MT'ing isn't all about speed, although...
Posted By: IHMT on 2005-11-13
In Reply to: wpm - me
of course it helps to type fairly fast. However, there is sooooo much more to it than just typing speed.
That being said, my own speed without using any text expansions isn't nearly as great as some mention here. I tested using expansions recently and hit well over 200 wpm. Thankfully, I am able to use a text Expander while working . . . otherwise I might starve to death. 
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increase speed 3, decrease speed 2...sm
increase backspace 9, decrease backspace 8. At least that's what mine does.
Looking to get into MT'ing
Could you please recommend a reputable company that I can get involved with to begin doing some medical transcribing? I am eager to get started. Thanks.
Maybe this is the same Busy MT'ing who will be getting a
Bachelor of Science degree in December and is going to go on to medical school. Obviously, not as happy with job as would like for us to believe.
MT'ing in a nutshell
1. You must be able to be alone alot, or else you will get very lonely. I myself love it most of the time, but there will be a few days where I long for co-workers, happy hours, and gal pal'ing with colleagues, but then i'll quickly sober up and remember the backstabbing, office politics, all women in the office pms'ing simultaneously...I would rather be alone than deal with that even one day out of the month.
2. You have to be disciplined. I am, but not to a fault. There are still at least one or two days out of the pay period where I immediately "start work" by daydreaming, surfing the internet, checking email, chatting, float from room to room aimlessly. You have to be on time, every day, ready to work, or else you won't make any money.
3. Get ready to justify being an MT to just about EVERYONE in your life. Many people do not think of this as a "real" job, which I cannot for the life of me get over. Its not respected, even though i'm very proud of my profession, and able to support myself soley on it, have a few hobbies and manage to go to school, and plan on buying a house.
4. This is THE most important...KNOW YOUR STUFF! Research, never guess, if you cannot understand a word. You will learn so much and will become that much better in the long run.
I dont know if the girls can add anything else, but those of the double edge swords we deal with. Good luck 
TO BUSY MT'ING
Pay no attention to some of these people... they were abused as children. LOL
For busy MT'ing
You're quite sanctimonious, but not particularly smart. Since MQ's requirement for FTEs was never for hours, but rather 12,000 lines per pay period, AND the fact that FTMTs only get a per-line rate, what difference does it make whether they get 12,000 lines in 10 hours or 50? Does MQ plan to pay an hourly rate to go along with the line requirement? If not, why is there a new standard? I know you're a bulk producer -- as I have no way to know whether the quality of your work is as good as the amount, and assuming the QA is the same low caliber it has always been, they would never notice your errors anyway -- I'll assume you do nothing but easy accounts all day and never look anything up -- in any event, the new hourly requirement does merit questioning. MQ needs to pay an hourly rate if they are going to start a new hourly standard for FTEs. Period. Nothing unreasonable expecting they should do so. Also, YOU have a choice. You can ignore the posts -- stop reading them! You're righteous lectures are a tad tiresome. As of now, I am done reading anything YOU post.
In all my years (20+) of MT'ing
I have never had a job that followed BOS. I have a copy of BOS 2, and I think I have opened it once or twice just to peruse it on my own but not for the account on which I work.
That being said, it would be much simpler for we MTs if every facility followed it. I've had some truly bizarre account specifics where following the BOS guidelines would have been much simpler, lol!
Really more stressful than MT'ing? nm
BUSY MT'ing is a mole, I would bet on it!
She sounds like like one of my supervisors.
MT'ing since 1998. Just turned 30
x
QA should be used to teach and aid in the process of MT'ing sm
Not to pick apart and make the MT feel inadequate. Does it really matter if there is a comma missing....not really. The report still reads the same and is a technical document.
QA should be friendly and helpful, at least that is how I try to be in my QA position. We are in this together not against each other. We have the same purpose....to make sure that patient has the most accurate record possible. We all should work as a team, in my most humble opinion.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Busy MT'ing--please email me if you don't mind...
I've included my email address here so you can reach me. I wanted to chat with you for a second, if you don't mind....and just so ya know, I couldn't agree more!! You have hit the nail on the head! 
Busy MT'ing...you took the words right out of my mouth...sm
Great advice. Attitude is everything. It brings to mind a quote I read not too long ago...
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails."
Oh yeah, I am Bwahaha'ing all the way to the bank (nm)
x
Advice on brand, RAM, etc. to load MT'ing software on.
Needing to replace my old computer for a new one. I need to get a really deal on a really fast computer. Help, please, with your experiences.
Busy MT'ing never answered the question of how many hours she works in a week.
