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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I work whatever hours I want, as long as I have the reports back in TAT...

Posted By: MtMommyof3 on 2008-12-09
In Reply to: flex hours - Intrigued

I have assigned doctors...


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I must say, I work long hours, sometimes 12-14 hours a day.
I thought it was important to mention that. However many hours it takes to get the work done is what I do. Some days 12 hours, other days 6 hours and sometimes 14 hours. So, I guess there really is no easy answer.
IC sets their own hours. As long as the work is done by the deadline, you decide when to work.

Psychiatric work or long reports
Does anyone work for/know of any companies that are hiring for psych work or any other long reports like memory disorders, or compensations? I have three years working with these and acute care. I would like to find long reports to do all the time.
Please write to my e-mail address
Thanks!
At least 1 whole POT OF COFFEE daily if not 2. Work long hours. nm
x
I work long hours and keep distractions to a minimum sm
and very, very luckily was assigned an account that was an excellent fit.   I'm pretty sure you all won't believe me anyway and I'm not sure why I bothered to respond  but my "secret" is just hard work and dumb luck.  Plus I do Radiology and for me that is a big part of the equation.  
Oh well, as long as it gets our work out of India and back to us
I would go back to the office in a second for decent money and affordable benefits. 
14.00/hr 8 hours 80-100 reports
xx
rate for STAT reports after hours

I currently work for a group doing transcription all day as an IC.  I am delivered my work at night by the office for the next day's work.  But, often they have a need for me to do STAT reports that night for surgery the next morning.  I work all day full time for them and then have these to do in the evenings too.  They also use tapes still and I have to spend and hour or two searching the tapes looking for the dictation to transcribe.  It is so frustrating and time consuming on my part and I am making NOTHING for the time I am spending on this, 2-4 bucks tops for an hour or two of work.    I just wondered if anyone knew of a good line rate, flat rate, etc. to charge for this turnaround time and the time I have to waste searching through these tapes!!!!!  They will not go digital, which would be so much better.  Any thoughts????  Thanks in advance. 


Oh my you would have Amherst in a scramble letting their reports get 2 hours old. Gee, they would
have no clue what to do. Probably sit up all night and watch the system or MAYBE do them themselves to keep the 1 hour TAT. Yep.
But in transcription, if you are good at what you do, you can do 8 hours of work in 4 hours. So eit

you slice it, both companies will still get 8 hours worth of work out of you.


That is the problem I've been having lately being an MT.  Companies want to pay us on production and they set minimum productivity standards, but want us timed in for 8 hours a day.  My thinking is, if they want 8 hours of work out of me, pay me hourly with production incentive.  If they want to pay me on production and tell how much I have to produce in an 8 hour period, then when I hit that mark, I should be able to call it a day even if I've only worked 4 hours.


Seems these companies want it both ways and it is simply not fair to us MTs.  JMO, tho.


Best if you are doing long reports...sm
where you are not messing around a lot on the patient demographic screens. If you can just get into the body of the report and do some work, it's o.k. Also if you don't have a lot of formatting changes, i.e. bold, italic, etc. And it doesn't have a word Expander so you have to use Shorthand for sure. The nice thing about our Meditech account is the line count does count gross lines and blank lines - but I don't know if that is just the way our hospital is set up or not. Meditech is picked for its billing and accounting capabilities. By the time any one asks the transcriptionists about it, it is already a done deal.
long reports
I do independent medical exams, which are usually quite long, for insurance companies and legal firms. they are dictated by MDs for litigation cases. The shortest ones are 4-5 pages, and I have had some up to 70-80 pages, so don't just look to medical facilities but try attorneys and insurance companies also. the company usually contracts with only one or two providers to do their exams so you are doing the same dictator(s) constantly so you get to really know their terminology and style. Mine use standards PEs, standing conclusions, etc., so I get to use a lot of macros. Because they are long you usually have a longer timeframe to complete them, too. it's a good way to go.
Way back when, a long, long time
ago and in a galaxy far, far away, I had my own accounts also and some years cleared $75,000.  Yes it can be done, but you need to have your own accounts.  Also lots of delivery, and other duties involved.  I work for a large national now and make much less, but I got tired of accountants, having to deal with hardware problems, deadlines, driving deliveries, printing, printers, etc.  So I decided to simplify my taxes and stay home and just type.  Don't have to worry about computers either, because the company will just send me a new one. 
Long, long files. Seemed like they'd never end! I'd never go back to VA again. nm
s
Long reports that drone on and on....
it's terrible...I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the line counts, but it's only 9:40 in the morning and I already want to take a nap LOL.
Exactly !!!! If they get their reports back
shot full of holes, maybe they would take the time to have a little consideration for the people on the other end of the dictation line. (**sigh** in a perfect world.... lol)
Stress and long hours

So, you're saying that you got tired of the stress and long hours so you bacame a TRANSCRIPTIONIST!  You crack me up.  Everybody knows that as a Transcriptionist there is never any stress or long hours.


