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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

My only change would have been doing it sooner than 25 years ago. nm

Posted By: Becky on 2005-11-25
In Reply to: If you had to do it again... - pollster

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Yes. Except I would have gotten into it 10 years sooner.
Then I could have been at home sooner with all my kids and avoided going into student loan debt over worthless degrees.
My motivation is that the sooner I get my work done, the sooner
I can go play.  I hate being tied to this desk all day long.  I'd rather be outside or reading a book or playing with the kids.
Well, with 8 years at the same company I was up to 11 and some change.
I always thought it was a terrible wage.
There was a huge change 30-40 years ago - you must have missed it.
They dropped the periods in abbreviations such as IRS, FBI, etc.   Things do change and while you might not agree with the BOS - it is right in this instance.  Forty years ago the IRS was referred to as the I.R.S.!!!
Thank you, that is certainly constructive. How about 17 years, you want me to just change to accomm
nm
Wish I had known that sooner, I had the same
problem. Fortunately my husband is good with computers.
I was 12, and not a day sooner. nm
x
Or should have done something WAAYY sooner

I hope she does this sooner than later!
nm
But... MTs like that would get, sooner or later, FIRED..
don't you think?
YES to unions! And the sooner the better!

Even 4.5 is too low. doctors do not change - they still hem and haw, change, change stuff along wit
It is just not enough for the work. Speech is great on the wrists but you are not just reading what is typed, you are making a lot of changes. I have a hard time doubling a lot of days with all the changes I have to make. Just my opinion.
Sorry I didn't check sooner. Let's try again
nm
We get them all the time. They'd sooner drive over the border
and pay cash here for medical treatment than to wait for Canada's healthcare system to kick in.
Don't change. I had to change back to cable. SuddenLink DSL stinks! nm

nm


Change provider vs change to business plan

In your place, I would seriously consider changing providers if there were others available in your area, but I'd ask around about their service quality first.  It may not be any better.  If there are no other providers, then consider changing your service package to a business account rather than residential.  They're usually more expensive, but they also tend to get faster service if there's a problem.


Last summer, I had no electricity for 3 days due to severe storms, but there were some 600,000 in the same boat with me.  We just had to wait it out.  It's a downside of working at home.


change attitude, change life
The first thing you need to change is that defeatist attitude! I know that's hard at times like this, but that's when you need to most.
I won't go into detail, but my financial situation is also at an all-time low, we couldn't even exchange gifts., daughter in hospital twice, & no med insurance)..but then I heard about how much worse things were for others around me this season. Now I'm thankful instead!
Get out while you can. Things will *never* change unless you change them. (nt)

Call human resources. I called human resources about it. Sooner or later they will get tired of the
calls and do something about it. Safety in numbers. I have called twice. I forgot to mention the assinine QA point plan though. Mostly I bitched about the no work thing. Told them the new pay plan based on incentive is another joke with no work. Cant make incentive with no work.
58, AHP/self-taught, trained at hospital 5 years, now with 2 of my own accounts for 10 years, employ
Also worn out 2 keyboards in 4 years. I will never retire. DH will come home some day from work and I'll be slumped over my keyboard. I put in 14 hours a day 7 days a week.
Pack years = packs smoked per day x years of smoking - sm
25 pack-years = 25 years of 1 pack a day, or 12-1/2 years of 2 packs a day.

I don't think pack-years applies to someone who smokes only cigars. But I don't know for sure.
I worked for Cbay for 3 years. I was also part of their lay off back many years ago. sm
Even though I got stuck in a lay off era, I still love the company. They paid well then. The people were nice (exception of 1 person) and if I had the opportunity I would go back again. Fortunately (or unfortunately - depending on how u look at it), I have a great paying job right now, so I am not looking for a change. I do know that at one time, they asked management to accept late paychecks, but never sure of the reason why. My check was never late.
I know it used to be 5-10 years back, but the laws changed within the last 2 years. They can only g
x
6 years legal then switched to medical 17+ years ago. sm

I don't mind doing legal and will do it now from time to time, but be prepared to be totally bored out of your mind.


At least that's the way I feel.  I love to transcribe, learned legal in college, went on to get my paralegal degree, etc., etc., but I did temp work when the kids were younger, which was about 90% medical and I would never go back to legal except for once in a while.


