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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

working at home not a real job?

Posted By: Sue on 2007-12-25
In Reply to:

Have any of you ever experienced someone thinking that because you work at home, you do not have a "real job"?  My husband (who is a doctor), seems to think that I have made a mistake by giving up a job as a cancer registrar that paid me 41,000 to do medical transcription. His biggest complaint is the long hours I work trying to make money.  I tried to explain to him the learning curve for newbies, but he does not seem to understand.  I was taking my MT course during his residency and have wanted to be in this profession for a long time.  I will admit, I was not happy about the drop in pay, but I am working towards regaining my salary through increasing production and know that it can be done.   It does not seem to matter that he has always had my full support during the beginning of his career, but he cannot seem to do the same for me.  He may be right, but the fact is that I love medical transcription and want it to be my career.  Who do doctors think they are dictating to?  In most cases it is a work at home transcriptionist!  I do wish that I could make more money with it, but feel that it will come in time.  I love the flexibilty it gives me and I take it very seriously, as my work is directly related to patient care, even though it may not be as hands on as his work is as a doctor. 


I would really like some feedback on this, as I am really frustrated by his attitude on my career choice.


 




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working at home a real job
I can so sympathize with you!  My husband is also a doctor and he can work 15 hour days but let me be working in the evening and it's "you're always on the computer".  Yeah, I am, trying to make money since your profession does not offer near what it used to!  I absolutely love what I do and I went into this because of HIS hours.  I knew that someone needed to be here for our kids (4) and that working a 9-5 job outside the home was not going to be possible.  I also gave up my first love/job as a vet tech so that I could do this and be here for the kids. But, it never seems to be enough.  If you ever need to vent to me or with me, please do.  
My kids have suffered greatly from me working at home with them home. SM
I have been working at home as an MT since my two kids were born. They are now 4 and 5. In the first few years, I had no help whatsoever. Their father was a bum who didnt work or take care of them while I worked. Your children get neglected while you work basically. And babies and young children desperately need your attention while they are home with you.

My kids have so many behavioral problems right now because of their neglect. I would try to set them up with things to occupy themselves, like coloring or a movie, etc.

I finally put them in day care and things have improved, but there are still a lot of issues because of the damage that was done. They still try to seek attention by doing bad things and they dont listen to me because they are so used to me letting them get away with a lot of stuff because I was too busy typing to discipline them in their early years.

If I could do it all over again, I would definitely have put them into day care from the very beginning.

My advice would be to seek PT care for your baby. Maybe you can do some work around her schedule a little when she is home, like when she takes a nap, and then bang out a bunch of work while she is in day care.


The real world is not like a home school.

and regulations when they go into the work force?  Or will you always be there to keep them away from the "bad guys".  I'm not so sure it is fair to your children to not send them to school so that they can learn "from their mistakes" and bad choices.  This is how we learn to adapt in our adult life.  We learn the hard way and unfortunately not everything is positive. 


My children attend public schools.  We are all human.  We cannot protect our children forever from the "negative influences" in life, so why not subject it to them while they are young so we can prepare them to make better choices when they are older. 


My daughter has already stated she does not want to work at home.  Good for her.  I am applauding her decision to be social and make a difference, which I'm sure she will because of course she wants to be a teacher, and I'm an MT!!!!   


That can be a real problem even for working MTs, we are so out of touch w/friends anymore.
nm
working IN A HOSPITAL is different than working at home.
Someone can steal you identity from the internet if they want to. Why would you go to the time and trouble to jeopardize a job that requires some level of skill to steal someone's identity or medical records? You could get a job as a retail clerk and get info easier than going through the testing required to become an MT.
Somehow working at home translates into not really working
My in-laws are the worst. Whenever they plan something last minute and my husband says that I had to work, they say, "but she works at home!". When I one time mentioned I had a "schedule" and basically punch a clock and work full time, I don't think they believed me. They will sometimes call mid-day during the week if they are in the area to see if I want to go for lunch, etc! The best is, my husband doesn't make all that much money, so where is it coming from, the money fairy? I am ready to strangle someone! So I know how you feel and I'm sorry it upset you. You are not alone.
Working from home
When I get all the nosey/rude comments about working from home, I gave up justifying it and only now say..."It works for me, I don't even have to get dressed and can make a ton of money working from by bedroom, using all the high tech equipment that allows me to do so"..leaves it up for interpretation and usually shut's them up
working from home!

