agree...have been transcribing for over 16 years
Posted By: eversothankful on 2007-11-28
In Reply to: Except, you are in the minority. It's RARE when MTSOs actually pay extra for CMTs. - nm
and have never been asked if I am certified. Have never been offered more money to become certified either.
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did not say she was new - said she had many years transcribing - nm
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Nearly 20 years of transcribing, and my first dictator with hiccups throughout! nm
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Ive worked Sundays since I started transcribing 18 years ago!
..but i know that they always need to be covered and people keep getting sick and having operations... holidays too. we are in one of those kind of jobs. i love having time off during the week to get things done though.
I agree.. but, my son was 5 years old
His first time in school and he wanted to play with it at recess. We did not know it was in his backpack or obviously we would not have allowed a toy of any sort at school rather it be a gun or a doll. The reasoning behind the suspension was that other children may be frightened it was real. PLEASE!! It looks like a plastic toy.. and then the principal proceeded to grill my son "do you know what you have done etc".. He was FIVE years old. You would have thought he was in a gang and he was treated as such with the whole zero tolerance in school but in kindergarten.. I think we're under no direct threat.. Thanks for all the opinions out there. Goes to show we are all individuals with individual beliefs.
I have been an MT for 9 years and I agree on most of what you say but
When placing a job ad, where do they put it? Under general or Office/clerical, not under Healthcare, Medical, or professional. If you could see some of the reports I see, you would cringe on these so-called MTs. Don't number a list, don't use references, don't look at their account specifics, just type and think they're doing great...and graduate from a school that teaches MT (and not an online/correspondence school either). Everyone is out for the almighty buck. The local hospitals here hire TYPISTS because they want to keep their expenses low.
While I take pride in what I do and in believe quality-not quantity, you have these services chasing the big bucks. You get what you pay for and that is why the MT profession has gone so far downhill. We are considered TYPISTS or CLERICAL workers, not professionals and so, we don't get paid what we're worth. It's enough to get anybody down and not give a darn anymore.
I agree - MA programs are 9 mos to 2 years
There is no licensing or regulation on who can work as a medical assistant, so one can even be hired and trained on the job, but these days, most MAs go to vocational school or a 2 yr CC program to learn the job. MAs most often work in doctor's offices.
CNAs can get trained in 6 wks. CNAs almost always work in LTC or hospitals.
The focus of training is entirely different. CNAs assist the nurses, MAs assist the docs.
PA vs MA has been well covered already so I skip it.
I have worked for BTS for nearly 3 years and agree
with everything said. The pay is direct deposit and always on time. The MT manager is an AWESOME person to work for/with. I too have had disagreements (several) with QA, but overall they are very helpful and do their best to work with you to become a better MT. And best thing is...I have NEVER run out of work.
Oh, I totally agree with 30+ years
how can you go wrong? Me with 20 years, I have been there and done that. This CMT jizzjazz just came about as far as I'm concerned. I've had a wealth of success and have my own accounts that do not require I know a book. They go on my integrity and no I'm no where near perfect, but who is? I have seen a lot and have experienced quite a bit in my years, and I'm only 37. So go figure? Wow, has this profession evolved? I basically had 3 years of transcription in high school/medical secretary, and fell into it, but gee whiz, how this has become a production oriented/dog eat dog profession!
I only IC for one company on-line along with having my own accounts, and I can say the company knows the difference between IC and employee. Yes, believe it or not, they will ask if I am available. To me, that's true IC status. I work from a pool, which is fine by me because if I get busy with other things, I know someone is keeping that client happy with that company. I only do it for the experience and thoroughly enjoy my work.
I'm glad someone else is feeling it though with regards to IC versus employee. Some will really get upset and say that the MTSO needs to cover the account and need to know when you are going to work. WRONG!!! The MTSO needs to cover the account. Period. The End. They do not need to know what your hours of operation are or how many lines can you type in an hour. 
I couldn't agree more. Lost my mom 13 years ago sm
this coming August. I miss her the most on Mother's Day.
agree - haven't had a car payment in years
paid $6000 cash for a 93 Volvo wagon back in 2002. Too many people think they need a new (or pricey) vehicle and really have better things to do with their $400-600 per mo. Every time I look into getting something new or simply newer, I decide that I neither want to take that much money out of savings, nor do I want to have such an outrageous car payment. I would totally prefer a brand new car, but it seems like such a waste of money.
Ouch. I happen to agree with her. 15 years sm
here - and I would not recommend this field to anyone. She asked for opinions and we gave ours - we did not "make" our problems anybody else's.
