How about from all children whose mothers are gone. nm

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers who, like me, are stuck working. nm [2008-05-11]
xx

to all moms whose children are gone [2008-05-11]
Dear Mr. Hallmark, I am writing to you from heaven, and though it must appear A rather strange idea, I see everything from here. I just popped in to visit, your stores to find a card. A card of love for my mother, as this day for her is hard. There must be some mistake I thought, every card you could imagine Except I could not find a card, from a child who lives in heaven. She is still a mother too, no matter where I reside I had to leave, she understands, but oh the tears she’s cried. I thought that if I wrote you, that you would come to know That though I live in heaven now, I still love my mother so. She talks with me, and dreams with me; we still share laughter too, Memories our way of speaking now, would you see what you could do? My mother carries me in her heart, her tears she hides from sight. She writes poems to honor me, sometimes far into the night She plants flowers in my garden, there my living memory dwells She writes to other grieving parents, trying to ease their pain as well. So you see Mr. Hallmark, though I no longer live on earth I must find a way, to remind her of her wondrous worth She needs to be honored, and remembered too Just as the children of earth will do. Thank you Mr. Hallmark, I know you’ll do your best I have done all I can do; to you I’ll leave the rest. Find a way to tell her, how much she means to me Until I can do it for myself, when she joins me in eternity.

How about from all children whose mothers are gone. nm [2008-05-11]
:

Schedule or not...most MTs have small children and spouses sleeping at 2:45 a.m. sm [2008-04-23]
I believe common sense is to not call during that hour period. Sometimes my MIL stays with us in the summertime for a few months and I know if my phone ever rang at that hour it would scare her half to death. Turning the ringer off is not an option at least in my house in case of emergencies.

or go homeless or not clothe my children [2008-04-23]
x

I work the wee hours in my bedroom, but if you had husband and children and worked those hours [2008-04-23]
wouldn't you keep a separate office where the phone ringer could be kept low. They should should only be calling during that period if you're scheduled to work. I get 3am calls telling me they are sending me stats all the time. Remember, hospitals NEVER close.

O.K.. - but Indian CHILDREN are now being trained to do our jobs? [2008-03-26]
You make some very valid points, however even with 30 years experience I was placed at the bottom of the radiology payscale. If you're going to pay someone the same amount to produce a quality medical record which conforms to various random client customer specifications who would you want to do that job? A. A well-trained educated professional who not only understands the English language perfectly but who also truly cares that the records of United States servicemen and women as well as their fellow countrymen are kept confidential and secure, or... B. A child in a third world county. This is not about another pair of jeans...

Really? You can work 16 hours a day and not neglect your children? [2008-02-15]
x

I hope your children are doing better and all goes well [2007-08-07]
with upcoming surgery. You will be in my prayers. Not too serious, but I had to put off my younger son's braces and my older son has an impacted molar that needs surgical attention, both of which I put off until I find a new job, which hopefully will be within a week or so.

Question for those with school age children. (sm) [2007-05-27]
With summer vacation upon us how do you cope? Do you change your schedule? I would do that for the summer, but suppose then it would be hard to get it switched back to days in the fall. I know, I should contact my supervisor and I will. I will have the grandchildren this summer, 11, 8 and 5. They will be going to summer school for about a month of the vacation, but the rest of the time I am not sure how well my schedule will fit. I generally type 6-11 a.m. and then 12-3 with a short break figured in during the a.m. to make school drop offs. I live in the country, so there are no other children close. I won't allow them to swim unless I am outside with them and I sure don't want them in front of the TV all day. I know many of you do this like it was second nature so would sure appreciate hints. TIA

lol Children usually resort to name-calling. [2007-02-27]
nm

Unfortunately there are many who need to be treated as children [2007-02-21]
I mean.....come on. It is your job(not meaning YOU, I'm taking in general here)...so treat it like a job. NO, they shouldn't have to remind people...but if they didn't then the abuse would get even worse I'm sure. But I place blame with management as well as the MTs. If these MTs aren't meeting the requirements then, as Donald Trump would say, You're Fired! Go! LOL :)

I have empl+children and pay like $350 a month [2006-11-17]
nm

School out for 2 days now. My hat is off to all you mothers who do this regularly. (sm) [2006-05-24]
I hope it gets easier. They are great kids and really no problem (7 and 10), but those 6 hours I type during the day seem to be the ones they REALLY need to talk to me. I can't imagine how you all keep your sanity on a regular basis. You must be miraculous people.

