I had that flexibility at MQ, but we also ran out of work so much,
Posted By: it wasn't worth it. nm on 2005-07-23
In Reply to: How do you decide which is better? - pros and cons
x
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
work flexibility
I certainly empathize with your plight, and I get angry when I see these companies advertise for at-home moms and service wives. I am thinking it is not as it seems - without flexibility and its hard on the MT and the family. I also am looking for that very thing -flexibility enough to take care of my family's needs and meet MT requirements. That is not too much to ask for.
I like the flexibility too, and I really need it so - sm
I will be sticking with it for quite a while. I cannot see any employer dealing with me needing mornings/afternoons off here and there to go to my chiroprator (since my accident in 10/2005-got T-boned by someone who ran the light) 2-3 x a week right now; take my 2 daughters to dance 2 x a week at 4:30 and 5 in the afternoon; go the the Oncolcogy clinic 1 x a month (now, was a lot more) and also Radiology every 3 months for my 5-y/o's cancer f/u; take/pick up my kids every day at 7:30/3:30 at the bus (granted I have 2 after school options available to me so I could eliminate the afterschool pick up or at least make it later). Would any one other that a PT employer put up with that, NO , I doubt it. I tested, passed, etc. a screening position for the TSA 2 years ago here in Richmond. Was going to take the job too as they said (at first) I could work 10-2 which would have worked good for me, but the pay sucked--I only make slightly less doing MT and I am no speed demon--and it was not worth the gas, daycare, mileage on my truck (about a 45 minute drive to the airport)--especially in the summer when the daycare costs triple. So I said thanks but no thanks. If I was offered $20/hour or even $15/hour I might have done it, considering it was "national security" it was not worth it to possibly put myself in harms way. So in order to get a job outside and be worth it you have to make at least $30K+ I think, not easy to find with just a BFA and office administration experience. I hope to finish up a paralegal certificate I started 9 years ago, need to re-enroll again at U of R....pricey though, 1 class costs $900...I have about 14 classes to go to get my certificate then maybe I will work outside the home, but that will be years down the road from now as it will probably take me another 7 to complete it as I only take 1 class a semester as it is too expensive and I have way to much going on. You should probably take a course or something, good to stimulate the brain and for a change of seen. I have not been back for 5 years and miss it. Meant to in 09-2004 but then my mom got ill, then died, then Jen got sick 6 months later...just could not find the time or inclination to re-enroll. But time to do it, in the meantime I will relish in my flexibility! (sorry for the book, tend to get carried away!)
Like the flexibility and usually really like the job. Of
course, there are some days that are not so great. Worked outside the home for years and I think I appreciate being at home more because of that. Wish I had known about this many years ago when my children were small. 
Loss of flexibility
I haven't gotten my packet yet, but it sounds like we will have to submit a set schedule. This is a problem if there is no work within your scheduled hours to work (which happens to me nearly every day). Then I have to rearrange my life to be able to make any money. It isn't going to work for me anymore. 
Like the sound of ur flexibility
Who is it that you work for? MQ but don't know who that is.
While getting more bonuses and flexibility and
Make sure you get the whole picture, okay?
I was promised I would have flexibility, then NOTHING
I agree with you about the 24-hour TAT. I think some of you are misunderstanding what I expected and what I was told. I was told in my interview that their perfect candidate for at home MT was "people with small children". That came from my managers mouth! If that's the case, how can they think typing straight 8 hours a day is possible with small children in the home with you?
Furthermore, I am the lowest man on the totem pole, so I don't do STATS or anything that is very time sensitive.
My work that I do isn't usually signed off by a doc until a week or so later!
I'm not asking for 24 hours to do my work, but a split shift would be nice and they won't budge.
It doesn't help that I'm the only home MT with small kids. All the other MTs are older, with grown kids or never had kids at all.
I feel like I'm in a losing battle. I really need this job, so I do the best I can.
I know that if I could work a better shift that works for my family, my production would be even better.
Besides, the fatigue factor of typing for 8 hours straight is pretty bad.
