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Wondering about employability - Posted By: JC

I am beginning to wonder if I can ever find a job in a "bricks and mortar" place for MT. I work at home for an MTSO that is partnered with an India "side." I was beginning to question whether or not I'd have a job here in another year or so, so thought I would at least check out/apply for an opening at the local hospital (largely because of the benefits).

I have 20+ years experience doing this, the last 12 of which have been from home working full time in acute care. I can do all work types and have been steadily employed with no gaps. Well, I submit my application, and there's not even a contact from them at all. So I am wondering if it's my age (50+), if it's because I have worked at home (for some reason, I think many potential employers think it's a drawback to have worked from home -- when though in reality, you have to be your own IT department, continually learn new software, do your own research, etc.). Or could it be because I checked off "do not contact current employer." With possible personnel changes down the road, I do NOT want my current employer to know I am looking around for another job. It could mean I put my head in radar profile when the next ax swings.

I guess I just wanted to vent -- this is very depressing. Over the past 5+ years, I have applied for various other hospital/medical jobs and nothing ever comes of it. But all of those were not exact matches to my skill set. Gee, I was hoping for at least a call from them. Right now I am very depressed.

Over The Hill MT

1099's info from IRS - dates etc. - Posted By: Patti

I am doing a 1099 C to my ex-husband and I have received my four from my accounts and so here are the instructions regarding them from the IRS forms sitting in front of me -- Both as a recepient and as a reporter

DUE DATES: Furnish Copy B of this form to the recipent by January 31, 2007. File copy to the IRS by Februuary 28th. I have to file my "Intent to File a 1099 by Februaru 15th".

On the back of my 1099 (Misc Income) received from my accounts it states "If your net income from self employmnt is $400 or more, you must file a return and compute you SE on Schedule SE (Form 1040) -- this is social security.

It does not say from all 1099's but simply on the back of this one. Now if someone files a 1099 with under 400 on it and others are filed with higher amounts, the IRS might wonder but I doubt that they would audit for 400 as that does not increase your tax and is only 60 SS. Not worth their time. But if you were to get several of these they might.

Now some will not send you a 1099. Plumbers, electricians, painters etc. that work on houses as sub-contracters do not get 1099's from their contractors. I have several neighbors/friends who have small business and use manual labor and do not provide 1099's. Then you have to decide whether or not it is worth including in case you get audited and how honest you wish to be.

As for the employee vs IC or subcontractor - would you get anymore benefits as an employee - perhaps the 0.75 SS that they pay but they would take that out of your pay so you are not ahead. As for having to set hours, when I was offered that before I decided stay and forge forward with my own accounts - I simply said "No thank you". But I understand where they are coming from after having my own small 5 accounts. I do give my gals some leeway but I do need the work back in a certain amount of hours and I prefer that they work when they are rested, not rushed, have no interruptions or squeezing me in between basketball or soccer as it certainly shows in their work. It is hard keeping an even flow as I have no control of when docs are off or work is light or when suddenly someone decides not to work. In the 18 years I have been doing this the hardest part is keeping a regular flow of work going to keep everyone happy. As unemployement goes up, we go down. But anyway just thought I would let you know what the 1099's say.

anyone ever do this ? - Posted By: April

Has this happened to anyone - you're typing along and spelling medical terminology just fine and then you can't remember how to spell simple words? Ha Ha - brain goes dead ! It happens to me occasionally and it's really weird !

Which forum? - Posted By: Jackie

Under which forum do I post that I am looking for work?

. I looked under "Job Seekers" but that doesn't seem to be the correct one, or am I misreading it? Thanks.

Diagnosed w/deQuervain's - Posted By: Rachael

I've just been diagnosed this week with deQuervain's tenosynovitis. I've gotten a splint (very awkward!) and have been prescribed anti-inflammatories. Are there any exercises to do to help w/this? My doctor mentioned PT, but I wasn't ready to go just yet. Surely don't want to have to undergo surgery--thanks very much for any information or personal experiences!

C-phone restart? - Posted By: clhmt

Is there a way to restart the dictation from the beginning on a C-phone without having to rewind the whole blessed thing with the rewind pedal?

