opinions vary,
Posted By: sm on 2008-07-23
In Reply to: Is transcription really dying? - lolabug
but i don't think so. but in this day and age, i think you are wise to have more than 1 skill up your sleeve. i think the pendulum will swing and we will realize that a thinking person is better than a machine, tho some adapting may be necessary and that shipping work overseas isn't the smartest solution either. i suspect you'll esp find ample work in the big city.
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yes it can vary
Some don't pay for underlining or bold and you really don't notice these things because they are out of sight and out of mind. We assume that a rate per line means everything in the entire line, but it doesn't. I recently used Abacus and counted by gross and two other ways and it sure can vary.
...may vary (was cut off) (nm)
x
Does it vary by state? usually something like 23.
x
It probably does vary between accounts.
Problem in MTSO's don't want MTs to know exactly what they are charging. So MTs get a flat rate. It's not fair.
I have this & speed can vary sm
I also have the 727 with Sprint and also another card for my laptop so hubby can be on it while I'm working. I worked for a company where I had to log in to their VPN system, and there were times I would lose connection because my connection speed would dip down too low. However, I am about 1/3 of a mile outside the official coverage area and have to use an antenna to get a good signal, and this may or may not be the case with your connection. I have also used my USB card for the Bayscribe system and just started with Keystrokes using DocQScribe with absolutely no problems at all.
YMMV (your mileage may vary)
>>>Who are making more money with VR than you did with straight transcribing?
Depends upon the day.
>>>If so, how many LPH did you average when doing straight transcribing?
About 250 lph.
>>>If not, how would you rate the difference, approximately in % of income lost
When VR is "kicking booty," I can get close to 400 lph with around 99% accuracy. And that's just straight dictation. If I knew how to do macros and templates, I could probably get close to 500 lph. --- But it didn't happen overnight. I started using the product again in November 2002 when I busted my finger. When it's a matter of spending the time training the product correctly or not working at all, you find a lot of patience.
LOL! Accounts vary, I guess. SM
I have typed on one where they don't want them capped, and it bugs me every time. :)
It can vary widely so I'm not sure there is a baseline.
Some companies pay per line, some pay per hour. Hourly is the best way to go. The per line rate can go from 2 to 5 cpl, hourly $10 to $15. Figure out what your hourly rate is doing transcription and you'll know what to ask for. Generally QA people make less than MTs, but you wouldn't want to take a cut I don't think.
goes to show how much our experiences out here vary... Everyone comes from a different POV
What you can do per hour can vary WILDLY
I have some accounts I can crank out lines on and hit 1000 in 5 hours easily. I have another that can take me nearly 8 hours because of being 90% ESL (really bad ones to boot!) and really tedious account specifics. I have been on this platform for 6 years and have expanded to the max. It can just depend on the accounts you do! :-)
Yes it can vary, that is up to the MTSO how they want to pay/bill - sm
I used to work for one that billed out as a line being 60 characters; she also had another account that was 50 characters (which gives the Dr. the impression they are paying less as the rate is .10; which is actually .13/65 char). This was a smaller MTSO though, all the larger companies I have worked for have all been 65 char/line.
Seems to vary by company. Mine seem to
s
Reports vary so much it's hard to say
It really depends on what type of reports they are, as well as your platform. I just started doing radiology and man when I think I am really rocking, my report numbers are up and my line count is down. Like you, sometimes when I'm really strugling with those long complicated MR reports and feel like I'm stopping every five seconds, despite myself I'm typing more lines. I feel it's because the reports are so long.
Basically, I live by the axiom that anytime you have to take your hands off the keyboard, it costs you money. Period. That's why people talk about the "good old days" of WP51 and straight Word (not Word-based platforms) where you could keep your hands where they belonged and not fiddle with the mouse all the time or wait on the platform to catch up to you.
Sorry I don't have more answers; perhaps someone who keeps better records than me will be more help! :)
As you can see, experiences vary very widely SM
But--It's the future, so leap in! Figure out every way technology can do the work for you much, much faster. Start programming your corrections into your Expander from day 1. All of them. Not just a few main phrases, but virtually every word within them and every possible variable. Program in all your punctuation corrections. Like changing ". He " to ", he" and vice versa within at most 3 keystrokes. You'll do it all day long.
