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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

no argument here, I just wouldn't...

Posted By: hmm on 2008-09-24
In Reply to: sorry - MxS IC

have called it TOTALLY IC.

I am totally IC--no schedule, no line requirement. But, I am not lazy, I need to eat and pay bills, and us ICs don't want our company to lose the accounts. Therefore, I commit myself to 1000-1200/lines per day whether it be split or straight shifts, and I try to commit myself to 4-5 days/wk.


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That's a whole different argument...nm
x
Not to start a whole new argument, but sm
It seems awful strange that I know of at least 4 people that have left Transcend in the last 2 weeks or so from the same account because of lack of work all the time on either primary accounts or secondary accounts and now they don't have an ad posted, like they usually do to fill them back up fast.   Hmmmm, maybe they finally realized that they overhired!!!
Ad hominem argument -- sm
I'll admit I had to look that one up. I'm not too proud to say I've probably resorted to an ad hominem argument at some point and time, but now at least I'm more aware of it.
agree 300%--no argument here
it's just all about power and money
You had an argument about her professionalism?

your bounds by discussing something like that with her?  I mean, after all, it's her company.  Is it really your place to talk to her about her professionalism when you work for her? 


And when you say she fired you - did she say you're fired?  Seems fishy to me that she'd email in an hour about work if she really did fire you.  And she doesn't have to fire you, she can just say she no longer needs your services.


That was the most well-spoken argument for
I agree 100%, as well. I know some people think that unions brought down the Big 3 automakers, but that's not so. Even their most well-paid line workers with the best bennies don't come anywhere close to what the Fat-Cats up in their designer-furniture-appointed, corner top-floor offices were (and still are) getting. For mismanagement. They aren't building the cars America wants, so they're buying Toyotas, Nissans and Hyundais instead.

When I tell people who are not in this business what an MT has to know before anyone will consider hiring her (or him), both medically and computer-literacy-wise, and then what they're expected to work for, their jaws hit the floor.

I was inhouse for many many years, but was eventually forced out, as although no one will admit to it yet, that office is job-by-job sending its work outside, and will most likely have nothing but a skeleton crew of workflow managers left before the end of next year. They couldnt be honest about it, either. They drove the top-rated, older MTs out with abusive treatment that actually made some workers physically ill. Others left an office that they realized to be a dead-end road.

So these days, many of us are working at home because that's all that's left of MT. Which is the best thing that could've happened to the most unscrupulous of the MTSO's, as not only do they not have the overhead of having to house a officeful of MTs, but they now have an 'invisible' workforce that has little to no contact with their coworkers, and often little to no contact with the office (unless of course, heaven forbid, they make an error).

I think lots of MTs know we need a spokesperson in our behalf, as we are basically an isolated bunch, swept under the rug by the healthcare industry and MTSOs alike. What unions have brought to workers like us in the past has been a VOICE. That's something few, if any MTs have these days.

I also think that after talking about this for years, thinking about it, being told it can't happen, but wishing that somehow MTs could be unionized, with our country's new leadership and thorough shaking-out of business-as-usual for the banking, stock, and auto industries, the time has finally come.

If ever an industry needed regulating, it's ours. And we're all but powerless to do anything as individuals; we have to join together for the strength to stand up to the unfair treatment we've endured for so long. We need a VOICE, and that's what unions are - they are the worker's VOICE.

We need more attention focused on the healthcare and insurance industries in this country, and that in turn may start the ball rolling in terms of bringing MT and substandard pay into public and legislative view.

I think people need to know that those of us interested in unionizing aren't talking about being over-paid, or over-compensated in any way, shape or form for what we do. All we want is a fair shake.... a decent day's pay for an honest day's work.

I'm willing to bet many of the nay-sayers on this board are possibly MTSO trolls. Those who are 'grateful' for their lousy 6 cpl jobs, or who say that it's all we deserve, are most likely the same types who think that when a woman is raped, it's her own fault.

And that's exactly what's happend to the MT industry. Gang-rape by AAMT in the beginning, and now by AHDI. By wealthy business-types who buy an MTSO not because they give a darn about healthcare, or their workers, or even know anything about medical transcription, but just because it's a good 'investment' -- to buy low and sell high, and make even more money.

(As for norma rae below, who says 'It's not 1970'; well, actually in a lot of ways it IS 1970. Do you make much more than you did in 1970? (I sure don't). Less, perhaps? Are we in a recession? Yup. Are we fighting a pointless war abroad? Yup. And are women treated as less-than-human in the workplace? Yup.

