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If you believe editing is a HIGHER skill, then why are we being paid

Posted By: LESS per line instead of MORE! on 2008-04-18
In Reply to: Editing is the higher skill. I earn more editing SM - MissIndigo




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Editing is the higher skill. I earn more editing SM
because I'm able to produce more--if the company doesn't adjust the way production's figured down and down again to keep the account from going elsewhere (when that happened to me on EditScript with no explanation of why my income was dropping, I went elsewhere also).
Editing is the higher skill since it's more brain work,, AND SM
the computers are taking over the finger work. That and practitioners entering directly into the electronic medical record mean that most traditional transcription jobs before too long will be a thing of the past.

So I'd recommend you go directly to editing since you'll end up doing that anyway. If there's a future in this, it's going to be with a higher level of medical knowledge and a more expanded involvement in medical records beyond merely editing dictation, but likely including that.

Plus, with editing you'll be in at least twice as many reports as if you were transcribing them, which means you'll get much more experience more quickly. Whether you'll lose some benefit from not typing every word out I don't know, but you will spend a lot less time getting verbage you don't need to learn on paper. I.e., instead of typing some version of, "The patient presented to the emergency room by private automobile with a complaint of" a few hundred times a week,...you don't.

Do commit to developing an expansion base that will cut the Keystrokes it takes to do your work to the very minimum. As long as anyone's paid on a production basis, and as long as we're using keyboards, someone using 5 keystrokes to make 2 edits will BOTH make a lot more money than someone who takes 9 keystrokes to make one correction AND be a much more valuable productive worker--i.e., worth keeping on and developing as most traditional jobs disappear.

And do sign up for more medical classes, the ones people preparing for nursing and medical school take.

Whether you'll make more or less money one way or the other right now probably depends more than anything on the particular talents you bring to the job and the particular skills you choose to develop. Unlike the previous poster who does better transcribing, I make more editing, but I'm a fast reader and a slow keyboarder, so the less my income depends on what my fingers are capable of the better. Best wishes!
Good for you, Linda! SM First, editing's a desirable trend. Higher skill, easier SM
I feel it may be like a train about to rush around the bend at me.

For the discussion, editing is a higher skill and it's easier on the hands--absolutely no carpal tunnel problems since I started editing. And the WAGES ARE ABOUT THE SAME--you go through approximately twice as much dictation (some people more, some less depending on talent) in the same time it would take to transcribe it and get paid half as much for that amount of dictation, ending up without a drop in wages from editing. This is fair and market-driven.

Fewer editors would be needed, but some would be needed for the stinkers, even scary-good as VR gets with most dictators.

The big threat is from the electronic medical record, where physicians and their assistants check boxes on a handheld device they carry around with them and there is NO text report to come to us at all. England has had this for some years; go look and see how MTs are doing on the Emerald Isle.

No Chicken Little here, guys, AND not burying my head in the sand either. I don't have a view into the future, but the one thing that's clear is the future will require developing new skills, professional or trade level, of one kind or another. I just hope and pray it doesn't require going back to suits and office politics. School's okay, even at my age, but am guilty of putting it off to see if I'm going to be allowed to continue pretty much as is until I'm too old to work...huh--maybe there's some sand obscuring the picture after all. Best wishes.
For QA consulting I'm paid per hour; QA instructing (college) paid salary, QA editing paid per li
I am an IC and work for two different MTSOs as well as instruct at a business college.
MTs with less skill s/b paid less with that money going to the best
I can do xxxx but it makes me sick when the slackers get the exact same pay as me. Please don't give me the xxxx story that I can make more by being more efficient.
My former job paid by the hour. Higher producers with
lkj
You should be getting paid more, not less for that editing as
if it more difficult to edit correct than to do straight transcription. Doesn't it make you upset that you are making less per line. Don't tell me you can edit more lines than transcribe. The fact is you are doing MORE and being paid LESS!
Being paid per report for editing.
Do you guys think $1.38 per report is fair for doing QA in escription/and emailing feedback?
FDA warns that it delivers higher doses than expected, and has a higher rate of stroke. (sm)
http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/115/111590.htm
I found out a long time ago that there are two kinds of editing.. one is editing MTs work (like QA)
and the other is editing as in VR. I have done VR editing, but when I put down this as experience on a resume, I was asked by the HR person if this meant that I had "edited" other MTs work. I think there is a lot of confusion out there and I wish they would just keep that as QA instead of calling it editing. Just be clear in what you want to edit as most companies that expect you to "edit" other MTs in a QA position do require you have a lot of experience. If you just going for VR editing, which is what Transcend has available and there are a few companies out there doing VR, none of which I think really require much experience as it is easy to learn. Hope I made some sense and it can be pretty confusing on how companies use the term "editing" thus it effects their expectations as far as experience goes.
transcriptions have a skill also
as far as looking up addresses go!
There's a shortage of US MT's because the skill is becoming obsolete

Schools don't even encourage anyone to get into this field anymore because they don't want to have someone take a course and then be out of work in a few years when this skill goes the same direction that shorthand did several decades back.


Like someone said on the Company board, education is the key.  Don't allow yourself to be a one-trick pony and learn how to do something else while you can.


