Honestly, the lack of communication is nothing new but

Honestly, people some people are lazy... [2008-11-17]
plain and simple, sad but true.

I honestly don't know, but I don't do ER . -sm [2008-11-11]
You could probably call the company or email them and ask... since they have quite a lot of different hospitals.

Terrible to work for, bad communication, rude [2008-11-06]
nm

Lack of communication? sm [2008-10-22]
What, exactly, do you want them to communicate to you that they have not already? They have sent emails and posted newsletters with the latest developments and they are holding a teleconference to discuss those developments. Did it ever occur to you that not every worker is privy to all the internal workings of a company, not just in medical transcription but in most brick and mortar companies as well? We have a job to do at Webmedx, and that job is to transcribe accurate medical reports in a timely manner.... Period! Our job is not to concern ourselves with the latest acquisitions, mergers, or other business/financial developments that may or may not occur. They have people who are paid to do that, so we should do what we are paid to do. If Webmedx is that intolerable to you, you might consider changing something you are able to change as I suggested below, or if you cannot or will not do that, then perhaps it is time for you to find some place where you would be happier.

The only problem I have with TT is communication (sm) [2008-10-22]
It seems like my emailmessages don't get through sometimes, but they are always quick to try and fix it. I even had support look into it. Itturns out thatmanagement gets so loaded down with emails during the day that they can miss a few. The only other problem I have is the ones that don't work their schedule during the week and then go whole hog on the weekend, leaving low work for Mondays. That irks me to no end (not the low work, the MTs). They should work their schedule. It throws everything off when they don't. I've been there for 2 years and am still happy. Workis low once in a while, especially around the holidays andMonday as above, but it always picks up after about 3 hours.I do enjoy the break and always make up my lines and time when necessary. I try to do it during the week, but sometimes must do it on the weekend.

They will hire ANYONE regardless of lack of skills. That's why QA is such a nightmare. nm [2008-10-19]
x

DO apply. I have not had a lack of work problem that I couldn't deal with in nearly 3 years. nm [2008-10-12]

that was working for a hospital direct, honestly calibrated line count... [2008-10-11]
11 cpl, easy, easy dictators on a pull up a number, type/type, save and repeat system. those days have been discussed on this board before, and those days, unfortunately, are over. It's a buyers market.

honestly just being there for him is a lot even if .. [2008-10-07]
you arent there holding his hand. Just tell him if he needs anything just to come to you whether it is a hug or not. I would still try to work as much and just take more breaks to check on him and hug him. Really all you can do.

I agree, although I have worked all shifts and communication stinks no matter what. [2008-09-09]
I think emails get lost in the abyss. Sadly, your sending email to like eight people and still no answer. No thanks. I'm glad I am out of there. The only thing I did like was payment on time and DD. That's it. Very stressful job

Honestly... [2008-09-05]
Good luck getting any work! I'm on 5 different accounts and haven't met quota for nearly a year! The platform is very easy, it's getting the work that is very hard.

FutureNet lack of work [2008-09-04]
How about lately? Anyone else notice the lack of work and the hiring of new MT's? Also they do not treat their regulars with respect.

No, Paul, you are not. Left last year due to lack of work, but not lack of respect. It's a shame [2008-09-04]
I liked 'em a lot.

Color me confused. Why the uproar over lack of work if you are [2008-08-28]
If you're only p.r.n. status with MDI now and have fulltime work elsewhere, I don't get the frustration of being out of work for weeks on end. Why even bother with MDI then? Why not just leave MDI altogether for the other company?

Why is communication at Spheris so poor? sm [2008-08-23]
Are managers threatened with beheadings or something? The secrecy is unreal. What is going on there? Is it for sale or something? I know I won't get any answers. It is the most bizarre place I have ever worked.

Again, your post is showing your lack of knowledge of the company now. sm [2008-08-08]
I am not going to argue with you but suffice to say that RD is no longer here either. It has obviously been a while since you were an employee of the company. I don't know and don't care why you left/or were let go, but do not speak of something you know absolutely nothing about. It only looks bad on you.