Booooooring.


 


 


Only 3 years away from reaching total years for retirement
but if I had to do this and raise a family, would feel exactly like you do. The pay is terrible compared to what I used to make. I work 32 hours a week, hope to be able to continue even after full retirement age. I have worked on VR now and unless places get to where they really do not care about how their reports look, think they will need MTs. I very seldom do a report and it is 100%, just cannot remember 1 like that and most take a lot more editing. Working now because want to, not have to anymore, thank goodness!!
I dumped my ex 20 years ago, but got lucky 13 years ago

It would take me all night and pages and pages to describe what a bad person my ex-husband was.  After six years of putting up with his OCD, verbal abuse and alcohol, I left him the house, took the kids (5 and 1) and didn't look back. That was 20 years ago.


I wasn't looking to get married again, but I did.  After 13 years I only complain when hubby doesn't see things my way. :) 


My older kids, who were 5 and 1 when I left, are married and have kids of their own now.  My husband gets the Father's Day cards.  Their "real" father sits alone in the perfect little house I left behind and let him have and he drinks himself into oblivion every night because nobody is "perfect" enough, including his kids and his grandkids that he never sees. 


Sad, but true.  So glad I smartened up and got  out of there when I did.


We have been supporting other countries for years and years now.
What is the big deal.  Look at your clothes, cars, items in your house.  You will see mostly China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan etc., etc.  We have not supported our own people like we should have for years now!!!!
Only 2 in 13 years for me. First Edix for 8 and now Webmedx for nearly 5 years. nm
.
When I trained, back years and years ago
We did not have spell checking nor the internet (Google for instantaneous help). OMG, how did we do it? We used Correcting Selectrics with the lift-off tape to correct errors- you only had dictionaries, both English and medical, to look up things so yes we did have to learn to spell all those big longgggggggggg words.
MT: 24 years. Same company: 11 years same co. after buyout.
x
Grammar Question: 9 years' ago or 9 years ago? *sm*
I have a terrible time trying to remember this rule! HELP!
Worked inhouse for years and years
Inhouse transcription from 1973 to approximately 1992 and we had no downtime for answering the phones and when the physicians came into the room (or others) needing some assistance, just part of the job. I did not feel bad about doing it then and I dont see why you would either. You don’t realize that probably you are making right now more than if you are outsourced, right? You have hourly salary plus incentive. Guess how many of us have that now? Probably inevitable about outsourcing so I would say just enjoy while you can. The pay our here now sinks further and further. I make, for instance, 4 cents a line for voice recognition and 8 for straight. Now, more complaining?
Yes you need to change everything to

reflect GA as your residence.   In my state you have 30 days to notify DMV of an address change.    You don't have to be head of household to claim office expenses and can claim in GA if you meet the criteria needed for a home office. 


From someone who has BTDT be sure you have a legal contract with your renters, even if family member and do a video of your house before you leave for your protection.  Also you might want to look at getting some additional insurance.  I had a trusted family member living in my house for a year, rent free in exchange for upkeep, and they practically destroyed the house, which is why I suggested the above. 


 


I once had a QA from HS change BMI to PMI sm

This was in vital signs.   The pt BMI was 35.  She/he changed that to PMI....... 


Anyone else have any QA mistakes they'd like to share?


