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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I can't decide if I should be job searching or not.

Posted By: Pros/Cons on 2005-08-17
In Reply to:

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.


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I didn't mean internet searching, I meant searching my directories for filenames. nm
`
Searching, searching, name of ortho book w/stripe

I know I wrote it down twice off this site and cannot find it.  The ortho/neurology? book with the stripe on the cover?


Thanks in advance!


searching
There is none.  So "searching for the ideal" can stop searching.
always searching for pts name, etc.
On DQS, Im forever scanning the demographics screen, doing a search cause the doctors either leave the screen blank without pts name, MR#, billing number, DOB, etc., or they put in the wrong information.  So, I have to decipher what name the doctor is trying to say and/or spell and then search for it.
Searching ---
do you use the search box to the right of the *post a new message* box?  That should bring up the subject/term/whatever you are looking for.
searching for the ideal..

I am soooo very anxious right now.  I have cried all morning and cannot seem to console myself or come up with a solution.  I have been doing transcription for over 12 years and have been home for the last four.  Through those four years, though I love being at home, I have come up with generally zip as far as contentment in my job goes.  I have been an employee status, as well as an independent contractor.  I have worked for places that seemed 'ideal' until 3 months or so were up, then they'd switch accounts on me (starting out on great accounts and leaving me struggling with a bunch of crud nobody in their right minds would want to do), dealing with owners or supervisors who lay out the 'heavy hand' and do nothing but tell you what you DO WRONG (one who comes to mind nearly gave me a nervous collapse--never could please her and who'd want to the way she treated you, sarcastic, mightier than thou approach).. ugh!  I have done basic four hospital transcription, clinic transcription, ER transcription, and I just am not finding 'THE BEST' place to be.  I don't know.. maybe I'm SUPER BURNED OUT.  I never make enough money, don't have benefits, and I'm getting to the point where I feel I'm just finished with this 'career.'  If I find a place where I make a decent amount of cash, I either have to put up with an idiot for a manager/ boss/ supervisor/owner or hideous dictation.  If I go to a place that seems good as far as dictation/accounts go, and the management is decent, I wind up making next to nothing in pay.  Most places I've experienced give you a come-on to begin with, give you a decent account and after two to three months, they switch you to the crap work.  Still, they give you no pay raises for even attempting to do these reports, not like they would anyway.  I think I have worked for at least six different companies since being at home in the last four years.  I am sick of making no money, not enjoying my job anymore and dealing with all the crap nobody else wants to do.  Sorry, I had to vent.. I'm ready to give up and find a job that actually PAYS in more ways than one. 


  


searching and not getting paid

I agree..Most of my doctors dont put in the right ID number or the correct name. In the past, I have searched and searched to my loss of minutes..Heck, we already lose minutes when we have to look up words or medications that are not stated correctly..We dont get paid for research time..so recently I have decided to leave blanks when I never would before.To be fair, trans companies should pay for down time when we are researching information..


try searching the archives

This has been discussed several times in the last few months.  You should be able to find some answers there.


You can get it by searching google and going
to their homepage. It has contact #'s and maybe email.
Tips on job searching

I have been doing MT for a little over 6 years.  I have experience in several different specialties.  I currently work in an ENT office and am looking for part time work to do at home.  My only problem is that I never went to school and am not certified which makes it difficult to find a job.  I have only had on-the-job training but I feel that I am very good at what I do and have learned quickly in my experience as an MT.  Does anyone have any tips on how or where to find a job? 


 


Thanks


Yes, and I'd rather keep searching and be happy
Than stay in a job that made me miserable. Even some of the posts on the job seeker's board project major attitude (one recent posting in particular sticks out in my mind), as if the poster is doing us a *favor* by allowing us to apply.

Nope, I'd rather make a little less somewhere else where I enjoy the work and I'm happy.

Congrats on cutting your ties with the not-so-nice person, and best wishes for you to find something GRAND in the very near future!

*CHEERS*
Try searching the archives. Some of us get tired of

answering the same old questions for people who can't be bothered to research what we said about that exact topic only last week.  Besides, only the people making big bucks answer the polls.  You don't see any of the newbies who are only earning $7 an hour admitting to it.


I bet it is from a Pakistani MT searching for work
that pays 3 cents per line!
I don't know, I found quite a few of these stories on searching.....
Here's another:

http://blog.imperfectparent.com/tag/oregon/
Instead of searching for a true unlimited

plan (I don't think they exist), when I needed ULD, I used Qwest on 2 phone lines and split the time between the two lines. 


