Can someone give me info about MDI....sm

more info? [2008-10-09]
Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me more in detail the glitches that cause all the stress? I agree that letting someone else do all the leg work WAS less stressful, but at this point in time I feel like I am really underpaid. I currently have two different companies I work for - one 8.5 cents a line and one 8 cents a line - and I cannot get enough work out of either one of them to even make half of what I was making a few months ago....when the clinic I was doing work for went to all speech and axed us with one days notice. For me, it is either go out on my own and try to land a good account... OR find another line of work.

Looking for honest info on OSi [2008-10-09]
I did a search but didn't come up with any info on OSi. I'd like to hear from anyone who works there currently or in the recent past. Things like paying on time, consistent work, etc. Thanks in advance.

I'll give you sm [2008-10-09]
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.

They need to give it a rest already...sm [2008-10-08]
Just goes to show, they are not getting inudated with resumes. That place is a pain in the patottie and will always be, who cares about Nuance.....

It is customary for any job to give 2 weeks [2008-10-08]
x

eTrans info sm [2008-10-08]
I am very happy at eTrans. Before this, I worked at MQ, so I know what it's like to work at a bad company. As far as my work load, I never have a problem getting the minimum lines for the day and beyond if I want. I start early in the morning and rarely have to work more than an hour extra on slow days, usually only the last day of the pay period for some reason, and like I said, that is rare. Idon't know about overhiring. I get plenty of work to make the incentives if I wish. I have always been paid on time every time.And as far as demographics, the system I am working in is really easy with no real slowing down for demos. I know eTrans was called out a few days ago by former employees, but I have to say I have never had any of the bad experiences that were posted. The tech people have been great, even though I've only had to talk to them once. My supervisor is great and has always been there when needed. I have a great account, a great backup account, and a great platformthat means I don't have to kill myself to get the lines I need like MQ. I even referred my own mother to this company, and she is about to start with them next week. Do you think I would do that if I thought they were an awful company? Hope this helps.

Info on Meridian Health Care Solutions [2008-10-08]
Does anyone have any information or ever worked for Meridian Health Care Solutions as an MT? Any info will be available. Thanks Pauline

Thanks for the info! [2008-10-08]
This sounds like a crappy place to work.

Need info asap if available on RX: Transcription, LLC [2008-10-07]
General info needed, such as their general pay rates, flexibility in schedules, direct deposit, pay on time, and anything else that may be helpful.

need more info to help you...sm [2008-10-07]
there are so many factors to consider...do you work on site or from home? what hardware/software are you using? what shortcut program(s) do you have? do you have shortcut storage limitations? what types of reports are you doing for the hospital? do you have a lot of ESL dictators? how do you proofread your work? how many hours a day do you work? when is your most productive time? do you work a set schedule? are you constantly interrupted? do you get distracted easily? (like reading these boards?) =) anything else you can think of? if you give me as much info as you can, i'm sure i can encourage you to find ways to increase your count! =)

Any current info on Transform and Meridian? Considering both. NM [2008-10-06]
xxxxx

Any info on MRC transcription? [2008-10-03]
I have looked in archives, but can find nothing - anyone work for them now or in the past? Have a job offer from them, but I reallly know nothing about them - whether they offshore work or if they are a good company to work for.. any information please....!!! TIA

Wow, thanks for the info.... [2008-10-02]
I've noticed other companies also using different names, etc, to suck you in. The only way we know is to look at this board. Thanks.

Need new info on companies that pay weekly [2008-10-02]
I am leaving my in-house employment and would love any information that can be given to me regarding companies that pay weekly. I have a done a search, but haven't found any recent information. I appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you!

updated info on Transcript-USA in SC? [2008-10-02]
Platform, scheduling, pay, training, anything?

info [2008-10-01]
where did you get the info about people being fired-- if you say, you can't disclose that info, then you should not post it.

Thanks for all the info! I decided to go with another company [2008-10-01]
although this looked tempting, the pay did not look enough to me (cpl) for a difficult ESL. I could do difficult ESLs and do not mind that but need a higher line rate for that skill. Tempting though it indeed was! Thanks again for your feedback.

E-Trans Plus? Any info? [2008-09-30]
Looks like a good deal. They seem really nice. Any comments appreciated. Thanks!

Any current info on QED [2008-09-30]
Line rate (average pay), platform, how hard to get lines for FT? TIA

Medgarde info? [2008-09-29]
Hi! I'm just wondering if there is anybody who works or has worked with Medgarde. I have an interview with them on Thursday and am trying to find out more about them, but I'm not having much luck. If anyone has any info I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Conact info for Augusta? [2008-09-25]
Does anybody know how to apply with them? I just went to their website, and it said that the apply online and written test were under construction. I sent an e-mail with my resume, but it came back to me. TIA!

