An experienced MT in your employment is worth
Posted By: TEN not-yet-hired. on 2007-06-11
In Reply to:
Sorry, but that needed to be said again - for all you MTSO's out there reading these boards, who think it's good business to keep losing top-notch MTs due to dismal pay rates, and simply replacing them with less-experienced (or worse, OFFSHORE) workers, here's a news flash:
A seasoned MT in your employ is a money-maker for you, and they should be paid closer to 15-18 cpl to START... not the lousy 7-8 cpl peanuts you're so callously throwing at them. The people who are sending you dictation are for the most part huge, wealthy establishments that can afford to pay a premium price for the premium quality transcription and "I-want-it-yesterday" turnaround-time they're demanding from you.
So please grow a spine, and charge them for what you're MT service is really WORTH. Don't sell yourselves (and ultimately your MTs) short by always having to bring in the lowest bid for an account. You might just see more high-quality accounts, and less of the *garbage*. And then, try paying your MTs who are lining your pockets with money a fair wage with decent benefits, and see how many more of them will stick with you instead of constantly changing jobs in search of one that pays. Not only would it be the right thing to do morally, but it would be a better for business in the long-run.
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MT employment
I would be interested in getting into any kind of MT employment. 
Employment
Hi Cheryl - Can you email me at deb@medicaldictation.com?
IRS says I owe $$$ for self-employment tax (sm)
I just received a letter from the IRS saying I owe over $7000 for 2003. It looks like they say I owe self-employment taxes for that year. I was an SE that year and employed by a national. Is this a mistake? Has anyone else had this problem? I'll call or go to an office tomorrow. I'll be up all night working anyhow, but heck knows what I'll be typing while I contemplate this...
Again SE do not owe self employment tax. nm
:
That is what self-employment tax is for - sm
as stated below you fill out a schedule C and a SE when doing taxes; this takes care of your FICA (SS) and Medicare payments.
Self-employment
Just wait and see what happens. Don't panic yet. It is not worth it financially, but worth it for the flexibility. I just gave up 10 years of being self-employed and flexible to go inhouse for a sure job.
Self-Employment Taxes are different, hun.
If you're getting a paystub, you're not self-employed so I don't know what you're talking about. Small business is taxed heavily in California.
employment opportunities
Have you thought about getting into medical record coding? I have a friend who went back to school at age 59 and is now coding and she had no medical experience at all -had worked for Nokia and Motorola for years and got tired of the layoffs - she loves it other than getting the overseas dictation to decifer - but that would be easier for you as an experienced transcriptionist. It's just a thought - but you would probably breeze through the course or might could find a hospital that would train you doing ER coding.
self-employment taxes
Can anyone tell me how much I need to pay for self-employment tax? I'm thinking about taking a position as an IC and I don't know what percentage needs to be taken out for taxes. Please me tell what ya'll are doing. Thanks!
SELF-EMPLOYMENT FANTASY
Am I living in a dream world thinking that I can actually find clients that will allow me to establish the rules by which I will run MY business? Or, does being successfully self-employed in this industry mean that I must allow the clients to walk all over me? I am flexible to a degree, but just want to be able to set limits while still being able to make a living. Maybe I should find some other industry?
http://www.oracleti.com/employment.htm
x
It depends on employment status.
When I was an employee at the hospital, they paid for my phone lines. As an IC, I pay for my phone lines. I've only worked for one company that required me to dial into their system using my phone line, and that didn't work out due to constant phone calls bouncing me off their system. Now I just have one phone line and DSL, so I won't work for a company that wants me to dial in to a Lanier.
TN doesn't have State self-employment tax?
I'm moving!! :)
I just checked my employment agreement and...
it only says you have to return the equipment, it doesn't say who pays for it. Should I just shut my mouth and pay for it so they don't hold my last check for ransom?
Employment after home study
Does anyone know who will hire a Transcriptionist who has studied at home? Also, will they hire you if you have not been employed as a transcriptionist outside your home? (I have a little hospital experience but years ago).
Court Reporting Employment
How do you get into this field of work?
the self-employment tax IS the 1/2 of your social security...
"On top of the self-employment tax, etc., you don't get the benefit of your company paying 1/2 of your social security so that is where most of your money at tax time goes to. " please don't post if you don't know what you're talking about.
Your $7182 only cost you $538 in self employment tax...sm
you seem to be missing the fact that there is always 15% paid on your income taxes, 7.5% from your employer and 7.5% from you. When you are self employed, you only pay an additional 7.5% (because you are the employer). You pay the other stuff anyway. No way around it. Death and taxes, ya know.
