I take my laptop and work as I travel. nm
Posted By: rmb on 2008-05-23
In Reply to: traveling and working - Kari
nm
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travel and work
I travel in the winter, but I bring my work with on my laptop, so you can do it as long as you have internet. Hotel rooms, RVs with internet hookup, whereever.
inputs on buying a laptop computer to use for work
I am a newbie and looking into buying a laptop computer to use for work. I would like to know if that is okay. The reason that I wanted a laptop computer for work is because I wanted to be still working wherever I maybe even if I am not at home. Is that possible? If it's okay, what laptop computers do you recommend?
We travel a lot to parents
We just take our computer base with us. Both our parents have high-speed internet and we use their monitors, keyboards, etc.
but you certainly save money on travel
and perhaps on work clothes/food away from home. When my son got to be about 8, the child care issue was no longer a problem. But when he was little, he would stand by my desk and say "Play with me" if I had no one to take care of him.
Laptop ok to use?
I'm purchasing another computer system so I don't have to share with my kids. I'd like a laptop so I have some flexibility to move around (so I can work in my room when the kids are awake and dh is home, but work downstairs at night if dh is asleep).
How feasible is that? Is it comfortable? What accessories would you recommend to make it easier? Does anyone use a regular keyboard with it for comfort?
Or should I just get a desktop?
Thanks!
Dawn K.
MT on a laptop
I've been transcribing on a laptop for 5 years, and it's no different from doing anything else on a laptop. Going from desktop to laptop for all your tasks requires an adjustment period just because the keyboard is compact. The great thing is, you can take your work with you anywhere there is secure internet access. :)
Laptop
Hi,
I posted a note about laptops and thank you so much for all your help. My ? now is what exactly do you need on a laptop for Mt. What do you look for. I see on Tiger Direct they are several, someone said Lenovo xp was good. I never owned a laptop before thats why all the ?s.
Thanks you,
Barb
You want everything on a laptop that you
would want on a desk top. Most laptops know only have USB ports, no serial ports or game ports, but if you need those you can get adapters. You want a minimum of two high-speed USB connections, preferably 4. You can buy USB hubs rather cheaply if you need more than that. You want a bunch of RAM, not a Celeron processor. If you are just using for work you don't need a huge hard drive and anything you bought off the shelf would have plenty.
You want XP and not Vista.
laptop
I just bought one. It has Vista. The company I work for is compatable with Vista. If you are working for someone now ask them if it will work with Vista.
laptop
You may also want to find out from your employer what specifications are necessary to get the job done correctly. A lot of companies do not want Vista, MS Works or Word. I just bought a new desktop for my new job, and had to take off a lot of the softward that came with the computer becuase it was not compatible with the employer's software package. It may depend on a lot of things. Just ask for a list of specifications needed for a computer, and you may not have to pay as much if you can leave off certain software and packages off the computer.
Dawn, regarding a laptop...
there has been a lot of discussion on the main board about laptops, if you do a search there you will find helpful information I'm sure.
I use a laptop for travel and it works for me. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as I could never make any $$ using a laptop keyboard.
As for reference books and carrying them to different places in your home, I have all my reference books on CD and have them installed on both my desktop and my laptop. I very rarely use an actual book for reference anymore. Even the BOS II is on CD and, for me, it is much easier and faster to reference than paging through a book.
BUT, if you are an IC, for IRS purposes, you would have to have a designated office. If you are an employee, then it probably wouldn't matter except maybe to your company (some hospitals want to make sure an employee has an ergonomically correct work space and a hospital I once worked for went to the employee's home to check it out).
Good luck to you - where ever you end up working! 
laptop/Escription
I bought an old Toshiba Tecra 8100 from ebay for around $300 and had to purchase Word (got 2000 for $70). My foot pedal($15 Ebay) works fine as this is an old laptop and has the 9 pin serial port. Sometimes you have to buy the old stuff to get things to work. Everything now is Windows Vista and until our software catches up I am saving my money for the better equipment, maybe a year from now.
Transcribing on a laptop
Has anyone transcribed on a lap? Is it better or worse than desktop?
