THAT is when constructive feedback helps, not being a jerk about it.

• ** RANT!! ** I hate QA people! - Those who can, transcribe. Those who CAN'T, edi
  • Outsmart them - Cindy M
  • Turn down - Miss understood
  • to "rant on hating QA" - just an MT
  • Hey Einstein, you'd be out of a job with your plan. SM - what??
    • There must have been 2 fair to excellent MTs.. - Weren't you an MT once?
      • What will haappen when Dr says U made - mistake? Would love to see your attitude then.
      • Get your own accts. When approach Dr with - your attitude, wont have own acct for long. nm
      • If you work for MTSO, you usually dont have - access to the doctor. Get your own accts,please
    • I rather doubt that, but if that's what you - want to make yourself believe,
  • Define "whining" - me
    • They whine when I send them a blank, and tell me - I should've 'just sent it through'.
  • I, as well as many others here, understand your ... - sm
    • Here's the truth--SM - QA person
      • No one said you have to train them. You just have to grow up and be above the bullstuff. - A good QA
      • The above post proves my point. _sm_ - MTs who can, transcribe; those who CAN'T edit.
        • You CAN research what you "cant hear."Google - sentence with blank &will often fill in blank. nm
          • You said it - Cindy M
          • Do it all the time, honeybunch. - sheesh
            • "You can't look something up if you can't even - tell for sure what the word SOUNDS like.)"
              • You BET you can! sm - Lyndia
                • That's exactly how I - wvm
                • I do all that stuff too. But sometimes you just don't - get results.
                • Did you not read post about "you CAN - research.." You basically repeated that post.
              • Huh? -nm - missed your point
                • This is sentence I responded to about googling - sentece with blank to find what blank is. nm
      • Here's more truth for YOU ... - sm
  • Grain of salt - Tired&CrankyMT
    • Wait'll you've been in it for THREE decades, - THEN tell us ya still luv your QAers.
      • At 3 decades in, I'd more than likely - Tired&CrankyMT
        • I appreciate your post - Cindy M
        • I'm over the 3rd decade and counting - Thinking
          • Well over third decade and loving it - Thinking…again
      • you sound more than ready for retirement! - ;)
        • I've been wishing I could retire since I was still - in high school! ha ha
    • Although I understand the basic premise of your post ... - sm
      • I am on production too s/m - production QA
        • Nah, I'll bet most of you get paid - PER CORRECTION, the root of the problem.
          • U make no sense. If paid per correction, why - would we complain about multimistake jobs?
          • Nope. We get paid production too. Unfortunately, hourly QA is out the door. - A good QA
          • Learn what you speak of. Paid line count - here, just like MT. nm
            • So: it's ok for MTs to lose time/$ on researching, - but not for QAs to fill them in?
              • I get paid less to edit than to MT. I shouldnt - have to do MT research. How will MT learn?
                • If we've researched our brains out, and STILL - can't find the answer, if QA -sm
                  • Dont mean this situation. Mean repeat blanks, - correcting same mistakes over & over. nm
                    • THAT is when constructive feedback helps, not being a jerk about it. - A good QA
                      • Yeah, I'll bet some MTs with bad QAs reach the - point where they just tune them out,
                        • Could be...but if the lines of communicaton are not blurred with a negative QA, then you can have a - A good QA
                          • Of course. Unfortunately a good QA - is the exception, not the rule.
              • I think you should stop now. You s/m - production QA
                • Couldn't be anything NEAR how a 20-blank report - would hold up OUR production!
                  • If you dont try to fill in blank or research, dont - expect it holds you up at all. nm
                    • I don't recall saying I 'don't research' blanks. - In fact, the time we take to research
  • I edited MT with mistakes in template,told bout - them but she never bothered to fix them. nm
  • I'm tired of MTs who cannot SM - QA person
    • 20 or 30 blanks in a report is a NEWBIE. - That's a whole different thing.
    • This type of arrogance and presumption ... - sm
      • I have been on both sides and recently sm - Lyndia
        • EXACTLY! Constructive input is always welcome; - constant little put-downs are NOT.
      • I agree with this post. - I think that QA are not necessarily more skilled.
        • Right on. Here's another thing that really _sm_ - Those who can, transcribe, and who CAN'T, edit
          • I feel your pain, believe me... - I think you have every right to question these
    • Blanks in a report - I feel better now
      • I think sometimes it's the only way to get - one of the higher-ups to do -sm
    • I agree. When hear/research blank, it is SOOO - obvious they didnt even try. nm
  • They do seem to have a lot of rules. - I think their heads get a little swollen.
    • That's exactly what happens ... - sm
      • Not only that, but lots of MTs get a little - 'black mark' on their reviews
  • I'm sorry that you have crappy QA. I wish I had you to edit. sm - A good QA
    • I must say that you do indeed sound like you're one of the 'good guys'... - sm
      • Aw, thanks. I've been in the biz forEVER and in order to learn, you HAVE to be priased... - A good QA
        • People (& animals, too) will work harder to get - praised than they will to avoid a beating.
    • Mentors? - Curious
      • Definition here - Miss understood
      • Where I work it's the 'nice' name they give the - QA's. Sorta like 'sanitation engineers'.
      • At 1 co. was told I had mentor, never heard - from her, even when ?s. I didnt stay there long.