Yeah, nowadays they can't legally make sexist comments to us, force us to sit in a cigarette-smoke-filled office all day, or ask us to make coffee. But they're still sticking it to us wage-wise. Why? Because they CAN. Because we LET them. Because even in the 21st Century, many woman still believe they're 'lucky to have a job - ANY job' - and will grovel and lick the feet of anyone who tosses them a few cents and a scrap of meat. Or rapes them and tells them they 'want it'.

If ever there was a ripe opportunity to get a medical transcription union going, it's NOW. As this dismal year finally draws to a close, I hope lots of you will reflect on how much you know, and how long and how much work it took you to learn it. Reflect on how many hours you sit in front of that computer. 10 hours? 12? 14? 18 hours a day? All so that you can make that line-quota you're expected to be able to produce in 8 hours? How much overtime SHOULD you have been earning, but didn't get paid? How many of you have a poor healthcare package, or no healthcare at all? How many of you lost any hope whatsoever of being to retire - not just later, like 70, 80, or 90, but EVER? If we're going to have to work the rest of our lives to pay for all our country's 'bailouts', it would be nice if there were half a chance that our jobs will:
a) Still be here 10-20 years from now, and
b) Pay enough to be able to live on.
good argument for doing away with
being paid by the line. There's no way you can get top speed and top quality...one of the two will have to suffer.

Yes, I've seen similar embarrassing work. It's awful, & yes, it was probably done by someone who racks up billions and billions of lines per pay period, which I certainly don't.

I'm not sure I've ever understood why we are paid by the line. I suppose the argument is that this would be abused & exploited by MTs who want something for nothing & that instead of seeing it as an opportunity to do research & whatever else is necessary to produce a quality document, it would be an opportunity to work as fast as possible and use the rest of the time to eat bonbons.

Is this realistic? Are there really MTs who would do this, or is this just the stock justification for cpl?

I can't think of another profession that is paid this way. It turns us into sweatshop garment workers, not educated professionals who are one of the strongest links in the chain of patient care.

Help me out here. What are your thoughts?
I understand both sides of the argument...
But I believe that a lot of the posts are from management.  They really should not disguise themselves as MTs and try to trick people.  Just let the truth be what it is, and if you do not like the truth, then do something at your company to change it.  All the effort that is being put into posting on this forum by management from various companies should be put into different programs, incentives, or maybe just a nice word or two to their transcriptionists to try and make the companies better.  I value this forum and believe that MTs need a place to communicate these things to one another to possibly prevent someone else from going through a bad situation.  I do believe that some MTs do need to let it go sometimes, but when you know that it is management posting to try and prove you are wrong, that just makes you more determined to prove you are right.  Just my opinion so don't jump all over me. 
I have to provide good argument here, though.
That is no different than the MTs (new or even experienced) who have poor medical terminology, poor grasp of the English language, etc.

For the newbies who don't know the difference -- maybe in a test they do but when transcribing they don't get it -- between a hemorrhage and a hemorrhoid in the brain. For the experienced MTs who have never understood that pleural is lung, plural means more than one.

I've seen great work by US MTs and by offshore MTs, alike. I have also seen the most horrifyingly low-quality work from US MTs and offshore MTs alike.


Your argument loses all steam when you get to
For Pete's sake! Simple - no problems, just don't sign it! You state they're likely to sign since they've been thru the trouble of testing? Sheesh! We all know that taking the test is the magic door to finding out what the job is all about.  Otherwise, all details are a big secret.  Only way in is if you know somebody first.  So, you take the test, find out the pay blows and you say NO THANKS and move on.  Glory, glory, glory - hallelujah!  Amen!
Some of these posts are revolting. No argument here.
*
Sorry, you're weakening your argument big-time. nm
for your lack of discipline in saving. But for legal purposes, they should be taking the taxes out.
Gees just mentioning arguring started an argument
Just not worth it. It's all about respect....and maturity.
No argument about AHDI sucking an egg, but I suppose it is just personal sm

preference.  When I started transcribing 35 years ago or so, I had never heard of AAMT or anything like it, but the people in the Medical Records Department (which of course his now referred to as HIM -- why keep things the same if you can change them constantly for no rason) who transcribed the reports were called transcriptionists.  The machine I used to access the dictation was called a transcriber. 


Of course, it is no big deal and I shouldn't get so hung up with labels.  I worked briefly for an Indian company (felt like I was sleeping with the enemy but that's another story), and they called us transcribers … ugh.


