Been having extra taken out of DH check for 3 years now at the
Posted By: me on 2006-11-13
In Reply to: Self-employment taxes...sm - MsMT
advice of my tax guy and have had no problems whatsoever. The IRS doesn't care where the money comes from, just that they get it. We file a joint return. If you file separately the situation might be different.
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If you have a spouse you can have extra
taken out of their check or you can pay estimated quarterly taxes. You can print the forms from IRS website. You pay quarterly but you don't do your taxes until January just like everyone else.
I'm not an IC, but my company only pays federal taxes and not state because they are in a tax-free state. The first couple of years I underestimated and got hit with a penalty, but after that just took the previous year wages and divided them per pay period to figure out how much extra to have taken out of DH check. We got back about $900 in state taxes the last 2 years, but I don't want to decrease what we have taken out because line counts fluctuate and DH is in a commissioned position so his check fluctuates too. I'd rather be over than under.
...extra cost, and most probably not until you
s
If you need extra practice typing itself...
goodtyping.com
COOL!
Thinking about MT as 2nd job - extra money
Hi there - I have a very sound career holding a Management position making great money, however we are trying to pay off bills and I thought I would pick up a second job. A friend told me about being a MT and at first I was kinda excited to start my research, then sites like this (some of the posts) have scared me. HOWEVER there are a good number of success stories. I think I may continue on, as this will not be my main job, just for extra income.
My question for all of you who are certified. I keep reading about the BIG 3 schools. I don't know who they are, but I was going to go to one of my technical colleges in my local area. Is that a no no in the MT world? I mean, it's an accredited school. I'm just scared that when applying for jobs, they will want those that came from the big 3 that you all are talking about.
If anyone can share information I would greatly appreciate it. Thx a bunch!!!
You have to PAY EXTRA for the internship and they don't teach you enough to get hired. (see messa
Much better to go to Andrews School or M-TEC, the top two schools in the country. Almost guaranteed to be able to get a job afterwards, and most companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement if you are an Andrews or M-Tec grad.
You have not been transcribing 10 years. Your resume reflects about 4 years tops. I am going to put
very little MT experience and now you're pushing software that posters can get for free. There is a problem with that. You need to search YOUR heart ands ask yourself just how helpful you are really trying to be to new MTs or if your lining your own pocketbook because you don't know how to transcribe yourself.
If you choose Andrews or M-TEC, you won't need a fast track or extra training.
You also will receive, with your course, many of the books that CS students purchase on their own - the Book of Style, the Language of Medicine, better grammar books.
I graduated from CS also. And if I had it to do again, I'd choose Andrews or M-TEC.
Check out
the New MTs forum at MTChat. There's lots of good info there.
not sure.....check it out....sm
http://www.ndif.org/Terms/PKA.html
you might want to check
the company board forum for info on Spheris.
check out
typingmaster.com reasonable price, too
Check out M-TEC.....
you cannot go wrong with them.
check these out and....
http://www.ahtraining.com/data/
Also I have a friend who works for Spheris and loves it. She gets benefits through them and although they have a "schedule," she can still be very flexible with her work hours.
Check Here First
You need to pick a school that is approved by AHDI.
http://www.ahdionline.org/scriptcontent/mtapproved.cfm
If you don't you will have a hard time finding a job.
check this out
http://www.rosemtschool.com/
I went to school back in 1971 to be an MT and if I would have had my internship that they offered back then to work during the summer months (as it a was 2 year college), I would NEVER have finished my second year of school to be one. Been doing this about 35 years and my pay has been torn in half compared to 1987 salaries. Even working part time, don't think you would ever get a paycheck that would be worth anything.
And if you are doing this to stay home with kids, how do you expect to work as an MT with the headset on trying to figure out ESL doctors and watch the kids too? This profession is definitely not worth it anymore, and if you are still young enough to go back to school, RUN, RUN, RUN and sign up for something else.
I took their course 5 years ago - sm
I was quite happy with it and the price, cost a little bit more now but still reasonable. If you do all you are supposed to it does prepare you well enough, though I skipped a couple things (learning the abbreviations); and I skimmed on the actual practice dictation which was a big mistake but I wanted to graduate and get working. But I still passed the final, though not as well as I would have if I had practiced more in advance. Took me 2 months to land a job, another 2 to actually start that particular job though; in the meantime I cold-called and landed a job with a small local MTSO and started that one first, then the other fell into place about 6 weeks later (acute care where I was thrown to the wolves basically). Nothing beats learning on the job though and I learned lots while testing my butt off to land that first job. There are plenty of CAI grads, just many look down on them though the program is very good and you come out adequately prepared though I think no school can prepare you for the real deal, it can at least give you the tools and knowledge to deal with reality.
