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Need advice. See message. - Posted By: MTSO

I am a small MTSO and today I received an email from a client stating that they got a quote for 4 cents less than what I charge them and could I match it. This is a pretty big account and keeps a few of my transcriptionists pretty busy. I don't want to lose them, but I can't afford to pay good quality transcriptionists if I lower my price per line by 4 cents. Need advice on what I should do. Thanks.

Update on another one burned by Four Seasons Transcription - Posted By: Shocked speachless!

Okay shocking news here. I just received part of the pay Robin owes me. Why, not sure. Supposedly she''s in the hospital, but I also was told she's famous for "being in the hospital for surgery" as an excuse for nonpayment. I'm still not sure what made her go ahead and pay part of what she owes me... I just hope my other invoices get paid as she bills the acct for them. Now if she seriously was in the hospital she has my sympathy BUT according to other MT's she's burned... this is a signature Robin move... minus the actually getting paid... I honestly don't know what to say.

MSWord question - Posted By: pls help

is there a way to make a * hard hypen * in Word?

TIA for any help.

Does anyone know what in the world Hypokinesis is?? - Posted By: Dawn F.

I know it means "decreased contractions of the heart," but I'm trying to figure out what causes it, tests for it and treatments...can't find much at all. They found it on my echo Monday and I have an appt on Aug 5, but I'll go NUTS until then!

TIA

Dawn

COMPUTER issues - Posted By: Screaming Mimi

Well, once again thought I had it fixed, Not! I got the VGA splitter but I wound up with both male and I need a male and female. I am tired, really tired so will let this go until tomorrow and then try to get this done.

Bald spot on head??? - Posted By: Sue

Has anyone ever had this happen or know of anyone who has had this happen? My 14-year-old son has a spot on the top of his head that is bald. It's about the size of a quarter. He has never had this and it came all of a sudden a couple of weeks ago. There is no hair growing out of this spot. ~

Should I take him in to have it checked or is this a common thing? I typed it in Google and came up with something called alopecia maybe. ~ I'll take any advice anyone wants to give me. Thanks!!!

Where is all the Rad work? - Posted By: Souzam

I know it is feast or famine in this industry but come on! I have been transcribing Radiology for 8 years and I think this is the worse it has ever been. I have tried changing companies but still....no work!!! If anyone knows of a good company that has plenty of Rad work, please let me know!!!! You can send me a PM if you'd like. Thanks a bunch!

Need an IC Contract example... - Posted By: Help...

Anyone have or know a website with IC Contract examples. I need to type one up by tomorrow, and I am at a complete loss.

Thanks again! This forum is awesome!

Is anyone else having problems running out of work at Wordzxpressed besides me? - Posted By: Wav-less :(

Merry Christmas - Posted By: NJMT

I'm not a regular poster, but still feel connected to this board. Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Here's to opening our hearts and homes to others and greetings for a wonderful New Year!

Burnt out - Posted By: need advice

Hi Everyone,

I am not coming here to sound like I'm whining or complaining, but I am just completely burnt out, stressed, and an emotional wreck and need advice because I'm sure we've all been there. No one understands our jobs. I'm definitely not trying to say I have it *so bad and worse than anyone* because I think we all have it exactly the same. What do you do when you get burnt out like this? Would it be a good idea to just take a *break* from transcription for a while?

I have been doing this for 3 years and just can't seem to get ahead. My motivation is there (most of the time) but my line counts just aren't. Most of the time I am making less than minimum wage. I struggle through 60 minutes of dictation, only to have a piddly 400 line count after about 8 hours. My doctors seem to like to spout off partial or wrong company names that people work for (completely irrelevant to the report), activities, job titles, work equipment, street names (of all things), school names (out of state), impossible to find without at least 20-30 minute doctor name searches as much as they can (always mispronouncing or an out-of-state doctor because my accounts are basically on the border between 2 states). Join the club... I know. I definitely love transcription and who I work for..but I am just incredibly frustrated at my paychecks along with the amount of time and effort spent on a check amounting to $200 every 2 weeks. I am always working/at the computer "on call" on my days off...as most of us are.

I do have a daughter at home who has become VERY demanding (she is not the reason I decided on this career; I have a huge interest in the medical field and didn't want to be a nurse or secretary, anything like that). She is in preschool, but my work has been coming later and later to the point where I have no choice but to do it while she is home. Talk about adding to my stress.

I actually just let it all out last night. My eyes are all swollen today from bawling last night. My husband asked *are you done yet* after me only trying to vent my frustrations to him for like 2 minutes (that just set it all off) - and was fed up with me and told me to *just quit because I don't want to work* that phrase skyrockets my blood pressure. He doesn't get it. The transcriptionists work is never done and we never get away from our jobs!!

He is never home due to his job, which he loves and says is a cake walk. To be honest, that actually makes me jealous and even more irritated. I just wish he knew for one second what my life was like! He has a 2 hour commute, gets the GI bill every month, and loves to work overtime and trust me he makes enough for us all to get by smoothly. Still, EVERYTHING is on me...EVERYTHING...on a constant daily basis. I have 3 dogs, 3 cats, 3 goats, and a daughter to take care of, along with the house, cooking, and all of the chores that go along with it...which I wouldn't trade for the world, don't get me wrong, I just feel like I don't have the time for anything other than my job and my daughter's attitude is really starting to reflect it and all of my family sees it, just not my husband.