I've been working from home since it was first allowed, can't really remember the exact year, but for sure no later than 1984.  My family has always said, "get a real job", "why are you stuck at home, go work at an office where you can be around people", and on and on and on and on, ad infinitum!!!  I don't really have "friends" anyway because I've always been a hermit.  But guess what, now the only members of my family left alive are my brother and my sister and they STILL say I should get a real job!!  I just give them a disgusted look and say "yeah....I really want to have to deal with traffic jams, proper clothing regulations, no smoking rules, break time rules, punching in an out....does that seem to fit my personality???"  Of course they say, "well I can see your point".  However that does not keep them from saying it again some time later.  Guess it is never ending, so just ignore it and laugh at them.  That is all it deserves is a good laugh!!!  Quite honestly, I think they are jelous.   


    **                                                                                   


MT working at home
Ihave to tell you that in order to do MT work you have to really LOVE the job because of the long hours and the amount of research that you need to do on the reports. I am not trying to discourage you, as I was in your position not that long ago, but 'ya gotta love this job. Otherwise, there is no way to succeed. You won't make millions, and chances are you will make a pittance, but if you are enjoying it, then that is the best way to go into this.

I wish you much luck.

Gaile
Working from home --

I thought that could only be done working inhouse. Thanks.


Working at home

To make at least $15.00 an hour at home, a person would need to transcribe 150 lines per hour and be paid .10 cpl.  This comes with experience but you have to find the right company.


I am in a small rural hospital and I know our Transcriptionist does not get $15.00 an hour.


working at home
Definitely pros and cons to working at home. I consider myself a sociable person and feel hemmed in sometimes as well, even tho I have hubby, 3 kids and 2 dogs. I have done MT on the outside and it's nice to go and be with others doing the same thing, (it's great to have someone there to do "a listen" when stuck on something difficult) PLUS I also miss company potlucks, birthday celebrations, gossip (he he) and other "officey" stuff. Now that I'm working at home, I try to go out on at least one "date" a week with a friend, either for coffee or lunch or happy hour. Also I volunteer for church and school stuff. Come to think of it, though, I do find myself striking up conversations with complete strangers while shopping in Wal-Mart -- so maybe I DO need to get a life and get out more!!!
Working from home (sm)
Would like "k" to say if she works for a national, etc. I am "downsizing" to home and petrified, don't want people in and out of my home while I'm working, etc., also afraid of getting involved with the "wrong" national. I also would like a flexible schedule. Just a little scared after working 20+ years out of the house.
Anybody working at home, that
x
r u working at home or in their ofc?...sm

Seems to me if they told you 9-5, and yes, I remember your post asked about going home after you finish your work so I presume you do work in their office.....you have to be there from 9 to 5 I would presume. R U being paid hourly or salaried?  Either/or, if they told you *work from 9-5* I presume that's exactly what they mean.  When you work in an office for someone else, you have no flexibility for the things you were able to be flexible with when you worked from home.


Jes my nickel's worth....


working from home

I wanted to ask if someone knows the first step I need to take to do MT at home ?


Also may I ask what part of the country do you live in ? I am in Colorado. Help


working from home w/ little ones
I am expecting my 3rd child this winter and work at home. I am nervous about being able to work and tend to the baby. My 2 older kids are in school. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I really do not want to put this child in daycare as it is expensive and I would rather have my child with me if possible.
Working at home
I used to work in clinic a 40 mile drive one way.  I did this for almost 10 years.  I starting figuring out how long I was on the road and it added up to almost a day a week.  No wonder I had weekends to myself, but it did not seem like it as M-F I had lost that extra day, doing nothing but sitting and driving.   Not very productive.  Have been at home working for the past 6 years.   There are pluses and minuses to everything.  Sometimes the grass is not always greener on the other side.  Weigh the pluses and minuses:) 
Working at home

Wow!  It sounds like you need to return to the office to work where you will maintain a clear head from your kids and other family.


Good luck!


She is working at home

She is working at home for them as an IC.  I agree that she should charge for her time but she has to let them know.  She needs to draw up a short contract stating what she services she will provide for what price, TAT, etc.  Does not have to be a long drawn out 4 page contract just a simple one pager stating what she provides and what is expected of the account. 


