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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I know the feeling here and that is what concerns me. nm

Posted By: They said what on 2009-02-14
In Reply to: Hanging on to both - dc

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My concerns
First with the job application. They already have all this information on me. I am not giving out references again, and I am not agreeing to a credit/background check. Everytime someone pulls your credit file, it lowers your score slightly. Not going there. Plus, will they somehow use this against us in the future as far as our years of service and make it appear as we did not start with the company until September 15, 2007?

Second, employment agreement. I have a problem with items 4 and 5. I don't plan on sticking around with this company forever. The only reason I stay is because I love my accounts. If they move on (very likely), then so will I. It is quite possibly that I might indirectly divert business from SPI if I go work for a company that has taken one of their accounts. Agreeing to $1000 sanction if that is the case? I don't think so.

The whole arbitration agreement is just a complete farce. From everything I have read, the employee really suffers when matters are taken in front of an arbitrator rather than an actual court of law. SPI knows they have issues. What about the fact that they don't pay time and half for OT? I bet the DOL would love to hear about that one. I could see down the road a whole bunch of MTs trying to file a class action suit, and I think the legal team at SPI is really worried about the same thing, hence this agreement.

Off my soapbox. And it's very early. Too early to worry about spelling or typos, so don't beat me up.
none as far as it concerns me
My point was only that MDI isn't taking on VR to pocket more for themselves. I'm well aware how this affects me personally.
Concerns
I understand your concerns. I am an employee and would not have it any other way. Every individual’s situation is different and the company is aware of that. I am sure they will work with you. Give them a chance, you might be surprised.
I understand your concerns
I have google'd myself to death, LOL. I did get an interesting email today, but I have a hunch it's not what you're talking about. I wish I could leave my email address, but I have the same problem as you do and my email would be too easy to track down. I guess I'll just have to wait .
I have my concerns too. This year not even a
Christmas card.   There have been a couple other things that when added to this pot leaves me wondering what is going on.  
I certainly have let D know my concerns but to no avail. nm
nm
Sorry..I meant THIS concerns their
medical records
What concerns me is that the rule is
Unless you like being banned, then keep on having laughs over the job seeker's board posts.  It happened to me, so I like to tell people that I was instantly banned for pointing something out on a job post.  It is not acceptable no matter what the forum or nature of the job posting.  It is not really up to you or I to decide what is just having a laugh!  The moderator has posted this in the past.  NO MAKING FUN OF THE JOB POSTS.  Someone may want to apply, do you think that there are only American MTs in America?  Do you think only foreign MTs stay in their country?  Even if the job was foreign in nature, that doesn't give anyone the right to poke fun or have a laugh at someone else's expense especially someone who is offering jobs!!!!!!!!!   
I definitely share your concerns...

In my previous post I was and am trying to stay hopeful, as I really enjoy working with MDI like you, when I talked about possibly changing to another account.  In reality, I feel as you do, that I just don't think there will be enough work on straight MT side to provide that.  I just don't understand why such a great company like MDI is offering such a pitance for VR when most other companies are offering 4-5????  Just don't get it.  Again, I'm trying to remain hopeful and would like to believe what the leaders at MDI told me about tripling the line count, but seriously, in reality I really KNOW it is just not possible. 


Does anyone have any ideas about anything we can do?  Perhaps approach MDI/Dorothy as a group with our concerns??


Hospital concerns for benefits.

Many MTSO's are hiring only ICs now with no no benefits given.  Now given these are mostly smaller company's.  But why don't the hospitals form their own and contract out.  That's basically what some of the smaller MTSO's are.  They use the hospitals equipment.  I work for a small rural hospital as an independent contractor.  I worked inhouse for 2 years doing their Basic 4 and radiology reports.  For family reasons I was planning to leave but they offered to send me home to work.  Since my husband had medical benefits, I did not miss the benefits at the hospital.  But this situation worked out fine since I had a sick child that I was paying daycare for when he was not even there but home sick.  Ten years later, I am still working at home for the same hospital.  Hospital's work has grown and I am not willing to work so much now.  The hospital thought about hiring a MTSO but decided not to after they found out what they charged.  Which was about 3 times what I did.  They hired part-time Transcriptionist themselves to cover what I could not do.  So, to all those below who thinks it wound not benefit the hospitals, here's one story where everyone benefits. 


