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Food/medicine caught in throat - Posted By: seasonedMT

This very thing happened to me while eating pizza one day - I ended up in the ER because I could not get it out or to go down. The ER doc ordered a chest x-ray (do not know why) and then sent me home with some Prilosec saying that I had esophagitis. It was a rainy day - two dogs chased my car home and I was afraid to get out - plus I had my sister's four children that week, besides my own two. I took a Prilosec and then had to have my husband rush to the pharmacy for some Benadryl - I was allergic to the dye - then, and I don't recommend this, I got a long-handled teaspoon - bent it and stuck it down my throat - retrieving the pizza dough. I still had esophagitis because my throat was now inflamed from the pizza and the spoon handle - I put the chewed up dough in a ziploc and returned it to the ER for an explanation - of course they thought I was crazy - but you do what you have to do. I have found that many doctors are either incompetent or on drugs (cocaine, meth, and others that they either sniff or smoke). That is why there is such a high malpractice rate (but that's another story). In fact, I see a doctor now who is a drug-abuser - but he prescribes what me or my family needs when we go to see him and we get well - but boy is he high - nice, though. That's my take on the ibuprofen in your throat.

JCAHO dangerous abbreviations - Posted By: a&amom

Do physician offices/clinic notes need to comply with this list? I thought JCAHO was joint commission for hospital compliance.

Foot pedal? Going from VXP to applying for other companies. What foot pedal should I get that woul - Posted By: sm

I need one even just to test so it seems. Thanks for the input!

question - Posted By: romey

Can someone tell me how to justify left in Word. Always double spacing at the end of a sentence that ends on that line and it indents my next line 1 space, been driving me nuts now for years. I thought I would just leave the space and at the end of my document just justify left.

Single person and bills - Posted By: broke and broker

How does any single preson today make ends meet as an MT? I work a 2nd job and still way behind in bills. Job-hunting for a full time position other than MT is fruitless, as employers take on look at all of your years in transcription and ask you how you think can do anything else. It seems like a curse. The dreaded "transcription" word is getting me nowhere fast when it comes to breaking in to other clerical work. Had I know this would be the case, I would have left the MT field years ago. I can do SO much more than transcription if given the chance. Maybe I should lie on my resume and not mention all the years of transcription.

Wondering about a laptop computer - Posted By: Typingfool

and how is it to use with transcription. Anybody use a laptop in their job. Am I right, laptop or lap-top, or lap top???

When a company advertises a sign on bonus..sm - Posted By: frost

should I take this with a grain of salt? Like, you must be with the company for a year or produce an outrageous amount of lines before you get it? There is a company on mtdaily.com stating they will give $1500 bonus for acute care.

Thanks

Opinions about per page pay--sm - Posted By: nn

I have an opportunity for a position with a company doing disability evaluations, but the pay is per page and at $1.75 to $1.90. I think this is a little low, but would like opinions from others. TIA

Has anybody ever had... - Posted By: Missy

a digital dictation that goes around and around?? I am having a problem with a new clinic where the digital dictation is running about 8 minutes for an H&P and it seems like I can get about 6:30 into it and lift my foot off the pedal and it goes right back to the beginning even though the counter stays at 6:30... Do I make any sense? Any suggestions will be helpful... I have posted previously about gigantic files, etc., and am really struggling trying to figure all of this out!

TIA

Printer problems - HP All-in-One - Posted By: pkmt

Anyone know why I would suddenly have a single thin vertical line in all my printing from my all-in-one EXCEPT when I print off the internet. I totally cleaned the mirror and the flatbed scanner. Now, trying to print pictures, the same single line appears. It appears with copies printed from the flatbed, faxed copies, and when I try to scan. Thanks for any suggestions.

Footpedal question - Posted By: lm

I want to get others' opinions on this. With your footpedal, do you have to hold down the play pedal the entire time to make it play? With every single other application I have used, I just tap the play button to make it play and then tap it again to make it stop. With this new company I just got a job with, I started to do my first job and in order to make the dictation play, I had to hold down the footpedal the whole time. I thought something was wrong and contacted tech suppport and they said they "weren't sure" but they think you have to hold it down and nothing was wrong. I guess I am just spoiled, but I do not want to have to keep my foot held down the entire time. My leg will get tired out quickly. Where some of you guys work, is it this same way with holding down the pedal? If so, I guess I will just have to get used to it or somehow open the voicefiles in express scribe and do it my way.

