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How long do you give a new job before you decide it's not a good fit for you? sm

Posted By: MT4me on 2006-01-26
In Reply to:

(Also posted on Company Board)

My saga follows. Please go to the bottom of post for my question :)

I've been with my current company as a PT emp. for 2 1/2 months. Everything about them seems to be quite fair, not great, but very fair. I'm still on hourly pay of a whopping $8.50 till I get my production up. Therein lies the problem, I cannot EVER see getting my line count up with the inordinately excessive number of ESLs on my acct. It's just ridiculous. All I'm asking is to actually TRANSCRIBE for a living, instead of rewinding and relistening 1000 freakin' times a day.

I've never gotten the feeling that I'm being taken advantage of or given the crap work, I just believe I'm on a very high percentage ESL account. I don't mind doing ESLs, I really don't. I just want more understandable drs thrown into the mix.

This is my first job after graduating and I was lucky enough to be hired for acute care. I'd like to continue in acute care. I just want to be able to PRODUCE, improve and ENJOY my job. I want to be doing MT work for many years to come.

I'd just like some opinions from those of you with more experience about what you might do in my situation.

Also, how long do you give a job before you decide it's not a good fit for you? Am I giving up too quickly?




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I would say as long as hubby is neutral, let here decide - she could always just not go up to casket
if she does go.  My DH never does either.   Everyone just has to deal with it in their own way.
IC sets their own hours. As long as the work is done by the deadline, you decide when to work.

I do give her credit for that - she came a long way. (sm)
I know she does a lot of good for a lot of people.  I just think somewhere along the line she lost touch with "real" people.  I guess that's bound to happen, though.  I don't have a problem with the school in Africa, she can do what she wants with her "own" money.  I do think, though that a lot of times she takes credit for things she didn't really do.  Maybe that goes with the territory too, or maybe people really don't care. 
How long do you give a new job before you quit?
Just started a new job two weeks ago and have a gut feeling it is not going to work out. The transcription itself is okay, it's everything else -- time consuming ADT, recordkeeping, etc.

What's the quickest you have ever quit a job or how long do you give a new job before saying Adios?

This job is a second job because I need extra money. So I can quit and still have my primary income.
How long before they give you the boot?

When starting out entry level at a company, what is the norm for probationary period?  I worked partime as an IC MT for a year for a friend, did inhouse TX for 7+yrs for specialty MD's office. All this and never had a problem.


Now that I am doing IC work with a national, it seems that everything I thought I knew about grammar and terminology couldn't hold a candle to the expectations of the nat'l companies.  Now I am begining to get self conscious about every little thing to the point where it takes me a rediculous amount of time to get it done.


It's not like I'm making huge mistakes or anything.  For the most part I do have my terminology and grammar down......its just the little things.  For example, I never knew that there was a difference in the way the phrase 'follow up' should be written-as two words, hyphenated or as one single word.  Didn't know that it depends on if it is used as a noun, adjetive, verb, etc.


I like the company I work for, but man do I feel inadequate. 


 


had a dictator who would give me an impossible long-
unpronounceable name, like Thyvongngang Tamboyvonangouwengay - and then say "common spelling" like it was John Smith. Cracked us both up every time.
He/she needs to PAY them well, give good
the quality and production will improve, & turnover will go down. Doctors keep raising prices to US, so why are we so squeamish about raising our prices to THEM?

Raise MTs pay & benefits. Sometimes you have to SPEND money to MAKE money.
I consider myself a good MT, can I give you my side?
I have 15 years experience and a pretty impressive resume.  I was called and sent a test file of 30 minutes - told to pick 2-3 files to test.  The sound quality was great, the dictator was a dream.  I was told I would be needed full-time, absolutely no part-time permitted, I would have the same dictator if at all possible, would get work late evening/early morning and was due back the next afternoon, was given a low but decent line rate, was expected to do a lot of work and give 5 days notice if I needed time off and work to start w/i several days.  Well, the work did not start for 2 weeks (new clinic getting up and running), the dictators were unorganized, the template was horrible - a nightmare for a typist/awkward to say the least, the line count was w/o spaces, the sound quality was poor, the work came late morning or afternoon and due that night, rarely got the same dictator, template and headers/footers changed several times, patient list, if provided, was in difficult format, work emailed and sometimes only half received, voice files were distorted, AND if I got work - only got 45 minutes to 60 minutes daily maybe 3 days a week and then a ton on Friday afternoon due early Monday morning..... This is not the job I applied for!!!  Thankfully I did not give notice at my other company and have had a back-up job all along - the new company is very nice but just not cutting it in my book - it was all about what they wanted/needed and to heck with what they said was going to happen - reality was quite different and quite disappointing. I do not consider 60 minutes full-time and I work mornings best - not a swing-shift.   I'm not hungry enough to jump through more hoops for them at this point. 
good for a while, until your wrists give out.
nm
What you pay a good tax guy to give you suggestions and help with taxes is
:)
That's good to hear. Maybe I should give it a chance and see if I like it.

