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

Medical institutions are going to feel it as well. They WILL be cutting

Posted By: costs. Why I worry. (nm) on 2005-09-07
In Reply to: Katrina is going to impact us greatly in the wallets. - I feel a change coming on

dd


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

10% to 15% MTs are cutting pay cuts or thats how much they are cutting from everyone's pay?
Know any good companys that are hiring? LOL
While there may be some institutions that do not care about...sm
grammar and punctuation, there are several that do. The MT should verify what is the case with each account/facility for which the transcription is being done. Grammar and punctuation make ALL documents readable.

EMRs already in place and working well in larger institutions
The midsize MTSO I edit for uses an internet-based transcription system. Our programmers re-wrote some of our proprietary software so we could interface with one of our clients' (university hospital) EMR system. What it amounts to for us is that the dictator now dictates only the objective portion of the procedure/op note or followup note. The demographics, history, etc., are already in the record. In other words, what used to be a 150-line job is now less than 50.
Search The Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Mayo Clinic or other big institutions for research. nm
/
If the cutting you take is - sm
woody (stiff and tree-like), then you really should dip the end in some rooting hormone and start it in dirt under a plastic bag until you see new growth. Woody cuttings are hard to start in water, and sometimes just rot. English Ivy has woody branches, unless you cut the very last inch or two off a branch, which may root in water. Hope this helps.
MT not cutting it
Most places allow a 90 day probationary period.  I would think half way thru that a new MT should be able to at least be fairly proficient with at least one work type and the easier dictators.  There has to be an equal upward progression in both speed and quality.  I have learned from experience though it's better to dismiss someone that you can tell just is not going to get it - no matter how much time you give them.
QA, pay not cutting it
I accidentally posted a (whinier) version of this to the Medquist board, oops. Sorry if anyone is seeing this as a double post.

I have a community college certification in medical transcription, but have only been able to find work as QA. I've been working QA for about 9 months and now do oncology exclusively - I had transcription work for a while, but then the account went over to an electronic system and that went out the window.

The pay I'm getting right now ($0.02 a line as an independent contractor) really isn't cutting it. I know I'm relatively new, but I just don't have 5-10 years to spend making this kind of money to get enough experience for a company that will pay me enough money to live on!

After losing the transcription work I had, I don't have much faith in transcription itself for a career. I think editing would be best, since presumably even doctors/hospitals utilizing an electronic program need someone to edit/proofread the reports generated. So, is it possible to find a QA position that pays adequately? Do salaried QA positons exist? What's the difference between QA and a transcription editor, if any, and how does one make that transition?

Should I just go back to school and become a coder instead?

I would also appreciate links to any QA/transcription Editor message boards.

I want to specify that I am grateful for my job. I like my supervisor and I greatly appreciate that someone gave me a chance. It's just that I can't live off it!

Thank you so much for any input.
I don't think cutting wages is against the law.
Not paying overtime for employees, inappropriate classification of statutory employees, etc., those items fall under DOL.

If cutting wages was a crime, then the airlines, factories, hospitals, virtually all businesses would be under "investigation" and in grave trouble.


What are you trying to accomplish with your post? Just put information out there about a company you won't name? Wanting advice? Truly, I don't understand what you are wanting in reply.

Cutting back.
My whole point in saying that some might need to reevaluate how they are living is that those complaining shouldn't be. Coming on these boards to complain about making money is quite disrespectful to those who are struggling to make half of what they make or are watching their family members struggle to survive because they don't have a job anymore. Does that make sense?
I understand that cutting back on
caffeine helps. If you work alone (as I do), try to use your speakers instead of headphones as much as you can.

Better no word than the company cutting you off before
x
Try cutting out soda and replace with
Green tea. I don't know if it will work but I cut out all diet pop this week and have been drinking diet green tea...Arizona brand, Lipton Citrus, and I've been making my own just with tea bags. I'm also 43, lost my dad in October, really depressed here in the Wisconsin winter, and a week ago I was at my highest nonpregnant weight. Well, let's see, actually I weighed about the same as I did at the end of my pregnancy with my first child back at age 21...and I gained 50 pounds during that pregnancy! So...not so good. I can't go all the way on induction again, but I have been watching my carbs this week, although I really believe that even without that, this green tea is helping curb my appetite. I used to sit here and grab a snack and always be munching on something all day long. I haven't been as hungry and have hardly been snacking during the day. I'm also not falling asleep in my chair at 2-3 every day. It might be a little change you could try and see if it works for you. One other thing I've done...I've actually gone outside and walked. I work all the time and never make time to exercise, but I was feeling at my wits end and very depressed at getting to that weight. So, on Sunday before anyone got up, I went outside and actually walked for nearly an hour..and it was 32 degrees, although sunny. I've done that 4 more times this past week, when weather has permitted, and I mentally feel better. I've lost 8 pounds this week with these little changes, but mentally feel much better and am just taking it one day at a time to keep it up.
Are you still cutting and pasting normals? I can't do
nm
Cutting and pasting from Word....
...was grounds for immediate dismissal at one place I worked.  So what I did was put an icon for the clipboard on my Toolbar so it was easy to clear the clipboard after every report.  That way there was no danger of accidently cutting and pasting onto the wrong report.
Sounds like they are cutting wages.
They want us to type for free.
Single spaces when cutting and pasting.
I was told when we first went on that platform that even though it looks different when you cut and paste, when it prints out, it matches the other part of the report.  I was never able to verify that by printing it myself, but that's what my manager told me. 
An operation involves cutting, procedures do not.
..
editing/cutting/pasting charging

