Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I'm having a hart time lately staying motivated and getting a good count,

Posted By: Can I turn part of my brain off? on 2005-08-25
In Reply to: Anybody else not feel like working today? - no motivation again

x


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

You must be self-motivated to be a good MT anyway. If you couldn't SM
do well with the self-study program, you probably wouldn't be a very productive MT. I think this is the first bad word I've ever heard about these companies. I'd hire a graduate in a heartbeat because I would know they were competent or they wouldn't have graduated.
I see posting all the time about transcription, why are you staying, really?

First of all let me tell you about myself. I am way past the time when I have to "make" a living, do not have children to raise, can work if I want and not if I want, have just reached that point of not having to put up with much of anything anymore. My question is to you- yes you- the one who is posting here complaining and complaining about how this work has gone downhill and it has. If you are younger and really need the money and need to work and make a decent salary, why are you hanging on to something that does not look like it will change? I see the letters supposedly being written to the president, 60 minutes and the like. What do you think that will do, if anything? I am really surprised that the trend in this job is sinking even further in the money department, no raises ever and if you want more money, then work long, long hours and 7 days a week. Instead of fussing and being irritated about the lack of work, the lack of money, etc., why in the world do you not try to find another "real" profession before you get to an age to where you would really be stuck, that is not ever being able to pull out from this hole ever. I could not raise a family on what I make now but that is the difference in me and most I read on here. Ladies (with an occasional gent thrown in here or there) what are you thinking about? Why not make a change while you are young and can? There are loads of jobs for the medical field, if this is what interests you. Staying at home with the kids was perhaps ok at 1 time but not anymore. Why not get out while the getting is good and you still have a chance to really enjoy your job while at the same time being able to survive? Think about it.


 


 


I see posting all the time about transcription, why are you staying, really?

First of all let me tell you about myself. I am way past the time when I have to "make" a living, do not have children to raise, can work if I want and not if I want, have just reached that point of not having to put up with much of anything anymore. My question is to you- yes you- the one who is posting here complaining and complaining about how this work has gone downhill and it has. If you are younger and really need the money and need to work and make a decent salary, why are you hanging on to something that does not look like it will change? I see the letters supposedly being written to the president, 60 minutes and the like. What do you think that will do, if anything? I am really surprised that the trend in this job is sinking even further in the money department, no raises ever and if you want more money, then work long, long hours and 7 days a week. Instead of fussing and being irritated about the lack of work, the lack of money, etc., why in the world do you not try to find another "real" profession before you get to an age to where you would really be stuck, that is not ever being able to pull out from this hole ever. I could not raise a family on what I make now but that is the difference in me and most I read on here. Ladies (with an occasional gent thrown in here or there) what are you thinking about? Why not make a change while you are young and can? There are loads of jobs for the medical field, if this is what interests you. Staying at home with the kids was perhaps ok at 1 time but not anymore. Why not get out while the getting is good and you still have a chance to really enjoy your job while at the same time being able to survive? Think about it.


 


 


Part-time line count

I am a newbie and was wondering what some of your line counts are for part time on a daily basis or how many lines you are pulling in on a 5/6 day work week? 


Thanks tons, CURIOUS


I think that's a good count
Personally, I have to think those #s are exagerated. I know there are some whirlwind folks out there, but really: I know of someone who claims 2,000 per hour. I think not.

200-250 is most respectable. I do about half that unless I am doing all OPS, and I'm a fast typer and researcher. I always tell myself slow and steady wins the race.
How to get a good line count on DQS

Yes, and here is another tip that would help a lot of people:


 


For some reason the DQS mindset is to put everybody on everything.....In other words, they like to put multiple accounts in your pool. The thought here, of course, is to improve TAT on all accounts.


 


However, the problem is this. One account has certain banned abbreviations while another account has other banned abbreviations. One account has special rules that the next account does not --- and the next account has its own special rules.


 


Out of 10 reports, you may get 3 ds from account A, 2 ER reports from account B, 1 H&P from account C, 4 ops from account D.


 


What management needs to understand is that this is NOT productive. You have to stop and rethink the "rules" between each report and check the client profile or make needless mistakes. This may seem to be a small consideration but it definitely impacts speed/production/TAT.


