When one of the companies

best of companies [2008-11-24]
I have over phone interview with Webmedx. Am I making a good move if I accept and what's the difference in enterprise platform and chart matrix

I don't know of any companies...sm [2008-11-15]
myself that require a CMT. I really don't know the answer to the second one because I don't know if my company pays more or not. I have never asked because I am not a CMT and haven't planned on taking the test. By lines. All accounts I know of are by lines. 65 characters including spaces. No quota at my company. Doesn't apply because no in-house MTs there. No.

What companies do this? sm [2008-11-14]
Weekends after the holidays are lonely, I think I could do this, if they are patient as I am learning how to work online but know the terminology, etc. very well.. If you don't want to post, please e-mail. Thanks, I think I will need the income. Anything helps.

WHAT? Does ex-text do that? These companies push so hard for VR, there has to.... [2008-11-13]
be a great advantage to them. I hear of girls doing 3000 to 4000 lines a day but have never talked personall to one. I couldn't , too much editing of sentences left out, doctors who have the habit of changing commplete sentences, sending you back up a report to add this this and that. Geez, that is not counting the a, the changing from the to that, a to an, on and on ad nauseum.

it certainly is not pay worthy at 4.5 line or 3 line. I know the companies cram it down our throats [2008-11-13]
nm

Most companies these days require even [2008-11-06]
FT employees to work at least part of the weekend. I tend to work almost every Saturday, 3 to 4 hours. I am a FT employee working a 40-hour week and just take off early a couple of days during the week.

AAMT/AHDI is run by and for the management of companies that offshore! [2008-10-13]
I too used be a member and an officer in the local chapter. I too attended all the activities. I have since let my CMT lapse. Never once has being a CMT earned me a better job or more money, it's all about the experience and the quality of work you can produce, not whether or not you're a CMT!

sick of working for crappy companies? [2008-10-09]
I have been thinking about starting my own company. I have done some research and it looks like all I really need is an FTP site, handhelds (that the doc's purchase themselves), and to get accounts. If anyone is interested in doing this with me let me know...or if anyone has any other information on starting a company input would be appreciated! Why are we working as IC's and the companies are making profits off of us? Lets cut out the middle man and make the money we deserve!!

Yup, everything for most companies. SM [2008-10-04]
I have heard of places where you don't have to listen to the whole dictation, only refer to it to resolve questions, but I've not worked at one of them. Listening matters because the computer mis-hears and also is inclined to insert its own corrections that read right but are not what the dictator said. Depending on how well the computer has learned the dictator, though, you can speed the dictation up, sometimes to as fast as the audio will allow, and still keep up with the few corrections that need to be dropped in. Also, if you know the dictator well, you can be reading out ahead f the audio, skimming through the usual verbage as you look for the next correction, which you make as the dictation is catching up (and as you try to keep some attention on what's happening back there in case dictation isn't the usual), and then you continue on. Reports early in the SR learning curve are typically so full of errors that they're almost more typing than reading. Reports produced by a computer that's learned the dictator, though, are almost all speedy reading, with only a little typing.

Losing expander by switching companies [2008-10-03]
If I decided to switch companies but am using an Expander program that is the company's software, I would haveto start from square one with new company.(There is noway around that, correct?) Not planning on leaving now but was just thinking that ifthat should become a consideration, my line count woulddrop big time until I could build all thoseexpansions again. Has anyone ever gone through that? Do you remember how long it took to get back up to speed?

And there arealso companies who [2008-09-30]
work 24/7. My account is a major trauma facility and we have MTs on 24/7 for coverage.

working multiple companies [2008-09-30]
For those you who work a full-time job plus a part-time job for a different company, are you using one computer for both? I thought maybe I should buy a second computer???

These days it's ALL companies. 9 cpl isn't [2008-09-29]
would even answer an ad for anything less is beyond me. I don't care how great they say their software is, an MT is not going to even make minimum wage on less than 9cpl unless they work 18-hour days, 7 days a week. I think life is too short to live only to work, especially with so little in the way of compensation for so many hours put in. That's why there are so many burn-outs and repetitive stress injuries in this industry, not to mention anxiety, depression, obesity, you-name-it. If they'd consider paying a LIVING WAGE, they might just have a healthier, happier, and FAR MORE PRODUCTIVE workforce.

what ARE these companies thinking? [2008-09-29]
I have been looking for a part-time job to supplement when my full-time is low on work. I have this one lady who contacted me that she had a part-time position but it would require me to work every Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as a few days during the week. She already knew I had a full-time job and that I was looking for something Sunday through Thursday as this is myschedule for my FT job. When I reinterated to her that I was looking for Sunday through Thursday, she got rude with me and I haven't heard back from her! What in the world makes these companies think we want to work EVERYDAY and not have a life!?

