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I posted a comparison...

Posted By: MT on 2009-04-02
In Reply to: As one who does QA and thinks - Jennie

within the last week here on the Main Board (MTSO ratings) that shows how the clients of some of the top MT companies who offshore rate the quality of both onshore and offshore transcription.  There really was not a big difference, according to those clients, between the quality of both. 




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Thanks for the comparison..
They sound one in the same.
A little comparison.

Option A: National: Two hours of emails, faxes, unpaid headers, using expander.  Total income $9.60 in two hours.


Option B: Small MTSO: One hour of straight typing with only one researched name and address.  No emails, no faxes, paid headers, no expander.  Total income $20.00 in one hour.  I just wish they had more work!!!!


Comparison
I think there are some variables here. Our company went to VR and there are some who are making more and some less. I am one of those who is making less, but I made a good salary to begin with and am a fast transcriptionist. If you do a lot of editing when you do straight transcription and put in lots of punctuation, and edit A LOT, changes are VR is not going to work for you. I love it, but then again, it all depends on what platform of VR your company uses.
what a perfect comparison
If I had pictured you as anybody that would have been the perfect choice, quirky, funny and cute in the boy next door way.
that is a ridiculous comparison!
dogs, birds, cats, etc are all different animals that required different diets and have different needs. You can't even compare 1 dog breed to another b/c every breed has its different needs, so that being the case, how can you possibly compare dogs to birds?? That is just ridiculous.

Cents pay comparison for VR editing
Non-VR (IC) at 10 cents/line x 200 lines/hr. = $20 / hr.
VR editing (IC) at 5 cents/line x 400 lines/hr. = $20/hr. (a 0% increase)*

Non-VR MTSO charge at 15 cents/line x 200 lines/hr. = $ 30/hr.
VR MTSO charge at 15 cents/line x 400 lines/hr. = $ 60/hr. (a whopping 100% increase)

If you deduct the $20 to the MT from $30, MTSO still makes $10 per hour per MT.
If you deduct the $20 to the MT from $60, MTSO now makes $40 per hour per MT.





(of course these figures do not include MTSO overhead and other costs)

*Note: VR editing requires MTs with extensive experience for detecting and correcting errors.
Looking for conversion/comparison chart sm

I'm getting paid gross lines right now and my company is going to be using new software which will use 65-char lines.  I'm looking for some sort of chart that shows the difference in $. 


Any help will be gratly appreciated. 


Thanks


office lighting comparison
Everyone's talking about the compact fluorescent lighting saving hundreds of per year in energy costs.  That's swell, but I have tried using these bulbs in my office, and the lighting is not at all adequate.  In my experience, the CFLs do not come close to light output of incandescent (standard) bulbs.  I'd have to buy extra lamps with CFLs to equal the amount of light I need and can get through standard bulbs.  I have my office lights on for 10+ hours a day.  I turn them off when I take a break, of course, and at the end of the day.  However, my power bill is through the roof already, as Ameren has dumped another rate increase on Illinois.    So:  Need the best lighting option for the lowest price possible.  Any ideas?
Wow, I did a line count comparison...sm
what one of my accounts paid me for and what my other account would have paid me for with their counter and only came up with a 15% difference.  A 50% difference is pretty hard to stomach.  I have no ideas except for some really crooked software.
Great comparison! Just like dogs, we have to train our men!!
It might take years, but it does pay off in the end!  Been training mine for 30+ years now, and he's about halfway there! But I would sure boot his butt out if he cheated - and he knows it!
I work for both ... my comparison (LONG READ):
HOURS/CLASSIFICATION:
MQ: You have a choice of FT with full benefits -- 39-40 hours producing average of 150 lines/hour minimum; FT with limited benefits -- 39-40 hours with less than 150 lines/hour average but more than 100 lines/hour; PT with limited benefits for 8-16-24 hour schedules all averaging 100 lines/hour.

Spheris: FT is 37 to 40 hours a week, with 10,200 lines required by payperiod's end. PT is 20 to 36 hours a week, production is 5100 lines/payperiod minimum.

