Radiology is getting hit big time. Stand alone imaging centers especially.
Posted By: Piece inside on 2006-03-22
In Reply to: On their vacations and jets and yachts, etc. - nm
Radiologists and lawyers usually mix about as well as oil and water. But radiology's near-term future could depend on the efforts of an Alabama attorney who is fighting a one-man battle to overturn legislation that could devastate the independent imaging center industry.
Jim Zeigler is an elder care attorney and self-described Republican activist who has taken issue with the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005, legislation enacted earlier this year that makes cuts to a wide range of federal government services. In radiology, the legislation specifically cuts $2.8 billion in Medicare payments for imaging services conducted in out-of-hospital settings.
Mr. Zeigler's beef is with the changes the DRA has made to the way Medicaid calculates how people can qualify for federal nursing home assistance. He might be just another gadfly if it weren't for one fatal flaw in the legislation -- a key difference in the versions of the bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives wasn't properly reconciled, as required by the U.S. Constitution.
We're featuring a Q&A interview with Mr. Zeigler in our Imaging Center Digital Community, in which he explains his objections to the DRA and what the radiology community can do to help. Read all about it by going to http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=imc&Pag=dis&ItemId=70190&wf=770.
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New Radiology Imaging Book
Hello, I use this new book I got and love it. Radiology Imaging Words and Phrases Second Edition by Health Professions Institute. It is newer than the Stedman's (it is 1995 edition) so it has the newer terms it may not have. This one came out this year, a month or two ago. I just got it a few weeks ago. It is 750 pages and is 36.00. I am totally glad I bought it.
Diagnostic Imaging / Radiology
It's pretty much all I've ever done, although I did work at a medical school for a while and typed research papers and such. BORRRIIINNNNG!
I like radiology because it spans almost every field (except maybe psychology LOL). No matter what part of the body it is, when you want to find out what's wrong, you send them to x-ray.
Question regarding Radiology Imaging Training
Hi Everyone. I am an acute-care MT and have 30 years exp. I am wanting to expand my field on typing Imaging reports as there are quite a few jobs in my area that pay hourly salary for this. I used to have a hospital hourly salary until they outsourced. There are 2 hospitals in my area that need Imaging MT. I actually have typed some imaging reports that are thrown into our pool as I took a position with the outsource company that our hospital contracted too but I do not like working by line with no spaces being counted. Makes it hard to make decent money for years of exp. These two hospitals do have Imaging positions open and they pay by hour. I was wondering what schools would have courses that I could take via commute to learn Radiology/Imaging. My friend that I used to work with got back into doing radiology reports and now gets paid by the hour again. Myself and one other ex-coworker have applied for an additional position open in Imaging but we have not even had a call. I am quick to learn and have Radiology books, but I would not feel that comfortable in going these reports until I had some additional schooling. There are a few schools in my area that have transcription, but I do not need the whole course. I listened to a report for my friend one day and I understood every word the doctor said. I know I could do it with time, but evidently my resume is lacking in this department and really no hospital will give you a chance unless you have that experience in this Imaging field. These days there is not many places that will give you a chance on the job training unless you have been to school. They just do not have the time with the busy pace these days. Any info would be helpful. Even if I did the extra shooling there is no chance they would call. These positions are for home MT and I have been a home MT now for 20 of those 30 years and I have worked from all over the country. Any information would be helpful for checking into. Thanks
what does SM stand for that I see here all the time?
x
I guess it is time to make a stand...
I just received my first subscription via E-mail to Advance Health Magazine.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY ACTUALLY HAD TWO ADVERTISEMENTS IN IT FOR HIRING INDIA MTs?
These are about 1/4 of a page size. One is from CBAY, which is Spheris, which is their 100% India company. Bragging a 30% decrease in costs to hospitals.
This not only threatens American MTs with losing jobs outright, but it also UNDERCUTS us. This is why we are making less money, less benefits, and needing to work harder.
