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Line pay is a LOT more than hourly pay

Posted By: QA on 2009-04-22
In Reply to: VR is actually MORE work - You have to proof it 100% VTT

I make 3.5 cpl doing QA and make about $900 per week. Can you top that?


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Line rate and hourly
Okay, if you get paid 2 cents a line and there are no errors and you don't have to do a QA feedback, that is different. I used to get 3 cents a line and not have to give feedback and then they switched. I think we should have to give feedback, but it takes time and no raise was given. I also have a $14 an hour job. They are both part time. I can make more on the 3 cents a line.

do they hourly or line requirement? - nm
nm
Is Precyse QA pay hourly or per line?
nm
Hourly versus line
Do not give up your hourly job. I had an hourly job until about three weeks ago and then hospital outsourced and now working per line. Everyone is running out of work and we have to wait on reports to trickle through. We are not making anything like we used to and will have to take a second job just to make up for loss. We are all depressed and upset and as usual they have overstaffed, but they said they would not, but they have. If you like your job stick it out. At least you will know what your paycheck will be.
I was responding that QA line pay is better than hourly pay
Not on the VR subject, but I was answering the QA person who was complaining about how she would NEVER work for line pay in QA. In fact, it pays about twice as much as hourly pay because you get credit for the whole report. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I liked hourly until I found out I could make more on line pay. nm
x
I've worked both per line and hourly..sm
so I wholeheartedly agree with you that, as an hourly MD, there's no justification for subquality work or passing the buck along to QA when not absolutely necessary.  Maybe that particular MT wanted to show how much work she could produce in so much time.  Neither is it justified by a production-paid MT.  It would be inexcusable in a regular state of affairs where, at one time, an MT was able to make a fair living, whereas most find it difficult if not impossible to scratch out minimum wage and having to do 8 hour's work of work in 12 or more hours.  But, as you did agree in your post, it is certainly understandable in the latter case.  MTs are fed up, burnt out, etc, and realize they're for the most part getting a rotten deal, especially as paid-per-line, home-based ones, and the bottom line, whereas it used to be quality work and being able to take pride in it being replaced by rushing to get enough work out to keep the lights on and kids fed.
Hourly rate? That's a laugh. Try 6 cents a line nm
//
TransTech does - Hourly in addition to line rate
/
No line rate change, we are being converted to hourly
n/m
QUERY - What is the lowest cents-per-line or hourly

I have been looking for an MT Employee job for a couple of months and I have noticed that more and more job opportunities are asking for Independent Contractors rather than Employees.  Out of the hundreds of MTSOs out there, I could only count less than 2 dozen MTSOs who offer employee status. 


Between off-shoring to India and VR, it has almost become impossible for a single MT to make enough to pay the mortgage, etc.  Medical Transcription is becoming a secondary employment in two-worker households.  If some of the MTSOs who hire ICs would admit that they are actually hiring employees and treat them as such, MTs might have a better chance of getting paid what they are worth.  With less than 2 dozen MTSOs offering employee status, they can pretty much set their wages and we are stuck with it if we want any benefits at all.  They are on the verge of almost a type of price-fixing or monopoly.  We need more employers to create more competition for the well-trained MTs looking for work. 


There is an ad for employment as an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – Editor at $10.00 per hour.  After the Editor pays taxes and Medicare, etc (which can be 20 to 30%), they are actually working for less than minimum wage. 


I am interested in knowing if anyone would take a position for this wage and also if you think this is actually an Independent Contractor or really an employee. 


Below are the IRS guidelines for IC versus employee. 


I think if the IRS audits this company, the MT will be stuck dealing with the IRS for years to get their money back. 


WHAT DO YOU THINK?   Is this IC Editor job really IC or employee? 


Thanks. 


*****************************************************


 


In determining whether the person providing service is an employee or an independent contractor, all information that provides evidence of the degree of control and independence must be considered.


Facts that provide evidence of the degree of control and independence fall into three categories:


1.    Behavioral: Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does his or her job?


2.    Financial: Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the payer? (these include things like how worker is paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, who provides tools/supplies, etc.)


3.    Type of Relationship: Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?


 


Type of relationship refers to facts that show how the worker and business perceive their relationship to each other.


The factors, for the type of relationship between two parties, generally fall into the categories of:


·   Written contracts


·   Employee benefits


·   Permanency of the relationship


·   Services provided as key activity of the business


Written Contracts


Although a contract may state that the worker is an employee or an independent contractor, this is not sufficient to determine the worker’s status.  The IRS is not required to follow a contract stating that the worker is an independent contractor, responsible for paying his or her own self employment tax.  How the parties work together determines whether the worker is an employee or an independent contractor.


Employee Benefits


Employee benefits include things like insurance, pension plans, paid vacation, sick days, and disability insurance.  Businesses generally do not grant these benefits to independent contractors.  However, the lack of these types of benefits does not necessarily mean the worker is an independent contractor.


Permanency of the Relationship


If you hire a worker with the expectation that the relationship will continue indefinitely, rather than for a specific project or period, this is generally considered evidence that the intent was to create an employer-employee relationship.


