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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

certainly going back to college doesn't protect from outsourcing..

Posted By: JoV on 2006-06-16
In Reply to: Going to college does not change things - sm

one of the first things that went to India was accounting...


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College education and outsourcing
Radiologists' jobs are moving to India as well. Engineers also. Any type of medical degree that does not involve direct patient care can and is being exported.
Outsourcing doesn't always mean overseas, you
A physician who uses an MTSO for their transcription work, American or otherwise, is outsourcing. That practice has benefitted most of us, so I assume you just mean offshoring.

Don't you think that eventually foreign MTs will up the ante and start asking for more money? I do. Greed usually takes over and I predict it won't be long before they wake up and see that their services are worth more. If that happens, I think we will see less offshoring because the reason most companies offshore is the cost advantage. I've already seen some of the Indian companies requesting more, i.e., it used to be they wanted only 3-4 cpl and now they are saying 5-6 cpl. As an MTSO myself, I get quite a few emails from foreign MTs looking for work so I am just speaking from my personal experience. (I personally do not offshore and never will.)

There are some companies that offshore because they can't find enough MTs that want to work the graveshift and foreign MTs will gladly work it due to the time difference. That practice doesn't bother me as much as the companies just looking for cheap labor despite quality issues.
Me too - I'm already back in college - best of luck to you!
x
I am seriously thinking of going back to college at 38

years old and still work full-time. My kids are older now and pretty much self-sufficient. I would still have to work full-time though - need the money too much to go part-time.


I was thinking about going into the field of speech language pathology but not absolutely positive on that. The only thing I am positive about is my income as an MT is at a complete stand still and I'd like something to fall back on when this field no longer suits me.


Are there any other Moms out there going to school and working full-time? I'd like to hear how it's going for you.


I've been back in college for 2 years now.
and wish you the best of luck! You can never have too much education. It opens so many more doors!
Has anyone considered going back to college after having a family?

Any advice?  My husband is wanting me to go back to school and get a nursing degree, but I don't know if I have the stamina to work (which I would have to), take care of my family and go to school full time.  I don't think you can enter a nursing program part time.


I don't know that I would like to enter nursing but the thought of going back to school is tempting.  Of course, there are going to family obstacles to overcome first, the biggest being having someone available to take care of my son.  We have no family close by, so it would be up to me and my husband to work our schedules to make sure he was okay.  My husband's schedule is not flexible at all but it is such a weird schedule we could work around it.  My son is only 9 (soon to be 10) but I don't feel comfortable leaving him home alone yet.  He has some friends whose parents have let them come home from school to an empty home since 1st or 2nd grade, but I would NEVER consider that.


Thanks for listening.  I would appreciate any advice or stories from others.  This is really on my mind now and I guess I am weighing my options.


I heard back from my senator today about outsourcing bill sm

He thanked me for my letter, said that as he understood it, this bill didn't cover anything of what I had mentioned.  However, he said he would be paying more attention to this bill when it comes before the full senate for a vote.  He said he was against outsourcing.  Below is my letter to him:


Dear Senator Barrasso:
 
I am writing to request that you support the above bill. I am a medical Transcriptionist in Wyoming. I moved here 2 years ago from Colorado, bringing my job and income with me. I make an above-average income, which I spend in my community, but my job is at risk because so much of this work is being outsourced, particularly to India. More importantly, the health and privacy of the American public is being put at risk by this practice. First, Indian transcriptionists do their job poorly and inefficiently. The gross errors jeopardize health care. Every error has the potential to injure or poison an American citizen, including many young children for whom accurate diagnoses and medication administration can be a life and death issue. To add insult to injury, Indian transcriptionists are NOT required to honor HIPAA. Once a physician's dictation leaves this country, it is no longer private.
I am a very hard working medical transcriptionist and I am still able to earn a decent living in this industry, but it is certainly not what it used to be. I am paid 9 cents for every 65 Keystrokes I type, whereas an Indian is paid 2 to 3 cents for the same work. This undercutting has hurt this industry and every woman (95% of us are female), many of whom are trying to support families on their own, has been dragged to the poverty line because our wages have not grown with the cost of living. I make 9 cents today and I made 9 cents in 1996, the year my career began.
Please protect the healthcare and privacy of Americans, and help to protect yet another industry from moving to overseas. Support and sign S.810/H.R. 1653.


