I worked with typewriter and carbon paper, too, but
Posted By: I was also paid hourly then! on 2008-02-21
In Reply to: I agree, easier but I worked on production years ago - OMG!
No way would I work that way on production pay. That would be like paycheck suicide. There are far too many jobs out there with the proper tools to work anywhere with that antiquated of a system. Sorry, not spoiled, just wise. Since line rates are on the decline, you have to learn how to work smarter in this business so you can maximize your line counts per hour, thereby maximizing your income per hour. Otherwise, you'll just eek by.
And I get it that it CAN be done, but I don't get why anyone would WANT to do it if it's production pay. Hourly, maybe, but production, heck no. Not when I can work somewhere else using all the production tools and making a lot more money.
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I worked on an IBM Selectric and used carbon paper
if the doctor changed something where you couldn't just use white out or correction tape on a few letters, you had to START OVER.
If you have gas heat/appliances in your home, PLEASE make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector!
Apparently our stove is not burning the gas properly and it built up inside our house. We are lucky we only need the stove repaired.
Yea but that was on an typewriter
That was on a typewriter and you were lucky if you could get 60 lines per hour and when you made a mistake in a letter you had to rip it out and start over or if the doctor changed his mind and no count of the previous lines. With the computer came the capability of macro's, auto text, etc. and our lines per hour jumped to 300 per hour. You have to compare all the facts. That is why I count more of what I make per hour than what I make per cpl. If I make my $$ per hour that I want, I keep my cpl the same. Just me. Have done it both ways and to me am happy with my cpl now versus what it was when I was doing it on a selectric.
yes typewriter
My terminology came from nursing school and then from experience. I don't believe there were MT schools back then.
In the past, on a typewriter, Courier 10 meant
12 characters per inch. Is it not the same for word processing programs?
Yeah, some days I do too, until I remember the typewriter.
Then I quit cussing my computer! lol
Word can't do this, but you can download typewriter sounds. sm
You'll get lots of hits if you Google "typewriter sounds."
The old clunkity clunk electric typewriter days
Way back when, I didn't even know it was "transcription." I did some transcribing as a secretary at a clinic with 8-10 docs. Office manager showed me how to use "a tape player that you operate with a footpedal." (never heard the words "transcriber" or "transcription"). Only had a Dorland's Med. Dictionary and IBM Selectric. Wasn't until several years later at first actual medical transcription job, realized previously had already been doing medical transcription, "typing" the doctors' chart notes and letters (plus answering phones, sorting/distributing the doctors' mail & journals, bookkeeping/accounts payable, payroll, etc.) for ridiculously low file-clerk type pay for what was really an administrative assistant type job.
You wanted a laugh though: One time, in a hospital transcription dept., me & the other ladies were in the breakroom, giggling about something in the newspaper, someone made a great joke about whatever the subject was, & we were laughing so hard, the security guard came running down the hall and into our breakroom to see what was going on (he thought he heard screaming!) When he saw us all cracking up, he just shook his head, laughed, & told us to get back to work!
ROFL - Manual typewriter and belt back in 1973! Old geezard here :)
x
Started in-house at a hospital, medical records department, on a typewriter in
1983, earning $6.00/hour, eventually moving up after 7 years to $10.00/hour. All hospital work was then outsourced to a national service in 1986 (beginning of our downfall), went to work for the service and made $2.10/page. Service was bought out by another service, rate changed to $1.90/page. Rates changed again to $0.08/cpl. After many years of experience in all services, found my first account in 1992, charged $.09/cpl/gross lines but blank lines not counted. Business has grown steadily through the years through word of mouth. Now charging $.16/cpl or $25.00/hour or $6.00/page, and having to turn down work at this point. If you have the experience and are detail-oriented, you can find your own accounts eventually like I did. But you have to pay your dues first and be able to transcribe all ESLs accurately. If you learn how to transcribe ESLs well, those doctors are the ones to target for work. I do work an ungodly number of hours, only because I am trying to save at a faster pace for retirement because of all the uncertainty in this line of work.
