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Is it accurate that Fall is a slow time for MTs? sm

Posted By: Wondering on 2005-10-13
In Reply to:

For the last two years I have been doing Urgent Care/ ER work and have not noticed any slow down but I am now doing multispecialty clinic work and I keep hearing about a big slow down.  Can anyone shed some light on the subject for me.  TIA




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Going in the summer or the fall? If the fall, you need to be there early enough while the colors
s
I find that if I slow down and actually take time
to use my ShortHand Expander properly, my lines go way up. If I just start typing faster and using only the small 1 or 2 word abbreviations I use all the time, I get no where fast. You see, I have thousands and thousands of abbreviations, but the real time saver is the phrases and normals I have at my disposable. I just have to slow down and watch the Shorthand window. It may seem like you are wasting time scanning the list of abbreviations, but it's the only way to really churn out the lines. You also tend to make fewer mistakes requiring backspacing when you slow down and pay attention to the abbreviations window.
Sorry even if you are slow, 200 to 400 times per hour - no time -- NM
??
Word has been slow for a long time and I just
cleaned up the Autocorrect and what a difference.  Thanks for the information!
Paid downtime vs unpaid slow time - sm

Do MTSOs, nationals, usually pay for downtime for employees?  If so, what has been your experience - ever received downtime? your company's policy, i.e., pay for two days downtime?


Also, as an employee for a nat'l, if you have a set schedule, what do you do when very little work comes in, for example one dictation/hour?  At what point do you cut out?  I'm new to working for a national and this has happened a lot lately - I know, the holidays.  If there is little work, I usually only stay connected for two hours, let me sup. know, and call it a day. 


I swear, sometimes I hate this industry!!  Any other company, at least in my state, if there is no work, as an employee, you still get paid or after a certain period, you get unemployment...something!


generally this time of the year is slow for my hospital NM
:)
If memory serves (and most of the time it doesn't!), isn't it # to speed up and * to slow down
You just repeatedly hit the # or * keys to the desired speed, right? 
Slow day for me. Typed two reports in two hours. Anyone else having unusually slow day?
dd
That is just not accurate (see m)
Most groomers today decline to do anal glands. It is an internal type procedure that might require veterinary care if there is an infection, and I don't frankly know any modern-day groomers who do it.

No one has *ever* asked me to do it, either, in two and a half years of grooming.


Not entirely accurate...
Insurance cos. will most definitely challenge a RSI but if it occurs during and in the course of employment it is compensable. This type of claim will need an attorney to push it through.
I'd say that's accurate.
There are lots of variables of course, but that's a pretty fair average.
Accurate
I think it is very accurate. I average $53,000 to $55,000 a year. When I was working even part-time I was making $28,000. When I worked in-house I averaged $18 an hour, which I make more working IC out of my home.
That's a bit simplistic and not really accurate at all, but...
everyone's situation is different tax-wise, so I'm sure your tax person gave you the scoop for YOU.   
I just don't think W&G is an accurate portrayal
of gays either.  Just like the hetero shows of today, the main characters flit from relationship to relationship and think about sex all the time.  Life's not really like that.  All the hetero and gay people I know of are in longterm, monogamous relationships.  Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives are just as nasty.  I'm no prude, but if these shows are representative of what our society wants, then our society has gone down the pot.  You can't even shield your kids from it because the commercials for the shows are on all the time.
yes it is accurate I also was taught sm
5 characters equal one word. Therefore, there are 13 words in a 65 character line.
Get over it. I am sure your work is 100% accurate!
Hooray!
Very accurate description...
Your post is exactly right! Great post! (A physician friend made the same comparison--that he only needed to know one specialty while the MT must be familiar with all--great post!)
Not quite accurate info. sm

The above poster makes a blanket statement: "...counting programs that count this convert the document to one big long document without returns, etc., linking all the characters in one long line and counting them that way."


If you look at any full line, you will see there are more than 65 characters on that line. There are several programs that will allow you to count the spaces, tabs and returns (although you have the option not to) as well as any text included in headers, footers and whatever else is agreed on in the contract as fair to count.


The simplest method to determine a difference it to take an already completed document, open the properties and compare the number of lines against the character count (with or without spaces) divided by 65.


BTW, congrats on the new account.


