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Compared? I said let me tell you a story about me

Posted By: SuzieQ on 2009-06-03
In Reply to: I don't think you can compare a sm - former MQ mt 23-Y

This is how business is, has been, nothing new and if you let someone's choice of words asking do you need 3 days to reading something else into that, now she is the one who is seeking assistance. Businesses usually have 3 days off for a death. We are nothing special here and the sooner we learn that, the better off we will all be. We are not privileged and why some think this is harsh, terrible, just what it is.


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DON'T SEE HOW THE 2 CAN BE COMPARED ...SM

Yes, the economy has taken a beating that's affecting countless good people - but the recession has been in play for a few months and will likely resolve in time, although no one seems to know how much time.  That said, the MT industry has been pushing the envelope for years and years now  as far it is going to go at this point.  Flagrant violation of federal labor laws, abusing time/wage laws, decreasing our pay in an almost geometric pattern lower and lower on a yearly basis - all the while demanding a higher standard of knowledge and skill from us, though. 


The difference in the 2 is that the recession is due to economic factors that have snowballed - but, historically, we've come out of recessions/depressions before, right?  Things got back to fairly normal with a restored economy, restored wages, jobs.  However, not by the wildest stretch of mine or anybody's imagination is the MT business going to improve for anyone except the MTSOs or stockholders. Congratulations, VR technology -- I guess you win here, for the time being -- you sold the hospitals and MTSOs a fine bill of goods.  I did emphasize the FOR NOW ... the gravy train WILL come to a full stop.  The REAL losers, though, will be the PATIENT ... Hey, Suits, I'm talking to you ... I hope that's not YOUR mom or your kid lying in that hospital bed with a  ----ed-up medical record!


yes i have compared counts
of canned reports too. Your latter supposition is logical, and being on internet allows for more 'wandering' with ones time as well.
stinks as compared to what?
x
Me too. I'm a newbie (compared to most) and
I find that her (the owner's) direction on spelling is not correct.  I took this job because I wanted to get into the MT field and with no experience it was hard to find work.  I think I made a mistake.  I'm afraid that this stepping stone is going to hurt instead of help me in the future. She's very stern when it comes to a 24 hour TAT but the quality is not there due to her instructions. 
What you get here compared to California
Had my SIL visit last year from Sacramento, CA and she could not believe what we paid for our home. She estimated my home and the homes around in the $500,000 range and up, which was more than most the homes here. I watch the home shows and shocked at what some people settle for when looking for a home there. They have nothing to show for say a home $200,000 or more. I used to live in Atlanta but moved to a more rural area where you can get a show piece for not that much.
Medquist. No other national compared that I sm
worked at Transcend, Spheris, MDI-FL, Webmedx. I work for local doctors and get paid by the hour.
Well, platform was very antiquated compared to
what I am used to. Account - I was given an account that was a honey the best! Well, I wouldn't have my worst enemy transcribe it.  Complained - immediately got put on another. Garbage. I don't mind the occasional challenging dictator, but garbage. Unstable platform. Then the old no work thing. Now, I had work, plenty of it, offered OT as brand new employee. Others, though, loyal employees for years, told no work. I was also allowed to work whenever I wanted, but not to tell. Garbage like that. So, while I was in the favored position, it backfired. I lost respect for the company, and also knew I couldn't trust them. While I was favorite today, who knows about tomorrow? Several of us started the same time, and similar run around. Lots of turmoil in the company, rumors, conflicting messages from mgmt - one day apologizing for no work and begging MTs to stay. This was on my first week - I left an unstable environment, so not what I wanted to hear. Just basically the same garbage as M, but M is a huge entity compared to T in the grand scheme of things, so I stuck with M. How's that for cryptic??? I have since heard there were long periods of no work for anyone - board is very quiet here. For reasons I can't really post...
Don't know, but what's slow about ExText compared
s
Compared to what I'm making now, "a lot of money"

Not compared to what I used to pay at the hospital I worked for. I have better coverage with sm
Unicare than the one that my hospital used (United Healthcare).  It includes prescription coverage too.  I am about half the premium I used to be.
So all MTs that work for a large service are bad MTs compared to those sm
that work for a smaller company? That could not be further from the truth. Some of the larger companies can attract better MTs with benefits, higher pay, etc than a smaller company ever can.

I think it depends on the MTs, not the service, as to the quality of the work.

I work for one of the companies the OP mentioned and the QA standards are MUCH more strict than smaller companies I have worked for in the past.

Have you compared line counts with 1 space vs. 2?
NM
Yes, even without a raise, currently compared to my other choices, I would wholeheartedly recommend
As far as ESL - yes. Most accounts are 60%+ at least from what I have been offered. However, I would have to say that only on certain days do I get 60% ESL and most the time, I have an easier time understand the ESL dictators more than some of the non-ESL dictators. I guess it is kind of a wish-wash in regards to ESL. I would say even though it sounds like a lot, I think they are pretty comparible at least in my experience.

