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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Bachelors of General Studies

Posted By: darwin on 2005-07-19
In Reply to: Do you have a college degree, and in what? - Why do you do MT?

Summa cum laude, thank you very much.


Long, complicated story. Basically, I'm a clinical year short of a Clinical Laboratory Science degree, but I won't go back and pursue it barring losing my husband. Also, if I'd have thought more carefully when I switched out of the CLS program, I was only 3 or 4 classes short of a B.A. in psychology. Oh, well. What I ended up with is essentially a liberal arts degree with lots and lots of science classes and lots of psychology classes and a smattering of language studies.


Like some of the other posters, my ultimate goal is to get into P.A. school once my youngest kiddos are school age. I think I'm too old for med school now, but it raises my hopes to see the post below. Being a transcriptionist pays the bills, but some days I do kinda get upset with myself. Here I am doing the same thing I went to school not to do any more. Sigh...


MTing is not bad, but I just don't get enough people contact, and it certainly doesn't have a lot of money or prestige associated with it. Sigh.. again. Ah, well. It works for my family right now.


 




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Bachelors versus Associates?
Thank you for your response. Glad to hear I am not the only one. Out of curiousity, would you suggest going for a bachelors right away? A $15/hr job covers everything I need in order to work outside the home (i.e. daycare coverage and gas), so I would be more than happy with that and I already have 1 semester of generals that transfer from a different associates degree, so would only really be needing to go for 1-1/2 years, so figure an associates to start with might be the way to go. What would you do (now that you already have your associates and haven't been able to find much)?
Currently working on bachelors degree in Psychology
:)
and how many liberal arts and science bachelors degrees & beyond are held on this board?
LOL
Lab studies words
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! If you couldn't figure out that one, give it up!
Sleep studies? sm
Can you make any money on sleep studies?  Any good reference websites or sample reports I can get.  Any info appreciated.  TIA
New studies claim..sm..
cell phones are perfectly safe to use in non-clinical areas, such as waiting rooms and hallways.  Just Google hospitals "cell phones".  Tons of info.
Sleep studies
Here is a good web site for sleep studies. When I did them, I found them to be pretty easy. I think I added the link below too. But here it is again:

http://www.sleepnet.com/definition.html
Help Radiology MTs! How many studies do you do in day?

I've been wondering, on an average 8 hour day....how many reports do you get done? I'm not really talking very specialized reports, just MRIs, X-rays, US, CTs.


I've been doing rads for a little while now but still can't get a solid idea of how many I should be doing. Every once in a while I'll get a 3-5 min nuke med report but overall most of the reports are about 1-2 min (or less) with great dictators.  When I ask my lead, she just tells me "as many as I can."


I'm the kind of person that can't just trot along....I need to have a goal of some sort and the other MTs on this account don't want to share their stats (greedy, I think, since I know they make more than I do and they don't want me "taking" any work from them even though there's more than enough to go around).


Help Radiology MTs! How many studies do you do in day?
I have been typing radiology reports for 30 years. I type 10 to 20 most of the time. Have typed less and can type more depending on the doctor. Some docs are long winded and every report is 15+ lines even for chest x-rays while others can be one-liners. Also depends on if you can type continuously or have to stop typing to listen because they are not speaking properly into the microphone. I would say average is about 17 or 18. What most of us focus on I think is how many lines an hour. 150 to 200 is good for me, which if you make 10 cents a line is $15 to $20 an hour. I make a little more than that. Good Luck to ya!
you are talking about 10-20 studies sm
per hour correct? Its been awhile since I did radiology and the reports have gotten a lot longer, but most of the time 125-150 reports a day.
No, there are a bunch of studies out there indicating that
one drink per day of beer or wine is actually good for you.
Want to finish my studies this year - sm

So I can make the kind of living I was used to with less headaches and be able to do some traveling with my work.


Also will be able to buy a bigger house!!!


Please cite to the scientific studies...(nt)

There are numerous studies presently

taking place concerning this relatively new medication.  Below is a single example of Fosamax prescribing from the "norm."  If I were typing that report, I would type it verbatim and not flag/question the physician's dictation.


                                            FOSAMAX DOSING


The prevention dose is 5 mg daily, the treatment dose is 10 mg daily. Alendronate should be continued indefinitely. Although discontinuation of the alendronate does not result in the rapid bone loss seen with HRT discontinuation, a gradual decline does occur, so some maintenance therapy should be utilized. The dosing may be modified once optimal bone mass is restored.  One could then consider the 10 mg dose to the 5 mg prevention dose daily, or perhaps to 10 mg every other day.  A once weekly dose of 70 mg or a twice-weekly dose of 35 mg is presently being evaluated as an alternative-dosing regimen but has not yet been approved. (Study results pending).


