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I have been using a Lanier for dictation since November and got one of those not so nice letters from AT&T giving me 5 days to stop or they would switch me to 10 cents per minute. (Not in this lifetime will I pay that.)  Anyway, I checked around (only took about 2 hours to look) and didn't care for anything I found and really did not want to switch companies as it is a PITA. So, I checked on the AT&T website to see what else they offered. They have a business plan for 49.95 a month plus tax-total cost around 70.00 a month. I called and talked to them and asked them at least five times if I can use dictation on this plan and they said yes, I could. I wouldn't  get anymore nasty letters from them. Instead of putting in another line, I just switched my residential over to business and it's only going to cost me $20.00 more a month than what I am already paying right now. Not a bad deal at all for unlimited use. You have to sign up for one year, but heck, if I can work and not be hassled by them, it will be worth it.

Does anyone have a tattoo? My husband and I are thinking about getting one, but I'm not sure. I really want one, just something small--the Chinese symbol for *forever*, but I'm not sure where to have it put or if it's really, really painful. I'm not into pain, but could stand some, if it's not THAT bad.  Any info would be very appreciated...

Oh and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

An update from Microsoft of SP 2 for Office 2003, a reboot and now when I open Word my Stedmans spellcheck doesn't work.   I tried to reload it and that doesn't work, either.   Anyone else have this happen?  I looked and it's in "Proof" for dictionaries as LEXB4SP, but it's not loading up and replacing the Word spellcheck.   Now what do I do?  

Have any of you ever experienced someone thinking that because you work at home, you do not have a "real job"?  My husband (who is a doctor), seems to think that I have made a mistake by giving up a job as a cancer registrar that paid me 41,000 to do medical transcription. His biggest complaint is the long hours I work trying to make money.  I tried to explain to him the learning curve for newbies, but he does not seem to understand.  I was taking my MT course during his residency and have wanted to be in this profession for a long time.  I will admit, I was not happy about the drop in pay, but I am working towards regaining my salary through increasing production and know that it can be done.   It does not seem to matter that he has always had my full support during the beginning of his career, but he cannot seem to do the same for me.  He may be right, but the fact is that I love medical transcription and want it to be my career.  Who do doctors think they are dictating to?  In most cases it is a work at home transcriptionist!  I do wish that I could make more money with it, but feel that it will come in time.  I love the flexibilty it gives me and I take it very seriously, as my work is directly related to patient care, even though it may not be as hands on as his work is as a doctor. 

I would really like some feedback on this, as I am really frustrated by his attitude on my career choice.

Any one here know ths machine like the back of their hand?  I have a few questions about functions of some of the keys.

I'm thinking of taking on a 2nd job, and need to know LOTS more. 

when dictating...He has a dominant _______ (circ) which is 100% occluded....colaterals for a AV ______ (circ)

what is circ? circumflex artery?

I had a "talking to" by my asst manager, because I had mg listed as milligrams in my auto correct and she said that a docment should always be typed as mg, not the long way.  They were on my back so badly to produce, I decided that having things as milligrams instead of mg was a way to help my line count!  I don't feel badly about this fact, as they have threatend to fire me if I didn't keep a certain count. 

How does the people you work for look at this issue?  I know a hospital Transcriptionist who has EVERYTHING spelled out in her auto correct, such as CBC (complete blood count) etc...

I think that's a bit excessive, but I didn't think having milligrams typed out was a bid deal.  What do you think?

give the company a set of terms.  Here's my issue.  I have 15+ years experience as an MT and I am finding after I've accepted the job, that I am placed on the crappiest account they have because of my years of wonderful "experience".  Then I'm told that they are paying me the higher cpl rate not because of years of experience but because I'm working on the crappy account that no one else can do.

I find it very difficult to earn a living this way and wonder if there are jobs out there where a seasoned MT can just sit down and type carefree 8 hours a day.  I'm not saying I don't want to ever type ESL dictation, but can I get an account where the majority is not ESL? 

I'm good at what I do.  I love OP notes and don't mind challenging work, but it's simply not fair.  I feel like I'm being penalized for my years of hard work more than rewarded and I resent it.

it seems to me:

I am noise sensitive.

