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Good riddance! They have gone way downhill in the last few years and do an awful job.

Posted By: Casual Observer on 2008-04-27
In Reply to: I heard they were closing down - mt

Thats why we fired them.


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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. :)
Good riddance to TH
nm
Good Riddance!!
Face it VR is here and unless we want to get out of the business we have to make it work. Believe me, I don't like it either, but I love transcription. This is what hospitals want. You are probably the same person who complained about word processers, you just didn't have a public forum to voice it in. Anyway, either deal with it or get out of the business, but mostly stop singing the same ole song, it changes nothing.
- The good riddance part... to you. nm
.
Riddens? The term is good riddance. nm
.
Same here--weather stinks for work at homers - good riddance to FL. nm

Broken promises, messed up pay, endless drama. Good riddance!
nm
I did the same thing 3 years ago!!! They are AWFUL!
I worked for them for only a couple of weeks and ended up quitting because it was so bad. Everyone you will deal with, except for the recruiters, are in India and it's awful! My trainer even got mad at me because I couldn't understand a word he was saying while he was training me! I quit right away! I would totally avoid them at all costs!
Not good, not bad, but AWFUL!
:(
That is good you messed up then - awful co
nm
I had a good friend who worked for them and had an awful experience.

She said that the work load was sporadic at best.  They would either be drowning in work or starving.  She said that her pay was late two or three times and when she questioned management on it they were extremely rude.  She said that the owner/manager of the company was a nightmare who was prone to screaming fits and berating those who disagreed with her.


You can take this for what it's worth.  I hope it helps with your decision.


Of course it's good, but with the awful dictators and the trash dictation we get anymore, this ki
s
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.)
Downhill, I agree
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.
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
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.
Glad you're happy, that place has gone WAY DOWNHILL.
x
According to a friend, awful, awful,
Low pay, bad accounts etc..
Didn't they partner up with an Indian company? Expect downhill from Dictaphone.
nm
been there almost two years, really good

Right after I started with them, I was able to drag two MQer's over with me.  The three of us can't be any happier.  They run off DQS, but are NOT affiliated with MQ.  They fine-tune your work pool to exactly what fits you best.  I type mostly OPs, then RAD mixed in for variety. 


They're not planning on becoming huge.  They're family owned and small is quaint.  They close the office at 5 p.m.  We have our own mail site where we can all communicate with one-another as we are transcribing.  Also, no ESL and the pay matches all the big companies out there.  No honeymoon phase here, we are truly appreciated and respected.  Such a relief.  It's so sad reading these posts where people say there just are no good companies out there, when the truly do still exist.


I did MQ 23 years. THey use to be good sm
and then got bad. I got out in February 2006. I STILL miss the way MQ/Transcriptions Limited use to be. I figured I would work there until I couldn't raise a hand to type anymore!!!!!! haha
Good idea - don't. She was with OSi for several years
obviously a wrong move... she didn't know how her new boss is-- that she gets rid of anyone who knows more than her which of course is most people. Damn shame but heck she already has 2 other jobs and 3 more offers which should say something for her.
Not possible to be a good ditor after 2 years.
no way, no how
Good company for me for last 2 years.
Lots of work. Good pay rate. Management/team leads are accessible. Good feedback. Get paid on time.
Is 7 cpl test/3.5 cpl VR for someone with 13 years exp a good amt.
Does not sound like it. Depends on their definition of line and whether they count spaces, but unless it's an awfully short line (most are 65 char) and they count spaces and headers and footers and supply the computer and have really, really cheap insurance (and you said there were no benefits), I'd say definitely NO. 8.5-9 regular and 5 for VR for acute care for experienced. And that's with benefits. Without, I'd say 10-12 or more. Have never heard of more than 5-6 for VR, though.
and just because you have been an MT for 20 to 30 years doesn't mean you are good at it...
nm
10 years experience... that is good for 8.5 cpl. YUP, thats it.


