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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I think your physician gave you good advice

Posted By: gourdpainter on 2009-09-18
In Reply to: Sad, but true - Nicole

These MT schools are still cranking out the MTs as fast as they can (and taking their money).  I am sure they know that there already isn't enough work to go around and no work = no money.  Plus the fact that the MT trainee who could ever hit the ground running and make money right out of the gate is far and few between.


As for the coding, it is pretty obvious that is a huge candidate to be done by EMR and I'm sure it will happen in the not so distant future.  There will probably be someone an R.N.? LPN? EMT? who will do chart reviews to ensure that every possible diagnosis that could get another dime in reimbursement is put in the record.  That would be a few jobs depending on the size of the hospital.  I seriously doubt that these jobs will be offered to former MTs.


Another job opportunity might be that of what used to be called ART (acredited record technician), those people might be allowed to do chart reviews as they have always done it anyway, I even did it myself way back there.  The JCAH (forget what they're called  now) used to offer a study at home course but you had to be affiliated with or work for a hospital in order to have access to the records that were necessary to complete the course.  In some smaller hospitals ARTs (or whatever they are called now) were even heads of the medical record department.  I believe it is also offered as a 2 year course at some community colleges.


Sadly I think that those who have put themselves out for the expense and bother of getting and maintaining CMT credentials are just going to be SOL because I think those credentials and a buck might buy them a cup of coffee.


This is the way I feel and I could be wrong but I don't think so.




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Good advice, and advice that I'm giving real thought to ...

If I had known that they offshored before I accepted employment with them I never would have gone there to work.  I've been here long enough now though to not want to lose my benefits. 


Still ... making a DECENT PAYCHECK and making a living without being stressed out over the type of work that I'm doing is just as important as good benefits. 


I started 18 years ago and gave up a very good career
at a major medical association where I was just starting to move. I was 26, married three years and having my first child. I wanted desperately to stay home with him, but back then, my husband was not making quite enough to keep us afloat.
I just fell into MT when I saw an ad in the paper posted by a local MTSO. I thought, I've worked with doctors before and I know how to type. Well, I failed their test, but they were running an in-house class that cost $100 for six months, and the promise of a job as long as I could pass the test at the end. We had $123 in our savings account, and against my husband's wishes, I invested $100 of it in that course. It was well worth it!
Socially, it was hard at first to be isolated at home with children and work, but it's great now that they are all teenagers. I've always known where my kids were and been there for them when they needed me. I worked part-time for many, many years, and that gave me the chance to relax, not be stressed, go on hikes in the afternoons, or have a paddle in my kayak occasionally while the kids were in school.
I have a bachelors degree from Temple University and majored in marketing. My husband is a CPA, and we'll be married 22 years this January. He is now a partner in a small firm. He gets very good medical benefits and insurance, but no vision or dental plan. I'm sure that if I had worked for 20 years and attended to a career rather than a job, I'd be making six figures these days. I certainly don't make that doing medical transcription! But, I worked hard at raising my kids, and I have three great ones! I've saved bushels of money because I've not had to buy an office wardbrobe, pay train fare to the office, or send my children to daycare.
I have been very, very fortunate in that we no longer need my income to survive, but now I have the time to work full-time, the kids need me less, and I can still be reasonably flexible and unstressed. And, I'm still here when my teenagers need me, even though that's not as often as before. Yes, the industry has changed, but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing!
Good advice above
So right on regarding the type of work you do for the pay. There is much to consider, but will they tell you the truth about what type of work you will get for 7.5 or 8 cpl? Am looking for a change because of being in a pool with hundreds of doctors that I can't make macros for or expanders. Very frustrated. And then there is the voice thing.....
That's very good advice. sm
I know when the company I had worked a very long time for sold to MQ, everything changed and not for the better.  They took a really great company and ruined it. It seems to happen that way.  The only one looking out for you is you.
Good advice
That helps. I will look into that. Thanks for looking out for the newbies.
Good advice -
NM
Thanks -- very good advice sm

That is good advice, so thank you. 


