I don't think you'll ever get an accurate answer
Posted By: experienced MT on 2005-11-30
In Reply to: best company - poedmt
There are so many individual factors that can be good or bad for one person and not another. You'll see good and bad on every single company out there, because you just can't please everyone! But, what I do to try to keep it in perspective is just try to avoid the companies which you see the most "bad" comments about.
That may not be really accurate though, now that I think about it, because I worked for Spheris for many years and I was very happy with them. And, you know, I'm sure, that Spheris gets slammed big-time on this board. So, to each his own, I suppose!
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- best company - poedmt
- I don't think you'll ever get an accurate answer - experienced MT
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I'll try to answer
Her brother lives over 3000 miles a way and doesn't have enough room in his home, plus his wife would forbid it. All her parents have is around $1450/month in Medicare of which about one half goes to medical expenses not covered by Medicare (i.e. Walgreens incontinence supplies), her father's cigarettes (he refuses to even cut back to under 8 cartons a month), and outstanding medical bills that are being paid off slowly (she handles that). She tried to find transportion but all that's available is out-of-pocket at $25 one way, she she has to do it and it's costing her money. They don't qualify for nursing care.
She's just at a point that she's ready to have herself admitted to a psych unit permanently, just to get away from them both. She hasn't loved either one of them for years, and is now slowly growing to hate them both for doing this to her ("Would you make us live in the street?").
My heart goes out to her. We talk on the phone ever day.
I'll try to answer
I have absolutely no idea. On the surface of it, it seems like companies have ways to reduce our line count and therefore what we are paid. I can't think of another reason.
I know from using Sylcount that it will count out just slightly higher than Word. I have use MTWorld and it is the same way. Slight being 10 to 50 characters and I have not found a reason for that discrepancy either.
I am not aware if Word counts punctuation as part of the characters or characters with spaces count. I have a feeling that they don't, but I have not seen anything about it, frankly, just a sense of it.
I am about to launch into a job where we are using ExText and the idea that it is not accurate worries me since the pay is on 37 characters strict, no spaces and I have my trepidations about this to start with because the pay is 6 cents for that and up to 6.5 for a differential. I can't really figure out whether that is good or bad.
No problem--I'll answer it!
Because where we live, it is a very cold climate and I'm not crazy about having to take a doggie outside to go to the bathroom. I've had other dogs in my life who never went outside either, and they just used their little potty pads to do their business. It may sound 'gross' to some, but if they are small dogs like my min-dach is, they don't "go" very much, so as soon as they do, you just throw away the potty pad and put out another and you're done and you never had to leave your house. I realize it sounds a bit "lazy" on my part.
Another reason would be that I have had inside dogs before who did go out into the yard and then brought FLEAS back into my house. That was a nightmare not to mention expensive. I realize there is medicine you can give your dog to keep them from getting fleas, but it is expensive and I'm not crazy about the chemical part of the medicine.
Then, another reason why I don't really want my dog to go outside.....Dachsunds are known to love to dig outdoors in the dirt/grass. Yuck.
I just want him to stay in the house with me and never go outside! :)
I don't think you'll get a good answer from the info...
you provided. It varies too much from location to location.
I've seen some MTs on here that say inhouse in their area make less than $10 an hour. Our local starts newbies (providing they pass the tests) at $16.79 an hour.
Since the poster below didn't really answer your questions, I'll try...
While I agree that things are being done to try to do away with transcription eventually, I think that hope is a long way off. Here goes:
1. A lot of work is being outsourced to places like India because they can do the work much, much cheaper than a US MT. Some hospitals won't all their work to be outsources, but the thought on this board generally seems to be that most don't care or don't know.
2. In order to work at home directly after school, it is highly recommended that you only attend one of the top schools. Two of them are Andrews and M-TEC.
3. Most companies, if you are an employee (not independent contractor) will provide you with all the equipment you need. You will have to have an internet connection and pay for that yourself most likely.
4. I believe the average you can expect to start is in the 6 to 8 cents a line range. How much you make depends on many other things, though. If you studied very hard and have a knack for MT you will do much better.
Hope that helps a little. But just remember...yes, working at home is a nice benefit for some, but there is a con for every pro to doing this.
That is just not accurate (see m)
Most groomers today decline to do anal glands. It is an internal type procedure that might require veterinary care if there is an infection, and I don't frankly know any modern-day groomers who do it.
No one has *ever* asked me to do it, either, in two and a half years of grooming.
