Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

It's my only option for the future or I'm out completely

Posted By: Working my way out on 2007-09-25
In Reply to: If your hospital/facility could take MT back - Mave

I'm waiting for the right conditions (a connection that will work with their programs) and I am going back to a hospital. All in my metro area have their MTs working from home and I've found that the two big ones do not allow offshoring; in fact, find it repulsive. I was impressed. I can't wait to get steady income, real vacations, sick time, insurance, rotating weekends off, realistic expectations by medical professionals who know transcription and to be treated with respect again!



Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

SBC has an option ...
called Call Trace. You pay for it only when you activate it. When an offending call comes in, you hang up and then dial a keycode. That runs a trace. It is a legal trace and you can obtain the information from SBC who will send it to the authorities. You have to acknowledge that you will press charges if there is enough evidence.

At the least, I would drop that cell phone number immediately and notify your carrier of the harassment.
P.S. We all would probably say neither, but it isn't an option. ;-)
nm
possible other option
I live in Michigan and also live in the sticks.  I thought I had exhausted all possibilities until someone told me you can get a (sorry I do not know the technical name) card for your lap top that has an internal antena.  You get them through Sprint, Cigular, and I think a couple of others have it.  I have Nextel cell phone but cannot get good service unless I go down my driveway to the road (then it is not that great either).  Sprint (nextel and sprint are not merged completely yet) is running a deal where you can get this card for free for 14 days to see if it works.  The sales person told me you would still have high speed internet even if you could not get good phone service.  You then would pay a monthly fee for unlimited access no matter where you go with your lap top.  I am ordering today, and if it works, I will try a home net work to get my other PC on board (which I am also told you can get an external card like above for a PC also).  If anyone out there already has this or knows more about it-PLEASE tell me.  Dial-up jobs are getting fewer and farther between.
first option b, then if still not
happy go higher up than manager, if that's an option, and if it's not, go the the bbb
There may be another option

All I have ever had available to me is dial-up where I have lived over the years. However, I personally have no problem working on Emdat's InScribe platform. It may take a minute or two for the first job to download but then I always have two waiting and when I upload one job another one downloads, so there is always dictation waiting for me.  However, I have a laptop now and I have noted with having more RAM (double what my PC has), everything works faster!


Also, my laptop came with the new ExpressCard slot and I plan to get that. It works basically like a cell phone and in my area unlimited Internet for it will be $79.99/month but well worth it to me if things are a little faster AND I can use my laptop in a lot of places that I travel (particularly in the summer camping), IF a signal/connection is available to me. I hope to be trying this out within the next month or so, as soon as the ExpressCards arrive at Verizon or Sprint.


If a laptop is a possibility for you, then that may be your way around dial-up. My satellite is not reliable enough and plus too costly I feel for Internet. Of course, you have to make sure that the laptop card will work with the platform the company uses that you work for/plan to work for. Emdat told me it would with their platform.


Of course, I first have to see what type of signal I get at home with the ExpressCard! :) We get "all the bars" on our personal cell phones (and actually have a tower within walking distance of our house out in the boonies-lol) so I don't think it should be a problem.


HTH some. :)


No that is not an option...sm
They told us if we fixed it up just to sell it then we would have to split it 50/50 with my husband's sister - even though she would not be putting any money or any effort into it anyhow. A few people have looked at this house when they were trying to sell it for $5k - yes just $5k - but noone would buy it. It is horrible shape. When we told his dad yesterday, before the fight between ourselves, that we were not taking it - his snide remark was "That's just more money in my pocket." You cannot win with his parents involved. I know they are his parents and I respect that and try to hold my tongue. Eventually his parents will lead to our divorce and that is what saddens me the most.
Another option...

Wristies work well, too.  They're just fleece gloves with the fingers cut out, so they don't offer a lot of support, but they sure keep your hands/wrists warm.  I got mine from plowandhearth.com.


there is another option

When I sold my house...I went with a flat fee company.  I paid a flat fee for them to list my house on the MLS, put up a sign and give me a lock box, help me price the house right, and go over any offers.......


The flat fee was considerably less then what a commission would have been.  She was a licensed agent with a lot of knowledge. 


I was responsible for showing the house.  Getting the inspection and some other miscellaneous paperwork and an agent usually does. 


