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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Amphion, Medware, eTransPlus, Charts in Time (CIT), Focus, possibly NEMT, our OSI friends, Prof.

Posted By: Transcriptions (Fla.), Superior Global, and TTS. n on 2007-02-09
In Reply to: Dictaphone platform sm - nuts4mnms

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TransTech, some MedWare accts., Amphion, Commonwealth (in CT.), Charts in Time, Focus. nm
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Amphion, TransTech, eTransPlus, some at Focus, and Health Information
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DSG, Amphion, Focus, Medware
nm
Charts In Time
Can anyone give positives or negative for Charts In Time in Florida?  Sounds really great!
Charts in Time does too.
xx
Charts in Time
Just to clarify .. and I certainly did not have to come back and do this .. so keep that in mind .. when I made up that moniker I thought it was catchy .. it does not reflect anything positive or negative about the company. We are a smaller company with lots of work, new clients coming on in June, and are looking for talented and professional transcriptionists who can and will come and work with us to achieve mutual goals. We are growing and I have a great group who work with us .. we've had one or two exceptions and those people have moved on and with luck secured other positions where they will be able to carry on and make a living. So, I don't think there was anything sneaky or misleading in my post .. and I will stop trying to catch your eye .. perhaps people who want a good position with an honest company will respond. I live in hope and so far, we have been particularly fortunate with our hires and for that I am so thankful.

Happy Mother's Day to all who are. Have a wonderful day!
Charts in Time in St. Pete, FL
pays shift/weekend differential and a good line rate additionally..
Charts in Time benefits..??
Can you tell me what the benefits are like, line rate, insurance costs, PTO time etc..
Info regarding Charts In Time, in Florida
Any current information would be helpful
Charts In Time, TransTech or MedScribe

Anyone have any good information about these two companies?  Thinking of applying.  What type of platform do they use? 


Thanks


Looking for CIT/Charts in Time website, can't find it.
.
any info on Charts in Time or US Transcription?....
I cannot find information on either of these companies and was wondering how they were to work for.  Thanks.
Amphion, Etransplus or small MTSO?
Pros and cons to any of these?  Thanks.
Charts in Time (Florida?) does. Have an ad up back in the listings. nm
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Anyone know anything about Charts in Time? Only thing I found in the archives sm

mentioned tons of bad ESLs and not enough work -- not too encouraging.  Perhaps that has changed?  Anyone working for them currently or know anything new?



Charts in Time, Florida, us ExText and dialup. Said they're going to the net in the fall. Had 1 o
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Charts in Time, Florida, uses dial up and ExText. Said they would go internet in the fall. Had an
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Several months ago a company called Charts in Time (CIT) hired some MTs off here. Just wondering how
it turned out for those MTs as I turned it down and wondered if I should have taken the job. Thanks.
Had many friends in the QA dept who all left about the same time.
AND...yes, I do believe them!
Diskriter and Precyse supply puters. Opti-Script in Penn. used to, and Charts in Time (CIT) in Fla.
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Maybe Amphion or Medware? nm
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Medware vs Amphion

Hello, I have job offers from Medware and Amphion.  I want to use Dictaphone Extext and they both use that.  Please give me pros and cons of these companies. Thank you.



Which is better - Amphion, Medware or Spheris? nm
nm
Medware definitely offshores, so does Focus
In fact, Focus Infomatics is OWNED by an Indian company.

I have worked for them both. Be Ware.
Prof Trans of NW Florida -- Anyone know if they have upgraded yet
xxxxx
Any long-time Amphion MTs out there? HELP!
Where's the work?!?  I'm hoping to get some straight answers from some other MTs (i.e., not management).  I'm a newbie (less than 2 months) who was hired to be full time and for the 4th week straight I'm lucky to get 4 or 5 hours a day!  They keep saying it will get better but I'm getting less work than ever!  Has anyone else experienced this?  How long were you all on mandatory overtime before the workload suddenly plummeted?  I decided to work here because everyone on the message boards said how great Amphion was and how there was always tons of work and the people were so wonderful.  Yeah, the people are great and nice and professional and everything, but sadly that is not going to pay my bills next month.  Maybe I should look for a 2nd part-time job to complement this one!!
Talk about taking everything out of context good lord and you're calling yourself a prof???
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MT Salary woes article in Advance for Health Information Prof. 8/2008







Vol. 18 •Issue 17 • Page 20
Reactions to the MT Study

A group of professors is taking a hard look at the medical transcription industry.


