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I have to work a schedule for each company.

Posted By: me on 2007-11-26
In Reply to: what i want to know is - me

I have lots of breaks in my schedule though. I've done this a long time. In my younger years, I went through a phase of feeling burned out but I was able to work through it. Now, I know how much money I need/want to make and just do it.

Some days it is much more difficult than others. Gotta admit to that. Most of the time, though, I hit it pretty hard at the first of my shift with each company so by the time I'm finishing up, I don't have to work as hard.



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what? i have a schedule to work.
i said it sounds like a mgmt problem. it does. mgmt is who allows people to work off schedule.

geez, get over it.
I always work off-schedule when there
is the need. What I am talking about is those who not only work their schedule, but other MT's schedules as well and take work away from others. To answer your question, the type of MT business where other MTs are allowed to infringe on someone else's schedule after already working their own, is definitely not my idea of how the MT business should be run. Greed is ugly no matter how you try to dress it up and make it pretty.
work schedule
Is it just me? Every single company that I have investigated is now insisting on a schedule of either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday. Why can't I work Monday-Friday?! I don't mind a rotating weekends a couple times a month, but I'd really like to have my weekends for me and the kids! Okay my vent is over...I feel a little better now.
I used to work the same schedule.
This is what worked for me:

You have to stay in the graveyard shift even on weekends. It won't work trying to change on weekends. If you choose to work through the night, you'll need to live that schedule 7 days a week.

If you are sleeping immediately after your shift, you might need to allow about an hour to relax or settle a bit before attempting sleep. I always allowed myself to get a hot shower before going to bed. Helped me relax.

Don't drink any caffeinated beverages the last 4-5 hours of your shift. Don't drink/eat anything the last 2 hours before you plan to go to bed. It all interferes with sleep.

I had sound/light-cancelling window treatments in my bedroom and used a sound machine with nature sounds, not music. Music tends to engage your mind rather most of the time.

The ear plugs, I tried and did not like. Dark mask, I tried and did not like. I sure did not want to take any drugs just to get sleep.

You might have to have a few rough days/nights to get into it. Don't nap. Only sleep when you're supposed to.

Not everyone is cut out for it. And it is damaging to the body. I remember seeing a news documentary on the effects of 3rd shift on heart disease being as significant as smoking a pack a day.

work schedule - sm
Last summer, I was running out of work all the time, using PTO and time off without pay and making up time at night to try to make my lines. After much soul-searching, I decided to change my schedule to evenings. My CCM allowed me to "try" the new schedule for two weeks and see how I liked it. Like you, when I run out of my BOB, I work on other accounts. I have only run out of work a few times since last summer (mostly when the system went down for some reason). There is plenty of work during my shift, and I consider myself quite malleable when it comes to covering other shifts (like you) when requested, working overtime when the work is heavy, and picking up new accounts. I do not consider this an injustice. I consider it an opportunity. I guess that is why I have lasted in this field for so long. MTs have to learn that they are not self-employed. They work for a COMPANY. That means they are committed to the company's needs. At least that's my attitude. I enjoy my work, have good rapport with my CCM, and have a sense of pride in what I do, and - did I mention? - I am also making a living at it.
If greedy MTs would work their schedule...
management would not have to remind them to stop stealing work from another MTs schedule.
A question for you who work off schedule.
Do you also cherry pick in order to get those all important lines and extra bucks?  It would seem to me that someone who doesn't care about his fellow MTs as far as line counts, would be someone that doesn't care across the board.  So screw them any way you can, right?  Take all the lines your greedy little hands can grab and also make sure those lines are the cream of the crop, as well.  Might as well give the other MTs the shaft all around.
schedule for those doing pool work

I mentioned this in my previous post, but thought I would post a new topic since it is specific to pool workers.


Can those of you who do pool work tell me how you schedule your day?  Do you aim for XX lines, XX hours, etc.?


Also, do you sit down for a straight XX hours or do batches?


 


Thanks,


 


Vicki


You go by your schedule and have no work. Everytime I get on to work, there is always work.
x
Most jobs want a set schedule for work at home, from what I can tell -sm
there are very few that allow you to work when you want to anymore. I have 2 luckily that are 24 hour TAT so as long as I meet deadline they don't care when I work. You will unlikely find an at home job where you make much more than $10 an hour since ESL is 80% of any job anymore. So if that trade off is worth it for you, less money, more freedom, go for it.
No, though my husband does use it to print out his work schedule for
but that is it. He has his own work laptop but no printer to it. Kids have my old computer to use for now but Santa is bringing a new one supposedly (Uncle and GPs say they are buying one, we will see).
We were specifically instructed to work our schedule
and that working off the clock was not permissable, that nowhere was working off the clock permitted. That if the acct required us outside of our shift, we would be called by management. It is to prevent taking work from the scheduled MTs (as well as unapproved OT.

