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General question on training vs. switching to production...sm

Posted By: anon for now on 2007-09-04
In Reply to:

Does there seem to be an average number of training hours/weeks for most companies before they switch you over to regular production?  Here's my concern:  I started with a new company a few weeks ago.  They put me through one week (40 hrs) of training at an hourly rate and then switched me to production.  I am typing any/all specialties for a total of about 50 different docs who of course each have their own specs along with the two clinics that each have their own specs along with having to learn the logistics of the software along with researching all the new terms I don't know and get used to the docs I cannot understand (yes that sentence was a run-on on purpose:)  My point is, after one lousy week of training, my daily line counts are still so low since I'm learning and reading every little thing still that my hourly rate is literally about $3.50 right now and I'm busting my butt 40 hrs. a week.  I thought companies usually utilized at least a 30-60 day training period.  Am I way off here?  My count goes up a TINY bit each day but not enough to continue to survive on this job. 


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Actually, I was not not guaranteed a wage, went on production after one week training, sm
and still only have one primary account (which runs out of work often).
Same as my post below re: training vs production. Here's what I've decided...sm
We can do one of two things right now.  Make the money, or sacrifice some pay and use them to put lots of experience on our resume for later down the road.  If you can afford it (I actually cannot right now, I need income more than the learning) try it for awhile so you can have it behind you.  Those are the options on my end at least! My silver lining for the day....I'm trying:)
General Hosp...er General T-Tech
LOL
Their training schedule kind of got backed up and so far the only training..(sm)
I've had is one short Bayscribe session. But I extended my 2 week notice at Medquist and I have until July 17 now to get some training in at MDI and do some reports to get familiar with the platforms. I'm looking forward to it! 
I can't say enough about their training team. Excellent training!
The people at Medware are all just great. I wish I would have joined the Medware family sooner! They are very flexible and caring!
do you mean company training or med transcription itself training?
nm
switching

You could work for Webmedx.  They try to keep you doing the same accounts from day to day.  I work there. I do the same accounts on a daily basis. Of course, you can ask for more accounts if you want.


 


Give them a try. Well worth the call.


They are switching over to SR SM
in a short period of time and I anticipate many people leaving because of the decrease in pay that will ensue.
Switching to VR
I worked for a local neurologist for over 13 years when one day he suddenly decided to go to voice recognition and have me come back into the office to help a very incompetent office manager run things. I informed him that I was a MT and not a billing or payroll clerk. I gave my 2 weeks' notice and went to work for a large MTSO.

A few months later I ran into another employee of his and they told me that VR was a total train wreck. He had programmers in the office on the average of once a week to change or enlarge voice plates, etc, etc. He had invested a large amount of money in this contraption and still had no success. In fact, he was losing money because instead of seeing the number of patients he could before when I did his transcription, he, himself, had become the MT, watching the computer screen to make sure it made no mistakes and if it could keep up with his speed. No one in the office had MT experience, so he was on his own. In fact, it got to the point that he actually consulted an attorney to see if he could have the patient sign a waiver indicating that they had given him a complete history, so he could just dictate the patient has agreed that the history he/she has given regarding the current problem is accurate and therefore, he did not have to take up the huge amount of time it took to dictate the actual history given, while editing his VR.

This brings me to the current use of VR and VR accounts. It is a popular speculation that VR will one day replace us all. However, if VR accounts still need MTs to edit and correct, how does that make it a wonderful technology? What would happen if MT companies nationwide, large and small, refused VR accounts. If a doctor or hospital wants to go to VR, then let them go it alone. Do you realize what a disaster that would be in perhaps less than a day? VR would be gone for good. I do not know of any doctors or hospitals that would want to sit and watch a screen to make sure the computer was not making errors. We are enabling VR to take over our jobs. I know it will never happen, because money is always the bottom line, but if we ever want to eliminate VR from our profession, that would be the only way to do it. Unfortunately, however, one day those of us who still wish to work in this profession (and who have not been lucky enough to retire by then, as I will have)will be working with VR accounts, making less money, and enabling a machine to take over what used to be a profession occupied by human beings who could do a much better job.
You're switching to DEP?
I was switched from DEP to DQS and my production drastically decreased. Made very good line count on DEP. What office is still using DEP?
switching from old programs
I posted this theory on the main board a couple of weeks ago.  I read in the court papers for a lawsuit from a hospital that Medrite (specifically) had been inflating lines.  It's an allegation, not proven, but if it's true, that means that transcriptionists on old programs such as Medrite are now experiencing a decrease in DQS because they were getting inflated lines before but no longer.  I worked on MTs before and have noticed an increase in productivity on DQS.  My MTS came out to a 65 cpl count, as does DQS (spaces included on both).  Has anyone experienced a decrease in line count moving from MTS?  So far I just hear people complaining who came from Medrite or cottage.
Switching accounts
I have been working at Webmedx for some time now and have not had any account switching going on. I have my primary account and a secondary account. I absolutely love it here!
thinking about switching too...sm
but do you have to work specific hours and days? I am used to downloading my work, m-f, and sending it back by ftp. do you have to work online through their platform? they sound great, but I am worried about having to work a weekend day. do you work until you meet your lines or set hours? just some questions. you can email me if you want to. thanks for your help. tough decision.
Switching accounts . . . . sm
When hired I was asked to please let them know if I wasn't happy with my account. I think they would rather place you on an account that you're happy with than lose you. It's just a win-win situation for everyone. I wouldn't hesitate to ask to be switched.
Switching Companies
In the last 5 years or so, every company I have worked for has done the bait and switch to one extreme or the other. Whether it was schedule, benefits, position, accounts, etc. They all did it. It is getting frustrating trying to find a decent company to work for.
my company is switching to DEP and I
want to know if anybody uses the DEP (document enterprise platform). Can you tell me how you like it.  Currently we are using a Microsoft Word based program.  Just looking for some feedback.  Thanks in advance.
Do they still pay vision since switching
to TriNet?   The rates went up pretty significantly on everything else. 
Companies switching to VR...