It's true people are making less in general these days, but any time I hear of people still being able to support themselves fairly acceptably I pretty much know they're still typing out most stuff out the looong way. Alllllllllll of it alllllll day looooong...... That's really sort of analogous to people who refused to learn word processing, insisting on staying with Selectrics and Liquid Paper. Back then, like now, we upgraded our skills or went broke.
And if you don't already, practice reading fast until you get that skill up there. There's a lot of reading to this.
Don't bother fussing about what a mess VR can make of some dictation. All that counts is what income you can make from cleaning it up. (Tho skimming through reports that just need a slight buffing IS a pleasure.)
My last thought is that this business is in flux, and it's true some companies are not paying equitably for this work. Yes, a greatly increased pool of skilled workers for each good job does mean pay has gone down for MT overall, but if you feel you're producing fairly well compared to others in your position and your income still has dropped signficantly over what you earned doing transcription, you need a better company. OTOH, if you've worked hard at developing these new skills and can't seem to do decently, it may no longer be the field for you. Either way, plan on being ready to move on if necessary. Don't wait many months to figure it out. Best wishes!
As a for instance, 225 lines/hr at 8 cpl would be $18/hr. Your mileage may vary. nm
a
Line rates vary geographically.
I wouldn't work for less than 0.08/65-character line that included spaces. If you're traveling, printing, etc., charge more. Tax advice should come from professional tax preparers, not this site. Also check IRS website.
Plus, line rates vary by company
depending on the account. I told someone how much I made, she got a job with the same company on a different account making less $$.
Plus, line rates vary within the company
depending on the account. I told someone how much I made, she got a job with the same company on a different account making less $$.
This will vary depending on dictator style and speed, but the average to shoot for initially shoud b
around 3 times the length of the dictation. So, if the dictation is 5 minutes long, you should be able to complete the transcription in roughly 15 minutes. Again, that can vary, but it's a good rule of thumb to go by.
Need opinions
Does anyone use software for transcription that has the automatic faxing and e-mailing so the doctor's office doesn't have to pay staff to do this?
Was it expensive for you to buy - does the vendor charge you a per line fee or any fee for this - is it easy for you to use - and do you feel that the doctors like this kind of software and its faxing and emailing of transcripts to referring physicians functions? Also, do you have names of companies you could give so that I could possibly check into this? I am currently using a phone-in system but I thought an automatic faxing software would draw in prospective doctor clients.
Any opinions, good and bad, are welcomed. Thank you. 
Need opinions please
Does anyone use software for transcription that has the automatic faxing and e-mailing so the doctor's office doesn't have to pay staff to do this?
Was it expensive for you to buy - does the vendor charge you a per line fee or any fee for this - is it easy for you to use - and do you feel that the doctors like this kind of software and its faxing and emailing of transcripts to referring physicians functions? Also, do you have names of companies you could give so that I could possibly check into this? I am currently using a phone-in system but I thought an automatic faxing software would draw in prospective doctor clients.
Any opinions, good and bad, are welcomed. Thank you.
Thanks for the opinions. sm
I'm still firmly of the opinion that it does suck. I hate it. The poster who said it's just a mess to clean up, is absolutely correct. That's the whole problem. Some doctors are great, others are so-so, and many are just a mess. You waste more time backing up and correcting, and could have typed it by hand in the first place with less grief and frustration.
Yes, maybe it is the wave of the future, but as many bad dictators as there are, there are always going to be people needed for them. Let the ones who love speech rec go for it. It might help some, saving some people's hands, and boosting production somewhat, but I'd really like to talk to the people themselves who love it and supposedly have great production, rather than just seeing a generic sheet of numbers that the supervisors wave around for show.
No, it was not the Dragon program, and not a national company.
This is not on just a few providers, it's about 70% of them in a quite large facility, ESLs included right along with the stumblers and mumblers.
Correct, the supervisors are pushing this program so hard, to save money. Yes, it can be a great help to some, but not to all.
Medical reports can be extremely complicated, and are in no way comparable to social work reports. One person, consistently dictating all the time, compared to an assortment of 20-30 dictators/speech patterns at random, with different types of reports? No, there's no comparison.
All in all, it does suck to work with. And if I'm not taken off the program at the end of three months, then I will probably quit. It might help me somewhat, but I doubt it's going to boost my production that much. We'll see what happens. To me, it's not worth the stress and frustration.
My opinions (which is what they are - opinions)
are just as worthy as yours!
You need not worry about my work production. It is still steady. I'm on here when I have time. Took the day off today to relax and rest.
