I feel lost---is this as good as it gets? Need advice PLEASE
Posted By: Tina123 on 2008-10-29
In Reply to:
I have been doing MT now for almost 3 years. Previously to being hired, I had never done MT before, but I had worked in a hospital system and public health for a total of about 19 years and I had a Bachelors Degree to boot, so I was hired. I worked for a medical clinic that housed about 100 doctors of varying specialties.
The QA person never helped me, nor did I get training--I was pretty much on my own.
Reports were pretty simple, so I was able to get by without anyone helping me. However, the boss was a horrible woman, a supervisor of medical records who was ALWAYS firing people for any little infraction. If she didn't like you, you had even more problems.
She didn't like me, so she made my life hard. I was short 100 measly lines of a goal she set and she made my life h-e-l-l. She constantly wrote me up about it, even those I was sooo close, but other people that she liked, didn't have to have to meet goals.
Anyhow, I got fed up and quit. I got hired at a hospital in acute care--a friend who worked there got me in. This time, I had feedback. Unfortunately, acute care is something I had no experience with and now my issues are QA.
You get "dinged" for any mistake and I can't pass QA! I've been there for 5 months, but I'm scared I am going to get fired. NEVER have I ever had to worry so much about my performance or getting written up and/or fired.
I've been having nightmares I am going to get fired. I dread opening up any emails I get from QA--a fellow employee checks mine and she is VERY anal and dings me for everything. I feel like they think I'm not "getting it" and I believe they are circling the wagons to get me fired.
I feel so dumb when I get my QA feedback. How could this be? I know I'm NOT dumb and can do this job. Certainly someone who made the Dean's List at an acredited school, has enough intelligence to excel at this, right?
I'm just ready to give up. I'm scared to quit, as the job market and economy is pretty poor, but with my work experience and education, I've never had a problem getting hired. MT has been the WORST choice ever for me. I have a small child, so I thought this would be a good fit for me, but it's been a disaster. Is this the way it's going to be? Am I expecting too much of myself too soon?
I just feel like there isn't any learning curve anymore. I feel so all alone, I can't talk to my co-workers about it, because they never share their QA scores or line counts. I'm so freaking frustrated and stressed about this. Any advice on my situation? Is this the way of life for an MT? Thanks
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I was hit by all 3 that summer, I lost power, I lost work, I lost savings...but..sm
NEVER did my employer in any way imply or threaten or dare even mention that my job was in jeopardy because I could not work immediately following a trifecta of natural disasters! My jaw agape is not at your concern about working, but at your concern that you would lose your job because of it. Companies have to have a heart in some situations. You're one MT, your company won't go under without you working for a week or 2 or 3.
Good for you, THEY lost. nm
xx
Very good advice! NM
..
Good advice! nm
x
this is very good advice
Embarrassment and nips it in the bud. When this first started I was so dumbfounded that I didn't know what to do or say, but I find myself not going over there at all and unhappy so I need to take control. Hopefully it won't happen since big mouth brought it to his attention, but if it does, I will force myself to quickly say something within moms earshot. Thanks for the advice.
Very good advice
nm
Need some good advice, please
I'm looking for an Internet-based software for my home MT service, one that can be accessed from any web browser, can e-sign, auto fax, let the docs' referring physicians go to the site, log in and read their patients' reports, and offer a complete accounting of lines charged on a daily, weekly, monthly, etc., basis. Also software that will allow the doctors to search transcripts by any criteria; i.e, patient name, their date of office visit, names of meds prescribed, and the like. Also, one that could also be integrated into EMR without any problem in the future.
Does anyone have any good ideas?
Also, any idea of the intitial outlay and the per-line charge the vendor would charge on the average?
Finally, I'd be very interested in reading about the type of software you currently use and if you and your clients are happy with it.
Thank you much. 
Britta in Las Vegas
Good advice!
I don't exactly time myself on how long I try before leaving a blank but I would say I never spend more than 3 minutes either. I would think though that 3 minutes would certainly be enough time for anyone to spend, more than that would be a waste of time IMO.
This is such good advice! Thank you.
I am on the Climara patch - low dose. Sleep deprivation was making it very difficult to get through the work day and so, I really had no choice. I promised myself yearsd ago I would not be sad due to aging and really, I had a wonderful time as a young woman. The physical symptoms, though, I never expected to be so difficult. It is like being slapped up side the head with a 2 x 4 when you least expect it.
That's good advice. I like that. :) (nm)
x
Good advice
And exactly what the OP apparently wants someone else to do for her and spoonfeed her the results. She declared she didn't have the "patience" to read all the posts, so it is unlikely that she will follow your advice.
Need some good advice, please...
There's a very large insurance company here in Boston that wants me to handle their transcription - very little medical terminology, and the typing would be pretty darn simple. The head of the company seems like a really nice, down-to-earth guy; the work will be plentiful; and there would also be an opportunity to get in with other branches of the company as well doing their offices' transcription.
