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Psych work - my 2cents worth

Posted By: Pj on 2006-08-26
In Reply to: Psychiatric transcription - average # of lines/page - KatieN

I have two psch accounts that deal with ADD and children 80%, adults with learning issues, accidents causing cognitive problems or Voc Rehab a lot lately.   I start my IC's out on these accounts because they do not demand 24 hour TAT, the reports are long -- 10 to 15 pages however I set up a lot of templates for the tests, history, etc.  A standard report of 10 pages with a 2 page letter to the patient takes about 1 1/2  to hours for my IC's to type when they first start and is between 450 to 500 lines.  I myself can do a report/letter right at one hour. (35 to 45 minutes of dictation).   This is true because I  have so many standards set up, etc.  Because the doctors gives us 4-5 days to finish the tapes, I pick up once a week on Thurs-Friday and they have to be back to them by Weds (E-mail) and I have them set up as I do, I only charge him 10.5 cpl but that is gross line and I pay my gals 0.75 cpl to start and once I don't have to proof them I go up to 0.8 cpl.  I have trained several on this account with very little medical background and they have picked up in less than a month but again I have taken a lot of time to template tests, etc.  I have had this account for almost 18 years.  Unless there is a lot of complicated work, I don't see where you will need three months training.  Also your pay is very low to me, I could see 6 to 7 starting out if you don't have much experience.    My gals do not like to give up this account once they get trained on it as they can make close to $30 an hour.   But since there is such a long TAT, I demand perfection and there is no excuse for not getting the report done or notifying me that you have had something come up prior to an hour before the report is due back.    They do that once and they are pulled from the account.   But again, the call is yours, reports are pretty standard and you can make good line counts but you also need to be paid a decent wage.   Good luck.  Patti


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oh I love it...return the 2cents
and i guarantee you it will just botch the heck out of their accounting, they won't know where to post it, probably send it back to you, you back to them and on and on and probably cost them close to 100 bucks in postage, reissuance, payroll for the geeks in accounting, all to try to resolve it.
Psych work

Katie,


Let me know how the job offer goes.  I am interested in hearing about your training.


 


Thanks,


Gina


PSYCH WORK
I do psych work for several docs as an IC. In one case, I have a doc that dictates his notes all together on one tape and desires that I transcribe all PNs and evaluations within one document. I just completed a 23-page file, which comes up to approximately 500 lines averaging about 30 lines a page, according to how my MTSO counts lines, which is by using the Word line counting system, dividing all characters by 65 with spaces included.

I do around 200-250 lines per hour, but I have been doing this for awhile. When I first started out, I would've been thrilled with 100-120 lines/hour.

At any rate, 250 lines per hour at .05 cpl comes out to be $12.50/hour and at .06 cpl you could get up to $15.00/hour. Remember, during the training period your line count will be low. At 100 lines per hour, your hourly rate would be around $5.00/hour, which would probably be closer to what you'd start out making (less than min. wage). I have to agree with the other poster below, that that's pretty low pay. OTOH, It all depends on how you look at things. Eventually, after being trained (which shouldn't take long if you're a relatively quick learner) you could eventually make a decent living as long as the work is there.

In my opinion, it is fairly easy work and, if you're lucky and get good dictators, well, it's a piece of cake for the most part. Actually, most anything you decide to put any effort into winds up paying off in the long run. It just depends on how bad you want it.

There are some things you may want to consider, however. How does the MTSO count lines? For example, is a 65-character per line count or 60-character per line count? What line counting system do they use? For example, do they use Sylcount, Abacus, Word, etc.?

Also, I note that you will be employee status yet no raises or paid time off? What's the point in being employee status? LOL That sounds a little out of the ordinary but what do I know? At any rate, since you will be employee status, some things to consider are taxes, bennies, etc. that may be taken out of your check.

I'd definitely think about it for a bit. IMO, at 20 miles one way for $5.00 an hour is going to wind up costing you money at first. It really depends on how bad you really want this type of account and what you're willing to do to learn the ropes.

Good luck!
Companies with psych work?

Hi there!


Does anyone know any companies out there that are hiring specifically for Psych/Behavioral Medicine (clinic or acute)?  I have about 3 years of MT experience, but my college coursework is all (besides MT school) in Psych, and this is the field I want to gain as much experience as possible in.  I know it's hard to find, because people tend to gravitate toward psych accounts, but I just thought I'd ask.  I've done lots of it on a random basis as a secondary or alternate account at various places, but I'm looking for a primary account in that field.


