I'm sorry. Of course you're super upset. SM
Posted By: MsIndigo, aka InTheSameBoat on 2008-10-09
In Reply to: Is no raise after 7 years acceptable? - EB
But you're certainly not alone. Your experience is normal these days, shared by millions.
Wages have been stagnating and even decreasing for the working and lower middle classes in this country and many others for some years now, not just MTs. The low cost of goods coming in from overseas and our rising home equity, on paper anyway, has kept us from feeling and recognizing this.
Now providers are being forced to reduce costs as much as possible and channel more of their resources to patient care. And this economic collapse is increasing them horrendously. Many hospitals, for instance, are finding teir income is collapsing with it, the income they pay us with.
More and more people are losing jobs, and with them the insurance that pays your doctors. They're undoubtedly worried about the future themselves.
Technology advances, which I believe will ultimately be to our benefit, mean we can produce at least twice as many lines as we did just a handful of years ago and I-don't-know-how-many more than in the old Selectric and Liquid Paper many of us remember well. THIS IS HAVING A VERY POWERFUL EFFECT ON WHAT INSTITUTIONS SHOULD AND WILL PAY PER LINE. An acquaintance of mine for a period of years was making over $150K per year as a court reporter because her production increased enormously while her pay per line stayed the same. Needless to say, she was grossly overpaid. Governments may have the money to do that, hospitals can't.
In any case, not only are most workers at our level on salaries not getting raises (or such flimsy ones that they're just pretences), many are losing or have lost their jobs outright due to new technology. Many others have retrained to new ways of doing their old jobs. And will end up retraining again, and maybe yet again before they retire.
As people working on a production basis, MTs have a tremendous incentive to increase the number of lines we produce per hour by upgrading our skills to take advantage of new technology, our success in this determining whether we are forced to move on to other work with many of the same problems, at least stay at par, or even manage to give ourselves something of a raise.
Like people across the planet in an era of galloping change, we have no choice but to change with it or fall by the way.
Good luck, EB. I hope your choices work out for you. And that your clients won't realize in future just how fast you can produce their reports with the resources available to you.
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No wonder you're upset! That bail sounds awfully low - sm
It sounds like he's a friend of the judge or something.
And your story illustrates the trouble with Megan's Law. It is well-intentioned, as far as it goes, but AFAIK there is no law anywhere that says _you_ must be notified when you move into a neighborhood where a child molester is living. When my daughter was 12, we moved into a house next door to a molester. He never touched her but he used to put candy in our mailbox with weird little notes attached!
I'm sorry you're so upset about this, but previous poster is right.
She is going to make choices, and if YOU make the choices for her, you will bear responsibility with her, for them. I know that may not coincide with your feelings and your stance on this issue. But as long as you can BE there for her, even when her choices are insanely bad, when she finally comes to her senses, she would be able to turn to you without feeling judged, or put down, or rejected. I guess your prayers for her, whether you agree with her or not, would at least please God. He can't be displeased by your loving her very much.
Super!
I admire that at only 19 you were so level-headed and such a hard worker. Sounds like you enjoy the challenge of being an MT.
Super Hint
Unless you need a microphone attached, I would suggest Dictaphone earphones. They hae excellent sound quality. Also...if you have extra noise from your speakers, plug right into your PC and a lot of that noise will disappear. That works with any headphones.
Super Hint
Unless you need a microphone attached, I would suggest Dictaphone earphones. They hae excellent sound quality. Also...if you have extra noise from your speakers, plug right into your PC and a lot of that noise will disappear. That works with any headphones.
Super Walmart
I really am not impressed with Wal-Mart. We now have a super walmart and due to have another one open on the other side of town. Who needs two walmarts? It is always very crowded. Very few registers open. Groceries are higher in a lot of cases than my supermarket. I only buy a few things that I see are cheaper. Overall I do better at my local grocery store and I like the produce better. You can never just "run in" anymore. Smaller is better! I just hope they don't put my favorite store out of business. I think alot of people feel this way though. Not too many people I know do their weekly grocery shopping there.
and you are super woman
if you can work only 3 days a week and make that kind of lines/money, then by all means...do tell????? how do you do it?????? I am sure 100's of transcriptionists are waiting to hear this one! Let's see, you must be super woman, the fastest typist on the earth.
