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Downhill, I agree

Posted By: fatcat on 2009-06-04
In Reply to: It is not normal. This is the problem with MTs and MTSOs and why things are - going downhill.

Nono No, the suck it up reply was not normal. Her behavior was so needlessly cruel and aggressive that I can only assume she is not a prima prime example of mental health. She might consider counseling by a professional.


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Don't have mine yet either...agree with above post about company going downhill..sm
A constant lack of work since November.  One day we are working and then the next day we are told to sign off because of no work and to not sign in until they tell us. In total since November I have missed 17 days due to no work.  That is a lot of money for me.  Hard to get another job because I need my insurance.
They have gone WAY downhill...I quit
I just left SPI a few weeks ago after a year. When I first started back in February 0f '06, it was still Cymed and was a decent place to work. Then, a couple of months after the SPI buyout, my account manager quit, a lot of MTs who had been there for a while quit, and I got a new manager who just doesn't care and does not know what she is doing. She put us all in these awful work pools, making it nearly impossible to get a decent line count without working about 14 hours a day. I started getting nothing but heavy ESLs and lost a lot of money. They even screwed up my last pay check. Also, they demanded a lot of overtime, and would not pay us any extra for it. I quit right away and went to another company and am SO MUCH HAPPIER! I make much more money now and I am actually able to enjoy my days off and not have to worry about working!
You know what flows downhill?
The supervisors (for the most part) were just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I believe their hands were tied at SPI. But, starting from the top layers on down to the supervisors, everything was in such chaos, with no answers being given, no timely decisions made, no pre-planning, no standardization that, to quote Yeats (I think - correct me if I'm wrong) *Things fall apart, the center does not hold*, and no truer description of SPI/Cymed.
Downhill trend
Not that many years ago, only ITs had to supply their own equipment.

It's sad that the large companies expect MTs to foot the bill for all the equipment, especially with the trend of giving MTs less and less of the profit pie.

I mean, when was the last time an MT got a cost of living increase? Or profit sharing payouts? Or any of the other perks of being part of a successful, profitable business?

A carpenter that is self-employed SHOULD pay for his own stuff. An MT who is an EMPLOYEE should not. Simple logic.

Do you think physicians have to buy their own MRI machines? Do you think police officers have to buy their own squad cars?

The transcription profession feels like a sinking ship. I pity people who are only now getting started. The hey day of this profession is long gone. (Sniff. Sigh.)
Last 5 years downhill decline
is what I have seen in the MTSO/working from home environment. I had an easier time finding a job (5 years ago or so) with half the experience that I have now. It is my opinion that a lot of this is happening because of the MTs coming on in this timeframe. Their education is not of the same quality for the most part. I cannot imagine learning this at home and being good at it. I had a hard school and it was still very hard when I had my first on-site job. As far as the overseas thing, call me hopeful but I'm hoping within time, it will decrease. Here's why: In my own experience, a US company is happy to pay me say 5 cpl to edit reports typed 100% overseas by say India. Now the quality of these reports is AWFUL when they get to me. The process to get them to me is this: They get typed by an overseas MT. Then they get edited by overseas QA. Then they would come to me for 100% editing (mandatory on every report). Imagine the delay of time this causes and how can they make a profit paying me 5 cpl to edit when its already went through at least 2 other people? Wouldn't it be cheaper, faster, less of a risk as far as quality and as far as privacy (as they don't have to abide by our HIPPA laws) to just pay a good US MT say 8 cpl to type it to begin with? Give it some time. We are all pioneers in this work-from-home career. No one has done it before. We are all learning as we go and our companies will learn as well. Eventually the cost of shipping vital information overseas with no regard for privacy laws will become more of a financial risk than it is worth. If my health records with my private info went overseas and my identity was stolen because of it, you can sure bet I'd be suing the MT company who sent it there. It sucks right now but here's hoping the good US MTs and QA will keep their heads held high and have a positive outlook for the future. :)
Yes, I think you're right about expecting downhill with them.
I've been attempting QA with them and not only is the software slow with numerous problems for QA, but the reports I'm getting to QA basically need to be redone. I find it hard to believe that an MT actually typed some of the sloppy, full of error reports I've seen, and 4 cpl is not enough money to sit around redoing every report. I'm afraid I'm finished with this place.
Absolutely not, things just keep going downhill. NM
NM
Glad you're happy, that place has gone WAY DOWNHILL.
x
Good riddance! They have gone way downhill in the last few years and do an awful job.
Thats why we fired them.
Didn't they partner up with an Indian company? Expect downhill from Dictaphone.
nm
I agree, absolutely agree
and I might say, this is keeping updated in ALLLL specialities and subspecialities, drugs, instruments, and on and on. It is not a good profession for sure and sadly it is the MTs who are being very definitely HAD
Agree 100%
STAY away!
Nobody is going to agree anyway. LOL
And nobody has worked for every company in the U.S. to be able to offer an informed opinion.
Agree

I agree also.  I do think that each company has its MTs that have not one thing good to say about the company and on the flip side, there are many that love it.  I have worked at a few different companies in my time and find through experience on this forum to be true.  I absolutely love Transcend.  There are a few things that aren't perfect in my book, but the good far outweighs the bad.  The thing that I hate, though, is if you have anything good at all to say about your company, you are either management, lying, or a cheerleader.  I think that people love to believe the worst. 


