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Spheris interview, not jumping up and down

Posted By: I am defeated on 2007-07-24
In Reply to:

Just had an interview with Spheris. I currently work for MQ, so am naturally looking at what other options are out there currently. I've read some of the posts on Spheris and I have to say a few things stike me a little funny. I guess you know a recruiter is good at her job if she is good at working her way around the questions instead of answering the questions! I asked about work flow and running out of work. She basically didn't say the work flow runs low but it's not that it NEVER happens and that there is no downtime pay for lack of work. Sort of evasive if posts stating running out of work is a problem anymore. I wanted to know the line rates, high/low anything, and she said she could not give me that information!! Ok, you want me to consider you as an employer without all the info but you want me to fess up anything? Why is this a big secret? The wage that low that they have to try to sucker you in before they will tell you it sucks? If you think you might try to start me at 6 cents/line let me know, we can save a lot of time! She wants to start me on a clinic account because I havn't done operative reports. So lets waste all your other acute care experience? I'd rather hoped to be moving forward in my experience base than moving backward. On top of that, you can't even be considered for any changes for 6 months! If you hire on part time, you can't go full time for 6 months either. Many downfalls it would seem.


I've had a couple other interviews in the past few weeks. The outlook just doesn't seem very appealing.Why is it there is no medical Transcriptionist labor union and/or why one can't be started? I would think it would help stop a lot of mistreatment and outsourcing and protect our interests as we need someone to help out in this department since we are all home, alone.




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Going from MQ at this point in time to Spheris is like jumping from the sm
frying pain into the fire.  Don't go there!!!!!!!
Spheris interview

No, its not a test.  They will ask you about your transcription background, what platforms you have used, etc.  They will tell you about  the company,  the benefits and pay, and describe the job, so have your list of questions close by.


 


Spheris, huh? I had missed a few of their interview calls while moving, etc. sm
And lost information about the contacts.  Would anyone know who I could contact?  I filled out an online questionnaire, etc., and they were calling me for an interview.  Maybe I made the wrong decision with this over company.  But, again, everything was completely messed up while moving...Any information would greatly be appreciated!
Thanks. I definitely will. I just don't want to be jumping the gun.
But the posts are also right about getting or not getting riled up. No sense on coming here and worrying. Might easily just worry at home quietly. :)
I think we did stop a few, but on the whole, they are jumping at it!
:(
and I'm saying get facts before jumping, so what?
slow down, be smart, line something up in case and research the issue.

crap happends sometimes, sometimes not. make and educated decision.


and I'm saying get facts before jumping, so what?
slow down, be smart, line something up in case and research the issue. Things happends sometimes, sometimes not. make and educated decision. That is what I would do. you would up and quit. No problem.
Jumping up and down on my soapbox

Yes, doesn't it give you a warm and fuzzy feeling to see exactly how much our government protects its citizens. NOT!


Not only us MTs, but hundreds of other jobs have been outsourced so that CEOs and other parasites can make big profits even though the quality of service has taken a nosedive.  Anybody try to talk to people from Dell Computer, for example? I just say I can't understand a word you are saying and call me back when you find sonebody who can speak English. 


jumping jobs
Let me guess - you're trying to leave MQ? Look at the number of MTs they have now and the number they had a few years ago. That shows you that most MTs that left are not going back and are happy where they are. If you have an offer from a reputable company that has been around for a while I'd take it, jump in with both feet, and not look back. From your post it sounds like you have more to fear from your present situation than this unknown. There will be some adjustment as you get used to a new platform and new dictators and there will probably be times when you wish you hadn't changed, but just remember that once you were new at your current company and probably felt the same way before you got used to it. Pretty soon it will all be second nature again.
Jumping ship
I agree with you on the panic thing, just went to VR about 2 months ago and it is definitely not what was presented to me. I am looking into LPN courses, a year and a half, will make better money than I am now, and keep doing VR on the side. The VR money would qualify for pocket money for sure.
No jumping through hoops for me.

