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I disagree - pooling can be a very good thing indeed sm

Posted By: Queenie on 2007-08-10
In Reply to: I left a company when they started doing this. - J

Well-created pools can be a blessing to MTs because they prevent cherry-picking, plus they are a boon to the clients who receive ALL their work back in a timely fashion, instead of whatever the MT feels like typing.  Now bad pooling (throwing too many doctors into a huge pool) is another thing entirely - that is bad for productivity because there is simply too much variety for an MT to learn any one physician well. 




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Glad you agree but disagree on one thing sm
This is far from a socialist country. Oh trust me, I have many lawyers in my family and you can sue a company who won't hire you if you have disability. These companies are treading a thin wire.

How would someone like it even if they simply had an abortion on their record and a company didn't like that!


MQ a good place to begin an MT career? I disagree.

I was relatively new to the MT world when I began working at MQ.  I recall it as an experience that almost caused me to totally QUIT the MT profession.  For one thing, the majority of dictators were horrendous.  Add to that the fact that communication with supervisors, QA, etc., was almost nil.  Then, I learned about the MT questions person, but I quickly became embarrassed and was afraid that he/she would get tired of me.  Working at MQ was definitely a learning experience, but it is my opinion that it harmed me more than helping me.  For one thing, I do not enjoy the experience of hypertension and migraine headaches, and I am sure that I would not enjoy the experience of a CVA.  Obviously, I do not work for MQ any longer. 


As it has already happened twice, I won't be surprised if I again receive a telephone call in which I am invited to reapply and work there again.  The first time that they called, I told them to take my name off their list, or put my name on their DO NOT CALL list.  But, they might call again.  For this reason, I have placed my old trumpet next to the phone.  A good blow of the trumpet in the caller's ear will be the only response they get from me.  I understand that pushing the O button on a touch-tone phone will create a similar effect. 


 


 


I totally disagree, love VR and can make good money at it
I have been doing now for about 4-5 years and hate it when I have anything straight to type. I have done this for over 30 years, have excellent speed at straight but Escription is a bowl of cherries where I work. I would never want to completely straight type again, never.
good thing it is a temporary thing sm
because people with your attitude don't stay in anything very long anyway. Nobody has to listen to that crap to keep their job.

You don't know me either. you can say old fart all you want (when did 53 get to be old fart....too funny) but at least I am a valuable employee who can get a decent job!
Had the same happen here, heard the same thing, good references and good ....sm
job record will get you better $$$ if you are willing to promote yourself, search like crazy, talk to everyone, etc., but I have never been paid a cent more for CMT, what a waste, and all the years I paid my dues to AAMT, what a joke, they did NOTHING to better our field, just took the money for better conventions, as far as I can see.
The only good thing I can say about SS is if you

go to work for them you'll not have the experience to know how horrible they are and when you leave you'll realize how horrible they were.


The sound quality is horrific.  Some accounts have ESL dictators that are horrendous and I have 20 years' experience and do 85% ESL.   Management is a joke.  They don't know how to treat MTs.   The only reason they offer the mentoring program is they can't get good, experienced MTs to work for them. 


 


 


 


Good thing you did!!!!!!!
x
I did - not a good thing..
I did radiology. Lots of demographics to populate and training sucked.  Not a money maker.
That was really the only good thing going for them. nm
 
Blanks can be a good thing!
They prove you know what you don't know! Very important in this work. Just be sure that all else you transcribe is right on.

My goal was always for 100% (thanks Scrapper), but really no more than two blanks in say 3-6 reports, and that has landed me lots of offers.

My first test, btw, was with MedQuist. I asked before transcribing the test how the scoring system worked in order to judge when to say when if it got impossible. No harm in asking!




Consider it a good thing they never got back to you..sm

I worked for them for a year.  They never answer e-mails or get back to you regarding anything.  The platform is great but the sound quality is horrible.  They move you from account to account and I always ran out of work.  Not the most professional company around.


One good thing about America - sm
if you want a job, you MAY have to conform.