 


Each MT should make it know in very clear terms (and you may have to repeat yourself every couple of weeks on this) that you can only juggle a certain number of accounts without negatively impacting your production (which impacts their profit margin and TAT by the same level of negativity).


get a good line count
Switching back and forth like that, you can't get a good line count.
good line count on DQS?
my sentiments exactly!!
How do I get a good line count...?
...when I keep getting different accounts and different doctors. I see people on here who say they can make 1200 or 1600 lines a day. What kind of account are you on that you can do that consistently. I have been doing this for almost 16 months now and if I am left alone on my usual account, which is a ER account with some pretty bad Southern dictators and a few ESL doctors that no one used to want to do, I can do right around 150 lines and hour, but now it seems that we have lost part of the ER account and I am getting consults and discharge summaries from 3 other accounts with a ton of ESL and no samples for anything. Something like this seems to happen every time I get to where I am getting my lines in a reasonable time. What are some suggestions for increasing my line count on discharge summaries and consults.
okay now i'm motivated but

The most I can get is about 1700 lines and thats on a very rare occasion, without some sort of hand, arm, wrist, finger pain making me stop.  And if for some reason I do not have pain, I get distracted (my own darn fault), but I find it hard to stay focused for a consecutive two day stretch, ill have one good day, then throw it all away the next day.  As far as the pain, if youre only  getting the numbness, and with the lines youre typing, maybe i'm sitting wrong or using the wrong keyboard.


Need to get motivated
Ok, here's my situation.  I've been working as an MT from home for 10 years.  I have loved it for the most but it does have its negatives.  I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  I have decided to apply for an MT position with a hospital and I would still be able to work at home.  They require 60 minutes of dictation to be transcribed each day.  At first I thought - no problem - but now that I've thought about it I am getting kinda worried.  I have lots of experience as an MT but I'm getting cold feet now!  Can I do this? What if I can't (how embarrassing!)  I'm starting to realize that I would really have to buckle down and stay incredibly focused!  In other words, I'd have to get rid of all my bad habits like surfing the web, stopping to do a load of laundry, etc.  I do not normally do 60 minutes a day.  So can an old, somewhat unfocused MT learn to become focused and extremely productive again?  That's the question.  I am not a lazy person but I do know that over the years I have become a bit slack in my work habits.  Now that I have this chance to work at a great place making good money, I want to shape up my act and go for it - but part of me wants to just stay status quo.  Maybe I am lazy!  Grrr.... Not sure how to pick myself up and self myself to an employer and get seriously motivated but I know there is a part of me that says - go for it!  Any suggestions?  Any comments? I guess I'm looking for some support here and a dose of confidence too!  Thanks.
A good line count is not possible in most cases.
I work on an average of 8 or 9 diffenent accounts a day, with as many as 16. Of course I was promised a "primary".
How do you stay motivated?

 


I have been transcribing for years - feeling burned out - can't concentrate and keep on typing enough to make much money.  Does anyone have any tricks for staying motivated??


Yes, it is hard to get motivated that way.
I've had my own clients and worked for MTSO like the one you're describing and had similar problems with both. Gave up my own clients because I was tired of the hassle, then ended up with an MTSO that started great but always had some excuse why pay wasn't on time, and never their fault. I found another MTSO to work for, only I made sure this one had direct deposit. Now check is there every time, on time, and they use a platform so no "lost" files because you can track everything. I wanted you to say there are better MTSOs and MT situations out there in case you decide not to go with the new job, but I have to say, the new career path sounds like a great opportunity. I hope it works out well for you! I've often thought it'd be nice to find a legit FT at-home job NOT in MT so let us know how it goes.
Motivated Production
When I first started working by the line, as I got closer to where I wanted to quit for the day, I would tell myself "I can do 5 more reports." Don't think about the lines, only the reports, let the dictation flow through your mind. You can use this technique per time period (every 2 hours, 4 hours, whatever works for you). If you can't face the prospect of 5 reports, make it 3. Once you have been doing this for a few days you WILL see a big increase. Those reports are the BONUS you are giving yourself. Don't think about who is paying you at this point, think about what you are paying yourself. I know you can do it. You can e-mail me if you want some encouragement, I have been at this full time since 1976.
It's how the count is programmed into ExText that determines good or bad, but otherwise it's a
s
Sylcount is good. It gave me a higher count
xx
No. MTs who are not motivated end up talking and we did all the work
dd
Seems to help me... Keeps me motivated, energy up... et cetera. NM
:)
Especially for Iowa, that is pretty good. UI can get good over time, but that's because of the u

I do believe she is good enough, and has more than proved that time and time again. NM
z
So what do you do to keep motivated to type during the work day? Sometimes I find it so hard to...

stay focused.  When you're working at home it is soooo easy to turn on the TV, take frequent breaks to answer the phone, talk to hubbie, play with the kids, take a hot bath, play solitaire on the PC, surf the net, post on a message board, etc.


I just wondered if anyone had any miracle cure for the wandering mind?


It wasn't a high schooler that motivated HIPAA's invention
of a well-known, well liked and now deceased tennis player at the beginning of the acknowledgement of the disease and cost the career of that man.