I also have found out through my travels that things can vary greatly from one employee to another even though they may work at the same company.  There may be a rule for you that does not apply to another, example - below one says Spheris would not allow someone to work at MQ also but there is an MT who is doing it with permission.  An MT can get on here and argue all day long that this or that doesn't happen at their company but it may very well happen for another MT.  It is so humerous to me to see that we believe that being employed at a company, in our remote homes, that we think we know everything about that company and how it operates with the other remote MTs - MTs that more than likely we don't even know. 


 


I agree 100%.
I agree 100%
I don't agree entirely.

When offshore outsourcing first began many clients began jumping on that bandwagon thinking they were going to be able to save money.  That resulted in a great number of clinics and hospitals eliminating their in-house transcription departments because of 1) reduction in overhead expense by outsourcing a whole department and 2) realizing an even greater reduction in expenses by using foreign labor at less cost than domestic transcription wages.  The trend is beginning to come full circle now and because of quality issues and the higher cost of risk management more clients are demanding that their medical records information stay in the United States.  A lot of MTSOs now advertising are stating right in their ads NO OFFSHORE MTs NEED APPLY.  Clients are beginning to see that it wasn't as cost effective as they thought it would be because it actually ends up costing more in the long run either in quality or risk management. Some hospitals and clinics are actually bringing work back in house again and only using domestic vendors for overflow work.  I think sooner or later unless the quality of VR improves it will have the same result. 


i agree
I also had a similar experience last year and did not like it at all. It was a total mistake.
Yes, I agree

Thank you for posting this!  I am also very happy with Amphion.  It is nice to hear a positive experience for a change.  I hope your post will help other MTs searching for work realize that there really are some good companies out there!



I agree--
They will make your life miserable with every nit picking thing they can think of to get you to quit. Again, this was my experience, no one has to agree with me.
Agree
but I thought that she was referring to simply putting it in a diagnosis, not coding.
Agree
LOL......I understood that she was just transcribing the numbers as they're dictated. And, we all know the docs don't always give the "dash" (-) or "slash" (/) word when it needs to be typed in.

I wasn't trying to help code, been a while since I did that, just trying to help make sure her question was answered. (No offense intended.) :)
I agree with QT
QT EASY platform -- a few mushmouths -- mainly PAs very few ESLs -- also FutureNet is a good company  -- direct deposit as statutory by they will express mail checks and good cpl rate -- sorry for the typos  -- just got done for the night and no fingers left
I agree..
I left after sitting for five hours and getting 2 reports, this was Transcend who bought MDI. Then, there was the sound issues.

The staff was just great though!
I agree with everything you said....
It just seems like Transcend is the company to bash this month, but I am extremely happy
I Agree.....
There are so many "cherry-pickers" on the account(s) I work on, it makes me crazy. Some of us get stuck doing the hardest jobs and the others breeze through.
I agree 100%. (sm)
Someone here had a bad experience and has made it her goal in life to run this company down. Maybe she didn't come up to par....actually you can tell that by her messages. I have only been with OSi about 6 months, but will be staying till I retire.
I agree!

Definately the meanest on this board.  Always has something to say, whether it pertains or not...


I agree
the swearing on the boards and making fun of other people, pathetic.  I thought we were all grown ups here.  I can't believe that some of these grown women sound more immature than my 11 year old. 
Agree! LOL (nm)
.
I agree
No I don't work out of the Amherst office -- have heard so much about them on this board.... I work out of the Orange CA office and last week except for 1 day -- it was like pulling teeth to get enough work to keep me busy during the day. Now, I am face today with either sitting babysitting my computer all day just waiting for work or taking the day off either unpaid or burn some PTO. Can't really afford either, but this is just stupid. If I get my butt out of bed and "at my job" by my start time.... I should get paid whether there is anything to do or not.
Agree, besides, what one co does, the others will
zz
I agree. sm
Not a very good place to work. Communication was horrible when I was there.
Agree with above
Yes, they pay for downtime.  The only time they do not is if is due to something on your end like electric failure or internet failure.  If there is no work or if their computer breaks or system is down, they pay $12/hr downtime.  In my experience, there is also the option of making up the time if only a few hours or so (which equates to more than $12/hr for me, so I have always made time up if I could).      
I agree with aa
Here are the good points: They do apparently pay for spaces now. I would confirm this if you apply.

They seem to have plenty of work - you definitely won't be sitting around for days without work.

