ICs are not required to work a specific schedule, true? SM
Posted By: MissouriMT on 2008-02-14
In Reply to:
I had my meeting today with the HIM director of one of my accounts. My contract is to do all the clinic work and provide 24 to 48 TAT. Today, the director tells me she wants me to log in no later than 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
I, of course, balked at this. I basically outlined the terms of our contract which states that I will give them 24 to 48 hour TAT, but that I am not required to adhere to a specific work schedule. I set my own hours. I don't necessarily have a problem logging in by 9:30 a.m. most days, but there are some days when I have morning appointments and commitments and let's face it, that's why I'm an IC, so I can have that flexibility!
I don't think this lady has any concept of what an IC is or what a contract is for that matter. She acts like I'm her employee. She tells me she has looked into some of the national companies and that they can guarantee her a set schedule. I'm sorry but I only charge her 0.12 cpl, I print up the work and deliver it three times a week. Plus I'm picking up tapes and transcribing them as well!
I think it's time for her to see what else is out there. What do you guys think?
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As long as it is true and you don't use specific
info such as names of people, confidential company info, etc., then yes you can post negatively about a company. Remember that not all will agree with you though...
what? i have a schedule to work.
i said it sounds like a mgmt problem. it does. mgmt is who allows people to work off schedule.
geez, get over it.
I always work off-schedule when there
is the need. What I am talking about is those who not only work their schedule, but other MT's schedules as well and take work away from others. To answer your question, the type of MT business where other MTs are allowed to infringe on someone else's schedule after already working their own, is definitely not my idea of how the MT business should be run. Greed is ugly no matter how you try to dress it up and make it pretty.
work schedule
Is it just me? Every single company that I have investigated is now insisting on a schedule of either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday. Why can't I work Monday-Friday?! I don't mind a rotating weekends a couple times a month, but I'd really like to have my weekends for me and the kids! Okay my vent is over...I feel a little better now.
I used to work the same schedule.
This is what worked for me:
You have to stay in the graveyard shift even on weekends. It won't work trying to change on weekends. If you choose to work through the night, you'll need to live that schedule 7 days a week.
If you are sleeping immediately after your shift, you might need to allow about an hour to relax or settle a bit before attempting sleep. I always allowed myself to get a hot shower before going to bed. Helped me relax.
Don't drink any caffeinated beverages the last 4-5 hours of your shift. Don't drink/eat anything the last 2 hours before you plan to go to bed. It all interferes with sleep.
I had sound/light-cancelling window treatments in my bedroom and used a sound machine with nature sounds, not music. Music tends to engage your mind rather most of the time.
The ear plugs, I tried and did not like. Dark mask, I tried and did not like. I sure did not want to take any drugs just to get sleep.
You might have to have a few rough days/nights to get into it. Don't nap. Only sleep when you're supposed to.
Not everyone is cut out for it. And it is damaging to the body. I remember seeing a news documentary on the effects of 3rd shift on heart disease being as significant as smoking a pack a day.
work schedule - sm
Last summer, I was running out of work all the time, using PTO and time off without pay and making up time at night to try to make my lines. After much soul-searching, I decided to change my schedule to evenings. My CCM allowed me to "try" the new schedule for two weeks and see how I liked it. Like you, when I run out of my BOB, I work on other accounts. I have only run out of work a few times since last summer (mostly when the system went down for some reason). There is plenty of work during my shift, and I consider myself quite malleable when it comes to covering other shifts (like you) when requested, working overtime when the work is heavy, and picking up new accounts. I do not consider this an injustice. I consider it an opportunity. I guess that is why I have lasted in this field for so long. MTs have to learn that they are not self-employed. They work for a COMPANY. That means they are committed to the company's needs. At least that's my attitude. I enjoy my work, have good rapport with my CCM, and have a sense of pride in what I do, and - did I mention? - I am also making a living at it.
If greedy MTs would work their schedule...
management would not have to remind them to stop stealing work from another MTs schedule.
A question for you who work off schedule.
Do you also cherry pick in order to get those all important lines and extra bucks? It would seem to me that someone who doesn't care about his fellow MTs as far as line counts, would be someone that doesn't care across the board. So screw them any way you can, right? Take all the lines your greedy little hands can grab and also make sure those lines are the cream of the crop, as well. Might as well give the other MTs the shaft all around.