seizures - 2 hours long
My daughter had grand mal seizures since age 18 months (after her immunizations of course). She had them until she was 4 1/2 and then they restarted at age 12 (when we were living near a nuclear plant) - University of Wisconsin has the best ped neuro program, Harvard has another. The child does not suffer normally -- onlookers suffer more than they do if it is any consolation. My experience with the entire medical field of neurologists has been substandard -- look until you find one you trust. Beware.
I know this has been discussed before but how long does it take to relisten to reports that you have
typed. I know some people do that and some dont. So far I have done okay on QA but if I dont I was just wondering how much extra time per day you figure you need to relisten to reports. I usually do about 30 to 35 medium length reports acute care or 1800 to 2000 lines. What errors do you find mostly when you relisten or is it not worth the extra time it takes. Just curious.
How long should you store reports on your computer?
As a subcontractor, what is the appropriate amount of time to store transcribed reports on your computer before deleting them?
Those are long reports! I like 'em at 2-3 mins. so they
s
Long reports, dead air time

Does anyone have any good tricks for dealing with the long reports with huge segments of "nothing"?  On top of that, the people I am dealing with are ESLs so that's slowing me down enough already.


At this point, all I do is speed up and fast forward but am wondering if there are other ways to compensate for this issue.


Seems like someone would teach them how to pause when they stop dictating! 


IC Question: How long do you keep your reports for your docs?

ICs, I was curious to see how long do you keep your reports on your computer for the doctors?  Is there a usual time limit? 


Thank you!


 


How long on average (hours) does it take to type

I know it depends on lots of things such as difficulty, typing speed, expanders, etc.  Just looking for how many hours people have worked to get to 2000 lines.


Long hours of dictation for translator
Hello. I do transcription for a medical translator and it is very lengthy work and yesterday I spent 14 hours working on medical journal articles. I use MS Word and have only used the autotext feature for inserting regularly dictated words. Is there a better program out there that is easy to use and reasonably priced that will help me not have to do so much repetitive typing. I make a lot of tables and charts too. Any help would be great.
Not used to working 40+ hours and my back is
nm
I love those long reports. I think of them as free money.

It's just straight transcribing with no stopping to verify patient or physician information to start a new note.  I'll trade you for 1 minute long dictations by a little Russian guy?


I do understand the frustration at the duplication of information.  Then again, the copy/paste feature works great at giving more lines for free with no typing.  LOL  I always thought that if I could find a way to simplify the medical record while still utilizing MTs, I'd be rich. 


Yes, I'm back. 3 hours=255 lines. Think I'm just a little upset here!!!!

Can you cut your hours back at your current job and do MT at home PT? (sm)
This would be a way to break away some for your FT without actually giving it up and at the same time staying current in the outside world. Then if you had a PT or p.r.n. MT job at home, you could get a feel for how it would be.
I do have assigned accounts and even those I can't get back within 24-48 hours at end of week. s
I think I need to have on-call coverage to help, but I don't have much time to train...I sometimes just think it takes less time to do it myself than to train someone new, but I'm just tired of working all the time. If I could find people who have so much experience that they can just be able to work and get it right by having a sample report and a template...hard to believe, but not everyone can do that....Also need a c-phone to access work on my system.
Lucky. I love long reports. I thought I got a good one, but it was a 1.5 minute
report with 12 minutes of dead air. Sit here and do nothing. For free.
One embellished sentences, another did 200 reports and had 70 kicked back with errors.
dd
LOVE teaching hospitals and long-winded reports. Less ADT time which I'm not paid for.
Hate filling in ADT screens w/ searches just to do a one minute report.
Hated it. The office politics, the dressing up, the back-stabbing. I do in 4 hours what I did in 8
at home.  That hospital environment with all those women backstabbing, worrying about how long other people took for breaks or lunch, who was in favor with the supervisor, who fit in with the cliques,  UGGGGGGHHHHH!   I can't believe I am saying this but MQ looks good compared to those days now that you got me to thinking.  (Not that good pay-wise/benefit-wise though)
Easy to work with. You can look up old reports. Your own word expander will work
s
sorry so long in getting back -
I don't have a real average count because sometimes I run out of work because of the tim of day that I work - but what this system does do is keep up with the amount you type per hour - which is pretty neat. I have instructions that say if you use all of the functions available you can get up to 600 lines an hour (which is my goal). Right now I'm at around 450 an hour - and around the same old 200-250 an hour for straight transcription. It actually averages out about the same pay-wise - but the editing really saves your wrists, back and neck. Hope this helps. You can see that if you work an 8 hour shift about what you would average with time. I also work part-time - but am happy with my pay for the time spent working and am very grateful to have a chance to learn this program since I think it is the way that transcription is going. Those of us who know it will be much more valuable and able to keep a job far longer than those who do not have experience with it.
Slow day for me. Typed two reports in two hours. Anyone else having unusually slow day?
dd
I saw on this board a long time back
a suggestion that helped me. put the drugs in your Expander using maybe the first 3 consonants, ie, lidocaine is ldc. Sometimes i'll use 4 letters. for some shorter words i'll spell it out in expander, and cap if necessary. you may wish to make some exceptions to the rule too, ie for me, Neo-Synephrine is neos.
Getting back into the field after a long break

I have 13 years of experience in a variety of specialties, including about 3 years working for a transcription company (multiclinic work mostly) and a few years doing freelance work along with my full-time position. 


