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Perfect time of year to get a foot in the door somewhere.

Posted By: MTinNC on 2008-06-17
In Reply to: Sick to death of this! - Just me

I feel for you....been there. Actually, I got my first break this time of year, doing p.r.n. work for offices that had MTs out on vacation. Get your phone book and start calling, see who might need you for a week at a time, a few months (maternity leave, sickness, etc.) You'd be surprised what it leads to. I sure wish you the best of luck with it.


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It can be hard to get a foot in the door
but when I was starting out even though I didn't have the experience I would ask them to at least let me test for them, and once I did I was almost always hired. I have never worked as an IC, though- I have only worked in clinics and now 2 hospitals.

The hospital I work at now has a mentoring program where they will hire students just out of school and let them learn on the job, starting out as MT I's. Of course, they have to demonstrate some ability, but that is the way it should be. It seems to me if you are good you should be able to find work, especially with the all the complaints these days that there are not enough good MTs out there.
Try Softscript. They work with new MTs. Great place to at least get a foot in the door!
x
Try Softscript. They work with new MTs. Great place to at least get a foot in the door!
x
One year anniversary is perfect timing. I think the
amount depends on the company and/or your experience, QA scoring, etc. I have never been with a company that gives 1 cpl raises, though. More like quarter cent to half cent per line, but I'm sure there are exceptions! Not saying you don't deserve it, but I think the companies like to streeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch it out!!
I hear such mixed thoughts regarding getting accounts by going door-to-door soliciting yourself.

Is it worth it.  Are there many people out there that have landed new accounts this way?  Most MTSOs that have been in business for a long time say it is by word of mouth, but what about MTs like me who have been doing this five years.  I feel I'm ready for my own accounts and am not sure if this is the best route.


Any opinions?


you know as couples go, angelina and billy bob were perfect skanks for each other. perfect!
i suspect they may get back together because they are both so skanky no one else can keep up.  that is unless she decides she wants her brother more which is skankier.
Foot pedal sticking. Is it time to get a new one? sm
I've noticed the last couple of days my footpedal is sticking a bit when I take my foot off of it.  Not staying on but sort of a bump/creak  and just not working smoothly.  Is this a sign that it will be dying on me soon?  I don't want/can't afford to be stuck without.  Anyone have similar issues and how did you fix it or is it just time to invest in a new one.  This one is 3 years old.
I did try the Belkin and I thought it was working but the first time I let up on my foot pedal
it just stopped and froze up my computer. I tried all of the COM ports I could think of. Today, I ordered the Dynex adapter which is the other adapter that Escription recommends and I'm going to try that. I am not giving up. I do hope that in version 8 of Editscript that really do make the foot pedals USB and get into this century. It's almost impossible to find new computers that have the serial ports on them anymore. I will update you on this Dynex adapter when I try it out now. So, for the time being, I am packing along my little portable computer when I travel. It's pretty small but it's just having to bubble wrap the flat monitor that is a pain. At least, I get to work and play. It'd just be nice if I could take my laptop instead..
I think it's that time of year for most men right now.

Did you ever notice how they get crotchety in the spring and fall?  I think it's testosterone levels adjusting to the change in season or something.  LOL


My Mom called this morning to vent about a tiff she and my father had over something stupid.  My husband and I have been having the same theme of tiff lately, too.  It's all over silly little things.  I actually told my husband to make out a schedule of what he would like me to be doing and when all day long because he's been a little dictator lately.  He keeps interrupting my work for help with this or that or he can't find something.  Geez, nobody helps me with squat, and I find everything by myself.  Plus, I don't go to his work to bother him.  If he'd put his stuff away, he'd be able to find it again.  Instead, he blames me for running it through the washing machine when he left it out in the garage.  OK.  He's going to be sleeping in the garage if he doesn't knock it off.


I like this time of year best...sm
Cause like in NC, it doesn't get dark until between 8 and 9 at night. I love it...
You can also pay once a year at tax time

When you are an IC....all that means to the company is that they give you a 1099 Miscellaneous form instead of a W2.  You can pay your taxes quarterly but you can also do it all at once on April 15th.  Usually people who pay quarterly do so because they make a lot of money and they don't want to pay in a big chunk in April.  I'm an IC and I love it!  Hope that helps!


I was last year for the first time...
After 11 years as an MT, thought I'd try joining for a year. I decided not to rejoin for a few reasons.

The group health insurance is not available in all states; mine is one of them.

Although I get the same discount through employer for books, I'd hoped to try some online classes. Found that after spending 7-8 hours a day transcribing, my behind and eyeballs can't handle much more computer time. For the same reason, I didn't take advantage of the online forum and classes available.

I live too far from everything to participate in AHDI chapter meetings.

As an AHDI member, you get lots of lengthy emails in your inbox (too many and too long, I think), most of which are more about AHDI activities and not much help otherwise. You also get a couple publications, Plexus and For The Record. They seem geared more towards transcription service providers than MTs. The only thing I liked were 20 CMT Prep Q and A's in Plexus, hardly enough to justify the membership cost

In summary, if you're able to take advantage of their online helps, if you're an MTSO, medical records tech, a person who enjoys being active in group organizations and have a branch near you, membership might be useful.

