I use a little handheld digital timer from Pyrex (our oven timer doesn't work) - sm
Posted By: Laura E. on 2005-08-13
In Reply to: TIMER FOR TRANSCRIPTION? - WA
and it's great, has two digital windows, clock on top, counter (which is what I use) on the bottem, then you can switch "modes" to a screen with 2 timers if that is what you want. Cost about $10. So I time myself more now since it helps me buckle down and I see who I am fastest at this way.....average anywhere from 12-18 minutes of dictation an hour doing this--- unfortunately I spend too much time looking up addresses but I hope my address directory will be to the point one day where I don't have to look up anymore (or at least not much). Have fun.
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- TIMER FOR TRANSCRIPTION? - WA
- I use a little handheld digital timer from Pyrex (our oven timer doesn't work) - sm - Laura E.
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digital kitchen timer and a scratchpad ....
I am always startled at how much tallying line count every hour or two keeps me focused. Some days just spread out vaguely and my line count suffers as I get distracted or restless.
The info your platform provides should be enough ... to keep some sort of a running tally.
I trust almost no one is still doing manual logs (best kept in Excell, imho), but yes, even with manual logs, a "bad" hour total can provide the seat-in-chair motivation to perform better next hour.
Taking breaks is a good idea -- but I admit I still spend a lot of time playing catch-up.
Get out the timer. You'll have to force yourself to work uninterrupted for periods of time.
Just keep in mind that you WANT the money. Best of luck!
Get you a timer and sm....
and see if you are actually working that entire time or if you are like me and very distracted and really only work 5 of the 8 hours. I am terrible about checking emails, looking out the window, surfing the internet, etc., etc. and once I really look at how long I worked I really only got in about a third the time I thought I was actually working. This may not be you at all, but this would help you to see if this is part of the problem. You might also get you a notepad that you have on your desk and write down everytime you answer the phone, answer a question from spouse or kids, got up to do something, etc. and see what type of distractions are taking away from your working time. I am talking from experience here. If I was not so distracted I would probably do at least 2000 lines a day but I am lucky to get 1300. Just a thought and good luck.
Timer
XNoteStopwatch.com
A real old old timer
When I learned how to type in high school, we had the manual typewriters with no letters on the keys. The first electric typewriter when I was a senior, was awesome! You barely had to touch it. I can't remember either the name of the first "word processor" I used, but I know that soon after came the "Mag Card". I definitely don't miss any of these. Yes, that was before production. Boy, just thinking about this makes me realize how "ancient" I am and how far technology has come in my lifetime.
TIMER FOR TRANSCRIPTION?
Here is a question for you gals (and guys). Where can I find a timer like the chess players use that you can hit the button and it stops, hit it again and it continues. I would very much like to be able to track just how much time I actually spend on transcribing versus jumping up and down doing housework, answering the phone, door, etc.
Thanks!
I used to use a timer, but not anymore.
It would jump the living daylights out of me every time as I was "in the transcribing zone." :)
Sounds like me to a "T" -- I use a timer too - sm
I find if I set it in 15 minutes increments I get more done; then I try 30 minutes. I find with the harder doctors I can get up to 12-14 minutes an hour done that way. One doctor I can do 25-28 minutes in an hour this way (he's my favorite), even then though I only average about 160 lines an hour since I have to look up addresses, or look up an unfamiliar term, etc. All that slows you down too. I am getting better though in the time department but still have a long way to go. Kills me to think I can have my work done in 6 hours or less IF I would buckle down; don't know why I torture myself but need to give myself a good kick in the butt!
Is using a timer cheating?
I work on production only. I do have a set schedule, but the company I work for is fairly flexible. I have started using a timer where I set it for 60 minutes and stop it if I am interrupted, have to get up, etc. This gives me a more accurate picture of exactly how much I can type in an hour. Is this cheating not to just go by clock hour?
Only part timer here
and i have a housekeeper, have for years (say 12-15) even when it was just me and my child at the house. I do not like housework, never have so I have someone to come over not every week because only the 2 of us and the 3 furry ones. I do not think that expensive.
Part-timer, too sm
Half the year I only worked 15 hours a week, second half worked 30 hours a week and will make just over $30,000.
for old part-timer
Yes, I have.
I think 0 Vicryl looks weird.
The 0 could easly be lost somewhere. It makes more sense to be typed as 0-Vicryl, so that one knows where this '0' belongs. Otherwise it is just dangling there all by itself.
I looke it up and the right way is like that:
0 Vicryl
3-0 Vicryl.
This has no logic.
I use a stopwatch but I'd rather have a chess timer!
Makes a real difference for me!
