Email your supe to make sure they activated your work pool

Doesn't offshoring make HIPAA a joke? [2008-12-02]
Americans spend time carefully deleting old files, etc., IN THEIR OWN HOMES while current records and sensitive information are allowed to regularly be sent to insecure terror hot spots like Mumbai? It's all about PROFITS--not security or privacy.

Make your expander lists portable [2008-12-01]
The esp file can be saved as mentioned.The next step is to make it work in Bayscribe. One solution is to use Instant Text and import your esp file. Once your Expander file is an Instant Text glossary, it is portable and you can use it on any MTSO transcription platform. MarianneTextware Solutions

You mean they work OUR holidays. They just had a big one that lasted 5 days and WE had work for a w [2008-12-01]
You think Indians don't get sick? They have to be constantly sick in that disgusting place.

Usually bonuses are not under a supe's control [2008-11-28]

HIPAA compliant email [2008-11-28]
Does winzip qualify as hipaa compliant when used with a password? Does anyone out there work directly for a doctor and have experience with this? Any help would be appreciated!

now you did make me laugh....sm [2008-11-28]
because i haven't thought of Bosco since I was a kid - and it's been a pretty long while since I was a kid!!

Vitamins that make us mentally alert? [2008-11-27]
Which vitamin supplements can we take to make us more mentally alert as an MT? Thanks

Would you work for a co. that docked your paycheck for blanks? [2008-11-27]
nm

Please, guys, surely you've seen these people's work SM [2008-11-22]
and are appalled at the very low quality. When training, I worked alongside one of them. The quality was atrocious, but she put out vast quantities of it, moving many reports a day for the hospitals and making lots of money for herself and her employer, so her job was actually very secure in spite of the many complaints that came in from the unfortunate clinicians who received her work. But her speed cannot even begin to compare with that of a computer, or couldn't. I imagine she's safely retired now and doesn't have to face the change-or-get-out that will be required of other content slobs.

do computers make you feel sick? [2008-11-22]
hey, i was just wondering if any of you transcriptionists dread spending so much time on the computer. Do any of you get headaches, or other discomforts from the EMFS or the chemcials outgassed from the computer? I have a blog where I post info about outgassed chemicals from computers. if you get bad feelings from computers It might be because of the outgassed flame retardants and other chemicals. http://www.outgasreport.com

Out of work now [2008-11-22]
That is great and fine for those of you who have a job, but mine was eliminated and not much out there for those of us who do not have high speed internet. Has anyone checked out Sologig for work? I know since I looked for a job on CareerBuilder, I get all kinds of spam. Am wondering if anyone really gets real jobs/work through Sologig. TIA

I make more editing or transcribing SM [2008-11-21]
depending on how the lines are being counted and how good the SR is at transcribing the dictator at a particular institution. Compensaton is particularly subjective and variable in editing, which offers opportunity for lowballing in a period when hospitals are pressuring hard to keep costs down. I prefer editing, though. As said, it's significantly easier on the wrists, you're a lot more productive, it's somewhat higher-level work and (if the job survives at all) likely to become more so, in part because only a high-skilled Editor can figure out the leavings of these very clever transcriptionist-computers. The days when a content slob with flying fingers was a valued MT are fast departing.

RE: How can one person make it [2008-11-20]
If you get a job at a hospital and then take part-time job, you might can make it.

gmail is an email account with google - nm [2008-11-20]
x

Anybody here work for Transcends or JLG.. [2008-11-19]
x

Work for Free [2008-11-19]
I'm telling you, DON'T WORK FOR TOTH. They will s c a m you out of $130 or more before you even start to work, as they charge you this ridiculous fee just to set up your computer. Believe me, there aren't too many companies out there, at least in the 11 years that I have been doing this, that charge you to set up your computer, and if they do, it's usually only $30 to $50. Don't stoop to their level. They have no regard for their MTs, and they live beyond their means in a big house, with a mortgage that is about 5 times the average mortgage, and their car payments are about 3 times the average car payment. I know them personally, and they're not good people. Wait until after the holidays. This time of year it slows down, as doctors take vacation, etc. It is usually slow this time of year. Things break usually in February.

