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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

The slow times are ideal for trying out new jobs.

Posted By: yes on 2007-11-26
In Reply to: I would stick it out, most places are slow now through the end of the year every year (nm) - ann

You can keep your current job and still have time to work toward learning a new job and becoming proficient before the work load picks up again.
Give it a few weeks and then make up your mind which company would be better.


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Depends on the account. Work on VR lately has been slow. Just like all companies, we have slow times

Honestly though, I have only had 2-3 times in the past 2 years where it was like the other day...no work... It did pick up later but I just think it's important not to make someone think we're overloaded with work all the time. That would not be fair to them if they end up with high expectations.


WELL SAID TT12 - mine hasn't run out yet (I love slow times though)

Well it ain't slow in India where your jobs are going.
xxxx
This seems to be the trend now. I have had to change jobs 3 times this year
due to this very fact.  I'm at my third one now, and it is still happening.  I've decided to just work 2 jobs. One part time and the other supposedly full time, but it is like a part time.  The only reason I am staying at the third is because, I need the insurance, and changing between jobs before the 90 day probation has landed me without insurance, as I have had to change jobs before the 90 days are up.
I have one full-time job and 2 part-time jobs. It can be tricky at times, sm
but at least I now have plenty of work always. I have some big financial goals, and right now that seems to be the only way to accomplish it.  I can't see any reason why it would not be legal -- why would you say that?  I am cheating no one, except myself (out of sleep and a social life).  Fortunately, I am single with no children or anything.  I cannot imagine doing this if I had a family.  At least my dogige understands. 
Nor did I say Ideal
However, with posting as the administrator, even you are aware that people look to what you post as (for lack of a better term) a standard.  You even say expect and doing a disservice.  You said feel free to respond.  I did.  I simply pointed out that what editors may/should/wish to have in place and the reality of what is being offered - unfortunately - are different. I stated my experience and did not denigrate your post.
My ideal company would

not throw all their worst work on me because "nobody else can do it" or because VR, newbies or offshoring took all the easy stuff.  These companies need to pay more if they expect us to fight our way through their worst dictators.  Paychecks wouldn't be late.  They wouldn't expect me to sit there for FREE on call waiting for work.  Oh, yeah, check back every 20 minutes or so to see if anything's hit the server yet.  I don't think so.  I don't work for free or even for minimum wage.  If I'm making less than $15 an hour with a company, I quit.  I can clean houses, waitress or go back to my old career field for that amount.


Rate must be $.085 for employee or $.09 for IC at a minimum with raises following probationary period.  I don't really care about benefits, but I like a 401k.  Direct deposit is nice because I've had checks lost in the mail before.  Pay every other week.  I like to use my own equipment.  Internet based platform that's user friendly.  No download, upload, check here, look there, fax that, keep lists.  No lying recruiters.  No researching patient or physician information in four different places, then getting chewed out by QA when I couldn't find it because the doctor didn't even spell it.  I don't like to be overwhelmed by so many emails and documents that you spend all your time reading without being paid.  If QA is condescending or rude, they'll get the same in return.  I won't be shouted at in all caps about somebody else's stupid mistakes.  Flexible schedule.  No long distance, C-phone or dial-up.  Training doesn't matter to me unless I haven't used their platform before.  However, I don't like to be just dumped on an account without so much as account specs provided.  That's bunk, too.  How am I supposed to figure out the naming convention and report type if they don't tell me?  Also, everyone wants fulltime employees with evening and weekend work.  That does not work for me, but I do have some flexibility to cover vacations and TAT as needed.


Yeah, I'm not one of those meek females who puts up with a bunch of bunk.  I'm not so grateful to have a job that I'll allow myself to be walked on or ripped off financially.  Probably why I haven't been able to find a job I'm happy with.  I'm asking for too much, evidently.  So I think I'll take some time off and start my own business.  I don't know if it'll be MT or not, but I'm tired of being an indentured servant for lousy pay.


SE status is my ideal
Statutory employee status is my favorite. You still have to hold out some taxes yourself but not all, and you don't have to pay the self-employment tax that comes with being an IC. You also can deduct expenses like an IC but can't be held to a set schedule like an employee.

