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I totally understand your post, and the fact that

Posted By: the problem isn't with doing other accounts, bu on 2009-05-16
In Reply to: Is this legal? I just started with this - appalled

the fact that you (and the rest of us) are paid so little for high expected volumes of production, that absolutely ANYTHING that happens to slow us down, even a tiny little bit, is often a financial disaster for those of us living paycheck-to-paycheck and just barely getting by. If we were FAIRLY COMPENSATED for the work we do, instead of being continually CHEATED, UNDERVALUED AND UNDERPAID, then minor glitches like new software, new accounts, ESLs, would be just a bump in the road, not potential food stamps and/or homelessness.

I, too have plenty of work. And I, too am appalled at the fact that no matter how many hours I work, how much faster I try to type (without compromising quality), it seems like it's always SOMETHING. Right when you're clicking along and the income is starting to go up a little bit, they will:
A. Hit you with harder accounts, ESLs, or scratchy, fuzzy-sounding files that even a bat couldn't hear clearly.
B. Have a huge push to get absolutely everything in TAT, right before a holiday or long weekend when you KNOW it's going to fall off, and half of us will be scrounging for work.
C. 'Upgrade' the working platform, (which translates to: )
D. Put all these obstacles and hoops you have to jump through in your way, which are big time-wasters: Meetings, 'training', and various PC and program tweaks.
E. Decide to take their server down for maintenance, and it's always during YOUR shift.
F. While you're midway through a l-o-n-g, 1 hr, 45-min. dictation, which has a mushmouthed/ESL dictator, is very technical and requires a lot of research on drugs, procedures and equipment that is too new to be in the references yet, and during the entire dictation, a loud going-away party for one of the nurses is going on just a few feet away from the dictator, who is eating and while dictating, and occasionally turning away from the microphone to watch the tipsy party attendees, all the while continuing to dictate. The report was of course STAT, and was 30 min. away from TAT when you downloaded it. Then your supe calls you in the middle of all this and asks you what you're doing, and where the report is.


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I totally agree. Them not paying is NOT hearsay. It is fact so why let them scam hard-working MTs.
SAY NO.. to their advertising. What a scam they have going.
Totally understand!
I loathe ESLs. They make our jobs twice as hard as they should be. I am not an interpreter, I am an MT. I feel that anyone who wants to live and work in this country should learn the language! That doesn't apply only to doctors either.

My son has two students in his class from Venezula this year. They don't speak English AT ALL! So, the school brought in an interpreter for them. I asked the principal if those kids were being taught English. She said "no, but we have to provide an interpreter for them in their classes." I told her that my son has complained to me that it makes it hard for him to pay attention and understand the teacher when he has to hear the interpreter babbling away in Spanish to these children. Ridiculous!!

Fortunately, I have an account now that I only have 3 ESL docs and they are pretty easy to understand. But I remember those days of wanting to rip my hair out and cry from being so frustrated. I can empathize with you.
I totally understand
I have never had any problem, like I mentioned, using my dial-up either. I connect at the fastest rate (50 Kbps) most consistently and I have worked several different types of jobs, on a couple different platforms, using FTP sites, and E-mail, and while I know it takes a little longer it wasn't too the point that I felt it interfered with my production time really and I am not a patient person. :D

I could understand if there is a compatibility issue, of course, but I am not convinced that that is the problem at all with some of these companies.

If we can do the work in the alloted time, than I guess I just don't understand why we can't use dial-up (particularly when it is all we have available). Perhaps someone else can enlighten us ??? :)
I totally understand

It happens more than people would like to believe.  My son has been ill his whole life and in and out of hospitals.  He has no veins left for IV fluids and medications and his arms are scarred pretty bad.   He had his stomach removed and was given methadone for the pain because morphine was entirely too sedating.  He became very ill when we were on vacation in Florida, went to the ER, the doctor took one look at his arms, saw that he was on methadone, called the deputies and had him send to the STATE HOSPITAL and labeled him a "drug addict."   He wouldn't even listen to his medical history.  Once he got to the state hospital, they called immediately and said "this boy is no addict, he's ILL" and sent him right back home.


He rode there with handcuffs on in the back of a police car, crying all the way.  The deputy apologized to him and told him it was only his job.  We went to the hospital administrator with his records and demanded something be done about the ER doctor and he said it would be handled.  This is only one of probably a couple of hundred incidents.  We tried to get an attorney, going more after the licensing and not money, and not ONE would take his case. 


