I'm at home and love it.

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!

I love Limewire ! [2008-12-01]
n

Mumbai - time to bring our records home [2008-11-28]
Does anyone wonder not if but when our medical records will be compromised by sending them to India now that the terrorists have taken up residence there? And you folks from India, please don't try to defend as there is no defense. Our medical records are at risk and they need to come back home.

I use the Wal-Mart Green-Dot card and love it. SM [2008-11-28]
There was an intial $4.50 charge when I first got the card. They waive the monthly fee if you deposit more than $1000 a month on it which I do because I have my pay check direct deposited to it. The only fees I pay now are ATM fees when withdrawing money. You can reload at Wal-Mart as well, but if you are loading cash, they will charge you a fee. However, it is a payroll check, income tax check, basically any computer generated check (not handwritten) you can load it on your card at Wal-Mart for nothing -- no fees. I started using the prepaid card through Wal-Mart a year ago or so because I couldn't open a checking account thanks to my ex screwing up a joint account we had when married and never taking care of the negative balance as he agreed. I got tired of always running to the bank to get cash out of my savings account to go to the store and buy groceries, not to mention my bank only allowed 3 withdrawals a quarter from a savings account and then they start charging fees. Getting the prepaid card is awesome. I pay bills with it, use at Wal-Mart and the grocery stores with very little fees. Plus you download a direct deposit form off the green-dot website to give to your employer for direct deposit. It has all the routing info preprinted on it. I've never had a problem.

I love WordTraverse - Convergexe [2008-11-17]
I have multiple accounts, and it lets you tailor-make line counting methods for each account. One account I charge a certain rate but also charge for bolding on/off, and another account I do not charge for that. It just varies on how much of something I am expected to do. Anyway, I'm sure there are lots of them out there, but I like this one.

I love my old softflex... [2008-11-17]
and need a new pair, I even turned them inside out and switched hands, ha-ha. Great padding on the wrists. If I forget to put them on, I notice it very quickly. I'll even forget I have them on sometimes and go out to the kitchen and nearly get them wet in the sink before I realize it, they feel part of me. Well worth the money, think I'll get me a new pair for my birthday.

working at home [2008-11-17]
I think the most important thing we forget because we work at home is it is WORK. We would never ever expect to be allowed to get up from our desks at a job away from home in an office setting, with the boss in the next room, to deal with an hour-long ordeal from our kids and their ups and downs. We would not be allowed to attend to family and friends calling us to chat at the office with the manager close by, so why do we allow ourselves to be pulled in at home? Because we can. It is very hard but you have to remember that this has to work the right way for you or it is off to the office you go. The kids need to be reminded that too. I feel quilty sometimes, especially in the summer when my 7-year-old asked me to come play outside at 10:30 in the moring. My father-in-law reminded me that I should not feel guily. If I was not able to be working at home she would be at a sitter's house I would be away for 8 or 9 hours a day. That made more sense than any reasons I had tried to convince myself of. It is hard to tell the kids you are busy when they see you at the PC but I like the poster how said they lose something in the same amount of money that they caused you to lose,, might have to try that. Mandy

The license for the Home & Student version only specifies [2008-11-15]
that you can't use any of the applications for commercial purposes such as writing a book and selling it. Other than that, Word and the other apps work like any other Office bundle. The first answer you got is the right one.

I'm getting a regular full-time job outside my home. [2008-11-14]
For 3 or 4 years now, I've been fighting to be able to stay home and work a regular schedule (yeah, right) to take care of family. I was given a sort of intervention recently that I've become a very unhappy person who is always working or waiting for work or worrying about work. I don't laugh or have fun and I've isolated myself. I'm certainly not better off than when I worked in an office and I'm less free if most ways. It's not a good or profitable trade-off anymore. I'm looking forward to separating my home and work life, and to be able to sleep at night again.

I love this! Thanks so much for taking... [2008-11-10]
the time to share this with us. I know you had to go to the trouble of figuring out how to upload the picture and all, so it really is appreciated. I'm going to get something like this going for myself!

