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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I spent years in the hospital setting

Posted By: Julie on 2009-07-09
In Reply to: I always wonder what these people would do if there were no at-home MTs... - Amanda

had no clue about working from home, did not know there were companies even doing transcription from home. What also gets me is the fact that people will state they do not have work, sitting by waiting for it to come in, working all kind of weird hours to make a line count. It is no wonder and the MTers are to blame if the companies take advantage of them because they let them. How one can wait on work day after day is a mystery to me.


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I tell people the same thing, that was told me....and you 5 years in a hospital setting to be able t
nm
First line should be *hospital* setting -- NM
xx
Used to use this in a hospital setting, admin could change the number of characters per line (sm)
at one point they had us typing an 80 character line. Talk about zapping your line rates down. Of course we worked for an hourly rate so it really didn't matter, just management's way of pushing us to do more. They only required 800 lines per day for a FT MT so they were trying to get their moneys worth I guess.
I just spent about the last 5 years doing work I hate because the money -sm
was so good. Which is more important to you? Sounds to me like you'd rather take the one with the type of work you enjoy more. It didn't hurt me to do that work all that time. The money was so good, it made it seem more enjoyable. Isn't it so nice though that you have a choice!
I talked to them today. They want 3 years in a hospital or 5 years combination sm
hospital and at home or clinic and at home. For radiology, they want 3 years full time radiology. I thought they were very nice and I have a few friends that work for them and are happy. The pay seems average to high for what I am seeing now. I think they are 0.08 per line or 1.08 for radiology. Beats what I will have with the new MQ program.
I did this a few years ago, but the hospital SM
covered me on the 1st day of the month after the month in which I started.  Have they changed this?  If so, there is no way around that.  The only thing you can do to keep your health insurance during the time you are without is to pay your COBRA benefit until your hospital health insurance kicks in.
I worked in the hospital for many years - sm
and worked for private doctors' offices on the side with my own business. When I relocated rurally, I found it so much more cost-effective to work at home. No uniforms, no gas, no lunches out, etc. Could get up 15 minutes before my shift, etc. Now the companies all offer full time status (usually a minimum of 39 hours) with full bennies. Your hourly wage would depend on your speed. You would have to type over 200 lines per hour in order to get the salary you are quoting. It really depends on what you want out of the job. If it's social contact, that surely is lacking. But the pay and benefits are similar, and as I said, some of the additional costs of working outside the home are saved. Also, if you set up an office in your home, you can get tax benefits for that. I came home finally full-time because the bennies at the hospital were way too high a cost. Cheaper with the company I work with, a LOT cheaper. Plus my dad, who lived with use, got cancer, and I needed to be closer to him, as the hospital was over a half-hour away. That's my story, though. Hope yours goes the way that gives you more of what you want. Good luck to you!
I know her personally. We worked together at a hospital for years. nm
x
I have a nice one too, but qualified for it 4 years ago when I did well as an MT at a hospital.
each and every month. I have invested so much in this car, I don't see how I can give it up... lots of working with the lender, etc. They don't understand about outsourcing hospitals and services, they don't understand about not making rent or car payment. They only care about breaking legs if you don't make a payment. So I keep in close touch with them. This way, I have my leg available for the foot pedal, so when I do have work, I can to pay the bill.
You've spent a whole day on this SM
because you were posting this morning when I visited.  Am I to assume you've already secured employment somewhere or did you just decide to spend today and probably the rest of the weekend doing nothing about a job?
And YOUR time is well spent here, right? nm

Same here, another day spent jumping from one..sm
account to another trying to get my lines.  My primary does not have enough crumbs to keep a mouse alive!  I keep on keeping on but am actively looking for another job now. 
Time spent in demographics
Are there any company platforms out there where the demographics are already in place?  I could just scream sometimes trying to be a detective to get all the demographics in place only to have a one-liner follow.  Sigh... is it just me or are there others with the same frustration.  It's difficult to make rate when demographics have to be researched and the patient name sounds like Blavopvoskitapove.  Thanks for any clues on this. 
you didn't factor in what you would have spent

working in an office - clothes, shoes, gas, vehicle wear-and-tear, driving in bad weather, lunches, travel time (what's your time worth to you), make-up (I only wear make-up when I'm going out), laundry (I wear my sweats twice before washing), office donations/kids selling stuff, manicures/pedicures, pantyhose (I count that separate from clothes cuz it's a PITA to wear).


Then there's all the stuff you miss out on cuz you're working - kids' school programs, ball games, dance recitals, on and on. 


I'd love to make more than 9 cpl, but the truth is a lot of us don't even make that.  You have to weigh the good with the bad.  I'd rather make a little less than have all the stuff above to deal with.  I never got in this biz to become a millionaire.  I got it in to be home and I wouldn't give that up for a few extra bucks!!!!


