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QA comment - Posted By: MT

I just wanted to say a few things from the world of QA. There are some MTs who get dictators the likes of which I just cannot even describe as far as ESLs. Oh my. My heart just bleeds for you all - I mean it. I don't know how you do it, the dictators are that awful. But most of you MTs who get these language-murdering dictators struggle and persevere thru usually endless reports. It IS noticed, though you might think its not. Not that peon QA people can do anything for you, but I do notice and applaud you. And I DO mention names of these MTs to account managers on a regular basis, praising their effort on these impossible dictations. Don't know if it helps, but I like to believe it does! On the flip side, there are other MTs who are just a disgrace to our profession - they're not learning or new (we can tell). They are simply lazy and sloppy, making the most horrendous careless STUPID mistakes one can even imagine. Sometimes my mouth just hits my desk in horror. And I just shake my head and wade in and fix the entire report myself - that's what I'm there for, right? And for those who take offense that some mistakes are stupid - well, there are some that are stupid! No questions are stupid, but mistakes sure can be! I wish all of you could see firsthand what is out there as far as the quality of MTs. I know you would be amazed at the disparity between MTs. And we ALL makes mistakes, yes, but its how you handle them that counts. I try to be so kind and respectful to all with my corrections, even the lazy sloppy ones. So many MTs are so sweet and write back and thank me for the help, which is totally not expected, while the lazy ones write back screaming at the injustices of their errors! Or they call the president of the company screaming in indignation! Its a shame - I could give dozens of examples of absolutely incredible lazy not-thinking mistakes, but I would never want to embarass someone who I probably QA'd and who might read my post. I never want to hurt a soul, but really wish some MTs would just think while they were transcribing. Some MTs do try so hard - and with all the odds stacked against them by the dictators from outer space! Just my rambling thoughts at the start of a long night shift in QA-land!

Downloading DSS files from TASP - Posted By: Jennifer

I will need to download and play DSS files from a TASP system. My boss says I will need to purchase a player and program from Olympus to do this. Others have said I can use Bytescribe or Express Scribe with my USB pedal. My question is, if that's the case, how easy will it be to transfer from a TASP and play them on one of these players. My boss is making it out to be an impossible task. She said others have tried other programs and other foot pedals with either partial success or no success. Any help would be appreciated. The pedal package is $300 and who can afford that? Not I! Thanks and happy typing!

payment for VR - Posted By: Heather

So the account I work on has just purchased a voice recognition software. I see that a lot of the VR is paying about 4.5 to 5 ( and higher ) cents per line. Does this include the whole line or just the editing corrections you actually do for them? Please tell me that it is all the lines on the page. How could it be calculated any other way? I actually don't know yet if I will even be getting the installation as there are a lot of MTs working on this account & don't see how there could possibly be enough room for all of us. I might just have to work in another part-time job. Thanks.

Computer problem. Screen turned sideways! - Posted By: kam (pls. see msg)

I'm typing this sideways because my screen turned completely to the left side for some reason. Any suggestions for fixing this would be greatly appreciated. I tried restarting the computer and using the buttons on monitor to "factory reset." Neither worked. This is giving me a headache!

Dictaphone/Nuance?.....Whats the new website? - Posted By: August

So.....Nuance bought Dictaphone or Dictaphone changed their name...? What is the website for dictaphone....Nuance?

Thanks!!!!!

Please see message - Posted By: Need help converting voice file

I am using Express Scribe on my laptop and need to convert a dss file into a wav or mp3 file. Can anyone help me with this?

Thank you!

HELP! I've turned my screen sideways, I can't straighten it up. I know I've seen sm - Posted By: searching

this before, but I can't remember what it is. Do you realize how hard it is to read sideways? TIA.

I did something while typing - Posted By: help...

that changed my settings on my IE. Now I do not have my toolbar at the top and my icons on the bottom do not show for the programs I have up, but this only is when I am on the internet page. When I am using other programs, my icons show at the bottom. Now my favorites show at the side instead of being able to use the pull down through my toolbar. I do not see anything I can use to fix this. Any ideas?! Thanks...

Editor versus Transcriptionist - Posted By: anonymous

Just curious... does an Editor make more than a Transcriptionist or about the same?

Focus Infomatics - Posted By: Irish.Nana

Can anybody tell me anything at all about Focus I heard they are a good service to work for. Anybody ??

PC-Dart jobs - Posted By: me

Hello-

I have a job where I have to dial in and use a PC-DART modem with a foot pedal over my telephone line. Is that common?

Is anyone following Big Brother on CBS? - Posted By: I'm bored and hooked on show.

Just me? My big treat is watching tonight at 8:00 and it is the stupidest show on TV, reality-wise. Love to hate it.