I think there is a national chain called Help-U-Sell (too expensive for me), but there are sometimes local small companies that do this as well. 


 


Option 2
I don't want to go back to hourly.
Another option would be to

receipt to the practice getting your money back faster than writing it off at the end of the year, but I just figure that ink and paper are part of my expenses.  That is a small price to pay as opposed to what you'd spend to look for a new account.


Furthermore, if this office is looking to slash, it may get worse for this IC in that she may lose the account regardless as the practice could go paperless with an online company for probably half of the cost they pay her.


Another option
You could look into Ameriplan's discount health and/or dental plans.

I'm an IC with no insurance and use the dental plus plan (which includes vision, Rx and chiropractic). I pay $14.95 a month for the plan and save $84 a month on my two monthly prescriptions.

Some people prefer insurance to discount plans, and it's up to the individual and their preferences on whether or not a discount health plan would work for them.

Depending on the plan, the monthly cost ranges from $14.95 a month to $59.95 a month. With these plans, you save up to 80% on all dental and medical fees.

You can get an idea of what providers are in your area and their fees by going to:
http://providersearch.ameriplanusa.com/

If you want more info, here's a website:
http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/mkj

Again, it's a discount plan and not insurance, and some people would prefer actual insurance, but I'm personally happy with them because the monthly cost is cheap and I get what I need. You can email me if you want more info (I'm an MT but also a rep for Ameriplan on the side) :)

Well she has been given that option...sm
but has heard that they run out of work a lot at Spheris and offshore most of the good work. Someone she knows works there and is going broke. This person who works at Spheris said one day she only got to work 2 hours and she is supposed to be full time. My friend has the problem that she makes $46,000 a year, and her budget is set to that amount. If she doesn't make that she said she can't pay her bills. She doesn't think she can make close to $50,000 at Spheris. There aren't many places you can make that kind of money.
Thanks. Vonage may be my only option around
nm
You have provided that option already. (SM)
When you posted, you filled in your e-mail address in the e-mail field. It activates a Reply By E-Mail option for those who want to e-mail you. Your e-mail address will not be revealed even when they e-mail you. If you reply to the e-mails you receive, then your e-mail address will be revealed by your own reply.

Onesuite is an option with MDI? - sm
I used it when I started working for them, but didn't know I would continue using it?
DNS gives you the option of attaching it to the

word processor you are using; however, in your case, if you are working through a network (I'm assuming it is a stripped version of Word?), it may not attach due to restrictions placed on it by your company.  I may be wrong, you could try it.  I would plan on spending 16 hours of training per physician to get it up to a point that would benefit you.  Yes, that is a huge investment on your part.  I'm not trying to be negative but if you are a slow typist, how computer saavy are you?  Unless you really know how operating systems work, you could end up being very frustrated.  Also you would need to train DNS to recognize all the medical terminology in your spell check unless you buy their terminology module (which is very limited).


IMHO, you would be better off getting an abbreviation system as the learning curve is much less and it would be more portable if you changed jobs.  If you are a slow typist, an abbreviation/expansion program is invaluable to improving your line count.  I have used Dragon on my own computer when I did not work through someone's platform and it really worked well for me but I had help from BG and a very good computer skills knowledge base.


d~


Possible Option for Acne
I always see the commercial for Proactiv solution on television, maybe you may want to give that a try. The commercial was originally hosted by Vanessa Williams.


Offshoring is still an option

I am working in an offshore MT company and our US client is happy with the result of our transcription work. To those against offshoring, do not be greedy. Have the heart to share! ... PLEASE check your spelling, it's "REQUEST" not "REQUIST."


Dial up is my only option

Believe me, if I could get cable or DSL I would.  There is a rumor that a wireless internet tower will be going up in a few months.  I have also considered satelite.  I will just have to see how my companies platform works with dial up and then I will probably get satelite or the wireless because it will be cheaper, but it won't be here for another few months if it is approved by the county. 