I have to work a schedule for each company.
I have lots of breaks in my schedule though. I've done this a long time. In my younger years, I went through a phase of feeling burned out but I was able to work through it. Now, I know how much money I need/want to make and just do it.
Some days it is much more difficult than others. Gotta admit to that. Most of the time, though, I hit it pretty hard at the first of my shift with each company so by the time I'm finishing up, I don't have to work as hard.
schedule for those doing pool work
I mentioned this in my previous post, but thought I would post a new topic since it is specific to pool workers.
Can those of you who do pool work tell me how you schedule your day? Do you aim for XX lines, XX hours, etc.?
Also, do you sit down for a straight XX hours or do batches?
Thanks,
Vicki
sorry, but some ICs have specific hours to work (nm)
x
You go by your schedule and have no work. Everytime I get on to work, there is always work.
x
Most jobs want a set schedule for work at home, from what I can tell -sm
there are very few that allow you to work when you want to anymore. I have 2 luckily that are 24 hour TAT so as long as I meet deadline they don't care when I work. You will unlikely find an at home job where you make much more than $10 an hour since ESL is 80% of any job anymore. So if that trade off is worth it for you, less money, more freedom, go for it.
No, though my husband does use it to print out his work schedule for
but that is it. He has his own work laptop but no printer to it. Kids have my old computer to use for now but Santa is bringing a new one supposedly (Uncle and GPs say they are buying one, we will see).
We were specifically instructed to work our schedule
and that working off the clock was not permissable, that nowhere was working off the clock permitted. That if the acct required us outside of our shift, we would be called by management. It is to prevent taking work from the scheduled MTs (as well as unapproved OT.
So, I am not dreaming this up. This was made clear. They gave us a shift to work, we clock in and clock out during those shifts. If they need us after our shift is up, they will contact us.
I work as an IC, get .105 with full -time schedule. NM
NM
Also, I work a set schedule w/the hosp but the online co
hours are more flexible (because I'm IC status). I took out my own health insurance, so I'm not bound to any company, just in case.
This is the way I look at it. I could work 4-5 hours and meet the 1890 they required for FT, but th
When they did that, it just made me care a whole lot less, so I try to get my 945 as a part-time person in my 4 hours. I know some of the reports I get are just horrible, but I can deal with them.
yes, and how does one meet their required quota with no work for hours on end?
One can only "make up" so much downtime!!
No breast exam required in Tn and Ga for driver's or work
NM
Pretty presumptious on your part. I work my own schedule,
off schedule according to you. I can work when I want, that's what an IC does. Yes, if we're working at the same time then we're both working, that's what we do. You presume too much to think that people who don't work regular set hours and who work when they want to make their line counts are also cherry pickers. Getting petty here and this sounds like it's just to start trouble. Bravo!
I was hired for a specific account/specific
work type. I've learned the dictators, done the macros, now they need to hire new MTs because the workload has increased, so they switch me to a very difficult account, doing everything but my normal work type. Does this make sense? I'm productive on my original account, not productive on new account, plus I'm majorly stressed. I do ESL 90% of the time but the new account is really horrible, not only ESL but they mumble and the quality of the dictation is bad. If you took a new hire and put them on this account and they stuck it out, maybe they wouldn't think these dictators would be so bad. I've talked with the MTSO and they say they'll switch me back and that lasts 2 weeks and then back to this horrible account. It would be different if they called and said we need you to do this account for a couple of weeks, but it doesn't pay enough for me to do from now on.
I understand this is the way the business is and my griping probably isn't going to help anything, but I just had to get it out.
True IC work
To take up where someone else left off - are there any true "IC" jobs out there where the MTs work hours are truly flexible? I work now as an IC but my shift is dictated which is completely against the 20 rules that the IRS states - and of course I do not always have work. With 15 years of experience, I would think that I could find the "perfect" job, but have struggled over the last few years to find anything like what I worked a mere 10 years ago. I stay where I am because I have not been offered anything more than what I have where I am - and am actually pretty satisfied, other than the hours not being flexible - I am just wondering what has happened (other than outsourcing) to have changed this field to what is is now. Do any of you other MTs have a hard time suggesting this as a field of study for people who ask about it? I do know that with the price of gasoline more and more companies (other than MT) are offering their workers the opportunity to work from home, but it is so hard to leave the field that you have loved for so long.
