The problem with this field today is that those in charge are clueless.
Posted By: MSMT on 2007-04-22
In Reply to:
They are only interested in TAT, not quality. People who have some useless initials behind their name and they're the ones who make the decisions that affect all of us. They have no idea what is correct and what isn't. As long as the reports get done and in the chart that's good enough for them. They have their cushy jobs and tons of money and us going crippled for slave wages and all is good with their world. Things will only get worse, and I doubt they'll get better. I am trying to think of other options. Don't have any idea what, but I can't take this abuse anymore.
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Charge what the credit card companies charge when they don't get paid on time!!!!
Audio hour charge - what is fair rate to charge company?
clueless
No, they sure don't. But then again, I have to remember doing this on a typewriter........ then I would have had to do the whole thing over instead of just going back and editing. Small comfort anyway :)
sorry for being clueless here but
where are you guys seeing where all the MT week prizes are?
Clueless
I think you are right - the MD's in a hospital setting very well may not know who/where there dictations are going to as it is the hospital's decision to contract with a company.
If a patient sits down to check in at hospital and is presented with a release/consent form to sign stating that they agree to have their medical record information sent overseas, THEN you will see results.
I have a letter in the works to my state senators. I don't know who else to send it to. The news media? The whole thing makes me sick.
I am paying for services rendered when I go for medical treatment and the last thing I want to do is contribute to the wealth of an offshore transcription company to have access to my information and potentially screw up my report because they don't understand the nuances of the English language. How many doctors sign off on reports without reading them? That's a whole different thread, and that particular topic makes me absolutely crazy!
clueless
Absolutely, its happening in my office also. I have been there for 4 years, from the beginning. I set up the dictation system, worked with IT, MDs etc to make this work correctly. Then set up the transcriptionists with a global pool. The most of the work was done in 24 to 36. Now, new girl wants to reinvent the wheel.. going back to one person at each facility... Then, good portion of the work is given to an IC. I had to release most of my part time coverage because of internal issues, but of course its all due to transcription. I am so sick of hearing this. My job is done when the doc signs off on the report. What happens in the file room is another story. Reports not faxed to MD or copies in the charts.
What I really wanted to tell the OM is to sit and do my job for the day, take the dozens of calls because your help can't use a computer to located something and try to produce quality work.
Loyalty can only go so far..I may have to jump ship soon.
clueless
Maybe someone can help me figure out exactly what my employer is asking for here -- because I certainly can't seem to wrap my brain around it. I work for an EXTREMELY busy cardiologist who is, quite frankly, quite spoiled (more than the norm) and bascially wants to be spoon-fed everything. As it stands now, he doesn't dictate anything at all; he writes everything down (or his nurse does) and I transcribe from written copy. However, he has received several complaints from lots of different sources regarding horrible handwriting, and he has come up with what he thinks is the bright idea of having someone follow him around - everywhere - with a laptop to record everything he says, freeing him from having to write down anything. Now, in our main clinic and satellite cllinics, I can see this as doable; we have laptops in each exam room with SOAPWARE installed, an electronic patient record system. I can see him having someone in there to do this as he speaks. But he isn't wanting to stop there. He wants someone to follow him as he makes his rounds at the hospital, sees patients in the ER, etc., and I cannot figure out how this can be practical. It seems like he wants to dictate, right? That's what it logically sounds like. I suggested this. No, no, he says. That will cause a "delay". What??? How would following him around with a laptop be any better, when you figure that you still have to dock someplace to print it off and give it to the hospital staff. It makes me tired to even think about trying to follow this hyper physician around 18 hours a day (which is what he would expect). I think the man is crazy, to be honest. But I'm wondering, has anyone known of any physician to take on such an endeavor as this? I just can't seem to grasp the whole idea of what he wants, and I can't hold him still long enough to get him to really explain himself. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance
clueless
You're so right on the money! A personal assistant DOES seem to be what he wants. I suggested the hand held digital recorder to him but in his own mind it's not the same thing (when all of us know that it really would be). yes, he's quite spoiled.
