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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

This is the thing that concerns me about this field. Pay is staying the same not increasing!

Posted By: Charlene on 2007-10-28
In Reply to: That's right , it was the going rate - scribbles

Every OTHER medical field, nursing, therapists, techs, etc. are all experiencing the yearly salaries going up.  Transcription compensation is not increasing. 


While they may increase the RATES the ability to make the more money is not there because of VR, taking away the header allowances, more difficult accounts, more ESLs, stricter QA, etc., etc. slow platforms that require information inserted that you don't get paid for and anything else that lowers your salary.  If hospitals are looking to slash their transcription budget, they are going to pass that onto the service and the service will pass that onto to the employee. 


I know transcriptionists that were making 45-50K in 1987 working 40 hours and now they are making 35K and often times working more than 40 hours to make that lower amount.  Or I hear people say I can make the same money but I must work much harder and longer hours.  I think wow...you have to work harder and longer to make what you made in the 1980s. 


Other occupations have gotten consistent raises without the need for more hours and I don't think employees would put with up it.  Imagine a well qualified R.N. being offered a 1987 salary?  The hospital would have a hard time hiring nurses.  But the transcription service environment is so competative if they can offer the work cheaper and cheaper while guaranting accuracy they will get that contract.  So in order to stay in business they have to find a way to pay the Transcriptionist the least amount of money to see their profits which they need to stay in business. 


Of course if transcription is all you know and you don't to work in an office or get a job at Starbucks you keep going and accept the pay because we really have no control.  You have to work with what they offer you. 




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Do we need to schedule those hours through STM or just let her know we are increasing or (sm)
is there a chance too many are adding hours and they have to tell some of us No thanks. I can't imagine they would do that as nice as they have been about everything else. But I came from Medquist, so anything is possible in my book.
honey, that's your speed increasing, not the pay scale, and by the
way...we come from the days of 50, 60, and 70K a year. After that it dropped to 30.

Yes, you are fortunate. But you do not know.
DSGrs...Are you guys noticing the increasing ESLs???
I have been working on 2 accounts for a while. They used to be pretty good accounts. It seems like everyday there are more and more ESL dictators which means I get less and less lines daily.
My concerns
First with the job application. They already have all this information on me. I am not giving out references again, and I am not agreeing to a credit/background check. Everytime someone pulls your credit file, it lowers your score slightly. Not going there. Plus, will they somehow use this against us in the future as far as our years of service and make it appear as we did not start with the company until September 15, 2007?

Second, employment agreement. I have a problem with items 4 and 5. I don't plan on sticking around with this company forever. The only reason I stay is because I love my accounts. If they move on (very likely), then so will I. It is quite possibly that I might indirectly divert business from SPI if I go work for a company that has taken one of their accounts. Agreeing to $1000 sanction if that is the case? I don't think so.

The whole arbitration agreement is just a complete farce. From everything I have read, the employee really suffers when matters are taken in front of an arbitrator rather than an actual court of law. SPI knows they have issues. What about the fact that they don't pay time and half for OT? I bet the DOL would love to hear about that one. I could see down the road a whole bunch of MTs trying to file a class action suit, and I think the legal team at SPI is really worried about the same thing, hence this agreement.

Off my soapbox. And it's very early. Too early to worry about spelling or typos, so don't beat me up.
none as far as it concerns me
My point was only that MDI isn't taking on VR to pocket more for themselves. I'm well aware how this affects me personally.
Concerns
I understand your concerns. I am an employee and would not have it any other way. Every individual’s situation is different and the company is aware of that. I am sure they will work with you. Give them a chance, you might be surprised.
I understand your concerns
I have google'd myself to death, LOL. I did get an interesting email today, but I have a hunch it's not what you're talking about. I wish I could leave my email address, but I have the same problem as you do and my email would be too easy to track down. I guess I'll just have to wait .
I have my concerns too. This year not even a
Christmas card.   There have been a couple other things that when added to this pot leaves me wondering what is going on.  
I certainly have let D know my concerns but to no avail. nm
nm
Sorry..I meant THIS concerns their
medical records
What concerns me is that the rule is
Unless you like being banned, then keep on having laughs over the job seeker's board posts.  It happened to me, so I like to tell people that I was instantly banned for pointing something out on a job post.  It is not acceptable no matter what the forum or nature of the job posting.  It is not really up to you or I to decide what is just having a laugh!  The moderator has posted this in the past.  NO MAKING FUN OF THE JOB POSTS.  Someone may want to apply, do you think that there are only American MTs in America?  Do you think only foreign MTs stay in their country?  Even if the job was foreign in nature, that doesn't give anyone the right to poke fun or have a laugh at someone else's expense especially someone who is offering jobs!!!!!!!!!   
I know the feeling here and that is what concerns me. nm
x
I definitely share your concerns...