Services Provided as Key Activity of the Business


If a worker provides services that are a key aspect of the business, it is more likely that the business will have the right to direct and control his or her activities.  This would indicate an employer-employee relationship.


 



 


Hourly rate PT hours & fewer line requirement
Title means nothing at my company. All I do is assign work.
Webmedx Editors, how are they paid (per line or hourly)? Do they reimburse for
CMT examination fee or pay part of it?  Do they give any kind of consideration for MTs or Editors with their CMT?
About money, line rate is one thing, but hourly figures are another sm
Traditional: 8.5 cents per line. Top out at 225. $19.25 an hour.

Speech: 4.5 cents per line. Top out at 500. $22.50 an hour.

I split between the two and right now, that is running $700 a week or $36K a year. Not a huge salary, I know, but more than I made 10 years ago.

Could I push harder? Sure, but I don't need the money because I have structured my life so that I only need 1/2 my income to live on and I live alone. I like the part about not being exhausted on my days off, about being able to give up a terrible PT job, and having time to paint AND be able to have expensive, high-quality art supplies.

I am happy as a clam and I do not think that VR will take my job!!!! My only worry right now is that my painting is taking off with art shows, commissions and internet sales. I won't be able to work full time as an MT if this keeps up, and I know it will. I love being an MT and when it ends in favor of my artwork, I will be joyous over one and very much saddened over the other. It is and has been a wonderful career for me.


About money, line rate is one thing, but hourly figures are another sm
Traditional: 8.5 cents per line. Top out at 225. $19.25 an hour.

Speech: 4.5 cents per line. Top out at 500. $22.50 an hour.

I split between the two and right now, that is running $700 a week or $36K a year. Not a huge salary, I know, but more than I made 10 years ago.

Could I push harder? Sure, but I don't need the money because I have structured my life so that I only need 1/2 my income to live on and I live alone. I like the part about not being exhausted on my days off, about being able to give up a terrible PT job, and having time to paint AND be able to have expensive, high-quality art supplies.

I am happy as a clam and I do not think that VR will take my job!!!! My only worry right now is that my painting is taking off with art shows, commissions and internet sales. I won't be able to work full time as an MT if this keeps up, and I know it will. I love being an MT and when it ends in favor of my artwork, I will be joyous over one and very much saddened over the other. It is and has been a wonderful career for me.


Were you hired hourly or by the line, employee or IC? just wondering if it makes a difference...
I opted for hourly and wondering if it woudl be better do it by the line. It is hard to know if you do not know the software program or what the transcription is like ESL etc.. Just wondered what your experience has been like.
Mine pays both ways, hourly plus line incentive over certain amount.
x
They have created a new position that pays hourly. Anyone know what the hourly rate range is? NM
xx
A combo hourly/incentive or straight hourly rate based on
A platform where MTs have had major input in developing it.

10 annual days of PTO, at average hourly rate.

Affordable, decent health insurance.

QA done by very experienced high-level MTs, with open and respectful communication between QA and the MTs.
Hourly?? Where does one get an hourly editing job?
I'm at 5 for VR/8.5 for straight typing.  I know we aren't to mention names, but I'm curious how hourly VR jobs are located. 
A line is a line is a line. Doesn't matter if we are talking about radiology or acute care.

1600 is not a fair minimum requirement.  Sure you can achieve 1600, it shouldn't be the required minimum.


Means a line is a line is a line, even if it only has one word on the line
it is considered a line. 
"a line is a line" means gross line.
Gross line is a line, no matter how long or short.
not that...only hourly, no less than $14
x
What about QA? Looks like they pay hourly. nm
nm
I used to be hourly
Until Western Montana Clinic outsourced to TTS, then it went to line. I do think editing should be above 4 cpl though.
yes, hourly.......
I really had to look for it, and it is at home, to boot.
Yes! But not hourly...
Production pays VERY well when straight through the hospital. No muss, no fuss, if you know what I mean.
Hourly?
Yes I agree QA should be hourly pay. I am still wondering if QA is a step up as far as pay is concerned. I assume it would pay more on average, as you need to be proficient in all specialities/work types as well as having extensive experience with ESLs, difficult dictators, etc.
Do they pay hourly for QA?
Is this the company that requires you to pay for something before you can start? If so, what is it that you have to pay for and how much is it?

Hourly QA
Medquist and Sten-Tel do.
Hourly pay
So, if you work a 4-hour shift, do you get paid $15.00 an hour regardless of the amount of work available?  If not, then how do they determine how many hours you worked?
Do they pay QA hourly there?