With 33 years' experience, I agree. It doesn't sm
get any easier, because there is a constant influx of ESLs into this country who can barely make themselves understood. If you want to translate, yes, translate, and transcribe pidgeon English
day in and day out, make less and less money as the years go by, then this is the career for you.
I used to love what I do. It used to be rewarding. Now I feel like I'm following behind elephants with a shovel.
I agree, easier but I worked on production years ago
as I think the original poster Patti also did and I was, shall we say threatened 1 time for being cutoff from production and having to do paper work because of the fact I out typed the other transcriptionists there- it can be done, I have done it working on production, now is more simple time and I also like using goggle, etc. When working like that years ago I never took the time to read over each report- waste of time- do not do that now. I have been in the situation 2 times in my career of being told how much I make, etc and most did not like. One hospital I worked for in the 80s only had 2 transcriptions for the entire 300+ bed- we never used outside work, kept things up and yet told look what we make! I see lots of people who only do this job so they can stay at home. I stand by my original posting.
I agree. It's an impossibility for me even with years of experience AND good dictators. nm
m
Agree with poster... it takes 2-3 years from graduating from a program sm
to start to make any decent wage. I personally love this job. Where else can you get a job that requires no college degree that you can make 40,000-50,000 per year???
I agree with Misty, after doing rescue work with cats for over 20 years, they do adjust and become v
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new at transcribing
im new at this, worked for a local cardiology office for 1 year as a medical secretary.then got this at home transcription job, lowest pay with a 1200 line a day minimum, it has been very hard, if i made more money i wouldnt mind it. when you guys were new, where did you get your foot in the door?
Sometimes when I am transcribing
I will type a word out of nowhere, it's like my fingers are typing without any thought behind it.
. 
Transcribing while in a car?
Does anyone have any experience with this? My family is involved in different activities that involve traveling two or three times a week with at least an hour's commute one way or more. I hate to sit and twiddle my thumbs while traveling when there is work that could be done. Is it possible? Have to download internet files from my national. Could I do that with a cell phone? Any help at all would be much appreciated!
transcribing in a car
I have thought about this but in a park with a laptop. For my particular situation, I was going to email voice files to myself. Theoretically should work.
transcribing help
Hi! I'm new to this forum and am seeking help. If a Dr dictates "extension -5, flexion 90..." do you leave it like that or do you add the term degrees?? I have been transcribing for a little over a year now but have not come across this yet. I appreciate any help anyone can provide me :) Thanks!
Transcribing from CD?
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to transcribe from a CD and use a USB foot pedal to play back? I have been asked to transcribe a documentary and I am not very savvy when it comes to things like this (applications), so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Is anyone out there transcribing for Cardiology?
Just wondering if it is fairly easy to catch on or a pain in the butt? I might take a position but I'd like to know if I will be able to handle it as a newbie? What do you think?
editing vs. transcribing
Hi everyone! I have been working (at home) for a medical group for 10+ years and they are now in the process of switching to Dictaphone voice recognition system. They tell me I will soon be an "editor" if I choose to stay with the group. I have been transcribing for about 30 years now so I am looking forward to editing rather than transcribing, but I have no idea what the difference will be in pay. Do most editors charge by the line? Any info folks could share on the transition would be appreciated. Thanks!
if you are only transcribing 2 hours a day - sm
don't turn it away. What's a measly 2 hours a day!!! They cannot tax you on it and by the end of the year, you will have more writeoffs to offeset anything you may have to pay in for taxes.
Don't know about transcribing for the Military, but...sm
your transcription skills will most certainly qualify you for an Administrative Assistant/secretary position for the Military. I started as a GS-4 in Aug 04. Got promoted to a GS-5 in Aug 05 and now am lead secretary in an office of 50 people. I get an automatic promotion to a GS-6 in Aug 06. On top of the all the benefits, they are going to pay for my degree too. I know a lot of people complain about Federal jobs, but mine has been a blessing all the way around.
transcribing on treadmill
Haven't figured out how yet but there has to be a way to transcribe while walking on a treadmill. Any suggestions?
transcribing for Doc's office
Moving to Idaho soon, would like to type for doctor's office..Any idea how I can find out how to go about this. Where would I look to find out particulars. Working for outsource now but do NOT want to get into that situation again..Too many confusing signals.
Slow down while transcribing (sm)
and proof then? If you're making so many errors that proofing is time-consuming, then you need to change your work method. Are you using an Expander so you don't have to think about spelling/capitalizing drug names, for example? Are you saving copies of each report and creating normals from them so you don't have to retype the doctor's standard phrases? After 4 years, you must be doing something very wrong to be stuck at 900 lines/day.
