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Plan on 4 hours - especially if you're

Posted By: talking a new account. on 2008-04-25
In Reply to: 500 lines - mj04




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Seems like a wise plan. sm
only problem is it might be hard to get a PT job as a newbie. Mostly it seems like newbies get jobs with nationals if they can possibly test well enough but the nationals have a set number of lines you have to meet every pay period and as a newbie it can be difficult to get your speed up, since you will be researching a lot of terms and re-listening, etc. You MIGHT be able to find a job with a smaller MTSO, but then again maybe not. What would you do if you didn't find a MT job that fit your hours?
You need to plan ahead and
devise a pattern for creating shortcuts so that they are easy to remember.  If you just create random shortcuts with no pattern whenever you encounter a phrase you want to shorten, you will find that you forget the shortcuts for words and phrases that you do not hear or type frequently.  It will need to be something meaningful and easy to remember.  For example, I try to use the first two letters of each word in a phrase for short phrases, just the first letter of each word for longer phrases, and the first two letters of individual words that occur frequently.  You will also need to make sure that the shortcut you create doesn't accidentally spell a real word, which could create complications.  It takes some time to create the shortcuts and some more time to get into the habit of remembering and using them, but before long they become second nature.
I think only for those who plan on an in-house job at a hospital. At-home options won't even be
m
I'd also rather hear from a successful employer with a good plan for continued success
Success breeds success. When I look for a leader or mentor or someone to give me advice, I look for someone who has been successful. That person will have to be able to identify his or herself and have verifiable proof to back up their claims. There are ways to do that. Blind posts on message boards don't do it.
will not - not if you're competent. If you're incompetent they will fire you anyway
x
Need to finish...don't buy something like this until you're positive it's job you're goi
s
You're not a "new MT" if you have no training, you're not an MT at all. nm
x
Hours for MTs
Working from home is really no different than working in an office or hospital as far as the hours are concerned. The only difference is that you are on your own and must be able to perform the same duties. Would you apply to a company or hospital and ask them if you can pick you own hours? Probably not. As a home MT, you can choose what shift you prefer, if available, but it is still a work environment, and you are expected to be there, in the chair, doing the work the same as if you were in a hospital or office setting. That is why you see shifts/hours advertised. Companies need to know that the work will be completed and returned to the client in a timely fashion to the client's satisfaction. It's still a JOB, even if you are at home.
Hours
Michelle, if you are an independent contractor, you can generally set your own hours/days/shift; however, if you are an employee, you must work the hours/days/shifts your employer wants you to work. Of course, as an employee you get benefits, too.

Also, IMHO, VLC is a better program than AHP.
Hours
I work at home and I decide what hours I work as long as my work is back within 24 hours. That doesn't mean I can goof off all day and not do my work, I have to discipline myself and have scheduled times to work. You do have freedom, and thats why I love it, but you do have to work also.
I don't look at the hours
I look at the line count because productivity in this kind of job is based on the line count. Also, as you gain experience your hours spent on an account will decrease, that is if you retain the same volume over time.

Based on other experienced MTs, they usually do not keep just one account, so if you have time in your hands, try to get another account to make up for the slow periods.
Also looking for PT 20 hours. Please sm

If you take that job and they still have open positions, could you please share with me the company?  I have been looking for PT IC work like you mentioned.  Thank you!


hours?
So how many hours of work do approximately get in per day? And how many hours of sleep do you get at night?
Do you really set your own hours?
I have heard that MT's (working from home) set their own hours to work... and then I have also heard that you have specific set hours that you work. Which one is right? Or do you have a deadline that you must get your work in by?

Thanks for clearing up the confusion!
You're new and you're already frustrated?
You better find a new profession because doctors have always been lousy dictators and they always will be. It comes with the job. Nobody will ever say anything to the doctors about lousy dictating. They bring in the money to the hospitals. They can do anything they want. Get used to it.
Hours / MT training

Has anyone here done at home professions MT course? Is it legit?