Would like to know what to charge a potential client that is using voice recog for their discharge summeries, but they want me to cut and paste it into the form on their system. 


Any suggests on how to charge for this since I will not be listening to the actual dictation and doing it.


 


thanx for any help


 


typing in MEditech and cutting and pasting - here's how I do it
When you are in Meditech, and it says something like - I can't remember what it asks, but it says something along the lines of Y/N RTF Editor or something like that - ... type yes, and it brings you into Word. Type your report, and then click on the RED X in the corner of your page and HIT YES. This will cross the report OVER INTO Meditech. Then proceed with finalizing your report the way you do.

Hope this helps
Exercise, cutting down on sugar, and Prozac helps me. nm
.
Could anyone recommend a good headset and where they got it. Mine keeps cutting out.
I have had a heck of a time finding a good set of ear phones.. Everytime I buy a pair they either break, cord isnt long enough or sound quality isnt good.. HELP...
Hey, it you arent cutting me a check, dont edit
x
As long as you are cutting and pasting inside DQS, its okay. Just don't try to paste from a Word
xx
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html
n
I would buy new a Dorland's Medical Dictionary, Stedmans Medical and Surgical Equipment...SM

and Tessier's The Surgical Word Book, 3rd edition.  Books you could buy used I would say would be Stedman's Pathology and Lab Medicine and Cardiology/Pulmonary word book.  These are all the books I use the most during my day.  You could buy other speciality word books as you need them and could probably go used with those.


I wouldn't bother with buying a drug book, new editions come out every year and I just stick to the FDA website and RXList as my drug references.


Also FYI, not a book, but I use my Stedman's Electronic Medical Dictationary a lot.  It's easier to open the program than it is to pick up a huge 30-pound dictionary.


Medical Transcription In The Era Of Electronic Medical Records
EMR has revolutionized the healthcare industry in recent times. Many experts felt that EMR & Voice Recognition would totally replace Medical Transcription - however; the industry soon realized that transcription has certain advantages over point & click charting and many physicians preferred to dictate notes rather than document the data at the point of care themselves.
if you feel like that after 12 years, and I feel like that after six months
what hope is there?
I feel people who feel like this post
needs to a) either be a stay at home mother and not work or b) realize that she is no queen bee and I could care less about a degree. What company out here that you know of compensates for having a degree? Means nothing to them. Your working and being there when they assign/need/require/whatever is what you should do IF YOU WANT A JOB in this field, otherwise get out and do something else or become that babysitter.
The company cutting cpl, the company stopping paying for headers
:{
At ease, soldier! This isn't a medical document. I repeat, this isn't a medical document. nm
x
I've thought about coding. My DH does medical coding and I think with an MT's medical termino

background and anatomy and physiology knowledge, a transition into coding wouldn't be hard at all.  From what I can tell by looking through my husband's books, an MT would have to learn insurance regulations and legalities.  We've basically got all the medical background down or we should be if we're worth our salt as an MT.


I even contacted AHIMA and found that the qualifications for taking the CCS or CCP coding exams are completion of the a coding program, RHIT program, or RHIA or related work experience.  Transcription is part of HIM, albeit the red-headed stepchild of the HIM department, but a part nonetheless and so satisfies the qualification of having work experience.


The test is tough though.  My husband didn't pass it his first time out and I think I read something like only 20% or so pass it the first time.  So it would probably be best to take some sort of formal coding class, in my opinion.


No need to feel badly for me - feel badly for an adult who has no control of his/her own life!
I hope these people didn't produce any daughters! Bad, bad example!
medical abbreviation list and medical drug list
Hi,

Anyone there who could help me out finding the latest abbreviations list.
I even want the latest drug list because my current program does not have many drugs.

So if anyone could suggest anything which is available online for informationd quick look purposes.

any help for medical abbreviation list and medical drug list would be very helpful.