I have worked for a few of the major nationals (MedQuist, MedWare, and Spheris) and I'm happy at Spheris, but having trouble finding any available Psych accounts, so I'm considering leaving, if I have the opportunity elsewhere.  Just thought some of you may know where to check.  Thanks! 


Wanting psych work
Looking for psych work.  Will work any hours or days.
I know it's work, but is it worth your time?
Or should I have said, what level of frustration can you tolerate - I should have stated in the above post that this is time consuming and can seem daunting, but if you choose to do this, just take one step at a time and choose a chunk of time you will have free, and in the end, you may just have to make the time because our computers are our livelihood and need to keep them in good shape.  Then again, you can just hire someone to do it for you; and just a clue, they use a lot of these programs too.  But registry issues, of course, that is another issue - a professional would definitely have to tackle that one.  Take care!
Wanting PT QA work, is it worth it?
I'm currently a FT MT (many years now) and getting very bored with the work. It's so bad now that I'm finding myself constantly distracted (perhaps too willingly) thus not producing enough lines.  I'm more than capable...just bored.  I was wondering if doing QA PT would be worth it, on top of my MT work?  I just need something to do other than MT work to break up the monotony.  I've done QA work before but that was quite a while ago and don't know what the pay standards are anymore.
I believe this profession is worth fighting for...you work at BK if you want...
So we should just accept everything going on around us, like dumb sheep? What kind of attitude is that?

Answer this, are you supporting your household on being an MT. It does not bother you that in a few years you be making half what you are now, doing some dirty, low-paying job?

You are really okay with that, and think that is not a problem.

Believing in yourself and fighting for what you believe in, is what this country is supposed to be about. That is my opinion.

Listen carefully: It is the sound of the shifting of the tides coming in to divide rich and poor. If it happens, it happens, but I for one will fight it with everything I can.

I am glad I do not have your attitude. I happen to love this job, got in it because I love it, and am going to be sad when it is gone.

So many passion-less people...
Worth a shot, but didn't work for me. sm

My inhouse job was outsourced when I left to work at home after 3 years doing the same account and getting rave reviews and raises for my transcription. I applied to the company handling the same account when I saw it advertised. I was told by the company my account was outsourced to that I did not have enough experience. Huh? 18 years total. 3 years on that same account.


I guess it depends if you're still working for the hospital or not. I know that at least around here, the hospitals basically black ball you if you have the nerve to leave their employ.


Hopefully the hospital you mention isn't quite as petty as mine was. They actually started sending the tapes out the day after I gave my 2 week notice and I had absolutely nothing to do but filing for the last 2 weeks. Apparently the hospital policy dictates that there is a grave danger of breach of confidentiality once the employee gives notice.


Give me a break.


Good luck. Hope it works out for you!


Yes and absolutely worth it. I love to work
outside when weather permits.  I don't do it every day because hooking up and unhooking and having to carry everything gets to be a pain, but I do it on occasion.  I also like to travel, which is why I got a laptop to start with.   It allows me to work in the car or a couple of hours a day wherever we go so there is still some income, but I also have time to enjoy time with family.  
Not worth it if you work your fingers to the bone and then never get paid
Good luck
I have work...16 hours' worth every day, 6 days a week no less. nm
nm
Maybe psych is just not her cup of tea! Maybe she should

try another speciality.   I think everyone has potential somewhere, somehow.  She just needs to find her "speciality" if you will.


Unless, she has been on other specialities and her QA score is still that low, then maybe she needs to find another career!


You have a tough job having to QA that - bless you!


Psych MT's
Are any of you Psychiatry only MTs - if so, who do you work for-are they hiring?
Help please with psych (sm)
Switching from WP to "Word," need quick answer on how to avoid automatic numbering as will be using Psych Dx with Axis I, Axis II, etc., how do I do this without numbers "popping up" all over the place? Also, is there a word list or med list for psychiatric only? I am testing for a new acct. in the morning and petrified. I am experienced in the field but don't want to appear like a dunce on my testing due to lack of knowledge of "Word". Don't know which version they are using either. Please answer on board or by e-mail and I shall be forever greatful. Praying.
psych...really,..never done that before.
well, the owner sounds trustworthy,... and they have a lot of VA hospitals.. he didnt tell me what specialty or anything...i just thought i should ask..am really scared of foriegn dictators... never really worked for one. but this is a local co. right down the road from me...
Like GI, ID, Psych
Don't like Rehab-boring, Ophth-boring
psych 101
I've never met my dad, so I do not have a true model for measuring men against.  They totally confuse me.  I'm very independent and plan on pursuing my own goals.  I think coming across a great man would just be a bonus and not a necessity.  My most prominent relationship lasted almost a decade, and I remember him being really kind of cold and absent, and I was constantly vying for his attention.  If I come across a truly loving nurturing guy, it scares me and I push away alot.  I guess having a dad would have made me different, but I am what I am so its all I know.
Psych
We have not yet gotten to Psych reports in school. I am excited to though. I think I would be very interested in them. I take it they are not the money makers?
Psych
Imagine this, typing psych report and patient asked the difference between a cat and a dog?  Answer:  I don't know I have scr---ed them both.  I just about died.
psych (nm)
x
Psych
I worked on a psych account too and though we're not hiring anyone right now, I'm love to find another company to work for but keep doing psych work. So far, no luck.
psych job