Source:  Preventing and Managing Osteoporosis


Sarah Hall Gueldner; M. Susan Burke, Helen Smiciklas-Wright – Editors


Springer Publishing Company 536 Broadway New York, NY  10012


Helpful reference for ops and studies

Found this excellent resource for ops - sharing with all.


I stopped my HRT when studies showed it did not prevent osteoporosis. sm
I have osteoporosis.  The govt halted a study on HRT as the women involved had more heart problems than those on the placebo.  Too scary for me.  In addition, my hair was falling out excessively.  Since I have been off it, my hair is back to normal, but the flashes have come back.   Even more repulsive to me was when I found out that the HRT I was on came from the urine of pregnant mares that were impregnated just to get the HRT ingredients, then the colts were destroyed.  No way.  There are over-the-counter remedies for hot flashes, but now they claim that black cohosh causes liver cirrhosis.  So, I'm not taking anything. 
My daughter teaches social studies and science.
She works the after-school program at her school for extra money, and an occasional Saturday school (also extra money). She has also signed up to teach summer school, and may do some private tutoring as well.

Just some ideas for you.

I have been doing MT for about 4 years now, and average about $10 an hour at 7 cents per line (no raise since I started). There is a tremendous learning curve, I did not feel productive and competent at all for the first couple of years. I got my certificate from the local community college. They offered night classes for the beginner course, then an on-line advanced course. I should point out that a certificate from any school does not make you a CMT (certified medical transcriptionist). For that you have to pass the test given by AAMT, and as I recall you cannot test until you have 2 years of experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
In general
All caps and no abbreviations.  Headings for PE and ROS underneath.  Account specifics may differ.
In General....

An employer cannot set a specific schedule for an IC. This link addresses the issue here :


http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/1179.html


An excerpt fron the site above notes :


"According to the IRS, workers are employees if they must comply with the employer's instructions about their work, receive training or direction from the employer, provide services that integrate into the employer's business, render their services personally (can't subcontract), have a continuing working relationship with the employer, must follow set hours of work, work full-time for the employer..."


 As is noted in the site linked above , the consequences for the employer are quite severe if the IRS determines that the company actually was treating you as an employee rather than an IC.


 


In general,
in a given occupational group the upward pressure that unions place on wages and benefits has the net effect of raising the income and standard of living of poor folk up to the level of middle class folk while the absence of unions tends to drag the income and standard of living of middle class folk down to the level of poor folk. That upward pressure on wages and benefits not only helps union members but everybody else working in that occupational group. Without the organized upward pressure, wages will sink like a rock.

attorney general
good idea.  I have contacted an attorney already (I am a corp by myself so I have access to an attorney) and he states that legally there is nothing right now that I can do. I can possibly sue them later down the road, but they have not done anything illegal. He suggested to try and "sugar" them into paying me.  I will contact the attorney general's office. The company and I are in the same state, so that helps tremendously.
Go to Dollar General. sm
I'm amazed what i can find there for $1. You never know what you're going to find, but cleaning supplies, household stuff, things that are definitely more than $1 even at Wal-Mart...as long as you're willing to not be picky. When the hurricanes were looming, I got mutli pack of name -brand batteries for $1, tons of candles, etc. You just have to search the whole store, but definitely worth it.
MT and medicine in general

The greedy guts smelled the ability to MAKE A PROFIT in the field of medicine


and "there went the neighborhood."


It used to be a sign of respect to be a doctor - now they just work for the company store and are running out the door with the nurses at quitting time - throwing any patient they may be seeing to the winds.  One even told me to hurry up and make up my mind because she had to go pick up her kids at daycare!


And so has medical transcription - some guy in a tie said QUANTITY OF LINES COULD = MUCHO PROFIT...


Of course those people don't care if a few people die along the way because of errors. - well not at least until it's their leg that's amputated by mistake.


