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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

There are lots of options out there.

Posted By: NJMT on 2005-12-30
In Reply to: new at transcribing - bd

Oh, I can relate. It took me 2 years before I made any money, wanted to give it up several times but stuck it out. Now I'm glad I did because working at home is worth all you have to go through in the beginning. Keep watching the job seekers board. You will eventually find something you like. One thing I love about this industry is there is a fit for everyone, if you don't have it now, you can find it. In any case, don't give up, MTs are hard to come by (the reason so many companies offer sign on bonuses). I worked as an IC for 10 years, loved it but had to go as an employee. Anyway, where I'm at doesn't quite cut it so I'm off to a new adventure with a new company. The bottom line is, you can find your dream job, just don't get discouraged in the hunt, but keep looking.


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I was surprised at options. I'm 58 and lots of jobs are paying more

For a long time MTing was a stable career (it transferred all acros the country) and a respected one.


Now it is a scam operation. 


There are jobs we never would have considered before because we thought we had valuable skills (typing speed, education, knowledge of medicine/drugs, dialects, computers).  But that value has been brought down to below burger-flipping pay.  In fact most days lately I would have been making more at Burger King.


That's why I say go LOOK.  You will be surprised that you can be paid more for "showing up" than for what you know.  SAD ISN'T IT.  But that's what's going on right now.


They scammed people into thinking "oh a stay-at-home highly paid job"  NOT.


They were taking your money to train you for 6 weeks or 6 months and telling you were qualified enough to do transcription from home without supervision BUT IN MOST CASES YOU CAN'T SO DON'T TRY - but in the meantime these fly by night MT training companies have your $2000 or whatever.  That's the scam.


If hospitals really wanted MTs they would do MT trainee programs.  That's how most of us learned.  The hospitals just got lazy and looked for the easy out which has cost them through the nose and along the way they lost control of the medical records to boot. 


Look around out there.  Don't keep letting these companies make millions off your road to bankruptcy.  And they can surely take you there while you are hanging on trying to make it work.  It's not going to.  The big suits are not going to let you make money - they are going to shuffle the way the money is divided and the most will go to them.  What used to be our benefits is now their profit.  It's really pretty simple.


BBQ, slaw, cornbread, ham, casseroles, lots of veggies, chicken pastry, lots of desserts!! BIG fami
.
Lots of inexpensive decorations at Big Lots. Had a party last year.
s
LOTS and LOTS of video tapes and DVDs.
x
Options
Ever try reducing your monthly bills by getting a different car with a lower car payment, perhaps a smaller house with a smaller mortgage, and so on? I see no sense of living like that? Do you really enjoy life? Try to take it easy on yourself and enjoy life.

This is just my advice - I know there is no way I could be happy working 3 full time jobs, but if you are then all the power to you. Best of luck in all you do!
there are so many options, but
I would like to work with women in prison, or even preteens in school, its hard to say this early in the game.  Maybe even research. The ultimate goal would be to have my own practice and office and work with people on handling anxiety and depression.  Cognitive therapy has helped me tremendously and its something I believe in.  Just help people's perspective on life, because I have been there before and its all about reprogramming the brain to positive and undo whatever it has learned (for the most part not our fault) in the past. 
Two options

I use the toggle feature (Alt-Tab) to quickly go to another open window, something I just learned recently.  But the best thing is to have Google as your home page.  I keep my home page closed, but use the Web/Home button on my Microsoft keyboard that opens it immediately and I can then just type in the word for search.  It's really fast.  Hope that helps!  The less mousing the better! 


I did try that, but i don't have the same options as you. sm
I don't have the MIDI Synth nor do i have an advanced under the volume to even mess with my bass/treble. thanks though!
Well, there's really only 2 options here.
Either find a daycamp for them during the day, or cut down your hours.

The only other thing I can suggest is for you to change WHEN you work...i.e. VERY early in the a.m. before the kids get up or late at night. You can split up your shift 4hrs a.m./4 hrs p.m.

Of course this means more discipline on your part, and probalby more fatigue as your days will be longer than usual but I've done it this way in the past and, for me, it was worth it, to be able to work and still have plenty of time to do things with the kids.
options
You can Google a search term like "transcription call-in system" and others that you are interested in and you should get some options to pop up.

