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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I wish Normals had what I needed.

Posted By: Me Too :( on 2009-04-08
In Reply to: I know. You begin to question everything (sm) - onevoice

Most the time, what I am looking for can't be found in Normals, Alt G, or even Echart. I have enough experience on my primary that I know the usual sayings, it is just that I struggle with the not normal sayings that a dictator rambles off so fast, while chewing, yawning, etc. These things can't be found in normals (trust me I look every time before I submit a blank) and so far consist of way more than just 7% of my monthly dictations.

Whatever. I should just quit complaining. I do really like it there other than this part. I know you are trying to help, but I just wanted to point out that I use ALL the resources I can and still send over 7% to QA.


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Normals
I have a lot of normals for my primary account but not as many for my secondary as it is a large teaching hospital with more dictators rotating in and out.
Normals
All accounts are verbatim.  What I mean is I have many, many macros set up for PEs, operative reports, etc where the dictators basically say the same thing every time and then I will edit as needed.  Both of my accounts do have a few normals set up in BayScribe by administration for some doctors.  Those are usually operative reports.
There are normals? Never saw one. nm)

can you still use normals?
thanks for your honest feedback.  i appreciate it.  More positions open on your side according to email this morning.  Guess you guys have a lot more work - I have gotten NSA 5 times already this morning! 
Normals/templates
I let my IC's use them especially in my psych accounts.  However there was a time that one of the gals forgot to change the name on the header and I was gone and it went to the doctor directly with the incorrect name on the Header and big, big HIPAA violation and the doctor almost pulled the account since he did not catch it either.  So I understand where your MTSO is coming from but again, I would not keep the help that made these mistakes rather than make the other MT's pay for the incompetent ones and be unable to use their autorcorrect, ShortHand or whatever normals/expanders that they use.  The account stayed with me but we do watch the names closely now.   Why make all suffer for the mistakes of a few.
are they paying you for the normals?
 
Expanders/Normals sm
As the poster below states, the way this is possible is by working an account that uses many normals and that you can utilize your Expanders with.

Chances are whatever national MTSO you work for will begin to use VR technology sooner rather than later.

After all, if you can use your normals/expanders to make astronomical line counts due to the repetitous nature of the accounts, it will be much easier for those accounts to go to VR.

One job I worked for did not pay for normals at all.
They had loads and loads of normals and the docs used them consistently. When I would check my line count it was not where I thought it should be. When I asked I was told they did not pay for normals. That was something they did not tell me before I was hired. It was a company in Florida.
We DO get paid for expanders & normals
nm
I bet they billed the client for normals
You can make alot of reports nothing but normals if the patient has a normal exam.  I bet that company bills for those normals too.  That is like asking a waitress to work for low wages, and she can't keep the tip!!!!!  What will they think of next?
Yes, their normals, not yours. Not all places are like this apparently. nm
xxx
Do you get enough repetition so that one could create/utilize normals? Nm
nm
All accounts are VERBATIM, so there couldn't be any normals.
x
My MTSO sends us normals for those few doctors

that you them.  They are usually a fill in the blank type thing with the doctors only giving the blanks, so there isn't much to mess up.   We do have a few normals that need to be modified and there are only a few MTs that get these dictators, because of the same issue your MTSO, that changes are not made, etc.   I am allowed to create my own normals and do.   If I have a doctor that needs to have the same normal, but occasionally does change things, I only have my normal including what is ALWAYS the same and then I have macros for statements that are frequently dictated that I can use to piece together the rest of the document.


I can't imagine my company forbiding us to use normals.  My company wants the MTs to be productive, because if they are producing they are making money and if they are making good money they are happy and the MTSO will have good retention of MTs, which they have had.  It also benefits the MTSO to have high producing MTs, so that they can have fewer MTs and less costs/hassle.


 


 


 


I used to be a supervisor and we allowed all MTs to make their own normals, BUT...

it was the responsibility of the MT to listen to the dictation and make sure that the normal reflected exactly what the physician dictated.  And any QA issues specifically attributed to an MT's personal normal resulted in a three-phase disciplinary action, i.e. written up for the first offense, written up and forced to come in-house to work for a determined period of time for the second, and finally termination for the third.  Also any incentive money the MT may have earned for the day of the infraction was forfeited.  It seems extreme, but we had such a problem with QA issues and many complaints from physicians especially with radiology normals that we really had no choice.  We needed to make it clear how vital quality was over quantity.


Now that I work as an IC MT, I create and use my own normals, but I listen to every single dictation and if there is even one tiny, seemingly insignificant change such as the physician says the instead of a, I change it in the report.