 


Is that the one for a general transcriptionist?
c
In general no, but your client may need you to
nm
dogs in general
As a pet owner, I can understand the devestating feelings that you have regarding the horrible death of your dog/child. (I say child because my 2-year-old Weimaraner is like one of my kids) Please remember that any dog can be made to be vicious, there are no vicious dogs by nature. Dogs are a direct result of the environment that they live in and if they are mistreated then they are going to be mean and unsafe. My brother had what is called a Mastif bulldog and it was the biggest baby I have ever see at 100 pounds. Neighbors were okay with this dog in the neighborhood (all their kids loved him) until a picture of his breed was put on the cover of Time magazine. In this picture, the dog was snarling and looked very vicous. My brother ended up having to get rid of the dog because so many people were then afraid, even though before they loved the animal before. There is "prejudice" when it comes to dogs, just as there is "prejudice" when it comes to people.
too general a question - please be.....nm

General Transcriptionist

Im trying to begin my career in MT.  I've ordered a at home study course and im waiting for it to arrive but in the mean time i heard that general transcription is the route to go until you become efficient enough to begin in MT.  Does anyone know of how I need to get started in this and what I need to do to begin?


Thanks


Jodie


as a general rule...

I use an "f" after any abbreviation that I want to expand.  I just use the standard abbreviation plus f, so I do not forget what they are.  My ShortHand is full of things like this.


ex: cbcf  tcpf  tshf


Works for me!


 


General Dissatisfaction
I read all these board and it seems that overall no one is happy where they are.  Is it because this is the most God awful boring profession possibly?  I am so bored that to keep me occupied I find things that could be done better or quicker.  I just switched companies because I couldn't stand same old same old another minute.  Just the new platform and dictators make for a better day.  Am I alone in this thought process?  No, changing jobs is not an option right now kids at home and raising them comes before me..Just a theory
Your question is too general...
You need to post on the company board for a specific company. We cannot answer your question as currently presented!
General MT questions
Recently, I was asked the following questions by a friend who is helping to revamp a medical transcription course.  These questions are also asked by individuals who might be interested in medical transcription and are posed at seminars.  
 

I would appreciate your input if you would be so kind.  Also, what is the industry-wide expectation on required number of lines per day and number of minutes per day (8-hour day).

 

1.  On average, how long does it take a medical Transcriptionist to produce 1 hour of dictation?

2.  Besides Word, is it essential for transcriptionists to purchase any of the transcription software that’s available?

3.  Is it common for doctors to transcribe into templates, which eliminates the need for medical transcriptionists?

4.  How many lines an hour should an average MT be typing?

 

Thanks I appreciate any and all input.

what general area are you in
A gal I know up in a western metropolitan area got 14 cpl 5 YEARS ago, but she says the prices up there are like that. I wonder what they get in New York?
General discussions here say should get AT
x
It seems that the general consensus is that it
is inappropriate, regardless of the sexual orientation of the employee.

If you did not give your expressed permission to use your company name, logo, or otherwise, it could be considered a copyright infringement.

Ask her to take it down because you did not give your permission for her to put it up.

Wages in general
In looking over *** jobs, under the pay/compensation it seems everyone is putting "competive wage/compension".  Can anyone give me some idea of what that means....I am currently getting 8.5-10 cents for IC work.  I have 10+ years and made it at Healthscribe for 5+ years, which was definitely the worst work ever.  Can I do better?  I had my CMT and let it expire years ago.   
I was always told as a general rule
it was double.  Most of the time, however, I think it is slightly over that.
That is the general premise though it seems more and more "require"
what they are trying to do is obviously have a good idea of what your daily committment/lines will be so they can keep the work covered and done in TAT. It makes sense for them to do this though I do not like having a set schedule as that is hard for me personally...maybe 2 out of 5 weekdays I could actually work a schedule. As for "requiring" you to work a holiday, if it is in your contract, yes, if not but it is your normal scheduled work day and they say nothing about you having it off, they I would think they "expect" you to work it. Work though at the holiday's does slack off some, the doctors don't want to work either. I am an IC but don't have to work a schedule luckily, and I get off the days the hospital I do work for does (all major holidays) though I may have work at home to do in my box, I choose when to do it, as long as it is in for my deadline they don't care. Seems to me those types of jobs are getting harder to find though.
Former owner of MDI, now General Manager
Wow - I most definitely do work at MDI.

If you worked for MDI you would know how extremely busy we are. I sent out a mass email on Wednesday asking for extra help.

I try to NEVER overhire, as I am a Transcriptionist myself and I realize that my MT's need the job and the money coming in on a regular basis. So I do take great offense at your post. AND YES, I really work at MDI.

Please give me a call.

Thanks,
Liz
Can anyone point me in the general direction

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?


