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You mention job hoppers in your post...

Posted By: .............. on 2007-11-18
In Reply to: I have been a recruiter for 4 different companies over the past 15 years. sm - BTDT

You have worked for 4 companies in 15 years and you're making comments in regard to someone job hopping?  I find this odd. 


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Well said! I failed to mention in my post below sm
that I was making lots more money when Clinton was in office, with the downturn almost immediately after Dubya took over. I hope that things will begin to turn around again for us.

As for the people making comments about being happy to pay for spellcheckers, equipment, etc., that is very true. These expenditures to make my job easier, allow me to produce far more, and sure help come tax time! Ka-ching!




Her post says the 9 cpl is per line (no mention of) - sm
gross character, but that the 8 cpl is for gross character line. So on that info. alone, I'd go with the 9 cpl, as it appears to include spaces (which it should).
Forgot to mention in previous post below
CBay does not have enough Indians to MT for the Q, so they signed a 6-million line contract to get SPi to start outsourcing it to the Philippines  Situation will not get better!
The above post is the most inconsiderate, cold-hearted, not to mention ignorant piece of work I'
Do you even have a clue as to how much one cycle of IVF costs? Try 15K to 20K and it takes on average three cycles to achieve conception...if at all. How many people do you know wait until they have $20,000.00 saved before starting a family? Get real.

Not that it's any of your business, having a child was not a mental issue for me. I initially didn't feel that it would be necessary to share the details of what led up to our infertility because I didn't see the relevance. Infertility is what it is. However, if sharing the details will prevent you or anyone else from drawing conclusions and posting abrasive half-truths, then here goes:

My husband, against my wishes, had a vasectomy when our only daughter was 3. Coming from a big family, I always wanted at least two children. Long story short: We went to Texas for the first reversal and Arizona for the 2nd (5 years ago). We spent our entire savings, which was close to 20k and both surgeries failed. My daughter prayed for a baby brother or sister every night. I had this tremendous burden of guilt because our infertility was self-inflicted. I knew she would never be a big sister or even an aunt because of our selfishness.

Infertility in and of itself is traumatic enough, but when it's self-inflicted, the guilt can be overwhelming. At least it was for me.

There, now you have the facts. However, if you find it more entertaining to post over-the-top fabrications about my complete lack of control and severe mental issues, as you called it, knock yourself out.

I have been pretty honest about my personal life and would appreciate it if you could just answer 2 simple questions.

(1) Dou have any children?

(2) In your opinion, do you feel that insurance companies should cover the cost of elective abortions?

You can just answer yes or no. I'm not posting anymore on this thread so you won't get any arguments from me.
The job hoppers are 2 kinds-SM

The first is the person who really does this for extra money and isn't too serious about it.  They have a 2nd income from spouse, don't need insurance, etc.


The second group is a minority in the MT community, but is responsible for the perception that most of us are job hoppers.  These people are kind of off--and by that I mean personality-wise, don't like being told what to do, very demanding, prima donna kinds of MTs with very dramatic lives.  They need the money, but they also have a personality disorder that makes them upset at any kind of direction given and they also believe they have superior skills to most MTs and deserve to be catered to.


THAT group is the group who posts that they stayed at XX Company for 1 or 2 weeks, got fed up with something and left, stayed at XX Enterprises for a month, got fed up..cycle continues.  I am not talking about not getting paid-that's a real problem.  I am talking about people who live in such chaos that they cannot really settle down enough to work for ANY company for long and they also don't recognize that the common denominator in the job changes is THEM.


Job hoppers, undependable, drama queens SM

I've seen them all.  BTW for the person below, I call a person a job hopper when they have had a number of jobs where they only stayed weeks or perhaps a couple of months and then moved on for whatever reason.  These people can be identified from the interview.  They have a laundry list of demands as far as what they will and won't do in terms of worktypes, they need blocks of time out during the day to do errands, make dinner, they have many appointments with various doctors.


