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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Not many..but I got mine for the satisfaction of having it. Keeping it current is my pleasure..

Posted By: interesting on 2006-01-07
In Reply to: Becoming certified, anyone know if there is more money involved in being a certified MT versus non - Suzanne

nm


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my pleasure.....best of luck (nm)
/
Just a question about job satisfaction..
I have been in this business for 10 years, and it seems like everything is just going downhill.  Is anyone else of the mindset that it has all just become work nowadays, not career satisfaction, but JUST A JOB?  So many MTs I talk to tell me the same thing, so at least I know it isn't just me.  I guess when you have been burned by a company or two, that is the way it becomes.  For the record, I am going to stay PT as an MT, but I have found another job which relates to my medical terminology experience (medical abstractor)...and no one have this funny idea that i must not really work because i work at home..because I won't be working at home anymore.  I can't wait to escape!
Employee satisfaction?
I guess I've been in this job too long - I don't believe any company in this country cares about employee satisfaction. That is particularly true of these MTSOs. They are almost all run by business people now, most of whom have never done MT and really have no clue what a complex skill it is. 15, 20 years ago, most MTSOs were run by people who had been MTs at one time - that is when we were paid 16 cpl, etc.

Then, the 80s and the decade of Greed happened and ruined this county. The business community, in my estimation, sold their soul to the devil and the workers have followed right behind.
I had the pleasure of meeting D several years ago

when you actually had to fly to Maryland to train before you worked for Signal.  To say I was impressed is an understatement.  I liked her immediately.  D is one of those people that you meet and feel like you have known your entire life; the kind of person everyone wants to be around.  Her personality comes across over the phone as well.  D genuinely cares.  I'm sure others know her far better than I do, but how could anyone have ANY interaction with her and not know she cares?  What other company can you email or call the head honcho, as busy as they are, and have them actually talk to you and address your concerns?  When I see someone being critical of D, all I can think is that person must not know her at all. 


Carlotta, thanks for the positive post and for putting things in perspective.  Sometimes we (me included) focus on what is wrong instead of what is right.  I feel sheepish for doing that.  I have worked in a hospital, for MDI, for other companies and had my own accounts and in not one of those situations was there always, or even usually, a happy medium in regard to work flow.  Too much or too little, feast or famine.   I should know that by now, and yet I have at times let myself forget it and slip into a negative attitude.


Those of us at MDI-MD really do have a good thing.  Maybe we should appreciate it more and complain less (me included). 


 


I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her or any of the liaisons, sm

but I do look forward to the part of the new forum with photos and profiles posted.  It will be interesting to see if my mental pictures match the real thing. 


I'm like you ... I do tend to fret and worry when work is slow, even though I know that ups and downs tend to be the nature of the business.  I do believe, though, that everyone at MDI does the best they can to look out for us.  It still doesn't stop me from worrying when I run out of work, but I do not feel angry or blameful ... just sometimes wonder if I can find an electric pole to plug my computer into if I become homeless (smile).


Thanks to you, C, and D for the positive posts. 


Yep I am sitting here with 3 large accounts and no work. Has anyone gotten any satisfaction from
speaking with corporate about this. These people in Amherst obviously do not know what they are doing. I wonder what the quality of this work looks like just throwing anyone and everyone on these accounts. Cant be too good. I have also noticed their QA people dont fill in blanks even for the docs that really are just more technical. Understandable with bad cell phones etc but just more technical or with an accent they dont get the blanks.
who tried keeping me down....sm

First, I got rid of the husband who consistently tried keeping me down and shooting me down, and my sanity comes first, in 1991, and then in 1997 I made up business cards, and every Thursday (my only day off) I solicited another medical center.  I sold myself and only walked into the offices of which work I wanted to do.  I got 5 doctors and surgeons that first year.  I went down to 2 MDs/ surgeons (one went into receivership which is a form of bankruptcy and 2 witches I dumped) , and so in 2000 started *moonlighting for MQ*......and still working for MQ and have 4 surgeons.


But every single Thursday I went and solicited another center in my area(s).  And if I ran out of work again today?  I'd do the exact same thing.  *S*


Best of luck to you......*S*


 