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu

providing commentary and suggestions on improving the MT's work process (i.e. 'hearing' ESL's better or maybe a more refined search process, etc.) in a professionally worded fashion.  Most times when an MT leaves a minefield of blanks in a report it's because he/she because of their lack of experience wasn't able to 'hear' what the dictator was saying. 

A true QA person of excellence can recall their own journey on the road of transcription, remember that type of frustration and lack of experience, and translate solutions and suggestions to the MT in a manner that the MT can draw upon that experience and going forward incorporate the QA's suggestions into their work process, correcting any deficiencies they may have in putting out a quality document without a lot of blanks.  

In the case of where you work, sometimes constructive feedback is as simple as just filling in the blanks.  You can use the document that's been returned to you as a sample for training your ear to better hear what that particular dictator is saying when you get him/her again.  In this way, you continue to improve and are more autonomous in the work that you do. 

I hope this helps. 

most MTs either don't read it or read and immediately send it to the recycle bin literally and figuratively.  So when I send feedback, it is basically a list of their errors, my corrections, and quoting chapter and verse from the BOS if necessary. 

Quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing MTs gripe.  I used to try to educate and mentor MTs, but it is a thankless job.  Someone below said that QA people try to insinuate their egos, but in my experience it is the MTs ego that is getting in the way.  So many MTs think they are "excellent MTs" and so many of them are not.  At one point, I decided to keep a running log of unacceptable errors that even the most remedial MT should not be making and start posting it here because I'm so sick of MTs posting that QA is unreasonable or big meanies.

So here is a very unacceptable mistake I've seen this morning and I've only been on the clock for an hour...

"pressure ulcer on the left heal"

Of course, when I sent feedback to this MT, she emailed me saying "ha ha, oh it's just a typo."  Problem was she did it repeatedly throughout the entire report -- not just once but every instance the dictator talked about the left heel ulcer, she typed "left heal ulcer."

Now, MTs, tell me that I'm not supposed to roll my eyes and be a little irritated that I had to spend fifteen minutes listening to her entire report because such a basic error sends up warning flags, when I should have just had to fill in her blanks.

What I don't understand is why you think they're not. People are stating the truth--the employer calls the shots, not the employee. Just because the truth isn't as comfortably "warm and fuzzy" as you want it to be, doesn't make it less true. It seems that this point is missed very frequently on this board and to try to convince this person that it is the employee who decides the working terms is both cruel and non-constructive. (There are so many cliches that I could use right now I'm not even going to start.)

