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30+ years, and similar experience to yours. (sm)

Posted By: Twinkletoes on 2007-01-05
In Reply to: Any 20+year MT's here? - bizzytypist

I just quit a clinic I'd been at for over 25 years. Was treated like dirt, and when other employees got a COL raise and I did not, I was told I had "worked there too long." Nice, huh?


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Do you need to have 2 years full time experience or just 2 years' experience? nm
..
Similar experience
Yes, I just had a similar experience like that. Funny thing, I thought the recruiter should have been a little nicer to me, unless he figured out quickly that he didn't need me. Had to sit and listen to him on his soap box for 15 minutes.
Another similar experience
I talked to a gal (not actually a recruiter, but one who runs a MT placement service) who had the same condescending attitude. She talked incessantly about her outstanding credentials, incredible experience and MT ability. I realized 2 minutes into the conversation that I did not want to do business with her. Then I pointed out she had misspelled some words on her website. I never heard from her again. LOL
I just went through a similar experience.

I have 15 yrs experience and have been away from doing MT work about a year and a half.  I applied at several companies.  I, too, failed the first test I took.   


Turns out that the new AAMT BOS rule which I wasn't aware of is that on numbers 1 thru 9 in a sentence, you have to use the digit and not spell out the word, i.e., 5 instead of five.  Once I clued into this I passed several other tests and am now back to work.  I'm sure you just as skilled as you ever were!! Don't lose your self confidence.  I agree that the best thing to do is brush up on AAMT BOS.  Good luck!!


I had a similar experience

Good for you and you should be so proud and what a lucky little dog! :)


We rescued a tiny little Shih Tzu almost three years ago now. She had an injured eye that the owner never took to the vet to be treated and her eye had to be removed. :( A rescue place took her in and had her eye extracted and they had her spayed. She had ear infection, worms (so looked like she was starving), and kennel cough as well. We got her and I had her to the Vet every day for the first week. She was SO sick I thought we might lose her. Our vet was great and just charged me for medication for her. She looked awful too because the owner had hacked her matted hair. It look like she got caught in a fan! She was just horrible looking. You wouldn't believe the difference in her then and now photos! :) She is the most loving, sweetest little girl. She is treated like a princess too!


We have two male Shih Tzu as well that we love dearly. One has a lot of medical problems we are dealing with. I tell my husband I do MT to pay for their medical expenses. :D That is just part of being a responsible owner. We are going to be doing allergy testing on our middle "child" tomorrow and start him on injections as he has SO many allergies and has secondary problems due to this.


Anyway, our Shih Tzu snort water too. I find putting my finger under their nose where it makes them breathe through their mouth usually will stop it. Sometimes you have to do this a couple times. This is very common in short nosed dogs. Ours even drink out of water bottles so don't do it as much as drinking out of a bowl but still do.


Yours might be doing it more so due to the kennel cough or bronchial infection. It sounds like to me, by your description, that is more like a kennel cough. Mine have all had kennel cough and yes they did get their immunizations for that but did you know that that injection only covers a few strains of kennel cough so they can still get it?!? I didn't know that until all three of mine got it and had the vaccine!


Best wishes. :)


I had a similar experience with Spheris.
Try a smaller MTSO before you even think about giving up on your MT career.  Put your resume out on the MTstars resume database off the Job Seeker board.  I was ready to throw in the towel after dealing with two large nationals right in a row.  They put me on the most difficult accounts, ran out of work, bounce me around for coverage.  I couldn't make my lines because I never had the same dictator more than once or use an expander.  However, I switched to a smaller company that's been great so far.  I actually did 200 lines per hour yesterday.  I'm going to push myself to see if I can break 250 lph or more.  Remember, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
I've had similar experience
Yes, I think I do know what you mean. Especially since I am familiar with the account, I know what the format is and where the same ASR mistakes are made and go through and fix them while playing the audio. It's like I can read, listen, look ahead and fix all at the same time.