I have 3 small children...... [2006-03-04]
...and I can do it. In fact, I have a baby.....ya think that is easy with a schedule??????? But if you need those few minutes of flexiblity you need to OK it with your supervisor. Otherwise you need to stick with what you signed up for. My post was very fair. She was acting like she can just work whenever, and that is not the way it is anymore. I was in the same boat about being switched from SE. I wasn't happy about it either. I have been doing this for 20 years, 10 years with MQ. I could have easily got another job, but I decided to stay and see what happens. Although it has been difficult I believe I have braved the storm. Anyone who can't hack it shouldn't stay and XXXXand moan. They have choices.

Children [2006-03-04]
I am the single parent of a 7-year old son.

Do you have children, Albert? [2006-03-03]
x

Children! [2006-01-29]
x

RadGuy - Don't let these immature brat children who [2006-01-17]
If they're not making it, it's THEIR fault. Their fault for staying and putting up with it. They're jealous because they don't have what it takes to be successful. Never have. Never will. What's really sad is what they are putting their poor pitiful families through. Their husbands (geesh, can you imagine coming home to hear their bellyaching everyday -- same ol' crap every day, same ol' cryin and complainin, same ol' reasons for not getting off their lazy duffs and doing somehting about it?), their poor kids for having to live in a home where Mom (or Dad) can't get their own self-centered pity act together and get a job that actually pays. Pitiful excuses of adults. Pitiful. There are many of us who are doing well --- and that is our right and our privilege!! Stick around here. We need you! MANY of us think you're just dandy!!!!

yes! can you say "favorite children"? [2006-01-16]
.

Any tips on becoming one of these favorite children? [2006-01-16]
Just give me the details, and I'll pucker up. I won't do anything for love, but I'll do almost anything for money.

Niether of my children are Chinese or [2006-01-09]
Indian. Both finished high school, one went on to college, one works in management in retail, and both are very intelligent, productive adults.

dude is slang my children use, male and female call themselves dude, a [2006-01-04]
term of endearment you are in another world with dude ranches than that of 2005-2006. if you watch teens you would know better. your a$$sumption that i thought you were male was wrong. i thought you were someone working for MQ looking for a cat fight with anyone who doesn't like mq. btw, majority rules. the whole board apparently vs you and busy.

I moved from that area. I wanted my children [2005-12-30]
raised in my hometown so I sold my business. It was in a large metropolitan area and where I moved was a small town that wouldn't be able to give me the clientele I wanted. It was extremely profitable. I personally made 6-figures a year. Howeover, it was an extraordinary amount of work, as well. I'm glad I had that experience and it paid off. I had thought about going back into that business in a large city nearb; however, I changed my mind and went back to school instead.

still home with my children; can work in PJs (nm) [2005-12-20]
x

I think we should be paid more for teaching hospitals. [2008-09-05]
Not only are the residents and medical students idiots, they idiots change every 3 months and we get new ones. Just about the time you figure them out, or they learn how to dictate, they leave. You can't set up standards for these children. We should get a premium for transcribing teaching hospitals. I have 2 and they drive me crazy.

our jobs [2008-08-27]
Don't you love it when one of the MQ lackeys presumes to tell you what your job is - i.e. to take everything that the company dishes out without a whimper. If workers in the past had not been willing to stand up and fight we would still be working 14 hours a day in sweat shops (along with out children) behind locked doors vulnerable to death by fire and many other wonderful outcomes.

