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I type oncology on a daily basis.

Posted By: OncMT on 2007-11-14
In Reply to: Ugh - Newbie

It's tough, especially when it's a young person. At least with older people, I think they lived long and happy lives. The doctors are taking good care of them, and their family members are usually there with them. Then there are times when the doctors describe the person's presenting symptoms and I sit there wondering if my aches and pains could be cancer. Maybe that's why so many MTSOs are looking for people to type oncology. Nobody wants to do it. I should probably find something else to do.


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If you don't speak on a daily basis . . .
x
I work with SR on a daily basis, and I can tell you...sm
...it will NOT be replacing human intelligence, now or 10 years from now or 50 years from now. The files we work on come from a VERY expensive speech recognition system and the quality is very poor. SR cannot handle punctuation well at all, doesn't know when to stop and start sentences, has problems with capitalization, and ironically enough, when the doctor actually spells something out, that totally confuses SR!

But even if technology advances to the place where speech recognition can accurately reproduce every word and sound that comes out of a doctor's mouth, so what? That STILL will not replace human MTs, because doctors do not always say what they mean, or even when they DO say what they mean, what they mean is not right! We're the only ones who can clean up that mess.

Jay
What reference do you use the most on a daily basis? SM

I lost all my reference books in a fire and I can't afford to replace them all at once.  I am buying a couple of books each pay check and I've been trying to decide what I need the most.  So far I have gotten a Dorland's Medical Dictionary, Surgical Word Book, and Radiology Word Book because I do radiology a couple of times a week. 


So to all you acute care MTs out there, what books do you find yourself using on a daily basis?


I take ibuprofen usually on a daily basis
although really should not. I have this in the bilateral wrists so it cannot be just the mouse use alone. A certain movement with the wrists elicits such excruciating pain, you probably know though. Am glad not doing anything real serious, like brain surgery or the like, when this pain hits.
I fax all my reports on a daily basis
I have a fax machine right in my computer. As soon as I'm doing typing a report, I print it directly to the fax. It has the capability to schedule faxes. Where I work we have to hold the reports for 5 days in case there are any corrections so I just schedule my faxes five days in advance and it automatically faxes everything out. I can keep tract of whether or not a fax has gone out just by clicking on the fax icon on my computer. It's really very handy.
People die and lose everything on a daily basis, not just hurricane
victims. I wish people would stop insinuating that everyone in the country who is getting on with their own lives is selfish or uncaring.
Once I got over needing/wanting to talk whoever on a daily basis, I liked not to - sm
For years (my 20s) I felt I had to talk to my SO every day for 5 years....finally broke up for good...took 3 times to work. Next SO was much more laid back, talked to him 3-4 times a week maybe, saw each other maybe 3 x a week. Helped me a lot in getting over the previous jerk/SO. That lasted about 20 months....then met DH. We did not talk every day at first even though we lived 100 miles apart....later on we did. I moved in with him though 6 months after meeting him so it became a mute point then. But even today he calls me usually 1-4 x a day which at times gets to be a bit annoying actually. Though when he does not call I do worry and wonder if he is okay....he did not call yesterday and the roads were icy so it gets you worried when your DH/SO does not stick to form. The only way to get over being annoyed is to call him and ask him if he called and hung up and to next time please leave a message. Or be stubborn and wait and get angrier if that makes you happy.
very few responses on the State Boards on a daily basis
So I thought I would try the main board. If I don't get a response in a couple of hours, I guess it could be taken off.
Thanks

Radiation oncology vs. hematolog/oncology

I have experience with hematology/oncology but not radiation oncology.  What exactly is the difference?  Is it a difficult jump from one to the other?  Broad learning curve?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.


Been there myself on a day to day basis.
and it just plain blows big time.
First name basis
IMHO, if the client wants you to call them Pipsqueak, you comply.  It's their perogative - the customer is always right. 
It's on a per-account basis. nm
..
My husband does this on an every day basis
changing what I say to something else and I laugh each and every day we are together. He is so funny i start laughing before I ever get a sentence out of my mouth. He keeps me in stitches, my bestest friend in the whole wide world! I tell him I think he needs a hearing aid and he says WHAT?? I said is something wrong with your ears and he says.. I don’t have any tears. I have no dull days when he is here with me. The way he works is home most days and I can hardly wait for him to get out of bed so I can laugh more.
Regardless whether HIPPA is the basis or not....
there is a problem there that needs to be addressed here.  Either you agree or don't!  No need to critize an MT who is at least trying to make an effort to do something about it. 
possible, but not on a consistent basis, I don't think
I have done it, but it is not possible to do that for 4 hours straight, and definitely not for 8. There are so many factors that affect your work.... how many times you stop to look up things, ESLs, wasted time with doctors who don't have their thoughts organized, etc. I have done 350-400 lines an hour rarely... usually it is 275-300 if I have a very familiar doctor, no terms to look up, and my fingers and mind are communicating that day. :o) So long answer short, it is 'doable', but doubtful that you could keep it up for 8 hours.
I have probably 30 dictators that I get on a regular basis, usually

the same work type, but depending on the workload I may get all different work types, and lots of dictators I've never had before, but that isn't the norm.   My company has very high standards and I think they realize in order to retain the good MTs they have to make them productive and they try to do that as much as they can by keeping them on one account. 


