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ICs -- are you being treated like employees? (sm) - Posted By: adh

I filed IRS form SS-8, and boy did I get results!!

It took months. I had to fill out the very detailed form describing my work situation. The IRS then notified the MTSO and had them fill out the form. I just received the ruling that I was in fact an employee, so the MTSO now has to pay back taxes and penalties!!

It feels so good when something works the way it should, doesn't it?

Are all the SS employees impressed with the 4600+ lines that a certain - Posted By: ??/?

someone got in 1 day? Tell me that could be done normally. Only way it happened was cherrypicking all the normals off all the accounts - Way to go, team player (NOT!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just had to write this.... - Posted By: former smoker

I am now one week free from my best friend is what I like to call smoking.. This was difficult to give up and for the first time in my life I sat in a nonsmoking section at a restaurant yesterday, I can run a mile, I am alert and awake and feel good, my skin is actually looking younger. I have attempted to quite many many times... The conclusion to this was its my body, I control my body, cigarettes do not control me, I control me, God gives us one body enjoy it, take care of it, REMEMBER ITS YOUR BODY... Sorry if this offends anyone I just needed to voice myself for I feel free for the first time in my Life....

question - Posted By: question

After quitting a job, is there a time requirement for being paid your last check? Thank you.

Has anyone moved 3 older dogs in together? sm - Posted By: Georgia gal

Hello,

I recently got married and have a 7-year-old female terrier-cocker spaniel, and my new husband has a 7-year-old male cocker spaniel and an 11-year-old female lab retriever. My dog has become more aggressive against the other 2 dogs, especially over the past week, where she's not wanting them to eat or drink. We've separated their feed/drink areas but she's still being aggressive with them. So far she hasn't bitten one of the other dogs but has come very close to it with their fighting. Fortunately his dogs only fight back when she actually attacks them and ignore her when she's just growling and barking at them, so that cuts down on the number of dog fights.

Does anyone have any other ideas on how to get her to be nice to his dogs?

GETTING PAID - Posted By: RonnieJ

Is anyone having trouble getting paid by Keystrokes? My direct deposit never went into my account. Any information appreciated.

Working at home. - Posted By: How to stay focused?

I only have 1 bedroom and have had to make an office in the dining room. Any tips for focusing and not getting sidetracked? Since working at home, I also find it way too easy to get lazy. I don't understand it. When I worked in an office, we kind of helped each other stay motivated, because if somebody talked too much or made too much noise, they were shushed, like in the library and others said they needed to concentrate. I don't have that at home. I need to work harder.

Shorthand and CS.NET (Chartscript) - Posted By: MT

I just started working for a company that uses Chartscript (web-based)and, even after upgrading to version 10 of Shorthand, it just is too unreliable to work. Are there settings I could try (as far as pause in msec etc.) I had heard that another MT at this company was able to get this to work fine with the upgraded Shorthand, but I find missed letters in sometimes relatively short expansions and my edited documents come back with words missing which I am fairly certain I did transcribe but were messed up somehow in the expansion with Shorthand. I also have problems with duplicate expansions of some letters (even with the Chartscript Expander toggled off) Is it my Internet that could be causing the problem (I have Clearwire)?

Looking for Company in WI - Posted By: Ardie

I used to be a home MT for over 15 years and would like to get back into it; however, the company I worked for is no longer in business. Does anyone know of a business to which I could apply? Your reply is deeply appreciated!

I need to buy a new computer. Any ideas?? - Posted By: CB

I need a new computer, and I do not know which brand is the best. I am going to wait until the after-holiday sales. I would love to get a mini-tower. This way my computer will be more portable. I do not want to work on a laptop, I tried it and did not like it. The company I work for will only program 1 computer with their software, so I want something portable. So far, I have tried Sony (Vaio laptop) and was not impressed. These are considered "disposable." I have had HP, which have been good computers with no problems. I recently obtained a Dell, which is okay, but everything you buy for it has to be from Dell and I do not like that. I would love to have an Apple, but have to run Windows XP. I know there is a way to do this, but I do not want to have to buy a lot of extras and I am pretty good with computers, but not an expert. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I tried to reasearch online and have come up with a lot of advertisers or I would have to suscribe to see the results. Thanks!!!!

Gear player or Bytescribe - Posted By: need one of them

Gear player vs. bytescribe... which is the more versatile?

