Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

On-site training and MTSOs

Posted By: MTJB on 2008-05-26
In Reply to: When I hear an MT say they have 20 years experience, - it's meaningless to me. sm

I live in a rural area, and the few hospitals around here all outsource. So where should I go to get on-site training? I agree that on-site training is a great idea, but this would require the hospitals to have in-house staff, which again would mean that many MTSOs would be out of business. What I have seen so far in my short career is that we are often told there is no time to explain something. New MTs are hired, software is installed, and too often no training on the platform is provided, or very little. When you do have a question, you often have to wait, wait, wait for a response or never receive one at all. I do not know how many times I have asked a QA person something and received the response I guess or even I don't know.  Nothing followed such as, Hold on, I will find out for you. I do not believe that sitting at home and asking someone hundreds of miles away a question or being in the same room makes that much of a difference. It is a matter of that QA person/supervisor/account manager wanting to take a few minutes out of their busy schedule to offer an answer and share their experience.


Based on my personal experience and what I have read on various forums, it is very hard, if not impossible, to find a job in which you are allowed to work on various accounts, learn various specialties and report types. Most often you get put on an account and stay there as long as that account exists.


I believe it is time for MTSOs to rethink how they are treating their employees. It is not always about the cpl. To me it is more about receiving that one opportunity, that one chance. I would like to find that one job with a company, which will provide constructive feedback and a supporting environment. Combined with my dedication, hard work, accuracy, and the desire to excel, not only would I achieve my goal, but I would be an MT that would be there for the long term providing outstanding work.




Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

With regard to that on-site training
Does SS pay for travel expenses, including lodging, meals, etc? Or does the MT have to pay out of pocket?
web site says MT-s go through a 28 week training process. That's a long time!
.
Their training schedule kind of got backed up and so far the only training..(sm)
I've had is one short Bayscribe session. But I extended my 2 week notice at Medquist and I have until July 17 now to get some training in at MDI and do some reports to get familiar with the platforms. I'm looking forward to it! 
I can't say enough about their training team. Excellent training!
The people at Medware are all just great. I wish I would have joined the Medware family sooner! They are very flexible and caring!
do you mean company training or med transcription itself training?
nm
You are still wrong to thank your company on an MT site, appropriate is your site.
NM
what training? no training for me, first day they Tried to give me 2 ESL....
nm
they did not come up first. An hour of training is not really training.
nm
They did go through it on your first day of training.
Check your email attachments again. Call the HR person or the trainer on her toll-free number, and they will explain it to you again. Posting and venting here won't do anything for you.
training
Training was good. It is what happens after the training that is not so good. Why do they not read what people post on their own portal. If they would just do that they would see what they need to change.
Have you had any training? sm
You know, I hate when people nitpick over accidental misspellings in otherwise good posts, but your post makes me wonder about your background--and I don't think it's nitpicking.

What MT education do you have? You do have to train for this field. It's not an easy thing you do after just a couple months of studying medical terminology from a book. Maybe you know these things already.

The answer is no as far as at-home entry-level jobs. Any reputable company I've come in contact with wouldn't let entry-level MTs work at home or probably hire them, for that matter. IF you have completed MT training, a hospital may be your best bet for getting your foot in the door as well as getting a firm foundation for later at-home work.

Good luck
New training

I just had to give my 2 cents. I started training on Monday, I got sick with the stomach flu early Tuesday morning. They were so nice and understanding about it, and rescheduled me for next Monday. I was a bit skeptical of this company because of this board and all of the negativity that I almost didn't take the job.


I left one nightmarish company in December. They were soooooo unorganized it was pathetic. I get the feeling that Spheris is going to be a lot more organized than the last company, and I also feel that if I have any problems at all, I will be able to get in touch with someone and maybe they will listen to me.  I am really upset that I had to get sick this week, because I would have been starting on my scheduled shift this coming Sunday. Yes, things are new at the moment and I am not even out of training yet, but I have a feeling that I am really going to like it there. Unlike the last company, I kept having red flags and bad feeling all the way around. And because I was new and the money seemed decent, I went against my best judgement and spent 5 months of hell.