I hope you enjoy your day! :)
need some opinions, please
I applied at 2 companies on Friday evening - heard back from both of them the same day - one wanted a questionnaire filled out, the other said they were very interested in talking to me and asked me when I was available to speak to them M-W of this week - I wrote back and gave times, etc. Haven't heard anything yet. If I don't hear by this evening, should I call them? I'm very anxious to get another job!
Opinions PLEASE!
I am SO sorry for reposting this. If I knew how to remove my other post from the pressure valve, I would... I do not want to get in trouble for multiple postings, so PLEASE forgive that mistake. I just don't think that the PV gets as much traffic as this board, and I really need some help right now!
Can I get an opinion from someone who is experienced in this business? I am a relatively new MT... I have only been doing this job since March 2005, so less than a year.
I work as an independent contractor at .08 per line. My employer is a really nice person, but she will frequently need help over the weekend. I have always said sure because I want to make myself valuable to her. However, I have always done as much as I can do comfortably and still have time with my family over the weekend.
I did an extra 1000 lines this weekend, which takes me about 6 hours because I am still new and research everything if I am not totally familiar with the terms. I got an email this morning saying that, basically, I had not done enough to help her and she ended up doing "most of it" herself.
My feeling is that she is the owner of this business. If she overextends herself as far as taking on work and she has to work all weekend to get it done, that's what she has to do as the owner of this business. If she wants to pay a weekend differential to me, then sure... I will make plans with my husband to take the kids on his own and I will work all weekend now and then. But if I am working for the same rate, I am not willing to work all week and then work all weekend too and miss out on my husband and children. Isn't it customary and expected to offer a differential for working weekends and holidays?
I am a bit miffed because I gave up most of my Saturday and an hour or so on Sunday to help her out, and now I am criticized for not doing more for the same pay. Any input from you experienced MTs?
I am sitting on my email reply, but it does have this in it:
"I am happy to help as much as I can over a weekend without a differential, but I will need to do so around my family's schedule."
I need to reply to her email, but am not sure what to say. Thank you in advance for your help.
Opinions please!
Have any of you worked at home for a long length of time and then had to go out to work in the public for any reason? I have been a home MT for a long, long time, 10++ years. I work for a big national, but find that I can no longer sit here and wait for work! I have applied for an in hospital job doing rehab! Is this type of work difficult? Any opinions greatly appreciated. I would really like to have your input!
TIA
Opinions please!!!!!!
It's not PT the add just said Rehab MT. So, this had me confused! What do you all think? TIA
Need Opinions-OP
I got things straightened out, but thanks for your replies. I ended up with a 13-page report right after posting. LOL He spoke clearly, too! It's for a psychiatrist, so it should be interesting to hear those cases.
You know what they say about opinions!
8>)
Need opinions
Yesterday, I received an announcement in the mail regarding the graduation of a long-time ex-friend's daughter's graduation...wheew!
My question to y'all is...the last time this ex-friend and I spoke, we were not on good terms..and actually, she wasn't really a friend. She was an MTSO that I worked for for about a year. Turned out (and long story short) she was a crazy person!!! Anyway, I was very surprised to receive this announcement.
What would y'all do? Send the girl money?...I have nothing against her, though I don't really know her that well...trash the announcement and forget about it, or what? I am by no means going to attend the ceremony, but should I even acknowledge the receipt of the announcement?
I feel like the "friend" just...like my daughter said...went through her address book and sent everyone in it an announcement...probably just for gifts...your help would be so appreciated! 
LOL! No wonder you have so many opinions on here!!!!
You are not allowed to have them at home :)
Thanks for all the opinions....sm
I don't believe I am looking for acceptance or any such thing from my mother, but rather I truly care about my father and aunt's health. I think sometimes people are very close to a situation and may not be able to see outside of themselves.
Also, I never said, nor do I believe, that an MT has anything on a NP. I only believe that we do have some medical knowledge and can sometimes pick up on things. Years ago my dad had a constant cough. His doctors (IM, card, pulm) or my mother couldn't figure it out. I asked if he had started any new medications and he had started an ACE. He changed meds and his cough was gone.
I have to think a little more about this, but I do appreciate all the help.
Would like some QA opinions...
I am very frustrated with inability of some of my IC's to punctuate and construct sentences correctly. Is this a common problem, or am I just being too particular? Do others correct this kind of thing and inform the MT or just let it go?