One of my personalities is Super MT.
x
There was a time before the super tech
which enabled NY companies to hire someone from down south or anywhere else the cost of living is so much cheaper, and then to it so many steps further, i.e. India, the Philippines, our just plain VR, and our (my)potential dropped from $25+/hour with benes, to a little more than 1/2 that. Sad but true.
Has anyone had 8mm or Super 8 film transferred to DVD?
Seems to me it would be a great X-mas gift. I found one of my brother (now 55+) when he advanced from cub scouts to boy scouts.
I tried to check out a couple of websites, but it's all Greek to me.
I'm fighting a super Wal-Mart
I'm in the process of fighting the planning/building of a super Wal-Mart down the street from where I live, which is out in a rural neighborhood, about 4 miles from town. I liken this incredible increase in Wal-Marts across the US as very similar to what is happening in the MT world. Wal-Mart gets something like 80-85% of their merchandise from other countries--it's just like outsourcing! Think of all the jobs that have been lost to this in our country.
I understand what some of you are saying about not having the money to pay a few dollars more on whatever it is that you want to buy, but it's no different from transcription! Those who are outsourcing the transcription to foreign countries are very similar to what Wal-Mart does with its suppliers.
Where does this leave our country? It's certainly scary for the future of our children in the United States.
Super Bowel Weekend? LOL
SUPER BOWL COUNT-DOWN!
what if your dial-up is super slow
I sign on at 24.o kbps if i'm lucky. how much will this affect my service. i'm just a student now, but we don't have cable or DSL where i live either.
Super low volume today!
 I've typed 4 reports in 4 hours. No work!!! Happy Holidays!
is there a super-light touch
keyboard that is also split and (hope upon hope) with a rise in the middle like the MS ones?
the work must be super easy (sm)
I've been doing this for a long time and that sounds high to me.
Super Bowl is on but I have to work.....
I hear everyone out front watching and having a good time. Well, they probably think I'm upset because I have to be back here working, but secretly I'm GLAD I have to work. I'd rather watch reruns of Mayberry RFD than football. I'd even rather have to work! 
We just got done having our Super Bowl Party
My friend and I usually don't watch, I don't like football, but we always have a fun party. This game was actually exciting. And me being from NY, I was glad the Giants won.
Don't feel sorry for your super, she knew exactly what she was doing to you.
You just gave her the opportunity to screw you by asking for work. Shame on her.
I don't post here super often but I could use some thoughts (m)
and support. Don't flame me for sounding weak or needy. I had a client call me out of the blue today (actually his secretary called me) and told me that I was no longer transcribing his letters. But were clear I'd still be transcribing for his partner. I asked why, she said she didn't know what his "gripe" was but that he made her be the bad guy. It feels personal to me, not because he did it on a personal level, but I guess it hurts like a personal attack because my work is very serious to me and I'd hate to think that he thought I wasn't do my job well enough. I know I was. I often felt undermined or a little accused by the staff at times. I was supposed to pick up x number of times per week and about a month ago they called and said "now, how often ARE you picking up?" which sounded like they were not believing I was coming when I should. I pick up after hours, have my own key. Other times I'll get lists of reports they need. Some I've given them weeks or months earlier. Some I don't have at all, BUT not because I lost them, because they weren't dictated. I keep a physical list of all reports on each tape I do and if it's not on the tape, it's not on the list. I mentioned this to the sec. once before in my defense when she's said "he dictated such and such" when he actually only thought he did or accidentally taped over it something, kwim? Things are so tight for us right now as they are for so many of us. I guess I just need to vent and ask if this has happened to others? Where you felt undermined and let go unfairly? Or if you've just had doctors come and go every so often for really no good reason? I feel bad. These doctors' wives are my friends (were before I worked for him) and I think that makes it feel more personal. I've been very good about and tried really hard not to mention personal in the office or the office when I see them socially so the two are separate. I just feel like he was unhappy with me and I often wondered if he was just by the questions the girl asked me and made me feel like she thought I wasn't doing my job right. But I really thought if HE had a problem, HE would talk to me so I was okay. Guess not, huh? Thanks if you even read this far. If you have a prayer or two to spare for me that it all works out, that I find work fast to replace this income and that my family doesn't feel any effects from it. Also that the relationship and my feelings are healed, that I can overcome it. I'd just appreciated any shared experiences. Thanks. (P.S. Not in the best frame of mind right now, so I apologize for any typos or errors. This is my disclaimer that I'm not going to proofread this, lol).
