No I don't think so. Everytime I see postings about the MT market failing it gets pegged as "n
Posted By: ARK MT on 2006-06-05
In Reply to: exactly right nn - MT NY
that's what I think OP is referring to, postings about the dismal future of MT.
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You about pegged it, Becky. nm
/
the market will pay what the market will bear...sm
just the fact that jobs are posted for this pay means people are taking it. You have to remember - we are in a global marketplace now. We are competing against people from India, Thailand, Cambodia for these jobs. If the Mexicans could figure it out, we would be competing against them too. It's like washing dishes. Washing dishes isn't easy. Why does washing dishes only pay $5.50 an hour? Because they can find people to wash dishes for $5.50 an hour. Not only that, but MT work was getting cost prohibitive for a lot of people. That's why some other really, really smart people said, "let's find a way to make computers do this! Then we can sell the programs so docs can buy programs instead of paying MT's." Then some other really really smart people said, "let's not even have docs dictate. Let's have them point and click!" And so MT's are also competing against VR and EMR.
You may say ..."If a company offers me 7 to 9 cpl, I let them know that it is an insult to expect an experienced, highly skilled Transcriptionist to be offered such low pay and I refuse to work for them." But if your current job goes bye-bye, and you're scrambling out in the market and that's all that's out there....well, you get the picture. If you want the job, you take the job for that pay. Otherwise, yes, it's get a job at WallyWorld. Your choice.
trying to re-enter society and failing miserably
After 11 years at home minding my own business, having a fairly peaceful life, seeing people when I wanted to, not because I had to, i've become quite spoiled. I find that when i'm around new people, (trying to go to school) i'm easily annoyed and have no sense of humor like I used to. I've completely changed. I feel like a stick in the mud judgemental person, but people laughing annoys me and makes me tighten up rather than join in like I used to. I can't stay in my MT hole forever, but I feel like cousin IT amongst society now. Will this get better??? I miss my old self! I used to be FUN!
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.
Sometimes it's worth it to pay to have them live AWAY and on campus. Failing grades here mean any
n
I have experienced all of the postings
below and they are my pet peeves too, but I have one doc that sometimes will not use the call in system, but uses his tape recorder to dictate and he does it while he is in a train station waiting for train, riding on the train, and leaving the train with his wife and kids talking right beside him, not to mention the noise from the train station, whistles and all. I get two 30 minute tapes a week of this guy and I seriously have a headache when I am done listening to it. Wish he would STAY HOME!! lol
And if you pay attention to all of her postings
strange
Maybe the job postings will stay the same
nm
Time on postings
Would it be possible to have the time of day included with postings? That way we could see if our responses were still warranted....Thnx!
I read these postings quite often and am
a Transcriptionist of many, many years but from what I read many newbies come on here stating out of school and unable to find a job and asking how to go about it. Jobs are steady being sent overseas and I have seen companies state there is lack of qualified transcriptionists here. I see others complain about lack of work (which is happening to me on this particular day also). I did not feel qualified after a year of hospital inhouse training to go home and transcribe by myself. I think the majority of people are not trained efficiently for years and years. I do not think newbies would be qualified for VR work. I find it difficult after all the years I have behind me trying to still figure a medication out, just different aspects of it. I suppose a newbie could poke along and eventually make it but I think most companies would not want to put up with their training on the job.
It's funny that these postings would come up
right now because I've been considering nursing myself - I regret having not done something about it years ago, and I'll be 50 in August. Everyone keeps telling me it's not too late - I'm trying to believe that. I think I would be a good nurse. I've been an MT for over 20 years and I just can't stop thinking about what "could have been." My 24-year-old daughter is considering nursing and we have even talked about going to school together.
Everytime I think of getting tips on my nails...
I think about what it would be like trying to type with them.
Wow - I do the same thing! Works everytime. nm
x
Paid per minute postings
Something rarely seen. Paid per minute of dictation. There are two rad jobs listed on MT Jobs board. I have always gotten paid by minute by my primary account. After working part-time for a few nationals this past year, I have learned getting paid per minute for radiology is not really worth it. For normal reports you have to process the report for pennies which in some systems (such as Meditech) takes time going through the different screens. For anyone applying for these positions, I would be interested in learning how much they are paying per minute.
