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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Sometimes I wonder why I even stayed in this business.. sm

Posted By: oldtimertoo on 2007-11-02
In Reply to: Long, but just had to say it ..sm - Maggie M

I don't know how I did it back then, working at home on an electric typewriter, before computers and fabulous references, google, and the internet in general. All I had was Dorland's Medical Dictionary, samples, and pages and pages of notes for each of my 2 or 3 accounts. We could call the office if we got really stuck but that was it. I had a long hiatus between the 70s and the present. I have been back for over 7 years now and still cannot believe how easy it is now compared to then.

I also did QA for about a year a few years ago. Nope, not for me. Unbelievable the quality of the work that I very frequently saw, zero grammar and punctuation, absloute basic to this job even before medical terminology. I couldn't make my quota because I would at a glance see so many errors and spend too much time fixing them! Ai-yi-yi! It was awful. This was after all the offices closed and no one really had any communication with anyone anymore for the most part.

I am not a really high producer because I am a perfectionist. I research and try to leave as few blanks as possible, invest in good reference materials, have a thousands of Expanders for all kinds of reports, and try to keep up with the new rules for everything the best I can, not that I agree with them all. That's life I guess. I do love this job!



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I wish you well. I wish I could have stayed myself. nm
tttt
believe that your pay stayed the same.....
Even if you 'fly' ???? through the report, you still have to READ every word, so you cannot double or triple the line count.

Can you still use Expanders doing VR? I doubt.

Are you catching every mistake if you just FLY through the report?

CRAP !

I doubt any MT has ever stayed
that long at Heartland to enjoy his/her vacation!
Stayed with Medware
Heard only a couple left but were replaced quickly.  Now Medware has 3 new hospitals starting next month.  I applied for a shift lead position that just opened.  Very happy at Medware.
I stayed with them for less than 3 months.

Yes they are nice and yes they pay on time (they deduct $1 a week for your direct deposit)


There was never enough work.  Their system is clumsy compared to most, the bookkeeping/record keeping is awlful.  After having been off training and on full earnings for several weeks, they put me back on training wages because of a non-medical mistake.  They even did a QA rating on me and I had almost 99% but still lowered my pay across the board.  I was in absolute shock, gave notice and moved on.  I cannot work for a company that I cannot trust.   Good luck. 


I never stayed busy....
I worked on an ortho account and they kept running out of work, so I quit. They had way too many MTs in the typing pool. They do not assign the MTs doctors and you are in a pool so the work is on a first come first serve basis. Good luck! Not the job for me.
My hat goes off to all of you who have stayed as long as you have ...
I left Spheris a little over three years ago. It was one of the worst employment experiences that I've had in this industry. Poor benefits, low pay, terrible dictators, constant turnover in supervisors (with the last having no experience at all in MT'g). Leaving was the best decision I could have ever made, and I've never looked back.
Those who have stayed at the same hospital- sm
And just switched to VR are a different story. They are not the norm and I can see why they would be okay with it because they are accustomed to the account. The rest of us who go in cold and must spend an inordinate amount of time learning the account can't make any money and then the MTSO switches us and we have to learn it all over again. It doesn't work for us.
When I was started on VR and why I stayed on
I did not ask to be put on VR. I had been at my inhouse hospital job for 14 years when we were told going to VR. I loved the job and frankly, in my 50s and did not want to go out looking for another job. At that time had no idea about the companies out there, never had worked except inhouse at hospitals. After learning VR soon learned we would be outsourced to a company and most of the MTers there went with the new company rather than quit. I have done over 2000 lines per day straight and considered myself not only fast but an excellent transcriptionist. I did not jump on any band wagon, what choice was there at over 50? Most here talk about how they do not want to start a second profession, well I was one of those at that time. I did not work from home, had no clue could even do that so working at home was not a draw for me in doing VR, not even transcribing. To put all of us doing VR as traitors, well that is not so. I too used to go home at night learning transcription in tears with hubby telling me if it is that hard, just give it up but stuck it out. I learned on the job, at a hospital with over a year's training before put out making production and incentive. Yesterday I did mostly all VR and made over $175.00 for the day. Oh, you are probably saying you could make more which might be true but I am satisfied. I no longer work full time, double full time, triple full time because I have worked my time in the past and now time for part-time for me. I have earned it. I still work because I have said before, I draw my social security, have retirement check from the hospital where I worked 14 years and have my salary on top of that and love it. If the work goes out tomorrow completely, then it goes. I have had 2 jobs pulled out from underneath me in years past with over 10 years put in at each one and rebounded. If a person does not like VR, then GO somewhere else, get another profession. You cannot group everyone into 1 fits all because it is just not so. If my job is stamped out in a few years, well that has happened before and still around. The only thing you can count on is yourself, not a machine, not a company, just yourself. If you are suspicious, paranoid, etc., then do something else. Simple.
Do you feel better now? !! Business is business, most of it should be confidential. Why post on a
x
Ditto. I wish I had stayed with them. I had to quit because I
accepted a full-time job elsewhere. The full-time job turned out to be a bad joke. I went from three part-time IC jobs to one full-time employee job to NO job at all. It's really bitten me in the behind with bills and Christmas coming. Never again will I trust a recruiter or try to work as an employee for a national. transcriptionoutsourcing.com was the best of the bunch.
You stayed with Medware for 3 years and now you
state you didn't stay with them very long.  What is it?  I think we can all read between these lines, I know I can. 
Great company!! Wish I would have stayed but
needed benefits.
MDI Maryland I think has stayed clear so far. nm
s
If you stayed with her for years this treaetment, it
x
My god, and you stayed in this career while failing
the only one to blame as I can't imagine why you would think that summation of your career any step of the way was a success.  Per your description, sounds like nothing worked for you after a year or 2 at best. I've been in the biz the same length of time and experienced the complete opposite of your story.  I would never have endured what you have endured, as I would have had the common sense to realize that the job was not cut out for me or vice versa. You have thrown your entire life away on this industry, and yet came back again, and are on here bitter and spewing hatred at complete strangers to you.  Honestly, you need to re-evaluate - read your own life story and take some accountability, realizing that you should never ever have stayed in this industry. You have nothing to show for it, have lost everything per your own claims, so please reconsider and have the back half of your life mean something - anything, whatever is important to you.  Obviously this industry is not suited to you.  Please don't lump us all in with your experience.  I can't imagine many MTs have suffered as you have - why would we?  We would find a new line of work ASAP and move on with our lives, not sacrifice them as you have.  I can't even feel sorry for you as a reader - none of your story makes sense as to why you have persevered - its just a sad meaningless synopsis.
Worked there, wished I had stayed. sm
I left OSi thinking I could make more money somewhere else, which I did at first but not so now.  The sound quality was good. I liked the platform. QA helpful and nice.  They communicate a lot with e-mail and IM.  They will have conference calls if there is something on the the account that everyone needs to know about.
I stayed an IC....employee status is optional
x
You're happy your wages have stayed the
same, even though:

Gallon of milk, 1992: $2.78
2009: $3.75

Gallon of gas, 1992: $1.13
2009: $2.50+

Dozen eggs, 1992: $0.93
2009: $2.25

So your salary stayed the same while everything else skyrocketed... yay!

And according to the IIAP, the median salary for a 'secretary' in 1992 was around $25,000, and in 2005 was already up to around $40,000 (no stats listed for 2009 yet). So are you still feeling good about sliding backwards?
The main reason I stayed with MQ through all the BS over the last years was the flexibility and that
will be gone. I worked more than 40 hours and so that will be gone as will the statutory bonus and to top this all off I got transferred to Amherst. Well talk about sucky.
OSI rocks. Easy lines. 900+ in 4 hours - now wish i would have stayed with them. nm
nm
I stayed 3 months and then bailed out. Ran out of work, lack of communication, etc. nm
s
I had the WORST foreign doc cardiac caths there! I only stayed a week. nm
, m
Trying to build his business? He's been in business over 15 years!!!!!! sm
I also had a hard time, nearly impossible actually, getting paid. The owner does this on the side; he is very involved with other things.
If you don't know what is confidential, you have no business being in any business.
This is confidential information and should not be divulged. It is one of the biggest problems a co can have. If you have to ask...well I won't be able to explain it to you
Are they still in business?
Were you currently working for him?
It's really none of my business because I
don't work for MQ, but it looks to me like they need some kind of formal verfication for whatever reason that you received the letter. Perhaps to prevent any future actions on your part by stating you already had received notification in the form of a letter? Do you know if the phone call was recorded or not? Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but this sounds so awfully underhanded and sneaky to me.
It is none of their business (sm)

and there are certain questions they are not supposed to ask employees.  What other ways can they invade your privacy?  I would look elsewhere.


OSi has not been in business for 10 yrs. Who are you trying to
xxxxx
This is about all she does to run a business.


Business 101 sm
You are supposed to have a budget set up for payroll and taxes ahead of time. Every other week is the norm in regular business. Companies penalizing ICs or employees because they have lousy contract terms with an account is unethical.
This business. sm

Duh!  I guess I don't.  Just supported 2 children all by myself until they left for college with my MT wages.  Nope, sure don't know anything about this business which has kept me employed for 25 years. 


I don't have to know what Andrews is, I learned the right way - on the job.


Ya know, I have been in the business as
long as you have and worked in every aspect of MT including management and the slackers do exist, but they exist from any country. That's just an excuse for outsourcing or low pay. If you have slackers, get rid of them and leave the ones who work hard alone, but pay them a decent wage.

This kind of bull just literally makes me ill to read and it justifies nothing.
business

Just wanting some opinions about what people think of companies that have been around for 5 years and how to weigh the pros and cons to leave a company if the one that has been around less would pay better?  thanx!


I own my own business
big mouthed fool! Go back to bed!
Is JLG still in business or have they gone under, too? nm
s
Bad business
Yes!  I agree.  I tested today for another job and accepted something else part-time. As soon as am sure about the new job I am washing my hands of this GA company for good.
That is really nobody's business.