Thanks for your reply!
tt
working from laptop
You can either tether from your cell phone or get a wireless card that goes into your computer. This is secure. If you use the hotel wireless it might not be. The teathering is about 60 dollars a month and it is monthly. The lap top card is the same price but it requires a 2 year contract, at least that was the last time I checked. Tethering actually works the best for me. You can actually use it riding in a car at 80 miles per hour if you are in range of cell coverage whereas the laptop card drops the signal.
What kind of Laptop is good to buy
Looking at a laptop on E-bay. What is the best choice?
Thanks,
Barb
Ideal laptop for transcribing?
Hi everyone,
I'm about to graduate and would like to get a laptop for transcribing. Does anyone know of a particular brand/make that would be good for a transcriptionist?
Thanks!!
I wouldn't buy a laptop for ergonomic reasons...sm
the keyboard is very small and it's almost impossible to get it set up at the correct height. Note their keyboards seem to be set forward into the laptop also and there's no wrist rest. If you are going to be putting in 6 hours a day, you better make darn sure you have all the ergonomics in place, including a really good chair. Otherwise, your body will pay. Also don't forget, you will have to either a C-phone hooked up where-ever you are working or more likely you will be using a .wav player. So are you planning to have the footpedal and headset plugged into your laptop too along with every thing else? That ought to drain your battery in no time. If you have the picture of typing poolside on a sunny day, forget it.
I have worked exclusively on a laptop for nearly 6 years.
I have traveled through 34 states and Mexico and worked the whole time. I have sat by the pool many days while my children swam. I have sat out on my deck on a pretty day. When space allows I use an external keyboard, but it only takes me a few minutes to readjust to the laptop keyboard when needed. I obviously use a wav player for my work. I have a bus card, a foot pedal, my earphones plugged in and sometimes my keyboard and I don't notice a significant difference in the drain on my battery whether I have these attached or not. If your battery is running low that quickly you need a new battery. I do not have an external mouse but use a touch pad. I find that a mouse is necessary if you are using an external keyboard, becauase your computer will be elevated and it will create a strain on your wrist to use the touch pad.
Put the money towards good education, not an unnecessary laptop.
It should tell you something that a school offers a "free" laptop to get students to sign up. List how many good things and how many bad things you have heard about Andrews and M-TEC. Then make the same list for Allied and TRS. There's your answer.
I just bought a laptop Dell E1505. Your biggest obstacle is the foot pedal as it's a 9-pin serial
port and NO newer computers have them anymore, especially laptops. Also, Escription is not compatible with Windows Vista which also most newer computers come with. I needed a laptop with Windows XP so I went onto Dell and they can "customize" one for you with the XP on it or you can do what I did and 400 dollars cheaper and get it from Ebay. The only thing I noticed was that the new one I got on ebay didnt have Word on it and I had to purchase Word 2003 for that as Word 2007 also is not compatible. Over the last 3 years, I have tried multiple adapters to get the foot pedal to work and finally used one that Escription recommends ..the Dynex DB9 model. I also got it on Ebay for $10 or they can be bought at like Best Buy but they are around $35 I think. There are a few obstacles with Escription and laptops etc.but since I like to travel, I finally got it worked out. I also plug in another keyboard as the laptop one is hard to type on and I like my ergonometer one. Good luck
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates.
Training and education really does make a difference. Some people just have 15 or 20 years of very bad experience. They may be fortunate that one employer was willing to hire and keep them, but if that one closed, they would be in trouble. It all depends on the person. some new graduates are a better bet then some experienced MTs. I would prefer to find an experienced MT with great skills and a teachable attitude, but many experienced MTs know everything and are only willing to do things the way they've always done them.
most psych work is included in multispecialty hospital work..sm
contracted to a medical transcription service that requires multispecialty experience because of the hospital work. Unfortunately, very rarely can a medical Transcriptionist these days be given only one specialty when working for a service or hospital. We have to be well versed in multi specialties. The Turn Around Time on demands have increased, and thus the service or hospital gives the MT many different types of work. Learn as many specialties and gain as much experience in different specialties, which in turn will make you a more valuable MT and more apt to gain employment.
Just be sure not to pay for work. There is an MTSO below who apparently charges to work for them (sm
It might be tempting when you're getting desperate for work to pay someone so you can work for them, but don't do it. You can buy software and a foot pedal on your own, so don't let them fool you. If you are approached via e-mail from this site by an MTSO saying they have work for you, please read the posts below before making any decisions.