Anyway, that is just my 2 cents.


I'm training with new job & then I'm out of there! sm
I was happy there before they started being ignorant! Now there is too much required OT, hours must be exact, too much header info we're not paid for, and most of all the account hopping is absolutely awful! There is no way to make any $$

It really irks me that they send out these emails noting the high producers. If I were allowed to stay on one account I'd be a high producer, too. I usually have 2-3 accounts per day. I've asked them if they would let me stay on one, but I'm told that is the nature of the business; deal with it.

Going to be good to be gone. New job is better already.
Training pay???
Any  suggestions on companies who pay an hourly rate for decent period of training?  Any info would be appreciated.
Training

For training, they do the conference call to tell you how to use the program and show you how to find things on the intranet.  After that, they turn you loose to start typing.  Everything will go to QA until you get the required accuracy (usually takes 1 to 2 weeks).  You will get feedback through your email on pretty much every report you do in that time.  The QA people are awesome and a great help.  Plus, you have everyone on IM to contact if you should have any questions at any time, including other people who work on the accounts you work on.  My TM sends out an updated team list every week or so to let us know who works on what.


Training?
Besides being an MT for close to 14 years now, what specific training is needed for QA? We take turns doing the QA in our department in the hospital where I work.
training
10.00 an hour for the first 12 hours worked
Training
How do you get trained on VR? I have transcribed for 30 years and am ready to do VR because I think eventually that is all that will be available. Does the company train you? Any info appreciated. Thank you
What's the training like?
I got a call from them and all they said was that they want me to get a yahoo account so they can set me up on an account.
Training
They sent me an e-mail with information for my electronic signature on the IC documents and then another with how to set up the platform and a userguide to get started.  Training was only about an hour with IT and then they usually have you do 25 notes in an 8 day period, 5 max notes per day for your review period.  I found set-up, training and review to be very undemanding and simple. 
Yes they DO pay for training.....sm
3 weeks for text and 6 weeks for VR. Whoever this person is that stated they don't is a LIAR. Remember, there are going to be disgruntled employees who spread LIES about companies on any list you are on.
MDI training
You have a 2-week probationary period where you transcribe 5 reports/20 minutes a day. After 2 weeks, both parties decide if it is a good fit and want to proceed with employment. No hourly training. We are not employees. System is easy, easy to learn. My training session was maybe 20 minutes, and I didn't even need that.
MDI training
Yes, 20 minutes of dictation, about an hour of work. You don't have to purchase a spell checker or expander. It is all included in BayScribe. Some accounts are on the internet. Some still require a Dictaphone or Lanier station, which they will rent out. If you have one of those accounts, you are responsible for long distance.
In training currently and
I don't find it difficult to deal with.  It is much different than I am used to but I think it is fairly easy to learn.
TT training etc
I wouldn't want to get my account specs via phone, for sure. I get those and any necessary updates by email. I get very prompt responses about QA and all other questions by email. If you felt you needed extra time for training or further explanations, you should have asked. They understand that each MT is different and some need a little more time and reiteration than others to feel secure. I'm sorry you left a good company but hope you find a good fit for you.
Training
It has also been a couple of years since I worked for them (I do not work for them anymore). I did the evening training. I do not remember the exact hours, but it was kind of like the summer school version of training. It was very intense and a lot of information was condensed into a more abbreviated format. My kids are grown, but there is no way I could have done it with a small child. You really need to be able to concentrate while in training without interruptions.
Training
I am this trainer.  I explained the situation at the beginning just so you would be prepared. I also apologized for the interruptions.  A trainer can only train those wanting and willing to learn.  Funny...out of all the many folks I trained, only 2 complaints here...That is pretty durn good in my book. 
Your training
If you can before it's too late. Now that you've lost your money, at least do not lose your precious time on their endless training. Once you are there you are in a dead end and would never move into the real work.
There are lots of rip-off reports and articles on internet written about them.
Just go to Ripoffreport.com and read it. Good luck to you.
I actually went through the training with
them and was supposed to start but decided not to once I saw the acct rules.  The information was very confusing and in many cases contradictory.  The training was okay and the trainer stated in response to my question if they every run out of work it is very rare this happens.  I'm glad I saw this post since I know for certain now I made the right decision.  As for the platfrm - I think it was Apix or something like that.  They do have to send you the pedle that goes with it since regular ones don't work.  I should mention that during training the program actually got stuck and the trainer had to close it down and start over so I guess the platform issues in other posts could be accurate. 
IM training
It sounds like I work for the same company and account. I have been an MT for 10 years and this is the first account that I would fight to keep. The system is a little confusing at first, but only the first time or two you log in. I don't think it is unreasonable to log into a VPN, transcription platform, and then program to get voice files (best audio quality I have ever come across). I was also trained through IM and there were no confidential files EVER sent through that method, only account specifics and drivers. When I had questions, the trainer graciously provided me with a phone number and walked me through anything I needed. Did you ask her to call you? I know she would have. Because of this account, I have now surpassed DH in income and am doing very well!! Little pat on the back here!! I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but I know it has for many others. Good luck!
Training
I am probably going to regret posting to this and would like to start by saying I mean no disrespect to the OP or anyone. I am the trainer the OP is referring to and feel the need to say a few words on my behalf.

