Yea but are we getting paid for all those lines in SH
Posted By: grasshopper on 2009-02-23
In Reply to: Mine is 63%! nm - RI
My job is easier using ShortHand and I do over 50% but my paycheck is not any larger and my line count is the same. 
Are any of you actually making more money and producing more lines even though you keep adding to your shorthand macros and your percentage rates are going up? Just would be curious to know.
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yes, but get paid lines for doing it. nm
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yes, daily, but get paid lines for it. nm
nm
My bad. Would get paid for lines discarded if I
x
They DEDUCTED MORE lines than they paid (sm)
In other words, I typed 100 new words on one job, and because it goes on a "template" format, the company deducted 250 words for the old/not used template that I deleted because the doctor did not use that template.
So, I just spent 5 minutes, and was paid 100 words less 250 words, which is a net DECREASE of 150 words per job. The doctor has ten of those jobs. So I spent 45 or 50 minutes with a net decrease of 150 words per job times 10 jobs, which is a total NET DECREASE of 1,500 words for the 10 jobs for 45 minutes of work.
After 45 minutes of typing and 10 jobs, they REDUCED my pay. Hope I explained it more clearly that time. If it was so correct of the company to do that, then I will gladly transfer that net decrease in pay for those 10 jobs to YOUR paycheck so that you can share it with me. :)
how does one measure lines. i get paid by the hour so i have no need to do that.
just wondering
then you should be paid hourly somewhere and leave the lines to those
who take it more seriously. I used to do it in 6 hours...six straight. you can call that two 2 hour breaks daily - I called it done for the day early. and I did not do it sitting in diapers with a straw from my mouth to the frig, I stretched the legs as often as necessary.
Guess what? Every day I pushed myself, when I relaxed back to my normal 'comfortable pace' again, I found my line counts had increased! That much more just got easy and I just gave myself a raise.
normals? of course. shortcuts? a ton.
What to you think mass production is? Keeps the QA soores high, too. If you knew your stuff outside of terminology, you would know it is a waxing/waning speed the whole time, and you would know how to utilize the software and platforms to max. Those little games pay off to your advantage come payday. Sit and type? Not by your standards or definition. They really need to cover this in the schools.
If you do not want to work on yourself, then you need to be hourly somewhere because you won't be able to handle it. In production, it is your type of woe-is-me I'm just the messenger stance that tends to get get in our way when turnaround slips.
And that, my friend, is why overhiring was created. The same ones that would or could not pull their weight - would or could not pitch in extra to keep the darn account in contract.
I wouldn't knock those to think of it as more than a second income but a living, and regard themselves as more than a secretary but a professional. Oh, and what makes you think we DON'T have lives? We manage quite well - ALL OF IT.
How did you count lines before the PC, or were you paid hourly then? nm
I have more than paid for VR. I achieve 1200 lines in 3 hours. No need to hate sm
the MT to use technology to its full capability. Do you think a company cares if you type everything no. The bottom line is you have to get you line count.
Yes at PHNS-- this was a few years ago....was paid initially on how many lines you averaged an hour
the highest you could get was .085 which is what I averaged, however they restructured and it plummetted to .07.....you could get .085 again but you had to really work your butt off (something like +1500 a day). I was PT so I was only doing 500 lines or so a day, at most 1000, so it basically sucked after that. Plus the company totally changed, they started to outsource to the Phillappines, work dried up big time and we fought over the lousy crumbs. Many of us left and moved onto to better things though!
Paid hourly, req'd 1000 lines, anything over 1101 was 0.04 cents a line
//
For QA consulting I'm paid per hour; QA instructing (college) paid salary, QA editing paid per li
I am an IC and work for two different MTSOs as well as instruct at a business college.
if mt paid 9, editor paid 4 or 5...how can company charge 14 and make it..sm
I know the going rate in our area is 14 cents per line. As MTs most companies here pay us 8 or 9 cents a line. Now add in the Editor rate at 4 or 5 per line..you are paying OUT more than you can charge a line. How would companies stay in biz?
Unless all work is sent by the company overseas at pennies per line, this would not pay for a company.
just curious how this works out
Aaahhhh, now I get it. Gross lines vs. Character lines. I guess I've just been conditioned to
think in terms of character lines. One of the perils of working as an IC for somebody who defines what a line is versus owning your own company and defining it yourself. After working for someone else for 15 years, maybe it's time to bust out on my own.
But how much are the US EDs gonna be paid? Typically this work is paid at 2-3 cpl. nm
:+
You don't get paid an hourly rate you get paid by line - sm
so because of how you are paid (not an hourly rate) you don't get OT, especially if you are an IC.
I would move on. I think it is so unfair not to be paid for spaces! I think we should get paid
per keystroke, but that'll never happen. I just think that these national companies are going to keep finding ways to cheat us. I found a job working for a hospital as an employee, paid hourly plus incentive, and they let us expand everything! Somebody's gonna have to kill me to make me give up this job. I will never go back to the national's again.
