Re: Shorthand/DQS - I put this on the tech board, no reply, thought I'd try here.(sm)

Well, I guess I'm going to be using the DQS soon and the word Expander I use currently (Smartype) is not compatible.  Since the expander is empty in DQS (other than the headings) I'm looking to get an expander that is compatible.  I believe I saw Shorthand listed somewhere here as working well.  How do you like it?  Is it hard or easy to use?  If not Shorthand, what else works and is reasonably priced?  I'm dreading the switch because it's "hard to teach an old dog new tricks" and so I want to make it as easy on myself as possible.  Any input is greatly appreciated.

• Re: Shorthand/DQS - I put this on the tech board, no reply, thought I'd try here.(sm) - quietmoods
  • Have you asked Tech support - NB
  • I use Shorthand with DQS - Shorthander
  • DQS already has an expander built in (sm) - DQS too
    • Thanks for your responses (sm) - quietmoods

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nm

I would like to respond to a post about new job listings on the company board.  Yes, it seems the same companies continually post want ads for MTs and yes it seems like these companies in question do indeed have revolving doors, but please do not blame the MTs or complain about them speaking their minds on the board. 

I left a very good MT job because of a paycheck that was returned for insufficient funds.  I say "good" because I loved the accounts and for the most part I was content until the pay incident.  It took me nearly a year to find what I had given up.  I applied for and accepted many jobs advertised here only to be very disappointed.  I asked questions up front before accepting and for the most part the companies lie to get you in the door. 

First company gave promises of working whenever I wanted.  Said there was always work.  That turned out to be nothing but "BS."  There was never any work unless I wanted to work overnight. 

I had two job offers at the same time soon after that and I accepted the one that promised 8 cents a line.  Well I never saw 8 cents a line.  Once again it was a sham.  First off they only allowed you to type a total of 9 reports a day until off hold.  You never get off hold (months) because no two QA people QA by the same standards.  They claimed to follow the Book of Style, yet faulted you for typing things as demonstrated in the Book of Style.  Once my paycheck was over a week late and I had contacted payroll 3 times and received no response.  Another time I was cheated out of pay (60+ lines) I informed payroll and they never responded nor did they ever pay me for it.  The final straws – one day I had called for work – by the way most times there wasn't any because the pool was dry, once again you gave a schedule as to when you wanted to work – yet work was rarely there – anyway there was a smart remark about still being on hold.  I have never been on hold more than 2 weeks with any other job in the past so it wasn't me.  I followed the Book of Style – seems like some QA people have never opened the book!  They only ever checked the ESL reports – horrible dictators by the way – what about all the other perfect ones?  I'm sorry but you can only do so much with bad dictators.  And when the company fails to pay on time I don't feel obligated to go that extra mile to leave zero blanks with and ESL doctor who makes my ears bleed!  Last but not least I received a paycheck without a signature.  Yep!  I reported it ASAP.  Big surprise no one in payroll that day.  They didn't overnight me a new signed check either.  I had to mail the check back and wait another week for it to be returned with a signature on it.  I left.  There was no advancing in h e double hockey sticks. 

There was another job that I tried while this mess was evolving.  I asked up front what type of platform they used because I dislike Emdat and Inscribe.  The person who hired me wouldn't say what it was but that I would love it.  Well, it was indeed Inscribe.  Also the contract stated I would be paid for spaces – I used my own counting software and discovered I was not being paid for spaces.  There was also a charge for typos in the demographics and according to my line counter the company didn't seem to be paying for the demographics as it was.  How can you fine someone for typing something incorrectly that she is not being paid for in the first place?  With this particular job I also asked up front "Would I have my own accounts?"  I was told yes.  Nope it was a typing pool. 

Moral of the story . . . if you don’t want MTs to complain about these jobs then please do not lie to them!  Pay them on time and treat them right.  I have found I cannot make money on a majority of the platforms out there.  MS Word is the only way to go for me.  I also thrive on my own accounts so please . . . when we ask if we will be assigned our own group of doctors again do not lie to us.  A typing pool is not what I consider to be my own account!

Thank you and good night.

Can't you import dictionaries?  What about downloading the free dictionaries that are available around the 'Net?  Does Speedtype use the .SPF dictionary files that Shorthand does?  You can download a free 30-day trial of Shorthand to see if it's the same as Speedtype.

http://www65.pair.com/lim/shorthand/

;yo = -year-old

;py= -pack-year

etc...

I need opinions please...I work on a very small account with just a handful of ladies.  Because of the nature of the software (trying not to get too specific here) we can see who is working online and what reports they are working on in real-time...

We have one cherrypicker on the account.  Instead of using FIFO method, she retrieves the reports by author ID - usually picking the better dictators of course.  She knows I busted her and she did admit to it in on our work e-mail (not too bright) which I am saving just in case she gets out of hand - so far I'm still able to make money since really most of the dictators aren't bad. 

But every night it's starting to wear on me since she's screwing up turnaround time.  I don't really want to cause a big uproar being that it is such a small account and I need to work with her almost every night usually one on one.

What would you all do?  I want to handle this as delicate and professional as possible because we can't really afford to lose anyone on this account.  In other words, I refuse to stoop to her level by cherrypicking right back.

My boss has asked me several times why so-and-so does so much more than I do...I just bite my lip at that point but one of these days I think I might explode and just open up a can of worms....

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone had any info on Med-Tech in Lousiana. I didn't see any good or bad in the archives. Thanks!

Jen

Hi Bobbie,

Thanks for your input. Their schedule didn't work for me anyway-they were going to hire me without even doing an interview! I hope you had better luck in whatever you chose next.

Jen

I got a LinkSys router at Wal-Mart and with tech help, I got my Vista computer and other computer going at the same time; however, I unplugged the cable from the phone jack one night, as it was storming, and could not get both computers back on line after that.  I actually have returned the router and doing without for now.

I would like your experiences and any help that you could give me. I have used cable router before, but not for phone line -- DSL.  Thanks.

maybe posted this on wrong board earlier:

I have a daughter vet in another state that would like me to transcribe her work.  Is there is way to do this via digital and/or a call-in dictation system without going through an MTSO?  Any suggestions? I'd sure love to be able to do that for her!

I have heard MTs switching over to nursing, coding/billing, but has anyone else considered training for Radiology Technology.  I was considering this but found out the course work is very intense for 2-3 years while working in the hospital as an intern.  Can't do it now but still considering it in the future.  I hear the demand is only growing in this field and can't see it being outsourced.