Your English teacher does not do medical reports. This is for medical reports.
.
It's not a MEDICAL spellchecker. You have to convince them to add the medical spellchecker.
unless you feel like adding 10,000 medical terms on your own time LOL
QT Medical does not. nm
 
medical ins
Thanks for the info. Did you like working for them? 
IC but not medical
From what I understand there are online "marketplaces" where a Transcriptionist (medical, legal, or other) can bid on jobs. If you don't want to work for a week you simply do not bid that week.

One is called Guru. I can't remember the name of the other one.
B. S. in Medical Technology

I worked in a hospital laboratory for 33 years and retired in 2001. I found out about a year later that my husband was losing his medical insurance after he retired on disability and so I had to go back to work. I had dabbled with transcription in the pathology department and so I decided to make it my second career and I just love it. I get to work from home and don't have to deal with the office politics and all the bureaucratic red tape that comes with working at a hospital.


Color me happy!!!! 


Ellen S.


Medical experience
I guess I should have worded that different...I've been in the medical field for a total of eight years (medical assistant, medical secretary/admin. assistant, EEG Tech), but only being doing MT work full time for 4 years. I've also taken A LOT of extra classes on terminology and anatomy/physiology. Plus, MT is just one of those things that came naturally for me, it's been really easy to pick up the "language." So I guess I'll stay with this company then, if that pay is not bad. Thanks.
Medical Dictionary

Does anyone know if there is a place to download a free medical dictionary?


 


 


Medical Dictionary
MT Mom
Hey thanks guys for the suggestions. I am going to be doing transcription at home for they physician I work for and am using Word perfect 12. It has a spell check on it but was looking for a medical spell check I could download and use along with a general spell check.
Dragon-Medical 7
Got mine on e-bay for half of Softscan.
An MT is a Medical Transcriptionist...sm
Here is a link and some helpful information on desertion in the military. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Desertion

Good luck!
ME = Medical Editor. nm.
nm.
You ARE a medical transcriptionist, right?!
Geez, how idiotic can you be?!

It addresses ALL medical transcriptionists. Again, the new definitions for two classes of their transcriptionists have apparently been updated. That does NOT exclude SEs! LOLOLOL

Ya can't see the forrest for the trees can ya?! LOLOLOL

Medical Insurance??

I am looking at moving back to working from home, I am currently 'in-house' working for a hospital clinic but I need more flexibility for my children's schedules.


I have a decent lead on an IC position, but I am trying to figure out if I can find/afford health care.  I really only need catastrophic type care and plan to pay for my own routine care.


Does anyone know of a decent insurance company??


 


Thanks VT_MT


It is a Medical Transcriptionist
and Medical Editor. I was confused at first too but you can do both. They never had ME's before.
medical trancriptionist
I am looking for a medical transcrioptionist job in the following area:  Clarksville or Nashville TN.  I have experience in medical transcription work and would like to work from my home.  I am eager to hear from anyone in this area.  Thyank you Nancy Seymour
Sorry, don't know about Cort Medical,
are they in Wisconsin also? Also, do you do SLMC ER for Accustat?
OMG! I think I worked there, too! Except it was a medical
insurance company. We had to be at our desks 10 minutes before our shift started. Then my coworkers turned the company in to the Department of Labor and Industry for unpaid overtime to the tune of approximately 40 hours per year. So the company changed it to 5 minutes and rewrote their OT policy. We had to give blood to earn time off. The same thing for personal phone calls. They actually had recorders on our desk phones for beneficiary purposes, but that didn't stop them from using it to monitor our personal calls, too. I found out that the recorders were recording us while we weren't on the phone as well, so any nonbusiness discussions between workers were recorded and listened to. That's how they targeted who would be fired next. Our Internet usage was tracked, even though we were allowed to use it on our breaks. They were firing people with 15+ years or more with the company because they could get younger college grads for a fraction of the wages the "older" workers earned. When I was hired, it was to replace someone they fired, so I had zero training and had to figure it all out myself. The boss' pet got special treatment and was recruiting people for her Internet business by bypassing the proxy server on her work computer during business hours. We got in trouble for snacking at our desks, but the pet took long lunches to run errands and then ate her lunch at her desk when she was supposed to be working. I got in trouble for taking too many bathroom breaks (I have kidney problems) even though I skipped my regularly scheduled breaks to make up for it. There were so many "unwritten" rules that I didn't know, so my coworkers backstabbed me for not following along. What, being psychic was a job requirement? I could go on and on, but my blood pressure's going up just thinking about it. I quit and even gave a statement to the fired older workers to sue. I think they dropped the suit because most of them got hired by a competitor. I vowed to never again work for a big corporation after that.