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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

POTENTIAL is key. keep in mind posters below probably have

Posted By: lots of experience s/m on 2008-01-09
In Reply to: Quick Question - Deborah

I make more as QA than MT, never made more than 30 grand. Occupational outlook agrees:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos271.htm


Earnings [About this section] Back to Top

Wage-and-salary medical transcriptionists had median hourly earnings of $14.40 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.17 and $17.06. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.22, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.15. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical transcriptionists were:



Medical and diagnostic laboratories $15.68
General medical and surgical hospitals 14.62
Business support services 14.34
Outpatient care centers 14.31
Offices of physicians 14.00



Compensation methods for medical transcriptionists vary. Some are paid based on the number of hours they work or on the number of lines they transcribe. Others receive a base pay per hour with incentives for extra production. Employees of transcription services and independent contractors almost always receive production-based pay. Independent contractors earn more than do transcriptionists who work for others, but independent contractors have higher expenses than their corporate counterparts, receive no benefits, and may face higher risk of termination than do wage-and-salary transcriptionists.





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CMT/earning potential
50, 52K?  That sounds great to me---as someone who doesn't transcribe anymore, am thinking I'm in the wrong end of the biz.  I have two hourly jobs, one FT and one PT as QA/editor from home and making 54.  Would much rather work one job...hmmm...I would certainly go back to transcription w/the right employer and the only obstacle to my earning potential being myself.  More info on types of companies you work for...??
Potential employee or IC?
If she is an IC, I can understand her wanting to know the facts first to see if she wanted to take YOU on but the way you put it, it does sound like she was going about it in a rude way.  Maybe she's been through the hoops so many times she's fed up and you got her when she was near the end of her ropes!  Too bad for her if she lost out on a good job by jumping the gun.  Too bad for you if she IS good. 
Here's one potential reason why...
See link below for article. This was just one incident (who knows how many others there might have been that didn't gain media attention, though), but it just shows how being HIPAA-immune, as any offshored MT is, poses a very real risk:
Me 3. And the worst part is that I have a potential SM

new boyfriend (if you want to call it that, we're 55, lol) in my life. He hates smoking and I would never do it in front of him, so looks like I' m gonna have to bite the bullet too.


I smoked so much at my desk (at the hospital, when people did that) that I turned one of my contacts NICOTINE BROWN! Ewwww!


Why not use the time and money on something that's going to have more potential than this?
Anything less is a colossal waste of time and money!
If you're a potential employee...
...it has to do with HIPAA as well as Workers' Comp, in addition to ID issues.  For HIPAA, your home office has to be completely out of sight from the anyone living in or visiting your home, preferably in a separate, dedicated room, or in a common room but with a partition.  Sometimes at-home MTs don't get this, i.e., it's not okay for little Sally to come sit next to mom while she's transcribing; it's a HIPAA violation.
BINGO! He11 yes. Last week, there was a potential sm

...the sheer number of potential workers able to communicate in English...

When they say that they're being facetious, right?


Your mind was in the gutter up there with sauteed stool, too. Would you please take your mind out of

ALL POSTERS (SM)

There are several boards provided here.  Please post under the appropriate board.  If you are talking about a school, there is a board for that discussion.  The same applies for a technical board for equipment topics; word, style, drug boards; a political board, a christianity board, a specific Medquist board, an offshores concerns board, etc.  The Main board would serve for all discussions/topics that have not been provided special boards.


It is not fair for some to post where they should and others not.  To avoid your post being deleted, please post under the appropriate boards.


If you have any questions or problems, please let me know.  My e-mail is goldbird@mtstars.com and you can e-mail me directly or use the Reply By E-Mail option provided at the bottom of this post.


Thank you.


Goldbird


regardless of BOS or the posters...nm
x
no, there are just some posters who are....NM

thanks to both posters.
x
just because more posters think it is okay, does NOT make it
x
Below posters are correct
Nancy Drew's conclusions:

Everything inclucing headers on the text field is counted and expansions are as they appear on the text field.

I have tested this MANY times.

HOWEVER, we do NOT get paid for ADT and this is significant. This is our major loss.

It's not your imagination if your account that goes to DQS turns into crap dictators. It is already being ASR'ed. All the good dictators are gone... to the ultimate cherrry picker.

I hate this job.
Maybe I'm getting the posters mixed up here.

I was responding to the person who wrote *I just started with a company, and I honestly don't think I will EVER be able to make the line count .... 11,000.*  That's what I meant by the line count being required.