It's not that we don't believe, necessarily. We'd just like to know HOW. I'm sure most, if not all, of us think of ourselves as somewhat intelligent, fast typists, educated, experienced, motivated, and capable. Those are pretty much givens. However, there's got to be a secret that we don't know. Is it the work type, platform, keyboard, expander, account type, national or local, big or small MTSO, clinic or acute? If we have the same tools available to us, why is there such a disparity among earnings?
YOU, Busy MT'ing, are one of those that fail to reach mature conversation when you mockingly add
x
C-phone speed help! PLEASE! Speed key!
I am in tears - typing speedy gonzalez - a total knee replacement, not a standard, dictated in under 1 minute - FULL REPORT! Can you imagine? I have a C-phone that is just hanging in there, but lost all its programming. Isn't there a # key on the number part of the phone that reduces speed? I need it way slooooooooooow!! I'm afraid to just start hitting numbers, though, cause I've lost reports that way!! Anybody have a # to hit for me???
In 12 years of MT'ing I've never re-read an entire chart. Edit/read as I type. nm
x
Speed when it comes to DSL
I would love to cut my bills, with my DSL carrier have to have land phone in order to have internet. I do both VR and straight typing, mostly VR. Has anyone had any issues with similar, using the fastest DSL (which costs more) and then going to the lower rate (which costs less). I might be interested if I can find is there really that much difference in your speed?
Probably will! Maybe we could speed it along - sm
by sending the link to our local TV stations!
speed
your processor is what adds speed or diminishes speed. being as that your computer is 4-5 years old, your processor probably just cannot keep up with the expectations you have of it. With increased files and using an online platform, you probably need an updated processor. Also depends on how much you have *open* at the time of working on the online platform.
Speed
Definitely have to have a split keyboard. My wpm went up considerably with the split keyboard plus your hands don't get as tired because it is in a more natural position. 
Speed
I have found that timing myself with a stopwatch makes me get more done. Otherwise, I take my time and then I do less work. I make a limit for each transcription, and then I try to beat that time.
Abby
Speed
what speed do you all keep your dictations on? normal or chipmunk style?
I did this, what did it say your speed was?
It said mine averaged 180.
speed it up
I am in the same situation. My computer is fine, just slow, and I don't want to buy a new one, especially not with Vista. I bought 1GB of RAM from an ebay seller (new) for $35, watched a YouTube video on how to install it (super quick and easy), and now it is running a lot faster. I also ran a Scan Disk and Defragmenter to clean it up. I had hundreds of thousands temporary internet files that got cleared out.
how to test for speed ?
is there an online test we can take? I'd love to take one nowadays ... it's been a while since I have !
JoJo
How long does it take to get up to speed at a new job?
Also, which is better, acute or clinic? I can't seem to get my production up to where it used to be. The reports are super short, about a minute or less. The header info is a tedious process of checking this, checking that, verifying everything. I don't know if this is going to work out, but I can't afford to be changing jobs again this close to Christmas. The work itself is super easy.
Had a speed-demon doc whose
nurse, whom I could hear in the background, asked him, "Geez, how can they understand you when you talk so fast?", and he replied, "Oh that's they way they like it!" Wonder where he got that idea? At least he talked to her so she could understand him...LOL.
speed typing
Okay, ladies. I have been working for 8 months now as an MT and my typing accuracy still is lacking quite a bit. I have the typer shark program that I use sometimes. I type about 50 WPM. Not good enough for me. I was hoping that somebody could give me suggestions or hope that it will come with time. I seem to be a little bit better lately, but I keep hearing about MTs who type 300+ lines per hour. It takes me a couple hours or more to do that. Depending on the dictator, of course. One woman said she used to type the news and that seemed to help her. I just need some encouragement that I will get better, or maybe some people don't.
speed typing
I also use IT, as it is through the company I work for. I am still getting to know the program. I tried Mavis. I found her to be cute, but annoying. I think am just being impatient. I really like the typer shark program. It's actually fun. I think I will take the time to work on understanding IT, so I can get it to work for me.
Thanks your input. It did make me feel hopeful!
speed typing
Will do! Thank you for the encouragement.
Speed was an issue for me....
Hi, Sandi - If you've been working with a dial-up at home and haven't had a problem, I'll bet you won't have one with the PC card. My problem is that I am spoiled - in my home office I have the fastest DSL we can get in our area - 7 mbps. So, when I use my laptop remotely, the Verizon service almost seems like dial-up to me. Just to give you an idea, the last time I used it remotely, I downloaded 20 discharge summary dictations, most of them around 5 minutes long, and it took about 45 minutes for all of the audio to download. Of course, I was camping in an area where the cell phone signal wasn't that great, so that might have been a factor.
If I were you, I'd try out your card for a few days before you dump your other service, just to compare.... It's all what you are used to, I guess....
playback speed
Thank you, I will check on this. You all have been so helpful. Thank you very much!