EVERYTHING is being outsourced. If you do not want a job because it hurts your feelings that the people who OWN the cmpanies oursource, then that is just dandy with me. Maybe I'll take your perfect job and be happy with it. Your loss.
Agreed - I think it's a good thing.
.
Good thing that have not contact me....
because I will definitely not go back. Do you know what their new company name is?
That's another good thing about TT - they don't bother you (sm)
constantly with emails.  I wondered about that when I first started too (3 years ago), but you'll soon come to realize they leave you alone to do your job.  If something is wrong, they will let you know.
...a good thing to have. Really helps! NM
s
Good one! I am going to do that exact same thing when I get off.
Perhaps something of this nature would be viable as it is as a letter to the Editor of our local newspapers? 
a good thing and stay put, not think! nm
x
Sometimes failure is a good thing - sm
I would have to say you need to be looking at this as a blessing because more than likely that is exactly the type of dictation you would be listening to day in, day out.  I have 90% really bad ESLs on my accounts that are wearing me out right now.  There have GOT to be better accounts out there for us both. 
While you are laughing, that might not be a good thing because
I thought I was reading up at the top of this that the pay for VR at TT was 3.5 which is even less than what this person is making. I think at 3.5 or less folks are really going to be unhappy.
Good thing you're independent,

Wow, you are scary. It sounds like a good thing for
TransTech that you moved on. Good riddance.
Good thing you are just a recruiter - definitely not a speller - LOL

If those opportunities truly exist in this co., then it will be a good thing. s/m
But I've been around long enough that I've heard this all before, and the statistics are not on our side. And even when the MTs DO see an improvement, it can sometimes take 5-10 years to finally trickle down to them, as they are usually at the bottom of the do-do list. I do sincerely hope that I am wrong, and that this company is truly different. Only time will tell.
Another good thing to ask is reliability of server. sm
Some companies have frequent down time. It is good to know if this happens and if so, will you be compensated for it or expected to make up time lost.
Shouldnt that be a good thing? Means we are in TAT.
nm
Same thing happened to me......oh well, found something just as good..nm
x
Yes, but that's a good thing. They demand quality.
Of all the nationals and bigger MTSOs, MQ is about the only one who never does quality checking.  But in the end, that's not a good thing.  Its best to learn to stay on our toes and keep our quality up. Don't worry - you're worried about it, so that's a sign you are a great MT. Others don't care.
Point well taken. Money can be a good thing....
If you don't get caught up in trying to buy happiness...
Hoping change in CEO is a good thing
The former CEO started this mess, maybe a new one will be a change for the better.
Oh, yes, and another thing, VERY FEW ESLs, good dictators!!! NM
nm
Oh, yes, and another thing, VERY FEW ESLs, good dictators!!! NM
nm
Yeah, and the really sad thing is they will lose the GOOD MTs.

Yes, I too see a mass exodus of the good MTs as those who have no other choice but to stay at TT are stuck with VR. 


Very disappointing, TT, very disappointing... 


It's a good thing we don't live in Canada then
as my hubby was 64 when he had his 2 heart attacks and CABG last fall. He was lucky to have survived it as it was! 
The only good thing about OSI is when you give them your notice that you are leaving!


wow, good thing i turned them down earlier this year, thanks
/
Good thing they do because their line rate is marginal.
x
Ditto - it's never a good thing to learn transcription

In case anyone thinks Escription is a good thing!!
This is just the beginning as more and more records are residing on the internet. And when you go into see your doctor, he is more concerned with making his laptop work and inputting info than he is listening to you. My friends are angry about this as they see it more and more. So EMR, internet, etc are more trouble than they are worth and we can only hope we go back to the way it used to be.
Wow .. sounds like you are busy, but in this profession, that's a good thing, sm

especially this time of year.  I am still at CardioScribes and probably will never leave entirely -- easy work, good pay, and great people -- but I need the benefits of being an employee, so I am hoping Keystrokes (2nd shift) will be as wonderful as I have been told it is (and of course, hope they think I am wonderul too *smile*).  I am working weekends for DTS America, and they are terrific!  I feel very blessed.


