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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

TESTS UPDATED

Posted By: dne on 2006-07-27
In Reply to: Phoenix Medcom Test... SM - Sign of things to come?

All tests for Phoenix Medcom have been updated as of 7/26/2006


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Easy tests versus harder tests...
Having passed both and offered jobs at both, which company would you likely go for?  They both have the same basic benefits and line rates.  Would I be assuming that the harder testing will mean that the dictation is more difficult?  Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated!
So keep each other updated of the changes. sm
And as life goes on, we will continue posting, even about the changes, and we will be helping each other know what companies are good, so-so, and horrible.  Nothing stays static in life.  We need to update each other of good and bad changes, too.  There will always be newbies who need this info just as much as us oldies. 
Updated.
Archives page updated. Now, it contains a Google Search Box to search archived posts.

http://archives.mtstars.com

Thanks,
Moderator.
TSI updated lie

I'm posting on this board and will also post on the company board.  But those of you who have been ripped off by Jayne Mattingly from TSI (Illinois) may have received an email stating she would send us the contact info of her 'partner' who 'seized' the acct.  Well, don't bother calling the phone number of the 'partner' as it has been disconnected.  Weird huh.  Also, it's not a partner..its her attorney who is just going to fool around some more and never pay us.  You could email her and ask for the correct one, but good luck with that.  I saw a post about contacting the attorney general (yeah, apparently other people dont get paid) and I plan on looking into that more and will let you know what i find out.  Also, if you are interested the local newspaper is Herald and Review.  Might be an interesting story for them....would love to read the story "Local Businesswoman Pockets $1,000s from a Government Contract and Never Paid the People Doing the Work"  I sent a quick note...would probably help if others did.


Updated FAQ
How vague can answers get? Case-by-case, depending on customer service,incorporated into your pay, and on and on it goes. After reading this thing, I was not much more informed than before I started. Still no insurance rates, still no answer about remaining statutory employees, still no direct answers about VR or offshoring. This all sure has a very familiar feel to it. Dejavu all over again, just like a bad dream you just can't shake!
Any updated info on TRS?
platform? types of account? whether there is an option to be employee or IC? line requirement? etc. TIA!
They were updated to a new version.
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Some thoughts on the updated FAQ

I just read through the updated FAQ sheet for 08-28.  Maybe a little reading between the lines, but that seems to be what we have to do to get a real answer we can sink our teeth into.


Do employees get shift/weekend differential?  No, it is incorporated into your pay rate.  I may be wrong, but I have never heard of a hospital, factory, any type of workplace that had shifts that did not offer a shift differential for those choosing to work the 2nd or 3rd shift.  Maybe not the weekend, but definitely a shift differential.  Could be part of the reason not enough workers are willing to make that type of a sacrifice.  I know we have two major hospitals here in our city, both pay differential for their odd hour workers. 


Will my line rate change if I become employee status?  Case by case basis, BUT keep in mind that the benefits package that we offer has significant value.  Why not just come right to the point, YES, your line rate will change because we are going to value out your benefit package to the penny and show you how that, plus your line rate, will equal your current line rate you are receiving now.  When the electric company wants their money at the end of the month, I'll refer them to my insurance carrier to collect my bill, or when my kids want to go to the movies on the weekend, I'll remind them how we are so fortunate to have benefits (which we are), but unfortunately instead of it being an added benefit package I am truly paying for it in the longrun.


Can I work more hours than what I sign up for if I become an employee?  Yes, however any overtime hours will need prior approval.  So, you better hope that the shift you have signed up for or split for or however you work it has enough work available for you to make your necessary salary (and please, really tell me what person can really live off $900 every 2 weeks - especially when you are a single person supporting a mortgage and kids - I am getting almost twice that now) because, if not, you are going to be standing in line with 500 other people trying to get approval for overtime and, if it works like anywhere else, there is only so many $$$ approved for that overtime budget before they start saying no.  Perhaps they might consider that letting us remain SE's could actually be to their benefit.  That, and counting lines instead of dollars, could in part be the reason MDI rose to the top as it did. 