OVERTIME:
Both companies structure overtime the same way; averaged in the same manner; requires approval, must be in addition to 40 hours WORKED (PTO, DT do not count).

SCHEDULES:
Both require a schedule with the offer of "flexibility".

TIME:
MQ: Time sheets are used; MTs fill them in manually and submit.

SPHERIS: Galaxy is used -- you clock in and the system punches your time for you. Day's end, you see how much you've worked and allocate your time accordingly (productive time, PTO, meeting with mgrs, etc.).

BENEFITS:
MQ: You see the benefits in the Harmonization booklet. The employee's cost of insurance benefits is assigned by the state you live in (as well as which/if coverages are available to you).

SPHERIS: Med/Den/Vision are offered. Employees all pay the same amount for amount of coverages (EX: All employees wanting EMPLOYEE ONLY coverage pay the same; all wanting EMPLOYEE+ONE CHILD pay the same). It is available to all employees. Cost is not region-specific.

EQUIPMENT:
MQ: Use your own or they will provide. The current rental charges will no longer be effective in January; as well, the internet reimbursements will not either. I don't know if there will be a deposit for those just coming into the company after Jan 1.

SPHERIS: Must use their computers. No rental fee but there is a refundable deposit. You can pay it at once or have it taken out in 6 paychecks. Refunds to you when equipment is returned in good working order.

PTO:
MQ: You see the new PTO offered in the plan and can read online the PTO calculation formula.

SPHERIS: Same type of calculation formula; averaged quarterly and you receive a notice of what your new downtime/PTO rate is and what period it covers. Limit is $20 an hour tops for PTO. Lowest is $7.50. Amount of PTO depends on status and length of service and ranges for FT from 11 days to 21 days a year and PT 2.5 to 7.5 days a year.

HOLIDAYS:
MQ: You can read in the Harmonization booklet.

SPHERIS: Thanksgiving and Christmas are designated holidays. If you are scheduled to work on it, you can take PTO instead. If you work it you will earn double lines those days.

QUALITY:
Both require 98%.

PAY CYCLES:
MQ: Pay WEEK is Su-Sat; pay PERIOD is bimonthly 1-15th and 16th-end of month with paydates on 10th and 25th. Direct deposit available.

SPHERIS: Pay weeks are same as pay periods and are Su-Sat with every other Fridya as paydates. Direct deposit available.

BASE RATE:
MQ: With the new plan, you have your current base rate and it is the same on all work (unless you do part radiology or ASR).

SPHERIS: Your base rate depends on the level of the account you type on. If you type on a really easy account, you will get less pay; more difficult accounts, more pay. Each account level has a new-hire hourly associated with it. Levels go from level 3 to 10 with line rates 0.065 to 0.102. With Spheris, if your production earnings do not add up to at least minimum wage for the hours you worked, they will pay you minimum wage. However, you will not stay with them long if you cannot produce enough to keep you off the minimum wage payments.

INCENTIVE:
MQ: We know that incentive is achieved on a daily basis -- after you produce 1200 lines. Tiered so that you earn incentive ONLY on the lines produced AFTER 1200. It barely puts change in your pocket for mid-range producers. Only rewards high producers.

SPHERIS: Incentive is base on each week's production (Sun-Sat). So you can have a really bad week and only get your base and then next week have a great week and get incentive. Once earned, incentive applies to ALL lines typed and ranges depending on FT or PT status. FT: 5200 lines start at 0.002 and increases up to 7000+ lines getting 0.015 cpl incentive. PT: 2700 lines = 0.001 and increases up to 7000+ lines = 0.015 cpl. Whatever incentive you earn that week is applied to ALL LINES PRODUCED THAT WEEK. Spheris also has special teams that pay higher base rates.

SHIFT DIFF:
MQ: 11pm-7am = 0.01 and 3pm-11pm = 0.005

SPHERIS: 4pm-8am CST daily = 0.005.

