I do it per the account specs.

• Got in trouble for making shortcuts - Loco MT
  • My account specifics require it typed out, so I can't really comment - Mary
  • Always follow the protocols for the account - me
  • I have been an MT for 33 years and the rule has always been...sm - oldtimer
    • As wel as, cc, cm, gm, mL, mcg, L, etc. nm - oldtimer
  • different rules - speakeasy
    • Why is it always... - Loco MT
      • I was not beating you down - speakeasy
      • it didn't seem to me that speakeasy was trying - beat you down. just stating a fact. nm
        • This job has made me overly sensitive - Loco MT
  • I do it per the account specs. - Msla MT
  • Not a big deal, but if client doesn't want to pay for xtra - chars. you better be using the short versions! NM
    • They made a BIG deal out of it - Loco MT
  • No, it's not a BIG deal but - smurf
    • shortcuts sm - Survivor
      • Sorry, should be go along to get along. - Survivor
        • Huh? I didn't understand this message. :-) - Loco MT
    • Thanks for the guidelines..it's too bad that... - Loco MT
      • It really depends - MichTT
        • Just a message from QA regarding this - sunshine
          • Thanks and... - Loco MT

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whatever changes she is making.  It may sound silly, but some accounts do not want things the "correct" way including grammer, meds, etc.  

Every job and account have their own specifics.  Get some experience and stay where you are, then move on up!   You may find the same thing at another job, depending on the account.

One of my accounts doesn't want 0's added if doc dictates 250 even though it means 250,000

You needs at least 512 RAM, a good sound card, Ethernet/wireless card, and a dial-up modem if you plan to travel and work, so you have multiple options for obtaining work.   Any computer you buy off the shelf should have everything you would need but maybe the dial-up modem. 

If you use a foot pedal you may need to be an adapter to convert your pedal to USB, if you are using serial/game port with desktop. 

I also think it is important to start off with people who know the account, follow the specs for the VR to learn the specs correctly.  In time with everybody on the same page it should improve, but if you are using all the shortcuts and have experience in the account I can't help but wonder if it may be worth looking into another account.  My line count is actually down now from the account that made me really start like the Escription platform.  I had a mostly ER account with other basic 4 reports in it that would allow me up to almost consistently 800 lines edited lines per hour.  The work was very inconsistent and the company was not reliable so I moved on making less money but much less stress.  The accounts do make a difference but until you try another account you may not know what your potential really is. 

In answering the other question regarding hot keys, I learned just like mentioned above.  Learn them one at a time.  Start with Alt k, then Alt Shift K, Alt ., Alt ,, Alt :, etc.  Use you jump keys, which are very easy to learn and you'll use them all the time, ctrl arrows, ctrl shift arrow, ctrl backspace, etc.  All of them used together really are a time saver.  Get in the habit of using alt 2 and alt 1 too to adjust speed of playback.  For the nice easy ones go ahead and alt 2 to your content and get the report knocked out, for the tougher ones alt 1 and slow down.  I do this throughout the reports as I find it easier to listen quickly to some parts, and slower with others that need more changes.  Any bit of time saved makes a difference. 

Also, in my first report I mentioned working with kids, etc.  This is a biggy for me.  Working 3rd allows me to actually work without distractions.  Small distractions make big difference. 

VISTA READY.

I should know this, but I just don't remember how to do this.  I am hoping I have enough RAM, or whatever, to load work platform on my own computer and begin working on it, rather than paying *rent* on the company-furnished computer.  Thanks so much.

you use numerals for all numbers (and the old way is to spell out numbers UNDER 10).  The BOS says to use numerals for ordinals; 10th, 2nd, etc.  BUT, many accounts have their own preferences, so why don't you check to see what yours wants?

My own accounts been doing them for over 4 years, it is just one office person that says anything.  I think that she was having a bad day last week and we about went on a minor screaming match with each other not only over this but some other things.   So will let things calm down, check and double check to see if I can figure things out but without showing me, I am in the dark like I explained to her.  When nothing comes back you think all is great.  

separate folder on Word and I just click on the appropriate folder. I do 4 hospitals in one state and two more, plus a local.

I never have gotten anything mixed up that I know of.

You should never work for only 1 company.  I learned this the hard way.  It's always good to have a backup.

I took a small account a few months ago. 3 docs, I do 2 and 1 has his own MT. She is an employee but we cover for each other for vacations. It is lucky they have that other person and they are flexible when I go away (rarely). Some accounts might expect you to find your own coverage. I have had problems with them not paying on time. It's not their fault, they have a large institutional accounting office over them. But MT is my only income so it has been a problem. Make sure you have a cushion in your checking account or whatever that you can live off of if you don't get paid for a while.

Another option might be an IC position if you can find the right one. I also have an outside contractor position with a local hospital that has employees, but I charge them like a service and they make no demands on my time.

Something to consider is how much time you will spend doing administrative things like billing, recordkeeping, marketing, answering emails, picking up tapes if applicable, traveling for interviews or training if you will be working on their system. I find that stuff eats up a lot of my time.

You might want to consider a 30-day trial period in case you dont like them. My account turned out to have a crappy dial-in system, they expected me to fax every report 1-4 times, and they eat up my time with emails and phone calls - each doc has his own secretary and they have another MT and they all tend to call me for things they don't need to bother me with like I'm an employee. Instead of telling them to find one person to deal with me we agreed I would charge by the hour instead.  I have no problem telling a secretary who calls me at 7p I will take down the info and call her back during business hours unless it is an emergency. It is hard to anticipate those things hence the trial period.

I don't think my account now is any better or any worse than any others.  I have been doing this for over 15 years and basically 2000 lines a day has been my average for the last 9 years and during that time, I have worked in house for 1 hospital and for 4 different agencies. 

I just make good use of a lot of word Expanders and sit down and work and not answer the phones and talk to people and watch TV, etc.

 Boy this sounds just like an account I used to have.  I would go pick up the tapes- “Oh the Dr did not dictate”  or “ Oh the Dr took the tape home”.  They never gave me a list with names.  I was always searching my database for the last names, etc. They did stress tests and never marked the names down so when the machine was running and the Dr would say the name, I would get the first or last name, once again, I would have to search my database.  I did this for about two years and asked about 5X please list everyone that comes in, etc on the list. They would do it for a day and quit, so I just left the name blank and did not care any longer. Obviously, they did not care to get me the information.  Oh yeah, I ever called the Dr 2x and asked her to please help me out and talk to them. It lasted 2 days.  For the tapes, I go so sick of driving and wasting gas, I called 15 minutes before they would leave to make sure there was a tape. I did this for 3 years and decided enough is enough.  I gave my all to the job and did not give 1%. It was not worth it. Some offices have no consideration of the transcriptionist.  They think this is not a "Job"-guess again-It is a job where we barely make money and then they are taking what profit we do make- I would try talking to the Dr and calling before hand.