His knowledge of the industry a few years ago? Admittedly, zero. Coming from, as he described it, a position of ignorance about the medical transcription industry, Gary David, PhD, associate professor of sociology at Bentley College, Waltham, MA, hit the road and headed to Reno, NV, last year, where he took in the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) Conference. After realizing no formal academic research had ever been done on the medical transcription industry, Dr. David and two Bentley colleagues, Donald Chand, PhD, professor of information and process management, and Angela Garcia, PhD, associate professor of sociology, set out to do an in-depth study of the industry.

The first part of the study was an online survey taken by 3,800 MTs, and the results of the survey were compiled, analyzed and presented as the study's preliminary findings. The full study is still in its infancy; the preliminary results from the survey represent only one part of the teams multifaceted approach. Dr. David has become embedded in the industry, serving on task forces and committees with AHDI and the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA), and he's now a staple at the annual conferences.

ADVANCE spoke to Dr. David, as well as to experts in the industry. We aimed to look at specific aspects of the study's preliminary results and gauge its reception. The opinions are mixed when it comes to three major issues in the medical transcription industry: quality, the work force shortage and the ever-present salary issue.


Questions on Quality

The survey posed several questions related to the quality of documentation done by MTs. Nearly half of MTs reported that they see how flagged errors are resolved only rarely or never. Also, the survey showed that 59 percent of MTs transcribe for multiple physicians at multiple hospitals and/or clinics. Dr. David's view is that if an MT isn't told how a flagging issue was resolved, he or she may not know how to resolve a similar issue in the future, which can affect quality. Likewise, Dr. David noted, if an MT is transcribing for many accounts, he or she might not be able to develop an ear for physicians.

According to David Plummer, founder and CEO, Probity Medical Transcription, Harrisburg, PA, quality review is useless unless that information is shared quickly with the MTs. He also agreed that transcriptionists should have primary accounts to work on, and then when that runs out, have pre-determined secondary and tertiary accounts. Today, many MTs are transcribing the dictations of multiple physicians from multiple hospitals and/or clinics, Plummer said, and that's just the way the business model works for most medical transcription service organizations (MTSOs), he explained. Quality, turnaround times (TATs) and productivity suffer in this design; however, when you have a transcription system where the pools do not contain sophisticated logic and has transcriptionists flit from one account to another, these are expected outcomes, in Plummer's opinion. What has happened is that the architecture of some of the newer platforms has not been built with [MT familiarity] in mind, and it creates these massive pools with multiple hospitals and tens of thousands of physicians, and that's just not good for quality or the MT, Plummer explained.

Chris Hopkins, chief operating officer, Landmark Transcription, St. Davids, PA, looked at the survey results from another angle. He noted that approximately 50 percent of his work force consists of independent contractors, which may indicate that those MTs are working for multiple companies, which would explain why they are transcribing for many different accounts. Hopkins also said that just because an MT is transcribing for multiple accounts doesn't mean that quality work isn't being produced. Landmark maintains a system where MTs are assigned certain accounts, and MTs do transcribe for multiple physicians. By working on certain accounts, however, MTs can keep track of the different client specifications, something that Hopkins said may be difficult in a pooling system as mentioned above. [MTs] can't build up any kind of speed or fluency on an account when they're doing 10 different accounts, Hopkins said.