I am not an IC, but thanks for the info... [2008-09-23]

Give it a rest. (sm) [2008-09-23]
All opinions are welcome here. Just because you don't share the same opinion doesn't mean you can make it personal. Moderator

Re MedScribe in Fla. Can anyone share insurance info for emp/spouse coverage? SM [2008-09-22]
I am especially interested in rate, copays,deductible, and prescription coverage, if possible. Thanks very much!

What about Focus Info???? [2008-09-22]
Would someone tell me about Focus Infomatics. Are they really bad to work for? I do not know much at all about this company. Would appreciate anybody who does know about Focus Info.

Sue, a former nurse AND can do over 600? SM [2008-10-10]
I'm impressed. Regarding your last point, a little present: For VR, use your expander's ability to record your Keystrokes to set up macros for all the corrections you typically do, both of words and punctuation. Especially punctuation. If you jump from word to word, you end up on the next word when you need to insert a comma behind, right? So enter the keystrokes you use to do this in your expander: backspace-comma-space (to return to the first letter of the next word). Then give that macro a 1-keystroke name. Then start doing the same for all the typical and more involved corrections you do. Copy macros you can't make yourself from others. You're going to find your Expander incredibly helpful, and I'm guessing you'll be breaking 600 typically.

Alice and Digging In, SM [2008-10-10]
Sorry about getting your name wrong, Alice. I use Shorthand, but InstantText's method is probably much the same. Digging, if you don't have one of those I very strongly recommend it, although Word does have a macro creation function. But whatever you do, if you're working on an employer's program, get your own program that stays with you no matter what. In Shorthand, when I open the window where you add entries, there's a record Keystrokes button on the side. I hit that and it returns me to the text page, where I type the keystrokes as usual. When I'm finished, I hit the stop button which has appeared on the screen and give my new macro a name, which is 1, 2, or 3 letters/number/figures at most. It's as simple as that for literally hundreds of basic corrections. Like my KK, which hyphenates two words by backing one space, inserting the dash, and returning the cursor to the next word beyond. qiq, which erases q.i.d. and types 4 times a day for me. Z backs up and inserts a comma, then returns to the next word. F toggles letters into upper and lower case. I use this one thousands of times a day, but I had to copy the keystrokes from the people at productivitytalk.com because I'm no good at this stuff and my attempts to just record it didn't work. An absolute must-have! I can't believe I typed for years without it. Virtually everthing you do, copying admit diagnoses and putting them under a new discharge dx heading, breaking up run-on sentences into two, etc., can be reduced to a tap of a key or two as you cruise by. I don't see most of my corrections occur, I'm already gone. Be sure to check your lines per minute before you start so you can recheck them after a week of using the first few you record. You're going to love it!

Day off [2008-10-09]
For many years I would work on my day off. However, I have come to realize as I have gotten older that my needs and peace of mind do matter. I figure I give them 350 lph five days a week and that is it. I always exceed my required lines. I am sometimes asked by my liaison to work my day off but I politely decline. I have a family and I am sure that on my deathbed I will not be saying I wish I had typed more lines.

some clients want those apostrophes [2008-10-09]
The two docs I edit for want those apostrophes there and you can find just as many reference materials that DO include them as don't. I agree this is nothing that is going to affect patient care, but bottom line - you have to give the client what they want.

I just took the FN test, and e mail said I would hear [2008-10-09]
in a couple of days. Usually when I take these tests, the software lets me know how I did right away usually with a congratulations, you passed! The fact that it did not say that, is that standard for this company, or did I flunk the test? I just usually know right away how I did on these tests and am unsure of this company's hiring process. Thanks for any info. :)

Not that bad at all. Coming onshore [2008-10-09]
Accounts are onshore now with American TLs and MTs. No Indian MTs/QCs at all. This has occurred over the past month. And no I'm not management! Give it a try. I'm happy!

Does Webmedx inform you when new accounts are coming on? (sm) [2008-10-09]
I know they recently were hiring and now the backload summary numbers are down on a lot of accounts (mine included). I am hoping they just hired in anticipation of new account and are training these people on the current accounts and things will improve after the new accounts come on. Am I dreaming? I understand no company wants to pay OT and it is a balancing act to get the correct number of MTs on any given account. I just don't think they were hiring to overhire. They seem far too nice for that. Sorry for blithering, main question was do they share info about upcoming new accounts?

There is still room for improvement, but improvement [2008-10-09]
has been made with the supervisor. I have found them willing to work with me on just about anything. They just can't give me work they don't have.

