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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

New AAMT organization

Posted By: anon on 2006-08-11
In Reply to: What do American MTs expect from transcription association like the AAMT? SM - MissouriMT

Honestly, I would have to sit and think long and hard about what I would want to see. I can tell you that I think the first thing would be to change the BOS. It is too restricting, and should not be considered a "bible" of sorts, because all companies are different, and no all use the BOS.

Secondly, tighter control should be maintained over local and state chapters, as they run by a few "click" members and new blood is not appreciated or allowed in other than just the audience.

Those are just 2, I could go on and on and on... Hey, if you have any ideas of how reorganization can be done, I am there 100%. Feel free to e-mail me. I heard at one time there was another organization, but it never survived.


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AAMT/AHDI is an organization that should be

AAMT/AHDI is the the same organization, and it -
has played the largest part in lowering MT standards and MT pay. They claim it's been 'raised' by their attempts at standardizing all MT work, and by offering bogus 'CMT' credentials, but all it's done is backfire for the American MT. We paid our US Dollars for these credentials, (at a higher rate than the Indians, I might add). AAMT/AHDI's power grew stronger as the duped more and more medical establishments to do things their way, due to the cut rates they were getting from national MTSO's who were in bed with AAMT/AHDI, and sending more and more of their work to India. That in turn has decimated American MT wages. I know of few (if ANY) other companies, other than those who are facing bankruptcy, that are paying workers less and less each year. The MT business is alive, well and growing, but each year its workers see less and less in the way of compensation for a job well done. It can't go on forever. Eventually they're going to hit the zero-point. Then what? Maybe we'll pay THEM for the 'privilege of doing MT work?

It's imperative that MTs start getting in touch with each other. Their co-workers, MTs they meet online, MTs who work at other companies. It's time to start comparing notes, and start coming up with a plan. Regardless of whether it's a walkout, a sickout, a letter-writing or phone campaign, posters, flyers, radio time, or an ad in the newspaper, the more people that contribute, even a tiny contribution in the way of time, skill, or just their own voice, the better our chances are of still turning this thing around before we all become extinct.
Is there an organization (informal, not like AAMT) for radiology MTs?
Just wondering....I think it would be nice to be able to communicate with other rad MTs.
A new organization
would not be that hard at all to get going if you could round up a enough people to help get started.  I think that is a fine idea. 
New organization
I am not sure, but I was told there was another organization out there once upon a time and it folded because of the attendance in the AAMT. I was not part of AAMT during those founding years, so I am not really sure how it all came to be. But, an organization strictly for the American MTs is exactly what we need.
We also need an organization to
I don't think the CMT certification itself was a terrible idea. What IS a bad idea is paying fees to AHDI, the organization that SOLD OUT --that got everyone hooked on the CMT certification and then switched to a philosophy of support for offshoring by establishing foreign CMT certification sites as well as new certifications intended specifically for the people who are lined up around the world to do your job for a couple of rupees per line.

There are employers who don't care about credentials & those who do. If you think some kind of certification will help you, find a new organization. ACLS training will speak infinitely more about your ability to transcribe cardiology reports than the CMT certification exam. Go to eMedicine.com & sign on to their CME program. You can study cases & take tests & track your CME units on their website. There are plenty of organizations out there that are better known to the medical community than AHDI & will look AT LEAST as good on your resume. Be creative. We need to dissociate ourselves from AHDI. Let them become known as the Association of Healthcare Documents transcribed by Indians.
There is an organization...
for American MTs that somebody posted here before. I don't really know anything about it and so can't vouch for it, but it looks to be the only decent organized alternative to AHDI (formerly AAMT) available.

http://www.ataus.org

Certainly a better first step than wasting time thinking about an ad hoc strike/walkout, proposed by someone who *isn't even an MT,* for goodness' sake.
That is qhy I quit their organization after

This whole organization is a crock
Someone has to pay for all their travel, first class all the way.