lack of work [2008-08-05]
If that is the case then I will not be there long. I only give a company a week as far as keeping me busy and I mean during the day, not midnight!! During holidays I have always had work as well. On interviews a couple of times and also on reading the posts here people mention that it is normal in this business to have slow periods and not to expect as much work during those times. Say what?? I am not talking about an employer only saying this but the MTs as well and they accept it and go without work!! I am not saying the hospital dictations don’t fluctuate because they do but if a company is managed properly, a company who cares about their MTs will for one not over hire and secondly for holidays they will have the right amount of people slotted for vacation in order for the people who are left working to be kept busy. I mean it is never a perfect science in this business, that’s impossible, but a company should operate in a way that is organized with the MT in mind instead of feast or famine!! Also if TOT is running behind then it’s bonus time!! Wouldn’t that be more cost effective anyway?? I guess not for the companies that are ran that way. Wouldn’t you want your MTs to be happy so the turnover is low or instead do you look at us as expendable? I don’t know about these big MTSOs these days. What it boils down to is I do not have the patience or time for companies that will not allow me to make a good living because that immediately tells me that they do not care about their MTs. I know usually in just a few days whether I want to stay or not. There are other reasons I will not stay as well, the usual complaints such as a bad platform, horrible account, being unorganized, etc. It sounds like maybe that is how MDI operates or maybe they lost an account or two. Well that couldn’t be the case if they just hired me along with the other gal who posted before me and obviously there are others. That tells me that possibly some accounts are overstaffed and others aren’t so I will mention to her tomorrow that I need an account that is understaffed. The problem right now is I am stuck because of the health insurance issue. I had to take the job because I was on Cobra at the time and ever since my line counts have dropped. I had never experienced what other MTs were complaining about with their experiences. Well now I know!! Where I work now I use ExText which I love and the account is good. It is their line counting methods that have made my line counts drop. I know how many lines I do an hour which range 325-375 on every account I have ever done for different companies yet I cannot achieve that here so I know darn well I am being scammed especially considering I have already used this platform before and made my 350+ lines so it is blatantly obvious. So because of that I am not only going to be PT for MDI, or whoever it ends up being, but I am also looking for another employee position so I can get out of here. I see some people on the posts say they love working at this company and knock the ones who say negative remarks for different reasons but also about the line counts. I just don't get how they could love it there when I have a good account and platform and there are some nasty accounts there, so why am I struggling and they aren’t? Maybe it is not that I am struggling but that they have never done more than 1200 lines in 8 hours and are happy and used to that so it works for them. I am assuming but that is all I can come up with. That is why I have been so frustrated in the past 2 years finding a good company to work for. I think it is because I am wasting my time putting resumes out to these larger companies. I need to work for small to mid-sized companies again but I need insurance. I do know that some have insurance but it is a rip-off. My husband’s is too expensive too. Well enough complaining. I refuse to give up and settle though!! Off to bed for yet another low production day.

Honestly, I think you're doing MDI a [2008-07-30]
disservice by carrying on. Your reviews really are backfiring. They don't mess around with stuff like this at MDI, so good luck. Its getting old.

Lack of knowledge or complacent..... [2008-07-30]
This is exactly what I posted the other day when another poster accused me of making no sense. A poster was asking about a particular company and I told her this company was overall good, but they were doing the line count for you using their software and then direct depositing your check, all without an invoice beforehand. They then turn around and ask that the IC send in an invoice so they can have it on file; they are trying to cover their behinds by saying the IC sends in an invoice, but of course, I never did because that was a joke. If I couldn't count my own lines, I sure wasn't sending in an invoice. I quit and found something better for me. So, whenever ICs stop the practice of letting companies get by with free work (which is what we are doing when we accept an IC job on their terms, so they do not have to pay SS or Medicare taxes, we are keeping the problem alive). I see all the time companies wanting employee status in certain states only, but other states can only be IC status, BUT they still expect the IC to keep the same hours, shifts, etc., as an employee, which they cannot do. Like I said earlier, it has become so customary for the IC to just go along with the company's dictating to us, we have lost our IC status but we pay IC status through the nose come tax day.

I don't think it's so much a lack of foresight [2008-07-25]
on the MTSO's part as much as it is the fact that if they submit a bid that's too high the hospitals/clinics will go with another company simply because the price is lower.

Communication has been terrible. I have asked [2008-07-25]
for feedback over and over and over with no response. I guess I am still on 100% QA because as near as I can tell none of my reports have been through QA. If they have, I have yet to get any feedback on any reports as far back as 7/15. I honestly don't know if I can continue to work with no idea as to how I am doing or any mistakes I am making. I did get paid for work through the 15th though.

Crappy pay, no communication, inept QA. NM [2008-07-15]

Transcend--Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Communication is awful. [2008-07-14]
I've been there a long time and the more team leaders they add the worse the communication gets. Now, you can send a question, help request, or an email to about 8 people andyour lucky if one gets back to you. I personaly am sick of it. I don't care if I am asking what day it is, someone should have the common courtesy to respond back. I get tired of talking to myself. I'm done with that. I'm not sure the line counts are accurate either. I can do two pages with them and get 50 lines and cthen I can do two pages on another job that utilizes Dictaphone and I end up with 80 lines. How does that work, especially when they use the same font etc. Bad deal, moving on.