You should not be transcribing what you don't understand.
Do you know the diff between peroneal and perineal? If you don't, you are making a fool of yourself and the field. If you don't understand it, you aren't doing it right. That holds true for ANY field of work.
Is doing QA easier than transcribing? nm
nm
Transcribing vs Dreaming
You know how they say sometimes your dreams are your brain's way of finding solutions to problems? I find that when I am transcribing my brain does the best thinking. Yes, I am focused on what I am typing but I find that all sorts of ideas/solutions just pop in my head while I am transcribing--things that have absolutely nothing about what I am typing. Can't tell you how many times I think about what to plan for dinner, etc. I wonder if it is because I slow down enough and am still in one spot that my brain is finally able to focus. Or maybe it is because I am so focused on my typing that my brain has room to think of other things too. Does anyone else do that?
dreaming or transcribing
Whenever I am working I think of cooking and cleaning. Then when dinner time rolls around I have already cooked and done all my housework (in my mind only) and am ready for bed. I call this mind-cooking, or mind-cleaning. Sometimes it is only place where I can find peace. Isthat how you feel?
Transcribing since 2000, now 31....
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Drinking and Transcribing sm
Someone's life is placed in my hands when I sit down to transcribe. One letter out of the way such as an "a" could change the meaning of someone's medical diagnosis. One slip of a wrong medication or dosage and the patient could die. We all know when docs get used to us getting things right, they don't even read what they sign. One pass-over of a word that we don't want to take the time to look up could kill a patient. Don't tell me to lighten up, please. That's your excuse! I have had an anaphylactic reaction to a medication. If someone decided to skip over this or whatever - I could die, yes, DIE! I would no more drink and transcribe than play Russian roulette with an infant. Sorry, it's probably what you don't want to hear, but I would not want you NEAR my medical history. I once had a student skip over an allergic reaction and instead of looking up the name of it she just typed "the dye". When I caught her on it, she shrugged her shoulders as if it didn't mean a thing. She just wanted to get her line count in, looking things up took away from her $$$.
Please take me seriously, it's worse than drinking and driving. It's a serious, serious thing to do. Alcohol definitely affects judgement and makes you sloppy. Slop and medical transcription do not go together. I don't want to kill anyone tonight, do you? If you want to drink, that's your business, but don't drink and type someone's medical record! Don't bother responding for me to "lighten up" because anyone with half a brain knows I'm right! If you drink constantly, then you're still "drunk" when you get up in the morning, coffee does NOT sober you up. That's BS.
 Put the plug in the jug!
Transcribing is not typing. sm
It includes typing, but so much more. It absolutely includes tools of the trade, especially word expansion programs, and normals, and sample of difficult doctors. Typing wpm actually has nothing to to with transcribing lph. If you think of it as typing, you will always be slow at transcribing.
tired of transcribing
Yes. I feel that same way . I have been transcribing for about 28 years, and you are absolutely correct that the pay is just not going up, and you work all day and make peanuts. I would like to be the middle man and make the money they do. If you are interested by any chance in partnering in a company venture, let me know. I need to get out of this field too.
transcribing expletives sm
I have heard different approaches to this. In this case, the expletive has to do with the employment of someone and harrassment. I think in this case it is okay to spell it out, as it is his part of the complaint. I usually use quotation marks. Anyone else had this problem? Help wanted on this subject.
@ 380 lpm transcribing, 800 editing
Rather slow typist, working for national (Transcend), semi-anal good-quality work, use ShortHand and templates, acute care accounts I'm familiar with. That's actual work time only, not coffee-break time, and I can do better when I try.
I'm not talking about transcribing.....
I am talking about "scoping", or rather, editing a transcript that has already been made..this is not court reporting or transcribing...fyi
I am considering using VR for my transcribing. Does anyone have any NEGATIVE
comments about using VR? Best program? Like to know what to be prepared for. May be my only hope to continue in transcription due to wrist problems. Thanks.
I welcome transcribing correspondence
that is not patient-related now and again, but not if I'm not being compensated for it. I don't know how long you have been with this practice, but I would send a letter outlining what you posted regarding both matters, and state that you feel you are deserving of a pay increase because the job entails more than you originally agreed upon. See what kind of reply you get. Ya never know! Good Luck!
Digital Transcribing
I sent you an email. All you need is the software, a foot pedal, probably USB, and the doctors need the software and some dicatating hardware. It is all very inexpensive. And SO nice. Try it, you'll like it.