Ahh...my dream... [2008-08-27]
I bow to you! I too have harbored plans to attend medical school. I remember the ortho surgeons I used to work for...they would askme why I did not become a doctor or at the least a P.A... That was a few years ago, I now have 2 more children, ages 3 and 4 soon, on top of the 16, 14, and 12 yo. I still might go back to school. I love medicine! Right now, transcription works for me with all the kids. I really could not imagine trying to get to a 9-5 with the kids at these ages. Transcription pays the bills and I am thankful for my job. I too believe that ASR is a joke for acute care facilities. Voice recognition is perfect for the private practitioner who will take the time to train the computer to voice and save on personal operating costs. Voice recognition does not, however, belong in facilities with more than a few dictating physicians. You are an inspiration for sure! Good luck to you!

so your response is [2008-08-25]
I can be rotten if someone else is. Got news for you, may be old and cliche but still applies - 2 wrongs do not make a right. Grow up. Don't stoop to their level. They cheat so you can cheat? Very responsible attitude. I hope that is not what you teach any children you may have. I can't believe how people can justify their own unethical, immoral behaviors just because someone else is doing it. You are no better than they are, in fact you are worse.

Plus, they're getting worse [2008-08-20]
They bought out some smartly managed companies, but just bought the accounts and the transcriptionists, they threw the management skills away. They stupidly assumed, oh these are just typists, most of them are women, we can just treat them like our house servants, they are like children, or dogs. Anybody can do this. We can replace them if they quit. Duh. We just have to know what doctors are trying to say when they can't talk. You think we learn to do that over a coupla weeks?

Word issues [2008-07-28]
My training is to type as dictated, even on a not-strict account. That's not a horrible word. Perhaps a little unprofessional, but kind of cute. We all know which docs have small children, don't we...Before I became QA, a QA person told me to put half quotes, but I'm not sure that's still the rule. I wouldn't worry about this.

Isn't that just awful? - sm [2008-07-21]
Quite awhile ago (I never forget this stuff when it's so off base), I had one in which ASR transcribed*thepatient, herhusband and their 3 children live inside her vaginal vault*. A bit crowded, wouldn't you say? Utterly ridiculous, yet so tempting. Sometimes I'd be surprised if anyone would even catch it if I did letthese go. If I didn't have to worry so about my job, I'd love to take the chance and find out some day.

I understand the reasoning behind moms wanting to (sm) [2008-07-19]
be able to work from home, while at the same time care for their children. However, in doing such, you are NOT going to get paid the big bucks that the hospitals offer. Take if from me. I worked in-hospital for over 20 years, and at home for 2. The difference in compensation for performing the same job is DEMEANING, INSULTING, BERATING, and unfair; thus the bitchin and moaning about pays from working at home. We all need to set priorities; home with kids and work, or work out of home and make the bigger bucks, and by bigg3er bucks I mean well over $24.00/hour, with full bennies, excellent health coverage with very little deducted from your pay, dental, IRA, life insurance, the whole shebang, Perks, as well. It's YOUR decision. These are bonafide facts from a MT of over 25 years. So decide what is most important, location wise, and if you work from home, stop the moaning and groaning, because, like I said, inhospital, and even doctors offices pay 10x more than here. Online you are compensated in pennies. Inhouse, you are compensated in increments of LOTS of $100.00 dollar bills. Period.

My leaving [2008-07-19]
I just was burned out, I did not leave because I was pressured to do so, I had put in a 4 week notice, I left at 3. Replacement was in place. There is a lot I will not say, I am too kind for that, but I felt it was time to go ahead and leave, no one asked me to leave early, I just did. I also hear that certain ones are being told to say I had an emergency of some sort, not so. I believe in honesty in a job, things happen and the integrity of the job fails, this is what happened. I am retired so I am taking my education outside the medical field to some very exciting life dreams with my grown children. All of you will survive, I will miss you, but do not even imagine I was asked to leave, I did that on my own, I loved working for MQ but the job description and duties - well I will just leave it at that. I think one will believe what they will, but I will remain true to the rules and to the MT/QA staff, would fight to the end for you, but Friday I put my own light out, and have stepped across the line into abeautiful new future - Good luck to all of you, stay true to yourself and you will go far. Life's a dance,so lets do it !!!

