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RE: Starting pay in hospital

Posted By: 33333 on 2005-08-29
In Reply to: Starting pay in hospital - checking it out

Depends on what part of the United States you are inquiring?


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Starting pay in hospital
Any ideas of the pay for in the hospitals?
I need help starting out.
I have been struggling for the past year to get my paycheck.  I am so fed up with having to constantly hound the "company" that I work for that I might as well get my own accounts if I have to do so much footwork.  I would love any advice on how to start up my own accounts.  I'd love to receive all my files off the internet.  Any advice...... Please.
is that what starting cpl is now?
Although I am not there anymore, I started with Spheris at 0.065 as a newbie just a little over 1-1/2 years ago. This was for clinic work, not acute care, either. It just seems the rates continue to drop. I agree with the person who said that is VERY low.
Starting pay

Does anyone know what the MT starting pay is for Webmedx, Accustat Carolinas,  Accusribe and Transolutions?  Also, could you give me your feelings about these companies?  I'm looking for the good, bad and ugly.  I need to make a change, but am looking to avoid going from the frying pan directly into the fire.  So, I am asking here in an effort to get some honest information from those of you who would know from your experience. 


Thanks a lot for any info you can provide.  Feel free to send me an email if you would prefer.  Thanks again.


Starting out as an IC?
I graduated from my MT course in August and have been trying ever since to find work. I currently have an offer from LTS to work as an IC, but I find the idea kind of intimidating. Having to get insurance, quarterly taxes and me being new to the field. Could anybody give their opinion on whether I should wait or give it a shot as an independent contractor?

Thanks
Starting out

Starting out as an IC is probably a good thing.  Most companies want their employees to type 100 to 150 lines per hour average.  I know that does not sound like a lot, but when I was new I had to stop a lot to look things up.  I still have a hard time getting in 150 lines per hour and I have been at this for over 3 years.  (I probably should have learned how to touch type before I started!)  I started out with a company called MedQuist.  They hired me right out of school.  It is a good company to work for, but they require 100 to 150 lines per hour for benefits.  I know that most companies won't even consider hiring anyone with less than 2 years at least, some require 5 or more years expierence. 


I am an IC now and I am a bit concerned about taxes also.  I was told by my accountant that you can deduct a percentage (based on the size of your home office) of your bills, possibly taxes, and even mortgage.  Save all receipts!!!!  To be sure, please talk to an accountant.  Tax laws are different in every state. 


Good Luck 


Starting a new job
Did anyone find it a little frustrating starting a job.  I have 2 jobs.  One I trained today, but there is no work as of yet.  The other I am waiting for the account to start.  Did anyone else have these problems?
just starting out
I have finished an online course w/a good grade & am TRYING 2 find a job but seems anyone/everyone hiring is looking for @ least 2 years of experience... does anyone have any advice or ideas on how 2 get started? thanx in advance.
when just starting out
First let me wish you best of luck in your chosen field. I would not expect to be able to do this at home right out of school though. It takes most people a while to "get their feet wet" so to speak, at the very least a year, maybe even two. I don't mean to discourage you, just don't want you to be discouraged later. I think the best thing to do is find a job with a local hospital or clinic and take it from there. Good luck.
Okay, I'm starting to think that it is me.
I have taken the test for RI Unlimited, and yesterday morning, I got an e-mail that said I failed. Today, I started the test for Princeton, and completed all of the written test. I obviously passed, but when it came time for the transcription test, all that happened was that I got a pop-up saying that my experience wasn't what they were looking for. No transcription test as simple as that. Now as far as the 2 test I have failed, I just don't understand how I failed them, and neither does my cousin (who looked them over before I turned them in), and she's been in the business for a really long time now. I'm going to try Sten-Tel, but is there any pointers anyone can give me that may help. I'm getting really frustrated, and I'm about ready to give up and take a convenient store job. I really need the work, and I'm actually willing to take less pay.
Starting Salary

Thats what i heard but about what will that come out to per hour if I am working from home?