I've had accounts in the past where it was rare that I got the same dictator more than a couple of times and they were all very difficult ESL dictators, which makes it harder to learn them. 


Google is not good basis, IMO. sm
Look up the definition of "hire." It can apply. You can certainly hire an IC, just as you can hire a service, plumber, electrician, babysitter, etc. Even if Google does show it's being used often to refer to employees, that doesn't mean that every single person saying it is implying or in any way establishing an employee-employer relationship. That's not to say the person you are referring to didn't mean it that way, just that I don't think it's fair to paint every MTSO that might say it with that broad brush. I don't think the IRS would consider it a valid cause as establishment of employee vs. IC relationship, either. It's a stretch to say that someone can't even say they "hired" an IC. I just think that's reading way too much into it. JMO, FWIW.

From dictionary.com:

Hire is a general word, most commonly applied to paying money for labor or services...
Ask your PS to see if you can try it on a trial basis, say for a month or so...sm
You won't really know if it'll be better for you unless you give it a trial run. 5-1/2 hours each day should go by quick even with breaks.

Good luck.
Most pay is on a production basis these days, so SM
in looking for a typical wage, you really need to find out what group of "typical" MTs to compare oneself to. All experienced, of course. Slow, below-average speed, average speed, above average, fast, very fast, and wow-I-wish-I-could-do-that. Some very experienced MTs are slow for various reasons. A few probably have no real talent for the job but have always worked on salary. Others can be faster but again have always worked on salary, which didn't encourage developing one's maximum speed. Others prefer to work in a relaxed manner and choose not to focus on high production. The higher producers are either very talented or they've worked hard at harnessing the available technology to work for them, and all work steadily and fairly hard.

$20+ also strikes me as fairly typical for a sincere MT who applies herself reasonably consistently, and I agree that 30-35+ is still an achievable goal for most who commit to making money, though typical only for the fast classes.
Most pay is on a production basis these days, so SM
in looking for a typical wage, you really need to find out what group of "typical" MTs to compare oneself to. All experienced, of course. Slow, below-average speed, average speed, above average, fast, very fast, and wow-I-wish-I-could-do-that. Some very experienced MTs are slow for various reasons. A few probably have no real talent for the job but have always worked on salary. Others can be faster but again have always worked on salary, which didn't encourage developing one's maximum speed. Others prefer to work in a relaxed manner and choose not to focus on high production. The higher producers are either very talented or they've worked hard at harnessing the available technology to work for them, and all work steadily and fairly hard.

$20+ also strikes me as fairly typical for a sincere MT who applies herself reasonably consistently, and I agree that 30-35+ is still an achievable goal for most who commit to making money, though typical only for the fast classes.
Not to mention doing it on a regular basis
I could maybe, maybe, if the stars were aligned properly and all the factors MTinNC mentioned were in place, type 3000 lines in a 12-15 hour day. But it would be one day. I couldn't do that everyday, and it probably would take so much out of me that I'd end up slowing down in subsequent days, making it all balance out. Of course, I'm no longer in my 20s, but I think it would still take a quick toll.
We are paid on a tier basis, based on
your production during the entire pay period. For example:

12,000 - xx
12,001 - 14,000 - an additional 0.05.
14,000 - 16,000 - an additional 0.05.
16,001 and above - an additional 0.05

So, lines between 12,000 and 14,000 we are paid xx + 0.05;
14001 - 16000 - xx + 0.05 + 0.05;
16,001 - above xx + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05.
I need something on a trial basis for now...if it works out, I will invest later...Can't afford..

to invest in software unless it is a sure thing.  Thanks


Per diem is on an as needed basis - not a stable job. May work 1 day a month. nm
x
i would see if they would hire you on a part-time basis those 2 days you are off for a trial to see
;
Any hospitals/clinics hiring home-based employees on an hourly basis? TIA

/


oncology
Especially because there are always new drugs, especially if you are doing a hospital that uses experimental drugs. Can't ever find them anywhere
ONCOLOGY
I am just starting an OR an oncology account and would appreciate any good sites as well.
I have done some oncology
I really did not mind it that much at all.  Much easier to me than orthopedics and physical therapy notes.  I did have Stedman's Oncology word book, as well as the internet.  I agree with the other poster, the hardest was the chemotherapy protocols, but there many resources to help with this. 
Oncology because there are new

drugs/protocols all the time.  Psychiatry because it can be very depressing after a while.  


