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Verbal testing on the phone

Posted By: Just curious on 2006-02-11
In Reply to:

Would someone be able to tell me what companies verbally test applicants on the phone?  I thought I had read somewhere that Medware and Amphion did that, but I could be wrong.


 


 




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Verbal testing
Verbal testing is so much better.  Years before people with no idea of transcription came to me with their tapes, like I would do that, NOT.  If you say you are an acute care Transcriptionist you better know the standard dose of Coumadin, the most common incision used in hysterectomies, just simple stuff that all MTs would know.  If you are letting these people cheat, you know, garbage in - garbage OUT.
Verbal testing.....
They do testing on the phone to weed out people who don't know the first thing about MT. Many people think because they work in a doctor's office as a receptionist or a medical assistance that they are qualified to do MT.

Your reasoning regarding the transcription quality at WMX based on the recruiter's phone line quality was faulty at best. I've been at WMX for a year and their sound files are wonderful.

Do you like where you are now? If note, give WMX another shot. It's a good place to work.
IMO I would rather have a verbal test on the phone
than one of those two hour web tests before you talk to the company only to find out you passed with flying colors and they offer you 6 cents a line.

Do they have both a written and verbal testing process? Thank you. nm
nm
Testing over the Phone? sm
What on earth protocol did they use? After years of transcription this would blow my mind and I'd be sifting through textbooks. I know my stuff, but hate to be put on the spot. How exactly did they do this and what kind of questions did they ask. I know you have a lot to do now and don't have time to bother with this type of stuff, but I'll be testing soon and I would like to know how they went about this, as I certainly would blow years of experience by being nervous, I'm sure. Thanks for your answer(s), just want to be prepared. I think I would stay away from this type of testing, it's too invasive and puts you on the spot to the point where I would just blank out and I'm too experienced to look dumb.
only verbal from an employee there nm
nm
I just messed up on a verbal test - sm
I cannot believe how badly I did.  I completely froze on the questions for meanings of ostial/osteal, ileum/ilial.  I feel like such an idiot!  I'm pretty sure I answered everything else correctly,  but those sound alikes always get me, and I always have to pull out my Dorland's.  I'm fairly certain I blew this one. 
Has anyone taken the verbal mini-test
Is it very difficult?  I don't do well with these types of tests.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you. 
Transhealth, they do written and verbal,
x
Verbal test for Spheris
but not Medware. When I called the Spheris (Edix) recruiter I was surprised by the verbal pop quiz, wasn't expecting it. I worked for Medware last year and I don't recall the test. The worst are the online tests that you have to use your keyboard for rewind/play...a total PITA, very awkward.
Their verbal test was not hard at all. I was amazed
really that it was as easy as it was because when she said she was giving a phone test, I panicked. I received a job offer a day later and gladly accepted it as they sound like a very nice company.
verbal tests also show what you do when you aren't sure
I had 2 sound alikes with different meaning out of all the questions asked. On those 2, I nailed the first meaning but wasn't sure of the second because I was nervous. They (meaning any company who does verbal tests) expect a certain amount of that in a verbal exam. I admitted that off hand, the answer didn't come to my head and I would have to look it up to be certain. I probably would not have gotten a call back if I had just guessed and gotten it wrong or didn't say I would like it up because then they would think I would throw in words into a document that didn't fit and it would show I didn't care. They want to know what you aren't sure of, too, and if you care to find out the answers.
Cheating/verbal tests and cost per line.
I am sorry to hear this wonderful recruiter being called a cheater. I have been in this business for about 25 years, and I will take whatever help/advice I can get. Yes, I am in the transcription business to help people but I am also in it to help support my family. I'll take short cuts, macros, whatever it will take to increase my lines and if getting into a company that is willing to give a helping hand, a cue, a hint, whatever - I say thank you. In the end, if you do take pride in your work, the terminology will come to you in the actual report, and I bet the next time you hear those particular terms you have trouble with on the test, you will remember them. You will remember affect and effect. You will learn intra and inter because somebody's health may depend on it. Too bad for you.....
Webmedx did a verbal test when I applied last year (sm)
The tester/interviewer was very pleasant and apologized for poor sound quality due to her using a head set (which she continued to use) during the testing. You could barely hear her and I had a bad feeling about the quality of transcription from this and turned the job down.