I feel for you though. I know that for us MTs those good jobs are few and far between and some have little choice but to work for the nationals. I just happened to luck into the job I have now. I just applied at the right time.
Good luck to you whatever you decide.
If those companies paid a fair wage, and paid more
all came out equal, people wouldn't feel the need to try to make up the deficit by going for the good stuff. I actually prefer the harder, juicier reports. But I can't make a living doing only that, because the pay is not commensurate with the difficulty. So even though I prefer not to, sometimes I have to pick up some of the easier, more boring 'line-o-matic' reports just to make ends meet. Tell your MTSO to make it work their while, and MTs will stop taking all the easy work away that you obviously would prefer to keep for yourself.
You wont show UE being paid because it is employer paid -
the employee will never have to pay this.
That is a lot of work/lines for 2 people. I do 3000 lines per day sm
if you times that by 30 days that only comes to 90K lines a month, that is working 7 days a week including weekends. I don't think 2 people can handle that.
900 lines is below 1100 lines, where the bonus starts.
x
What you "should" be paid and what you "are" paid
sadly are two very different things. Good luck on demanding more..because someone else will just come along and take it for what they offer and they know it. 
Gross lines include all lines containing
printable characters, so a full line and a line with one word on it are charged equally. Straight lines are basically the same as gross lines, but with this method of counting the blank lines are counted as well (again, equally). I have only had one company pay this way, and they are a middle man. I would think the charge would be about the same as for gross lines, and that not too many offices will want their lines counted this way (the one I worked on was probably inherited from someone who had counted the lines that way, so just continued).
The norm is 1 minute = 10 lines; 10 min = 100 lines - sm
granted this varies per dictator. More lines if a fast talker, less if a slow talker.
I went from 2400 lines to 1800 lines
a day when I switched from clinic (through an MTSO) to hospital work. Not only was the clinic work easier with more macros (and less providers to learn, 12 vs 300+), but I was typing in straight Word (as opposed to Softmed/Chart Script). So you see, it really varies depending upon the type of work as well as the platform used. That said, I am so much happier typing the 1800 lines per day (I make over $15 per hour plus an incentive for any lines in excess of 1200 per day) plus a great health package/benefits, AND approximately 5 weeks of paid time off per year. In my opinion, hospitals really are the best employers WHEN they appreciate the work we do.
My advice for you is not to judge a job by any one criterion but rather the entire picture. The 'extra's can really add up.
Good luck in your job!
Which is the one where they are sc*&ing us the standard lines or the qualified lines? SM
Mine show up as STD when I pull up my transcription log. But I see now there is STD/QT.... So which is the one where they are ripping us off, standard or qualified? Need to know. I am about to switch companies and I will not do if they are actually taking lines from me. Thanks guys.
10$ late if invoice is not paid within 10 days. At day 15 work stops until invoice is paid. Hardly
xx
Question versus gross lines versus 65-character lines....
I have always charged or been paid by 65 or 60 character lines or per letter or space typed, but have never been paid or charged per gross line.
What is the advantage of this? If I were to charge 11 cents per 65-character line including spaces, what does this figure out to for an average line rate and how do you do this calculation?
I'm wondering if it is financially beneficial for me to bill by gross line or to keep it the way I have it. I do know some accounts will only pay per 65-character line, as this was the deal my first own account I recently acquired. They were adamant on a 65-character line, but didn't specify with or without spaces and I personally would never not charge for spaces.
Thanks for explaining this. I appreciate it and hope everyone has a speedy day.
Word count: 824 lines. DocuCount count: 897 lines.
I just counted the same file in Word and then in DocuCount, and DocuCount was higher than Word.
Just as an aside.
getting paid
In a hospital setting, doctors get paid when caring for patients that arent their own, patients admitted whose care they take over. I dont think it is wrong. They need a pay check too and the time they spend is taking time away from their office patients.
Wonder if they get paid by the name?
nm
RE: Paid for looking this up
Why would you want to get paid extra for performing your job properly?
Most I have run across say you will get paid for it sm
if you ask off that day, but unless you ask off, you have to work it and will be paid the holiday pay in addition. Most I know will not pay you for it if you do not work unless you request to be off on the holiday. I think it is strange because why else would they call it a holiday, but I think it is the nature of the beast of MT.
not getting paid
This was my thinking as well. Just didn't "jive" with me, if you know what I mean.  I will check with the places you mentioned. Thank you. 
