How's that for service

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) [2008-11-22]
Strike looms at Hastings hospital By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune Last update: November 21, 2008 - 11:12 PM About 230 employees at Regina Medical Center in Hastings are spending today making final preparations for a two-day strike they have called for next week. Nurses aides, X-ray technicians, physical therapy aides, housekeepers, dietary workers, medical transcriptionists, operating room aides, patient care technicians who are part of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota are set to walk of the job at 6 a.m. Monday unless they can come to agreement on a new contract over the weekend, said Ryan Nagle, a union spokesman. No new talks are scheduled paving the way for the two-day walkout on Monday and Tuesday. The union is not calling for an open-ended strike because we want to limit any impact on patients but still get its message out to the hospital and the community, Nagle said. The workers have been without a contract since Oct. 31 and have rejected offers that would bring them higher costs for health insurance and a reduce retirement benefits. Pay is not a sticking point in the negotiations, Nagle said. Union members and hospital officials have met several times in the past three weeks, but last met on Monday. Nagle said union members will meet at 3:30 p.m. today at the Pleasant Hill Library to make picket signs and support each other. window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href;

In-house/service [2008-11-07]
I agree with the other poster that there is more to consider than a good rate of pay. In house has many beneifts, generally higher rate of pay, but also many negatives. I think personal situations come into play here more than money - it dosen't sound like you are worried financially but rather don't want to be taken advantage of. From my experience, in house is great if you need experience or years under your belt. It's not usually a good fit for those with kids, long distances to drive, or who just want to sit and type. Most in house facilities add other responsibilities or schedules that change on a weekly basis, including holiday coverage and that can pose a problem to a parent. In house is usually a 24/7 - 365 job with a rotating schedule. In my area, 2 years ago I started at $14 something an hour and left at almost $16 at the beginning of this year.

but, also, now you don't have service pack 3. nm [2008-10-23]
x

great faxing service [2008-10-22]
My girlfriend signed up for a new faxing service with Packtel. It's only $3.95 per month for unlimited faxing, I'm getting a fax from her right now on fax machine, and I gotta say that the quality of the print beats to pants off eFax. If anyone would like to check it out, here's the link:

Our service uses Send This File [2008-09-24]
Extremely nice subscription-based service we use to transfer both voice and document files, has some limitations but is very inexpensive for secure and basic transfer features. Will transfer large voice files very efficiently. www.sendthisfile.com

Disappointing service at Martel Electronics [2008-09-10]
How disappointing to have received such poor service from Martel -- a company we all rely upon for their great products! The new headset I ordered arrived damaged/defective with an improperly coated wire making the headset useless. When I called I was informed that not only would I be charged a restocking fee, I would have to pay to have the defective product returned. Only after inspection would a new one be sent -- and that would be another wait of 10 to 14 days. Repeated requests to speak with a supervisor got me nowhere. I ultimately disputed the charge on my credit card and wrote to the Better Business Bureau. How unfortunate that the only supplier of the Lanier headphones is so unresponsive to their customers!

LD Service [2008-08-01]
You may want to try magicJack (visit www.magicjack.com)- the service is $20 per year for unlimited long distance. Phone plugs into your PC via USB port.

Remove Service Pack 3 and go back to [2008-07-29]
Service Pack 2. I had nothing but trouble with my computer with SP3. I do not have automatic downloads turned on. I go over to the microsoft.com website occasionally and see what is new for downloading. I choose the custom settings so I know exactly what is being uploaded. Start Control Panel Add or Remove Programs Find SP3 and remove it.

Service Pack 3 [2008-07-24]
Service pack 3 does not work with my spell check. Does anyone know how I can keep this thing from downloading on my computer?