DID MQ CHANGE THIS?
The very first QA notice I received when I started (January) was to double space at the end of a sentence. I felt like the biggest dummy for not knowing this. But, after viewing these posts, I guess it is not such a common knowledge thing. I NEVER, NEVER hear from MQ. I wonder if it is because I don't have their e-mail. I know they have my e-mail address, but NEVER hear from them. I wonder how many CHANGES I have missed?
change that from 375 to
365, but feels like 375.
Wonder if they will change
the offshore concerns board to the offshore board.
Actually no change at all...
just venting. Sorry to have gone on and on with being upset and angry all day and other family issues that have caused stress. I could state my personal life on here and all of my business dealings, but do you really need to hear every bit of a story? Should I recount every little detail about my work habits as an MT? Is that really necessary? Fine, I was crying and upset in the beginning thinking of ways to find work, what to do, then that turned to anger. Then that passed and I realized how businesses are run and that posting on a board and not editing my post and misspelling words and not using proper grammar (EMPLOYED AS AN IC) is just unfortunate I guess for me and I won't be posting on any boards any time soon. As far as the year of working as an IC (hope that sounds better for you) there were plenty of times when I made mistakes and yes, even the MTSO admitted to having made a mistake or two and overlooked a document and then paid me for it on the next check or found something she thought I hadn't turned it and I actually had and I covered for someone who was sick that day and did extra work and yes, I really made a few mistakes when I missed the TAT. I am not wanting to hear something terrible from anyone, like, yes, you should write a letter. I guess just a little venting and typing out loud and..wow, I hope things get better soon too. Don't worry, everyone, PLEASE don't worry!! I didn't do anything terrible, I didn't send a nasty e-mail to anyone, I didn't write a letter and I apologized again to the MTSO.
This is what I am saying. She isn't going to change.
I'd begin trying to drown her out with the stereo or a water fountain that is somewhat loud and runs all of the time. I'd not say anything at all but what you could do, in a kind way, is when you talk with her, say something to her that you overhead her saying and then mention that you didn't mean to be eaves dropping but that sound carries and it is impossible to not hear her. Keep it friendly. A neighbor who dislikes you makes life hell if they are the kind who act out.
Name change SM
They should change it to DEFUNCT
Does anybody change
just the first few reports to get the difference in price per line and just use the new rate figured to calculate for their font and margins?

In other words, if the difference is 2.4 cpl or whatever, you just add that to your rate and count lines with their font and margins without changing them each time. Would that be kosher?

I was wondering if you could make a macro to do it. Excellent idea!

Thanks everyone.
MY WAY TO CHANGE
If you have a "normal" set and you want to do another temporarily, you can add the font/pitch icons to your toolbar.   I always leave them there anyway.  Then you put your cursor at the top left of the document and click on the font and pitch you want and they will be good for the whole document, unless you bring in one from somewhere else (like Instant Text or another document) Be sure your default is set for any text you bring into documents to match the document you are on (the document you are on determines the font and pitch, etc.)  Or, if it is a permanent thing you are doing, set up a template for it.   You can set up in instant text too, if you save with the format on it. 
I have yet to see any name change

Everything that i have gotten from them lately has been AAMT and nothing else. 


We can now compete with China.  What a mess this is.


Change happens
Lots of jobs that existed in my lifetime do not exist anymore. Telephone operators were replaced by automated switchboards. Key punch operators are no more. And in the near future these jobs we do, too, will be no more. It isn't the Indian MTs that will eventually make them go away; it will be the improvement in voice recognition and all the blaming and complaining won't change it. The key punch operators and the telephone operators went to work doing other things, and we shall, too.
Name Change
The only way to change the name is to control T out of the document you opened and then start the document over and make sure the patient info is correct on your document info screen before you enter or say okay. Word pulls in the patient information through a template so you can't modify it once you're in the actual Word document.
change
I was reading your message with interest and an open mind, until I saw the word "dear," then realized the unnecessary condescension and patronization of your message.
I'm about to change over...
to just my laptop. I use the laptop for traveling, which is very convenient, but I have to "synchronize" my laptop to my desktop whenever I'm leaving because my client may want something that I typed on my desktop while I'm away, which I wouldn't have access to, of course, so I save work onto the laptop, etc. Also, I'm getting ready to have to update some software for a client, so it will be cheaper for me to just work from one computer rather than having to purchase two licenses of the software I need to upgrade two computers. I use a 21-inch screen, and an ergonomic keyboard. I will use a docking station for my laptop, so I can still use my big screen and my ergo keyboard. It will look no different, and it will be much easier when I'm traveling. I will just unplug the laptop and go and it will have all my current work on it, so no having to pull from the desktop to save onto the laptop, etc.
Change 4 the better...
Personally I am elated about the demise of Sheri and Co. - they were the nutty as a fruitcake and banned people left and right (including me) if they dared to disagree with ANYTHING they said. This site had become the joke of the industry and I hope they fail miserably trying to get another site going. I'm staying right here and away from those two kooks!
A lot needs to change

You say that the Indian MTs are willing to do ESLs and harder work types? First, what I have heard is that they are often sent the easy stuff, but only the companies that send work overseas know the truth. Secondly, the Indian MTs are most likely trained and have lots of support and feedback to be able to do the harder work types and ESLs, as you state they are doing.