I'm glad you have found not only 1, but TWO great jobs --  congrats!   And yes, I hope 2009 is a banner year for both of us ... ALL of us, for that matter.  


 


Good to hear from you.  Happy Holidays! 


Good thing it did end up here. Post about squecky clean posts has already been
:+
Hands-On Transcription does the same thing but unsure if they are good or bad...sounds bad though
I was inquring about a job with Hands-On Transcription company.  They did not have any website or physical address.  They had just posted on here.  I had emailed the lady several times.  She told me I could purchase a C-phone from her for 399.00, which I do not have any familiarity with a C-phone (never had to use them in my career as of yet).  Plus before she sent me the paperwork she wanted my name, phone, address, and SS#..I sent that, out of hesitation, and she has never sent paperwork back.  Though she did email me about something else.  I am scared now that maybe I should not have given her the information since I could not find anything on the company.  So, please be careful.  I should have went with my gut instincts....
I was an IC for them. No complaints. Good feedback. One thing I didn't care for (sm)

was that if I had been an employee instead of an IC, I would have had to conform to their mandatory ergonomic protocols and send a picture of my desk/work environment as proof of compliance.  Monthly meetings were sometimes interesting, mainly routine--not paid, or at least I never was for them.  


I worked on their Vianeta platform, but many accounts were on Emdat, which I have never used and don't know if I would want to.  Pay was good (set by me and okayed by them) and on time with DD. 


I was only with them a few months and quit mainly because of too much work on my other, older accounts, and I didn't think it was fair to them or InterPro (or me) to try to keep up with them all. 


Awesome news. Too busy to post - it's a good thing :)
Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
I just started with eTransPlus! Maybe that is a good thing....too busy typing to be here, sm
I will be working second shift, so I am here now. I tried to e-mail you, but for some reason would not go through.  So far so good! Keeping my fingers crossed.
Debate is one thing, and posting is one thing,
but this is getting absurd. I think it must be the same person, otherwise multiples who cannot stay on topic?? Why can't you STICK with the subject? The subject of my post was NOT what your cent per line rate was or is - I could care less- and not how much money you made last year, this year, or in your life, but how silly the comment was that your cents per line rate means NOTHING, that its up to you - some fluff like that. That is just so silly. Again, working for the same company, same account, is one going to make more money being paid more per line? OF course! This is so frustrating and really makes me so tired of reading this garbage let alone posting. Its like a nightmare. And also makes me completely believe that the original company must pay peanuts.
I disagree with you......sm
I've been working with them since July and have not had any problems with communication or having work available, and I'm an employee. 
Have to disagree

I am a hospital employee.  I like the platform, it is basically word.  I am making more lines here than I ever have anywhere else.  I only work on one account.  The equipment is fine, brand new Dell with flat screen.  No problems in particular with supervisors or QA.  Hospital can be picky about things, but it is the hospital, not DK.  Benefits are great through the hospital, very affordable.  


DK is no worse than anywhere else, you just have to find what is best for you.  They are working fine for me  


I disagree with you. sm

I have to say that the reason companies are offshoring is not completely their fault.  US MTs, over the  years, have gotten to where they want to make more and more money so that they have to produce less and less work every day. 


Any talented MT should be able to produce 1500 lines (accurately) in an 8-hour period.  At a rate of 0.075 cpl, this would total $112.50, which works out to 14.00 per hour.  If you want to earn more than that, you work extra to do so.  There are people coming out of college with degrees that do not start out at a wage like that and don't make that until they have many, many years experience in their field.  This would be though in an average area.


By asking for exorbitant wages, which you could also earn by increasing your line count and working just a bit harder, we are forcing companies to have to look at offshoring more and more work.  Yes they work cheaper over there.  However, they also don't mind working harder and doing everything possible to increase their line count.


Another issue bringing our wages down is the fact that now an Editor is used.  This has come about simply because the MTs that are coming into this business are not adequately trained.  Therefore, an extra cost associated with the higher wages.  The same editor can be used but editing India work and the company will make a better profit and turnaround times are much better.