 


oncology
Hi, I work at an oncology clinic.  Our transcriptionists are paid hourly and make between 11.50 to 14.75 per hour.  I've always heard radiology is the best pay because of the short length of the reports.  Some oncology notes can run 10 minutes.  It is an enjoyable specialty though.
Oncology

I am actually intrigued by all of the neat things they have done to help with cancer, and people are not suffering or dieing from cancer like they used to.  The oncology field has grown so much and I think it is interesting to learn the new changes that are coming out.  It does get depressing at times, although it is more so encouraging.  I like to keep up-to-date on the new technology and watching the people get better rather than worse.  It definitely has its ups and downs, but it has also advanced so much.  It beats the same old, same old of everyday repetition with colds and cuts  


oncology
Hi for those of you that work in oncology I have a question.  I just started working in oncology.  I have worked in radiology, orthopedics and limited acute care doing discharge notes.  How long do you think it will take for me to become proficient with oncology?  I have been a Transcriptionist for about 10 years and have been exposed to hospital radiology, clinic ortho and limited discharge summaries.
ONCOLOGY
Oncology involves all the organ systems and it is a challenge. I find myself praying for the patients sometimes. It is interesting to me the choices patients make regarding their treatment; some stoic, some adventurous, some depressed, some more concerned about their families than themselves, etc. It definitely makes me appreciate my health and my faith.
If you can do Oncology, you can certainly
xx
Oncology
Oncology is so experimental and thus we see all these protocols and new drugs popping up all over the place. If you can do that,you can certainly learn a more generalized field such as internal medicine which less specific than oncology. I would say a lot easier also.
oncology
Has anyone ever heard of "Schimmel" solution for oral mucositis?

Oncology because of the always changing...sm
meds. And I have to admit, though I have done ortho a lot in the past and know it well, I just don't like it.
oncology links
Thanks!!!
janet mills
plant city fl

been doing oncology since 1987

Once you know a field, it becomes a piece of cake.  I do not agree that you need ANY books if you are transcribing ONLINE.  There are many govt sites belonging to NIH and end in a dot gov which have all the current chemo drugs to date.  We also have other rx websites to check out like drugs dot com and rx dot com to find drugs and proper spelling and when all else fails there's always Google dot com search engine.


hope that helps and hope I didn't cross any rules here for posting, if so please let me know, moderators *S*


Rheumatology and oncology. nm
x
And oncology is my favorite! nm
 
Radiation oncology....

I normally type Radiology and love it but was asked to cover a radiation oncology account until my Radiology account is ready.  Heres my dilemma....


I think I really like doing oncology!  Can anyone tell me what the earning potential is for (full-time) oncology work? I normally get paid by report for radiiology (1.25/report + incentive). 


Transcribe oncology now...sm
I transcribed ER notes at several other MT positions, in addition to most other basic 4 reports, and I usually had no trouble getting the required lines with ER work. I enjoyed it from a variety standpoint. You never know what you're going to get, just like Forrest Gump! I, too, am tired of the repetition of oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, etc., and it does seem to sometimes drone on with some physicians. However, it can be a good line count, too. I would think you would be able to adapt quickly to ER work if you are looking for a change. Hope this helps.
Oncology or Dermatology
Which is less complicated Oncology or Dermatology???
You never catch up with oncology....
there is always different meds and procedures more than any other field I've done.  I quit after about a year.  Great experience but ya don't make the money. 
Hematology/oncology

If anyone knows of any hem/onc jobs, please e-mail me...except if they use Emdat/Inscribe, then I am not interested.  Thanks for any help.


Oncology information

Some other ideas to consider:


If you are transcribing for an oncology practice, find out where they are on staff and check the websites for those hospitals.  Many hospitals feature their cancer programs.


Most states have at least one comprehensive cancer center.  There is a list of them in the back of the Stedman's Oncology Words book that includes the web addresses.  They do cutting edge research, and your patients may end up there or may be coming back from their to get their treatment locally.  By all means, buy the Stedman's Oncology Words book if you don't have it already.  New 5th edition just came out.


The National Cancer Institute has a massive list of oncology clinical trials.  I find it a bit clunky to use, but it is a resource.  Your tax dollars at work!


CenterWatch lists clinical trials and new drug approvals.  These parts of the site are free, but other parts aren't (and those are expensive).  This site is well regarded by those who work in clinical trials.


I hope you find these suggestions helpful.  I love oncology!


Radiation Oncology

Do any of you oncology transcriptionists know of any good sites for radiation oncology terms?.  I am a seasoned oncology Transcriptionist who has a new oncology account that includes radiation oncology dictation, which I have never done before.   Help, please.


Thanks


Radiation Oncology
Does anyone do radiation oncology dictation, and if so, what sites do you use for help.  I am a very experienced oncology Transcriptionist having to face doing radiation oncology (which I have never done before) and I am having so much trouble finding the words I need.  Help would certainly be appreciated.  TIA
oncology is part of the
Internal Medicine here at the hospital I work for. I have onsite employment and home transcription.