NO WORK AVAILABLE:
MQ: This is not specifically addressed per se; however it is not listed under downtime definitions at all. I doubt MQ ever pays for no work situations.

SPHERIS: Has a policy: "MTs will not receive compensation for "No WOrk Available" situations. If an MT runs out of work, the MT should immediately notify their Supervisor or follow th eout of work situation guidelines for their team."

Hope that helps.
My comparison of homeschooling to MTing at home.
"A full-time job isn't finished in 3 hours (like the abbreviated day many homeschoolers boast about). It's about being there on time, sticking to it even though you may not feel like it, and getting along with people you may not care for, and avoiding those who are not good for you."


DANG! And that's why I got into medical transcription. LOL I didn't want to work fulltime or stick it out in an office. And that whole getting there on time thing, oh, I've never been good with that one.
What a dumb comparison - apples & oranges
Geez. A lot of people can't spell, and they sure as heck don't belong managing a QA department for medical transcription - correcting other people's mistakes!
Anyone using DirectTV- what are the pros and cons in comparison to cableTV? nm
nm
I have the most recent version of Corel WP, but it pales in comparison to (sm)

Microsoft Office Small Business 2000 (MSWord, Excel, Outlook, IE5.0. ) This software works as flawlessly as the day I purchased it.  Patches never required.  No hang-ups or crashes.  The only alteration I have made to it, is that I am running the most current version of IE.  However, most of the time I use a tabbed browser for my web experience. 



Editing at home is tough. No comparison to the office, and much, much harder
than transcribing at home, especially with kids.  Wish I could help, but I can totally sympathize with you!
thank you - please do keep me posted. - sm
I was supposed to be there next week.
yes - keep us posted
I am sick to death of these companies. My credit card company called me Friday night at 9:45 P.M. to ask where my payment was, which I made last week and it was not late!!!! I was so mad and I knew the call was being monitored "for better customer service" that I screamed "listen you job stealing m**f**, do you have any idea what time it is, and if you knew your job, you would see that I am not late with my payment and it was RECEIVED last week." I was sooooo mad I couldn't believe I had lost it like that. I was screaming all kinds of profanities.