What gets me is...he and his parents can and are 100% willing to pay SOMEONE ELSE to take care of my daughter and do MY JOB with her...yet, here I am struggling to do a million things at once and only coming out $100 ahead of preschool. Would they think about paying me? Lol, I highly doubt it..and in fact when I brought it up to my husband last night, he laughed in my face and called me crazy. Well, what is so crazy about it? I taught her everything she knows!! Yet his parents will still comment on what a great job preschool is doing for her. It is the pressure from his parents (who both happen to be school teachers) and my husband would never go against their decisions. Don't get me wrong, I would never expect/want to be paid, lol...it is just a hypothetical situation. If it is good for someone else, why can't it be good for anyone else?

I think that was actually the start of my frustration..when he started his new job because he got lazy around the house and with our daughter! When he gets a day off though, you better believe it's a day off!!! He does whatever he wants with his buddies or whatever, while I sit at home and deal with the same things when he is working. When he gets home from work, he has the nerve to ask me *what did you do all day* because my paychecks dont REFLECT the amount of time that I am actually in here working my butt off...and neither does the mess of my house.

Any ideas on what I could tell my husband to help him understand at least partially what I, we all, go through in this field without him basically telling me to shut my mouth because him not listening to me is really getting old.

does anyone want to "chat"--there's never anyone in the chat room - Posted By: alejandra

any late niters have a few minutes to chat, let's pick a topic, any topic, meet me there.

--this one is kind of creepy, how it winks.

Along the same topic as below... - Posted By: another poll...sm

What do you find makes a man sexy? Is it his eyes? his smile? his ruggedness? his sensitivity? Or is it all of the above?

For me, it's all of the above. I love a rough and rugged man, not a sissy man that's afraid of getting his hands dirty! Deep eyes that can see right through you...a smile that still looks like a child...and sensitive enough to cry over The Notebook...

Hey, that describes my husband to a T!!! Woohoo lucky me!!!

Windows VISTA - Posted By: Beth Johnson

How do you find working with Windows Vista? Bytescribe tells me that I can use it with Vista, but I've been told otherwise by other MTs. It's complicating the purchase of a new computer!! I'd like any input I can get.

Escription with a USB footpedal? - Posted By: sm

Can it work or do I have to get a adapter to change it to a serial port? I am not getting the clearest of answers from the MTSO on this one.

I just saw a transcription company advertise - Posted By: free transcription, 1 week, no limit. CRAZY!!! n

Gateway lap top question - Posted By: ER MT

I bought my son a Gateway laptop three weeks ago to take to college. He has already seen the "blue screen of death" and has barely used it. Because I am computer illiterate and I know some of you are much more informed about these things, is this a MAJOR problem, i.e. take it back and get a completely different brand or is this something I can easily get fixed?

Thanks for your help!

Is this true? - Posted By: Keanu Reeves is Christopher Reeves son?

A girl at work today told me that Keanu Reeves is the (late) Christopher Reeves son.

I never heard this before, and so far I am unable to document via the internet. Anyone have any input? Much thanks.

What kind of keyboard do you use? - Posted By: op note gal

Just curious. I am thinking of upgrading. What kind do you have and do you like it or dislike it?

Thanks

I have a hum on my C-phone. If the - Posted By: me

voice file is loud enough where I can have the volume low I don't have an issue, but when voice files are low and I have to have volume up high I get a hum. The hum is so overpowering that it makes it near impossible to hear the voice file. I have digital phone through my cable company, but had the same problem before I got digital phone. I don't have a hum on my home phone.

I googled it and someone said to block the microphone. I did and it didn't help. I put a filter on the phone line and it didn't help. I unplugged all the other phones in the house and it didn't help.

My company is going to send a replacement, but I was wondering if anyone else had similar issues and if you were able to resolve them.

Radiology - per report or by line? - Posted By: kyradmt

I'm switching from a company that pays radiology reports by the report, not line, to a company that pays radiology report by line, not report. Which is better? I've had so many looooong and foul reports, yet we get the same buck per report no matter how long it is. It would seem as tho getting paid per line is better - any thots?

Did anyone see the "Editscript Proofer" job posting? - Posted By: Amanda

working on laptops - Posted By: AMPmt2

How nice for the MTs out there who can work on their laptops. At Amphion you work from their computer. I tried to be able to get to work on my laptop and got shut down, confidentiality reasons, etc. I only wish I could go outside or be more comfortable than my desk and chair setup. I bet I would be much more productive. Anyone from Amphion who is working on their laptop please let me know how, I would really appreciate it.

Anybody have a digital camera they are absolutely in love with? - Posted By: feels like Monday morning

I'm looking to purchase one this weekend, preferably under $300, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. The one I have now is cheap and you can't even see what you're aiming at, so I think a disposable camera is an improvement, but was hoping to get some "expert" advice!! Thanks!

