Method of counting lines with ETrans Plus
Posted By: Bonnie Coffey on 2009-09-17
In Reply to:
I'm noticing something kind of fishy with the line counting method used by ETrans Plus out of Nashville after several weeks of working. What is strange is that I can load a template for a particular dictator with several lines of routine text and the line count doesn't adjust if I go from the top to the bottom but continues to count at the point of entry regardless of how many lines of text are between the top of the report and where I jumped to in order to add new text. Has anybody with previous ETP employment experienced this? Just curious and would like to be informed.
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Does anyone know how to control the DocQscribe line counting method?
Every software has a way to mark what to count and what not to count. Anyone know how this is done with DocQscribe?
Counting lines
Don't forget to mention that they altered the WAY they count lines, no headers/footers. It seems more like they way MQ counts their lines. My overall production dropped about 20%, which is why they lowered their requirement from 12,500 per pay period down to 11,000. The incentive is pretty low, and only draws in the fast fast fast MTs. I'm not a lightening ball of speed, so I never qualify.
A pay cut is a pay cut, is a pay cut, is a pay cut!
Counting lines
I am not sure how to either than to go up to tools and then scroll down to line count. I think a lot of other things factor in when it comes to line counts dropping or even increasing. When I am extremely focused and don't get interrupted I do a great deal of lines. When Im in a snail mood I just can't seem to get it together, take lots of pantry and potty breaks. It is definitely hard to work on production because every minute counts. Soooo. to rack up those lines, I know I definitely need to glue myself to the chair:)
ETrans doesn't hit 9 cpl until you're at 1400 lines a day. nm
s
That's why I quit MQ. I couldn't figure out how they were counting the lines. I took a big p
nm
Oh to amend that, the way they were counting lines changed and they told me they could no longer
count gross lines. I was asking for 0.12 a character count line, whatever and however they come to that.
Our method
I work as an IC as well as an employee. Here's what we do. We have a separate checking account that all of my checks from being an IC go into. We don't have any checks for that account or anything. It's just used as a depository of sorts. My income from the other company where I'm an employee is just direct deposited into my regular checking account. So, all of my IC checks go into this business checking account. We then transfer usually around 35% into a separate savings account that we call the tax savings account. The rest we transfer into the household checking account to pay bills, or depending on what's going on maybe into our regular savings account. So, this business checking account will a lot of times have only a few dollars in it, because the money goes into it, but then is transferred right out first to the tax savings account, and then to the household checking account. What's so great about this method, though, is that since everything I make as an IC goes into this account, and nothing else goes in there, I can easily just add up the deposits quarterly to find out my quarterly income.
According to THE method...
You should get about 1400 lines with this amount of work. Do you?
My method to avoid
buying foreign-made clothing - THRIFT/RESALE/CONSIGNMENT shops. It has been a very long time since I purchased any clothing new/retail, but I have managed to assemble a great professional wardrobe (in case I have to go get a ''real'' job - which is becoming a distinct possibility.) I hit several nearby thrift stores every Tuesday when they open after restocking. I don't keep up on where designer label clothes are actually made but I suspect that like most things they are assembled in third-world countries. However, I can own a guilt-free Ann Taylor suit by buying secondhand. I like to joke that I am not buying the clothing, only renting it. Because when I'm tired of it, the stuff usually goes back to the place I got it.
There is some convoluted method to figuring OT.
The guy in payroll told me how to figure it once, but I forgot it. Something about figuring your total line count, dividing it by something to get your OT lines and then multiplying it time something else. Your OT lines are then subtracted from your total lines, so if you have the incentive bonus over 13,000 and they subtract your OT lines and it's less than 13K, you don't qualify for the incentive bonus anymore. I used to think it was counted for all the lines, but it's not if you have OT.
IntelliType's method of paying????
Could anyone explain to me how IntelliType's tiered method of paying works? I have been offered a job with them but not sure I understand how this works. The recruiter said they pay 8.25 cpl for the first 700 lines, then after that it goes up to 8.50 until you get to 1000, and then up again to whatever amount of lines to 8.75, etc. How do you make any money this way? It's so confusing to me. Their ad states they pay 8-9 cpl, nothing about the tiered payment method. Are you able to make a decent living this way? It just seems very low for IC status.
Thanks for your help.