As problematic as the company is, though, I don't think they offshore.


OK, I see... you're one of THOSE posters. (sm)
Sorry - I can see now you're one of those posters who don't really contribute to a conversation, but just likes to get things riled up. I make it a point to avoid those kinds of posters/conversations. But have a good day! :o)
We are not censoring. We are merely asking that posters
use the correct forum when posting.  If you have a technical question, ask it on the Technical board, religion on the Religion forum, Politics on the politics forum, etc.  Thank you.
ALL POSTERS PLEASE READ

There is no need to play grammar school marm here.  Do not correct other poster's spelling, grammar, etc. 


Goldbird


 


I agree with one of the posters above--sm
Separate for a while. If you can afford to, go far away, like to the other side of the state, like the other poster said. Her husband followed her because he loved her. If yours follows you, then you have a chance for a better life. I think his parents are influencing him way too much and probably want his money more than they want him, anyway. So, if he follows you, you have a chance. If he doesn't, chalk it up to experience, suck up your pain, regain your self esteem, and get on with your life without him. It is not easy, but it can be done and you will be better off because of it. I have been in those shoes too, and sometimes you are better off alone than to be with someone who does not love you. If you let him go and he comes back, he is yours. If he doesn't, he never was in the first place. Trust in God. He will help you through it all. and that's the truth! Good luck to you!
If I could address both posters ... sm
ALS: I read your post to my husband, who works on computers for a living, and he said it sounds like you lost an entire partition. I know that's not helpful and probably something you already figured out, but just wanted to offer something here. He also suggested running a virus scan as it sounds like something a virus might have caused. I sincerely wish you luck and hope that your files can be recovered. You might want to consult a local technician.

To the other poster: I am so sorry for your losses and I can't begin to imagine what you and your children have gone through. It sounds like today was difficult, to say the least. I think we've all been guilty at one time or another for saying something maybe we shouldn't have because of something going on within ourselves. I also send you sincere good wishes.
MTE: *LOL* - let these posters assume....sm

When someone assumes something they make an A_ _ out of themselves.  LOTS of companies are using DQS/DEP today.  Some of these posters making such blanket statements are just *totally out to lunch*   and perhaps should find a different field  (if they are so miserable).  Les Miserables....hence, I'd *consider the source*. 



 


 


Overseas posters?
I can't find anywhere on the site that prohibts off shore MTs from posting.
of negative posters
Geez aren't you just full of encouragement and help! Could you be any more negative??? Glad you're out of the business 2.
Why must posters always assume that we are
not experienced when we ask a question? All I wanted to know is where are these positions advertised, or do they always promote from within. Believe me, I'm educated and experienced.
Want specifics from posters
Let me clarify: I wanted to hear specifics from the experiences of those MTSOs that participate posting on this site.
I agree with the other posters the only
way to learn op reports is to do them. I've been an MT for almost 9 years and never had the opportunity to do them. Luckily at the place I work now they've given me an opportunity to learn ops. I just started doing them a couple of months ago, and I've already gotten so much better. I have my Stedmans med/surg equip book that comes in real handy. You'll catch on, it just takes time. They do seem like a good way to make money so far, as it seems they say a lot of the same things for each specific operation and they are lengthy reports. Good luck!
One of the posters tells.
nm
They don't even allow offshore posters--why would they have

I agree with the other posters....
if you are willing to put in the work in the beginning, then it will be a very rewarding career but it is my no means easy...and taking a medical terminology course doesn't even touch the surface...it is a start and will go along with other classes you will have to take, but the real experience comes when you finally get a job and are on your own...you will hardly make any money at first but eventually it gets easier and then it is like second nature...but don't be unrealistic and think you will make 45,000 a year because that just won't happen...not like what those ads on TV say...

good luck in whatever you choose but just know that it takes hard work, just like anything...
I agree with both of the posters sm
who answered. I think 28 years experience speaks for itself and I do not think CMT in itself guarantees for a good MT. I have supervised enough, as I said, with CMTs and the experienced folks w/o CMTs were much better MT, remember I said EXPERIENCED. But society is so hung up on degrees, initials, etc that I am seriously thinking about it. When I said the test was on line I met you had to go to a testing site but the test was on line. The testing site for me is 4 miles away. I am currently in pharmacy tech school as well as taking coding classes.

As the other poster said its a personal choice. All three of these professions you have certification for and stupid as it sounds, when I go back out to work I want the credentials. I will not be as good of a pharmacy tech or a coding specialist until I get the EXPERIENCE, but again supervisors anymore look at that stuff.

