Hey Lisa - I'm from Lyons - give me a shout!
Posted By: barbv on 2006-05-20
In Reply to: CONGRATS to Lisa R. of Wolcott, NY on winning the $10 gift certificate - courtesy of Executive Communications! nm
X
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
Shout much? (nm)
.
Which you would then SHOUT at them, (nm)
nm
Wow - that's great! I'd shout from the rooftops!!!
Smile!!!
Thanks, Lisa! (sm)
I was pretty sure it wasn't illegal, since I signed all this paperwork and they did a credit check and everything to issue me the overdraft protection insurance, but it's nice to hear it from someone "in the know". Thanks for the reply!
On a Halloween sugar high, back from Trick or Treating with the kiddos, back to work and hoping I actually get paid for it....
(Sending out about 12 resumes tomorrow....)
Yes, you can Lisa if you look :o]
For instance if you have applied to a smaller company and they've filled the spots, you can offer assistance in the future with a backlog or to cover vacations. Keeps ya' networked, plus gives you some extra cash. If I had anything that I needed help with that is what I would do. I don't see anything wrong with advertising for temp/vacation help. Why not? Sounds like a way to meet quality transcriptionists that you can count on. The other ideas posted here are good, too, but if you need a vacation then you just need a vacation. Taking work on vacation just doesn't seem like much fun to me. I wish more people would network in this fashion, but I think there are people out there that might try to steal your accounts, so you might want to be very careful. JMO. Thankfully, I have not had that happen. 
Hi Lisa
I do not think that this is the trend, but have seen a few companies who are doing this. In a way, it makes sense because then you are getting paid for airtime and all the BS like conversations with staff, etc. that you would normally have to listen to and not get paid for. Most folks that I've seen post here on the subject would not do it for less than $1.00 per minute, but it really is about how long it takes you to type it (obviously) and how much your time is worth to you. Since a general figure of how long it takes to type 60 minutes of dictation, from what I've heard and experienced, is about 3-4 hours, at 0.67 cpm that would work out to about 10.05 to 13.40 per hour of typing time. Of course, I've had work that I could fly through, and then I've had work that would take longer than the norm, so like everything in this biz, it all depends. Hope that wasn't TMI, since you asked only about the trend thing :)
I also hope you are not talking about losing the account with the flashdrives, as I know that would be really disappointing after what you have done for them.
Have a great night, and a Happy New Year!
MedQuist - Lisa
With your experience, I would have to say it depends on cpl they are willing to offer you. I know of many companies that are generous in cpl due to the number of years of experience. I agree with earlier posting about it depending on if you get a good supervisor. The raises are not much to be desired, you will have to fight for one in the far, far future. Again, with your experience, don't settle for anything less than what you feel is fair. Worse case scenario, if you don't like the job, move on to another company until you find a job you do like. I don't think anyone can answer this ? for you.
Lisa - subcontractor
There have been people here who would like just a little extra. If you get the account and once you are settled, why don't you put your need on the board. You might find some bites. Some people like to do a little extra. Of course if it is something digital you could even go away from your state. Just a thought. I happen to enjoy helping others when on vacation. It has worked for me in the past as well when I needed a vacation .
I would love to help if I can, Lisa....sm
I love to help newer MTs, because back when I first became an IC, I was so shaky, I had my first two babies at home, my husband was gone most of the time for work, and this ANGEL that I met on another message board happened to see one of my questions and since she lived in my state and my area, and she had been doing MT for many years, we hooked up....she was so wise, and so helpful, and we became really good friends until she had to move to Italy with her husband. Also, if you are doing IC independently, I found so much info from my local SBA (Small Business Administration), they will actually let you know the laws of the state regarding setting up business, tax laws, tips, and they will just mentor you along in growing a business. Anyway, please feel free to e-mail me anytime, I will help if I possibly can! You'll be great!
Lisa - your 1st post was so optimistic....sm
Lisa: Your first post was upbeat and optimistic/positive. Then in walked the panners of MQ.....outside of a few clear realistic posts. Now, this current post of yours saying something to the effect of *now MQ isn't lookin too good* is indicative that you HAVE, indeed, let the panners influence you.
Again, hopefully you'll get a GREAT supervisor....(not a given) - the supervisors can make it or break it for you...hopefully you get one with NO POWER OR EGO problems!! I always said, the day my PS leaves, I'm gone!! *lol* Good luck to you whichever way you choose!