I wasn't asking for your address, just general
location. Like East Coast, West Coast, Midwest .. big city, small town. Your unwillingness to respond to any of the questions pretty much gives me my answers.

Why does everyone here always just automatically assume the worst? Sheesh. It's like a rampant disease. Yes, I was asking for your address so I can come find you and stalk you. As if I would actually care. I was trying to make a point as to regional rates, that's all. When someone like you pipes up saying that 9 cpl is an "India" wage, then the good people who are surviving quite well on 9 cpl won't want to speak up for fear of being bashed. I run ads for help often for my transcription service and get plenty of responses from Indian MTs and most of them are only asking for 3-4 cpl. The only way I could ever see companies paying 9 cpl to MTs overseas would be if MTs here were asking 20 cpl. Otherwise, it just wouldn't be advantageous since many US MTs are more than willing to work at 9 cpl with (usually) much better quality and fewer training expenses.

All I can say to the OP is that you should decide what rate works best for you. Will 9 cpl pay your bills? Cost of living is different in different places so 9 cpl may work for one MT but not another. Are you being started at 9 cpl with the knowledge that you can move up from that rate once they've QA'd your work for a few months? While some MTs in some areas may be able to demand a rate of 16 cpl, that is not typical in all locales. Asking that rate in a smaller town would put you out of business since there would be too many others more than happy to accept the 9 cpl.

Finally, I hope this is not the only message board you use to seek answers to your questions. I find this board to be the least beneficial with the most negativity and bickering getting in the way of any good information it provides. Check out some other MT sites as well. And please remember that people hiding behind anonymity will often exaggerate or just plain not tell the truth so take it with a grain of salt. Do the math and see if the rate will work for YOU. It doesn't have to be good for anyone else. :)
how about esthetics field in general
I don't want to spend 7k and get out and have no business.
Paid by report or cpl - Which is better in general? nm
nm
Right click My Computer....should be under general tab. nm
xx
Did you try going to the general escription forums?
Is it Willie that moderates it? Anyhoo, someone in there asked about getting a USB adapter a while back. Maybe one of the techs can help you. I would LOVE to be able to use my laptop with a pedal.
What general search engine do you use? (sm)
Does anyone use anything but Google for a general search engine? Google seems to be down today (is google down for anyone else?), and I'm trying to find another one that is as good for my general searches.

Thanks!
General rule is 3-5% a year. sm
If you currently get 8 cpl, ask for a raise up to 8.25 or 8.5 cpl, that almost covers cost of living and inflation.

Generic numbers here to show the math based on the 8 cpl with the raises:
200 lph at 8.00 cpl = $16 hourly/$33,280 yearly
200 lph at 8.25 cpl = $16.50 hourly/$34,320 yearly
200 lph at 8.50 cpl = $17.00 hourly/$35,360 yearly

When you ask for a raise, provide them with verifiable data to prove you DESERVE a raise. Say you are 99% accurate, remind them. If you type 250 lph or more, remind them. If you work OT on days off, remind them. If you come at them with your homework done and good reason to give you more, they will be more apt to say yes. (I have never been turned down for a raise, once even got more than I actually was looking for because I didn't specify how much of a raise I was wanting.)


There's general, insurance, police, others. nm
s
Companies in general, true. ICs could be
added in, but obviously there are laws from the labor board regarding employees, versus IC where it would be a contract.
However, I just was wondering how far a supervisor can go as long as people work their hours (allowable by law 8 scheduled) and as long as people get their agreed on minimum line count. Wondering about no breaks between reports, and working every minute being monitored and that would be with a company or any employer paying your benefits. Also, wondering if this were mentioned at the interview, would a person take the job. Guess that is a more rhetorical wondering. But it is true, up to the employee to do something about it. I agree. If the employee does not want to stand for it, could either leave, or make an issue out of it, which brings us to another conversation then.
Have you looked into general transcription?
There's more of it available than you might think, and I've heard it pays better.
General liabilty and E&O are two different animals.
I used to sell insurance. General liability protects your companies assets when something you do causes harm to either a person or property. E&O, aka professional liability, aka Errors & Omissions comes into play when you make a mistake and/or omit something and thereby cause financial harm to your client. I can't see the need for an independent MT to carry either of these - unless you're like the one who has the government contracts. You can get a small GL only policy from Hartford for about $400 a year and they are the only ones who will write those. The E&O is closer to the $5k a year range (or more) and there is no need to do that - not when all of our work is sent through the MTSO's QA people. The MTSO holds the burden for that.