He's had dirty dressings put back on that caused such infections he required surgery, he was discharged by one doctor while the life flight was on its way to get him - this doctor told the insurance company he was faking and wasn't sick.  By the time he got to the next biggest medical center 5 hours away, he required 4 units of blood and was critically ill. 


So you who made the snappy comment, you better hope you or your family never have anyone critically ill because this happens and it happens a lot and people die from it.   To the poster, I applaud you for having a conscience...it's people like you I would want transcribing MY chart.


 


I totally understand.
We had the same issues with several companies doing our backlog and I spent hours every day fixing their dictations.  Very, very frustrating.
I totally do not understand

The company we purchased CyberSynch (Digital) from also maintains FTP site. They told me they would give me FTP address and that I would be able to pull dictations from FTP site? I have never done this before and do not know much about computers other than Microsoft Word, etc. 


I have all of my patient files stored on my hard drive.I have folders for each patient and in that folder I have dictations saved by date. Doctor looks at his last dictation and sometimes does not even change anything from previous (all he says is same as last time), so all I do is change the date. I do not know if this makes any sense, but I do need access to my files in order to complete dictations away from home.     


Totally understand what you're going through. Just

yesterday I got this email from a friend of mine who alternates jobs between lawn maintenance and roofing. Yep, that means he is qualified.


His email copy and pasted...lol..hey.....how hard is it to get into medical transcription?

cause I've got the computer for it.....just not the in on how to do it.



I totally understand your problem and your need for help--sm
I am sorry that most just wanted to criticise or make you feel less than perfect for asking a simple question. Today was apparently a bad day for some on this board, as their ugliness in ALOT of responses to other peoples questions, not just yours, showed through. Everybody has bad days, I suppose, but alot of the responses you received, in my opinion, were totally uncalled for and just posted to cause embarressment. It just shows the small minds in some people, arrogance, egos, and negative attitudes. No wonder this world is in the shape it is in! I am glad someone saw fit to help you out, though, and gives me some hope that not ALL people are so rude. Hope you have a good and productive evening! God bless us, one and all...even the rude ones. Guess they need it more than the *good* ones do! :^)
I totally understand where you are coming from...sm
The company may not want to be announced on here. I just was curious which companies are the good ones. I have heard nothing but good about Keystrokes. I am assuming they are a good one.
I totally understand that money does not fall from the sky....sm

What I was asking was if anyone had any suggestions on how to "make" money not it fall from the sky...Good grief! 


 


Yes, I thought that was obvious. I totally understand that too. sm

Even though I'm listening to the reports and typing them out then doing my own proofing and editing someone is having to listen to them again and correct my errors.  THAT person deserves and needs to be paid as well.  Not to mention the company needs to make a little profit.  So even if the company is being paid say, 12cpl, after paying me and my QA I'm sure it comes out fair. 


I want to thank everyone here for their advice and opinions and helping me to sort this out in my own mind. 


I think I am getting a fair wage.


 


 


Perfect. You totally understand where I am coming from. Thank you.
I will be e-mailing QA at some point in time, but I will probably be waiting until tomorrow. A good night sleep should help cool me off a little :)
I don't understand what your post has to do with original post of TIMED tests. NM
x
You know, your post reminded me of the fact that...
people in general think doctors are here to serve us as humanitarians, as if they don't have a right to make money being a doctor.  It's as if they are evil if they want to make money at their profession.  Last time I checked, people who attend medical school are often spending their own money (6 figures plus), taking out loans, or working hard to qualify for a scholarship, and why shouldn't they make money after they finish all that schooling?  Now if the govt wanted to pay their training, some doctors could choose that route and be happy with the reimbursement the govt. deems fair.  I think that will ultimately be the only way we will come up with a medical care system for those who cannot afford insurance.  In the UK you can choose govt care or private insurance.  In Canada you are not allowed to practice medicine privately without HUGE penalties.  A complicated matter, for sure.
Should I chalk your post up to just plain old ignorance, the fact that you can't read or SM
are you just plain stupid!
The fact that the original, nearly incoherent post was written by an American MT or at least an

American based MT.  The original poster is the reason why we can't make a decent wage and the reason why a company would choose to outsource to India at a cheaper line rate versus paying an American MT.


 


I'm sorry, but I don't understand why you would post

a bitter response to a heartfelt inquiry. I was just seeking options for my son.