On #1, I meant to add -- bring home pay! [2008-11-05]

Anyone homeschool their children and do MT from home? NM [2008-10-30]
x

Background (radio), but I would love to know [2008-10-29]
if you can have it on your computer, headset, while working. I do not know how to do that, but it would be great to have classical in the background of the dictators!

I love Pandora! [2008-10-29]
I have 4 different stations for my music on Pandora. I have it playing from my personal computer while I work on the work computer! It is great! Best thing I have ever found!

I love my life, but I'm not happy with my job [2008-10-28]
I have plenty to be thankful for, that does not mean that I cannot come here and complain. I did notice that some people that you meant the constant complainers. I've only recently become one since I quit one of my jobs as an IC and I have been reading through the boards about how much people don't have any work anymore because of the outsourcing. That should pi$$ EVERYONE off in this industry no matter if you have a great job (good for you) or not. I'm more livid about there not being a standard for MT's because I pride myself on doing an EXCELLENT job but that doesn't seem to matter anymore, so yes that pisses me off and makes me not so much miserable ... because I am a very happy person. but when I spend the majority of my day doing my job... it does tend to wear on you you know?

I actually love that, it is like free lines! nm [2008-10-27]
nm

I use Smartype and I love it...nm [2008-10-21]
kk

home coding [2008-10-16]
I am currently a coder working from home and have done so for 5 years. In our area (midwest) very few hospital coders work on site now; almost all work from home. It is only a matter of time before most, if not all, coding is done at home. Office coding is probably different because oftentimes the physician office coder also does the billing so has to be on site to answer billing inquiries.

I love Google and I love MTs [2008-10-16]
Okay, who in their right mind would not only discuss but have passionate opinions about hyphens and apostrophes? I love it! Anyway, in googling grammar rules I found numerous references that two days' time would not but hyphenated but when used as a modifier like two-day history, it would be. I remember telling an OB nurse friend of mine about fretting over 38 weeks pregnancy and whether the hyphen belonged in there and she just laughed and said she thinks she would get the point either way. Well harumph!

coding at home [2008-10-15]
I have a friend who has worked for several years coding inhouse and has just recently started working from home making a lot more money than she made at the hospital.

Don't you just love the DS for a 1 to 2 day [2008-10-15]
stay dictated by the resident or P.A. that is 16+ minutes long and then there is the 2-1/2 month stay dictated by the attending that is 5 minutes long??? Sometimes, I just don't understand.

I LOVE houses, too. When I go out for a walk, [2008-10-10]
I like to look at the different houses and pretend I could afford to buy one of them, and decide which one that would be. Also like to look at the yards and see what I would change or leave the same. My love of 'house-hunting' was born pretty early. When I was 7 my family moved, and I remember the house-hunting process went on for quite a long time. I loved seeing all the different houses! One even had a basement, something you don't see that often on the West Coast. Even after my parents found a house and we moved, my mom (who LOVED house-hunting) still liked to go and look at them. (She was a total 'lookie-loo!') On hot summer days when we kids were bored, or on rainy days when we couldn't play outside, she'd pack us in the car and contact a friend of hers who was a realtor, and we'd go off looking at some of the more unique homes for sale, including a stone castle 'way up in the mountains. (That was pretty spooky - we did it on a rainy, thunder-and-lightning day). So, if I were in real-estate, one thing I would definitely be is totally enthusiastic about EVERY house I was selling! But I don't think I could deal with all the phone calls, appointments, no-shows, etc. ESPECIALLY the weekend work. So, I guess I'll just have to keep on looking. Like you, I like MT and am good at it. I job-hopped relentlessly in my early 20's. Finally got tired of the hiring-and-quitting merry-go-round, and became a Kelly Girl. Pay wasn't the best, but I got lots of interesting jobs, including an architect's firm high up in the hills above Malibu, a race-car builder, a toilet factory, and even Walt Disney Studios. It was a good way to job-hunt, too, because frequently if an employer liked my work, they'd offer me a permanent job. I finally 'fell into' MT when I was between jobs, as usual, and a relative who did MT at a hospital invited me to lunch one day. We ate in the hospital cafeteria, and afterward she showed me her office (some MTs had their own offices back in those days!), and let me listen to and try to transcribe a report. Of course, my first attempt must've been pretty hilarious to read, but I liked it. She told me to take a transcription course at night school, and the rest is history. I just wish MT could go back to the kind of work it was back in the 70's, when you were considered to be an actual EMPLOYEE, and not just a 'cog in the wheel'.