Not entirely accurate...
Insurance cos. will most definitely challenge a RSI but if it occurs during and in the course of employment it is compensable. This type of claim will need an attorney to push it through.
I'd say that's accurate.
There are lots of variables of course, but that's a pretty fair average.
Accurate
I think it is very accurate. I average $53,000 to $55,000 a year. When I was working even part-time I was making $28,000. When I worked in-house I averaged $18 an hour, which I make more working IC out of my home.
That's a bit simplistic and not really accurate at all, but...
everyone's situation is different tax-wise, so I'm sure your tax person gave you the scoop for YOU. 
I just don't think W&G is an accurate portrayal
of gays either. Just like the hetero shows of today, the main characters flit from relationship to relationship and think about sex all the time. Life's not really like that. All the hetero and gay people I know of are in longterm, monogamous relationships. Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives are just as nasty. I'm no prude, but if these shows are representative of what our society wants, then our society has gone down the pot. You can't even shield your kids from it because the commercials for the shows are on all the time.
yes it is accurate I also was taught sm
5 characters equal one word. Therefore, there are 13 words in a 65 character line.
Get over it. I am sure your work is 100% accurate!
Hooray!
Very accurate description...
Your post is exactly right! Great post! (A physician friend made the same comparison--that he only needed to know one specialty while the MT must be familiar with all--great post!)
Not quite accurate info. sm
The above poster makes a blanket statement: "...counting programs that count this convert the document to one big long document without returns, etc., linking all the characters in one long line and counting them that way."
If you look at any full line, you will see there are more than 65 characters on that line. There are several programs that will allow you to count the spaces, tabs and returns (although you have the option not to) as well as any text included in headers, footers and whatever else is agreed on in the contract as fair to count.
The simplest method to determine a difference it to take an already completed document, open the properties and compare the number of lines against the character count (with or without spaces) divided by 65.
BTW, congrats on the new account.
9/10 is too high even for exp/accurate SM
heavy ESL, high test score, whatever you want to call it. Going rates now are 7 to 8 and POSSIBLY 8.5 or 9 if you really push, but be ready for them to move on quickly if they are a larger company. Benefits will also be tied to line count.
I agree with what you said, and I type 150 accurate wpm.....sm
When I take the occasional typing tests that measure how fast you type without worrying about errors then I type closer to 200 wpm.
Fast typing doesn't always mean sloopy work...any more than a slow typist doesn't mean they're doing a quality job.
Then you did something wrong, because the script is quite accurate.
It was beta tested by many people and we spent quite a long time on perfecting the software before we ever released it.
If it's an accurate representation of their workload, well,
who wants their lousy job anyway? I'm not doing ESL garbage all day long and making peanuts at this job. I work on my terms or not at all. Send them the three tests and tell them you can't do the fourth. Otherwise, keep applying elsewhere. There are better jobs to be had without all the testing and without the lousy dictation.
I edit to make it 100% accurate....
You want lineage as well as speed.....I would do Hemoglobin is 13, hematocrit is 45, and platelets are 200,000 (whatever is in the CBC). I do the same for the chemical profile. Sodium is 135, potassium is 4.2, chloride is ...etc....
but they have to say *is* plus *and* for me to do that. I will never just insert extra words to inflate, but the word *is* - if they are dictating that to you...that is 2 more character spaces.....more is better for you.
Sometimes MDs want them separated. I have a couple of dictators what want individual sentences. Hemoglobin is 13. Hematocrit is 45. Platelets are 200,000. I usually give them what they want.....as long as it is 100% accurate.
Try "jaded and burned" and it's more accurate
Sure, there are bad MTSOs, but I get sick of people blaming all the MTSOs for all the problems. Flaky transcriptionists are nothing new; it seems they just "get around" more now that we have Internet based transcription.
Is it accurate that Fall is a slow time for MTs? sm
For the last two years I have been doing Urgent Care/ ER work and have not noticed any slow down but I am now doing multispecialty clinic work and I keep hearing about a big slow down. Can anyone shed some light on the subject for me. TIA
OLD typing rule I have in my head, whether it is accurate I do not know, hence I said IF---nm
x
Use Abacus. You can download for free. Very accurate. nm
x
Looking for accurate line counting software.nm
You did a completely accurate assessment of the situation.
with experienced MT's offered 7-9, you are correct, a newbie is only worth 4 cpl. I see no reason to hire and train a newbie if I can get an experienced person to fill the same slot, unless the newbie is willing to offer me more profit for my time. You have made a wise assessment. Business is business. It doesn't matter how much you are "worth" or what you "demand." It matters what the competition is. By the way, if you don't take this job, what are your other offers? Unless you have something better, I would take it. At least you are earning experience and in 2 years you will be more marketable, even if you are only earning 4 cpl now. Or sit home, twiddle your thumbs and earn 0 cpl.