That is what I am thinking...Work is so slow..sm [2008-11-19]
I can't recommend a company right now.

Not that I don't want to give you the company I work for...sm [2008-11-19]
It is Alphamed, but I wouldn't recommend it to you because I have hardly any work right now so I know they aren't hiring. If you did work there you would go broke if you didn't have a husband to back up your pay.

The bottom line is if the work runs dry, then [2008-11-18]
It's not rocket science.

But they are not dictated when the IC has to work. [2008-11-18]
They are alerting the potential contractor to when the work is available. If the contractor does not wish to work when the contractee requires the work done, the the contractor should not seek that position. Now if the contractor accepted the position and signed a contract committing to working those hours, and the company attempted to force a change in the agreed upon hours to make the contractor work a different schedule, that would be a violation.

I work as an IC and I let the MTSO know WHEN [2008-11-18]
I am available to work. If there is work, fine, if not then I don't work. That is a true IC.

They can tell the IC that work is only [2008-11-18]
available between 12 and 3. If you want to work for them as an IC, then in a way they can tell you when you have to work. If you don't want to work then, then don't work for them.

schedule for those doing pool work [2008-11-17]
I mentioned this in my previous post, but thought I would post a new topic since it is specific to pool workers. Can those of you who do pool work tell me how you schedule your day? Do you aim for XX lines, XX hours, etc.? Also, do you sit down for a straight XX hours or do batches? Thanks, Vicki

I do pool work [2008-11-17]
I have to get a minimum of 1200 lines in an 8-hour shift, which is more than enough time to hit the minimum. I do acute care and do have a backup account, which I work on infrequently since my primary rarely runs low. I take a 10-minute break every 2 hours just to get up and move around a bit. I hope that answers your question.

I work an 8-hour day, so I normally work [2008-11-17]
for 4 hours or so, take an hour break, and then finish up.

Use your mouse [2008-12-04]
Just use your mouse and keep clicking on the icon. If not, just reboot your machine. That sounds like a strange problem. Best not to let other people mess with your work PC.

Glad you got that off your chest. I feel [2008-12-04]
when the doc is delinquent and HIM gives him the notices to make him dictate, that is the time I work extra to make more money... this way my bank account will be bigger the next time he goes on his golf outing for a few weeks, or to his house in the Bahamas and I go broke waiting, waiting, waiting (as the dictators say when looking through a chart) for more dictations to type.

Verizon [2008-12-04]
Try uninstalilng norton and installing AVG free antivirus. Sometimes when norton upgrades they turn interfere with certain programs such as security. AVG is a free antivirus that can be found if you Google avg free - make sure you pick the free version. I have used it for sevearl years now and it has never interefered with interent (we have moved twice and had different providers) or with any of my platforms.

I think you should have charged them [2008-12-03]
the first time. Tell them if you have to spend time to listen, then that's at a rate of $20.00 an hour in addition to the transcribed lines minus the reports they think are already transcribed. This way, you are paid to listen. How much more of this are you going to take Lisa? My dear, you are letting them walk on you. Are you being paid for the meeting in the morning? I can thank C-Bay for losing my job, too. Look, you are going to need to draft a contract to bring along in the morning. Otherwise, you will be working for free, and this practice will drive you insane. You need to figure out what works best for you and set the ground rules. You simply explain to the office manager that this is how you will be doing the work and what you will charge, etc. At some point, you will have to hold this office accountable for the work they give you and stop working for free. If you are picking up flash drives, then they should not expect you to report back on patients, etc., which is time consuming unless they would agree to a flat hourly rate for listening and sorting out dictations and then a lower line rate. I know, I have a big mouth, but please, don't let them take advantage of you. As I said in your last posting, they will continue to abuse you if you allow it. There are plenty of companies online hiring right now. www.mtjobs.com - have you checked there?