At least you have work. I spent the money
I agree that the QA person there was very rude in the short time I stayed (believe me it wasn't long).
I just spent a lot of time checking the web and the
personally attempt it. Maybe you will get some good feedback from people who actually work there, but there was enough information here for me to realize it may not be the place for me personally... I will see if you get any responses, because I am wondering if there are good things there too... Good luck to you!
get a life MT; you're spent
  you looked here too didn't ya? 
setting a bad name
Please dont allow this poster to set a bad name for all of us that didn't graduate from Andrews I believe you are what you make of yourself, and the effort you put into what you do reflects on who you are, not what school you went to. This poster should quit making excuses for his/her bad luck.
I still think you are setting yourself up (sm)
to be the PAYEE to this woman when her attorneys get done with you.  You need to take this up in the correct place, not on an anonymous board.  You still haven't answered the question - WHAT have you done, or your friend (besides threatening here) to secure payment?  Did you do the formal demand letter?  Have you notified the courts?  Filed the complaints?  You can threaten and post all you want, but it's not going to get your money.  Do the right thing - you are not sounding very professional or mature in your handling it.  Sorry, but that's the impression you are leaving. 
I think that setting a $$ amt for FT is ... sm
ridiculous. I don't understand why it can't be hours worked, i.e. 40 hours if FT or 36 hours, or whatever. Their reasoning for not having a line amount anymore was because of VR, but an hour is an hour whatever way you look at it.
Soulmates....I think if people spent more energy
on positive things, they'd have quite a lot more to offer this new company.  If we all sit around feeling sorry for oh my where has this profession gone or we're doomed, then that is what the outcome will be.  Show the new owner that you care and just do a good job.  People do lose their jobs in this profession.  It is NOT ALWAYS to another country.  There are U.S. MTs that will underbid you in a heartbeat and get the job done just as well.  Everyone wants to blame offshoring, but I do not believe that to be the case in every instance that someone loses an account.  You'll read posts, I lost my account, but never the details of well I was two months behind and really didn't care about when and how I got the work done.  Doesn't everyone look for someone to blame?  I call these kinds of people blamers.  JMO.  
"Hard economic times"=we spent $ on M-Tec, sorry

If you spent more time typing and less snooping, sm
maybe you'd make more money.
I think that's what it is - a speaker setting.
I can certainly understand their needing their hands free; I hear them on the computer all the time, usually just hitting one key repeatedly as they look for lab findings. But that's when I have the most blanks, when I can hear the nurses and clerical people talking better than the dictator.
I see nothing wrong with them setting a
time frame for when you can or cannot work. The IC is not the only one working, and all MTSOs need coverage at specific times. If they advertise for an IC for weekends or nights only, then that is when they need the coverage. If they have 10 people on 8 to 5, then they don't need anyone else then, only for shifts they need covered.

On the pay matter, yes, they have the right to say we are going to pay xx cpl. You then have the right to counter back or not take the position.

Just because you are an IC does not mean you can work for whatever pay you want or whatever hours you want. You can pick the hours within the timeframe they need someone and you can decide what pay you will accept. They just cannot hold you to specific hours, only a certain timeframe.

At my IC job, I work at night and have until 6 a.m. the next morning to get my work back. I can begin whenever they send the work and not do any of it until 3 a.m. if I so desire. However, I cannot tell my manager that I will work 10 a.m. to ??. If she does not need the coverage she is not required to meet my specifications.
Happens in the home setting also
More than you would imagine. Tons of management paid to slough off their work to the idiots who take it.
Thanks for setting my mind somewhat

nm


IMO look elsewhere...I spent a lot of time waiting for work rather than working! nm
x
I found an article stating they have already spent over 6 months
already in place to take over immediately. I found it on their website if I'm not mistaken.
I left them not long ago. Way too much time spent talking to
tech support because of technical problems or glitches with their system. I probably averaged 90 minutes a day down-time trying to get everything in order. Their transcription platform is not the best in the world from what I saw.
D&L setting the record straight

I posted this below - but moved it up so it does not get lost in the soup.


I understand that I may have been a pain in the butt - but business is business. I have left D&L so feel free to go back to work or continue if you enjoyed / enjoy it. I won't be bothering you anymore. I left D&L, I was not fired or let go, and my concerns are valid to me - does not matter to anyone else. so any problems they may have should be reevaluated by those applying. I do not see them going downhill - I have not heard anything negative, and personally - the people who work there the worker bees - are a great group of people that I would keep on my friends list. And they do have plenty of work, the pay is compatible. My personal feelings and opinions have nothing to do with the co-workers or the IC trans - or the work they offer. So again, I guess when I left I did them a favor and took the problems with me - or not. So now you all can get back to getting the scoop on the employer and not the employees.


As for those of you who say I was the beast I do not recall bringing anyone on for a short time, or having problems with any transcriptionist. All Transcriptionist at D&L have been long term employees, if they did the work.  I am in frequent contact with many who are still there -  on a different level of course, and had you been made to feel bad, you should speak up - this not only for those who dealt with me, but with anybody.  I know that without good transcriptionists, a transcription company is not going to make it.