There have been several posters who lament the loss of jobs to overseas competition but instead of laying blame at the feet of workers who want to call the shots, they instead try to blame the people who are hungry for jobs and are willing to work at getting and keeping jobs that are "too demanding", "too demaning", "not family-friendly" for US workers. Employers are also to blame when their biggest concern is the bottom line and not upholding the society that allowed them to become employers in the first place.

A very good book to read for more on this subject is The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. It is a long book but if you're really interested in understanding what is going on in the world today and being prepared for the reality of tomorrow, it's worth the read. Of course, it also requires a mind willing to see the problems that both workers and employers have created.

You came here to whine and moan about QA and you wanted people to pat you on your head and said "poor little MT, you were right."  When you didn't get that, you started throwing a tantrum and telling everyone what big 'ol meanies they are.

By your own admission, you have been an MT for three years.  You are in no way qualified to tell QA or the QA supervisor that you like or dislike changes made, account specs, or anything of the sort.  Your job is to type according to the account specs and according to whatever other BOS rules QA imposes.  Like it or not, this is the job!  MTs are called upon to be flexible.  Personally, I abhor the BOS, but I like money, I need money to live and feed my kids, so if my employer says do by the BOS book, then that's what I'm gonna do.

I going to go out on a limb here and guess that since you said some of the mistakes you made were "stupid mistakes" you shouldn't have made, then you probably look inexperienced to QA and aren't going to be taken seriously when you complain.  When you've become a seasoned MT who makes very few mistakes and then want to complain, you might be taken a bit more seriously.

I have 20 years under my belt.  My last QA score (which happened to be yesterday) was 99.5% and that is my consistent score.  If one day I get a QA score say below 98%, then I may question it diplomatically.  I probably have more experience than the QA person proofing my work, but being condescending is not the way to go.  Here you are 3 years experience and you are condescending and go above your QA's head to her boss.  Good thing you're starting a new job, sounds like you're going to need it.

That's my 2 cents.

He's mad at me because he's off work for a week but I'm not.  He expects me to be available to him whenever he wants me to do something with him or for him.  (No, not that, silly.)  He wants me to work and make money, but not if it interferes with his plans for me.  He's turned into a real jerk lately. 

So I fail to see how "telling someone off" while hiding behind a monitor gives anyone any sense of empowerment, but to each his own.

When was the last time you linked to a website link and got the response "too many hits?"  It just looks all too contrived.  I have to admit that I did link there, but won't try it again.  Maybe he's just getting a big kick out of the attention this is bringing, and our resultant frustration.  Now, I will be running my Spyware and deleting any new cookies that are found.

Does anybody know anything good or bad about this company?  I am looking for a good MT employment position, and I have been burned before (by Voice Systems--they don't pay!). 

e-MTS (Electronic Medical Transcription Services
Contact: Recruiter
2836 N. University Dr., Coral Springs, Florida 78065
jobs4mts@yahoo.com
Telephone: ., Fax: .

Well, I just got offered a statutory position at MDI-MD, but the huge packet of policies, acceptable acronymns & abbreviations, etc. (8 attachments!) plus having to set up a specific testing time with proprietary equipment and specific tech help is a bit daunting, not to mention having to submit a schedule 2 months in advance!

I have satellite as my only option, so that limited my choices of accounts, too.  I am apparently going to get an account with a high percentage of ESL dictators.   .  I can't TELL you how tired I am of thick accents and having to edit the grammar of ESL dictators. 

In addition, I must learn to use their BayScribe with its own word Expander instead of being able to use Word with Smartype. 

Is this all worth it? 

I would appreciate any feedback, good or bad (hopefully with details) on MDI-MD. 

Talking about teens. I heard on the radio the other day that some teenager, I don't know the age skipped school so the father made a sign that said I skipped school and my father is making me stand here.  He made her stand on high traffic road for 30 minutes.   Most callers said they applauded him.  