A good tax guy can help with taxes and give ideas on deductions. His fee is a
:}
I wanted to thank all those who give me good advice last week. SM

And for listening to me boo hoo about being laid off or dissolved as the suits at the hospital like to call it.  Anyway, I have officially accepted a QA Editor position with a service and I'm actually in a more positive frame of mind than I was last week.


I got my laptop all set up and ready to go with a laptop stand for plenty of ventilation, I put off buying any kind of wav player and just downloaded ExpressScribe for the time being, and I didn't saturate the market with my resume, but picked only a few places to apply based on suggestions and information you all gave me here.  And I did all of this because you ladies gave me such good advice.


I just wanted to say what a great place this is and it is very, VERY wonderful to have a place to network, socialize, fellowship, or just plain gab with colleagues and friends. 


Give your keyboard a good upside down shake

Seriously...mine gets filled with all sorts of unspeakable oogies like cat hair, crumbs, and lord knows what else (thankfully I haven't spied anything that moves--yet!) and sometimes the keys (namely the shift/control/alt keys) stick.  These are the ones that will mess up control+function capabilities.  If that doesn't work, reboot.  If that doesn't work, call tech support just in case someone fiddled with preferences or something like that. 


Another handy thing to have is one of those "cans of air" that you can blow out your keyboard with on occasion.


Good luck!


What I think is so sad is that people may give up good jobs to go there to find out these things all
to late. The newbies can learn and use MQ and move on which they do but of course the clients suffer then with all the people learning on them but this is what MQ causes and when they lose clients with poor quality or people that just throw out work then they caused their own problems. You cant keep good MTs with no work I dont care what incentives you offer because they mean nothing with no work ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I wish people would understand that when MQ hires them.
If you think $14 is good then you must not have been a QA person for very long
That is not good. I make much more than that per hour doing QA. Be careful too because I hear they also do not pay on time.
This keyboard good if you have long nails....sm
I'm a former typing teacher. I used to use an ergonomic keyboard because I had the fake fingernails. It is actually easier to type on this kind of keyboard with longer nails. Now that I am back to biting them down to bits of nothing, I use a regular keyboard again. You can get used to it pretty quickly if you keep at it, though.
I think it is a good rate as long as they offer
health benefits.  Sometimes it is best to leave work at work, then you find you have a homelife unless of course you do extra from home.  Good luck to you!  $15.00 is mid in my area with the average being between 13-17 dollars per hour. 
I spend a good deal of time tweaking the ones in there so ummm, may give it a shot lol
dd
Oh, goodness! Soak him in the tub for a good long time.
Try a little dish soap on it.  I wouldn't advise any harsh chemicals because you don't want to risk a rash or anything.  Tomorrow's picture day here, too.  My kid decided to rub his blue ink hand stamp on the center of his forehead instead of leaving it on his hand.  The teacher stamps their hands with an ink picture stamp every day if they're good.  A sticker would be better because my son always has ink on his hands and face now.  Lots of soap, then maybe cover it with makeup?  Oh, goodness.  My cheeks hurt from laughing at this one.
Oh, goodness! Soak him in the tub for a good long time.
Try a little dish soap on it. I wouldn't advise any harsh chemicals because you don't want to risk a rash or anything. Tomorrow's picture day here, too. My kid decided to rub his blue ink hand stamp on the center of his forehead instead of leaving it on his hand. The teacher stamps their hands with an ink picture stamp every day if they're good. A sticker would be better because my son always has ink on his hands and face now. Lots of soap, then maybe cover it with makeup? Oh, goodness. My cheeks hurt from laughing at this one.
As long as it takes, to quote good old Dr. Phil!

You're both worth it - go for it!!