One more question -- have you ever been sorry about leaving?  I have always had the stick it out and it may get better attitude, but things just keep getting worse, my pay keeps going down, even though I am working much harder.  I have a fear of getting a new job that turns out even worse.


Not sure I have anything to add to the good advice you have already been given ... sm

But my doggie is my baby .. to give her up for a job .. never ... to give her up if I somehow became unable to care for, I'd do because it was good for her .... but NEVER let go of things in your personal life that you love.  One time I had a great job -- 11.5 cpl -- but my boss told me my job should be more important than family.  So, right or wrong, I said goodbye.   Unfortunately, my mom passed, so I don't have the family either, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.  You can always find another job .. you can never get another mom (or other thing you care for .. fill in the blank ).


Good luck to you ..  :-)


good advice
Well said!!
VERY good advice

In any event, it is over and now I am wiser and never going to spend more than 8 hours on an acct for anyone ever. MTSOs simply do not appreciate it or remember it.


Now THAT is good advice.  It's a shame to say it, but skill, loyalty, seniority, etc. - none of these things matter in this business anymore.  And I can tell you from direct experience, when your company gets swallowed up, NO ONE at the new company gives a rat's a$$ how many years or how much seniority you might have had at your prior position.  It's not even a consideration.  The 1-year girl, the 5-year girl, and the 20-year girl - To them, we're all the same.


Good advice!
Only downside sometimes of being female in this industry is we can get too emotional and take everything personal - I know so, as I do it constantly.Business is ultimately business, and we should all try to look to the future and not over analyze this and kick owners to the curb, etc. 
I don’t think your advice is very good
Stand up and demand what you want? People now are hanging onto jobs. I in the past was exactly where they are. Bad advice, especially when you are not in the same boat. I think some let you know that.
I just want some help & advice about a good company
anonymous
this is very good advice, anon. I did the same
sing-song of the voice you are listening to and forget your own inflections. You almost have to adopt that accept and understands that ra means la. Leave those blanks, go back to relisten and you will usually have saved time and some sanity.
guys below have really good advice... c msg
i work from home and receive hourly pay as a remote employee; i would never give up my set pay (not in this field, too scary).

you can supplement with an mtso, and there are many MTSO companies you can test for with better test dictators, and who pay for spaces. dont let this first experience take you down.
good advice from admin above
This is a good recruiting board.  Recruiters posing as MTs raving on and on about their company.  What snakes!
Thanks. That sounds like good advice.


Good advice! I was holding a grudge
I realized that while I was angry and at home all the time with a grudge, my friend was out dancing and going on with her life.  I was the one caught in a trap.  Be above all that, forgive, turn the page and go on.
I think that is very good advice but how do you know if a company is going to treat you well?

During the interview they will tell you all kinds of wonderful stuff.  Are you saying it is better to look a company offering a lower line rate as an indication of a better place to work?  You could be right.


It seems kind of sad though in our industry that in order to get decent management the personal price is to take a cut in pay.  Why can't it be good management and good pay at the same time? 


Thanks so much, both very good advice, words of wisdom:)
:)
Good luck with your interview! The best advice I was given before being hired was to communicate.
I had a few vacations planned, had my son about to go off to college and wanted to give notice to my employer. They worked with me and were very easy to work with. I think they send out that letter to weed out those who do not want to work hard, cannot work hard for one reason or another or for those looking for specifics that they do not offer (i.e. IC status).

Good luck!
Are you telling her to work for $5 an hour? That is not healthy or good advice nm
nm
I once gave my notice when I was in a non-MT position, gave

2 weeks, but the person I was supposed to train felt like she knew my job better than I did (although she knew squat) and was a pain to deal with, never on time, etc. so I only worked about a week of my notice before I left and told the person I was supposed to train that since she knew more than I did have at it.  Anyway the owner wouldn't pay me for vacation.  I filed a complaint with the labor board and they were more than happy to get my money for me.