Precyse has had problems with lack of work, too. They offshore heavily. [2008-07-14]
nm

honestly, I would made the call and...sm [2008-07-14]
just READ THEM OFF. I cannot even stress how PATHETIC this whole process became. If for some reason you decide to stay, you would probably start work each day with a very bad feeling wondering what would happen each day. NOT WORTH IT. Make it easier on yourself. READ THEM OFF and move on.

Me too. Also, job security to the MTs [2008-11-20]
My son's pediatrician and my own doctor have English as their second language and I would bet my life and my son's life on both of them. They are wonderful people. Both of them said they would love for me to tanscribe for them, too, if they did not have their own service. I guess we all get to do in life what we are destined to do. I do see these so-called ESLs as people who provide great care and honestly I have transcribed for so long, I don't even blink at who is dictating. It is the dictator in any language who disrepects the medical record by misspeaking terminology or just plain disrespects the Transcriptionist in that they think we read their minds that I think less of, in which case I leave a blank. They can fill it in, and read their own mind. LOL.

Saving reports [2008-11-20]
Is not only unethical and a severe lack of good judgment, it is a breach of the Federal Privacy Act, the HIPAA laws and is actionable in both federal and local courts. I hope that whoever is saving reports has good legal counsel on retainer. If you do not believe me, call your own attorney or ask the legal counsel for any hospital. He or she will be able to confirm this.

We are definitely in hard times...sm [2008-11-19]
And there are so many people being laid off and with no job period. Think of all the autoworkers as you said who you know have got to be getting laid off because the auto companies themselves are going under. I am thankful for the little job I have with the little bit of money I make. It isn't a lot but, my God, without it things would be a lot worse. My paycheck is a blessing. I wish it was more most of the time but I am thankful for it. I would never quit this job without knowing what I was getting into somewhere else. I work at Alphamed. I have made posts on here before I am sure everyone knows that complain about the lack of work. I need more work but can't find anywhere hiring besides Focus that doesn't require 2+ years. I am so hesitant to leave Alphamed cause I work for the best people you could ever ask for. They NEVER bother me. They are so accomodating. If I need off it is no problem. I was given a raise last January without even asking after only 5 months with the company. I got a Thanksgiving bonus of $30 last year after only being there 3 months. That isn't a lot but who else gives Thanksgiving bonuses? I got a check for $50 for X-mas. So even though I am not happy with the low work they are a great company.

MDI-MD [2008-11-19]
I've been there just a few short months, but I accepted the position with MDI over several other offers because, quite frankly, I could sense from my communications with my recruiter (Carlotta) that this is the type of company that values and respects their employees. I'm delighted to report my instincts were correct. Great training, simple platform, great communication, ensure you have all the work you desire, and ALWAYS friendly yet professional. As for those emails about being backed up on days off...well, I might be the forum weirdo, but I appreciate those emails. I look on them as an invitation to dive in and pick up some extra money if I wish to do so. IMO, if you're looking to be valued, respected, and paid decently (and reliably), MDI-MD is the best gig in town.

I could not agree with you more! sm [2008-11-17]
I think that poster about you is right too, and it is what I have been saying. With things the way they are in this profession, I think the next 5 years will see a down turn, BUT I think that only the very best will survive. There will be less of a need with ASR and then getting the best of the best will be important for what must be traditionally transcribed. We are seeing it already, if you believe the lack of response to resumes and difficulty getting a job. I have NEVER had a problem EVER...but I count myself in the cream of the crop...you know cream always rises to the top! Be the cream or be the skimmed milk, up to you.

ChickenLover, also don't see how this could be SM [2008-11-17]
Not only do I routinely top that, but for employees in general, the bottom acceptable competence level is 150 lines per hour. Below that you get their attention to see how to bring you up to standard, and at 165 LPH the very first of 6 progressively increasing incentive categories begins. Regarding actual availability of work, it does fluctuate. That is just a reality of this field, as well as many others, these instant-communication days. Some days I do have to arrange my shifts here and there to be available when work is, but since I usually know what days and hours run low, I spend those hours shopping, playing, etc., and zero time sitting around waiting for work, as some people complain they're forced to do. Best wishes wherever you end up.