I use super antispyware -- it's free
when my computer starts to drag, i just run that program. it usually clears it up pretty quick. i should probably do it on a daily basis, but i usually end up doing it once every couple of weeks.
the other poster might be right, though. you may need more memory. have you always had this problem or just lately? did you install any new programs just before this started. if not, i would think it's just adware slowing you down and the super antispyware should help.
Yep, cardiology here, too! Used to hate those super long sm
op notes but found I got great lines with them! Now, I can't wait to do them.
by hour definitely $15-- I am not super fast so this would benefit
x
Mine is a Super Wal-Mart too! They are usually up front near the
Request them, they are just about the best of any store! They roast them in the back where the deli meats and cheeses are.
Super! Great news! Happy MT Day to you, too!
x
I love them, but can only drink them super cold.
I put them in the freezer before I drink them. It makes a huge difference in the taste.
I used to drink coke too. I think I kind of replaced it with these though, lol.
I don't post here super ofte, but I could use some thoughts
I have worked for many, many docs as an IC. You always do the dirty work, reprints, redelivery, etc. I did all those willingly and then was told on Friday by Peds manager they had someone to work in the office. After about two months, they called and wanted me back. I went back with about 20 tapes she had not done and just did not show up one day.
Little man syndrome, one doctor whom I worked for, called it.
Be encouraged, you will probably get him back. Sounds like you do very good work. I have had so many just like this I have lost count and now work for a company with NO money - ha. The docs around here dictate to the company I work for and the hospital pays for it!
Another day in the life of a transcriptionist.
There are probably errors in this too so go ahead and nit pick.
It depends...if I am super focused I don't read through them...
but if I feel like I am not concentrating and just typing I will type a few paragraphs and then re-read them...but not fully re-listen to the dictation.
The first 8 years I did this it was SUPER BUSY, only the last 2 has it been slow. nm
x
We have the ability to see each others # of reports and # of lines. We are to report to super
visor when one person has done 150 exams a day but only has a minimum of lines typed. In radiology, it tends to average out. They are watching it for morale's sake as well as they figure if the MT who jumps jobs is probably cheating elsewhere in the job or her/his life. Too many ethical ones these days to settle for a cherrypickers.
Publix stores are starting to look like Super Wal-Marts! Have you seen that?
Homemade super nachos with a huge garden salad.
Ugh, I just spent hours in the hot sun picking peas, lettuce, beans, onions, and zucchini. Now we have to eat it all.
super told me to meet lines of 12000 or be dropped to SE
i thought there was only 2 types of employees; statutory or full time
Well, work is super busy..so not much time..no harm no foul..sm
Working 14 hours a day puts a cramp into watching the news lately, so have not seen much, nor had much time to really think about it. Did the donation through both of our work, caught a bit of news...but I cannot help anymore by sitting in front of a television, so a bit slow on the news intake here.
OMG! Admin really outdid it with this counting software. Thank you SOOO much! It's really super.
No, not at all. Brand new Super Center, nice area. But have never seen the stickers.
x
Can anyone suggest a super light touch keyboard? That you can't hear the typing?
I am looking for one that you can't hear the typing. TIA
sorry you are upset...(sm)
you can notify the administrator of anything you find objectionable...
I appreciate your sharing because we should all try to help each other.
there always seem to be people, like yourself, who produce way over and beyond what most of us do, and in my experience they are always treated with suspicion and doubt as to how they were accomplishing it.
if you can do it, it is great! Most of us, however, are not able to do it, no matter how hard we try.
just curious if you were using the VR machines, or anything like that, because I was considering doing it before...
thanks, for the posts!
