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Ok - There's a diff between DREAM job and REALISTIC GREAT job!

Posted By: Bennies are for employees...? on 2006-04-23
In Reply to: Thanks for your response, Bennies ...sm - dreamjob

Do want that? Seriously.



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I don't know how it made such a small diff in your invoice... made a $100 diff in mine! (sm)

If it were only adding up to three bucks, I wouldn't sweat it. $100? Yeah, that's baseball registration for my son for this year. I am not giving tabs, returns, etc. away free when it adds up to that much difference!  Why should I charge less for a Return than I would for a"K"?


 


 


Describe your dream job in one sentence. (anything goes; it's a dream job.)

My dream job would be straight transcribing half oncology and half psychiatry on a flexible schedule Monday through Friday as a statutory employee for a reputable company with decent dictators at 11 cents per line (a fair living wage for 17 years' experience), first shift.


 


Pay for Diff Accounts

It seems to me that the pay per line should vary according to the difficulty of the account.


Everyone agrees that the line count can be totally different from one account to the other, so why doesn't the pay vary?  That would be the fair way to do it.


Does anyone know of a company who does that?


Diff between IC & subcontractor
What is the diff between these two?  And do most of you have set hours that work as a subcontractor or do you pretty much have flexible hours?  Thanks!
It is very realistic - sm

I have a 3-year-old and work around him.  I try to get up around 6 a.m. and get in 2-3 hours of work before he wakes up.  I do another 1-2 hours during his nap time.  I finish up at night after DH is home.  We are also at this time trying for baby #2 - I CAN"T WAIT!! 


Unfortunately, what is not realistic is
getting answers from posters on this board who are not condescending, hateful, and just plain ugly.

Obviously, you've already received posts of varied opinions.

If you really want to try that situation on for size, why not pick up babysitting for someone's baby or small child and see how work fits in for you. You may decide that it isn't for you or that it's very workable for you.

If you cut back to 20 hours a week, you could easily work 4 hours a night when the baby goes to bed and never miss any time/care with him/her.

I think it would be prudent for you to realize that in order to make money at this work, especially in a remote situation, you really have to be dedicated and enjoy what you are doing. Otherwise, you'll be as bitter as many you see on here and probably not very productive.

Good luck with whatever you choose!
No but just realistic about 95% of MDs. Since
x
Sure it's realistic...
I'm back with Spheris, and the 1500 daily (always nightly in my case) is certainly possible with the large hospital account I transcribe for. I've been at it for 30+ years myself.
I am realistic......

All three of these are companies.  I don't have my own accounts.  I work as an IC for these companies.  I work for FutureNet, DTS and GIS.  Maybe you should look around more.


YES, MQ pays shift diff but you have to ask for it. SM
I complained bitterly about it and they gave me half a cent per line for nights and weekends. Adds up to about $75 per check and YES, it is paid on my bimonthly check.
You're realistic like me...
I'm a diehard second shifter for 30 years now and would have it no other way. I find your topic totally unreal and wonder what planet you've been living on, sorry. Look around you, the days are gone in this country when hard working folks can "demand" and get much of anything, especially getting back the old ways of doing things, and I seriously doubt there will ever be a big turnaround regarding the global viewpoint; we're already out there and it's expanding cause the third world is where it's at regarding how to make a buck and use the people. We're going to have to change our personal lives financially to survive and go with the flow.
Rude or realistic?
You know, I visited this site first time while training online almost six years ago. I thought it was great and then not. I quit coming here for years and then used it as I saw fit for my needs but usually glanced before I left at the postings. I am really happy with the change since xx. I feel this is a much more peaceful place than before. Sure, there are differences in opinions and such, but that's what makes it unique and special. I am glad to see that nothing really has changed much since the other owners moved on. I feel the new owners give more liberties in the way of speaking your mind, and I for one appreciate that for sure.

No, you won't always get the answers you want or hear the "yes' answers you might like, but this is still a place to hear everybody's thoughts which I think is a really great thing. I remember telling my mentor that I felt this was just a B board and how could I trust one person's thoughts or point of view from another? She told me, you can't really, but if three or more people are saying the same thing, you might want to question it. She was right! Thanks B. You taught me well.

For those who come onboard thinking and/or feeling intimidated; don't feel that way if you can help it. This is one of the most informative boards you can happen upon.

If some of us sound B or grouchy, we've probably just had a long and hard day with crap dictators which you will soon know about. Everyday is not a bed of roses in this field.

Still, I am back after years of really not frequenting the board, and I think the old timers and people who are fairly new to the field know what the heck they are talking about and are right on target. I wouldn't base a job on another person's experience or opinion, BUT I would think twice if I saw the same complaint numerous times.