To Lisa - Going Rate in Area
I would try Career Builders and look for on-site MT jobs in your area and see what the hourly rate is and try to figure how many lines you would do in an hour for this account. I'm no expert, but that is probably what I would do. It seems strange to me though that the Nationals pay pretty much the same line rate to their MT's, yet they are all over the US. Will you have to pick-up/drop-off tapes? Do you have to print? If yes to these two questions, bid in the middle to higher range. If it is all digital and you only have to e-mail the reports back to the office, then maybe consider the low to mid range. I'm on the East Coast, and the cpl ranges from 10-15 cpl (65 characters with spaces) or anywhere from $13-17 per hour. I hear though in some other states such as Texas, the going hourly rate is $9-12 per hour, so this would reduce the cpl rate. I guess it would depend on the type of program you are using. I only use Word and the line count built in. I do not have a separate line counter. I hope Patti has ideas, and she very well may. I think she said she's in Oregon, so that would be considered West coast, so I'd be anxious to hear what her opinions are on the average rate. She's pretty knowledgable and from her posts "plays fair". With all that being said, I think either 13 cpl or 15 cpl depending on the program and method of retrieving dictation and sending back reports once they are transcribed. Hope this helps! I tend to get real chatty! Sorry! 
I hope it was okay to e-mail you Lisa.
NM
Lisa/MT Student (see mssg)
I don't think you would have to pay to place an ad. See if there is a "Letters to the Editor" section. If not, it might have to be done the way the doctors do it: Their papers are submitted to JAMA for consideration of publication. Even though we MTs are not doctors, it is their work that we are transcribing. And sometimes (if we're lucky) we even get to transcribe those papers that they are submitting for publication! I don't think there is a single doctor or medical professor out there that would want their JAMA submission, book manuscript, etc. transcribed by an ESL MT.
Lisa, the truth of the matter is ...
that there *are* actually MT's out there who are still happy in their jobs and who make good money still in this profession. In truth, I still love the *type* of work that I do; it's the rest of what's going on that I'm sick of as well as the downward trend in pay. What we're commenting on here is the *overall* mood, feel, and status of the industry right now ... and my personal belief is that it's not going to get better.
I say hold true to your dream. If you really want to be an MT keep looking for that company that's going to be a good fit for you. It's going to be hard with you being a newbie, but it's still possible. Don't put all your eggs in this one basket though as some of us have done. Keep a back-up job in another industry so that as things continue to degrade on the MT side you'll have a soft cushion to fall back on. Keep reading the boards with an open and critical mind and decide for yourself if the common challenges that you see MT's as a whole facing are of an ilk that you can tolerate.
I hope this helps.
Hi, Lisa. Have you added macros to SM
your Expander yet for many of the common VR changes--such as for backspacing over a comma, adding a period, and capping the first word of the new sentence? How do you drop common words like, say, "she" into a sentence on the run? I hit "k" and in it goes, but I'm off scanning the next line by then and don't actually see it. Do you constantly use your program's function for jumping the cursor to the point of dictation and vice versa (assuming it has one)? This is a big speeder-upper.
And a reality that's hard for some to run into: Editing skills and talents are different than transcribing skills and talents. Reading fast and accurate becomes big. Punctuating fast on the run was always desirable, but it's more significant now as the ability to simply get the letters on paper becomes less so. Are you one of those this work suits or one it doesn't? If yes, keep working on speed. If not, move on sooner rather than later.
Hi, Lisa. Just wondering how the meeting
Hope everything went well!
Hmmm, interesting theory on Lisa. Maybe so, huh?
x
Lisa B - my rates and a long message
Again, I am from the old school, old way of counting and have had my accounts for many, many years - some 18 years. I do the simplest and easiest for me which is just doing gross lines per Word -- which I know counts the spaces but that is how these accounts were started and when I inherited some of them was told to count top to bottom -- but with that in mind -- I keep my rates a little lower. I am from .11 to 12.5 cpl. The lowest is for my Psych accounts as they give me 3-5 days turn around and we insert a lot of templates. The others are internal medicine, surgery, surgical oncology, Plastic/Hand surgery and Dermatology. I do pick up delivery, print, envelopes, cut apart chart notes but I average $35 to $45 and sometimes over $50 an hour (depends on how many Op's and consults that I have) and cannot see raising my prices. So I am happy and content. My pick up and deliveries take me an hour each day (depending on how much I visit with the office staff and docs) and I usually stop at the store or something but it gets me out of the house and I really do not mind that at all. I figure this into my work day to get my average hourly rate and am still happy with it. I will probably raise my rates at the end of 2007 but it has been two years. So with all of that said -- again it depends on your variables -- pick up and delivery, printing, etc. But for a ballpark figure I would go for 12 cpl for digital and 12.5 to 13 for pick up and delivery knowing that it will take 3 to 6 months to get your average up there while getting to know your docs, etc. I have used Sylcount for another account and to me that was too cumbersome. I tell my accounts the simpler, less time consuming we keep it the more savings I can pass onto you. And yes, they do appreciate me, pay on time, Birthday cards are received, Christmas bonuses received, included in staff parties if I want and the doctors actually talk to me and treat me as a person with a name and joke with me. Nobody can really answer this question for you as only you know what the account entails, your experience and what you want to make. You can always raise in a year or after doing it for a while. Good luck, e-mail me if you need any other additional info. Patti
That's why this is a great Site! Congrats Lisa!