Someone's just trying to get everyone upset ... don't believe that...
I think it is just a ploy.
Besides, if that is truly where jobs are going...they will be coming back even faster than they went. Hahaha
Even the sloppiest of physicians won't tolerate that.
Someone's just trying to get everyone upset ... don't believe that...
I think it is just a ploy.
Besides, if that is truly where jobs are going...they will be coming back even faster than they went. Hahaha
Even the sloppiest of physicians won't tolerate that.
Upset MT
You're much harder on yourself than the MDs will be. Everyone makes mistakes - no matter how careful we are. I erased a tape at lawyer's office where I worked - even as big a jerk as he was, he didn't yell at me. Doctors are usually a nicer than lawyers! :)
They know you, they know you are responsible and obviously they like your work or they wouldn't have employed you for 4 years. It'll be all right.
I am so upset!!!!
 I could spit! Recently since I am still a 'student' at that online course in Utah I read a post by the CEO and felt the need to comment. It seems that not only did he suggest that contributions be made to FEMA, but also that students in Louisiana and other state with hurricane damage call THEM at their 800 number. This seemed to me absolute lunacy, as telephone service in La, MS is vrtually non-existant. Perhaps posting that ONLINE was equally stupid, how were students supposed to get online?
However, what really gets me upset is that after making my reply I was 'deleted' from their website.
Apparently free speech isn't appreciated at that school, and neither was my suggestion that the school which has a reliable phone connection, themselves call their students in Louisiana and Mississippi. But hey, what do I know huh?
Don't mean to upset anyone, but I LIVE in Louisiana.
cheryl formerly known as nola71112
A bit upset
I have been with Medquist for almost 7 years and overall am happy. My biggest gripe of late is the fact that there is no work available and it is hard to make your quota. Other than that, my QA people are great, pay is always on time, I personally like the DQS platform, I LOVE my flexible schedule, they reimburse DSL service, they provide you with a computer, and they always remember their employees with great gifts for Medical Transcription Day (LOL). I can assure you that most companies will not and do not do most of the above mentioned things. With that being said, lets just hope the severe decrease in the work load is only temporary! For obvious financial reasons, if the work load does not pick up, they may find themselves without a lot of qualified and dedicated transcriptionists that have helped MedQuist achieve the goal of the largest MT provider.
No need to be upset.
I have been with them 8 years. I agree, they are very flexible on the schedule and I love that part. However, the office I work for totally changed overnight. I hate the way the supervisors are so cold and insensitive now, like they have been programmed with certain reponses. It was NEVER like that before. For instance, two weeks ago, I worked for 4 days just sicker than a dog, started to call in Thursday night, but didn't, then finally felt like I could go no more and called to be off 2 hours before my shift ended. I was told to go lie down for a few minutes and get back on. This would have never happened before the big changes (closing Atlanta office). My other big issue is I don't feel there is a supervisor left on the staff of the former Atlanta office that I can trust. That is not a good feeling.
I don't know what you got for MT day, but I got chapstick. When I first started, I got T-shirts, gift cards and then MT of the month gifts, your name was in the little paper for high producer - I miss that stuff. Just being appreciated.
I am not fond of the DQS as it is a struggle each day just to get any lines. I feel like I am typing my fingers off and then my line count is not totally up to that. This is very discouraging.
Okay, I am finished whining.
Are you serious? You are upset because
someone uses a handle that describes other positions they have held?
Surely, you are kidding. How in the world can that upset you?
I suppose it would upset you if I were to sign myself as "former MTSO" or "former case mgmt coordinator" or any other position I've ever held.
That is sad.
why are you so upset?
It's not as if you own the company or do you?? If some people have not had the same wonderful experience that you have had give them their say. Why be so nasty about it? You ought to be celebrating,when us worthless workers who can't commit every day get kicked to the wayside you will have all the work you want! So it's your celebration day!! I frankly have a bit more magnanimous attitude about it-I have always had a good work experience at MQ, but since DEP I am not. Simple as that. If you have whoppee for you! Congratulations! But don't you think somewhere in 10,000 employees maybe the experience is varied??? Or can't you comprehend that?? Whatever floats your boat.