If you do end up hiring them for one reason or another, they are undependable.  Float on and off the system all day, have family members call to report the employee is in the hospital REGULARLY, they won't work the shift they committed to, the electricity was cut off, the cable line has been cut..you get the idea.  On the days they do manage to make it to work they are calling the office with stupid problems because they have no technical ability (computer) or they have absolutely no problem-solving skills.  When they aren't having problems, they are calling the office to complain about the work they're getting, they can't type ESL doctors (well who took the test to be hired, I wonder?), they've never typed anything but clinic notes, they don't own a BOS.  I feel your pain.  I hope some of these MTs read this and see themselves, but somehow I don't think they will.  Flame away, people, the folks over in India are grateful when they get more work.


MTs become 'job-hoppers' because of a 3rd-world pay-scale, - sm
archaic platforms that were developed by people who have no knowledge of what an MT actually does for a living, rude, condescending, stand-offish management that treats MTs like sub-human entities, and often a lack of enough work to keep them eating regularly. If we 'float on and off the system', it most likely is due to the fact that the only other choice is to sit and stare at a blank work pool for sometimes hours on end, in hopes that some crumb will be tossed our way.

All you money-hungry MTSOs out there are getting rich off the backs of people who have invested a lot in this profession, and have as strong a desire to work as you, or anyone else out there.

But we're not stupid, and if a job turns out to not deliver when it comes to a living wage, or continuity of work, benefits, or other things that were promised at sign-up, we're not going to sit there and beat our heads against a wall; we'll try something else. And in this flaky business, it seems to take multiple attempts to finally find an employer that is even marginally ethical.

If all you MTSOs out thre reading this had more of a vested interest in QUALITY of work, and less about TAT, quatity, and the ever-increasing numbers of Almighty Dollars in YOUR pockets, and the ever-decreasing number of them in your employees', maybe you'd be able to hire and RETAIN quality MTs.

Flame away, Suits.
Does the Medical Transcription industry encourage job-hoppers?

First off I want to make it clear that I am not “bashing” any MTs by asking the questions below.  Also sorry this is so long.  Please bear with me.   -- Spelling and grammar police please take a break !!! 


 


I have been following some posts and just got curious.  So if we all could just take a deep breath, give it some serious thought, stay on point and not get carried away with other opinions, I think we can get some good honest opinions about why the MTSOs are treating their employees like “equipment.”  


 


What I have noticed is that when there are MTs looking for information about certain companies they often get replies such as:  I worked for them but “left after 1 month – 2 months – 6 months,”  Then there are MTSO owners who complain that after offering an MT a position the MT either says “no thanks” the day they are suppose to start working or are never heard from again.   This gives me the impression that there are MTs out there who treat working as an MT like they treat buying a new pair of shoes --- try them out for awhile and then return them if they don’t fit.  No emotional attachment involved. 


 


I am fast approaching 60 years of age and have been an MT for over 35 years.  I was one of the first to take the CMT test when AAMT first organized way back when.  My first MT job was transcribing from cassette tapes, using a typewriter and sticky paper for clinic notes and sheets of paper for hospital reports.  So obviously I have seen a lot of changes in the MT business.  Personally over the past 35+ years I have had 6 employers (4 inhouse before MTSOs offered working from home and 2 national MTSOs for the past 15 years).   Personally I am TERRIFIED of having to find a new job --- interviews, equipment setup, new platform to learn, loss in earnings during training, and so forth and so forth.  That being said I have a feeling I will need to be looking for a new position within the next six months and I am curious as to what type of employment search atmosphere I will be encountering. 


 


My curiosity stems from my impression that many MTs are comfortable “job-hopping.”  When they state they only stayed at a company for 1-2-6 months it is presented as matter-of-fact – no-big-deal.  I can see why they feel that way.  With several hundred MTSOs out there and most constantly looking for new employees, even the worst MT in the world could start working at age 20, work for a different company every 6 months and still not work for them all by the time they retire.  In my opinion that is what is causing the MTSOs to treat their MTs so badly, offer them less and less as starting wages, and not be responsive to questions or problems.  The MTSO invests quite a bit of money into hiring a new employee.  They either have to pay someone in their HR Department or a Recruiting Agency to do the initial resume search, testing, and interviewing.  There is a ton of paperwork.   If the MTSO supplies the computer, their IT Department has to set up the computer and ship it out which means shipping charges for the computer or paperwork.  And someone has to train the new MT.  All those expenses are incurred by the MTSO before the MT even starts to produce.  I can see why some of the MTSOs are resorting to questionable “bait and switch” tactics.  They probably also send out the oldest computers to the new MTs to cover themselves in case the MT quits and doesn’t ship it back in a timely manner.  It seems to me that the majority of complainers about type of work, amount of work, or computer problems that they are experiencing are the newly hired MTs. 


