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the easiest way to decide (sm)

Posted By: my penny's worth on 2005-12-30
In Reply to: Way off subject, but I need opinions... - hope this doesn't get deleted...sm

Is to ask yourself how you would feel if the tables were turned... then you will have your answer. And also, the best piece of advice I ever got was "if you have to ask, you already know the answer".


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Whatever is easiest for you is the
most productive for you. I use ABCZ and then my own abbreviations that are easier for me to remember.
One of the easiest ones I've ever done, wish I still had it!!! nm
x
The easiest way would be to break into...sm
acute care for the same company you do clinic for if they have acute care available. If not it is going to be hard. The company you are currently with would be more likely to train you to do acute care because they know what your capabilities are.
You will want to sway the easiest way for you

If it is a one-doctor practice, you want to purchase the handheld. 


Try www.transcriptiongear.com for options regarding either FTP or call-in system depending on the volume. 


www.vancedigital.com offers an FTP site that is easy to use and you pay on usage; fairly inexpensive.


I would suggest for tapes that you give them a list of courier services because once you start to pick and drop off work and tapes you'll lose valuable time.


I like to get out during the week so I do deliver but the pay is awesome and I can't bring myself to not pick up, plus it allows me to network.


Sticky notes a great idea.  I was actually thinking a pen with my business name on it, but haven't gone that route as of yet. 


Good luck to you.


I agree, that's the easiest &
cheapest way to go, partition the HD.  You could even have separate HDs if you wanted to.  I have had both setups over the years.  Of course, I'm married to my "tech person" - lol.
Unfortunately, CS seems to be the easiest debt to skip out on
You'll get into more trouble if you bounce a $25 check. I have used one of those private agencies because my ex had moved out of state and once that happens, if the ex doesn't want to pay and moves around in jobs, you can pretty much forget about getting anything.

The private agency works a lot faster, but the contracts are very complicated and you are pretty much signing up for the life of the CS obligation; otherwise there has be nonpayment of CS for a year before you can end the contract. And yes they take a big chunk of money but at the time I thought it was better than getting nothing at all.

But in the end, once payments have been established, the private agency ends up filtering the payment through your local CSEA anyway.

I think your best bet is to use some kind of locator service and if you can get a good address provide that to your local CSEA.

I wish they had an "America's Most Wanted" for deadbeat dads/moms. It's amazing to me that it is seemingly so easy to stop paying, change jobs, and just not be found.
Easiest and fastest way is to Google sm
once found, click on the manufacturer's website. That way you will always have the correct spelling, etc.
Easiest guacamole recipe
I just mash the avocadoes, open a jar of my favorite salsa, pour off the excess liquid without squeezing the veggies, add lemon or lime juice, a little salt and pepper and done.... It's always the 1st thing gone whenever I bring it somewhere.
Easiest digital method

Hello everyone


I currently have one of my own accounts with 2 physicians. They use digital hand-held recorders and we email files back and forth, encrypted of course. Anyway, is there an easier way for their office staff? Something where the doctor could talk right into the computer and it would be sent to me without using the office staff?  I am trying to take some of the burden off of them.


Thanks.
Lynn


I think specialty work would be easiest..sm
With family practice, you could see a number of diseases from all specialties, so you need to know the terminology for all. In specialty work, you would see the same all the time. For example, if you took on an ortho doc, you'd see all ortho, so you learn the terminology for that specialty only. Once you have that down pat, you could branch out into a new one and so on, gaining experience with each.

You will have a more well-rounded experience going with family practice over specialty, but as a newbie getting own accounts, specialty would be easier, IMHO. I don't really recommend starting as a newbie at home with your own accounts, but that's just my opinion. It's a lot harder because you won't have QA - the doctor will be your QA, and they can be a lot harder to face than an online QA person. You have to take criticism well, since it will come from a doctor most times (or staff member) and some docs can be blunt and even condescending. Just being honest based on my own experience. Maybe you could try some of the small MTSOs rather than national companies, where you might only have 1-2 QA people and aren't as stringent about BOS rules, etc.