Bonnie Crow, director of U.S. operations at MxSecure, Scottsdale, AZ, agreed that in an MTSO setting, MTs are most likely transcribing for multiple accounts. These MTs are often experienced and highly skilled, Crow said, and therefore they produce high quality documents. With the flagging issue, Crow said that software used at MxSecure provides feedback to MTs, and she believes most platforms will allow this (Probity and Landmark have software that lets MTs see how a flagging was resolved, as well). Crow also noted that MTs should go through a quality auditing process on a consistent basis. I strongly feel the Quality Assurance monitoring process today is the best it has ever been, Crow said.

That's due in part to the technology that can allow MTs to follow documents through the quality assurance (QA) process. Kathy Eberle, who works in QA and is the operations supervisor for Landmark Transcription, explained that as soon as a document leaves QA's hands, MTs can immediately see the changes that were made. Some platforms make this difficult, however, and MTs and QA personnel may have to work harder to ensure that errors are explained. It is extra work to give them the feedback that they need, but in the end, it always pays off for QA because the MTs always become better for it, Eberle said.


Shortage or No Shortage?

Besides quality issues, another point brought to light by the MT study's preliminary results is the aging work force and, potentially, a looming work force shortage. There's no denying that the work force is on the older side—77 percent of respondents are older than 40. There is, however, room to debate whether or not there's an immediate crisis when it comes to a work force shortage. Dr. David commented that because there are no solid numbers on the actual number of MTs working, there's no way to determine if there is definitely a shortage.

Plummer disagreed with the conclusion that there's a work force shortage right now. He pointed out that Probity uses all domestic labor, and noted that all of the accounts he'd like to secure are either being transcribed in-house or by other MTSOs. When an account is landed, the MTs on that account typically join Probity, and the need for more workers is quickly met. Plummer called the work force shortage overplayed.

Eberle referred to the shortage as simply a shortage of qualified MTs, rather than of all MTs. She's noticing that many good MTs are leaving not just their positions, but the industry, and they're going back to school to start different careers. With quality MTs, we're truly lacking at the moment, Eberle added.

Hopkins echoed that, to a certain degree. He admitted it was hard to say whether or not the industry was facing a work force shortage, and said he doesn't see that happening at his MTSO, where his needs differ from some of the bigger transcription companies. At my level, where we are, we don't see a tremendous shortage of transcriptionists, Hopkins said.

He added that if he has an opening, he advertises it and that day, he'll wind up with 40 résumés in his inbox. I can usually fill a very specific position within a day, Hopkins said.

Crow, however, is worried about finding qualified MTs to support the growth of the industry. There aren't enough younger MTs to replace the retiring MTs within the next 10 years, she pointed out, and she strongly believes that there is a work force shortage. She added that new education programs are being put in place to produce good MTs, and many MTSOs are offering mentoring programs. Her company started a mentoring program 2 months ago for new MTs to help them garner experience in the field. This seems to be easing the labor shortage, according to Crow. We are very excited with the decrease in attrition numbers we are seeing already!


Salary Woes

While there may be debate over whether there's a work force shortage right now, one certainty in the MT industry is that wages aren't heading upward. In the survey, MTs reported varied personal incomes, with the majority, 72 percent, bringing home $10,000 to $50,000 annually. Another survey question asked about the number of wage earners in MTs' households, and 33 percent said that there is only one wage earner in the household--the MT.

Dr. David called the industry one of the only places where the laws of supply and demand don't work. There may be fewer transcriptionists and there's a greater demand for transcription services. [That] should mean that [MTs] get paid more, but their pay doesn't increase—if anything it goes down or stagnates—and so part of it is linked to how there's just no perceived value in what it is they do, he explained.

The industry as a whole needs to recognize that MTs spend a lot of time and money learning their craft, and if wages continue to drop or stagnate, potential MTs are going to look elsewhere—to other industries—for jobs, Hopkins pointed out. We want to see a viable pool of labor here in the United States, he said. If people can get better benefits and better wages at McDonald's, why wouldn't they go there? It's too hard to learn this business. It takes years of work to be fluent and professional.