I feel better that I am not the only.   I starting to think that she is getting cold feet about going on to college. 

I've checked in with my LT colleagues, and they're echoing what you are saying as well. I'm considering it a gross error and landing those applicants in my Delete box.

Thanks!!

on my job situation at the current time.  I underwent major foot surgery (right foot) on 04/10/07.  I was off on surgical leave from then until 07/16/07.  My doctor did not want to release me back to work until 07/16/07, but my FMLA ran out on 07/02/07.  My place of employment gave me the run around about extending my FMLA but they did.  I have been back to work transcribing (I am the supervisor and senior Transcriptionist at a local mental health facility) now since 07/16/07.  Every evening my foot swells so bad that I cannot sleep. It throbs and hurts. 

I asked if I could work just 4 hours a night for the next month to transition back.  My supervisor said she did not care; however, my HR person stated that it would affect my insurance, which is based on fulltime status. 

Here's the main problem.  There are rumors that they are going to get rid of in-house transcription (I have been here for 15 years).  They have already hired a service "to help us", etc. 

I would like to just work 4 hours a night, or maybe even have my doctor write me an excuse, but with having used all of my FMLA for the year, my job position is not secure, especially in light of what is going on. 

Here's the cincher, I have an FMLA person who calls off all the time, and she seems to be protected (insurance, etc.).  This woman is just dead weight in my department, but I can do nothing about it because she is protected under FMLA.  I had to use all of my 12 weeks of FMLA up at one time due to my surgery.  She takes hers here and there, and every pay period receives one day of PTO; so, her FMLA never seems to run out.  I am feeling as if I am being treated unfairly here.

I need insurance as does everyone, so I do not want to jeopardize my job position, but my foot is absolutely killing me.  Again, this was a major surgery and I do not want to mess my foot up working for these ding-dongs that do not seem to care, that I sit with my right foot up on my desk with a pillow underneath it and an ice pack on top of my foot, while I try to transcribe with my left foot. 

This is just utterly ridiculous - - any suggestions as to what I can do here! 

I'm tired, !@#%#% off, and just plan fed up.

All of your responses REALLY helped. I feel better about my decision to move on. I am not going to say anything to the PT office. I am looking for more acounts and aleady have interviews with 2 companies. I have learned a very valuable lesson - Be cautious and cover your back!        

Ok, so most of you put in 8, but also have a minimum line count that you can do plus some within your 8 hours.  Makes sense!

I don't have a minimum assigned to me per se.  If the work is heavy, they expect more.  If the work is slow, you can do less or take days off, etc.

I do get incentive pay for anything over 1200 lines a day (M-F average through pay period), but did not sign a contract to a set amount.

I think that is part of my issue as well.  It is open-ended, so I am not sure how much to give them as far as lines.

I want to go completely to pool work beginning in January and I greatly appreciate this.  I am just going to have to turn phone off, get my 8 in for the pool work company and call it a day!!

on the suggestion to slow down and listen ahead.  Not only do I have trouble doing it, but is seems fruitless, as so many of my dictators change their minds several times and other such nonsense. 

I would love to hear from those who have tried (or continue to make it work) and any suggestions or thoughts on it.

Thanks! 

I don't think the original posted so I am going again. Sorry if it posted twice.

I am new to being an MT and have only worked for 9 months now. I absolutely love this job, but I am falling out of love with the small company that I work for. I have little to no support and it is not uncommon to even get a response within the week. My work is dwindling and so is my paycheck. It is all very disorganized and I have been lost in the shuffle.

I work hard and am good at what I do. I am very accurate and am getting faster. I am just lost at what I should do next. I need more income than this and I may be very independent, but a little support would be nice.

I guess the point of this post is to get some feedback on my next step.

Should I stick it out with the company to get more experience time before I start looking elsewhere?

Since I have never worked for any other company, what type of company is the preference for most MTs? Large or small? IC or employee?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations on a good place to start looking?

Thank you so much!