Doubt you can charge 15 cpl for VR work to the docs - you can't even charge them 12 for straight
x
Clueless but not completely
I’m somewhat clueless and really don’t know what to do. I have over 5 years of distant (1973-1978) orthopedic experience, before MT was a hot item and have been working as an IC for one person for 2.5 years, doing mainly Urology and Urology-related Radiology. I have not had formal MT training. In reading all these board messages I don’t totally get it, i.e. Acute care, what is it? I just found out what the Basic 4 are. I feel like a moron even though I know I’m not. Nonetheless, I’m not getting enough work, have submitted a few resumes to a few sites. Am wondering if I need to get formal training/certification. I was lucky to get what I did without the certification, but I’m ready to go further in terms of specialities, OP reports, consultations, etc. But, I am apprehensive about the whole enchilada. Is anyone out there who has been in my shoes? Any advice and/or recommendations would be appreciated.
Laptops - I am clueless!
Sorry if this is a really dumb question but are all laptops equipped for headsets and foot pedals? I hate all my wires and am considering going with a laptop and wireless connection to do my work but I'm not sure if you can plug in your foot pedal and headset? 
I am so clueless about DVI, C-phone,
I see an ad for work and he is requiring a DVI or c-phone. I have worked on a Lanier before but can't tell you what model. Does it even matter. I bought a DVI system from transcriptiongear.com and had to return it. It was not compatible with what the company was looking for. Can anyone shed some light on this. I am thinking if I purchased the Lanier it will work for whatever situation, but not sure if the model matters. Also, how is it different from DVI or C-phone?
TIA.
Another clueless statement made.
There are LOTS of MTs out that there will say ANYTHING and promise ANYTHING until the time comes to get the work done.
References are generally used for employee situations and the company will only be given information on people who will give a favorable reference.
In business, the customer comes first. Any IC worth anything will understand that and make sure that their customer (the company) is happy; otherwise, they won't have customers.
Silly you.
Thanks everyone for your help. I am wanting to go wireless and am clueless.
nm
They're clueless about tense
I want to know how anybody with such a pathetic grasp of sentence structure can make it through med school?!!?!? Appears they've never heard of the word "an", hence "a" enema, "a" 8-French catheter, etc.. Never make the tense or verb agree. They spell words that are new to them but I've typed a thousand times. They whisper, mumble and drop syllables. But they all spell out 'n-o NO" every time they use it (unless that syllable gets dropped).
And the women - 3/4 of them apologize at least once a sentence whether they make a mistake or not! "The patient had - I'm sorry - the patient had a history of diabetes - I'm sorry, the patient had a history of diabetes mellitus". ARRGH!
One chick in particular I just want to shake until her teeth rattle - ESL, she speaks until her breath runs out, takes a deep breath, and does it again, putting the wrong stress on syllables for even the most normal words "dem ON strate" for "DEM on strate" - and every dang time she dictates multiple views "axial T2, axial T1, etc.' - says "was" performed, not "were". At least a couple times a day I catch myself yelling "its PLEURAL you stupid @)$(#)*!". Oh, for 5 minutes alone with her to beat it into her head, that's all I ask!!!
Happened to me too -- won't let me post, even after I entered the address. I am clueless. :( n
x
you don't have to charge $60/HR - all you have to do is charge a good rate and then..
work smart, not hard. If you have a great dictator, charge him 14 cpl on a 65 char gross line, then set up your templates and word expanders, you can make $80/hr. But you need all three to work together, otherwise you might only be making $60/hr. Some people are just really good at what they do - shouldn't they make more if they are more productive?
I'd still charge by line, just charge a lower
rate, like maybe 8 cpl. Do you have to pickup and deliver work? You could also setup a one-month contract until you see how it goes and then you can figure out the best way to charge and go from there. You could also charge a flat rate per page and keep it fairly low.