I'm thinking the answers to our questions aren't really answers at all, but - I know - what should I expect (Hey, I said I was an MDIer with a headache !!)


Updated info on CyMed?

Hi -



First time ever on this board and I've been an MT for 15 years.  Worked for Healthscribe before Spheris took over (3 years) and now work for another company...but looking elsewhere.  Can anyone give me their honest opinions about CyMed?  I just tested with them, extremely easy to me, but I HATE changing job.  However, job I have now....isn't paying the bills at all, waiting for work constantly, they are going to start off-shoring, etc.  I'm single, have 1 child, lost a great job last year working by the hour (outside of home), but lost the job (don't even ask). I loved it, but got screwed. Now I'm just depressed, disgusted, broke, etc., and very stressed and worried. I'm going to have to get out of transcription or something.  This just isn't working and I seriously would appreciate any good or bad.   I talked to a man there for over an hour yesterday.  He was extremely patient and took his time explaining everything I asked. 



Thanks in advance everyone!   


any updated info on Probity? nm


Any updated info on Ascend?
I know they have a good pay rate, but have they started paying their employees?
Any updated info on PRN RAD accounts?
/
updated info on Teletrak? sm
Are they still using Go To Meeting and VNC?  They had an ad earlier this month stating hourly pay, but looking at website, it looks like they hire IC also.  Any other info appreciated much
updated info on Transcript-USA in SC?
Platform, scheduling, pay, training, anything?
Any updated infor on Breitner

I am thinking about taking their online test,but in the past, many MTs complained about them.  Are their current Breitner MTs willing to share any information regarding them. 


Thanks in advance.


Does anyone have UPDATED info on AccuStat Carolinas? TIA

Archives only go back as September 2005, I believe.  Thanks


What did everyone get for MT week?...I got an updated Quick Look and a notepad

E-mail HR person...she'll keep you updated...nm
nm
Looking for updated experiences with Transcription Matchmaker
I've scanned the archives and seen old posts where people gave their experiences with Transcription Matchmaker.  Any current reports?  Any folks who've had a positive placement experience with them?
Can anyone give any updated info on Amphion? sm

Unexpectedly this morning, I received a recruiting email from them.  I have sort of been going over some of the companies and comtemplating making a change.  I have 5+ years in my current company, and the only real thing I am looking to change is: (1) Better pay by the line; (2) Getting my weekends and holidays back to spend with my family.  I currently work EVERY Saturday.  Don't really mind it, but would like to be able to make plans and perhaps rotating weekends would even be okay. 


I was just wondering if anyone can give me any updated insight into this company. I did a search, but the threads are several months old, and was wondering perhaps if things were any different than those posts read.


I have a lot of experience in transcription, upwards of 16 years, with probably only half of that being in acute care.  Other important things to consider in my search is benefits.  The health insurance at my current company is very expensive. 


Thanks for any input guys! I appreciate it.


 


Any updated info on...Transcription South Inc in Florida? TIA

Any updated info on Probity from current employees?
I'm considering them.  I've looked here on the archives and see good and bad, but I'd like some current and updated opinions - good or bad - from people who do or have worked with them recently.   Thanks.
Precyse Solutions -- I've read the archives and I'm looking for updated ...
responses. Is there anybody here that's actually happy working for Precyse? Are most folks making decent money there?