Not defending companies at all, but [2008-09-29]
they hire for when they need coverage.

Alot of companies keep you in QA because [2008-09-21]
when you're released you start making more money. You probably are doing a good job and would be out of QA with many other companies. I don't remember a patient losing their life because an MT put a comma in the wrong place! It's ridiculous and keeps you from making better money. On the same note, if you get released from QA then you start getting HORRIFIC dictators that keep you from going above and beyond your required line count so you reach an incentive pay. It's a no win situation. Glad I'm weaning out of being an MT and only doing it part time and also work elsewhere! Tired of the B.S.

Any companies out there that allow you to work 5-10 hours a week? [2008-09-21]
I posted this on the company board, but didn't get any responses, so I'm hoping there will be some help here. work full time outside the home and I am looking for something for just 5-8 hours a week to supplement my income. I worked for MQ for 6 years, but certain things led me to quit. Is there a good company out there where I can work 5-8 hours? Back at the Q I think now you have to commit to 24 hours and I just can't swing that. Is there such an option out there anywhere? Any input would be very much appreciated.

Check around your local area for clinics or transcription companies [2008-09-18]
That's what I did. I first started out working for a very small MTSO and worked at their office for a couple of weeks and then they moved me home and I started working on a single speciality account. I'm still working for the office after 5 years (altough the MTSO closed her business).

A lot of companies are different but generally it is anywhere from [2008-09-15]
50-70% cut for VR.. Say you get 9 cpl for straight typing. You company might pay you 4.5 cpl or even 5 cpl. As a whole, if you get below 4 cpl, no matter what your base rate is for straight typing, I'd tell them to take a hike. I have been offered anywhere from 1.5 to 3 cpl in the past and just laughed. There NO way this is an acceptable and liveable wage no matter who you are. You could make more at McDonalds.

companies [2008-09-12]
I am a CMT working as an IC for a local transcription service (who only hires locally). I make 9.25 cpl. Required lines per week is 6000. (I don't work weekends unless I want to). I thought the MT field was wide open for opportunity now that most hospitals are going to outsourcing. But on the posts I find that the companies don't seem all that great to work for. Gripes are low pay, crazy shifts, changing accounts, not enough work, etc... Scares me to death to look for work outside my little company should I ever need to look for employee status. Is ANYONE out there happy with their company, been there awhile, and get pay above 9 cpl and happy with benefits? Or am I dreaming?

Does anyone know what the 3 biggest MT companies are? nm [2008-09-11]
nm

legit companies, pay. [2008-09-10]
nm

One of the companies told me that [2008-09-09]
resume actually sends it here to the board owner, not to them. Look for an email address or possibly go to their website and do the application process through there. I had replied to many and couldn't figure out why I wasn't hearing from them. One company finally told me when I followed up with an email that they didn't receive my resume and then told me about the reply function not actually replying to them. I don't know if it's a glitch or ??

not many companies offer that either. [2008-08-19]
x

This is what happens to workers when companies [2008-08-13]
If we just sit on our rears and let them, they'll happily keep on doing it. If all U.S. MTs (AND the editors who fix the Indians' stuff) were to stop work for just ONE week, do you think the offshores alone, without us to do the hard stuff and clean up their messes, could cut it and keep the hospitals happy? I think not. Food for thought.

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?

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.

That's 1 reason why I voted for Obama - [2008-12-01]
stay in this business is if the tax breaks are ended and the loopholes closed for companies that outsource what used to be good American jobs. Ending offshoring entirely would be nice, but I doubt it'll happen. But it should cost less for companies to hire American workers at a decent, livable wage, than it does to send it offshore. Offshoring should be something they do in a pinch, not as a standard practice. Yeah, so what if they're making more money the way they're doing it now. Doesn't make it right. They're greedy and they're un-American when they put thousands of hard-working American MT's in the poorhouse, or out of a job.

Me neither whether that be here or in India.. [2008-12-01]
I'm not real sure I see your point. I'm not being difficult. I just don't understand how a fire would cause companies to not outsource. There were fires in California. There was a hurricane in Texas. Iam quite sure these two disasters did not spare places where medical records are kept.

What about [2008-11-29]
What about those who are native English speakers, but speed talk, slur, chew gum, talk through background noise, etc.? What about those companies that don't dock pay, but deduct points if you couldn't deciphera dictator when they could? In some cases, the QA that can fill in the blank is someone who has worked with that dictator for many years. Nevertheless, they deduct points from your QA score if you cannot figure it out, and then withhold benefits or provide other penalties.Not all companies do this, but I feel that those who do are abusing the system as well. In the end, it is about withholding benefits, which is kind of like indirectly docking pay.