One office I charge .12, another I charge $2.25 page--nm
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HELP with Shorthand. Suddenly today when I tried to start work today.sm
my ShortHand would type only the first letter of an expansion and then take all the letters away! I checked and the Type It button is grayed out! I have restarted the computer and looked on the Shorthand Help menu but can find nothing that applies. Can anyone please help me ASAP? I am lost without it! TIA
Perhaps you are right. This one is dated today. The original article was on Yahoo today also with
But this article states it would only affect new customers right now. So I am upset over nothing. I went through heck with BellSouth when they charged me a surcharge of an extra 50 a month and then would write a letter saying I had to switch to a long distance service and pay by the minute because of my "excessive" use. They told me the unlimited charge was for an average of an hour a day not somebody who worked out of their home and I needed to switch a business plan at over 200 a month charge. I switched over to cable because of that and then to read that cable was going to charging on a per use fee and not a flat monthly fee it upset me. It is the nature of our work, VR, only paying for VBC, having headers and footers taken away, now being charged for being on line, etc. It just seems that everything is done to keep to insure less money.
Blasted cold out today. It was 104 degrees last week, but it's 40 degrees today with rain.
However, I do like cozy days like today when I don't have to go anywhere. I'm done working, the house is clean, there's chili on the stove for dinner already, and I'm just putzing around. I think I'll go bake some jalapeno cheese bread to go with the chili.
Not new to the field either. Been there and seen it. (sm)
However, routing is NOT ALWAYS the only problem. Times when bonuses are out show a vast difference in dictators that are left to type and number sequence of the jobs. There are some who do cherry pick and return these jobs to pool. In a smaller hospital setting this was not so prominent because others could see it, print out a report and show the boss who would address it in one way or another.
Unfortunately, we are such big organizations now and the people in the digital rooms are just worried about keeping TAT that they don't care who does it as long as it gets done.
Then world is not a perfect place and you cannot be pleasant and assume good things will happen always. People do cheat, people do send back reports they don't make good money on.
It certainly is not the company I am distressed about, it is the few (or I assume just a few) little prima donnas who are doing this "me, me, me" thing. You can choose your company, you just can't choose your co-workers.
Until a wand comes down from the Heaven's and casts a Pollyana spell on all of us, I don't think your new attitude idea will work.
are you new to this field or are you just
uninformed? A few months back, the AAMT subject was brought up on this board. One single question was asked: What has the AAMT done to help improve the pay and overall career for the American MT? After days, I don't think there was one, single positive post to that question. Oh, yes for sure, there was a lot of "spin" but not one direct positive answer. Do you know something we don't? If so, could you please share it with us?
Welcome to the field!
I've been in the field for about 22 years. Stedmans Words Books are a great resource and easy to use. Google words when you get stuck and best of luck!!! Stay away from Amherst....
another field
I often think about another field as I am tired of transcribing (going on 9 years now) and then there is asking my PS questions and its like pulling teeth to get an answer because honestly I don't think she knows and also not feeling like I'm being pay for what I feel is a hard day's work. So maybe for me something in the beauty industry like esthetician where your also providing a service for people that want to feel good about themselves.
What field? (nm)
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how best to get into the field
Hello. I am reading the messages about certification, AHDI, AAMT, etc and see that you have a very reasonable message. My sister wants to get into the MT field and I want to help her as much as I can. What would you recommend in today's employment outlook, for her to do to pursue this? I was steering her towards accredited schooling and the RMT or CMT, but after reading this Board, I am now very confused!
I'm currently looking to get out of the MT field too
I can see it going down hill really quick and it worries me. I don't know what I will do if MTing isnt around even long enough for me to get out of the field first. I wouldn't just go get any job though. I would need to go to school for something so I can make sure I would be making more money than I do now and have better insurance and benefits. I would love a job where I could just work 8 hours a day. Some days I sit here from 8 am to 8 pm or later just to get enough lines in to pay my bills. It sucks and I'm sick of doing it.