As far as the required 2400 lines a day is that 2400 gross lines or based on 65 cpl? If its gross lines its obtainable all the time. If its 65 cpl, I don't see how anyone consistently (unless they do the same account over and over and over again) can keep that up in an 8 hour period every single day. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I read the test consisted of for the CMT now it is not going to take 6 hours.

I don't know what you friend makes per line or what kind of MT she does, whether its acute care with ESLs or in a doctor's office with that type of MT. But either way you have to look at it this way...........if she is doing 2400 lines in a day for a ten day period that is an extra 240 bucks a pay period. Larger raise than most people get who work by the hour. When you work in a hospital most of the time you get 3% yearly raises. Sometimes more so that is a good raise. The company I worked for for 23 years started handing out raises in 1/4 cent increments the last few years I worked.

Like I said, I haven't quite made up my mind yet, but it is a personal choice for my own personal reasons. I have been very ill and am now ready to get back to work and its as much a mental thing as it is possibly a money thing for me.

BTW, if your friend is subcontracting and they are telling her how much she has to type (that's excessive) her employer is probably breaking the law.

Again I agree with both of you who answered my post. I don't think its necessary. I think the CMT should have tougher standards than they do and folks should have to have more experience required to take it than they do. When the test was first started, you had to have 5 years to be "grandfathered" in. I do not agree with the "grandfather clause" they were using at the time. I think everyone should have 5 years experience in acute care in a hospital before being able to take the CMT. Just my personal opinion. Don't want to criticize anyone.

Thanks for the feedback from both posters and I would like tohear more.

I also live in NC..........Asheville to be exact.
Here you go, the majority of posters
are on your side.

Nobody can make you and your daughter to agree to take the vaccination.

And...I see no typos...!
I know a lot of posters on here feel you are
just whining, but I do believe I understand what you are saying. I don't know the company, so can't say whether they are just finding themselves between a rock and a hard place meeting TAT or if they are trying to take advantage of the MTs they have in order to take on more accounts they can't properly staff. Either way, try to take a deep breath and maybe the new account will actually be better for you and you will actually be able to be more productive financially!

I actually work for a company that believes keeping the MT on the same account is a good thing, as long as that is possible; it is more productive for everyone involved. There are times when there has to be exceptions, however. Speak to someone and see if there is another account altogether you can move over to that may be more productive for you. Your account just may be a bad fit for you.

Good luck to you!
The below posters are correct but

another thing that they did not point out is:


1.  The schools that teach MT'g promise wages that are a thing of the past. They state you can work at home and make upwards of $40,000. It sounds great, but the fact is, you need more than schooling to get that kind of job. What they don't tell you is you need the experience and to get that, you really need to work at a hospital or have mentoring for another 2 years for the experience to be able to get a job with a national to work at home.


2.  Those that have "graduated" from these schools also get so desperate for a job and no nothing about rates being paid, that they think the rates being paid today are the norm, then take those jobs, leaving the company the option of trying to see just how low they can go in their next ad.


I've only been an MT for 15 years. I've watched the rates go from $.12 to what they are paying now.


Most of the companies that offer MT schooling also offer medical billing.That's also a crock. You need the same amount of training/experience in that field before being able to work at home. I, myself, had a job doing medical billing with NO EXPERIENCE and the doctor's office that hired me, trained me. I worked there 2 years and it's not an easy job, either. Too easy to make a mistake.


Now that overseas MT'g and VR are in the picture, the wages are still going down. I've written letters to the newspapers, state congress and senate, federal congress and senate, and signed petitions. The answer is always the same: "We thank you for your concern and will get back to you." Of course, they never do. I even wrote to the Labor Board about their average wages for MTs being too high. Got the same answer.


Banding together doesn't work, either. Everyone wants better wages, but they want to "let somebody else do it."  Walking out won't work. They'll just replace everyone with another body. It's a no-win situation.


 


 


I agree with the above posters, but I seem to

come across totally different attitudes from people when they hear I work from home.  People seem amazed and view it as lucrative, cushy, easy to be able to work from home.  Most want to know how to get such a position.  When they hear it involves schooling/training, constant learning, long hours, lots of sitting and typing, lots of researching, crappy files, crappy pay, they usually shy away from it and ask no more once they get the message that it's a real job with real hours.