Agree with Old Timer. Don't shortchange sm
yourself. A good education will make this very difficult profession a whole lot easier for you. After college, though, you should get a job in a hospital or clinic to get some good in-person mentoring. The MTs who don't do this and go straight to working at home end up having to struggle and never quite making it.
I'm an old-timer who loves PRD also and will share with you what little I know
PRD is DOS based and must run in DOS-based WP program.... I have a link that explains how to load WP DOS if you are interested. Looks pretty complicated to me... I gave up as realized I was eventually going to have to move to Windows. Bought InstantText which allows you to add PRD glossaries - but I hate it!!
http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/wpdos/windowsxp.html#installguide
Part-timer here and I have housekeeper
NM
Desktop Timer- Where can I get this online?
For Free.
Weber short timer
I too have only been with the company a short 3 months. Great supervisor, 2 good accounts. I do radiology and work 3rd shift so I do run out some nights. But plenty of opportunity to make it up during the day if I want. So far thats the ONLY negative I have seen. :) Good luck and welcome aboard.....
No distractions. Stay in your chair. A timer.
x
Use a timer and limit yourself, you'll feel much better
x
I do the same thing for set my timer for 20 minutes, that 1 nap does the trick usually for the rest
of my day (if I happen to be working during the day). If I start nodding off late at night, I just go to bed and get up early if need be to finish up.
(more than 1)Quiet, not coming here, timer, expander, deadlines - nm
x
At one time, someone posted a link for a free clock timer. sm
I've searched the archives but could not find it. It was for timing your actual time spent transcribing. Anybody remember what it was. TIA.
You can also download (free) a product called Cool Timer from CNet.
You can set it to act like a stopwatch or to countdown time. I use it all the time and it has helped me immensely. I just have it open all the time on my toolbar. http://www.download.com/Cool-Timer/3000-2350_4-10062255.html
Buy handheld digital recorders.
Don't go cheap on those for several reasons. One, they higher-end recorders will be easier for the docs to backup and edit their recording. Also, they are better built and the sound quality is better.
Your basic needs are recorders, playback software, foot pedal to control playback and a secure, HIPAA-compliant method of transmitting files. There is so much information out there. Your best bet is to first get educated on how digital works. Try a Google search and also search this site since there have been many requests for the same information you're seeking.
If you want someone who will outline the steps, do set up and/or training, etc., you would do well to hire a consultant.
Instead of a call-in system, why not use a handheld digital recorder?
The sound quality is much better, the recorders are very affordable and you can use FTP to transfer files both directions.
I currently type for a doctor who dictates with a digital handheld and sends the files via e-mail fo
and wanted to be able to call me with his dictations. What would be the best and cheapest way for me to go so that he can do his dictations without the handheld unit?? I don't want to invest in a lot because he does not forget very often. This is the first time in three months. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
Oven-roasted chicky bird...with possibly seasoned tators in oven and ? for veggie nm
nm
I just work with ShortHand minimized. Smarttype doesn't work the same way? nm
s
Me too, only in the oven. Yum. nm
/
Need a C-phone for work. Can I use a digital transcriber sm
I have 2 digital work stations. One is Bytescribe call-in system. The other is Philips station. Neither have the actual phone part that you pick up. I can call in to different numbers to get work. Does anyone know if this will work? I need a "C-phone" to get work for a new job, and I don't know if I should buy one or what. I posted before, but no one answered. Just thought I'd try and ask again. Thanks.
I use Vance Digital. Jay is great to work with.
nm
Question about DAC digital work stations.
I have a DAC digital workstation and I dial into a DVI system to transcribe. I have horrible static whenever I transcribe. The phone line is clear as a bell when I talk on the line, but when I am using my digital station, it is horrible. I have tried two different DAC models and have the same problems with both.
Any suggestions?
Pacemaker/Microwave Oven
If you have a pacemaker do you still have to avoid microwave ovens?
I would just supply one digital copy, either send the work back
via an FTP site or email attachment or whatever, or keep addending to a CD, but let them keep their own archives. And why can't they print when you deliver the CD or the work in digital format? I don't do any printing at all. Everything goes back digital and they keep their own copies. Once I bill for the month, everything gets deleted, as it should be under HIPAA.
Next time cook it in the oven wrapped in foil. sm
This recipe is from pre-crockpot era.
Double wrap the roast in foil. Poke holes in the foil with a fork and put the roast with the poked holes side down on the broiler pan. Bake at 350 according to the size of the roast per pound. Very yummy and very easy. Pan drippings make the best gravy.
Wood-fired brick oven pizza. nm
nm
How long do you normally cooked a precooked ham and at what oven temperature do you do this. Thanks.