I'm getting another flashdrive and guessing who is on it [2008-12-03]
Okay, last Thanksgiving weekend, my new doctor gave me a flashdrive and I did all the patients, and then she told me nine of them had been done, how did I want to handle that? You all were very kind in giving advice. This was after a girl walked away and left them not knowing up or down on who is done and who is not. Today, she called me and asked me questions about dates and patients. She said she is busy and doesn't really have time to see what is actually on the flashdrives. We're meeting in the morning and she is going to give me another one (or two or three). Should I volunteer to listen and make a patient list, or should I tell her I will type all the patients and expect to be paid for them. I don't want to spend my time listening and not getting paid, honestly. But then I want to try and hold onto this job, having just got laid off from an office with more than one physician (thanks to Cbay). You guys are experts and thank you.

You are so right, I think [2008-12-03]
you speak for lots of MTs when pointing that out. This is a classic example of money-first, and people-who-make-me-that-money second.

Thanks! [2008-12-03]
Thanks so much for the suggestions! It's so nice to have sweet, smart folks to consult. I've changedmy deodorant a couple of times with no improvement. Even quit shaving (Ewww). I'll try the other suggestions and am ready to make that visit to the doctor if no improvement! Thank you all very much--

It should adjust itself sm [2008-12-03]
but you can adjust screen setting size by right clicking on your desk top, go down to properties, and then over to settings. There is an option for screen resolution size that can make the appearance of the screen larger, smaller, etc. Typically for the larger screens you want the higher resolutions. You'll love having a bigger monitor.

Thanks to everyone! sm [2008-12-03]
Thanks for all your help. I guess what I got from you all is the potential is very high for me to make even less money than I do now if it is not a good account. The fact that I may have to do almost as much typing for half the pay and double the work I guess is not worth the chance I would be taking. Thanks again!

I love it. [2008-12-03]
I can type 180 lph hour doing straight transcription and I can edit at an average of 600 lines per hour when I edit reports via escription. I make a lot more money editing than I ever would doing straight trans. This is also from 5 different accounts (big accounts) with 2 different employers. My average is relatively the same with each account. It really depends on the person though. The potential is there but it isn't going to work our for everyone. Good luck!

Tell her you will type what is on it, [2008-12-03]
especially if you did not charge the first time for the duplicate reports as you have been down this road before. Definitely do not WASTE your time by listening through first and making a patient list. You might suggest that the doctor separate his reports out in teh future as he dictates and then the office staff can make a list and give to you with the flashdrives. That way, if there is a patient on the list and you do not get you, you can let them know.

yup get them [2008-12-03]
What I use is the generic 1% fungal cream from anywhere, drug store, grocery store, Wal-Mart. Make sure it's 1% because the higher percentages burn and this one does not. All you do is bathe, make sure you are dry, and put on liberally. Works like a charm!

What? [2008-12-03]
Defending Indian MTs? What are you talking about? Do you think an MT in India would work for free? Highly doubt it sweetheart.

So you get a flash drive with voice files on it you are suppose to transcribe? [2008-12-03]
I'm trying to understand. Do you save the transcribed reports on the same jump drive? If that is the protocol, then wouldn't the MT before you typed any reports, then wouldn't they be saved to the flash drive? If so, then you could open up the flash drive and if there are any Word files or text files, you open those up and see what they are. If they are transcribed reports, write the patient's name down and don't transcribe those notes. Whatever the case may be, I would absolutely tell the office manager or whoever you are meeting with that you will type everything on the flash drive and that you expect to be paid for everything you type. You gave them freebies the last time and you're in this business to make money.

I need some advice on starting my own small side business. sm [2008-12-02]
First of all, I have worked for several nationals in the past few years, and equipment has always been provided. I currently have a f/t position with a national that I use my own personal computer for, they just put their software on it. I had what I needed already, as far as foot pedal, Expander program, etc. I have just been sort of rolling ideas around in my head about possibly starting up something small perhaps on a p.r.n. basis just to bring in a little extra income. As I am still just mulling this around in my mind, my questions are: How do I go about getting started? Do I try to purchase equipment first, or start out using tapes? I am worried about spending the money and not having any takers, so I am thinking, I should send out some sort of letters first; but, without having the equipment already, how do I tell them I plan on doing their transcription. Maybe mention tapes first, and tell them I have plans to go digital after I get up and running? These are all just things I wonder about. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to email me with any advice. I have been an MT for 16+ years, but as I said, I have always had all of the stuff provided for me and just don't know how to start. Thanks in Advance!