Way to go Lisa
The 1st giveaway had 92 entries with Lisa I. of CA as the winner.
Directly after announcing the first winner, the second hunt began. There is indeed an I FOUND IT message posted and will be awarded over the weekend.
GOOD LUCK!
Lisa, you make a very good point. sm
I guess I should have been a little more specific. If ALL MTs were to go on "strike" and not accept the low wages these MTSO's are offering, they eventually would HAVE to offer a decent wage we can live on. But, the other side of the coin is, if the MTS WOULD STRIKE, then the MTSO's would no doubt just hire those non-U.S. MTs anyway, because that is the reason in the first place they are paying so little. The U.S. MTs have no support, that's for sure. (and I apologize for the misspelling of a word in my previous post.)
N-n-noooooooooooo!!! Not Kev! Did you see how crushed Lisa Tucker looked
because she didn't get the boot? As she walked over to the host, she looked very unhappy. Then as soon as she went by Ryan she put on a weak smile to walk back over to the other contestants. She wants to go home.
Congratulations! Lisa I. of California on winning the first dinner!
Email to admin@mtstars.com with your full mailing address and your choice of restaurant and we will send out your gift card immediately.
Thank you for playing MTStars Fall Scavenger Hunt!
Administrator
MTStars
CONGRATS to Lisa R. of Wolcott, NY on winning the $10 gift certificate
/
The girl was 13, the rapist a distant relative they took in. Give money, give food and your time, b
you don't put your family at risk by taking in strangers. That's just plain foolish. There were over 3300 registered sex offenders in NO. Where are they now. In your community? Perhaps in your house? Good luck.
oh our lovely government does give illegals medicaid, foodstamps, and housing so in term we give tha
i have been through some rough times lately and had to apply for some help. there are signs, big signs, all over our offices saying "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE LEGAL TO GET HELP". so we and our government do give them our benefits whether they are legal here or not. now that is messed up. i am helping to support them so they can take away my jobs and i can't even support my kids and yes i get benefits, wow $75 a month in food stamps which lasts not even a week in a household of 6. don't get me wrong, i am thankful for any help at the moment, but i get penalized for trying to work my tail off and still can't survive.
there was recently an article in our local newspaper where one of our local school districts tried to charge $1000 a year for each illegal student enrolled. it was bulked and the illegals got a lawyer to sue for discrimination. the school district merely stated that they had to HIRE extra teachers that could speak the foreign language just to teach these children and were trying to offset some of the expenses. ridicilous!! so again our taxpayers money is paying to educate illegals as well.
Aw come one give her a break. She said she was sorry and is willing to refund. Give her a chance to
do what is right. If she fails to do what is right, then go about this in an adult way and not act like such a child. "you suck" That is so immature.
She is responding to you and you are eating her alive. Why would she put herself out there to be treated like this if she didnt mean it.
I am really astonished at how people can act on here. Would you treat people like this in person? If you do, I cant imagine you having very many friends.
Remember we are all "HUMAN."
A simple google search will give you your answer...I'd give you the answer,
but how would that help you learn to research on your own...and I'm in a rush to get to the next post. 
Tell him you'll give him your macros if he'll give you his Lexus, his ski cabin, and (nm)
;p
Thanks, I will give that a try:) nm
xx
Give them whatever you
would give them at the "fairy tale" wedding. The honeymoon may be over by next year.
hum, I might have to give it a try, then...
Don't give it up
I have been hurt severely on several occasions... and on occasion yes... a bit gun shy for the first period back in the saddle. It does lessen and then goes away. Just trust in your knowledge and your experience. You have to trust your horse. Just go slowly at first. But do NOT give up. That is the worst thing that you can do. You have to face it and it slowly you will relax more. Keep in mind that your horse will know/will feel your hesitancy and your fear. In order for him/her to be relaxed, you must try to as well. That is why going slowly at first will help regain your confidence. Just around the ring maybe for a bit.... then a little more open. Work yourself back up to your usual routine. Good luck!