Do you really think owners have time to come on this board to know there are any concerns? sm
If you really and truly believe they are offshoring, ask them. Tell them you have concerns and that you have heard they were outsourcing!. I know for a fact that L is still quite involved in the company and believe me, they have hired new people; people who just couldn't cut it and were not good enough to put out quality work; QT has always, always prided themselves in quality! If an MT can't do quality work, why keep them? It's a waste of time and money! I just know one thing, I will do my all this week to help get us back in TAT. You do what you have to do!
I don't think there would be any greater conflict concerns than there would be with any kind
;+
I'm not saying you don't have valid concerns but I sincerely feel...
You all should be entitled to have your own board. I've done the Transtech thing a few years ago. This is all old news. Same as most of the companies on here, you either love them or hate them but I feel there is a ton of people that work there or people who want to work there and you should have your own board to discuss this.
well I sure didn't I was fired for voicing my concerns
Would they take me back?
Transcend Line Count Concerns - SM

Any fellow Transcenders have knowledge of how the company handles not meeting line requirements, especially if low to no work on your account.  Are there warnings given or do they just pink slip you immediately?  Anyone had ANY experience whatsoever with this....Thanks so much.  Am worried. 


 


 


Do Not Fear Retribution for Sharing Concerns
Denise:

Thanks for the kind words about my post. It is my sincere attempt to ensure that every team member feel valued and empowered to be successful. It is regrettable to hear your concerns for simply sharing your feelings and yet I can understand because I do know that these types of passive/aggressive response have been taken by managers of our organization and virtually all others.

Denise, it is my job and responsibility to make sure each team member has a voice and that their concerns are heard. While I can't always provide everyone with exactly what they want I am typically able to help. I hope you will feel comfortable sharing your concerns with me.

Thanks again for the reply and sentiments.

Jeff E. McNeese
SVP, Operations
DTS America, Inc.
T: (877) 387-6876 ext. 115
F: (615) 329-2298
jeff.mcneese@dtsam.com

yourvoice@dtsam.com




Once upon a time, a surgeon responded to my concerns
The girls were tearing up the 3 surgeons up one side and down the other. And OMG, what they had to say about the office manager!!! I felt they were betraying the man who fed them. So...I went into his office and said, Dr., the morale is very low, the office staff are very upset, threatening to find new jobs and I thought it should be addressed during a staff meeting.

His response was: Do not pay attention to what they say. Venting is a necessary part of being a part of the work force (when you are an employee). The doctor brushed it off,did not want to hear the details and he did not really care who was the instigator. He felt that as long as they showed up on time, held up their end of the load and were pleasant with the patients (anorectal surgeons - ouch).

That office staff who whined and complained and ridiculed was with the surgical team for over 10 years - An RN, 2 front office, insurance cler and med Records gal.

Huge Bonuses (which say THANK YOU!) at Christmas brought momentary pleasantness but come mid January, they'd start again, feeding off each other, like a bunch of women at a Sewing Circle (have you seen the pic on this website depicting us as women in a sewing circle, dear?)

Bottom line - it is harmless. If money is there and then not there, without warning, a person who is not complaining about it is the one I'd be curious about.
I've had concerns for at least a year. I'm a long-term

QTer so I have seen lots of changes.  Not that I expect anything, but we've always gotten something for MT week and this year not even a card and the whole stink over Christmas.  The IRA thing doesn't have me really concerned.  From what I understand they only hire ICs now.  I know they've had some long-term people leave who might have been employees, so it might not be cost efficient to continue the program.   I haven't had a raise in several years and these days I'm just glad to have a paycheck.  I don't know how much of the work is being offshored, but you would think that would free up some $$, unless they have had to hire extra QA people.  I like not having lots of e-mails/phone calls, but I also would like to know what is going on.  I denied for months they were offshoring, but when I got proof it was a slap in the face and I felt like we should have been told about it.  There seems to be plenty of work on my account so the offshoring hasn't  affected me directly.  So far the checks are always on time and have never bounced. 


Things have definitely changed and I don't think for the better, though I've interviewed with several companies lately and haven't found one yet that is better than QT.  I just try to do my lines and be thankful for a paycheck and just accept the fact that the company will never be what it was. 


This is the thing that concerns me about this field. Pay is staying the same not increasing!

Every OTHER medical field, nursing, therapists, techs, etc. are all experiencing the yearly salaries going up.  Transcription compensation is not increasing. 


While they may increase the RATES the ability to make the more money is not there because of VR, taking away the header allowances, more difficult accounts, more ESLs, stricter QA, etc., etc. slow platforms that require information inserted that you don't get paid for and anything else that lowers your salary.  If hospitals are looking to slash their transcription budget, they are going to pass that onto the service and the service will pass that onto to the employee. 


I know transcriptionists that were making 45-50K in 1987 working 40 hours and now they are making 35K and often times working more than 40 hours to make that lower amount.  Or I hear people say I can make the same money but I must work much harder and longer hours.  I think wow...you have to work harder and longer to make what you made in the 1980s. 