I wish people wouldn't be so encouraging. Then maybe we wouldn't constantly run
.
At my company I'd ask for $18; probably wouldn't get it, but I wouldn't go lower. nm
x
I wouldn't do it again...
I was trained on one portion of an account (4 new hospitals they got), and it was GREAT! I loved it, told my husband I was SO happy working with them. Then, training ended ... I got switched to the hospital I was hired for (although no one told me that during training), and OMG - it's AWFUL. I can't make a dime. It's either all ESLs that I absolutely cannot understand (and I've been doing ESLs for a long time), or English-speaking guys that are terrible. My rate has gone down tremendously. And, if you have tech problems - you have to e-mail tech support and wait for them to respond. So, like this weekend, I have tech problems and am sitting here with my thumb up my nose waiting for a dopey teckie to get on my problem. I begged them, in an e-mail of course, to CALL me so we could resolve the problem and I could get back to work. Still waiting for that phone call, and it's been since yesterday evening. So, no $$$. About a month ago, I would have told you - GREAT place to work. Right now, I'd have to tell you to RUN AWAY!
I wouldn't do it

Diddles:


To me these things are a big red flag about a company. My reaction would be that they are very controlling and if they are trying to control your speech on the Internet there will be many worse things to come.


I believe a lot of these companies make you jump through hoops, i.e., testing, paper work, etc. before they give you any answers about specifics just so you WILL feel like you have already invested a lot in time and emotion and will not turn back, which is another very good reason to not allow them to silence us on the Internet.  There is very valid information to be shared about companies which is neither bashing nor praising but just that - information allowing us to make a decision about whether a company would be a good fit for us or not - BEFORE doing all the testing.


You must have some doubt in your mind about this or you would not be here asking the question. Go with your gut instinct. There are many good companies out there who do not impose these types of restrictions.


LOL - wouldn't last a day at TSI.. is that
supposed to be a compliment? LOL....
I wouldn't say that...sm
most companies do not say how much they pay because anyone that was any good would not even test then. They also do not base pay on how well you do on the test. You could ace it and still get offered 7 cpl because that is what they start at, no matter how much experience and knowledge you have. Raises are also few and far between. jmo
I wouldn't
It took 7 weeks of my waiting around to get work and then they finally got me on an account and there was no work. One problem after another. Passed between departments, no one ever giving the complete story.

Sad way to run a business in my opinion.
I wouldn't even consider it!
There are MUCH better companies out there...and ones that pay every 2 weeks as opposed to monthly! I would NEVER take a job that paid only once a month!
...nm up there. Pay wouldn't go over 9 cpl not even with
s
I wouldn't...
I am an experienced MT with 30+ years of experience. I just left this company. First of all, they outsource ALL of the good job types/dictators to India. Secondly, whatever the Indians can't do, they send to ASR. If you are happy to be relegated to an ASR Editor making peanuts, or transcribing the really, really bottom of the barrel reports, then go for it. If you are looking for respect, honest and open communication, plus decent pay, I wouldn't touch this with a 10-foot pole. I wouldn't send my worst enemy to Precyse.
you wouldn't know...
you are not morbidly obese. Until you have lived a day in my shoes, save your opinions for someone who cares.
And they wouldn't be the only
xxx
I wouldn't run s/m
I would politely tell that recruiter where he could put his job and that would be where the sun doesn't shine! This should tell you what kind of integrity this company has. Congratulations to you for doing the right thing and giving appropriate notice.
P.S...... and I wouldn't be doing this for a
xx
Me too, and wouldn't want to be anywhere else! sm
I can't believe how many MTs on this board are so miserable and getting SO ripped off! Direct Deposit is always on time for us at Webmedx, pay rate fair, good incentive plan. And I have plenty of work (most of the time, you have to admit that everyone runs out occasionally).
Why wouldn't you ask up sm
front in order to avoid wasting yours or their time what the pay scale was, or at least ballpark.  The time allotted doesn't sound unreasonable to complete the test.  If you bring experience and skill it's do-able.  Someone who cannot complete in that time may not be the best match.  Definitely ask up front next time about pay scale and if it's in line with your expectations.  If not, you thank them anyway, but no thanks and move on. 
I wouldn't be so sure about that,
Check the labels in all your clothes, check the boxes the toys came in, check everything. Very little we buy (even at godalmighty walmart) is made in the US. Just because you buy it here, don't be sure it's made here.
Exactly why I wouldn't do this with others.
Sounds like your mom and your sister want the benefits of having their own accounts (higher pay), but want someone to do the extra work for them. Not the type of people I would want to get into business with.
I wouldn't, because it seems that all
that is a joy in your life you would not be able to participate in.   Our pets are just 4-legged children and it would take a lot for me to have to get rid of any of them.   You do what you have to do, especially these days, but I would have to keep exploring options at this point. 
I wouldn't think so...sm
Im having almost the exact same problem. Im short on work, have sent emails to owner, etc..no answer. Looking for another part-time, no luck so far.