Can anyone point me in the general direction - Posted By: SM

of making templates? I have no idea what I am doing or where to start. I have looked in the archives, but keep finding posts related to jobs that pay for templates, etc. Thanks in advance

Also, is it possible to really use templates when doing a very large acute care hospital?

? just thought of it YOG.....(EOM) - Posted By: RettaB

..

Looking for Nellie sm - Posted By: Anon

Looking for my friend, Nellie, VA trained, went to Saudi Arabia.

BEWARE list - Posted By: sm

Fellow MTs, make note for beware list - 9555 N. Thayer Road, Columbus Grove, OH 45830

Phones: 419-659-2515, 732-917-4211, 866-659-2515

Wish we had a recipe board. nm - Posted By: Cris

nm

Run away from e-tranZ (GA)..sm - Posted By: ex-etranzer

I see e-tranZ has a job posting on this site. Please do not consider sending your resume to them! Their checks are consistently late, and when they do come, they bounce. Trying to get a replacement check is like pulling teeth. I know this from experience. I left several months ago and I'm still trying to get the money I am owed. The owner of this company won't answer emails, and if on the rare occasion she does, they are demeaning and rude in nature. She makes you feel like it was your fault that HER checks bounced.

There are too many good companies out there that are hiring. Stay away from this one, please!

Need Help receiving encrypted files through Express Scribe! - Posted By: Bon

Is there anyone out there who could tell me how I could listen to encrypted files in my Express Scribe which I receive through email??? I am able to receive and listen to them just fine when not encrypted, but cannot figure out how to set ES up to use a password. When I click on the voice file in my inbox, it now takes me to ES, but displays an ERROR box stating - unable to open DSS file, this means the file might not be a true DSS file or the file is corrupt.

Yesterday, I posted this on the wrong board, but did receive some response anyway and thanks! Still now working though. Someone told me that I needed to get the User Id # from the clinic's software program they are using. The person I subcontract for thought that the User Id from her Olympus DSS software would work, but I am not so sure since the files originally come from the clinic.

I would rather not have to purchase the Olympus program if not necessary. I would think there would be some way to receive these encrypted files with their password. I have also tried to leave the User ID area blank or enter 0, but this does not work either. Keep getting the ERROR message as above.

The files are coming from a dss program called Olympus if that matters. Any insight would be greaaaatly appreciated!!!

Anyone seen that reality dating show "hookup"? - Posted By: I missed it last week, but

It sounds interesting to me as I have tried on line dating before, mostly just horror stories, so I could probably relate well. Wondering if it was any good, and if its still supposed to be on Thursdays.

Just started ortho specialty... Does anyone - Posted By: no any good references/sites?

Thanks a bunch!

Changing jobs .... - Posted By: MT

I'm wanting to buy my first house this spring. Ive been working at home for the same national for the past 3 years. I have been an MT FT for 9 years. Does switching jobs really affect your credit poorly? I think I could be making a lot more money, if I changed companies, but Im afraid it will hurt me being at a new job and trying to buy a house. I have also heard that as long as you are in the same line of work, it won't matter...Any insight on this?

Query: How many have reference books and how many? - Posted By: MSMT

Wondering if I should expand my library.

Is this a safe place to vent? (SM) - Posted By: VMT

I truly hope none of my co-workers visit here, but maybe they won't recognize my vent.

I feel like last man on the totem pole where I work. I will say it sometimes makes me feel like I get all of the leftovers from other people. They take what they want and I'm left to grab what's left, if there is anything left. It's also different rules for different folks. I get called on them if something happens but others do not. I keep telling myself, suck it up, do your own stuff, whenever you get it, and just keep on going. Don't worry about the others. The money is good and it's a great account, I just sometimes feel I am dumped on from time to time. You know, what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander, type thing.