I am currently using start/stop, but the voice files I get it will not let me speed them up. Dives me INSANE to listen to a sssssllllllllooooowwwwww dictator and not be able to speed them up.... actually would like to go whomp them up the side of the head .. but since that is not an option...

Looks like Gear player you can buy just the software, but Bytescribe you have to pay another 50 bucks and get the foot pedal.. no option that I could find not to.

Thanks for any suggestions you all might have to offer.

job interview tomorrow ... what do you think? - Posted By: JoJoMT

Hi all ... I'm going to a local hospital tomorrow for an interview. The job is in the laboratory. It's a f/t position where half the day you do pathology transcription and the other half secretarial work. It's mon-fri, 9-5.

This is in New York (the suburbs) actually, about 1/2 hour north of NYC. I have 13 years of medical records transcription experience, and prior to that for 5+ years worked as a secretary to a medical director.

How much of a salary should I expect ? Thanks!

JoJo

Who loves working weekends? - Posted By: MTMommy

I DON'T!!!!!

Paid by the word sm - Posted By: MT2

I was recently offered the position of doing IME transcription, but the pay is by the word. They pay 0.125 per word (5 characters, no spaces). I have absolutely no idea how this compares to being paid by the line.

Anybody being paid by the word?

there a note on the company board from QA regarding cherrypicking and they mention "line padding& - Posted By: wondering MT

This is a new one on me. I've heard of cherrypicking but what constitutes line padding? Isn't everybody typing what the doctor dictates? How can you possibly add extra????

help on word board please? - Posted By: ESL

w

Blanks in tests - Posted By: Apprentice

Hi!

I am looking for an opinion please. I have been taking my very first at-home test(hoping to come home and leave the politics behind). I was wondering if it would be counted against you if there was a blank in the one of the trascrption samples. My current employer prefers blanks to guesses but then again they are familiar with their employees' strenghts and weaknesses.

Any advice welcome.

Does anyone send cards or anything to the office they work for? (sm) - Posted By: Christmas Coming Up!!

Years ago when I worked for a smaller company a bunch of us made a big box of goodies and mailed it to the office. They were such great people, helpful and cheerful. The company always sent us something and we didn't want to just send to the owner of the company so we felt a card in a box of goodies everyone could share. Smaller places have more of a personal feel .

Now I work for a larger company and home made goodies may not be such a good idea. (The shipping alone would be a killer.) I guess a card addressed to "everyone" will have to do it. Thought about having X-mas cards made up with my family picture on it and sending that to kind of help them also put a face to the name. Too much? Think I would be better off with just a standard card?

Those of you that are doing anything for the office you work out of, what are you doing? Would love to "borrow" a really good idea.

TIA

Value of SUM program...What would you pay???>>> - Posted By: MTwannaB

I asked this on the equipment board, but I think maybe I'll get a better response here, so I hope its okay to post it here, too.

Does anyone know what the SUM CDs are worth? There are some on ebay. The beginning one is 2005, and usually they are the older ones on ebay. I looked on the HPI website, but they come with books and are VERY expensive.

Anyway, does anyone have an idea of what they are worth without any extra books? I want to bid on them, but don't know how much. They are at $9.99 each now. There is a beginning one, an advanced one and a surgery one. Shoot. I want them, but don't want to pay too much, you know?

Thanks for any input.

My ASR accounts do 1 space after the periods, though the acct specifics want 2 spaces. sm - Posted By: jj

So does the company set up the VR specifics to include 1 space after the periods so they can pay just a little less? Does anyone take the time to put the extra spaces in, or do you just try to whip through the report just to keep going! Do the spaces after punctuation really amount to big difference in my pay? Just curious as to how all of you handle this situation. Let me know!

Keystrokes Definitions for EXText - Posted By: Snow Bunny

Control A

Allows you to edit the copy (CC) list. We don�t use this usually in this capacity as the CCs are predetermined by the attending physician�s profile. However, if the dictating physician wants a physician added and you don�t know how to spell the name, you can Control A and enter the 1^st letter of the last name plus a question mark i.e., A?. Al the physician�s with A as the beginning of the last name will come up. I use this quite often to confirm spelling of physician names.

Control B

Bold

Control C

Copy. You can highlight any text in any document and Control C to import it to a new document or duplicate it in an existing document.

Control F

Opens Word�s Find screen, which allows you to search the document for text, formatting, special characters, etc. You may also access Find and Replace from this screen.