Do MT companies have to provide for the visually impaired ? - Posted By: At Home MT

I have a medical problem that has caused some vision problems and I find it extremely difficult to differentiate between words in the spell check programs with Stedman's spell check as well as Emdat's and even the Data Field areas, cc and comment section on Emdat's platform.

Are these companies and/or software manufacturers required by law to accommodate those with such an impairment??? I have no idea if I might have some legal rights here.

My husband bought me a large LCD monitor for Christmas which helps me a lot. I have enlarged the font size and everything works extremely well in Word, using Internet, Outlook, etc., but there appears to be no way to enlarge the type for these spell checkers. I am SO concerned that I am going to accidentally choose a wrong word due to my not being able to see things clearly. I am very careful in my proofreading and re-listen to all my dictation as my way of proofing just to be sure as I feel it is necessary.

I sure would appreciate any info/feedback you may have to offer. Thanks so much.

Clinic work or acute care question....sm - Posted By: passing through

If you were offered a job by two different companies, the benefits were the same, line rate was the same, everything was the same except one was exclusively acute care and the other was clinic, which would you choose and why? I have two offers and everything is even except for the type of work. I would think clinic work you could get more lines, but then it is not as marketable later if I have to switch companies as staying acute care would be. Any input?

No work, low work, 45% cut in pay, still advertising for more help. - Posted By: Jumping ship

Transcend needs to really look at its reorganization. What idiot is going to work for 4.5 to 5.5 cpl on a platform that breaks down daily, is full of flaws, line counts don't work. And since all accounts are going to go to this wonderful new experience of being strictly an Editor on this patchwork program that has never been designed for an MLS in mind, it is time to get out of a leaking boat in the middle of a storm.

Question about Spheris - Posted By: CLS

Is Spheris a reputable company to train with?

TIA

Spheris - Posted By: X MQ

Does anyone have any experience with Spheris.

MTStars MT Week Gift Giveaway! ENTER NOW! - Posted By: See details inside

MTSTARS MT WEEK GIFT GIVEAWAY!

ENTER NOW TO WIN!
(Pulling number 56)
Click on blue link to enter or email to freebie@mtstars.com
One entry per person, only one email allowed.
You must enter each giveaway to be eligible to win.

$10.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO TVPS
www.tvps.com

GIVEN COURTESY OF:

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Executive Communication Systems has Dictation/Transcription Equipment and Accessories - New, Demo, Certified Pre-Owned, Digital or Analog
Digital Dictation Systems, C-Phones, Superstations, Footpedals, Headsets
www.tvps.com

GOOD LUCK!!!

Just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes...sm - Posted By: passing through

I would really love to hear from others who have diabetes and any tips on how to live with it. I just got my testing supplies, a diet guidelines, but now have no idea what to do from here. Of course my health insurance as of tonight at midnight ends for two months, as I had to switch companies, so hope that does not cause any problems, but we will have to see. Please feel free to email me or post here. Thanks.

Does anyone know why some companies won't hire you if you have satellite internet service? TIA - Posted By: NM- AzMT

x

have you seen the nextel commercial? - Posted By: still laughing

My son laughs uncontrollably every time this commercial comes on. So funny!

http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/commercials/2370/

copying or transferring Extext expanders - Posted By: movin' on

I'm moving to a different MTSO and would like to copy all (probably 20,000) of the expanders/abbreviations I've created over the years. Hopefully, I can copy these on to a disk and transfer them to the my new MTSO, which utilizes Bayscribe. It wouldn't be much

fun having to re-create these. Help, anyone?

Dear Doctor, - Posted By: My ears!!

Please step away from the very loud, beeping machine while you are dictating. You are causing much discomfort for my poor ears. Because you insist on standing so close to this loud machine, I have to turn up the volume on my headphones just to hear you, thus making the beeping even LOUDER.

I greatly value my hearing, as without it I would not be able to do my job.

Please have some courtesy and respect for the actual person on the other end of your dictation.

Thank you.

how to advance in the MT field ... - Posted By: Cookie71

I am wondering what it takes to advance to another position in the MT field. I've been an MT for about 13 years, acute care for 12 of those years. I'm tired of typing and have done QA as well, but the pay is horrible. What does it take to move up the ladder to another position, such as MT supervisor or account manager? I'm just curious. I know there are probably many more qualified people than I out there for any such position, but curiosity has got me as to the general qualifications and average salaries of each. Anyone know? Thanks....

I think I am in love with DocQScribe and ITVPro sm - Posted By: after a month of using it

I am, I guess, up to speed on my new job using DQS. Made my lines from day one, but today...first half of my shift I did 800 lines and had some crappy cellphone dictations that slowed me down.