If you find a local doc willing to take a chance, go for it, but don't expect it to be any easier at first than a national or working for another person. There are pros and cons to each. It can be hard to get either job without experience, but a local doc desperate for help might be more willing to take a chance. Depends on what the MT market is like in your area. If small town, good chance finding a client. If larger town with lots of MTs available, it will be harder.
The easiest answer would be use Explorer. sm
More information would be helpful. Is this an Olympus recorder? Is there software that came with the recorder that is needed in order to download?

As an example, my OMs download dictation to their computer using Microsoft Explorer (not Internet Explorer, IE).
Easiest way is by the minute/seconds ...(sm)
At $60 per audio hour (60 minutes) is $1.00 per minute.

$1.00 x 33.31 = $33.31



(sorry, I emailed you by accident, and meant to post!)
Op reports by far are easiest for me - hardest is Oncology. nm
x
The most & easiest money I ever made typin'

was for a hospital that had all these kickass "normals" for OP notes.  The docs would say, "Please use my _____ template" and that was it.  Some ortho templates were an instant 100+ lines and they took mere seconds to zap in!  Those days are long gone for me but I remember them fondly.    



 


The easiest things is to use a jump drive.
Use Windows Explorer to locate the voice files and then copy or move them to the jump drive. Jump drives are coming down in price. I just bought a whole bunch of 2GB drives for $19/each at Staples last week.
Digital handhelds easiest, or a cheap
You can buy digital handheld recorders at decent prices. If dr. is computer literate, dr. or staff connect to PC and send you files from recorder either through encrypted e-mail or secure FTP site (you'll probably have to set up). Or you could look for a cheap call-in system. Dr. calls it, dictates, and you can transcribe using Express Scribe or another player. A lot of docs like those 'cause they are used to them. You may need a new pedal if yours only works with your current co's platform. Check ebay first or classifieds here even, maybe you can get deal on used equipment to see what dr. prefers.
Which HIPAA E-mail Software Program for OE is easiest/best?

I provide service for an office of three OB-GYNs and the OM/docs may be willing to consider going from hand-held microcassette to hand-held digital recorders (mean no more pickup-delivery of dictation/transcription for me!). I would like to utilize a very (hopefully) simple HIPAA compliant encrypted E-mail program for transferring of files in Outlook Express that will work on my own computer as well as the office's Linux network.

I have found one that appears to offer all of the above features I am looking for and seems reasonably priced called CenturionMail, found at the link provided.  Is anyone familiar with this program and/or any others that they would highly recommend? I need something simple as we are all new to this adventure.

My goal is to some day be on the road in our RV, setup with a laptop, and felt an E-mail program would be my best choice for utilizing a campground's Internet connection for uploading/downloading of files. Any thoughts on this?


Thanks for any feedback you can offer me. I sincerely appreciate it.


Hardest: Dental surgery. Easiest: Cardiology, OPs. sm
Most interesting: Psych.

I think it's generally whatever you get the least of that you'll find the hardest. I used to hate OPs, GI procedures, and cardiology, but eventually got used to them and found they are repetitive (aka good money makers!).
Poll: hardest and easiest work types. I enjoy...
orthopedics and psychiatry.  Do not like cardiology, oncology. 
The easiest way for this one is to insert blank fields with Ctrl + F9. You jump to
each field with F11. You use Shift+F11 if you skip a field and need to go back. If you don't see your fields in the doc, hit Alt+F9 to show or hide fields.

Bookmarks and cross-reference fields are used when you have static information you need to pull into a field. That isn't the case when you are dealing with variable info.

French, especially the surgeons. Easiest: Middle Eastern, Korean, Chinese, Indian. nm
x
How do you decide which is better?