I am still shaking my head i amazement about the one biggie in the organization who got his CMT with only 1 year of at home training doing office notes - no hospital experience, etc. This shows how truly worthless the whole certification process is. Credentialing should reflect adequate training in all areas of the profession, and it certainly degrades the title if someone was able to get certified by doing doctor office/clinic notes.




Around the Atlanta area there's an organization ....sm
called BuyOwner and you pay a flat fee for whatever services you want, and it's a lot cheaper than using a full-fledged agent. The people who live across the road from me got a contract on their house within 3 days of listing with them and I've known others with similar results.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have your expectations realistic. Research what similar homes are selling for in your area. Clean up and declutter as much as possible. Get those closets pretty empty to make them appear to have more space - same for all rooms in the house. If the rooms haven't been painted in a while spring for some fresh paint - be sure to choose neutral colors like white or off-white. Clean the carpet. Keep the yard trim and put in fresh flowers. Keep some of the air freshners that send out a scent every few minutes going through the house to keep it fresh smelling. Go ahead and on the for sale sign in the yard list the price - Good Morning America's report last week said this helps a lot as it lets people know right off hand if it's priced in the budget they're looking at. Doing so will also keep folks from swiping fliers you may set out because they're interested in finding out the price.

As far as realtors go, ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors who have used one. Let the realtors know that you expect them to aggressively push your home sale, i.e. talk it up with other realtors, put signs up everyone they can, etc. Ask them what their plan is for selling your home. Make sure pictures taken of your house for show on the internet show the best angle possible of rooms - 70% of people now look on-line before going to see homes so you want your home to catch their attention.

As far as the realtor that posted below to always use a realtor - I say that if you find one you're comfortable with then sign up. Definitely don't do just the "FSBO sign" in the yard and ad in the newspaper if you're serious about selling, but there are ways to get the word out without paying the high commissions that are worth a try. Signing with an agent doesn't guarantee you'll sell the home quickly.

Good luck out there!
Doesn't surprise me, that organization is as (sm)
shifty as they come. A coupla' broads got VERY rich by selling the rest of us down the river.
Evil, deceiptful organization! nm
i
HIPAA isn't a person or organization
HIPAA can't step up to any plate, because it's not a person or organization. It's just a law.
Perfectly rotten organization...sm

...that has prostituted themselves to the MTSOs, presiding over and encouraging the loss of jobs overseas using our dues to fund their trips and perks.


It's particularly ironic, in this setting, that the name of this pathetic organization mentions "document integrity", when their position regarding offshore transcription is the very antithesis of promoting integrity in American health documentation.


...and as for the Book of Style, words fail me.


 


 


Its all a matter of organization and using your time wisely! I have
3 kids that are pretty wild. I have tried babysitters and they only last a day with my kids, but I am still able to put in a 40 hour week, clean houses for extra cash, do all meals, take care of the house, laundry, etc.

I have a binder with chore lists, schedules, meal menus, etc. It helps a lot.
Planning, organization, schedules, determination, and
making others be responsible for themselves and respectful of your time, effort, energy.

Taught the boys to do laundry, cook, do housework.

Taught family/friends to respect work/study schedules.

I don't feel the obligation to answer to anyone else anymore.

Medical Transcription Service Organization nm
s
The ADHI is a SCAM organization. Don't give them
your hard-earned money, ESPECIALLY when the 'renewal' apears to be premature. $100 is far too much to spend for this worthless 'credential'.

It's what you can do ON THE JOB that matters in the end, not 3 letters after your name.

This group's sole purpose for existing (besides a few key execs striking it rich) has been to close down what used to be a good American white-collar, middle-class job, and send it all to India. And you just KNOW they're getting their palms greased by India to make this happen.

Ask them this: If they're set getting everyone 'certified', then shouldn't what you pay for that so-called 'certification' be in direct proportion to what it does for you? Or where most of the work is going these days? The Indians get a discounted rate for their CMT's and RMT's. If you're determined to continue your certification, tell them you want the same deal they're getting in India (and Philippines).
I've heard talk that they are considering changing the name of the organization
All of this takes time, but I support the name change issue.
last time i checked, MENSA was a party organization! Not much more going on.