Ooooh that felt good getting that off my chest. Now if a big hurricane or tsunami would hit their towns I would be even happier. I have never been racist a day in my life, but I realize that I am racist against countries taking our jobs.
Where was that posted?
Can you direct me to that?
that was probably LL who posted.
x
I think that is the same guy that posted
before about the $25/audio hour and got actual bids for $10 and $20/audio hour. He/she sounds like a scammer
I got in right after I posted here, but before that
x
This was NOT posted by myself.
Hello PJ, nice to meet another, but how about we find a way to set ourselves apart. I am an MT and an Editor for multple accounts and frequent the boards here on MT Stars, come visit me on the Holiday/Recipe board if you like.
You might as well have posted
What is this? What can we do with this. Sorry, I'm not a technical person. How can we use this?
I posted below on this...
This lady I referred to before who wrote the doctor, he was actually more impressed with her at trying to learn a profession and showing that she cared than he was with the MTSO. He got mad at the MTSO for firing this lady and thought she should have been given a chance. He was actually really upset by this. I just think maybe a doctor should know how much their demands can affect a family...especially now that I am out of a job!! As far as the MTSO and everyone else seeing this and having a long memory, do you really think I would ever be able to work for that company again? She fired me over e-mail and told me not to contact her and then stayed logged off of her IM, so she is basically "hiding." Now that should stick in everyone's minds for a long time, I would think. It does really hurt to be an MT for so many years and have a mishap with a TAT a time or two, be told about it, apologize and then be given more work for a week while the MTSO trains someone else and THEN get fired!! I thought there was some kindness in the world, but I guess not when it comes to business. That is such a shame.
I saw that you posted....
a little lower that he was fine, but now he's having problems again.  I really do think it's some sort of allergic reaction, and he went and exposed himself yet again.  What is he eating or drinking???  Only the two of you can decide how serious this is, but if it IS serious, then get him some medical help--and to hell with the cost!
Well, I think this is probably a first for me to see posted
I have mixed feelings about what to say because I don't know what kind of felony it was (and I'm not asking), but I would think that would be a huge factor in getting any kind of job in the medical business. Usually it takes 20 years for things like that to roll off a reference check. I'm torn between telling you not to disclose it and roll the dice of it not being found or continue disclosing it and not being able to find a job. (I know that statement will generate some livid responses!) In general a felony is enough to keep you off most employer's payroll and I imagine it would be next to impossible for jobs related to the medical industry. Maybe try some local clinics where you can explain face to face your situation.
Saw them AFTER I posted!
Again, sheesh, sorry to be a bother - I thought this board was for support.  If you don't want to answer, you don't have to!  People talking about what they are fixing for dinner are not attacked!  I'm trying to save my house and feed my children.  I logged in after a long absence, ran a search, got 0 (again have no idea why), posted my message, and yes, THEN related messages popped up!  I only come here now and again and probably did something wrong but jeepers!   That's ("how can you say that?!") how I can say that.  Please think twice before basically accusing someone of lying! Thank you for a lovely end to a lousy day with only $26.00 earned due to no work at my job. 
I don't know why I posted that there!
nm
Maybe this should be posted on the
x
Thanks again!!! It's also posted above!!...sm
Since I never win anything, this truly made my day - thank you MT Stars again and again for this huge recognition this year!!!!  Your support makes us happy!! 
I know this has been posted before, but...
I just got a job in which I will need macros in word. Since it is something I have not needed before now, I never really paid attention to the posts on it. Can anyone explain this to me? Thank you!
done, but please keep us posted (sm)
I really got hooked on American Idol when it was on. If they ever put clips up we could listen to, it would be fun to hear. Maybe you could keep us posted on the process. Did this just start recently? Much more fun that MT, isn't it! Sing one "for the girls"!
Just posted on this...
I make over $20.00 per hour on VR, even with the low pay because I can do more than straight. The VR is different with the platform- just like working for 1 company as opposed to another. Where 1 does not like, another loves this form of doing their work- what system are you on? Mine lots of time takes very little editing really.
I know - I just posted above sm

about some other discrepancies - like the templates from DQS I put in only register two or three Keystrokes but it doesn't count the characters at all.  The templates I have in IT shoot the count up, but then I haven't determined what happens when you remove part of it.  It must keep the original count of the template?  


Yes, that was exactly what was posted above you and below
NM
Then everyone who posted here who said (sm)
they transcribed a report knowingly on a family member either likes to not follow rules, doesn't want to toss the dictation back into the cue for loss of lines, or is just plain ole NOOSEY BODIES.
Well after I posted this...
it brought up the list of related posts and they were all so similar to my situation! and good advice too. I feel better. I notice though, the only people who never respond are the pickers themselves.
That was me that posted about...
the online removal and no, you don't have to have their service. It's an entirely one-time thing. McCaffee is the one I used. Do a search on Google for McCaffee online virus removal. I haven't seen it on my bill yet, but it was between $60 and $90. Allow at least an hour's time to complete the removal.
There was a job ad just posted by
a Christian-based MTSO.  Of all the MTSOs, I'm sure they would understand your dilemma.  Give 'em try, but be upfront and honest about your belief system.
I posted previously on this...
Unfortunately, probably for every good QA person, there are  maybe twice as many who are sadistic against other women.  Also, sometimes, in my opinion, they try way too hard to impress their bosses, or whoever they are trying to impress, than to really to help and educate MTs.  If that were not the case, you would not have all the major inconsistency, where one day they want it 'this way' and the next QA on the next day wants it 'that way' haha.  Ever had that happen?  Then when you question, you are treated worse than any man would treat you...

If a company hires an MT who is so terribly bad and lacking in skills, that is quite sadistic to then turn around and whine and complain of how bad they all are.  Perhaps QA should be involved in the hiring process as well. 