Other occupations have gotten consistent raises without the need for more hours and I don't think employees would put with up it.  Imagine a well qualified R.N. being offered a 1987 salary?  The hospital would have a hard time hiring nurses.  But the transcription service environment is so competative if they can offer the work cheaper and cheaper while guaranting accuracy they will get that contract.  So in order to stay in business they have to find a way to pay the Transcriptionist the least amount of money to see their profits which they need to stay in business. 


Of course if transcription is all you know and you don't to work in an office or get a job at Starbucks you keep going and accept the pay because we really have no control.  You have to work with what they offer you. 


I've never had a problem with checks or insurance before so that is what concerns me.
But, I will be following up on Monday. I was just hoping that anyone who had this happen could confirm that is the way it is done. Thus far, no one has really confirmed this so that is a good sign.
Funny some of us were written letters by company attorney when we posted our concerns here
:(
Instead of feeling bad about it and going SM

to bed, take a bit of time to figure out what KIND of experience you have.  Yes, near 20 years is nice, but with what kind of work?


Has the majority of that time been in a teaching facility of more than 500 beds with a high # of ESL dictators?  Trauma?  Complex surgeries?  Procedures that aren't performed everywhere?  Experimental procedures?


That and the willingness to continue doing that kind of work is what allows these MTs to make the high line rates.  The work is more complex, difficulty level is high and a higher line rate should be paid to compensate for that.


That is my feeling also (sm)

I must add one more, the illegal aliens that equal 84% of the emergency room patients, causing the hospitals to have to save money and cut us out entirely.  They use VR around here, if the doctors cannot speak properly they will have to learn or edit their own reports.


Our president is pushing for it also, but I don't see the cost of healthcare going down.  And when the microchip technology is in place, I just don't see the use for a transcriptionist.  Patients will be in and out, they'll read the microchip on your arm, all your info will be on a computer and they'll input anything new.  What little transcription is left can be dictated into the system.  To each his own, I'd rather be prepared.


I'm getting the same feeling...
I feel the same way. I am also finding many companies don't respond to application/testing/resume. Seems like 2 minutes to send me an e-mail saying I don't qualify is 2 minutes they don't have, after I spent the time to test. Maybe it has to do with how many scribes appear to be out there looking for jobs. Bottom line is they (the MTSO) have all the power. All I know is it's frustrating!
This is also my feeling about TT.
I believe they are one of the honest ones and I won't believe otherwise unless something is proven because so far everything adds up for me.

Not that I'm a math whiz, but when I've worked for cheating companies, there were problems in multiple areas and it was obvious there was a problem.

Thank you. I had a feeling. I wish you all the best.
.
I know the feeling.
I was sick a few weeks back and lucked out that work was low but really would like a few good checks to close out the year with. Maybe it's low all around. I saw some TT'ers posting about it being low. I honestly don't know. To me, it doesn't seem as there are as many reports coming through as there were prior to me getting sick, but I'm also not open to all worktypes on my account, so who knows.
I know the feeling as well............
xx
I have a feeling

Since the MT admits to basically having no real experience in acute care, there is no telling what those five reports may have looked like.  Like someone said, transitioning from radiology to acute care is a VERY BIG STEP and I would think nearly impossible to train unless you are working inhouse.  There's just too much to learn with acute care, I have been doing this for over 25 years and I STILL learn something new every single day.  Even if there were only formatting errors, that could still be a pretty big job - if you have no idea how to do your medication instructions, etc.  Just that is a lot to learn right there.  It sounds like the account manager may have felt there was just going to be too much training involved.  After all, I don't believe any companies offer to train from scratch do they?


 


I have a feeling we
are all referring to the same company, actually.

As of today my check is eight days late.
My feeling exactly
That is my feeling exactly...I don't want to take that chance.  I've been there,done that.
I have already gotten that feeling sm
just talking to them and getting things set up and I haven't begun working yet. I am certainly looking forward to this and ignoring then naysayers! Thank you for your kind words.
Sure... Why do I get the feeling
you aren't paid by the line, but rather are salaried mid-management. I've never seen an actual MT be happy about and defend paycuts before....
feeling sick too!
I just wonder how many people here are just here to stir the pot and make everyone feel sick and scared and paranoid about their jobs?
feeling sick too!
Actually, I don't work for OSi, but work for another National that is always bashed on here. Things are changing here too and not very positive things are being said about changes and I was just making a general statement about people who like to make others feel paranoid about situations. But, I'm trying to look at it this way, there are thousands of MTs employed by my company and there are only a few here who are doing the bashing, so I'm trying to stay positive, but still a little afraid!!
I have been there 4 years, and I am getting the same feeling. I even SM
asked someone about one, well someone who is not one of the real upper people. She did say they were not trying to get me to quit, but I do know that I am one of the higher paid people also. However, I work every weekend at least some, and I know they appreciate that. It continues to be a scary thought to know that there are not all that many accounts. I have just secured a PT job with another company as backup, or income security as I like to think of it. And I have had the opposite experience with calling for work after 3 p.m. -- I have great luck with this. It's not particularly my favorite time to work, but if I don't have any plans, I will work during that time to get lines, and they are very accommodating to me in the office. Of course, maybe they're used to me calling LOL.
Feeling is mutual about TH!
x
I had a bad feeling about them and cancelled my
There was too much double talk with the owner promising the moon and the transcription supervisor pulling back on the reins to try to hold on to her power over how things operate. If you had a bad feeling from the beginning, it would have been wiser to follow your instinct and not go with them.