I love the stethoscope kind....nm [2008-10-07]
aa

OMG - I love this!!! [2008-10-05]
Just sent it to every MT I know - absolutely hilarious!

I love it here, too, and for your info, I'm no newbie [2008-10-05]
For the most part, the responses here are friendly and positive. They're not always friendly either, and that's okay, too. It's just that on OCCASSION someone has to get nasty. As evidenced below. Again, I will state, honesty is not the issue. I believe we should be honest in telling people with questions what we think, I'm just saying we should keep it friendly, which obviously some people have difficulty doing. As one poster said, this conversation would never take place this way face-to-face. It seems we all grow bigger you-know-whats when we're cyber chatting and lose all civility. We have to throw in little jabs and start making it personal; like stating I'm throwing a temper tantrum, when in fact, I'm stating my opinion just like YOU ARE.

flat screen [2008-12-04]
I have a 19 flat screen monitor and I love it to pieces !

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.

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.

Platform [2008-12-03]
WebchartMD by far the best with the best support above and beyond you will love them!

Thank God for some nurses who DO dictate... [2008-12-02]
for the docs who are horrible dictators. I do progress notes for an ICN nursery almost nightly. Thank GOD for those nurses. There are 2 docs right from the old country who can't string a sentence together in English though good docs they may be. We're talking 7-8 page very detailed reports on some of these babies. The other night, one of these gals dictated the first part, God love her, and actually handed the phone to the doc to give his 2 cents worth, awful dictator. Hey, the best thing some of these docs can do is let their PAC's do the dictating!!!

The Medrite system I used [2008-12-02]
had the best shortcut system built into it that I've ever used. Of course, it was also the first one I ever used, and you know how you tend to fall in love with one that you're used to.

I, too, worked most of the weekend part-time....sm [2008-12-01]
We had Thursday and Friday as holidays, but since I knew there was a backlog and that it would truly be appreciated by my bosses, I dug in from time to time and we got the backlog caught up for today. I truly treasure my bosses and love my job, and all the co-workers I talk to feel the same way. We really do appricate and value a great MTSO and we prove it!!

Among other things that need to change, [2008-12-01]
MTSO's need to get stand their ground and RAISE THEIR PRICES. All this undercutting has hurt everyone, and cheapened what used to be a respectable profession. Now it's just sweatshop labor, hidden from view of the nation because its home workers are invisible.

Looking for TX Platform like Bayscribe, Etc. with Low Cost [2008-12-01]
Hi, Starting up a TX business here. Want to be able to offer clients a platform like Bayscribe or Vianeta, etc. However, I am looking for one with low cost, I love Bayscribe, but if you are low volume, which we would be starting out, their per line rate is very high. Does anybody know of a good platform with a low per line rate and no or very low startup cost? Thank you, David

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.

Depends on type of prepaid card sm [2008-11-28]
I have a Visa debit card through ADP. They are the payroll processing company used by Medquist (which is where I got the card initially) and many other companies, not just MTSOs. The only fee involved is $1.50 per month to have the card and fees for using it at an ATM, which is the same as if it were through a traditional banking account. I can also transfer the funds to my saving account if I want or set it up to have a certain percentage put on the card and the rest in the bank. I have had this card for about 3 years now and love it. However, if the card they are wanting you to use is like the ones you can get at grocery stores, Wal-Mart, etc, stay clear. They require fees for almost everything from getting your money loaded onto it to using it for each and every purchase. As far as not wanting to give out routing information for direct deposit, why is there such a worry? So long as the information is given only to your employer, there shouldn't be a problem. Unless this is only a short-term job, I don't see the big deal.