Starting Salary
How much should starting salary for a new Medical Transcriptionist be?
Just starting.. and scared..

Hi.. I'm so new, that in fact, I just signed up for an MT course at Career step.


Now, after reading this, i'm quite concerned that I will never have work when i'm done with this.

We live in a small rural community but there are a lot of doctors and one hospital.
I would like to stay home and work.. is there really money.


I see people talking about the money is not very good that they are making.


I only need to make 25,000 a year- can that be done?  With outsourcing?


 


Thanks for your help.


 



 


...with a VERY low starting rate, way low, but they do take
s
Congrats Ed!! I'm starting the CS
course at the end of March. I'm taking it through Everett Community College, so I'll have additional help from instructors! Maybe we can help eachother out! You'll be about a month ahead of me, but Everett says their timeline to complete the course requires about 40 hrs. a week. Maybe I'll catch up with you quickly if your not studying full-time.
Christy
starting an mt business from home
Help - I'm currently looking to do medical transcribing from home but don't know where to begin.  I'd really like to talk to someone that can help.  I worked at a hospital for 2 years in the orthopedic department as an mt.  However that was 27 years ago.  I have been with a major airline for the past 21 years which is now bankrupt, so I thought I'd go back to MT.  At least that way I'll be home once in awhile.  Where do I begin.  Thanks so much for any information you can give me.  I'm in  Northern Kentucky if that matters.
help with starting mt from home business
I don't know what online schools are legit!  Any suggestions.  I'd like a quick refresher course online if possible.  I want to get started now.   I'm still going to keep my other job and transcribe part time. 
Honors or not, I pay 5 cpl starting out and if the MT proves
that they can do the job then I'll go up from there.  I am the one who has to sit and edit every single word that is transcribed by the new MT and give feedback.  That takes up all of my time.  If an MT shows that they can get the job done accurately, I'll increase their line rate even if that's only a couple of weeks down the road. 
This is starting to sound like a company
that is known for being difficult. You aren't working for TranScam, are you?
$9 an hour starting is really good for a new MT.
As the poster said below, most new MTs do not start that high. It took me months to get to $9 an hour.


Anyone even thinking of starting school SM

for this field, go to the Main Board and read the post from "I AM DONE" - I didn't type it, but it's a pretty good summary of what an MTs career ends up to be.


hospital pay
I inquired in my area (Southwest Michigan) and one of the hospitals told me they pay $11 - $17/hour.
I want a job in a hospital sm

Do they usually post their help wanted on their websites, or do you need to know someone to get in??  I see ads all the time for work at home positions, but what about office positions?


 


I know when I was just starting, I was leaving whole phrases blank! sm
that is the only way to build your vocabulary. Also you need to learn techniques for re-listening to figure out words.   First rewind and listen over and over and try to pick up the very beginning. Be careful that you don't let the end of the prior word run over into the beginning of the word you are trying to figure out, (as in "gonna lash it to the bow", if the end of "lash" runs over into the beginning of "it" LOL). If you can figure out the beginning then run through the dictionary or word book, looking for possible matches. Relisten through the matches. Be careful with similar sounds, B and P, V and F. If you think it starts with a P and you don't find it, look in the B's. If you can't find the beginning, then start listening for the end. Sometimes that can be helpful.  Once you have more experience you will have an idea of what **should** be in the blank and you can look for something that might fit and go from there. p.s. this is why MTSO's don't want to hire newbies....too much extra training 
starting a school and can't spell curriculum - PLEASE
can't help but be police-
Just received a foot pedal that I need for a job I will be starting...sm

Everyone starting on this new account I was hired for need a Boomerang foot pedal so my recruiter sent them out.  I told her that since I work on my laptop I needed a USB but she never responded.  When I opened the package it has a 15-pin port.  I did a search and it seems that is what is available.  Is there an adapter so I may fix this problem.  Otherwise, I'm not sure what can be done except letting them know I won't be able to take the position.