Searching in WP 5.1 documents through Windows XP
 I have changed word processing programs from DOS-based to Windows-based programs, but still need to access the old WP 5.1 documents. I am having trouble searching the documents through Windows, i.e., searching for a person's name, etc. inside the document.  Do you have any suggestions? 
Searching WP 5.1 files in Windows
I do not have WP 5.1 on my XP computer, if that is what you meant.
Tried that, which is why I said I've been searching for info

Searching for digital dictation

Hi,


I'm looking for some advice and direction.  I am looking for possible options for a digital dictation/transcription system for a multioffice practice on a Citrix network environment with remote transcriptionists.  Several years ago I worked for a web based transcription service that used Chartnet, but that was several years ago.  I don't 'really remember any big issues, but I don't need the payroll, production aspect of a system.  I am looking more for tracking, in having control of knowing incoming and outgoing jobs with a system.   Our practice is integrating with EMR; however, several of our physicians continue to choose to dictate and I am looking to other transcriptionists to possibly point me in the direction of software that they have used so I can research and try to find a product that will fit our practice - we are still on micro tapes. I am looking for a system that of course would be Transcriptionist friendly, but also afford me the ability to manipulate the jobs, i.e. assigning easily, producing reports and software that has good tracking abilities and of utmost importance, excellent sound quality for the player.  As a transcriptionist, I personally would look for a system that I will not spend a lot of time in the download function and the complete function.  It isn't real effective to me if the time uploadinging and downloading per job takes longer than actually transcribing the jobs.  We have a large quantity of work.  Key to me is having control of my work, meaning the physicians being able to identify dictation with a patient number and my being able to track jobs downloaded.  Forgive my rambling!!  I would appreciate anyone responding to me with any suggestions or telling me of your experience with software.     


Thank you in advance - I know that the first place I needed to go with this transcription question was to the experts - folks that use these systems and are familiar. 


I consider job searching in the MT field a crap shoot
You can never tell which would be better than another until you try it. Too many bait and switchers out there.
I was searching for a Kaiser facility and the article came up (sm)

I don't know if I would call it better, but different sites come up.


It doesn't mention what they plan to do about identity theft and their 3 years is now up.  Anybody work for this Kaiser facility?


In fact, upon further searching, I see very few negative posts
x
Maybe searching internet and newspaper archives - sm
for any kind of stories related to identity theft resulting from offshore medical (or other) records is a start. Another angle would be to look for info. from editors on specific instances (Pt. privacy respected, of course!) where offshored or even US bargain-basement transcription came back with errors that could have caused injury or legal action.
Searching for Internet satellite service
This company looks they offer good service in our area according to their add but I have never heard of them before.  Any news would be appreciated.
find referrals or start searching

I don't know anyone who gets massages, so I have to go through the search process (yellow pages). Try one, if that doesn't work, try another.  One who works on athletes is a good bet.  When I call and talk to them, I tell them exactly what my problem is and what I'm wanting -- very deep tissue, therapeutic massage to work out the adhesions in the arms and lots of upper back/shoulder work. Ones who have been around awhile have worked on many with this exact problem.  Unfortunately, not all of them will work for YOU, so it's a matter of trying one for a few months, then evaluating how you feel. If you're not better by then, move on.  I just left one who I was SURE would help because of her style (rolfing), alas the arms got worse.  I have one now who does exactly what I need.  imho, gadgets and pills may relieve some pain, but they don't straighten out the muscles that's causing the problem.  (btdt) If you can't go the professional route, get a shiatsu massager thingie, and dig that into your arms, shoulders, upper back and neck.  They're all connected.  The tingling I get in my little and ring fingers is relieved by working out the back of my shoulder. (I can't do my own massage well enough myself to maintain, but it's good for spot treatments.)  The massage is painful, but it's worth it to keep my profession, and lifestyle, alive for me.


 


Anyone having probs searching for docs on ExText?
Is anyone else having this problem lately? In ExText, when I search for a physician's name by using the Cntrl-A function, it is extremely slow, and about half the time, the search seems to freeze, and then I get a message that the connection has been lost. I click on "Retry", am connected, and physicians' names are displayed. The whole process is as slow as molasses, and occasionally, I get completely kicked out of the system, or everything freezes up solid. This has been happening for about 2 to 3 days.
I meant file searching on my computers, too. nm

A good site for searching medical abbreviations.

Check the link below.  A really cool site to search for medical abbreviations.


I'm thrilled! After much, much searching on VRBO.com I finally found a 2 br condo in the heart of

                           Destin, FL, for 7 days!!! I've been searching and searching, but to no avail.  These condo owners crack me up! I would either get NO response or a "Sorry, week not available. Try another week." Or the famous, "Yes, it is available." And then I respond to that and never hear from them again! I guess they decide they don't want to rent to us.  I always sign my emails with a very professional-looking signature such as, Jane Doe, Medical Editor, MQ Corp....and then my phone number! LOL  Makes me look so much smarter!! And it's true!!


 


Anyways, I am so happy for myself and my family...7 days on the Gulf of Mexico. I work on a laptop so I don't plan on taking any time off since I've already gone away this year to Disneyworld. Plus, they have wireless access.


www.majesticsuncondos.com


Check them out and make sure to stop by if in the area!!


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.
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???
If you decide you need a change, sm
I agree with fuzz regarding Webmedx.  It's a good company.  They have clinic, as well as acute care work.  You would have to contact them to see if they are hiring for clinic at the present time.  They have good benefits, including a 401(K) plan.  A really decent company. 
Can you not read it and decide it does not
They are communicating with everyone, giving you ideas on what to look out for, etc.

Geesh, people complain because of lack of communication then because they get communication.

Never satisfied, are you?

How silly is it to let something that does not describe what you are doing offend you like that, whether an employee, supervisor, MTSO, etc.

It's just an e-mail, right? If it were personally addressed to you and you alone, that might be different.