I switched but still learning,too
Posted By: Getting older on 2007-09-07
In Reply to: Which is the best ???? - Rosie
I used SH for a year. To me, it was like AutoCorrect, which I used to love, but IT does so much more. I've been using IT for about a year. There are so many things you can do with it that you can't do with SH.
As the other poster said, check out the productivity website and you will fiind zillions of ideas.
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that's how I did it, that's why I switched to
employee status (one of the reasons)
When you were switched over to VR, did they - sm
continue to pay you the same amount per line, or was that lowered? If I could do more lines per day and get the same pay, that would probably be okay (if boring!), but if they cut the pay back, then you're still working just as hard, for less money.
So, did you keep your same per-line pay scale?
I know this company. They switched sm
me from employee to IC status. I was told it was 30% off for headers/footers. It certainly is a rip-off. Cardiology MT myself.
I just switched to digital and it has been a big
headache! Just got another one of those heart-stopping calls .... um, the dictaphone isn't showing the dictation ... Yikes, where is it then!?! LOL
I'd still be doing tapes -- they are easy and no headaches like digital has been so far -- but for the past 12 years I've been driving three hours three days a week to pick up my clients' work and it was killing me. (I moved away from my town where my docs were to marry my DH - he was worth it ;) )
As for digital, for me I'm glad it was an option, but high fives to those of you doing tapes. Ain't nothing wrong with that! Money is money and around here there's more tape than digital to be had :)
I switched 2 years ago.
It was hard going from 6-1/2 hours a day 7/7 plus every holiday to 8 hours a day, but it just meant getting used to the longer days. My start time was the same, though. As I got used to it, it did get better, and now I'm happy because I'm making the same $$ I used to plus have benefits.
You just have to find THE right company.
Not an MT company, but I switched
job that I had for 15+ years. You would be surprised how receptive your old position and/or company can be to the fact that "the grass really was green where you were". There is no harm at all in trying to get your old position back. It's going back with your tail between your legs, but you may be happier. If I were you, I'd give it a try.
MTs switched to billing/coding?
Curious whether there are any MTs out there, or anyone who knows info, on going into billing and coding...
I'm considering training for that in my spare time now, so that I have the opportunity later, if I decide to pursue that. Are there a fair amount of work-at-home positions in billing and coding? After my newbie days, I've never had trouble finding MT work with good companies, so I wondered if billing was as widespread, at home. I haven't found nearly as much info out there on at-home billing, other than get-rich-quick scheming. Anyone know if the pay is on a similar scale? Opportunity for PT and FT, like MT? Similarities and differences (not on the actual job, but work issues like benefits, flexibility, etc.)
Thanks for any help! 
Were you baited with one account and switched to another?
I worked on account and there was never anyone on line to IM for problems with my account and then there are so many chiefs in that organization and really the chiefs are pretty useless if they aren't around to help out. I was very disappointed with the company. The software was filled with glitches too and instead of instant help, you had to wait for sometimes days until someone could help you.
yes, i have asked to be switched to other accts
and they have accommodated me. With a previous office, they drug their feet awhile (needing to get other coverage)...but yes, ask!
I started with a second company once that also used DQS. Their tech support was able to give me instructions to retrieve all my shortcuts from my main job and put them into my files with company-B. No problem.
98-99% of the time my offices have worked with me very well -- don't hesitate to communicate your frustrations/needs and see if they won't work with you. Good luck.
actually i was in your shoes and I switched jobs. sm
I am a single mother and was not at all happy about where I was and no I didnt come on here and complain about it. Yes I did find another job, had to do without insurance for about a month, and glad I made the switch. I even accepted the job at the very same pay.
I think you are just scared to take that leap. i do have compassion, but when you arent happy about something, you should try to do something.
Whether it is to go to the proper channels with MQ and complain to them or find another job. It isnt doing anyone any good to come here. Nothing will change.
That is all I am saying.
It just gets everyone in an uproar and solves nothing.