Makes me wonder what other misinformation you distribute.
Not me. I'm staying. NM
..
Staying with IC definitely. Thanks.
I make 700.00 a week 4 days a week at my IC job. I turned the job down. Thanks again.
That is a good time, probably take me 10-12 or - sm
maybe longer. Granted if they are easy I can easily do 15 minutes in one hour (or more, 24 minutes is the most I have done in 1 hour), but when you get tired, bored, etc, it seems to take a lot longer. I'd say you are right on target.
Take the character count divded by 65 and that will give you your line count.
x
STAYING AWAY FROM TRANS.
A. I strongly discouraged anyone I meet who has signed up for any kind of program at the community colleges or elsewhere who wants to learn transcription. It's really distressing to see people pay their hard earned money for training in a field that is virtually in the toilet. I find myself making 1/2 of what I was making 10 years ago as an MT with no benefits and 50% more grief.
In staying with this man for as long as you have,

having his children, and allowing him to verbally and emotionally abuse those children, you're setting the example to your children that this is how a relationship works.  Now that your 16 y.o. daughter is reaching the age where she will begin dating, she has learned from home life that men call women names and expect women to clean up after them.  She's going to wind up in some lousy dysfunctional relationships herself.  Where is her bioDad?  I'll bet he wouldn't be happy to hear from her how stepfather dearest treats her.  Is he a positive role model in her life?  Probably not, or he wouldn't be your ex.  Teach her to have respect for herself and never tolerate mistreatment.


Anyway, off the soapbox now.  You go, go quickly, and never look back.  Get out of there! 


I am staying at the Stratosphere
for the first time in May.  We had booked the Stardust, but its being torn down to build a new hotel :(  Stardust was our favorite.  I have also stayed at Fitzgerald's downtown a couple years ago and it was really reasonable and nice, no complaints, but it is downtown.         
Those situations different than STAYING in bad
Robbery or scamming are an in and out situation that you have little control over.  Staying in a bad job is usually a long term situation that you CAN control.  It is hard to change jobs.  However, the longer you put off starting the process, the longer you are allowing yourself to stay in a bad situation. It is sad to think you would give someone else such control over your life that you let yourself be abused. And the only one that can change something like that is YOU.  The buck stops with you when it comes to who has control of your life.  
Staying in MT for the "perks" - sm

Is not a good enough reason to do this job.  period, end of story.


The money is out there, but you have to look for it and you really have to want it.  You are looking for "everything" and you cannot have it - it's just not possible or reasonable.  You have to like the job to make it worth your while or to push yourself to achieve what you are looking for.  Chances are, you are probably make good money doing editing at 5cpl, but its your lack of desire that takes you so long to get the job done thus driving down your hourly wage.  You're in love with  staying home and getting a paycheck and not the job.


If you do not like your job, your performance is going to suffer no matter what field you are in and when your performance suffers, so does your wage especially in a production based job like this. 


Ooh, that sounds good. What time should I be there?
We're probably having leftovers.  Tacos, sloppy joes, potato ham soup, and kielbasa.
Glad you had a good time
Glad you thought the suggestions were helpful. :) I know some people probably think we are crazy but unless you are an avid camper you might not realize how much time can be spent just getting ready! Every little time saver you can find makes the trip all the more pleasurable when you don't end up exhausted just getting ready to go. :D
LOL, 4th time huh. Well, uh, good luck with that huh!!!! LOL. nm
.
I use this one all the time, good for all states.
http://www.greatdictator.com/cgi-bin/lookupmd.pl?first=&name=&state=
This is a good time of year to buy.
There are usually good sales in the week before Christmas when retailers are hoping to improve their bottom line. Also, if you wait until January, you may find good bargains from those trying to move stock during a slow time. Personally, I like my Dell. I've had three of them now and really have not had any problems. You can now get them at Staples, too.
staying away from message boards
Two years into MT I found message boards.  I had some small complaints about my job and was kind of in a love/hate stage of my relationship with MT.  Reading the boards with people complaining so much really put me more in that frame of mind to the point where I started hating my company and hating transcription in general.  When I left the job I had at the time and started a new one I vowed no more message boards because I felt they had poisoned my attitude, which was easily influenced at that time.  I stayed completely off message boards for the next five years and now am back (obviously), but that gave me enough time to get more established with my company and actually know and like my career enough that reading a lot of MT complaints doesn't bother me now.
It'll flame. I'm staying out of it.