Use the Quickest Search method I posted above. nm
nm
Bayscribe is a bare bones method
and while it is easy it is really more cheap than MT friendly. I found the spellchecker nonexistent. You have to have some bells and whistles and is there anything more important to an MT than correctly spelled content? I used SpeedType with it and the lousy dictionary and no spellchecker drove me crazy. One opinion. I far prefer a more traditional transcription package .. there are no bargains!
How is the DocQscribe line count method controlled?
Every line counting software has a way to mark what to count and what not to count. Does anyone know how this is done with DocQScribe or who controls this?
Secure Copy Protocol - encrypted file transfer method. nm
nm
Etrans
I have been at eTrans for 15 months now and I like it. You have to produce to get the good pay so I do not recommend it for part time because the rate is not good for that. They lack communication sometimes is a bad point and can get very irritating. They pretty much leave you alone and are flexible with your schedule, which for me is a plus. If you do adhere to your schedule you get extra to your line rate so it is pretty much your choice. I have been on a radiology account since August but did acute care before that. The account I had was pretty easy. I love the radiology account. They have good insurance with normal rate. I know some have the same insurance cheaper, but in the world today what we pay for our insurance it is pretty average. You do get net reimbursement and PTO. I am sure I forgot some things, but maybe I helped in the process.
etrans
I've gotten a job offer from eTransPlus but I just don't wanna jump into another fire and end up hating it. How are they to work for? I truly just wanna be left alone and allowed to type and not get bogged down in politics.
thanx in advance
eTrans Plus
Any feedbackon eTrans Plus??? Thanks! 
anyone know about Etrans Plus?
Have any info on this company? Is it a good place to work? Stable work flow?
etrans
I worked for etrans for 6 1/2 years since the day the doors opened. In the beginning they were awesome. Over the years, they have turned to crap. Me and other veteran employees were recently laid off for making too much money. Then they denied our unemployment, got caught with that and then tried to deny our PTO, got in trouble for that. They are losing more accounts then they are getting. I have a job now where the owner actually cares about her employees. Loyalty and dedication means nothing to Etrans. They will hit you when you are down. I have many references to back it up.
eTrans Plus...RUN
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to post my most recent experience in my hunt for a good place. eTrans-Plus is the company, located in Nashville TN. First of all they use DVI Voicewave which is a very old system which has not been improved upon in ages mixed with a virtual desktop which you have no control over to do your transcription in. They provide ShortHand software, but if you want to have what you're used to you're just out of luck. I also would like to comment that their HR person there is EXTREMELY out of order. They also have some of the highest insurance rates I've seen.
Welp, just needed to vent...Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
ETrans Plus
Can someone tell me what medical ETrans Plus offers and the requirements are to get them? TY
etrans
Does eTransPlus offshore? Do they have ASR?
eTrans
I have been at eTransPlus for several months working on the ExText platform. So far so good except for the QA person assigned who I find ill-prepared, unclear, defensive, and has no interest in carrying on a 2-way conversation. Get past her and everything else seems to be fine ...so far. I have learned, however, that these companies are often not what they appear at the beginning so I hesitate to give a rave review with my 4 months of experience. Can't speak to other platforms. This one is wonderfully easy.
eTrans
I work for Etrans and feel the tiered pay is very unfair. The quality of work is the only thing that should matter when it comes to compensation. There have been days (almost a week) at a time when work was low and I had my pay cut to 6 cents a line for the entire pay period. Also, while I was waiting for training to be set up on a new account, which they forgot to schedule, I sat for a whole week with no work, my pay was cut. This has made me ineligible for benefits also. There are many reason a line count can occasionally drop temporarily. Why should I have not only less work but at a lessor rate?
They have no problem calling me asking me to start work early or to work over when there is extra work. I don't get paid extra for that nor is there any overtime for working extra days. I don't know how this is legal.
I like eTrans and the people there are nice. They don't bug you a lot, but I still need to make a decent living which I am not. Again, I think the quality of work should matter more than quantity. For some of us, we can only type at a certain speed, and after 20 years transcribing, I think I have reached my peak, so this is it. I am not going to get any faster.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Etrans
I kept getting job offers from one of their recruiters thanking me for contacting them....which I never did. I thought that was weird. I appreciate the work offers but have your information together before you contact me.
Etrans
Amanda...Just wondering...Were you able to collect unemployment after you quit Etrans? I've never been on unemployment, but I thought you would not be able to collect if you had quit a job....is that not right?
