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I love the flexible schedule!

Posted By: Yep, MTing is good. on 2007-11-17
In Reply to: Something positive - AtHomeMT

I decided to stick with MT because of the schedule. (Plus, I can make more money in 6 hours of MT than 10 hours at a regular job with commute, lunch, breaks, etc.) DH and I had a long lunch yesterday at my favorite restaurant. I was able to drop off and pick up the kids at school, and be there for their sports practice. This next week is a Thanksgiving feast at the kids' school, so I get to go to that, too. I clean during the day while I'm working, so the house isn't a total pigsty.


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I have a flexible schedule, I make decent money, better

than I could make working in an office, even though I haven't had a raise in 5 years and not likely to get one anytime soon.  I homeschool my children, we don't have a 9 to 5 lifestyle, DH doesn't have a 9 to 5 job and it allows him a 3 day weekend so we like to travel.  I am able to work anywhere I can get internet access so we can pickup and go at a moments notice w/o me having to worry about work.


I hate office politics.   I don't have to spend $$ on clothes as I work in jeans or sweats, or can stay in my jammies all day.   We only have 1 car and that works for us now, but wouldn't if I worked outside the home. 


Life is just less stressful not having to get my kids up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready so they can catch the bus by 7:00.   My DC would be getting home at 4:00 or later if they were in school and by the time they did homework and we had dinner it would be time to prepare for bed and we wouldn't have much family time.  By homeschooling my DC have been able to explore their passions, have really developed a love of learning and we have developed a wonderful family bond.  We spend hours every week talking about world events, relationships, etc.   My DC are my #1 reason for working at home.   When they have left the nest I may consider working outside the home, or at least exploring other work-at-home options. 


 


 


Flexible schedule and reasonable line rate, at least 11 cpl for acute care!
I am not real "needy". No benefits as IC, just need flexible schedule due to very active family, and expect a good line rate. In return, I will go above and beyond what is expected to meet TAT and quality!

I'm not sure how flexible. When I say
punch in you have to go to their website and go through a log-in when you begin your work and a log out.   They need to stay with TAT time, so even as an IC you need to have scheduled hours, although you set your hours and can have flexibility with those, but once you commit to those hours there isn't a lot of flexibility in them.  
Sure you can. I did it with 2. I have a flexible
job with 24-hour TAT and I worked bits here and there around my children's needs.  It wasn't a piece of cake all the time, I got frustrated, was tired at times, but I had to work and was not willing to put my children in daycare full-time.  When they were about 3 I put them in a mother's time out program for 15 hours a week to give me time to run errands, take a nap, work, or whatever.  
Being flexible is a must...

and it is not your employer's problem that you need to take care of your kid.  This attitude is the exact reason why MTs are not respected.  People do get sick on nights, weekends, and holidays.  You should have considered that when you decided to become an MT.  It's a 24/7 job.


Being flexible is a must...

and it is not your employer's problem that you need to take care of your kid.  This attitude is the exact reason why MTs are not respected.  People do get sick on nights, weekends, and holidays.  You should have considered that when you decided to become an MT.  It's a 24/7 job.


Yes, Transcend is very flexible. - sm
You can pretty much choose the schedule you want to work, but then have to consistently work the schedule you chose instead of jumping around during the day. This works better for everyone involved because then it's easier for the managers to find coverage for accounts. If you just work whenever you want as long as you get your hours in, you're taking work from people regularly scheduled during those hours you don't normally work.  The work week goes from Sun. to Thurs. or Tues. to Sat. Yes, they do pay shift differential. 
Flexible work
I know of www.rapidtranscript.com that is looking for additional folks.
9-5 vs. flexible hours sm
You didn't state if you were going to be an EMPLOYEE or an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. A company can tell an employee what their set schedule will be; typically 9-5 (or 8:30-5 with a 1/2-hour lunch at noon) etc. BUT a company CANNOT tell a contractor what hours to work; they can only negotiate what work you will be given, NOT how you accomplish that work. Lots of companies try to get away with the tax/financial advantages of using "contractors" and then treating them like "employees." Rare companies will allow their employees to flex their schedules to fit their personal life...So, ask yourself, Who's The Boss? Them? or You? Hope that helps...

