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SoftScript (rip-off) - Posted By: justme

I am looking for an honest MT position from home. SoftScript is stealing my lines and I am sick of it. Any suggestions?????

Testing only...no response required - Posted By: ozgal33

Hi,

I'm just seeing if my post comes through.

No response required.

For Tech Support (or anyone else that knows!) sm - Posted By: MSMT

I want to save my autocorrect entries so that when "tech support" starts monkeying around with the platform they don't delete them all like they did. How do I do that? I can't get them to save in Extext. Thanks!

To all wondering about working in public - Posted By: read this

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SecurityStandard/Downloads/SecurityGuidanceforRemoteUseFinal122806.pdf

Shorthand question - Posted By: MT

Is there a way to program ShortHand so that the word x-ray doesn't get split up at the end of a line. I just typed a line, and I have x- at the end of the line and the next line begins with ray. I'd love to do this with units of measure, dates, doctors names and all kinds of things that you don't want orphaned. Can anyone help me?

Just got transferred to the Amherst office and am wondering what to expect from that transfer. - Posted By: MTMQ

Can anyone tell me anything about how they operate that office. Do you have work in your regular accounts without hundreds of backups or what is the situation.

Matecezia??? I'm stumped - Posted By: MT stumped

Converting Shorthand to AutoText - Posted By: How do you do this

Well I have used my trial versions of Shorthand. Speedtype has not responded to my trial version request. So is there a way to convert my ShortHand dictionary so that I can use it in AutoText? Not Autocorrect but AutoText. Thanks

What does this mean for the MT industry? sm - Posted By: Worried MT

I saw this *** and wanted to share this with other MTs. What is your interpretation of this? Are we going to be out of work for good because I'm thinking electronic medical records are going to replace us, or am I misinterpreting this statement? What is your take on this?

"...President Obama has also talked about the need to computerize all medical records in five years, creating a huge opportunity for information technology jobs and data entry jobs."

buzzing sound - Posted By: ER-MT

Is anyone else hearing a buzzing sound when opening certain posts? It sounds just like a bee buzzing - weird !

Will U still need Paul McCartney Sunday when he's 64? - Posted By: Jude

Will U still feed him? Grandchildren on his knee - Vera, Chuck & Dave...

Need Word Help - Posted By: Jay

I have an ergonomic keyboard that I attach to my laptop when typing at home. It is attached through a USB converter and then to a USB hub. I have never had any difficulties until recently. What is happening is it seems like certain keys (I have no idea which ones) start spellcheck and sometimes when typing fast for some reason words that are spelled wrong get marked as ignore or are added to my dictionary so then I can always type it wrong and spellchecker does not pick it up. Does this make sense? Has this happened to anyone else? Anyone if any ideas to try? I am wondering if it is some sort of bug versus something I inadvertantly programmed the keyboard to do. Thanks for any help anyone can provide. This has started to drive me crazy and affect my QA.

I don't post here super often but I could use some thoughts (m) - Posted By: MT

and support. Don't flame me for sounding weak or needy. I had a client call me out of the blue today (actually his secretary called me) and told me that I was no longer transcribing his letters. But were clear I'd still be transcribing for his partner. I asked why, she said she didn't know what his "gripe" was but that he made her be the bad guy. It feels personal to me, not because he did it on a personal level, but I guess it hurts like a personal attack because my work is very serious to me and I'd hate to think that he thought I wasn't do my job well enough. I know I was. I often felt undermined or a little accused by the staff at times. I was supposed to pick up x number of times per week and about a month ago they called and said "now, how often ARE you picking up?" which sounded like they were not believing I was coming when I should. I pick up after hours, have my own key. Other times I'll get lists of reports they need. Some I've given them weeks or months earlier. Some I don't have at all, BUT not because I lost them, because they weren't dictated. I keep a physical list of all reports on each tape I do and if it's not on the tape, it's not on the list. I mentioned this to the sec. once before in my defense when she's said "he dictated such and such" when he actually only thought he did or accidentally taped over it something, kwim? Things are so tight for us right now as they are for so many of us. I guess I just need to vent and ask if this has happened to others? Where you felt undermined and let go unfairly? Or if you've just had doctors come and go every so often for really no good reason? I feel bad. These doctors' wives are my friends (were before I worked for him) and I think that makes it feel more personal. I've been very good about and tried really hard not to mention personal in the office or the office when I see them socially so the two are separate. I just feel like he was unhappy with me and I often wondered if he was just by the questions the girl asked me and made me feel like she thought I wasn't doing my job right. But I really thought if HE had a problem, HE would talk to me so I was okay. Guess not, huh? Thanks if you even read this far. If you have a prayer or two to spare for me that it all works out, that I find work fast to replace this income and that my family doesn't feel any effects from it. Also that the relationship and my feelings are healed, that I can overcome it. I'd just appreciated any shared experiences. Thanks. (P.S. Not in the best frame of mind right now, so I apologize for any typos or errors. This is my disclaimer that I'm not going to proofread this, lol).