Double major - BA English/journalism. Did MT while in college and came back after layoff.
amazing, just amazing.....
Let's hope the car doesn't come back...
with every hidden nook and cranny filled with drugs! Your sis and BIL have a screw loose to let allow a slacker child, who happens to be an adult, do what he wants with a car they pay for. JMHO, so don't bother bashing me, it won't change my mind!
I hope he doesn't get voted back in either because worse than Eric
is CRAZY Ivette. I LOVE Howie and want him to win. Nobody else but Howie has entertained me on this show. So cute and funny when he pretended he was going to kiss Beau. W/O Howie, I can't watch it even if Kaysar comes back. Don't like that entire Cappy groupie scene. Do you think CBS will bring back a firefighter hero instead of an Iraq guy for ratings though? I know we are supposed to decide but I doubt that is true in the end.
Protect ears where you can
I recently bought a new blow dryer that is louder than my old one. I have started putting cotton in my ears while blow drying, and it muffles the high, painful whine. I suddenly have more patience with styling my hair, so I guess it may have been bothering me before this, too, and I didn't realize why I could hardly wait to finish.
You have done all you can to protect others, then. It's really horrible. I'm so sorry.
(nm)
password protect it so that they will have to ask
If they question why you have a password, say that you had to for compliance issues, which really is what you should do anyway.  I have my computer set up so that after 20 minutes of being idle, I have to reenter my password.  They really should ask before using it.  I feel that my work computer is for my use only, so I don't feel guilty about not sharing it.
How to protect our jobs . . .
I learned that Focus Infomatics (transcription service) is an alliance of Nuance, the company who owns eScription and Dragon voice recognition programs. Apparently, Focus Infomatics sends a majority of their dictation to India, and the pay to MTs in the U.S. is below minimum wage. I think we should avoid working for Focus Informatics, as well as avoid attending or promoting the Career Step MT program. Career Step promotes and supports Focus Infomatics. This may be a small step in the right direction for MTs who deserve higher wages and to be treated with respect.
Well, I bet it's because CA has laws that protect
workers, so certain skeevy companies at least don't want to hire them because then they would (horrors) have to pay them when there is no work rather than pay them nothing while they sit waiting for work. That's just one of the protections we have here in CA. IMO
Why I'm FOR unions: They protect the WORKER.
.
Password protect the files in word (sm)

tools>security options or general options>password


That's what I'd suggest. 


A little 3in1 oil or WD40 might help, too. But protect the floor/carpet underneath until the oil has
s
maybe it's just a pure and simple invasion of privacy the poster feels they want to protect.
if you do your job, who cares if poster was released from prison. weren't companies hiring prisoners to do MT anyway and weren't they doing credit card customer service?
Wrong. That is why you have virus protectection and anti-spyware. To protect 100% of the time.
:P
Why are YOU attacking HER? Just because she doesn't want kids, doesn't mean she needs a psychi
xx
unions protect unions, not employees...sm
those days are gone. The unions got too big and too greedy. The concern of the union is the union, not the employee.
With short arms, I need chair with shallow seat, good back support and high back. Want arm rests
:+
OK! I'm glad you're back down here. Now don't go back up there and read those evil posts ag
Okay? But I have to leave you now, sadly. Thousands of noble dictating doctors are anxiously awaiting my help with their "dictations"....They're all loading up on chips, drinking lots of soda so they can burp, and then have to go to the bathroom...You know the routine! Off I go to earn some pennies!! But, truly, I am thankful that I have a job!
PS.. It apparently worked..I heard back and already submitted the paperwork back.

I'm not sure how many people they are hiring but you shouldn't stress too hard over it. Do the best you can.


I'm in college myself ...
Do you have an undergraduate bulletin from the U? If not, GET ONE TODAY. Look at the degree programs. He must pick out a major and register and be assigned an Academic Advisor first.

Make sure he fills out his FASFA anyway and has it sent to the university. Just because you make $40K does not mean he should not qualify for grants or scholarships whatsoever. I don't know who told you that or if you just are assuming that, but it is not true.
A university has many, MANY avenues for financial aid. He will be assigned a financial aid counselor and you need to call up there right now, TODAY (if he is planning on attending this fall semester in about 5 weeks) and go talk to the immediately. Do you know the FASFA website? Have you filled it out? You MUST fill it out, it will be processed and sent to the university, then they will send him an award letter and you can go from there.

