QA's lack of knowledge really irks me.
Posted By: I pretty much just ignore them. on 2009-03-17
In Reply to: Has any one else been mad from a QA comment? - Venting.
Most of the time, they say the exact opposite the next day, anyway.
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Combo of laziness AND lack of knowledge! Deadly combo!
nm
Well it irks me to no end when this happens
I don't have time, nor do I want to spend the time, listening to them yak. Nothing ticks me off worse than when they are so ignorant to send a voice file containing an office conversation or phone call.  As a matter of fact, I sent one office who's always sending me and my subs junk like this notifying them next month, I'll be charging them in ten-minute increments the time it take me/us to listen to this nonsense and erase it. That should take care of that and if they don't like it, they can find someone else who has nothing better to do than sit back and listen to their conversations and think it's a LOL matter. 
That just irks me to death.
I worked for a national that had two QA people on my account. The one QA person did it one way, and the other one did it another way. One pushed for combining forms, the other one said NO. I never knew who was working from one day to the next. I finally sent an email to both QA people, the account manager and the owner of the company with quotes from each of their corrections contradicting each other. I asked which way I should do it because I couldn't do it both ways. It took forever to sort out.
The thing that really irks me about this whole situation -
is that I pretty much put all my eggs into the MT basket 30 years ago, when I still had the time and the youth to have pursued something else. But back then most jobs I tried were a really poor fit. I finally just coasted along doing office-temp work and odd jobs, and then found out about MT. I had the typing speed, English skills (minored in it in Jr. College), and back then all it took was 20 weeks of night school (2 or 3 nights per week, if I recall) to be able to get a job. I LOVED it. No "front office" dress required, no "perky personality" required, just do the work. And I thought I had found the key to independence. And I had, for a number of years.
I first noticed the winds of change blowing when the administrative letters I was typing for a large facility began to talk about "managed care". Once that facility jumped on the bandwagon, things began to change. Only those employees who actually "brought in money" were treated well. They got whatever they wanted. Those of us who SUPPORTED THEM, however, were swept further and further under the rug, until such time that we were nothing but numbers that some suit in HR crunched in his computer, and it was decided that we were an "unnecesary expense", and we were expendable.
Soon all they ever talked about was voice-recognition, and how long it would be 'til they got rid of all of us MT "lowlifes". We were told almost daily how "lucky we were to even HAVE a job", and were treated worse, and paid less, all the while having to suffer through all the annoyances, computer meltdowns, rule-changes, and QA nit-picking that became part of their changeover to new computer platforms and VR software. I lost count of how many VR programs they tried, failed. But were we ever ONCE given credit for helping to "train" the software, even though they ended up abandoning it? NO. Now that it became obvious that they needed live MTs, were we paid & treated better? NOPE.
Instead, now all the talk was about how CHEAPLY the same work could get done overseas, by people who spoke English, but because it was their 2nd language, would NEVER grasp all the inflections and nuances that even though of us who grew up speaking English struggle with. At first they told us we'd become editors, and that the pay would be substantially higher than MT, without all the work-related injuries. HAH!!! What a load of cow-dung THAT turned out to be!
So, eventually I left inhouse transcription for working at home for an MTSO. Although I'm treated 100% better by them, and still love the work, the pay scale seems to be geared to whatever part of the U.S. has the absolute lowest income needed in order to survive. It all but makes doing MT for the single city-dweller impossible.
I could understand if all the money they're supposedly saving by chintzing-out on their transcription expenses were going back into providing quality healthcare. But of course, we all know the answer to THAT one, too. Healthcare and insurance coverage continues to get worse and worse, (most countries in the world have better healthcare coverage than the U.S. does), and even if you have insurance, heaven help you if you ever get sick and need to use it.
Meanwhile, the CEOs and upper management folks are buying that second home in Aspen, taking months-long "sabbaticals" (i.e., taking a cruise around the world, or an extended ski-trip to the Alps), and those of us who don't actually bring in the healthcare industry's profits, but still support them so that they're ABLE to bring in the money, are all but forgotten.
Someday it's all going to come back and bite all those in the 'ol boys' club in the gluteus maximus, and for me it can't be soon enough.
I wasn't clear. I guess patients' names is what irks me the most. SM
and you know how famous they are for dictating "Krenazcyssky, Jane, that's J-A-N-E.
to anyone considering going out on their own, or has knowledge of such
What is the most difficult part of the process, whether it be finding a physician, figuring out a program for the pc, getting a legal binding contract. How much is the start up fee.