In my previous post I was and am trying to stay hopeful, as I really enjoy working with MDI like you, when I talked about possibly changing to another account.  In reality, I feel as you do, that I just don't think there will be enough work on straight MT side to provide that.  I just don't understand why such a great company like MDI is offering such a pitance for VR when most other companies are offering 4-5????  Just don't get it.  Again, I'm trying to remain hopeful and would like to believe what the leaders at MDI told me about tripling the line count, but seriously, in reality I really KNOW it is just not possible. 


Does anyone have any ideas about anything we can do?  Perhaps approach MDI/Dorothy as a group with our concerns??


Hospital concerns for benefits.

Many MTSO's are hiring only ICs now with no no benefits given.  Now given these are mostly smaller company's.  But why don't the hospitals form their own and contract out.  That's basically what some of the smaller MTSO's are.  They use the hospitals equipment.  I work for a small rural hospital as an independent contractor.  I worked inhouse for 2 years doing their Basic 4 and radiology reports.  For family reasons I was planning to leave but they offered to send me home to work.  Since my husband had medical benefits, I did not miss the benefits at the hospital.  But this situation worked out fine since I had a sick child that I was paying daycare for when he was not even there but home sick.  Ten years later, I am still working at home for the same hospital.  Hospital's work has grown and I am not willing to work so much now.  The hospital thought about hiring a MTSO but decided not to after they found out what they charged.  Which was about 3 times what I did.  They hired part-time Transcriptionist themselves to cover what I could not do.  So, to all those below who thinks it wound not benefit the hospitals, here's one story where everyone benefits. 


There's a lot more staying than going,
and plenty that have come back after finding the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence after all. They are good to me! and i make more $ than ever elsewhere.
Why are you staying?
You obviously hate it. You are spewing venom everywhere. So why are you still there?
I'm Staying at TT. (sm)

I went into this job KNOWING I was not getting paid for headers and footers. I don't know any company that does pay for them, so it's no big deal to me.


I am also disappointed in the insurance hikes and am waiting to hear something, BUT the costs are still LOWER than the insurance I have now and with very low deductibles. I would only be saving $100 a month by going with TT's insurance as it stands now, but a $500 deductible is way better than $2000 we have now.


BTW, I also must foot the bill for this insurance. I am not sole provider for my family but pretty close to it, at least for 6 months out of the year. I don't think the grass is greener anywhere else and I'm staying.


Too many MTs look for the perfect job. There is no such animal. So, all you guys that are leaving just because of the above 2 reasons, go right ahead. It just means more work and $$ for me, and I appreciate it.


Yup, I am staying put
at TT! 
I'm staying...sm
I've decided to stick it out.  I know they said we would keep our same accounts, but I also know that those words are just that, words, and aren't guaranteed.  I will stay for now, but am keeping my options open just in case they decide to switch me to a crappy account where I cannot understand a single doc.  I just got used to these docs and would like to stay with them (and, they aren't the greatest, but at least I'm used to how they dictate and can understand them now).
Why I am staying with MDI
I have one of those high-ESL dial-up accounts, too. When I first started, I did not think I would ever round the learning curve, but I did and now can easily do more than 1200 lines per day. Be patient with yourself. Bayscribe is a wonderful platform that is elegant in its simplicity and is easy to use. The liaisons are really wonderful people and the QA are intelligent and kind people. Tech support is great, though I seldom need them. I have been in this business for many years (was an MTSO for a while and handled huge hospitals for the State of California before the state went belly-up) and I can honestly say I have never worked for a company that has the integrity and goodness MDI does. Hang in there! I am betting it will get better for you. Again, be patient with yourself. MDI is extremely picky about whom they hire and if you have made it onto the team, you doubtless have the right stuff.
Do you really think owners have time to come on this board to know there are any concerns? sm
If you really and truly believe they are offshoring, ask them. Tell them you have concerns and that you have heard they were outsourcing!. I know for a fact that L is still quite involved in the company and believe me, they have hired new people; people who just couldn't cut it and were not good enough to put out quality work; QT has always, always prided themselves in quality! If an MT can't do quality work, why keep them? It's a waste of time and money! I just know one thing, I will do my all this week to help get us back in TAT. You do what you have to do!
I don't think there would be any greater conflict concerns than there would be with any kind
;+
I'm not saying you don't have valid concerns but I sincerely feel...
You all should be entitled to have your own board. I've done the Transtech thing a few years ago. This is all old news. Same as most of the companies on here, you either love them or hate them but I feel there is a ton of people that work there or people who want to work there and you should have your own board to discuss this.
well I sure didn't I was fired for voicing my concerns
Would they take me back?
Transcend Line Count Concerns - SM

Any fellow Transcenders have knowledge of how the company handles not meeting line requirements, especially if low to no work on your account.  Are there warnings given or do they just pink slip you immediately?  Anyone had ANY experience whatsoever with this....Thanks so much.  Am worried. 