Thanks.
What about IQ tests?
start doing....!
Take other tests
There are lots of MTSOs that have online tests through MTtest.
sorry....not sure about any tests
Someone just mentioned something about a test. I just had to say that I was never offered a test. I DO NOT like tests either. I do great on employment, but get extremely nervous with tests...lol. Sorry if it made you nervous.
tests
Phoenix Medcom has new and improved voice files for testing.
tests
I just tooked the tests and not at all what is being described so the tests must have been updated recently.
Tests
I refuse to test for a company until I have received some background. Your're right some of those tests are quite extensive and I refuse to spend 2 or more hours on a test to find out they only want to pay 7 cpl and have lousy benefits. Funny thing is, when I want to inquire further before taking a test, I never get a response back from the company.
Need help with MT tests

I have almost two years MT experience and have transcribed and edited just about everything short of pathology and radiology.  I am currently doing ER.  I tested for a national today and did well on the grammar and terminology, but not well enough for the transcription.  No direction was given for the transcription test such as to type bedtime as opposed to h.s. and daily or q.day instead of q.d. or mL for cc.  I never know whether to do those things or not do them, it seems like whatever I choose to do is always wrong whenever I take an MT test anymore.  I could not even slow down any of the dictators for clarity.  I need to find a better paying MT job. 


What would you do for prohibited abbreviations? 


Also, would you expand or not expand for diagnoses and impressions? 


Would you type short physical examination sections in paragraph form with the headings or would you list them individually under the section heading?  I have had clients that wanted it both ways.


Maybe I have lost my edge by doing strictly ER.  Still, I would really appreciate the thoughts of other MTs about the above questions and any other pointers anyone would like to share. 


Thanks in advance.


TESTS
Hi Jan:
I am a newby fresh, new blood. A post graduate from community college. Use mL in place of cc.

Am also looking for transcription work myself; do you have any leads?
tests
Sorry to hear you failed their test. I also failed theirs and Medquists twice. I hate that they don't give you any feedback on why. No idea whether it was writter or transcription or what. Just thanks, you can reapply in so many months. I really think they should give some feedback, don't you?
I don't think anyone tests with MDI-MD
I could be mistaken, but I work for MDI-MD and there was no formal test required. Instead, they review your resume, see if they have a 'fit' for you, and then there is an extensive phone interview where they assess you skills and go over your experience with you.

I've seen several MTs post to this same experience, so I don't believe they have any formal testing at their site or elsewhere.


Easy tests
Nope, you can't go by that. In fact, you can't go by anything but your own experience. Make your wisest decision. Use your gut instincts. That's all any of us can do.

It might help others to answer if you named the companies, but I understand why you can't.

Good luck. :)
I though the tests were very fair sm
and although not simple, they weren't extremely hard and certainly much better than some I have taken. The actual verbal, I thought, was the easiest. By the way, definitions ARE a MAJOR part of transcription ability. Sounds like you are sore at the company for not getting the position.
Long tests
I was thinking the exact same thing!  LOL! I once took an enormously long test that was in my specialty and I knew it was good.  Never got the courtesy of a reply.  Soured me on tests.
Long Tests
Yep! I think that some companies out there do use MTs to get work done for free. Absolutely agree with you.
Tests and Companies
I have taken a test for DR,Inc; Chronicle, and O-Script. Have offer from the last two. Would really just like to work part-time because of health reasons, so I went ahead with the test for DR. Now, if I passed the test for the last two, which weren't just a piece of cake but showed that you had knowledge , it would seem I would pass the DR,Inc. test, but you never know. I just would like to work when I feel really good which is about 4 hours after lunch every day, I have had 2 back surgeries and a neck surgery and it just takes awhile to get going and after sitting for awhile, I can hardly get up. Any suggestions on what I might could do to alleviate some of the pain? I take about 3 hot showers a day just to get the tension and stress out of my neck and back.
transcription tests

What is the grading criteria for these company tests?  Must the transcription be totally error free, 95% error free or what.  I've had some good results, but some where I thought I had every word correct gave no answer at all.


 


thanks.


 


Quig.