If the girl has transcribed errors more than likely from my experience it is due to POOR TRAINING on (OP) or Rad MT's part.  If she was such a good trainer or whatever, the girl wouldn't be making errors!  Sorry, but sometimes ya' gotta' step back jack and look in the mirror!  There's plenty of companies looking for radiology MTs.  Furthermore, the girl probably never got a bad vibe from (OP) Rad MT OR SHE WOULDN'T BE ASKING HER FOR A JOB REFERENCE ya' think????? 


ITA. Not sure how they are still in business. nm
 
Should go out of business
Hopefully, they will not stay in business long. I had a friend who worked for them and just resigned. They are HORRIBLE! They are a disgrace to our profession.
Probably 99.9% of them. We are in a 24/7 business. nm
x
Unfortunately they are still in business
Talked with someone I know who actually still works for them... the person said she was busy, but struggling getting paid again.  Did my own research, found they are doing advertising in Canada.  May have to go off shore soon to get an MT that will be willing to type for them.  Pretty sure the investigation by the State of PA is still going on.  They are not out of the woods yet.  Just hate to see anyone get caught up with them.  The care nothing about their MT's.  Not too sure who and who not has not been paid yet.
Are they still in business?
I say enthusiast because they have been a hot topic that keeps me interested locally and nationally on what they do next...In that regard, I notice their web page is paid for up to 2009 but apparently has been under construction or not found depending on the page you try to enter on.

I also know that all of their ads on various sites are still up, but they would not bother to pull them anyway - making me very curious- does anyone still work for them - did the tax man, labor board, and lawsuits finally catch up and put them under.

Would over to know - I could use a reason to celebrate.
It should be none of their business
I think a person's credit report should have nothing to do with a job in this industry.  Just another excuse they use to kick you when you're down!  If your current job is not paying your bills, isn't the smartest thing to do to look for a better job?  Penalizing you for that is ridiculous and unfair!
Bad Business
You know, I applied to a position right here on this board, took the test, and just got turned down.  I know I did a great job.  It was the easiest stuff I have ever transcribed.  For some reason, the recruiter wrote to me and said my test did not warrant the type of Transcriptionist they were looking for.  It makes me sick.  I currently work for 2 other places and do over 60,000 lines per month, with rarely a remark from QA.  I have over 28 years' experience and am a dedicated and hard worker.  I actually am in a foreclosure situation and am willing to put the time in for 3 full time jobs.  I will find the right third company, but what a shot that was!!!  I work 7 days a week and know I can fulfill them all with at least 12000 lines each per pay period, 2 weeks.  What do you think?  Just trying to save my house!!!!
bad business
I don't think so!!!  I know what you mean though.  I recently worked for a big company and they abided by BOS unbelievably so.  Hey, I can appreciate that and I learned a lot and follow every bit of feeback I get.  I love it actually.  I think it is just a case of false advertising really!!!
If you have been in this business a while you know

it is feast or famine.  The company can't give you work they don't have.  My company had clinic and acute care accounts.  Unless there is work leftover from yesterday there will be little work today and even less tomorrow if the clinic MTs work weekends.  My company pays holiday pay.  You could take PTO if no holiday pay, or you could anticipate the holiday and the lack of work and work extra when there is work. 


I do acute care work and we're on OT, even this week, though by Sunday and Monday it might be a little slow. 


I can understand your frustration though. 


You know what? I am an MT who has been in this business
for 10 years, and I have gone through my ups and downs, had a house, built a house, lost a house, had 2 kids, could not afford macaroni and cheese to put on the table, had to go on state assitance.

So, yes I do know what it is like to starve and not be able to pay bills. Yes, I am a Transcriptionist who DOES want to work and who needs to work. For over a year, I was with a company who promised me work as a statutory employee. They did not deliver. Every time I would try and talk to them about it and tell them what was going on, I got another excuse. Those excuses did not put food on MY table or pay MY bills.

It just really pisses me off when MTSOs promise one thing and then another happens. I have a very good work history, used to own my own business and am making less now than I was 10 years ago because of offshoring. It should not be this way. I have the experience, do not cherry-pick, work my hurting fingers to the bone and for what? To be replaced by someone who cannot even speak English and has no knowledge of the general English language let alone medical language?

You really do not know what you are talking about as far as Americans not knowing what it is like to be hungry or wanting to work. Maybe you were one of those MTSOs who promised everything and then did nothing.
Going out of Business?
The gossip on the grapevine I am hearing is that they are going bankrupt??????? Anyone else hear that? That is SCARY! Now I'm scared I won't get paid my last check! Wonderful.
I have had my own business . ..
I have had the misfortune of having to collect money from doctors who have it but don't want to pay it. However, this has plagued me even into working for someone else on the internet. I am thinking about going back into business again . . . hmmm you have made such a great point.
I would not do business with anyone
who worked off the books. If they have a lack of ethics and honesty in one area, they doubtless have it in other areas. Be careful. Watch your back.