Flexible hours. nm
/
Flexible hours
If anyone knows of any jobs that offer 24-hour TAT please pass on!  I used to have flexible hours as an IC just two years ago.  What happened?  That was the entire reason I went into this field!
flexible hours
Thanks for the input..
Flexible is my middle name! nm
/
Flexible keyboard

Would anyone be interested in sharing their opinions or experience with a flexible keyboard.  I saw one in a discount food store, a place called Aldis, and it was about 14, 15 bucks. 


It looked interesting; however, I am so used to punching the keys down (the keys and board look almost wafer-thin!) so wanted to know if anyone has tried it and if they liked it or not. 


Any input would be appreciated, thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving season to everyone. 


And are flexible enough to be able to lick
x
Here is the brando flexible...
http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00355
Not always...not all companies are flexible with schedules!
..
I understand how you feel but try being flexible

or go to a different company.  I'll be the first one to admit I am an employee and rarely work my schedule.  It is NOT a problem with management, in fact it is a plus.  Why?  Because when the work runs out, I have two other hospitals to back me up.  If they are low, I log out, do my laundry, run my errands and sign back in after dinner when the work has built up again and there isn't anyone willing to work those hours.  I log in  on the weekends as I often get notes from my account supe advising everyone who is scheduled to work but are NOT working how behind the account is.  My committment is to my accounts because if I take care of my accounts, those accounts take care of my employer and when that happens, my employer takes care of me.  Patients don't always need treatment and/or dictation is not always done when you are scheduled to work.  This is the nature of the beast and being miserable is no way to deal with it. 


Over the last 10+ years, this attitude has been rewarded many times over by being a very valued employee and have appreciation shown in many ways that have made my life richer, in addition to providing an income that exceeds the average MT.


d~


Wal-Mart has a flexible keyboard for about $18
I do not have one yet, but would like to try out the flexible keyboard. The picture shows the keyboard being rolled up like a rubber mat. That's what it looks like a rubber mat with all the keyboard keys on it. The keys look like the soft keys of a calculator.
the best advice is learn to be flexible and...
give the client what he/she wants, even if it goes against what you were taught. I see a lot of newer MTs who really seem to believe that medical transcription is all black and white when in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

Not every doctor follows the BOS to the letter (some don't even know what that is!) and if an account is verbatim, then that's how you need to transcribe it.

Also, not every doctor wants names replaced with "the patient" - I work for one doc who fills his letters/reports with not only the patient's name, but sometimes names of family and friends of the patient as well. (Many of his patients are very well-known from both the entertainment and sports industries, and this doc loves to drop names at every opportunity!)
yes they are very flexible. They are a great company to work for.
Best job I EVER had!
Correction - They will be flexible with HOURS/days, etc.
...rather than benefits.
You are lucky you worked for a flexible company
x
You need to be flexible. Nothing stays the same in MT. You do it how the person paying you says to
:+
This is strange. I just discussed a flexible on-call person
for radiology with the owner of Keystrokes, where I have worked for 4 years. We were discussing the feasibility of having someone trained on a few accounts, ready to do "x" number of reports a day without a fixed schedule, floating on a few different accounts.

If anyone is interested, please email the office. You can do so through the ads on the job seekers board.
But if that account is paying your bills, you must negotiate and be flexible. IMO
I know you can only lower a little bit, but to let them know that you are flexible and care about keeping their account may just encourage them to stay with you.  I can't afford to let an account go without just a little negotiation.
Have Part Time Flexible Work in the evenings available, have emailed you. nm
.
I don't have a set schedule

My responsibilities are this:
1.  Account A - make sure all of Monday's dictation is due back by Tuesday morning 6 a.m. (they're time). Same for the remainder of the week.
2.  Accounts B and C - make sure all of the H&Ps dictated on Monday are transcribed and returned by Tuesday morning 6 a.m., they're time. Same for the remainder of the week.
3.  Anything I transcribe Monday is due back 6 a.m. (they're time) they next business day. Ditto for the rest of the week.