I interviewed a few months ago and was told: [2008-11-16]
First off, the recruiter/interviewer was so darned nice, incredibly down to earth, and an absolute pleasure to talk to. Aftertalking with them, I was really bummed I wouldn't be working for them because this interviewer person was just so real and someone I would love to know outside of work, ya know? It wasn't just all robot-business speak, which is refreshing like you wouldn't believe. Anyway, Iwas asked what I was looking for and said I needed to make a guaranteed minimum of7000 linesper pay week, as I was sole suport for my household, and that I loved where I was now but was only looking to change employers because I needed benefits. Inan incredibly kind gesture of goodwill towards a fellow workhorse, I wastold it would most likely never happen (the volume of work availableto consistently earna high line count), as this field has slow periods, as you must know,and a steady amount of work can never be guaranteed and that,for your situation, youwould be best off with your current employer with no benefits anda plentiful work supply. The mention of 30% VR and increasing day-by-day was also a huge put-off for me because, well, I hate that crap...and don't let anyone fool you, for the money you earn, it is most indeed crap and the joke is on the MT. This place has a great pay rate, great benefits, but unfortunately the work flow cannot be guaranteed. Scary prospect indeed when one can't work just for fun money for shoes and crap. I couldn't believe the honestly and I was so appreciative of that.

Interview [2008-11-16]
My recruiter was nice also, in fact from your description, probaby the same one; however, nice doesn't pay the bills. In fact, if the recruiters are being so blatantly honest about the lack of work, what the hell are they doing hiring in the first place?

Expectations [2008-11-16]
I work for Synernet. One of the best gigs I've had in a long while. Having been on both sides of the MT fence (as owner and now as grunt), I appreciated their up-front manner- COMMUNICATION IS KEY. There are expectations on both sides, and yours are no less or more important than are theirs. If you were fired for medical reasons, contact an attorney. But just reading the list you ticked off, sounds like you have lots of issues that would preclude them being able to meet client TAT. And sorry kiddo, but that means you're not cutting it, even if your reasons sound valid. There aren't a lot of businesses who will tell ya, go be sick, hospitalized, have earthquakes, and have an imperfect family and we'll just wait here patiently for your problems to compound ours. Being an MT at home doesn't mean you don't have the rules that ALL employees for businesses have... and just saying, sounds like your situation is not a good fit.

3 words, rude, rude, rude....sm [2008-11-15]
the owner sends out UGLY and NASTY emails to the MTs. The communication is just a disorganized mess and they hire you as an IC, but pretty much treats you like an employee. Emdat sucks and pretty much the accounts are not that great. VERY hard to get your lines in Emdat platform. They LOVE to FIRE....when in actuality.....(that is the term they use)...you cannot FIRE an IC, you can lock them out of the system and I guess that is firing, but those two words have always been a pet peeve of mine....hearing when MTs are fired as ICs....Just my opinion ******* DISCLAIMER *****************Postings of this nature are the poster's personal opinion should not be considered as substantiated by MTStars. Under no circumstances will MTStars be liable for any loss or damage caused by a user’s reliance on information obtained from this message. MTStars.com cannot effectively monitor validity of material/information posted on its Message Boards and, therefore, makes no representation and warranty with respect thereto. Any discussions regarding this situation should be handled via email. Contact/Reply OP (original poster) using the Reply by Email link below. MTStars Team

What experiences has anyone had recently with ETransPlus? [2008-11-15]
My wife and I are about to become employed MTs with ETransPlus. How is the level of communication between MTs and management? Any more information would be appreciated.

You know your calling people ignorant...sm [2008-11-12]
really ticks me off. It is a simple mistake that was made. You need to get over it! No harm was meant. I could have made the mistake myself because I honestly did not know Oriental was not appropriate. I am not ignorant.

They may have something in the works, but right now there [2008-11-12]
isn't enough work. They have lost several people recently due to the lack of work and still there isn't enough work. I like the company, so I'm not bashing them, but if there is a lot of work it isn't showing in our updates we get 3 times a day and I'm running out of work every day. If we're on 15 minutes past our shift we are asked to get off, doesn't matter if we haven't been able to get our lines. There is one account that is particularly difficult and I think that has caused some people to leave, but even that account is running out of work on a daily basis.

I think everyone just was lost on the ...sm [2008-11-12]
fact that referring to an Asian descent person as Oriental was not PC. I have to admit I honestly didn't know that myself. Learn something new everyday.

Mine is low as well... [2008-11-11]
I actually am going back to school starting in January. Just signed up for classes yesterday. I love being an MT, but the lack of work is happening more and more.

passed RAD test... [2008-11-10]
Was called the next day with info about an upcoming RAD account the following month. When that month came, I took the time to follow up with the RAD account. Was set up for an interview. Had interview. Recruiter Amanda thanked me for interview through email, gave me a couple things to look at, and said to contact her if I had any questions. She unprofessionlly did not respond even after 3 emails. Nice impression about company communication she gave me, yes she did.