Hourly...
I, too, make $25-$30 an hour. I have a treo of neurologists and do law enforcement & parole board hearings... I think the key is getting away from the MTSO's and getting private practice accounts...
Not hourly
They pay 0.05 a line - no hourly wage - if you ask Matt in HR, he will tell you that what you read online about the free books, the free foot pedal, sign on bonus and hourly wage - it was all a typo.
VR pay- HOURLY
HOURLY. At a hospital that gives a rip about dedicated, quality oriented MTs, with numerous documented templates and has the best Dictaphone has developed.
Hourly Pay
It is all true, I used to work for them.  Weekly check, hourly pay, not a problem and always on time.
Its an hourly job
that is posted, not a cpl job. Apparenlty, Premiere Office Solutions has mostly hourly positions.
Hourly pay rate

I have been working for Transolutions since March, and so far I'm very happy with them.  They pay $10 for training (7 hours a day for 4 days the first week, if I remember correctly) and your first month you make $10/hour while you get used to your account.  You can also get extensions to that time period, as long as you continue making progress.  Once your evaluation period is over, your pay is based on production levels - from 150 up to 225 per hour, with the pay per line increasing as you go up - I think it work out to around $19/hour at the top level.  They also have bonuses, weekend differentials, and paid time off even for part-timers like me.


Hope that helps! 


Transcend hourly

What is the hourly rate, and is it more profitable for the average MT than per line?  What determines who works at the hourly rate and who works per line?  Can you choose?  Thank you for any info.   


Are you hourly or production?
I have a lot of questions and I'd really rather ask an employee than a recruiter because recruiters sometimes don't give a complete answer.   Are the hourly jobs only with certain accounts.  If you work hourly do you still have to produce a certain amount to qualify for benefits?  Please email me if you don't feel comfortable posting here.
Hourly and great!

Does anyone know who pays QA hourly? sm
I need a QA job that will pay me hourly, so if you have any leads, send them my way. :)
I was a QA that got paid hourly...sm
so it's more difficult to find another job for me that pays the same. :( If I go back to MTing, I take a massive pay cut.
I am paid hourly.
I have been extremely fortunate to be hourly in both my past and current QA positions, making $18 5 years ago at my prior position and considerably more at this one (not comfortable saying how much, that's my business). My position incorporates more than just QA/Editing reports and I don't have to edit VR and my company does not outsource. I am not exactly sure what my per-line rate factors out to, but I have a high production rate along with my other duties and have been working with some of the same accounts for many, many years and know them well and our MT turnover rate is low also. I have the luxury to take the extra time with those who need it and to just spot edit/fill in blanks on those that don't need the extra help.

Honestly, I had no idea QA were being paid so low until I came across this website a couple months ago. I have had the good fortune to work for two great companies and never had the desire to look elsewhere and see what other companies were offering. I do think more people need to be paid what they are worth, but as long as someone else is willing to be paid less there is just going to be a low 'going rate.' Supply and demand and all that. It is like that in most jobs. Each person has to consider their own needs and compromises, etc. What sounds ridiculously low to some might seem like a great wage when factored into the trade-offs and benefits etc. My husband is union and sometimes has to deal with 'scab' labor. The reality is someone will work for that pay if you will not. There are great companies out there who truly value their QA staff and their MTs and it's a shame to think they are a dying breed.

Will likely still pay hourly, even at home.
But I agree; 1200 lines will be required at minimum.
hourly rate
You don't say what your experience is or rate of pay or how long you have been at this job and if IC or employee.  If you want to make $25 an hour you have to hit for 250 to 300 lines per hour if making 0.08 to 0.10 cpl.  If you are new, it will take a while.  But it is possible after years of experience and knowing how to do shortcuts, etc.  Just gotta hang in there.  You could not walk into an office and expect to make $25 and hour - gotta be patient and work up to it.  But it can be done but it has taken me many years to get there.  Patti
Spheris - $12.50 hourly
Does Spheris actually pay $12.50 per hour for MTE/speech recognition or is this just temporary and then revert to a per line basis?  What is the line requirement (if any) for hourly pay? Is it basically acute care/discharge summaries/consults?  Is the majority of dictators ESL?  Any information regarding this would be greatly appreciated.
All QA should be paid hourly.
Paying per line for QA is skimping on quality and a big risk. QA people will spend less time on the reports in an effort to make decent money, and that's a fact. It's a very stupid and risky practice and most better companies will not do this. As for QA people actually taking that pay, that's even worse. There are plenty of respectable companies still paying hourly.
QA paid hourly
Agree with that!  I for one would never work on production.  This definitely compromises quality just to get the lines out, and I will never do that.  And... whose gonna check behind those QA people.  Nobody!  QA is supposed to check behind MTs.  Put QAs on production and you may as well not have QA , and just let the MTs send work as is, have the MT never learn, and then have them pass that incorrect knowledge down to future MTs, and then what do you have?  Well... maybe they'll figure it out one day.  I don't always agree with what is going on with the company I work for;  but... I can say that they have not gone to a line rate for QAs.  I would say thats a pretty good indication of their views on quality accounting for something.  
I have only done QA for an hourly rate. (sm)

QA is more than just filling in the blanks.  You have to give feedback and there is also mentoring.  New MTs to the company and accounts have to be on 100% QA, so those reports have to be listened to.  Doing QA on production is not a good thing.  If a company really cares about quality they would not pay QA Specialists by the line.