I've been there for 3 years - yes, good company
xx
Is 7cpl text/3.5 cpl VR for someone with 13 years exp. a good amt. sm

or is it low?  I've recently had to start looking for a new job and am trying to figure out what a good cpl rate is for someone with my experience:  13 years of mostly acute care work.  It seems kind of low to me but maybe not.  I've been an IC for the last five years or so, but kind of wanted to get away from it for a while as I can never seem to be discplined enough for my taxes.  The 7 cpl text and 3.5 cpl VR is employee status, the only benefit right now would be PTO with insurance in a few months possibly.  I worked at my last company forever and only made 8.5 cpl as an IC, so all of this is kind of new to me.


Thanks!


I guess 17 years of ortho exp. isn't good enough for them

Sounds good to me. I agree 100%. Am 50 years
30 years and have a LOT to say and share.  Its late, and I just happened to stop here for a second before bed while my other computer is defragging. I will follow up on this definitely within the next day or two, holidays or not.  We have no time - less than no time, right?  Can't wait to communicate with others who have some hope for us as a profession, a UNITED profession.   Laurie
I've been there a few years. I think it's a good company.
Although I feel that ALL MT pay is far too low, Acusis pays better than most. Several accounts are teaching hospitals, some regular hospitals, and some clinics. Most of the time they have plenty of work, except right after the Holidays.

I find the management to be VERY nice to work with - a welcome change from my old situation, which was horrible. Excellent techs, too. The SoftScript platform they use works well. Sound quality is good. If you email a supervisor or other person there, I've found they respond in a timely manner.

The pay varies based on the account; more for harder ones, less for easy ones. They ask for feedback from MTs, and are appreciative to get it.

Anyway, judging by what I read on this board about other companies, I think one reason you don't hear much about Acusis is that most people that work for them are happy with them.
You can do a good job and despise the company. I was at MQ for 10 years.
I eventually deservedly despised them, but I did a great job. Otherwise, I would have heard about it. I'm at the Web now, and I agree with those that say they are getting to be just like MQ before MQ imploded and was sold. I don't despise Webmedx, but I don't love them, either. I don't think you can completely trust any of the nationals.
Hey, wages were even still good 5 years ago, now pretty much gone. nm
x
I used this years ago, first hated it, but once got used to it, it was not so bad. Good luck :)
You will get used to it. Build up a lot of shortcuts, like you are probably acustomed to. I'm sure you'll do fine.
It was a good deal 15 years ago if you could live with
nm
I started 18 years ago and gave up a very good career
at a major medical association where I was just starting to move. I was 26, married three years and having my first child. I wanted desperately to stay home with him, but back then, my husband was not making quite enough to keep us afloat.
I just fell into MT when I saw an ad in the paper posted by a local MTSO. I thought, I've worked with doctors before and I know how to type. Well, I failed their test, but they were running an in-house class that cost $100 for six months, and the promise of a job as long as I could pass the test at the end. We had $123 in our savings account, and against my husband's wishes, I invested $100 of it in that course. It was well worth it!
Socially, it was hard at first to be isolated at home with children and work, but it's great now that they are all teenagers. I've always known where my kids were and been there for them when they needed me. I worked part-time for many, many years, and that gave me the chance to relax, not be stressed, go on hikes in the afternoons, or have a paddle in my kayak occasionally while the kids were in school.
I have a bachelors degree from Temple University and majored in marketing. My husband is a CPA, and we'll be married 22 years this January. He is now a partner in a small firm. He gets very good medical benefits and insurance, but no vision or dental plan. I'm sure that if I had worked for 20 years and attended to a career rather than a job, I'd be making six figures these days. I certainly don't make that doing medical transcription! But, I worked hard at raising my kids, and I have three great ones! I've saved bushels of money because I've not had to buy an office wardbrobe, pay train fare to the office, or send my children to daycare.
I have been very, very fortunate in that we no longer need my income to survive, but now I have the time to work full-time, the kids need me less, and I can still be reasonably flexible and unstressed. And, I'm still here when my teenagers need me, even though that's not as often as before. Yes, the industry has changed, but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing!
I cannot say enough good things about Keystroke, not just one month but years
I remember when they were having growing pains and I was with another company and saw them on this board. Lee even got on to defend her company. At least she cared and nothing but good things have happened to this company. She still cares. Recently complaints were of running out of work and needing secondaries, and high insurance. She contacted all MTs and has been working on and from what I understand is correcting all that. She is a hands on owner and appears to deeply care for the Transcriptionist even though she cannot see our faces.