Thank you, will give a try
nm
I would rather be alone than to give into it and you could , too.
nm
give it 5 min and this one
x
Right. I think I am going to give that a
nm
don't give up
There is no reason to give up just because you failed a test. I have tested with a few companies and changed jobs a couple of times through my six years of transcribing. I had no training either. I had a very special family member who helped me out(she owned her own business). I trained through the summer when I was in high school with her and by the time I was about 20 I was working part time with her. Just because you are switching from tapes the computer based files doesn't mean that you can't do the work. It may take a little time getting used to it, but there shouldn't be any reason to not be able to do the work. Just like any other job, you may have to put in some applications at various places and go on interviews, and it may take some time, but you will eventually find a job. As far as transcribing, I notice many places require either a c-phone or being able to install Express Scribe or a similar program on your computer. If you don't have one, you can probably find a c-phone on ebay for around $200. Just try to stay away from the larger MT companies and you should be okay. I notice the smaller ones are easier to find a job with.
One can't give up a job, even a bad one,
that pays the bills, dead end or not. I think if this were me, I'd keep the job and take a better school that will mentor me into a job at the end of it. Nobody that I know would be able to give up a paying job to take on a mentored position for no pay. Another option would be to find a different job that is nights and do the free internship during the day. Either way you'd win in the end. Best of luck to you.
They will give you everything
When you order, they mail you the adapter that you need and since you have a router, you are good to go.
Okay, I give up.
It has no appeal. Just a job.
Give this a try...sm
Brown 1 pound hamburger and drain. Add 1 jar Prego spaghetti sauce, 1 8-oz can tomato sauce, 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 10 minutes or so.
Cut a loaf of French or Italian bread into 1-inch slices. Place in 1 layer on the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan.
Mix together 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/2 cup sour cream, and 2 tbsp of Hidden Valley Ranch dry dressing. Spread this over the bread. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese all over this. Sprinkle half of an 8 oz bag shredded mozarella over the parmesan.
Pour the spaghetti sauce mix on top. Sprinkle some more parmesan and the rest of the mozarella cheese on top.
Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Thanks, I'm going to give that a try
when I'm working and for sleeping. The doctor tells me that it is important to keep everything moving to avoid getting too stiff; however, I do think I need to try a soft neck collar or rolled up towel as you suggested especially when working. I think that may really help take some of the stress off. I will be talking to my therapist about it when I go as well. Thanks so much for the tip!
Did I ask you to give up ANYTHING!!??
Nope! If you want to ride all over town burning up expensive gasoline and putting wear and tear on your car, with your fingers on the steering wheel instead of on the keyboard making $$$, be my guest. Now let me guess Patty - next you're going to tell us that you don't drive a car, you ride a bike or scoooter instead to and from your doctor's offices and you're so fast on the keyboard that it doesn't matter you spend four hours out of the day riding up and down the interstate weaving in and out of traffic picking up and delivering, you still make the same amount! HAH!
no, I don't give them that...*lol*...ya nut!!..nm
I say also, don't give up sm
Had a cat that went missing for about 2-3 weeks, we found him under the house.
p.s. All my cats growing up used to drink from the toilet (my dogs too!!). Never hurt them.
Thank you!...I shall give it a try..nm
x
thanks! I will give it a try! :-)
x
Oh, I give up! You know what I mean!
x
I'd give anything just to have A doc like that
practically ALL of my docs are like that and this has been my experience my entire MT career UGH it really makes me cranky
Don't give up...sm
not everybody on this board, or other boards, are that rude. It is VERY hard trying to break into this field as a newbie. I know that from personal experience, and so should every body here, as they were newbies once too. Some got lucky and basically had their jobs handed to them, but most sent resumes and tested until they were blue in the face, but eventually some company gave them a chance. Once that happens, just stick with it until you have a couple of years of experience. Try everything they throw at you, and believe me, it will be the worst of the worst, but it will make you a good MT. When you gain confidence, then move on, if you want to, to better pastures. If it is the rudeness that is bothering you, well, other than trying to have a lot of patience, I cannot really help with that. Some of these people can be downright vicious and it really gets my dander up sometimes. I get defensive and argue back, but then after I cool off some, I think about how my anger made me look and feel, and how the rude ones are SO NOT WORTH IT, and I get over it. It is hard sometimes, believe me, I know. I have been told that I have an anger problem, I am nuts, and I should seek psychiatric therapy just for stating my opinions. Some people just seem to get their jollies by seeing if they can push your buttons. Learning to deal with the criticism is all a part of growing up. When it gets to me too much, I stay away from this place for a couple of days, and then things get better. There really are A LOT of nice people on this board though, you just have to learn who they are and stay away from the rest. Good luck to you. Some of us DO care about the young'n's.
|