They have been saying that for years, but...
from what I gather, MT's will always be needed, even to just proof the voice recognition. I will say, however, that I am a recent grad, and am finding out that it doesn't pay very much unless you get perfect dictators, which is very slim to none in this business! Good luck with whatever you choose, but I would look into something else as far as medical to do.
MT for 5 years sm
My advice to you is to do as much research when looking for a job as possible. I did not do this and until I came to MTStars I thought the 0.7 cents per line was what everyone was making. I did not realize I was making almost the lowest rate in the business. I have been doing this parttime for 5 years and there are jobs out there, just make sure you do the research into the companies like you seem to be, and as others have said make sure you go to one of the reputable schools that companies will look for. Do not get discouraged, this can be a wonderful and lucrative business if you make sure to take your time before jumping.
With almost ten years of MT, I would say...
If 'q.d.' follows a medication as part of a medication sig, you must type 'q.d.' If 'q.d.' is dictated within context as a "short cut" for the doctor, you must type "daily".
These edits are required to produce more professional medical/legal document...and we all know that some dictators need all the help that we can give them.
IMO...
-Jade
I took this course years ago.....
I did get a job at a local hospital, but I had an advantage. I had previously worked as a CNA at multiple hospitals and nursing homes, and ward clerk at a hospital. This is a basic course and you will probably have a hard time finding a job. I'm not trying to be rude, just truthful.
How I did it and have been doing for over 10 years....
Okay, it is time to let the cat out of the bag on how you are going to be successful as a Transcriptionist out of school.
The first thing I am seeing is that these schools promise that you will be working from home making in upwards of $40,000 a year. Forget about that. You are new to this. If you come out of school working on a production basis you may very well fall flat on your face and make $3 an hour by the end of the day. I was a transcriptionist for almost 5 years working for a hospital and I decided I could make more working on a production basis.......I failed miserably my first year.
First off, get experience under your belt and make an hourly rate in the meantime. How did I do this? Well, I started out getting a job in a hospital, any job I could get. I started out in billing, even though I wanted transcription. I watched and waited for openings, when finally someone in the psychiatric unit called me (I made friends with everyone, the key to getting calls like this one) and said they were losing their transcriptionist and I should apply. I applied and got my first transcription job, making an hourly rate. Had I not gotten pregnant with twins I would probably still be there.
After babies were born, went back part time in the evenings. This time since I had experience and another local hospital was willing to hire me in the radiology department. Again, hourly. I watched and waited once again (I hated radiology transcription). I got to know who was in charge in the transcription department. I sent her a fax asking her if she needed any part time help (back then there was no work related email). She said, yes, I could work part time (I now had "experience"). The part time went to full time with benefits. However, I got bored and decided to work for, of all companies, Medquist. I thought with my speed I would be making at least $20 an hour.....hahahahahahahahaha, what a joke. I was lucky to make $8 an hour with them. After about a year of struggling I finally got my foot back in the door of a hospital in another state. I had to commute to the hospital every day during training, it was awful, however, now I again work from home, have the ability to make about $20 or more per hour, I own my own home, own a half decent car, I am divorced and don't take any child support from my ex, instead we share in the custody 50/50.
The moral of my story........
Get your foot in the door. Look for jobs that are front desk, secretarial, whatever. Once you are in there and they realize how great you are you can go wherever you want. My first transcription job in the psychiatric unit also involved secretarial duties, so not just straight transcription. I highly recommend getting into a hospital. The bennies are the best and lots of hospital transcriptionists are working from home with full hospital benefits. If you can't get into a hospital, get into anywhere where you can do some sort of typing/transcription, that way you have your first reference/experience when you apply to a company that is strictly work from home. Everyone wants experience, they just don't want to be the ones to give it to you.
I am so tired of seeing these schools and companies swindle people.
If you are looking into training, I highly recommend your local community college. You will probably take some credit college courses that will be able to be used should you decide to do something else. My local community college has a course for under $3000 and there are college credit courses that are able to be used towards another degree.
I did my training as a medical assistant, transcription was only part of the course. However, now I am so bored with transcription that I am going back to school to be a nurse.
I hope this helps someone out there. Good luck to you all!
I know 2 different MTs with 30 years
in this business. One lost an account to EMR and the other lost a good portion of an account to "writing in charts" which is a clue that particular account is going EMR most likely in the near future and trying to save money to purchase it... It is very expensive for the doctors (more than our pay). My PCP uses it and he said it is very costly but he is still using it.
Now those MTs that lost accounts are working for nationals and averaging between 6 and 8 dollars an hour because they are being thrown horrible dictators and platforms that aren't up to par.