Mumbai - time to bring our records home [2008-11-28]
Does anyone wonder not if but when our medical records will be compromised by sending them to India now that the terrorists have taken up residence there? And you folks from India, please don't try to defend as there is no defense. Our medical records are at risk and they need to come back home.

And don't forget, we have native terrorists. SM [2008-11-28]
For a broader view for a greater understanding and perspective on some of these issues, I'd recommend starting with a good book or two. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman offers a thoughtful--and very readable--view of globalization and outsourcing, for instance. For now, hoping our files will be brought home, i.e., basically wishing our local hospitals still had to hire those of us who live within a commute of them, is pretty much like hoping computers will go away. I'd spend my time and energy elsewhere.

Macro expander [2008-11-28]
Have anyof you used that new Windows Expanderex product advertised on this site? What kind of file does it use? Is it compatible with Shorthand? Sure wish they would make one available that isn't so expensive. Would like one for home use but don't want to spend over $100.

Terrorists anywhere are horrible, awful! [2008-11-27]
We are very fortunate, indeed. These no-mind brainless idiots could be right around us. We can't let them get away with it, no matter where. I never thought my beautiful, innocent first grader would come home and tell me they have to practice getting under the desk for cover, lock their door and stay under the teacher's desk if possible,should any bad guys come into their school. Heartbreaking. They may be preparing for the nuts who come to school with a gun but I hate to see this happening in little first graders lives. How sad! As much as I hate to see work going to India, I don't wish them any harm. It shouldn't happen to a dog, never mind people. I will pray for them because the shoe someday may be on the other foot, God forbid! Yes, they were targeting Brits and Americans, that's how much they hate us, but I'm sure some people from India suffered as well. Terrorists know no boundaries, all they want is terror and heartache. I am thankful today for my freedom and for those who are putting their lives on the line to protect us.We live in a great country.Have a Happy Thanksgiving, even if times are tough, we have the privilege of living in a great country.

I just got my Kinesis Freestyle... [2008-11-27]
with Vip Accessory, and I love it. I just got it a couple of weeks ago and it's taken a while to get used to it, but I would never go back to a regular keyboard. I like being able to adjust the separation between the two keyboards, and I like not being all scrunched over while typing. It's on the pricey side but I think well worth it, plus I can deduct it at tax time!

You are so right...sm [2008-11-27]
I, too, am very thankful I have a job. I have been blessed to do what I love for over 30 years. I may not have always loved where I was when I was doing it, but I truly love doing it! Thanks for the poem. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Well, on the other hand, I would like to apologize. [2008-11-27]
I have been at this since 1979. The changes that have occurred over the last 25 years have been dramatic and mostly, they have been oppressive. Now, I know I will see e-mails stating that this is the greatest job in the world and who could ask for more than being able to stay at home and make a living. It is more than that. This is the only field where the wickedness comes out of coworkers to the point of disdain toward their comrades. I don't understand it. It is not like this in any other field. Mostly, the team work that is necessary for feel like there is a common goal (giving the client a perfect report in a timely fashion)and a common enemy (QA which dissect our reports, turning even the most seasoned MTs into self-doubting, defensive and trembling people who, of course, realize they are on the brink of losing their jobs). The past performance however perfect is wiped clean with one bad QA result. Supervision becomes god-like, determine how much income we will make, how well we will enjoy our work and how we feel about ourselves depending on their feedback and encouragement. There isn't much more to say about this job - it does pay well but comparatively speaking, after 25 years in the same field, you could say, we have not had a raise. Speed typing engines keep our production up to a level that gives us a decent wage. Say what you will about this job, but it is always going to have good and bad days. Over the years, our hearing will diminish, tinnitus from noise exposure, carpal tunnel from repetitive movements, the innumerable physical conditions which result from sitting still for such a long time (heart attacks at 50 have occurred to two of my comrades), isolation, depression. And it is not going to get any better. Trying to consider that I am working to help a physician perform his duties as he treats his patients is what I personally focus on. It helps to be fascinated by medicine. But, to the new MTs - I apologize for the bad and hope that the good makes up for it. I hope you realize that the patient is why we are here, so be sure that our report is accurate so that proper care is provided. The personalities in this field can be abrasive, and it may be that reason why they turn to solo work but again, that goes with it. Best advice is to keep to yourself, not gossip nor listen to gossip, type every report like it is the only one, and realize that the money, even 60 thousand a year, is far from enough to compensate us for doing a job that is so rarely appreciated by the CEOs, that our line count and bad QA score over a 30 day period can take us out of a job we have been in for 20 years.

