Well, it all depends. What kind of business are you looking to start?
Posted By: TR on 2006-07-13
In Reply to: anyone know where to find samples of flyers to start your own business? - me
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start up business
I've be MT for about 3 years working at home for another person who gets the clients. I want to break off on my own but I'm unsure how to approach a dr office. Don't know the 1st thing about contracts, equipment needed, negotiation, etc. Can anyone help me. I really want to start very small and expand. I currently get all file through FTP but would be willing to pick up tapes if local. Thanks for any help!
start up business
Thanks for the info... I will check that out!
Business start up
I was wondering about this too. I am not sure how to go about it but I hear there are some good programs on bytescribe. That is what I have been told by a few people who have their own clients. I wish I knew how to go about it all but I am not too sure, if you need more help or something, I might be interested. Where are you from?
START-UP BUSINESS -let's help eachother with Q's and A's
I am sure I am not alone...One of the many MTs that see potential in trying to start our own companies. I am a quality MT with some computer knowledge and a good sense for business. I created a website, created a introduction letter to send out along with a questionnaire...looking into writing up contracts, have a few good MTs lined up to help me out. Going to focus on orthopedics and physical therapy in my area to start with. Still need info on digital services and/or equipment to use. My biggest question is how to integrate with what a client has to get their reports into their systems, etc. Also curious on the going rate to start out with... Can we please have some Q's and A's here to help eachother out? I don't want to put too much time and money into this yet until I know I can get at least 1 client and build up from there. Hoping I can do this with an inexpensive FTP service that is HIPAA compliant. Want to stay all digital as I travel frequently. Do I need a business license before I even start up, or can I wait until I get my first client before applying for licenses etc? Lots of questions, lots of ideas...I am willing to trade for some good information :) Thanks!
Can't find work...should I start a business?
I am about to finish up my certification at a local college and have been extremely disappointed to find that it seems no one is going to hire me to work for a company because I don't have 2+ years experience....even though I've spent the last 2 years transcribing school work....I am trying to decide if I'd just be better off to take what I've learned and try to start my own business. Financially, I am able to do it, but I'm just not sure how much of a headache it might be. What should I do? I kind of feel like I've wasted a lot of time and money. I'm pretty confident that I can do the work, but how can you prove that to someone who just wants to know if you have experience? I just don't know what to do.
Want to start my own small business, need advice..sm
Hi all. I am looking to get started doing some transcribing on the side for myself, and perhaps turn it into a small business. Right now, I only have the capabilities of doing tapes and using Word as my software to transcribe in. I feel like I should look into digital and see how much the equipment would run, and how easy it would be to use. Does anyone have any recommendations on something that is relatively inexpensive for a beginner? Should I stick to my guns and start out with tapes first? Any advice would certainly be appreciated. I have been doing this for 16+ years and I feel like I shouldn't have any problems getting some local work drummed up. I am getting ready to type up some letters to send out and I guess I will go from there. Thanks in advance!!!!
Well, it kind of depends. SM
Most of the pain management I've seen strongly encourages other modalities, depending on the patient and the condition. Exercise (swimming or aqua therapy are popular), stationary bicycle, walking, physical therapy (massage), acupuncture, sometimes counseling to help adjust to the chronic pain and accept it better, diet - an overall healthy lifestyle. Whatever the patient can do to make them feel better.
However, pain medication is still a fairly normal component - it's just watched and managed carefully with an emphasis on using it appropriately.
Unfortunately, even though our understanding of pain has grown over the years, sometimes all they can do is try and medicate it.
It depends on what kind of (sm)
disability you are talking about. SS will not consider any type of disability unless you've been off work for a year.
Depends what kind of job
If you are looking for gvt security clearance you have to be squeeky clean, I know did them for couple years. Some of the misdemeanors will slide but they come in and interview you for hours. Bankruptcy will keep you from a gvt clearance as well.