Does anyone else deal with this? People are nice when things are going good, but if they're having a bad day, you get crapped on? I sometimes feel like a little kid with their words and treatment.

for puzzle lovers - Posted By: Snow Bunny

Take a break from working:

http://www.puzzlersparadise.com/page1029.html

ICs, anyone work part of year as - Posted By: KittyC

and then change over? I have become totally spoiled. Started IC late in the year so about 2 months total but now is a new year and I am pondering about going to a part-time employee rather than me having to do the tax but wondered if I could wait just a littleeee longer before I have to give you know who all my money???

Lartech Healthprime very good - Posted By: s lyons

Ok first off, let me say that alot of negative things have been posted about this company and I can only speak for my own experiences, so what I am posting is my own opinion and should be taken for what it is...only my opinion of my experiences with this company so far. I finally spoke with the people that run the company and I admit I hestitated at first, but I have nothing but good things to say about this comapny so far, they did send me my contract which I have signed and sent back. They DID ask for my social security number, so I dont know why people were saying that they did not, and as far as the communications, since today is the day after TG, they were not available, but I finally did get an answer. I have complete faith in them and am taking the job. The gentleman that I have been dealing with has been nothing but polite, extremely helpful and well -mannered and has gone out of his way to help me with anything I needed, which is more than I can say for many American born people I have worked for. For the most part, my experiences with them have been horrible and most of them should have taken a lesson on how to treat people with respect before they were given positions as QA managers or Supervisors. I dont know what happens to people in this business sometimes, but they get so caught up with being competitive and being number one, that they totally forget how to treat people as human beings. As far as those folks that did not get paid, I cannot speak for them but perhaps they were just disgruntled ex employees, I am not sure. I will touch base on that in two weeks when my paycheck is due. As far as where they are located, at this point in my life financially....I am sorry but I could care less and I admit it. I dont care if the company is based on Mars at this point, I have a mortgage to pay for and if I get a check biweekly, thats all I care about. Its ok for folks to buy foreign autos and half of the crap we use in our life is "made in China" but if someone works for a company that outsources or is based in India we are horrible and unpatriotic and at the same they drive Toyotas or BMW's, neither of which are made in this country. I believe probably 7 out of 10 MT companies outsource, they just dont admit it. This is my opinion as of today. I got a pay schedule from them and if in 2 weeks anything happens to change my mind I certainly will post it, but for now this is what I have to say.

AGGGHHHHH!!!! - Posted By: It's called GRAMMAR. Please attempt it!

These docs are wigging me out. Well, that's what I am going to need, is a wig when I get done transcribing today because I won't have a single hair left. Can your hair turn white prematurely from stress?

It's not the worst thing in the world, but over and over and over for hours-it really gets old. Constantly hearing, "There is scars" and "She be having". Who I am working for?

9/11 - Posted By: ER-MT

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who gave their lives this day five years ago, and their families and loved ones left behind.

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!

dictaphone c-phone help - Posted By: Lisa

Hello: Can anyone tell me how to get the dial-tone to come through the headset rather than the handset? For some reason, today, the dial-tone is coming through the handset only and I cannot hear anything out of my headphones. Any help would be appreciated!

If anyone from California gets a chance - go to the GAB Board sm - Posted By: mag

my post was moved there, and I'm so afraid that no one will see it.

Need more work at home. - Posted By: Susan

I need more work at home. I have only dial up, which is causing me to find very few jobs to apply for on the site. I am qualified for multi specialities and many years of experience.

Posture - Posted By: jbmt

Just wondering if anyone happens to use a back brace when typing. I have a problem with T7 area and am looking for something to help with slouching. Any ideas?

ASR funny - Posted By: mini haha

However, she needed surgical Clarence (clearance).

Any current info on SS? - Posted By: CW

I read a lot of bad about SoftScript on here, but all of it was 2 or 3 years old. I'm wondering if anybody has any current information about the company they'd be willing to share. I've been talking to them about a job doing editing work and am curious to know if their reputation has improved at all. Thanks.