National SE/employee  versus  small MTSO IC


I have my opinions based on my experiences, but I'd like to hear your opinions.  I wish I could have a hybrid of the two.  Steady workload, but a flexible schedule as long as xx number of lines was done per day.  Mostly the same dictators over and over, but still available to help out if another account needs it.  Is there such a creature out there?  Or am I dreaming the impossible dream?  I'd make a list of all my wishes, but I fear I'd be laughed off the boards.  LOL 


Still trying 2 decide...
where to spend my cent. So many choices!
But when did he decide to be gay?

DECIDE to be gay???

nm


Can anyone help me decide which job to keep?

I worked as a hospital employee, then IC for quite a few years. Everytime I asked about employee openings, there were none. I would always be out of work for 2-3 months in the beginning of the year.  I finally quit and got a job with a national. The hospital couldn't keep up on the work and asked me to come back and work weekends and days I did not have anything else to do (that's a joke!).


Now I understand they are going to hire another FT MT. I want to apply mainly because of the health benefits, as I am paying $600 a month now.


 I love working for the national but now my problem...I still feel loyalty to the hospital. I don't know what they are paying yet or what the hours would be and don't even know if she would hire me full time.


I know I should take into consideration the benefits, etc. and compare it with the national, but the work at the national company is so much nicer with regards to the doctors and program they use. The hospital has a lot more ESLs to contend with. The only problem with the national is that I have a hard time getting my production and a lot of days, I get really stressed out.


What is the going rate of a in house MT in PA?  I have 10 years acute care experience. What could I expect to be offered?  Thanks in advance for your help.


Yes, this is what I'm trying to decide

She would not hire me before because I worked 7 days a week plus holidays. This will probably be the sticking point even now. Plus there is a new CEO there that tries to tow (sic) the line on hiring.


My husband has a heart problem and we really need the insurance (he's self-employed). He is working but I don't know how long, until he drops dead, he says. I don't want to see that happen. Been with him 40 years, but we can't afford to get his heart fixed right now. (Does that give you an idea of our ages). Aw heck, he probably wouldn't do it even if he could, so who is he fooling? He's a workaholic like me. I made a lot of money through them as IC, but really need to get away from that status. We were paying through the --- to the IRS and we're tired of it. I know if I was hired, she wouldn't need the 6 per diems she has now plus the mandatory OT.


Another thing...the hospital is only 37.5 work week. I would probably say yes to any OT or extra time because that's the way I am, but I'm in a hole now $$ wise.


I really would prefer the hospital but I don't want to be suckered into working for less than I'm worth just because I have no idea what they pay. If I get my speed up with the national, and I'm sure I will soon, I should be able to make more, but I don't know the first thing about nationals either as it was my first job with one. All I know is I'm doing as well as expected.


 I thank you for your input. 


 


 


Well...what did you decide?
nm
When you do decide to get out - sm

be it weeks, months or years, drop me a line, that is if you don't already have someone in mind to take over your accounts, unless you are just planning to give them notice and let them fend for themselves.  Obviously if you are doing tapes this would not work unless we are near each other which I doubt (I am near Richmond, VA), but digital would work just fine and that is how I work now.  I am always looking to add on and looking to one day have a few people working for me.  So if you have the inclination e-mail me, and I will email back with my information. 


Thank you! I have been trying to decide
if I wanted to try the Gevalia or not, and when I read this I got on the site and signed up for it. Thanks for helping me make up my mind!
Can't decide
I would choose family, being home with kids over a job. Jobs come and go, but time spent with your children can't ever be re-paid.
Here's how I decide (sm)
1. If account specifies, follow the specs.

2. If no specifics and paid for spaces, by all means, 2 spaces after the period. Helps the line count a little bit at least. (I type all my accounts this way.) It's easier to read, especially in the lab data section.

3. If no specifics and not paid for spaces, they get 1 space after sentences.
Only you can decide!

Both IC and employee have their advantages and disadvantages. Do you need insurance or not? Based on what some people are saying the health insurance offered by a company is not always the best offer out there. Do you prefer flexibility or do you want to work a set schedule?


