transcribing with the AlphaGrip
Posted By: (sm) on 2008-04-07
In Reply to: how do you work the foot pedal? - sm ..
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 :)
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AlphaGrip mousing benefit
When I first began using the AlphaGrip my right forearm, wrist, hand, and shoulder were already in pretty bad shape from typing. I noticed a new pain on the side of my hand, but I think this was due to trying to get used to using the AG, as I no longer have this pain now that typing flows more easily. All of the other pains mentioned are much improved now, and it seems that the more I use the AG versus using the keyboard, the greater the reduction in pain has become. I much prefer the AG and unless I am scrambling to meet a deadline I do not use the keyboard at all. I cannot wait until the day that I feel I can throw it in the garbage can.
You are right about the mouse. I think that the pains I was having had a great deal to do with mousing, and that was the number one feature that sold me on the AG. As I mentioned, I was looking for about two years, but purchased the AG in under a week after first seeing it. This is exactly what I was looking for in a new keyboard . . . a way to mouse right there readily available, and the traditional mouse was the first thing to go when the AG arrived. I haven’t looked back!
It actually was not strange to hold at all and fingers fall into place naturally, and a lot of the keys are struck with the same finger as one would use on a conventional keyboard, though not all, and it is a matter of getting used to the new positioning, which is the same reason that some of the ergo keyboards that have a normal key layout are awkward to learn to use and will slow one’s typing speed down.
There is a lot of information available on their web site for learning to use and customizing the AlphaGrip. While I’m sure it’s not for everyone, I am very happy with mine and glad I found it.
Can you tell me more about alphagrip, it really looks intersting, can you type fast?
nm
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....
x
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.
did not say she was new - said she had many years transcribing - nm
x
13975 -- all transcribing
Did not realize it -- three psych reports 15 to 18+ pages each
**transcribing - too late in the day (lol)
x
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.
Transcribing in boonies
Please share info on successful of connections while living in rural areas. I work for company that uses VPN for voice. TIA!
transcribing programs? SM
Not even sure that is the correct word. I am trying to transcribe from a CD but using f4 is not working, no control with footpedal. It's taking me forever. If I do the whole thing like this I'll be making about $1/hour. Is there another free download that would work? Thanks in advance.
Who is transcribing HCA hospitals?
 Does anyone know what company is transcribing the Texas HCA hospitals? Need to know this really quick.
Anyone gone from transcribing to VR editing.. sm
and been able to make decent money? This will be on the Escription platform. Also what is considered a good line rate for voice recognition editing? My company is doing this and I am concerned. By my calculations I will be making considerably less money. Any advice/opinions would be appreciated! Thanks.
transcribing from notes
Yes, I do and yes, it is frustrating, but most of the time it is ok. If I run into a problem, I can just call the office and they go over the words with me or I can talk to the doctor. This is a private account and they are really nice. Hope that helps. I also charge by the page. I have found a lot of it is repetitious like the xams and the tests they do and the diagnosis and treatment plan.
As long as you are transcribing the
dictations correctly, what does it matter to the company how you transcribe??? As for tips on this board, some are good, some are not so hot, just like in life or anything else.
Move as much as I can when not transcribing...
Over the years, I think you do have spells where the isolation really gets to you. I work second shift. I used to be a real stickler for getting out and walking first thing every morning, rain or shine, that or mess around in the yard in the spring or summer; always did me a world of good even though now it's not a daily thing. My mom is within walking distance and is aging so I often make myself walk over there and do things at her house, cook, clean, go out together during the day, whatever. We used to do a great deal of babysitting for the grandnephews during the day; that was like working 2 jobs, exhausting, actually, so I appreciated the isolation in the evenings after that. Anyway, key for me is getting out and helping somebody else. At work, I put a small TV on (way off to the side of me) with the volume low or off or play an FM instrumental station; I don't want to hear singing, so it's only instrumental.
transcribing numbers
We have a hot topic discussion going at work. What is the correct way by BOS rules for typing numbers 1 through 10? I pretty much know the rules by the BOS vol. 2, but what about vol 3? Did they change the rules and standardize numbers? I don't have volume 3.