When I topped out at 150 lph at my last job, I thought it was my hands. Apparently it was the platform that was so bad, not my hands going fried.

The last week before that other job died, I prayed: God don't let anything change unless it is going to be a lot better. That seemed to help my attitude through a rough job change. Yes, it is way better.

I need a 2nd Job!!!! Any advice? - Posted By: meagan

I am working at Focus, whoI really enjoy working for, but I am looking for a second part-time job to supplement for the lack of income and hopefully get some health insurance. Does anyone have any advice as to which companies are the best. I have almost two years' experience so far. Thanks

Interesting Article on eScription President - Posted By: E Floriday

Interesting interview of eScription's CEO

http://health-information.advanceweb.com/Common/editorial/editorial.aspx?CC=94859

How do you disable pop-up blocker in browser? - Posted By: need help, please

Thanks

Mary Morken expander system - Posted By: Where can I find this?

I need to make at least $150 a day every day. Where can I find a Mary Morken's method?

Thanks

Foot pedal Alternative - Posted By: michelle

is there an alternative to the traditional foot pedal? I know i could probably use the keyboard, but I am wondering about devices.

New job first, save sick time, then surgery or surgery first? - Posted By: Diane

I�d like to go back to medical secretary work. I�ve had cortisone shots in my ECU tendon 3 or 4 times and was warned not to have too many or my tendon could rupture. It�s been very weak for a year or so and my left wrist is smaller than my right wrist. I can�t type at all with my left pinky so I think it�s ruptured. I have Word auto correct and Instant Text set up so I very seldom type As, Qs, or Zs. I haven�t had surgery because I have my own account, no subs, a DD in college to support, and no disability insurance and didn�t want to take time off work for surgery. I do have medical insurance though my DH.

I�m debating whether to get a job, save up sick time, and have the surgery while getting sick time pay or have the surgery first without any sick time pay.

I�ve done medical secretary work before. I figured if I use Word there I can save their Auto Correct and transfer mine. If they use EMR, I can make my own shorts to stay away from Q, S and Z. I could only accept a job where I don�t type for more than an hour straight, which is what I do now. Then I started worrying about what if I have to use someone else�s computer? What if I unexpectedly have to type more than an hour?

I think I have cold feet about getting a job outside the home after over 7 years at home AND I�ve had cold feet about having surgery! Can someone help me think this through logically? I can�t think straight when my feet are cold.

H-ELL - Posted By: help please!

am i supposed to capitalize 'h-ell'?

"The patient is worried about going to H-ell."

need to import DQS expander to Shorthand (sm) - Posted By: computer challenged

What file do I look for and where/how do I find it? Step by step instructions would be nice. Thank you. :-)

3.5 cpl for QA work? - Posted By: anon

Sounds low to me, but I'm used to being paid by the hour...any thoughts??

Update on Tom kitty - we brought him home Saturday and he is back to his playful self today. SM - Posted By: MissouriMT

I brought him home from the vet on Saturday. He was still running a temperature, but it was much lower - 103. It had been 106 when we took him to the vet. He was still lethargic, but had started to groom himself. I have antibiotics I have to give him twice a day, by Sunday afternoon he was becoming playful again and was drinking a lot more and started to eat more. Today, he is back to his old self. Attacking my PC wires and walking on my keyboard, trying to get my fingers when I type.

I am so relieved!

Input wanted re inhouse clinic job - Posted By: Long - sorry, NewMT

I responded to an ad in my local paper for a PT poss. FT Transcriptionist for GI group. I've been MTing for about 4 mos now with a smaller national (not one of the better ones). My accuracy is good but I find it hard to get any decent lines with the crap dictation I always get, not to mention the crappy newbie cpl I make. Have also been hired by a big national but have been in limbo in their onboarding process for way too long. While I don't need big money to survive, I'm going broke pretty fast between low cpl and crap work. Forget about benefits.

I do need benefits (was hoping to get them with the big national). While I love working at home, it seems like it's always going to be the chasing lines game and also having your benefits contingent on making lines. This may all be moot once I call the GI practice back and see what the deal is, but does anyone have anyone have any pointers as to what to look out for in a practice? I'm just wondering if there would be too much work for 1 person or if the job would seque into some kind of secretarial thing, which I really don't want.

On the other hand, I'm also thinking if I took an inhouse job now, that would ruin me for future acute care work for nationals, if I really needed to work at home again.

Comments and advice appreciated. Thanks.

I posted to the message below about St. Simons.nm - Posted By: Kikicat

nm

Does anyone do Pathology? - Posted By: diane

if so, what system do you use - if you work for a big transcription company (as opposed to directly for a pathologist) do they pay the same for pathology as for other work. I've recently been asked to come back to work for a pathologist I worked for (for 10 years). They then switched to a big outsourcing company and have not been happy ever since. Their "new system" seems to require 20% of the time transcribing and 80% of the time on busy work - looking up names, demographics, etc. Does anyone have an opinion about this? Thank you.