Every company is different -- I worked FT for one as an employee but worked a split shift - sm
So I never took breaks. I would work 5 hours, break for about 4 hours then do another 3. Another company I worked for did not care what hours you worked (IC) but wanted a min. amount of work each day, 500 for PT and 1000 for FT-- BUT they paid you by how many lines an hour you put out, the higher the lph the higher up the scale you made per line in pay; they have since changed everyone to a flat rate with incentive. But bottom line, if you are an IC it does not matter what hours you work, though many ask for a schedule and ask you to stick to it, they just want you to meet line requirements daily, i.e. 1000 per day, 1200 per day, whatever it is.
I got up early, worked during naps, and worked when DH got home.
You have to be disciplined to make yourself work when baby is napping instead of maybe watching TV or doing housework, etc.
I might also go the route of having a teen come into your home, or either trying a mother's morning out program at a local church/daycare. I've been home since my youngest was born and he has never been in all-day daycare, but I did have him in a mother's morning out program 15 hours a week at a local church. It didn't help a lot with my work schedule because I had an older son in school and was a room mom and tutored other kids, but that might be an option. The only problem with the mother's morning out program is they are around other kids and tend to pick up every germ. I finally took my DS out of the program because he stayed sick. You were supposed to keep them off if they had green nasal discharge and I did, but no one else did. Every time I got him well after 2 to 3 days back he would be sick again. Other than that it was very good for him because he would not have had a chance to be around kids his age otherwise.
Put it on paper
I was drowning in debt a couple of years ago. I finally bought a book by Dave Ramsey about getting out of debt and I must say, this man is a genius! He also does a radio program daily where he takes calls and gives advice. I now do a budget on paper where EVERY penny is accounted for. It is amazing how much of a difference this has made in my life. No, I don't reuse foil or sandwich bags ... LOL! I have paid off my credit card debt and installment debt. At this point, I'm working on the mortgage. I highly recommend the plan Dave Ramsey pushes for "financial peace" as he refers to it.
I have seen ads in the paper where...
Radiology MTs are paid that per hour. Maybe some of the others are too. I applied at a temp agency to work as an MT and asked for a minimum of $12/hr. I didn't get the job. I was not tested or anything, so I felt maybe they didn't want to pay me the $12/hr.
If you get on with the hospital, not sure if you will eventually be sent home or not, but most hospitals where I live send the MTs home to work. So, maybe try at a hospital near you? However, even though they pay hourly, they have a line count they want you to maintain. I think when they pay hourly, they really stick to the line count minimum to make sure they aren't paying you to do nothing. The minimum line count depends on the hospital.
good luck.
It also says on my paper...
…You may decide to continue working beyond your full retirement age without choosing to receive benefits. If so your benefits will be increased by a certain % between your full retirement age AND age 70. If I did not draw before age 70, I would have an 8% increase in the amount I would get at age 66- whatever that would be, don’t do math.
maybe you put too much paper into it, so that
the printer cannot 'grasp' it, or you put the paper too far away.
Hmm, I have a paper here that I signed that says
they will deduct FICA taxes, pay the employer part of FICA equaling 7.65%, and federal income taxes. It says I will receive a W-2, not a 1099.
FICA is the SS tax. So, if they are holding out federal taxes, FICA, employer part of FICA, then all that is left is state tax...??
Does anyone else get overwhelmed with all the paper
that's constantly thrown at them? I just spent an hour and a half cleaning off my desk. It was covered with mail, books, bills, school papers for all the kids, papers I have to fill out for DH and our oldest, papers to be shredded, stuff I have to do for other people, account specs. This was all just from the past week. I always thought I was a pretty organized person, but this place is a mess.....
What about scrapbook paper?
I know Joann has a big scrapbook paper notebook. It would look cute with a lot of different design/similar color paper hands. We actually did this with a turkey projected and covered the turkey with fall paper. I don't know what your budget is but the notebook is about $10 and you'd probably have a lot left over for other stuff.