You and only you have control over your life as I do mine.
I have one. I switched back to regular but still have the old one.
email me if you need it.
Has anyone switched to Verizon isp for faster
I have dial up and that is all I can get. Has anyone switched to Verizon and gotten a faster dial up speed than the ISP they had before switching?
How can I get a faster speed on dial up?
MT NEEDS HELP
We just switched from Dish to Directv - sm
Dish is slightly cheaper, but we switched for the following reasons; Dish took away our FOX NY channel in November because of some law passed in congress recently (we watch Nascar) which we were paying extra for (we are in VA), we cannot get local channels with Dish unless we upgraded dishs and cut down about 5 trees. I thought it was insane to spend $400+ in order to be able to get local channels. We had them out here a couple years ago to evaluate the tree situation, that was their answer. So we have just been without the locals as they do not come in very well with the antenna. So all our neighbors here have Directv without any problems or cutting down trees, and all with the local channels ($4.99 a month). We have FOX again (local though, DH liked having NY FOX because of the football games). I also did the additional room box, another $4.99 a month which we had not done since living in MD, and it is a nice benefit to have with the kids, DH can watch his football and if a show is on that the kids wanted to watch they can without a bunch of fuss. That doesn't happen too often but it is nice to have that option. I am receiving a $5 rebate for switching right now, plus will be getting an additional $10 off for 10 months once my rebate kicks in, so right now it is $56 a month, but that will jump to $61 when all is said and done. We have the basic pkg and HBO. I liked the guide and ability to scroll the channels better with Dish. But the Directv remote seems much sturdier (plus they replace them free of charge), with Dish we had to pay for any replacements at $70 a pop, we went through a remote every 2 years or so, the last time I said forget this and bought a universal remote for $10, still works great. If trees are not an issue with you then either will work fine, Dish is slighty cheaper but you own the equipment, you buy it. They just lost another channel of mine though that was one of my favories, Court TV, Directv has it though so I am happy. Directv you lease the equipment, hence the free replacements. I think if you only get 1 unit then there is no charge, but with 2 units then it is $5 a month plus the free replacements, etc. We bought our Dish Network dish for $400 with a rebate, so I think we paid $100 for it in the end, have no idea how they do it now though. Happy hunting!
We just switched to DSL from cable, and it's GREAT! SM
We had continuous problems with cable dropping and absolutely no satisfaction from talking to "customer service" (and I use that term loosely). So one day, when the cable was out again, we called BellSouth and changed out to DSL and moved to Direct TV for our television.
Let me just say: WOW! Same speed with no drops. Love DSL. We'll never go back to cable.
I switched to Dvorak quite a while ago. My recommendation
would be to attempt the switch when you are not working. I quit qwerty cold turkey, and it took about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks for me to get up to speed on Dvorak. It probably would have taken less, but I had to take a lot of timeouts to keep myself from chucking my computer out the window. It was incredibly frustrating to say the least, but I am glad I did it.
All I did was switch my keyboard driver over and print out the Dvorak layout to post beside my monitor. I didn't get stickers or anything. I do have an ergo Dvorak keyboard now though.
Always looking and learning
What is a marker, is it product specific or would shorthand have it? Sounds great
learning op
Try this book: Stedman's Medical Transcription Skillbuilders: Creating Surgical Reports. (also comes with 2 cds)
I just switched to nights and found I like it alot.
I get a nicer variety of reports so I don't get bored. I keep the tv on behind me but don't watch it. No interruptions, no phone, no kids or hubby, although my kids are all out of high school. They still tend to interrupt. The dogs are sleeping so I don't have to let them out. I do open a window for some of that gorgeous night air. I only need about 6-7 hours of sleep, so I hit the hay when I am done and sleep for around 4 hours, get up and do a few things, then conk out again for 2-3 hours later. It seems to be working out.