 


 


Do Not Fear Retribution for Sharing Concerns
Denise:

Thanks for the kind words about my post. It is my sincere attempt to ensure that every team member feel valued and empowered to be successful. It is regrettable to hear your concerns for simply sharing your feelings and yet I can understand because I do know that these types of passive/aggressive response have been taken by managers of our organization and virtually all others.

Denise, it is my job and responsibility to make sure each team member has a voice and that their concerns are heard. While I can't always provide everyone with exactly what they want I am typically able to help. I hope you will feel comfortable sharing your concerns with me.

Thanks again for the reply and sentiments.

Jeff E. McNeese
SVP, Operations
DTS America, Inc.
T: (877) 387-6876 ext. 115
F: (615) 329-2298
jeff.mcneese@dtsam.com

yourvoice@dtsam.com




Once upon a time, a surgeon responded to my concerns
The girls were tearing up the 3 surgeons up one side and down the other. And OMG, what they had to say about the office manager!!! I felt they were betraying the man who fed them. So...I went into his office and said, Dr., the morale is very low, the office staff are very upset, threatening to find new jobs and I thought it should be addressed during a staff meeting.

His response was: Do not pay attention to what they say. Venting is a necessary part of being a part of the work force (when you are an employee). The doctor brushed it off,did not want to hear the details and he did not really care who was the instigator. He felt that as long as they showed up on time, held up their end of the load and were pleasant with the patients (anorectal surgeons - ouch).

That office staff who whined and complained and ridiculed was with the surgical team for over 10 years - An RN, 2 front office, insurance cler and med Records gal.

Huge Bonuses (which say THANK YOU!) at Christmas brought momentary pleasantness but come mid January, they'd start again, feeding off each other, like a bunch of women at a Sewing Circle (have you seen the pic on this website depicting us as women in a sewing circle, dear?)

Bottom line - it is harmless. If money is there and then not there, without warning, a person who is not complaining about it is the one I'd be curious about.
I've had concerns for at least a year. I'm a long-term

QTer so I have seen lots of changes.  Not that I expect anything, but we've always gotten something for MT week and this year not even a card and the whole stink over Christmas.  The IRA thing doesn't have me really concerned.  From what I understand they only hire ICs now.  I know they've had some long-term people leave who might have been employees, so it might not be cost efficient to continue the program.   I haven't had a raise in several years and these days I'm just glad to have a paycheck.  I don't know how much of the work is being offshored, but you would think that would free up some $$, unless they have had to hire extra QA people.  I like not having lots of e-mails/phone calls, but I also would like to know what is going on.  I denied for months they were offshoring, but when I got proof it was a slap in the face and I felt like we should have been told about it.  There seems to be plenty of work on my account so the offshoring hasn't  affected me directly.  So far the checks are always on time and have never bounced. 


Things have definitely changed and I don't think for the better, though I've interviewed with several companies lately and haven't found one yet that is better than QT.  I just try to do my lines and be thankful for a paycheck and just accept the fact that the company will never be what it was. 