Also why do the job posting have set  days and hours MT's have to work. I thought if you worked at home you could pick your own hours? Can someone clarify this for me


Thanks


MT schools & job hours
Does anyone know anything about an online school called Future MTs?  Also, when working at home is it possible to get jobs that allow you to work whatever hours you want or is it mainly shift work?
350 lines in 8 hours?
That really isn't much. You should be spending time when you aren't working studying *grammar* and such. I am a newbie, have been at this since January, and can get at least 150 lph. So far I am able to get about 9,000 lines per pay period...that's 10 days. Not trying to bash you or anything, but it sounds like you really need some practice. Websites like www.rxlist.com are great for drug names as well.
My work hours...
I have a 3 y/o and an 8 m/o, both girls. They go to a 5 hour, 4 day a week program. This allows me a 4 1/2 hour block to go to the clinic, pick up tapes, and go back home and type uninterrupted for awhile. I pick them up and I don't work again until they go to bed at approximately 8:00 pm, then I work until I'm done, usually around 11:00 or 11:30. I sleep until 5:00 am, when I get up and do it all again. My oldest gets up on her own about 6-6:30 am and the youngest gets up whenever her tummy wakes her.

I have only had this job for just over a month now, and I love it. My old job was a full on work in the office 8 hours a day, 5 days a week job. So I almost feel like I'm on vacation now with the flexibility that I so desired all along.

I hope you can work something out for you and your kids where you can all be rested and happy.

Take care.
What hours/days are you available. sm
Please email me with your the above info and where you received your education.
You need to break more often than every 2 hours

straight.  That won't be good for your body and you'll burn out easy.


Again, most places will allow you the time to get comfortable with your dictators.  Don't try to be too fast and make mistakes because that won't be worth it at all to either you or your new employer.  That shows sloppiness.  JMO.


Hours you worked

Starting as an IC, did that mean you were able to determine the hours you worked in a day?  For example, I would like to work early morning part-time and finish in later evening and night.  Is that something that was common to do as an IC, or do you have to give them a detail of the hours you are working?


anywhere from 3-4 hours for me (6 if it is horrible)- nm
xxx
Make your own hours?
absolutely not.. that's a myth..
I work off hours and have no daycare
I start my shift at 8 p.m. after I tuck my kids into bed to avoid feeling guilty having to work and watch them. I have a job where I have to have a set schedule though, but I have found that this works well for my family. We don't have any daycare and I get all day with my kids. I work 38 hours a week with my working 9 hours on Sunday to make up for shorter shifts during the week and Saturdays off. I have a friend with 2 little ones at home as well and she does great and is a high performer! I hope everything works out for you, keep the positive attitude!
Shouldn't take more than 2 hours, depending on
such factors as sound quality, if ESL, or how many words you have to look up.   If it is a new account starting with 30 minutes is good until you get a hang of the account, but you'll never make a living off of that and most companies require more than that. 
did it in 9 months of about 35 or so hours a week
Worked HARD those hours too! :-)
Forgot to say I work about 5 hours a day.
I have many years of experience.  If you are a newbie, and it sounds like you are, then you are going to turn out fewer reports and it will take you longer to proof than it will someone else with more experience.   Most companies require you to be able to produce 150 lph, though often radiology is paid per report and I don't know what requirements are for that. 
Night Hours for New Grads?

Hi,


Are new graduates from MT programs like M-Tec or CS offered night hours, any evening p/t or f/t jobs?