Everytime someone posts a crazy word here...
I find myself saying it out loud and frankly some of them just HURT--especially that symptomolology one there!
Now if we could only teach them to dictate in "text Expander speak:" it would save us all some time!
"Tpx arvd to our edx via ambx wcmpt of cpx." 
The patient arrived to our emergency department via ambulance with a complaint of chest pain.
I see all the postings about phone usage and I'm confused. sm
Are you talking about a long distance service you need to use a C-phone? Or are they questioning the use of your DSL connection?
What is with all the obvious spam postings today?
x
I do not think think her postings are 'preachy'. They are just matter of fact...
without the input of 'unnecessary' emotions.
Recent postings about "no work and so forth"
Quite a few posters who have been MTs for a number of years (myself included) have come under attack recently for comments posted here -- what those of us who have done this for years are seeing is "I only want to work certain hours, won't do weekends, don't want to be on call so on and so forth" Guess what? I got an email from my supervisor on Monday asking me to cover a certain work type while that person was on vacation -- I did it!!! -- She also called me today (Sunday and asked me to do 3 STATS -- I cover STATS on Wednesday) -- however, I did it because it it my JOB -- since I started this job in October, I have NEVER run ouf of work -- if the work type that I do runs out, I do to a differnt work type, it is similar to learning a new account which I have done in the past as well. All I want to say, is be grateful right now that you have a job and if the "work does not fit YOUR FAMILY SCHEDULE" then learn to adjust -- think PRIORITIES
I find myself cringing everytime I type a cath
nm
Regarding previous postings about large kittie cats--sm
There was a thread of posts about a week ago, or a little longer, concerning large kittie cats and litter boxes. There was one poster who had suggested using a large storage tub with a *door* cut into it and replacing it every six months. I would like to thank that poster tremendously!!! I have a large boy kittie who stands up to *P* and just sprayed every where. My ex and I had built a makeshift kittie litter box with plastic sides glued to it, so the cat wouldn't spray the walls, etc. My kittie would not go inside the covered litter boxes, either, so it was a mess. The makeshift litter box helped alot, but I really liked the idea of the storage tub and went to Walmart last weekend. My son said that my big kittie would not like it and would not use it, because my big boy kittie is afraid of EVERYthing. Well, I cut the *door* in the side of it, filled it with litter, and about two hours later, my big boy kittie was sticking his head in the door, checking it out, and then using it!! I was SO happy! He LOVES it! and so do I ! It was the best $7.00 I ever spent! So, to the lady who suggested it.....THANK YOU SO MUCH! If I could reach you, I would hug you! 
Now I cant see the different broads again. Everytime I clean out my cookies and offline files I cant
get in the different boards. Any suggestions. They are gone again.
I have a gender problem when I type! Seems everytime I get my QA eval I always get counted off
because I've typed he instead of she or his instead of her. It drives me crazy! I always pass with at least a 98%, but I'm always making this mistake and I feel like an dunce every time I see it on paper!
I know how it happens. I'm just not paying attention and I'll just forget its a he or a she or I'll forget what patient I'm on and think I'm still on the "the lady with the pelvic pain..." and type she when really it's a he.
Anybody have any suggestions to help me remember my genders?
Have you noticed that practically all the job postings these days say experience with ESLs. It seems
like without good ESL experience anymore you wont even get a job. I think it is really heading that way. I do ESLs but not a lot so I need to get more experience doing that and take a big cut in pay to learn it but seems like it is almost a necessity.
Yay! That's three votes in favor of knuckle cracking! Everytime I pop my knuckles, I hear my mo
EXText word client blank screen everytime I login
I am using EXText Word Client software with Transnet. I am getting a blank screen everytime I login. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the software an upgraded but still errors out the same way. Are there any EXtexters who could help?
Next time I'll run my postings past you for approval then, okay, posting police?
I love the "my way or the highway" attitude. Get over yourselves.