There was one posted on mtjobs.com not too long ago.  I did a sample report for them but it was a little more time consuming than I was able to take on.  I honestly can't remember who it was but go back on that site and look back about two weeks.


Cindi


Anyone do Psych?
Do you have any websites you recommend specific to psych meds, term, etc?
psych

DSM III or DSM IV has all the diagnoses and criteria.


 


 


 


Who has Psych transcription available
I'm seeking psych transcription.  If anybody knows of any company who's looking for someone, please advise.
ER psych meds
standard formula given in emergency: Haldol 5 mg, Ativan 2 mg, Benadryl 50 mg
Psych testing (sm)
This is why I like this board. This nice person did answer my question about numbering. This never came up but I found it very helpful and it made me less nervous. BTW, the test was mostly English words and I felt it was a waste of time and did not test my skills as a MLS at all, but that's the way it goes, I guess. Looking for something more challenging.
Psych transcription
Psychiatric Transcriptionist with over 15 years experience looking for extra accounts.  Quality work, quick TAT, very reasonable rates.  If you are looking for a hard worker that doesn't mind working weekends or whenever needed, please contact via email psych_mt@yahoo.com.
My favorite is psych - would do that all day if I could...
Don't care for ortho.
Psych transcription?
I know that Rodeer used to do a lot of psych transcription back in the day but now they are nonexistent. Does anyone know where and who gets the majority of the country's psych transcription? I know there has to be a ton of it...lol
Psych transcription
I don't know who gets most of the psych transcription in this country, but I do psych transcription for a local clinic that is a mental health facility. I used to work there full-time (in their insurance/business office) plus did their transcription (which meant I was working about 60 hours a week doing full-time in the business office and part-time transcription at home at night). When I left there full-time for another job, they contacted me and asked me to keep doing transcription  for them. Well, it is 10 years later and they have also had additional transcriptionists and as of the first of this year, they got rid of everyone else and now I am doing ALL of their transcription (from home!!) and love it!! I know this is a job that I basically fell into, but there have to be some other jobs like this out there. I have also learned a lot doing psych transcription and it is pretty interesting. Hope you find something that meets your needs soon.
I love psych...
I have a few psych accounts, and I love it.  I don't get bored at all.  The only thing with psych is that at times it can be extremely depressing, and many times I have found myself in tears and in prayer for patients long after I have finished their reports.  I also do other specialties, but psych is the only one I don't get bored with.  Good luck!  I think you'll enjoy psych. 
Psych can be tough.
Would they give you a training period in psych, a few months at least? Psych is no breeze, you would definitely need references, and some internet sites. It will take some getting used to. But it can be fun!
Psych type
At the medical center I used to work for, they hired behavioral health clinic transcriptionists with no training or experience because it was pretty much "normal every day words". For psychiatry if they were inpatient at the time, we just typed them along with our other hospital dictations. I found that almost all of the crazy tests or things that were not normal jumbo I found easily on Google. Good luck to you, it is definately an interesting line of work. :)
psych book
When I did psych work, I just bought a good psych word book and that helped me TONS, as there are a lot of test names that you will be exposed to. Internet would probably work okay, too, but me, I like books! :)
Good luck!
Psych Resources

Here are the links from my favorite places. I also have a word list if you need it. Let me know.