QA opinions
Well said sm! Well said!
Opinions please
I have been working for a small MTSO for over 3 years. My current pay scale is .0675 per gross line. This company recently merged with another company and I just received a new contract to sign changing the pay scale to .08 per 70 character line. Can some of you math experts out there tell me if this is actually a *raise* as they say, or if this is a cut in pay? and also, would you sign the contract and stay??? I may need to reconsider my options. 
I am asking for opinions here first
I can ask the doctor at any time what he pays and he'll tell me. I just wanted some other peoples thoughts before I start asking the doctor questions and trying to sell him the idea of keeping the work in the US.
I'm asking for opinions
I wasn't expecting an accurate answer. I just wanted to get some QA opinions. If you read my post, it says "do you think....," not do you KNOW.
Thank you to those of you who took time to share your kind opinions with me. The rest...I'll just take with a grain of salt.
Opinions please
Just curious, what do most MTs think about built in headings, would you rather have to take out the ones not used or put in your own? Would you rather have a physician's list on line or a printed copy in front of you? Just wondering because I seem to have a real hard time with all the built in headings as most of them are never used. When you do have the headings, if the accounts specifics do not indicate specific ones to be used, do you change the wordings, such as from history to history of present illness if, in fact that is what the dictator dictates? Thanks for the opinions in advance.
Opinions please!
I am considering filing harassment charges against an MTSO for which I used to work. I left the company 3-1/2 years ago to start my own company with another Transcriptionist (who also worked for the same MTSO). We had both signed a non-compete contract and had no intention of violating that agreement. When we were contacted by three of the MTSO's former clients, we consulted an attorney who advised us that while we could not solicit the work we were free to accept the work being offered (in the contract, the MTSO had not only attempted to prevent us from soliciting its clients, it also attempted to prevent us from accepting work from its clients if offered).
Two years after we had both left the MTSO, we both received a visit from the local authorities who had received a complaint from the MTSO stating that we were operating a business out of our homes without a license. This was proven to be unfounded as we had closed our company the year before (we both went to work for other transcription companies). A couple of months after the complaints were filed, the MTSO then filed a lawsuit against us (as well as three other former transcriptionists who had worked for the same MTSO) for breach of contract. The judge ruled in our favor and the lawsuit was over.
Fast forward to now: I received yet another visit recently from the local authorities stating that another complaint had been filed against me by the MTSO for operating a business out of my home without a license. Again, this was proven to be unfounded as the company no longer exists and I am now considered an employee, not an independent contractor.
If I file harassment charges, would I just be adding fuel to the fire or stamping it out, as is my intent.
Thanks for any and all advice!
opinions
I was wondering if anyone here know much about Trans America Associates, or if it is a good company to work for. Thanks.
More opinions please....
Thanks.
Thanks for opinions
I had doubts myself, guess that's why I asked. I will continue to brainstorm for a new name. Thanks to all that replied!
Thanks for your opinions...
My brother-in-law is a very sensible, smart and hard-working man, and my sister has always so cautious, especially when it comes to her children. But somehow, the past couple years she is able to turn and look the other way with her son. And my brother-in-law will not tell his son to get his head out of the clouds. Their philosophy is, they survived the "hippie" years, so they know their son will be "fine". Perhaps it is just to hard for them to deal, so they are too easy on him. I know it is not my business, but I love them and sometimes I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I need to learn to keep quiet.
opinions, please
Do the majority here think that our supervisors and managers are out of touch? Before you laugh, this is a serious question.
As we type all these crappy soundfiles, static, ESLs, Christmas carols in August, and on and on, do you think that our managers who were MTs x years ago would really be able to produce as much as they expect us to do day in and day out? What they did in the past isn't an apples-to-apples comparison any more than if we do that. This is a "today" survey of sorts.
The main reason I ask this is naturally as above (the out of touch/too far removed thing), but beyond that, now that we have all the "perks" of the digital age, why do we still have all these audio problems and everything else we endure on a daily basis? Why have those problems yet to be resolved, seriously?
I thought about this over the weekend as I had an entire shift of one doc, who always uses a horrible phone or something. The end result is always leaving quite a few blanks--and that's after QA goes over it.
This isn't a diss session. It's more a fact-finding one.
Thanks for reading this and adding comments.
Need opinions Please sm
Employee salaried position, 52K year, at home with benefits for QA specialist doing full edits, feedback and monthly QA audits. Do you think this is a reasonable salary?