I just HAD to post this! Unreal! - Posted By: Love2BTyping

Yahoo had an article about careers that you can "do from home to earn $30K to $70K.....I KNEW the MT biz would be on there. Although I don't agree with everything folks say regarding the eventual decline and demise of the profession, this particular snippet could be a reason why things are going in the downhill direction. I'll highlight my favorite parts!

Medical Transcriptionist

The job of medical Transcriptionist involves a lot of listening and typing. Medical transcriptionists listen to doctor's notes on a headset and type out the information, editing for clarity when necessary. Their duties might include medical discharge orders, autopsy reports, referral letters, consultation notes, and the like. The medical transcriptionist must have a good working knowledge of medical jargon and the ability to convey information with the utmost accuracy.

To become a medical transcriptionist, an associate's degree or one-year diploma from a medical transcriptionist training program is recommended. Being familiar with medical jargon is a plus.

Salary: Medical transcriptionists brought home a salary of $31,250 per year in 2007.

Adjustable Keyboard question - please see message - Posted By: Kim

I have a desk with a drawer in the very front. I want to get an adjustable keyboard. Will the drawer make this impossible or can the keyboard be mounted to the bottom of the drawer? Thank you.

Line Count Question... - Posted By: Just askin'

I am an independent contractor. I have always done my line count with my Instant Text Pro V line counter that works within my expander. Recently, my MTSO told me that I am doing my line count "wrong" and are therefore billing her "wrong". She said that she pays by characters and spaces / 65 = lines and that I am to figure that by going into MS Word Tools and using their Word Count tool and looking up characters and spacesand then dividing by 65. (I am NOT to use "line count", I am to use characters = spaces / 65 = lines)

Well, I have a little problem with that. First of all, that ONLY counts characters and spaces. What about hard page breaks? Indents? Returns? Why should I not be paid for a return just like I would be for the letter "k"? That's why I use a professional line counter.

Just to show you how it adds up, I just did one small document using the different approaches:

Line Counter: 5167 characters = 79 lines

Word Tool: 4763 characters = 73 lines.

At my current cpl rate, sure... That (as she pointed out) "only" adds up to .48 cents. For that ONE document. Over 20 documents in a day? That's $9.60 for the day. For the pay period, that's $96. That matters to me.

What should I do? I have done it this way for years. I know that doing it her way means she pays me less because I am giving away "free" work, but I am going to stick to my guns on this one. What would you say?

( I am asking for opinions, whether you agree with me or not. I truly want your opinion. However.... Flames? I discount flames as coming from an unstable mind, so please save your time if you're just looking to flame. Sorry, I hate to have to say that "disclaimer", but too many of these boards have gotten to be like high school catfights over nothing, and I graduated from high school 17 years ago and am SO over it...)

Can you help on Technical board? nm - Posted By: Thank you! :) Chickadee

d

clinic to acute care - Posted By: somethin' new

I'll be starting with a new MTSO in a couple of weeks and will be doing acute care ONLY. It's been a great many years since I've transcribed acute care; have only done clinic dictation for quite some time. Can you guys give me some pointers to help me ease in to the transition?

Has anyone participated in employer health assessments? - Posted By: CalifRADMT

Aetna is my ins. co. This year, I was dx'ed with BC, grade I, Stage 1 (thank you Jesus!). The ins. co. apparently sends a person to my home to draw blood.

The participation results in discount in health ins. premium for employer (I think!). I am receiving mail to schedule my appt for the home visit. I find this rather invasive somehow.

Has anyone heard anything bad that can come of this?

Thanks Mates - Feliz Navidad!

Hippo site - Posted By: M/L

I am trying to find the website for this Hippo host/client FTP site. Does anyone have the site address?

Thanks

Doc asking for instructions on dictation - Posted By: Old MT

A wounderful young man at my church is in his 2nd year of general surgery residency. When he found out what I did for a living, he asked me if I would please help him with his dictation and give him some pointers so that he could do better on his dictation. No one had critiqued him and he wanted to be sure it was o.k. Now THAT'S a good guy. He's a good Christian, he'll be a good doctor, and I know he won't ever change. You cynical so and so's just keep your opinion to yourselves. This was so refreshing to be asked for help like this. It made my day.

radiology - Posted By: Sandy

Could some of you who type only radiology tell me approximately how many reports you transcribe per 8-hour shift? Thanks.

Tree stumps - Posted By: daMT

Hi, all! Does anyone know how to get rid of tree stumps? Specifically, has anyone ever burned them down to ash? If so, what did you use to keep the fire going, and how long did it take? TIA.