http://www.appi.org/dsm.cfx


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11428699&dopt=Abstract


http://teachhealthk-12.uthscsa.edu/pa/pa03/pa03pdf/0306C-SWS.pdf


http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/curriculum/juvenile/glossary.htm


http://psychclerk.bsd.uchicago.edu/mse.pdf


http://www1.umn.edu/mmpi/Reprints/The%20comparability%20of%20MMPI%20and%20MMPI-2%20scales%20and%20profiles.html


http://www.psychiatry.msu.edu/Clerkship/MentalStatusExam.pdf


http://www.unl.edu/buros/bimm/html/index12.html


http://www.pearsonassessments.com/tests/mmpi_2.htm


http://www.falseallegations.com/mmpi-bw.htm


http://www.brainsource.com/nptests.htm


http://neuro.psyc.memphis.edu/NeuroPsyc/np-dx-demen.htm


http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/tests/newfy99.html


http://www.wright.edu/~robert.rando/Interviewing/Class2-05.htm


http://www.utah.edu/umed/courses/year3/psychiatry/psychaid.html


http://angelsghosts.com/state_of_fear.html


http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/mse.htm


http://www.psychpage.com/objective/mmpi2_overview.htm


Psych resources

I have done psych work for over 5 years and it's not just every day words.  I use several web sources (as listed by Amy) and also a psych book.  My psychiatrists also have to report the patient's medical history, so you have to know that as well.  Not to mention, a lot of people have psychiatric problems because of medical conditions. 


Stedman's has a great book that has listings of all the psychiatric tests.  Because of reports going to the medical doctors and psych abbreviations not being common, everything has to be spelled out (at least with my docs).  A lot of the psychotropic drugs can also cause medical conditions, like lithium causing hypothyroidism, Mellaril causing heart problems, Zyprexa and Depakote causing metabolic disorders, etc. so there is a lot of medical going on.  I keep my regular Stedman's on hand, lab/path, cardio, endocrine, ortho (a lot of psych drugs cause imbalances causing falls, which in turn fractures).  I could keep going on, but I think you get the idea.


It is very interesting work, but can be a downer. Good luck!


ESL psych report . . .

The patient is tired of sitting on the couch with a potato. 



This was a number of years ago when the term couch potato was popular.  I can only guess the patient was referring to his significant other and the doctor did not understand the term. 


Psych reports all the way
My faves are psych reports, then social service evals, then ERs (gotta love the gore) then everything else kind of falls after that. Ops have got to be my nemesis, I hate them, but I do them anyway and smile as I do them (it helps to smile)
Psych Reports

Psych reports can differ in the amount of pages depending on the physician and what kind of report.  But go with you gut instinct as to whether this is the move for you or not.  It sounds like a good deal, but gas prices are still high though they are going down a little.


Psych terms...thank you!
I have put this on my favorites and will check it out further.....I appreciate your response:)
resources for psych
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY.htm   Good Luck!!! I'm still trying to find a company that will let me test with only 15 months experience in family practice.  I'm happy for you.
I love psych - cause I like to see
what kind of weirdos are out there. But it's also kind of disturbing to know those people mingle among us on a daily basis. I also love to type cardiac caths, not sure why, just find it interesting.
Psych here too, and neurology,
but that's probably because I do so much of it! There is really no one specialty that I dislike, I guess.
psych jobs. can you tell me ..
how to find transcription work doing psych evaluations?  I love psych reports, but I don't get that many on my job.  TIA!   
I love psych
I can't stand ortho.
Psych because it's interesting
and IME, it's easy to make a lot of $$$ transcribing it.  Radiology because you learn about the entire body.  I don't like it because it's so repetitive.  IHMO if you transcribe Rad you can transition to other specialties with some knowledge, especially ortho and neuro.  It's also relatively easy to make $$ with Rad (lots of the same phrases over and over and over).
Psych testing
Most are in the Stedman's Psychiatry book but also Google them as I did that before I started them 15 years ago when I did not have Stedman's and when they throw a new one at me.  So google and that should give you some places.  Even if you spell phonetically they come up -- just read the descriptions to make sure it is the correct one.   And that might list some sites, once you do a couple of psych consults or neuropsych they do stay more or less the same and they will be coming second nature to you. 
Looking for a psych account...

The company I type for just lost their psychology account to cheaper prices.  I feel lost now without it.  I have other accounts for which I type, but psych was my main account, the one I most enjoyed, and the one where I had the most knowledge.


I'm all for learning new things and expanding my horizons (which is why I am typing for several other accounts) however, I have received a psychology degree in college and would love to say I am actually working doing something related to my degree!! 


Does anyone know of any companies hiring transcriptionists for psychology?  Thanks in advance.


psych Trans
I did psychiatric years ago at a psych hospital before there were line counts and we were paid by the line. However I do remember that even the ESLs were somewhat repetitive. I don't know a lot about Expanders as I didn't learn with them, but from what I understand, they may be instrumental in helping you all making this line count. I would think that you should get the same line count as the rest of the company and it is unfair for them to make you get 500 more. Psych is sometimes considered easier in terminology, but on the other hand I found the reports to be very much longer. An op could be done much quicker. They should treat you all the same. I don't do radiology so I don't know why they have so much more, but this whole thing seems a little unfair to me.