Nobody here seems to definately know answer Thanks see mssg - Posted By: opinions needed for affect/effect

Coughing and sneezing have no affect/effect on it, and bowel and bladder functions have been normal.

Needing advice from others in my situation.... - Posted By: Frustrated

I am needing suggestions and advice from fellow IC transcriptionists who also have subcontractors working for you. I am just a one person typing service and have taken on a couple subcontractors. The one I am having trouble with has been with me for about a month and is always coming up with excuses for why the work has not been sent yet. I received thousands of resumes for this position and there were a lot who were more qualified than she, but I liked her enthusiasm and I am one who is willing to help a new person break into this field if they have had some experience and knowledge in that respect. I am at a point of deciding whether to let her go and find another or keep her on to give her "one more chance". This is more like her third chance I would be giving her. I really like her as a person, but she has never worked from home and I just don't know if it is going to work out or not. How have you all handled situations like this? This is my first experience with something like this and I'm just not sure of how long to give a person before cutting them. Any advice given will be greatly appreciated.

My co. was begging for MTs to work July 4th - - Posted By: Not happy 2day

- so I stayed home, and can see a ton of work listed, yet my job list is EMPTY!

I hate when this happens! They cry for backlog to be caught up, yet we can't get to it to do it. Meanwhile, ANOTHER holiday wasted in front of the PC waiting for work.

Any ideas about how to approach this... - Posted By: luvjcn

In these tough economic times, any ideas on how to bring up the subject of a salary increase to management without it turning on me in some way? Is it even worth asking in our industry? Working for major MTSO for a few years, still making same salary since the beginning, below 10 c/l. Any little bit would help. Love my job but getting desperate.

Well, I quit smoking but now I'm fat - Posted By: Fatso

It has been about two months since my last cig. But dang, I am porky now. At 47, this is NOT a good time to put on extra weight. I know i should go for walks, eat carrots and drink water. I guess the motivation isn't there.

It is hard to believe I gained 20 lb in two months but my oh my I have. You should see my face! Chipmunk cheeks. and my clothes, even the baggy ones, don't fit any longer. I bought a new outfit last month and it doesn't fit any more.

HELP!!!

Anyone here rent a computer from MQ? I have a ?... - Posted By: MT

Did you fill out paperwork before you rented the computer? Did they immediately start deducting the cost from your pay for rental?

I've never filled out any paperwork for my computer, it was just mailed to me. Haven't seen rental deductions either. Did I do something wrong?

Where does one purchase a KVM switch and is that what it's actually called? - Posted By: Thx. nm Wandering

b

Gas to REALLY go up! - Posted By: KYradMT

I don't know about elsewhere, but we are being told here in Lexington that gas is going up to $3.50/gallon tomorrow, so everyone is getting a fillup at today's "cheap" $2.50/gallon price. Anyone else in the same boat??? Sheesh.

Depression? Brings our jobs home - Posted By: Kathleen Keane

I personally think we are headed for a depression. I believe in our gung-ho desire to improve our trade partners (invest in our country so we could continue to export our debt) we mistakenly sent our jobs overseas. Now, facing high unemployment, we need our jobs back. Therefore, I am asking that you contact your local congresspeople and request that our jobs be brought back from foreign countries, thus increasing domestic production and increasing the number of jobs. This is the perfect time to do this. In order to come out of a depression, we have to increase production. We cannot export all production and having to produce. Believe me, now is the time to request our jobs be brought back to the U.S. The alternative is extremely bleak, and your elected officials know it.

E-signature help. sm - Posted By: CCR

Is this service available for IC MTs? I would like to get it, but have no knowledge of how to get it. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

DVI- please tell me what this means - Posted By: MT

It may be the stupidest question but what does DVI mean and that I need to have a DVT-supported footpedal? Does anyone know where I can get one and how much it may cost?

Thanks!

Spyware!! - Posted By: KC

I'm having a problem with my computer, and could really use some advice. I started getting this popup asking me to install their anti-spyware program. It was so annoying and just wouldn't go away. Then, one of my transcription programs disappeared. After that, my computer kept shutting down on me. And then, it wouldn't come on at all. I finally was able to get it to stay on and I went right out and bought the latest version of McAfee, but now when I try to install it, I get a failed installation message. I have a feeling that whatever virus I have contracted is actually stopping me from installing the McAfee. Has anyone else had this happen. I'm so frustrated! I will never let my anti-virus software expire again, that is if I can get one on my computer again!