It is faster than typing in general; however, to keep my hourly rate up I really have to stay at it and get in the "zone," without getting up much. After a while I feel kind of stressed out. I think I have traded one kind of tired for another.
I had a similar experience, had a cow when I got the bill from the hospital - sm
I did not know I needed PERMISSION to go the ER (any ER).....I had taken a bad fall while skiing (back in 1995) and had my friends drop me off at the ER when we got home as my leg was killing me and I had hit my head too. Got a bill for $1500 or so saying it had been denied. I promptly called up the insurance company found out my "error", explaining that I did not know I needed to get "authorized" before a trip to the ER, etc. I had to go through a little red tape but was able to get them to resubmit it and have insurance pay for it. --So it may take a couple phone calls and maybe a letter, but it is worth the effort!
I did something similar about 7 years ago
I live in the Philadelphia area and charged 12 cents a line.  I also had a few private clients and that is what I charged.  I think the average is 12-14 cents these days for the standard 65 character line.  Make sure you get it in writing.  Also, if you are going to bill them and not be on payroll, be aware that hospitals somethings are not too great with paying on time, maybe 30 to 60 days.  Make sure to bill in small increments weekly or biweekly so that if they ever default you can take them to small claims court.  If they owe you too much money, you would not qualify for small claims court.  I am not trying to be negative.  I just wanted to give you some info that I have learned over the years.  I also added in my contract 30 days notice of termination of the contract, how much I would charge, mininum amout of work expected, how I calcaluated a line, when payment was due, etc.   I hope this helps.
I did similar about 20 years ago
I'm assuming the statute of limitations has run out, but you never know. I was on maternity leave as a high risk OB and in the 2 months before & from 2 weeks after delivery to 2 month, my husband was officially the employee while I did work and also collected either unemployment or short-term disability (not sure which now); at that time, my employer was aware although that was back in the small company days. Ethically and legally I suppose it was wrong, but considering that up to that point I had paid into it for 10 years without using it, and since then another 15 plus years without using it, I don't lay awake at night wracked with guilt.
I was in a similar situation a few years ago, I got divorced. nm
xxxx
No, I do not feel that way, but I understand. A few years ago, I was feeling similar, but
when I look at what I make an hour ($30-40) who is going to pay me that without a Masters? I have it pretty darn good and will see it through until retirement - about 30 years from now (hopefully if I live that long) LOL.

You just need to find a good paying company or hospital and you will feel much better. The healthcare industry is here to stay, whether it be VR or offshoring. Most hospitals are bringing MT back in house. Not all hospitals agree with offshoring out of the country. There is a big world out there - go get em. Don't be discouraged.


How many years experience as MT? nm
x
Yes, I could see 9 CPL with 18 years experience!
I am just a newbie doing clinic reports. I get 7 CPL and am grateful that MQ was willing to hire me right out of school. I sure hope all the bad rumors do not materialize. I am hoping to get in more experience before the rug is ripped out from under me. I am glad that you posted. There were rumors about the 'new' minimum lines being 8,000 PPP and I am only up to 6,000. So I might be Okay in that area. Did they state anything about any certain percentage of reports going to QA. That is another rumor going around, that only 15% of reports can go to QA, which does not make sense as I know they don't want us GUESSING what the doctor said!
With 2 years experience!
It is a good thing to make that much with so little experience. HOw did you start editing with only 2 years experience? How can you possibly know enough of the language of medicine to edit? I call someone with 2-4 years experience a newbie not an experienced editor.
Is this right? MUST HAVE: 2 years' experience
bn
15 years of experience and you don't know
x
Well, she's now said she has 16 years MT experience
and explain to me how she has been in this field for 16 years and does not know medical terminology?  An impossibility.  Maybe she did not understand their format, how to access or send back work, any number of other issues - but if you have that many years experience - you definitely know what you are doing MT-wise.  And I am the poster from below who was let go after all the changes by the MTSO - and her true belief that her way was the RIGHT way and the only way and how could I not see that (???).... there are so very, very rude people out there - lucky for you perhaps you have not met one yet - your time may still come - and perhaps you will take a different attitude.  I agree that there are really some dingy MTs out there - I do QA - I see it daily - the terms are hysterical they come up with - well they are funny when they are not serious - but you don't last 16 years and not know your stuff. 
Thanks. You can do it with 14 years' experience! (nm)
x
7 years experience here, doing
multispecialty clinic work for local lady who has her own accounts and get .10 per gross line, also work for a medium sized national and get 7.5 per 65-char line. Same as the other poster, would rather have enough of the .10 per line, but it is not there.
With 22 years of experience. :)
nm
10 years experience s/m