I have been considering this for awhile but to be honest i'm just too lazy. BUT, the thought of making around 11-12 cpl, having only one or two docs that I know like the back of my hand where I can make tons of macros, tons of money and work less, is so appealing, that might jump start me. Am I seeing the big picture here or just dreamin?
Not to my knowledge.....
Dianna -
I use Lanier VoiceWrite EX daily and unfortunately, the Lanier "undertones" are such that you cannot use anything else besides the VW Ex, as the main station or server "reads" the remote unit and you have to connect digitally before it will even let you into the system. Some companies have interphase software that will do this (not familiar with it myself) but I have not found anything personally compatible with Lanier except Lanier. I used to use a C-phone and loved that I could check work remotely or even re-record but with Lanier, I have not found anything else to work except the actual Lanier equipment. Maybe someone else has found a solution, but I have not heard of one.
Best of luck to you !
I am an A.R.T. Cant take away the knowledge.
nm
To my knowledge
xx
To my knowledge..
A hospital sitter must be a licensed nurse, usually private duty.
You're right .. and here's 1st-hand knowledge -- sm
I start med school (been an MT for 24 years) August 2006.
One of my classes last semester was Intro to Medical Practices. I especially inquired about pro bono work by all the physicians and dentists who spoke to the class as guests each week. All gave significant amounts of their practice to pro bono work.
One physician in particular impressed me. He is a cardiovascular surgeon. His main area of expertise is doing cardiac bypasses. To make a long story short, because of insurance changes (MCare) over the past few years, he only makes about $650 per bypass for his own pocket and that is gross. Of the $1850 MCare and insurance companies pay him for this procedure, it costs him $1200 in overhead for that procedure. Until last year, he would often do the procedure for free for patients who could not afford it and had no insurance. However, for 2 years he had to BORROW MONEY to pay his OVERHEAD because he did so much pro bono work. He finally decided he just could not go bankrupt doing that. So now, he STILL does HIS PART for free but the patient has to pay his overhead. He tells them to call their family, friends, churches and if they have the $1200 for his overhead, he will donate HIS skills/time/energy for free.
The physician (maxillofacial surgeon) who directed this class said his annual pro bono work runs around $250,000 a year.
As well, while dentists recoup 95% to 100% of the fees charged for their services (they are ALWAYS getting their money up front), physicians (with the exception of cosmetic plastic surgery) only recoup an average of 31% of their fees. For every $1000 they spend on a patient, they will only get back approximately $310 and must write off the rest.
Now that is INSIDE information - direct from the physicians and dentists we had in class. I was shocked. Not deterred, but shocked.
Regarding that lovely cardiologist who gives so much away, take into consideration that the $650 for HIS skills/time/energy for ONE cardiac bypass -- he invests a total of 12 to 15 hours for that one procedure (that is WITHOUT complications happening) including his consult/operative time/followup visits, hospital rounds, etc. That comes out to about $54 an hour -- and plumbers and electricians around here make more than that. My Ford dealership in town gets $76 an hour.
And now, since we are starting to do bypasses endovascularly through the femoral artery, he has to really put the money down for more education to train to do this or he will be out of business shortly.
Interesting huh?! When people make comments to me about my future as a physician as a way to "get rich", I tell them not necessarily so!! LOL I'm not doing it for money! You couldn't pay me enough to go through all this at this time in my life!! LOL
And would it not help if you could spell knowledge???? nm
:)
Because it's such common knowledge.
But by all means, give them your money and prove it again if you like! I was just trying to help you.
knowledge of med term a plus
knowledge of medical terminology is such a plus in the medical field. try applying to a hospital as a unit clerk or a receptionist in a doc office. it is good for the mind to get out there and see people again. maybe you will realize how much you have missed.