This is all part of transcription and the skill
I have had in all of my years of experience many types of dictators.  I can honestly say that I have had ESL dictators that were better than your run of the mill American dictators.  We are a melting pot, and what's funny to me is that so many make comments about an MTSO sending ESL dicators offshore, yet we have Mexican, Chinese, and Indian restaurants that we eat from and love the food.  I think we need to somehow learn to embrace the ESL dictators.  I had an ESL that was the most lovely physician.  He knew that his dictation was difficult and was always willing to answer questions and would take the extra time to explain why he stated this or that. 
Upping the skill ante.
You might go online and look at Oak Horizons. They have an excellent reputation and are affordable. Also check VO-Technical schools for grammar as they are less expensive but adequate and junior colleges in your area. Good luck and good for you in improving your quality.
Good research skills the best skill an MT
x
Failing national skill test
This is to Vicki. Please do not be discouraged. The MAJORITY of the companies out there (most of them advertising here) actually DO NOT want experienced MT's. They are looking for the stay-at-home mom (not critizing, wish I could be one) that do not actually have to carry an active part in family income. If you are experienced you would actually produce (imagine that-isn't that why we are working cpl?) and that would cost them money. Where a newbie makes the minimal amount for a time and that makes them happy. Not to say that they would not be on the newbie's butt to produce 98%+ etc.

I have 30 years experience, and I have failed tests from a national company. I have kept myself updated over the years and extremely computer literate, and had been in charge of staffing before they recently outsourced our workflow to India, so it is not a case of not accepting the "new ways" of doing things. Many of the "new" AAMT guidelines are grossly incorrect according to the major hospital system that I represent.

Just my say. Thank you.
If I had just one other skill that allowed me to pay for my modest lifestyle, I'd utilize it.
Maybe it is the 20 yrs in this business. I now have tinnitus, am absolutely sure that sitting for 8-10 hours a day is having a detrimental effect on my health, am more anxiety ridden now that there is very little job security and I am a sole operation here in my little world, have arm and hand fatigue (it's a freakin miracle I do not have CTS yet). I just really do not enjoy doing this as I used to. I have to really force myself to stay focused and am really really trying to find some joy in it by realizing other people have tedious jobs just as I do that they must also dislike.
B.S. in HIM, no MT school, OTJ training for that skill, but the HIM classes for the knowledge. nm
x
It depends on your skill level, your speed, your ability to do the
nm
Yes! We're talking critical skill developement here! nmx
x
Totally agree. They're no longer paying for this so-called skill
and that's part of the reason the quality is down.
This is a very basic computer skill/concept. You copy files to another drive using Explorer.

There are very detailed instructions in the Help files that accompany Windows. You can read those for more information.


Basically, you open Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer). Locate the files you want to copy, highlight and right mouse click. Choose Copy. Now, find the location where you want to copy these files (usually another drive like D: or H:, whereever the flash/jump/thumb drive is located) and paste the files there.


 


Question about Editing for those who do editing
What would you consider to be  the average amount of lines a day of editing based on a 65 space line in an 8 hour day.  If you can do an average of 1200 straight typing what would be the expectation for a day of editing?  What do you think is a fair rate of pay for that editing? Do you know of companies that offer a tiered incentive rate for editing rates to do most of them offer a flat rate for lph?   Do you find you make more money,  less money or about the same than straight typing?  Thanks to anyone who is willing to share this information.  Feel free to email if you would rather share by email. 
VR editing versus MT editing pay

Greetings,


How does VR editing prod. pay compare to hourly pay ($15) regular QA and constantly being threatened to start being payed production.  Are there any special tricks to know to make good money on a VR program?  Any companies that have VR and are better than other ones would be appreciated as well.  Any and all assistance much appreciated-have to make a change shortly, so looking for a great company that offers ins. benefits.  Thanks for your time.


if mt paid 9, editor paid 4 or 5...how can company charge 14 and make it..sm

I know the going rate in our area is 14 cents per line.  As MTs most companies here pay us 8 or 9 cents a line.  Now add in the Editor rate at 4 or 5 per line..you are paying OUT more than you can charge a line.  How would companies stay in biz?


Unless all work is sent by the company overseas at pennies per line, this would not pay for a company.


just curious how this works out


But how much are the US EDs gonna be paid? Typically this work is paid at 2-3 cpl. nm
:+
You don't get paid an hourly rate you get paid by line - sm
so because of how you are paid (not an hourly rate) you don't get OT, especially if you are an IC.
I would move on. I think it is so unfair not to be paid for spaces! I think we should get paid

per keystroke, but that'll never happen.  I just think that these national companies are going to keep finding ways to cheat us.  I found a job working for a hospital as an employee, paid hourly plus incentive, and they let us expand everything!  Somebody's gonna have to kill me to make me give up this job.  I will never go back to the national's again.


I feel for you though.  I know that for us MTs those good jobs are few and far between and some have little choice but to work for the nationals.  I just happened to luck into the job I have now.  I just applied at the right time. 


Good luck to you whatever you decide.