Etrans
I haven't noticed the line count, but thanks for bringing that to my attention!
etrans
As of this moment I'm employed by EtransPlus. I didn't know there could possibly be anything worse than the program I use which is Mongoose!
Have you been able to reach your line counts lately? I have been having a terrible time for the last 3 months....it's not getting any better and I'm planning to throw in the towel soon. I can't sit here for 8 hours and come away with less than minimum wage! I also see there has been a major rearranging of staff...do you know what's happening there?
450, not 100. Not counting MDI.
nm
eTrans plus is EXCELLENT!
love my job at ETP! Good folks, good benefits, good pay, good accounts, feel like I'm in MT heaven!
eTrans info sm
I am very happy at eTrans. Before this, I worked at MQ, so I know what it's like to work at a bad company. As far as my work load, I never have a problem getting the minimum lines for the day and beyond if I want. I start early in the morning and rarely have to work more than an hour extra on slow days, usually only the last day of the pay period for some reason, and like I said, that is rare. I don't know about overhiring. I get plenty of work to make the incentives if I wish. I have always been paid on time every time. And as far as demographics, the system I am working in is really easy with no real slowing down for demos.
I know eTrans was called out a few days ago by former employees, but I have to say I have never had any of the bad experiences that were posted. The tech people have been great, even though I've only had to talk to them once. My supervisor is great and has always been there when needed. I have a great account, a great backup account, and a great platform that means I don't have to kill myself to get the lines I need like MQ. I even referred my own mother to this company, and she is about to start with them next week. Do you think I would do that if I thought they were an awful company?
Hope this helps.
eTrans Question
How is the sound quality for eTrans? I took the test last night and sound was very scratchy, static, muffled. Is the normal dictation like this or is it just the test? Also, anyone know what their line rate is?
eTrans and Shorthand
Is there anyone working for eTrans that is having trouble with their word expansions. I have been having a really great lag, and sometimes my ShortHand words expand and sometimes they don't. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this. I feel like I am typing in quicksand. It is driving me crazy. My line count is really down. There is a big lag and sometimes I will be on another line and look back to see an shortcut that did not expand. My internet provider was just upgraded to the fastest that is available, so I do not think this is the problem. Anyone else have this problem with Shorthand?
eTrans shorthand
I work for eTrans also and have the same problems you are experiencing with shorthand. It is soooo frustrating!
Does eTrans pay for spaces?
I know there was a company I talked with a while back that said they did not pay for spaces, but don't recall if this is the one. Does anyone know?
Etrans info
Feedback on Etrans out of Nashville? Is the software MT friendly, productive, etc.etc. Thank you.
etrans payday
haha...I've been thinking the same thing all morning! Duh!
Etrans plus sound? sm
How is the sound quality for eTrans? I took the test last night and sound was very scratchy, static, muffled. Is the normal dictation like this or is it just the test?
counting me blessin's
I was feeling all abused and unappreciated. I work for a hsp system from home and work on productivity -- making in the 50k + range. Great, inexpensive insurance and double time for holidays. All the OT I want or none at all if I want. Anywho, I was unhappy with a few minor details and thought about quitting in a huff. After reading about life in the world of national co.'s I have regained my appreciation for my employer. I spent over 9 years out there frantically searching for a decent line rate, less than 95% ESLs, and affordable insurance. That's all I wanted 'cept maybe for QA not on a power trip and enough work to complete 40 hours a week.
From what I am reading, things are still the same out there. It looks like line rates are stagnant or decreased from before. Companies are still overhiring. Insurance is ghastly. I wish you all well and once again,
thanks for the cold water in the face! 
Line counting
Just wondering, was this company TransTech. I have recently left them. The management is great, but as far as i was concerned the work was awful, every account they put me on, and I had to really struggle to get my lines in. I asked them to unblock the control I function so that I could see my lines and they won't do it. They more or less said that they count the lines the way they want and we have to use the website to find the correct lines. THIS IS BS!