I don't really think that folks post to be malicious, though some may. I feel most of us post our true experiences with different companies and we do it hoping others don't fall into the same horrible traps we may have got caught up in. Truth is though, I've just had bad timing a time or two and happened into bad situations when companies were a mess. They later "got it together" and were fine, so who knows. Go with your gut as admin suggests on this board and don't base an important decision about work on somebody else's opinion or experience. My mentor did tell me though, and I still do heed the warning, if more than xx people say it's true, it just might be. Thanks
B for warning me. lol You're great
Diff between 1200 lines/day with MQ vs Spheris:
If you type 1200 lines a day for 5 days of the week with each company, here is the incentive difference:

MQ: Incentive would be $0.
S: Incentive would be $24.

That is for the entire week.
I have worked for companied in a diff. state - sm
than I live in. I have not have to pay the other states tax. You just have to pay the tax for the state you live in and of course Federal tax and SE tax as well. I have my DH take extra out of his paycheck to cover my SE taxes. Last year owed about 15% of my net after write offs. But the rule of thumb is to reserve about 30% of your gross to cover state and federal, and SE taxes; and if you think you are going to owe pay quarterly to avoid any penalties. I have not "owed" to date as my husband as enough dededucted, but when I think that may change I will start making payments quartly.
What diff. do ? make? Answers will be based
x
I have,however Ms. Jester comes in under a diff. email addy to
to post.  Everytime she comes on to post, I ban her.  What is unprofessional about posting the truth about a company owner who is not doing the right thing by paying unpaid wages? I'll go ahead and answer.  Nothing.
I was banned from other board for posting diff.
x
Well if I'm gonna dream I'm gonna dream big! hehe

I agree, Simon is just being realistic!
nm
Realistic Income Expectations??

Hi guys!


 


I am a mom who currently runs a very financially successful home daycare business.  I am looking for a change and considering MT.


After much research I am still unsure about the REALISTIC income that can be made doing MT.


I will be working 6 hours a day - no kids, no interruptions etc.  How much can I really make a year as an independent contractor from home?  I am very familiar with medical terminology etc and plan on taking an MT course.


I would really appreciate a response.  I don't want to give up my daycare and spend money on a course only to find out later I have wasted my time and money.


 


Thanks!


She asked for advice and that is realistic
x
you're right, it's federal but diff for each state...see link...sm

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm


ALL STATES PAY MINIMUM WAGE DIFFERENTLY - i.e., Arizona says *No state minimum wage law.*


What diff does it make if it is one during the day or at night? Your computer should be protected
:+
What's *realistic* is that after I've paid my rent, (sm)
my utility bill, my car insurance, my ISP & phone bills, my medical co-payments, dental bill, etc., I usually have a choice between eating or buying gasoline. So currently my car sits in the carport, fuel-less and rarely driven, but insured - just so that I can continue my close relationship with Chef Boy-Ar-Dee and day-old (or older) bread.
1500 lines per day? Is this a realistic line
count to be able to make daily in the current MT climate? I have been in MT field for 30 years, with last 10 as QA.  I hate it, and can't wait to transcribe again. I am still really fast, never lost my skills thankfully, and can easily hit 1500 lines per 8 hour shift IF the work is there, though.  That is the target I would have to hit to even come close to what I am making currently as QA - things are tight on this salary, and can't get much tighter!  Do you think most companies have this sort of workload to offer MTs?  I used to work for 2 companies 15 years or so ago. Maybe do you think it would be more realistic for me to try to work for 2, or is 1500 lines steadily daily not a big deal?  I'm just so used to getting paid hourly, and never having that gut-wrenching fear of running out of work.  I don't need benefits at all, so IC is a big possibility.  I hope you understand, and I really appreciate your thoughts.   I'm so scared, but have to get out of my current situation at "you-know-where" before I lose my "you-know-what"...   Figured I'd peddle myself off as an MT rather than QA - worry about that down the road at a good company.
lets be realistic and talk about companies
nm
Monster search of diff. jobs showing range
s
Two diff topics. OT laws state 40 hours in most states req'd
nm
I do that all the time. You haven't snapped, you're just realistic. -nm
xx
She also has an ad on Career Builders that's signed "Kimberly" out of Arizona, totally diff
x
Does anyone have any good, realistic advice for working on 60 different accounts!?...(exaggeration)

but I am really getting frustrated.  I left a company who bumped me off my ERs (which I did for over a year and were my 'bread-and-butter', and the more I complained or asked about it, the worst dictation I got, etc.  This was a change of management in which that company went down-hill fast, anyway, as far as the treatment of MTs. 


so I left, and now at the 'new' company I am still doing 5, 6 accounts.  Forget ERs, I am told. 