Hi PAM: 


Upon reading your post, my first thought was that is a very cynical way to look at our industry, but then I got to thinking about my paycheck for my present company and how little I make for how hard I work.  Then something clicked in my brain and now I totally agree with you.  You are right -- we are slave labor for the MTSO's who probably make tons of money from our hard work.  Well I am about retirment age and probably will not be working that much more.  I have warned people against this job.  You can no longer make a decent living as an MT and that is a fact.  fortunately for me, I have other sources for paying my bills.  Otherwise I am sure I would have been homeless a long time ago.   Someday there will be no good MT's around and then who will do their work?  Oh I am sure they will find somebody, not necessarily good quality and maybe not a dedicated worker with bad attitude, but that is probably what these companies deserve after all. 


 


Call me totally disillusioned with being an MT.    


Same here, another day spent jumping from one..sm
account to another trying to get my lines.  My primary does not have enough crumbs to keep a mouse alive!  I keep on keeping on but am actively looking for another job now. 
Not flaming you, but where would you ship to? Might be jumping
zz
Better companies out there. Lot of acct jumping. Low pay. nm

Congress is jumping in (finally)
Claiming the FDA has been slow to act on this CRISIS!

People criticize activists like PETA all the time, but they have been warning about this issue for a long time.

Apparently people only start to pay attention to (activists) when an issue hits home...
From what Ive heard with everyone jumping ship
there of late, they must need MTs pretty badly. Don't ya think its time for them to regroup and make some changes for the better?
Thinking about jumping ship

MQ is making some poor decisions and I am debating whether to stay on for the ride and see if things are better once it is bought out, or just go somewhere else.  I was looking at Diskriter...does anybody have any experience with this company, and if so I would love some opinions on it.  TIA!!


I'm not planning on jumping ship, either. sm
The stress of changing companies is far too much for me that the stress of working more to pay the added cost. Less strain on the nerves to stay and just put in some extra time.
I don't plan on jumping ship

I've been there long enough to know that there are ups and downs in work and it happens all over. VR is not bad, could be better, but I like it.


I'd rather be out of work for a week or two than 4 months like I was with my local hospital. There may be better jobs out there but I'm not looking.


FYI: I'm basically sole provider for us, too. It gets tough at times but I try to roll with the punches.


where i live, everybody is jumping in front of
trains right and left, at an average of about 1-2 per day. that sure tells you where our heads are at in this country, huh? at least here, they cover you up afterward and dont go publishing the gory details. but maybe if we all hadnt been so screwed these past few years, it wouldnt be coming down to this.

and now the commuter trains are always late.
jumping in front of trains
and now the commuter trains are always late.

you are hilarious! i nearly choked on my coffee when i read this!
If by flex, you mean jumping through hoops,
yes, I flex.  I wouldn't have any work otherwise.  It is all on their terms if I want to get a paycheck. 
Yes! Working for CyMed and quite happy. No jumping
from account to account.  The rare times I run out of work, there is other work available, but that's the only account jumping.  Platform wonderful! People great! Tech support fantastic!  I made more money years ago, but I have found that is a universal problem with MTing.  Overall, I'm very pleased. 
With everyone jumping ship to work for TransTech