Verbal tests show the information that is in your head.
There is nothing wrong with a company that does this and if someone flunked that portion of the test and passed the other portions, I would think that portion weighed more heavily because we are supposed to utilize our knowledge of MT also, not just the things we have to look up in reference material. We must know what we are doing, hence the reason for verbal testing.

I personally wish more companies did that. The ability to think is a big part of being a good MT. I say two thumbs up for TransHealth for testing that ability.
Worked on C-phone for 10 years with 1 phone line
nn
Okay, here is how a recruiter who is a friend of mine explained verbal tests to me.

Verbal tests are to give the recruiter a feel of what that MT knows off the top of their head.  Not all people get nervous at verbal tests but a good recruiter has the insight to know if a wrong answer or lack of an answer is from not knowing or is from just being nervous.  A verbal test is done just to get a feel for the the off the top knowledge of an MT plus you know that MT is taking it.  This recruiter is also an MT and having gone through so many tests the long hard way decided this was the lesser of the evils.  She did tell me though if she felt that MT knew their stuff and just could not respond because of nervousness that she noted that and just by a general conversation based on experience would not flunk someone like that.  Lenghty tests prove very little except that an MT has been working for companies that all have different ways of style and that she felt that was not right to an MT; as well having to take tests that are hours long after an MT has been working long hours is also not fair to the MT.  And my friend told me that in many cases there are MTs that literally have other MTs take their testing for them and you would not know it until that person starts the job.  It depends on the recruiter and their knowledge of the industry.  Each recruiter or company has their own way and usually they find the way that works best for them.  I personally find that many recruiters just have no knowledge of the industry (inside knowledge) and it annoys me that someone like that is allowed to even have the opportunity to interview and test me.  I can remember one with a company up north and their idea of punctuation was way too much.  It should not have been an issue unless it changed the meaning of the report but had they gone by the Book of Style they would not have added those 20 or so commas throughout the 4 reports that they had me transcribe.  I passed but when you have been in this industry for over 15 years and are being judged by someone that has not and who has not been in your MT dancing shoes then something about that just does not seem right.  Anyway I doubt there really is a best way to do anything, but if I had my choice, I would prefer the way that is the shortest. Time is precious and for the rates they pay nowadays those tests are just too lengthy to go through that for a whopping 7 cents a line.  No thank you.  I'll chance my nerves over all that. 


C-phone - I purchased a c-phone from someone in Oklahoma but never got it. *sm*
First she told me her grandmother died. Then she told me she mailed it. Then she told me her daughter was having chemotherapy. Call me naive, but I thought she was sincere and cannot imagine anyone using their daughter as an excuse. If this is the same person from Oklahoma, I sure would like to know about it because now I want my money back.
I don't have a second phone line ... cable modem for the internet, regular line for my C-phone.

If anyone wanst to get through to me while I'm working, they have my cell phone number.


And, as I said, some accounts are using wav files -- no doubt soon all of the accounts will convert.  Hope so ... would make it easier (less expensive) to work when traveling.  :-)



Lots of good companies out there -- hope you find one that fits :)


 


 


C-Phone = Connexions Phone

Dictaphone is a company and one of their many products is a C-Phone.


http://shop.dictaphone.com/productDetail.asp?id=27


Testing
Chronicle Transcripts will wave testing based upon a person's years of experience and good references.
Testing
Can anyone tell me of any companies that do only written and/or verbal testing?  Thanks a lot.
job testing
When I tested (within the last 3 months), I did three reports from three different MDs.  There were blanks somewhere in each of them.  Not many, but I did have to leave blanks.  And yes, I got the job. So cheer up!  I think they expect the blanks.  Better to leave blanks than make up something you're not really sure you heard.
TH testing

Would you mind sharing what the oral test is like??  TIA!