Thanks


You will get rusty on MT with those hours. No MT company will take you seriously sm
if you work those few hours a week and have that on a resume.
Hours of work went into compiling this
You'd be surprised how long this took me, actually, and I've already sold quite a few. For each company, I got all the information needed for you to see at a glance--company name, URL link direct to their employment pages, mailing address, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses and names of CEOs and Presidents and HR departments, how long they've been in business, whether they hire part time or fulltime, if they're currently hiring or constantly recruiting, what the requirements are, any certifications needed, and each business has been searched through the BBB and it includes links to their BBB rating page. I also included any links to forum posts or ripoffreport.com posts to help you make a researched decision when applying for jobs. If you were to do this yourself, trust me--it would take weeks! LOL I figured I'd share the knowledge and information with others--why have all that time go to waste when others could use the product of my labors! :) From the people that have already purchased it, I have received feedback telling me how much information was in it and how easy it has been for them to find and apply for jobs. You can't get any better feedback than from those who have purchased it! :) Thanks guys, and good luck on your job searches!
That is one of the reasons I refuse to work set hours and ...sm
a set number of lines. I dont have to add to my husbands paycheck, but I do like to help out if I can. I had an awsome, high paying job as an office manager at a physicians office. I quit to be home with my kids and working at home allows me to do that and still earn some money. There are enough companies out there that you do not need to feel pressure to put in a zillion lines everday or sit in front of your computer hours and hours one end. When my little one is in school full time I will put in more lines and time, but right now I work at home, on my terms, doing my number of lines. My boss is great about that. She knows I will be on for a few hours and will turn in about 800-1000 lines a day. I have never had my work suffer because I have to stop and spend time with my kids. That is the GREATEST thing about working at home. The flexibilty to spend time playing, reading, having lunch, and yes even laundry during my day while working is the ideal situation. I am sorry if you cannot do that and still find time for your children. My kids do not suffer and neither does my work.
I work 38 hours a week, here is my schedule
I did reply to your post below as well and hope I didn't not offend you. Here is my schedule, it works great for me and for my family. I get Friday nights, all day and night Saturday off, and am still able to attend church with my family on Sunday morning before having to work.
Sun. noon-9pm.
Mon. 8pm-1am
Tues. 8pm-1am
Wed. 6pm-1am
Thur. 8pm-midnight
Fri. 10am-6pm
I have to be up at 6:30 in the morning getting the older kids ready and off to school, but my little ones pretty much sleep through the night and I often catch a little nap with them during the day if I need one. I feel like I have the best of both worlds........stay home mom with my kids, and working and bringing in income. My DH only works a half day on Fridays so he is home before I start my shift at 10. Maybe you could ask for a trial period of a work schedule and make changes where you seem fit with your supervisor. I used to work a split shift, early a.m. and then again later at night, but found that to be quite draining and it made the days seem very long, but that is just me. Good luck, you will find what works best for you. :)
Lots of stress and long hours doing MT especially - sm
when you are first starting out. If you have to live on this, then in the beginning it is not a good choice. But if you are married and have a spouse income to live on and yours is just supplemental then that will work. When I first started 5 years ago I made $5K the first year, granted that was PT but I worked FT hours basically. I still work PT but practically FT, 30+ hours a week. I made about $16k this in 2006. Now I am not a fast typist (100-160 lph depending on dictator), and I find it hard to sit here and type for a solid 6 hours so I get easily distracted and goof off instead of working or else I am sure I could do $20K+ easy as I have more good than bad dictators. But some companies have mostly ESL and it is very hard to make money that way especially starting out. So many factors factor into to your income, your ability and typing speed, the ease of dictators, and if you can be dedicated and not get distracted. Obviously the more you can dedicate yourself and work consistently the more money you can make, just depends on your personal goals. Good Luck.
Or not so much stress or long hours, decent pay
I totally understand what you're saying, but being an MT varies so much based on what you bring to the job, where you work, and what kind of account you have that it's pretty tough to predict how any particular person will do. I'm very happy with my job. I find it to be the least stressful job I've ever had, love the predictable hours, and made 34K this last year working strictly a 40-hour week. This is after 1-1/2 years as an MT. I found the first 6 to 9 months terribly stressful because of the high learning curve, but once I settled into my account the stress level dropped considerably. I'm still working the same hospital account I started on, but also work other accounts as necessary. I work for a company that many people on this board say they can't make any money working for; it must have a lot to do with the stability I've had on my account that I am able to make reasonably decent money.
That company that asked you what days/hours
As an independent contractor, a company cannot dictate your days/hours unless they "employ" you.  Glad it works for you!  However, the IRS does not see it that way.  You are providing a service whether it is transcribing or building a brick wall.  They can guide you with what tools to use, how they want the job accomplished, and for that matter in regards to time constraints, but they cannot have you punch a time clock.  With that said, I also IC for a company that requires 24-hour turnaround, which I am willing to accept as "part of the business".  In this business, the vast majority of companies gain these accounts for you and I to work on by providing 24-hour turnaround.  Most companies will train you on their equipment if you do not have experience.  They will provide samples of reports if you are not meeting QA and also provide input to bring your QA score up to par.  I make my own hours in that I will not say to this company, I'll work, for example, 9a-5p, because there may be days when I cannot do that due to the fact that I have other commitments whether it be with my children or with the fact that I have my own accounts that I need to tend to, which quite frankly is not their business to know.  You are providing a service, which just happens to be transcription.  If this company is getting away with setting your schedule, then you should most definitely be an employee.  That is your choice, however, to allow them to dictate that to you.  Most companies do not pay, as you already know, for your benefits.  Bottom line really is you are a subcontractor.  The MTSO is the contractor actually, and then you subcontract for the contractor.    Thank goodness the company I work for knows the difference. 
DeVenture MIGHT offer only hours required, but not
s
7 years with national - 30 hours per week -
a little over 16 thousand - Good luck making 25 thousand plus - not easy at all to make especially if you type a lot of ESL.
59 hours doesn't come close to teaching
you even the basics.  You could apply to do only ophthalmology.  Typing speed isn't that important, but 95% accuracy isn't good enough for most companies.  It might be enough to pass their test, but QA usually requires 98+%.  You might want to look into a menitoring program.
Focus hires newbies and she can probably pick her hours
nm
You're not alone!
I'm so with you!  After my recent work shifts I am more convinced than ever of the need to find something less stressful than nursing. I love the medical field but I really can't continue to endure the nursing world. It's going to hell-in-a-handbasket and I'm sure you know what I mean. I hurt my back last nite responding to a seizure! The guy was in a pool of blood and cyanotic. Found out later he's Hep C+. Great...and now my back is tweaked. Keep me posted on your plans!
You're welcome, Dee
I'm glad I was of help to you.  :-)  Good luck with your endeavour! 
but you're not getting it!...sm