I do feel that MTSOs should look at the cost of living of different areas and also pay MTs accordingly as any other job would.  For instance, an secretary in some parts of Texas start out at 6.50 per hour; however, a secretary in New York may start at 17 or more per hour.  This is an issue that has never been addressed by an MTSO and I am sure never will be.


Over the last several years, many schools have developed that teach MT.  However, they are not producing quality MTs.  To make it in this business and earn the big bucks, you have to have speed and accuracy.  You have to be able to remember medical terms.  Most of all, however, if you cannot produce 200-250 lines per hour minimum, you might should consider a new job.  This is a production job and if you can't produce, it is not the job for you. 


For those of you experiencing out of work problems, easy solution... find another company to work for/with.  There are too many out there, so don't waste precious time.  Find one.


 


 


Well, I disagree with YOU !
Here is your statement -Over the last several years, many schools have developed that teach MT. However, they are not producing quality MTs. To make it in this business and earn the big bucks, you have to have speed and accuracy. You have to be able to remember medical terms. Most of all, however, if you cannot produce 200-250 lines per hour minimum, you might should consider a new job. This is a production job and if you can't produce, it is not the job for you.
___________________

Now, I am taking issue with this type of noncaring type attitude to those of us who are 50 and older, have a lot of physical problems, but you know what, I might not produce 220 lines/hour, but I do type 70-90 wpm, but I find I can only type for four hours, then have to stop, and then restart later on to finish up. Up to now, I have found employers out there who do understand this, and as long as I get my quota in for the day, they and I do not see anything wrong with doing the work this way. Well, you had your say, now, I had mine. Why don't YOU get to work, and stop chewing-out us other hard-working MTs, and there are quite a few of us left! I stack my medical terminology memory next to a doctor's, so there you have it, and I just could not sit by and read your comments without having some of my own to stick up for those us in my situation.
I disagree with you.

I disagree with you on a number of points.


 


First of all, as was pointed out by another poster, 1500 lines in 8 hours depends totally on the accounts and dictators you transcribe.  I have an (occasional) account where I can transcribe 400-500 lines an hour, and that, obviously, is due to the template.  I have another account on another job where I can only transcribe 120-140 lines an hour.  That isn’t due to my failings but due to the slowness of the company-provided computer and their platform.  When transcribing another dictator, I can usually transcribe 250-275 LPH.  The main reason I can do this is because I get this dictator all the time, have had the opportunity to become accustomed to his style of dictation and can make shortcuts based on his particular consistent phrasing of sentences.  If a person transcribes for more than 100 different dictators, the Transcriptionist never has the opportunity to become familiar with the dictator.  There are many variables in how many lines someone can transcribe per hour, and they don’t always involve the skill level or competency of the transcriptionist.


 


I also take issue with the fact that people coming out of college with degrees earning less.  Who cares?  Why should MTs who have been in this business for 20-30 years suffer just because kids who graduate from college make less money?  I’m sure most of these seasoned MTs would tell you that they made much more money 10 or even 15 years ago than they do today.  They are hanging in there with a deteriorating industry, just trying to make a living wage.


 


I especially disagree with paying transcriptionists different rates based on where they live.  Often that is the only recourse for those of us who have the ability to relocate to economically impoverished areas, just to keep up with steadily declining wages in the MT industry because we love this kind of work.


 


Although I agree that speed used to be a very important of a transcriptionist’s job, I also believe that with the evolution of VR, the need for typing speed in a transcriptionist is obviously going to diminish since it is no longer required.  Combine that lack of skill with the new graduates you mention who are basically clueless, and a whole new generation of incompetence is being created, leaving the more experienced, seasoned MTs out in the cold.


 


I personally am going to remain with the smaller companies, as I believe when it is all said and done, they are the ones that truly care about quality, and they may be the only ones left after all the big nationals outsource themselves into extinction through their new quantity versus quality standards.  They are also the ones who are less likely to cut the throats of their loyal, highly-skilled employees.