So, I am not dreaming this up. This was made clear. They gave us a shift to work, we clock in and clock out during those shifts. If they need us after our shift is up, they will contact us.


I work as an IC, get .105 with full -time schedule. NM
NM
Also, I work a set schedule w/the hosp but the online co
hours are more flexible (because I'm IC status).  I took out my own health insurance, so I'm not bound to any company, just in case. 
Pretty presumptious on your part. I work my own schedule,
off schedule according to you. I can work when I want, that's what an IC does. Yes, if we're working at the same time then we're both working, that's what we do. You presume too much to think that people who don't work regular set hours and who work when they want to make their line counts are also cherry pickers. Getting petty here and this sounds like it's just to start trouble. Bravo!
ICs are not required to work a specific schedule, true? SM

I had my meeting today with the HIM director of one of my accounts.  My contract is to do all the clinic work and provide 24 to 48 TAT.  Today, the director tells me she wants me to log in no later than 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.


I, of course, balked at this.  I basically outlined the terms of our contract which states that I will give them 24 to 48 hour TAT, but that I am not required to adhere to a specific work schedule.  I set my own hours.  I don't necessarily have a problem logging in by 9:30 a.m. most days, but there are some days when I have morning appointments and commitments and let's face it, that's why I'm an IC, so I can have that flexibility!


I don't think this lady has any concept of what an IC is or what a contract is for that matter.  She acts like I'm her employee.  She tells me she has looked into some of the national companies and that they can guarantee her a set schedule.  I'm sorry but I only charge her 0.12 cpl, I print up the work and deliver it three times a week.  Plus I'm picking up tapes and transcribing them as well!


I think it's time for her to see what else is out there.  What do you guys think?


You don't want to work for this company. Call your current company and
tell them that you have decided against the new position and tell them that you would like to stay. It is cheaper for them to let you stay than to train someone new. A company who could be so tacky as the one you just spoke of is one you do not want to work for. You can rescind your resignation. If you are a good MT, they will be glad you did.
All I know is it caused the company I work for to be unable to do all work due today and the rest
:+
i used to work for a company that divided the work types up and i loved it. sm
there were only 4 of us working a major teaching hospital. someone was assigned surgery, different assigned discharges, different admits, etc. we all had the backup work type in case the original assignee wasn't available and were cross trained. it made us much more efficient, ability to get used to dictators, set macros, and in the long run we were all much happier.
The company I work for said cable phone wouldn't work, just FYI.
nm
I don't work for MQ but that happened to me once at the company where I work and
my next two paychecks were shorted out of what they had overpaid me for that pay period. I hope they don't take it out of your hide. It was hard to budget for that month!
Company I work for has to pay fines for work out of TAT.
x
I work as an IC, work when I want, but I still let the company know if I am going to be unavailable
for any length of time, even though I don't have to.
What company do you work for? Maybe some of
nm
work for a company

When work is low at my company I have

volunteered several times to just work half a day, or take the day off so that another MT who needs the lines more than I do can have the opportunity to at least get in a full day of work. 


I don't often have a day where I can't get all my lines in though and there are usually lots of days where I could type 24/7.   My work is assigned to me and I have no idea what any MTs workload may be on any given day.  Most of the time I work extra if the workload warrants it, but there are days too that work may be slow at the beginning of my shift and I'm just not able to work more later in the day to make up the lines.  I'm not complaing about not getting work, but I also don't believe that I need to fit my life and family around my work on a regular basis.  I believe that when an MT is hired FT and the company has expectations of how many lines a day they want the MT to produce, then it is reasonable for the MT to expect work.  I know the business is feast or famine, but if an MT who if FT and wants to work is consistently not getting enough work during their scheduled shift then there is a problem.


I'm very good at what I do, but I work to live, not live to work, and I don't remember signing anything that said I agreed that my life/family came second to MTing. 


 


Any company that has work right
x
we must work for the same company
The little scale at the top of the page actually calculates total lines, but we do it separately I believe because of keeping track of what each MT does on the log. I keep the log up and type it in as I go and don't fool with writing it down.
Who is the best company to work for?
Can someone please tell me someone you work and are happy.  I have 8 years' experience in multi-specialty clinic and acute care (except op notes) and want somewhere with good pay and steady work.  I'm tired of bouncing from company to company after they lose your account and don't have enough work to keep you busy.  HELP!  I am so frustrated with this field.  When things are going good, I can do 2000 lines a day and be happy, but then every 6 months or so things go bad with that company and its a few months of transition after things fall apart.  I'm about to lose my mind.  Thanks in advance for the suggestions
RE: Who is the best company to work for?
Transcend.
company while i work
My baby, Simon, (lhasa-poo), loves to lay right up against my foot while I work.   You are right - makes me love working at home!  What a blessing.
Best company(ies) to work for?sm
I know this subject has probably been posted b4, but I could use some good advice.  It's time for me to move on and I am looking around and would appreciate any advice on who is good to work for.  I have considerable experience. 
Wonder if we work for the same company?
Your story sounds very much like mine. I would be digging out all the garbage docs every day on my secondary while my primary had plenty of work. I was also made to feel *special* because not every MT can do the harder accounts. I want to start pretending that I can only do the easy docs and let someone else do the harder ones. I leave my office pretty frustrated and wiped out at the end of my day now doing nearly all the really tough accounts. How is this fair? Either pay them less if they cannot do them or pay me more!
Anyone work as an IC for more than 1 company?