VR depends on what account you are on. Some of my accounts are phenominal and others not so good. However, they do give you the option to remove dictators (though don't seem to listen to half my requests) if their VR is bad. Plus the pay is the best in the business for VR at least from what I have seen.
Documented line count each report, then compared to ichart end of day
nm
Very easy, user friendly, a little slow and awkward compared to DQS though. (sm)
One of the best features is that you are able to search for your own samples on a particular dictator or patient. You do however have to be aware these are typed by other people and could potentially have errors.
I agree that it is an easy platform, but compared to other platforms I have used, lines are harder
to get, probably counted or weighted differently.
I like Sue but Deb is another story.
She needs to get a life and get out of management.  She is one of the most unfair people I have ever met in my life.  She has pets that get the cream, and the rest of the world suffers.  Just pray she doesn't go back to typing, she is a big-time cherrypicker. 
There is WAY more to this story and I'd like to know what it is.

I received the same letter and I have no qualms whatsoever about posting what it said because I've already consulted an attorney regarding it and know that I can't be held accountable regarding internal corporate privacy issues because I no longer work for them.  I'd like to know if this is a tactic that Transcend is using to either intimidate those who have left or try to cover their own behinds from future lawsuits.


The letter that I received had a release that said:  ""Based upon the above, you hereby release, for yourself and all people who may act on your behalf, Transcend, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from all claims or causes of action, arising from or relating to your employment with Transcend, including, but not limited to, any such claims or causes of action arising under any Federal or State law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and 1991 or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended."


Several people I have spoken to received this same letter and were asked to sign the same waiver.  I have no intention of signing this, and in fact, the attorney that I consulted found it very interesting that they would need to be released from any future actions and told me to keep my eye out for future class action lawsuits.  So, yes, there is WAY more to this than is being said, but it isn't on the part of the MLSs.  You may be happy working under those circumstances, but don't bash the ones that aren't/weren't and try to make it look like they're the ones hiding something.  If the MLSs were the ones in the wrong, you can bet Transcend would have had their attorneys on it in a New York minute, but instead it's the other way around.  They feel that they have to have ex-employees sign papers to release THEM from lawsuits.  Why?


More to the story????-sm
It's just wonderful for you to stick up for Keystrokes, but I draw the line at letting you insinuate that there was more to my story than what I stated. HOW DARE YOU!! I have told my side with nothing left out, and you know nothing of the situation, so please keep your slanderous comments to yourself. I took that job in good faith, left my other job, was promised to be paid becasue the "account" didn't go live on the date I was hired for, told "not to worry" I would be covered, and NEVER HEARD ANOTHER WORD. What do I have to do to make you understand that all your excuses for Keystrokes aren't worth a fiddler's fart to me when I don't have a job. Next time, think about what your are accusing someone of BEFORE you spout off for your wonderful company.
More to the story
Melody did not go to OSi from L&H. She has only been with OSi for a couple yrs. Andy, Teresa and Beth were with L&H (Atlanta office). I don't know what happened to them when they started their own company. Down hill all the way. Greedy I guess. OSi is one of the worst companies out there. I worked there for over 2 yrs and left about 3 months ago. Steadily watched it get worse!

The Trans-Tech folks were out of the Houston office of L&H.

The Dallas office was one of the best offices of L&H.
My story
My process went smoothly, over about a week's time.  I spoke with recruiter and then spoke with the transcription supervisor, which was nice because you can ask specific questions about the accounts, etc.  I delayed things several days until I made my decision, but then gave two weeks notice to my other employer and started promptly after that.    
And there is so much more to that story. sm
The field is changing.  Why pay a good experienced seasoned MT 10 cents a line and benefits (what I used to get) when an Indian MT will do it for 2 cents and then pay 3 cents to have it proofed.  Small MTSOs can't compete and are selling out.  Some are holding by their fingertips to the chasm that has opened at their feet, competing with the larger companies who underbid them because they can.  Offshoring has ruined this business and it has hurt a lot of people, not only in the MT industry.  Those who defend it have sold out a whole lot more than they may ever know. 
Same story with me -
Been with them nearly 15 months and now cannot meet my line counts because of constant NJA. Not a single e-mail I have sent to my supervisor concerning workflow has been addressed. I am keeping my end of the deal - high QA scores, working when I say I am going to work, and up until just recently had no problem AT ALL meeting my line counts. I am also looking elsewhere. What a huge disappointment they have been!!!
Try this story. sm
Article published Thursday, April 27, 2006

Manor Care's profit drops 39% in first quarter


Manor Care Inc., the nation's largest nursing-home operator, reported yesterday that its first-quarter profit dropped 39 percent, largely because of accounting for stock rights given to many of its workers.