Nationals who outsource to India [2008-11-29]
Will the nationals in this country face financial hardship if the Obama/Biden administration cuts tax incentives to companies who outsource their MT work to India? I know of one company who outsources and they are not doing too well financially and their CEO resigned not to long ago, no reason given. I know a lot of MTs refuse to work for companies that outsource but many domesticMTs do work for them and maybe now is a time to bail out. Any thoughts???

I am sure they will [2008-11-29]
but again, if they would pay their help better and treat them better, they could keep the domestic MTs. I don't appreciate having my pay cut to pay for someone in another country to have a job, especially when the CEOs are making such good money themselves, plus the perks and bonuses. I almost wish it would happen and it would bankrupt them. All it will actually do is cause newer companies to spring up--and probably ones that realize that US MTs can't live on minimum wage pay.

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.

Fighting Fractured English [2008-11-28]
Blanks are not your problem. Poor dictators are. It has become a standard in the industry to make the problems of an ineffective dictator and make it an MT problem. This is not and was never an MT problem. We are required to transcribe in English, and the oral work coming in needs to meet an acceptable English standard. I've been in the business for 15 years, and frankly I am sick of it. Having exhausted every other resource to resolve this problem it is now time to fight back and sue these companies and the facilities who have made this our problem. We are TRANSCRIPTIONSTS, not TRANSLATORS OR LINGUISTS. If we are required to translate, they need to cough up the average salary of an interpretter which by the way is $200,000 a year. I dare say none of us are making that as MTs. The time has passed when someone else's disability directly impacts our paycheck when it is not our skill in question. Enough is enough. If you or anyone else is interested in pursuing this stand up with me and make your voices heard. Send me an email. I will keep your information confidential. The industry will never change as long as we continue to allow them to abuse us. NO MORE SWEAT SHOP LABOR. THEFREE RIDE IS OVER.IF THESE COMPANIES AND HOSPITALSWANT IT TRANSCRIBED IN ENGLISH, GIVE USA MINIMALLY ACCEPTEDORAL ENGLISH TO TRANSCRIBE.

Prepaid MC/Visa [2008-11-28]
i think you ladies have this MC/Visa thing all wrong...think of it as a debit card from your bank. I have worked for multiple companies that have had this. This was done through ADP the payroll company...you can have all or a percentage of a fixed dollar amt put on the card, the rest is direct deposited into your bank account. you goto ADP online and get your paystub just like regular. Other payrollprocesses that do this are Paychex which uses JPMorgan/Chase as their MC/Visa...all reputable and above board. Face it ladies this is the wave of the future...banks don't want us writing checks and don't want to deal with paper checks so they are slowly phasing them out.

Not only that. sm [2008-11-27]
It is not only blatent theft, it is cheating, lying and or course stealing. In my 25 years I have found that few companies do anything about it - as long as they have a few professionals who will transcribe what comes their way. My sister worked for WebMedx and said their platform was cherry-picking proof, but I don't know if she has had enough on-line experience to really tell.

No Way! [2008-11-27]
Are there really companies who do that? I think it is absurd! I agree that encourages guessing, and that is wrong!

Acusis has an office in Mumbai...sm [2008-11-26]
hmm....and that is where these companies want to send OUR records and OUR jobs

Proofing Help Pleeeez! (long post) [2008-11-24]
I am 53,divorcee with 1 child in college, been MTing for 32 years. When I started out I was one of the best in my field, accurate, at my peak was making close to 50,000 a year, only one job and only 40 hours a week. Now, here I am going through menopause, working 12 hours a day (1 full-time and 1 part-time) and barely making ends meet. My production is at an all-time low, and I'm working on my 3rd or 4th job this year- I forget, it's been so many, for various reasons why they didn't work out. But, now I find myself, going into my third week of employment with this company, still in QA, making stupid grammatical errors, and leaving out words, that I am not aware of. I would like to say one of my problems is that this is a huge Children's Hospital with a lot of procedures, diseases, and terminology I have never heard of, but I cannot really say that, as most of my errors are gramatical, i.e. not putting comma or semi-colon where it belongs, leaving out it, and, but and they. I am beginning to feel they may not keep me. I am 1 pay check from being homeless, now jobless, already uninsured, as I could not afford the Cobra. I have applied for jobs completely out of the MT field, so far with no luck of being hired. I put in an application last week for a State Job with excellent benefits, paid by company, and although the salary is 22,000 to 36,000, if they call me, I am definitely going to take it. I figure I have 15 more years before retirement, and if I can tap into the retirement for the next 15 years, that would be a help, as I don't have any 401K to fall back on. Anyways, if you guys can give me some proofreading tips that will not take away from my production, I would greatly appreciate it. Most companies don't offer a training pay that would last at least 2 weeks, which would be a help. So here I am trying to make money, which is virtually impossible when you're training on a new account, new company, new software and everything. Help Guys.