First, I am lead on this account, but I still make my money on production. I have set up numerous people for this account and it normally goes off without a hitch. You do need some computer skills in the set up process. I am very accommodating to the new MTs and will often, as in this case, rearrange my schedule to their convenience. I do give my number if asked and do everything I can in order to make things go smoothly including, as in this case, walking through putting in a job step by step even though all of that information is readily available in the account instructions.

I am immensely happy with this company. When this account has gone low (which really is not very often), they have immediately found other work and back ups for me so that I never go a day or minute without work. I have made long-lasting friendships here and plan to stay for some time to come.

To the OP, I am very sorry if you feel your training was not adequate. As another poster stated, as an IC you are expected to be able to hit the ground running. I feel I did spend a good deal of time with you in comparison with other set ups, but I do wish that you would have asked for a contact number. I would have very gladly tried to go through the process again so that you understood. I do wish you luck and hope you find a good fit.
Training
I had my install this morning and my training is scheduled for a week from today.  HTH!
QA training
You are moved off of the 5 reports a day usually in 2 weeks, but sooner if you catch on quick and do well. I was off it after 3 days and they were ready to let me type full time, but I had just given my 2 weeks' notice at MQ and needed to finish that out, so they were patient and just let me keep typing the 5 reports a day until the 2 weeks were done.
That's where I got my training. s/m

They used to have an in-house training program.  It was an excellent program, very intensive and thorough, and I learned a lot.  Worked for them for almost 3 years.  Very strict QA.  Almost impossible to get any other shift other than 3rd shift, and I hated 3rd shift.  Not a very good tech department.  All in all, as good a company as anywhere else.


I did. The training was

OK I guess.  There is not as much work as I thought there would be.   I find the QA person a little on the brusk side.  I asked a simple question by IM shortly after getting started about formatting and using MS Word functions and was told to look it up in the book.  I had no idea what book she was talking about but from the perceived 'tude I didn't ask.  I'm giving it another week to see if work picks up and if not I'll look elsewhere.