Oh, just relax...Of course I want MT's with experience - and as long as there continues to be MT's with experience that want work at a certain rate, they will be hired in front of a newbie. In the work place it is all about what the market will bear. Nursing shortage? Nurse pay goes up. Until Filipino nurses flood the market. Then nurse pay goes down (just as an example). All I'm saying is as long as there are experienced MT's who are willing to work for 6-7 cpl (and I get plenty of them asking for work all the time at that rate), then a newbie can't be worth the same. It's all about what the market will bear. Therefore, you have to give the employer something to make hiring you more attractive than the next person....which is what? I'm always surprised that a newbie doesn't take an internship or something- whatever it takes- to get that experience. Without the experience, your chances of being hired go waaaaaay down.


My own suspicion is that it's the MT schools who keep telling newbies to go out and try to get jobs at 6 cpl - sometimes I even get resumes asking for 8 or 10! If the MT schools were honest about how difficult it was to break into the field - would people sign up and pay the money? No. But they take the money, train 'em and don't tell them that training isn't enough. Then the boards are full of postings from newbies complaining about how hard it is to break into the field. Well, for crying out loud - I would rather work for free for six months and then be marketable than to get 0 work at 6 cpl for years and years, holding out for that one chance in a thousand that someone would be willing to take me on


 


 


You're probably right lol...
I guess I should have said "Someone who knows what the heck they are doing." Or I could use a name of a great MT, but she'd probably hurt me for putting her in this conversation.
So you're saying..
...that I can't go and apply to a GI Clinic to perform colonoscopies since I know them in and out (pun intended)? That's not very encouraging.


Geesh Kat. You're a big meanie, but boy that was easy to have someone else prove your point for you.

The above posters who can't find a job did it for me, as well as the smart one who said if she could do it over she would go to SCHOOL.

I guess our work here is done.
You're Welcome - nm

You're certainly welcome.
I have trained a few MTs in the past myself, and made friends with all of them and still keep in touch. Which is why it makes me really angry to see scam artists try and take advantages of "newbies."
You're right

And I recognize that.  However, when my employer reviewed my first few batches of reports, he was quite impressed and surprised at the quality given that I was just getting started. 


So, I ask again- what is it that makes AHP an inferior education to other schools like Andrews and M-Tec?  Do they not provide enough anatomy/medical terminology instruction? Are they deficient in practice report experience? 


The only thing I felt under-prepared for was how quickly the doctor's dictate in real life versus what I was used to in practicing.  Other than that, doing real transcribing was actually easier than the practice tapes I was doing because AHP uses a good deal of difficult foreign accents on their practice tapes.  The account that I work on now has no foreign doctors (which is probably unusual), but some of them are ridiculously fast and incoherent. 


I'm really not trying to stir up anything here or argue that anyone is wrong.  I truly am just curious to know why AHP is not a good school.  I have many people ask me about what I do and where I got my training, and when I tell them that I've read online that the quality of an AHP education is questionable, I have no reason to give.  Thanks!


You're not alone...
I graduated from Penn Foster with a 95% and have run into the same situation. I did find out I passed the test given by one national company, and now I'm on a waiting list for additional, unpaid training.

Hopefully this is just a slow time of year and things will work out for all of us! javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
You're not alone...
I graduated about a month ago and haven't been able to find a job yet either. The biggest hurdle has been trying to find a company willing to hire a "newbie". I've passed tests, then been turned down because I don't have two years of experience.

Let's just hope the economy improves soon and more jobs become available for new graduates.


If you're just learning...
Why are you giving advice?

You're just beginning training. Where have you had marketing experience?

Also #1 priority in transcription and "landing" a job, be able to spell.