I work for 3 companies currently and ALL of them have in the last 2 months announced that my accounts with them are going to VR.  Two will be using MModal platform and the other eScription.  Every one of them has quoted us a rate of 3 CPL!!!!!!    At first when the first company told us that line rate I was like, no way, that's ridiculous, but then when the other 2 also announced the very same line rate (with absolutely NO negotiation) I was extremely dishearted to say the least.  From my research I was under the impression that 4-5 cpl was the going rate, but it appears that these companies are now down to offering only 3.   


For anyone working on the above 2 platforms, what are you currently making per line and are you able to at least make a decent wage?  All 3 companies are touting well, you will be able to do 3-4 times as much work but the most I've heard tell of is 1.6 to 2x.  Guess they're buying the crap sold to them from the VR software company. 


Switching platforms
I switch platforms back and forth (not as much as I used to because I work on Chartscript primarily and keep busy enough) but I do help out on BT when needed or when Chartscript is slow.  I don't find it difficult at all to switch platforms and maybe I've been lucky but I don't find the acct specifics on these different accts to vary too much where its been a problem.  At one time I had about 12 different accts in my pool but that was just me...I had been burned so bad working for another service that I was terrified of not having enough work.  I don't have the problem anymore.
Working with MQ, but thinking about switching.

Does anyone work for Transcend or Ascending Healthcare systems???  Just wondering if they are good companies.  I am really fed up with MQ.  Just cannot make any money with them.  I am getting tired of working my rear-end off and not making anything at all.  Seems like only nickels and dimes when I get my paycheck.  Anyone care to comment or agree with me or even disagree??? 


Please someone respond to my post.  


Suzy Q


you were scared of switching companies?
nm
Me too. I work in a Drs office, they are switching to
nm
Switching career paths

I switched paths a few years ago, but backwards from you.  I am an LPN, but went back to school for medical transcription.  I have an autistic son who is 15 now.  I left the workforce when he was diagnosed at 2 years old.  About 4 years ago, he was getting more independent and I wanted to go back to work.  My dilema was the child care issue and that is why I chose to study for something that would allow me to work from home. 


I also had been going through personal issues with my marriage and know where you are coming from and how difficult this decision is.  I still work from home doing transcription because balancing the costs of working outside of home (travelling, food, wardrobe, child care, etc.) against the benefits being at home, it has worked out for me better to stay at home.  It was really important to me to be the one to provide care to my son and to be flexible enough for the day-to-day things that usually come up.  My advice would be to really decide what is most needed and important for you right now, and go from there... and weigh the cost of both.


I tuck a little bit away each pay ( whatever I can manage) and claim my utilities and anything I can as expenses on my taxes each year. 


Good luck with any decision you make.


Can't image switching back and forth sm
use this format, use that acct specifics. No thanks, guess must be self-limiting huh.
Anyone switching from IC to FT for MQ - qualify for sign on bonus? (nm)
;
LOL ... I loved switching those little font balls too. sm

I was in Heaven when we got the correcting Selectric -- no more white out, which of course is a major faux pas nowadays.  I still have my old IBM Wheelwriter in the closet -- first typewriter with memory that I used and could store reports.  I thought I had reached the technological edge then.  (smile)


Thanks for making me smile.  Although I love my PC, it is kind of fun sometimes to look back and see how far we have come.