Your idea of flexibility obviously isn't the same as
You'll have a better idea of questions to ask up front next time.
Also, though, changes can happen that can make them change how they work.
If she wants the flexibility, go to IC status with someone else. (nm)
x
The time flexibility is
the greatest thing about this work. My daughter's are grown but at times something will come up that I need to take care of and it's never a problem.
We are very fortunate!
The biggest pro for me is the TOTAL flexibility...
As long as I get the work done, I can do it when I want to without being chained to my computer.
Plus, I don't know why you think ICs net 50% less than if they work on an employee basis. I've worked as both an IC and employee and, although I don't have benefits, I make much more as an IC.
Love the flexibility, can't say I like the job. Anyone agree? sm
I'm an MT of about 10 years, 6 of which have been at home, and now I'm just trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.  I love the flexibility of being an MT (at home) but really can't say I enjoy being an MT at all. I like working on my own and all that, but listening to awful doctors day after day just isn't too much fun! lol I'm forever contemplating going back to school (have 2 years of university credits from 15 years ago) but then I'd have to go outside the house to do whatever, and after the gazillion costs that go with that, probably would make less money (not that I make much now, mind you!). Does anyone else feel the same way? In my ideal world, when both kids are in school (I've got 2, ages 6 and 4), I'd go back to school full time to be a teacher or something. The reality, however, is that we can't afford it. Even if we could, would I really want to be a teacher and be stuck to a schedule every day (I'm an IC now and can work whenever, just 24 hour TAT)?
So, that's about all I needed to say. Just very curious on what others feel about "long-term" career goals, kwim? Thanks for your thoughts!
Love my job there too. It's been over 2 years and I still like it. The key is flexibility
The work can fluctuate but if your patience and have some flexibility, they are awesome to work for. If you set to a certain schedule, it may be harder for you. Overall, they truly are a hidden gem.
I agree...I love being an MT and the flexibility it gives me...
nm
I agree... lots of flexibility offers
This is not the only field that offers flexibility or work from home status. Congrats on your raise! It's nice to know someone else likes this line of work....
I get my work from an FTP site that they load the work to, however I don't have pool work so to
speak, but I tell them how many minutes a day I want. The work is generally put in my box by 5 pm every day, then I have until 10 am the following day for some priority work, or 3:30 pm for the rest, so TAT is not too bad. I would like to work less at night though, but I working on that. My downside is I do not get the same dictators day to day, there are a few I do on a semi-regular basis though, some generate great lines but take longer to do that other doc's and are not "money-makers", I also do not get paid for spaces so that hurts a bit too. This is WP5.1 too.....so very antiquated but that is what the hospital uses, so not much choice there. But I understand what you mean about the C-phone. I was just doing another job with C-phone recently...they incidentally did not tell me how to get off of the system, which was very simple. I'd finish a job, then hit stop and hangup if I wanted to get off or quit working. That is what you need to do if you want to sleep, eat, etc. Don't feel guilty, do what you signed up for, believe me they watch the pools and will get others to do the work you don't finish. If they get on your case remind them that you are only PT and only want 500 lines a day, etc. It's not worth killing yourself over. Good Luck. 
You go by your schedule and have no work. Everytime I get on to work, there is always work.
x
Then you would have no life at all except work, work, work if you did that. I wouldn't do it. nm
.
Same thing with nationals. You work all the time to keep the account caught up when others dont work
and then when they decide to put a whole lot of extra people on your accounts and run you out they could care less about how much you worked.
Have a hospital I work for and they consistently change work types and do line counts. (sm)
Management just doesn't understand in order to crank out the work you need to be proficient by typing the same accounts. Go figure, they just don't get it ??
Usually work "live" on a Cphone, while connected. There are ways to record & work off line, bu
s
steady work...gearing up to start new account....but there was no work on Tues as it was a holiday
Be patient with your eyes open....
I work for Warminster at MQ and I am sick to death of being jerked around with no work all the time.
I would like a job where I can depend on the work and it does not seem to be in this office of MQ.
Speaking of offshoring MT work, who does not directly send work offshore?