What's a good unlimited long distance plan?nm
nm
I have been around awhile, and will last making good money as long as this field does.
x
Good answers and becoming a skilled MT takes surprisingly long, but SM
although 5 years may be about average, there's an old saying about how some people have 20 years' experience and some have one year repeated 20 times. If you want to cut that 5 years down VERY substantially, work full time (a conscientious full time, not just slopping thru the day) and push for new work types and accounts as woon as you've milked the old ones for all you can learn from them. Plus, a reality is that availability of the Web as a resource now helps people function at a much higher level earlier than previously.
Lucky. I love long reports. I thought I got a good one, but it was a 1.5 minute
report with 12 minutes of dead air. Sit here and do nothing. For free.
The girl was 13, the rapist a distant relative they took in. Give money, give food and your time, b
you don't put your family at risk by taking in strangers. That's just plain foolish. There were over 3300 registered sex offenders in NO. Where are they now. In your community? Perhaps in your house? Good luck.
oh our lovely government does give illegals medicaid, foodstamps, and housing so in term we give tha
i have been through some rough times lately and had to apply for some help. there are signs, big signs, all over our offices saying "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE LEGAL TO GET HELP". so we and our government do give them our benefits whether they are legal here or not. now that is messed up. i am helping to support them so they can take away my jobs and i can't even support my kids and yes i get benefits, wow $75 a month in food stamps which lasts not even a week in a household of 6. don't get me wrong, i am thankful for any help at the moment, but i get penalized for trying to work my tail off and still can't survive.

there was recently an article in our local newspaper where one of our local school districts tried to charge $1000 a year for each illegal student enrolled. it was bulked and the illegals got a lawyer to sue for discrimination. the school district merely stated that they had to HIRE extra teachers that could speak the foreign language just to teach these children and were trying to offset some of the expenses. ridicilous!! so again our taxpayers money is paying to educate illegals as well.
How do you decide which is better?

National SE/employee  versus  small MTSO IC


I have my opinions based on my experiences, but I'd like to hear your opinions.  I wish I could have a hybrid of the two.  Steady workload, but a flexible schedule as long as xx number of lines was done per day.  Mostly the same dictators over and over, but still available to help out if another account needs it.  Is there such a creature out there?  Or am I dreaming the impossible dream?  I'd make a list of all my wishes, but I fear I'd be laughed off the boards.  LOL 


Still trying 2 decide...
where to spend my cent. So many choices!
But when did he decide to be gay?

DECIDE to be gay???

nm


Can anyone help me decide which job to keep?

I worked as a hospital employee, then IC for quite a few years. Everytime I asked about employee openings, there were none. I would always be out of work for 2-3 months in the beginning of the year.  I finally quit and got a job with a national. The hospital couldn't keep up on the work and asked me to come back and work weekends and days I did not have anything else to do (that's a joke!).


Now I understand they are going to hire another FT MT. I want to apply mainly because of the health benefits, as I am paying $600 a month now.


 I love working for the national but now my problem...I still feel loyalty to the hospital. I don't know what they are paying yet or what the hours would be and don't even know if she would hire me full time.


I know I should take into consideration the benefits, etc. and compare it with the national, but the work at the national company is so much nicer with regards to the doctors and program they use. The hospital has a lot more ESLs to contend with. The only problem with the national is that I have a hard time getting my production and a lot of days, I get really stressed out.


What is the going rate of a in house MT in PA?  I have 10 years acute care experience. What could I expect to be offered?  Thanks in advance for your help.


Yes, this is what I'm trying to decide

She would not hire me before because I worked 7 days a week plus holidays. This will probably be the sticking point even now. Plus there is a new CEO there that tries to tow (sic) the line on hiring.


My husband has a heart problem and we really need the insurance (he's self-employed). He is working but I don't know how long, until he drops dead, he says. I don't want to see that happen. Been with him 40 years, but we can't afford to get his heart fixed right now. (Does that give you an idea of our ages). Aw heck, he probably wouldn't do it even if he could, so who is he fooling? He's a workaholic like me. I made a lot of money through them as IC, but really need to get away from that status. We were paying through the --- to the IRS and we're tired of it. I know if I was hired, she wouldn't need the 6 per diems she has now plus the mandatory OT.


Another thing...the hospital is only 37.5 work week. I would probably say yes to any OT or extra time because that's the way I am, but I'm in a hole now $$ wise.


I really would prefer the hospital but I don't want to be suckered into working for less than I'm worth just because I have no idea what they pay. If I get my speed up with the national, and I'm sure I will soon, I should be able to make more, but I don't know the first thing about nationals either as it was my first job with one. All I know is I'm doing as well as expected.


 I thank you for your input. 


 


 


Well...what did you decide?
nm
When you do decide to get out - sm

be it weeks, months or years, drop me a line, that is if you don't already have someone in mind to take over your accounts, unless you are just planning to give them notice and let them fend for themselves.  Obviously if you are doing tapes this would not work unless we are near each other which I doubt (I am near Richmond, VA), but digital would work just fine and that is how I work now.  I am always looking to add on and looking to one day have a few people working for me.  So if you have the inclination e-mail me, and I will email back with my information. 


Thank you! I have been trying to decide
if I wanted to try the Gevalia or not, and when I read this I got on the site and signed up for it. Thanks for helping me make up my mind!
Can't decide
I would choose family, being home with kids over a job. Jobs come and go, but time spent with your children can't ever be re-paid.
Here's how I decide (sm)
1. If account specifies, follow the specs.