9/10 is too high even for exp/accurate SM
heavy ESL, high test score, whatever you want to call it.  Going rates now are 7 to 8 and POSSIBLY 8.5 or 9 if you really push, but be ready for them to move on quickly if they are a larger company.  Benefits will also be tied to line count.
I agree with what you said, and I type 150 accurate wpm.....sm

When I take the occasional typing tests that measure how fast you type without worrying about errors then I type closer to 200 wpm. 


Fast typing doesn't always mean sloopy work...any more than a slow typist doesn't mean they're doing a quality job.


I don't think you'll ever get an accurate answer

There are so many individual factors that can be good or bad for one person and not another.  You'll see good and bad on every single company out there, because you just can't please everyone!  But, what I do to try to keep it in perspective is just try to avoid the companies which you see the most "bad" comments about.


That may not be really accurate though, now that I think about it, because I worked for Spheris for many years and I was very happy with them.  And, you know, I'm sure, that Spheris gets slammed big-time on this board.  So, to each his own, I suppose!


Then you did something wrong, because the script is quite accurate.
It was beta tested by many people and we spent quite a long time on perfecting the software before we ever released it. 
If it's an accurate representation of their workload, well,
who wants their lousy job anyway? I'm not doing ESL garbage all day long and making peanuts at this job. I work on my terms or not at all. Send them the three tests and tell them you can't do the fourth. Otherwise, keep applying elsewhere. There are better jobs to be had without all the testing and without the lousy dictation.
I edit to make it 100% accurate....

You want lineage as well as speed.....I would do Hemoglobin is 13, hematocrit is 45, and platelets are 200,000 (whatever is in the CBC).  I do the same for the chemical profile.  Sodium is 135, potassium is 4.2, chloride is ...etc....


but they have to say *is* plus *and* for me to do that.  I will never just insert extra words to inflate, but the word *is* - if they are dictating that to you...that is 2 more character spaces.....more is better for you.


Sometimes MDs want them separated.  I have a couple of dictators what want individual sentences.  Hemoglobin is 13.  Hematocrit is 45.  Platelets are 200,000.  I usually give them what they want.....as long as it is 100% accurate.



Try "jaded and burned" and it's more accurate
Sure, there are bad MTSOs, but I get sick of people blaming all the MTSOs for all the problems. Flaky transcriptionists are nothing new; it seems they just "get around" more now that we have Internet based transcription.
OLD typing rule I have in my head, whether it is accurate I do not know, hence I said IF---nm
x
Use Abacus. You can download for free. Very accurate. nm
x
Looking for accurate line counting software.nm

You did a completely accurate assessment of the situation.
with experienced MT's offered 7-9, you are correct, a newbie is only worth 4 cpl. I see no reason to hire and train a newbie if I can get an experienced person to fill the same slot, unless the newbie is willing to offer me more profit for my time. You have made a wise assessment. Business is business. It doesn't matter how much you are "worth" or what you "demand." It matters what the competition is. By the way, if you don't take this job, what are your other offers? Unless you have something better, I would take it. At least you are earning experience and in 2 years you will be more marketable, even if you are only earning 4 cpl now. Or sit home, twiddle your thumbs and earn 0 cpl.
The "counter" in MSWord is not accurate. While it is after the fact, (sm)
I highly recommend purchasing Slycount.(http://www.sylvansoftware.com/sylcount.htm).  First and foremost, be honest.  Tell him/her the invoice you submitted is not accurate, and after deciding exactly what and how you wish to charge, send an amended invoice. 
I heard it wasn't a reporter's job to be accurate;
it was a reporter's job to sell newspapers, LOL.


The faster person if accurate is justified
The slower people have absolutely nothing to complain about. That's like me saying it's not fair JLo makes money for singing because my voice isn't as good. I want a job with you also. I'm very fast. I would require 10 cents a line, FYI or 18 dollars an hour.
That Escription is even close to accurate is complete and total

A big ole lie on the part of anyone who says it's great or that 500 lph is possible.  It's also possible that pigs can fly. 