staying home w/teenagers
Can not agree with you more.  Where my preteen & teen hated that I was at home all the time, their friends loved it...duh, guess which mom was there to haul them around before they got their drivers lisc.  Still think they should be 30 before they can drive
Just ignore this poster! Obviously staying on
subject and reading comprehension must not be a strong point in their skills list! Of course we all care more about children. This poster just doesn't know how to stay on topic and obviously wants a fight.
what are your ideas on staying focused??
When I am on my game I can do 250 to 300 lines per hour, but then after a couple of hours I start dropping to less than 150 lines per hour.  How do you stay focused?  I have tried working different shifts, split shifts, etc., but I just do not seem to be able to stay focused.  I have no small children at home, so that is not a problem.  I am in my own office space, but I just seem to start drifting after about an hour and then that is it.  Any suggestions?  Thanks. 
Help staying awake and productive
I have real problems staying awake, focused and productive.  I am alone all day, I think I get enough sleep, and I keep the TV on in the other room for another voice, but I get bored and can't keep my concentration and then I start web surfing and my productivity goes in the hopper.  Any suggestions on staying awake and focused?
If the meeting consists of her staying

and listening to dictation, yes, it should be paid and she as an IC should set the amount she should be paid.


I pick-up and deliver, and that's in my line charge.  I also do that at my convenience, not theirs.  A real office is fine with that and understands the meaning of IC.  Lisa is a vendor like any other contractor.


If I had to sit and listen and sort patient lists, etc. and spend more than 5-10 minutes tops at an office, then I would charge for that time spent at that office sorting through their mess.


Let's face it.  The office is a mess and Lisa is their scape goat.  Since now they know she's bending over backwards, they will take advantage. 


Again, Lisa should not spend her time sorting out their mess.  Furthermore, if they can't figure out what to give her and "don't have time", then Lisa's response should be that she doesn't have the time either unless she charges them for that time. 


It just sounds like a real mess of a deal.  I can't wait to hear if they actually pay her at all! 


Okay, I'll shut up now!  Just the fact that she's posting again is hysterical.  I guess I'll keep my mouth shut after saying from the last thread regarding this "I told ya'' so." 


You all thought "oh just this one time."  Why do you think the other girl quit?  Hello?  Can you say doormat?


Staying at home with the kids, yeh, right
Your message just said it all. That is why the field is looked down on so much now. Staying at home and go broke, no one really cares anymore. I had heard it all now. You get asked reasonable questions and you say in a little wifey-mamma talk, "can't we all just stay at home with Junior." I guess it will be important when the employer starts charging you just to work, will it still be that important. Get real.
The religion issue came at a good time. sm
My daughter is 10.

 

We're in the car and she wanted to call her friend Jessica on the cell phone.  She said, "It's after 2:00, so they're already home from church."

 

Then she says, "You know, mama, I don't mind going to church with them, but I hate going up and eating that yucky bread."

 

I said, "They had you go up for communion?"  and she said, "I think that's what it is.  The guy in the robes puts a yucky cracker thingy in your mouth, but they call it bread for some reason."

 

So I said, "You don't have to go up and take communion, you're not Catholic.  I could talk to Jessica's parents and tell them that you aren't a Catholic and you shouldn't go up and take communion." 

 

She said, She said, "Well, I'd feel stupid just sitting there when everyone else went up.   I'm not going to go someplace bad if I do the Catholic thing and I'm not really a Catholic am I?"

 

I said, "Of course not.  You just don't have to that's all."

 

She said, "It's okay, I don't really mind it that much."  After a few minutes she said:  "Hey wait a minute, we're not JEWISH ARE WE?!!!"

 

Another half hour on the different faiths and beliefs and the fact that it doesn't matter what you choose, but that it is a private, personal choice, and that one should never try to convince another person that their way of thinking is the "right" way. 

 

She thought it wasn't a good thing not to have a Christmas tree, but then thought that Hannukah was "really cool" because the kids didn't have to wait to open a present.  Then she said, "Well, we could light a candle every night for the Jewish kids because they don't have a Christmas tree and then maybe we could just open a present."

 

I said, "Nice try kiddo." 

 

Out of the mouths of babes! 

 

 

Whatever, then may you all have a good time in your pool of name calling. (nm)
x
This was good. There is no time for tears, arguments when you are
I'd throw him out, change the locks, he'll figure out what to do.

Don't look back.
Glad to hear you all had a good time. :)
nm
Hey! I'm having a good time. Jade East
men's cologne?  Anyone remember that?  I remember buying my first boyfriend some for Christmas (1966).  The bottle was a special edition, shaped like a pagoda!
A good expander pays for itself in no time at all.
Word files corrupt too easily so be sure to keep a backup for when you've lost all your shortcuts.

Also remember that you can only use autotext in Word and you're working "harder not smarter." JMHO.