This only changes when there's a stat reports.

As long as I meet "the deadline," I can work whenever I want. And I do.


my schedule
I am a hardworking MT who used to be in a managerial position.  I am scheduled for 9-1/2 hours daily because I prefer to take breaks rather than work straight through 8 hours.  Today, however, I only took a 1/2 hour break, and stopped working an hour earlier than my shift was to end.  Now I'm wondering if that was the "wrong" thing to do.  I have only been in this job for a few months, and wherever I have worked before, holiday schedules were always pretty "laid back."  Now I'm wondering if I will be in big trouble tomorrow.  If it makes any difference, my production was higher than usual today, I think because I was trying so hard to get done an hour early.  What about this one?
Schedule C

Your schedule C should give you all the deductions that they have taken off of your business income.  When you print out all the forms it is there.  Have used it for almost 15 years now and (knock on wood) had a problem at all.


 


 


schedule
i work sun through thursday for 2 nationals
I have a set schedule, but...sm
I work 10 hours in a 12 hour window...5-5...working 10 hours in between. I believe this is what she was asking, correct?
My New Schedule

I also know what you're going through...I had the same issues ALL summer last year.  It sounds like my kids may be a little older than yours and are in school, so the last last 9 months have been wonderful, but now summer is back. 


I spent a lot of time hashing over a schedule that would work out for me, my family and my account and came up with this:  M-F 6-9 am and then 6-9 pm and a few hours early Saturday morning.  I am able to vary this schedule a little bit so that also helps, but so far I LOVE my new schedule.  It gets me up and going in the morning and I really don't miss sleeping in a little longer like I thought I would.  It gives me the whole day free with the kids or for getting odd jobs done around the house, and and then I just work a few hours in the evening which gives my husband some summer time with the kids too.  Then we have the weekends as a family. 


I know everyone's needs/schedules are different, but I just thought I'd share this schedule in case it would work out for you.  I really dreaded summer coming, but now I'm really enjoying it.


Also, don't stress over the house...it just gets messy again anyway.  It's SO not worth worrying about.  I used to keep a spotless house, but now I'm just expecting my kids to help out more (which is good for them) and I have to accept the job they do and be thankful.


Good luck.  


Also, the MQ does not have IC, only PT and FT, so they do set schedule. (nm)
x
you do not need a tax ID # - just use the Schedule C - sm
and Sch. SE on your taxes. Write off as much as you can in your expenses, phone line, computer, paper, ink, chair, desk, electricity, etc. ---and no you do not need to incorporate; unless you become a big company I would not bother with that.
IC = no set schedule
The IRS will tell you the same thing. If you meet TAT there is no need for further restriction. If it was to log in to check for stats or something I might be okay with it and understand it but if this is not the case, you need to stand your ground because if you start being treated as an employee it is bad news for you and those you work for if the IRS decides to audit.
my schedule...
I said I worked 55 minutes and took a 5-minute break... I only work a 6 hour shift anyway. If I have to go to the bathroom, I go. I usually go when I get up to stretch my legs though if I have to.

Yes, I have a man in my life, and yes he interrupts me a lot, which is one of the reasons I don't get a lot done. No, I do not have kids at home, they are grown.

I don't know what the problem is? I only posted what happened to me when I decided to see how productive I actually could be.

I did not say this had to be done all day every day, I did not say there were not exceptions to the rule, I did not say that this was what MTs had to be forced to do.

One of the problems with MTs not being considered professionals anymore is because we want the job, but we do not want the responsibilities that come along with being a professional.