Now you know the local job market and my
home situation better than I do. For your information, I make more working parttime at home doing MT than I would working fulltime for any of the local advertising agencies. Plus, I don't have to travel or put my kids in daycare.  Thank you so much for your concern about my employment situation, though. And please, get off your 
In the market for a new computer -
I will not buy MS Vista - I hear it's a nightmare. TIA
When you market your services with a
business name and a business license, it shows the doctors or hospitals that you are representing yourself as a professional business and are not just a homemaker or housewife trying to make a few extra bucks. They will treat you with more respect and take you more seriously, and in turn will be willing to pay you a fair rate as a respectable businesswoman. Think about any business in your community or town. They all first procure a business name and a business license before they open their doors. You may be working from home, but you can will present yourself in this fashion. I would also suggest obtaining a P.O. Box to use as your business address instead of using your home address. Believe me, this works. I have been running a successful small MT business from home for over 20 years now, and I support my entire family on my earnings.
job market update
If your skills are excellent and your experience and references speak well of you, then I believe the job market is pretty good.
But!!!!
You have to look carefully at the prospective jobs.
Please, I beg of you, for the good of ALL OF US, please please please do not take a job for less than 8.5 cpl! Please!
It's a very tough market right now...sm.
I have 8 years experience and have been testing left and right for the last 3 months. I have passed several tests only to hear about the company being put on a hiring freeze and I am added to their waiting list. I have also tested and done very well and not heard anything back. I finally made the decision that I am going to go to nursing school but right now is not a good time either (my husband has been out of work since April of 2008). He finished his degree and STILL cannot find a job.
Keep faith..it will come through. Maybe instead of having to drive into town, you could send your resume to all the local doctors, dentists, veterinarians, eye doctors, anyone who maybe has been thinking they are too busy to do their own notes. I have heard that this has worked for many people. It is always worth the effort. If you are a good general Transcriptionist too, don't just stop at medical. Send you resume to insurance businesses, lawyers, whatever might be there.
Good Luck and God Bless.
Money Market accounts
MM accounts do have checks, but you are limited to the number of checks that you can write per month - no more than 3 checks to a third party. Rates are usually tiered based on your balance - the more you have deposited, the more interest you will earn.
Start here:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/rate/mmmf_home.asp
Are you worried about possible MT job market glut then? I am...
nm
My family went to a flea market that is mostly run and
attended by Hispanics. There were several vendors selling leather goods, such as wallets, belts, shoes, etc. DH needed a new wallet so he picked one he liked and opened it up only to find a tag that said "MADE IN INDIA." (He didn't buy it.) We didn't look at any of the other leather goods, but found it very ironic that the Hispanics are now importing their "handmade" goods from India.
yeah, in today's job market, the
middle class is supposed to be happy we even have a job. Forget any idea of getting any appreciation for hardwork, reliability, knowledge, or any of that good stuff, just be "happy" to be working... in my next life, maybe!
So what? 8 cpl is what the market will bear. If you don't want 8, don't take a job that pays
x
Instead, if I had $345, I'd put it in a money-market acct. - sm
and watch it grow, rather than putting it towards a bunch of fake 'certification' letters after my name, and seeing that money fly away and earn me nothing.
Sixe of MTSO Market
Does anyone know the size of the MTSO market (how many service providers, how many software co's etc. or a good source for this info?
Going back on the market -- any advice?
Hi y'all,
Three weeks ago I began a new job doing acute care at a local hospital (part of CHS). On Friday they told us that our work would be outsourced beginning in April.... Previously I worked at another local hospital for 9 years transcribing Rad and ER notes, echos, etc. I left there because I need expensive orthognathic surgery and their insurance plan has a blanket exclusion against it. Plus I wanted to brush up on my "big four" skills.
Now I am looking for work. Boy have things changed! I really prefer to work for a hospital or start up my own company again but would work for a service as a last resort. After reading the informative posts here, I have begun compiling a list of "good" and "bad" services so I can avoid certain ones.
Does anyone here have any advice for me? Not general advice about job hunting, but more specific advice about the services -- what to watch out for, etc. I have never done editing/VRT, but apparently that pays less anyway so I don't think I will be doing that.
Thanks.
Really? Hmmmm...you wouldn't know the stock market if it bit you.