They pay approximately 5 days after the end of the pay period, which is actually pretty fast as payroll goes.

They do seem to have some interesting accounts, although I wouldn't know how you get on them.

If you can ignore the goofy emails that get sent out on a regular basis and try to ignore the inconsistent QA, they pretty much leave you alone. If you need benefits, though, look elsewhere.
Have to agree
I quit two weeks after training.
I agree
I am dealing with the same thing right now. It is frustrating to my family life. They call me at night a lot to work.
I agree..
Get rid of the middle man, the MTSO, if you can!

I just landed a fantastic opportunity with a clinic who has done exactly this and can afford to pay me twice the highest rate of the online companies, and I still work from home with a super flexible schedule. I also didn't need 10 years to land this job. I am closing in on two.

I suggest searching the ads for clinics and hospitals who are looking to hire you directly. That, or land your own account locally. Most of these online companies are really taking us for a ride!

I will never go back to 8 cpl knowing what I know now while the MTSOs are vacationing on the other half of what should be my pay


I agree!
Who would want 2 work 4 someone like that? Is this where MT is heading??? Sheesh.
I have to agree with you.
This is getting old. There are tens of thousands of MTs, many of which have the same thoughts. You need to get a grip on reality. Enough already.

I will agree with you there.
x
I would have to agree
The Indian typists work extremely hard. They work with rare breaks. I also found the managers to be very kind people. What I don't get is it's okay to work HERE for a foreign company, like Toyota, but how DARE anybody work for a foreign transcription company! What about Sony? Hyundai?
I have to agree...
I'm also disgruntled with this steady diet of acute care. I wouldn't mind a mix of acute care IF there were some easy stuff like chart notes and ER to blend in.  I sometimes regret having listed all my experience, since I think the lesser qualified MTs could be making much more money! 
I agree
f
Agree
NM
Would agree .. most especially if
If Proscript runs the way DDI did then it surely is a very good place to work.  Years of working with DDI were the best years I have had in transcription and had I a clue that Proscript would have been purchased by the present owner I would have considered them very seriously when I made a move.  The move was a bit too early and the purchase a bit too late .. for me!
I SO agree.
Many ESL docs are wonderful dictators, and organized.  They really put a lot of effort into their reports, and I'll take them any day over the inconsiderate ENL mumblers. 
I agree ....
I wish there is just one test we could take and pass the results on to everyone! Every test is just about the same, just shifted around a bit - but I am so tired of testing. I did take one very challenging test, can't remember with who, but my brain was really fried after that one. Felt like I was taking state boards to become an MD.
I agree...
Boycotting is probably the best way to get them to see that the majority still rules in this supposed democracy. Money speaks louder than words.
Boy I sure don't agree with the others - please see

Being an MT and having experience, life or work or otherwise, does not mean you will have knowledge of how to operate a truly home-based business with your own accounts (vs. being self employed but contracting with MTSOs for work).  There is a great lady who used to be on MT Daily a lot who is self employed with her own company name, etc. local to me who wrote a book that would be just the thing you are looking for (packed full of info. on how to get started with your own accounts and run it, etc.)  Her name I believe is Phyllis Nillson (last name could be spelled a little differently) but somehow if I were you check on MT Daily and see if you can find her through the free parts (maybe under lists of MTs by state in Ohio).  If not check back in here and I'll see if I can dig up her website.  Chin up and go for it!  I've been an MT for 10 years too but don't know the first thing to do to go about getting my own accounts.  Some I'm sure is common sense but running the business end and keeping the proper records and keeping the accounts well I bet her book would just fit the bill.  (maybe you could find something like this at a bookstore even but I'm suggesting her because she has been in the business for years and truly left a great hospital job to go on her own and did it very well!)  Good luck! :)


Yea -- I agree

I am a small MTSO also and went to bed last night thinking about what a lot of these MT's have been saying.  I am slowly going back to being the only one in this company as I am so tired of the problems.  Like you it is not worth the 2 to 3 cents per line to be the QA, deliver the product, pick up the tapes, cover for illness, the dog got sick or for no reason as they are IC's.  I feel too personally responsible when there is not work for the gals because a doc is on vacation on their account so I give up some of mine and then I do their account to keep the account when they are not available.  So in the next year I am going to keep enough to provide me with a decent living with my favorite accounts and not have to worry about any IC's as it is just too stressful and not worth the money.  And I treat my IC's very well and most of the time they are pretty good but again it is hard when work slows down and through no fault of my own, it is not there.  Also for those that keep saying that they are making as much per cpl now as they were 5 years ago and sometimes 15 years ago when on the typewriters or first word processors, we did not have the macro's or the capability to produce the amount of lines as we do now and I really think that the majority of the gals make more lines per hour than they did 5 to 10 years ago.  But I could be wrong and if so, sorry.  But there is no way I could type 300+ lines on a typerwriter. 


Back to work.  Patti


I agree.
Dont Trust PO Boxes