have liked them all for different reasons. I like psychology because it is always interesting, easy and I can make good money with it. But I also like orthopedics and oncology because they are interesting and challenging for me. Just curious what others like (and dislike too!).
I think specialty work would be easiest..sm
With family practice, you could see a number of diseases from all specialties, so you need to know the terminology for all. In specialty work, you would see the same all the time. For example, if you took on an ortho doc, you'd see all ortho, so you learn the terminology for that specialty only. Once you have that down pat, you could branch out into a new one and so on, gaining experience with each.

You will have a more well-rounded experience going with family practice over specialty, but as a newbie getting own accounts, specialty would be easier, IMHO. I don't really recommend starting as a newbie at home with your own accounts, but that's just my opinion. It's a lot harder because you won't have QA - the doctor will be your QA, and they can be a lot harder to face than an online QA person. You have to take criticism well, since it will come from a doctor most times (or staff member) and some docs can be blunt and even condescending. Just being honest based on my own experience. Maybe you could try some of the small MTSOs rather than national companies, where you might only have 1-2 QA people and aren't as stringent about BOS rules, etc.

If you find a local doc willing to take a chance, go for it, but don't expect it to be any easier at first than a national or working for another person. There are pros and cons to each. It can be hard to get either job without experience, but a local doc desperate for help might be more willing to take a chance. Depends on what the MT market is like in your area. If small town, good chance finding a client. If larger town with lots of MTs available, it will be harder.
Ever come to like a specialty you used to hate, just because the dictators are so good?
In my case, it's cardiology. Used to CRINGE when I saw a cardiology report come up. But on my account, almost ALL the cardiology docs are great to transcribe. Now I actually enjoy these reports and have learned a lot about a specialty I used to hate!

Now, physical therapy will always and forever be my most detested specialty. I get really bored with all the stupid exercises and the patient saying his/her back hurts. Whose back DOESN'T hurt? The fact that PT on this account has some of the worst dictators certainly doesn't help any.
I check jobs in my specialty out of curiosity.
Have only applied for three in a year though and those were to possibly replace a PT job I have with a better PT job. The FT job I have I am content with for now.

Be careful not to become known as applying all over the place. This is when it is a good time to get information from the Company board when you see an opening. Be sure you want to be considered before you apply. It is a small MT world with the better companies. This is my thought anyway.
Could be by specialty, but usually walk-in clinic, stand-alone
s
Reply to get a good set of specialty books
When you say specialty books by Stedman's what do you mean exactly. I have a Stedman's Medical Dictionary and a Dorlands Medical Dictionary but what other books would I need to get? Thanks so much for your help.


I can understand stumbling over an unfamilar med, or one outside of their specialty, but (sm)
I have a number of docs who routinely mispronounce drugs that they have prescribed for the majority of their patients ... they've mispronounced (and often also misspelled) the same drugs for many, many years. It just floors me.
Oncology and some specialty AIDS facilities can be TOUGH.
nm
Is Radiation/Oncology a difficult specialty? I am going to be starting..SM
on a new account doing this specialty. I was wondering if anyone has any helpful hints for this specialty. Any know of any references that would be good for me to use? Are there any websites that would be good as reference? Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.
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. 


Heck yes, that is how I meant it!!
So do my kids. It takes a special people to enjoy this movie!! Or do I mean "special?" lol
Heck, I just dump it in! sm
I think I used one part (maybe a cup) ice cream and just enough milk to keep it thick (about 1/8 to 1/4 cup) and poured in the chocolate syrup, added the banana and pureed it in my blender. I like my shakes thick so I experimented. If I had too much I poured it in a bowl and ate it with a spoon. I gained weight in a hurry eating them and they tasted better than Ensure. I gagged on that stuff.
Me again...heck, I transcribe

doctors once and may never hear again!!  Every day is like a new day on the job.  Just really sucks!!  Just sayin' that even though you are seemingly having it tough where you are now, it could be a LOT worse.  Whatever you do, for your own sake, do not quit where you are now to take a national job.  There are so many variables that you can't even imagine with these places.  It is more like slavery in your own home than a real job. Worked for one national where I averaged 150 lines an hour for 8 cpl, that's only 12 dollars an hour, before taxes!  Who can live on that? Most of my time was spent on looking crap up, demographics and such!  Had to buy own spell checker and abbreviation Expander and other crap, and it's just a big racket!  Well, as I said before, just my humble opinion, but wish I was in your shoes!  Good luck, but don't do anything with the job you have now....


I truly wish I was in your position than mine  (that's green with envy ;) lol  


We just got rid of the agent from heck....sm
We signed with an agent who for 3 months sat on her keister and didn't show the house but one time. The pictures she took were horrible (took a picture of one corner of a bedroom which was really stupid)- the house was empty as we'd already moved out. Every couple of weeks we called to find out what was happening on the house and all she said was "I'm sure it will sell soon. It's posted on our website and in MLS" She came to us with glowing recommendations - but the 2 people that highly referred her also had homes that were above $300,000 and ours was $140,000 - probably accounting for the difference in sales style.

Finally the 90 day contract with this lazy person ran out. We got the house sold on our own through word of mouth and saved thousands by not paying some lazy bum agent to sit on her butt and collect a check for doing nothing.

As far as the hype goes by realtors to use them or risk legal problems - a good closing attorney will make sure that all of the i's are dotted and t's are crossed, and that everything is spelled out in the contract that needs to be. On the 2 houses I've bought over the years the agent that I worked with basically did nothing more than show me a dozen homes (we knew the area we wanted and gave them specifics on the type of house we wanted) and passed paperwork back and forth. Each of them made a good commission for that. Next home we buy we'll look on the internet first at the Assist2Sell and similar sites to see if we can find something without using lazy agents who make thousands for doing a little bit of work.
Heck, I'm drunk now!
nm
heck if they were honest
If they were honest no one would work for some of them!  We cheat you out of lines, we don't know what we are doing in Quality, we don't understand the BOS, we will stick to our guns even though you (the MT) are right.....  And the newbies don't know they are being cheated and taken advantage of but are grateful for a job.  Why change a good thing (for them)?