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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

which one? give a short description and I'll let you know if Im one of many

Posted By: nm on 2007-10-17
In Reply to: I Know You.. - i know you

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What exactly is different about it? Can you give sort of a short overview?
thanks
I'll give you sm
With the advent of EMRs that allow you to fill in the blanks for exams, clinic is on its way out...to some extent. It is not as easy to find jobs in clinic work as it was.

Acute care is another matter. You have a couple of regional companies who have shut down their VR departments and let all their MEs (medical editors) go. The company I work for ramped up the use of VR over the spring from about 30% on many accounts to 90% on many accounts...then back down to around 50% of the work on the same accounts. The reason is that MEs DO NOT do a very good job, they edit in every way imaginable other than how they are supposed to do it. You are to listen WORD FOR WORD and edit the text in front of you. The programs are not at the point with accuracy where they need to be. Unless we go to faster computer processors and we have pretty well maxed out the current computer chip technology, and unless or until we can write programs that learn better as they go along, the quality of VR is not going to get much better than it is currently. I don't care what the VR software companies say.

The need for VR is something we have created ourselves, as MTs. There is more and more need for our services every year. The problem is that there are relatively few of us who have the necessary skill sets, who will actually show up to work when we said we would be there and get our minimum lines or better. Most of the platforms out there are NOT conducive to higher levels of production, no matter what recruiters say about them. There are just not enough of us to go around. What else can be done? This business takes years to learn properly and to get to where you make a living with it.

I do QA and I MT. The work I QA from so-called trained graduates of programs is horrendous. Even MTs who seem to have experience are often not much better. They don't care about the quality of their work, only the lines they produce. They either don't know or don't care about their accuracy.

A QA person can help teach an MT...if they even know what they are doing...if they have the time and moreover, if the MT is willing to learn. I am the one who recommends that someone be released from QA and I have input into firing MTs who don't make the grade. It is my call as to whether an MT is willing to learn or if they should be let go. We have a small staff and in the last 6 months, I have recommended that one MT be retained and worked with (it turned out very well) and suggested 4 other MTs for being let go and they all were, because not one of them would take constructive criticism. I have about the driest feedback style I have ever seen because I don't want anyone to feel personally attacked, but they still would not listen.