Ugh.... Please don't fall for ....

this boloney!  I firmly believe that WE are creating this explosion in cases of ADHD.  The child is FOUR YEARS OLD and not developmentally ready for "school work."  In my day we went to kindergarten as our first school experience.  The emphasis was learning to be part of a group, socializing appropriately, listening to the teacher, retelling stories, and basically learning HOW to be a student.  We didn't even start reading until 1st grade.  I was reading at 2nd year college level in the 9th grade.   I know that's not how it's done anymore, but it should.  A child that age learns through play.  A few kids pick up reading at 4 or 5, but it shouldn't be forced.  Some kids don't blossom with reading until 2 grade, and it's perfectly okay.  Studies show that children pushed early on academics compared to children who are not pushed are equal by about 3rd grade, showing that the early pushing does nothing long-term towards academic success.  Reading TO your preschooler, providing stimulating play, and opportunities for socialization with other children is all they need.  I would personally find a preschool that has that belief as opposed to pushing the academics.  Your child was a newborn baby 4 years ago and now she's suppose to be doing worksheets and learning to read and do math?  I don't think it's right.


It was 24 yrs this fall, though no all of that is MT nm
nm
Fall is my favorite
Summer is too hot!! Fall is just right and football starts!
Another vote for fall
nm
Fall TV shows
I love to watch House. It comes on the Fox channel. It was on Tuesday's last season. Not sure yet when it will be on coming up on the new season.
Now that fall is here and I'm having to use heat my
face is dry and itchy.   I've started using a humidifier to add moisture in the air, but I need a lotion too.  I have very sensitive skin too.   I've used several OTC lotions and they haven't helped much.   Looking for a good moisturizer for all over, but mostly for the face. 
Yes, but only after I fractured it off in a fall. sm
Had a Colles fx of the radius, too. Now, if I rest my wrist the wrong way, I feel the ulnar styloid pain. You probably should get yours checked out to see if anything can be done to help. I truly feel your pain!

Fall Branch, TN, but...sm
Florida bound if we ever sell this farm!
Wow, hair fall???
I have some problems, but sure can't attribute hair fall to MT work?!!! Have that checked out, please!

My problems are: Aches and pains here and there, swollen ankles/feet (sometimes severe), and I do believe my eyesight has changed some in the past few years due to computer usage.
No fall out from me, I agree with you
People that are complaining are the ones from home, started out at home, after graduating from an online school that promised them the big bucks. Get real training (2-year degree), train at a hospital first, get your lines up, and then venture out on your own. I bet that is how the non-complainers on here did it. They were confident in their skills and line count before trying to venture out on their own. If I had done an online school, worked at a national for a year, made 100 lines an hour, I would think this career sucks too! So instead they are here crabbing. If I spent as much time on these boards complaining about the industry, I wouldn't be making any money either. Get over it, quit complaining, and get to work! I didn't even know our industry "sucked" (as so many people think it does) until I came here and read posts. Get over it or get out! It is sooooo getting old hearing about it. Same crap, different day! Can anyone tell me about an online forum where the real professionals are. I can't handle MTStars anymore. Good bye!
I fall into that category
I've been at this over 25 years. In its heyday, I have W2s showing 65-70,000. Yeah, I worked easily 55-60 hours a week, but at least I felt I had something to show for it. I'm putting the same hours at the desk, but only making a third of it now, between the lowered wages and the lack of work. I'm too old to learn an entire newly career (I'd be dead by the time I finished any lengthy course), nor do I make enough money to pay for anything; most of the time I have a hard enough time keeping the utilities on, let alone the money for classes of any sort.

I don't where the $31,000+ is being made for an 8 hour shift 5 days a week, but please point me in that direction.
How much did your income fall?
NM
Ever heard the old saying if you dont believe in something, you'll fall for anything? while you sit
people are having true experiences that make them have hope and belief that there is something more out there.  With that attitude of yours, you're going straight to limbo!
Kids don't fall out of the sky, sweetcheeks. nm
x
never thought I would say it, but can't wait for FALL

It is so hot here in Ohio.  The temperature can be in the high 80s or 90s but with the humidity, it puts the heat index up in the hundreds.  You can't even walk outside without feeling like you can't breath.  Can't wait for fall with the cooler air and the falling leaves.  We are holed up in the house with the curtains closed and the shades drawn and the air cranked.  Hot where you are?


I love fall but it is too short. nm
s
Anyone have any fall TV shows you are looking forward to?

Two of my favories: Judging Amy and American Dreams, have both been cancelled. I'm down to ER now - can anybody point me at something that I should be watching? No HBO at our house, just regular satellite programming, broadcast channels. I started to get into Everwood last spring....


Did you just fall off the turnip truck?
Of course it's a scam. Grow up.