Thanks for the help in advance.


 


That's the problem with newbies starting at home...used to be-
you went in-house and you had someone sitting next to you that you would pass your headphones to real quick. Nowadays, the newbies are begging, begging, begging for a chance to work on accounts but what they don't realize is for the small MTSO, that means SHE gets to be the person who listens to every little word they don't get- only far less convenient because you have to go back into the report, re-load the dictation or find the spot where the word is, then listen, then correct it, then send the corrected version somehow marked back to the newbie - I won't hire newbies anymore unless they are willing to work cheap - otherwise I can't recoup the money I lose because I'm chasing words instead of hitting the keyboard myself.
6 cpl is too much for someone just starting out. If they're good, you'll know it & can up the
rate from there. If they suck, you'll know it, too, and can either take the chance of training them or cut them loose.  I know it's brutal, but it's honest and it's business.
Career Step grads - what was your starting wage?

Career Step grads - what was your starting wage? What were you offered in cents per line? How many offers did you get? How long did it take you to find work?


Thanks  : )   -MKJ


hospital transcription

Ok I have looked at hospital MT jobs in AZ and all of them want experience and almost none of them pay well or even list pay in the ad, your best bet is to look on monster.com or try the specific hospital site. for example a big hospital group in AZ is Banner Health, they have their own website and job listings, so try that direction.


 


k


I don't live where the hospital is looking - sm
I actually have two hospitals to recruit for - one in NY and one in Maryland. I will have another soon in Minnesota after I fly up there on Wednesday to find out their needs and look at the surrounding area. These would be for people wanting to relocate. Relocation would be paid.
depends on the hospital
There is hospital near me who will take on beginning MT's who have typing and medical terminology skills. They work with you for up to a year before you go on your own. They pay about $11.75 an hour to start. But, then there is another hospital that requires years of experience. You need to check with you local hospitals to see what their requirements are.
No, it's not your job - when I worked in a hospital (sm)
I was paid hourly with bonus for production.  Therefore, we could occasionally do other work (like the charting) if the clerk was off, answering phone, etc.; but being strictly on production, I would say, no it is not your job.
working in a hospital
I work for a hospital and have for 20 years. I am an at-home MT.. I am a full-time employee just like anyone who has to physical go there everday. The pay is much better and benefits too.. There are some still out there.
VA Hospital transcription

Does anyone know any MTSO who has VA hospital accounts?  I ran across a great ad looking for MTs last year, but did not have enough MT work experience yet to be considered and was told to reapply when I had more experience.  I don't recall who this company was, but was intriged by the ad for MTs and would like to follow up and at least apply.  I saved the ad, but can't find it at present.  One of the things that interested me most was that the company sounded like it really valued its MT workforce.  I am looking for a company to move to and stay with for the long term.


I would appreciate any information anyone can give me.  My experience thus far has primarily been with hospital accounts and I am currently doing ER editing and standard.  Thanks.


 


If work @ hospital is low SM
and they have their own transcriptionists, they are probably saving the work for their own people.  In the priority list is making sure the hospital transcriptionists have work first, then the service.  Probably if you are fairly new and their are other MTs working on your account at the service, they may have priority over you as far as work distribution goes.
working in a hospital

If you have the opportunity to work alongside another MT in a hospital, TAKE that opportunity.  It will be much easier to learn with someone available to help you right when you need it instead of waiting on e-mails with corrections or using IM. 


in-hospital positions
You may have already, but also check out indeed.com. They have sometimes in-house positions also.
So I'm still not sure ... but the MT is a hospital employee, sometimes they will "weight" m
dictators so you get a little extra credit for unusually bad dictators. But that may not be a common practice everywhere.

If you are an IC, or at least once you are experienced, you might be able to negotiate a better rate for a particular MD if nobody else can or will do his dictation.

But have faith - some dictators who sound just horrible the first few times will suddenly be a breeze once you "crack the code." You will probably do that much more quickly if you have an experienced MT helping you out, listening to the difficult spots.