To receive full benefits you might have to achieve certain line requirements. I just switched from employee to IC. My employer did not offer much regarding benefits and did not always offer enough work so that I could achieve the line requirements. They only offered paid vacation. Now I have the flexibility and am making the same amount per line after tax deductions as previously before tax deductions.


Not every employee position offers full benefits. Also, depending on what type of work you do, the quality of the dictators and your QA team, you could make more money as an IC.


Maybe not the question IC or employee is as important as finding the job that suits you best.


trying to decide
how difficult is this medical transcription to do? I am going to take a medical terminology class at community college and take word 2007 before I start either M-Tec or somewhere maybe in December.
only you can decide what's best!
you are the one that will be typing on it! I don't know what brands you tried or I might give you my opinion, but can only tell you what I like about mine you know? I actually bought this cheap little Belkin kind, split keyboard and when you type the keys they are loud, which is one thing that i like for some reason... Also I have to have the "insert, home, page up/page down, delete and end" button certain ways... two rows three across. You know, certain things for certain people! Good luck!!
It's up to you to decide...
if you think 26k is fair.  I am assuming you mean you make 26k as an MT with 5 years' experience?  I think that sounds about right.  There are some MTs with 5 years' experience who make more than that, some who make less.  I make far more because I have far more years of experience than you.  You have an associate's degree, but it is in a different field, right?  That is not going to make a difference as far as MT pay is concerned.  As I said, I went to school for 4 months to become an MT (an on-site, full-time school), plus I worked in-house for a long time with a mentor before I began working from home.  Like you, I also have education in a different field.  At this point, I can make more money as an MT, which seems fair to me.
I can't decide if I should be job searching or not.
I like many aspects of my job, but I dislike certain aspects about it, too.  The thing is that this has been my best MT job ever.  That's not something you just throw away.  I know there's no perfect job out there, but I wonder if I could make more money with a better platform and an unlimited workload.
I'm an SE. I decide my schedule.
That is my current contract with my employer.

I don't even have to ask to work past my schedule. I don't have ask off. All I have to do is say I'm not working my planned schedule. That's all. However, I don't do business that way.

I keep my schedule and then I am usually asked to work more so I do.

I've worked at this place for years and I have never been limited on how much work I do. That will change shortly but after several conversations with upper management, there will be opportunity for overtime.

If you are an employee, not statuatory or IC, then you are more restricted in what you do. That is very true.

It's just not what I have been working as all this time for this particular employer.
RadGuy??? What did you decide????

Okay, we helped, so now ya gotta spill it.......what did you decide to buy your sisters for Xmas????  :)


Happy Holidays, btw.


That's how I would decide also. Treat others the way you
would want to be treated.
Please, help a sista decide what
The   company I work for is changing to more  cumbersome and slow platform and pays 7.5 cpl.  I know that is low but the Director of Operations is VERY good to me otherwise and it is on a platform that iis very user friendly and I have almost total control of document handling, which I am whittling down to a fine, fast art.  I just talked to a hospital about IC at 10-11 cpl but would have to "rent" software at $20 per month. (Was told this was for IRS reasons, which I don't know that I believe, but whatever, it is how they do it.)  I am trying to decide which would be the better deal.  10-11 cpl and pay "rent" or 7.5 and no rent.  7.5 cpl job is fairly flexible, accts I have there are easy for me to do, and staff is great.  The new job sounds like an "MT friendly" kinda place with no ESLs.  What to do, what to do???
If you decide you need a change, sm
I agree with fuzz regarding Webmedx.  It's a good company.  They have clinic, as well as acute care work.  You would have to contact them to see if they are hiring for clinic at the present time.  They have good benefits, including a 401(K) plan.  A really decent company. 
Can you not read it and decide it does not
They are communicating with everyone, giving you ideas on what to look out for, etc.