Most tests are done in Word
and emailed, so you'd have a copy of what you submit. You can always copy/paste your test from the online sites as well. I'm not really sure why you have such a big problem with her seeking feedback from a fellow MT either on her previous tests, or actually as I suggested in my original post, HER PREVIOUS WORK she's done to see where her weaknesses are so she can improve her skills.... ??
For the majority of tests, you HAVE to go by
BOS2. No way you can pass it if you are not following the rules.
About the book/tests - have you not ever sm
done any in-depth research into the field you are working in?  Had you done that, you would have probably ended up at the AHDI site at some point (creator of the BOS) or MTChat or here - references to BOS and tests come up daily.  How could you have been working and not know there was a BOS?
transcription tests
What a bunch of BS.  If you have years of experience the testing process is so ridiculous.  I think taking the test before you even know what they are going to pay is so unfair.  If they are paying ZILCH - which seems to be it today - why waste your valuable time transcribing anything.  I agree 21 notes - give me a break.  They probably just send them to QA and on to the client and get free work!
Oh let me tell you, they know how to pass the drug tests! (sm)
One woman I worked with was talking about how to use "Yellow Root" to "beat" the drug test! (that's what she said, "beat" the drug test) They know all of the tricks of the trade. One company stopped using the urine drug test and now they use the hair strand drug test, so I don't know what they use to "beat" that one (I guess they pull the strands out of somebody else's hair!) :-)
In my testing experience the tests that were the
hardest had the easier dictation and the testing that was the easiest had the hardest dictation and worst doctors.  I don't think that the testing really has much to do with what the dictation for the company will be like.
In depth, what exactly are you looking for in these psych tests?
Just "crazy" people or stressed out individuals, what? Aren't those who are truly crazy obvious to those not so crazy individuals? Why couldn't you, the MTSO, use your own judgement rather than pay for expensive psych evals?

Good judgement is part of being a good business person. I, as a MTSO, would look upon this as a failure if I could not use good judgement and hired "crazy" individuals. But then again, not everyone has good judgement I guess!

If the MTSO did hire anybody with working fingers, I don't think there would such a problem.

This is my 2 cents. I do not agree with such psych evaluations, but to each their own.

Good judgement is the key. If you don't have that as a MTSO, than you probably should not be in business, and if you are, you won't be for very long.


Psych Tests To The Company!

I haven't been on here in a few days, so I'm just catching up here, and reading about the psychiatric evaluations.   I have to put in my two cents.


Personally, after dealing with the crap from various medical transcription companies out there, I feel that it is the Transcriptionist who should be giving the owners/managers/team leaders of these companies psychiatric evaluations!  They are the ones that expect us to do all this extra ancillary work for free and then bow down and kiss their feet to thank them for giving us a job paying an average of 7 cpl with virtually NO benefits to speak of.  I'm sorry everyone, but if these companies are starting to give psychiatric evaluations to their prospective transcriptionist, then maybe we should create one for them!  After all.....they are the ones making us crazy! 


Update. All tests taken are for ortho. All who have taken and
passed have been offered a job and either have started or declined. There is no one who has taken the test prior to 3 days ago that has not heard back and had resolution. One person does the hiring for Keystrokes and this person has never told someone that they are too busy to respond or always on their phone or that they get 150 emails a day. Hiring is priority as we have added at least one account per week for the past four months and anticipate this year following the same pattern.

No, I do not work in the office either, but that is irrelevant. I went to the source and called HR and asked her. This was concerning to me as the account I am in charge in is expanding, and I need four more MTs to run it. She assured me that this is absolutely not true and everyone has been contacted.
I recently took two over the phone tests.
It is not that bad. In both cases the person giving the test made me feel quite at ease. I passed both tests and even took a position with one of the companies. It is easier, does not take forever to do, and the questions in both cases were things you see every day in transcription. I have heard of about four other companies who have started testing on the phone now. I remember years ago the old Edix as well as the now gulped Your Office Genie all did phone tests. There is a lot to be said for these tests. I took them then with those companies and also passed and got job offers.

usually, for the online tests, you can download...
the voice file into a file on your computer, then download into Express Scribe player (free online), so you can use your foot pedal instead of the keyboard.
And then there are those who ace the tests and deserve a response!
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