Yes, you do get bereavement [2008-07-18]
pay for up to 3 days for spouse, parents, children or stepchildren, brothers or sisters, grandparents or grand children. If you need to see the policy, its under Human Resources, Policies, Bereavement leave policy. Contact your PS to let him/her know. They can enter it on E-time for you. Sorry to hear about your loss.

Tony Snow [2008-07-12]
This is not for the main board. It's for we long-time sufferers at MQ, especially the ones who live alone and struggle, or are the sole breadwinners in a single family.... Former White House press secretary Tony Snow has died of cancer. He was 53. I remember him 'cause I watched his press announcments for the president and then saw him being interviewed, etc., a truly lovely honest man, who wore a suit.So.... take today as a GOOD DAY for us. Every day is a gift. I always liked Tony Snow, and he is so young to go now.... I can do today's work with him in mind and not care aboutmq problems. This news really makes you stop and think. In fact, as poor as I'm getting, and watching the hell on earth with starving children dyingand maniac dictators, we are lucky - yes lucky. At this point I can barely pay my mortgage and utilities, but MQ suits - male or female - will have their day, maybe not in a an earthly court, but in another one.... God bless you Tony, gone too soon.

Why I am no longer loyal [2008-07-11]
I personally know two people (both single mothers) who had to declare bankruptcy because of the situation at MQ. I was fortunate; I got out and got with a small husband and wife operation who hired me, pay me well, provide benefits, and are decent people. I wish everyone else good luck as well. I think that the TitaniQ has truly hit the iceberg.

They were just looking for ways to rob of us a few characters [2008-07-01]
Let's face it, that is why MQ wants us to use the digits rather than spelling them out. We're not padding but they were looking for every opportunity to steal a few Keystrokes from us. I cringe every time I have to type out some sentence like Patient's has 4 adult children, 2 of whom live in the area and 1 died last year. It makes me look like an idiot who doesn't know better.

Not buying their reasoning [2008-07-01]
To stand out from surrounding text? Most times it is just distracting and immaterial to the text (As in the 4 children, 3 living in the area, 1 died, etc example) On the other hand, they don't want us to do meds in all caps even when that is the correct spelling, i.e. CHANTIX and GoLYTELY because it brings unnecessary attention to them. Plus they admit we need to use our discretion. So let us use it, already!

One more thing........... [2008-06-26]
Count me in on the conference call. I would like to say one more thing about MTs and charities. We are a very giving group of people. I've been in the business since medical records were chiseled on stone tablets and in that time I have seen us do some great charitable works. When the Mississippi flooded in 1993 we took up collections, donated food and clothing items for our fellow MTs in the area as well as the general population in need at that time. Then there was 911, I do not recall a company wide contribution, but I know our office and many othersdonated blood,supplies and money.When Katrina hit we donated money, PTO to our fellow MTs. When Desert Storm started and then the current war in Iraq our office (they were still open then) went in with a local hospital in my area and sent needed items to the troops, donated items for Christmas packages for the troops. Every year our office would contact a local church and adopt a family in need, we donated non-perishables (including pet food, not usually thought of but very important), collected money for fresh food items and even presents for the children. I can remember carrying the items into the apartment of a family, and the woman who lived there (raising two small children on her own) stating I've never seen so much food! She had tears in her eyes. When you see the lives you have helped first hand it is a wonderful feeling, but more importantly, it makes you want to help as many as you can. My point is, we are wonderful on our own, we do not need to have MQ donate for us. Actually, I would like to see a comparison of what MQ donated (without benefit to the company such as tax deductions) compared to us. After all, in most cases the MTs did not receive tax deductions for their contributions. I would get along great with you and your grandmother. Save the voiceless. If I have misspelled anything or left out a word or two, please forgive me, it is late and being the dinosaur that I am, I am very tired.

Think you are right on that, for example (sm) [2008-06-17]
I don't particularly blame the supervisor. She is, as you said, following the rules. SOme complained of running out of work - they gave us the cess pool. Some misused the IC/SE status - we all became employees with time clocks. Some misuse their schedules still - all are treated like misbehaving children.