When I switched to DQS from my old platform I honestly cant remember the name of it I took a rather
large drop in lines on the same account as did many others and yes people did quit because of it. Same accounts for years and definitely reduced my lines on DQS from the old platform as I said and never did make them up 2 years later. Have no clue what is going on. Actually I think the name of the platform was MT Shell.
I recently switched to DSL and now my Winfax Pro will not work. Has anyone else had
this problem and what do you use now to accept faxes through your computer??? Thanks.
I just switched to unlimited business plan
in order to get their LD plan, I had to get their Complete Choice business phone line. Since I already had Ultra DSL internet, with all of these bundled, the cost is $140 a month (phone, unlimited LD and 2 DSL connectors). When I compared it to my residential plan with my 2 DSL connections, it was only $57 a month more so I felt it was a good deal.
If you are on your dictation system 40 hours a week for 4 weeks per month, that is 9600 minutes a month at $57 and average $0.005 per minute, much better than a phone card and no getting in trouble with your residential unlimited LD plan (they will flag you when you hit 5000 minutes a month).
I switched from Shorthand to Instant Text.. sm
and love my Instant Text! It is much smarter than I am though and I am still learning, but it has features that ShortHand did not. The support staff is great and the Productivity Board is also very helpful. There is a lot of information there and if you have not visited it, I would suggest you check it out as there are Shorthand and IT users there. It is www.productivitytalk.com.
I am doing the same thing. I recently switched to working when
most people are not there. I am working Friday to Tuesday and there will be lots of work, since I have several accounts and nobody seems to be steadily working those hours. I agree about working nights too. I will do that when the kids are here. That is the only way I believe my line counts will increase to the level you have attained. I struggle for work weekdays and during the day and could not get more than 1,000 a day. I think I will be able to use the strategy you are. Plus I can focus better when it is quiet. I also don't surf the net, or do anything. Just take an hourly break to stretch. Thanks for your help and answers, and poll too!
Learning radiology.....sm
You should definitely give it a try, but "only" if you let them know up front that you haven't done radiology. You can say that you feel you have enough experience to adapt to it and hope they'll give you the chance. After all, the more specialties you have under your belt, the better your chances are of staying in this field. But I would not take the job without being honest. The transition is not all that difficult, but it will take some time. And besides, you always have your former skills to rely on if it doesn't work out. Good luck.
Yes, I'll be learning DQS...
I have wireless internet so I can't imagine why I would need a modem. I'm hoping that's something that's just in the manual for people that are still on dial up.
The lady I talked to made it sound like I had to rent the computer, although she quoted a fee of $25 a month. Is it not something I have to rent? Honestly, I don't mind it for right now just because my computer has been doing some crazy things, but when DH gets my computer upgraded I'd much prefer to just use my own computer. I'd rather not use all the other stuff if I don't have to.
Is DQS hard to learn? My training is Thursday and Friday so I assume I'll learn it then but I'm also not the best at remembering every single detail right away. I just want to get through this. I'm excited because they're letting me do acute-care work even though I tested for clinic work. I've been wanting acute-care experience and am thankful to be getting it. I just feel so overwhelmed with these three huge boxes sitting in my living room when I was only expecting one. The enormous DQS manual is also adding to the anxiety.
Thanks again.
Carole
Learning to read...
Yes, that problem brings you right back to the lack of early stimulation, schooling success, etc. You can offer the world, but just like the "horse to water", you can only do so much in getting people to accept education and work hard at it to be successful. It is NOT a solution to have people work at McDonalds, and unless they are literate, other options are just not going to work. I would guess that all states have vocational training in community colleges that provide tuition assistance, scholarships, and financial aid for those in need, but again, the ambition and dedication to finish something like that needs to come from the individual. Also, chasing down dead beat "fathers" is fine, but maybe young girls/women need to be smarter about taking reproductive chances. Nobody died not having sex. Perhaps more education in that arena is something the government could do. But again, you can only lead a horse to water, and people ultimately have to be responsible. We need to stop sugar coating the facts in our society in fear of offending somebody. The facts are that blacks are disproportionately more impoverished in America, but they also have babies at a 70% out-of-wedlock birth rate, and that is a problem.