My biggest gripe about MT training right now, since I have your ear, is that no one is trained to use an expander! If you want to see less VR you have to see bigger production numbers with traditional MTs. An Expander is the only way to do that. It is critical to making a decent income sooner, critical to accuracy, critical to job satisfaction and therefore critical to this industry. The best way would be to teach by system (body system and specialty) and include expansions for that system while you are at it.
Thanks! I'll give that a shot....nm
nm
Please, give ME a break! Just do your job and you'll be fine!
Why, if you were doing what was required of you, would Transcend single you out to treat unfairly and why would you be afraid to post publically if you were not stirring up trouble?  This what the rest of us wanna know!
GIVE ME THE NAME OF A BETTER PLACE AND I'LL APPLY!
PLEASE, PLEASE, I'M BEGGING!
They can give you what you like, but it'll depend on what Their need is at the moment. nm
s
I'll give you an honest answer
I've had many, many years experience in all specialties and doing all work types, as well as radiology, pathology and autopsies.  When I went to work for TT in 2003 the best the recruiter could give me was 8.5 cpl despite the fact that she knew me and knew my work.  When I retired I had the occasion to be talking to someone I  had worked for some 15 years ago.  He also knew my work and my production.  He offered me 10.5 cpl which he said was the top out pay for their MTs.  He said the usual starting pay was  8.5 for experienced MTs.  I didn't take the job because I wanted to stay retired.   When I left MQ I was making 11.5 cpl plus bonuses.  It had become unbearable when the MT supervisor quit and  her replacement was a control freak.   I don't know the person who said they had been offered 9 or 10 cpl but I think if he/she was offered that amount, there were other factors in play so don't feel bad.  I should think that while CNAs do hard work for low pay, you would be better off.  MT was good to me but it is not a career I would choose these days.
I'll give you an honest answer
I've had many, many years experience in all specialties and doing all work types, as well as radiology, pathology and autopsies.  When I went to work for TT in 2003 the best the recruiter could give me was 8.5 cpl despite the fact that she knew me and knew my work.  When I retired I had the occasion to be talking to someone I  had worked for some 15 years ago.  He also knew my work and my production.  He offered me 10.5 cpl which he said was the top out pay for their MTs.  He said the usual starting pay was  8.5 for experienced MTs.  I didn't take the job because I wanted to stay retired.   When I left MQ I was making 11.5 cpl plus bonuses.  It had become unbearable when the MT supervisor quit and  her replacement was a control freak.   I don't know the person who said they had been offered 9 or 10 cpl but I think if he/she was offered that amount, there were other factors in play so don't feel bad.  I should think that while CNAs do hard work for low pay, you would be better off.  MT was good to me but it is not a career I would choose these days.
Okay..I'll give ya that one. I came from the MDI side as it merged with Transcend so...
I was offered more than 4 cpl per line on editing and I'm not sure why if everyone else prior had been given 3 cpl. There is no way I would do editing for 3 cpl and trust me..coming from MDI into Transcend was not happy days for us. The biggest problem that I did have was when I found out our work was getting sent to India. Nothing is worse than being told we share work with our overseas partners and have too many days of no work. I have no doubt where it was going. So, never having come from the Transcend side, where you came from, I'm only going to relay my experience and apologize if that is what actually happened there. Yikes..I rely heavily on the MTs and supervisors who came from MDI because I know they watch our backs.
Give it time, they'll get to you. The grand plan is

my shoulder, it's a block(head).  The games they play, the excuses/reasons are old, worn out, and it's aggravating to sit there staring at that NJA cyclops when others are getting the work.  Dog-eat-dog is not conducive to a good work environment.  We didn't create the situation but we bear the brunt. 


Thanks, I'll give it a shot! Hope they are hiring PT. nm
..
They don't give a hoot - they'll take the poor quality for less money.
It is clear nobody is held responsible for poor quality medical transcription - do you often hear of lawsuits for errors on dictated reports? How about JCAHO failing a facility for errors on reports? Rare. And as an auditor I have seen what gets through. Either nobody checks or nobody cares. Part of the problem with MT rates. Very unfortunate.
I'm glad you're going to give it a try. I think you'll like it. I can't imaging giving

only 3 days, especially since we did have the 4th slowdown.  They will work with you to get you a secondary account if your primary is not enough.  Good luck to you.



 


Job Description

I just read this by a poster:  No, MTs are NOT supposed to KNOW if a med is generic or brand. HOW COULD WE?


I sat here scratching my head thinking, is this person SERIOUS?  Do they TRULY believe that they don't need to know simple things like if a drug name is brand v generic?


I read so many people here dissatisfied with the gig they are doing.  Getting fired for no reason.  Ticked off at QA when they only had 6-7 errors.


What is it you think and MT *DOES*?  The job is to translate the spoken word into an accurate and coherent record.


That's what the job REALLY is.  And to take pride in knowing you did just that with the emphasis on ACCURATE.


Yes, the pay sucks for some services. We all have the option to CHOOSE who we work for.  If you can't tolerate the pay, then don't take the job.


Your JOB is to produce a chart-ready, accurate medical document.... and yes, Virginia sometimes that means you have to recognize that when the doc says, pulse 142/90, that the report needs flagged; and it might mean you have to look up new cancer drugs or whether or not something is brand or generic.  If you're doing your JOB, then you learn what's brand or not and don't have to look it up; you know just where to go to grab oncology studies; you know what sites/references are accurate for surgical terms.  You DON'T demand that it's not your JOB to KNOW how to make an accurate medical document.


And if your retort is that services pay crap so you give them crap?  Well then please, PLEASE don't complain when you're also TREATED like crap. 