Been there, done that, [2008-10-09]
not worth it to me. Way more stress than working for someone else. You can makereally good money, but be willing to work/be available24/7, 365 days a year. And then there is the matter of getting paid, often times clients are very sloppy about this. If you have others working for you (which causes even more work on your part and can be very frustrating at times)you need to have a good reserve of moneyto cover payroll when the client is late on their payment to you. I quit because I wanted my life back. No more phone calls at all hours of the day and night, no more dropping personal things for a STAT to be typed, no more stressing over having to wait on invoices to be paid up, being able to take a vacation, etc. When I at one time had a few MTs working for me, that was a whole other set of stress and problems. All this not to mention the constant threat of someone underbidding you or your client going with a service, which is cheaper for them, and so having to put up with a lot of crap just to keep the account.I just got burned out after several years of it trying to juggle a family and any sort of meaningfullife. I am sooo happy letting others have the headaches for a change and I can just type my 8 hours and be done with it. That said,you can make very good moneywith your own account(s) and I wish youall the best indoing so. I know of somewho really do well and enjoy working strictly for themselves and you should give it a try, just go into it with your eyes open as to what it really involves.

I worked for a company in the past that was having [2008-10-09]
financial problems. They wanted MTs to quit so they didn't have to pay unemployment and they would give me the worst of the worst. I refused to quit, they would have to fire me, but when it became clear that my check might not be good for much longer I quit and they were out of business about a month later. I don't know if they can manipulate TAT times, but I am getting work that is only minutes old. I know they don't get a lot of work at one time so I don't really think they are hand-picking stuff. I work my schedule, when there was OT I worked extra every week, my QA scores have never been below 99.8 and I feel like they want to keep me. I'm not paranoid, but I am frustrated. On my accounts I know what the situation is, but I wish they would keep us regularly informed about what is going on. I don't want lies, but a little reassurance sure would help.

this is what happened to me [2008-10-09]
About 1 week after I got that same email, I was contacted which was 2 days ago. I was sleeping also so I called back. The person was really nice. She did say that they had a lot of responses to their last ad and she is checking them out. She went thru what I needed to know. Once I accepted, the paperwork went thru very quickly and I train next Monday. Give it a couple more days (if that) and see what happens.

Looking for honest info on OSi [2008-10-09]
I did a search but didn't come up with any info on OSi. I'd like to hear from anyone who works there currently or in the recent past. Things like paying on time, consistent work, etc. Thanks in advance.

The poster said she had never tested, never interviewed, so [2008-10-09]
how can she test badly and mess up the interview? I'm a person you have bashed in the past, you remember firing me, yada, yada, yada. You don't even know who I am. I only dealt with H and when I called him to give my notice he begged me to stay, offered to pay me whatever I wanted to stay. I'm not sure what your problem is, but if anyone looks through past posts about SS there are 10 negatives for every positive, and most of the positives have a management tone to them. I laughed about your quality statement. When I was in QA the MTs were horrendous. Mary at MTDaily asked me if SS offshored work. I told her the quality was so bad that it was quite possible. I just hope anyone considering SS decides after reading your post that they don't want to waste their time.

Resignation letters [2008-10-08]
Is it customary to give a 2-week notice for IC status?

Yes RE Psychiatric [2008-10-08]
I've worked for 1 year and 9 months for SPi-BPO (formerly CyMed) and love it. In all that time, I can count on one hand the time I've run out of work--esp. since they give me SO many backup accounts as opposed to so many companies who won't even give you one. It's doing Disability Determination notes, so there's about 20% orthopedic (back pain, etc.) plus a tiny bit of ophthalmology (people going blind), but the rest is ALL psychiatry. Fascinating stuff. Mention my name (Clifton Toth) when you interview, and if you work there for 90 days, I'll share my referral bonus with you. Seriously, I've worked for at least 8 or 10 companies over the past 20+ years, and this has been my favorite by far (we won't talk about my least favorite--or three). I'm disabled myself and they have no problem with only 15 or so hours per week, so long as I make my part-time quota of 2000 lines per week, the lowest quota I've ever encountered, though if you want full-time (for which the quota is double at 4000 lines/week, still very reasonable), I'm fairly sure they can accommodate that too. My favorite part is the fact that they let you use previous reports from dictators as a template--and most are very well-spoken (I guess because it's government work and HAS to be accurate), with VERY few ESLs. Just go to spi-bpo.com and click on Careers in the left margin, then, of course, Healthcare at the bottom; the application is completely online. Good luck and let me know how it goes (CTToth@Yahoo.com). --Clifton

I passed their test, but now I'm put into their "pool" [2008-10-08]
I took the time to take a long test and passed, originally said I wanted part-time, and when I got my results back, I get the, well, we're only focusing on hiring full-time right now, so I say I would love to try full-time, then they tell me I am now in the pool. Come on, people, I am sitting here day in and day out looking for work, I can work right now, give me a job, already! I think being put in the pool means, sorry we don't want you right now:( I'm just so tired of taking all these tests and I do great and then then don't want to hire to me, what the?!

Be persistent and ask again! nm [2008-10-08]
Don't give up.