Gain knowledge sm
I think I addressed this before, you cannot get enough knowledge to put in your bank. If they are willing to pay you, soak it in like a sponge. It's hard, I wanted to quit so many times but I went from "duh" to "diva" by blood, sweat and tears. It's worth it, hang in!! Knowledge is power.
more knowledge needed sometimes sm
You have to be aware of all body parts (anatomy) as well physiology, etc. in all specialties because you may have 50 discharge summaries from many specialties, not only a few, in one day You also have to have the ability to pick up on abnormal lab values (or you should), etc., as you don't want a totally erroneous value to go through without questioning. After you get through the chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, physical exam, etc., then you get to the lab and x-ray findings. When you get to the summary, you will be working in terms of what is wrong with that particular patient, know the drugs and dosages, etc. With acute care, you may get H&P's, discharge summares, operations (difficult at first) and consults (many different specialties) all in one day's work. Others may not agree with what I just said, but in a nutshell, you have to be fairly well rounded in your knowledge of anything that may come your way in the basic 4's each day as well as psych reports if the facility has a psych ward,, etc., Also., if the facility has a rehab department or other speciality floors, you will have to learn them as well. If you are a dedicated learner, you can do it, you just have to be willing to work hard. I would say it took me several years to be really good at it and it is well worth it. In todays world though, I am not sure, it seems like there are a lot of unhappy people on these boards. Just be positive and if you love it, you may enjoy it. Acute care covers many specialties and is just that, "acute." requiring hospitalization. Hope I didn't discourage you, it's challenging. If you work for an MTSO, they may be willing to give you one speciality at a time (although I doubt it). Radiology is usually in it's own department with it's own staff and dictation. Hope I didn't confuse you even more, just trying to help here.
If it requires that much knowledge
above the normal they might consider paying a wage for it - starting .07 cpl doesn't exactly scream you're valued for your knowledge.
It seems there's always someone on this board, with no knowledge of their own , who - sm
insist upon arguing with anyone offering tech support or advice. It happened earlier in the AV thread where one of the participants obviously didn't have a clue what they were talking about yet insisted that everyone else didn't know what they were talking about.
It seems to be rather common in the MT community to be able to speak much and listen little. Very sad, actually.
just got an e/m re lack of work
which we seldom have, but stating that we are all 'one team' and if we want more work we can call in and they can route us work from another CSC. So i wonder why other offices aren't doing that...
lack of work
 Are names of companies allowed on this board? I'm in the middle of applying to several transcription services, so would really like to know which one (s) don't have enough work available.
Seriously could not be any worse that the lack of (sm)
respect we get as CMTs!! Seriously, we catch all the malpractic, flag it for them, and not even a Happy Holidays! dictated to us on any dictation, I correct that one doctor did say enjoy your holidays! I agree Applebees is looking better all the time!
Lack of memorization
Is the attraction for me! I can't keep what I have straight. And when I have multiple phrases that I want to use the same short for, it's just frustrating!
Thanks for your reply.
appreciation (or lack there of)
 One thing I have learned is that not many people understand this working at home gig. I will say though that after I have let my kids listen to a few of these dictations they are totally amazed and over the years I have helped them with the words to quite a few songs they couldn't understand. One daughter is now a pharmacist and she is totally amazed at what I can understand. My son-in-law, also a pharmacist, asked if he could let me listen to the voice mail from ESL's that call in prescriptions and he cannot understand. My sister and brother-in-law are doctors, so they appreciate my talent and work ethic. However, just today my second daughter got mad at me because I told her I could not watch her boyfriend's new puppy (not housebroken) and work at the same time. I have been doing this at home for over 10 years now, so they have grown up with it, and still don't always get it. I left a hospital job after a divorce because I was never around when the kids needed me and it was difficult to leave work for emergencies. I made double the income - at first with no benefits. I miss the retirement, but I wouldn't have been able to keep my house, so everything is a trade off. Only we can understand each other
I think some of that is due to lack of training as well-
why not train Americans who are displaced workers or unable to find work for whatever reason, or just Americans who have no skills and are working 3 minimum wage jobs to get by? It would probably not cost any more than bringing in people from other countries, and it would probably save the government money, as more people would become self-sufficient and require less assistance.
I think a lot of these people would love the opportunity for the training if it didn't cost an arm and a leg, and I don't think they would be picky about what it paid- I'm sure it would beat minimum wage!
Lack of communication?
I recently was hired for a national MTSO and was wondering if this was typical for most companies who hire you as an employee. They train you, tell you who your supervisor is, turn you loose on your account, and after that you are hard pressed to get in contact with your supervisor, or anyone for that matter, for questions. I had questions about:
1) how to fill out my timesheet, a) when to submit it, b) how the pay period runs - all I got was a sample copy and told to submit it on such-and-such day.
2) questions on formatting that were not in the AI sheet - no response either by E-mail, IM and lack of contact phone number other than the 1-800 office number.