I'm keeping it...sm
But I won't use their uninstall software. I'm computer saavy enough to figure out what to uninstall on my own and that will leave on everything I need. They aren't getting off that easy.
just one more way of keeping us all
and make sure nobody's work is worth giving them a raise. rather ingenious when U think about it, albeit unethical.
Actually they are keeping
companies are offshoring and laying off or cutting pay, Transcend continues to grow it's US MT workforce and retain pay rates.  There is a reason they are in the ranking they are. 
Thank you. I have been keeping a notebook
but have to email jobs, not fax, daily so thought it would be easier to do in a word document. Did not know about the Alt+tab, that should be of great help! Thanks again!
I had trouble keeping up with my
The QA department wants to proof everything before you get paid, therefore what you typed may not be what you get paid for.  I couldn't ever figure out how much I was going to receive.  People were real nice, accounts good, but there was room for dishonesty in line counting in my mind.
TT time keeping?
Do you punch in and out during the day for breaks, lunch, etc.   Do they have a built in time clock on their system or do you keep a manual log and if so how exact do you need to be.  Do you make a note of every potty break, etc.?  Do they use these minutes against lines to figure your LPH rate like MQ does? 
IMO, MTSO may do this as way of keeping MT in
x
You are right!!! thanks for keeping it real
KK
I have been keeping a list ... SM

I am sure these are not all the Escription companies, but this is what I have noted over the last couple of years.


Transcend, TTS, MVTS, Superior Global, Deventure, Proveros, Focus, DeVenture, AlphaMed, Sten-Tel, Medical Ink, Chase, Lee Perfect, Spryance, Milner, Central Transcription Services, On Point Medical Transcription.


Keeping it fresh
Okay, now don't everyone jump on me here.  I've read the posts and I know the hardships we all face every day, BUT how do some of you keep it going after all of these years.  I mean sometimes I think that if I have to type one more report I'm going to go nuts.  Some of you have been in this longer than me at 15+ years. I have to do this another 15 years!  I live in a remote area so I can't just go get a job anywhere.  Some of you have done this 30 years.  What keeps you going?
Have you considered keeping the job you have
while working for a new company, that way you can decide if you like the new one before jumping all the way in. Your old job can be your safety net. Just a suggestion. Good luck to you!
What is the problem? Are you having trouble keeping up?
nm
Thanks so much for the info, Fran, keeping it under my hat!! NM
nm
Keeping TT benefits question

TT says that we must work 80 hours in two weeks to keep our benefits.  Obviously I know this and am scheduled to work 80 hours in two weeks.  However, when running out of work is an every other day thing now, can they take away your benefits if you work say 72 to 75 hours?  I know they tell us there is always work at night or on your one weekend day off, but I picked my Tue-Sat schedule for a reason - because I have a life outside of work and don't have time to work nights or my days off!


It's not you. It's the Universe keeping you safe
My mom always said, If it's for you, you will get it. There is something better right around the corner. Good luck to you!
Good Luck Keeping Your Job at Heartland!!

I think I have had enough! Yes, I admit, I currently work for Heartland and truly thought they wanted a domestic team. I didn't think much of the managment changes and truly thought we (domestic MT team) would be okay even if HIS was sold, well think AGAIN!

We are being fed a load of crap from the new President (Dennis Paulik)!! The below was sent to me annoynomously. I think that all US-based MTs for HIS should up and leave! Why wait, obviously, he has "other" intentions that don't include us - the USA TEAM!!!!!!

Heartland Information Services, Toledo, Ohio, which employs 1,400 to 1,500 foreign transcriptionists in three cities of India, may help explain why. Dennis Paulik, Heartland's vice president of sales and marketing, says that HIPAA standards are applied to all transactions, including anything outsourced. The company leases private, transoceanic lines, so all transactions are encrypted from the time the information leaves the hospital, to the moment it is dispatched from Heartland's U.S. offices to a transcription center in India, until processing is complete and the medical transcript goes back to the hospital.

Paulik says he hears time and again that there aren't enough U.S. transcriptionists, and that those who do still work here are an aging population--the average trained American transcriptionist's age, he says, is about 59 years. It's one reason his company was formed, he says.

"You're going to have a growing need, and fewer transcriptionists," Paulik says. "It reinforces that point that people have just got to go overseas."


I can understand keeping tabs- but I work for them
and if I take a bathroom break, get a drink of water, etc., etc. I don’t hear about it. I can only think if you are gone from the computer for a period of time, say 30 minutes and leave a report on, sure they can know. I don’t worry about the foot pedal coming up and down and them counting because I always try to have it on and fast forward. I know they know what you have worked on, your line counts, and like that, but if you take a bathroom break, come on now!
I bet you 1 million $$ you won't find one on mine. Mine is
2 years old and it does not have a 9-pin serial port, nor does it have a game port.   I have used both ports on other computers so I know what both ports look like.  I also have a company provided computer and it does have the ports on it. 
sounds like Medquist keeping track of all times
my company does not do that
Anyone know whether Transcend is keeping the same insurance this year or changing?
thanks
Then we ALL need to start keeping track of our hours and anything that falls
below minimum wage - we need to start reporting these companies - don't care if this is caused only because of a decrease in starting VR or whatever causes it, no work, downtime if not paid, EVERYTHING included.  I do believe that might get the MTSOs attention.  They can't fire us all.  Looks like India MT situation might be in trouble so the MTSOs should be very cautious that perhaps they can't rely on offshore forever in the future.     
My 1 cent (keeping it low so opinion doesn't get offshored).
I agree with a lot of the other people. I will say, though, that I would be A-OK just working on Word since I'm assuming getting a the DocQScribe set up for a bunch of people might be cost prohibitive, at least at first.