And saying again, it all depends on what kind of
platform you have. If you have a good platform, you can make money on VR.
anyone know where to find samples of flyers to start your own business?
I want to make my own and would like to look at how a few are formatted. Thx.
Depends on what kind of system you are using....
where I work, we can set our voice wave to download by job number, physician ID, job type, many different ways. Sometimes we need to just download one kind of report, or a specific report we've been asked to do as a stat. Unfortunately, that also allows unethical people to grab one physician's work, as in a doctor who might dictate using templates which you just pop into the report and you have a whole report already typed out with just a few changes. Or, they might like doing a certain job type that is easy for them, and they can grab those. Of course, it's stupid to do that because everything is computerized now and they can obviously see what you are doing as it is documented by the software. I never ever do that, never have, never will.
Depends on what kind of line really
gross lines in my area are about 12 cpl, and I'm not sure about 65-character lines, but I think somewhere around 15-17 cpl.
Even with a salary you're kind of a small business owner!
Even if you're paid a salary you are your own agent, so to speak. Why not hire a part-time helper and pay them a subcontractor rate. That's what a service owner does. You are no hero for not getting some help. MTs who have their own accounts have responsibility for 7 days a week coverage, but not all of us type 7 days a week. Put an ad in the job seekers board and pay someone to take up the overflow. You will burn out and not be able to work at all eventually. Good luck to you.
It depends on what kind of work you're doing..sm...
If you're doing clinic work, you would need the book that pertains to your clinic. I'd also recommend a Stedman's Abbreviations, acronyms & symbols. I'd also recommend Sander's Pharmaceutical Book. Other than that, I'd use Google and trustworthy websites.
It depends on what kind of voice files you're playing.
The sound on Express Scribe is terrible. I think it's worth it to find a player that plays your voice files with good sound. If you use wav files, a Bytescribe wav player would be excellent (get the dongle version so you get unlimited installs). They also have a version that converts DSS to wav. I complained about the DSS files not sounding clean on speed up and slow down so they told me about another version they have. If you have a Bytescrive wav player, it's already on your computer. Of if you're using DSS files you could also use a DSS player. (I've never tried them).
Depends on what kind of hospital? Large urban hospital or small community hospital? SM
Also, is it a large teaching hospital? If so you have to consider there will be A LOT of different residents dictating, usually a lot of ESLs at teaching hospitals, and the residents rotate out and new ones rotate in every summer. So you can't expect to get the same dictators and build up your macros because the dictators change all the time.
I would say 9 cpl would be a pretty good offer for a small to medium community hospital where you will be doing the same dictators on a daily basis. But for bigger, urban or teaching hospitals I would want at least 12 to 15 cpl.
Unfortunately it is legal..so yes it is business and they will continue with bad business practices
x
I made my business your business by posting and...
I totally respect everyone's opinions. It is easier for others on the outside looking in. That's why I pushed the "post reply" button yesterday. I trust my fellow MTs and I know the more I read from you all, the more confident I am becoming. I just need that final push, not from him though. I also wanted to let you all know that the physical abuse while I was pregnant was documented by my doctor and the hospital. I only wish I had known then that it is a felony to abuse a pregnant woman. I also photographed my face from a couple of weeks ago and told several people in my circle. I had such high hopes for us. Now...not so much. I'm not saying that I won't try to get him to church, but I realize that God can only do so much for someone who isn't listening. j
Business is business. Internet forums are
.