I just installed WP12 because my 11 files were corrupted (or so they tell me). - Posted By: elle

How do I get the files to ALWAYS save in .wpd without having to tell it to. it is defaulting to all files. Thanks.

Medrite questions -sm - Posted By: CS

I used this program once before a long time ago. I will be starting soon using Medrite. Refresh my memory please. Is it MT friendly? How can I brush up on it while I am waiting to start with my new company? Or is that even possible? thank you.

Regarding the posts about procrastination....sm - Posted By: Marie

What works for me is setting up tasks or meetings in Outlook. It works for both procrastination and forgetfulness. I have everything in there, so the reminders pop up all the time. If you find yourself wandering on the net, etc., while trying to transcribe, set up a reminders for yourself that say something like "how's your line count?". When it comes up snooze it for 2 more hours or an hour, so you can't get too sidetracked. I also put everything on my tasks list, chores, phone calls, bills to mail, etc., with reminders. It helps. I try too keep the number of tasks on my list down to a certain number. If I'm really busy, I might increase the number of allowed tasks for a few days. I can go through the tasks and reminders and reorganize them by making the due date/time for high priority stuff sooner and lower-priority stuff later. When I'm done for the day at the computer, I print the task list and knock off the non-computer related tasks like phone calls, bills, etc. It's always nice to delete some of the tasks, and very little slips by undone anymore.

I'm feeling down - Posted By: and just wanted to vent. Thanks!

I work for a clinic making about $13.00 hr to work for 5 doctors and 2 nurse practioners. I have to transcribe the dictation, file all that I type into the charts (and charts are scattered anywhere and everywhere), send out all the referring physician copies (which sometimes can be 3-4 a report), and be anybody's "typist" that wants me to type whatever. Also have several other "clerical" duties the boss thinks that I should do. This is a very busy practice with around 200 patients a day. I have 30 years experience and am a CMT. I have been reduced to what I feel is "clerical" staff and my pay certainly reflects that. They constantly come in and wonder why the work is behind. I forgot to add that 4 of the 5 are "TERRIBLE" dictators that could do better but won't. I'm constantly having to find the referring physicians to type on to the report because they won't give it to me but want it typed on the note. I feel that I am giving these people their money's worth. The management will not listen to anything suggestions to make things run smoother and just want done what they want done, no matter what it means to me to do it... then they wonder why it gets behind. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but today I'm wondering, "WHY DO I DO THIS?" Is it for the retirement plan, cause not many of the services I have checked into even give benefits. I just want to get my purse and walk out and never look back. Ever felt that way?? I feel I am a wasted talent here and always have been, but I feel that the MT field has suffered many disappointing changes over these last 30 years. I've been here at this clinic almost 20 years. Before that I worked at a hospital where I was top producer for the 11 years that I worked there. I have no one else to tell this to who would remotely understand my feelings and I appreciate your letting me sound off on this board.I just don't know what to do next and was feeling down. Thanks for listening!

Anyone know what the going rate per line is in NJ? - Posted By: ss

How can I record patient data as fast as possible - Posted By: Need to keep record

Radiology patients, so reports are short most often. We have to log two several digit numbers, the types of exams (chest/abdomen) dates. We have sheets to do this on but am thinking I should keep Wordpad open and type in there.

Any ideas on how I can do this and not lose momentum or time? I do about 100 exams a day.

Thanks!

Does anyone work for... - Posted By: Mattie

a small transcription company that pays like this: I started working for them in March and have not received a paycheck yet. Here is their explanation: They pay once a month, which means that at the end of the pay period as an IC I would submit an invoice to them, then after receiving my invoice, they would send amount of lines produced by me, then they have to wait 20 days until hospital pays them, and then again I would have to wait 5-7 days to finally receive my paycheck from the MT Company. I have always worked for larger companies that pay twice per month and you received your first paycheck pronto after the end of the pay period. Am I being too particular here, but it seems as though I am going broke trying to make it to my first paycheck. Anyone else work this way?