I'm currently looking to get out of the MT field too
I can see it going down hill really quick and it worries me. I don't know what I will do if MTing isnt around even long enough for me to get out of the field first. I wouldn't just go get any job though. I would need to go to school for something so I can make sure I would be making more money than I do now and have better insurance and benefits. I would love a job where I could just work 8 hours a day. Some days I sit here from 8 am to 8 pm or later just to get enough lines in to pay my bills. It sucks and I'm sick of doing it.
I don't know if any particular field is more difficult
than the next, if all you do is type one speciality. I think ER and Psych are mentally hard because with ER a lot of the patients die and it is depressing and then psych is depressing because of the severe dysfunction of the patients and/or their families. Oncology can be depressing too cause outcomes are not always great and like the previous poster said frequent new meds.
I used to transcribe for a teaching hospital connected to a medical school and that dictation was very hard, much more technical than your normal hospital, lots more dictators too and a new crop every July.
I wish I had read this BEFORE getting in the field
It may have been great once, but it looks like dog meat now.
Returning to MT field
I went through a training program and then worked one year for a national - Spheris. Had some health issues (and a young son paying daycare for) so gave my notice and got done. That was several years ago. My son is now in kindergarten and want to do medical transcription again.
What is IC and how does that work? Do all nationals have this? How does part time work for most of these companies?
Any hints on brushing up on my skills before I return.
Thank you for your help,
Hopeful MT
But you have to look deep down within you and ask why you are even in this field and
why being an SE is so important to you? To be honest, I've been an MT for quite a while and an SE MT for MQ for over 6 years now. The flexibility has been, well, too good to be true. I, too, can say that I haven't been a perfect MT because I havent keep to my "schedule" even though I have on as an SE. I just pretty much come and go as I please. Can you honestly say you do the same with your company? And are you with MQ? Well, that is just not really fair to them, if you really want to dig down and get honest here. They need to know that their clients will be covered all around the clock and their SEs just really are not consistent and I think all companies need consistency. It's funny, I am in the process of looking for another job, and have interviewed with quite a few folks and once they decide they want me - it's all about - hours, hours, hours. When can you work, what time of day can you start, can you work weekends, can we have that in writing?
Ok, I just had an ENTIRE post of great advice on 401 K programs for part-timers and it got deleted in this very post! That stinks!!!!!
Bottom line is: If you are an SE MT you have nothing invested and when you want to retire you will have nothing. It is sad. No one in my family who is retired or going to be retired have 401 KS and they will be living off the govt. or me, or other working family members. I don't want to be them in 20-30 years. Don't count on Social Security ladies! (and gents).
My husband works for a large corporation and they project when he retires (they send us followups monthly) that when he retires we will be millionares. Well, that sounds great, but what if leaves me for another woman? It happens everyday. And then where will that leave me and my kids? We are devout Christians and I know he is committed, but you just never know. I've seen church members leave their spouses before. I ain't takin the chance! Hence, I will seriously consider investing in 401 as a part time employee (first time in my life) just so that I can have some kind of cushion when I retire, even if its just 30, 40, or 50,000! Hey, if MQ is willing to match earnings, etc, why not? Why just take them for a paycheck? You should seriously, seriously consider all your options if you are an SE, which is what I am right now, and start protecting your future. Especially if you are stay at home mom with little kids. I am a Christian and I feel really led to start doing this. Don't just transcribe your little heart out so that in 20 years you have nothing to show for it.
SE is GREAT for flexibility. But it is NOT a great long-term thing to do to ourselves.
For PT MQers to qualify for 401 k, you have to work a minimum of 1,000 hours a year. You figure out the math. I don't have the time right now! Keep on keeping on girls.
45 yof, MT 10+ yrs, med field 20 yrs Alabama nm
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Use F11 to jump to each field (nm)
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Have not in MT field, but in other fields
and how many of us women are the sole support of our families? Many...