My neighbor (I call her the overnight CMT), decided she could become an MT since I could do it.  She actually tried it for 1 whole hour, although it was probably less than 1 hour.  She went to school 7 weeks for terminology (only terminology at the advice of the MTSO) at the local community college, had a cushy MT position handed to her by her friend's mother who is an MTSO, was offering her 7 cpl knowing jack sh*t and was going to be on full QA/mentoring to get her up to par.  Basically she had it made as a not-even-newbie-MT, but she gave up quickly when hearing the first dictation and has had no desire to pursue MT any further, even with my offering to assist her whenever she needed and point her in the right direction to becoming an MT.


Once she had that "in" with the MTSO, she suddenly knew more about this field than me and ignored all advice I offered to her.  She even told me that I should apply with this MTSO.  I had to hold back laughter.  As if I'd need her to help find me a job in a field I've been in for over a decade, that she's been psuedo-involved in for about the length of a blink of an eye...whatever though, thanks for the job lead.  MT is too much like "real work" and my neighbor wasn't really wanting to have to work...if only she had listened to me when I warned her it was not going to be as easy as she imagined/was led to believe, she could have saved $800 and not wasted 7 weeks going to class, but what do I know.


Sorry for going off topic with my story...I agree with Claire, you owe no one an explanation and you should turn the question back around on them.  The blank stare reply had me cracking up.


and you Judge only Certain Posters as Fools?

and only MQ Certain Posters upset and embarrass you?  why not address MQ Certain Posters rather than making blanket statements? 


with all due respect you are backtracking big time and sliding a bit on the truth side.  read your posts over.  but that's okay.  kind of clintonish whether you like it or not.


You know all throughout this thread I see posters backing

pro MQ posters and funny thing, they have all the same style of writing, emphasizing their thoughts with CAPITAL LETTERS.  Could this be one MQ manager working overtime to make it appear there are lots of posters who think MQ is the greatest and anyone who doesn't like MQ has a bad attitude?  I don't know but it looks fishy to me.  Those CAPITAL LETTERS are a big give-away that one poster is assuming multiple personalities to defend MQ but isn't smart enough to change style of posting.  


Just sayin.............


 


I think all of these lovely posters meant to say WELCOME TO MQ!!
Congrats on your new job.  DO NOT give these sea-hags a grain of salt.  Whine, whine, complain, complain, gripe, gripe. JEALOUSY - does bad things to peoples' brains!  Enjoy your new job!!  You made a very good choice!
In fairness to all posters, if you are a MQ poster, please

In fairness to all posters, if you are a MQ poster, please kindly post only NEW information on the Main board and your daily information ie ran out of work already, questions about the infamous "packet", etc. on the Company board.  Please note that redundant questions will be removed from the Main board.  Feel free to check the archives and feel free to post your daily information and queries on the Company board.


Thank you,


Adminsitrator


 


 


I AM SO MAD I COULD SPIT! I can't believe what the posters below are telling you!
My husband installs hardwood floors for a living. Because of the house boom there are times when he works for 2 or 3 weeks straight. On his day off, he sleeps most of the day - which is probably what your hubby is doing. Like another poster stated, he probably does not realize what it's like on your end. He's looking at a day off with peace and quiet. Sure he misses you and the kids, but for some reason men always seem to see things differently. Just don't mention coming to see him and I bet he calls you and asks you to come on his next day off. Just give him time and DON'T LISTEN TO THE MANHATERS BELOW!
It's a great show.. to the posters below who don't like it...
I always have trouble going into a show if I haven't seen it from the beginning. I  sometimes wonder what all the hoopla is about on a show when I try to watch mid-season.This really is a great show, but the drama is overwhelming at times.
Posters above are NOT saying the shooting is funny DUH!

I really feel for all the high IQ'd ones, because of all the posters like this,
Smart happens. Live with it.
What if all the IQ posters are damaged people who were looking for a
and people like y'all just recreated the bad old days, where people would jump on a smart young thing just because they ARE smart? Where's the sense?
perhaps posters such as you have delusions of adequacy?

the negative posters were being facetious..NM


Yes, agree with both posters above! Great
stuff. Also, if possible, each dog needs to be able to get away and be alone, if possible. I rescue dogs as well, and also have many labradors. I have an alpha female who is very aggressive when feeling insecure. I have a couple of crates set up around my house with the doors always open. Sometimes as humans, we don't sense the vibes when the dogs might be getting annoyed with each other. So I find different dogs at times just napping or hanging out alone in their crates! I have HUGE crates, so more than 1 can cozy on up, or just 1 to get some alone time. I have never seen an irritable dog chase down a dog to the crate. Its sort of like a safe zone, or time out zone!!  Sadly, yes, no toys at all in our house. I love those Bobo toys from Petsmart!! But toys bring out the beast in them as far as competition. Yikes! Food as well for the alpha female. She wants her's and everybody elses!! But it can be done. Just definitely takes work as others have said! Great for you guys to keep the dogs. So many people find their dogs disposable when their situations change! BRAVO TO YOU!!!  Woof!
With all the anon posters, how would you sign?
Lots of talk but when it comes down to it, how many people are really willing to sign a petition with their real name in an open forum? I would be willing to bet that the idea of possibly losing a job that pays the bills and puts food on the table would win out over the ideal.
I think that both previous posters are wrong.