I'm right there with you. I have my training
today too. I've been losing sleep ever since they sent out that dreaded email. I have my mortgage and car payment and electric bill to pay out of this pay, and I can't afford to take a cut in pay halfway through the pay period or at any point for that fact. I'm going to see what the training is all about, but in the meantime I have applied at another company that isn't going to force me to do something I can't afford to do. Good luck to you and to all of us who are going through the same thing. Hopefully everything works out for us all. Just a quick question though, did they happen to tell you what your line rate for VR will be? I'm not asking you to tell me what your rate is. I emailed and asked and nobody every got back with me.
FYI on WMX training pay . . .
Unless they changed it from when I trained last year, they pay the base rate plus all the lines you produce (didn't tell me that). I made more my first pay check than I did the following 6 months :)
MME Training?? What is that? NM
nm
98% is 98% during training or after (sm)

If there is an expectation of 98% (I am just using that figure, since it is the one most companies use), then an audit during training or after should be 98%, new account or not.


Training should be the time where the company can tell if there is a problem with the MT doing creative transcription, leaving out words or sentences, knows terminology, can transcribe ESL doctors and knows how to research.  All of that, even on the first job of a new account, should be at 98% or better.


And what about the MTSOs that ...
yell and scream and write nasty emails just because they happen to be in a bad mood? And that goes for some QA people I can think of too. They don't know or care to be civil. I suppose the double standard would apply here though. Only the peasantry should be given psychiatric tests?!
MTSOs?
Is this the correct board for me to ask a question of other MTSOs? I'm new to these boards.  Thank you. D
MTSOs

Thank you!  I have been in business 12 years and, if you can believe it, I have never implemented any guidelines for acceptable error rates from my transcriptionists.  I have 19 transcriptionists and am finding that I need to do something to make them realize that they can no longer be lazy and just figure, oh, Dell will fix it.  We have reached a volume of work where I cannot fix lazy transcription problems any longer.  I am unsure how to go about this?  What are various ways to figure out the allowable error rate?


Thank you for all the help you can provide!  D.


MTSOs

I currently do offer a three tiered pay scale where the transcriptionists work their way up -- but I nevertheless find so many things they simply are not looking up or aren't sure of themselves and so will put question marks.


Do you know how the nationals figure the 98% accuracy? That's my real problem, I don't know how to go about figuring the 98% accuracy. 


Good luck on getting that big account!!  We have a large one starting on 02/01 and I'm nervous that with the sudden increase in volume I won't have the time to QA the way I have to now.  In my area it is hard finding really top notch transcriptionists -- the couple I am having trouble with have been with me awhile and I've tried and tried to train them but they lack self confidence and don't THINK about what they are typing -- hard to teach that THINKING skill!!!


Who are the top 5 MTSOs (most MT's)? nm
nm
To all MTSOs...sm

I am just curious.  I am sure it is very hard for MTSOs to find dependable, well-trained, honest people that work their required schedules as it is hard for dependable, honest, hardworking MTs to find companies that pay well, when they are supposed to, and have decent accounts and availability of work. 


My question is where are you?  I have close to 15+ years experience in multiple phases.  I have been burned by 2 telecommuting companies already.  I have been employed with this last company for over a year.  I thought they were great but over the past 5 months or so things have began to have turned sour.  Plus absolutely no benefits are offered.  I can handle not having any benefits as long as everything else is good. 


I have been skeptical to change jobs but things have just gotten to where I am completely dissatisfied. 


If any MTSOs are hiring, I would be happy to take any test, send resume, etc.  I just don't want to be burned anymore.  I love this profession but times have changed.  But like I said, it is hard for the MTSO as well as the MTs.