Give way too much detail upon being questioned or in conversation sometimes.

Find that I research anything I buy with almost an obsessive nature.

Uncomfortable in many social situations.

I'd like some help. 

I have a file sent to me which was supposed to be sent in text format.  Instead, the tech apparently sent it as an ACL file. 

I'm supposed to send it on, but need to convert it first in text format.  Can anybody coach me?  I'm feeling rather "techno-challenged".  

Thx. 

Whenever I click on Apply Now on any job ad on the job seeker board here, my resume is automatically pasted into the box!!

How did that happen? I don't paste it - it's already there.

What is considered the average amount of minutes for 7.5 hour day.  I'm thinking 45 to 60 minutes???

I have a link for those that have never seen what these actually look like.  This is the one my husband's physician has.  http://www.e-mds.com/images/screens/emds_chart_vnoteedit.jpg  This shows a screen shot, but the rest of the site tells how these are used. 

Hello, I was just wanting some advice on obtaining some accounts.  I have 3, which all came by word of mouth/referrals.  Does calling offices, sending out fliers or faxing info seem to work best?  I really need more work and am interested in getting some tips from other IC's.

Thank you!

Provided by a fellow member,,,,This is great. Thank you so much for sending it to me...Last time I bother you I have to start my shift now...

http://www.ericacodes.com/camio.html

I just started a new MT job and will get health insurance when my benefits quick in.  I want to put my husband on my insurance.  My question is- he has spina bifida and I am concerned that the insurance company will deny him coverage.  Can they do that?

Thanks

I am an IC for a small MTSO.  I have a deduction taken from my invoice every pay period for renting Transnet equipment.  My foot pedal broke and I asked urgently Monday morning for a replacement foot pedal to be Fed Exed to me - work was on the system and needed to get done.  Well, after many many phone calls and e-mails I got the replacement foot pedal via Fed Ex (they shipped on Friday) on Saturday morning.  So I worked all weekend to get caught up on a whole week's worth of work.  Got my invoice yesterday (late - the MTSO has rescheduled their payment schedule as they are not getting promptly paid by their clients - the ICs had to accept the new payment schedule or quit).  There was a deduction for $40.13 for delivery fee for the foot pedal.  The Accounts manager says that "many memos" have been sent out that ICs are responsible for delivery fees.  Huh?  I looked over the memo I received about Transnet rentals and it said our invoice deduction covers maintenance costs for faulty equipment, etc. (the MTSO had originally said I would be billed for a new foot pedal - then I brought up the memo on rentals that covers faulty equipment and that got dropped pretty quickly).  I told the Accts manager that postage is the MTSOs expense, just like it is my IC expense to return the faulty equipment to the MTSO.  I also mentioned that the MTSO pays for phone charges to fax stuff to ICs; likewise the ICs pay for their phone charges for faxing to the MTSO.

What would you do?  I am so fed up with this MTSO...I don't make that much money on Transnet anyway (most of my lines are from microtapes) that I am tempted to just tell her to take all of my doctors on Transnet and quit doing these willy nilly deductions without my approval or knowledge.  This is the third time the Accts manager has taken "deductions" from my invoice without telling me - the last time was for Chicago taxes on rental equipment (totally illegal according to Cook County govn't) - that took 2 weeks to get straightened out!  Arrggghhh!!!

I just tested with one of the nationals. I have never before had to do this and did receive the results (97%). Does anyone know if this includes the objective portion or only the transcribed reports?

Thanks for your input.

Help!

I had some computer work done recently and now I cannot use my foot pedal to listen to the dictation.  This was fixed once by my IT department, however, I will get a faster response from you than them.

Can someone give me instructions on where to look in my computer? I really appreciate the help. Thanks!

this one about new pay plan............ "Pay rates based upon experience, skill, and work difficulty" is the first 'highlight'....... I have been asking for a raise since MAY and I am level 3 typist, highest level MQ has....  Supposed to be contacted personaly by someone in the future.  Hmmmmm, wonder what they will offer.