What are the benefits of IC status? nm - Posted By: sm

Today show asking is USA being dummied - Posted By: down? Wellllll, YES! nm

x

Well ok then!! ENTER NOW!!!! HUGE PRIZE!!! - Posted By: See full details inside

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You must enter each giveaway to be eligible to win.
All entries are put in a hopper and the number shown above will be pulled.

MPWORD MTSO!!!
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See full details here:
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GOOD LUCK!!!

How many hrs (on avg) does it take to type 6,000 lines/wk? - Posted By: Sherrie

And is this what most companies consider FT (6,000 lines/wk)? Just trying to see if I will be able to do this...Thanks!

How common is it in MT to have late paychecks? (sm) - Posted By: Paid Late

I work for what is probably a small MTSO. (I don't know how many clients she has, just that she's a one-woman operation as far as office staff, and she runs the place out of her home.) I have worked for four MTSOs. The first one right out of school consistently paid late. The next two never paid late. This one, and I have been with her for over two years, didn't used to pay late but now is consistently late with making payroll.

I am not doing this job as a way of just making 'mad money'. I had to borrow money from my parents today in order to make the mortgage, as the paycheck due on the 31st of August is not going to be paid until late next week. I am very frustrated, but we are told that this is the 'nature of the business'. I'm not an ignorant woman... I know that small businesses can (and should) have a line of credit with a bank/credit card for emergencies like equipment breakdowns and to make payroll. I suppose she can't qualify, poor credit, whatever... But I am getting frustrated because her inability to make payroll on time is affecting my ability to pay my bills on time, not only my mortgage but my utilities, credit card, etc.

How prevalent is this problem? I love my accounts, I make a better than average line rate (I am an independent contractor), and my MTSO is really a lovely lady... so I hate to go to another MTSO, but I am considering going back to my old career (teaching) now that my kids are in school, just for the benefits and consistent payment. It's nothing personal, I just need to get paid for my work! Does anyone else experience this problem?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks so much! (Sorry for any typos, I am working and am kind of typing this in a rush...)

one of those days - Posted By: clk

arghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Dictator, weather, kids,

It has all been said before. And how was your day.

I feel better already

SoftScript - Posted By: MysMT

Does anyone out there currently work for SoftScript? I would like to know how their management style is, how well they pay, etc. THanks.

Transcript USA - Posted By: DB

Any information on Transcript USA transcription company? Thinking about taking job.

I need suggestions of something I can give my husband....sm - Posted By: June bride

as a wedding gift on our wedding night. I've already bought him a very nice watch, necklace and bracelet over the time we've been dating/engaged and am having a hard time coming up with a great special gift for him. He's not into sports and we already have theatre tickets to see the musical Chicago a week after our wedding. I want to give him something that he can keep forever. Do any of you have any ideas?

Has anyone instilled spyware and then had trouble connecting to the internet. What is the best - Posted By: MQ2

spyware that seems to be a trouble free download. Microsoft beta says you may have trouble connecting to the internet after installing it and I dont feel like dealing with that because I am not that computer literate.

Court? - Posted By: doxielady

Thought I had a great, lengthy report the other day, for it to be over 7 minutes of one physician talking with another about getting sued by a patient due to overmedicating - the patient overmedicated, but the doctor prescribed the meds. Anyway - have any of you ever had to go to court and testify? This, along with Dr.Infection (almost every report I get is someone who has had surgery and now is infected - and this is not an infectious disease physician but the surgeon), I am wondering if I will ever get called in. I can't believe that none of these patient's are suing. Just wanted to vent and get someone's take on this.

Appreciation - Posted By: BoogieMT

I was wondering if the MTSO companies could offer a word or two of praise occasionally to those of us who are sitting here trying to make sense out of nonsense? I sit here day after day and all I get back is criticism. These companies do not have to wait until MT week to offer a pat on the back. Come on guys......

Dictaphone foot pedal question..sm - Posted By: Bunzy

I will be working on Dictaphone platform and the company sent me the foot pedal for it. However, the cord for it is basically like a phone cord but my internet cable is taking up the spot where I would plug in my foot pedal to the back of my computer. Is there an adapter I can use for this?

Thanks

Has anyone worked for Rapid Text? Any info would be great - Posted By: Anne

x

Average Pay - Posted By: HS

Just curious as to everyone's personal opinion on this . . . what do you consider to be a fair/average cpl and what do you consider to be a poor cpl?

I keep running across ads for companies (and I'm assuming their outsourcing to somewhere other than the U.S.) that offer 7cpl to the client and I'm sure that, in that case, the MTs aren't getting anything. So, just assuming that they have SOMEONE working for them, I was wondering who would consider anything less than 7cpl to be a fair wage? I wouldn't, but maybe that's just me.