In response to all the responses below... [2008-06-04]
First of all, thank you. I can see you are all highly passionate about your jobs. I have already done this once in my lifetime, watched a profession go by the wayside. I understand passion. Passion is good, but passion has to be realistic. The government is sending our jobs overseas by the buttload. At this point in time it is a national crisis, but NOBODY is doing anything about it. It's happening in every sector, in every region. The outcry is tremendous, but it continues. As someone pointed out below, nobody seems to care if their personal information is being accessed. Very good point since I can pull up a picture of my own house and pictures of my children, my address, my date of birth and if I looked hard enough probably my SSN on line as well. So will the media cover this issue and does anyone care anymore? Continue on with your passion, but painting CBAY as the devil, the only devil, is naive and simplistic. This is a nationwide crisis affecting everyone in which MQ is only a very small piece of the pie. Very small. I admire passion. I am not Indian (that I know of). I am also not management material. I despise buttkissing.

VR/SR Advancement to MRSA [2008-06-04]
No problem here. I did plan. Retired from the Feds after 30 yrs those retirement $s are direct deposited every month, since I worked 2-3 jobs while working for Feds, paid into Social Security, I qualified for Social Security as well those $s started coming inlast year (eligible at 62 but waited until age 65) The Feds may not pay as well as private sector, but you can't beat the benefits, so don't need benefits from MQ or any other. It took me 10 yrs to get a 2-year degree while raising 5 children, had planned to go to nursing school but decided to be an MT instead cause nursing is a bigger mess. I'vebeen MT'ing since I retired from the Feds in 1994 (lots of in-house). So yeah, MRSA, I think my planning worked out pretty well.....never, ever put all your eggs in 1 basket. So, all that said,if push came to shove, I could probably find another MT job if that is what I wanted to keep doing. Best thing, though my kids are all grown self-supporting. I really feel for young mothers raising a family in today's world.

Always. Extremely rare for me to miss. [2008-05-28]
Maybe for a thunderstorm or no internet or something. But I usually work even if my kids are sick or I'm sick. I did have to miss a few hours in April when I had the flu and couldn't even sit at the computer. I'd get up and TRY, but would always end up puking my guts up. Made up most of the time but took a few hours of PTO. Anyway....I can't even believe so many DON'T work their schedules. I miss being statutory too -- but I have a teenager and 2 SMALL children and can manage.

MT is not just an industry, it is an industry which employes [2008-05-25]
wives, daughters, mothers, granddaughters, sisters - a huge number of women - for the most part make up this field. It is like kicking nurses on u.s. soil out to the curb after to save a dollar. It just isn't right, and it is not patriotic in the least. Appealing to the decency of taking away the jobs from women should touch their hearts.

Draft of Letter - An idea. See what you think. [2008-05-24]
To: Medical Facility From: U.S. Medical Transcriptionists Date: Topic: OnShoring This letter is being written in order to alert you to the slow but steady movement of medical transcription positions off U.S. soil and that of Canada's. The impact these corporations say offshoring has on the US MT is nominal as there are not enough MTs in the United States. Please note that there is more to this equation, and that is suboptimal pay, of course, and that is resulting in a company's inability to retain U.S. MTs. Please know that there is a huge number of support staff whom are facing layoffs as a result of the offshoring. It is a matter of human decency and how one treats their fellow man, fellow American as well as provide tax dollars and help the U.S. economy. Without the middle man, we are able to provide you with low cost per line transcription. It will be delivered in quality assured form in a time frame requested. Along with knowing your transcription is being performed in the United States and the pride that should give you, you will also be helping our country, a democracy that is run by the people and paid for by the people, by paying taxes. I believe we owe it to the founding fathers to keep America vital, growing, financially sound so that she may offer its citizens the best of what man and nature together have to off. This is an opportunity to work together in a manner that would be similar to working with a national transcription service but you will deal directly with the lead transcriptionist. Keep America Strong, stand by her, for the children. Clean this up and see what it can do. e-mails to each m.d. and hospital in each town is all that it would take.