All of my posting is from hands on experiences and if for 2 years I can say this is where I want to retire after all the other companies I have had to go through, I am only trying to help and not post pie in the sky hoopla to rope anyone in. This is a down to earth, straight shooting company that I am sure is in it for profit but deeply cares for the transcriptionists who work for her and not make that profit while we eat 69 cent pot pies because our pay checks are so crummy. it takes time even for a good transcriptionists to get familiar with a new account but if the dictation is fairly distributed (I mean first in, first out, unless other arrangements are made between you and the company) then there is hope and a chance to make a living. I don't think it is fair to complete with your team leaders for dictation because they will always win and you will be left with what they do not want as they have dictation goals too with some nationals along with supposedly helping you. That is my 2 cents.
I have been there awhile. The good posts are because over the past few years sm
they have really worked hard to improve employee relationships and it has worked. There are no problems there anymore. They used to say they were growing pains and we all wondered how long they could say that. Now I am glad I stuck it out because all the old problems (and I mean old being over 2 years or more) are gone. Great company to work for.
I have worked there for a few years now. Not a lousy company but a very good one. sm
Perhaps you did not meet their standards or perhaps they did not meet yours, but there is no reason for you to be on here bashing those of us that love working for KS. If you have specifics, please share. I will:

Good pay, on time every time.

Good account with plenty of work.

Good benefits.

Managers that are human and know that the employees are too.

Owners who care about the company and employees. They are involved but less and less with employees as they grow. Instead, they have hired managers that are great so that they can concentrate on sales and customers.

Growing company with no lost accounts, which is more than most can say.

Opportunity for advancement.

IT helpful and caring, especially since the major change in that area a few months ago.

I love my job and I'm not in Illinois either; I'm in Florida.
Webmedx didn't about 1-1/2 years ago. Good luck. nm
x
I am not afraid of VR, as I learned it many years ago on a very good platform, but they did not cut

my line rate, but instead paid me for my knowledge in the medical field.  By the way, I made very good money back then, too.  Cannot allow my skills to be sold at one-half my current line rate.  I have more pride in myself and confidence in myself than to be paid that cut-rate by any MTSO out there.


I am still making good money with a natl. Not giving up yet. Just need about 10 more years and I a
x
I've been looking for years. It's always a mix anymore. Good stuff gets kept in house. nm
s
I've been there a couple of years and it has been a good fit for me, very flexible with my schedu
as long as production is being met.  We are definitely a growing company and sounds like you have the experience that we need.  Paychecks have been always on time for me, direct deposit.
I'm at Webmedx after 10+ years at MQ. Good company. Plenty of work. SM
Pay is direct deposit and on time. You have a 12-hour window and 35 hours is considered full-time. I cleared QA review in less than a day, and they leave me alone to do my job. Benefits are affordable. I don't need the insurance, but I understand it's pretty good. Don't get much PTO the 1st year, 3 days. If you know you will need to be off ANY time in the first 6 months or so, tell the recruiter. Line rate is fair and you can negotiate. They have a bonus/incentive plan that allows you to earn good money. Seems like no place is great these days, but they are probably as good as it gets. Feel free to E-mail me if I can help you out.
webmedix- I have 25 years exp., was offered low rate of pay. Heard it is a good company. nm
nm
been with spheris 4.5 years, easy platform, good clinic account
nm