Arrgh! I'm gonna tear my hair out soon!

Where can I find an easy reference - Posted By: that lists generic and brand drugs

Need a helpful resource where I can quickly identify brand and generic drugs. Help please.

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computer running slow (sm) - Posted By: anon

I have PC Tools Spyware Doctor, don't run continuously because it slow computer down, turn it on at night to scan every night. Today I ran Spybot, which I thought was a free version, it found over 500 infections, of course, it wanted me to buy the paid version. Why isn't PC Tools Spyware Doctor picking these up? I also run AVG free version continuously. Any input appreciated.

Background noise! - Posted By: Fastball

Have to voice my very, very most reviled pet peeve about transcription, and it seems to be getting worse. The nurses gabbing, cackling, gossiping, laughing in the background. Makes me crazy. Thankx

reason for line lost at MQ - Posted By: its possible?

Maybe because it is an internet based platform, we lose track of how much we actually surf the net, come to this board or maybe chat or shop on line. When we were on Medrite, it was just straight typing without the internet distractions, that could be a possibility why we are noticing our lines diminishing.

Has anyone received their W2 from Spheris or Webmedx. Yes, I work for both. - Posted By: wondering

x

what does MTSO mean? - Posted By: ri

not trying to sound dumb but new to the boards and keep seeing MTSO, just curious what it stands for

Does anyone do PT Clinic Reports? - Posted By: Inquiring

I have never transcribed these type of reports and may have an opportunity to in the near future. I have over 12 years of multispeciality experience as an IC and am just wondering what the pros/cons might be of the these types of reports.

TIA.

DQS and computer spec - Posted By: ??

Does anyone know if DQS will work on Windows 98 or 2000 and what kind of RAM you need, etc. on your computer? TIA!

Offshore concerns blog - Posted By: mg

I mentioned this a few messages below, but the blog has its first post. I am NOT supporting any Ad things on there and will not be making anything off this.

http://violatingamerica.blogspot.com/

If you have a link that would be useful to others to write their gov't reps, companies, news sources, etc, feel free to post them or e-mail me so i can get them up there. I am also looking for any news stories or any information we can get. One way or the other, we might be able to make a difference.

Metro Transcription--Atlanta--Feedback? - Posted By: Wary but hopeful

Does anybody have any feedback, positive or negative, about a company called Metro out of Atlanta?

Thanks!

What is wrong with me? - Posted By: Tina

I've been working at MQ for six years. Right now I'm going to school for medical assisting and since August I have been looking for a job outside the house to do along with my MQ work at home. I can make good money at MQ but right now I'm only schedule 2 hours/day and I'm having a hard time doing it. I find myself surfing the web and checking email while I'm supposed to be working. I'm having some financial difficulties and Christmas is coming up. Why can't I get motivated to work? Even if I only worked the two hours I'm scheduled I would do well over the 4000 line minimum but I just can't seem to do it. Anyone else have this problem? Any one have any suggestions for getting motivated?

Is it possible to pad line counts? - Posted By: Curious

Is there a way to pad line counts and actually get more than a person has actually typed? I have been with the same hospital account for 15 years and we have two girls that make just an ungodly amount of lines per day. The rest of us transcriptionists can't understand how they do it and why no one in management has questioned it. One of my coworkers said she thinks they pad their line count, but I don't see how they could. What do you all think?

My computer crashed and I lost ALL my bookmarks for researching, please share your favorites. Thx. - Posted By: Grace

x

Bayscribe/Foot pedal - Posted By: Julia

I had asked earlier if Bayscribe could be operated without a foot pedal. Upon further research, it would seem that it cannot. So, I guess I need to bring my laptop and the foot pedal with me on the plane to California. Has anyone traveled with a foot pedal before? Will it pass through security?

to NEWBIE, use link inside to email me. - Posted By: sm

i have been with the company for 6 years, in the business many many years. WIll be happy to answer any specific questions you have.