I sent an E and cancelled immediately. Actually, I had been considering it for a while because of a bit percentage of their Medical Transcription articles are pro- undercutting American MTs, anyway, just like AAMT.
In my opinion, WE ARE BEING SOLD-OUT, AND BEING SOLD-OUT BY AAMT as they push harder and harder to make money any way they can, even by supporting Indian MTs, who are probably being told they "have" to join their organization...
They have been trying to force American MTs to become certified to fill their pockets and position themselves for the future as a monopoly. However, it seems American MTs are not as easily led as in India, so they flip-flopped. If you can't beat them, join them, right?
I am so disgusted. Last month they had an article from someone encouraging companies to hire American MTs and I was so hopeful, but this made me sick, to get it in my E-mail.
Time for me to make a stand. My job is worth fighting for and I need it...
What is the Stand about? Gave up King a long time ago.
I just got bored with his stuff. Is this really that good?
I work in Meditech for a radiology account and have no lag time. sm
There are a few things to try that might help. The first is to try to go through an NT connection if possible through their Citrix. Another is: Disable your virus protection, log in and re-enable the virus protection. I have found this solved my problem.
I am also answering your cut and paste question from your other post: It is HIPPA as the possibility of putting the wrong report on the wrong patient exists. However, I would go above or beyond your company's IS dept (they tend to be the most paranoid) and go to a production person such a Lead or Coordinator or even MTSO. If they are MTs, they tend to be more sympathetic and will often allow cut and paste when IS will not. If you are the only person experiencing this, IS is not going to be too diligent in helping. Worst case scenario? Ask for another account. Sometimes it is an account-specific, computer-specific problem, almost like putting the wrong size tape in a tape player.
imaging
(Single) contiguous (axial) image was obtained from base of the skull to the vertex without (intravenous) IV contrast.
Not really sure about the word single and axial in this sentence.
imaging
They can do a single axial image but it is not as effective as doing contiguous axial images.
don't see the problem: if the 10 centers
are nice and easy to work with and for, I would go for them unless they are all in their 90's. Now if they paid 8.5 cpl and were nice and the 10 cpl were hard to do, that would be a problem.
Those Customer Service Centers
You have to do what I do. Sometimes if I call and I can't understand a word the service rep is saying to me (after telling me his name is Paul), I ask them to send me back to an office in the United States. They generally don't know what to say at that point because they have no scripted answer to that type of question. It gets your point across without having to resort to nastiness (not implying that you were in any way), which I used to resort to and you have stumped them to the point where they generally will return you to the main office which is in the U.S.
Take care and good luck with the doctor.
Offshore call centers
Why did you even have a discussion with him? Just because his communication skills were good? It could be his sister who is taking an MT position away from one of our sisters! Geesh, don't you people get it??!! Just politely insist that you speak to a rep. in the US and stick to your guns until you are connected with one.
LVN(LPN) or imaging tech. sm
I don't know anything about medical assistant, but the LVN (licensed vocational nurse) program can be obtained at a local community college in sometimes only 12 months. The only bad thing is, almost the only jobs a new LVN/LPN can get any more are in nursing homes, as most of the patient care is now done by CNAs (aides) and most hospitals require RNs now, which is at least a three-year program at community college.
You might want to look into becoming an imaging technician, which is also a community college program, I think it takes two years but not sure--and be trained and licensed to perform scans, IVPs, radiology, etc.
How about imaging tech? nm
.....
Any medical centers in hurricane area need help?
How can we find out and how can we help?
Something doesn't sound right, here. Testing centers
nm
Ctrl+E centers the line or whole paragraph. nm
xx
not sure about you, but we have several wild animal care and education centers...
The best way to start is to volunteer.
We have like Messinger Woods and Hawk Creek around here, like animal sanctuaries, where they have owls, eagles, deer, all sort of animals they need to take care of. You can always visit one and ask questions. I would love that, too, only I can not get my boyfriend interested. I would love to even volunteer.
