How long would you say it takes to get a decent grip on them. I do have samples already I have read
Posted By: MTPA on 2006-08-23
In Reply to: I agree with mac. You might want to buy a BIG bottle of Excedrin before starting but the more you - Sherry
over and they arent hard but I havent heard the voices yet.
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How long to make decent $$$??
This may seem like a stupid question to all of you "veterans" out there, but how long until a "newbie" can expect to make a decent wage in this business? I have only been employed for about 5 mos, so I am trying to cut myself some slack, but minimum wage is hard to swallow. I do reports from a pool of doctors so I can't seem to utilize the full benefits of expanders, and on my best day, I can type about 110-125 lph. Again, I know I just started, but I can't keep making this kind of wage forever. Are there tricks I am missing? Any insight would really be appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!
VR decent but long way to go before replaces MT
I was present at a demo of Dictaphone's/Nuance Enterprise and HDI's VR systems. While both were fairly decent, Enterprise even took on one motormouth Ortho at about 50% accuracy, we were told the systems would never replace live people. The hospital I work for is now looking at Enterprise in the next fiscal budget.
Decent QA will not give a quick read without listening
You are not doing your job if that is what you are doing.
I guess the old breed of getting what the dictator says is way out of style. Companies don't care and therefore need to be put out of business.
I get paid by the hour and I listen 100% to the all ESLs that I do. I also provide feedback to the MT and mentor them. Quick read is not QA. It is nothing. If you do not hear what the dictator says, you have no idea what could have been left out.
How long does it take to make decent line count?
I am considering joining an outsourcing company. Can you tell me how long it took you, as an experienced transcriptionist, to get up to snuff that you were making a decent wage? And what is your average rate per hour when paid by the line of 65 cpl?
As long as they have decent internet service there, you should be fine and if you use your laptop no
my laptop because it uses a 9-pin foot pedal and I havent been able to get an adapter that works. Obviously, most all laptops these days have the USB on them. What I have had to do is bubble wrap my computer (I have a small desktop and flat screen) put it in the suitcase and off I go. Also, doublecheck on your time change. I take mine to Hawaii and have to remember there is a 4-hour difference so you'd have to factor that in if someone needed you to do something a certain time. Just check on your internet service before you go etc.. I travel all over with my computer. I cant afford to miss work. Best of both worlds..vacation and work..Nothing is nicer than sitting out on the lanai in Hawaii with that gorgeous view i.e. sunset and working away. I mean I could be home staring at the four walls..boring...
How long was the in-house training period? I'd be willing to travel for a few days for a decent
nm
Agree with pat..takes too long
I'm a member of NFO and after about three months I have about 970 points, and you need 1,000 points for just $10. I only receive about two invites a week for surveys, don't know how to get anymore than that. I'm also a MyPoints member. I usually just get the 5 points for reading the message and never buy anything, so it takes a long time to get points added up for me. Maybe once a year I do redeem them for about $20 worth of gift cards.
The people who advertise that you can do the surveys in your spare time and make all this extra money make it sound like you can just log on to a site and they are sitting there waiting for you, and you can do as many as you want, all day long, for as much money as you want to make. Wouldn't that be nice!
I have never heard of or seen the car advertising thing except on cabs and public transportation, oh, and of course delivery trucks and cars.
I don't know how long it takes YOU to go to the bathroom...
but 40 minutes sure is enough time in 8 hours...give me a break...
Your settings are definitely wrong if it takes you that long.
Go to File/preferences, and reset the Pause _ msec after ___ Keystrokes to Pause 1 msec after every 25 keystrokes. You will see an amazing difference in the speed of the program.
You don't want to record, takes a long time and unless you
are making big $$ you won't make any money. Also, if you forget to rerecord header info you're out of luck.
You can get an adapter from Radio Shack for about $15 and rerecord to a cassette player, in which case you'll need a transcriber, or record to your computer and I'm not sure how that is done.
As I stated last week when you asked this question, you need to look into digital phone service, something like Vonage, or most high-speed internet services also offer it.
You could also buy prepaid phone cards at Sam's Club, where they are fairly cheap, but you're still talking about $100+/mo. My digital phone is $34.95/month and you can keep your landline or switch it to digital, which is what I did.
It takes a long time to become familiar with
all of the surgical instruments and equipment in operative reports. Most of the time if you do operative reports you usually do all specialties, and each specialty has certain equipment that they use. It just takes time to learn.
I guess, as long as nobody takes a look at the demographics, it's o.k...nm
nm
As long as it takes to post on here, google came up quicker
nm
As long as it takes, to quote good old Dr. Phil!
You're both worth it - go for it!! 
Good answers and becoming a skilled MT takes surprisingly long, but SM
although 5 years may be about average, there's an old saying about how some people have 20 years' experience and some have one year repeated 20 times. If you want to cut that 5 years down VERY substantially, work full time (a conscientious full time, not just slopping thru the day) and push for new work types and accounts as woon as you've milked the old ones for all you can learn from them. Plus, a reality is that availability of the Web as a resource now helps people function at a much higher level earlier than previously.
And have several grills with volunteers to man them. Piggy takes too long to cook! People will show
s
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.
All I want for Christmas is a decent job, a decent job, a decent job.