I think a company forbidding their MTs from using personal normals will end up costing themselves money in the end.  The solution is to institute very strict policies regarding the use of personal normals and enforce them.  Let the client know that these policies are now being enforced and if they see any mistakes whatsoever, to please let the MTSO know.  It's hard being an MTSO, I'm sure.  Assuring the client that their concerns are your concerns and making the MT's feel respected and appreciated for their hard work is like walking a tightrope sometimes.  The sad fact is that you can't make everyone happy all of the time and in the business world, you have to schmooze the one who writes your paycheck - that goes for MTSO's and MT's alike.


Keystrokes makes you count out for normals.
nm
Why do MTs who are paid by the hour cherrypick the normals off accounts.

Line counts shouldn't be that important to them. 


Employee. 0.09 cpl, 100s of normals, and downtime paid.
x
Co I work for, large national, allows normals. Of course, you must listen
zz
I have normals, lots and a huge expander glossary sm

I also have 20 years in this business, which helps.  I am not a fast typist really and I can't type at all without the expander, not anymore.  I have a photographic memory for terms and how they are spelled...see it once, know it forever. 


There are exceptional MTs and there are very good MTs, there are good ones and ones who can just about pass muster.  Don't beat yourself up trying to be exceptional.  I think exceptional MTs are born, but very good ones can be built from scratch.  There are MANY MANY facets to success as an MT.  You have to have quite an ear for voices and even the very best of us can't do every accent.  You have to either be a great typist and/or Expander user, and you have to know it well (I have used my same one most of my career).  You have to know your terminology inside and out.  You need to know how to properly organize your normals so that they are consistent and easy to use.  You have to have an excellent platform to work on, preferrably a Word client.  You also have to have a company who stands behind you and makes sure you have enough work with QA people who can and will take the time to teach you what you don't know.  My favorite QA gal is a font of knowledge, a BOS2 expert and she even corrects my emails for grammar.  I have learned a lot from her.  It helps to have someone on an IM who can answer questions on the fly for you.  I have had those in the past and now I am one of those who does the answering. 


Most importantly, do your very best at whatever mode of work you are doing.  Show up every day, give it your all.  Don't worry about what the rest of us are doing, be the best you, you can be.  Things fall into place when you do that, I know because this is how I had to approach the early stages of my career.  Persistance pays off.


I get paid per gross line. I utilize normals and macros
as much as possible, though I could do more than I do.   I also type 100+ wpm.  I don' t have demographics to fill in, just patient's name and I type in straight WP5.1, so no cumbersome formats.  I download via FTP and I batch my work insteading of having save each individual report.   I make 8 cpl per gross line.  
Sorry to hear that because that was a good account with great normals. Hope
you find a new home where you will be appreciated and with good line counts!
Disagree with this. Every company I've worked for paid for normals.
x
Oh man....I needed that!!!!
LOL
Thanks! I needed a hug!

I feel better today.  I just cannot re-take that test though.  After that experience, I refuse to test on any tests which have the entire test on one web page, including the download and transcribing of files onto the same page.  It is too risky that the page could disappear.  Live and learn I guess. 


This MT testing is so grueling I will be glad when it is over!  Thanks for letting me vent! 


we will always be needed....nm
x
we will always be needed...
That is my opinion also. I'm not worried about VR overtaking my job as a transcriptionist. I do believe I will eventually be trained to edit speech reports. But I also believe there will always be a pretty good percentage of dictation that will remain non-speech and that experienced MTs will always be needed. We are liked more by a lot of docs than some VR system, and I don't believe the majority of docs dictating want their work going overseas if it can be done better HERE.
Just what I needed
Thanks so much for your post.  I was hoping to hear something good and this helps greatly.  Enjoy your day.
MDI-MD Help Needed
Can anyone give me the web address for MDI-MD?  I can't find it anywhere.....
LOL! Thanks, I needed that.
xx
Help needed!
Has anyone had any experience with phone interview for Webmedx? I have one in the coming week. Do they take an oral assessment test or just the routine questions? Please any info about it appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Been out since 8 a.m. but needed

to get my photo license, so this worked out fine. Ran and did that plus stopped for bread and cheese for ham sandwiches. Took no time at all as the center was empty, as was the grocery store. Guess everyone is at the mall exchanging their gifts.


We were warned the other day that it may be VERY slow after Christmas and I looked forward to it. How I wish I could go to the mall and get new outdoor lights. Ours were blown out, so it was a dark and dreary Christmas Eve night. It's the only time we turn our lights on.