Transcription Matchmaker Service.... [2008-07-24]
Here is the information that, I believe, another poster had mentioned, but didn't know where to go to find the service. Transcription MatchmakerContact: Terri KaminskiPO Box 10861, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110recruiter@transcriptionmatchmaker.comTelephone: 206-855-9524, Fax: Title of position: TranscriptionistExperience: 2 years as a transcriptionist.Location of position: United States: nationwide positionAt home or company: Work from homeFull or Part time: Full-time positionEmployee Type: Employee Type of Transcription: Hospital transcription,Many types of transcriptionSpecialty: Any SpecialtyJob Description: Free MT job search assistance available ONE TEST, ONE INTERVIEW, RATHER THAN TESTING WITH EACH COMPANY!! Are you interested in finding a new employer, but do not know how to choose between the hundreds advertising job openings? Would you like to know more about a company than what they pay and what kind of benefits package they offer? Transcription Matchmaker is here to assist you. We believe that one of the most important criteria in choosing an employer is the company culture. Not everyone is a good fit for every company. But in those instances where you land in an organization that is a great fit for you, success and happiness are just the beginning. At Transcription Matchmaker we take the time to get to know you. We want to know what environment you work best in. We will ask you a series of questions to get a sense of your ideal environment for satisfaction and success. Then we match you to companies that meet your needs. We have an extensive database of transcription employers.

How's that for service? [2008-07-19]
A strange thing happened today. My husband, who is a hospital-employed MTwho works at home, got a phone call from a doc at the hospital. It seems the dictation system was down, but heneeded to dictate. He proceeded to dictate over the telephone while hubby transcribed. He dictated both an HP and an OP note. It was strange, but kinda cool.

I have digital phone service through my [2008-06-24]
cable internet provider. I no longer have a C-phone account, but used it for a few months without any problems. It is truly unlimited. I tried VoIP through my ISP provider and couldn't get it to work and support is in India and less than helpful. I have read where many people use Vonage and are happy with it.

honey, it works like this: The MTSO(service) charges the doctor X amount per line or report, and [2008-06-13]
takes part, gives you the rest. Therefore - the MSTO(or service) decides your pay. If you are paid 8 cpl, surely you do not believe the service charges the doctor 8 cpl - do you?

I was making 6.5 cpl in 1975 at a service -- 30 years later most jobs [2008-06-09]
Talk about PITIFUL.

Hospital versus Service [2008-05-06]
The experience you will get at the hospital cannot be beat. Nothing compares to having experienced coworkers to help when you are stuck on something.

Onesuite pay as you go service [2008-04-18]
Onesuite has always been a pay as you go service. No plans, no tie ups or anything so anytime you want to stop using Onesuite you don't need to do anything. But so far, I'm liking it so I will keep using it until someone better comes along.

Last resort is applying at the service the hospital is using. [2008-03-20]
dd

You need to charge for this extra service. Stat reports should be charged at a higher rate or per r [2008-02-27]
Never lose money. I have unlimited long distance and when my docs what things faxed, etc, I charge them per report to fax the document as well as charging them to transcribe it.

Civil Service/Government MT Jobs? [2008-02-06]
Hi all, I am wondering if any of us work as an MT for any government agencies, V.A.hospitals, military bases, etc. And if so, how is the pay rate. Is the hiring process difficulty. THANKS! I am going broke, looking for a more lucrative 2008.

Payroll service sm [2008-02-04]
I used a payroll service, the cost was very nominal and they do all the work, keep all the records, send you statements, make out thepayroll checkand you hand everything over to the tax guy at the end of the year. I did open a separate checking account, it is much easier than mixing it up with your own money, keep it separate, no incorporation necessary unless you expect to expand. Just an opinion, of course. You can pay your own taxes from your account at the end of the year if you don't pay yourself each week, you can pay self-employment tax and use a Schedule C for yourself, be sure to keep some money in the bank for this.

great service, don't remember it down [2008-02-01]
I have had AT&T for a few months sine it bought out BellSouth. I had BellSouth for years. I only remember one outage, and that was during aftermath of a hurricane, for about 2-3 days. I really like it, and if you get someone that speaks English, the tech support is knowledgeable and friendly.

Internet service is not down. [2008-02-01]
They just switched to using a different cable for service and most service will be back up today. Since it happened at the end of their workday yesterday, it hasn't really affected too much.

What is the longest you have gone without service? Do they return phone calls promptly? [2008-01-31]
TIA

Internet service [2008-01-31]
Was with Time Warner when brought out by ComCast. Internet service through cable fast but unreliable. Have been with AT%T for about a year now, a tad slower, but has NEVER gone down.

I think the on-line signature service [2008-01-31]
was something like 90 for me last year, can't remember exact amount,and he really helped me a lot. The first couple of years, I went to an actual office too and got charged an arm and a leg and thought what's the deal, charged for every page and form they did andthought I can just plug the numbers that I gave her into those screens as well as she can. They were charging more than my ex got charged at an accounting firm when we were married,and his business was WAY more complicated. That's when I started doing my taxes myself using some system on-line.