vitametavegimins [2008-11-27]
I do not think I will ever forget that episode of I Love Lucy .. but I digress!! I started taking B6 and B12 shots once a week and I find it is helping with energy and being alert and remembering things that were concerning me to be forgeting. I think many of us are on overload and have no way to slow down and survive if we do.

Are you in a position to compare your progress SM [2008-11-26]
with others on your accounts? (If you work at home maybe invite them to email you through this site to discuss?) That's the only way to get a true picture of how you're doing so you can figure out how to fix this situation. Have a nice Thanksgiving tomorrow.

just want to vent [2008-11-25]
I just love it when we are to type verbatim-- I just wish I could really just type VERBATIM and show this physician that he does not even know if a patient is a male or female! He starts out as male, then female, then male, then female-- GET THE BODY PARTS RIGHT FOR GOODNESS SAKES!! OK-- I AM DONE! What really gets confusing is if a patient has name that you really don't know if it is a male or female- the sad part is, he does not do a GU exam, so you can't tell by that part of the dictation, which would help out a great deal! THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT

Vent all you want; you are certainly entitled. sm [2008-11-25]
The MT industry/career sunk months ago, and it was an even bigger sink than the Titanic. However, in this case, this sink destroyed thousands of very dedicated and very hard-working MTs who were filled with nothing but passion and love regarding transcribing.

Just bought some new softflex gloves [2008-11-25]
I don't remember an adjustment period. My first pair was given to me on the job years ago and I didn't use them immediately and stored them away. Then I took them out one day and just started using them. I love them and will forget I have them on sometimes. I debated about trying the handeze but was afraid to. Might try them next time since they are less expensive than softflex. (Actually, looks to me like a crafty type person could make a pair of new gloves using an old pair for a pattern with some stretchy material and heavy rubber cut into bands and sewn in tight; the softflex ones are a very simple design, actually. Just a thought.

Whoops. Got cut off. sm [2008-11-25]
see link! Love this lady. She knows her stuff, she is POSITIVE which we don't see much on this site. Witty, excellent, and I have learned a lot from her.

you are not alone [2008-11-25]
After reading posts, it seems there are a lot of folks out there in the same boat. We all know it's tougher to get a job and to hold that job. The tests I don't feel are fair. They don't tell you if they want them by BOS or verbatim, so that's up to your own judgment and frequently they don't even know what they want. Let me tell you about me. I had a full-time and a part-time job. I am in QA and QC. I worked very hard 7 days a week and we had pretty much anything we wanted, new home, new car, you name it. Then I had surgery and had a stroke. They fired me from my part time job because they said 30 days was enough to recover. Try getting over being paralyzed on one side and in a chair in 30 days. I too am getting back into the swing and looking for a job. The first couple of tests were awful, I wasn't sure of my own brain, it takes me longer, plus the urgency of finding something. I did fail one, but that was Focus and I really believe they let pass who they want because it was extremely simple. We did lose our home and everything we had and resorted to food pantries to keep the kids fed. Spent many nights crying and worrying. Have now moved into a small rental house and starting all over at nearly 50 years of age. No the feds aren't bailing me out, too bad I'm not a bank or car builder with private jets! No turkey this year, can't afford it. So far nothing for Christmas but decorations. That's okay, we'll live! You'd be surprised what you can do without when you have to. So we have to resort to using cash only instead of my two credit cards, big deal. So I don't have the nice big house now, big deal. I have my children and I'm still here, which was iffy for awhile. Just slow down, take a breath, get rid of what you don't need to pay off what you don't need, and work to live instead of living to work. I'm still looking for that full-time job but it will come. I think everything happens for a reason and this too shall pass.