Main Board - Posted By: Active Topics

Does the active topics selection at the top of the page show all active topics for each category at left or just certain ones? Thanks.l

Has anyone had problems with their Shorthand text expander? sm - Posted By: tobie

I have had mine for almost 10 years with no problems and suddenly it started not working. The type it button became inactive. At first restarting it fixed it but then that stopped fixing it so I uninstalled and reinstalled and that worked for about a day and then it stopped working again and reinstalling didn't help the next time. Has anyone had this problem?

Start Stop voice file player and conflicts with Spyware Doctor - Posted By: Diane

I was having problems with StartStop and talked to one of their techs this morning. One of the bugs it was having was fixed when I turned off Spyware Doctor so I need a new anti-spyware program.

I�m thinking of trying Spyware Blaster. I called to see if there were any conflicts with that one but had to leave a message. In the meantime, does anyone use StartStop voice file player and also use Spyware Doctor without any buggy conflict problems between the two softwares?

Did anyone see Wife Swap last night? - Posted By: ER MT

One of the wives was an MT married to a chauvinist. It was great because the "new" wife made him do all her work and chores in the house and with the kids, plus her MT job. He was up until 4 a.m. typing !! Ha ! He had a new respect for his wife after that!

Touchworks - Posted By: Momo3Reds

The office I have worked for for the past 14 years will be going to EMR in 3 months using a system called Touchworks. My understanding is they will enter most of the patient's note by touch screen in the room at the time of the visit but still dictate a small amount of the note, such as the Plan, as well as letters of referral, patient letters, etc. They would like the office note transcribed and then placed in the patient's electronic medical record. Can anyone offer me some advice about what equipment I would need to do that?

Digital Recorder - Posted By: justme

If doc has a digital recorder what software does he need to download dictations via internet to my end? I am still trying to figure this out - Express Scribe did not work. The work I have received from him is through Media Player and I am unable to use my footpedal.

what should I do? $16.50 an hour ... - Posted By: JoJoMT

Hi Guys! I'm an MT with 13+ years of medical records transcription experience. My job got outsourced and the hospital currently dumped me in a unit clerk position for $15.35 an hour on weekends, and $16.15 for the 3-11 shift. The work really SUCKS and I miss MT so badly I've taken on some at-home work.

I found a local hospital that wants to give me a job for $16.50 an hour and they won't BUDGE on the money - even though as an MT I was earning $21 an hour. THis job is 1/2 pathology MT and half lab secretary work. They won't even go to $17 an hour - $16.50. They're checking my references - but I'm soooo unhappy with the money. The pluses are: the hospital is 5 miles from my home, the hours are Mon-Fri 9 to 5, 2 additional holidays than my current hospital, free parking, free medical (non-union) job with $5 copays and $0 Rx copay.

Yes, those are all significant benefits, but aren't the ripping me off with the money? And the fact they won't budge at all makes me feel they don't really care about hiring me, or not. The job has been open for 5 months - can't find an MT to do the secy work, and can't find a secy who CAN HANDLE the MT ! HEre I come, well-experienced in both - and the interview went fantastic!.

So what should I do ? What do you guys think?

Thanks! JoJo

Well, I quit smoking but now I'm fat - Posted By: Fatso

It has been about two months since my last cig. But dang, I am porky now. At 47, this is NOT a good time to put on extra weight. I know i should go for walks, eat carrots and drink water. I guess the motivation isn't there.

It is hard to believe I gained 20 lb in two months but my oh my I have. You should see my face! Chipmunk cheeks. and my clothes, even the baggy ones, don't fit any longer. I bought a new outfit last month and it doesn't fit any more.

HELP!!!

Losing expander by switching companies - Posted By: Jeanie

If I decided to switch companies but am using an Expander program that is the company's software, I would have to start from square one with new company. (There is no way around that, correct?)

Not planning on leaving now but was just thinking that if that should become a consideration, my line count would drop big time until I could build all those expansions again. Has anyone ever gone through that? Do you remember how long it took to get back up to speed?

Husband claiming less for taxes. - Posted By: Camry

I heard this might not be a good idea and that you can get penalized by the IRS anyway. Any ideas what works best for any of you? Should I have my husband claim less to make up for my taxes or, should I pay quarterly? If this helps, I do have 2 kids.

Thanks in advance!!

spacing after sentences - Posted By: sb

Does everyone space once after the end of a sentence now? My daughter takes keyboarding in high school and I just realized they are not taught to double space after the end of a sentence. Should I then change to single spacing after the end of a sentence?

macros in radnet or word 2007 - Posted By: Rita

I have a new job typing in RadNet and it has macro system. does anyone know of a macro system that I can use with radnet (radiology) dictation. thanks. Rita