I've been with MQ for going on 10 years now and only make 7.75 cpl.  I am a "tier 2" - doing acute care basic 4, clinics, specialty clinics and even some cardiac procedures and OP notes.  I recently interviewed with 3 companies and was offered anywhere from 8.5 to 9.5 cpl.  With your experience, I would certainly expect to be making 9 cpl, unless you can pick up some private accounts on your own. 


Another thing to consider is whether or not you'll be needing benefits.  My experience has been that IC pay is a little better because there are no benefits.  The line rates I listed above do not include any incentives which may be offered.  That's also something you should take into consideration when looking.  Those rates are based on a 65-character line - spaces and demographics included. 


I have 15 years experience, mostly
heme/onc, endocrine, ortho, etc. I have been exposed to op notes for the past 8 weeks and absolutely despise them - cannot make my line counts after previously being well above what is needed. If you can afford to take the cut in pay to learn them, go for it, but I sure cannot.
Someone with 30 years experience does not need CMT after their name.

Okay, 25 years experience,
and STILL having this problem.  Now I don't feel so bad. I really feel for you! I don't know about the QA keeping busy, as they are always complaining how swamped they are. They just get mad when you send too many blanks and they are supposed to fix it, when the real person to be upset with s/b the dictator! Do they talk to THEM, no! Then stop complaining already!
How many years experience do you have? If over 10,
I mean, if you have 10, 20, 30 years experience, how do you like receiving the same pay as a newbie just out of school or with only 6 months to 2 years experience? Don't you think you've paid your dues and earned your stripes and deserve better pay than what the noobs get?
I have 3 years experience.
I agree that someone with many years experience should get somewhat higher pay. But more experience doesn't always equal a better MT. There are some people in this field who have been around a long time and probably shouldn't be in it. And like it or not, if you want to make decent money, you have to be fast. Accurate and knowlegeable also, but if you're not fast and using every tool at your disposal, you'll never make good money.
years experience sm
If you go at it looking for a job, and put in 10 years or so, it'll come back as no jobs fitting that category - in other words, no one is willing to pay for people WITH experience!!
I have almost 30 years experience and
am making 9 to 11 cpl on a tiered system at my FT job and 10 cpl at my IC job.
or it could be MTs with 5 or more years experience...
I have been an MT for 10 years and I am only 31 :)
Are you saying you have 2+ years experience and only make .04 cpl? -- if so you really need to look
for something a little better.  That is a total slave wage.......I make .085 now with 3+ years, and I started at .06 with 1 job, and .075 at another, and .085 at another (until they changed their pay tier then down to .07 which sucked).  My goal is .10 eventually......believe me you can do better, start looking if you are not already.
Actually, no, MT with 9 years experience. So, I can only assume

not organized, or just dawdling.  Who knows, but it is frustrating.