Sounds funny, but what about a zoo...same thing, you can volunteer at first, see if you like it, and I believe those positions offer decent pay...?
No quota. Visalia Imaging Center. (nm)
dd
Hard to believe sonography & imaging tech jobs are
I look on some of the job websites for my state, and there appear to be a lot more jobs than MT jobs. And the pay is better, too - around $42-52K.
Mortuaries, nahhh. I also think the whole funeral industry is a ripoff. Nursing is overworked and underpaid for what they have to know, (much like MT). Even if I wanted a teaching credential (which I don't), I'd have a lot more than 2 years of college ahead of me, especially considering all the courses I didn't take in high school, especially math. One of my sisters got a teaching credential (mainly as a fallback job, though she only taught a few elementary summer-school programs), and she had to have her master's in education in order to be credentialled.
What other sorts of things might an MT do well at? Also, an MT who is close to 60, so doesn't have 8 years to go to night school, and can't afford expensive tuition? I don't think I'm meticulous and detail-oriented enough to be a lab or pharmacy assistant, and the old back won't take kindly to a job that involves a lot of standing all day. Being equally up and down is best for me, and sitting is 2nd-best. Standing is the worst.
I've explored coding, but after being an MT, I just don't trust any clerical jobs in healthcare anymore. I'm sure they'll find a way to automate or offshore coding, just as they've done with MT. If I'm going to endure several years of night school, I want something that is more recession proof and can't be offshored as easily.
Interestingly, right now there are quite a few State MT jobs available near where I live, (such as for state mental hospitals and the prison system), but with all the layoffs, budget messes and furloughs, there's no way I'm going to take a State job and then sweat it every July when they can't balance the budget.
It's all sooo frustrating! When I fell into MT back in 1974, it was a perfect fit, after I'd bounced from office job to office job for many years before that. I like typing, and like working with words. (Sigh - if only I had the next 'Harry Potter'-like novel inside my head, waiting to be written.......)
You can check the web sites of the major heart centers in the US, too, like Deborah in New Jersey,
,
Radiology transcription, what type of reports are considered radiology
I have lot of experience with everything and I would like to know what exactly is considered radiology so I know if I qualify for that type of work? I've had many types that I think qualify for radiology.
What does VPN stand for?
What does it do?
what does DH stand for? nm
...
Oh right, THAT would stand up. nm
v
What does HOH stand for? sm
I don't watch Big Brother, but have seen many postings and all I can think of is house of horrors, lol.
What does ME stand for?
x
?what does DEP stand for?
What does DEP stand for?
So, is DEP different from DQS?
LSU what does is stand for?
What does OTI stand for and where is it??
NM
I think it may stand for ....sm
Anti-American at times!
Ah, I can't stand that either. (sm)
You can tell him a few things.
1. When God passed out the humility, he sure passed you by. (He sure is humble, isn't he?)
2. You should only talk to people about your religion if you are asked.
3. And God sent you here today to judge me.
4. Is that all your church does it collect money and tell you to judge people?
What does OP stand for? Thanks. sm
I mean, when it is used to refer to a person on the board, like an OP asking a question, etc.
What does DH stand for?
I'm assuming it's _______husband, but is it dumb, dear or ________?
what does DH stand for?
x
I can't stand it any more! :)
I have sat here in my little chair and quietly typed all day without a peep of protest. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, I can hear the river tide, and....and....and......I have to get outta here! Just for a few minutes, I'm going to go dip my toes, catch a couple rays of sunshine, and watch the kids play. Actually, I think I'm going to play with them!
Come on, guys, let's go play!
What does q.a.c. stand for?
x
Try a lap stand.
I have an adjustable plastic lap stand made by Targus that I use. It keeps the laptop from burning in thighs and allows the air to circulate underneath the laptop to keep it cool. I think I bought it at Office Max.
BOS - what does this stand for
been seeing it for months and i have no clue what u are referring to.
What does AIR stand for?
