Protecting your employability and livelihood (SM)
Posted By: MT Pundit on 2007-12-19
In Reply to:
As I have read here and elsewhere several interesting pieces regarding the value and employability of new versus experienced MTs, I've had time to do quite a bit of thinking and review. This has produced some uncomfortable but profound changes in my perspective on this topic and this industry. I wanted to share these thoughs with everyone, hopefully to support and influence as many as possible to take stock.
This topic has been disguised and hidden and mislabeled for a while as a variety of names -- setbacks, progress, trends, offshoring, labor costs, etc. All of these words are only descriptive of the true topic: Change.
Change is the one state of being that we can all count on. Evolution is part of who we are as people, as a nation, as workers and it applies in every role of life. Everything changes at some point. Without that constant change, there would not be renewal and freshness that is necessary to continue. Change brings usefulness.
It also is uncomfortable for most and can be quite painful for some. Sometimes it produces unwanted results. More often, because we want to resist change, it produces results that we tried to avoid. Change does, however, continue on - with or without us.
The key to surviving and evolving with change is a characteristic we all are capable of: Adaptability. Making ourselves adaptable is what will keep us included in change. Exclusion means an end. Unless you want to change direction completely or embark on completely different pathway, exclusion will be the death of whatever process you are referencing.
I have opportunity to be involved with many new MTs as well as those with quite a broad spectrum of experience and backgrounds and from different countries. These are the observations I have made:
New MTs and those in the economically challenged countries are eager to learn. They are open to learning and have new sources of energy. They are willing to work harder, with more effort.
New MTs usually do have specific training on the AAMT's Book of Style (2nd edition). While not every company or client employs the use of this reference, many do and these newer MTs have already been trained in its use.
New MTs usually have a little more specific factual information regarding terminology, disease processes, etc., that experienced MTs may have missed in their on-the-job training along the way.
New MTs are accustomed to feedback because they have been educated by receiving it - quite a bit of it, in fact. They are seeking that feedback and they know what to do with it. It keeps them keely aware of what they are doing.
Experienced MTs that have had broad exposure to many types of dictation, especially large acute care facilities and teaching hospitals, have an incredible knowledge bank to draw from. They usually possess a living understanding of operations and procedures, actually envisioning what is occuring during the dictation, and can apply that knowledge to assist them in ensuring the transcription record is accurate and complete.
Unfortunately, the more experienced MTs have usually not worked in an environment that provides a great deal of feedback, if any at all. For many, this scenario of no news is good news equates to their being correct in all they do. With the push for quality these days, once feedback is being received, it becomes personal and defies what they have been practicing all of their years. It can easily make the most experienced MT defiant and bitter. Being argumentative, however, keeps one thought in the mind of the employer: You are unwilling to be taught.
Many experienced MTs have no experience with the AAMT's Book of Style (2nd edition) reference or may have obtained their copy but have no formal training in using it. Owning that reference is not enough. You must be able to use it appropriately.
Experienced MTs often feel they have paid their dues in the past and that they should have first choice at accounts, schedules, etc. Employers and accounts need experience dispersed throughout all of the days/hours they are providing and needing coverage for.
What I see are needed to protect your employability and livelihood in this industry:
1. Make yourself adaptable. Make it known to your employer and those you apply to. An employer hires you to do the job they want, the way they or the account wants it done. Do not be afraid - your experience WILL come into play but you need to be able to adapt to their needs. Remember that you are working FOR them.
2. Create a teachable spirit within yourself. Be open to feedback and ask for it. Perhaps you did transcribe it this way for 25 years...if this employer or account wants it differently, then they just do. If you've never used specific references and your employer/account wants you to, dive in and learn to use those references! Let your employer (and those you apply to) know you are teachable. Keep the argument out of the scenario.
3. Learn to use the resources you have available. You do NOT have to be a supporter of the available professional organizations to take advantage of some of their pros. If it is important to you or your employer, think about certification or registration. If it is not for you, don't worry about it but do not mark yourself by detracting from those who do value this. Many facilities do want the use of the AAMT's Book of Style (2nd edition) so obtain a copy and learn to use it. Courses are often offered to help you understand trends in the industry or how to improve your skills, go into business for yourself, etc. Take advantage of those offers. You do not have to be a member of most organizations to do so.
4. Be responsible for your own skill set and improve on it each year. Purchase self-educational materials and work to improve your own knowledge bank. This is an investment in your ability to earn your living!
5. Dedicate yourself to becoming an expert in the trends that are changing the MT industry right now: Speech recognition and ESLs/foreign dictators. I realize those are 2 hot topics but they are not going away! Learn to make speech recognition your friend - learn to be the best at it! Make employers WANT you because you excel with it and want to! It does take dedicated commitment and patience to learn ESLs but the more you do, the better you can become. You will never be 100% successful with ESLs but you will become comfortable and be able to increase your ability to understand them. It will never detract from your skill set to make friends with the ESL scenario!
I hope these summations can provide some insight and support for you. Having been in this business for many, many years and participated in the changes that have occured and continue on, I know if you employ these suggestions, you will be proactively preserving your career and income!
Please do feel free to e-mail if I can assist anyone with these suggestions.
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It's our livelihood - our $$ depends on our production
If the managers' pay depended on how well they served us, or anyone else involved in the MT business, they might understand better.
The managers, supervisors, CEO, CFO, sales people, and tech people get paid the same everyday payday, even if they spend half their day playing games. Our paycheck depends on not only our skills but many factors that are out of our control - ISP connectivity, platform performance, QA competency, etc.
