Will never forget when I was an MT newbie
Posted By: FBL on 2007-11-09
In Reply to: I HAVE GOT TO VENT THIS BECAUSE THIS MAKES ME SO MAD! - mt
had worked about 2 weeks and got a 20-minute report by an ESL med student who stammered through the full note, then said "again" and started over THREE times! I nearly cried. 
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INDIA, INDIA, NEWBIE LOOKING FOR INDIAN-OWNED COMPANY-FORGET AMERICA COMPANIES HIRING NEWBIES!!!!
  Our country sucks when it comes to teamwork. My experience is in hospital transcription and 95% foreign dictators. Most of my dictators are from India and surrounding countries. Give up you all,  India is already way ahead of us!
Don't forget to ask...
What types of accounts you will have and whether you will have backups if your primary runs out of work. Do they pay for spaces and use of expansions or normals? Are hours flexible if you need it? Is there any charge for equipment? software? Is tech support available all the time? How soon do the bennies such as health insurance kick in? How often do you get paid and when can you expect your first paycheck? Do they give pay raises, incentives or anything else that can increase your income? What kind of training will you get until you are comfortable with the accounts? Are there a lot of ESLs?
Whether they answer any questions honestly or not you will find out when you get started. Probably best to run the company name on MTStars and see what you get. Good luck! 
Will never forget
nm
Yep, and don't forget 100% QA! LOL. Seriously, I
x
yes, that's what I always do, but don't forget
Frozen ham has a tendency to taste saltier, so when you use it, you probably won't need to add any salt.
and don't forget
Don't forget that before white out and all the other things, we had to use a razor blade to remove errors from ALL of the copies. I worked for a VA Hospital and everything had about 6 or 7 copies. Cut many a finger in those days, but learned how to be accurate really fast.
Forget about them and those like them and
live your life, period. I wish I could post a saying I got from Mother Theresa the other day but it does something like this:
People will hate you. Do good anyway. It was never about them, it's only about you and God. Something along those lines. And only half of these posts are nuts.
I'm sorry, but how can someone just forget...
Valentine's Day? That's like forgetting it's Christmas. It's all over the TV, in the stores, everywhere you go, there was something about Valentine's Day. I don't buy the "forgetting" thing at all...unless he lives under a rock or in a cave, he didn't forget...
Better to forget IC at 6 to 8 CPL
After you pay your taxes, it averages only 4 to 6 CPL. I would rather be an employee. Never will go IC again.
And let's not forget..............nm
Don't forget sm
you'll probably be typing headers and a bunch of junk. Not for me, but if you do it, make sure you'll get paid for it.
don't forget a
It really helps if you can have someone who is just in charge of the money. They could sit at a table and concentrate on just taking in the money. You can get really distracted when buyers want to ask you about merchandise. So much fun at the end of the day adding it all up and treating yourself to a yummy lunch!
just like me to forget something..
also must pay local tax and Soc Sec tax of 15%. Yuck!
yes, and don't forget
x
Oh and don't forget...
the one I came across that took it to the bathroom with him and it was still running!!! GROSS!!!!!!! 
Forget it. You do not need it.
x
don't forget to look at
overstock.com when purchasing! I've found a couple of books there cheap, and the shipping is usually cheap, too. They do have the CD version for $42 and change right now with $1.40 shipping.
Sometimes they forget
My friend is a speech pathologist. She told me that before she met me, she never used to think of the transcriptionist. She hated dictating, but she had to do it. So she used to dictate as fast as possible just to get it over with, not thinking that someone had to figure out what she was saying. But now she makes an effort to be understood and actually acknowledges MT and will say good day and thank you.
Don't forget.....
Work is not guaranteed, no pay for downtime (or rarely), must know all specialties, be around when work is there - not necessarily what you agreed to, work over or get no work, be availabe via phone, messagers and email, oh and be an Office and Word expert cause we aren't providing any help with that...Plus, lunch is at your desk...I bet starbucks even gives you a lunch break without whining about it.
Don't forget to consider your
chair height and whether your hands are too high compared to your elbows.
Don't forget
Things like benefits, paid holidays, vacation and sick pay. Those all add to your per line rate as an employee, and you should be compensated appropriately to offset these things as an IC.
Forget it
You won't get a vacation unless you can find another IC or two who can fill in for you. Also, you will need to schedule around your doctors' vacations - at this point in my life, I don't want to work around the clock anymore and I wouldn't do it, but if you're up for it, you go girl.
Should be FORGET actually, sorry! nm
@
Don't forget also that
the SKY IS FALLING THE SKY IS FALLING !!! Run to your underground shelter ASAP !
To SAD NEWBIE
i glanced at the main responses to your post, not all of them. But i disagree to an extent with what you've been told. I have 30 yr experience, for however much weight you want to ascribe to that.
You've heard that practice makes perfect. That is not really true. Practicing things CORRECTLY "makes perfect". You can do something over and over and over, but if it's done wrong, you are not improving your game.