Has anyone had problems with getting responses for other employment?
Your taxes do not pay employment insurance.
You don't have a right just because you want it.
If your unemployment is govt-subsidized in anyway, remember you're riding on my tax dollars too and I say no way!
Would you wait until your first year of employment is up
to discuss wage increase or would you just get right to it now and not wait til a year is gone by?
question about pre-employment tests
I'm a long-time IC, but new to applying to jobs from a forum like this and am hitting the employment trail! I've applied to jobs that I see on the Job Seekers forum just by submitting my resume on the board. When I visit their own websites, they often have pre-employment tests too. Do I go ahead and take these tests or am I supposed to be "invited" to test for them, like I hear people talking about on these forums? I don't want to take the test if I'm not supposed to yet, but I figure if it's on their main website it must not be private.
Any advice for this new job hunter? Thanks.
I've used TurboTax for self-employment
and never had any troubles at all. I've used them for about 4-5 years now.
It does violate privacy or employment laws.
I've posted about it before because there were MTSOs trashing MTs by name on some of the boards. My mother is an HR director, so she's told me what companies legally can and can't divulge about employees or former employees. Companies are not allowed to prevent people from securing employment, or slander/libel them. Personal opinions cannot cloud the reference. They can only confirm or deny the accuracy of certain items, such as employment dates, etc. I think the most judgmental question they can answer is, "Would you rehire this person?" Yes or no.
Hopefully you're not cheating on an employment test, right?
shame on you
Edited to remove place of employment. sm
That might be a little too much information. 
Quesiton about difference between income tax and self-employment tax...
Am I correct that income tax and self-employment tax are the same and this is what you pay to IRS and social security tax is separate where you pay both portions rather than employer paying half? Confused...
Downloading tests via the Internet for employment
Hello all. I was wondering if any of you download tests online when attempting to work for someone advertising here on the job boards. I just feel a little squimish. I'm being instructed to go to the Start Menu, right click, and type in the file name, etc. and then it takes me out to it online. Does this see like a safe thing to do? It doesn't mean anything is going on my PC is it when I type in the file name and password and end up at a site through Internet Explorer. Sorry for my ignorance or if I'm not making sense.. I just use my computer for a lot of confidential info, etc. and don't want a complete stranger onboard. Any help, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
It is ridiculous to make an employment decision
NM
Benefits with part-time employment?
DOes anyone know of any companies that offer bennies with part-time?
bright spot in the employment picture
I just got a job working for a hospital with a 3/4 million dollar transcription budget whose HIM director wants to bring all the work back in house. He's offering IC as well as employee with bennies/time off positions. The wages are fair, and I'm making a great line count on their software (he even let me install my own word expander). This is a Michigan hospital, but he actually has MTs in other states who work for him. I had to go in house to train, then I went home. For anyone who's interested this is at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan.
She didn't put any names or even employment locations with her post --
she simply listed errors she sees. I would keep a list as well; could be very useful in training new MTs or orienting even experienced MTs about what they have had in the past, how easy it is for one to just "type what they hear" and not pay attention, etc.
She didn't do anything wrong.
I can't ever remember a question of bankruptcy on an employment application. They usually just as
s
MT week, did anyone receive recognition from your place of employment?
AND, have you ever done anything for others that are MTs? If you work for a national, ever send them a basket of cookies or anything for MT week? Do you really thing curiosity killed the cat?
Good grief. You'd make an employment decision
Honey, you need to get a grip!
What about your local hospitals, Manpower, employment agency, Monster, CareerBuilder, etc. nm
s
I think $.07, $.075, $.08, or $.085 are all way too low for experienced MTs.
I truly love interviewing with these companies, then trying not to spew coffee out my nose at the line rates offered. Some of those rates were even for IC with no benefits or tax withholding. I'm about ready to quit MT and let them offshore because rates have dropped so much since I started. It's wonderful being offered the same rate to do ESLs and upper level work as what I made 10 years ago as a newbie. It's getting to the point where you can't make a decent, honest living anywhere any more.
Well, that's what MQ does. If are not an experienced MT,
nm
If you are experienced and don't have to SM
look a lot of things up, then the answer is macroing the daylights out of you machine. Macro just not large words, but medium and small words, such as "n" for "and" and "w" for "was", and so on. Try not to type anything out, if you don't have to.