For a business ad?! A business that deals
''Transcriptsis'' x2
''with good track record''
''serve our clients of all sizes'' (I know what they mean, but I just think the wording is funny)
''strive to achieve highest possible quality'' (once again, they never met an 'article' that they didn't hate)
''all departments including H&P...'' (or a comma, for that matter)
Well then, don't start at the beginning, start in
x
kind of
I feel your pain. I had been providing excellent service, never increased rates, always met TAT (usually supposed to be 48 hr, but most times office mgr would call and needed it in 24 -- a huge amount of dictation). As you did, I always put them first, above everything else. Well, the office manager decided to start transcribing it herself, and she did not even tell me that she was going to do it. I waited a little while (longer than I should have) hoping she was just trying to pay for Christmas (she had actually done that before) and I finally had to do something else. The something else did not work out either, and I am lucky to have what little work I do have right now. Meanwhile, she now has two full-time paychecks (yes, this was a full-time paycheck for me). It is a good thing that although I was making full-time money on their account (working 2 days per week) I never let go of my other work, but I still may wind up in the big "B" court as my options now are few, and I stupidly took care of things I needed to with credit cards while waiting for her to return the work to me. I also knew that she was going to call me spur of the moment wanting me to do the work when she was ready for a break/vacation, which she did, but I was unavailable to her as I had picked up the something else by then. I just wish that I had never heard of being an MT. As much as I love the work, the business is awful.
what kind of dog?
x
What kind of KVM do you have? -sm
I have heard that if you get a cheap one you'll have problems with the screen freezing up when switching back and forth. I'd really like to get one where you can use a hot key to switch back and forth. Can you please tell me what brand yours is?
Any kind
of sin, which is what this is, is not progressive or open-minded. What it is is sin. Go back and read the story about Sodom and Gomorrah and see if you understand then. Granted, there are other kinds lots of sins in this world also, but call this one what it is.
Usually those kind of
licenses are only for one computer. You can buy licenses for multiple computers from their websites.
A different kind of job
I have no idea how these things fall into my lap and don't how this will go but just met and got offered to do "formatting and editing" of finished documents for a Waste Recovery Company -- fancy name for garbage and recycling company. This manager has to do long reports, handouts, employee manuels, etc. and just wants to type the report and all I do is edit -- not grammar or punctuation -- use a consistent outline form, do title pages, do headers and footers, make sure pages are correctly numbered for $25 an hour. She wants me to make it have "eye appeal and look pretty." She spends hours formatting and hates it and so I am going to try it. Decided I had nothing to lose to try. Depending on how fast I am probably not more than 6 to 12 hours per month so we will see how it goes. But she did say if it worked out well, they have several other branches in Montana, Idaho, California and they might be able to use me more at those facilities also that have to do the same reports. So guess I am branching out somewhat. Just as one door closes, another open as had one of my most profitable account, suddenly retired due to ill health. So was thinking of looking for another account when I got this call. SOmething different at least.
you are MY kind of MT
but I might have done this far sooner than you - I have almost zero tolerance for this cr____pola.
Would love to see this doc in court trying to prove a CHIMPANZEE (or even a sharp HUMAN typist) could do what we do...
LOL
Thank you very much for your kind help!!!
:-)))
Can someone tell me what kind of (sm)
foot pedal works with winscribe? I've got two Infinity wave pedals - they don't. Any help is appreciated!
That was kind of like what I was saying before
Right to work states do that to people.
However, I am sorry you lost your job after all of that. It would have been easier if they had just told you the truth in the first place.
Is that really any of your business?
I would think that it would be very wrong of you to spread the information you found on Google while searching for the patient's name. Are you 100% certain that it is the exact same person you are transcribing? Even seemingly oddball names can be duplicated and how would you look spreading around gossip? Even if it is court-documented, it really is not your story to tell, IMO. I would love to know who is telling you to put it on the news. That is about the craziest thing I've heard in a while, although quite good for a laugh.