I'd recommend Express Scribe (free download) that allows you to play dictation with a USB foot pedal and look into Express Dictate for your daughter's end. I only have experience with Express Scribe, not Express Dictate, but it looks like it may be something she could use to dictate with and then send it to you via the internet.
Go to Options...
Select Playback tab...
Last line under "Playback" section...
set "auto backstep on stop" to up to 5000 ms.

Other options
Maybe instead of doing medical transcription, you could look into doing corporate transcription. There's a company out of New York called Ubiqus (ubiqus.com) and what they do is record things like phone interviews and project presentatoins for corporations and then you transcribe them - I've done this in addition to my other job for about 5 years now - it's really easy work and the pay's not too bad. You might also check with your local police department or Sheriff's office to see if they need anyone to transcribe taped interviews with suspects or witnesses. If they alrady have a company doing this, find out who it is and see if you can get on there. You've already got the transcription skills and there are so many other things to do with them than just medical. I also agree with the poster that said just take a terminology course, buy yourself an American Drug Index (for reference) and then look locally. Believe it or not, there are still some doctors that are using microcassettes for dictation, so you can bring those home, do the transcription and then take the notes back. Good luck to you whatever you choose and good luck with the baby! =)
Here are a few options
http://sewelldirect.com/vga-switch-2-port_specs.asp?source=froogle&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cse

http://www.outletpc.com/c6414.html

http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Showitem&partno=80012&rsite=f.80012
options
Yes, you can try to get it yourself and it may be cheaper but you probably won't get the same coverage.

After our insurance went up (again) we decided to shop around to see what we could get. Yeah, we would've saved $$$ buying insurance ourselves but we would've had to go to a PPO with a huge deductible. It's just easier for us to keep the employer provided HMO since we have kids and you never know what happens or if we'll have the $$$ up front to go to the hosp.
fax options
You can set up the one in Windows, but your computer has to be on to receive a fax.

I highly recommend TrustFax. I've used it for years. It's reliable, you can get an 800 number, & it's very inexpensive.

This is the plan I use:

http://www.trustfax.com/trustfaxpoweruser.asp

They have others depending on your usage.



Wishing I had so many options!!
Boy do I wish I had the option of cable vs DSL vs dialup! The cable line ends 1,000 feet from our home and they will extend the line for a mere $10,000 (yes, you read that correctly). For DSL we are to far from town. I even purchased satellite but there was a 10 second lag from the time that you punched in a letter to the time that it appeared on the screen so it was virtually useless for transcription. MQ had told me that I could not do NW acct with dialup 3 yrs ago so I purchased the satellite $500 later after the lag and and service charges and when I told them that I would have to quit they said "Well you can use dialup too". Go figure. Amherst office boo hiss.
:) actually girl I think you have too many options.

choices to you and your kids. 


 


Tools and then Options looks like it may
have commands that determine this
Auto Cap Options in IT

You can disable the Automatic Capitalization in IT by right-clicking on the phrases advisory, then go to Options and Automatic Capitalization. There you can enable/disable the feature and indicate whether or not you want it to capitalize after colons.


Another place to check is in AutoCorrect in Word- that may be automatically capitalizing things as well.


It is very inconvenient not having those options. :( sm
I have tried everything I can think of to get the links to show up on the side bar. I can't imagine why I had them and now I don't as I don't recall making any recent changes to anything. HELP please! :)
you should be able to go into options and configure it
to what you want it to do.  but some are just that way. call their customer service
go to options in preferences.....
Under the operation tab there should be a setting for hot keys. Click on it, and it should come up with the next key you hit will become your hot key. Or similar. I have an older version of shorthand, so if this is not an option, go to help and look up HOT KEYS. I have mine set to F9, since my other software programs never seem to use the F9 key. Hope this helps.
Try using the attachment options. sm
You can choose to send the pictures or use a free utility to zip the files into a self-extracting file. You could also try uploading the files to a free site for pictures like Google, Snapfish or Web Shots, to name a few, then just send a link to those you want to see the pix.