 


Because of all the “short-term” complainers, someone looking for information about a particular company is often given incomplete or misleading opinions based on limited information.   Can anyone honestly with 100% accuracy adamantly state a company is “#1” or “the worst on earth” when they only worked there for 2 months?  I would love to see any MT who posts a positive or negative comment about a company to also admit to how long they actually worked for the company and if they are currently employed there or not.  I think that would give their opinions a lot more weight. 


 


Obviously, not every MTSO is the “dream job” for every MT and for any MT to state they work for the “best company” is hubris and can even be fighting words to employees of other good or even great companies.  It can also lead to disappointment when an MT applies to the “best company” only to find out it does not fit their needs.  I feel that if the MTs on this board would try to leave personal opinions aside and give relevant information about a company it would be easier for an MT to find a good fit with ONE company and not have to “job-hop,”   If more MTs would work for a company for at least a year before quitting and moving on maybe the MTSOs would actually be willing to offer newly hired MTs the same respect they offer the MTs that have been working for them for 5-10-15 or more years.  


 


Finally to my questions.  I am curious to see if my opinion is based in fact.  Are there a significant number of MTs who “job hop?” 


 


These questions are primarily directed at employees of MTSOs, large or small, but  inhouse hospital or clinic MTs are also welcome to respond.  I realize IC MTs have a whole different set of guidelines they go by and often have multiple clients at the same time.  But if you are an IC and wish to give your opinion, please feel free to do so – just state that you are an IC so there is no confusion.  


 


Please answer as many questions as you feel comfortable giving information about (I hope you will answer most because of the anonymity of this board):


1.  How long have you been working as an MT?


2.  How many DIFFERENT companies have you worked for (even if it was only for a few hours) in the last 10 years?  (If you left but came back later that is only 1.) 


3.  How many companies have you accepted an offer of employment from but then never actually started working for them?


4.  How many companies have you quit working for within the first pay period?


5.  How many companies have you quit from? 


6.  Have many companies have you been terminated from (I guess the word “fired” from is no longer politically correct)  i.e. you were not meeting line requirements, QA requirements, time commitment requirements (signing on late, leaving early), or being told you don’t have the necessary experience/expertise for the accounts assigned to you, etc? 


7.  How many companies have you left because they were bought out by another MTSO and you did not like how the new MTSO was treating you? 


8.  How many companies that you were working for completely went out of business (was not bought by another company) and told you that you had to find a new job yourself? 


9.  What is the shortest period of time that you have worked for one company? (Even if it was only for a few hours)   What is the longest period of time that you have worked for one company? 


10.  Have you ever continued working for your former company while training with a new company? 


11.  Have you ever worked for two different companies (2 part-time or 1 full-time and 1 part-time) during the same time period?  For how many months/years did you work for two different companies?


12.  What is your primary reason for applying to a certain company (pay, insurance, flexible schedule, equipment provided, sign-on bonus, referral from another MT, etc)?


13.  What is your primary reason for leaving a company (cannot maintain minimum required number of lines, not assigned accounts or job types as originally discussed, running out of work too frequently, difficult platform,  computer slowness/crashes, management conflicts, QA conflicts, other “bait and switch” type of issues where the MTSO said one thing but you ended up doing something entirely different, personal, family, etc)?


14.  Are you really happy at your present company or are you just working there because you are afraid if you try another company it will be worse and not better?   How long have you worked at this company?  Do you plan to continue working at this company for at least 1 year (of course barring unforeseen personal or professional events).  Would you be willing to give the name of your present company?    


15.  Do you think you will retired as a Medical Transcriptionist (or in the Medical Transcription field, such as an Editor, Supervisor, etc) or do you think you will switch careers at some point before retirement?  