Control G

This allows you to change the routing for the report, which has been set up by the profile. For example, when you leave a report for review, you would Control G and remove all the routing with the exception of Transcription Department. That would allow it to print only here and nowhere else until we have completed the report. Once you have printed the report with the new routing, the default routing reappears.

Control H

Puts a document on hold. If you were transcribing a report and could not quite understand the physician�s H&P, you can Control H and then search for another H&P by that same physician to review.

Control J

Brings the TES screen up. This comes in handy when you are typing a report, choose a date of transcription from the list of dates, and then find that the dictation is for another date. Control J will bring up the TES screen, you then place a ? mark in the visit box and all of the visit dates for that patient will be displayed. You can then select the correct visit date for which the physician is dictating.

Control N

Saves, spell checks, and distributes documents.

Control O

Opens a document that has been put on hold.

Control P

Pause session.

Control Q

Exits ExText without saving the document.

Page 13

Control R

Brings up any normals established for the client from which you may choose.

Control S

Search for a document.

Control T

Cancels document without saving it. Sends voice back to pool.

Control V

Pastes any copied material to where you want it to go.

Control W

Changes worktype. When the TES screen comes up as an H&P and the doctor begins his dictation by saying he is typing an OP or Consult, you can make the change on this screen. However, if the doctor does not say anything about the work type and you begin typing, and then realize that the H&P is actually a consult, then you can Control W and it will bring up a list of templates. You identify the one you want, click on it, and it will import it into your document. This will also change your footer to be the correct work type. Remember to delete the original template from the document you are typing.

Control X

Allows you to cut something from one place and place in another place. Unlike Control C, it does not duplicate the material, just moves the original.

can't highlight text in ExText - Posted By: eldee

Hi all. Today just started an acct that uses ExText/TransNet. I already have Word 2000 on my machine. (Their version of ExText says in 'about' that it is also 2000) When I get in a chart in ExText, I can't use my mouse anywhere on the document or even the vertical scroll bar to the right. I *can* use it on any of the menu items across the horizontal toolbar at the top of the document but CANNOT select bits of text to highlight and move around or copy/paste or whatever. Anyone else hear of this happening? I've seen some other posts here talking about versions of Word (2003?) being incompatible with ExText but I know someone else who is using ExText for the same account and who also already had pre-existing Word 2000 on their machine, with no problems. Is there a setting or something I need to toggle or untoggle or ......?? Any help would be very greatly appreciated, please email me. Thanks so much!

Eldee

Paid per minute postings - Posted By: tia

Something rarely seen. Paid per minute of dictation. There are two rad jobs listed on MT Jobs board. I have always gotten paid by minute by my primary account. After working part-time for a few nationals this past year, I have learned getting paid per minute for radiology is not really worth it. For normal reports you have to process the report for pennies which in some systems (such as Meditech) takes time going through the different screens. For anyone applying for these positions, I would be interested in learning how much they are paying per minute.

Editscript/Escription ??? - Posted By: Carol

I have used Escription when I worked for TransTech. Now I have been offered a position with a company that uses Dictaphone VR. I thought Escription was a Dictaphone product. Does Dictaphone have more than 1 platform for VR?

CMT Course - Posted By: Wondering

Does anyone have the name of a good, on-line CMT course? Thanks! :o)

sorry, need to VENT. - Posted By: fg

I have been working since 5:30 on itty bitty reports - so far I'm making less than minimum wage with all the crap I have to waste time on in the headers etc.....and my back is killing me.

I hate wasting my life like this.

Anybody know where to buy a footrest - Posted By: TJ

for the foot pedal? My legs are too short to easily reach the foot pedal and at the end of the day my feet are swollen and my ankles are hurting. HELP. Thanks.

companies - Posted By: infonrequested

What are some of the best small companies that you have worked for? Does anyone live out in the sticks and is on dial-up?

anyone paid by the amount of time dictated? - Posted By: Emily Ayn

I am being paid by the line right now, but my office is switching to a completely new system that counting lines would be a nightmare.

The doc has suggested maybe paying me by the amount of time dictated.

Has anyone done this before, and if so what are the pros and cons, and what is a reasonable rate??? I have NO idea!

Thanks so much for any info.

I have been with them for seven years this September and never raised my rates, which I brought up to him while speaking about the new system saying I would hope whatever we decide is more than I make now!

Jenny Craig - Posted By: mt47

Anyone know how much Jenny's food costs? I went to their website, but apparently the price of the food is classified information. TIA.