Now, student loans are not bad debt at all. It is an investment in your future. Just make sure you are borrowing responsibly an amount that can be paid back easily. As well, it will not hurt him one bit to pay his own student loans back and/or you pay just part of them. He should have to be payint and investing in his OWN future.

He probably needs to find a part-time job, period. Nothing wrong with that. It will teach him discipline and show you whether he is serious about an education or not. If he has registered already (and he should have if he is attending this fall ... if he hasn't and wants to go, REGISTER TODAY)...you know when his classes are and he can hit the pavement today on finding a part-time job.

You've have a bad experience as far as academic counseling at the junior college -- at least from your description, I would call that near idiocy. At the U, he will have to claim a major and it should have a sports program so that should not be a problem. Do NOT---NOT---NOT---NOT just "put him in a major". This is his education. It must be what HE wants.

There's not a lot you can do until you:
1) Fill out that FASFA and process it
2) Call the U, physically go in with your son and see a Financial Aid Advisor
3) Register, see your Academic Advisor and get your classes

If I can help you in anyway, let me know.
I had it in college
I went for PT - they did u/s and massage and heat application. Also, I received medication via (I am going to get this wrong I think) iontophoresis.

I had to change the way I held my food trays (I was a waitress) and do some exercises with a one pound weight.

It resolved with cessation of what was causing the problem in the first place. Every so often it comes close to flaring back up if I am not careful. Now my big problem is mild tendinitis in my thumb .

I never needed surgery though I have heard some people do if it gets really bad.

Did they do the Finklestein test (is that what its called?) on you to dx it? Its where they have you make a fist and then they flex your wrist down. I yelped and almost kicked the dr!

Good luck.
What did you go to college for? nM
x
I was in college before
I attended college off and on from 1989 - 1997. It will only take me a year to complete what I started.
college or not (I did) - what you do....sm

What a person does for their entire lifetime is a career, a profession.  Some of us went to college, some graduated, some never went to college.  Who cares?  I spent 27 years doing this so yep, it has become my profession......worked Wall Street for 3 years in the 60s-70s, well that was my profession at the time (decade).  Worked restaurants as a kitchen manager for 5 years - that was my profession during those 5 years and what a chef I am....*LOL*


Worked in a major teaching hospital for 10 years PRIOR to doing full-time MT work.....so yep - the medical profession is my profession and I'm a paraprofessional !!!


Dream on..........


For College - sm
You may want to check with the school. At FSU, your laptop needs to have specific programs/capabilities if you want to take it to class with you to use in class, and also to download from their blackboard on the internet.

My tech also agrees Toshibas are the best and I was lucky that the Toshiba was compatible with many of the requirements.
college or not
I graduated in 2004 with an Associate Degree in Medical Office Administration, Office Systems Technology, when I was 18 yrs. old I went to nursing school and then worked a few years as an LPN. I don't regret my college or degrade college in any way, but, most employers want an experienced MT but won't give anyone a chance to prove that someone just starting out can do the job.I am now 50 years old, taking care of my disabled husband and CAN NOT get a job at home working as a medical transcriptionist, and can't afford to take the extra tutoring that some suggest. I would just like a chance to make a living, not a bunch of money, just enough to pay my bills.
They are not gone...they just went to college--sm
They will be around more than you think....when they need money...when they need their laundry done...and, of course, holidays. They will miss you too, I am sure. You won't be nearly as lonely as you think you are going to be. lol
College

I have 2 kids in college, one I helped on the front end and because of this career, one I will have to help on the back end (meaning help him pay off his loans while he is in school instead of giving him money up front).  The Stafford loans have very low interest rates right now, the rates went down.  I live in Western NY and there are 2 MT jobs that I know of at one hospital.  The other hospitals don't have inhouse transcriptionists.  One uses a service (used to be my competitor) and they are giving all new residents laptops for EMR and the other gave all their doctors laptops 2 years ago.  I'm tired of MTing to be honest, 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week, first as MTSO as qualified people were hard to come by and then because either the service didn't pay, didn't pay on time or didn't have any work so I have needed to work for more than one.  I would love to do anything else.


Thanks - I have 1 in college and 1 soon to be..nm
x
kid drinks in college
And what are you gonna do if you kid does drink at college??  Kidnap him/her and deprogram them?  They are adults when they are in college.  I would hope by the time a child gets to be 17, 18, they have been taught right from wrong and no I would not want to know if my child was partying and drinking in college.  They are living a normal young adults life.  I would want to know he/she is having fun and doing their studies and, of course, if they became a drug addict or alcoholic, they I will be there but normal partying for young adults, Im okay with that..better than being tied to my apron strings.
Paying for college for my son..