Just wondering. You don't have to respond if you don't want to, but just curious.
line counting
I work for TT and we had a problem with the ichart which counts our lines but I would just wait a couple of hours or until the next morning to get my count and then mark it. It was always available in time for the end of the pay period. Transtech is a great company to work for and yes management is great. They also let us know whenever there were issues with the system and we knew that we would need to wait. I've been there long enough now to kind of get a feel for the number of lines I have for what I've typed. I'm typing on the TransNet platform now. I was on PowerScribe when I started but like this system much better. So far, there's been no real problem with availability of work. Can't complain! 
line counting
It really depends on the length of report. It usally takesme about 70 reports. You get a better line count of you get some lengthy normals and that helps. My account doesn't have a lot long reports. We have nuc med and occasionally there are normals and you get a decent count then.
Some do pay more because of not counting spaces. (nm)
x
8 days and counting....
and I'm outta there! 
Something said before about it not counting spaces, but maybe that's
s
Oh, not even counting the emails sent, on and on
and just an IM for a stat dictation. That is really laughable as so many were actually hounded about their work, not an occasional but looking over your shoulder constantly, the emails were endless as were the other notes. Milner flipflopped back and forth on the same formats, 1 day like this, the next day like this, the third day oh back to where it was in the first place. The work I did was for a huge client- did that make any difference as like you say to not being bothered, that the work needs to be done? Nah. They needed the work then but instead made everyone that worked there miserable. I know for a fact as I talked with others (the ones originally hired on and the ones who all quit- quite a lot of them also.) Another thing, don’t even think about asking for any kind of raise- impossible and no one there wants to hear that. There was a meeting called at Milners and the other MTers and I laughed about the fact 1 of the head guys came in to let us know how he was especially picked to come back there, called out of retirement in fact and how much he was offered. Oh that really made others feel good! I along with the others could write books on this.
TT Line Counting
You know, sometimes I find these posts comical and sometimes they just really tick me off. Maybe because I have been doing this nearly a half century, I don't need a line counter to tell me if I'm being paid accurately. I don't go wasting my time looking to see how many lines I've typed during the day or running my work through another line count program. I KNOW approximately how many lines I have typed at any given time...I just KNOW and I am seldom off more than a few lines just with my head count. There is no way I'm going to waste my valuable time worrying if I'm being cheated out of a line here or a line there. Checking line counts takes time..........so does posting on these MT forums.
Let me say that if my in head count was off, I would know it and I would not work for a company where I had to constantly worry if I was being cheated. Maybe there is something to the old saying, it takes a thief to catch a thief.
As for line counts varying, mine is varying at the moment also. My primary account often runs out of work and I know exactly WHY it runs out of work although no one has actually told me. Okay, I have a backup account (or several) and I can either jump on those and make the line count I want or I can sit around whining about not getting my primary account, which by now is a piece of cake for me. The backup accounts have 50,000 physicians on their list, maybe not quite that many actually, but bunches. It takes awhile to get familiar with all of them as it does to build my normals and expanders.
Sometimes I have to laugh when I read these petty comments. I think to myself, if they would get off this forum and actually WORK, they probably wouldn't have so much whining to do.
As I've said before, those who have nothing better to do than bash TT should just move along and leave the rest of us in our blissful ignorance. I'm chuckling to myself right now because there are posts on this forum at this moment about 2 companies for whom I have worked. I don't feel it necessary to post derogatory comments but sometimes I do hope that some of the people who love to beat up on Transtech actually go to work for them and learn what it's like to work for a bad (at least in my opinion) company. Some people deserve it.
Now I'm off my soap box and going to type where I will actually make some money....yes, for TransTech. They treat me fairly. If they didn't, well, I was looking for a job when I found this one.
Five jobs and counting!!!
I am glad I started this thread and I keep racking up the jobs and I will see who is on the up and up.
3 Jobs and Counting...
Yep, yep...One full-time job transcribing Radiology from home for a local hospital from 4 p.m.-12 a.m., five days per week; four hours transcribing pediatric clinic notes from 12 a.m.-4 a.m.; and four hours doing acute care transcription for a hospital in Texas.
I look at the positive side of this...I never get bored, and I'm far too busy to get into too much trouble (and my boyfriend is very understanding and supportive, which always makes things easier).
Now if only I could find a way to get Starbucks delivered to my front door, I'd never have to leave the house....
OSI line counting
OSI question?
Have recently talked to an MT who just started at OSi within the past 3 months. Line counting does not seem to jive with Word. A great difference. Word counting lists 100 lines, OSI counting of the same report lists 40 lines. They claim they do not count spaces, which I find rather surprising, because the last time I checked, a space is a keystroke.
Any input? Thanks.
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