You will have to delete the file that's in your outbox.
Failure to pay and your options
If you are currently an Independent contractor, you are a business. You are hired as a business to conduct work for a MTSO. I strongly urge everyone to be sure that any contract they sign with a company includes a date of expected pay. Also, when hired, note that late payment of services, after a reasonable amount of time for posting, will be cause for a late fee or interest. Be sure to save e-mail or correspondence. The fact that a company notes when payment of your invoice will be ill give them a set time with a reasonable amount of time for postage to get to you.

If, payment is not made, within that reasonable amount of time, and conversations give you the assumption that they will not be paid (especially if it is said we did not get money etc) then it is theft of services. Contact your DA, and the DA of the MTSO. Think of it this way, if you were any other professional, late fees get tacked on if YOU DO NOT PAY, so pass it on. Put it in your correspondence and stick to it. You are an independent contractor supporting your business.

Now, for all of those who think they are an independent contractor but have any of the following terms, you may be considered an employee through the US Labor Board - including scheduled hours of work.

These factors are used to determine if an individual is classified as an Independent Contractor:

* Is the worker required to follow INSTRUCTIONS?
* Does the firm provide training to accomplish the work?
* Is the worker REGULARLY employed at the firm?
* Is the work performed personally by the worker?
* Does the firm DIRECTLY pay the worker's assistants?
* Is there a continuing ongoing work relationship?
* Are there a set number of work HOURS?
* Is the worker engaged full time by the firm?
* Does the worker work on the firm's premises?
* Does the worker work according to a SCHEDULE set by the firm?
* Is the worker required to submit regular reports to the firm?
* Is the worker paid based on time rather than by project?
* Is the worker REIMBURSED for his/her expenses?
* Does the firm furnish the tools and/or materials?
* Does the worker have a vested INTEREST in performing the services?
* Can the worker realize a profit or suffer a loss?
* Does the worker work for more than one firm at a time?
* Does the worker make his services available to the general public?
* Does the firm have the right to DISCHARGE the worker without incurring a legal liability for non-performance under the contract?
* Does the worker have the right to TERMINATE the relationship without incurring a legal liability for non-performance under the contract?


Depending on your responses, you could be an employee or IC - check with your Labor Board BEFORE a problem pops up.
As a professional, we all must protect ourselves and information is key.

I hope those who have problems get them cleared up sooner rather than later.

Here's another one with many search options.
http://mt911.com/site/search/doctor_search.asp
Need Advice - trying to keep options open
I have only worked for one company, namely TL/Medquist, for many years.  They have always supplied the things I need to do my job, computer, transcription equipment, phone line, etc.  With all the job dissatisfaction with MQers in general, running out of work, etc., I would like to keep my options open as far as pursuing a job with another company BUT I don't know what type of equipment I would need or if other companies also supply equipment for you.  Any information/advice about this or anything else that would help me be ready for a change would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks! 
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I am exploring all options..
Like I said, though, switching schools is still hard. Our community is overextended and overpopulated. The classrooms are overcrowded and my son is just not adjusting going from smaller preschool classes to a large classroom filled with 26 other kids.. I think he needs more one-on-one there.. Thanks again for all those who gave advice. It was just something I was considering. It is very distracting to get calls every day at work telling me my child is sitting in the principals office. We are trying to right some of our wrongs. He was getting too much exposure to video games and TV.. that didnt help his "overimagination" and fascination with action shows etc..He is not allow to play on the computer, watch video games etc.. we are hoping that helps. I know alot of it is our fault as parents but I think the school overreacts and overanalysis everything..
While you're researching your options
it might be helpful to you to approach things from the other direction. Try to determine the outcome you hope to achieve and then work backwards to come up with different possibilities to achieve your goal. Maybe after your son has had his depression addressed with appropriate couseling or medication, you could involve him in the decision-making process. He sounds like a bright kid; he may come up with ideas you hadn't considered. In any event, I wish you the best. It's tough enough to be 15 without health issues. He's lucky to have such a caring mom.
Tools > Options > View
Make sure nothing is marked under Formatting marks.
then click on internet options....sm

then click on delete files, then click on delete files offline, then click on delete cookies, and then finally click on clear/delete history.  Then reboot the computer and try it again.  *fingers crossed for you that it works* 