This month, many companies will begin accounting quarterly for costs of stock options for executives.


But Manor Care said only a small portion of the $11 million accounting hit for employee stock in the quarter was related to options. The majority of the one-time charge involved stock awards for non-executives.


The firm also said it is getting out of the medical-transcription business, resulting in an additional accounting charge of $7 million. It said it is in discussions with third parties to evaluate alternatives for that business segment.


Manor Care reported profit of $24.5 million, or 30 cents a share, for the first quarter, after one-time charges. That compared with $40.4 million, or 46 cents a share, in first-quarter 2005. The firm also said its revenues in this year's first quarter totaled $869.3 million, down slightly from $879.2 million a year ago.


Excluding the one-time charges, the firm earned 51 cents a share, a penny above the consensus of analysts polled by Reuters' Estimates.


Several analysts said Manor Care did well despite significant cuts in Medicare-reimbursement rates.


Despite the one-time charges, First-quarter operating performance was particularly strong, Paul Ormond, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. He noted that occupancy rose to 90 percent, the firm's highest in more than a decade.


Geoffrey Meyers, Manor Care's chief financial officer, that Manor Care decided to leave medical transcription because it had not been consistently profitable.


The company's shares closed at $43.41, up 16 cents, in New York Stock Exchange trading.


Manor Care reported in its proxy statement this month in advance of its May 9 shareholder meeting that five top executives made about $19 million from exercising stock options in 2005 and were granted new stock options worth an estimated $9 million.


The company declared a cash dividend of 16 cents a share yesterday, payable May 26 to holders of record May 12.


Contact Homer Brickey at:
homerbrickey@theblade.com
or 419-724-6129.

I think you have not gotten the whole story - sm
I still have a team lead and shift leads.  I cannot speak for other teams, but for my team this is the case.
same story with me

I had to purchase a C-phone - $150 (used). switch cable providers to get unlimited long distance ($40 a month higher) which includes installation fees, not to mention the hassle of coordinating that.  I already had an Expander program or that would have been another $100.  And then I start on an account where there was no way to go above 100 lines an hour.  Believe it or not; as you wish.  It happened to me also.


 


I know there is more to THIS story. (sm)
Maybe that person was someone who had to be chased down to work.  They only put up with that for so long.
SAME STORY!!!
That I got!!! The first check they finally overnighted to me was way below what they owed me so they sent me a second one for the entire amount without taking any taxes out. My head is still spinning!! How do they stay in business???
my story...

I, like so many others, thought this would be my dream job and eagerly took a course and unwisely left my 40,000 a year job to go headfirst into MTing, and am still trying to make enough to survive.  My husband is a physician, so I thought it would be okay to take a paycut until I learned the ropes.  I became obsessed with doing more to earn more, and he started to resent the time I was spending on the computer and not understanding what it takes to be an MT, even though he is a physician/dictator and should know the skills involved and the learning curve. 


My husband and I are now separated and I am still struggling to make ends meet, now with even less security.  I have moved in with my mom because there is no way I could afford to pay rent, but still have a car payment and credit card bills.  I am beginning to think my husband was right and I have made a big mistake.  I still love this field and would do it for years, but as a second job.  I am now looking for other employment since I am physically and mentally exhausted and wondering how I got here.


My story
Well as I said I work on the Cardiology account which covers a large cardiac practice, I would say about 14 doctors, a couple of nurses & PAs that dictate. There are 2 ESLs I believe, although one of the other dictators is much worse than the ESLs. The rest are good or average.

I know Probity has many hospital accounts, but I don't know anything about them. You should ask before you leap. They are very good at responding to questions even prior to you accepting the offer. They told me what account I was hired for right away, I only took the cardiology test, so I assumed anyway.

If I can answer anything else let me know.

Same old story
Do you get your kicks from posting about TTS about every week or so? You have nothing better in your life than this? I am sorry you did not measure up to their expectations. Why don’t you just drop it? Not everyone feels like you.
different story then. If they have sm
changed in the middle then I don't blame you. Just out of curiosity (I am IC myself) if you ignore their notes, etc. etc and just keep doing what you have been doing, will they lock up all access to your work or will they just ignore it? If you are going to take the risk of losing your job anyway, I think I would just go ahead and try typing my own schedule, ignore their e-mails and see what happens. I have had these threats in the past too and I always ignore them. Nothing has happened yet. I won't say something won't happen but so far so good. I am prepared if and when they do decide to can me. Like you, I am an IC and nobody is going to tell me when to work.

I just started to apply for a job yesterday and when they sent their application, that was one of the questions........what schedule do you plan on working. I put on there that I was IC and would give them a certain number of lines per day but I WOULD NOT give them a certain schedule. They may call back, they may not, I don't care.