Just keep on testing.
Don't be discouraged. The more you test, the better you will become at it and it will desensitize you to the stress. I wish you the best!
What about testing? Did they get
back to you and offer you the job prior to testing based only on your resume? Thanks.
What about testing? Did they get
back to you based only on your resume prior to testing?  Thanks.
testing
I went through some additional training to get on with the company I am with, and the voice files were 10x harder than those I work with every day -- you need to find out from these companies if their work is like the voice test files or not.  It is my understanding that there also 3 categories, easy, medium, and hard dictators -- and that determines my pay scale.
testing
I believe I took a written test only, if even that (I only remember filling out application and sending my resume, but that was to old recruiter for KS) and I KNOW I did not take a verbal. I've only taken a verbal with one company I applied with, and that was odd. I believe the heaviest weight for this job was my interview with the Lead. I did the same as you - took it on PT. I've already been offered FT, but I'm not ready to do that yet. Give it a whirl ... you'll like it, I'm sure.
re: testing
I just took their test this morning and I guess misery loves company because I am glad to hear I wasn't the only disgruntled applicant!  The sound quality was very poor. They must be looking to hire psychics...I prefer it when they try to stump you with obscure terminology.
testing
What companies?
testing
I graduated in November from PCDI and had no problem finding people to test me. I am not disagreeing about PCDI being a less-than-average school, but she is 3/4 through it already, and it can be done.
testing
What companies did you find that were willing to test PCDI grads?
Maybe testing is new
I have been with Keystrokes for almost 2 years on an account that I love. I never tested when I started. Maybe it is something they have recently implemented.
testing

I refuse to test. I have 7 year experience. I send them a sample of my best work, maybe a H and P by a pakistan dictator. It is insulting to be tested. Dustin Hoffman doesn't test for parts why should I test for a danged typing job.


 


Testing
I recently tested for an in-house hospital position and the supervisor told me up front the dictator was American, and she saw no point in testing on a heavy ESL dictator since it really would not tell her much about my base of knowledge or interpretation skills. The file she did give me though had a lot of tricky phrases and common-sounding words that an MT with lack of experience would have a problem with. It was by far the best testing philosophy I had ever been exposed to. In other words, a supervisor who actually gets it.
testing

HMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


 


Applied for a TRANSCRIPTION job, not a QA job.  In the testing she sent four jobs that need to be edited and they don't have voice files to go with them, just read them and edit them. 


 


Maybe I am wrong, but I sent them back to her.  IMO if you are testing for a transcription job you are testing on your skills of typing, not editing. 


 


correct me if you think i am way out of line


Testing

I tested also and sent my tests back on 02/14/07.  I just assumed may be they had filling their positions?  Not sure at this point.


Testing
Is there both a written and transcription test?  If so, do you think they are difficult?
Testing?
I have been out of the loop for many years when it comes to applying for a job. Can anyone please tell me what to expect as far as testing when it comes to applying with any transcription companies. I need to leave the Q in the worst kind of way before this company drives me totally crazy! Thanks for your help.
Testing

When I worked for MQ a few years back, their pedal worked with Express Scribe. (free download) or if you have USB pedal such as an Infiniti, use it with Express Scribe.


testing
Yes, I agree. I totally ask how much they pay before hand. I have never run into any problems. Why spend so much time testing to get told you will be paid 4cpl!
Testing
Their testing is hard to pass!!!
testing

Phoenix will be glad to test you at anytime.  We receive 100's of resumes a week and all applicants who have the experience necessary are replied to.  If you did not receive the testing information, just email hr@phoenixmedcom.com and we will be happy to send you the testing information.  Some emails are returned as undeliverable as well, so there is nothing that can be done about this. 


Testing
On their site, there's a link to click to take the test. Be prepared to spend 45 minutes to over an hour. There are multiple choice questions and transcribing. I went ahead and did it today just to get it out of the way if they do call.
Testing.
I am recently going through this testing process and what is send my resume with a note asking them if they could tell me what their pay scale is before I do the testing. That way, if they are only going to give you 7 cpl and it is unacceptable to you, you haven't wasted all your time doing the tedious testing. Also, 3 or 4 companies I applied do actually didn't even have me do the testing, saw my experience, talked with me on the phone, and offered me the position! Good Luck!
on the testing, but
They have a tier'd pay rate on production and 3 different sets based on employee with insurance, employee without insurance, and IC.

like 6 cpl to 7 cpl for up to 3000 lines, a bit more for up to 6000 lines, and a bit more for all lines over 6000.. 8-9.5 perhaps. No shift differential, no weekend pay. No holiday pay.
testing
I will check to see if the test has come through.  I don't remember asking anyone to take the test, but I will sure check on it for you!
testing with them
I'm testing with them now and I think that she said DocQscribe. I'm not familiar with it unfortunately.

Quig
Right you are, Testing MT! An MT must know sm
the standards as determined by BOS, and should make note on the test that s/he followed BOS guidelines for the test. That would be a clue to the testing company that the MT just might know his/her stuff.
testing
I downloaded the test dictation on express scribe and used my footpedal.  Not too bad.