using web cam-chat rooms?? or other options
does anyone know of any chat rooms or something where you are able to have private conversations using a web cam?  my parents are taking my son with them on vacation and this will be the first time I'm away from him.  I was hoping to find another way to keep in touch rather than phone and email while they are gone.  it's going to kill me being away from him but being a single mom I need a chance to have break-even though I'll probably cry most of the time he's gone. boy, talk about a double-edged sword!!!    any info would be greatly appreciated. I know other single moms have gone through this-how'd you get through it???? TIA !!!!
options, and advanced but found....sm
I found nothing for your problem that I could comprehend.  I then went to favorites and to ORGANIZE to see if there was something there and there wasn't.  My next suggestion is to post your post on the technical board if you have not done so as yet.  Sorry, I tried. 
pffftttttt. None of those options worked. nm
x
Study your options though before committing...
I fill in when needed, vacation, sickness, etc, for friend at a local small town phys's office. Typist has been in hosp. and out off and on over the last 2 months. cpl confused Drs. wife so I said $10/hour, thought it was only temporary. I'm usually only there 2-4 hours, usually if it is 2 days of stuff. They work weird hours, 9 sometimes 11p.m. I work 10-6 so I tried to get in when I could in morning or go in evenings. Too aggravating, they are constantly interrupting me. I hooked their system up for C-phone access. Half time they forget to plug it up! But, anyway I have continued to do it by the hour. I will be changing to 10 cpl if this continues. Working at home by the hour I am cheating myself. I type it faster because I am more comfortable so end up shorting myself $10-15 each time. Some would say, drag it out but I can't do that I feel like I'm stealing, yet they are stealing my time.

Yes - go to Tools, Options, then Edit tab
On the column on the right side, unclick "when selecting, automatically select entire word."
Did you select the right port under options? sm
In the Bytescribe, look under ports and select USB (assuming that is what you converted to).  
Establish Link Options
Have you established your link options in IT?
Check Link Options
When does IT switch to 10 lines?
You probably have 10 lines showing in the Link Options when this happens. Click on the Link icon, then on Link Options and change the number from 10 to 5.
It's on the tools/options menu
Untick the show startup task pane option on the view tab.
Establish Link Options

the User Account Control setting will not have a negative affect on the functionality of your software programs. If i-Type is not linking to IT, you may need to establish the link options first, and then they should remain linked from that point on.


Go to Tools, Internet Options,second choice down,
delete cookies and delete temporary files. Also, you can clear your history at the same place if it's still a problem.
Yes, tools and then auto correct options.
There are lots of tabs in there for different automatic options - you can undo them by removing the check marks. Just go thru all the different options you don't want and click on the box to remove the check marks. If you remove all check marks on most auto options, it allows you to basically straight type! Good luck!
Try Folder Options in Control Panel.

Go to the View tab and then click Show hidden files and folders.  I hope this works.


figured it out, tools, options, format! NM
x
People have options and have a right to choose what works for them
It's a shame for the people in that office, but it happens.
Not familiar with your software, but Abacus has many of these options...
You might just ask them what software they use, too, for future reference. Good luck!
Desktop calendar with reminder options....
Does anyone use this?  With going back to school and 3 kidss and tons of appointments, I amm finding that using the old calendar on the wall isn't too safe anymore.  Given the fact that I amm tied to my desk most of the time, I was wondering if anyone knows where I could get a free desktop calendar that will warn me when something is scheduled that day, etc.  I know there is probably a way to do this, but I have no idea.  Any info would be appreciated.  I see the free downloadable calendars, but I amm afraid of those.  Does windows or microsoft office come equipped with this?  Again, any info appreciated.  TIA
Have you checked foot pedal options? If not
go to foot pedal options and make sure USB is checked and not joystick 1. I had that problem with my pedal.
Got into Word/Tools/Options or Customize
and try around, it's somewhere in Word!
I checked in Internet Options and it shows enabled.
Unless I am looking for it in the wrong place ???  Sorry, I am not as computer literate as most probably. :D
But it does open our options to move on to careers rather than joe-jobs
and bring people the respect they deserve.