Just curious. Has anyone got a list of companies who do not send work offshore? Precyse? MQ? Spheris?
Becky you work in a great place. With no one hovering, I bet you get a lot more work done w/o agoniz
wants what. The only people qualified to do QA on my reports are the dictating doctors and the rest is just pure waste of money and time. If I have a question fine. But this random QA bites and hurts everyone. BTW, I don't have random QA for those who seem to think I may have an ax to grind. No dog in this fight. Just common sense.
Good. Why dont you send some our way. What office do you work for so I can call and get your work.
:
Before needing to work, I did volunteer work through the Junior League where I am from in Texas. lm
Junior League was like a full-time job sometimes, but I loved it. Now that I have to work, even though it is from home, I still volunteer through my son's school. I am a school teacher in my previous (pre-MT) life, so I volunteer my tutoring services for children who need the help beyond what the schools are able to provide but whose parents cannot afford to pay for private tutoring. I also know how you felt about being afraid. I was strangely afraid before I joined the Junior League. It was just the unknown. But I was SO blessed by being able to help. Honestly, I am sure that it helped me just as much, if not more, than I helped others. Go for it. You won't be sorry. (Just remember that you have to say NO when you have to say no, okay? Remember that and you will be richly blessed by the experience!)
nm would you mind if I asked where you work and what type of work hosp, clinic ?
x
All I know is it caused the company I work for to be unable to do all work due today and the rest
:+
Just return the work, submit your bill, the scurry and find more work elsewhere. sm
They will never meet with you before next week. It is Thursday, already. Be prepared to sue for payment, because you will probably need to. But, most of all, find other work elsewhere, because I have a feeling this final payment will be a long time coming.
I work on Escription platform and the adapter didnt work for me. I tried it on my laptop though
and the foot pedal would just not play correctly with the adapter. I think others have tried it and done it but it just didnt work for me.
IC sets their own hours. As long as the work is done by the deadline, you decide when to work.
Glad I work somewhere where you cannot cherrypick....our work is divvied out by minutes and - sm
the office manager (who does not normally transcribe) dishes out the work, so some days are easy, others are a mix. So no cherrypicking is possible. You type up what is given to you, period. She will alternate the tough one's out so no one person gets him/her all the time unless they want him/her and are used to that doc, or everyone gets a little piece, etc. There are days when I ask for easy work (tired, chemo day, Jen sick, or a lot going on, etc.) but not often, generally I get a mix but they all get easier the more you do them. I am not working as much as I should be of course, every week is different here so I adjust my limited work schedule accordingly, so sometimes it hard to get better at certain docs. I used to have a lot of blanks with the Trauma ER unit, but I have been doing that a lot lately and now and very good at it, still a time consuming account but at least I am improving. ----------------------- But I believe the OP was stating she did it to clear out the log, not to make more lines, and only when she was asked to do so. At an old job I had #s meant everything, everyday we would get report (2=4 x a day) of the backlog, and emails pleading us to work, work, work. The QA rules sucked  (MQ probably is basing their new plan loosly on this one), however we did not get penalized, just chewed out if you sent in too much work to QA (over 5%, and was 80% ESL), I would imagine eventually fired if you continued to do it. They were a great place to work for until they re-organized....it all went downhill from there. This is why I prefer smaller MTSOs, it's not all about the #s, yes, they want production too but at least it's not so cut-throat.
i used to work for a company that divided the work types up and i loved it. sm
there were only 4 of us working a major teaching hospital. someone was assigned surgery, different assigned discharges, different admits, etc. we all had the backup work type in case the original assignee wasn't available and were cross trained. it made us much more efficient, ability to get used to dictators, set macros, and in the long run we were all much happier.
Used to work in Cooperstown, NY - and on the way to work is a huge turkey farm
It made me never want to eat turkey again - seeing them all cramped up against the fence and cages, packed tightly, no room to move. Actually, it made me want to do some harm to the farmer who found this acceptable.
