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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

MQ is where many of us started our careers so many moons ago.

Posted By: Wouldn't go with them now. NM on 2007-10-29
In Reply to: Medquist Inquiry - Angie

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Many moons ago, I worked there

Yes, they outsource.


When I first started, I asked if I could make more than my IC job at the time (which was quite a bit) and they stated most definitely and even more. I was full time. Never came close to that $$ amount. I worked my butt off for the lines I did get. At first, I was getting above and beyond the necessary lines.  Then, all of a sudden, it was getting harder and harder to get lines. Jobs would download very slowly and upload very slowly to the server.


After a year, the work slowed to a crawl.  I couldn't get my lines by the end of the pay periods because of the low work, so they knocked me down to PT with no bennies after giving me 2 warnings. As usual, when asking for another account, there was none. BUT, even though I was part time, I could work as many hours as I wanted. Screw that. I left.


They also have IM, lots of emails, and call you to work extra when there was work, but you had to hide those hours if you didn't have your hours/lines by the end of the pay period.


The above is just my experience with them. I'm sure if you do a search, you will find much more.


I did an acct like that moons ago. It seemed like I was typing forever. Forget it! nm
s
Under careers.
x
just noticed their add on careers
I guess they have lowered the pay again.  Now they are hiring in at .075 cpl.  Gee, that much?
Changing careers
I was a Transcriptionist for 11 years and going through the same thing - less pay and terrible accounts.  Changed companies a lot, but it was always the same - little or no work.  Finally I had a friend of mine who is a doctor (has her own family practice) tell me that she hired a company out of India to do her work for 7cpl with 24 hour TAT and they would incorporate it into her computer system.  This was the last straw for me and I got out.  I found a job transcribing and captioning videos for the deaf and hearing impaired students at a local university.  I also take classes with a couple of these students and take notes.  There are other things out there - I am happier than I have been in years!
There are a lot worse careers.

At this time, I would not advise anyone to become an MT.  There is no security at all, but until a few years ago it was a great career choice.  I have done this for 23 years, have always had a husband that could support his family, have never needed the insurance so can be an IC, and have all the flexibility that goes along with it.  Those who are trying to raise a family, I understand all the problems that you are having.  Maybe it is time to look at another career choice and go in another direction.  All the energy put on these boards complaining about MTing could be directed towards a new career.


NEW CAREERS OR HOBBIES?

Well, I'm not sure whether this is a new career, or maybe it's a hobby, but I've recently started making stuff to sell at an online auction.  I already have a stash of fabric, so I thought I would put it to use.  Also, I've joined 3 companies that promote holistic pet products and/or nutritional products for people as well.  I've been a discount customer for one of these companies for a few years now, but I've decided to take my involvement to the next level.  I've always had an interest in nutrition and did manage to figure out, finally, how to lose weight at my old age and subsequently get cured of diabetes, while actually, for the first time in my life, thinking outside of the traditional medical box.  While I truly enjoy most of what I do with medical transcription, I realize that medical transcription may become the part-time hobby, while these other pursuits may become my full-time business.   Wish me luck..


Scoping Careers International

Is anyone familiar with a company called Scoping Careers International?  I came across this on mtjobs.com and it says you will edit legal documents?  Wondering if it is legit???


You'd be surprised. You can switch careers.
No longer doing MT and loving it!
You said it! Women defined careers just don't pay
no respect.....men would never put up with the crap we do
Actually, a lot of careers have had wage cuts
Anything that can be offshored to India for under a penny on the dollar has seen their wages cut. Do we remember what happened not too long ago to all the software engineers that used to make really good money? They're probably making half of what they made 10 years ago. The few customer support people that remain stateside probably make at least $2 an hour less than they made 10 years ago. Heck, even the radiologists that used to make great night, weekend, and holiday pay took a beating when they discovered they could offshore that, too.

So the pain is spread around, but it doesn't make it less painful. They have to find a way to bring American jobs back to America. It doesn't do much good for the so-called global workforce to lower the price of a plasma TV if I can't even afford to buy Wonder Bread.
All through this century careers have been phased out...

...due to technological advances.  This is happening at an exponential rate - especially during the last decade.  We're on the cusp of this business being obsolete.  Maybe obsolete is a bit dramatic.  It will definitely morph into a different business model. 


Eventually it will take just a handful people to do the work that it once took scores of people to accomplish.  Look at front end VR.  Many docs are utilizing this right now, with no need for an MT/editor.  EMR is vying to eliminate narrative dictation/transcription.  We're at the top of a slippery slope. 