Everyone in this business is struggling and thankful for what they have and afraid to ask for a raise. I have 2 of my own accounts that I haven't had a raise in 10 years because I know someone will underbid me in a New York minute if I were to raise my rates.
I just like what I do and like the flexibility, but if I were to spend $4,000.00 it would definitely not be to become an MT, not by today's standards anyway.
Check out Andrews and M-TEC if you want the best-nm
nm
check post below
regarding posting your resume on this site.
Check out this site
http://www.mtdaily.com/faq.html
Reality check
When HIPAA went into effect that fateful October, the AMA did a survey and less than 50% of physician practices had any HIPAA compliance practices in place or had started preparing them. That is a fact. In the private office setting, the office can include anything they wish into their compliance notification their patients sign and their patients have the option to opt out of whatever sections they don't want to participate in. That is a fact.
It is personal preferences in complying with HIPAA regulations, not just for the MD but for the patient. That is a fact.
Reality check.
You may think you are a great MT or can be, but experience is not something you can fake. I have no idea if you are new to MT or not, but if you are trying to break into the field and plan to lie about your experience it will show and it will show in every aspect of your job. I know for a fact my company checks references and many companies do. Posting such a question is just galling. What kind of work ethic is that?
Check the archives
I recommend you go to the MQ board - they have their own, you know - and read the archives. You have to punch an "e time clock" and work exactly your schedule. Seems they frequently run out of work, and have to make up that time from their personal time. However, they may be more likely to hire a newbie than another national. Happy reading!
I agree - definitely check out M-TEC! nm
x
check what is required before u
take the exam. For myself, I did not take any exam at all and had been doing med transcription for more than 3 years now. I did, however, took a course as my background was engineering. If you are just new in this career, most companies will require a formal training. The fact that a lot of MTs are competing for jobs, you would be better off with a formal training (just like any other career). I hope this helps.
Could try RMT w/less than 2 yrs exp. check w/AHDI
x
Check with your school and see if
Check out the All Type ad
They may consider you.
Spell Check
Try to avoid using a medical spell checker while you are in school, but always use regular spell check. For employment testing, use both.
For troublesome medical terms you might consider creating an alphabetic electronic word list.
Website is ahdionline.org
Please check out the classifieds
board to see my newly listed item please. I think many of the new MT's or students will find it quite helpful. Thanks!
check this website
http://www.histopathology-india.net/EDCa.htm
Check with your school.
They should give you some leads on who hires their graduates.
Check this out, it's free!
The page numbers don't match, but you should be able to find what you're looking for.
http://style.mtreference.com/tiki-index.php
Check your e-mail... :)
nm
Been at it 25+ years, still love it the same way I did at first. NM
x
Two years this month.
I was just telling some gals that I have made the mistake of attaching versus copy and paste more than once. I was applying to many companies and simply not reading directions word-for-word while doing so. With "many" companies actually preferring the attachment method, I just honestly got in a hurry and didn't pay attention. I did this as a new grad, I've done it with a couple years' experience! I also caught it right away too, and resubmitted, but that's not the point. Just like MTSOs "scan" resumes in a few seconds, I scanned ads. Just a fact! I'm busy too, whether I'm working or not. I know better now though!
I think as a newbie, and with so many companies using the "two-year experience clause," I just felt like a submitting machine. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I was actually submitting, because I really didn't expect anyone to pay much attention to me no matter what I did.
I did, however, make sure that I spellchecked any communications and tried to be as professional as possible. You might be surprised at how "unprofessional" some MTSOs are! I am hearing them say that they don't want to hear about personal issues, but I have also had many come back and burden me with their own! They sometimes set the tone for casual-type communications, which I find offensive and unnecessary.
I started out with all my resources in place. I think that MTSOs have to remember that a newbie is just that. We have just spent thousands to be educated, bought a new computer in some cases, bought a library maybe, and had to set up an office in our home as well. I invested thousands before I applied for my first job! An experienced mentor and friend told me not to scrimp where resources were concerned, and I didn't! The generalization of the MTSO about newbies was what ticked me off. We might make mistakes, but who doesn't? That was unfair!
As far as the $400 phone system, that I would have noticed and passed on immediately. Some schools don't even explain what these are. I had to ask! I now own one that I haven't used in over a year since I bought it. You are trained with Wav files, which is the more prevalent of the two forms of obtaining voice files, and no, I don't have one sitting around "just in case." These bad boys cost from $300-$800. Get real. I doubt there are many experienced MTs who have this or would spend that kind of money upfront before ever hearing the dictators and knowing what you are getting into.
I do, however, think it is perfectly fair to expect that applicants have the basics in place, i.e., resource books, Word processing program, updated computer with protection, and at least a USB pedal.