I ordered them and used them for about a week or two...sm [2008-12-03]
I had the same concern about the batteries near my brain, almost a slight buzzing when you foot is not on the pedal. I ended up calling customer service and they gladly switched them for me to the less expensive QC1 headphones. I love them.

I totally agree with you. [2008-12-01]
I have been burned before too, to the tune of about $500.00. This from an account I had worked on for about 8 years. In the end, it was constant e-mails from them telling me they had not received this, that, or the other, which I politely and even happily re-sent, time and time again, without any complaint whatsoever. The office manager admitted two things: 1) that they were harassing me, and 2) that they had found a girl who would do the work for less money. Still, I understand OPs predicament, and I know I would be sorely tempted to let it go just to have the account. But I still agree that they should never have asked or implied that this service should not cost them.

Only hospitals and Diskriter do actual sm [2008-11-29]
background checks where this information would turn up. They also ask on their applications. I have never been asked when applying for a service. If the question is not asked, then there must not be a prohibition on felons.

How about forgetting about other people and thinking [2008-11-28]
I started doing that years ago. We have the ability to just tune in our our headphones and tune out the garbage. Take attitudes for what they are. Here is something once I heard I always try to remember when someone in the field, either a coworker or boss, etc. is nasty: Always be kind as possible, everyone is also fighting some kind of battle. This means we don't have to get in other people's heads and figure out why they are out to get us. Don't waste the time. Chances are whatever it is has nothing to do with us. If QA is instructional fine, take from the mistake and learn and consider that learning experience a blessing. Conversely, besides the money which I also need to feed my family, think about that patient you are serving silently from home, and how you are in service. There is no job greater than to be in silent service to others. So, 2 things we can learn about our unique situation in this job: 1. Be thankful we can work quietly and remain quiet even through the storms of others. 2. Remain quiet while serving in a noble manner those who are at a time in their lives when they need you most, the sick and dying. A lot of the way we are treated is drawn by the way we look at the world. Change your outlook and things will change. That of course is just my 2 cents. I am not in control of anyone else, not this business, not the other posters, not the docs, not the people in the industry alongside me. I can only sit quietly and appreciate the fact that I am an MT and that is where I should be and I enjoy that fact every single day, even for 26 years I have served thus far. Happy Thanksgiving.

$$$ [2008-11-27]
Promotions and potential raises - you must be kidding! Where, when and how... I've been at it for 25+ years, had my own service at one time and I still only make 0.825 cpl... come on..

Napster and Rhapsody last time I looked. [2008-11-27]
Rhapsody limits you to 25 plays a month, and Napster has poor sound quality for free plays, but should at least give you a good sample. I haven't used either in a couple of years, so their terms of service may be different now.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) [2008-11-22]
Strike looms at Hastings hospital By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune Last update: November 21, 2008 - 11:12 PM About 230 employees at Regina Medical Center in Hastings are spending today making final preparations for a two-day strike they have called for next week. Nurses aides, X-ray technicians, physical therapy aides, housekeepers, dietary workers, medical transcriptionists, operating room aides, patient care technicians who are part of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota are set to walk of the job at 6 a.m. Monday unless they can come to agreement on a new contract over the weekend, said Ryan Nagle, a union spokesman. No new talks are scheduled paving the way for the two-day walkout on Monday and Tuesday. The union is not calling for an open-ended strike because we want to limit any impact on patients but still get its message out to the hospital and the community, Nagle said. The workers have been without a contract since Oct. 31 and have rejected offers that would bring them higher costs for health insurance and a reduce retirement benefits. Pay is not a sticking point in the negotiations, Nagle said. Union members and hospital officials have met several times in the past three weeks, but last met on Monday. Nagle said union members will meet at 3:30 p.m. today at the Pleasant Hill Library to make picket signs and support each other. window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href;

new mt [2008-11-19]
Most MTs take a course either by mail, online or in community college, etc. There are some companies that hire new MTs but I'm not sure of the names at this moment but MTjobs.com sometimes have one advertising for MTs that need no experience. In my experience, the best way to get employed as a new MT is to try a local transcription service in your community once you get schooling and try to get hired, that way there is someone there to help you if you have questions.