Employability
Rather than questioning yourself looking for the reason why they haven't contacted you, you may want to question them. When I started in this field I was 50+, newbie, applied and interviewed as the local hospital, but position went to someone with experience. Go Figure.
Now 10 years later the hospital has had an ad for a Transcriptionist in the paper for 4 or more weeks. I know of a couple of folks who have applied (all ages and degress of experience), no one has heard from them. Makes ya wonder how bad they want to fill the spot.
In all honesty, I would call them. Make sure they got your application and resume. Ask if the job has been filled.
Good luck!
Why are we protecting OSI's reputation from truth admin?
x
Wondering about employability
I am beginning to wonder if I can ever find a job in a "bricks and mortar" place for MT. I work at home for an MTSO that is partnered with an India "side." I was beginning to question whether or not I'd have a job here in another year or so, so thought I would at least check out/apply for an opening at the local hospital (largely because of the benefits).
I have 20+ years experience doing this, the last 12 of which have been from home working full time in acute care. I can do all work types and have been steadily employed with no gaps. Well, I submit my application, and there's not even a contact from them at all. So I am wondering if it's my age (50+), if it's because I have worked at home (for some reason, I think many potential employers think it's a drawback to have worked from home -- when though in reality, you have to be your own IT department, continually learn new software, do your own research, etc.). Or could it be because I checked off "do not contact current employer." With possible personnel changes down the road, I do NOT want my current employer to know I am looking around for another job. It could mean I put my head in radar profile when the next ax swings.
I guess I just wanted to vent -- this is very depressing. Over the past 5+ years, I have applied for various other hospital/medical jobs and nothing ever comes of it. But all of those were not exact matches to my skill set. Gee, I was hoping for at least a call from them. Right now I am very depressed.
Over The Hill MT
Cut back on what you give her - this is your business/your livelihood and she is treating like a cas
//
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROTECTING PERSONAL DATA
I want to share some information I am studying in one of my college classes right now, and that is the "European Union Data-Protection Directive." Here goes:
"The European Union (EU) has been a leader in addressing privacy concerns of its citizens. In 1998, the EU Data-Protection Directive was enacted to require organizations to protect personal data. The directive has wide-ranging consequences for government entities, Internet providers, healthcare providers, and employers. The directive goes so far as to forbid the transfer of personal data to countries outside the EU if data-privacy safeguards and guarantees do not exist. The directive is affecting multi-national firms in both business and employee matters. The EU has investigated and/or filed complaints against United Airlines, Microsoft, Ford, Marriott, and numerous other global firms for violating the provisions of the directive. As it affects employee data and records, the directive states the following:
.Personal data can be gathered only for identified reasons.
. Individuals must receive information about who receives and processes their data and why the data are being gathered.
.Persons have the right to access the data collected about them and to change, delete, or correct these details.
. Legal actions may be taken by individuals for misuse of their personal data."
Taken from "Human Resource Management," 11th edition, Robert L. Mathis/John H. Jackson, page 503.
Pay attention particularly to the 3rd point above, and the first paragraph about how the EU forbids the transfer of personal data (our professor confirmed this includes medical records) outside the EU IF there are no guarantees.
Europe does not as a rule, offshore financial data and medical record data.
My point is this, that if Europe upholds the dignity of its citizen's private information to the extent that it does, there is no reason why we Americans cannot be given the same right. I am not particularly opposed to offshoring, however, I am opposed to it in regards to sensitive private information in which we Americans should have a voice in, and a consent to.
Because the healthcare system is collapsing in this country with more and more Americans losing their healthcare, offshoring of anything possible in the medical field, is becoming so prevalent without consideration or regard for its implications. The medical industry is scrambling to stay afloat with the soaring cost of healthcare, and because the bottom line is the profit, CFO's will continue to squeeze every drop they can to uphold that profit. In this case, offshoring is directly tied to profits only. Right now is the time for every citizen to take the responsibility to voice their concern, to write public officials, politicians, and do everything possible to be heard in regards to the issue of offshoring our private information. The only reason it is occuring at such an alarming rate is because we are complacent. I know we are all busy, but we must take more responsibility and advocate in a professional, organized, and coherent fashion.
Even though I am sacrificing now (at age 57) to get a college degree and enter another field, I find a way to advocate for what I believe in. I will not be leaving the medical transcription field without continuing to advocate for my private medical records and financial information. It is no longer an interest to me to stay in medical transcription, but rather an interest to advocate for ethical concerns which includes medical transcription. Please, let's all make the sacrifice to keep writing our leaders opposing the offshoring of medical records.
Wondering about employability UPDATE
Here's the original thread I started:
http://forum.mtstars.com/main/v/1/107953.html
And I just wanted to update. They DID contact me late last week and want to arrange testing. Of course, not only am I paranoid and anxiety-ridden about the interview but also for the testing: I haven't done an on-site test in nearly 20 years. ACK!
From what I understand, you have the option of working at-home or on-site. The work schedule may be more flexible than I originally thought, too, because they just opened a new wing and apparently are anticipating a big increase in workload. I am just glad for the opportunity to TRY and don't know yet if it's worth it to jump ship or not. I have to say, though, it would be nice working somewhere where you don’t have to worry: "What if we lose this account?" or "What if they get rid of most of the US people?" Yes -- I know they could go to a service someday, but I am putting my faith in the belief that they won't -- they had done that years ago, then returned to doing it in-house.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, though. I am compiling my list of questions for the interview if I actually pass the test :)
JG
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