the question is, I am working on so many accounts, and even accounts with different management, different QA.  I am embarrassed to mention I just did a report using the SPECS FROM THE WRONG ACCOUNT.  Luckily, I had sent the report to QA, but I get a note from the QA like 'read the specs' (stupid) is how it sounded.  Yeah, I did, but for the wrong account. 


these companies do not see how making people work on so many accounts is going to be huge negative for them in the long-run.  they risk mistakes like this, not me. 


how does one keep it all straight, and why do we have to?  the only people who are having success, are people who will take any kind of abuse, it seems, and are just making the best of it.  does that mean only the aggressive will survive in this business? this gets more ridiculous all the time. 


not to mention, pay and money - LIVELIHOOD - severely diminishes the second week of pay-week.  anyone else notice that?  first week I am flying on the primary, second week in I am like getting scraps, working on 4, 5,6 accounts - there goes all I worked for in the first week. 


so these ladies typing 300+ lines/hour and making $50 thou a year, like so many boast on here, how,where, when ????  I am not getting it, and I am a 99-100% quality MT, working 35 hours/week.  every company I have worked with, my paycheck is totally dependent on the manager, period. 


That is only the half of it...check out this site for a more realistic view of the future of med rec
http://www.mohca.org/standardsbodies.php3

We have not much to fear from overseas, in my opinion, compared to the technology being created every day to reach the goal of the 'standardized text' paperless record (EHR - electronic health record).

No more 'free text' or dictation in the future.

Same for billing/coding, which will be done automatically with mobile point-of-care hand-held PCs.

Certainly, there will still be editors, but I can not get any solid information as to how this technology will affect MTs. Will be still be needed, if so, in what capacity.

I keep hearing we should be open to being trained in the new technologies that are coming, but hey, what ARE they, and who will train us?

The only thing AAMT seems to be suggesting/promoting, is (what will make them a lot of money) for certifying MTs...what good is that going to do us?

I would gladly train and learn new technology so I can 'stay in the game,' but how, what, where, who pays, when? What will it be, what do I have to do?

I have E'd several people, including Ms. Tessier herself, and have not gotten any kind of response, period.

Heck with being certified, tell me how I can keep my job for the next decade before I can retire and MT as we know it is extinct!

My apologies up-front for any typos - I am not 'on the clock' so-to-speak...thanks.
Be realistic! A newbie, fresh out school, no experience whatsoever cannot expect to get accounts

on her own and definitely cannot expect to earn $50k! 


EMR is coming whether you like it not and whether your doctors are older or not.  Eventually the older doctors will retire and the new generation coming out of medical school are products of this technological age.  There is no stopping it.


More about dream job
Thanks for the reply. Please e-mail me if you have time as I would definitely like to get suggestions. I have tested with several companies and they are waiting for reply but just want to be careful in making the best choice for me. I too am lucky enough not to have to have income now but would love part-time with a flexible schedule.

Thanks in advance,
gj
I actually had a dream
about being on this board!! I also transcribe in my dreams.  I guess those are actually nightmares since everything goes wrong and I have zero lines at the end of the day.
your dream would be 5ƈ"..LOL...sm

C'mon, I'm the 5' poster but 5'2"?  You'd be happy just to be 5'2"?  I was 5'3/4" most of my life but not now, lost almost an inch....


striving for 5'2" - *that's very funny to me.....because people have always thought I'm taller than 5'...because of the *stomach in, chest out* way I carry myself....I feel tall inside *L*...but if I had my druthers, 5'2" isn't tall enough in my opinion, it's still very, very short, and I'd love to have been 5'6" or 5'7".....


Dream job.

If employee, a good line rate with paid vacation and holidays, retirement, disability insurance.  Flexible hours as much as possible.  User-friendly platform.  Open communication with management staff and other employees.  Occasional bonus/perk to show appreciation. 


If IC, a line rate high enough to provide my own beenies.  Flexible hours as long as within tournaround time.  Backup on account for occasional time off.  Enough work to provide a decent line count.  User-friendly platform.  Access to management when needed.   Occasional bonus/perk to show appreciation. 


my dream job would be

Yes those things you mentioned - good line rates, health insurance, good incentive program, paid time off - those things would be a dream for an IC like me.


I also believe if you do a good job it would be nice to hear it once in awhile, perhaps in the form of a Chrismas bonus !  I feel I am a hard worker and have over 10 years experience, struggle through ESLs and poor dictators and really don't get paid enough for my time.  To NOT feel like a cog in a wheel would be wonderful. 