Thanks


INMT


Dial-up is my only option too
I'm in the same boat but I refused to go onto DQS/DEP after a disastrous experience trying to move over in 2004 - using dial-up. Some MTs have been able to make it work, I was not. It was a production nightmare. I was told by techs very clearly that DQS/DEP is not designed for dial-up and requires broad band (high speed) to be efficient. The company is keeping some dial-up accounts for those of us who this is our only option. I posted this before not long ago - there are plenty of accounts that ARE going to DEP/DQS and that is company goal (to have all accounts on DEP) but there are accounts being kept for dial-up only MTs. Check with your supervisor. My current dial-up account is moving over to DEP next month. I will have to transfer to another office in order to go to another dial-up account (that will NOT be moving over to DEP). I don't know the office because... I have a PS who does not respond to emails and phone calls, so I'm working on that aspect... Good luck.


Save as option
I do not use Word, but is there a save as option? From there it may give you options as to what type of file to save as. I think if you choose something like a text file, it may get rid of formatting, but not sure.
Do you have an option on your computer
of restoring back to a certain date? I used to use this all the time. You choose a date back when you know the file was working and it restores your system to that point.


A very low cost option without having to
spend a lot of money on hand held units is EZ-Voice.  We offer a toll free call in solution for 9 cents per minute REGARDLESS of how many or how few minutes you need per month.  We also offer FTP server space.  Click on the link below to learn more...
This is actually the option of the employer. Some
want the name in there and it is there responsibility to redact the report should information need to be released. It is not our responsibility as a Transcriptionist to make this determination. Always check with the "boss" for clarification on this.
Okay, thanks, really need a slider option here
nm
QA position better option?

I know this was discussed to some degree recenty, but I can't seem to find the posts now.


For someone having trouble making line counts, is a QA position a better option?


What is the pay like, and are there any quotas?  What all (typically) comes with this type of position?  It would seem that it might be very stressful as far as all the blanks left due to horrible dictators and such.


Due to various circumstances, my MT position is very stressful and nonlucrative right now.  I really need a mental and financial break of some sort before I crack, and a QA position might be an option.


Information and advice greatly appreciated!  


 


A really good option...sm

if you can afford it ~ and I know it can get expensive ~ is have the massage first and then an adjustment.  I used to work in a chiropractor's office and she has a massage therapist right in the office and lots of people would see the massage therapist first and then have their adjustment.  I did that, too, a few times and it really makes the adjustment easier because the muscles are all relaxes.   


I see my chiropractor every 2 weeks since I started working full time.  I feel so much better after an adjustment.  And she is a Palmer graduate as well. 


Nope. We were given the option of
telling the court how we felt, but there is nothing anyone can do about it now.
On our platform, you have the option of
whether to accept the edited version or not. If you choose not to accept the recognition document and edit it, you can transcribe it from scratch and are paid the straight transcription line rate for those lines.

What platform will you be working on? Maybe it is the same way.
Thanks, but unfortunately this individual has no other option.
She uses wireless high-speed now for internet and her company has told her that their new platform won't work with that. She's "a little bit country", so has no cable or DSL service.
future of VR
My personal opinion is that for now only some companies will use it but eventually it will become more predominant like all technology, i.e., cassettes to mini-cassettes to C-phones, etc.; as well as manual typewriters to electric to memory typewriters to computers. It seems to be something people either love or hate, but I do believe it is here to stay, though not take over.
Future-Net - NM
X
In the future you should try
doing a catchy flyer with pertinent info and faxing it. This works much better. Most of your mailers probably went in the trash without being opened. If you do a flyer, try using phrases like -will beat your current Transcriptionist rate- you WILL get calls. You can bargain from there.

I have a friend who works in a doctor's office and a drug rep gave them a list of phone numbers and fax numbers for all physicians in the area. If you can get one of these, just go down the list and fax 10 or 15 back to back at a time. I got several calls.
MT future
I have ben doing transcription for 7 years and ASR editing for about 6 months. From what I see, it will be a very, very long time before it is perfected. Honestly, transcription has not been lucrative for me in the past and although pay is slightly lower than transcribing, I have not seen much of a diffence to my bottom line.
MT future
sorry about typos, been a long day!
future
unfortunely, seems to work well for radiology...hospital probably a safer bet for future work.
there is editing needed, but personally would rather type thanlisten and correct. and many self edit anyway.
no future in MT
I agree. Itis the same old crap everywhere you go. Lousy pay, no raises, etc. I've worked for several agencies and it is only same old routine.
since i'm not sure about the future of MT

I've gone back to school as well.  I'm completely torn as to what I want to do, i'm back and forth, and the past two years have been taking courses for nutrition and psychology, and cannot decide between the two.  When I was a soph in HS I knew I wanted to do something with psychology,  but here it is 15 years later, when I've decided to go for it, and its just brutal, the studying, the work on top of a full time job.  I SOOO wish I would have just started 15 years ago, in that direction. I've always had a full time job and moved out at a young age, so just took the technical college route and learned MTing. 