MT business
It depends on how large a business you want. There are still some small accounts, (10,000 to 18,000 lines) per month that are still on tape that you can get. Also the digital is not that hard but I will not pay for anyone to transfer my files, I can do that. I do not have a phone in system but if someone were to ask I would probably start out with the ones that charge so much per minute and use their system until I knew for sure the account was staying. Where are you located, have you networked with anyone in the area? Are you set up for tapes as well as digital? If you start out alone, you have no back-up, you have to do everything. When you hire I/C's sometimes they are dependable and sometimes not. You will not earn much off of them if you want to keep your accounts. You will not be able to charge as high as the larger companies nor go after the larger accounts at first. It is a fine line as to having enough help and enough work and that is why you hear the complaints all the time, "We have run out of work" as you have no control over how much or when a doctor dictates or if he takes time off. But would I give it up, probably not as the money is good to me. You can E-mail me with any specific questions, I have been doing my own small MTSO for over 20 years. Been through it all, ups, downs, good times, bad times, and everyting in between. My accounts have been with me from 6 years to 20 years so I feel that they are pretty stable.
Well I am sorry that you are using this business as sm
your excuse, but hospitals pay their people for holidays and if by chance you have to work them, they pay you time and a half.
I do not know why a business owner cannot take these things into consideration when setting up a business. This is a business just like any other business and if you have employees, those employees need to be given the same consideration as any other business. IC status is different, but I find using the nature of this business as an excuse just a little weak.
A good business head would enable you to provide benefits for your employees and if you have already made up your mind it does not, then I think probably it is because maybe you need someone else to do that figuring for you.
I am not being mean in saying these things, but even small business owners I know are able to work it out that a holiday is a holiday (whether you have to work it or not) and an employee needs to be compensated in some manner. To me, there is no excuse for not doing so.
new business
My opinion would be to let them either work at home or at the company. I prefer to work at home, but some people may not. As far the pay issue--when I started doing transcription I made .06 cpl and I think that is a fair rate. Hope I helped 
This is really none of my business, and I know that,
but the more I read of your story, the more absurd it becomes to even think of staying with this man. I'm truly sorry. I know how hard it is to leave, as I had to that in my former life, and believe me I wanted my marriage to last "til death do us part," but that ain't always possible. I too TRUST in the Lord with ALL of MY HEART and SOUL, and as I said, sometimes it just ain't possible. The Lord will guide you through this. Guess it is just that as an outsider it is easier to see the forest for the trees.
Been there on business
I used to work retail management and my company had a resort there. I have been there several times to meetings and we always had some time to do things. I always enjoyed it and would like to go some day just for pleasure. There is lots to do there.
New business
I have a small transcription company that kind of fell into my lap, luckily. It has been a year now, we have five girls and are doing a really good job with one large account. I had tons of experience as a transcriptionist, but never as a business manager, so I took my time. Now I am looking to get more work. Anybody have any thoughts as to how to reel them in?
I have been in this business for
always been cherrpickers and probably always will be, just like bad drivers, you can't get away from it. I have given up and just do what comes up. Saying anything doesn't seem to help.
I would say the same - none of your business
nm
None of their business......sm
I am an IC for 3 companies, and pick up another prn. They just want the work done as agreed up front...none of their business how many or who else you work for.
own business
Is there anyone out there kind of enough to point me in the right direction of starting my own MT business. I have been doing a lot of research but found some outdated books online. I need to know how to write up the contract. Can I do this myself or do I need it done legally? the choice of software and line counting software. It would mean so much to me. I know a lot of you have done everything on your own, but don't I need to have a good starting point? If someone could e-mail me with some or little info, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again.
As if anyone's business
I was on my way out the door for an appt and no, not for an interview with someone else and prior to that was working. It came about because we are not getting paid for specials on an acct that included interventionals but yet are in the pool and wanted to know what constituted a special or interventional for you all. Plain and simple to answer. With coding changes through the years things have changed. Obviously gave some pea-sized brains something to "not" think about. It is funny how so many can read something into nothing. Nice bunch that answered though. Trying to stir up a pot. Not any more. So for all of you other there that thought otherwise, oh well. You all look like fools. Tee-Hee.
as an IC you are a business
Rates are lower now than before, but as a company for yourself you need to make adjustments. If you treat this status as a job you will never be satisfied.