I have fond memories of transcribing on sm
Selectric typewriters with 6 carbons, all of which had to be erased if there was a typo or, more likely, a dictator's changes. If a doc's dictation stumped us, he (very few females then) would get a tug on his sleeve, asked to listen to what he said and explain. Having worked in a teaching institution, these doctors were more than happy to impart their knowledge to anyone who would listen.
Then came the mag card machines, then computers.
The dictation I listened to on IBM belts, then tapes, was a lot clearer than most of the digital dictation I'm subjected to now.
And no MTs worked on Sundays and holidays, and certainly not every Saturday.
why I love transcribing at home
My Day's at the Hospital......
1. Two co-workers who only typed about 35-40 rad reports a day.
2. One co-worker who took 6 cigarette breaks and did not smoke.
3. Husband of one co-worker came in and perked over our shoulders for 30 minutes each day before sign out time.
4. One co-worker who never called in to proper channels when not showing up.
5. Somestimes above-mentioned co-worker just did not call, we are supposed to have ESP.
6. One co-worker took 1.5 hour lunch breaks.
7. One co-worker to me to slow my a-- down.
8. One co-worker in the outpatient department would walk all the way over to in-patient to unassign her pools because she "didn't feel like typing ultrasounds" today.
9. Can you say cherrypickers.....
10. Boss couldn't type her name if her life depended on it.
11. Co-workers never looked in reference books. Called across room - How do you spell....(Mind you there are three of us in one room).....
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Good Stuff...
1. I thank my mom all the time for making me take typing in high school. I type 120 words a minute.
2. I took lemons and make lemonades. I read up on the subject of Voice Recognition and saw that I would be voiced out of a job (in 2003).
3. I took a few bs jobs, and got several "bait and switch" deals.
4. Would get up to 350 lph and get switched to an account with ESLs. Can do them, but .......
5. Enjoy flexibility of working at home.
6. I say I have paid my dues, but do we ever.
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I love this board. That's how it got my present job. That's how I settled on my word Expander (after sampling three).
I have purchased and sold items. I have utilized advice regarding reference materials (yes, you do need them - make a sacrifice). I have increased my QA from 98 to 99.1). I don't skip over reports. I work when I am asked. In my spare time I add more and more acronyms to my dictionary and because of this, I have received an unsolicited raise.
As for these transcription schools, it's just like "real" college. You get out of it what you put into it. They do not owe you anything.
Like I said, I love this board, but sometimes we go overboard with the fluff, i.e., what's for dinner, how's your puppy..."). It took me 10 years to find the perfect fit and the flexibility because I have another career as an accountant. These two occupations co-exist perfectly. No two days are alike.
Some of us are looking at transcription as an easy what out of corporate America, but it's not that easy. You have to stay FOCUSED and you have to learn to use REFERENCE materials. And don't say you cannot afford them. Think of them as an investment in you job SECURITY.
Good Day. Luv y'all. Got work on the Lanier.....
I need help transcribing some reports that I can't understand.
I'm a new MT and I have reports that I can't understand some of things the doctor is saying. I really need help! If there is anyone out there willing to help please do.
talk show transcribing
try Emediamillworks.
Doctor transcribing at home
I have worked for one group that paid me a flat 2.50 per page regardless of how many lines there are to a page.
I now type for a doc who pays 10 a line but I have to deduct for any skipped lines.
I also work for a hospital and they pay 9 a line(on the Meditech system).
Transcribing pathology reports
Just a thought. You could call medical examiner's offices and ask if they need help or ask them who they contract their work out to. I used to type for an agency that had the New York Medical Examiner's Office contract. You could try them. Good luck!
Carrie
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