Sounds like martyr syndrome a little bit, too, like 'we all just have it so bad from you horrible, awful MTs, we have to fix all your nasty work.'  

Right, it is all about the QA and the supervisors, right?  Not at all about the MT who is expected to produce twice as much, for 1/2 the pay, is listening to the dictator form scratch, not reading along like QA does, where, yeah, it is easy to catch a word or meaning when most of the hard work is already done from an MT who was probably struggling to even get that much intelligible information from someone chewing or sneezing, coughing, or when a child is screaming in the background. 

If anyone really wanted to 'fix' the problem, there would be a job created to help educate MTs having consistent problems (not just, gee, today we do not like the way you punctuated, so you are a terrible MT).  Hiring also should be better controlled. 

One wonders, are you that critical to the overseas MTs?  Hardly...their work is probably 50% worse than any of our worst MTs, yet look how they are thirving...and your bosses are even wooing them. 

Help MTs, stop crucifying them for errors that are not causing harm to patients, and remember we are struggling against time, as well.  Only, WE are the reason YOU have jobs. 
I see why you posted Anon
That's nice that you are prejudice.  I have three children who are mixed.  They are wonderful children.  I know this has nothing to do with your post about the little girl, but your admittance of being prejudice really offends me.
I only posted the one question
I did not LIE about anything.  The only question that I asked was regarding the test question that I have been jumped on about.  There is another poster who asked about questions on her practice tapes. 
Are you the one who posted on the Ask the Dr board?

I go to "The Stop Smoking Center" for online support.  I quit for eight years, but this past 13 months have been so crazy that I relapsed exactly one year ago.  I've been peeved at DH and stressed over a lot of stuff, so I lit up one night while out with a friend.  I quit again for three months using Zyban, but relapsed yet again after stopping that.  I do OK during the day with not smoking, but DH smokes outside at home so it's tough to stay quit being around him.  I just keep making excuses to not quit.  That means I'm just not ready yet.  People handle their emotions and stress fine without smoking.  I handled everything fine for eight years without smoking, and those eight years were pretty hairy, too..  For me, it's a question of replacing my bad emotional crutch with a good one.  (Exercise!)


Good for you for making the decision!  You can do it!  Google the support board I told you about, and I'll probably be around here if you want to buddy up or anything.


Oh, and I notice you have posted ONCE as JK???...

Here is a link that was posted on here just a bit ago.
http://www.mt-resources.com/index.htm
If an alarm had not been going off, she would not have posted.
Women's sexual organs are tucked away whereas men's are not. I do not know one civilization in this world where then men do not cover up their organs. Tribes have he decency to protect children from that.


I posted the email about OSI and this is why
I worked for OSi when all of that stuff happened and 3 of us quit in a couple of weeks because it was just sickening. I stay in contact with a few people who still work there because they are nice people. Like I said it was the best decision. I drive for 2 hours every day on a busy freeway to finish school versus working from home for OSI. It is a big change but I will have a great career ahead of me in another 6 months with the state of Georgia. OSI is underhanded and secretive about offshoring and people are tired of being lied to about that and their company politics with the buttkissers. To heck with this business. OSI has put a bitter taste in my mouth. They do have some good people who are in the minority.
We posted these at the hospital I used
I guess they all saw the light a couple weeks later and slackened up the workhorse theory.
No, seriously don't. Posted in haste. and FYI
If you think I transcribe in haste, I have an Expander for both.

I apoligize if I misled the OP and for being human.
I know. I wrote this before you posted the other.
She also stated that she has not had any time away from the kids for 8 years. I hardly think that is needing so much time away from them. Just my opinion though. You might think you should take your kids everywhere you go, but it is healthy for a relationship to have alone time, even if your kids are perfect angels.

I personally am looking very forward to this buisness trip. This is about as close as me and my husband have ever been to a honey moon. I will miss my kids why I am gone, even though I will enjoy the time away. Everyone is entitled to a little "me time."