There is no excuse for punctuation, spelling and grammatical errors in any communications related to finding work. I agree with that.
I hired on with Medquist out of school, or soon thereafter. Here was their attitude at my office: Leave a ton of blanks, time is money, you will learn from your feedback (if you are lucky enough to get it).
I was very uncomfortable with that! I wanted to learn and grow. I was perfectly willing to spend ten minutes researching a single word or phrase in order to learn, and I felt good about my results. Fact is, more companies than not could care less. I've been told that we hire editors for that, so move on. Time is money!
I continually st rived for perfection, and that does take time. You have to be willing to spend countless hours in research and then verification through viable resources your first years. I did, and I don't regret it. Let's take into consideration also though that I was in a position to do that! I do this because I'm good at it and I love it. If I had to pay the mortgage and support a couple of kids, I might look at things in a whole different light.
I think that schools and their ads are a big problem when it comes to moms at home. They give the impression that having children, as well as not being able to pay for child-care services is some sort of prerequisite for this work! If you have these needs, this job is for you. Bull!!
Then, you have people replying to questions like, "why did you choose this career" with responses like, "I have kids and can't afford child care," versus, "I love this work, and I am good at it."
I personally strive and always have for perfection. I have done my time in downtime, and that is with an extensive medical background beforehand! You really have to be willing to give your all, work hard and for little to start. That's a fact!
IMO, schools are failing sometimes to provide their students with essential information in important areas. I see new grads out on the moon alone the day after they pass their exam with nothing but a lousy outdated list of companies to apply to.
Yes, I think you addressed this issue appropriately. I hope it turns into a revealing and learning thread for all concerned!
Thanks,
Missy C
been filing IC for over 15 years
You will definitely need a CPA for this one. You will get to deduct what ever portion of your home you use from your mortgage payment (if you use a room that is 250 squre feet in your 1,000 square foot home, you can deduct 25% of your mortgage payment and utilities), part of your auto (depending if you use your car at all to pick up or deliver work), internet costs, phone costs, and the list goes on.
Personally I do not set aside taxes for my share of the household income. My husband claims 0 and covers mine and his; seems to work for us.
You will definitely need a CPA because there are things you must pay such as self employment tax. If you try to do this yourself and make a mistake it can be very costly later on.
Good luck!!! I hope you enjoy being your own boss. I certainly do.
This is the 3 cpl job, right? Your pay should go up in several weeks, NOT in several years! nm
s
Experience: 2, 5, 10 years
How are newbies supposed to get experience?
Does anyone know of companies who hire newbies?
My mentor 12 years ago.
was the owner of a small MTSO here in town. She took me from typing psychiatric accounts to acute care and I worked for her for 8 years. The pay was low at first at $7 an hour, but in a few months I went to incentive and was making a lot more money and learning every day. So I would say to get some resumes made up and get out the yellow pages and see what you can find around town. Most hospitals I applied to would not accept me until I had experience, which now I can understand why. It's really hard now if you're new and most MTs are at home. I miss that I can ask any questions of my coworkers if I was stumped on something, or asking if they would please listen to something.
You are very lucky, with 4+ years exp, I get .09 cpl - nm
x
where have you been for the past two years?
You say, "In-house jobs are being outsourced rapidly" and then draw the conclusion that there must be a demand for more MT's? Where do you think those jobs are being outsourced? It ain't Kokomo, it's New Delhi, etc. It used to be new MT's COULD get a job, back in the old days when the market wasn't imploding. But even then, you really needed to work in house before you could work from home. It ain't as easy as it seems, especially with ESL's.
Look I'm sorry you got misled about the field. But flogging a dead horse isn't going to help.
That was not the case 6 years ago, though - sm
things might have changed. MQ will allow graduates from certain programs apply though they have no experience, granted you have to pass the test in order to get a job. If you fail it they say to reapply in 6 months.
We were all newbies, but 5 years ago you
had a better chance at getting a job. If you only want to hear the good stuff you aren't going to learn anything. I feel for you, I really do, but if you had investigated before taking your course you would have been better informed. I don't care how much anatomy and terminology you had and I don't care if you made 100% on every test, you still have not experienced real transcription. There was one newbie MT that had a cerficiate stating she had a completed a course and she insisted she was a certified MT, which she was not.
I'm self-taught, got into the business quite by accident, but I have also seen at it for 20+ years and things were much different then.
I know you're frustrated but we're trying to educate you and you aren't open to hearing anything that isn't positive.
MDI-MD requires their MTs to have 3-5 years of
experience, I think. They are a great company, but they aren't set up for mentoring newbies. Good luck. 
I did not incorporate until 15 years into being an IC
My husband and I file a joint return, and my social security number was what I used in lieu of a federal tax ID#.
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