I've never had a problem with checks or insurance before so that is what concerns me.
But, I will be following up on Monday. I was just hoping that anyone who had this happen could confirm that is the way it is done. Thus far, no one has really confirmed this so that is a good sign.
I would recommend staying away from
That is all they do, lie and run out of work! Have you tried Keystrokes? I think they might be hiring. I do not know much about them but it might be something to consider.
" plan on staying right where I am and see it through the end"
Well, you do have staying power.  
Staying at home
Hi: Our children are grown and gone and I still choose to stay at home. I like the flexibility that I have working as an IC. I like making as much or as little as I would like to. I like being off when my husband is so that we can spend time together, go see our children, travel. I even take my laptop with me when going to see kids so that I can work if I am scheduled. I could not do that working in an office environment. I agree with the other poster. You take the good with the bad. You pick your battles. Also, after working at home for so long, I'm not sure I'm a candidate for working in an office environment! That would mean wearing a bra every day! Hope you find the answers you are looking for.
Well we aren't staying
a very large portion of the MQ staff is leaving, the majority of which as I can guestimate have been with MQ for many, many years, made them what they are. I myself have 12 years in with MQ and am done in 3 weeks.  Don't get snotty with us...
The reason for staying
The reason I continued to work for D&L was not because I was making it rich, they never paid any of us well after years of working for them, most of us were still at starting wages of .06 cents a line.  I worked for them because along with about 12+ girls we were trained and brought into them through an individual, knowing nothing else.  When asked for references, D&L refused to give them, we were stuck and unable to move on because of no records of our work history.  I did not work for the Big Account that they lost and nor did most of the girls that I know, but they are still not getting paid and desperate to move on.  Most of us live out in the country area and do not have access to big city accounts.  We just have had a difficult time moving on.  That is why we put up with the constant cons of where our checks were.  D&L is in big trouble and for anyone that is out there still working for them, keep all of your work records and when applying for jobs, just tell them the truth.  Hopefully, some of these companies will give us a chance.  If you have a lot of work to do for D&L and they still have not paid you, GET OUT NOW.  File your complaint with State Labor board, filing with check fraud will only work if you have a bad check.  They have been making up all insufficient funds checks because they know that is a criminal offence.  They keep changing banks, and that is concerning.  Good LUCK to all of you, this has really been a tough few weeks for all of us.
I NEVER said I was staying or would never leave -
but my wanting to pursue other companies has nothing to do with the holiday pay policy (since I'm PT, I don't even qualify). I'm just saying, if you want to log on, get your work done, and get a steady paycheck, OSi can be that place for you - it has been for me for the past 2 years.
Vonage residential - staying away from anything
x
Is there really an advantage to staying local? Most

It doesn't seem there's any more guarantee of stable work from local MTSOs than the national ones.


If you do want to stay local but work at home, also try Southern Transcription Services, located in Taylorsville, I think.  They have a good reputation. Google them for their web site. 


right; and I did not quit my old job, ended up staying with my old job.
nm
And how would you like staying at the office 10, 12, 14 or more hours trying to get in 8!!
I for one have probably vented enough about this subject, which is the very reason I got laid off from my previous job (because I was challenging this treatment).  I do not think it is legal, but when I asked to have a third party brought in on the matter I was laid off.  It is awful to make an MT feel like THEY are not doing their job if they are not meeting minimum requirements when it is the company who is causing it in the first place due to mismanagement.  And FYI to you management people out there, we do have a separate life besides sitting in front of the computer for hours on end.  Just because we are at home does not mean we are necessarily available after our **shift.** How would you like to have to go back to your office night after night after your workday?
Funny some of us were written letters by company attorney when we posted our concerns here
:(
Saw on paper that pay was only 6 - 8.5 cpl. Is that what you guys will be starting at, or staying
m
The Ops could be staying in-house with the rest of the work being done by MW. nm
s
Last week we were staying caught up with TAT so I guess
you could consider it a slow week, this week we are out of TAT again, so things are back to normal. 
Seems like the good ones are staying a long time
I know many who have been there 2, 3, and some 4 years. Volumes are up right now, and we've had several new accounts go live in the last couple of months as well.
Yes. I think a lot of my problem is staying focused. It's hard.(sm)
Starting tomorrow morning, I am going to really try to keep my behind in my chair and stay off these boards.  I could improve my counts a lot too, I'm sure.
Not staying back in the dark ages
VR is definitely the thing of the future and I am already there, which most of the others on here, like it or not, will be before long. I can just see it now, the ones going kicking and screaming, or like the 1 about a month ago, jumped ship because of VR, got another job and OMG, the new job immediately went to VR. I am keeping up with the latest technology, I will welcome others as they have to switch.
Same theme, staying at home with the kids
This is just the most idiotic thing to write. I joined up with this profession before mothers only went into it so they could wear PJs and stay at home with Jr. That is a sorry reason to go into this job in the first place. I don’t find my job grueling, never have. Apparently you must be in the wrong place because your spouting off is wrongly placed. Discrimination against women and children. Please spare me from this. I am going to throw up in a minute.
LOL!! DVD player for staying more than one week!!!GOOD Grief!!!
Must be really awful!!!
9 months and it is not worth staying a year to get the BIG .002 cent raise.
Working for OSi will burn you out quick!
I DID give my notice, but got talked into staying "until the new accounts came on." nm
nm
Did you ever consider staying with them part time? I dont know if I should leave altogether or not.
And other days I just want to throw in the towel totally. Ugggg.. this MT business!