I did a couple years ago and it was of no help...just my experience..nm
.
I have 20 years' experience. I once took a test for
a company that was I currently working for because I had heard so many people were flunking it and I flunked it too.  I am a very good MT, and my company called the extraordinary even, but I still flunked the test.   I also tested for another company and made a 79 I think. 
Who hires with 2 years' experience?
I want to get back into MT work, but everything seems to be acute care/hospital dictation. I have some experience in that area but not 2-3 years' worth. Anyone have ideas?
Have over 25 years worth of experience and do you think
I made more because of all the years? Better think again. My salary now for straight typing is 8 cents a line. Most of the companies are not willing to pay us like we made in the past. I am not upset about this for myself but I know others are not as fortunate in that they have to raise families on less and less.
Can I help? Ortho/WC MT experience x14 years.
You need help on something???
20 years' experience in Radiology
Please email me privately and I'll be glad to give my 2 cents.
What I make with 22 years of experience
Here's my experience. I have been making around 10 cents per line since 1997. I was with ddi and then Medquist for a total of around 16 years. In 1997, I was given my last raise - mind you, I asked for ALL of them, no one ever offered them to me. After that, I was told I was in "highest tier" etc., etc. Even when I offered to work on more difficult account (back when that still mattered and we were offered extra) - I was told I already made higher than the difficult account offered. So, I have made the same cpl since 1997, yes, 11 years. I hit just over $40,000 one year out of the 22 years... otherwise, I range from 35,000 to 38,000 if it is a good year. I am dedicated, work full time, weekends as required, and holidays as when possible/the number required. When I started looking to leave MQ, I was offered 8 and 8.5 cpl - my experience was irrelevant, though all the companies seemed to be quite gleeful to be getting all the MTs out there with many years of experience for 8 cpl... One company offered to up the 8.5 to 9 cpl if I would work their night shift and only ops on their most difficult account. No thanks. I work days. I finally found a place that offered me a lateral move. Really like where I am now but if I think too hard about it, still blown away that something I love to do has led to making the same amount of money I was making 11 years ago... with really, no hopes of more, unless I live and breathe MT and become a workaholic. I'm 43, by the way, been doing this since I was 21. Because of my move to a new company a year ago though, I refound my love of MT. Good luck.
30 years' experience of transcription
Have transcribed for 30+ years in internal medicine, cardiology, orthopedics and pulmonary
With 10 years experience, I wouldn't

A QA with years of verifiable experience
has no problem working and adapting to multiple different accounts. That's what they do. It is much more difficult to train an MT to be a new QA than to hire an experienced QA. BTDT.
P.S. - with 15 years experience, I'd encourage you to go for it.
You might not get hired the first or second or even third time you apply, but as long as your experience matches up with what kind of work the company does, you certainly would have a decent shot.
In the same boat but 16 years of experience
Well, actually I got to test for one company and somehow I actually failed and I'm not even sure what or how that happened. Talk about spirit crushing. Now, I cannot get an offer to test except for the jobs that want to pay peanuts like 3 cpl for 5 years of Escription experience. No thanks. I'll just starve LOL. I think the biggest problem is that the good jobs are few and far in between and everyone and their dogs are applying.  I don't stand a chance. Time for career change.
12 cpl, 24 years experience. I am not giving name of company.
x
Many MTs have failed tests with 20+ years of experience. sm
It shocks me how incredibly BAD some "experienced" MTs do on those tests. I cringe to think of what they've been typing for years. So, people will claim that they're "all that," and they may well be, but recruiters won't know it unless you prove it.

Also, a resume is occasionally more fiction than fact, which I've seen proved out more than once. Years of op note experience and they can't spell Vicryl. Ayup! Sure thing.


Meghan, with 9 years of experience and if you are an employee and if
this is your first QA job, I would say $14 is about average to just a tad below average. I think $15 is a better figure, but I would pay probably $14 for someone on their first QA job with your experience, but I would definitely if I were you do some looking or try harder to get your hourly pay increased.
Great!! I have years of experience as a transcription
x
And I have 25 years of acute care experience
x
Well, I have 25 years experience also in all work types
and only do acute care with a line rate of 10.5 cpl M-F and 11 cpl on the weekends.

You can negotiate it a little harder, and you will get it depending on their needs, I guess.

It is MDI-Maryland.
Hon, I have 16 years acute care experience sm
in all work types/specialties and only getting 9 cpl as an employee with a service plus incentives.