CONGRATS to WINNER Sharon A. of Lewisburg, PA on winning the $50. AmEx Gift Cert. - Posted By: courtesy of MetroScript! nm

/

What does a gallon of gas cost in YOUR town? - Posted By: yen2772

$2.39 here. Northwestern Wisconsin. It is pathetic.

Working for WalMart Soon Perhaps?..sm - Posted By: TechSupport

Holy smokes! I think I've seen everything now. WalMart is getting into the EPR business:

Changing .one space to .2spaces - easy way? - Posted By: Confuzzled

I have tried just about everything I can think of and cannot get a way to reliably do this throughout a report. I do not want to retrain myself to do the spacespace because only 1 of my accounts does it like this. Any suggestions? Thanks much.

VR and making only 10.00 a day! - Posted By: whatever

No work this entire week at Sten-Tel. What is up? A job here and there but that is VR and I am making like 10.00 a day...this is total bullcrap. So glad I am training for a new company starting tomorrow.

Medware - Are they really a good co to work for? Thanks. - Posted By: D

nm

RadNet - Posted By: Annie Meldrum

For all RadNet users!!! I hope this can help anyone with any questions... I am a sub-contractor (1099) for a radiology account for a major hospital in Michigan. We recently switched over to RadNet, and believe me, I was afraid... I went 6 weeks without a paycheck during the change-over due to problems and bugs in the system, and about 4 of those weeks was simply getting the correct security level just so I could work! And to make matters worse, I have dial-up (Ahh, the country...Well water and dial-up!!), so needless to say I was skeptical. However, in working this weekend, I have found that RadNet does work with dial-up (although there is a very slight delay in typing and a longer delay when using your mouse). It also DOES work with windows FLASH word Expander (Yes, I have said my shares of Hallelujahs/thank the Lord!!). So anybody looking for short-cuts in RadNet, my advice would be to download any free trials of word Expanders (I used a free trial of FLASH) and see what you like best. Hope this helps some of ya'll!! Annie

New Search Feature (sm) - Posted By: Purple-Hair MT

Is it possible to display the dates of the posts in the search results? If not, add to wishlist?

MT Earnings - Posted By: from ADVANCE survey

The MT Conundrum

Those in the medical transcription field flocked to our 2008 Salary Survey, eager to see how they measured up against their colleagues. We had 872 total respondents in the transcription field, and 516 full-time MTs/editors and 212 part-time MTs/editors took our annual survey. Average MT salaries did nudge up a bit--4 percent--from last year, with full- and part-time MTs/editors making an average of $28,900 in 2008, compared to $27,800 last year. Full-time MTs reported bringing in $33,500.

At the Association for Health Care Documentation Integrity (AHDI), Kim Buchanan, CMT, AHDI-F, director of education and credentialing, hears a lot of complaints from MTs in the industry reporting drops in pay. "You hear complaints that wages are going down, but overall the data shows otherwise," Buchanan said. "This stat is showing we're slowly increasing."

MTs who work for medical transcription service organizations (MTSOs) did see a dip in pay (see sidebar on the next page), but certified medical transcriptionists (CMTs) (21 percent of full-time MTs) saw average salaries poke up to $39,000. To compare with last year's results, CMTs across all HIM professions brought in $37,864, and this year, CMTs who were MTs and other HIM professionals combined made an average of $43,900. Buchanan was very encouraged by the numbers, as full-time MTs who have a CMT make nearly $7,000 more than their non-credentialed colleagues. "To me, that really shows the credential differentiates you in the marketplace," Buchanan noted. "It's really encouraging to me to see the credential is being valued, and it should be. The complexity of documentation we're starting to see is going to require a knowledgeable worker, and to me, credentials show you made a commitment to lifelong learning and you are truly invested in your knowledge."

The registered medical Transcriptionist (RMT) credentialed folks didn't fare as well, making on average $6,000 less than full-time MTs with no credential. The credential is only 2 years old, Buchanan explained, and most RMTs are entry-level MTs/editors who just came out of school. Looking at the average salary of MTs/editors with 0 to 2 years' experience ($24,500), RMTs make more than that ($26,100), and the RMT might also just be the ticket that gets new MTs hired in the field. "In a way, it's really helping them leapfrog that beginning salary you show on 0 to 2 years," Buchanan said. "It's helping them, it's propelling them, and it's putting them ahead, which is great. That's exactly what we wanted it to do."