Also, since you are talking hospital transcription, that is going to mean 7 day a week coverage. If the need arises, I would rather see rotating weekend coverage rather than requiring everybody to work every weekend.

Also, while cross-training is great for vacations, sick days, heavy work, it would be terrific to be able to get an account and not have to chase the work across 6 different accounts in a crazy MT version of musical chairs. I guess that would mean not over-hiring.

It may be unpopular, and it's probably easy for me to say because I've been at this for so long, but since we don't really establish seniority at a company, I would love to see some sort of reward for years on the job. I think I bring more to the table than someone with 2 years, and it would be great to be rewarded for that.

I'm sure I'll think of more...it's been so long since anybody asked what could make my job great that I had given up even thinking about it!
so, keeping in mind that decent means acceptable standard,
nm
What about keeping a timesheet? Is that required since you just meet a line count? SM
Do you have to keep track that you worked at these certain hours each day, or do you just log on and work and meet your line count and not care what time it is?
Have to agree ... keeping the lights turned on, food on the table, and sm
a roof over my head is pretty good motivation!  Plus, I do not want to exist.  I am single, but I want the same things my married friends have with 2 incomes.  Since I haven't found the seeds for my money tree yet, I work.  As I mentioned below, I have been an MT for 30+ years, but I have worked the last 10 years or so at home, and it is MUCH different than having to get dressed up and drive over town.  Working on a Saturday or evenings or anything is not so bad when you can sit wearing a t-shirt and shorts and have your doggie curled up under the desk. 
There is NO Medical Record keeping in India for hospitals/physicians.
//
What I read was that they opened a center in India BUT were adding work for them and keeping their
domestic work force as well.
Workin, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that one of the suggestions will work for you too. nm
nm
Got mine the very next day Fed-Ex.
nm
Same with mine.
I started working at 6:30 a.m. and we were still working on the day before! By 8:00, it was gone! That never used to happen!
Because they are getting rid of mine
a huge producer of tons of work by December if they don't sign on DQS and so far they want no part of it. That is why I am on a new account on DEP, mine is going bye bye.
On mine, many MTs with 10+ yrs exp. SHOULD be on 100% QA!
x
Hey. that is all mine will eat too--sm
Fancy Feast, and only the pate kind, with an occasional fliet thrown in for differentiation.

shhh- about the wrong board, or everything will be deleted in the transfer. lol.
Mine too. sm
Seems to be okay, only takes about 30 seconds to download.
Mine low too
can you work 2 accounts if you ask for one?
I got mine on E-Bay for $500
One thing you have to realize is Dragon doesn't work efficiently on most platforms. It is great in MSWord, but when you have to type in most if not all these different platforms that are Word-like programs,(these platforms actually pull from your personal Word program) it prints a character at a time, not good! (most of these platforms have all kinds of security and nonmicrosoft programs will not work inside the platform) I can still use mine but I have to open WordPad and speak to that and then copy and paste into the platform program.

There are some who will say you have to tweak it a bit to work in some of these platforms, but you still loose a lot of functionality.

I love this program as it has helped with my carpal tunnel immensely, but don't think for a moment that with this program, once you have it trained you are going to be making big bucks. Yes, you line count will go up a bit and I mean a bit. You are not going to get rich. People need to understand this is not a program where you have very little typing and the money will just roll in. You have to be realistic.
Yes, that is sad and mine
worked the first time
they pay mine
I've been working there a year. Paid internet was part of my job offer. Maybe this is a new policy or you have to ask for it?
They pay mine too.
Also, been there a little over a year.  Love my job!
I got mine
It is refundable after 3 years of employment. If you leave before 3 years you get it back when they receive the equipment back. I received my deposit upon 3 years of employment without having to ask for it. I was pleasantly surprised, figured it would take awhile and need a few emails!
Mine too BUT..
The CEO called me personally and fixed mine as soon as I notified them that this happened. The company had no idea wbout this. They were great! I even sent them proof of fees that I incurred and they reimbursed those too..I am very happy with the fix
Mine's not there either yet!
This is the first time it hasn't been there on pay day in the AM! I'm freaking out! I left a message with the office to find out why.
Got mine the first day
They never limit the number of reports you can type even while you are on full QA. I have never seen another company do that, I was always limited to 10 max in the past. I made my line count from day 1, felt sorry for the poor QA dept.
Mine does exactly that!
Sent you an email...