Dr. David observed that there was a sense of unrest in the industry about salary issues. There's a number of things impacting [MTs], causing their wages to go down or be less robust in terms of going up, so it's definitely an issue that we've heard about, Dr. David said.


What's Next?

Overall, despite differing opinions on the results of the survey, everyone agreed that it could be a valuable tool in the industry. Crow said she hopes the study can lead to medical transcription being recognized as a degreed profession with mandated certification. I think once this is in place, the profession will be viewed by the younger people as a desirable health care position, Crow said.

Hopkins hopes the study highlights the fact that offshoring labor is doing what he called a disservice to the industry. I think if people focus on providing a livable wage to the transcriptionists with a reasonable package of benefits and a decent schedule, the labor pool will become deeper and broader because more people will start to come into the industry, he explained.

Plummer hopes to see more transcription programs set up at colleges to help school more domestic MTs. He also hopes the study helps companies adhere to better quality, because that could help the entire industry. Overall, he found the preliminary results to be valuable, and he noted that the industry is ever-changing. It's a dynamic study, too, because it's like painting the Golden Gate Bridge—by the time you get done, it's time to do it again, Plummer said.

Lynn Jusinski is an associate Editor with ADVANCE.



I just joined Amphion. It's only part-time for now, but
I did this to save my sanity and to make a little extra money. It seems to have the best press. If they are as good as they seem to be, I'll be thrilled to join on full time.

I am curious about that Bayshore software at MDI-MD, tho!


don't waste your time on Focus
see negative feedback on several pages
Can anyone tell me Amphion's line rate for full time?

I looked through the archives but could only find 6000 for part time.


Thanks


 


Are there any companies besides Amphion that hire part-time

I need a company that allows you to make your lines without demanding that you be on from this second to that second.  If it's part-time it's obviously because you have other things to do and your life doesn't revolve around a set schedule.  If I can get my work done at 3AM so why would that bother anybody?


Is there a company that doesn't mind when you work as long as you meet your quota and are accurate?


I only know about Medware and full time with them (sm)
is 32 hours.
I work for Focus part-time
I have worked for Focus for the last nine months. I am part time by choice.  I have always been able to work out any problems that I have had with them. I told them from the beginning that I had heard negative things about their QA and how things were managed.  I was told to let them know if I had problems. I have and they have always taken care of them professionally.  I have always received my pay on time. If you wish to email me, I can tell you the names of that I have dealt with and maybe you can get in touch with them.
Calling on MTs that do part-time for Focus..

Do they just expect you to tell them which days you'll work?  I'm looking for positive feedback on this company although any replies would be nice. 


E-mail if need be, but I'd like to know what the part-time consists of before applying.  I am assuming platform depends on account.  I have 20+ years of experience and am wondering if the pay would be better than where I am currently which is 8 cpl without a raise ever and it is IC status. 


Thanks in advance.


Does anyone know the minimum lines required part time for Amphion? Thanks. nm
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I work at AMphion part-time and make as much there in 20 hours as I do at my FT job in 40
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Not true - Amphion may suck in some ways but they always paid on time.
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I work for MedWare part-time.
I am happy MedWare. Theyis flexible though you do have to do a stick to a schedule. However, I have never had a problem with getting time off when I wanted. They have plenty of work for us to do. Pay is on time. The Merit platform is user friendly though I liked Dictaphone better. So far, I have had a nice group of people to work with.

I believe the pay is low but I have applied to 3 other nationals and they have not offered anything better. I hope that helps.
I work for MedWare part-time.

I am impressed.  I get quick responses from my supervisor.  The Merit runs real smooth on my computer.  We have lots of work. This week it is a little slow as compared to last week but enough to keep us busy during our shift.  Usually by weekends though we are swamped.   I do think the pay is a little low but for me it is worth it not to have to drive in-house. 


I have never worked for Diskriter.  The benifit package looks wonderful. 


I work for MedWare part-time.