I would think that would be beneficial to them..being you are already trained and will require little if any startup time.
WMX wouldn't be so bad if...
ChartMatrix wasn't as slow as molasses.  Don't know anything about Enterprise though.  Is it faster than CM?  Any rad accounts for Enterprise?
you probably wouldn't want that job anyway.
Probably has a LOT of ESLs, so that is why they test that way, to see how you do.  Of course, we are all cold testing and that is always daunting.  I hope you hear from one of the other companies.
I wouldn't say more than what has (sm)
been said. There are people from the company (not us peons) here daily and you are lucky to get what little info is given here. You can keep asking but I doubt very much anyone else is going to go into any more than what is here already.
I wouldn't do it.
Sounds like they are getting their work done for free.

Ten reports is an unusual number for testing purposes. Just 3-4 is more like it.

I know, but wouldn't you just like to know? (sm)
I have been lied to from a company before as to why we were getting a pay cut. I guess curiosity is getting the best of me. I am thinking the MTSOs are charging like 15 to 16 cpl, which would mean that most of them are keeping half.
It definitely wouldn't be for everyone
But I know there are several of the fundamentalist Christian groups that would do just fine, and I'm sure there are at least a few muslim MTs. If I didn't like to drive, smoke, schlep around in jeans, and have responsibilities here that required daily attention, it would probably be worth considering, at least for the short term.
No, I wouldn't. ESPECIALLY if it's as an
IC rather than employee. I wouldn't do it just on principle. That's too low of a line rate to pay an MT with 17 years of experience. These MTSOs are getting much too greedy.
I wouldn't......... sm
Although there are some on this forum that say escription is a good platform, I doubt that, between the learning curve and the decreased pay rate, you will benefit by staying. That's just my 2 cents worth. Individual mileage may vary.
hey yen, don't feel bad, she wouldn't like me either

I am divorced and remarried.  My first 2 children are half black and I'm white so they are mixed and my 2 youngest are all white because their  father is white.  I'm married to him but my first husband was black.  I also have worked at home and SPECIFICALLY chose MT so that I could stay home.  Hey, it happens! 


Now, go get your spitoon and set out there on the porch and wait for your boyfriend Larry the cableguy to get  home from his REAL job!


I wouldn't know, I'm not a "greeter"

My job is to type acurate Medical Records.


It is true...just ask 98% or the Transcriptionist there.  That's why they all have taken on second jobs to keep some money coming in.  This new program they have has everyone losing money.


Wouldn't be able to get hired anywhere?
Frankly, if you can make it through training, you're a danged GREAT MT!! Toughest QA grading I've ever seen. You have to know your stuff.
Wouldn't surprise me any
If they have "QA to QA the QA'ers," you can bet that each step of the QA-ing will have the QA'ers who are QA-ing the QA-ers who QA the MT finding all the work "they" didn't QA to be crappy QA-ing.  LOL
No, I wouldn't do that. The company
you work for should pay that expense. That's my opinion, at least. I certainly would not pay for the license agreement to use the software they want/need me to use.

You wouldn't be a qualified IC if they did.
nm
If MQ were for sale it wouldn't ....sm
necessarily be a negative thing for the MQ employees regardless of who a new owner might be (same goes true for any company being sold regardless of the industry).
I wouldn't say DSG stinks.....
I previously worked at DSG, but didn't stay because of the sound quality. I now work at GIMT, and their sound quality doesn't even compare!  It's so much better than DSG.  Other than the sound quality, DSG was okay.
Well, I wouldn't recommend them.

They have some weird system for line counting and you never can quite figure it out.  Lines are VERY hard to get and pay isn't great.  Many have left because they just can't make any money.  They are also training people in Trinidad (I think) how to do transcription, so guess where they jobs are going to go eventually.   They haven't been allowed to post on this board for that reason, but since MTStars is allow U.S. based offshoring companies to post, they show up.