Could not do without it. Small learning sm
curve, but worth it.
Looking to start learning soon
Hi all,
I found this board doing a Google on a company I hope to join soon. They will train me to work for them. I am excited to be able to finally get into this business.
I stared taking a course twice, but have been battling Diabetes. It was hard to find the motivation and keep the momentum going. Now my Diabetes (type 2) is better under control. I am also tired of working for someone else outside my home.
I have been looking at doing transcription work for 3-4 years now. I have researched positions I can take once I get some experience, and I don't mind trying to hustle up my own accounts.
I am posting here to keep my dream in front of me and keep me looking towards my own business. I plan to join AAMT and my local chapter once I get working. I am so excited!
Thanks for the information your board posted while I was researching the company to make sure it wasn't a scam. I am satisfied it is not and can't wait to start learning!javascript:editor_insertHTML('text',' '); Thank you all!
Thank GWB for that. It is all about the testing, not the learning.
x
Learning MSWord - need help
Finally have given in and am switching from WP to MSWord. I work from home. If anyone has any encouraging words about MSWord, I certainly would like to hear them. So far, I am going crazy, i.e., I have put in "gray boxes" but when I enter my autocorrect short cut for the "shell", my cursor goes to the bottom of the page and I have to page up 2-3 times. I am missing something?
Any help would be so very much appreciated 
Thank you.... bw...
learning word
There is a really good web site called MTwerks. They also give really good tech support and have a news letter with helpful tips.
Learning the English would be
a big help! They come here to make money and should learn the language. Benny Hinn does a great job with the English language when he's asking for money! so apparently it is doable.
Yes, but I have to use the mouse. But....am learning (sm)
more shortcut keys as I type!! Thanks!
Some have a different learning curve than others
I had an in-house job for 3 years, hired in off the street, no experience. Three months later, another girl hired in, same situation. Paid hourly, no ESL, and we had the opportunity to talk to the doctors in person about any issue.
By the time I left, I was the highest producer in the office. She was still struggling with the simplest words and phrases, still asking the same questions she asked the week she hired in, still needing help from somebody else all day long. She would cry from frustration because she couldn't get her act together. Other people that hired in after her got the hang of it much faster and were soon helping her too. I asked management on many occasions why they just didn't show her the door, and they said I was being harsh and that some people just couldn't learn as fast as others. I wonder why she didn't just go find a different kind of job instead of hanging around driving herself and everyone else nuts.
learning another language
It isn't that I wouldn't like to learn another language if I had the time. I would. It would be neat to be able to speak another language, but I don't. And it makes me fustrated when immigrants come here and expect me to know their language when they are the ones who came here. They should know proper English. Or just decent English. If I moved to South America I would not expect them to understand me. I would take it upon myself that if I wanted to communicate I need to learn good Spanish. And if I had a job where I did something such as dictating, I would make sure I knew decent English and tried to make myself understandable. Some ESLs act like they don't care if you can understand them or not. There ARE some who try though.
learning steno, et al.
Hi mt,
I looked into closed captioning many years ago here in San Diego, but it was not as good as it sounded with many problems both internally and externly, hard to explain in this forum, but I didn't want to get involved in that mess.
I started court reporting school way back in 1988 when we still had saber tooth tigers running around. I started the program at San Diego's City College. The first semester was learning theory which taught the steno language and the keyboard. We used the old manual machines, which are still available for students. The second semester and thereafter was all about the dreaded speed-building classes. We finished the first semester at 60 words a minute. Speed-building is a very personal matter. It can take years and years or less time, depending on the person. It took me 2 more years to reach 225 words per minute which qualified me to take the California state board test for licensure. I passed the academic portion the first time but not the machine portion. So I took it another 6 times, never passed that damned thing! Nerves got the best of me each and every time, so I could not go into the court reporting field (something I don't regret in hindsight). Instead I opted to enter our wonderful field of MTing.