No medical/time-off benefits with being SE or IC, of course.
In an ideal world...
that might work, but in this industry, you know what the client will do?  They will either implement an EMR system that replaces or reduces transcription or they will send their dictation to be transcribed overseas.  The damage has already been done.  The clients already know they can cut MT costs, and they now expect it.
In an ideal world...
that might work, but in this industry, you know what the client will do?  They will either implement an EMR system that replaces or reduces transcription or they will send their dictation to be transcribed overseas.  The damage has already been done.  The clients already know they can cut MT costs, and they now expect it.
Yes, this is the ideal situation...
I work as an IC (not with MDI) and we self-QA.  We are paid great because we cut out QA.  MTs who cannot handle it are told to find work elsewhere.  If you want to make really good money, you need to be able to self-QA and create accurate reports on your own.
No where in the post did I say that the figures were IDEAL.
/
on rereading I did say Ideal, didn't I??
x
(??) The offers in MT have been "less-than-ideal"
Last decent offer I got for MT was in around 1979-80.

Been all downhill from there.
Congrats! Sounds Ideal. Hope I find something just like what you did. NM.

A lot of times, if they need extra help, they will over 1-1/2 times our regular rate. sm
This is the equivalent of OT but you get it even if you have not done 40 hours already. I have also received AmerExp gift cards a few times for incentives offered. I think it depends on the account.

I do know for sure that they are working on an incentive program but I have no details and not even sure if they are still looking at it.

I do know for sure that I make more $$ with Keystrokes than I have ever made anywhere else.
No - it is not always slow! Depends on the company and hospital. I have never been slow this time
Slow time is usually in September when everyone is back to work/school from the summer months.

Been doing this 24 years and never slow this time of year. Actually, I am drowning in work - can't keep up.
Cherrypicking is when you work from a pool of jobs and being able to reject the worst jobs to those
,
Monster Jobs and Career Builder usually have a few path jobs. nm
s
Don't think any do except for those in-house jobs. Some QA jobs are paid hourly. nm
s
They didn't take our jobs, QT gave them our jobs. The account is now
back in the hands of US MTs, or will be in just a couple of weeks.  
Are MTs that are looking for jobs finding good jobs right now with everyone looking or is it
getting more difficult to find a good job.  I am most interested in jobs for experienced MTs with more than 10 years service.  I wonder if it is better to put a resume on or just keeping applying or what is the best way to go about this.
Look at all the jobs on the jobs boards.
You can find a job and won't have to apply for unemployment. You would be surprised how many companies need qualified MTs! Go get 'em and get 'em now!

Don't wait until the 11th hour. Too many needs to put your hat in the unemployment slot.

What they lost is our gain.

Me too. I got cut off one too many times.
x
I can't tell you how many times....
this has happened to me! It's as if they either don't listen, or don't want to hear that you are only able to take X amount of work each day. Don't you feel taken advantage of? The only solution I've found is to leave the MTSO and keep looking for someone who will respect your requests. It's tough to bounce around like that, but I don't think your existing MTSO will change. Good luck.
I think so, although at times the
communication can be not so great.   I don't know how many MTs KS has, though they seem to be growing so fast that the number is subject to change weekly, but there is still a small feel to it.  The owner is fairly forthcoming with information, at least from what I have seen thus far. 
Here are the times - SM
If your last name starts with the letter A through F: 10 AM

If your last name starts with the letter G through O: 11:30 AM

If your last name starts with the letter P through Z: 2 PM
You have said that 3 times...
Who are you trying to convince? If the hourly QCs were worried about quality instead of their own prestige and how much money they make, things might have been different....
Not at the times it happens. Not at all....
Anyone who has done this for a while knows that there are slowdowns around major holidays, like T-giving, Christmas, 4th of July. At my other companies, I did not run out of work on May Day, Cinco DE Mayo, Columbus Day...you get the idea. They overhire. Period. They have a right to do so. The MTs you lose due to that practice are the high producers with stellar accuracy ratings, not those who shall have trouble finding other jobs.
How many times can you do that?
It takes at least 90 days to get benefits at a new company. It is not just an easy decision to move on. If you can't get that concept then just skip the messages by the MTs who have every legitimate right to complain about these companies.

Why don't you think before you post such flippant answers?
In times like these...