Depending on how much the paycheck is an issue, you may wish to find another job before quitting this one. But the longer you do things wrong, the more disservice you are doing to yourself. It's also hard to break established habits.
This is all said assuming you are sure you are being steered in the wrong direction, ie, these directions go against good MT training and/or against the BOS in important ways.
I have no doubt that some companies hire poor or inexperienced QA personnel, contrary to another posters comment.
My suggestion is to look for another job. It may take a little time and be a little frustrating, but what you gain by starting off with good QA and building a good foundation, cannot be found in the situation you describe. Part of the good foundation is on-the-job experience.
Believe in yourself, make sure your premise is correct, and then do what is right for the long-term. e/m me if you wish.
Sad newbie
I totally agree. I've been doing this for 20 years.
I once had a QA person reconstruct a sentence so that it read 'index' instead of indices.
At the hospital I started at, I worked nights. The day girls left all the ESL dictators for me. I sat there, by myself, and cried. I didn't realize it at the time, but they did me a huge favor.
Two years later, I was working at a different hospital, transcribing x-ray for a an ESL radiologist. He came in to tell me he was leaving and that he would call me in a couple hours in case I had any questions. When he left, a girl from medical records approached me and asked who he was and what language he was speaking!
FYI: Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of interacting with physicians one on one. Their biggest complaint is transcriptionists who don't give them what they say. Of course, I always chuckled to myself because they probably weren't aware that I changed their grammar or reconstructed their sentences to read better! Some of them want what they want and they don't care what the AAMT says.
Hang in there, love. Do look for another job and keep looking until you find a place that recognizes your potential and will help you. Best of luck to you!
You must be a newbie
They've been doing it for years and most people who have been in this business for a while are aware of that fact. Neither MQ nor Spheris care about American MTs. They are money-hungry corporate giants with only one thing on the agenda....$$$ keep all the money for the management who know nothing about transcription, let the people who actually DO the work and earn the money, work in the sweat shops for peanuts. These big corporations suck! They suck the life, ambition and money right out of you! I have been around a long time and worked for both at one time....much to my dismay....They are both traitors to the American MT.
Newbie
I am a newbie and I make .05 cents a line. Not proud of it, but I am in a training program. It only averages to be about $150/week.
Welcome Newbie...
Every once in a while we get somebody on here who is a troll. Just comes on and makes inflammatory remarks to get trouble brewing. She is equally nasty to everyone. You can see that a good many of us are quiet upset by her behavior. Do not let her frighten you away from this site. We really do give each other a lot of encouragement when needed and are respectful of each other for the most part. Please don't let this one person make you think this is how we all are. She will settle down soon and you will get to "talk" to some really nice folks. This too shall pass. Welcome to the site. It's nice to have fresh ideas.
when i was a newbie...
i had the hardest time and it wasnt that my (1) trainer didnt give me feedback, but it was that every other month, she changed the way she corrected. hey, im still with the company. now i also work for another company part time and they have so many mentors/editors and they are all different. so here i go again. i really suck in op reports and just when i was about to give up, my part time job decided to move me over to other worktypes but ops. i get them every now and then and its okay. point is, a lot of things can happen to overwhelm you especially as a newbie. we're still going through it. you want it that bad, you hang on.
not a newbie thank you
It is not rigors, it is boogers...as in "green boogers..."
And no, not a newbie by far...10+ years!
How Does a Newbie Get Help?
How exactly is a new MT supposed to get experience when no one wants us. Will anyone take on an at-home MT Newbie????? Please help. Advice welcomed.
newbie
I have recently finished my exam from an MT school and am awaiting my results. My question is: Should I start applying now for jobs or wait for the results? I have to have a job of some form by the end of May. I was thinking maybe trying to get a part-time job now to get the feel for it and maybe by May I would be comfortable enough for full-time. I saw where some places would only allow you to apply every six months so that kinda scared me. Any information would be very helpful to me as you all have more experience. Thanks!
Just said possible not for newbie
Re-read my post. Said it is possible. Also said that I am older and have older docs. Have also done EMR. There is a need -- just need to find your niche. As I deposit my checks I will remember "It is possible" though not everyone believes.
I am a newbie too..
Sometimes MTs are rude only because they are frustrated. Other times it is part of their personal make-up. Try not to get frustrated. Learn all that there is to learn at your current place of employment. Continue to assist others as you are able. Character is grown by your enviornment around you and your ability to ignore, to the best of your ability, people who aggravate you. I have encountered many positive, seasoned MTs on this board. They are out there. Good luck to you.
Newbie
I am a newbie as well and I am one of the lucky ones. I tested at one place and got the position right away. I have been working since May 2006 and I love it. I only worked in-house for about 5 months and now I am working at home. I didn't have to work in-house, just had to for internet reasons...didn't have it yet :) All I have to say is that you have to ask a lot of questions in this field and that is what QA is for..they get paid for helping me out so I don't care if they get mad at me or not..go ahead and send me a rude e-mail, I could care less...I believe that this has been so easy for me because I worked extremely hard to get where I am (took course through Career Step and graduated with high honors) and prayed every night...and still do! Just keep positive and pray for everything...God will answer!