One that's not 95% ESLs, steady workload, steady accounts, good communication, office staff who aren't rude buckpassers, decent line rate, no offshoring, direct deposit, flexible schedule, not having to do 50+ 30-second reports per day, and a platform conducive to speed. I know it's not possible, but a girl can dream, can't she? This is, after all, my Christmas wish list. I never get what I want for Christmas. Why is that too much to ask for? It doesn't even matter anyways. After Christmas, I QUIT MT!!!! Burger King is just down the street, and they give food discounts.
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.
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!
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.
Best post I've read in a long time.
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.
I work and do not have time to read such long posts, do you?..nm
nm
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
Get a Grip
Receiving your pay 30 days after you provided work isn't a problem for you? I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly couldn't wait 30 days. On top of that, when they begin to pay you every 2 weeks - they pay you for work you did 4 weeks prior. You forgot to tell them that part! Breitner is NOT a good place to work --- unless you don't need money and only work for the heck of it!
get a grip!!!!!
Yes, we have all seen on the news where that has happened. usually it is because there is something wrong with the dog like a tumor or something. Some breeds of dogs are also very aggressive. I think that if you choose a good breed that is good with kids and train them correctly and treat them with love, you are pretty safe. i have been around dogs all my life, even as a young child and have never even been bitten by a dog once!!!
Seriously!!! Get a grip.
"Me" is right.
get a grip...
She asked for some tips. Just wanted other peoples advice of how to go about doing this and what would some of the best points be to go into. You try giving a speech to a bunch of high school kids. Harder than you may think I am sure. What is the harm in someone asking for pointers?
One year and you make decent money? What is decent money to you?
k
You must not have a grip to be a tad rude by
saying get a grip people. I still do not believe it. Show me the money and only then will I believe it. Also, when I get offered more than 6-9 cpl for straight transcription will I believe it.
grip? lol you mean "gripe"? lol
?
let her decide. she already has a grip on
the passing away part but that doesn't mean she is ready for the open casket and long viewing hours at the funeral home. this way she can still picture grandma how she was and not in the casket which can be a little unsettling for adults sometime. if she wants you guys to take her to the grave site sometime to say her goodbyes then take her. i remember writing a so called goodbye letter to my grandfather when i was a kid telling him about all of the things i'll always remember and loved about him. that way i was able to get out my feelings and i still have something to look back and read so i'll never lose my (all of it anyway) memory of him.
Get a grip - EMRs have nothing to do with
You are a perfect examply of why MTs are losing their jobs. Ignorance in the MT field has become more and more widespread in this country WITHOUT leaving the United States.
Was probably thinking she needs to "get a grip," too.
x
I'd say you need a grip. This is exactly why fewer MTs are commenting on here
They get blasted and basically reprimanded for giving an opinion. How about some common courtesy.
yeh, we have to have a tight grip on our social graces
We'll start walking around wanting to backhand everyone who looks at us sideways. 
help on word board grip strength
nm
Oh get a grip!! This is an open forum for ANYONE not just working MTs.
nm
I'm OK! I got a grip and went back down to wait for the Limo! I am not reading ANY more of
"those" posts! Nope! Notta one!
MY samples
I am the poster accused of holding MY normals hostage. Cleaned off the sample and just left in headings. And this was a sample with a table in it and I omitted that even. Then I sent the doc. But again, all they had to do was make a copy of a done job and that would have been the end of it. The only thing, I don't think this person was ever smart enough to figure that out. lol.
You need samples
of the work or offer to a do a trial for a week so you can get an idea of what a page contains and average it out.
I charge my NJ client $3/page but first did a one-week trial and gave my estimate based on that. They also claimed they had local transcriptionists willing to do it for $2. I did not drop my rate, and they went with me anyway. Just thought I'd share that to prove you can charge a higher rate and still get the account. ;D
samples, samples, samples. That is sm
the way she will learn what her dictators are saying. Surely they have some available to her?
Samples
Go to www.mtdaily.com. They have samples of a lot of reports done by transcriptionists. The job board, classifieds, and samples are free services.
report samples
Does anyone know of a web site with surgical report samples and EMG reports? I've searched google for hours and can only find informartion ABOUT them, not actual reports....
Thanks for ANY help!
seeing samples like that just makes
you realize just how valued and appreciated you are by the nationals and AMMT who believe offshoring is good for the industry, doesn't it??? NOT!!
Can you ask your supervisor for samples of
the ESL doctors' other reports? This will help you can get a handle on what they say frequently.
You have a great attitude. Remember if you can transcribe ESLs, you can transcribe anything. Good luck!
Definitely agree with getting samples. Get
lots of them. They'll save you a lot of time.
For me, I'll listen to a word a couple of times and if I can't understand it, I leave a blank and finish out the rest of the report. Then, I go back to the blank and re-listen again and if I can't for the life of me figure out what the dictator is trying to say at all then I go ahead and leave the blank.
I use Google also. I'll type in the phrase after the blank or before the blank in case something comes up that looks familiar or sounds right.
And lastly, I also stop and walk away for a second from my PC just to clear my head and re-listen again and sometimes just doing that helps.
Good luck! If you can conquer those dreaded ESLs you can conquer anything.
Ask for samples of work...nm
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