Can you share where you work that the work is plentiful? nm
s
Work for MTs
I was hired before I even graduated or had begun job hunting by a large transcription company. It was the easiest job I have ever gotten. I was hired because I attended a top-notch school (M-TEC) and did well in the program. There are plenty of jobs for well trained MTs, even new ones.
Work through it
Type the report thorugh the first time. Look up any you are not sure of to gain understanding of the report. Listen again full through and fill in blanks. Then listen again to problem areas to pick out works. Never guess. Leave blanks where you are not sure. Any hard dictator takes time to learn and multiple listens to the voice file to complete it to the best of your ability.
FT work and PT Mt work...
can this be done or am I getting in over my head. FT in-house, not MT and PT MT at home.
Anyone else doing this?
looking for work
Hi,
I would suggest NOT going to companies.....try docs you know personally or that have their own practice. That is how i started, just walked in, gave them a business card and flyer and made a deal, that if they gave me a chance, i would reduce the cost for the first 30 days. i got my first doc that way five years ago and he has referred me to many and i am still with him in addition to two others he referred to me! It is wonderful.....set your own hours, no rush on anything. good luck!
Cindi
Not enough work
I am actually an employee and they do have set hours kind of. Technically they say set hours but I have 2 split days and was told at the beginning as long as you get hour 40 hours in. But also at the same time, the first 2 hours of my work day I have been getting mabye 10 dictations, but they still ask you to tell them if you are not going to be around at any of those times, and when you will make up those hours. It is just frustrating because everything was starting to click into place. Finally getting up to 1300 lines a day and making some good money!
Not enough work.
I have been working for about 1-1/2 years now in med trans, almost a year for this one company. Still pretty new at the lingo and how the business side of things run. But lately, there has not been enough work with the company and I am sitting around for hours getting only a few dictations downloading. Your are assigned an account and also a backup but I was just wondering if this slow time thing is normal? This has been going on now for 3 weeks, also kind of has been occurring every now and then since this summer. I am just wondering how long what the usual is and how long should I wait until starting to look for another job?
Thanks
maybe her son will go to work for her too. nm
:)
Here's what seems to work for me
I have a very active 16-month-old and there's no WAY I can work when she is awake. She needs my attention every minute at this age. She stays home with me fulltime. I get up at 7 am and spend the mornings with her till naptime (around noon till 2 or 3pm) and work when she is napping. I then work after she goes to bed at night, usually from 8ish to 11 or midnight. I still get about 6-7 hours of sleep a night and although I could use a little more, it's so worth it to have my sweetie home with me :) I'm lucky enough to have a 24-hr TAT with no set hours and this helps immensely too. I tried part-time set hours and that was a bust at this point in our lives.
I also have a mother's helper (a 14-yr-old neighborhood girl) who comes 3 afternoons a week for 2 hours to watch and play with my daughter so I can get a little extra work/catch up on housework time. I pay her $4/hr and she is thrilled to get it.
Where there's a will, there's a way! :)
work!!
I work for a local dermatology clinic. I applied like crazy to more than a few nationals and no one would hire me even though I was passing their tests. But I like the fact that I can still work at home the majority of my work day, I have to go into the office to pick up my tapes and print what I typed the previous day. I live close to the office so it's not like I'm breaking the bank driving into an office 15 to 20 miles away everyday, and my children don't have to spend 9 hours a day, 5 days a week in day care like they did when I had my office accounting job.
want to work...
I am looking to work from home as an MT. I just finished school and have no experience. I am willing to do an apprenticeship is necessary. Anybody got any ideas?
I did some work for them.
They are a pretty good place to work, as far as I know, I am new too. Good luck!
Need work!!
Hello,
Im a new MT graduate looking for work. Please if anyone knows of any companies that will hire new MT graduates, please let me know. Or if you are company willing to give a chance let me know.
Thanks,
Sonnett
Seriously, looking for work!