PRIDE - it's gotta start somewhere. 


 


just by the description of the job, sm
needing someone certain days and certain hours makes this an employee position!!!!! At the very least, it might be able to be called SE (statutory) but I am not sure about that one. I am sure about one thing, an IC position IS IS NOT!
Meditran Description
Hi there. I understand wanting any and all information you can get, been there lol. Meditran is a small family owned business located in Odessa, Texas.  We were cruising along really good all these years, but then two weeks ago one of our MTs was in a horrible car wreck that killed her husband and critically injured her.  She is doing okay now, but as you can imagine unable to work.  Well this took out two of our MTs as her mother also worked for us. Then we had one MT whose computer totally crashed.  Another MT whose step dad is in the hospital with not much time left. So as you can see we are scrambling. Those of that are working have been completely covered up.  The owner is also an MT and has always hired locally.  This has not worked out very good for one reason or another. So she asked me to place an online ad and see if we could get some help that way. This is strictly and orthopedic account that we need help with.  I have worked for this company for going on four years.  My checks have never been late. The owner is very laid back, she is not a nitpicky person, she just wants the work done and done correctly.  This account does not go by BOS, they have their own standards, which we would teach you. I hope this helps answer any questions anyone may have and if there are more feel free to email me at RoseMT37@aol.com.
She is right on in her description of the company
and their management style.  People who lack experience and qualifications are the ones who are promoted.  There was an MT at OSi who was on 100% review for months and months.  She was then promoted to a QA positon, and while in that position was on the easiest clinical account they had.  BUT, the client demanded that she be removed from doing QA on their account.  And then, guess what?  She was promoted to QA manager.  Many, many, many good QA Specialists and good MTs have left.  Like somebody earlier said, OSi is the perfect place for newbies.  It is not the place for MTs with anything on the ball.  You should honestly check out the whole management staff.  It is very comical.  OSi is a joke.  Sorry to upset your apple cart!
Unbearable is a really strong description
for an account.  I've read similar on other forums, so think I may pass.  Difficult, challenging, OK. Unbearable = a bit scary.
Really?! That's news to me... what's my new job description and what are they paying me?
Since you seem to be in the know....
I'm back. Just read over job description. No PTO is right. Thanks for pointing that out. NM
nm
Found this description of FMLA eligibility

Employees eligible for leave under FMLA are those who:


· Have completed at least 12 months of service with the company, and


· Have a minimum of 1,250 hours of service during the 12 month-period immediately preceding the


commencement of the leave, and


· Are employed at a company that employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles.


What if you've already used FMLA leave before, or you think you may use it again in the near future?


You may wonder if you still have FMLA leave available to you. TriNet uses a rolling 12 months


measured backwards from the date an employee uses any FMLA leave. In other words: you’ll look at the


end date of your requested FMLA leave, then look back 12 months to determine if you’re still entitled to


any of your 12-week FMLA leave within that period.


Disillusioned....Sue's description sounds like the company you just left
except for the rental fee, which they JUST changed recently, and even then it was higher than the one Sue quoted.  I still say you got a much better deal with Amphion.
Control copy, put in in text description, name it then save.
nm
If you'll read through past posts you'll find lots of
recent info.  Why do you need menitoring if you already work as an MT.  Unless you do clinic work most companies will require you to work at least one weekend day, at least initially. 
If you'll read the archives you'll find out everything
you want to know, none of it good.
Sounds like the job description for most. As Elmer says, be vewy, vewy qwiet...nm
x
"warned" by someone who won't give facts or sign her name. Give me a break! nm
x
Nationals give at least a week to learn program. Give
xx
Probably figure you'll want Way more than they'll offer, whatever it might be. :) nm
s
If you'll read more carefully you'll see
I was referring to AFTER she's missed out on a job, having a friend do sort of an audit to tell her what what was wrong with her test she submitted -- not cheating.
They used to give out $25 Amex cheques -- give them time. :-) nm