I saw this in a job ad. They're looking for Cardiology, Radiology and AIR transcriptionists. ???
I, for one, stand with you.
x
We need to stand up for ourselves
because we keep making less money. But how do we do that?
I stand my ground. sm
There are too many other jobs out there to stay you are stuck in this one. I do dare to say this because I know this.
Think about it. Would you stay in a "crappy" marriage because there are no other guys out there? Gimme a break.
But, hey, if I'm over the line (as you said), that's cool. Not like I've never been there before.
I will say this, however. I like my job. Not LOVE, but like. That's the reason I do it. If I did not, I'd get out. Period.
I stand corrected........................ think
maybe that's one of the AAMT adjustments?
I stand corrected
but what does MTSO stand for?
z
I stand behind my statement and there has been
documentation to support it, but this is a free country and I certainly won't condemn anyone for being a member, I just never would and would never recommend it.
I don't advocate any curriculum - I detest Abeka, but the websites I have given are a good place to start for anyone who is just feeling things out. They can ask any questions and get feedback from multiple people, explore various curriculums, buy new or used, find others in their community who homeschool, find support groups, etc. Rainbow Resource has just about everything ever created as far as curriculum, including what is commonly called boxed curriculum like Abeka or BJU where you buy every subject and the TMs, but also allows you to pick and choose. I personally write my own curriculum now, but I used various curriculums and various modalities of homeschooling over the years. There are many different forms of homeschooling too, from a principal approach to the unschooling approach and many others in between. No one curriculum or modality works for everyone and one of the many joys of homeschooling is having the freedom to use whatever works best for your family.
I am not a secular homeschooler, but there are those that are and I would want them to be able to get the support they need and not feel isolated because they don't share the same belief system that I do.
I couldn't stand it with a
I had a good deal too, free rent, worked at home, vacations to where ever and whenever I wanted, limos and NYC every weekend, could pack up and go back to work at my mom's for 1 or 2 months at a time for my "family" fix. I just couldn't keep doing it. I packed up, came home and last week my GD turned as she walked from my front door to look at me and say, "Bye, Nammy! I Love You!" I got a better deal after all
Heck I am an IC and can't stand it
I was told when considering the position that they wanted someone who could work at least 30 but closer to 40 hours since they had a lot of work. I thought about it, and decided to do it, and placed my 2 little ones in daycare. I have since adjusted my schedule so that one is in only 2 days per wk, and the other goes 5 days but abbreviated hours -but, I still have to pay the weekly rate plus the full day drop in rate for the other one. Not a problem if there is a lot of work.
About a month ago, it slowed down and we were told that it would pick up soon, as one MT was leaving and we were getting a new account. I feel like we are fighting each other for scraps, as the volume has not increased and all of the new hires (I was the first in a hiring wave) are picking up speed as they get better on the accounts. I can see from the company's standpoint where it is better to have MTs running out of work than to be behind on TAT, but its a balance, because some people are willing to walk away from a job if lack of work goes on long enough.
I honestly would prefer fewer hours and if I were not paying for daycare, I would be happy to cut back, but I just know if I pull my kids out, the long awaited glut of work will finally arrive and I will have to pull all nighters. I AM getting ready to do this anyway. The extra money helps us out, but mostly it is going into savings.
It has to totally suck to be an employee and be required to sit there. I at least can get tired of checking for work that is not there and decide to go run errands. Even as a waitress, I got minimum wage if I had no sales for my shift, and the managers were wise enough to cut some people free for the night if business was slow.
Good luck to you in your situation.
Can't stand the thought of doing that. sm
My boys and their girlfriends all have their tongues pierced. It's so gross. My oldest boy passed out when he had his done and later took it out. Now he is into tattoos. I pierced my own ears and that was enough. I get needles every month for lab work. Forget the body piercing. On another note, with the way the kids and even adults are all into the body image thing, imagine what the staff will be saying when they are all in nursing homes, hospitals, etc, being taken care of by others.
I stand corrected.
o
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