Can you get high speed?
That's VERY expensive for dial up. Most high speed services cost about that.
VR - speed and training
Honestly, how fast will VR type the dictation. I read somewhere about 160? Is that all? I don't understand how a Transcriptionist can train the program when it is the doctor that is dictating. Can someone explain. I am trying to figure out if this is something I want - whether it be to save my wrists for the future/ or if it will type the work faster than I do. I am generally about 200 now, depending on the work, sometimes better, sometimes worse. TIA.
My speed is really high but this job is not what
it was years ago. With being an engineer, it would seem that the money should really be good there. I have done this now for over 30 years and if I had to do now and raise a family, I would have to work more than 1 job, possibly 3-4. It is really not the money maker it was once, not at all. The work is not easy, not just a typist job, in fact after all these years I still am always trying to make sure my QA is not lacking, otherwise your job is lacking as in gone. My speed is around 140 wpm but the speed is not what is really important. I found it extremely difficult starting out and trained for over a year inhouse before I ever earned production. This would not be a job I would recommend now unless you just want to stay at home with a child, do part time, retired, in other words where you want to put in time and really don't need to make a living doing it.
Speed Type
Has a utility available that will convert your present files to ST for a $15 fee .. well worth it from my little chair!! Also, Betsy works with people to make sure they are on the right track with ST and has a toll free number and she is the help desk and not overseas, which should indicate that she does not have heavy volume of technical calls. It is a great program.
I did downgrade from 5.0 speed sm
to 1.5 speed and I notice no difference. I have done both VR and straight typing on Extext and notice really no difference. Saved me a bundle of money. Sprint DSL.
With your experience and speed.....
I don't know why others are telling you to try production-based before going home. With a typing speed of what you say you can do, you would well exceed 18.00 an hour. I don't think my typing speed is much over 100-110, but I average 25.00-28.00 an hour. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Exactly what I was talking about, if not for speed
and I mean my typing, nothing else, I would not be able to make what I want to make. I have to absolutely without any doubt keep all my attention on my work for the straight full 8 hours, no breaks, no lunch, dinner, hardly bathroom breaks until I finish. I could have break and/or food but then would just have to work later on in the evening. If not for the fast speed and having my dictation set as fast as it will go and my keeping up with most times, I could not stay in this business. Like I said, in 80s almost 60thous, in the 90s 40thous and now in the 20thous. Next 10 years I will be paying to work for them, I guess!!!
I speed them up every chance I get!
What is your typing speed? - sm
Though most of being a great MT involves excellent listening skills, to make the most of production, IMHO, you have type like the wind and use macros, including macro sentences rather than words only. Just a thought - when was the last time you took a typing test? I think there is a free Web based typing test...
Doubling Speed
I am pretty new at transcription and only typing approximately 100 lph. Any good tips on ways to help me double this? - I do use word Expanders (constantly making new and revamping as see fit).
I suppose practice, practice, practice is the main way; but I am guessing many of you who are experienced have discovered some helpful things along the way.
Really need to pay my bills, so I am willing to give any ideas a shot!
Thanks,
Kristy
doubling speed
One neat trick a fellow MT said was to push the dictator speed up just as fast as you can to still understand them. It really makes you perk up and pay attention, and keeps it going. Slowing down to understand them clearly seems to d-r-a-g you down. Hope it helps. :^)
I wish you could control the speed with
a keystroke. That would make it much more efficient IMO, instead of having to use the mouse.
Be sure you go into the spell-check settings and allow it to spell check capitals, especially if your account has you put allergies in caps (but even headings benefit from spell-checking).
Unfortunately it will then spell check patient names. Wish they could tell it not to spell-check the demographics.
Other than these quirks I think ExText works pretty well.
Maybe just me, but your speed is slow
at 70 wpm. I have been tested at 130-140 and getting the lines just not an effort- I think it has everything to do with the 70 wpm. You really need to build your Expanders and abbreviation list- that would help you tremendously.
I do VR, have my speed as fast as I can get and
I only average about 357 lph. There is no way I could get 1000 - my speed would not even go that fast.
Typing Speed
Is there an easy way to calculate word-per-minute typing speed using the lines per hour I can do? -Thanks.
In a word? SPEED sm
and you can email and I'll even send you my glossary for ST with 20,000 shortcuts in it.
I have used ST with MedRiteXL and it runs fine. You need to set ST to open when Word launches and not turn it off if you can help it. It doesn't crap up the MedRite, but it just works better. Also, if you use ST, have them turn off the built in Expander or you'll have problems, like the sentence not wrapping to the next line and/or an expansion at the end of a line spewing out garbage as it wraps.
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