I am thankful though, that despite my sons "troubles" of late that I have not raised him to be bitter, angry and hateful.


And I do thank you for posting your message. It made me realize that, because of my guidance and patience, my son will turn out to be an adult that knows that his words can either teach or heal others and not spit ugliness as some choose to do.


Clearly, you did not understand my post. (sm)

If you are working for an MTSO in Northern California and know they are getting at least 16 cents per line, then paying you 8 and do not pay for benefits or equipment, do you think this is fair?  Put that in your pipe and smoke it.


You all are wearing panties 2 sizes too small today.


Sorry, but I do not understand your post
What are you hinting at?
The above post totally correct
IN the 80s I made almost 60 thousand but not anymore. Some will come on and say they make that much but just with a 40 hour week, not anymore.
I like your post and totally agree
My wanting to do my job, make the money I want and my loving to work at home now (althought plenty of years in work force before allowed to work out of my home) gives me the get up and go that I want and need to work like I do. I am amazed at the people who take care of everything else around them and then wonder why they are not grounded, able to focus, making a decent salary and the list goes on. I could care less about outside interference- does not bother me and never has. I am much more grounded, I guess, than lot of these posts.
Totally ELOQUENT post! This should be sent
.
I totally agree with your post...

It takes someone with terrific grammar skills, and even those of us who have been around a while still take an initial period of growing pains when put on a new account, new platform, etc.  So, I say dive right in.  What has this OP got to lose?  Nothing. 


I would again as above recommend just sending those resumes with a cover letter that is personal to that particular advertisement. 


The rate of pay has gone down, but the technology has come such a long way that I find myself making more money now than I ever have and I've been doing this for 20+ years.  It is a very good field for me, and I am happy with the part I play in today's healthcare.  I feel accomplished at the end of the day.  I really do. 


I don't understand this post. I have over 10 yrs experience
x
I totally agree with your observations and post...sm
Did anyone else see the movie "Wag the Dog?" If so, you will share my strong doubt about the validity of a lot of the information coming from the Bush Administration in general. I'd also like to know what happened to bin Laden after that conveniently-aired video the week before elections wherein he threatened the safety of every state who voted for him. Not that I want any more attacks, but it does seem "strange" that nothing ever materialized from that, don't you?!!!!!
That was a good post! Totally agree.
x
totally agree with this post by noyb
very well put - a voice of reason !! :)
Excellent post. I totally agree.
nm
3 things about your post. First, Ann is from Alaska. 2. I am in GA and we understand each other sm
perfectly fine. 3. I guess I am a bad American because I HATE CNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I don't understand why you are not reading this post correctly, it says
being as it was elective on my part, all lawyers I contacted said no case. What else can I say?? Simple, elective, you did it to your own self, not like you had to have.....
Although I understand the basic premise of your post ...

I can't totally agree with your viewpoint.  Yes, we should all appreciate any constructive feedback that we receive from QA.  It helps us to improve our work process and refine our ear.  A true professional is always looking for ways to better him/herself professionally. 


But I have to continue to contend that the NASTINESS that some QA people think it's their privilege to throw out is neither necessary nor professional.  They're not editing our work out of the goodness of their hearts.  They get PAID to do it, and we shouldn't have to bear the brunt of the frustration that they have for doing a job that they're getting paid to do. 


Bravo! Good post. I totally agree. sm

I too have been in this business for a long time (almost 20 years).  I also have a good friend who is an RN who will ask me questions about certain things that she hasn't read up on because it is not in her field of "expertise". 


If someone I know says something like, "I have this pain that won't go away. . ..", I say, "you need to make an appointment with your doctor.  If someone says the doc put them on a drug and can't pronounce the name, I can give them the correct way to say it.


But in my experience, I can tell (in my areas of expertise) when something is wrong.  I would never say, "I think he has this or that."  I would say, "I really don't like the looks of that and it might need to be looked at by the doctor. Even if I do know from experience what it may be. 


In the case of an NP ignoring the MT's concerns, I find that disturbing.  That seems to say that personal objections are getting in the way, which should never happen in the medical field, regardless of what level you are at, if there is even what may apper to be a valid concern.


 


Oh, I totally agree, but go up to the "Good Morning" post. I'd rather have your input.
v
No, actually they don't. You guys run on emotion, not fact. And when fact is presented,
c
I totally understand but if your husband is like my husband... sm

When it comes to something like that, that I usually take care of but for whatever reason I can't, I will tell my husband exactly what to do, but when he comes back - to use your case as a "for instance" - I will ask him, "Did the doctor look at his foot?" 