My son is attending college and I have paid for 2 years through a junior college, but it is now time for him to move to a major university. Because of my salary of just over $40,000 a year, he has never qualified for any type of scholarship, only student loans (which I have paid back). Does anyone know of ANY scholarships, etc. that can be applied for? I know nothing at all about how the system works and feel I have failed in trying to help him (it's all I can do to hold down 2 jobs in order to make the $40,000). We even tried to have him set up on a student work program, but they said you could not do the student work program if you were getting student loans. It was like at every turn, there was something to disqualify him from getting assistance. He carries an 'average' grade point (more interested in social aspects, of course, than his studies). He has never had a counselor at the junior college that helped much. He is interested in sports administration, so the junior college counselor did not know what field to put him in, so she put him in liberal arts, and now we find he needs some other classes instead. I'm searching for any help with limited time to search. He tries, but he does not seem to get anywhere either.   ANYTHING ideas would be appreciated, and thanks in advance.


Do you have a college degree, and in what?
I know there are MTs out there who have Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degrees.  According to other posters, those of us with higher education who choose to do MT are pitiful.
48-1/2 WF, M, 2 kids, 1 to college
/
2 kids in college
I have 2 kids in collge, 1 in state and 1 out of state. My daughter's financial aid (out of state) is based on my income because she is still considered a dependent (she lives in dorm). My son's financial aid (in state GA) is based on his income because he is independent. The difference is if the student has a lease for rent in their name, they are considered independent and it is based on their income. Depending on what you and hubby make, he might be better off on his own financial aid wise for college. Both of my kids get about the same in federal financial aid ( I am considered lower end of income - long story) Both of my kids get pell grant and also get the subsidized and unsubsidized loans from government. College is very expensive even if they go to a local community university/college. Hope this helps
what are you studying in college?
xx
WHERE DOES YOU CHILDREN GO TO COLLEGE sm

Maybe our children go to the same college.   


 


I will start


One daughter goes to Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.  The other daughter will be going to UMass at Amerst in the fall.  


What are you studying in college? nm
xx
No I never said that, they paid for college, I only - sm
helped with incidentals. I did not have too, I wanted to. They did not say I had to work but I wanted to contribute as much as I could to the expenses. Art supplies and books are not cheap and I told them I would take care of that. I spent about $2K a year in art supplies alone, w/o food. My first 2 years they paid tuition and board in the dorm, my Jr. & Sr. year I got an apartment which I shared with 1 person the first year, and the next year I got a bigger apt. and shared with 2 people, cutting the rent cost in the process. I also covered my butt by subletting in the Summer so they would not get stuck paying rent on my empty room (though I would have paid that from my summer job if it had happened). In no way do I think I put myself through college. All I did was try to save my parents some cash and be as self-sufficient as I could in the circumstances. I am very grateful for what they did for me. During 2 of my years in college they were shelling out $15K a year for my older brother to go to Drexel (his tuition and apartment), so they had their plate full. Luckily my dad had it all covered through extremely wise investments when I was just a little girl. I have been extremely fortunate but I never expected it all to be handed to me on a plate, and I have never said "oh, I put myself through college", what a load.
I also went to a community college
and never had any problems finding a job. In fact, I got my first job at home before I was even finished with school. I took all my classes online and have worked from home for the past 3 years here with my kids. I say go for it!
Actually I did go to college and I'm not bitter at all....sm
Just realistic, as I said. Obviously you've not found the right company - there are out there, believe me. But the previous poster did say it correctly - if you were working in an office with your degree, you couldn't just jump up and run. An MTSO or company has a business to run, too. I schedule my appointments after my working hours - pretty simple it seems to me.
Free college in GA?
Is that a statewide program?  What do you have to do to qualify for it?
Not so. You can go to college and work
around classes. That does not prohibit you from obtaining unemployment.
Not so. You can go to college and work
around classes. That does not prohibit you from obtaining unemployment.
College and unemployment
My son is going to college because his boss of two years told him he couldn't use him this semester even though my son could prove he was available for the same amount of hours he had always been available for and he has been going to school the whole time he worked for him.
OUTSOURCING....
http://msn.com.com/2100-9589_22-5757832.html?part=msn&subj=ns_5757832&tag=tg_itdc