I'm using my machine to write this message. I really like using the machine a lot. Each stroke produces either one word several words or phrases or parts of words that have many syllables. It all depends on how you have your dictionary defined.
Today's steno machines are electronic and computerized allowing us to interface with any word processing program.
I hope more people learn this skill and start using it for medical reports so we can get rid of this rotten ASR chap which has reduced my income way more than I can live with. I need a firm that will appreciate my skill and recognize its value in this field.
BTW, it would only take about 10 months to a year to become proficient enough on the machine to start using it for MTing, maybe even less time depending on the person. I didn't work during 3 years of my early training as I had financial help at the time (which I had to pay back, of course, $30,000 - it's paid back now).
Dave
It's like learning MT all over again. It takes
nm
There's a learning curve
In time it all gets better. Usually. Some people aren't cut out to be MTs, for them it never gets better. I felt the way you do when I started out in-house (no former training). But I was stubborn, and I learned, and knew I was getting better. Then I started working at home - BIG learning curve, had no idea my hospital job was so easy! But I was stubborn, and I learned and improved. Next job - more learning. New accounts with constantly changing specifics - keep learning. In this job, you learn every day - a new phrase, a new production tip, the fact that you've been spelling something wrong, etc.
Just take a deep breath and realize they are trying to help you. Thank them for every correction, because its what they need you to do. Make a lot of notes. And you can and will improve, if you're stubborn enough to make your investment pay.
coding learning
Both Andrews and M-Tec have coding courses. I had a discussion with Redpen about the possibilities and she thinks it will be at home eventually.
MT, are you just now learning about her needing a
Xanax?
I have been an MT for 10 years and am still learning...
you really do learn something new every day...just hang in there and you will do fine...
I think learning the language
and losing the accent are not quite the same thing... many of the ESL doctors speak English quite well, and may have been studying English for years in school. After a certain age, the accent is very difficult to lose. Some people have more of a talent for this than others. I know, makes it hard for the MTs.. but part of the job. Not saying they shouldn't try to improve... I study another language, but I am always going to have an American accent.
I think learning the language
and losing the accent are not quite the same thing... many of the ESL doctors speak English quite well, and may have been studying English for years in school. After a certain age, the accent is very difficult to lose. Some people have more of a talent for this than others. I know, makes it hard for the MTs.. but part of the job. Not saying they shouldn't try to improve... I study another language, but I am always going to have an American accent.
If you have not switched over to the new website for MQ updates call 800 dictate and get that done
and you will find that news on there.
I worked on INET prior to DQS on the same account which was switched to DQS.
You absolutely w/o question need DSL or cable to work on DQS. The searches and the downloads take FOREVER with dial up on DQS.
I lost money on line count on DQS. Same account different line counts per hour. Lots of people have had the same loss. No one, but no one has increased line count on DQS from INET.
I guess it depends on which office you get switched to now doesnt it.
:
Nope. I switched to Firefox months ago and LOVE it. nm
xxx
Three months ago I switched to Road Runner voice over IP.
I'm very happy with it. I'm on the phone for hours and haven't had any problems with them as of yet. We'll see what the future brings.
I used A Fujitsu Life Book the first 4 years, and just switched
And pretty much my whole personal life is set up on my lap top, as well, and sometimes additional software for other services when I've worked part-time elsewhere. And I haven't begun to use nearly all the hard drive space. I have had one minor repair problem years ago, and it was a piece of cake to carry it to Best Buy, who flipped it open and fixed the problem on the spot. Lap tops rule!
very unhappy verizon customer, i switched about 6 months ago
nm
I switched from Shorthand to Instant Text and my experience was...s/m
I'm curious to see what the reactions were from those that went from SH to IT versus IT to SH. I'm getting ready to switch from IT to SH and really need some input from you well seasoned professionals!
I truly appreciate your time and help!
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