Him: "No."


Me: "Did you ask the doctor to look at his foot?"


Him: "No."


Me:  "I told you to have the doctor look at his foot!"


Him: (shrug)


etc., etc., etc.


Your husband may not be like that - I sure hope he isn't. And yes, they should have checked his vitals and checked his foot without being asked. But sometimes you have to be assertive with people. And while my husband attained the rank of major in the Air Force and had no trouble ordering people around, there are times when he should be assertive but isn't. And he is not intimidated by doctors - he started his AF career as an x-ray tech (that's how we met). I dunno....(Rad MT wanders off, mumbling....)


Totally Special, totally HOT! NM
z
Should just post all their open positions in one post and only be allowed to post one of those a day
nm
not just the fact of being PT, but sm
she claims to work two jobs! Who has that much time. I don't believe it's physically possible to work that much, but that's just IMHO, of course!
I don't do it all day either - in fact,
I worked around parts of Louisiana in hospitals as a Transcriptionist in the past! Now I come to NOLA to vacation. I'll be there for a few days in September and then again in October and then again maybe in November.
IT IS A FACT
The DocQmanage program has a page where the managers can select or deselect anything they want to be counted, i.e. spaces, letters, numbers, headers, footers, (a whole page full of things). BUT: The main thing is this - they can put whatever number they want in there as a DIVISOR to divide the number of characters by; and the characters are almost always not counted correctly because they have selected to "not count" spaces, headers, footers, numbers, etc, etc. THEY ARE CROOKS.
Its a fact - CM
Hi CM - can you e-mail me? thanks.
IT IS A FACT
They did not tell us this, as far as the F9. I just checked it and you are absolutely right. They told us where we could find our line count. What a bunch of BS. Do you happen to know if every company has their own "computations" to reduce line counts? How sad this is :<
Oh, I'm with you there. In fact, I

if anyone ever feels like just giving up on EVERYBODY in their live and walking away and starting a new life with a clean slate?  All my kids have already left home or are close to leaving home age.  One is doing horribly in school and won't put any effort into it.  One was a bitch on wheels this morning and is in trouble for underage drinking.  One is doing better than the other 2 but just informed me it's going to take 2 more years to get through college (she's a junior now) and we can't afford another year.  And DH wet the bed last night and I am just beside myself.  The only time he has ever done that is when he was drinking.  He swears he hasn't been drinking (he's an alcoholic).  Yah right.  I feel like I am the only one who halfway has it together.


And financially - let's not even go there.


I feel like taking the cat and driving off into the sunset and never coming back.


They are asking how you know this for a fact?
It was a big stink on another board some time ago about how people claim to know things FOR A FACT.
Yes, and let's not get into the fact that most sm
daycares all over the country are "state regulated" not state-run, but receive millions of dollars a year from moms and dads who get their childcare paid for by the state (our tax dollars) so that they could work out of the home.

When people gripe about us moms who stay at home with our children they should be glad that we are working AND taking care of our children and not depending on the state or grandma to do it!!!
was the fact that she was gone even
Was an explanation given as to where she was and if she'd be back? I don't watch that show, all those women grate on my nerves, but I am curious as to know if they even broached the subject of the missing Star! (She's so tacky...tried to get her whole wedding for free, puhleeze...)!!!
no that's not a fact
I've been using AT&T CallVantage for about a year without a single problem. In fact, when I signed up I told the rep what I did and he said it was not a problem.
That was not me. In fact, I actually
and that is why I posted to the person who did that, letting that poster know that the original poster did not post twice. However, your message and placement of same sure did indicate that you were *speaking* to me.
do you know this for a fact?
nm
In fact, I may (sm)
email you when I get around to this, if you don't mind!
No, in fact

although I could originally connect to the VPN client, after a short while I could not.  So I was disconnecting and reconnecting the router when I needed to do any work and now - for the red herring - I can't even use the wireless now.  It doesn't recognize my modem. 


As a matter of fact just today - I had been too busy to fool with it - I tried to get in touch with a really good tech support networking guy I used to know who knows transcriptionists.  I am waiting for him to call me back.  Hopefully I can bring him in to solve this mess.  I will update you.  I will say that other poster was right about the Belkin being about a thousand times easier to hook up than the Linksys, you wouldn't think there would be that much of a difference but it was so much simpler.