Breitner can threaten all they want to.  If you can document that you are owed monies, if Breitner can't prove that you aren't owed monies the labor board will be glad to collect your money.  I would also file a complaint with the Attorney General .   I have heard several people have had payment issues with them while the still worked for them.  If people are willing to let them get away with it by just chalking it up to experience, then they will continue to try to get away with it.  I'd contact the IRS too.   I don't know what Breitner thinks they can do to you - let them threaten all they want to.  A word of advice - DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.  


Thanks for the advice. The idea of clinic work sounds good, but I do feel comfortable with acute ...
care. I have a lot of experience with operative notes, DS, consults, radiology etc.. but I am not that thrilled with ESLs. It is just harder to make money on them. I think I will look into clinic work. It was only the lack of work that was bothering me about these companies and mismanaging the accounts they did have, broken promises, and just getting the runaround.. over everything from benefits to work.
Your physician
rocks and, unfortunately, is probably a minority in a huge amount of immigrants who come to the US anymore and do not truly become Americans. It was always with immigrants before, like my great grandpa who came from Germany at 35 and recently passed, that they wanted to be Americans and to assimilate into American culture. There is an interesting article this morning in the LA Times that Nashville has a huge immigrant population and that it is somewhat of a problem because people are not assimilating and are not learning English. They are working on passing a law declaring English the official language. I know where I live in Northern CA that I have seen this happen myself. I was at McDonalds one day waiting in line to order and a customer went up to the counter and started ordering in Spanish. The poor girl behind the counter was Indian and told him in English she does not speak Spanish. Where I live, we have a huge population inclusive of Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern people along with Hispanics. It is ridiculous and unnecessary to cater to 1 segment of the population. America's language has always been English and no one ever seemed to have a problem with that before.
Years ago I had this one physician who
in a rage, demanding that we type things exactly like he said it. Ok, Dr. Do What I Say---- he would mess up on his 1, 2, 3 and 4 and so like he said, when he said 1, 4, 3, 2, 9 and so on, that is EXACTLY what I gave him.
Story for you, went to the physician
a a workin on a Saturday, never do that, waited and when he asked why I was there, said well I have a couple of issues and he told me to tell him which more important, he did not have time for the 2. I chose the ribs which were really hurting (costochondritis) and what I did not get to talk with him about was had a breaking out of shingles. Anyone knows that can be really bad if it goes to nerve endings, horrific pain. I no longer see him by my choice.
Can anyone tell me about Physician Transcription Services, LLC?
x
Can anyone tell me how to change the dictating physician SM

in the gray field on the Spheris TWS screen. For example, if I need to change a dictating physician from a PA to the attending, the field is gray and I can't change those fields. 


Thanks  for the help.


Preferred Physician's Transcription, Inc.
Does anyone reading this post work for, or have you worked for, Preferred Physician's Transcription, Inc., out of Denver, CO, and if so, can you share your thoughts on the company regarding pay, benefits, etc.?
Physician's Choice Transcription

Can anyone provide me with some information on this company? Rate of pay, dictators, what they do and don't pay for, if you run out of work, etc.


Physician's Choice Transcription
Does anyone know anything about their training program?
Actually the physician that asked me to type for

and rearing my children.  I had a phone interview with a company that I found here on stars and when I couldn't make the first attempt due to a problem with the kids, she clearly understood and yes, I did get hired. 


Not all companies and physicians are children haters like you.  Sorry to bust your bubble. 


Not all MTs think their you know what doesn't stink and are very down to earth as well as the people who hire them.   


P/S:  This profession is not looked upon as such a bad thing ya' know.  Who told you that?  Where did you read that?  Furthermore, if this was the case, I don't think there would so many MTSOs out here working from their home offices.  And believe me these MTSOs are a dime a dozen.  Most of them do have children and work from home.  It is not uncommon and they are very professional.