Even when I was a newbie there would be no way
Would not have even considered it for experience or not. That person is probably making plenty on that, and if she is not, she needs to work out her rates better if she wants to subcontract.
Newbie to MT
Congratulations to all that love and are successful at being an MT. Have wanted to do this for a long time but it's harder than it looks. I just don't have enough experience to get anywhere even with the training. I've spent so much $$$ and after feeling like a moron taking a pre-employment test today I can say it's time to throw in the towel. I am disappointed and embarrassed all at the same time. I don't know how you all have done it. Envious in Ohio. 
Newbie
I did not get the job I was hoping for. No training prepares you for things like "Get more experience under your belt and give us a call in the future." I had a difficult time with an ESL document. It's a blow to my self esteem.
Newbie to MT
Please, please hang in there if you truly want this. None of us had it easy in the very beginning. I failed tests too. I'm sure we all have. I know of a special board for newbies/students and recent grads. Email me and I will give you the website.
Newbie to MT
I also wanted to say . . . and this is the honest truth -I can honestly, honestly say I have learned more as a working MT than I learned in MT school. School is great for the knowledge of terms, but you actually learn more by doing -- at least I felt that way. I have come to learn a ton of terms that were never covered in my MT books. When I come upon a new word I write in down in my notebook for the future. I have a notebook for each speciality. I also create a binder with samples for each doctor I work for. For me, things seem to stick in my head if I write them down. When you test if you come upon something you do not know -- look it up and jot down the answer for the future. :)
I'm not a newbie
nor am I "settling", and I did make up a name just as legit as yours! I'm just being realistic, that's all. I don't think you are though.
Another newbie
I make 6.5 to start and am having a heck of a time making my line counts. I am still making minimum wage after 3 months, although I do work acute care and transcribe for over 100 docs. It is easier to start out doing clinic work with less docs. But I would not accept a position at 4 cpl unless it was a SR position.
Newbie
Newbie here, work in Neurology I'm a MT, CMA and Manager at my clinic and have worked in the same clinic for over 12 yrs and was thinking of doing home transcription. My husband works nights and I'm home alone in a quiet house from 7:00 pm until 6:00 am.
How do I get started? Any help would be greatly welcomed.
need help!! newbie!
could someone give me some tips/inside info on how i can get into this field on a part time basis? i have 9+ years of medical coding/billing experience - 4 yrs. specializing in OB/GYN and over 5 yrs. PT/OT and Orthopaedics. is it possible to get hired on experience alone and no classes or certification?
thanks!
newbie also
I graduated from our Community College in May, and I have gotten no help with job placement. I to am on my own. I worked very hard, got straight A's, can pass tests, but as soon as the company finds out I got my training from a community college, I don't hear from them again. I'm as lost as naive 1.
Newbie
I have to make a comment on this particular post. Of course newbies are willing to work for peanuts, hello, at this point I am willing to take anything! Where are we supposed to start? All you hear is how nuts we are if we think we are going to be making anything more than minimum wage and then we get slammed because we are willing to take the low-paying jobs, good grief this is the craziest thing I have ever heard! I have been looking for a job for over 2 months and all I have been offered is 3 cents a line! I am seriously thinking of taking it just for the experience...if I were a seasoned, experienced MT I would try giving the newbies some insight and uplifting advice..so far I have to say that hasn't really happened for me here. thanks for letting me vent
newbie
As a newbie, I am getting really depressed reading these posts. What a bleak outlook and I haven't even begun to work yet, and who knows maybe I never will. I have put in so much time into this and when I read these posts, I just wonder if it was at all worth it???
newbie
Just wanted to know if there are any services that will hire anyone without experience. Just completed a course at the local community college and itching to get started.
newbie
 You sound like a very conscientious person. An inhouse position in a small hospital may be the best thing for you to start out with. I worked in two such hospitals as a newbie. My first supervisor helped me tremendously, although at the beginning I thought she was nit picking me to death. I still think of her often and praise her training. As far as big MTSO's, profit is the bottom line. They are there to make money.
Doctors really couldn't care less if you can understand them or not - they are in a hurry, they want it done right now, and you/we are supposed to "know" what they want. I worked as a pharmacy tech before MT'ing and one doc from the Phillipines hung up on me when I refused to calibrate an antibiotic!! Like I was a pharmacist - sure I was, making $6.00 an hour - NOT.
Trust your instincts, keep putting out quality work and keep looking for that right fit. You'll find it, but probably not in a large MTSO. GOOD LUCK!!
newbie
Well a lot of the companies advertise for 2 years exp in acute care. You are only 6 months shy of that. You almost aren't a newbie anymore. I am a newbie with only 7 months exp so you got me beat. I think Medquist and Spheris both hire newbies sometimes though. I don't work for them. The lady who happened to hire me as a newbie passed away and the company who took over normally doesn't hire newbies but kept me on anyway.
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