After examining all the numbers for MTs, Buchanan was happy the average salary for MTs/editors crept up, albeit slightly. "Overall, I'm encouraged to see we continue to increase, even if it's at what looks like a snail's pace," Buchanan said. "In an economy where people are losing jobs left and right, it's good to know transcription is remaining viable, and we're still seeing our wages creep back up."

Lynn Jusinski is an associate Editor with ADVANCE.

Taxes again! - Posted By: Pat

Thanks so much for all the good info on taxes! You "guys" are great! What a wonderful source of information over the years on everything--not just transcription. Thanks again all who answered me. You have been a great help.

Need Opinions--Sorry, it's long. - Posted By: Amy

I'm a new graduate, and I just received my IC contract, manual, etc. yesterday morning from a particular company. I got an email from my QA stating I should remember that my doctor [only account thus far] is on a trial basis with this company, so I should impress him with my work. I was to receive some files yesterday via the website. Well, I have checked repeatedly from yesterday morning up until five minutes ago. Also, the intranet messaging system gives me an error notice, so I can't even see who my team members are. Same with client resources list. It's showing on my screen that there are no files in any doctor's section. To give some background, this QA told me the company just took back their medical transcription from an overseas source who tried to steal their clients. They are very busy trying to get things straightened out right now with a new system, new hires, and reassuring clients, which I can understand. My problem lies with my newness to the profession. How long are we supposed to sit around waiting on a darn file to type? I'm finding all sorts of glitches with the website and got no response to the email I sent yesterday to ask about it all. I'm already nervous due to this doctor being on a trial basis and my never having transcribed medical legal reports for worker's compensation suits. Should I relax and see what happens, or should I bug the QA guy to find out what the heck's going on? As I stated, he hasn't answered my email from yesterday. I'm doubting my decision to go with this company already and haven't even begun. I thought it would be interesting since it's law suits. Any advice?

actual typing time versus hours worked-venting here - Posted By: no name

I just have to vent about companies that keep track of your actual "typing time" and then say you are not putting in your 40 hours. I always come up short and not by just a few hours. They have said I worked only 60 hours when I worked 80. But they say "their system is not wrong."

For one thing when you look up old reports or do research on-line or if you walk to the fridge, that shouldnt count as "not working" as long as you are getting your line rate. Also something is wrong because I dont take that much time looking up things.

Also how can they get by with making you work 40 hours when you are paid "production?" This is wrong. Either pay me by the hour or leave me alone!!

COURT REPORTING??? - Posted By: metype

Has anyone out there ever thought of going from being an MT to court reporting? I have been transcribing for almost 15 years now. I know that the pay scale is better for court reporters, and there are schools that offer on-line classes now. I just wonder what the job prospects were. I have only known 2 court reports and both of them were working as MTs. Any info, anybody? Thanks

Websites to search for doctors - Posted By: IndyMT

I'm looking for some good websites that I can use to look up a doctor's name. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Word Perfect and Vista - anyone know which - Posted By: versions are compatible

Thank you in advance!!!

What's for dinner tonight? - Posted By: ER-MT

I'm hungry !

Just an opinion - Posted By: jen

Does anyone else think that all dictators should have to listen to their own dictation once in a while - I am so tired already this morning of dictators on cell phones that are so muffled you cannot understand them, horns blowing in the background and the dictation coming and going because of losing the signal. I think the physicians should periodically have to listen to some of their own dictation.

Meditech - Enter key will not work. Help!! sm - Posted By: scratching my head!

My enter key will not work with Meditech. I have changed out keyboards, tried wireless, wired, et cetera. I have had someone log in with my password and it works for them. I have logged in with other passwords and it will not work. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated.

Need PT work - Posted By: sm

I'm looking for PT work in acute care or clinic (12 years experience). Would like to do strictly OP notes, but I know that is not likely.

My problem is that I can only commit to 10 to 15 hours a week (I have another full time job), but I canl stick to a schedule and may be able to help out for more hours in addition to the 10 to 15 hours here and there as needed. Most companies want 20 hours or more. I am starting to get frustrated in my search. I need at least 8 cpl.

Any suggestions from anyone else out there in the same situation? TIA

India and CMT - Posted By: US MT

Please tell me they are not only undercutting us in pricing, but they are also getting a break on the CMT exam? I am "saving up" to take it! � see below from MT India

"Moreover, with an aim to encourage experienced medical transcriptionists in India to align with global standards and broaden their career avenues, Prometric & AAMT have also announced a special price for the Certified Medical Transcription (CMT) certification exam, which will be available for USD 150 (reduced from previous available price of USD 275)."