Me too! Too much uncertainty in the MT field...sm
and too much potential in nursing. I have a small MTSO and since I'm getting a salary and can set a flexible schedule, I'm getting my BSN. Our state college only has a full time program. 1000 people applied and 70 got in. If you didn't have a 3.50, you didn't get in. The curricula is incredibly tough. I'm pretty smart but this is very challenging. Yet I am finding out I love the challenges too. Working as an MT is a definite plus. Everybody! comes to me to ask me how to spell things, including the instructors :) and I was the only person in the class who knew what a pheochromocytoma was. (I have lots of other medical background too including medical assistant, paramedic, etc. but listening to thousands of medical reports teaches you an immense amount.) Not to mention my charting is impeccable.
My main plan is to go on and get an Advanced Practice Nurse degree (master's) so I can work in primary care in the physicians' offices. Good luck to you. and Email me with any more questions.
Leaving MT field?
I feel for you and can understand all your concerns. I think there are areas out there with great demands like teaching, nursing (get your LPN or CNA to get started in the field), radiology technology or a shorter schooling experience would be for medical coding, though won't be surpised if technology takes that job away too! You can become a certified phlebotomist and get started in the lab work area. These areas are just the tip of the iceberg, but change can be done and is not impossible. Good luck!
esthetician field.
At least from what i've researched. Starting pay is enough to live on.
If you find out how to get into this field--
Would you mind sharing on this forum? I think it sounds interesting, but I don't know who you would contact, either.
Field Codes
Not sure if this is what you mean, but if you place field codes (CTRL + F9) in the appropriate places in your template, you can jump to them by pressing F11.
Field Codes - yes that's it...
thank you so much.
Long before I got into this field...
I was at an appointment with my GYN and he dictated right after the exam. When he was done, I asked him how anyone could understand what he just said and his reply was that they can just "slow it down". Now that I know better, I'm thinking, yeah right!
This is why our field is going downhill -
how to advance in the MT field ...
I am wondering what it takes to advance to another position in the MT field. I've been an MT for about 13 years, acute care for 12 of those years. I'm tired of typing and have done QA as well, but the pay is horrible. What does it take to move up the ladder to another position, such as MT supervisor or account manager? I'm just curious. I know there are probably many more qualified people than I out there for any such position, but curiosity has got me as to the general qualifications and average salaries of each. Anyone know? Thanks....
Looks like field of MT-ing is slowly
fading out. I have seen 3 MAJOR hospital transcription departments close due to outsourcing. I'm not going to sit around waiting until the place I now work decides to follow suit. I'm training right now for the field of broadcast captioning for the hearing impaired. Hear they make between $25-100/hour for captioning television shows and the company supplies your equipment. I should be able to pay my rent with that!
There are a lot of people in this field sm
who really are typists. They even refer to themselves that way. It is really abohorent. Just a little while doing QA as a fill in made me aware of this. I got the reports when there were blanks, but you would truly be amazed at what other stuff they were sending through, not flagged. It embarrassed me for our profession and the low hiring standards.
I have been in the field for a little over 8 years.
I have never been paid this way. I want to mention also I will paid for headers and footers.
Just because you go into this field to stay
home does not mean that you are not a professional at what you do. I get my work done. I get it done correctly. My kids were home with me. I am a professional MT whether or not you and I went into it for different reasons or not. It is the end result. People go into fields all the time for different reasons. That does not make one better than the other, and that is basically what you have said in your other posts. On the gab board, you did make the comment that we couldn't cut it in the real world and hold a job outside of the house. You say do not assume things about me, like not being a mother, yet you assume so much about others.
And, no, I'm not going to go back and read them because I do not feel like it. I know what you said though.
I also think the poster way above said it correctly when she said that Kimberly and others just come here for a little support and to vent. They are not expecting someone to figure out a way for them to get their work done for them, geez.
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