So again, my aologies if I hurt your feelings, work is work, and to get a paycheck I did my job.  So again, try to get information on the company, not the employees, but also use your better judement in order to run the company you own - as an IC.  I appreciate everyones comments on my performance etc at D&L, no hard feelings.  If that is the reason why so many of you had problems, go back - they are hiring and I am not there.


Setting the record straight here, sm
I used a poor term, cheesy, because that is what these unthankful people used in THEIR posts, some called their own gifts lame and said things like it stinks to work for a company who sends out dollar gifts, I wish were more appreciated, or I'd rather have cash.

I wasn't meaning it in any way other than OTHER people come here complaining about their companies, complaining about their gifts, and I thought maybe it would be nice to let them know that Diskriter is a company that values their employees. EVERY year I have been here I have gotten a bonus, as has everyone else who qualified by years of service. My gosh ladies and gentleman, get over yourselves.

I was not bragging, only saying I am happy at my company and feel they value all of their employees.
It could be a setting. Ask your employer to check it. nm
nm
Setting the record straight

I have been with All Type for quite some time and never had any problem with management or pay - EVER.  A contract is a legally binding document for both the company and the MT and not so easily broken as you portray.  The employee handbook and the contract that are signed by employees have very specific production requirements.  These have been in place for 3 years that I personally know of and not changed.  There are 2 sides to every story and I wonder if you would care to share if you were actually meeting those requirements or if what you are saying happened occurred because you did not meet them?


ERROR: 1.60 PER MINUTE OF TRANSCRIPTION, HOWEVER, HAVE THE TIME SPENT WAS PASTING
NM
Any company out there that allows you work without setting a schedule?
I am looking to pick up some extra cash but cannot really commit to a set schedule. There are a few times a week when I have a few hours (especially on the weekends) that I could type and would love to do some extra work.
If IC lets co. use her as employee, setting sched,
x
I love you. Thanks for setting my mind at ease.
 Thank you so much.  You don't know how much your post has helped during this difficult time in my life. 
I believe the speed setting varies with platform
Some are actually able to increase the speed more than other platforms, I believe. That might explain the difference.

I use the Escription/Editscript platform and love it. I have to admit I am blessed with a great account that has some truly excellent dictators and I've no doubt that makes a huge difference.

I think VR is something one either loves or hates. I'm apparently in the minority that love (as do my hands and wrists and shoulders!).


That is why I left. I spent days sitting in front of the computer, checking for
work every 5 minutes (or less) for 8+ hours trying to get work. On my days off I used to work 12+ hour days to make up lines, but then they hired people for Friday-Monday work and then there wasn't extra work to make up lines. I would get up at 3 or 4 a.m. and try to get work. I gave it a good try, frequently asked STM for more work, went over her head. They didn't seem to care, meanwhile I'm taking $300 to $400/month out of savings to cover my bills.
Thanks for setting the record straight. I was going to apply with them but that scared me off. NM

maybe we're hoping companies listen up when setting
next year's goals...


I wasn't productive on MeriT. Too much time spent entering demographic information...

There is no roster to pull patient names from, so you have to type what the docs say, and those ER docs speak at lightening speed.  I spent more time trying to get the patient name right than I did typing the report.  I really, really hated that.


The setting your own schedule thing varies. For example, physicians who work in the ER may be
independent contractors, rather than employees, if they are moonlighting on weekends or whatever. But notice they are told what hours to work... There's no way to keep a transcription service alive with people working whatever hours they feel like whenever they feel like. That's just not reasonable.
Diskriter off off offshores - and on some hospital accounts - they have not informed the hospital
x
Jewish is the main hospital, St. Mary's is another hospital under their management. (nm)
x
First for hospital, then outsourced still on same hospital work
and believe it or not, the hospital was so much easier. Had worked at the hospital for 11 years before they outsourced and then worked another 3+ years for the company they outsourced to. What a difference! The company had so many rules and regulations you could hardly keep up with them all, thousands of them, on the same account, mind you. The higher ups would not leave you alone, constant IMs about any and all. I have gotten to the age where I do not need all that and walked the other week. Have scheduled testing with another hospital for this month. Hope I make the cut, love the hospital work 1000 times more than a company.
No problems with the Indian techs setting you up or any problems with their program? Bud of mine
b
May be set on incorrect file setting? type of file??
If you are using, for instance, Express Scribe to listen/transcribe, there are about 10 or so types of setting for the file you use, wav, mp3 etc.  If so, go to the top of screen, look for setting. I just click all of them. 
Honda is 11 years old, 190,000 miles . Toyota was 15 years old and 279,000 superb
x
I worked on site for many years. I've been doing this for 10 years... sm
I've worked on site, at home, for small MTSOs, for nationals, for hospitals. I've been paid per line, per minute, and per hour. I've been an MT and a QA. I have ALWAYS worked weekends and ALWAYS worked nights for the shift differential because MTs can't survive on 6 or 7 cents a line. At least I can't and I type 105 wpm.

I've BEEN dedicated from day 1, sister, so you are barking up the wrong tree.