 


Thank you for your time. 


 


If you would like to e-mail me with any questions or responses, I would be happy to hear from all of you. 


 


Thank you for satisfying my curiosity and giving me some insight as to where the Medical Transcription field is heading in the future. 


 


HAPPY HOLIDAYS. 


 



 


 


 


 


 


 


That is, be sure to mention sorry
:
I would not go near them. Did they mention

Not to mention,
they have no work and they don't care when you have no work and will tell you so.
not to mention

the danger of hepatitis and C. difficile from having your nose shoved that far up boss's.


 


I should mention that I'm
not a member, just ordered the BOS a couple of years ago
You mention an
Abrasive personality.....I can't imagine which one you could be talking about, very curious though.
Not to mention DSG seems to pay better
They offered me 9.5 cpl and I was only making 7.5 cpl at MQ.  On top of that, they seemed to offer a lot of bonuses.
Not to mention ...
Now TT wants us to spend unpaid time (it'd take me an hour a day or more) to explain when, where, and how weird things happen on speech reports. I've given them these lists before and they were totally ignored. I still get reports where a as much as a third of a report is omitted on a perfectly clear audio. Well, gee, they say, it must be because the dictator whispers or pushes a mute button, or wants us to use ESP to figure it out, blah, blah. No use in switching companies, though. Most are even worse, at least pay-wise.
not to mention
extremely low pay
My post should say the post above not the post below, Sheryl's post to be specific. nm
nm
Forgot to mention
I have worked where I am for almost 10 years for a small MTSO out of California but have only gotten 2 raises in that time because she claims her lines rates are low in order for her to compete.
The person whose name we don't mention
At Medscribe, my paycheck was always just a little light. You had to check your lines and call S.... She was always annoyed or it was a bad time. Once I called and she was busy and so she put the phone down on the desk instead of on hold or calling me back... and I was forced to listen to the clacking of her keyboard for the next 4 minutes. Very rude.
I would be afraid to mention that...sm
especially if your boss knows you have the ability to see who is assigned what jobs, etc...With that in perspective, I would be afraid because they are not really hiding anything from you.  I agree with you. I would feel very bad and that that is an unfair situation, but again, would still be afraid to bring it up since the fact is not being hidden.  Maybe there is a certain short-term reason this person is getting the easier ones.  I would hang in there a little while longer, give it some more thought, see what happens in the next few days, and then make a decision.  I know hastiness gets me into trouble more times than if I would have just waited it out.  Hang in there.  Do not get discouraged.  I have had plenty of days like you are having where I just want to stop working for that day.  Sometimes I do, and later on, I regret it.  Hang in there! 
Why can't someone mention the company by name? Thanx. nm

Where did she mention a price?
I didn't see a line rate posted.  Usually a rate like 7 cpl is a temporary rate just to see if the person has the experience they claim (9 times out of 10 they don't) or it's temporary rate to offset the cost of editing of new hires.
Forgot to mention...sm

You don't have to look up addresses or spelling of doctors' names (for one of the docs she gave me an Excel spreadsheet, but other than that you just transcribe it as it sounds).  She doesn't want you to have to spend your time researching things like that that are easy for her to fill in.


Chickadee


Forgot to mention
They go on and on about their quick TAT..... it doesn't really matter how fast they do the work if it's not done right.  In my experience of editing it, almost none of it can go straight through to the facility they way it is.  I've corrected things like LASIX surgery and Foot-in-Mouth disease.  What they don't know, they make up as to not leave a blank, and then claim 98% accuracy. 
Not sure if I should mention the MTSOs name but

Is their an MTSO around that doesn't nitpick your work and make you feel like you're not worth a hoot.  Maybe the problem is that by the time I work my FT job and type 1500 lines then have to go home and do it some more I am just tired.  Also, I have a huge packet called style guideI should look over but  I just have not had the time.  Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to leave it than get fired. They sent an E-mail saying that if I did not raise my score from 96 to 98 my job could be in jeopardy.  I am not sure I will ever get it right.  They have changed words in my documents and told me it should be this way but I go and relisten and I still hear what I had originally put.  Even got DH to listen and he said he heard  I heard. I wonder if they are that hard on their foreign employees.