Just as they had a change of heart with you, I had my change of heart with them. I don't know if you researched all the posts about them, but this doesn't surprise me and any company who doesn't feel an MT is going to work out has the option of dropping the MT, just as the MT has the option of dropping the company. I don't know of any MTSO where is employment is someone other than at will unless it might be a signed contract as an IC.

I'm trying to show a practical side, not a critical one.
Nothing here! Feeling really unappreciated lately. nm
nm
yeah...I get the same feeling...sm
sounds like they had an ad all printed up and just placed it again without changing some of the criteria in it, like working at the company but sending and receiving via C-phone and internet. not to mention all of the no experience one needs....bet they get alot of applications on that one. ha ha.
Thank U. I was feeling quite paranoid! nm

Feeling a little defensive are we?
You wrote: Perhaps we are all generalizing too much.

And then you went on to generalize! Who said all companies are bad?

What I see here (presently) are legitimate complaints and MTSOs whining about them instead of posting 'any'thing remotely like: Thanks for the input; comments under consideration.

Well maybe we'll all win the lottery and be done with all of this! LOL :)
I got the feeling she was trying to be positive for those of us
who are a bid scared because we have little work on training... I think also she was responding to 4vrtpng...who did answer her but these other posts got in between. Just my 2c or take on it.
Feeling lucky
From one MQ employee to another...may I ask what company you went to?
Oh no is how I'm feeling, too....just hired on :(
Hope it's not across the board! I start training soon.
I remember feeling like you do when I
started at Chronicle.  I thought everything was great and I found the perfect dream job.  It didn't last though.  The office is totally unorganized and nobody knows what they are doing from day to day.  The rules changed constantly and questions were answered with different answers depending on who you asked.  It was impossible to make production on any kind of regular thing.  The platform was terrible and the dictators even worse.  I stayed for just under 6 months to see if I could adjust and I couldn't.  I have a terrific job now where my supervisors are all transcriptionists or prior transcriptionists so when I ask a question they know exactly what I am asking.  My production is high and I work on a terrific platform now.  The only way I'd leave my current job is kicking and screaming  
Feeling defeated.
Of course they can do whatever they want, they always do.  But it does upset me that they are using the money that I generate to do this, and I never get so much as a thank you. I desperately need a mental health vacation, but my income is so bad, a vacation is only something I can dream about.
Feeling exploited

I am feeling so stupid for being a part of this industry. I am envisioning the owners of my company sitting back with their cigars and brandy, and chuckling about what a good scam they have going.


We have all of these faceless entities working their asses off for us, we keep paying them less and less, and they still keep going, like little hamsters going round and round as fast as they can in their little wheels!  All for us!!  Go faster little hamster, go faster, I want to buy a new boat. Do we have the best gig going or what?


I have finally come to realize that this industry is one of those work-from-home scams that everyone warns us about! 


I know that feeling. The hospital I worked for
when I started had us all at the same "starting pay". Then they changed it to commensurate with experience.

So, new hires (even those with less experience) were getting hired in at sometimes THREE BUCKS more than I was getting.

They wouldn't raise me up to make up for it. So, I quit.
I'm feeling pretty jealous of you...
Any chance at all you'll share the name of the company? I know that a couple of us here would love to join your team. (Feel free to e-mail me privately).  I'm looking to pick up a little extra work at this time. I'm full time with a company now, working as team lead, and am basically happy there.  However, the work has been low since the beginning of July, and it's just always a good idea to keep an eye out for a better situation.
My feeling exactly. I can count on 1 hand

the number of times I haven't helped out when they have gotten backlogged, usually without being asked with never a thank you, but an e-mail or phone call asking me to do extra the next day and then the next.   I've always pulled my share and then some.  I don't care about a gift or even a card, but if I do my 40 hours/committed line that should be enough.   They aren't paying me when there isn't any work.  


Ultimately it comes down to they don't care if I'm sick or I have a life or not, they just want the lines done.  They didn't used to be that way, or at least they would offer incentives, which they rarely do now.   I can't stand threats about losing accounts.  If isn't my fault if they lose it.   If another MT is not doing her share don't ask me to pick up the slack.