Ooma [2008-11-18]
Just stumbled across this new VOIP that sounds too good to be true. Normally I'd say Then it must be, but judging from the number of 5-star reviews on multiple websites, I'm seriously thinking of trying this out. Anyone here tried it? Apparently you buy the hardware like a mini-router that just routes a single IP address. Anyway, it looks like it would pay for itself in 4 months, & after that phone service would be totally free. Anyone here tried it? I might just jump in but keep my land line for awhile in case it doesn't pan out.

OP notes [2008-11-14]
If you already work for a service, maybe they have OP accounts. I would tell them you would like to learn. Ask if they could assign you a few each day and have them go to QA for feedback. I would also buy a few surgical reference books. I feel the books are much easier to use than Google because so many instruments, brand names, etc, sound alike. Good luck. I love my OP accounts.

I went from FP clinic to OPs sm [2008-11-14]
hardest darn 4 months of my career! I skipped acute care other work types. In the end, it has been just great. I then went work for a service doing OPs after that (it was all outpatient surgery) for a large teaching hospital. At this point, you can throw me about any OP and I can do it. I learned cardiothoracic surgery this year without much cardiac experience and didn't even find that a problem. I have a Stedman's Surgical Equipment word book, but if you are a good googler that is almost as good, but can be time consuming if you are not. It would help you to have another MT who knows OP notes to ask questions of as you learn. I did, it helped a lot.

Just received e-mail of new virus [2008-11-14]
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 11:54:53 AMSubject: FW: NEW VIRUS WARNING! With Christmas fast approaching . . . . . . . . . . .watch out for this... be alert..Please read the following. It applies to FedEx and UPS ================================================ Thenewest virus circulating is the UPS Delivery Failure. You willreceive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. NOTE: The word packet is mis-spelled on this line. It will say that they were unable to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached. DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS! Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days.Snopes confirms that it is real: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp

IC Contracts - sm [2008-11-12]
I've got a question for those of you who service your own personal accounts. I currently work as an IC for another company and I am getting ready to take on a bunch of radiology reports from one doctor. (I'll work both places) I'm going to be paid by the page. Have any of you asked for a contract for a guarantee of work, i.e. he will guarantee a certain number of reports a week? What about contracts? Is there any place where I can download a contract and use it as a template for a foundation? Thanks guys.

or [2008-11-12]
Get out all together, like I'm doing...I have 20+ years of experience and am tired of this line of work...the only time you get acknowledged is when you make a mistake. No benefits, no paid time off, no thanks, no nothing and I am an IC so I have to pay self employment taxes, and I don't even really get a say in my schedule anymore even though I stay as an IC. These companies really take advantage of MTs, but I guess everyone will continue to complain about the pay, but still take the jobs...I say, let them have it. I'm taking my civil service test and applying forother jobs because this is getting old fast. I don't enjoy my job anymore like I used to and so I know it's time to get out and besides when it's the only source of income, as I am a single mother, it just doesn't feed the family anymore...so I'm out! Good luck to everyone that stays in it...it's not worth it to me anymore.

Thanks for the kind words and reassurance. sm [2008-11-12]
I think the rehab service people are pushing me because the money has already been spent and they have to justify their jobs. I feel bad about that, but have to think of myself. I also think they really don't know exactly what an MT's job entails. I just can't see their logic in having me give up a job I already have in this economy.I also told them I didn't want to be tied down to the area I currently live in and eventually would like to move. They had a hard time understanding that this job is totally portable.

I've been thinking about a job change recently [2008-11-12]
I've only been in this biz for about 13 years, but now that my last one is off to school, I'm also thinking about a career change. I live in a very rural area as well, so I understand completely what you mean about people thinking $8 an hour is a good wage. One thing I'd like to suggest is looking into a state job. We have 2 state prisons in my area (about a 20-minute commute) and both hire medical transcriptionists as well as medical records personnel. These jobs generally start out at about $12 to $15 an hour plus state benefits, which in my state are the best bennies anywhere. The jobs that require coding certification pay even more. I would highly recommend that you look on the internet for state civil service jobs in your state. You'd be surprised at the opportunities in the medical field. I'm considering this option myself but want to wait until next fall, after I have the summer to spend with my kids (and so I don't start out in the hole because of babysitting expenses) and to have time to look into getting my coding cert. I graduated from a business school with an Associate's in medical secretarial and did a lot of coding prior to working from home. I used to do billing for a very large rehab facility, so I don't think it will be too hard to brush up on my skills. Anyway, good luck and let me know if this (a state job) pans out for you. Most people have no idea these kinds of jobs are even out there (I didn't).