I think I missed the ad in the paper that says you must
paint your house a funky color. I'm thinking I missed a huge sale at Home Depot on paint because my neighbors are going crazy with the colors. Yes, I understand home depot and Lowe's screws up paint and you can get the mixed up colors very cheap but geez. My neighborhood is going crazy with weird paint colors on their houses. Two months ago someone painted their house bright green with bright pink trim, then came the peach house with green trim, bright yellow house followed by bright blue house with the leftover yellow trim. New house being built across the street is all burnt orange including the fence. They even painted the driveway burnt orange and not UT vols orange. Now my neighbor is painting hers bright green. It's not a bad neighborhood here in Central Florida and the houses here run from 150s to 300s but these colors are horrendous. I think if I put my house up for sale I won't get an offer because the peach house, green and pink house, and orange house are all on the dead end street I'm on.
Sticky paper
Like I said below I buy my sticky paper through a place that prints up forms. You will need to do some calling to see. It is a little expensive but I provide that in my price. Just do not buy the boxed stuff from Viking or Office Depot or Office Max as they do not not have the perforations on the sides so that when they peel the note it is smaller than the paper and fits on a piece of paper. E-mail me if you have any questions. But if you are in the Seattle area, there are a lot of paper places up there. If you are doing overflow then the main MT should be able to tell you where to get the paper. Also they might provide it as some accounts do. Everyone is different. But CONGRATS -- the first step is the hardest. Knew you could do it. Be sure to ask for lots of examples when you start. Keep me informed. Any questions you can e-mail me. Patti typing without glasses hope don't have many typos.
You can get Sticky paper
You can get sticky paper from Medical Arts Press, get the quick peel that has perforations on the side so it fits on your regular sized paper. It is expensive though, I used to buy the large box, approx $90.00, so if you can get your client to supply it, that would be great. I always had to supply my own.
Sticky Paper
Does any one have any suggestions on a type of paper that can be printed on and then stuck into a patient's chart? I would like to find a lable type to fit in a certain space. Brand names would be helpful. Thank you in advance
Sticky paper
I use an 8 1/2 x 11 label size paper that has about 1/8" inch that peels back on each side so that it is smaller than the paper you place it on. The clinics use it to put the chart notes in the charts. I get it at a form place that makes it. Avery makes 8 1/2 x 11 labels but you have to cut down the sides before you peel back the sheet to place it on the paper and it doesn't have great peel backs either. Call local form places and sometimes they will have perforations 1" or so but I don't like that as you waste a lot when you have to begin another chart note and you have to be sure it is below one of the perforations. Have been using this for 15 years now. Did go with some national companies but the shipping got to be too much. Again, call local paper and form places in your area and see if theymake it. E-mail me wiht specific questions.
Patti
Sticky Paper
Another good source that is much less expensive than Medical Arts Press, American Corporate Services this company seems to carry everything that is Medical Record Related their web addy is www.americancorporateservices.com think you can find their number on the site. Im sure they carry these tyoe of rolls.
Sticky Paper
Hi, I have always used plain computer paper for my reports but have a new doctor who prefers me to use the "sticky" paper. I was wondering if I should charge for the paper, since it is an added cost, and also if anyone knows where to purchase this paper. Thanks.
sticky paper
I have a great supplier Forms & Filing Systems 800-472-0171. Costs about $120 for 1000 sheets. I pass this cost on to my docs.
sticky paper
I'm not sure about the colors. But it is laser quality. It comes in different label sizes. I use a full sheet lable.
Sticky paper
I get mine from a local form company and it comes with 1/4" inch strips on the sides so that when they peel it off to put into the chart the note is smaller than the paper and fits better. I pay $28 per 300 sheets.
Paper version
I don't like having all that "stuck" on one PC just in case they crash. Good luck!
the paper shuffles and
the conversatons chatting to the nurse or, to me even worse, the minutes of absolute DEAD time when there is NOTHING! Although actually it all adds up to the same thing. Wasted time and mney for the MT.