I have also experienced that.
Did tell her that she might not have realized it but I felt there it sounded condescending and as our goal was to put out as perfect a product as possible, it was not helpful. Also told her that I appreciated constructive criticism as that would help us both.
Things did change. Sometimes I don't think they realize the importance of the way they phrase a sentence.
new MTs vs. experienced MTs
Dear MT Pundit,
Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts about experienced vs. new MTs. I think you're right-on. I see myself in the set-in-my-ways attitude sometimes. I'm not speaking for anyone else, of course. I can only speak for myself. Change isn't easy for me, but I've tried very hard to adapt and think I'm doing okay. This industry is changing fast and furiously, and if I want to stay in it, then I need to be able to go with the flow. Otherwise, my job may well end up in India. 
Too experienced? sm
Looking for a little advice. While applying for MT jobs recently I have been told I am too experienced to "just transcribe" because they see that I have held supervisory and other positions in the industry - along with many years of actual transcribing experience. I realize these days about 8 cpl is the going rate and although I wish it were higher, I wouldn't apply to these postings if I wasn't willing to work for that rate. Just looking to supplement my income. I would hate to leave all this experience off my resume, but maybe I should? Any ideas for a different way to spin this?
If you are experienced, you don't need to
look at the keys, whether characters are there or not.
Experienced ICs, please help.
I am an experienced Transcriptionist but I have always worked as an employee. I now have the opportunity to pick up a side account as an IC.
I really need some help and guidance on how to create a contract and what needs to be in that contract. Can someone please give me some advice?
Thanks In Advance!!
Even the most experienced MTs can
have trouble with new accounts. As long as your company has not said anything to you, don't sweat it.
experienced MT
Companies tend to want to hire newbies with the mindset that they can pay out cheaper. We all have to start somewhere, of course. Experience needs to continue to be worth something, including a deserved pay to go with it, and this notion seems to be whittling away...
In this profession, we all learn something new continuously.
I have experienced this...
before. There are many clients who operate in a similar fashion. If that's what they want, give it to them. After all, they are paying for our services, right?
yes, dnh.... I am experienced
I have been doing this for 15 years. Did my time in the office before going home and still learning every day.
I feel that I am above average at what I do, in the past 11 years on my current job, not one QA audit below 98%. I also have a 2nd job to make ends meet and in the past year, my monthly QA audits have been above 99%, twice at 100%. The 2nd job is OPs only and paid less than the 1st job.
I work a schedule at both! I do not complain and take pride in what I do. Of course I look things up. I do not abuse QA.
Thanks for you advice about trying to find a job like yours that never posts ads because no one leaves. That should help a fellow MT find a home.
I am an experienced transcriptionist, and have no more need sm
to proof every word of every report that the doctors have a need to actually listen over to their own dictation. Speed and quality go hand in hand in making a good MT. If you don't have both, then you will never make any more and never have any confidence in your skills. I think I already told you, above, that I have a QA score of 99.4. Good enough for me.
Everyone must pay their dues....we experienced MTs sm
worked in the office in the beginning of our career. I am not as old as one might think, 38 years old, but I started MT while still in high school in the 10th grade on a typewriter. I paid my dues many times over before I could have a career at home. I have to tell you, the experience and knowledge gained in that time is priceless. Yes, we learn something new every day, but in the office you have the doctors, nurses, OMs, and other MTs to offer their assistance. If you don't know a word or can't understand it, you go right to the doc himself. So, the next time you hear it, you know what the heck he/she was talking about. That is how you learn. Sorry to say it, but an office job or MT job in one specialty is where you should start. These schools tell you that you can work at home after you finish their course. That just is an outright untruth!
Just had to give my 10 cents worth.
Experienced MTs Needed
AccuStat Carolinas is seeking experienced MTs to work on many multispeciality accounts. All MTs must have high speed internet acess to apply. All MTs must reside within the US. NO OFFSHORE NEED APPLY!!! Each MT will need to have a 9-pin (serial port) foot pedal. The client will provide all software needed to perform work. All work must be 98% or above in accuracy to remain with our company. AccuStat offers statutory employee or IC status with no restrictions on scheduling for either status. Pay is sent via mail or direct deposit twice a month. Pay is 7.5 cpl per line for all transcribed work and 2.5 cpl for all edited work. The program that you will work with is a VR program so you will have both transcribed and editing work. Please cut and paste resume into email. Only eligible MTs will receive response.
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