VMODA headphones? - Posted By: michelle

Does anyone here use V-MODA headphones? I really need to buy some new headphones, and I just cannot decide on a pair that would be good for listening to voice files for work. Any suggestions and/or opinions on the VMODA headphones? Thanks in advance.

Assign shortcut keys to macro Wordperfect? - Posted By: How do I do this?

I have to switch to Wordperfect after working in MS Word for 7 years. I have figured out how to record a macro, but how do you assign a shortcut key to it?

What I am wanting to do is jump to the next * in my reports because that is how I move from heading to heading.

The help section in WP just confused me

Any help is wonderful

Thanks

Why I hate speech editing. - Posted By: sm

Just finished my 3rd week of speech editing. Of course I was told that I could double my line rate, hence the half-rate pay. Not that it matters. To me, a line is a line is a line, and I've had to apply my brain to each line, even if I don't make any changes. And when do you not make a change to a line, or even completely re-type a line?

We've hashed this out many times on this board, and we know it's not fair. I did increase my line rate a bit, but certainly not double, and I doubt I'd get much faster. I'm doing a mix of traditional and speech, and this pay period I worked 8 hours longer, 88 hours total, and made $80.00 less. And that includes bonus pay.

I can't do this anymore. It's completely demoralizing. Traditional lines are drying up as my accounts are switching over to speech. I might be able to hang on for a bit more, but not much longer. If I end up doing 100% speech I'll never double my line count, and even if I did, I'd be working twice as hard for the same money.

It's time to start looking around for a new career. So much for my 21 years of experience. I made more money back when I was listening to cassette tapes and using an IBM Selectric!

Editor here stunned by new MT's attitude - Posted By: polly deportia

I am almost speechless. A new MT was told to read a manual before typing. She did not read the our instruction manual. She typed a mess and when I asked her to read it and pointed out errors she attacked me and was extremely rude. I am just stunned here. What is up with people?

to ANIMAL ADVOCATE - Posted By: romey

Please note my response to your query waaaay below where the original thread started, again thanks for your interest.

Own accounts - Posted By: Patti

Have had several contacts to me regarding own accounts. I don't mind sharing general information, etc.but please do not ask me for samples of my brochures, flyers, business cards, etc. and ask for a step by step procedure to go through for obtaining your own accounts. I am not a consultant you pay for those fees. If you have been in the business even working for someone else for many years, then you should have a basic idea what is needed with regards to equipment, etc. No one can know you have a service unless you go out and advertise it. Get your name out there and let them know you are available. I am not being mean but I had to do a lot of learning along the as well as time spent in research and development and if you want to do this there is no easy way. Guess I could write a book and sell it. As for rates, if you are working for a small MTSO in your area add on 25 to 35% of what your rate is currently. To me, I would rather start out low and raise in a year or so to get the account, the experience of doing my own clients, etc. Patti

Quick Look Drug Book (book & CD/ROM)..sm.. - Posted By: Diane in VA

Does anyone use both. I'm definitely getting the CD/ROM and am debating about buying both. I don't see any reason to have both but there could be something I don't know.

I noticed CD/ROMs are on backorder but they're selling downloadable versions. I can handle that.

write offs/deductions for IC's?? - Posted By: sunnyMT

Just wanting some ideas on what everyone uses as deductions. Im going to get hit hard this year and just seeing what everyone else does.

TIA,

FUN THREAD......PET PEEVES.... - Posted By: JJt

So, I am sure we all have our pet peeves on things we WISH the doctors would not do while we are trying to type their dictation for them. I thought it would be funny if we pointed them out:) I personally can't stand when they continuously yawn while talking and just assume I was to understand what was said mid yawn, rather than repeating themselves after the yawning is complete. I have a lot more though, lol.

Emdat foot pedal/Inscribe - Posted By: please see message

I've read mostly negative comments about this. Does it work with Microsoft 4000 Keyboard? Is it decent to use as long as demos are pre-filled? Is it hard to learn? Thank you for suggestions.

DO NOT WORK FOR SEAN MEDITRANS-THEY DONT PAY - Posted By: Ex-SMT MT

NM

Dictation Digital Voice question - Posted By: C Brown

I need some assistance, please. Could someone tell me which transcription units are compatible with Dictaphone Digital Voice? Thanks!

Snack recipe - Posted By: sm

Butter, parmesian cheese (type you put on sgetti), onion salt, garlic powder, and Crispix.

Melt the butter, sprinkle in the cheese, onion salt, garlic powder, poor in cereal. Put lid on and shake.

Teenagers LOVE this stuff!!

Andrews or Career Step? - Posted By: Kimberly

My SIL is really interesting in taking an MT course. I gave her the phone numbers for both of these schools. She is undecided about which one to go with. It looks like Career Step will be less money, but I've heard Andrews graduates seem to get hired more quickly and are getting the better jobs. Does anybody have experience with either of these schools that can offer some input? Any information would be welcome and appreciated! Thanks!

Transtech - Posted By: jd

is anyone currently working at transtech

wrist pain - Posted By: rad

anyone else out there has wrist pain at the end of their shift