Yes, but TELL him you need paper. Employer
x
Paper Trail
True True. I have the papertrail and the pay receipts and trail of if it was cashed that go together. Each earning invoice for ICs have pay stub and proof stapled together.
gas, time away from PC, ink, paper
I think 15 is good. When you are away from your desk and delivering, you are essentially not generating income, so. Plus don't forget the INK, it is costly. Better include a notation of extra costs for:
Hunt up reports and reprints (that can really be abused)
If they want a faxed copy stat
if they cannot locate a report and you need to research (TIME) and reprint & INK & PAPER and deliver. No this is not piddly things, it is time, lost income, cost of supplies.
Just like if a patient came back and ask for a quicky relook, they forgot something, after they just left, this is reset up of exam room, find the chart, chart notation, staff time, physician time and they want it for the same price. See what I mean.
If they want a stat report (you are stopping what you are working on to do their STAT report. Indicate the quicker Turn Around Time charges in writing so they don't forget .....(other than the agreed to time)
sounds good on paper.
but absolutely makes no sense in applying it in the real world.
Oh, I do exactly the same as you, but I hate all the wasted paper. nm
x
Yep, it all sounds so good on paper
either way I look at it, the problem is, there is nothing to rent here. If my #1 lender falls through and I have to go with #2, it may be possible the seller MAY let me rent for a year, maybe even rent to own. If lender #1 fails, I will be asking. All they can say is no. Originally seller purchased home to rent it and changed their mind, it has been for sale for 2 years, sold twice but financing fell through for other parties.
I'm am going to try for 50/50 with the father of the children as I will need him nights, and he will need me days so we don't have to pay daycare. I will be covering insurance for the kids so yes I will need him to pay some extra to me.
Paper mache lanterns...
On this morning's second episode of the the Carol Duvall show on HGTV they had some cute stuff including some paper mache lanterns that would be inexpensive and simple to make. I always prefer homemade stuff, 'cause kids learn how to make things rather than buying everything at the store.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_cds/episode/0,1806,HGTV_3822_2237,00.html
why need see if you can make a header on your paper sm
to put their preprinted info on there rather than having to worry about a new printer, different type papers, etc. this sounds like it would solve all if agreed upon and aren't that hard to set up in word. then you could have that set in your template when you pull open your work.
tissue paper and other craft
Hi: try www.kidsturncentral.com and click on Christmas to see if there is anything there you could use for the kids. Hope you find something. Happy Holidays.
What is a 1013 paper in psychiatry? Thanks! nm
nm
I only use paper towels so I can pitch them.
I forgot about those pieces of paper sm
but we used those in high-school and when I got my first job as a senior in HS, we used those. I worked high school "office co-op", we got credit and worked tooa ND I worked in the personnel department of a hospital. I remember the pink and yellow also.
Is that why their Bounty paper towels
than in the grocery store? Because they are trying to save me money. HA HA HA! I don't THINK so! They used to sell Bounty for $1.38 a roll. Now they are charging almost $2.00 a roll. The grocery store price went up too, but not as much as Walmart! Puhleeze!
But the paper would be stuck to the floor. . .
because someone spilled Kool Aid and didn't bother to wipe it up.
Red Kool Aid. 
Absolutely. Maybe a paper needs to be written for (sm)
JAMA & other MD publications. Most of them are in the dark about who often does their dictation (India), and what that's doing to higher-quality US MTs. If we all get forced out of this business by below-minimum-wage pay, there will be no turning back, and ALL their clinical documents will be done offshore. Their malpractice insurance premiums would have to go considerably higher to cover all the botched diagnoses & care that could result from that.
I detest that sticky paper.
IF you want to do it, raise your rate, charge them an extra fee to do so. If you don't, tell her that is not part of the service that you provide.
Do you think Dr. buys paper for office or do
x
I can't wait! I made a little paper chain...lol. :o) NM
d
On the front page of my morning paper
http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/214991
Geez, this was on the front page of my paper - sm
I couldn't believe it as I had just read your post. Never think it happens close to home but you never know, do you?
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