This is salaried, not hourly!
Thank you in advance for all opinions!
Need opinions QA job
I would love to make that type of salary as QA. I am working 1 FT job as QA, 1 PT job QA as well as just started transcribing PT to boost my income. Money is good but I would like to just work one job, even 10 hours a day for that money rather than the way I'm working now. I say go for it and let us know the company or how you found such a job once you accept the position (or not). Good luck! Work so much cuz....2 kids in college. I feel fortunate to work in an industry where I can make as much as I possibly can and take on extra if need be.
Thanks for opinions s/m
I visited a school yesterday. I can't justify paying almost $12,000 to go to school to get a $10/hour job. I'm going to take the advice I've gotten, get a book and study, and take the certification exam on my own, and then start pestering pharmacies.
Thanks, everyone!
Don't ask for opinions if you don't really want
them.
I have a feeling you think the money we b*$ches are all ponying up is going to let you live in the lap of luxury with your new bundle of joy, but you should really consider whether you will be happy living with almost enough, but never plenty.
You are at a crossroads in your life really. You have abilities and skills that can lead you to success, or you can choose to live off the hard work of others. Choose carefully and live with your choice.
opinions please regarding VR. SM
Looking for opinions on the best way to become familiar with VR. MT for over years, experience in almost every medical specialty, acute care, clinical, etc. Over the years, I've had my own clients, worked in hospitals, and now work for a MTSO. I have always been fortunate to have a good job in the MT profession, however with the age of VR, I worry that I have absolutely no experience in this area. I have only done straight transcription over the years, and continue to do so at present. What is the best way to familiarize myself with some of the well-known VR platforms out there. I would appreciate any opinions from others who have been in my position. I'm not looking for a job, but rather opinions on how to educate myself with VR. I would consider myself very computer literate, and not afraid of the inevitable changes with VR, but I just don't know where to begin. Thanks in advance.
Can I please get opinions?
Please tell me if I'm wrong here. I will try and make it short. Okay, so I work as an LPN for a doctor and I also do his transcription AT HOME for an extra check (IC status) and I work for another company doing transcription on the weekends. So, out of the blue he and his wife (office manager) decide that they no longer can "afford" transcription, so they want me to do the transcription during my 8-hour nursing shift. They don't want to take away any of my duties, they just want me to work harder I suppose, and they said I could do transcription in between patients and things such as that.
I told them that I didn't feel that was fair and that I do make a considerable larger amount doing transcription than my nursing pay and it's really not fair to double my work and keep my ONE pay. Well, the wife explained it to me and she said that even if they asked me to sweep the floor, as long as I was getting my salary that was required for that 8 hours, then I would be required to do so. Okay, so I get that........BUT.......everybody working in the office knows how to sweep the floor and that would be fair. I am the ONLY person that knows how to do transcription, so if EVERYONE can't do the transcription, then why should I be required to? It is like they are using an extra "talent" that I have, for lack of a better word, to profit on it.
I feel like what they are asking me to do would be in comparison to if I was also a hair stylist and they REQUIRED me to style everyone's hair at work for no extra money. I mean doing transcription is a whole extra craft, but they feel it is the same as if they asked me to take out the garbage or sweep the floor.
Am I wrong? TIA for your opinions.
opinions
I do not blame you for being angry. I would be too. I have worked in those types of situations where I was office manager and they expected everything to be done even if I had to come back in the evening. It did not profit me one bit and I ended up leaving anyway. Besides that the wife RN asked me to come to their home and cut her hair and her mother's which I did. Stupid me.
I would probably try to do the transcription between patients (would be very difficult if you have lots of patients) and I would take my time but look for something better. I have never worked where I could do transcription between patients. I am also a paramedic and did a lot of office nursing. How would he feel if they suddenly asked him to do extra for the patients without pay?
I would NOT SIGN any new work description. That is not what you agreed to. In that instance, I believe you could draw unemployment if you have to leave before you can find something else. Of course it would not be nearly as much as you make plus the loss of the transcription.
Good luck. Only you can decide if it is worth it. I will bet they won't get the next one to do it. One place I worked, they had to hire three people to do what I had been doing and that cost them. I just laughed and laughed. Served them right. I would not tell the next employer I could transcribe. Get a professional name so if you did do work on the side, they would not necessarily know it was you. I got a business name for my transcription because of the conflict of interest.
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