However  I do not agree with the above poster on not letting your accounts know when you will be unavailable or out of town.  You may not have to tell them where you are going but you have a responsibility to let them know you are not available and not simply do not show up.  If I did that, my accounts would be looking for someone else fast.   They all work with me when I take time off but again, to simply not acceptable.  That is like waiting for the cable guy all day long. 


Working at home...

Hello all!


I work out of my home for a physcial therapy office - I go every day and pick up tapes and return the paperwork I have completed along with the blank tapes back to the office.  I don't have time to chat with the people who work there much, I have known some of them for a few years, but not close.  I am not necessarily looking to make friends with any of them, but wondered what others do about connecting with people for social time.  I am single, so no husband, kids, etc to fill that void.  I love working out of my home very much, but am missing people contact and wondered what others do.  I used to have many friends around here (rural Iowa), but most have moved away or gotten married and got busy with their families.  Not a lot of choices of places to go to meet new friends - wish there was a way to create a work-at-home group in my area and maybe meet other transcritpionists or just find people who are experiencing the same things of isolation and what comes with working out of ones home. Any ideas or advice from any and all would be appreciated!!  Thanks!!


lorlyn 


working at home
Well, in word only am I free as a bird - but I have responsibilities, almost like having children of my own since I am the only one of my siblings who watches over my elderly parents - I check on them most every day and if they need help with things or have to be driven to a doctor's appt or other places, I do all that. I have asked other people to help when it was impossible for me to do so, but it is not something I can ask someone else to do on a full time basis. It is my responsibility and since they have always been there for me I feel it only fair I am there for them.
Believe me, I have entertained the idea more than once. Thanks!!
Lori
working from home

At home three years.  Started at a hospital 1987, Manager for 12 years at any imaging center, then became pregnant was put on bedrest, out on disability, returned back to work, within two months, pregnant and on disability again.  Returned to work, but with childcare for two babies at 380 week, decided to stay home and work evenings at the center.  2004, was asked to type at home by hospital where originally started my career.  Loved being home all day with my kids.  They would nap 2 hours, I would type, put them to bed, I would type.  I made more money than working a 40 hour week and paying for childcare.  I would change it for anything.  My kids are 5 and 4, and they realize how lucky they are.  What I enjoy the most is being able to give my sons a true "summer vacation" by being home. 


job working at home
My husband takes my job very seriously, since I make enough to pay all the bills.  My daughter works and buys the food.  I think my husband is very supportive.  He is disabled, so it works out good for us.  Thank God he is like he is today, not always was, but today he is.
Working at home.
I only have 1 bedroom and have had to make an office in the dining room. Any tips for focusing and not getting sidetracked? Since working at home, I also find it way too easy to get lazy. I don't understand it. When I worked in an office, we kind of helped each other stay motivated, because if somebody talked too much or made too much noise, they were shushed, like in the library and others said they needed to concentrate. I don't have that at home. I need to work harder.
Is this working from home or
on site? I interviewed for a pathology job because I knew somebody who enjoyed doing it at a different hospital. But when I interviewed I discovered this hospital did things in a very inefficient way and the sound quality was not good. These factors made me decide not to take it, but at a better organized hospital it could be great.
working at home
Glad to see these posts. I am at my wit's end with my mom and thought she was developing dementia. At least once a week she will call and say, "I thought maybe we could go to lunch" or "what are you doing? thought we could get together." Pulling my hair out, getting tired of saying I am working and cannot go out.

Thanks all!
Working from home, non-MT
Yes you can make as much or as little money as you want by working 10-12 hours a week.

My friend Amy made over $1800 her first week working part-time and after 3 months with the company, she brought both her little girls home from daycare. She has a recorded call you can listen to and she goes over the company in detail. The number for the call is 1-712-432-9598.

It's not for everyone but it may just be for you. I love it!

Pray about it and see what the Lord says about it.

Take care,

Robbye
Email: rhoard@swbell.net
www.freedomathometeam.com/rhoard
working at home

I totally agree with you on this subject.  I work in house for a HMO which constantly disrespects and belittles their transcriptionists (their company starts with the letter after "J") and us transcriptionists are being replaced with VR. The cattiness and nastiness has taken its toll on me and I am ready to stay home and work. I can say in all honesty that even though the money has been good - the environment is so hostile that no amount of money is worth being treated like garbage.  THe union which is supposes to represent us is in cahoots with management and they don't give a rat's patoot what happens to us.  I am ready for a change and I feel that working at home is where it truly is at.