Do you know that when I used to work with children at home, the kids were always asking me why I could not play with them instead of playing on the computer all day. Well, you know what, I changed to 3rd shift so that they would not think I was playing by myself all the time instead of playing with them.

This is still a job. Some of us have to earn a living at it and not just do it for the extra income. You are running your business like you want to, I am running my business like I want to.

I don't consider anything about this a sweatshop. I want to make at least 2000 lines a day and I want to do it the fastest and easiest way I can - I do not want to spend all day in front of the computer. I want to be able to turn it off and be done with it at some point.

Now, sorry if I rambled, got off point, got off subject, but darn, I am kinda getting ill now with everybody jumping on me!
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.
If MTs were working their schedule...
management would not have to STOP them from taking another MTs work.  It's pretty simple .  Oh, and by the way, why exactly are you being forced to become an employee in January?
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.
re below: working out of schedule
i work all different hours throughout the week and on the weekends.  I dont ask permission to get on and type whenever I want.  My company knows when I am typing and when I am not.  No one has ever complained about the money I make them.  I don't ever think about any other MT when I am trying to feed my family.  I think about what I need to provide for them and how I need to go about doing that.  If an MT cannot get their line count in during their scheduled shift, then that MT needs to be more flexible with their shift and work different hours to make up for it just like the rest of us.
If you try to control your IC's schedule
in the eyes of the IRS?  If that is the case, I would encourage your "ICs" to ask for benefits.
To Working Your Schedule

I'm not trying to flame you but just ask a question.  How is it you know for sure this "greedy" MT is "him"?  What I mean is, how do you know specifically who THE person is?  Does your system allow you to see who is on at the same time you do?  If not, has that information been given to you by someone in the company?



Again, I'm not flaming.  I'm just wondering how you know to place blame on a particular person and have knowledge that someone is getting your lines rather than it just being a lull in the work flow.



d~


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.
working without a schedule
Does anyone know any good companies that allow you to work with a flexible schedule?  I'd like to do a certain amount of work in a day/week/pay period without being obligated to a certain time frame every day, especially when it seems to be that the times I am scheduled are the times that the work is caught up or you can't get into the system.  It would be nice to work different times on different days.  Thanks for any input.  P.S. Loving the snowflakes. 
Do you want to make your own schedule,
ICs make their own schedule, employees punch in and out as a regular employee would with a schedule, but you would possibly get benefits, etc. It is just really a personal preference.
following a set schedule is only one of several criteria used by IRS
to determine if person is employee or IC.  Regardless, I think you would not find many IC's jobs that actually let you work whenever you feel like it. I mean, the work is promised back to the client by a certain time so how is that going to happen unless people follow a schedule?
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.
Frustrated with schedule
I work for a large national company. I was told that EVERY time I was away from my computer, I needed to have Pre-approved time-off.  Even if you are gone for 15-20 mintues to taxi your kids somewhere.  We only get 2 flexes per month.  I am part-time and have no benefits.  I also have trouble making the daily line counts.  Sometimes with kids things come up and you need to take them somewhere and this can happen more than 2 times per month.  Thanks for letting me vent.  Any suggestions are welcome!!   
How about when you give a schedule but...
pretty much have to be available 24/7 because there is not enough work during your scheduled hours to meet quota?
my crazy schedule

work for company A: Mornings (Tues-Sat) approximately 10-12 sometimes 9-12. Monday 2-6 , then make dinner , 7-11 pm work again  go to bed "early" on Monday night.  Usually work 2-4 hours on Sunday afternoon/evening.   Sunday morning church, Sunday night watch a DVD or something (love Netflix)


company B (this company has plenty of overtime available): sometimes do a few hours Monday morning, Tuesday-Thursday 12:30-pm 6 - dinner  - 7:30-12 am , Friday and Saturday 2-6 - dinner - 7:30 - 1 am. 


don't take too frequent breaks - once in a while to make tea.  too many breaks is bad for my concentration.  and so is checking my e-mail on my PC. (but sometimes I do).