How many MTSOs here are willing to take the time to train new graduates? Most ads say at least 3 years of experience if not 5 or more. Going to one of the top schools is not enough. We all know that. We still need time to transition from school to the real world because transcribing real reports versus reports in school is a totally different thing. If more companies were willing to give the new grads a few weeks or months, then the quality of the workforce in America would be better. We all know that this is a profession that requires lifelong learning to do it right. How many MTs actually spend the time to read up on procedures, drugs, other specialties to understand better what they are transcribing?


Somebody needs to get the doctors to dictate better. The way some doctors dictate I honestly do not understand how they expect anyone to understand them. They should be forced to undergo training. It is not only a matter of making life easier for an MT it is also a matter of ensuring that the correct report is being established. If the doctor dictates by speaking clear, at an acceptable speed, in a quiet environment, this would result in a large number of reports being transcribed faster and with the correct terminology, dosages, drug names, diseases. If reports can be transcribed faster, this would mean more money for the MTs and MTSOs.


How many MTs out there actually proofread their reports before they submit them? How many MTs are more interested in being able to say they can type 200 or more lines per hour versus saying they proofread every report and make only 150 lines an hour? I have seen reports that started out with a latex allergy and at the end of the report it had turned into a Lasix allergy. I have seen reports for a female patient with "he" and "him" mixed inbetween. These are clear examples of not proofreading. How often is mcg typed instead of mg or left foot evolves to right hand? These things can be dictated incorrectly by the doctor and that is when we have to leave blanks for this to be corrected. We can only do so if we actually listen to what is being said, proofread and check these things before we submit the report.


If someone is paying for poor quality, don't you think they would choose to pay the lowest price for that poor quality?


The basic problem here is that way too many jobs in too many fields have already been outsourced to other countries, and if no one speaks up, then soon there might not be any jobs in the USA. Outsourcing is not only an MT problem.


I see that there a large number of problems in the MT world. Who is really still interested in the quality of a medical report? Hasn't it all just turned into a matter of spending the lowest amount for a report to be transcribed? Also, why do so many MTs switch MTSOs so often? How can it be good for the companies and how can it benefit the MT? Who controls what an MTSO does? Why are MTSOs so afraid to approach a lousy dictator? When you consider how much time and frustration is involved in trying to figure out what some of these dictators are saying, wouldn't it be better to approach them and convince them that they need to do better? How many MTs are out there that have no training at all?


At the end of the day we should all be interested in producing an error-free document to ensure patient safety. "We" includes the MTs, MTSOs, and the dictators. "We" need to work together to find a solution. "We" need to look at ourselves and be honest about what we do to ensure a high-quality document. The MTSOs need to look at what they are doing, and the dictators need to think about what they are doing. There should be rules and regulations but also an organization that oversees these and takes the appropriate steps.


I do believe that there should be a law against outsourcing medical reports overseas. All reports should be done in the USA. I also believe that greedy people have turned this profession into something different than it should be. For each and every person involved in creating a medical document the patient should be the most important part of this document and ensuring that the correct information is being put into that document. How many MTs, MTSOs and dictators are doing that?


 


we could probably change the
word medicine for money and find this same discussion in any bank or credit union. The worst breech of confidentiality I ever enountered was in our local credit union when someone told me they would not tell me who told them, but that someone at my bank told them not to worry about us after my husband died because I had just deposited the life insurance check. For once in my life, I would have gone after somebody's job for that one. AND, I have typed plenty of reports of some of their employees and never said one word. This should be just as privileged as what we do and I expect the same consideration and respect from them.
Job change
If you are making 10 cpl and you live in a rural area, I think you are doing pretty good, except for benefits. Have you seen the job postings lately? ekk...6,7,8 cpl...  I live in a Western City where we used to make $25-35 an hour at 10-12 cpl  (yes some still do), but ever since V.R. became popular every Hospital and Medical Imaging Center and Clinic seem to be sending work to services. I have been doing this for 24 years and I thought I would be able to do this forever also, but we still have a high cost of living and less pay. I have bad wrists and I am not sure what else I can do at this point. I am a caregiver part-time as well to supplement my income, that doesn't pay much $11/hour but it helps.  Good luck