 


Not on thing on their website about employees, careers, etc. nm
s
sorry about the typo... shoulda been careers... sheesh... NM
x
I'm thinking............Time to change careers.
Why do people struggle so hard until they are so miserable that they live, sleep, and breath misery. You are right though about struggling, it's never going to change so I am taking classes to get my coding degree. I am choosing NOT to be miserable anymore.
I looked facility up on line - checked careers and found they had a current opening for MT there. (
That pretty much told me they did have inhouse. It was an MT position for acute care, not just one of the ancillary departments.


I was hired and started in 1 week. That is not a long set-up time. When I started with our local h
I needed to get a physical and go through orientation at the hospital which is only given two times per month. This is a 900-bed hospital, so it cannot be an unusual process. MQ took 2 weeks. KS took 1 week. SoftScript never got me started even after repeated calls and emails.

I have only been with KS for 9 months but would never put them in the same catagory as the others you mentioned. They are the best company I have worked for, and unfortunately, I have bounced around a little in the last 5 years.
I was hired and started in 1 week. That is not a long set-up time. When I started with our local h
I needed to get a physical and go through orientation at the hospital which is only given two times per month. This is a 900-bed hospital, so it cannot be an unusual process. MQ took 2 weeks. KS took 1 week. SoftScript never got me started even after repeated calls and emails.

I have only been with KS for 9 months but would never put them in the same catagory as the others you mentioned. They are the best company I have worked for, and unfortunately, I have bounced around a little in the last 5 years.
I was hired and started in 1 week. That is not a long set-up time. When I started with our local h
I needed to get a physical and go through orientation at the hospital which is only given two times per month. This is a 900-bed hospital, so it cannot be an unusual process. MQ took 2 weeks. KS took 1 week. SoftScript never got me started even after repeated calls and emails.

I have only been with KS for 9 months but would never put them in the same catagory as the others you mentioned. They are the best company I have worked for, and unfortunately, I have bounced around a little in the last 5 years.
and they started
you at 9.5 cents per line???
Well let's see, I started my day
and have sat here all day to only have 60 some reports! Sad but true. I have 2 other PT jobs for this very reason. I only stay because when the work is there, the money is good. If it does not pick back up soon, I'm gone!
Just started...
using CS this past week, and it is very, very easy and practical to use. You should love it!
I started with TT at 8 cpl - sm
and I was told by Debbie that top pay was 8.5 cpl, not over.  Maybe it was the account I was on.  Don't know.  Just relaying what I was told.  I really did like TT.  I couldn't afford their benefits, and yes, it is my fault for not doing my homework.  I
i actually just started with DRC ..
and just completed my first week. When I was offered a position, I was told that everything counts - spaces, characters, everything in expander. Considering it was just my first week with getting used to the system as well as formatting and dictators, I did very well - a hair below where we need to be for full time, which is not bad considering I relistened to all my jobs before sending it. That is my method of learning. I am happy:)
when I first started with MQ which sm
was then Transcriptiosn Limited, for years, I was a subcontractor given a 1099 and they supplied all my equipment. Probably weren't suppose to. Well, I leased it. Maybe that make a difference.
I started at 10 cpl with MDI-MA
NM
I started out at
8, then they gave me 9 because the account I was on was HEAVY esl, then switched to VA, which also pays 9. Did fine on the ESL account but can't make the new production requriments on the VA account. Oh, full time employee status.
Just started, but so far ...
I'm not having too many problems other than the usual just getting used to new things. I don't think WebCorrect is that slow. I've worked on worse, that's for sure. I've checked their line counts and found them to be accurate and they do include spaces/65 char lines.

I haven't been paid yet, so I can't comment on that.

Communication is very good. You can IM a question any time. I've never waited long for an answer. You do have to pay attention to who you're supposed to IM though.

Everyone I've encountered is very nice and professional. I might change my mind later, but so far, I think it's working out well for me.
I just started with them, but so far
Mary has been extremely flexible with the schedule. Just ask her. I would be willing to bet she would work with you. She is the easiest boss I have worked for yet and I have worked for quite a few:)
I started with them just a little over

a month ago and can't afford the $125 to quit.


Do they still charge you $125 to ship back the computer if you're there for more than 45 days?