Not sure what to do but I think...sm - Posted By: blondie

I am going to look for IC work at another company as well as the one I am at. They do not have enough to keep me busy everyday so I think I should just find a backup account at another company. They (my current company) are supposed to be training me for 2 other accounts I would have as backup but I have asked the lady twice about starting the training (not the owner just kind of the head MT who does the training) and she keeps putting me off. But the owner is so nice. I don't know what to do. I just am tired of asking and asking and getting put off. Meanwhile I don't have enough work. What to do? Should I wait for the training? Or should I find other backup work and if they do decide to do the training tell them I am sorry I found other work because I didn't have enough to keep me busy.

Any ideas for family vacations near WV or surrounding states? sm - Posted By: REALLY NEEDING a vacation!

We are in such NEED of a relaxing fun vacation. We are from WV. We love the beach also. My husband and I have a 3-1/2-year-old son and are thinking about taking a vacation early June or mid-June. Does anyone have any ideas of a nice relaxing place that would be good for us and our son? Any websites or details would be GREATLY appreciated. We have been struggling for about 6 months now due to health issues and finances. We really are hoping to get our finances in order by then so we can enjoy our family. Stress has been about to kill us. Hope you are all doing well and I truly appreciate your suggestions!

Does anyone have a sample - Posted By: IC contract? TIA. NM

x

If I send reports using WinZip, does the recipient need WinZip to open it? - Posted By: jm

x

MTSO with platform versus no platform (big message) - Posted By: Rambling Rose

If a MTSO advertises that the MT works in MS Word and sends dictation by FTP, does this usually mean there will be no demographic/doctor database and the demographics will not be autopopulated?

I got into a mess with a small company (got out real quickly too). I was required to print out daily email copies of the doctors' office patient schedules (which were barely legible) and type in all information. I spent more time hunting for the correct patient through pages and pages of these schedules. Then I had about 25 pages worth of doctor's names that I would have to go through to find the attending, referring, etc. A total waste of time as I didn�t get paid for that.

I wish MTSO would give more information as to what platform they use (if any). Proprietary software is such a generic, totally useless description. Would they buy a new car that listed, "Car has gasoline operated motor?"

And for Pete's sakes, why so secretive about the pay? Give a ballpark figure. Just say, pay is between 7-12 cpl depending on skill, testing, etc. Tell me if you pay for spaces, headers, etc. It would save them time because I wouldn�t even apply for a 7 cpl job.

Before I spend an hour or two testing, I need more information from a company to be sure it is compatible for my needs. If the MTSO would spend a little time on their website detailing their platform, how they send/receive files, pay rates, how line rate is determined (spaces/no spaces) employee/IC/SE status, minimal line count, whether work pools consist of 100s of doctors, or smaller pools with 25-50 doctors etc. Having all this information on their website would save them time and the MTs time. Phoenix Medcom has a really good layout describing pretty much everything an MT would want to know before testing with them. I am just tired of testing with a company and then finding out the job wasn�t exactly suited to my needs.

Does anyone use InScribe? Not everything on template is credited to MT. - Posted By: see msg

This typing program is a software application from EMDAT. I just found out that they are presenting their applications to to MTSOs as a way to increase their profits but, of course, decreasing our income by not paying us anything for text on the template.

Is this the trend and goal now, to take away as much money as possible from MTs. I know companies have to make a profit, but are there no moral values anymore? Why is greed so prevalent in our society today?

I wonder if Michelle Obama sat down and transcribed one dictation and then counted her lines, if she would be appalled to learn how much knowledge it required to do so and how little we were paid for it. What would she advise us to do?

Hired by new company and started training today. - Posted By: Opinions please!

Should have trained yesterday, but no one contacted me. So of course, I contacted them. During training today, their foot pedal did not work. When their tech put their software into my computer last week, he said he "fixed it" so that their software would work with my firewall turned on and that my autocorrect would work with their software and I wouldn't have to re-enter 3000 shortcuts. Well, you know the rest. No autocorrect and I cannot access their system with my firewall turned on. Plus I can't work because the foot pedal doesn't function. With all that the MTSOs demand of us, you would think that they should have at least some of their act together, no?

Oncology accounts - Posted By: calmt

Anyone know if oncology accounts generally have a higher rate of pay?