Ya'll, in times like these, I tell myself.  Self, the ink has already dried on the paper, nothing can be changed.  There is no use getting heart palpitations/angina over it.  From past experiences, most everybody knows what is going to happen.  Now, I tell myself, when the time comes, you have to consider all the pros and cons from all sides and then make a rational decision.  I remember when MQ went through this and all the hair pulling-out and teeth gnashing (myself included) that went on.  If you cannot accept what is written in concrete, you (I) need to make a decision and go for it.  In the meantime, I will put my nose to the grindstone, tighten my proverbial budget belt, and work as hard as I can and try and save some money for a rainy day.


P.


Again and I have said it many times sm
before......it has only become like this since the schools have advertised MT as a work at home job! Also those who only got into this profession soley for the fact of working at home......I really feel bad for you.

The MT profession is an honorable profession to be in. It is about the patients and never should have been represented as it has been in the last 10 or so years. This has what has brought it to the level it has become.
Tried to start with them 3 times
I was offered a position with them, gave notice in-house, then they called me the day before I was supposed to start and said the had lost the account. A similar situation happened 2 other times.
Times change. It's not about YOU, it's about

what the reality is today, not four months ago.


Congratulations on your windfall, though.


If you have doubts, email or call the person who hired you and they'll verify this.


 


last year I was down quite a few times because of
evacuations. Just decided to move out of Florida instead.
DISHONEST TIMES 2!
I transcribed 1,195 lines and ichart reflected only 154.08 lines the next day! I documented line counts every day, and for one pay period it was 2500 lines off on their end! - disqualified from benefits too. NO answer from supervisor.
This has been discussed many times over the last

few weeks.  Do a search of this site and you will find many posts.  You can scroll down or go to the second page and probably even the third page at the bottom and find posts from people who work there.  I know I am very happy.  They are a very nice company with excellent benefits. 


I have said many times for two years
That I am with Medware, they treat me fair and keep me in work.  The line rate is higher that MQ where I spent 4 years, the insurance coverage at Medware is $17/week for United Healthcare, the incentive plan is attainable, we get direct deposit every other Friday.  They treat you fairly.  Sometime I wish I did not read this board, but I still believe there are those who are looking for a better company and ask for information.  I happen to like working for Medware.  Calling someone an idiot is rude, I guess one must consider the source.  Time to go to work.
RE work times
Yes, that would probably work. My experience was that they would download work to you at night and it was available that evening and through the next day. Like I said, you kind of make your own schedule within the window of time they need it back. You may need more than one doctor though if you want 6 hours of work per day of steady work. I had 4 doctors, one that dictated 1 1/2 hours a day and one that dictated every other day but had 5 hours of work each time. It varies by who you have for doctors. You can make them aware that you would like that many hours and they can accomodate it I'm sure. Only one thing you need to know though is NO DIRECT DEPOSITS and they use snail mail unless you pay to have it expressed.
I have answered that many times.
If you don't want to provide that info you don't have to but they don't have to review your incomplete application either.

I used it a couple of times and liked it. nm
x
Yes.....and I have done that way too many times and that makes me.....
worry about identify theft.  Make sure you keep a record of who you send this info too just in case! 
My AC and TL have also called me many times not just ops
Like I said one AC is real bad about it, maybe you don't have the same one.
Someone has asked about them at least 5 times
this week.  If you'll scroll down the page you'll find info, also check archives.  Nothing good.   Indian company with a store front office in US.
Lots of times
There are many times when I want a hard copy of something, be it emails, articles, etc. I have been around long enough to know computers do go down and information lost. It is also a safety net.
They have contacted me 3 times about
working for them, but I have turned them down so I don't know much about them.  They have several different platforms that they work with, most at internet-based where you type real-time into the cyst.  I have 20 years of experience in acute care and I think they offered me 8 cpl.  
how many times have we seen this same post now?
?
again, it's been posted many times that it's either....
nm
It has been talked about several times, but no one is

willing to do anything so nothing gets done.  Personally I have no desire to be in a union and wouldn't join if there was one.  By the time you pay union dues you wouldn't be any better off than you are now. 


I tried several times today and kept
getting the page you get when a link is bad.  I haven't called to see what is going on.  Since you only need it to add your line count I'm not concerned.  I can still work and it isn't end of pay period. 
Only 4 times a year??

That's not very much work being audited.  I don't see how the company is so great if people are finding it difficult to reach 1200 lines in 3 months.  It doesn't sound like their platform is very good.