I really started this MTSO to test the waters.  I just got so tired of driving back and fourth I was hoping this would work out.  I am just not feeling confident in my self to do this job anymore but I have to pay the bills somehow.  I cannot get by on my good looks. So, I printed this style guide, going to poke holes in it, put it in a binder and will look at it while the kids are getting their hair cuts. I will carry that thing with me everywhere I go along with my corrections and study it when I can.  If they can me before I get a chance to bring my score up, I will burn it.


Yes, and no mention of US MTs working for them, either. nm
.
no i don't mention money but
I do have a fancy resume that might indicate that I would like a lot of money.
Jo - You mention that you have 2 accounts at KS (sm)
Can I ask if you were given 2 accounts when you were hired or did you ask for another one after you started?  Not trying to be nosy but I have 1 account with them and it has been very low lately...
Yes, but as you mention they only hire FT
Have applied as an IC to several companies....same pay as mentioned in my posting.  I notice also that a couple places had very misleading advertising for their jobs posted as far as pay.  As mentioned, this has been very disappointing.
These companies you mention should
be much more worried that the complaints have VALIDITY than that they are aired.

Take care of problems and complaints are few and far between.

AND YES, most of take all comments with salt.
I have the first problem you mention

Sometimes the shortcut doesn't expand when I try to use it.  I finally decided the problem is with my keyboard not being sensitive enough.  It does not happen if I use more pressure.  Good luck.


forgot to mention..
while working as an employee for our hospitals, she worked under the vendor for the SAME hospitals but strictly doing ER work. Really interesting.

Forgot to mention that also
I was NOT complaining about my company. I have a great company with good people. They use ExText which is very slow. So my complaint is about the server only.

Don't be so quick to judge people. The only time I will air my complaints about a company (haven't had to so far) is if I feel it will save others in the future.
Oh ya forgot to mention...sm
They told me because I was not meeting my production that I would have to pay for my health insurance on my own until I met my production.  Well, how can I meet production when I never have work?! Doesn't seem fair at all.
Not to mention wheelwriters. sm
IBM wheelwriters - if you made a mistake you could back up a little with that erase ribbon, but if doc said go back up, or start over, out came the paper.  No white out allowed either, remember that any other old antiques?
Did I mention that they are paying 50% too? nm
nm
Don't forget the other 42% they don't mention! nm
xxx
Thanks so much for the info...will mention your name

forgot to mention

Oh I forgot to add they are suppose to be adding a new system and I do not think you will have to look all that stuff up.............I know it was delayed because of some MTs quitting on them.....me being one of them because I could not handle working my full-time job and that.


So it might be a nice fit for you. Good luck!


You got it!! Not to mention that the stress of
have to use our PTO for sickness rather than fun.  I also never got anything of substance approved as far as days off, so my PTO time was useless, just part of the games of no work and getting sick over no work.  I feel so sorry for those who stay in that situation, thinking they are going to lose out on PTO by starting over. Its your LIFE at stake, right?  We are so worth more than PTO at MQ.
Agree 100%. Not to mention that its NOT
a good thing to claim that they promise you as many accounts as it takes to get work. Gee, doesn't this sound a tad bit like MQ?  I just can't get over this particular person just cheering this on like its good news or something.  And, yes, there are lots of WMXrs low on work right now, so don't believe everything spoonfed to you.  Again, really cracks me up how this person thinks having many accounts is great with WMX, but sucked at MQ. 
Oh and I failed to mention
that 90% of the work I do are ESL. Plus the audio is so bad I have to turn it up FULL VOLUME just to hear sometimes and then all of a sudden it comes thru normally and blasting at full volume, so its probably all in how they're holding it. The list goes on and on really but I think what I've mentioned is enough even for most hardened MTs.
Forgot to mention
that the initial dictionary entry I provided comes from Merriam Webster's dictionary.
Funny you should mention
the microchip. I was just reading yesterday about a company in Delray Beach, FL, Applied Digital Solutions Inc., that produces just such a chip, called the VeriChip, for implantation under the skin . . . Well, I just googled to get the name of the company and found this:

April 29, 2008 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

VeriChip Corporation Launches HEALTH LINK SYSTEM in Florida Revolutionizing Future of Emergency Medicine

Greater Palm Beach Area Residents and Hospitals First in State to Benefit From New Service

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Florida's emergency health care system is receiving a shot in the arm this week with the introduction of Health Link, a revolutionary bio-medical technology created by VeriChip Corporation of Delray Beach, FL.