That is true! Where is the work going?
A few platforms seem to be down this week, and other companies are slow. Of course, it is spring break, so it may be there is not much work, but still people get sick. Wondering if the MTSOs know more than we do on all of this. Just wondering about job postings here too and even on other boards...etc.
IF you need true ULD for work
purposes your best best is something like Vonage of digital phone through cable company. It is truly unlimited. Other companies say they have unlimited, but they have a cap of 5000 minutes and that isn't enough if you work FT.
MQ-True or False about Work
Can this be true???? My girlfriend who works out of the Ohio office left me a message saying that she had gotten a message over the week end from the Ohio office with the following incentive: For every 10 reports that you typed, you would receive 25 dollars--IS THIS POSSIBLE with all the rest of us out of work in Amherst--if there is so much work in Ohio, why are we not helping???
This is true. I work for the Q -rarely run out
of work (live in CA). And by the way, I would get paid my benefit rate (which is at least twice the CA min wage. I always thought this was why I never got NJA. But at the same time, I know they would love it if I quit.
So sad, but definitely true. I am 55 and raising 5 grandkids. I see work until at least 70. nm
nm
So true, work for some doctors and clinics also and many are now
jumping on the save lots of money and offshore bandwagon! We just can't win. It's over everyone :(
Not true. I work for a company that offshores.
Good grief.
True. So then don't work. We're talking CHOICES here. nm
x
No, you are not required to do this. (see m)
However, be sure to deduct the portion of your electric bill, heating bill, et cetera that apply to the square footage of your office. These will not trigger any depreciation reclamation on sale.
The only way you get into trouble on selling the home is if you have deducted a portion of the mortgage payment as a business expense. That's the only time depreciation would enter the equation. Stay away from that and you will have no problems.
IC not required
Also not required if hiring an IC. You can get your own private disability insurance. Some business insurance will also cover this for sole proprietorships.
I am required to have one. sm
The county that I live in requires me to have a business license since I am an IC and considered self-employed. Doesn't cost much and is tax deductible.
I am required to have one. sm
The county that I live in requires me to have a business license since I am an IC and considered self-employed. Doesn't cost much and is tax deductible.
Yes it is required
Believe me or don't. I really do not care. I didn't post here to be burned at the stake. I was asking for opinions and I am sorry that I did. I cannot change doctors as our insurance states where we must go and we have few choices.
I don't have a set schedule
My responsibilities are this:
1. Account A - make sure all of Monday's dictation is due back by Tuesday morning 6 a.m. (they're time). Same for the remainder of the week.
2. Accounts B and C - make sure all of the H&Ps dictated on Monday are transcribed and returned by Tuesday morning 6 a.m., they're time. Same for the remainder of the week.
3. Anything I transcribe Monday is due back 6 a.m. (they're time) they next business day. Ditto for the rest of the week.
This only changes when there's a stat reports.
As long as I meet "the deadline," I can work whenever I want. And I do.
my schedule
I am a hardworking MT who used to be in a managerial position. I am scheduled for 9-1/2 hours daily because I prefer to take breaks rather than work straight through 8 hours. Today, however, I only took a 1/2 hour break, and stopped working an hour earlier than my shift was to end. Now I'm wondering if that was the "wrong" thing to do. I have only been in this job for a few months, and wherever I have worked before, holiday schedules were always pretty "laid back." Now I'm wondering if I will be in big trouble tomorrow. If it makes any difference, my production was higher than usual today, I think because I was trying so hard to get done an hour early. What about this one?
Schedule C
Your schedule C should give you all the deductions that they have taken off of your business income. When you print out all the forms it is there. Have used it for almost 15 years now and (knock on wood) had a problem at all.
schedule
i work sun through thursday for 2 nationals
I have a set schedule, but...sm
I work 10 hours in a 12 hour window...5-5...working 10 hours in between. I believe this is what she was asking, correct? 