Medical Transcription Service Organization/Owner.
//
MTSO-Medical Transcription Service Organization or Owner

Oh, someone benefits from AAMT - AAMT DOES!
x
I agree. MTIA is not a government organization. Credentialing comes from state government and

sometimes at the federal level.  This mandatory credentialing is ludicrous and a scheme to make money, in my humble opinion.


I have to agree with the other poster, if not having CMT after my name after 25 years of experience prevents me from being employable, I have a very good lawyer who will take up my cause!!!


AAMT BOS
Well hey, spelling a lot as one word is commonplace too; does that make it okay?? Do they really think MDs keep up with all the illogical changes they come up with? Do they realize that MDs actually take the time to edit stuff they don't recognize to be correct? What good is it if it actually causes MDs to stop and edit??

AAMT
It's just too bad that AAMT has not taken an assertive stand for the American MT and keeping confidential patient records in this country. For such a long time medical record administrators have fought the concerns of medical transcriptionists since the 60's. There was always a divisive agenda from medical record librarians (as they were called then) toward the transcriptionist. They didn't want to see the Transcriptionist come to the forefront of the medical records industry, nor did they like the income transcriptionists made(then) -WHAT? a transcriptionist make more money than a medical records librarian? I still see it now - you see AHIMA's hand down the back zipper of AAMT puppeting what direction they want AAMT to go - minimize the importance of the professional medical transcriptionist and rushing to automate the medical record with ASR and EMR. Ask youself this question - how many of you believe that many of the "QA" people at the nationals are discarded or displaced medical record technicians or the like? Many of the medical record administrators lost their jobs about 10 years ago during hefty layoffs when hospitals began a surge of outsourcing and many of these people had to seek jobs in the transcription industry for national companies as sales people, administrators, and QA people. I can't begin to tell you how many RHIT people haven't a clue about medical transcription. I've worked with so many who got a lot of things wrong legally but hey, because they were above the transcription department, they were right. Don't question them.
AAMT
Have to afford those trips to Hawaii somehow.
AAMT
I know.  It is so strange.  I was just on the AAMT forum.  I know if I start making "waves" I'll be considered a troublemaker.   It is really said what is happening in that organization when it could provide such a boost.
AAMT
That is how I have been feeling.  A friend of mine says I need to run, but I'm afraid of how it would be handled. -
AAMT
Thanks so much.  You are right.  I will contact this gentleman.
well, according to the AAMT BOS...sm
"Always place periods inside quotation marks."  <<< see, like I did!
Ah, yes. The AAMT.
Medware offshores. They don't pay well, either. I see by your other post that you won't work for acusisindia, what's the difference? Offshoring is offshoring.

AAMT = Against American Medical Transcriptionists
AAMT
I don't think you read my message clearly.  There are many options to AAMT, not just one.  AAMT is pushing for licensure as it is.  That will do just as much harm as anything else in the end.
AAMT
AAMT is nothing but a poor parody of a high school sorority. It touts itself as being a professional organization. It is neither professional nor organized and needs to go the way ot the dinosaur and die.
AAMT
What I blame AAMT for is for touting themselves as a "professional organization" when they are neither professional nor organized.
AAMT/BOS??
I hear the rules are always changing in the AAMT/BOS.

And you have to admit, it doesn't really matter what the AAMT/BOS says, it's what the doctor prefers, right or wrong.
According to AAMT BOS, you do put
an apostrophe to form the plural of single letters and symbols. The values will vary from patient to patient.
AAMT
AAMT is totally useless; everyone knows that. They're a bunch of aging prima donnas. You would do better to invest your money in a good basic grammar book than anything AAMT has to offer.
Jim
Where is AAMT
They're too busy deciding who is white enough and straight enough to belong to give attention to relevant issues. I abandoned them in the 90s when I saw first-hand what their agenda was. It isn't to help the average Joe or Jane Transcriptionist, believe me.
AAMT
AAMT is a dinosaur.
AAMT BOS
Yes, and dangerous abbreviations list instructs cc should be replaced with mL as well. I agree a lot of it is silly, but there is some useful information. Some doctors appreciate it, other doctors want verbatim always and don't care for it.
AAMT
I will conveniently stay anonymous, but I completely agree with you. I cannot afford the membership dues. My former employer is sponsoring a discounted membership with AAMT for MTs who want to join. I think this board is invaluable and agree it probably does have a lot better information. I know of other MTs who used to be AAMT members who could no longer afford the membership and dropped it. Besides, I think you can visit their website and obtain info that way. I bet the book you purchased is a good resource as well.
AAMT
AAMT does not only support offshoring, I believe they are responsible for it. Apparently, you don't know that they offer their CMT test and credentials to MTs in India? Nothing very "American" about that.