I'd be in my pool for the 2nd time this year.

I always have more work this time of year
I have my own office account and patients try to get in their yearly appointments before their yearly deductible is due in January again so my work always picks up this time of year. January is usually a little slow for me but it picks back up by February normally and stays quite consistent the rest of the time.
I am taking for second time in the last year
I took if for a while and was without insurance so had to stop for a bit. I am taking it again. I was previously on Paxil. My doctor said that Lexapro had way better withdrawal than Paxil. Paxil would "wig me out" if I missed a day. Lexapro has never done that and when I weaned myself off before I did not notice any major withdrawal symptoms. I also did not gain any significant weight and I am not skinny so believe me I did not want to gain any, lol. We are all different though, but that is my experience. Like I said, Paxil was way way worse on both.
MIL is cooking it- IN- I did it for the first time last year, also IN-
x
Wow, what a nice way to help others at this time of year. nm
x
Used it for the first time this year and very pleased. sm

We had a deduction we had no idea existed and would not have come across if we'd done it by pen and paper. We also received our refund very quickly, less than 2 weeks direct deposited. It did take a long time to go through the whole process, longer than expected, but we will definitely use it again next year.


I enjoy this time of year when
the time changes and we start having the long days.  Here in NC now it won't get dark until about 8:00, and on into the summer it will be closer to 9:00 before it gets completely dark outside.  I absolutely hate it in the winter when the time changes and it gets dark at 5:30.  It's depressing.  I wish the time could stay the same all year.
I used Turbo Tax last year for the first time sm
last year and loved it! Only had the tuition credit, though. Everything else was just plain old taxes. I think I'll have to go back to the accountant this year, though, because now we have a rental house to claim for 2006 and I'm not sure how to do those. We have had them before and all that depreciation, etc, would confuse me. Also, I'm an IC now so I guess our taxes will be a mess in the next year since I've only been an IC for about a month now. That won't show up until 2007 taxes are due.
This is a good time of year to buy.
There are usually good sales in the week before Christmas when retailers are hoping to improve their bottom line. Also, if you wait until January, you may find good bargains from those trying to move stock during a slow time. Personally, I like my Dell. I've had three of them now and really have not had any problems. You can now get them at Staples, too.
Sorry, that is not uncommon at this time of year. Post SM
office employees get greedy.
Full-time without OT. Made about 40K last year. nm
4
I feel your pain! This is the time of year sm
when I take advantage of my Netflix subscription, having movies delivered to my home. Also, there is PLENTY of great entertaining, informative stuff on the "cable" channels (I have a dish). I'm hooked on HGTV and DIY. The Food channel makes me way too hungry so I avoid that one. You can take a "mini vacation" just by watching the Travel Channel. Even the Weather Channel has some interesting shows.
Anybody make less than $12,000/year, part time - sm
I know at just part time (minimum 25 hrs a week) I won't be pulling in a ton of $, but I thought it would be a little more than that.  Am I alone?
Any 62 year old should know by this time how to figure things out
I am older but I do not have to ask others how to get around money out of my husband's money to cover my expenses. Give me a f…ing break! All the time I have read these posts have never seen 1 person trying to be so underhanded. They are not glad to be able to make around $900- they were trying to do something against a company, IRS and anyone else she could. After all that time she comes back to rant some more and call us vipers. I am independent. Last year I sold property for $150,000. I did not pay all my independent taxes like I should but.... I had major expenses such as new computer, property upkeep on the one sold plus those taxes, my property taxes where I live and I made arrangements last year (hey, I was thinking ahead) and set up at least $46,000 in the bank JUST IN CASE I needed for the taxes this year. With all my expenses paid out, did my taxes and got back a little over $600. I did not retire, I did not flame others for what I should do, I used my head before time, not just running out and spending all and had a cushion in case I needed. I am woman, I am strong, I use my head for what it was intended. This is the way things should work, not retiring first, not having enough money, not trying to be sneaky about working and having others taking the credit and pay then paying me under the table, then trying to pull the wool over other's eyes!
Sedona, Arizona is awesome this time of year.

I'm 46 and I went back to school this year full time for a BSN...sm

I was worried about because, let's face it, my short term memory isn't what it used to be LOL. Plus the program is ONLY full time. They had 1000 applicants and picked the top 70 of us. If you didn't have a 3.5 GPA, you didn't get in. But I am doing really well in school - after I got past the shock of the first 6 weeks - tons of work- and I am at the top of my class. My husband, bless his heart, is doing all the cooking and we are basically kind of ignoring the dirt. My house will be clean again another day. I am finishing up my second semester, have 3 more semesters for a BSN, and then another 2.5 years to get my masters and be an advanced practice nurse. 41 is definitely not too old! You will have to work smart to save your back but it can be done. Also MT is starting a slow slide out...you would be smart to start your second career now while you still have a job... IMHO


good luck!