Geesh, people complain because of lack of communication then because they get communication.

Never satisfied, are you?

How silly is it to let something that does not describe what you are doing offend you like that, whether an employee, supervisor, MTSO, etc.

It's just an e-mail, right? If it were personally addressed to you and you alone, that might be different.
My opinion-let her decide sm
I was forced to go to my grandmother's funeral and services when I was 10. I am now 45. The grandkids were placed directly in front of the casket, front and center, with our parents off to the side. I became hysterical and cried and cried til I threw up. I had to be bodily carried out. It was an awful experience. I cried for days and I wasn't even that close to my grandmother. She lived far away and we only saw her twice a year. I never attended another funeral until my mother died when I was 33 and my father died when I was 36. I had enough Valium in me to put a horse out for those two services. I was obligated to attend two more close friends funerals a year after dad died but none since. I have never forced my kids to go to funerals. Believe it or not, I jsut cannot attend another funeral. I will go to wakes, stay 5 minutes and leave. I was that traumatized. I still remember how awful it was for me. I just cannot find it in me to attend them. Please, don't force her to go. She will go when she is ready. My children didn't attend funerals until they were 19.  They did fine.
let her decide. she already has a grip on
the passing away part but that doesn't mean she is ready for the open casket and long viewing hours at the funeral home.  this way she can still picture grandma how she was and not in the casket which can be a little unsettling for adults sometime.  if she wants you guys to take her to the grave site sometime to say her goodbyes then take her.  i remember writing a so called goodbye letter to my grandfather when i was a kid telling him about all of the things i'll always remember and loved about him. that way i was able to get out my feelings and i still have something to look back and read so i'll never lose my (all of it anyway) memory of him.
For children, it's best to let them decide.
It can be healing or traumatic. I do think I'd have her go to the funeral home once, set it up so she only has to be there a short time, help her understand it's time to say goodbye and let go (whether close or not). I've been through a Catholic funeral and don't think I'd force a child to be there. It's good that neither you or DH are forcing one way or the other. Talk with your daughter and help her decide what's really best. Just don't let her hide from the fact that she needs to say goodbye to grandma, close or not.
Help me decide which Ipod

Today's my birthday and my husband is taking me out tonight to pick out an Ipod. I've been wanting one for awhile. You wouldn't think I'd want something to keep me in headphones even more than I already am, but....


Anyway, I can't decide being getting a Nano or Video Ipod. If anyone has either and has an opinion on it, I'd sure appreciate the advice.  I'd either get the 4 gig Nano or the 30 gig Video Ipod. I know it's a big leap in storage size, but I wonder if the flash memory in the 4 gig Nano would be more reliable than the hard drive in the 30 gig?  Any opinions would be appreciated.


$50 for their service, if you decide to use them.
x
That's up to you and the client to decide.
If you're concerned about whether or not to count the content of the header or footer, that is something that should be decided by your and the client, not the people on this board.
Dont want anyone to decide for me, just need
afd
After two years of trying to decide

which keyboard to try I came across the AlphaGrip, which I have had for about three months now and I love it.  There definitely is a learning curve involved, but that is what I understand about the "tent style" ergonomic keyboards also.  AG refers to their key layout as an "enhanced QWERTY" because for most of the keys the same finger is used for the same letter on the AG as on a regular keyboard.  I am not as fast as I would like yet, but I had quite a number of extreme situations going on over the same time period and have not been able to spend the time needed.  I consistently type about 40 wpm accurately on the AG, and have hit up to 61 wpm.  There are many tasks I prefer using the AG for due to the ease of mousing with having it "right at the tip of my thumbs".  That totally rocks!


They make no claims about ergonomic benefits, but I can tell you that when I am able to use the AG more and the keyboard less I am in less pain, and when I use only the AG I have no arm/wrist pain.  Because I am able to sit in a recliner and type now, my back pain is greatly reduced (I need a new mattress).


Check it out!