Agree that E&O rests on the physician -
not the transcriptionist. Looked into this many, many years ago, as I thought it was something that I needed. Found out that the liability indeed rests on the shoulders of the physician - who proofs and approves his reports before signing them. Although I feel responsible for the accuracy of every report I transcribe,the bottom line is that it is the physicians responsibility - legally - to ensure that it is !!
When I worked for a physician transcribing
his letters, I was required to same them for 6 months. Would do me and him no good if I deleted the identifying info.
Account versus Physician sm
I think it is more the account itself than the physicians that want the verbatim, Though of course, there are those physicians that actually speak English and want it done thier way, but I think the ones that don't, especially the ESLs, expect us to clean up after them.  Either way, it too, goes against my grain to leave it incorrect and I have a very hard time with it. 
The physician makes the final

We are transcriptionists, not physicians.  We don't make any calls.  We transcribe what we hear, and they read the report and sign off.  It's that simple.  It always has been that simple.


No one here deserves the salary of anything more than what they get or make production wise.


Do you really think these MTSOs are charging a million dollars or what?  They make money by bidding accounts and then sub the work out whether that be by hiring employees or by contracting with an IC. 


I don't know where people come up with this idea that we are the bread and butter of these companies.  We are the worker bees.  Do a good job and you'll make some money.  I make twice as much now working from home than I did hourly with benefits and the benefits were crap.


I can set my own tone.  I transcribe to the best of my ability but by darn it if I can't understand what the dictator says, I leave a blank, and they fill it in.  That's what transcription is about. 


If your physician jumped off a bridge...
would you jump right behind him? The bottom line is that the only person you can control is yourself. If a physician is not performing his job correctly, guess what? He will eventually lose his license. Why do you continue to try and justify punishing patients simply because people do not want to do their jobs correctly? However you spin it, it's still wrong.
Diane's Physician Support Services

I was wondering if anyone has heard of this company.  It sounds like a nice harmless one, but I have been burned before.  I just really would like a heads up before jumping into something new.


Thanks so much!


Any info on Physician and Professional Services -

Beth Joyner is the owner.  Has anybody ever worked for them, or heard any good or bad comments about them?  Thanks in advance.


Beth Joyner Physician and Professinal Services

I had a horrible experience with this company.  I applied in for part time IC work in February but it was not until April that I rec'd my first very unprofessional email, but I had read nothing bad about the Co, so I came on board.  The first weekend I typed non stop too much work not enough typists.  She was so happy with me that she moved me from .07 cpl to .08 cpl, but nonetheless, the account ended up dropping us for the most part, meaning there was no work.  For nearly 2 weeks there was little or no work.  I had to take another company.  All of the sudden she had tons of work and demanded I do full time.  I responded I could not as I had to take another company, she told me I had to commit to part time hours for her, which I did, but there was no work during this time.  In the middle of all this was my 1 paycheck per month which is supposed to be mailed on the 10th from TX, I did not receive it until the 19th with a postmark of may 13th!  I rec’d countless phone calls and emails most of the email were junk emails and not concerning work.  In June she said that the 20 hours I worked for her that had no work was not enough I had to type 5000 lines a month, shouldn’t be a problem, but there was not work when I could type.  As I do have another account.  In June she sent out an email stating that she was changing pay from .08cpl to a sliding scale, the scale starting at 3000 lines.  I emailed her stated that I did not agree with it, but she was the boss :’) and I would make it work.  I asked her what if I type below 3000 lines, as when I am scheduled to type for her there is NO WORK.  She sent me a nasty email about her being the boss and making the decisions and it didn’t matter if I agreed… anyone typing under 3000 lines in a month was not worth her time.  I emailed her again, now I was upset stating I was joking, hence the :’) and that she still did not answer my question about typing under 3000 lines.  She sent me an email stating that she has tried to help me answer the question and she is done talking about this.  I did not respond.  The next day on my lunch break from my other account I logged on to Beth’s knowing I had to work extra hours to try to get my 3000 lines, when I logged off of her to go back to my other job she sent me yet another nasty email saying:  There is work, example you just logged off there is work.  I responded Example?  I am on my lunch from my other job and typing for you to try to make my 3000 lines.  She responded and said she has had it with my attitude, as of July 1st you will be no longer needed.  I responded are you kidding me you are firing me because I was typing for you on my break?