 


 


 


I made 21,000 last year working part time...
hoping when my youngest gets a bit older (she is 16 months) I can make a bit more...
generally this time of the year is slow for my hospital NM
:)
Working 2 full-time jobs (for a year now), and boy am I tired!!
.
I crocheted a baby's hooded sweater last year at this time.
Had a heck of a time with it...kept sewing it until I got it right, Had To! LOL.  The one side of the hood was right on at first crack, but the other side of the hood looked outrageous at first, LOL, had to undo and redo a few times.  Arrgghhh.  You'll get it, just keep on keepin' on!  
It's cold here this morning!!! I had to turn on my office heater for the first time this year.
Winter's coming and it's supposed to be incredibly cold the next couple days.  YUCK  And, with the gas prices the way they are I guess I'll have to suffer with it a little colder this year.
I *only* make $40K a year for full time work. Now I find that isn't decent is or fair?
nm
how do you even get through the door with --sm
that big head of yours?! keep up your attitude and one of these days someone is going to adjust it for you. then we will be LOL
door--sm
I do woodburning as a hobby and when I bought my woodburning tool, it came with a *hot knife* attachment, which is a small blade that screws into the woodburning tool and heats up. It cut through this fairly thick plastic quite well. It took about a half an hour, which was less than having tried to cut it with a utility scissors or knife. worked for me! :^)
What's behind door #3?
I'm in it because I have an interest in the medical field, but I'm too squeamish to do the hands-on stuff! :-P I won't get rich doing MT, but so far it's paying the bills.
AT&T is going door to door here trying to get
for cable, internet and phone.  They knocked on my door and told me how much less it would be per month if I went with them.  No way.  I don't trust AT&T back from the days when they were a monopoloy and I had no choice but to use them for my long distance.  I swore if I ever had a choice I would NEVER use them again.  Time Warner may be more expensive than AT&T, but I'd rather pay more for Time Warner than give AT&T any of my business.  And I don't trust them not to jack up the prices.  I've been a happy Time Warner customer for many years now and unless they jack their prices up drastically, I'm staying with them.  My internet is NEVER out more than just a brief period, and that rarely happens.  The phone service is cheaper than AT&T and the cable is fine (DH uses the TV part more than I do).
And one more I told the LDS at my door (sm)

I do have a question!  At the end of the earth when God meets us in the sky, how do you think we will get there, in spaceships?


(They haven't been to my door in a long, long time.)


Best Buy does it too- was 2 feet from the door, guy saw me pay, still had - sm
to show my receipt, which I had already put away in my wallet. Pain in the butt!
THE SIGN ON MY DOOR

WE ARE UNABLE TO ANSWER THE DOOR TO UNSCHEDULED CALLERS.  PLEASE PHONE AHEAD.   No soliciting.  No trespassing.


I may peep out the window to see who is out there, but they cannot see me and I will not answer it.  Later on you can always tell them you were in the shower, bathroom, phone conference, etc. and did not hear the door or could not leave your meeting.    


Ask yourself -- would people let you walk into their office building and interrupt them on their job if they were at their desk on the phone with the boss or a client?  NOT.


Just curious - how did you cut the door out? nm
x
Could one more person slam a door?

Could one more person talk in the hall right outside my office?


Could you turn your music up a little higher?


Could you come in and interrupt me one more time?


Doggie, could you whine a little louder? (has to stay in my office -- long story).


Could ONE more doctor dictate from a speaker phone?


Sheesh... now I know why I work the red eye!! 


 


 


Anything that "The Girls Next Door" say

Sure, go for 12 cpl IF you want to get laughed out the office door!
/
My next door neighbor cleans ....sm
every other week and charges $70 to do my entire 1800 foot house. She does a great job, too - and is trustworthy. Before that I wouldn't trust anyone because of the stories of services/people not cleaning or stealing from you.
Sometimes I need a *Do Not Disturb* on my office door
I can't break myself from being always available to my kids, and I guess I shouldn't complain because they're 25 and 18 and both still love to stop in my office door and stand there and talk anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour in the afternoon, but it really makes me so unproductive in the afternoon.  This is especially rough when I know I'm behind and need to be pounding the keys, but HEY, I know the day is coming when they don't stand here and talk to me, so I try my hardest to listen when they want to talk.  It's really tough though.  Anyone else have trouble with this?  When the talk dwindles I do tell them I need to get back to work and they're generally good about letting me, but I can't stop them when they feel the need to be here talking to me.  Guess I wish I had 2 sets of ears so I could work while I listen to them too.
Gevalia - its the best and delivered to my door
monthly by the UPS guy! Amaretto is the best and regular is #2. Great coffee and prices are better than buying premium in the supermarket. Keeps me going...
Something PORTABLE... while I'm running out the door! - nm
;)
door in preparation for getting a different horse
x
Over the door lock boxes
I pick up work from a local family practice and our schedules conflict a lot of times.  It is hard to be there exactly when the doctor finishes his dictation and they forget to give me a 30-minute warning since I am about 30 minutes away.  Sometimes I have to make a trip every day to fit his schedule.  Does anyone know where I can buy an over the door lock box (like what Lab Corp uses to leave blood work, etc.)?  I would love for him to leave the transcription tapes, etc., in the box and I pick up and drop off on my schedule so I can get to the work faster and also pick up after office hours.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.