Do not work for Amherst if you can work for any other office in MQ. It is terrible. They overload
accounts terribly. We are always running out of work or need to have 8 or 9 backups to get lines in. This is the way it is. There may be a few out there that it is different but I do acute care and was just transferred there along with my office and everyone in my office is in the same boat. Not a good deal at all.
An MQ recruiter told me yesterday if work is low they "cut off" the work
SEs are doing it. She also told me that it is written in MQ policies
that MQ can let go EMPLOYEES without notice (I'm not saying statutory employees here, I'm saying employees).
You're lucky they work for you. I've never gotten a refill to work right, ever.
x
Has anyone breast fed while trying to work at home, can you do this and still work full time?
It seems like the more literature I read on the subject, the longer it seems to take, especially in the beginning when you are breast feeding every two hours, or does it really just depend on the baby?
HAHA! Yes! I have those daily! But it's not really work as I work nights, it's little things l
turning on the pool filter in the morning and then in the afternoon running out there because I thought I forgot to turn it on. Or preheating the oven and then 5 minutes later saying "shoot! I forgot to preheat the oven!" It's really bad. And I'm only 31. I'm not 90!
I don't know if dementia or Alzheimer's runs in my family, but this could be a sign of something to come. Or as my husband says - you jut don't pay attention to much. He's probably right!
I work Sun.-Thurs. normally and will work on Fridays to get Sunday off if I need it. Works
s
The company I work for said cable phone wouldn't work, just FYI.
nm
Easy to work with. You can look up old reports. Your own word expander will work
s
I just work with ShortHand minimized. Smarttype doesn't work the same way? nm
s
Work for 1 hour, then count your lines of the completed work - sm
either check you total characters in word (with spaces) then total them all up and divide by 65, and you get your total lines per hour. 10,000/65 is 153 lines. Or if you have a line counting program us that to figure you count, either way will work quite well. Maybe do it a few times and then figure an average over 3 hours or something like that, it will vary with the ease/difficulty of the work you are doing.
Sounds like where I work. Everyone morning I wake up to not enough work. I'm quitting
This has been going on for a few months so I don't know if they have overhired or just sent a lot of it to India. I just know I can't sit here everything day waiting until "volumes build up." I'm looking elsewhere.
The state told us that MTs are employees because we they work in our system and do the same work as
maybe you can work for a company in another state.
the hospital I work for already has started to implement this and lessen our work
I see it every single day... they are going to EMR... meaning the doctors simply use a template already in the computer and check boxes or something... The doctor's office i GO TO actually does this too. This is why it creates tech jobs to create those templates and takes AWAY MT jobs because the doctor is no longer dictating, they are just pushing little buttons or checking boxes straight into the computer.
Personally I still think that is more time than the doc wants to take but whatever, i dont see how generic charts are good, what happened to detailed information...
But this is definitely how i see it going along. Maybe not everywhere, but plenty of places are going to go to this, it's all about saving money now isn't it???
Question. How many MTs sit and wait for work when companies overhire and there is not enough work
on your shift. Is this what these companies want for people to sit around and wait on work. As an IC, this probably doesnt amount to even close to minimum wage. What do you do in these cases of no work and sitting waiting for practically nothing to come in when obviously lots of others are doing the same thing. It actually almost seems as though you need to have 2 jobs to survive in this business really. I cant image how you can get the lines in they require. Crazy business this is.
I tried Relacor, it didn't work because I wanted it to work without
my trying to really lose weight, i.e., dieting.
My true belief is that any product will not work unless you TRY yourself. I had 20+ lb loss with Metabolife (sp?) and really felt more energy.
BUT, I truly believe if I don't really try, nothing will work to make me lose weight. Please know, I'm right there with you and wish there were a magic pill that could make the lbs just shed away.
Yes I work for AMHERST ALSO and it is 9:30 and no work. Everyone really needs to call Corporate
about this. This will not get any better unless you go to Corporate and complain very loudly and I am very serious about this. Some of us have already done this but it will take all of you to do it. If you dont get a person down there put it on someones voice mail. The human resource manager is Donna Jack at extension 4905 in Mt. Laurel.
|