I know as an IC we are to set the rates, and I normally charge on a per-line basis; however, they are adamant about paying a per-page charge - currently pay $2.50 per page now to a service they detest.
What do you feel is a fair per-page rate to charge them? I really want to be fair, but I use an Internet-based platform that charges me 1.5 cents 65 cpl.
Any and all suggestions are welcome, and thank you so very much! 
good advice
I'll just keeping trudging along. Learning and living.
That's some good advice
there.
all good advice
You have already gotten some good advice and I agree with all of it. You should not make a hasty and impulsive decision about your marriage, certainly. But as one who spent 15 years in an emotionally and eventually physically abusive marriage because I went to a church that "didn't believe" in divorce, let me just say, if you do eventually make a rational decision to go, don't let what others think even be part of the decision. I still get lots of criticism and judgment from so-called Christians about my decision, but my children and I have never been any better off than we are now.
always such GOOD advice!
...they will pay your average pay for term of contract.....
Okay, Patti -- fess up. What's your web site or fan club address?
Administrator -- We need to give Patti her own board!!!
That was good advice
This post offered some great advice! I'd do that until I was sure I liked my new company better. Also, the advice someone else gave about searching the company board for positive and negative comments about the new company was good. You may feel a little bit overworked for a short while, but it shouldn't take you too long to know if you like your new job. Best to you!
that's good advice, too
I would stay at the current job, take the paid maternity leave (making sure, as the last poster said, that you can quit after it with no repercussions) and find something during your leave that you can take your time to work into.
All 4 of my kids were born with me working at home, and that includes the middle 2 being twins. It worked for me. Some babies are very easy to work with and others are very hard. I guess you can't really know until they are born. I switched companies when I was 4 months pregnant with my last one and I was worried about that, but it did give me time to get used to the new company before adding the baby and getting used to two new things at once, so think about that, too.
Does anyone know any good advice on how to
get rid of Office 97 when installing Editscript? If Editscript finds traces of Office 97, it won't install. I have talked with Escription and they gave me links to download Office registry removal and that didn't work. Thanks
Good advice
A very nice, generous, and helpful post. Great advice about going over the nasty supervisor's head--nobody should have to be verbally demeaned on the job--no matter how many years a supervisor has. (Congrats on in-house & good luck)
That's good advice. Thanks.
no message.
Good advice - nm
nm
Good advice - nm
nm
Good advice - nm
nm
Good advice - nm
nm
I recently lost 20 pounds. That means I lost 80 sticks of butter.
    
No insight but good advice....sm
.... get to a doctor now! Better safe than sorry.
Good advice. I'm new to this area, and still sm
don't have enough phone books. The nearest Wal-Mart is 15 miles away, so I'm kinda limited as to resources. I will check to see if there is a bike store in the next "big town" (20 miles away). Thanks!!
Very good advice from 'Been there done that.'
I think this advice is great. Maintain your professionalism and integrity. You are worth 14 cents a line. I also live in the Northeast and charge 13 cents a line for a psych account, which is very easy, but if I were doing family practice, I would probably charge 15 cents per line, as that is what the other MTs in my local area charge. Good, quality, dependable service is hard to find. I think they will be back. Get out there and market yourself and find another account. You’ll be fine.
Lynn 
Starting over you have a lot of good advice below on..sm
your situation. I must say I do feel for you and wish you all the best. Take care of yourself and those children first. That is most important and I will most certainly be thinking about you and saying a prayer or two. Take your time and do whatever you have to in order to make a safe and happy life for yourself and those children. Bless you and wishing you happiness.
Good advice Mandi...thanks...nm
nm
Good advice Dreamweaver! When my
computer starting "biting the dust" about a month or 2 ago, I panicked and bought a new one with Vista. I had to wait until Express Scribe was updated, which was about 2 weeks or so, one of the companies I worked for had to do a fix, and I just startes with a new company on Tuesday, and I was just on the phone with the IT guy for about 30 minutes with him doing a fix for Vista! I have a cousin and a friend who can rebuild computers, but I though buying a brand new one was a better idea HAHA
This is good advice. I had the same question - sm
last year when I changed jobs. Found out that a pre-existing condition could have made new insurance more expensive, or even harder to get. So painful as it was financially, I got COBRA. As it turned out, I'm glad I did, because during that waiting period I got a really bad ear infection - so bad that I was basically deaf. It took a long time and lots of antibiotics to clear up, but I couldn't have afforded the care without COBRA, and might have damaged my hearing, which is not a good thing for an MT to lose!
Very good advice, RadMT! nm
x
That is very good advice - and less likely to get you in trouble!
After all, that's what the QA people are there for. If we didn't make mistakes and leave blanks, they'd be working at Wal-Mart.
Well, you should. She gave you good advice.
If you don't like the contract, move on and find one you do like. Like Patti, as a business owner, I've heard a lot of things and if you don't put even the smallest things in writing, there's going to be someone out there who will take advantage of trust. Sorry if you don't like it, but that's what it's come to--and not just in the MT business. Check your next loan contract, service contract or sales agreement.