Religion board/Catholic is full of printed material!!! - Posted By: Oh My Goodness

Whoa

Rapid transcript - Posted By: looking for more

Anyone out there know anything about working for them?

Old MT can't adjust to National sm - Posted By: Letting off steam!

I am so very aggravated. I started with a medium sized national about a month ago....and today I counted my lines. I made $30 for 7 days of aggravation and a big headache. How am I supposed to make any money when I get a bunch of choppy little reports, followed by a letter - have to spent 15 minutes or so searching through a big database for what sounds like what doc is saying for a name. Then each file gets saved individually, followed by the number of the voice file, and the doctors name. If I have any questions, I must notify QA and see if they can help figure out the problem, but must put # and place in sound file in email, wait for a response, then fill in the blank. Needless to say, I've had it.....I am a good transcriptionist, but I can't get ahead this way, spending all my time on searching up addresses...and other than a few piddly reports, the rest is letters! Yuk....what would you do???? Thank you......

Has anyone ever advertised their business in a medical magazine?.. sm - Posted By: Melanie

I am a small MTSO (just me) and have been trying to drum up business with postcards and letters. It has been about 6 months and nothing! I found a medical magazine for my State and was thinking about placing a classified ad. Wondered if any of you have tried this, and if so, were successful. Thanks!

MQ -- QNet has MT/ME Rewards Plan - Posted By: DP

There is a new heading on QNet now. It says MT/ME Rewards Plan. When you click on it, a Rewards Plan HEAT Self Service new window pops up.

Apparently, as we get our individual calls from the MT/ME Rewards Plan team, we will be given some type of login to use on this board. Should be interesting!

I don't suppose anyone has heard from the Rewards team yet?!?!?!

Beth Moore Living Proof - Has anyone ever attended one of these events? 'm going later this mont - Posted By: and am so looking forward to it! nm

xx

An InScribe foot pedal question. sm - Posted By: Thank you.

I've just installed a USB pedal in order to work with the built-in player in InScribe.

This pedal is not like any other I've ever used. The voice continues a few seconds after I release the pedal and when I push down again, it has backspaced several seconds, which slows me down like you wouldn't believe!

It's bad enough with not being used to the pedal, but with the built-in player, there doesn't seem to be any way to speed up the voice or adjust the backspacing.

Does anyone know of a way to do this?

I would really appreciate some advice as it takes a while for the Emdat folks to respond.

Anyone have a home remedy for loss of taste/smell? - Posted By: Tired

This sinus cold has been dragging on for nearly 2 weeks now..going on day 5 of absolutely no sense of taste or smell....soooooooo tired of this

VR editing - Posted By: Terry

I have just recently started a job doing VR editing (Escription) and was wondering if transcriptionists who have done VR for a while could share how long it took them to actually become proficient at this. I feel so very slow (and actually I am), but I also have a "sinking feeling" that maybe I made a mistake and should go back to regular transcription instead of VR. I really do miss it. I am having thoughts about if I will be able to make a living doing this? Please share your experiences. Thank you very much.

accuscribe or ICa, which is better? - Posted By: JUST ME

Any input on these companies out there? Which is better?

I've got a totally non-MT related issue that I need advice on. SM - Posted By: MissouriMT

Several years ago the husband of a friend of mine made a pass at me. When I was married we would get together with my friend and her husband to play cards and stuff like that. Her husband made a blatant pass at me, basically called me one night and asked me if I wanted to.... well you get the idea. After that I basically avoided going over to their house to play cards and we stopped getting together so often. I never told my friend because she is one of those who thinks the sun rises and sets on her husband's behind. Women have called her in the past and claimed to have slept with him and she has basically said they were liars and believed everything her husband said. I figured she wouldn't believe me and it would basically ruin our friendship.

Long story short, I ended up moving to another state and so the issue became a nonissue. Recently, I have separated from my husband and have moved back to the area where I'm from and where my friend and her husband live. She has basically started calling me and wanting me to come over again and stuff. Now, because I'm basically single, I am REALLY uncomfortable going over to her house. I've accepted her invitation a couple of times, but I just can't stand to be in the same room as her husband. It just makes me angry to look at him, so smug and just full of himself, like he's gotten away with something.