3) Two days into the job - ran out of work on both primary and back-up account. Response - "sorry, we're just slow." and not by my supervisor, by another company associate as my supervisor was nowhere to be found. Never heard from the supervisor again. Haven't bothered to log back in to work.
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and is it typical. Do not want to mention the MTSO, but it is a well-known national.
frustrated.
lack of work
Has anyone had a lack of work in the company they work for. I have been without work for two weeks and keep getting the run around from my company. I was wondering if anyone had to collect unemployment benefits or if there was something else I could do. thanks
Lack of work
I also did not have any work due to President's Day.
I am very frustated, No work due to Thanksgiving initially, then Christmas, New Years, and now President's Day? (Not to mention lack of work due to blizzards etc.)
I like the company I am with, supervisors etc. but am wondering if it is going to improve. I was promised paid health insurance, but have not yet reached the line count. How is it possible with any work?
Any feedback appreciated. Thank you.
I don't think it is a lack of funds
I really think they are just ticked off that I quit so quickly. But after many years of doing this, 70 lph just doesn't work for me. Account was great, it was the administrative stuff required that killed the job.
My lack of experience...
I was told today by a national transcription company that "due to my lack of experience in the last eight years...." that I was unqualified to work for them as they need people with recent acute care status. I have worked for a group of orthopaedic surgeons for eight years and went to work for them because my job at the hospital was phased out due to outsourcing. I have 36 years of experience as a Transcriptionist and all but the last eight were in a hospital setting. I am shocked to find out that I do not qualify for their company. The work at our clinic is dwindling and even though they are hiring three new docs this coming year, none of them are going to be allowed to dictate as they will be required to use the EMR only. All of us sit by our desks waiting for that next job to show up and hopefully if you are lucky enough, you are the one who grabs it first. I used to work every evening and weekend. That has happened in the last five months. Sorry for the venting. It has been a tough struggle with a laid off husband, one income, and 10 grandkids to shop for, for the holidays.
If there's any question on my knowledge in these matters,
I am a college educated and certified computer technician who has been in the technology field for 20 years now. FWIW, Atomic Clock Sync has rave reviews from PC Magazine, but merely synchronizing your computer clock doesn't fix the underlying problem. If the battery on your computer's motherboard goes completely dead, your CMOS settings will go byebye, which is a royal PITA to fix.
http://www.decosystech.com/Techsupport/Batteries.htm
I know several MTs who are being paid high $$ for their knowledge... Sure is (sm)
something to think about!! With IC you lose your flexibility and punch the 9-5 clock. Maybe if your kids are in school. Mine are still little yet. But I definitely am keeping that option open, taking a few courses along the legal line.
New clients with no computer knowledge
I just landed a new awesome client because they were desperate. They didnt even have internet! I talked them into go with a DSL line, I bought them a digital recorder (with USB connector)..I had my computer guy write a script. all they have to do is plug the recorder into the USB connector, press a button on the desk top (that has script written by my computer geek) and it automatically sends it to me...the files are sent back, they press another scripted icon on their desk and VOILA they have the work back. They have no idea what they are doing either....but they are learning slowly and I have a great new account (all mammograms and ultrasounds 2 days a week)
I LOVE IT!
be armed with knowledge and documentation
Along with sending all employees W2s, a copy of every employee's W2 is transmitted along with a W3 with the totals of FICA/MED and Fed taxes.
The problem probably arises from what was sent in to IRS and Social Security that raised a flag. I really don't think that the SE part set off the flag. MQ might have tried to do a switch-a-roo and sent in a 1099 with the transmission. After you go in for the examination, this will probably clear it up. When I was with MQ, they sent me a W2 and a 1099, and was always leery of this but never had a problem. I left them in 2000 because of lack of work but always wondered about the dual reporting.
I speak from first hand knowledge...
and I never said she didn't love the boy, but rather not in the traditional sense. You know the kind where you actually take care of your kids. I won't blast all that on the internet. I'm just saying though that I only speak from what was actually done, not by assuming something heard through the media.
Physicians are willing to share their knowledge with (sm)
anyone who will listen. They love young bright eyed students. I expected the MT world to be just like medicine.
Why is cost the only issue? It is unprofessional to only think about money. What about pride in the profession and wanting to share knowledge? Isn't that how professions advance and grow?
I am surprised. 
Approach homeschooling with knowledge. sm
I have family in California that homeschool their children, and it is wonderful. The mother has an education, sets up great courses, and the support network there is absolutely fantastic. Sports, music, field trips, clubs, they are all available. They couldn't get a better education anywhere, and the socialization is absolutely great.