The IRS specifically states that if your company is dictating the hours that you work, then you are considered an employee; your tax preparer has every right to ask you this as they are signing your return as the preparer and will be "called on the carpet" if your return is audited. They are trying to make sure that you really are an IC by the IRS's definition.


If your company states that their is work avaialble between certain hours of the day and you have a required TAT, then the hours you work to get that done and still meet the required TAT are yours to decide. If that is not your case, then I would say tha tyou are NOT an IC but rather than employee.


MESSAGE TO ALL POSTERS - PLEASE READ

It is important that all posters (and those who just lurk around and read) understand that this board does not represent just one single view, opinion, perspective, posting style, topic, etc. 


The board is for posting opinions for productive and information sharing, discussion, debate, etc. 


EVERY OPINION IS ALLOWED.  NO OPINION IS WRONG .. It is just an opinion!  Our opinions reflect our beliefs.  There may be opinions that are more popular or acceptable by society, by industries, by individuals or groups than others but all are allowed on this board.


No poster here knows any behind-the-scenes information about anyone else.  Everyone's email address is hidden.  A person can post here without identifying who they are.  Just because there are 2 or more posts even with the same handle does not PROVE that the posts are by the same poster, etc.


Every poster and reader here must exercise some personal restraint and tolerance toward others' opinions.  You may have to step back and stop reading a bit, take a breath, determine not to reply to a post or otherwise.  There is no reason why healthy debate cannot occur but it has to be civil and allow others' experiences and beliefs to be presented. 


Stop attacking one another and stop trying to bully individual posters or opinions.  This means trying to police others' posts for grammar, spelling.  It also means to stop trying to personally address others' posting styles or personalities by calling them out.


If you have a problem with a post, report it.  If a post bothers you, stop reading or reply and debate it but do it with respect.


This board is not moderated for niceness  nor for a single opinion.  It is here for everyone to present their ideas and beliefs and all are welcome - on every forum of MTStars.


If you have problems with a specific poster, send me the link and let's discuss it.  I will not remove posts because they are simply not nice, etc.  If you wonder why your post is removed, ask me.


Happy posting, everyone!


Moderator:  Cher


 


MESSAGE TO ALL POSTERS - PLEASE READ

It is important that all posters (and those who just lurk around and read) understand that this board does not represent just one single view, opinion, perspective, posting style, topic, etc. 


The board is for posting opinions for productive and information sharing, discussion, debate, etc. 


EVERY OPINION IS ALLOWED.  NO OPINION IS WRONG .. It is just an opinion!  Our opinions reflect our beliefs.  There may be opinions that are more popular or acceptable by society, by industries, by individuals or groups than others but all are allowed on this board.


No poster here knows any behind-the-scenes information about anyone else.  Everyone's email address is hidden.  A person can post here without identifying who they are.  Just because there are 2 or more posts even with the same handle does not PROVE that the posts are by the same poster, etc.


Every poster and reader here must exercise some personal restraint and tolerance toward others' opinions.  You may have to step back and stop reading a bit, take a breath, determine not to reply to a post or otherwise.  There is no reason why healthy debate cannot occur but it has to be civil and allow others' experiences and beliefs to be presented. 


Stop attacking one another and stop trying to bully individual posters or opinions.  This means trying to police others' posts for grammar, spelling.  It also means to stop trying to personally address others' posting styles or personalities by calling them out.


If you have a problem with a post, report it.  If a post bothers you, stop reading or reply and debate it but do it with respect.


This board is not moderated for niceness  nor for a single opinion.  It is here for everyone to present their ideas and beliefs and all are welcome - on every forum of MTStars.


If you have problems with a specific poster, send me the link and let's discuss it.  I will not remove posts because they are simply not nice, etc.  If you wonder why your post is removed, ask me.


Happy posting, everyone!


Moderator:  Cher