I recently completed my at-home education and am also having a tough time getting work. I am a mom, both of my children are in school. I am extremely hardworking and eager to start work. Does anyone have advice for me on what to do next? I have joined AAMT and have posted my resume in a number of places. I have applied with many of the large companies via internet. I am so frustrated with the testing process, not knowing how I am doing. Maybe these companies just don't want newbies? I also made several attempts to solicit work through local Doctors. With all of my effort, the only lead I received resulted in a $600 loss with TA Assoc. I am sure you have all heard of them! Help?
No work yet.
Here it is Tuesday morning 10:00 and no work yet. Yesterday it was about 2:00 before anything arrived. Does every company have this problem?
No work yet.
I have an even better one: How would you like to get backup accounts with "no work" too. What a joke.
Would MT work for me?
Hi!
I am a 53 year old nurse with over 25 years nursing experience. In 2005 I moved to a Caribbean island with my husband who was itching to retire.
I have done some writing since moving here, but I miss my medical career. Unfortunately, the island I live on does not want to give me a nursing license, so I am looking for replacement career! I am not ready for retirement.
Although I could certainly do the course work, I wonder if being located "off shore" would decrease my employment possibilities. I do, however, maintain a U.S. address for business purposes. I would like the imput from MT's out there.
I heard from a company called TRS Institute who says they hire off shore workers after completing their course. Anyone know about them?
Thanks,
Jen
Help, no work...
I just started with a new company and there has been no work for over a week. I have emailed and IM'd, and all they will tell me is that there should be work soon, that is, when they respond. What do I do now? Wait, or start looking again? Why do they hire when there is no work to do?
Work
Hi Karen,
If you would like some work until the other comes in, please let me know. If you have WP and a wave player, I would be willing to discuss overflow work for you.
Thank you,
Debbie, WRU Transcription in Illinois
work
I guess it all depends what wage you are making. There are some companies that pay newbies better than others. So may be that is what you have to look at.
Is this the one where you pay them $100 and then get to work for 2 cpl?
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Anyone work for MQ?
I have used the search function on this site to try to find out what really is the problem with working at Medquist. Basically, all I get is that they restructured which affected people's accounts and line counts at the time, got rid of bonuses and 401K matching and don't answer emails. As far as QA feedback goes, on one hand I read that you never hear from them and on the other that they pester you all the time.
Surely, a lot of people do actually work for them. I was thinking of applying. I don't really find the above all that horrible. Am I missing something?
Enlightenment would be appreciated. Thanks.
Work there Now!
This place has really changed since being bought out by Nightingale (formerly Scribes) There were a lot of cuts which in turn, made a lot of MTs and employees leave. However, all the good ones stayed and are growing with the company. There's also been a lot of turnover in the office, but again, it seems like it's for the better. The air of the company seems to be getting lighter and talking with the girls in production is a lot of fun these days! "more fun than..."
I really like it and don't plan on leaving any time soon! Plus, where else can you get paid training with a QA standard like none-other! That's why they get the good accounts! And moving towards EMR, this looks fantastic!
Nope, not going anywhere!
OMG!!! Why would anyone work for that?
New grad or not, no one needs to work for such low wages. Sha, I really hope this is not what they offered you. If it is, you need to run from this company. They obviously don't value their MTs. Even if you do 400 lph editing, which new grads can rarely, if ever, do, you would only be making $5 an hour! I thought 5.25 for straight transcription was low, but 1.25 for editing? That is ridiculous! 
looking for work.
I am looking to do psychiatric report transcription mostly but have some experience in the hospital medical fields also. I have about 2 years psych experience and 6-8 months medical experience. Can anybody help.
Amber
MT work available
Is the only work available from nationals VR/ASR rejects?
I need work!!! Please help!!!!
 PLEASE HELP!!!! Desperately in need of work.I do not have exprience, but I do have a CNA certifcate, and I am familiar with medical terms. I have a dictation pedal, and software. Please help, my husband is sick and unable to work at this time. We have 2 small children, so I have to be working from home. Sincerely... Amber Holt
Regarding MT work....
I was in your situation and took a course through PCDI. I think they are now Ashworth University or something like that. Also, if you have your CNA, check with some local doctors or your local hospital. Our local hospitals started sending employees home to work. You may have to work at the hospital for a short while, but then you could work at home. Another benefit to this, is that you would get appropriate training while at the hospital. If you have any questions, just email me. Most places will not hire without an education or experience.
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