Thanks for all the replies...VERY good advice...NM
.
It's good to know there are others who feel this way.
Like many others, I got into this field to "work at home." I loved MT and I worked my way up into management, QA, and instructing. Now, because of the trends to outsource, eliminate mid-level management positions, and change employee positions to home-based IC positions, I'm back at home again with no benefits, no paid time off, no job security, feeling shut off from the world, with no professional "friends" other than nameless, faceless internet acquaintances. As you said,I feel as though I'm losing my social skills because the only one I talk to for 10 hours a day is my dog, and I have gained the dreaded 10 pounds because I have no motivation to get up out of my chair and exercise! I agree that it should be obvious to anyone that the future of this career is not bright, to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I make a lot of money and I have a lot of flexibility, which, to some, may make up for the negatives, but in my case, the negatives outweigh the positives, and I feel the only answer is to get out now. I haven't always felt this way. As I said, I have been an MT instructor. I painted a beautiful picture for my students of what a fabulous job MT could be. It's only in the past few years that I have developed such a negative outlook. I commend you for your decision to complete your degree. I wish I had done it a long time ago.
While you may feel good about yourself,
your attitude really isn't professional. I had an attitude like your's about 20 years ago at the start of my career - days of tapes and paper. Sent back a report with a note that I could NOT type it - could not understand it at all, and my boss sent it back saying "you have to hear it - its your job"...I struggled thru it, and many others and I developed an ear for ESLs. Lots and lots of professional MTs have developed their ear for ESLs - all ESLs - fast or slow. They are understandable by your peers. So, I feel sorry for your attitude - you will never learn the business in full. And I'm sure you'll spout that you're proud of not doing the hard ESL's, but that's just an excuse. You can't, or won't, let yourself hear them. And I totally relate - years ago if I even heard an accent, my brain froze, and that was it for me - zero understanding. You have to want to hear it. And now, for lots of us, ESLs are no big deal - no difference at all, so nothing hinders us! Much better environment.
Call Jacy. She gives good advice,
:+
Hey, that's good advice! Listen to Kate!
Seriously, that's sound advice for anybody! Good on ya, Kate! Have a great Saturday!
Ditto here. Good advice. I sit here and DING. . .
I need a bag of salt and vinegar chips and something chocolate and a Coke so I go and I get them and I eat and drink them and then I'm fine.
I normally don't even care about that stuff, but when that junk food alarm goes off, I feed it because I guess I need it? I'm not overweight except for that one week a month. 
Good advice but some people refuse to
split "amicably." I know for a fact in my case it would be a blame game and a huge mess. Been there many times and resorted to other ways of handling it. I wonder if what you suggested would still work for me?
Not the OP but helped by your advice.
Thanks,
me
Good advice. I wish more service IT people (sm)
that I have met were more helpful. They should realize that faster PCs = happier and more productive MTs = more $$$ for company and maybe an increase in his own pay! KWIM?
Good advice...thanks! I'll save my $$ (NM)
.
It does feel good looking forward.
Thanks MTPockets! You bring up a good point. I AM moving on and it is going to be okay. My kids need to see me normal and happy. That's two things my younger two have never seen because he's their daddy. This post became so fun and I love that! Thanks again to everyone to who posted!
that cant be making you feel good.
wondering what company it was...your making me feel scared...i dont have a lot of exp either, hope its not gonna spread.
We all get burned out, don't feel alone. That is good (sm)
money. You can set your own hours, etc. But, taxes are a concern as well. I went to work for our local nursing home and found it more rewarding emotionally. Actually was left money by a lady I use to stay and play cards with. So just remember to be true to yourself and there are people who do good things when you least expect it. So your efficiency obvious has not gone ignored, but take the break if you feel you need it and go back when your ready. That's the great thing about being an IC!!
what some people have to do to feel good about themselves
"What do you all do when you have to type an expletive? I am working on an account where this comes up often. I refuse to type the actual expletive so I usually just put (expletive) and go on. No one has ever said anything, but I was curious as to what everyone else does."
That was my ORIGINAL POST. I wanted to know what any other MT in the field did regarding expletives. I didn't ask you to judge my character. I didn't need anyone telling me to "put my big girl panties on." All I was looking for was for you all to tell me what you did in that situation. I guess it makes you feel good to pound on a person rather than address the inital question - if that's what you need to do, then so be it. I am not new to the field. Been an MT for over 10 years and have never typed an expletive, though it hasn't come up often. Found this board and am mostly a lurker and thought I would finally run it by some others. Should have just kept it to myself. No wonder I like being an MT - you don't have to deal with other people very often.
Go ahead and feed the piranhas if that's what gets you through your day.
Good for you. Did it make you feel better?
I doubt your brother has won more than he's lost. To win that much he's probably lost 3 times
So he probably has more bills than money. Otherwise the casinos would go broke.
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