The "counter" in MSWord is not accurate. While it is after the fact, (sm)
I highly recommend purchasing Slycount.(http://www.sylvansoftware.com/sylcount.htm). First and foremost, be honest. Tell him/her the invoice you submitted is not accurate, and after deciding exactly what and how you wish to charge, send an amended invoice.
I heard it wasn't a reporter's job to be accurate;
it was a reporter's job to sell newspapers, LOL.
The faster person if accurate is justified
The slower people have absolutely nothing to complain about. That's like me saying it's not fair JLo makes money for singing because my voice isn't as good. I want a job with you also. I'm very fast. I would require 10 cents a line, FYI or 18 dollars an hour.
That Escription is even close to accurate is complete and total
A big ole lie on the part of anyone who says it's great or that 500 lph is possible. It's also possible that pigs can fly.
It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get! No point in joining. nm
s
I'll go! I'll go!! I won't take hormones and will be ready to defend your honor :) n/m
.
No. It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get, and it's unnecessary
s
You'll get used to it. It is keeping the right leg propped up at the same time that'll be the
When I broke my ankle, I was just grateful it wasn't the hands. Without our hands we'd be totally screwed.
I broke my right ankle slipping on ice and was lucky to have gloves on because the palm of the glove was totally torn up and my hand was okay.
Good luck and be sure to do your exercises when it is time.
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.
It'll happen. You'll find your fit.
You might have to kiss a few frogs first, though.
Oh she'll spice it up alright, she'll be
placing hidden cameras in the other ladies' dressing rooms! LOL!
continue your goal; he'll/they'll get used to it/over it
nm
I'll vent and I'll sign my name sm
I have two IC contracts right now. I recently went back to a job I had quit earlier in the year to work for the other company I am still working for.
The newer job has 80% ESLs. I transcribe OP notes primarily and I can fill in other work types as the opportunity arises. I am frustrated with this particular situation. After 6 months, I am making less money and working longer hours. I am past the learning curve and I should be doing better, at least in the number of hours I am spending doing the job. We have run out of work for 24 hrs at a time at least 5 or 6 times since December 1, and in November it was more than that. I have a friend who worked for this company as well and she was having similar difficulties. The only thing that we can figure is that they are shorting us line count some way, because after 6 months at it, it should be easier/faster/more money, but it is less and less every single pay period. It is not a nice thing to accuse a company of doing, but it SEEMS that way to us. I am fed up with being expected to type every single OP note that comes in 24/7 and meeting the 6 hr TAT for them on weekends, evenings, holidays, wee hours of the morning...
I took back a job I held for 2-1/2 yrs. The team leader has changed and this gal thinks that I should be on call 24/7 for whenever she has work. I might have some at 7 a.m., or perhaps not until 6 p.m. or later. I can't plan my personal life and between these two IC situations, I find that I am not eating on a daily basis, not showering on a daily basis and not sleeping more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. I have lost weight and I don't feel very well. I woke up today with a rip roaring head cold (my first in nearly 8 yrs) and it has already moved to bronchitis and I am expecting pneumonia by the weekend because I develop it very easily. I already have deep pain in my back.
Yes, I should call in sick tomorrow, but I really can't take the fallout. The job I took back I am covering for another gal who wanted vacation over the holidays and if I have to call in sick, the team leader will call me and pitch a fit about how this is my responsibility. It IS my responsibility, I did say I would do it, and I will do it, despite being quite ill. In the past, when I worked for this company, they would not allow me to call in sick for a "cold" without a doctor's note. I worked through many illnesses with them and only called in sick when I developed West Nile Fever and while I was sick for over a month, I only called for my last 12 reports one day when I could no longer see the computer screen because my head hurt.
The problem is that yes, many MTs lack work ethic. They don't take their responsibility seriously. This is not a work as you please career, not even for an IC. I can see the MTSO's point of view, I truly can. Like finding experienced, reliable and capable MTs, for the MTs who are these things, finding a company will treat you like a human being is equally difficult. I sit here, feeling lousy and like I am an utter slave labor with no consideration whatsoever. I know that my work needs to be done, but when I am this sick it is better that someone else do it for the sake of the work, for accuracy and for speed of getting it out. I know that I am needed, but to be the MT these companies need me to be, I also need to look after my own health.