Yep, CTS is awful! [2008-11-10]
If it makes you feel any better, I did get paid after I quit. I worked for CTS back in the summer and there was always a story as to why my checks were late. I stayed on through three billing periods thinking it would get better....boy was I wrong. It just got worse and the checks got later every time. I finally quit and honestly did not think I would get my last check, but surprisingly I did (two weeks late). CTS is without a doubt the worst company I have ever worked for and my advise to anyone that might be thinking about accepting an offer......RUN and don't look back.

M-TEC Grad [2008-11-09]
Can you tell me if the graduates are being told they will be hired after graduation? You can all share in the over-hiring that we all experience and the lack of work and the crummy ESL dictators.....

This is their way... [2008-11-04]
to say they TRY to hire Americans. About 90% of their MTs are in India. You know darn well that those MTs do not pass the same tests as are given Americans. This is such crap that I don't know where to begin. Stay away from Focus!!! I used to do QA for them for Indian MTs before all the US QAs were fired in favor of Focus QAs and it was the worst junk I have ever seen. Plus my team leads were Indian and I couldn't even understand them. Horrible communication. BULL-OWNEY.

Me too [2008-11-04]
Fed Up, you NAILED it! I was contimplating venting on this board today as well.I would have typed the same things you did. I am ready to start looking elsewhere, but where? I almost feel as though all these transcription companies are the same. It takes so long to get used to new accounts and set up your computer, that I wonder if it is worth the jumping around. I tried working as an IC and it was terrible! I got all the reports that were thrown back into the pool. Over 90% ESL, low pay, no communication, no benefits! Now I am an employee and I am getting the bottom of the barrel AGAIN! In the last 2-1/2 months I have been thrown into 11 different accounts! Then I get an email from my sup re-stating line requirements! Mind you, I have over 99% accuracy! I am fed up too! Hang in there, Christmas is just around the corner......

And add to that [2008-11-03]
we can choose to not work for companies that are so doggone greedy and believe they can offshore to make a bigger profit. BUT in the long run, the companies that do not offshore pay us all less than we made 10 years ago saying they have to charge the client less now because of offshoring and and still have to be making a pretty good profit at all the MT's expense.We work hard, darn it, and this is just so frustrating. Think company greed, not lack of good U.S. transcriptionists surely adds into the mix big time.

They are currently hiring, though doubt a new [2008-11-02]
sup is in the works. If you do what you are supposed to do - work your shift, follow account specifics, meet/exceed quality standards, and sign out of IM if you're away from the computer for more than a potty break you shouldn't have reason to have contact from sup. I'm fairly new and have had my share of issues and honestly thought about quitting because of this person too, but decided I wasn't going to let this person run me off. My quality was always good, had a few goofs on account specific because of switching back and forth between accounts, but I settled into a routine, consistently work my schedule, consistently exceed minimum QA scores, gotten used to account specifics so I can get the right ones w/o thinking, and I just don't have any issues now.

NOW THAT'S WHAT i'M TALKING ABOUT!!! [2008-11-01]
I don't work for Keystrokes, but I have so much respect for a company who keeps it in the good old U.S.A., especially with the lack of jobs out there these days!! I work for Webmedx, who also keeps work in the heartland!

Yes, you can use this post to send to MTSOs who might not come here. [2008-11-01]
The situation you describe, that the MTs should be pistol whipped by the supervisors on behalf of the client is more than evidence of a lack of team spirit. Rather than a supervisor coming to defense of the team, the inadvertent (aren't errors always inadvertent) is used to whip the MTs to death - putting them in a state of anxiety as they type their next report. This is the only field where I have seen all credibility is lost in a seasoned MT when the client communicates dissatisfaction. No wonder MTs are so defensive. This is a difficult job to do and those who have done it for years and done it well enough to make a decent living at it deserve respect and a supervisor who is on their side.

GREAT POST!! MY REQUEST.. [2008-10-31]
I wish that you would share your post directly with MTSOs who may not see it here, by anonymous email or some other method. Actually, I just might send the link to the HR manager of some of these MTSOs, if that's okay. Recently, my Indian manager was replaced by a female USA manager, who has some of these traits/habits, the worst of which is that we have received emails that indicate her inclination to always assume that 100%of the clients concerns are the fault and responsibility of the MTs, that MTs should be able to read minds, etc., etc. Her communication style is very condescending. If you email a question, you don't expect an answer unless she decides that it is important. You know the type. I can't wait to find out how it all works out in the months to come.