MTSOs
My opinion, I think part of the problem is with offshoring and the fact that offshored MTs can be paid less, therefore dropping US MTs pay. According to a lot of posts and my researching, MT pay has drastically dropped over the years and it's not getting better. Maybe if the MTSOs would post on what changes are happening on their end that makes them lower hire-on pay, that would help. From an MT standpoint, it seems that MTSOs are dropping MT pay but still lining their pockets, which is not a fair assessment, but that's the way some see it. We work hard and have to have a pretty much ongoing education to keep up with the medical terminology. I know some with 20+ years of experience are very frustrated that they cannot get a decent line pay. I don't know what MTSOs can do to make the situation better. Not all MTs are unhappy with their situation. I am very happy with the company I work with, although I do miss the statutory status and bonuses that I previously had at MQ, but times are changing and we have to adapt, and no I DON'T like it! Anyway, this is just my opinion.
MTSOs
I figure, it could get worse and for me, it actually has, so I try not to complain too much, but it does get frustrating and I try to look at it from both points of view, even though I'm not an MTSO and never actually owned one myself.
MTSOs
In the last 5 years that I have worked for an MTSO, I have seen a lot of changes in these companies and the way they treat their employees. When I first started working from home for one, the pay was good. They didn't bother you. They got your work to you...their were benefits. Now...with more experience and even certified, I get the run around too. Take a typing test with 20 minutes of dictation. Like being certified isn't good enough? My biggest concern is the fact they need to rethink how work-at-home employees should be treated. They tend to group us all together and try to treat us like we work in an office. It just isn't going to be the same. We obviously made this choice to work from home for our families. We give up a lot working from home, but they try to pretend that we should pay the same dues. The fact that they NEVER EVER CLOSE is a big one. Not to many companies out there make their employees work all hours, all days, all holidays with NO!!!!! reward for it. No thanks, nothing. They expect you to work on Christmas day in your home where your family is celebrating, perhaps 5 - 10 feet away and not participate?

For instance, I had to work last Christmas (and trust me, I've paid my dues on holidays). But it was a new job, so I had no choice. Sure I started late. I spent the first 2 hours celebrating with my family, opening presents, etc. As soon as that was over, I got on here and started working. I made my line count well before my shift was to end, but I got the mean e-mail about not working.

I think they need to get real. We work from home. We don't leave our problems at home when we go to work. Sure, you have to separate home from work while your working but I think they need to treat us with a little respect. Perhaps realize that we sacrifice for a reason instead of pretending that our reason doesn't exist.

Maybe they should take a clue from Google on how it treats its employees? Man I would just love to work there!

I feel so frustrated in this occupation lately, that I don't know what to do. I get the run around myself. Scheduling interviews and putting your whole day off for it and then the recruiter doesn't call!!! But e-mails saying sorry can we reschedule? NO, we can't.

I've seen and done it all in the last few years, offshoring, holidays, bad employers, horrible bosses. Its been a long time since I enjoyed my job.

Sorry if this runs on, but its late (since I have to work late shift to compete with the overseas people because they work while we sleep!) but I'm tired. Time to go to bed!

Here's hoping that something in the future happens and once again, our jobs are great and we brag to everyone about it!

This is what I believe about MTSOs

Most all of them are probably offshoring work secretly or not.  They overall don't respect their MTs.  They offer baloney rates.  They lie through their teeth.  They offer steak and deliver animal chow.  They punish all MTs supposedly because of the faults of a few MTs.  They keep tabs with countless instant messages and phone calls to keep their ignorant little children in check.  They are constantly running ads because they can't keep good MTs. 


How can any industry survive with this treatment?  I think almost every one of them is offshoring whether they admit it or not.  What other explanation could there be?  It can't be simply because the MTs put up with it.  There HAS to be something else behind it.  MTs as an industry don't put up with any more crap than any other type of employees.  BUT the MT industry has a way of offshoring work with nobody the wiser, unlike other industries and I think that is what is behind the whole sham. 


MTSOs

The way I see it (and probably others) is the reason many companies are struggling or not making it is because they did it to themselves.  Coming from a hospital setting, it's like comparing USA to Aruba, and I'm not talking scenery, here!


 


MTSOs

The way I see it (and probably others) is the reason many companies are struggling or not making it is because they did it to themselves.  Coming from a hospital setting, it's like comparing USA to Aruba, and I'm not talking scenery, here!