The introduction is initially aimed at residents and hospitals in the Greater Palm Beach area. The service will eventually be introduced throughout the state and the nation. Sixteen hospitals in the region have welcomed the System into their emergency room protocol practices and signed on as program participants.

For program participants, this means they will able to receive critical care more rapidly, accurately and safely. Emergency contact information is also provided, offering greater peace of mind for the Health Link member, his or her family and caregivers.

Health Link requires implanting program participants with a tiny microchip (similar in size to a grain of rice) just under the skin in the rear upper portion of the right arm.

The Health Link microchip contains a 16-digit identification number that, when scanned by a Health Link hand held electronic reader, provides a secure link to a private, online database that reveals the patient's personal health records and emergency contact information.

No other information is contained on the microchip. Once the Health Link microchip is implanted, it cannot be lost or stolen. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080429005913&newsLang=en

I told you this was going to happen back in 2005. Here is a link to that article The mark of the beast is around the corner. http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/janak/051108

This chip is basically an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. This technology will be able to be accessed easily for your name and identifiable information.

With the handheld device pictured here you can see how they can use this device.

The VeriMed Patient Identification System, which consists of a hand-held radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, an implantable RFID microchip, and a secure patient database, is being used to help rapidly identify and provide access to important health information on participating patients. http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/6339

This technology will come under the heading of other health information systems in regards to this bill.

I also want to inform you about S.1693. This takes S.2911 to the next level.

S. 1693

To enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States.



So, I guess the microchip is already here. And, of course, the guise of greater ease and safety, etc. with patient care/medical issues is the perfect way to implement this, having everyone believe it is for their own good. Pretty scary if you ask me.
Not to mention that through the years,
they've cut our line counts. They've gone from gross lines, to 55-char lines, to 65+ char lines. They've quit paying us for filling demos, headings, templates, etc. And now this VR slap in the face where it takes nearly as long to fix that mess as to straight type it, but they want to only pay about half the line rate for it...
Blechh, don't mention that
vile woman's name this early in the morning - LOL! :D
Oh you didn't mention you got 10 CPL as an IC - sm
There's a huge difference between 10 cpl IC and 7 CPL w/incentives. And it is way more than part of a half of a half of a cent.

You know what? Different strokes for different folks. I'm treated well, paid well, given decent insurance and paid time off, and have good accounts and a great manager at Webmedx. Not your cup of tea? That's fine but keep in mind that NO COMPANY IS RIGHT FOR EVERY MT.

And if you were offered 7 CPL for their hardest account, you are totally not credible to me. I know that is not how this company works.
You mention 70% correct
So you are basically saying you only have to correct 30% of there report, how can that be a bad thing? Give me a 300 line report, I would rather edit 100 things in it than type the every single character of a 300 line report. Its a good thing, it really is.
Funny you mention
I was at the grocery store the other day and the bagger was on another checkstand so I started bagging my own. I joked to the checker that I was expecting union scale for doing so and she said Not anymore you don't - we start people at $9 an hour (minimum wage in our state is over $8). I've been through her line many times, so we sort of know each other in that way, and she started telling me how lousy things had gotten in the grocery business.

1. They've cut back and expect everyone to do more.

2. Their insurance benefits have gotten worse while their share of the premium has gone up. She had to pay $1300 a month for coverage last year when she had an extended leave in order to cover herself, her husband and one kid.

3. Their wages have been stagnant for 3 years and it doesn't look like the union's going to be able to get anything more than cost-of-living increases in the next contract.

Sound familiar?
Forgot to mention
Most people don't consider a living wage to mean a wage that qualifies them for foodstamps and free lunches!