:
I do tapes and digital. And I was told if I'm not logged into the digital system, they assume I&
BUT she wants me logged into the system by 9:30 a.m. So I'm confused too. I've decided that I may come back to her and just say I'm not going to do the tapes anymore. I hate the tapes anyway. The voice quality is horrible, it fades in and out. It takes me twice as long to transcribe their tapes than the digital.
That doesn't work either around here....sm
A few years ago I was working the 2nd shift and put huge signs up asking people to not ring the doorbell because I was working and I had given my neighbor the candy that was to be given away on my behalf... neighbor even told the brats when he gave it to them that it was from my house as most people get to his door before mine and they still ignored the information they had been given.
If we didn't have 400 kids come through I wouldn't mind - but there are apartment complexes abutting our subdivision and the people from the apartments dump their kids by the car loads onto our subdivision to get the candy. Our neighborhood association wishes it could block off the street for this 1 night a year to keep these goobers out! I don't mind giving candy to the kids that I know but not to the rest of the world.
Yes, we see, as you go doesn't work very well, does it??? LOL!
x
No, doesn't work. Thanks, anyway. nm
:)
Okay, you work doesn't need QA because YOU are the QA...
and I should come down off my high horse? 
You have waaaaaay more education, so you automatically assumed that you could be an MT without any kind of MT training? See, that's the problem, your attitude. "Anybody can be an MT -- medical terminology, ha! I've got a degree in tiddlywinks, surely I can do medical transcription."
Oh and your doctor never complains because he wouldn't know a misspelling or a grammatical error if it bit him in the... Most doctors are far too busy to bother with such nonsense. That's why they hire us because they hope we know what we are doing.
Oh and FYI, I do own my own business. I am a QA consultant. I offer my services to MTSOs for a fee. I randomly QA their MTs and find those things the QA staff is missing because they are too busy filling in the million and a half unneccessary blanks left in reports by careless MTs. I also keep one full-time, employee status job for the benefits and the steady pay-check.
doesn't work... sm
I posted below; read that for more info.
Even with the best dictator and the newest version of Dragon (which I use), while it CAN be done logistically, VR is not to the point where it understands naturally spoken English, even with the most clear speech. A person has to dictate in a very artificial manner. If the dictator knew in advance to dictate that way, maybe. But not very likely.
I have to speak in a very distinct manner when redictating my work.
doesn't work for me
if I type 3yo, it shows just that...it won't expand out to -year-old. And when I type 3 yo it leaves the space between the 3 and -.
doesn't let you work
My husband used to be like that until he was diagnosed 10 years ago with bipolar disorder. He is also on disability and he knows that I really have to work, since I pay most of the bills. He makes me breakfast and my 25 year old daughter who is still home shares with him the dinner meals. So I just make sandwiches for lunch and that's it. My daughter goes grocery shopping on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, as she works.
We have a great life NOW.
I wish you the best.
I work for 2, one knows, the other doesn't sm
One is an employee situation and I am not bound by contract not to work anywhere else, but I simply don't talk about it. My lead MT knows I work for someone else, but by the number of lines and time I put in, it would be hard to tell sometimes.
The PT job knows well about the other job and sometimes they forget I work a split and I have to go back, but usually this is not a problem.
There is a company who refused to hire me about 9 months ago because of who my FT is. I would have been considered to be "working for the competition" like this is a problem, as I keep my mouth SHUT and I don't talk about accounts from one company with the other company. I have some ethics and I took this personally. Give me some credit for some discretion and for some integrity!!
doesn't work for me
I have tried to save it just in Word when I am out of the platform and it doesn't work when I reopen Word in or out of the platform. I sent a message to my employer but haven't heard anything back yet.
Handheld Device
My doctors switched over to the Olympus WS 110 digital recorder. It's fantastic and reasonably priced.
6 WEEKS...IT DOESN'T WORK...... sm
the "reason" it doesn't work is because it's been sitting in the box for 6 weeks. LOL ! If I ever put my cookies down long enough to open it, I'll let you know.
This doesn't necessarily work for others, but ...
when I feel upset, overwhelmed, or down about my situation, I try to think of how worse others may have it. For instance, maybe your husband is facing 6 weeks of recovery from surgery... but somewhere out there somebody's husband has been delivered a grim prognosis and would give anything for a 6 week "recovery."
You say you're an orphan... But looking on the positive side you do have a husband and children (however trying they may be at times), and someday they will have spouses and children and your family will be ever larger. That's a good thing.
Again, not to diminish your problems in any way, just trying to share how I sometimes help myself through tough times, by reminding myself that things can actually be much much worse.
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