2. If no specifics and paid for spaces, by all means, 2 spaces after the period. Helps the line count a little bit at least. (I type all my accounts this way.) It's easier to read, especially in the lab data section.

3. If no specifics and not paid for spaces, they get 1 space after sentences.
Only you can decide!

Both IC and employee have their advantages and disadvantages. Do you need insurance or not? Based on what some people are saying the health insurance offered by a company is not always the best offer out there. Do you prefer flexibility or do you want to work a set schedule?


To receive full benefits you might have to achieve certain line requirements. I just switched from employee to IC. My employer did not offer much regarding benefits and did not always offer enough work so that I could achieve the line requirements. They only offered paid vacation. Now I have the flexibility and am making the same amount per line after tax deductions as previously before tax deductions.


Not every employee position offers full benefits. Also, depending on what type of work you do, the quality of the dictators and your QA team, you could make more money as an IC.


Maybe not the question IC or employee is as important as finding the job that suits you best.


trying to decide
how difficult is this medical transcription to do? I am going to take a medical terminology class at community college and take word 2007 before I start either M-Tec or somewhere maybe in December.
only you can decide what's best!
you are the one that will be typing on it! I don't know what brands you tried or I might give you my opinion, but can only tell you what I like about mine you know? I actually bought this cheap little Belkin kind, split keyboard and when you type the keys they are loud, which is one thing that i like for some reason... Also I have to have the "insert, home, page up/page down, delete and end" button certain ways... two rows three across. You know, certain things for certain people! Good luck!!
It's up to you to decide...
if you think 26k is fair.  I am assuming you mean you make 26k as an MT with 5 years' experience?  I think that sounds about right.  There are some MTs with 5 years' experience who make more than that, some who make less.  I make far more because I have far more years of experience than you.  You have an associate's degree, but it is in a different field, right?  That is not going to make a difference as far as MT pay is concerned.  As I said, I went to school for 4 months to become an MT (an on-site, full-time school), plus I worked in-house for a long time with a mentor before I began working from home.  Like you, I also have education in a different field.  At this point, I can make more money as an MT, which seems fair to me.
Aw come one give her a break. She said she was sorry and is willing to refund. Give her a chance to

do what is right.  If she fails to do what is right, then go about this in an adult way and not act like such a child.  "you suck"  That is so immature.


She is responding to you and you are eating her alive.  Why would she put herself out there to be treated like this if she didnt mean it. 


I am really astonished at how people can act on here.  Would you treat people like this in person?  If you do, I cant imagine you having very many friends. 


Remember we are all "HUMAN." 


 


Good of the company? As IC, I am my own company. Not my problem if she has problems as long as I do
:P
I can't decide if I should be job searching or not.
I like many aspects of my job, but I dislike certain aspects about it, too.  The thing is that this has been my best MT job ever.  That's not something you just throw away.  I know there's no perfect job out there, but I wonder if I could make more money with a better platform and an unlimited workload.
I'm an SE. I decide my schedule.
That is my current contract with my employer.

I don't even have to ask to work past my schedule. I don't have ask off. All I have to do is say I'm not working my planned schedule. That's all. However, I don't do business that way.

I keep my schedule and then I am usually asked to work more so I do.

I've worked at this place for years and I have never been limited on how much work I do. That will change shortly but after several conversations with upper management, there will be opportunity for overtime.

If you are an employee, not statuatory or IC, then you are more restricted in what you do. That is very true.

It's just not what I have been working as all this time for this particular employer.
RadGuy??? What did you decide????

Okay, we helped, so now ya gotta spill it.......what did you decide to buy your sisters for Xmas????  :)


Happy Holidays, btw.


the easiest way to decide (sm)
Is to ask yourself how you would feel if the tables were turned... then you will have your answer. And also, the best piece of advice I ever got was "if you have to ask, you already know the answer".
That's how I would decide also. Treat others the way you
would want to be treated.
Please, help a sista decide what
The   company I work for is changing to more  cumbersome and slow platform and pays 7.5 cpl.  I know that is low but the Director of Operations is VERY good to me otherwise and it is on a platform that iis very user friendly and I have almost total control of document handling, which I am whittling down to a fine, fast art.  I just talked to a hospital about IC at 10-11 cpl but would have to "rent" software at $20 per month. (Was told this was for IRS reasons, which I don't know that I believe, but whatever, it is how they do it.)  I am trying to decide which would be the better deal.  10-11 cpl and pay "rent" or 7.5 and no rent.  7.5 cpl job is fairly flexible, accts I have there are easy for me to do, and staff is great.  The new job sounds like an "MT friendly" kinda place with no ESLs.  What to do, what to do???