I'm wondering how this would work out.  I am an IC for a company, but don't have enough work in my specialty.  I'm not as productive, obviously, when doing a different specialty and am losing money when picking up the left-over work. 


Are there others out there who do specialty work as an IC for 2 or more companies?  Of even do work for a company and also pick up your own accounts that are not through a company?  How has it worked out for you?  Do MTSOs usually dislike this or are they generally okay with it.  I just don't see myself being able to make a living if I have to keep switching gears when there are no jobs for my specialty. 


Thank you for any replies/insight.


11.5 cpl and work for a company.
x
The company I work for does not allow sm
you to download their platform onto another computer. They supply the equipment, and if I want to travel, I have to take their CPU with me.
I work as an IC for a company and get
nm
You must be new with the company you work for, right?
Just wait until you start getting the *real stuff* after the break-in period. 
The company I work for
docks you $1 per blank after a certain amount, but I have the same dictators all the time and that didn't start until after the usual training period. It has never made a real big difference in pay. You get used to your dictators and normally don't have more than that certain amount of blanks that are allowed before deduction.
If you work for a company you

and it depends on how many hours you put in to get 400 lines. If you have to do it in 2 hours, it will take you longer to reach that 400 lines than if you have 4 hours or so, especially if you have been out for a while. Once you are working and getting used to it again, you will have no trouble meeting those 400 lines in a few hours, or even less.


i bet we work for same company...
it's all verbatim, which is tempered by style rules and common sense.

When "verbatim" is done that way, there's no problem.
Does anyone work for a company-sm

that pays for reports that have been typed and then the doctors decides not to use it?  I just did a 13.41 minute report and did not see it in my line count so I went into another program to look it up.  It is in the 'deleted' folder.  I hate this.


My sup's response is "We give you 28 lines for every addendum report or dictated change so it all evens out".  BALONEY!!!!  If a doc dictates "go back to Joe Blow's report and add/take out we are to get 28 lines to type this and put in Q/A and they will correct the report. Same thing if an addendum to a job needs to be done.  I have had none of these jobs for weeks so not getting paid for the 13.41 job does not even out for me.


How does your company handle these types of deleted jobs?


 


I would never work for a company that did that.
We would all like to have 100% QA but no one is perfect.  Who is to say that it looks perfect to us, but the client decides, they do not like the way we put in our commas. Would I want my pay cut on that basis? NO WAY. I'd move on..JMO
What company do you work for?
I was hoping to get in on the VR escription $$$$$ I have been hearing so much about but now I am starting to wonder if it is for me. Any tips to share about VR escription work that might help me out? Thanks
No IC here. I work for a company
When starting I gave my ideal schedule and they gave it to me without question. Then I had to request numerous Friday evenings off for childcare issues and when it posed a problem I asked for a schedule change of Friday evenings over to Sunday evenings and they agreed.
Maybe you need to work for a different company?
nm
I'd wonder what company is doing the work now. SM
Fixing those is why the EditScript portion comes to the MTSOs at all. When I was working in EditScript the work was being siphoned away from workers at my MTSO to ones offshore without any explanation to us, only evasions in response to our questions, until a week or two before the last big chunk of it was to disappear, and then we were told.
The company I work
for is Zylomed and three years ago, they paid me 10 cents per line...I have been working for them for about 6 years now...and you are right about the fact that we with many years of experience should not be so quick to accept a job for lower than 9 or 10 cents a line for these on line companies...that's crazy.  The doctors around here that are local..small offices, pay 12 cents per line...I have friends who type for docs making this much money....so I think that we need to make a board like the online companies have about what they want, and kind of turn the tables a little bit, and make a board of Transcriptionist stating what their guidlines are and what they are looking for in a company and our pay rate and see how many offers WE get.  It's just a thought, but I think it might work.  Who knows   It never hurts to try. 
not at the company I work for
Our initials may not be on the report, letter, etc., but we all have specific accounts we're responsible for, same as our MTs, so if there's a problem that makes it through to the patient chart for whatever reason, the Editor assigned to that account gets the blame because it's our job to make sure that doesn't happen.
I used to work for more than 1 company ...sm
I don't anymore. When I did, they each knew about it.
Does anyone work for one than one company?

If so, do they know about it?