Another poster stated that because of all these schools and their promises, the money MTs have put into them, etc, MTs were willing to work for nothing just to be working. She is correct and the cycle needs to be stopped. I understand when you are backed in a corner and don't know whatelse to do, but somehow this has all got to stop and it takes folks like yourself and myself to put our foot down and say no more! We take a big risk of having no job, but who else is going to do this? After 32 years in this business, like yourself, I am fed up with the way things are going in MT and will not tolerate it any longer.
That was the same story for DRC - which
Then they burped and spat out most of DRC's great management people, many MTs, an account or two, and a large chunk of cpl change.
Same old story. Sorry for you.
Ofcourse they are not going to tell you that you are about to lose your job until THEY are ready for you to go.  Absolutely SUX!  It can happen to any one of us at a moment's notice.  Really stressful.  I started with a company about 6 months ago.  After training and getting going good on the account, the work dropped off.  I wrote to ask what was going on.  Was told vacations.  I gave the indication that this **vacation time** should not last too long or I would be looking for another/second job.  Couple weeks later work picked up and we have not run out since (on my 1 account that is).  I think management shifted people around so everyone would have work.  Scary thing is, when you lose a big client it affects everyone.  I know this is discouraging to you.  Hope you land something good.  Keep us posted on what the testing, interview, pay, etc. is elsewhere.
There are two sides to every story. The MTs sm
that commented worked/works there. You do not. So I wouldn't put to much weight to what you say.
RBJ story on EXECUSCRIBE

Anybody read the Rochester (NY) Business Journal from 7/22 story on Execuscribe??? 


Interesting story from court records on company's history of fraud convictions.  She SHOULD be "giving back to community" as she squeaked by jail time and/or community service on a technicality. 


Thanks for making it that much tougher for the rest of us !


Just my opinion. 


Just read story - WOW
Amen to that, OldBroad!   Hope her clients look at company a bit more closely in future.  Praise to RBJ for running her truthful business history!  Her sons actually own company ??? Gee, I wonder if they are CMTs......
An UNTOLD Story
An UNTOLD Story
There is WAY more to this story than this poster is saying.
Don't believe everything you hear about Transcend. The GOOD MTs like this company!
CorTmedical Story

I know all of the facts around what happened with CorTmedical a few months ago. One of their clients did not pay them as scheduled and a few checks didnt clear because of this. It was a very unfortunate circumstance but the key principals and owners of that company paid back every cent plus any fees those employees suffered as promised. is was simply a bad time but everyone that i know that works for that company loves working for them. they are honest, compassionate and they treat there MTs and QA's extremely well. The are also growing very fast and are increasing they cpl rates to their workers by the month.


Story of my life
ESL city!!! I got to the point where I just couldn't take any more.  Other than Bonnie Monico who is top notch and a sweetie, it was a rather horrible little experience for me.
I'm not buying your story at all. Besides,
speech therapy, pain clinic, wound care are all not acute care. How many YEARS did you have in acute care and ONLY acute care? And how long ago? Also, how did you do on the test? You're not telling something.
You need to get your story straight then. You said
you talked with her for two weeks and she wasted your time because no one was hired for that position. Get your story straight. I am not her daughter but would be proud to be her daughter though I believe I am old enough to be her mother.
I think it means same old story, different day. nm
nm
Sad, but it is the same story all over. Try to find a
zz
No, different company but same story. nm
nm
There are two sides to every story...
I have worked for Breitner for four years and have always been paid on time.  I have never had a payroll issue with this company.  Just so everyone knows...if this occurred, it does not occur across the board.  Let's be fair.
Well, true story here
I was shocked to work for 5 days, take 2 days off and find out I had been locked out of the system.  I had not quit nor been fired and no explanation was forthcoming except this was the policy if you had not worked for 2 days.... huh?  I was unable to view my line count myself but was finally given my line count, which I assumed to be correct and did invoice and was paid.  I've never heard of being locked out of a system before - if they did not want me to work anymore they could have emailed me and requested this - it was rather shocking.  I understand there are misunderstandings but this definitely left an unpleasant taste in my mouth! 
funny story
I was IC for almost 10 years - local first then national.  Had to go to employee status to stay with company.  Along with city taxes I have to pay a tax to the local school board.  This year when she got my money and forms (I have no idea who she is) the person at the school board who handles the money called me and asked me why on earth I went to a full-time employee.  Thought it was funny - she knew what an ideal situation it was and couldn't imagine why I would change.
That seems to be the story with all the companies.
xx
get your story straight

all they cut is hourly QC SWATs who were too busy sucking the company dry with overtime and doing now work good for Focus, Im personally glad being a regular MT that they are gaining more business best company I have ever worked for


***Mr. Liptak:  Please refrain from pretending to be an MT.  You are the Sr. Director of Recruitment at Focus and posing as many different posters (MTs, at that) here.  Enough of this charade.  Cher/Moderator***