That's all I needed to know.....thanks!
xx
Thanks for the hug. Needed one now.
And I will be back later in the day when the afternoon, oh no, what did I do? sets in. LOL. Just going to take it one day at a time, before that one half day, one hour, etc. Still have not left the computer yet though. Maybe I should start a log on here called the recovering MT, and let you know if I get back off the wagon, etc. I do believe I need a 12 step, but for now, will remain sober in the fact that for today, I did what I have been afraid to do for years. And those hugs are so appreciated and NEEDED :)
THANKS....that's all i needed to know...nm
xxxxxxxx
Help needed

Could anyone give me info on Meridian Healthcare Group, LLC out of Indiana or Transcription-Express (don't know where they are from)


Any info would be appreciated!


The VA can be a big help when needed. sm
Some of their programs include retraining, housing help, that sort of thing. Once you learn to navigate the red tape and the paperwork, you are good to go. Email if you have any other questions and I will see if my DH can find out stuff for you. I am in Michigan.
No thanks needed
My heart breaks just a little bit more for you at the Q every time I read that board and your pay is being cut, there is NJA yet you're threatened with disciplinary action for not making up hours (doing non-existent work), sitting for hours waiting to get your lines in...all to eventually be put under the magnifying glass of performance review as the final 'formality' before your termination.

I've had to hold back tears several times reading your posts over there and I can only hope many of you are finding your way out of there before they beat you totally down.

And, yes, I agree 100% with your theory about CBay. Transcend is now up to over 2000 MTs and a PERFECT target for CBay.

I send positive thoughts for all of you at the Q as well, and I do so every time I read one of your heartbreaking posts.

*HUGS*
Guess If You Really Needed To Know....
You Would!
You just made my day!! Thanks, I needed that!
nm
thanks needed that info...
i tested last week too and never got a reply yet. oh well, moving on
Info needed!

Dear All!  I'm writing a business plan and conducting some initial market surveys, and since all of you have always been a wealth of information, I figured this was a good place to start.  I need to know what dictation/transcription platform any company you can think of is on.  Please respond, just a quick post with the company name, platform, and if it is a web based platform (if you know).  Thank you all in advance!!!


PS: No names needed.
No names needed, as I believe that is against board policy now, but just wanted to get a broad idea of how much per year deductable you pay if you work for a national service.
Maybe I just needed to vent.....
.... I'm an employee of Medware and I'm sure that all my co-workers will know exactly what the deal is. The last thing I need is your criticism when all you are interested in is someone being tacky and spreading dirt. You have not walked in my shoes and have no idea what I'm dealing with at this time! All I can say to you is if you are looking for a job, take my advice and do not choose Medware as your next place of employment, as at the current time it is not a good place to be. Although, I am happy for Wilma because obviously the changes at Medware have not reached her yet. Have a great day!
Editors needed
Hey. I replied to that as well and haven't heard anything back as of yet.
editors needed
I sent them my resume and got an e-mail back saying it had been forward to the right person. Nothing since then.
Support I think is needed

The first and foremost would be promotion of US-based transcription for US-based patients.  I feel there are major, major privacy issues at hand there, and I would personally have trouble with my personal info being shipped overseas.


Certification I think is very, very debatable.  AAMT has tried to make a standard practice, but really it isn't.  You have to be certified and continue with education to be a nurse because those practices are standard and regulated pretty  much across the board without too much difference.  MTs have to do what the client at the time asks, and there is a ton a variation between companies and clients.  I have worked for a lot of different places and have yet to find one that follows even half of the important rules of the BOS. 


I also think another organization should point out certain advantages to being an MT, at home or otherwise.  AAMT wants you of course to buy books and whatnot from their store, but there are many other resources online that are available to us simply because we are members of the medical field; most are free.  Working at home gets you discounts on things like car insurance (cut mine in half).  There are many advantages to ousourcing companies that hire at-home employees as well which are growing all the time.


I would absolutely participate as much as I can in getting something like this going.  AAMT as decided where they are which is perfectly okay.  They just now need replaced.


 


Nonpayment help needed

Invoiced and billed employer who has not sent me a check.  I did email and a check was to be sent to me by this past Friday, but is now not responding to email inquiries as to the status and whether or not the checks were mailed (they now owe me 2).


Which regulatory agencies or legal groups do I contact in this regard in order to be paid?


Thanks - found what I needed! nm
xx
I applied, they needed someone right away
They called at an inconvenient time and not the time set-up to call.  Started off badly, so I did not pursue it.  I think they use a platform called MT World.  If you go to that MT World site, you'll see a spot for Zylomed Employees.  I guess if you want to learn a new platform, it might be okay.  I do not know what the cpl was but I felt the communication was bad from the start.  Archives says they are not a good company but they could have changed by now.  One post said the girl got fired for posting here because Zylomed claimed she should have addressed her concerns with them and not on this board.  Search Zylomed and read the archives - very interesting.  These posts are only from like last summer, I believe.  Good luck.
Thatnks, just what I needed to know :) nm
xx