 I'm looking at about 10 years of college because I can only go part-time, to be a clinical psychologist.  I'm thinking of just going for the nutrition.  I love working with food, time flies when i'm in the kitchen and I love watching people enjoy what i've made.  I just know its a stressful job, you're on your feet a lot, and its more about speed than anything.  I went to the library today and bought a book "can you stand the heat" all about the working conditions of a chef.  I know I do not have it in me to be in school the next 10 years, i'm sorry, maybe if I were independently wealthy and could just focus on that.  Becoming a chef will take less than three years.  I will do MT'ing as long as its around though, as I enjoy working independently.


Go to the library, there are books that fit your personality type with a specific job, and then a list of the pros and cons, the money you would make.  Just really research it.  If its what you want to do the rest of your life, make sure its something that will make you happy. 


Future-Net
I do work for Future-Net and this is what they do. 
I'm sure your future will be
xx
Is there a future for me as a IC MT...
Hello!  I'm new here but any advice would be welcomed.  I haven't worked as a full-time MT in nine years.  Mostly I've done Pathology at a hospital in Las Cruces, NM.  I would like to get back into the MT field so I've purchased the SUM Advanced CD, which I am currently working on, and 19 practice dictation tapes from "Absolute Experience".  I have also just started a workbook entitled, "The Language of Medicine."  After I've finished all this, is there a future for me as an independent contractor MT?  This is really the only job that pays well that I can do from home.  Please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks in advance!  Shelley  P.S.  I took a test this week through a company called StatIQ in Albuquerque and I was surprised that I scored 94% (since it has been so long).  However, you must score 98% to secure a job.
Why not? Don't you think that even future - sm
programmers, code writers and technical engineers are warned that a lot of U.S. work is being sent to other countries?
Future Net
No YOG - Your Office Genie was sold to MQ.  FutureNet had most of the old YOG employees.  I quit because I did not want to work for MQ.
Might try it in future...
but for 30 years have done my straight-8 on 2nd shift, 3-11 or thereabouts. I'm up at the crack of dawn and love having the daylight hours to be outside and get so much done. I will admit that some nights typing can be sOOOOOO long, though.
Future-Net
Does anyone know anything good or bad about Future-Net I have been accepted for a position with them and want to know what you think. Thanks in advance.

Kathy
Me, too, but getting pregnant is no longer an option.
I wish I'd never started up again after 8 years without smoking.
No, it means you will have the option of offering it
to the next highest bidder if the original high bidder does not pay. Usually you will just leave it there until item is paid for and shipped. It's really just in case the first deal doesn't go through.
Nicer option inside sm
Why make the cashier feel awkward for simply trying to be nice?

Mother's Day doesn't have to be about being a mom. It can also be about YOUR mom. Accept the cheer to have a nice day and HAVE a nice day!
If you can't get it, leave a blank. You always have that option. sm

If the MT cannot understand the dictator, they always have the option of sending it upward for clarification.  They are doctors, not English language specialists.  I know you would like them to be, but that is not the way it is.  We listen, we transcribe, and if we don't get it, we send it upward for clarification. 


It isn't easy, no one said it was.  But I hate to see people complaining about foreign doctors all the time.  They give excellent care, and a lot of us can understand them.  It is a knack.  If you don't have it, then send it to your QA.


CTRL + spacebar is the other option
I have relase 8.7 and you can prevent a keyword from being replaced by pressing Esc or Ctrl+Space. So if you did not want RA to be replaced with rheumatoid arthrits, you would type RA and press CTRL + spacebar, and it does not expand. It works for me.
You know what? I did just recently change that option
that must be it. Previously, it was set to not check capitalized words and I changed it for the same reason you did. Thanks. Guess I'll just have to live with the annoyance.