I hear a lot of people talking about how much they make - I would love to know where they work for that - they have to be employees. The nationals and smaller companies are not paying it most times to IC, and private clients for the most part aren't putting out 14.00 an hour to start.
This is my business, and like any business I do what I have to - work long hours, have other US MT's to back me up and take a lap top with me when I am on vacation.
Not like the manager of my grocery store goes on vacation and the store closes, or my doctor and no on-call. I am a professional business woman and work as such. I want more money and give them the quality so I get it. But I never run out of work either. Does not matter how much you make if there is no work.
Can't get more when they do not want to pay - you negotiate like any other business and if you want to work, you will.
If you want to be an employee - then you can demand the benefits, pay etc, and they can decide someone else can do the work - lets just hope that person is an American.
Either way - good luck to all - it is a challange
We have business name and tax ID #
and same companies do have a problem especially since HIPAA.... some have wanted me to become a SE and others have refused to pay me under company name - claiming I need to sign the confidentiality paperwork under my name and if I use my name and then a dba - it opens me up to being able to subcontract out my work....it has gotten much more complicated since HIPAA. In the eyes of the IRS you should have a dba and advertise and work for more than one MTSO and be independent - both for your sake and your MT company... not sure it is necessary to incorporate but that is your decision.
POV IS EVERYTHING IN THE MT BUSINESS
I empathize with all of you. The MT industry is definitely going downhill. What makes me especially angry is that it seems that the hospital HIM departments are responsible for a lot of what goes on, especially the misunderstandings between doctors and MTs. During my very short time of working at a hospital, I noted that the department manager was too chicken to actually communicate with the doctors. All she did was speak softly and flatter them whenever they would call to complain, and she would go in to that familiar rhetoric about being so sorry and having a talk with the offender, etc., etc. It made me sick to listen to it.
In a few short years, I will attain the label of geriatric. I guess I lived my life backwards. I was an RN first. I really wanted to be a psychiatric nurse, but was stuck in Med Surg. Just couldn't find the right opportunity, though I did get to work on one temporary assignment at the jail with the alcoholics and drug addicts. Then, I did word processing. Twenty years ago, I was commuting via subway and bus 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening, earning about $10 per hour as a word processor. I made more money then than I do now, but I also had expenses for transportation and wardrobe, and I was not paid for those 4 hours a day of commuting.
I've been an MT for almost 2 years. I went into it blindly. AS has been my pattern in life, I always believe the good reports and think that a situation is going to be wonderful; I am often disappointed. I've been waiting for my supposedly dream job, for a company that, one year ago when I took their tests and scored 97, required 2 years of experience. Now that I have 2 years of experience, I see that they are requiring 3 years of experience.
I live in a rural area. The local jobs are mostly all just a bit over minimum wage. So, I am thankful that I can work at something at home. I just could not afford to earn minimum wage, while still needing to provide gas and wardrobe, not to mention the commuting time.
I did work as an MT at a local hospital; not so local, as it is 60 miles round trip. Talk about office politics, it was awful. The manager had no clue what medical transcription was all about. She was not a very good leader, and her top priority was to make herself look good. The health insurance benefits were wonderful. But, I couldn't stand working there. Working at home is so much better in my case, in my opinion, at this time.
I feel lucky that I bought a home a few years ago and now my mortgage is a little less than the rent for a local one bedroom apartment. I realize that, if I have to work another 10 years or more, I should change professions, too. I figure that I could become a psychiatrist if I wanted to go through medical school. I guess I might try for a PHD in psychology and become a therapist or something. Unfortunately, I am now spoiled and don't want to commute to work. I know of no way to be a psychologist from home unless I move to a home that is set up for seeing patients; this one will not work for that.