Run a stock analysis on MQ under any search engine. Yahoo stock analysts are the ones I use personally. There are advisories and analyses of MQ and Philips in the data base EVERY DAY. There have been "hold" advisories, "sell" advisories, and "buy" advisories any given day. Sorry to disappoint your disillusioned mind. Obviously NASDAQ and regular trade is better, but they are STILL in the ball game, sorry to disappoint you. And you SHOULD be happy at that if you care about the 1000s of MQ employees who have stocks, etc. But, gee, sounds like you're just a disgruntled werker!
Does anyone know any basics on money market accounts?
nm
If you're an overseas vendor here's how to market....sm
Go by medical offices and talk to them in your native tongue. They just LOVE hearing it. When visiting in places like Florida be sure to ask about the last snow storm they had last winter - that's very impressive! In the northern states talk about the warm sunny 70 degrees in February in their state and ask if they're ready for that this year.
Be sure to take brochures showing the fabulous quality of work you do. Be sure you include impressive sentences such as: "Dr. Jones said he would eat ketchup with the patient to review his lab work." After all they don't find it cute to type it like it was dictated.... "Dr. Jones said he would catch up with the patient to review his lab work."
Lastly don't forget to give them laminated card including all 25 digits they will have to use to call your native country. Be sure they're aware that all of your employees in your native country have new names.... Ben, Mary, Thomas and Amy are of course popular choices. Potential clients like getting a warm fuzzy feeling by talking to "Mary" who has a very heavy accent to the point that they can't understand her talking. But hey - she has an American name (woo-hoo!) so all is forgiven!
Be sure to investigate the housing market in your area
In my area as well as most of the U.S., the housing prices are SKY HIGH! Some say there is sure to be an 'adjustment' (downward) of housing prices in the near future. If the prices have skyrocketed in your area also, you might want to take a wait and see attitude for a year or two and see what happens? Just a thought.
I don't know your circumstances, and there may be reasons you need to buy a house right now, but a waiting period would also give you a chance to straighten up or clean up whatever is wrong with the credit.
I feel sad for my two sons, (one of whom is a store manager, but single income), as I don't see any possibility of either of them being able to buy a house at the outrageous prices nowdays.
My husband and I got lucky (MANY years ago) and bought our first house from an elderly fellow who carried the contract himself and gave us a STEAL of a price! He assumed we would default like all the other renters had and he would repossess the house. Ha Ha, not so with us!
Hey, maybe you could try advertising for a house with owner financing. Might be easier to qualify. Good luck!
This is not a new market. Is being done with all offshore companies I have ever worked for. nm
:+
you should be setting your rates according to what the market will bear...
not what you feel like getting. If you like the account, you're familiar with it and able to make good money off of it, you might want to stay at the rate you are at. As a service owner, I used to plan to hire at 7 but bring everyone eventually up to 10 cpl by 0.5 increases every six months. I also used to be able to raise the rates from the hospital, clinic or physician office every 2 years. Nowadays if I bid on a new account, I am regularly outbid at 11 cpl, with 24 TAT. I have discussed it with my IC MT's. If they want a raise, I can try to negotiate a raise from the hospital...but it jeopardizes our account. Every time you raise your rates, it's a signal for them to start shopping around. So I would say, based on what the market will bear, don't expect to be getting raises. Ever. 
Never heard of RMT. In my experience, CMT is worthless in the job market.
x
It's called competition in a buyer's market (sm)
or vendor's (hospital's) market, not low-balling.
Here are two free market listings. You can google search for
freelance writing or editing market/job listings, too.
Writers Write market database
http://www.writerswrite.com/paying/
Writers Weekly market listing
http://www.writersweekly.com/markets_and_jobs/003118_11302005.html
Yeah, but are these other companies trying to put stores in every market in the country?
I think that is what makes Wal-Mart so "evil" and scares me so badly. Soon we won't have ANYONE left to buy our goods from because they force all the other competitors out of business (particularly the small business owners) and then we are FORCED to buy everything from overseas countries/Wal-Mart.
Various analysts are predicting the housing market will collapse soon. sm
Cannot be sustained at the level it is presently at.
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