Anyway, my friend invited me to dinner this weekend and I decided to say no. She just called me and I told her that I have to plan my daughter's birthday party (which is true) and maybe some other time. Well, she was very short with me on the phone and basically hung up on me. Telling me that if I don't want to be friends, I should at least tell her to her face.

So now I don't know what to do or say. I want to be her friend, but I loathe her husband. What should I do? Asking her to do stuff without her husband doesn't work because she does EVERYTHING with him. She can't go to the grocery store without taking him with her. I feel very guilty right now, like I've hurt her feelings and I don't know what to do.

IC HELP - Posted By: RADMT

I have been a medical Transcriptionist for 10+ years but never as an IC, can someone help me out on what to put when I submit my bill for payment or a good site that shows samples of this? Please email me if too much info. Thanks so much.

For those of you working for more than one company... - Posted By: How do you juggle?

I am looking to move some of my eggs into another basket, if you know what I'm saying... I'm wondering how those of you who work for more than one company juggle the work load. I am talking part-time, IC work here.

The company I work with now is great, but like I said, I would just like to have a little something in my back pocket. They do call me and email me all the time asking if I can pick up this job or that job. What if I'm bogged down with other work?

Do companies look down on IC's that have other companies they work for, or do they kind of expect that?

Thanks for any advice.

Work for 1 or 2 companies? - Posted By: meddie

I currently have 2 companies that I work for. One i have been with for a while and the other I just accepted not too long ago. The newest company I am not liking at all. They have the suckiest audio and platform and it takes me forever to get 1 report done. I know I have just started with them but I am already dreading work with them every day. The new company does pay 2 cents more per line for transcription and editing, but I can get a whole lot more work done with my first company because I can hear their dictations great and I also look forward to working for the first company every day. I am thinking of quitting the newest company. My first company has tons of work but I am afraid if I quit the newest company and go full-time with my first company that their workload will get low and then I will have nothing to fall back on. What would you guys do? Do any of you work for just one company and feel very secure about it?

What you doing over the Labor Day holiday? - Posted By: I'm going to the fair. Diane

Future-Net - Posted By: Kathy

Does anyone know anything good or bad about Future-Net I have been accepted for a position with them and want to know what you think. Thanks in advance.

Kathy

Question about ExpressScribe & Vista - Posted By: swilson

My mother uses ExpressScribe and she has recently upgraded to Vista. She is still able to get ExpressScribe to work but her serial foot pedal no longer works. We purchased an adapter, but haven't had any success getting it to work with Vista.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Shona

mt-what to charge? - Posted By: gina

I work at a mental health clinic as a transcriptionist/records person. A coworker asked if I would be interested in making some extra cash by typing some documents for him and his buddies that are in college. I am interested but have no idea WHAT TO CHARGE? 1 cent per word? i have no idea please help.

-Gina

another laptop question - Posted By: Mercedes

For all the people that have laptops would you advise to own a laptop as the only means of a computer to work from home to make a living? It almost makes sense to have 2 computers just in case one of them needs repaired. As my first computer to own and work on would it be best to have the desktop and tower for now for dependability. Sorry if the questions sound lame. Thanks for the help.

I'm thrilled! After much, much searching on VRBO.com I finally found a 2 br condo in the heart of - Posted By: Lyn

Destin, FL, for 7 days!!! I've been searching and searching, but to no avail. These condo owners crack me up! I would either get NO response or a "Sorry, week not available. Try another week." Or the famous, "Yes, it is available." And then I respond to that and never hear from them again! I guess they decide they don't want to rent to us. I always sign my emails with a very professional-looking signature such as, Jane Doe, Medical Editor, MQ Corp....and then my phone number! LOL Makes me look so much smarter!! And it's true!!

Anyways, I am so happy for myself and my family...7 days on the Gulf of Mexico. I work on a laptop so I don't plan on taking any time off since I've already gone away this year to Disneyworld. Plus, they have wireless access.

www.majesticsuncondos.com

Check them out and make sure to stop by if in the area!!