jumping boards making trouble now?
get off before I tell the moderator on you LOL
I know, but it's hard to leave. I'm afraid of jumping
out of the frying pan and into the fire.
You are very fortunate. As I say, my days of jumping are over. I agree with you 100% but some
people need to do that to keep their jobs or good standing.  I am at a point now I dont need to do that but if you think companies dont love that you are wrong.  They love the MTs that marry their jobs, work holidays, work weekends, work on a second notice, jump into backup accounts that you dont know to help out bla bla.  They love it.
Just wondering if people are jumping in to work extra sm
since it is the last pay period before Christmas? Just a thought.
I agree... is it worth panic and jumping ship?
From what I hear since around Christmas, different MT companies reported increase on open enrollment. This is why I got the job with TT. Now, I find that the rates have gone up and my husband does not have a job which offers insurance, so I have to provide it for the family. I just left a company where I worked pretty much for the insurance and had maybe 900 bucks left over for the month take home. TT's insurance rates are still lower than that was and they went up.
So, I say to myself today, is it worth the panic, stress, and jitters I am having today? How do I know if I go somewhere else it will be as good a company with the opportunity to make better money than anywhere I have been aside from a hospital. Even hospitals are not offering insurance they are taking per diem, if at all, probably IC etc. so they don't have to pay benefits.
I have been thinking about it all since yesterday. I decided I am going to have a mantra today to myself and I will say, hang in there to myself all day. I have resolved not to jump ship at all. This company does give us the ability to make more money, and I will work more time to make up for the difference in insurance costs because I know I can here. They have the work, they pay fair, and they give me the confidence to do so. Anywhere else well, fire to frying pan, you know.
So, I wish everyone luck and if you are stressed today you are not alone. I am making sure for myself and our security in my home, that I will not allow myself to make any rash decisions. Thanks for listening. And hang in there.
Quit jumping on people who make that statement. Doubt she is
xx
uh, and you did a little throat jumping yourself there - mail-order bride? broom closed?
.
I still feel like a team player of Spheris, as the shackle scars are still on my legs! Spheris was

Micromanaged to the microsecond, or ms!  Horrible. And part of a team?  Total opposite - part of a team as in prison.


Don't imply you're worried at all. Just stating fact that Spheris does NOT allow a Spheris MT
work concurrently for MQ - no exceptions.  MQ, on the other hand, does not have the same feelings as Spheris.  Just all I had to say so that MTs aren't misled into thinking they can do the same "legally". Even went to the ropes on this issue with Spheris, as I was professional as well, and wouldn't share info, etc. The point they raised was that MQ is their direct #1 competition, and if I was typing for MQ and doing great work, that was in direct conflict of interest with Spheris' best interests.  Guess which one I obviously stuck with!!
Thank you, Spheris recruiter! Anybody wanna place a bet that there are lots of Spheris
HELP WANTED ads on the job board?? So funny!! Out of the blue, Spheris, we love you!! Lets all run and apply NOW!!
I also know Spheris would fire you if they knew you worked for MQ. That is a BIG NO with Spheris!
nm
Your interview.......sm

It depends on so many things.  Will you be working as an employee (with benefits) or IC?  Your post makes it sound like you'll be an independent contractor, as employees are usually not given the option to determine their own pay scale.


It also depends on what kind of work you'll be doing.  If it's just x-rays, i.e., short reports, you're better off charging by the report.  Try to keep in in the $1.25 per report range and make sure you get paid for links; two separate reports on the same job, like shoulder and clavicle would be two reports, CT of the abdomen and pelvis would be two reports.  On the other hand, if you'll be doing long reports like MRIs, Special Procedures, etc.,  then you'll do better charging by the line.  65 character line with all spaces included.  I would ask for 9 cpl at the least.  Maybe 10.  They'll probably try to chew you down anyway.  And most importantly, walk in there with confidence and professionalism.  Don't be intimidated by them.  You are a professional.  Don't ask them what they are offering.  Tell them, in a polite but firm manner what you expect to be paid, and see how they react.


Well, that's my advice.  Good luck.  Let us know how it turned out.


 


Your interview - sm
Just my opioion, but for those hours you should get shift differential and weekend compensation too, and you're right, they do stink....also, I've worked that shift and there are times when there is no work..some docs don't dictation for 4-5 hours, and then dictation all the reports at once, so find out what the story is if you have NO work for a length of time...why sit around waiting for work during those hours for nothing? Be sure they can guarantee that you will be busy the whole shift...and if not, get something out of it. Good luck.
Your interview.......sm

Sounds like it went well.  Give it a try.  If you're not happy with them in a month or two, start looking for other opportunities.  Good luck!