If those companies paid a fair wage, and paid more
all came out equal, people wouldn't feel the need to try to make up the deficit by going for the good stuff. I actually prefer the harder, juicier reports. But I can't make a living doing only that, because the pay is not commensurate with the difficulty. So even though I prefer not to, sometimes I have to pick up some of the easier, more boring 'line-o-matic' reports just to make ends meet. Tell your MTSO to make it work their while, and MTs will stop taking all the easy work away that you obviously would prefer to keep for yourself.
You wont show UE being paid because it is employer paid -
the employee will never have to pay this.
It's not funny when you're on a board where language is one skill you're selling.
.
could be a little higher, but
I make up for it by having great account with good dictators, so no struggling with ESLs for the most part. I'll take a small line count cut in exchange for less stress. For me, it's worth it.
I would say #3 and higher.
nm
8-10 cpl usually comes out about the same. The higher
the pay, the worse the accounts and the worse the platforms you have to work on. If it takes you 3-5 minutes to get into a job before you type your first word and are paid 10 cpl, you are better off at 8 cpl on a quick and easy platform. Same with good VS evil dictators.
I just left Transcend where I made 9.5 cpl and make more at a company who pays 8 cpl because the system Transcend used is just not user friendly.
It's not even a sport - these guys aren't athletes - it's a SKILL not a SPORT
x
What you "should" be paid and what you "are" paid

sadly are two very different things.  Good luck on demanding more..because someone else will just come along and take it for what they offer and they know it. 


Higher rates
When my hospital looking into a MTSO for quicer TAT, they were quoted .33 cpl.  This company only paid their MTs. .07 cpl.  Needless to say, my hospital stuck to what they were paying me.
Well, I have a 99% or higher QA score.
I make between $45K and $48K doing this.

NEver been in trouble for QA. Never lost a job for QA. Have been hired for every single job I have ever applied for.

Anyone I've ever worked for has been sad to see me go. People I work for now are very happy with me. I make good money and have a good QA score.

All with no PROPER EDUCATION but just on-the-job training.

HOORAYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Amphion higher-ups
From what I have heard, there is one by the name of karen clay who harrasses MTs about line counts constantly -- even those left in ruins by Katrina!
Wow. Is this from your immediate supervisors or from the higher ups/HR, etc.? Are you being
s
It needs to go considerably higher than 9-9.5.....
I've been raiding my savings all year just to put gas in my car. That was at $3.50/gal. Once it's over $4/gal., how will any of us afford it on even 12 cpl? (Especially if our line counts are being skimmed by the oh-so-righteous MTSOs)? If they want their little hamsters to turn those wheels of fortune (theirs, not ours) faster, we could probably do it if our pay were such that we didn't have to be continually looking for a better job while trying to work. Sure ain't rocket science.
You may get a higher rate of pay but
You spend so much time looking up new meds (they are constantly changing) and various chemos, etc. you can't make any money. 
Actually that's on the higher side for
x
It's wonderful, you will not see one higher.nm

higher salary?
Are you serious?

You decided to be QA and you get paid by the hour, not by production. Sell your sad tale to someone who isn't hammering the keyboard for those "crumbs," you talk about.

There is Omissions and Errors insurance to cover your QA errors. Get over yourself. You aren't all that and a bag of beans.

People like me did the bulk of the report and it's your job as QA to come along and do a little clean up. In other words, QA people are what then? Janitorial staff.
How many MTs have a completed Bachelor's or higher currently?
nm
Wal-Mart Higher and inconvenient

Something should be said about their false adverstisement.  Wal-Mart is not cheaper or more convenient as they say in their commercials.  In the small Wal-Mart you use to be able to run in and pick up something quick but not that is impossible.  A trip to Wal-Mart, no matter how much or what you need it takes over an hour.  Why do they put all those cash register lines in if they do not use them?  A gallon of milk is 30 cents more at WM than my local grocer.  This year, we did not buy any Christmas gifts from WM.  When comparing prices for one large ticket item we bought, WM was $30 dollarge more than the specialty store.  I agree, they are greedy. 


Our community was one of the first in the area to have a Wal-Mart and the only reason for this was because we had a Howard's which went out of business a year after Wal-Mart opened up.  Then they opened up another store in a neighboring community.  Wal-mart stayed open for 20 years (in the terms and agreement) then decided to close and build the super store in the neighboring community.   I admit I still shop at WM for some things but if I have a choice, I go somewhere else.


Have you ever bargained for a higher CPL rate..
when made an offer by a national or is that a big mistake?  Want the position, but not for as low as they are offering.  Would just like to see if they would be willing to go up based on experience and quality.  Has anyone ever done this and actually had a good result from it?
Bet Hillary's is higher than Bill's!?!?!?!
!
I'm a lucky one also - @ 18 cpl, can't really raise any higher. nm
x
Depends; if QA and someone over their head, you could take it higher up sm
if not and QA is owner, you just have to bite your teeth and do it her way or find another job. you could argue your points with her and show your proof but that still doesn't mean she will agree and might get on the defense and hurt you in the long run but that is a chance you gotta take too. she may think better of you as knowing the correct way also. i think personally i would confront her with proof about it and if accepting fine; if not, find another job where quality is respected.