I'm sorry if I upset you. sm
My sister didn't know she had an aneurysm and she never had headaches at all, save for the occasional overindulging in fine wine, until that night.
The doctors never really even pinpointed exactly where it originated after dozens and dozens of tests. (angiograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs). She was told that she met the "criteria" for this type of aneurysm because she was female and over 50. (52). That is not too comforting for me as I am 6 years younger that she is.
She was very healthy before this happened with the exception that she was a very heavy smoker. Glad to say that she gave it up and hasn't gone back to that. 
My doctor told me that basically it really isn't something you can spend your time worrying about. Many people live with known aneurysms and nothing ever happens with them.
At first I thought, "oh my gosh, I've only 6 more years," but you can't worry about it I guess.
Again, I'm sorry if I upset you.
Take care.
Of course I'd be upset!
I am SO UPSET!
I am so frustrated that I am in tears, and that takes some doing for me. Is this the norm with being an IC, or what....
When I started with this MTSO, the paydays were on the 10th and the 22nd of the month. I loved it, because my husband was paid on the opposite weeks, so we got a paycheck every week. Well, the paychecks started coming on the 11th and 25th.... then the 12th and the 26th... you get the drill. Then she just officially moved the pay periods to the 15th and the last day of the month. Now this caused me some headaches, sure, because I had to move some auto withdrawals and such, but I supposed that was her right to do as the business owner...
Except now the paychecks are coming later and later AGAIN! Well, she had sent out an email saying that she would not be able to pay us on the 31st, but that she would pay us on the first. So I did something I NEVER do.... I wrote a check to my daughter's preschool with no money in the bank, only because my MTSO said, "Don't worry, I'll put it in on the 1st."
Guess what? I got an email today saying that she would NOT be paying us until Friday the 3rd. There will not be enough money in the bank to cover this. Now, it won't bounce it to the preschool, because my bank will cover it. They will, however, charge me a big ol' honkin' $35 fee for this.
I am SO mad! Is this normal? Do MTSOs just think they can pay us whenever they feel like it? Her excuse was that she didn't get paid by the hospital on time, so she couldn't pay us on time. Excuse me, but this is the same MTSO that said, when my phone lines were down, "I don't care what your personal problems are, I need the work!" Well, I need my MONEY! If she has to take out a personal loan using her car as collateral, then she needs to do that in order to pay us. I admit that this is only my third MTSO, but two of the three did this "pay when I can" thing. I'm just used to a much more professional system.
So my question, after this long-winded post, is the following: Is this normal? Do the rest of you ICs have trouble being paid on time?
(PS - In a recent disagreement that the MTSO and I had, she told me that she was having money problems, too, and that she was declaring personal bankruptcy. That's not a good sign for being paid on time in the future, you think?
Yeah, I said I was going to look for another job, but I started slacking on that when I cooled off because I love my accounts. However, I don't want to be the last rat off a sinking ship. I'm just SO upset. This is not how a business should be run!)
(P.S. - Grammar and punctuation police please take the night off. It's midnight, I'm typing through tears, and I just don't care enough to edit, okay? Thanks.)
Don't be upset. Really. Try not to
take it personally. I know its hard and I understand. The most horrible thing an MT can do is think that QA is out to get them, etc. I have been on both ends - MTing for 20 years and QA for 5. I know how you feel. But there is often so much more going on behind the scenes that you are not aware of. I know in my company, the Q, there are even different QA styles for different regions, or even QA gets mixed up on the client profiles. You have your QA who always say "good job", and never QA a single thing and the other ones who try and proofread. We are just like you - really. We don't know that the other QA are doing something totally differently. But I do know that honestly we just don't notice the MT at all - we don't have time to notice or pay attention to who is who, so its honestly nothing personal, nor is it all that big a deal, unless, of course, its a critical error. I know its disheartening on the MT end, but its horrible on the QA end - everybody hates QA. Period. And while there are some jerks, there are lots and lots of well-meaning nice QA people, just trying to do their part to send out a complete document. We are following rules given us, and just mind our own business and plod along. 
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