Working at home.

I came across this forum surfing the internet.  Gosh!  I feel so antiquated.  I have been doing MT for 12 years for the same doctor.  I drive to his office every morning, pick up his tapes, and take the work back the next morning.   I know nothing about working in-house, VR, etc.  A friend, whose husband is doctor, advised me to take a medical terminology course at our local college.  We were working at the same law firm as legal secretaries at that time.  After I aced the course, she referred me to a doctor friend of her husband and we have been working together since and we will probably retire together.  When I go on vacation, he holds his tapes until I come back as he doesn't want anyone else typing for him.  I can take as long as I want to get caught up, but it only takes me a couple of days.  I also make decent money.  I don't have any of the problems that I have been reading about on this forum.  Is there anyone else out there who still picks up tapes? 


Working at home
I am curous as to why you want to work at home?

If you have an in-house hourly pay job, with benefits KEEP IT!!

There are so many of us working at home now because we were outsourced and would love to have our old jobs in-house back..

At this point, keep what you have and be grateful!!!
Working at home

I have been working at home with 4 kids for 12+ years now.  I even went through 2 babies with that and it could not have been better.  It was so nice to have them playing behind you while you actually worked!  The only hard part for me is the summertime with them home and wanting attention but it only lasts a few months.  My oldest is now going off to college and I know she got me all she needed to make a great transition and be a great person cuz I was here for her when she needed me AND she saw me working and knows she can do it all too!


working at home
I agree with you.
currently working at home see msg
IF I took this job, you have to train in house for 6 or 7 months.  Then you have the option of going home or staying in house. 
working at home
I think the most important thing we forget because we work at home is it is WORK.

We would never ever expect to be allowed to get up from our desks at a job away from home in an office setting, with the boss in the next room, to deal with an hour-long ordeal from our kids and their ups and downs. We would not be allowed to attend to family and friends calling us to chat at "the office" with the manager close by, so why do we allow ourselves to be pulled in at home? Because we can.

It is very hard but you have to remember that this has to work the right way for you or it is off to the office you go. The kids need to be reminded that too.

I feel quilty sometimes, especially in the summer when my 7-year-old asked me to come play outside at 10:30 in the moring. My father-in-law reminded me that I should not feel guily. If I was not able to be working at home she would be at a sitter's house I would be away for 8 or 9 hours a day. That made more sense than any reasons I had tried to convince myself of.

It is hard to tell the kids you are busy when they see you at the PC but I like the poster how said they lose something in the same amount of money that they caused you to lose,, might have to try that.

Mandy


working away from home
I was wondering what do you need besides laptop to be able to take work with you if going away for holidays?

What internet works best? Would you need one of them wireless air cards if family member does not have internet? I am totally lost.

Any input would be appreciated.

working away from home

Besides your laptop, you will need your footpedal and headset. If you use reference books a lot, I would suggest you take them along, otherwise, most things can be found on the net. You will need an air card if they do not have internet. I do not know which one is best. A friend tried one for a month - might be a good idea then you would only have a one-month fee.
working away from home
I am curious about working with a laptop away from home.  I don't have any idea about how to get the programs from the desktop to be on the laptop to make this possible.  I also do not want to do anything uncool with the company I work for.  How does one get away with this.  What do you do?  Give me a hint someone please.
LOL. Not everyone working at home

is doing it for the kids.  LOL


Working from home

I agree with the poster.  I used to get the old "you need to get a real job" bull from my ex-husband and his unintelligent and uneducated wife.  Apparently I needed to get a factory job like them to have a "real job".  I have since ditched him and found someone who appreciates that I work from home.  I also get the people who want to know what I do and how they can get in on it.  Also the uneducated ones, when they hear you need to be trained or go to college, they lose all interest. 