Also, you will find that most AAMT officers are from MTSOs that offshore work. If you dig deeper, you will find that these MTSOs were pioneers in offshoring work. I belonged years ago, but then I decided they were just a bunch of egomaniacs out for their own glorification.

I can't see that they have done anything positive for the MT business. I think it's gone downhill since AAMT came into the picture.
Like she said, AAMT...
Yes, the AAMT website has a great instruction guide for setting up and maintaining a QA department.  It is the QA Primer 2004.  I used it to establish a QA department for one of the medium transcription companies and they love it. 
Can one sit for the AAMT's CMT
x
AAMT

If the AAMT gets their way and gets an apprenticeship program apprvoved, MTs are sunk.  Students will come out of the top 3 schools ready to work, but will have to work for lower line rates as apprentices.  So who do you think the MTSOs will hire? 


 


The AAMT has applied to the Department of Labor to get this scheme going.  We are sunk unless we oppose it and state that the AAMT does not represent the majority of MTs.  The group that wants to represent us is sending us right down the tubes.  We have to stop them before they go any further with this scheme. 


Did the AAMT ever ask MTs
whether THEY wanted this apprenticeship program? The AAMT wants to pretend it represents MTs. If you want to represent someone, you take the time to do the groundwork to find out what the people in the industry want. You don't sit down and come up with a deal and send it to the Dept. of Labor, letting the Dept. of Labor think that this is what the majority of MTs want, and THEN try to sell it to those who make up the working body.

That is NOT the way to attract support. This is why the AAMT is accused of being elitist. The AAMT does not use the boards to poll working MTs. It tells MTs what they SHOULD want, SHOULD do, SHOULD think.

Ask first, then act. Don't try to sell us some scheme after it's all put together, and don't try to fob it off as something the majority wants. That is dishonest.
That turns the majority of MTs against the AAMT.

When we are making the same wages as the MTS who live in other countries, maybe the AAMT will wake up and feel a little bit of guilt about their part in taking us down.




Thank AAMT for this. nm
x
AAMT now just AMT?

This is in reference to their now teaching overseas to outsource our work:


 


I myself do NOT feel comfortable having my information sent overseas, including my name, DOB, and often SSN listed in the demographics screen of each note. I have heard stories of prosecution (or lack there of) by identity theft from people in other countries. Maybe Americans should start boycotting or protesting the healthcare industries that outsource overseas!!!!!!!!!!!!


 



Re: AAMT BOS, etc.
Thanks for your honest, non-rosy answer about switching from in-house to at-home. We have actually been gradually switching over to a more rigid adherenct to the BOS, but it's been a hard sell for lots of the older docs, who want it their way or no way at all. And some of us older MTs aren't too thrilled with lots of the idiotic, picky-picky stuff the BOS throws at us. So far we've reached a compromise, where we MOSTLY adhere to it, but other things we do the doctors' way to keep them happy. I would have a hard time with with verbatim, because one of our ways IS to do SLIGHT changes in grammar for some of the ESL docs. But they can be only very minor, and the rule of thumb is when in doubt, don't do it. For the most part I sort of like the ESL guys better, because at least they try harder to be understood than many of our English-speakers.

I found your answer very forthright and valuable, and will definitely add it to my "cons" list! :)
AAMT
Throwing good money after bad, and sending our work to India.