52K [2008-11-08]
Could you tell us all how that is possible? You would either have to type over 300 wpm OR use a lot of normals. I've transcribed for over 25 years and the only way I made money anywhere near that was when I had my own service with the same clinic physicians who said the same things over and over and over... I then made 100k, but have never since giving up my business. Please tell us all. Thanks for the info in advance.

My satellite experience. [2008-11-08]
You probably will have problems with bad weather. Even if it's just really windy or raining hard, it gets really slow or sometimes you will lose service. I also have problems if it is snowing really heavy, don't know why, butI do. But welive in the middle of20 acres with no trees around, so the wind and weather really gets going out here. But overall it worked out okay.

Digital phone/C-phone [2008-11-07]
Does anyone use a C-phone withdigital phone service? Does this work out okay?

That is pretty much the only way to use them [2008-11-07]
now because you need ULD and no phone company offers true ULD. I worked with a company where I had to use a C-phone and I had digital phone service through my cable company. I no longer work for the company, but I used it without any problems whatsoever.

there are many [2008-11-03]
variables why this could be occurring, but 5 minutes to download a 2 minute job is too long. Exttext software does not function well with slow internet service providers, works much better with a fast connection, cable to DSL, and even still if a lag or lull in the connection, it can set things off. It is good to keep you temp files cleaned up, but that is not usually a reason for lengthy downloads. Call support people who installed the software.

Is this our overseas competitor? They ALMOST grasp the English language sm [2008-10-22]
We promise you complete medical transcription document, which need not any further proceedings from your side. Its not mere talkativeness that we proclaim such a huge appraisal. Our clients' talk will take you to the fact. We are getting compliments globally just by maintaining global standards in medical transcription. Our transcription service has verifiable quality, turnaround times, security and pricing. We have developed a host of software products that act as an aid to hospitals, doctors and other outsourcing companies that can effectively handle the data from the moment of dictation, to the final delivery of transcribed files to be preserved as medical records. Our medical transcriptionists are highly experienced, trained to understand the various speech patterns, English accents and dialects, as well as to the continuous development in the lexicon of medicine and technology required to assure transcription accuracy. The reputation in transcription is not built in a day. A gradual process with patient, accurate, but speedy completion of the transcription jobs assigned with extreme care brings all those rewards. Intense heed is provided right from the EMR process. Our aim-oriented team is extremely engaged with maximum effort to bring you the excellent result in transcription work. Our team can never go below the level from assuring you the optimum return of your investment. Highly sophisticated transcription solutions are offered by our crew resulting in the optimum performance to provide an end-to-end transcription. Implementation would be a breeze, and your staff should not have to make any changes to the transcribed records. Consequently, our transcription satisfies all HIPAA regulations. While you are contacting us in case of any further clarifications regarding the software or any other service, related to transcription jobs, you may be surprised because your call may be attended directly by our technical department. We are ready to go up to any extend to provide you the full-fledged solution concerning our transcription works. Our squad can assure you the quickest remedy for any tribulations regarding the transcribed item. Our EMR(Electronic Medical Record) solution assists you to retrieve the recorded transcription at any time. Consequently, our organization provides you a permanent database for the future too.

great faxing service [2008-10-22]
My girlfriend signed up for a new faxing service with Packtel. It's only $3.95 per month for unlimited faxing, I'm getting a fax from her right now on fax machine, and I gotta say that the quality of the print beats to pants off eFax. If anyone would like to check it out, here's the link:

Word XP--sm [2008-10-22]
When I logged onto my computer this morning, all my desktop icons are small. Opened Word and the print is small even though settings are Times 12. I made no changes at all. Also, I use text boxes but when I print the document, the lines in the box are not printing. I did notice yesterday that the computer did an auto update and loaded service pack 3, whichI deleted. Any idea what happened??

Toth [2008-10-20]
Thanks so much for your support. I was one of the lucky ones who got out in time, as he took over the business. I got great satisfaction when I had heard they lost their biggest account to another service.