Are these MEs working on site or at home
All the MEs I know are working per line.
???about equipment and working at home????
I have 10 years MT experience and I am in the process of trying to work from home. I haven't done any T in 11 years and I am rusty. I have purchased books, and downloaded needed info to help with MT, I have a foot pedal and a very high tech computer. Any hints would be helpful. Should I have a second phone line? Should I have a C-phone? Should I have a great spellcheck? Should I have expander? Would like to start, any suggestions where? With what companies? Thanks for any and all
help.
I'm on my own tonight, home alone and working
x
Don't Miss working at home at all..sm

When my children were young it had its purpose, but I much prefer my job outside of the home now. For starters, paying for all the benefits I have now (health, life, 401K, paid education, sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays, and taxes) adds up to about 75% of my salary. When I'm at work, I'm at work and when I'm home, I'm home. I don't get taken for granted anymore and people don't assume "I don't really work since I'm at home".


I've lost 28 lbs in the last five months in part due to having a regular schedule. I like getting dressed every day.


I like knowing I get regular salary increases ($6.00 an hour in less than two years), and I like knowing I can get promoted (will be 2 promotions in 2 years in August).


Granted there are pros and cons to both, but I find the office stuff is only a problem if you let it be. I'm much less chained to a desk. I have three people under me, but I prefer to run all my own errands. I like not being responsible for all the decisions all the time. Meetings are no more frustrating than struggling through an ESL report someone else threw back.


Did I say work is work and home/play time is home/play time. Nothing better than a 10-day vacation at the beach knowing your full paycheck will be sitting in your checking account waiting for you when you get back. We were both self-employed so we had to not only pay for vacation but also still pay for the bills while we were gone. My daughter got sick at school yesterday. I took the afternoon off and took her home, and still got paid. Couldn't pay me enough money to go back to being self-employed and/or working at home.


Lastly, my professional life and personal life are totally seperate. At work, I'm not somebody's mother, wife, friend, sister, etc. They know me as me and only know anything else I wish to share. I leave home at the door when I leave in the morning and work at the door when I leave in the afternoon. I give credit to those who can do it, but after 13 years, I was ready to get out. Maybe after 13 years of my office job, I'll be ready to go back. Guess I'll find out.   


 


The best part is I'd still be working at home...nm
x
For those of you working at home w/ a baby...sm
How do you do it?  My husband and I are trying for our first baby and I am a little nervous about working at home with a newborn.  Just curious to know what your schedule is and how it works once they become mobile.
That's the glory of working at home!
It's been awhile for me - my daughter is now 14 - but that was the best part of working at home. I had a wonderful boss who set me up at home when I found out I was pregnant. I was able to nap for ten minutes during my pregnancy, I was able to take time to nurse Emmy after she was born (not to mention diaper and burp, etc). Also, when she was particularly fussy, I would put her in the Snugly and she would sleep against my chest while I was working. Just try to do that in an office!
Don't need a license if working out of own home...sm

As an IC, you just set your own method of charging/payment, get your work, and go.  Major concern is taxes.  Just be sure you pay taxes on your income.  Personally, I have an accountant and pay quarterly because it's just less worry for me to try to handle my own taxes.  Obviously, that's it in a nutshell, but just need to get some work and get started.


It's a reason most of us are working at home...
I chose to work at home 11 years ago due to office politics and nastiness in the doc's offices.  As a result, I never have to *get into it* with any of the offices.  EVER! 
working at home a breeze
So working at home is a breeze for you. That is wonderful. From your posting, you don't mention kids. Many of us have children. I have a 10 yo son and manage to get stuff done around the house. I also get in my hours and my line quota. Some people don't have a problem with working at home and keeping out the public. Some people do...so don't get down on them because they are saying something about it. Maybe they are looking for a more diplomatic way rather than say...Get out and go away. Different viewpoints are what make the world go round. And yes...as the other poster said..no one takes advantage of you unless you let them. But everyone is different. Our difference is what makes us all unique both at home and in the office. Just don't sound so cavalier about other people and their feelings and problems.
best system for working at home on your own

HI all...


I currently work for a company and although I love the docs I have I would like to expand on my own and have been considering getting my own accounts.  I was wondering what the best system is to work with for recieving dictations, transcribing reports and sending completed work. I have done the tape pick up an drop off thing and don't want to do that again. I want something that will be convenient for doctors.  I have looked at several systems online with multiple lines.  Is it better to buy a whole system, or is there software that works great with existing computers? I have seen some systems that allow for both call in and digital recorders to work.   I think it would be beneficial to have at least two lines, I'm just not sure where to start.....  Any suggestions will be much appreciated!!