I have 10+ yrs exp & need work too [2008-10-08]
I am an experienced MT, but I need a M-F dayshift schedule because that is when the kids are in school and I canwork without being interrupted. I have taken a ton of tests. I never hear anythingback. Talk about frustrating. WhenI do hear back they are only offering 7cpl. I guess I will give in and take it too because I have to pay the bills. They really have us where they want us.

Over 40,000 but dismayed to find SM [2008-10-08]
I was way behind others. More go in every day. Regarding what YouAsked said, I agree about shifting dependence from templates and normals from individual dictators to expansions for practically every individual phrase they produce. This works not only with many dictators but also helps tremendously with the shift to editing. I don't know how many variations I have of Thank you for allowing/asking/requesting, etc., etc., etc., to close a report, but it's dozens, with every new version that comes down the pike promptly stuffed into the expander. I may never get them all, but I'm trying. Since I mostly edit, I also enter every possible subphrase within those phrases, so I can drop them into existing text as corrections. (to participate in, for allowing me to, participate in the, etc.) BTW, in order to do this and give every dictator just what he said and wants to see, I use the first letter of every single word, with another letter from a key word to differentiate it from other phrases, the key word and letter being whatever I intuitively feel they should be, i.e., what pop into my mind. Past tense is a D added to the first letter of the verb.

Info on Meridian Health Care Solutions [2008-10-08]
Does anyone have any information or ever worked for Meridian Health Care Solutions as an MT? Any info will be available. Thanks Pauline

Thanks [2008-10-08]
I'll give it a try. Thanks. Although I don't know if I can remember my own abbreviations, lol.

WORDS OF WISDOM [2008-10-08]
To all you hard working MTs out there. I've been in the business too long not to have learned something. I still have not found a decent, honest and fair MT company and this is after 20 years. They require tons of qualifications out of you but in return what do you get? I don't trust ANYof them!They'rein it for the quick buck and don't give a rat's ass about you. I long for the those old days when hospitals had their own transcription departments and MTs had benefits and some security. The MT companies now want you to have all this bunch of equipment, each has their own software (this drives me crazy), they expect atthe very least 98% accuracy, fast transcription, and want you to stay put at your chair all dayIN CASE work comes pouring in. They want you to have your own books, your own C-Phone, unlimited long distance, high speed internet, etc. Why don'tYOU demand the same things they expect of you? We all know doctors hate to dictate because there's no money to be made there. The archive departments have to get on their backs every month, so, they come in and dictate a ton of chartsand you can't understand a frickinword they're saying and God forbid the ESLs...but you see, the company you're working for doesn't care and the doctors don't care. You need to hold these companies at much greater standards than you do now. Affirm yourselves, question them, get it in writing, and don't take less than whatyou believe you're worth! Stand up to them for once, and you'll stop this abuse. After all, it isyour life and your revenues are as important as theirs. Report them to everyone you can. They are not honest and have no integrity although they will try to convince you that working for them will be the greatest thing that happened to you. C'mon....wake up girls!Stand up and tell them that we are not going to take this anymore. If docs can't talk or write, and the companies know this, they'll shove it on to you...yes, you at home, working soooooo hard to do a good job.....I'm out of this now and will never go back because to home working because THEYcan't pass MYtest! Love you all but please wake up! Monique

I liked the people who ran the company [2008-10-08]
General info needed, such as their general pay rates, flexibility in schedules, direct deposit, pay on time, and anything else that may be helpful. My pay rate was 7 cpl for an easy ortho acct. I'm guessing it could range between 7 and 8 cpl, but ask and I'm sure you will get an answer. Flexibility wise, they want their work back within the agreed TAT. No direct deposit was available and I don't remember having a late pay. They give you your work and leave you alone, which is good if you don't like to be hounded. I had to give them up because of other commitments, and now work outside the house, but wouldn't hesitate to work for them again if it weren't for me working away from home.

Metro Transcribing? [2008-10-08]
Anybody work for or worked for this company? Any info is appreciated. TIA!

Feel your pain [2008-10-07]
I have 4 kids ranging from 7 to 18. Obviously the 18 yo can fend for himself as can my 17 yo, but the youngest two, 7 and 8, cannot. They have a habit of picking up every bug known to man and always seem to get the worse of everything. I am an IC as well, but have to work and also have a boss who when I cannot work, will give the work away and then I have to fight to get it back, which means normally waiting until the person that took over has to take time off. But, is what I have done, is keep the kids on the couch, set them up all comfy and they are within hearing distance. I have given them walkie-talkies and they call if they need something, going to vomit, etc. I check on them frequently as well. I make sure to take a lunch break and spend that time cuddling with them. If they aren't too bad like the last bout of chicken pox (even with the shot!), I have a table set up in my office that they can come in and color, etc and be with me. Keep your head up, you are Super Mom as we all are and things will work out in the end.