I am transcribing the most considerate doc sm
ever. I'm doing a stat transfer summary and I'm going along as fast as I can and all of a sudden as I proof this is what I read-I have to imagine that you would have to be pretty sick of listening to people just flip pages all the time, I'm sorry about that. I wish there was a better way around it. Now, isn't that sweet of him?
editing vs. QA vs. transcribing
Wondering what you guys in editing and/or QA can tell me about the stress level of your jobs? I love transcribing; have done it for 25+ years, but this year I've been extremely burned out. Some days, I can barely make my quota. I'm easily distracted, I get sleepy, my back hurts, and my wrists seem to lock up. I have to stretch my 8-hour day out to about 15 hours just to get my minimum line count. I wouldn't say it's "stressful," just monotonous and boring. Tried editing at one point, but found it to be even more boring; just MY opinion. What's the stress level for you guys who are strictly editors and strictly QA? Is QA worth the extra money, or are you stressed to the max?
When I first started transcribing,
it was most comfortable to put the keyboard on my lap, and I spent much of my time transcribing in that position. I did not require a pillow due to long arms and short upper body. One arm is a little longer, so the keyboard was on a little angle.
Everybody's body is different, so you just have to pay attention to what's happening as you type and adjust your position. It's not bad to have more than one position you use each day. And I can't stress enough the importance of exercising. I know you don't want to take the time, but if you would use little free weights and proper form in a few exercises, moving the weights slowly with no momentum (some of the form I see on The Biggest Loser is not ideal!) you would really help your posture and get rid of the knots before they start getting bigger and pressing on nerves.
There are also chiropractic exercises for your neck that have been around for decades that can really help keep neck pain away. It's where you put your hand on one side of your head and push against the hand for a count of 10, with 10 sets. Then do it on the other 3 sides of your head.
You just need your muscles to be a little stronger to support your arms more comfortably. And with exercising you also learn to detect tension.
Are you squeezing your jaw muscles right now? That's where tension starts. Stretch and relax your jaw. Where are your eyebrows? Raised for no reason? Knit together in a frown? Let go and relax your face.
13975 -- all transcribing
Did not realize it -- three psych reports 15 to 18+ pages each
transcribing with the AlphaGrip
Before I discovered the AlphaGrip I had been searching for a tray to hold my keyboard on my lap, and I wound up buying the one offered here: http://www.laptoplounger.com/
I have never been able to work comfortably with my keyboard in my lap, and still was not able to with this tray, but it works great for my foot pedal and is adjustable both in height and angle. I will have to try to take a pic of my setup and post it here. I have my recliner on an old futon frame so that I can use a rolling laptop desk and have my computer in front of me while I am reclined, with the tray I mentioned for the foot pedal set up on the end of the frame (need to stabilize it a little better).
BTW, when I bought the Touchsmart computer, the wireless keyboard that comes with it is smaller than the one I was using prior, and I was able to take an old lapdesk and Velcro attach the keyboard to it, and I was finally able to have the keyboard in my lap. When I bought my AlphaGrip, I was able to immediately discontinue use of the traditional mouse, but gradually switched from the keyboard. The AlphaGrip web site has tons of information and free programs to help with learning to use it. I started with a program that one of their early customers came up with and is provided free, and then downloaded some of the typing games they offer. Most of the keys are hit with the same finger as on the QWERTY keyboard, but to fit all of the keys from the traditional board in such a small space, some of them are chorded. Basically, there are three shift keys, regular for caps, red for numerals and some special characters (-, +, =, etc.) and green for punctuation and some other special characters. I love mine, and with the pain I was having before, I do not know that I would have been able to stay in transcription without it.
Sorry so long . . . I guess I'm passionate about my AG :)
**transcribing - too late in the day (lol)
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I'm Back to Transcribing
I just wanted to drop in and say hello to everyone. I don't know if anyone here even remembers me. I left the MT industry about a year ago, coming home to work on cottage industry things. However, I was recently offered a good job doing MT again, so I'm back! Just wanted to say hello to everyone. I had let my office get into a huge mess,  but I've had a lot of fun undertaking an office redo.  If anyone cares to see pictures, I've put some on my blog. Link below.
Lynn
Transcribing a wav file
To use a pedal, you'll need to be using a transcription software that allows the use of a foot pedal. Unless you have one installed, more than likely the wav file is being opened in windows media player, which has no footpedal support. If you need to open the file with your transcription software, in your software go to file > open > and choose the wav file you'd like to transcribe.
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