I have no complaints.  I have worked since December.  Last week the account I was on ran out of work.  They say that doesn't happen very often.  The week before that we had too much work to do.  Anyway, the pay is a little low but probably average in this business anymore.  I use the Merit platform.  It is easy to learn but I don't like the word processor part.  It is like a glorified note pad.   Schedules are flexible.  I have not yet had any problem getting off when I needed it. 


Amphion hires part-time - they're very strict schedule-wise though
Since part time is so hard to find these days your options are limited, so if you don't mind working for a company that is a stickler for strict schedule adherence, I say try Amphion.
Can anyone tell me the required amount of hours/lines for part time per week for Focus? nm
nm
What do you mean the best charts? Do we get charts?
i don't get it
Charts can be reached at ..
727-573-7704. They are located in St. Petersburg, Fl. Since I am the former recruiter/transcription manager you can be sure this information is correct. You would need to ask for Suzanne. the owner or the new manager, Betsy. As for the name calling, it is hardly appreciated.
Docs using PC's instead of charts sm
The younger docs are now carrying laptops into the examining room, no more charts. My husband and I had extensive, large charts (which we earned through serious stuff) and now they have been replaced by the young staff coming in with a laptop, no more charts. I was not brave enough to ask at my last visit but I will this visit, Where are our huge charts? Mine used to make comments about the large chart and too many papers. I wanted to say, Do you ever read any of those reports? Very curt, very non-caring attitude, told me last time had had input all my allergies (which are serious) into his computer. I am really worried as my husband and I have been through a lot. I think they could very easily print a H&P from there if you went into a hospital. Two of my clients used to do open heart surgery and they would ask me to print out a H&P from the chart just before the surgery. Some of those people they had not seen in years. I explained that I would not do that as the patient could have developed an illness since last seen. You gotta thank computers for replacing us. Between outsourcing and electronic medical record, we are becoming distinct as the dinosaur. Just IMHO from this area anyway.
Me too. Bet her BMI is off the charts, too. Gotta have a life! nm
nm
NEED HELP - getting reports into digital charts (sm)

Our company is having difficulty getting our reports we transcribe in microsoft word and send by internet to the company -- put into any digital chart they are trying to create ----- to meet the mandate coming up in about 2010.


 


They are caving to the idea that all transcription MUST be done by voice recognition in order for everything to MESH -- if you get my drift.


 


I can't believe that it is necessary to throw out the baby with the bathwater.


 


Also, I have never seen a doctor's pay be the same as an MT - and thus wouldn't their time be better spent generating income than doing clerical work?    but then what do I know -- I'm ONLY an MT.  grrr


 


anyway, has anybody worked through this conundrum and been able to find a program to transcribe on that is compatible with any type of EMR (electronic medical record) program - which I personally thing EMR stinks and should be burned in the pit.


There must be programs that are compatible that allow transcription to still be done (we are the last stopgap measure against errors that happen - we do much more than just type -- do they know this?) and still allow doctors to sputter out their hurridly done dictations as they scurry about -- leaving them available to actually see patients rather than sitting there doing corrections.


 


Thanks for any help you all.


 


send email or answer here -- either would be totally appreciated. 


Not when those charts have to go through 2 layers of editing before going to the site. sm

Someone in india types them and sends them to MW, where an Editor does a 100% review, and if there are still blanks, it goes to another level of MW editor. You've just paid 1 Transcriptionist and 2 editors for what 1 U.S. transcriptionist could do. I don't understand the benefit, either. 


I think a bigger reason for the cut in editor pay was due to too many editors doing too little work. When you work from home at an hourly wage, it's really easy to slack off, take way too long looking up a word, doing other things other than working, and chatting on team mail. I don't blame them for going to a per-line rate, though it is insultingly low.


Focus, focus, focus on your work. It's amazing what you can do! nm
x
Current Amphion employee...I'm very happy. The part of Amphion I work with has no faxes, lists,s
minor demographic work..superb QA and feedback.  Fellow MTs on same account are more than willing to help and now they also have mentor program.  My pay is what they said.  They do have different pay for different levels.