how short were you?
1000 lines or something? That would just be wrong. Call your supervisor and find out for sure.
TT pay short
Anybody check on direct deposit yet?  Mine is nearly $100 less than expected, as if my bonus lines didn't get counted.  We have a new in-house payroll team.  Gee, I hate breaking in new pay people!  Maybe I overlooked something, though.  Will talk with them Monday.
short and sweet is the way to go (sm)
I would not offer a lot of details.  People leave jobs all the time, they are used to it.  Be professional and polite.  Keep it simple is my advice.
there is a short cut program in DQS which
I think is perfectly adequate. I guess others supplement it, but I don't see the need personally.
no short timer here

I've been with the company going on two years.  The problems that were mentioned do come up.  I see those nice American names but sure don't ever get their dictations.  I've heard that if QA likes you, you will get the cream of the crop and never hear a word.  But if you're not in the clique that QA approves of you spend your days knee deep in ESL!


QA is nice when you first start, they give you feed back and are helpful.  But they have recently said that we need to do our own jobs and not depend on them ... I always thought figuring out the tough blanks was what they get paid for?


As far as the the managers they don't seem all that knowledgeable or accessible.  They put up a great front of we're a team and pat you on the your back while they assign you more crap.  I'm not sure most of them aren't anything more than clerks.


They do over-hire regularly and they don't hide that their work is overflow.  I think that these are reasons they have big turnaround in their MTs.  If you want their good benefits .... put up with the low line counts and learn a second language and join our team


Have been with them a short time
I have been with them for about 3 weeks.  QA is very nice.  My account is very decent.  I can work whenever I feel like it as long as I put in my lines.  Bayscribe is a very easy and simple software to get used to.  Pay is excellent.  Overall, I'm pretty happy so far. 
No, and if it goes down, it is for very short time.
x
I worked for them for a short while.

Their method of transferring files was very frustrating, slow, archaic and clumsy.  Their record keeping is also pretty sloppy.  They are nice and absolutely pay on time.  There was never enough work in the account I was hired for and she kept putting me on other accounts on training wages.  I was up front about the lines I needed weekly and in which fields and she was in total agreement but it was rarely available and almost never in the field I was hired for.  I do not like sitting all day wondering if any work would be coming in so I had to move on....good luck! 


I worked for them for a short while also
and never got docked for quality but I found the system very combursum (sp) and struggled to get lines in.
Short answers for you
Precyse - ok!

MD-IT - don't know!

OSI - no way!

DDT Arizona - no way!

TTS - no way!

Zylomed - don't know!
Very short list here & don't have any

Some companies that USED to pay by gross line: Lee Perfect - need Emdat experience; Lextel? - Calif. company, don't know if still around; Mediscript Transcription - work LD over a C-phone, don't know what state; QT - but they seem to be in trouble now; and West Tran Group - don't know the state, were using Word 2003 and IntraScript software. ...the end...


I sent you an email; but the short of it is - sm
They pay on time (checks, no DD); twice a month a week after invoice is submitted. Invoice dates are the 1st and 16th. Yes they are a good company/people; no spaces is true but they do not charge their clients either so it is not the case of the MTSO getting richer while you get poorer.
Training is very short
It really only takes a few minutes to learn the platforms. Once you are set up, your account lead will walk you through how to use the software. It is really very easy. You will be paid your regular rate the minute you start typing.
short but sweek

I did for short period of time a few months ago and it takes forever to get your first check and then the way you bill and they pay takes an extra couple of weeks for you to receive your check.  


I worked for them for only 1 week a couple of months back and it took me over 2 months to finally get my lousy check from them.   I had to keep asking for it and kept getting the run around for days and days.   Totally ridiculous, IMO.  I would keep looking. 