Getting paid
You are doing the right thing asking what to do before flying off and ripping them a nasty letter with empty threats. Do some research, check and double check that you did not sign a contract, get all your ducks in a row and the facts straight, then sit down and write them a very professional, calm letter outlining the facts. Send it addressed to one of the doctors specifically -- as if it goes through an office manager it sometimes does not get to them -- and ask for it to be signed ONLY by the doctor and get a recepit that it was delivered. Just outline what will be happening if you do not get your check within 7 to 10 days and follow through. But make sure that the doctors know what is happening. But you can contact your state Labor Board, Consumer Affairs or any state agency that will listen to you to get the facts. Also the State Medical Association. Be sure to mention to the doctor (s) that you have contacted these agencies and will be doing a follow up letter with them should you not get paid. You can also file under the smalls claim court to get your money but that takes time. But if you write a very professional letter, have the correct facts and they see that you do -- they will pay. They don't want to fight. But again try to get the letter to the attention of one of the doctors.
Good luck, let us know how you do.
GETTING PAID
Is anyone having trouble getting paid by Keystrokes? My direct deposit never went into my account. Any information appreciated.
Not getting paid
This has happened to me as I was owed 1500.00 and I told the owner of the company that I was going to contact the BBB in his state, my state and the attorney general's offfice in both states, boy did I get my money fast. They do not like to hear that at all. Good luck, but don't let them get away with your not getting paid. We deserve our pay on time.
You get paid???
nm
She's not getting paid to be there? I'd be so
Can I ask why the ME below is paid 20% less than MT?
x
Get paid more than you?????
Don't bet on it. The pay is commensurate with experience (which is often none!) It sure would be nice if they would pay decent so experienced MT supervisors or even MTs could take these positions.
MTs being paid over $0.10 cpl
Just curious, how are MTs getting paid over $0.10 cpl? I have been an MT for 5 years working from home and only getting $0.08 cpl. I am a full-time IC. Are these your own clients or are you working for companies that pay this much? I have experience in many specialities. I am just wondering if I should just go out and get my own clients or continue to find a company that pays more? How do you go about getting your own clients? I type over 1,200 lines a day and it just doesn't seem like I'm bringing home enough $$$. I worked at a company for 2 years and started out at $16/hour. I left because I had kids and wanted to be home with them. Any suggestions? I'm getting ready to throw in the towel. 
MTs being paid over .10 cpl
I have worked for 1 doctor, my own client, for 16 years and get paid .10 per line plus he pays my health insurance. I also work for an online company that pays .085 per line. I think to get paid .10 per line or more, they have to be your own clients and you have to work out any special circumstances between the two of you. Good luck.
Getting Paid sm
This happened to me as well. I was patient, got my money they owed me and got out of that company. There are a lot of good companies out there hiring as we speak. Good luck!
Got paid
Thank you. I finally got my check. It was dated for the 15th but only postmarked for the 22nd? The first paycheck was right on time. Perhaps it was a mail processing issue this time.
I used to be paid that way...
I used to have a job where I was paid by the dictated minute. It was 0.50 a minute to start, 0.75 a minute after 90 days, if that helps you. I really prefer being paid by line.
APC ES-500 which has paid for itself several - sm
times, don't know why I waited so long to get one! I have 20-30 minutes of battery time, which is enough time to get my work saved or transferred to a memory stick if necessary.
I have always been paid at the CMT
rate by companies that pay extra, because of the quality of my work. I have known CMTs who were horrible MTs and I'm not sure how they got their CMT, or either they thought once they had it they were above proofing. There are people who need CMT to make them feel some sort of self-worth, but I think it is a waste of time and money to pursue it.
not paid also
I had the same problem, but I only worked for 2 weeks, and was owed over $200.00. She had me do overflow work and then no longer needed me and started making excuses why she was not paying me. Get this, she wrote me an email stating she was happy she did not put it in writing that she was going to pay me ___ a line, but little did she know that she just put it in writing in the email, so now at least I have documentation of that. I think it is horrible that we work long hours, and then get stiffed when we need the money the most.
Yes, even though it's not necessary to get paid. Don't get paid for it
,
I was paid like that before
About 6 years ago, I was paid $1.85/1000 characters (MTSO was charging $3.00/1000 characters).
You might want to check with doctor regarding spaces, though.
Good luck!
NOT PAID
I took a PT job with a small co. that agreed to pay me on the 1st & the 15th. After my 2nd invoice I received no further work from the company which had sent me work 3-4 times a week. I emailed the co. on the 21st asking if my check had been mailed and was told she had to check with her husband but he was out of town so she would have to check the next day. The next day I emailed again early in the afternoon with no response. I then sent another email requesting payment in full and I received a message at 12:22 AM stating her husband did mail the check but she did not know what day and if I did not receive it Friday to let her know and she would check into it further, that they had to use money from their personal account to cover my check ($75.00). She mentioned she would be happy to pay my other invoice on the 1st as we agreed. I guess I'm just venting here but has this ever happened to anyone else? The total owed to me is $221 and I'm not about to be shafted again by someone who does not want to pay. I don't want to bad mouth anyone but if I don't receive my check today, I will be listing the company name so no one else gets treated like this.
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