I should even expand on that. I saw either a [2008-05-23]
video ad for Indian MTs learning centres a few years back, and then saw a follow-up special on PBS on India. Not only do these future MTs get paid for the course, they go and live in the centres - picture a college with dorms. So, they get paid for learning, get room and board, and generally improve their lifestyle drastically starting day 1. They go around and recruit teenagers and young adults from the different cities and villages. Sometimes parents even get paid a dowry of sorts for letting their young adult children go and learn MTing. Its sort of like the idea of indentured servants - it was an eye-opening video and TV show, and I knew we were in big trouble back then.There are millions upon millions of people with nowhere to go but up, and they do work anytime, anywhere, andfor anything. So sad.

I'm in your brother's age group and [2008-05-15]
any better of an education. I think it's getting worse. My fourth grade son takes all tests open-book. When I questioned his teachers about this, they told me that's how everyone's doing it. Because the children are allowed to go back and look at the material on the standardized tests, the board of education feels it is appropriate to allow them to test open-book in school. I personally think this is the govt's way of making sure no child is left behind -- another way to make the stats work in our favor. As for my education, I'm 34 and I do know what the term refrain means, but proud flesh - that's not something I've ever heard. Fortunately for me, I was in the academic class because I did well on the standardized tests, but I know all too well the classifications that some kids go put into. We had a fourth group-- the speds (special education). Back in my day, these were the kids who needed more one-on-one with the teachers. Now they mainstream everyone. I think mainstreaming is good in certain classrooms, but in others, it really holds the rest of the class back.

We bet they will!!! [2008-05-15]
I taught our son how to cook, do laundry, clean and even iron (which he doesn't do too well but does know how). Now that he is living on his own, he has told me many times how much he appreciates being taught how to do these things. Luckily, both of our children are doing well on their own and, thankfully, aren't sponging off of us, like some kids I know.

My ex is a professional educator; I've gotten lots of info from him [2008-05-15]
and I'm not making it up about the sputnik generation. I was part of it, and if you do some research, I think you can probably pull up a reference or two to it. According to the history channel, a lot of drastic changes we are experiencing as a people/nation came out of the late 1960s, partly the Viet Nam war, and a lot from the so-called Hippie generation. I lived through this all, so I hope I'm not being biased. I had never given it much thought, but I was watching the History Channel the other morning, and they attributed the rise of the religious right to the Hippie movement (which they then traced back all the way to Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation). Anyway, the religious right movement is something I find very scary, and it apparently started as a backlash to the freedoms espoused in the late 1960s. I wasn't really part of that movejment; I was in college in my dress for success mode studying math and once walked by a demontration. My ex was actually tear gassed in his dormitory during the riots. You need to have been there to really grasp it, it is really alien to thinking today. Anyway, the decline in education stems from then, partially with more freedom and wanting to escape from The Establishment. A lot of people from that generation are now running a lot of liberal-oriented things, especially education. I'm not pro-either, but that's just the way it is. This has led to the idea that self esteem is really important. I tend to disagree. My lack of self esteem is what drove me to achieve when I was in my 20s and 30s, not to what I am now, close to retirment. Anyway, there is also the MTV generation and this total adoration for sports figures. When my daughter was in school I met so many parents spending 4-5 nights a week with athletics intending their children to get athletic scholarships to college. Well, they seemed to forget there are also ACADEMIC scholarships, and this is primarily what higher education is about. I don't knock practical knowledge; in the 24 yrs I was married to my ex I would sometimes have killed for someone who knew how to use a screwdriver w/o kllling himself. But still, we do need very bright highly educated people, not necessarily to lead, but to keep a grasp on very complex ideas and situations. We don't need a lot of them, but we do need some. Anyway, I spent over 40 yrs in higher academics, in Iowa, which used to be a leader in literacy (and where almost all of your national standardized tests are developed), and so it is difficult for me to get used to the low levels of knowledge people can be satisfied with, but there's a place for everybody, and everybody needs his place.