I will also mention that when I have asked for vacation, I have been approved for the time, but the MTSO queues up my work and calls me then I am not on the system getting it done. I have told them I had been approved for time off, but the MTSO didn't schedule anyone to cover for me and I am told to get on work, vacation or no, if I want to keep my job.
Thus, I work 24/7/365 and have for years. I work sick, I work when I am in pain (I have an AI disorder), I work exhausted from staying up all night covering for others who are allowed to call in sick and have vacations when I can't have either. I work having no health insurance and not being able to afford the $125 a month to buy some with a high copay so I can see a doctor. I work without breaks for breakfast, lunch or dinner and I sometimes come close to having an accident because if I leave my desk to go to the little girls' room I get nasty calls about where I am at and what I am doing.
Many MTs are mistreated, and I am one of them.
Tell him you'll give him your macros if he'll give you his Lexus, his ski cabin, and (nm)
;p
happens quite often i would test again or go see your GYN for blood test which is more accurate
nm
Control. I'll still get OT though. And you'll
still sit and complain!
I'll join you on that one, I'll be 58
@@@@
Answer
Yes, of course I'm half afraid if I leave him I won't find someone else and half afraid that I will!! I'm old enough and had enough good and bad times with men that I really don't think it would be the end of the world if I lived the rest of my life alone. It's maybe what I would not choose but it might have some positives in the long run. At least that's what I tell myself when I'm feeling good, during the middle of the night is another story....
Break-ups are tough. How do you stay on course. You get lonely, you miss him, you doubt your judgment, you want to try again, you tell yourself maybe you were too hard on him......
I think I should go to a counselor, it's just that it's quite expensive and as I said, I'll be paying for it out of pocket. I think they will tell me pretty much what you have.
It sounds like things have worked out for you. I thank you for your insight and help.
Answer
The payperiod I average 16,000 lines is a bimonthly payperiod. It runs 1st through the 15th and 16th through end of the month. It is WAY more than the minimum requirement. I am EXPECTED (with that employer) to do a minimum of 6000 lines per payperiod but the incentive is just too good to pass up.
See my post below if you want to know more. Or ask me. I'm not hiding anything. I'll tell you straight up what works for me.
Yea.. I used to think that. Now, for me, the answer is, no.
but again, you should go for it. You might love the challenge and have a really great team that will help you not have to roast over the flames. Its always possible!
Godspeed my friend, do it if you want to. It really might be the best thing you ever did! Or not, but either way, you will know for sure!
I can only answer for myself. sm
I never applied for a supervisor's job. When the super quit because of stress I was asked (no begged) to take the job (in the office) until a qualified supervisor could be hired. Time dragged on until I finally had to say either a supervisor was hired in 2 weeks or I would be quitting in two weeks. I never enjoyed being "the boss," don't know why...I just didn't. Another thing.....I abolutely HATE being told lies. I was told by an MT that she couldn't cover her 3rd shift assignment (guess who did cover it) because her grandmother had died...that was the 6th time AFTER I started counting, no telling how many grandmother's she had all told. I guess some people enjoy being the boss for one reason or another.
my first answer is, of course, neither but (sm)
if I HAD to choose, I guess I'd say A...rather give it to some poor children than some rich b****. 
a better answer would have been
leaving off the "jerk" comment, and recommend that people contact the MQ office they are affiliated with to see what that particular office wants them to do.
Anyone doing DQS...please answer this for me.
When I need to enter a NEW HEADING, I type it in, then it brings up a new box that says "type in new heading"...I finish typing it, hit OK or whatever, and it puts the new heading in my report.
BUT...it doesn't KEEP The new heading! ARG! It stays on the drop down list of headings for THAT REPORT ONLY but then when I do a new report, the new heading never shows up.
What am I doing wrong? Help!! 
answer
I don't quite understand what you mean by the style they prefer, I worked there 4+ years, it is either feast or famine, not a very honest bunch. You can make money for short periods of time until they over hire and run the account out of work and make promises to you they won't keep. They don't have very good communication and rarely return calls or emails. Their platform is not too bad, seen better, but easy to use. I would like clarification though by what you mean by the style they prefer?
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