Have you tried your local hospital or physicians?

I work for my local hospital and my supervisor hired "newbies" all the time.  However, some clinics or hospitals require you to do a little onsite time before going home, at least mine did.  I had to meet a certain productivity rate and QA rate before I was "turned loose". 


I'm not sure if you are wanting to work for a national company or not from home.  Since I have no experience with that someone else may be able to guide you in that direction.  I just know around here, having tons of experience isn't really needed to be hired locally. 


Only if this hospital will employ you when you're done. That
s
The "affilation" with the local hospital may or may not....sm
...hurt you for future employment with other companies. Make sure you check out whether this school is reputable with other employers. I do not think the price is too high, if you consider it as an investment toward future income. Good luck! :)

It's hospital work. The basic four.
because the larger companies can handle the larger hospital accounts.  Acute care just means hospital work as opposed to clinic, which would be physician offices, i.e., family practice, cardiology, nephrology, etc.
I had to start out in the office of a local hospital sm

for a year, then went home.  I didn't want to go home to be honest, too many distractions and my twins were babies at the time, but they were sending everyone home.  I really don't know what to tell anyone when I see these posts.  There are lots of companies out there needing help and you'd think that if they are willing to send their work overseas to people that don't even speak English as a first language, then they would be willing to hire a new graduate.  I would be a little more pushy, offer to do 30 days at a lower cent per line then have a review, something like that.  Keep pushing, someone will see potential and take a chance on you.  Honestly, these companies that don't hire new graduates I just don't get it.  I work for a small local company that is always behind on their work and I always suggest they hire some new graduates from the two local schools, but they never do it, they just sit and wait for people to apply.  Good luck! 


To clarify, the dictation is likely recorded at a hospital...
and all the C-phone or Lanier does is access that system. Any hospital that uses a Dictaphone system can be accessed by a c-phone. Seems to me there are some electronic units on the market that can be either Lanier-compatible or C-phone compatible though you would have to ask around about that. Yes, their only purpose is to access dictation that is stored somewhere else...though you could use the C-phone as a regular phone, if you wanted :>)    So there are two types of data format nowadays, .wav files (or .dss files) which the file can be transferred via internet and dictaphone/Lanier format which the file has to go through a phone line. And perhaps a few microcasettes are still kicking around.  Any other old-timers have anything to add?
are there no more in-house hospital jobs left?
it seems to me that way too many of talented MT's are settling for these low-paying companies. Is that all that's left out there for work?
doesn't anybody work in a hospital anymore?
Our local hospital group has a few people in

radiology and pathology, but the rest has been outsourced for about 25 years.  Hospitals are looking to cut costs where they can.  There are still MTs who work for the hospital, just not in-house.  


If you need a job you do what you have to do.  If the US MTs don't take the jobs guess where they will go.   I make more working at home per line than what any hospital pays that I have seen.  I don't have insurance (because it is outragenously priced), but I do have some benefits.   Also working at home you have fewer expenses, so it pretty much equals out. 


 


Try hospital accounts with psych units
The only psych reports I've ever were through hospital accounts that had psychiatric units. Whether the psych report come through the ER, a consult or the unit, I find psych notes are always interesting. Good luck. I hope you find a great psychiatric account.


local hospital versus national
Hi,
I was with a national company and, like you, only did about 1200 lines per day at 7.5 cpl with 18 months in. I felt like I was never going to make the big bucks!

In May, I resigned from the national co. and went to work locally. After a short 1-month in-house training, I am working from home again. This hospital has some great normals to use and yesterday, I did 2200 lines!!!!!

Finding a good fit is the hardest part. Thankfully, I think I have found mine!!!!! Just keep in mind that there are other options out there. GOOD LUCK!!!!
A good book for phrases is the Medical Phrase Index. $$$ but well worth it when first starting
s
Try to get a job in a hospital. Don't try to work at home for a few years of doing this full-tim
x