On July 5th I emailed her and said I will uninstall the program and what else is needed.  She asked why?  I said you fired me.  She asked for the email firing me, I sent it to her.  She responded back to me that she wanted me to continue working.  Against, my better judgment, I continued with her.  July 14th I rec’d my check, it was 27 +/- off.  I sent an email stating My check today was short 27 dollars, please remit payment immediately.  She sent me an email stating that I am not to demand money from her that is not how it works and I need some employee/employer skills.  I responded that I was not her employee, I run a business as an IC and that the statement “please remit payment immediately” is per NYS statute, payment has to be requested immediately and that I meant no disrespect by it; however, I did not appreciate her telling me my attitude would determine if I was paid or not.  She responded back that again I was fired.  Only this time she said that TX law says she can fire an employee after 3 counsels of work or attitude and she felt this was my 3rd.  She went on again to say how my QA was awful for the headings and dates and she was continually it.  I requested she be more specific and asked why didn’t she send me QA reports so I could correct it, she said that she “didn’t have the time”  I responded again she was confused as I was NOT her employee, she did not need a reason to fire me.


All in all even if we consider Beth as being right that my “heading skills and dates” are awful, what kind of a company keeps a typist working for them if the typist is horrible.  What does that say about the company AND what kind of a company doesn’t QA their employees or ICs and let them know in order to make them better MTs.  This company is very disorganized extremely disrespectful of its employees, IC.  I have emailed others who have had terrible experiences as well.


 


I would suggest run the other way, otherwise DO NOT have any personal emails with her in asking questions, be prepared for many phone calls, tons of junk mail and no feedback.


Info regarding Diane's physician suport service--sm

Any info on them would be greatly appreciated.  The good, bad and the ugly.  If you prefer to email that would fine.  Thanks.


Appreciate those of you that gave
helpful responses
Well you just gave yourself away on who you are.
You really need to try and hold it in
Yep but many of us gave above and beyond for that
company and to be lied to and treated like we were in the end is a disgrace.  If you're happy good for up, but with their ethics I wouldn't work for them again. 
You are not alone. Me, I gave up. nm.
x
before they gave my job away to
India last year, I was in-house, hourly, but we had to justify time-loss the last 5 or 6 years because people were always coming in, even at night when I was alone, and interrupting your work flow. I will say we had a service helping, and everybody was first-in, first-out, except for x-rays and path, so we all got our share of horribles to contend with.
Me too. But, I gave up. Although I got
responses back from my resume and or testing they were interested (several), never heard back from any so I just increased workload to help on weekends at regular IC job. Oh, well. Guess they got busy with so many resumes, or the scare of the economic down-turn. Hope you all hear back. It is tough to wait for an interview, because bill collectors do not understand about these things LOL.
I gave them my notice. I was looking

for a job when I found them so I'm not worried. Good luck to you. You might need it.


I gave MQ a set schedule as an SE but
I have the power to change it myself. I simply call (and followup with an email, always) and let them know as soon as I can that I will not be working. I always try to tell them when I will be making that time up or what my alternative plans are. I haven't had any problem.

I don't have a problem with them having a schedule to know when I am expecting to work routinely but I don't have to get approval or get someone saying, "Gee, I wish you wouldn't take off tomorow." I just make my own decision.

I almost gave up the first year--
I was lucky if I made $10,000 that first year. I worked for a small company with low pay and not much work, but they were willing to train a newbie. Now I make $30,000-35,000 and I'm happy with that.