I think that I am going to become a professional nutritional consultant. That way, I can be a nurse and a psychologist all at the same time, without having to stick needles into anyone. Blood tests have their place, but I am not one that ever was good at drawing blood or starting IVs. I might have to consult with someone's MD, but not all of them are bad. They can often be trained to treat you with respect. I never allowed a doctor to talk down to me when I was a practicing nurse, and I certainly will not allow it now. It makes me seeth when a doctor spells easy words for me. This morning, a doctor spelled FLATUS, as if he thought I wouldn't be able to figure that one out!!
Also, one of my pet peeves is that people take way too many prescription drugs for chronic diseases that could be corrected nutritionally. So, this is probably going to me my next profession.
I've often wondered how a person gets a audience in front of the US Congress? Do you submit a request or do you have to be invited? I think I know how to send out press releases, and I bet we could find the email addresses of major newspapers and start submitting. Remember that big report that one of the major morning shows had about how great it is to work at home as an MT? Well, I wonder if they would like to hear the rest of the story? Actually, I realize that many of their feature stories are promoted by the advertisers. So, unless some big group backs us up, it is not likely we will get that type of coverage. I guess we will have to contact some news journalist who covers stories regarding the underdogs of the world. Did anyone contact Oprah yet? I think this is not just an MT issue, but a woman's issue, since most of us are women, and as such, seem to have less respect in this country.
I usually edit my postings, but decided to just let this one go through as written. Recently, I read a story about life decisions and the theme was that, whenver we make decisions, we must be aware of how our decisions will affect the next 7 generations. I really wish that the last 7 generations would have considered that. And, as MTs and as mostly women, we must stand up for our rights to be treated with respect. Consider the impact on the next 7 generations.
Thank you for reading my message.
From a business POV...
Employees are most costly in terms of benefits, taxes and equipment. As IC is personally responsible for all of the above but not at your beck and call, either. Personally, as an IC, I prefer it that way, but I have the luxury of a hubby whose company can provide medical/dental benefits. You may find that when you notify your employees that they are now ICs some will find other work because they need the benefits (if offered).
Hope this helps in your decision-making process.
Most likely. Or else gotten out of the MT business
=
I am looking to get out of this business for the
can't afford to take a day off because of "no work, no pay", and I don't exactly have a shift that allows me to have time with my husband. Our son is grown and I want my evenings with my hubby, is that so wrong? Anyway, I can make more money doing data entry and the position is close enough to home that I can walk to work and get exercise.
Your business sm
It's your business and you are the owner. Your OP was not as clear as it appears to be now. So they are asking a little more of you. If you are happy with them and with the pay, and also with driving, etc., then accommodate them. Just beware that the wife sounds like she is trying to save money and money is the bottom line here. Never expect because you bowl with these people that it's going to make a difference either way. You are right never to discuss business with ANY of them. Just be professional about it all. I know some hate tapes and they hate deliveries but if you are okay with that, and you're happy with the money, then you have answered your own question. As far as the travel, with the price of gas, I would certainly cut down to twice a week, but is is after all, YOUR business. Good luck with it. Sounds to me like these changes were made without consulting you. If they really cared about you personally, they would have asked you to come into the office and sit down and discuss how change could benefit all of you. Everybody wants change but nothing beats discussing it with you in person. Good luck with it, only you can decide what to do - it is something you have to live with. If you ask others' advice, you are going to get different opinions, of course, but it's your livelihood and your decision to live with in today's economy. If you're happy with the client otherwise, then read the boards about those who sit and wait for work, etc. None of it, and I mean none, is easy. In the end, it's all up to you. Hope you make the right decision. I loved getting out of the office, I didn't mind doing extra steps, and I wrote everything off with the help of my accountant, miles, paper, phone calls, etc., it's all legally deductible. Going digital will also be deductible, whether it's just for your office or yours and theirs. Hope you find your answer. I am a dinosaur so I love tapes and in 30 years only had one break and the client paid to have it spliced and nothing was lost. I didn't worry about losing information over the Internet. Also, when you are traveling with records, be sure they are locked up and secure, it's the law now. Hope it all worksto your benefit, no matter what you decide!
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