However, I had to homeschool my son last year for health reasons, and there can be real problems. He is an only child and was left out of all the school social activities. Unfortunately, there is no homeschooling network in my area, the nearest one is 150 miles away, so there were no field trips, sports activities, etc. We live in a small town, and not much is available outside school. It took him 2-3 months to get back into the social swing in high school. Fortunately he is very well adjusted, and turned out fine. Be sure the pieces are in place before you homeschool. Otherwise, you will be the only support your child has, and it can be almost a full-time job, especially if you have to start your own organization. I highly recommend homeschooling if you are in an area to do so. It can be a great experience and children can learn so much faster than in the public school. Good luck.
Good knowledge you passed along. nm
t
knowledge increases productivity
My productivity is up and down. I have found that with doctors and report-types that I am use to typing my productivity is higher, with new docs and new/rarely typed report a lot lower. I think only knowledge can increase your productivity, when you can anticipate what the doc will say next because you have a true knowledge of what you are typing. (please excuse typos.. I am on a quick break)
For the amount of knowledge this job takes...
The constant demands to do more and more, increased accuracy requirements, I think #4. #2 would be a good entry level wage, but in reality I think most of us are stuck there.
What is your experience and knowledge worth? sm
Only you can decide what a good line rate is for you. Everyone has different opinions, expenses, time management, and issues. No two people are the same.
Now, if you take the IC part out of it and ask if 7 or 8 cpl is a good line rate - basically the answer would be no, not really. Then again, it seems to be what companies are offering these days.
Remember, most companies base any health benefits, etc on your production. So, if you have a bad month of production, your benefits might go bye-bye!
Just think, as an independent contractor, 8 cpl, nice easy account, canned reports, lots of templated work - Yeah you can make decent money.
Now, no canned reports, difficult account, you might have to work 10 to 12 hours a day to make decent money.
See the difference - Go with your gut and decide what you are worth.
Good luck!
more knowledge of Offshoring is good.
nm
But QAing requires much more knowledge
and experience than VR editing. They can hire newbies to do VR editing, but not QA.
To my knowledge, you can't print the physicians'....sm
list and I doubt they are in there by specialty, too. You can print the contents of your ESP file if you save it to your desktop and then print it. Hope this helps.
Heartland - lack of work
Heartland never has any work for the US team, know why? They have to keep the Indian MTs overseas busy! Management (former MQ drop outs) try to paint a pretty picture for MTs that the software will get better or the clients are okay. Well the system is horrible and the clients are 110% ESLs!
OT: do you lack moisture or protein?
Your hair, that is.
Got this neat little trick at the hairdresser yesterday. Cut one strand of hair and put it in a small bowl filled with water. Wait about a minute or two. If the strand continues to float at the surface, you're lacking moisture. If it sinks to the bottom, you need protein.
Kind of helps you decide the right shampoo and/or conditioner to buy. 
lack common sense, one's I have met..nm
and your lack of expectations for yourself is showing.
x
Lack of work advice.............
Hi all
I wanted to see if I can get some opinions on my situation.
I started with this company in September and the workload was good for a while. I promised to do 30 minutes per day. I do this part-time after 4p EST every day as I have a full-time job out of the house. Since the holidays, the workload has dropped off and by the time I get home after 4p, many times there is next to nothing for me to do and some days absolutely nothing.
I was thinking of asking the supervisor if there is some other fairer way to divide up the work that does come in so that I can have some too when I get home. Would this be a reasonable thing to do, or would it be asking too much of her?
Thanks for your opinions. In the meantime, I am looking for something else too.
Most people with hi IQ have problems getting along with others and lack
social skills, for this is probably an ideal job for them.
Personally, I like the lack of stress and no (sm)
flippin' academic politics, or driving to 5 different colleges each week, teaching one course at each as a part-time lecturer. I've preferred spending my time homeschooling my equally gifted children, writing for a couple of feminist pubs, and working on local grassroots politics. Working at home as an MT allows me to break up my day and do all those things, while being the sole breadwinner. Works for me.
motivation or lack thereof....
Do i totally understand! I have been doing this for 10+ years and keeping the production up lately has been a real struggle, not only financially but emotionally. Hence, I am returning to school. It is giving me something else to focus on - a goal. Otherwise, I feel like I will be typing the rest of my life. Take some time off??? I would love that !!
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