Here is my short list...
My first job was with HealthScribe as a newbie. They flew us to Virginia for training which meant you actually knew some of the people you worked with. It was a great experience for a new MT. The platform was very nice as you could view other reports, and any edits made to your reports were in a different color so there was no confusion as to who typed what. Benefits were good but pay was pretty low, which is probably standard for a newbie job. I left when my account went to India and my team was left with really bad accounts. Sold to Spheris now.

I then went to MedScribe. I had some concerns about reports in MT Stars archives of checks going missing, so I asked about it up front. I was told it never happens, but my first paycheck went missing. The checks do come eventually but you learn patience in that regard. I loved my ER account but always being pushed to do acute care with heavy ESL or overflow with horrible sound. My supervisor was very nice but had to contact the upper management for most decisions/issues, and hence nothing really ever got addressed. I did stay over 4 years because my next 2 job attempts didn't work out.

I applied and was hired by Transcend but left the job before training for sudden personal reasons. The recruiter was exceptionally understanding of my circumstances. The benefits and pay seemed pretty good for my experience, but I never did transcribe any accounts.

When I decided to go job hunting again, I was hired by Medquist in early December for holiday push. The equipment finally came middle of January, and I went through the training and started working on the platform. Work at that point was low, and I bounced around in 3 different accounts. My supervisor had lost her assistant and was nearly impossible to reach. Two weeks after I was hired, my supervisor left for a week for a company event. With no other contact in the company and no clue, I left too. The pay and benefits were okay but it seemed like I would have had a very, very long learning curve.

I am now with TransTech. I actually like the VR work better than traditional typing. I struggled with the platform in the beginning because there were a lot of issues being disconnected from the server which locked the program up, but that is 100% better now. The pay is good with the incentive, insurance is BCBS which is perfect for my state - no indemnity plan, and benefits are good. Management & QA are very nice and don't talk down to you. The downside is that I am struggling now with low work even working second shift.


My short experience

I have only worked for national companies for 4 years.  


Softscript:  Extremely rigid schedule and not very willing to bend even for family issues.  They only allowed 2 flexes per month.


Currently, I work for a company under Spheris with very low work load right now.  I am seriously wondering about the future of the MT??     


Short on support
Questions/concerns often answered with one word or not at all. Three different supervisors/leads in a very short time.

The pleasant and friendly recruiter turned snarky as soon as she was asked *any* questions after the initial contacts. That should have been my warning :)

My QA contact was good - the best part of the company.

Pay didn't match invoice sometimes, but discrepancy was not significant - and pay was on time.

Fortunately I had another opportunity - this was definitely not a match for me. Perhaps you'll have better luck!

Note to person above: Not all experiences are the same; yours was/is good, mine was not.
WORK FOR THEM FOR A SHORT WHILE

The dictators were terrible.  The owner constantly called me.  I quit after 2 week, I could not handle the constant phone calls and never got paid for what I did do...


here's the short version

I've been using it fairly steadily since November 2004. I've got DNS Medical version 9.5 with a really good microphone. Plus, I've put the time and effort into training the program. My typing speed has dropped over the years (maybe 70 wpm now) and I don't have the a particularly good memory as far as abbreviations go, so DNS is ideal for me. --- I lucked out 'cause I was able to upgrade to version 7 for about $99, and then the subsequent upgrades were not much more. The program works just fine for me, so I have no need to upgrade further.

If you want to want more in-depth information, email me and we'll chat. I just don't want to floor the board with things.  


My short story

I have been applying for a new position (yes, work for the Q) and was offered IC at 7 cpl to start and 8 off QA.


I have over 13 years experience, but make quit a bit more than that now.  How can that be possible for IC?  I always thought IC paid more because they do not take care of taxes. 


I was shocked at that offer and declined as well. At 7 cpl, 1200 lines per day, after taxes I would take home just a hair under 300 bucks. 


My very first job as an MT I made 7 cpl. That is fresh out of school.  I know I am doing my part!  No way will I work for that rate.  I will leave this field first.  I can find a reception job that pays better than that!  Plus my brain wont hurt so much at the end of an 8 hour shift!