Can is use Vianeta and Bayscribe on same PC? [2008-11-24]
I'm going to be working for 2 separate MT companies very soon. One company uses Vianeta and the other uses Bayscribe. Does anyone know if there will be a conflict on my computer with 2 programs running at the same time? Each program uses a different foot pedal.

UI [2008-11-22]
Once they calculate how much you will get, it is put into a fund for you to take from. It is supposed to last up to 26 months, but if you work part time, they keep the first 55% and you get to keep the extra 45%, which also extends out the amount of time you can receive as you are not using all of your money from the fund. My position was eliminated back the end of February and I still have enough for two weeks yet, and now have been contacted that I can extend it another 13 weeks due to the bad economy. I recently started in a multinational marketing company working with the advertising dollars from Fortune 500 companies and the money I am making with them may get me out of this dilemma by the end of my 13 weeks, hopefully making as much as I was while doing transcription, but working a lot less hours and being my own boss.

I would find another profession [2008-11-20]
As an MT with 20+ years experience,I am finding another career...I can't imagine just starting out in this field, as those of us who have been here for a long time do not get treated fairly anymore...you can't make money, very few online companies appreciate anything that you do. Like I tell my daughters who are all under 21 years of age, get a degree in something and then if they want to do this type of work, do it as a side job, but don't count on it to make a living...it just can't be done anymore. Good Luck!

Don't sell yourself short [2008-11-19]
Hiring seems to have slowed down quite a bit over the past couple of months (from what I've seen). I have four years in and have been looking for a second company and I can't even find one right now. I know four years is nothing compared to most, but still. I could take my pick in companies this past spring/summer...this always happens though. There will always be a slow down depending on the time of year. Give it some time, you will find a company THAT PAYS. Good Luck!!

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.

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.

foot pedals [2008-11-19]
If I have no foot pedal and don I just won Any advise on this, and any recommendations on what is the best company for part-timers. I have been around a while, and too old to do full-time, but have the knowledge in acute care, etc. Lots of experience.

on-the-job training [2008-11-19]
Trust me, if you have no medical work background that involves terminology you would be totally lost doing MT. It's really like a second language. The only on-the-job training I've ever heard about was someone who worked in a medical office or a hospital records department for a long time and was taught MT while they were there. I know of no companies or hospitals, small or large, that would hire you with no experience AND no training/schooling to go straight to work doing MT. There are some that will give you a chance once your schooling is done if you test well.

IC status [2008-11-18]
I am so tired of seeing ads for MT that says IC and then say we have the following shifts or hours available, etc., etc.,etc. So here is a link from the IRS that tells you where to write to report such things. I think we have got to stop this from happening and start reporting those companies who are abusing this and us. I for one am writing today. IC should mean IC; otherwise call me an employee and provide me with employee benefits. The companies cannot have it all and take it all away from us. Please join me in reporting these companies so we get IC status back to what it should be or earn the employee benefits to which we are entitled.

the point is an IC does not have to commit [2008-11-18]
An IC decides when they work and it can be variable. An IC does not have to commit to a set schedule, no matter who determines the schedule. And that is what the companies are taking advantage of. If you read the ads, they are not telling you when work is available, they are telling you when they want you to work. Period. That makes you an employee. If they say first shift Tuesday through Saturday or anything to that effect, they are telling you when to work. That simply is not what an IC is. I am out of here now because today I am choosing to start working at 11:30 a.m. CST after choosing to take the day off yesterday. I work for a company that knows what IC means and honors it.

That is not what the OP is stating.. [2008-11-18]
If the company is advertising for shifts meaning 7 a to 3 p, then that is an employee that they need, not an IC. ICs choose their own hours; yes they do. Anything dictated by an MTSO for shifts meaning the MT must be accountable for those hours equals EMPLOYEE, not IC. The OP is absolutely correct. These MTSOs take advantage by instituting a shift or schedule. As an employee, that's great. The reason behind the MTSO doing this is that they feel they can just not hire the employees which cost more money and get away with not paying the taxes. So many MTs fall for this scheme. This is the whole reason you see posts about companies that hire ICs and then ICs are on here complaining of no/low work and there is nothing they can do about it. Such a shame not all of us are smart enough to see this racket, which is what it is a racket. Kudos to MTSOs who hire employees. Bah Humbug to MTSOs who hire ICs and then dictate the hours or shifts to that IC. When in fact an IC equals self-employed which means I make my own hours.