I quit being a Transcriptionist because I completed a graduate degree and became a high school English teacher.  I have taught for several years but now am staying home with my children and would like to get back into the transcription field.  I always found the reports to be fascinating, and after being a teacher, the idea of solitary work appeals to me.  


The big problem is that it has been about 10 years since I worked as a transcriptionist.  I have been refreshing my skills by completely re-reading the Book of Style, purchasing a USB foot pedal, and practicing sample transcriptions.  The service where I previously worked was purchased by one of the large nationals, so I don't have anyone there for a contact. 


I was an excellent transcriptionist and know I would be again, given the opportunity.  How would you advise me to go about my job search? 


Thanks, and sorry for making this so long.


Long and winding road, but back in high school
My favorite album was Sgt. Pepper's, I listened to it over n over until the tape wore out and finally broke.  I keep meaning to replace my old collection with CDs.  I used to have posters of the Beatles all over the walls, collected those circle john lennon sun glasses, the whole deal.
What hours do you work?
I am having a hard time setting a schedule.  I would like to work early mornings, but it is hard ot get motivated.
So how many hours a day do you work? nm
xx
So-you work 13 hours a day?(sm)

I can't even get 8 in without falling asleep, most of the time between the hours of 7-9 a.m. My first 3 hours, I can do almost 200 lines an hour. After that, it's downhill.  I rarely hit 1,000 lines a day let alone what you do. Thick ESL account.


We are not allowed to work more than 8 hours a day. I use an expander, but I'm slow with it. Still have a lot of words that need to go in. The worse part of this is  remembering  that I have a short cut for the words!


Another problem I have is that I hate leaving blanks and I will take time to research and look things up.  I know I could cut the time a bit, but . . .I can't stand to do that. I freak out with an ESL if I have to leave 2 blanks.


It's the falling asleep I can't handle. Yet, we have to work our scheduled hours or suffer the consequences, so I'm stuck. I guess I'll be out the door soon.


I'm getting so-o-o depressed because of it. I left a job earning $1400 for 15 days for 1/3rd that I am getting now. Can't afford the health insurance, can't afford to save money. Heck, can't afford to pay my bills anymore.


I work about 5-1/2 hours a day, five...sm
days a week as an IC and make about $27,000/year contracting with a national at 0.0975/line.  I feel like I represent the norm, but I could be wrong.  Sounds like a lot of people on this board are doing a lot better, although I don't know of any personally. 
I work 24 hours
and make around $22-24,000. And I am NOT glued to my computer (because of small children). I could make $30-32,000 if I really tried.
How many hours do yo work a day
to get these lines? I would think it would take you more than eight. I would hate to spend more than eight hours working, but that is me.
I only work 35 hours and anything/ sm

over 35 hours is OT.  If I work before or after my scheduled shift on any day, I get OT pay.  This is before I have reached my 35 hours too.  Whenever I work when it is not my normally scheduled time, it is considered OT. 


No & if you work the same hours SM
and same production year after year, you will actually see a DEcrease in your income over time.  Isn't that nice?  The only way you can maintain or increase your income in this biz is to work longer and faster.
Gack! Is nursing your idea or his? Nursing is highly demanding and long hours.

I'd check with a college counselor/advisor on programs they have for women over 30 to return to academia and enter new careers.  Then I'd ask to take some career tests to see what your interests are and what you'd be be suited for.  Also, there is scholarship money available for women over 30.  Ask about it.  


Since I've already raised my kids, I'd also like to state that jr. high and high school are the years our kids need us at home the most.  Those are the years they can get into the most trouble if left to themselves.  If he's already 9, why not just enter college part-time to finish in about 6 to 7 years?  But definitely go talk to a college counselor.


and work more than 40 hours/week you are due

compensation.  If your company requires you to work 7 days a week I'd find a new job.  They may ASK you to work extra as workload dictates but by no means should you be required too.  Many companies require 1 weekend/month or every other weekend, but there are off days during the week, unless you WANT to work.


If you are an IC you work what you commit to.  If a company can get you to work as an IC by holding over your head you dictate the hours you work, versus working a set schedule, why not.   With having to compete with companies offshoring they have to cut expenses where they can and cutting benefits, etc. is where they do it.  I don't like it, but in order to stay in business they have to, but they also can't require you to work 7 days/week either.  


 


 


 


Looking to pick up some prn work, about 10 hours per
week. I have Word 2000 and Transnet or can use FTP. Acute care or clinic. Email me for details if interested.