Word [2008-12-02]
You have to be completely out of E and open up your Word document. Change your settings there. Then exit. It should stick after that. But, if you open Word to do other work or look at a document that is not in the font you use to work, you will need to change the font again as that is what will stick when you open E again. Hope that's understood.

IC and taxes/PTO time [2008-12-02]
Hi all. I have been doing this and wanted some feedback from other ICs on how they handle the same. I currently have 10% of my check put into an account for all taxes and 5% for PTO time, which should equal about 13 days a year, maybe more depending on how much I work. My husband gets floating days off (works at a casino) and gets 5 weeks (imagine that!) and I think I would like to work up to that per year. Currently at the 5%, I am at about 3 weeks, so not too far off. I am just not sure I want to have 9% taken out for vacation time. That seems like so much hehe Maybe I could increase by 2% each year and by 2010 be up to the 9% or 5 weeks off a year. I do pool work, so taking time off with notice is not a problem. What I have done in the past is if I dont have enough PTO time saved, I work on Saturdays leading up to time off and after vacation to make up for lost days. I so much want this to be more like a normal job I am working 8 hours and setting the $$ aside, so I think it will come together, but the PTO still throws me off! My question is really how do the rest of you set aside for taxes and paid time off? By percent or dollar amount?

Dictaphone extext question [2008-12-02]
Can someone please tell me how I get the little box to open that allows me to speed up or slow down the dictation? Sometimes it opens automatically and sometimes it does not. How do I make it open when it does not appear automatically?

Which is better? [2008-12-02]
I currently use ShortHand and will be moving to a company that uses Instant Text with Medrite. Was told that my Shorthand could be converted somehow to use within Instant Text or I could use the Medrite expander. I really just want to use Shorthand, but if I cannot, does anyone know which way would be better -- to put my Shorthand expansions into the Instant Text or the Medrite system? When they do this, will my Shorthand basically work the same? Any info greatly appreciated.

Fun? [2008-12-02]
OMG. I work on eScription and it gets on my nerves so bad. I'm so tired of getting pregnancy instead of parenthesis, words left out, and don't get me started on the numbering. I'm making half of what I used to on traditional because of all the correcting.

More money with eScription? [2008-12-02]
That's what I was afraid of is that if the correcting is too much than how could I possible make more money than doing regular transcription. I thought it might be possible to do twice as many lines per day by editing rather than transcribing, which is what I would need to do to make the same pay.

I like Escription, but [2008-12-02]
I also work for a small company so there are very few hands in the pot when it comes to training the speech rec engine. I would imagine the more people that work on an account, the more room there is for errors causing the speech rec to get worse instead of better.

Editing requires a somewhat different set of SM [2008-12-02]
talents and skills, Carole. Some make more, some less, depending on that. Also, very important, depending on how the lines edited are being counted compared to the amount of work required--this can vary widely, even within a company depending on which account being worked on.

Yes you are right, it's all about [2008-12-02]
the profits, both to the offshore MT companies and to the idiot doctors and hospitals that send work over there. Irritating that stupid mt with a heartbeat will defend these greedy clowns. You are right. I also have a problem with my records being handled in such a filthy backwards country.

Anyone with similar rash? [2008-12-02]
I had posted this q. on the Gab Board before, but got no response, maybe because I worded the subj line wrong or maybe it was just the wrong board. Has anyone had an experience with an underarm rash that may be a form of tinea? This started w/me having an irritation 3 months ago from wearing an ill-fittingbra in hot, humid weather. Since then it has gone from red to a brownish rash that is spreading to areas under my arms that was not originally irritated. Any OTC treatment I could try before I make an embarrassed visit to my doctor? TIA!