My New Schedule
I also know what you're going through...I had the same issues ALL summer last year. It sounds like my kids may be a little older than yours and are in school, so the last last 9 months have been wonderful, but now summer is back.
I spent a lot of time hashing over a schedule that would work out for me, my family and my account and came up with this: M-F 6-9 am and then 6-9 pm and a few hours early Saturday morning. I am able to vary this schedule a little bit so that also helps, but so far I LOVE my new schedule. It gets me up and going in the morning and I really don't miss sleeping in a little longer like I thought I would. It gives me the whole day free with the kids or for getting odd jobs done around the house, and and then I just work a few hours in the evening which gives my husband some summer time with the kids too. Then we have the weekends as a family.
I know everyone's needs/schedules are different, but I just thought I'd share this schedule in case it would work out for you. I really dreaded summer coming, but now I'm really enjoying it.
Also, don't stress over the house...it just gets messy again anyway. It's SO not worth worrying about. I used to keep a spotless house, but now I'm just expecting my kids to help out more (which is good for them) and I have to accept the job they do and be thankful.
Good luck. 
Also, the MQ does not have IC, only PT and FT, so they do set schedule. (nm)
x
you do not need a tax ID # - just use the Schedule C - sm
and Sch. SE on your taxes. Write off as much as you can in your expenses, phone line, computer, paper, ink, chair, desk, electricity, etc. ---and no you do not need to incorporate; unless you become a big company I would not bother with that.
IC = no set schedule
The IRS will tell you the same thing. If you meet TAT there is no need for further restriction. If it was to log in to check for stats or something I might be okay with it and understand it but if this is not the case, you need to stand your ground because if you start being treated as an employee it is bad news for you and those you work for if the IRS decides to audit.
my schedule...
I said I worked 55 minutes and took a 5-minute break... I only work a 6 hour shift anyway. If I have to go to the bathroom, I go. I usually go when I get up to stretch my legs though if I have to.
Yes, I have a man in my life, and yes he interrupts me a lot, which is one of the reasons I don't get a lot done. No, I do not have kids at home, they are grown.
I don't know what the problem is? I only posted what happened to me when I decided to see how productive I actually could be.
I did not say this had to be done all day every day, I did not say there were not exceptions to the rule, I did not say that this was what MTs had to be forced to do.
One of the problems with MTs not being considered professionals anymore is because we want the job, but we do not want the responsibilities that come along with being a professional.
Do you know that when I used to work with children at home, the kids were always asking me why I could not play with them instead of playing on the computer all day. Well, you know what, I changed to 3rd shift so that they would not think I was playing by myself all the time instead of playing with them.
This is still a job. Some of us have to earn a living at it and not just do it for the extra income. You are running your business like you want to, I am running my business like I want to.
I don't consider anything about this a sweatshop. I want to make at least 2000 lines a day and I want to do it the fastest and easiest way I can - I do not want to spend all day in front of the computer. I want to be able to turn it off and be done with it at some point.
Now, sorry if I rambled, got off point, got off subject, but darn, I am kinda getting ill now with everybody jumping on me!
No notice required
Since you are still in the learning the job stage just inform them that you are resigning effective immediately. Usually the first 90 days are a trial with employee and employer and no one should take offense. They could let you go with no reason either.
ALL dictators should be required to take a
dictation class taught by an experienced MT. This would surely help this problem.
Exp. not required, but recommended.
Actually, AAMT has restructured the CMT exam, and MTs are no longer required to have 2 years of experience to sit for the exam. However, they strongly recommended to have at least 2 years of experience in the acute arena.
Check out the AAMT web site - they are working on a new certification exam that is geared more towards those new to the field and new graduates. I believe this is the RMT credential already discussed here. According to the web site, those eligible are recent graduates, MTs with less than 2 years' acute experience, and MTs working in single- or multi-specialty clinics.
Hope that helps....
Theresa Leppert, RHIT, CMT
Unfortunately, the license is required sm
I have never had to have one, but the clinic I am going to work for requires it. It is a lot of hassle, and I can't wait until it's over and done with :)
Are you required to keep a log sheet?
Im just wondering if this is common. I have to keep a log sheet on my current account and it is a big PITA and waste of time and money.
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