Switching jobs is an opportunity, the door to better
x
what training? no training for me, first day they Tried to give me 2 ESL....
nm
they did not come up first. An hour of training is not really training.
nm
Are the Precyse and MQ DQS platforms the same thing? I'm thinking about switching
nm
I started there about a month ago. My two accts are good. Not sure on the switching nm

True. Most have less issues than the Q, though. I worked there 10 years before switching.
Webmedx definitely beats them. You can trust management at any of these larger places anymore.
Perhaps they took the opportunity of switching to a new platform to slash line counts?
Maybe they figured everyone would blame the new platform and not THEM??
Give them a call. So many people switching companies all the HR depts must be really busy. nm
.

Men, in general, do that a lot....not just....NM

In General

I for one, also feel that there has been enough said about a certain companies on this board  -- I work for a small service (probably less than 100 employees) and am treated fairly  -- my second paycheck was late, but only due to a goof at the end of the major hospital and the invoice  -- I was with a company where I was paid every two weeks like clockwork, but occasional gitches happen  -- and you have to plan for those things.  The subject though with this one company has become way too rendundant and I for one feel it's time to move onward and upward.


It is general transcription
Very hard work transcribing a bunch of people talking at once.
As a general rule....

75% is a pretty heavy figure on terms of ESL.  That sounds like an account no one else wants to do. 


What general area
The 3 big ones in my area have most of their MTs at home with full benefits and incentive plans. Most of their systems require high speed and some have a mileage limit for repairs, etc. Start calling all the local hospitals within 100 mile radius of you and see if they have MTs working from home. Most require a short period of in-house training but if you're experienced they usually send you home in a week.

just using general examples here...
not really talking specifics. and if you are making 10 cpl, you'd better rejoice and count your lucky stars. I was making that 5 years ago before I went with a big MTSO for health insurance, when they dropped us back to where I was making less than minimum wage, I quit. I'm now making 8 cpl...and I have 16 years of exp! I'm just saying, a rate of 6 cpl is a JOKE...you set your own standards, but we have to JUST SAY NO to the low wages they try to offer us now.
Well the questions are also so general

I think if people thought before they posted for example which platform, flexibility, etc.


As soon as someone puts that they had a bad experience, they are told that's not true, etc. etc.  It's a neverending thing on this company board.


If someone says they have had a good experience, then everyone starts applying and the company overhires and then everyone is mad about that. 


It makes no sense to me. 


Letting someone know they are able to search the archives is not rude at all.  It's a matter of using the correct string of characters and spending the time to do it though.


offshoring in general
I also think a lot of the services have sold their clients a bill of goods, convincing them that Turn Around Time is the big issue. This way they can justify sending the work out of the country to be done overnight, thus a bigger profit for them, and at the same time the clients buy into it because there is not enough quality control on their end to actually check what is coming back. I have seen a trend though in my area to bring back more in-house staff because of quality issues with outsourcing.
As a general idea,
people usually say you need about 2 cpl more to make up for paying your own SS, the employer not paying half of your health insurance, no sick days, no vacation days, no holidays, no short or long term disability, no unemployment, no dental, paying an accountant to help with your taxes, etc.... In my opinion, that stuff is actually worth more than 2 cpl, but that at least gives you an idea of what to aim for.
My comment is about posters in general.
I've never worked for KS and know nothing about them.

Nothing on this board tells me anything about them either. That is my point.

What is on this board is completely anonymous and we have no way to know who is actually posting and if there is any truth to it.

TransHealth - General question please
Can you tell me how work is picked up?  Do you load a certain amount at once, or is it a pickup one job at a time situation?  Also, how is the platform to use?  Do you have to work weekends, or is that optional?  Thinking of applying there.  TIA.
In general, has VR been successful for most companies? Thanks. nm
nm
Try the Attorney General's Office...
for your State. Worked for me and I was an IC. Got my last check. Good luck.
I did not mean that is what they are doing. I was just making a comment in general. sm
I used to waitress, and you did not get the best stations or the best shifts until you moved up. My brother is an ER doctor. He was on midnights for years until there was an opening on days. His wife is a new nurse and always has to work every holiday and off-shift that there is as she has no seniority. My DH is a machinist. Whenever he switched jobs in the past, he was put on 3rd shift until someone left or was fired on 2nd and then 1st shift.

I just figured that MT would be the same. When I started at the hospital I am at, I got stuck with every weekend and holiday and evening for the first year. I just accepted it as the way things should be done. Why would services be any different? You should make someone new feel welcome, but the long-standing employees would resent it if newly hired employees get the best accounts and the best doctors. Kind of like paying your dues and proving that you are a good employee before they put you in the best positions.
In general, small companies
I just left one of the big companies because I won't do ASR because of the decreased pay. Smaller companies are usually straight transcription only, and I am now with one of those. There are quite a few out there.
escription is a general issue
If you look on the website for escription you will see a style guide that has a lot of nit picky format rules. It requires a lot of remembering little format things that we wouldn't normally do. They really should have someone to edit and someone else to make the format changes. it really is cumbersome and you can't make any money.
Transcription companies in general
AMEN SISTER!  couldn't have said it better