Good luck to you with YOUR dreams !!


dream job
How about at-home for those of us that do Pathology?
Dream job
Please, when you open your company, can I come work for you? How lovely!
Dream job
My dream job would be working for a company that offers benefits, but health insurance where you can have coverage no matter what state you live in, paid time off, 401K after 3 months of employment, not a year. Also, a fair amount per line rate. Twenty-five years ago I made 7 cents a line and now the rates are not much higher than that. Management and QA who treat the employees with respect, appreciate employees for a good job done as well as being loyal to that company. I have seen too much greed by company owners in my years as an MT, by that I mean they take all the profits, live in big beautiful houses, while the MTs struggle from paycheck to paycheck. We all work hard for our money and we deserve to be treated with respect and the employer can be treated with respect in return by the MTs working their schedules, QA being 99% or above, etc. This is the only job I have had and I love being an MT but I do not like the greed I have seen over the years. But, not all companies are the same. Thanks for the survey and good luck with your business.
Dream job

Okay let me see if I get it from the answers below


.10 cpl minimum for transcriptionist, higher for specialities; 0.2 to 0.4 cpl for benefits; 0.2 to 0.4 for QA, 0.3 - 0.4 for owner; 0.2 minimum for investor and yes I know a lot of companies/hospitals that will pay 19 to 24 cpl for transcription services.  Like you said, dream not  realistic. Oh yea and then have enough work force on hand to do the work in a 24 hour TAT,  less if there are QA problems and it goes there.   Then not many ESL's  --.  Also balanced work force for enough on hand to do the job in your contracted time frame or you will be docked severely but not to many so everyone has their work they want and those on stand by that will do work when someone calls in sick or has a personal problems or do not want to work.  Then there is the time that doctors take vacations and work flow is down and everyone is yelling at you.  Like you said it is a dream job.   It could be possible but it is a very hard business to run smoothly and profitable for everyone.  I only have two I/C's and 6 accounts and I am ready to chuck it in and just do what I can do for myself as it is very hard to balance and keep everyone happy and the 20 to 25% you make off those accounts is very well earned.  I do wish you success and it all sounds good but there is lot more there that does not meet the eye when you become an MTSO.   I also had my dream of being larger and providing a very decent job to home based MT's but after a few years I saw the writing on the wall and kept it as 2 - 3 I/C's and that is very hard to balance all out.   They are I/C's and have the right to work and not work.    And if you pay any benefits, they do become employees and then you have more expenses with benefits, insurance, workman's comp, etc., etc.  But hey you might be able to do it and I wish you the best.    Give MQ a run for their money.


Patti


 


 


 


Dream Job
I would be willing, if I had choice of the account type I had to work, at 7.5 cpl, as an IC.
My dream job would be....
...to be able to work at home being paid $16.50 or more per hour, working Tuesdays thru Fridays, no weekends, no holidays, paid vacation, sick time, all English speaking doctors, clinic/doctor's office work only, and work being available all the time.
not a dream, but...
About 4 years ago, my nephew shot himself...for 2 weeks before his death, I was sick...so sick I couldn't work, eat, or sleep, but had no real symptoms. I just had this overwhelming feeling of dread, butterflies in my stomach, shaky legs and all. After his death, that feeling went away, replaced with another, but we won't go there...
That is my dream job, as well! lol
Maybe it just takes a transcriptionist's eye, but recently in the paper, we had a story on a doctor who did her residency at Cedar-Cyanide! :)  I love the closed captioners, too....That's my next job, I think!!  A few that I can remember seeing are "Vegas" nerve stimulator (when you want a good day gambling, I guess),  the Soup Earp Bowl, and Since Gnatty Bengals.  And they get paid big bucks for that!!
Not a dream....
That's what I make on this account is 14 cpl on 65-character line. I also have another account that pays me 11 cpl on a 60-character line. Maybe you need to look around if you're not doing so well.
Dream job
You might try Amphion out of WI. They actually prefer their people working day shift with no weekends. They have wonderful benefits and I think may pay per hour also. They are affiliated with University of Wisconsin Medical School I believe. Good Luck!
Dream on..

working on a project.  They expect it as they are paying hourly for your work, no matter what that entails "other duties as assigned." 


I thought I could say "I didn't want to train a new hire" and guess what?  My boss said it is in all other duties. 


If this was the case in terms of project manager, then I should have been called a trainer and made more money.


Come on guys, get real!


My dream job would be...
traveling around the world by yacht taking pictures of perfect sunsets, making enough money to donate to worthy causes. But then I wake up to my cats meowing "Feed us, we're hungry." Oh well, I'll put them on the boat with me. They can eat what they catch.
Dream Job
I love the entertainment industry, but have no talent (LOL), but I'd love to be an entertainment reporter and get to go to all the great parties and get to hang out with the rich and famous.