Welcome! I just started...
recently myself.  Does your account start with a C by chance?
started at ,12, now...
make 16.
I just started with SGS
So far I have no complaints.  Im fortunate, I have a very easy account.  I have not had any ESLs so far...well, I had one, but he had an English/British accent and was not difficult to understand.  I think the platform you work with is dependent on the account you are assigned to.  I am using a web-based platform and Word 2000.  As for direct deposit, I do believe they told me they have it, but I could have confused them with another company I was entertaining simultaneously.  Benefits are reasonable for individuals, the family price is a little pricey in my opinion at nearly $178 per pay.  I have to do some serious typing to justify that big of per pay deduction and Im hoping I can pull it off because I need those benefits as a single parent. 
just started
I am just starting with them. If you want to email me I will give you what I know.
Just started
I just started with them and so far I like it. My account has been great. Everyone has been very nice.
Just started with them myself

but have you tried cut and pasting document into a Word document just to get a rough idea?  Or is that what you did already?


Just started with them....
on a brand new account. It is a group of hospitals and there is evidently plenty of work. I am doing Emergency Department Reports, which there is a never ending supply of. I am brand new, so it has been kind of tough, but everyone is very helpful and encouraging.

That's all I know, hope it helps.
No, have not started yet, my first
year as IC. Employee prior to this with another company.
Just started...sm
I am working two jobs at this point as i wanted to feel things out before jumping in and the were understanding about that, number 1.  The testing was not bad at all and was in line with the actual work difficulty.  I do ortho so I don't know about the other testing, but I would imagine it isn't bad.  Thus far, I have had plenty of work, QA is WONDERFUL--best i have ever seen by far.  The internet platform takes a little getting used to if you are used to installed programs, but still not a major issue.
and when I started w/MQ they had 12,000+ MTs

Yes, that's exactly how it started out with me...sm
She told me my bank was rejected my direct deposits because my account was closed. I was actually dumb enough to believe her for a while and kept arguing with my bank. Please keep my posted about your situation. I've recently sent a copy of all the invoices she owes me to the hospital with a copy of the job numbers, etc. I doubt they'll pay me but they'll certainly see what kind of a business she's running. I cannot even imagine where she gets off thinking that she can get away with pulling this. I just find it incredible. Hope you have better luck than I did!!!
It has still not started.

After you get started
I almost took the test, but went for a job closer to where I live, in the same state.
I started at .09 CPL at WMX.
x
I just started with them...not so sure yet!
It's too early to tell about the company. I like the HR manager, recruiter, etc., but the QA manager is a little pushy....
Have you started yet?
How long after testing did you hear back from them? How long after being hired did you receive your equipment? Do they pay an hourly rate for training? Thanks
I just started there and not on DD yet. I don't know
when I'll get a paper check.  The company may be growing, but if they are getting the payroll info to ADP in the required time frame I don't know what the issue is.  I would be worried that I didn't have a good answer as to why the payroll is late, especially is this is the second time it has happened, because I would be walking it through the make sure everything was okay and if it wasn't I'd be chewing someone's rear.   I don't know how late it was last time, but if this hasn't been a pattern I don't think it is time to freak. 
Here's what I did when I started out...

My first year as FT IC, when I had the accounts set up I did a guesstimate of my income and expenses, go ahold of the required Federal tax forms, and did a mock-up. This gave me a ball-park figure of what taxes would be due the Feds. After the first year when I paid it all in one lump sum in April (having stashed the money monthly in a savings account), then the Feds sent me a pack of quarterly payment slips.  From that point on I paid quarterly.


You can pay as much as you want to the Feds (they'll take it!), and I tried to hedge on the side of caution, so sometimes I got a refund. Most of the time I had paid my taxes fairly accurately.


The advice to talk to an accountant for your state is a very good one, especially if this is your first at-home business venture. Usually CPAs don't charge a horrid amount for a consultation and it can make things a lot easier for a newcomer to Schedule C.


You can e-mail me with more specific questions, will help if I can. Good luck to you! 


Getting started
I also was lucky to have received on-site training from wonderful co-workers--one of whom also trained her own daughter. Of course, now, with all the outsourcing, Indian mothers can pass this trade on to their daughters while we are supposed to be politically correct, broad-minded, and respectful of all other countries (but our own of course) and just tell our own daughters to go find something else to do. Very fair, isnt it.
i started with 8
For acute care, but I lasted 1 month.
I just started with them and I really like it. sm

Lots of work.  Decent dictators for the most part (in my pool).  I like the management team.  They answer  your questions and are very nice and very  helpful, as are the QA people.


I opted for full time and work Sunday through Thursday on the day shift. They are very flexible too if something comes up during your shift. You can pick a schedule that fits your needs and don't necessarily have to do 8 hours 5 days in a row.  I like having my two days off together (Fri and Sat).  Haven't had that happen in a looooooooooong time.  :)


The platform takes a bit of getting used to, but my old platform (MQ) was cemented in my brain for the past 4 years.  The team and QA people have been very helpful with that as well.


It was only my first week, but it went very well.  I like it much better than my old job.


Good luck!!