Interview

My interview just consisted of general employment info.  Not a lot of questions to me, mainly just telling me about the benefits, pay, etc. and discussing what kind of schedule you want, etc.   


I've had interviews in the past that were more like a test, but this was not one of them.


I work for Diskriter on a SmartSource account where I am actually an employee of the hospital itself.  They also have accounts where you are employed by Diskriter.  I have no complaints at all.  My lines counts are much higher  than when I worked at MQ.  Although the pay is pretty average, if you are a high producer the incentive really makes a big difference.   There have been postings on this board in the past about hospitals/QA being extremely picky, but I have not had that problem.


Good Luck in your interview!       


  


The interview
was actually the offer of a job. They asked me what my favorite specialities were, what I did not like to type, etc. The recruiter was very nice. BUT...the platform is horrible and keeps going down. Lotsssssss of problems. Not staying myself.
Interview
Interview was no big deal.  Just basic interview questions about your experience and what you are looking for, what they offer, etc.  There was no test over the phone that I remember.   
When they interview you why don't you ask them
how many times they have been investigated by the labor board. THIS IS NOT A LIE OR A NASTY REMARK. THIS IS THE TRUTH!! They have been in trouble with the labor board on a couple of occasions!
What was the interview like? TIA NM
NM
I might add that I did not interview for
a recruiter position, but an MT because I do MT on the side. Because recruiting takes up so much time, I am literally thinking about going back into full time MT and if I do that, this would be the company that I would work for.
Interview? sm
What did the interview consist of, Nelli? Just curious. Know some who interview over phone and that is not acceptable to me. Some use their books but I would draw a total blank! Would rather test online.
The interview
was over the phone and was just an interview... No testing of any kind whatsoever. I visited with my then immediate supervisor about my past work experience, etc. I didn't actually have to prove my knowledge, which I thought was a little weird, but whatever I guess. Pretty low key. I honestly do not know if they called my past employer or not. She offered me a position at the end of our conversation and emailed me a job offer after our conversation, which I had I think 7 days to respond to. We discussed pay, hours, benefits, etc., during our phone interview. Does that help?
Just had interview
I was offered 50% ESL. Pay/bene's seem same as MQ. Sounds like MT support is better, and Webmedx was 2006 AAMT Employer of the Year. But now with everyone jumping ship at MQ, things may open up for me more there!
interview
I do too. I am nervous also, but telling myself I have nothing to lose after MQ, at least I hope so!
If you don't ask anything else in a job interview

Insist that they tell you much your line rate will REALLY be.  Some companies that use Dictaphone EXText take a flat percentage off the top to allow for headers and footers, no matter that not all headers and footers are the same, they are different for different hospitals but they are greedy and take anywhere from 10 to 17% (that I have proof of) off the top so if you are told you will get 8 cpl you will have to deduct the percentage from that.  I'm sure that other companies that use different software do the same thing.  Ask them to tell you what their flat percentage is.  If they refuse to tell you stop the interview!!!!!!!!!!!   


I know for a fact that one company takes 17% off and their president went in one day and changed all the headers to have hardly any lines in them at all but they still take that 17%.  I worked very closely in the home office and saw that with my own eyes and that greed made me find another job.  I did not want to be a part of any company like that which would cheat the employees that way. 


Remember, if they refuse to tell you the flat percentage that they skim off the top of EXText or other software (the magic number) STOP THE INTERVIEW!


also at interview ask
1. The platform used. Is it MS Word. What Expanders work on it. Can you use the Expander you are knowledgeable about.. be it Autocorrect, Shorthand, Instant text, etc.
2. How many steps are there in setting up a report to begin typing... And then how many to send a report.
3. How long from date of hire until you actually start on the account.
4. People currently on the account... what is the range of lines per hour that people are doing..
interview

Good luck!  They expect 1200 lines/day for full-time, 8 cpl, employee status with 90 days' probation.  I actually just heard from them again and have another interview Monday...Sounds good/legit; I've been doing this for 8 years and have worked for a lot of people.  They said there's never a lack of work, either!