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Switching to radiology.......sm

Posted By: Jenna on 2005-07-23
In Reply to: Acute care versus radiology (sm) - curious

I made the mistake a few years back of switching to a radiology account because it had a better schedule for me.  I had never done radiology, but I had the attitude that a lot of experienced, well rounded MTs do.  With such a vast knowledge of medical transcription.. how hard could it be?  Wow, was I in for a rude awakening!  Radiology is a language unto itself and if you think it's easy, you're wrong. It gave me a whole new perspective of Rad MTs.  So if you’re considering taking on radiology without experience or training, you might want to think twice.




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Switching to radiology - help, pay, etc.

I am thinking of switching to radiology (for a change) after doing all other specialties for over 21 years.  I feel I can make the transition okay after a learning curve, as I have transcribed a lot of ortho, physiatry, physical therapy, etc.,which should help some.  Here is where I need some help.....   My offer was for 10/line gross count and right now I am working for 9/line, 65 ch, but I have no idea how this compares because radiology reports are different and a lot shorter, etc. etc.  I am used to making pretty good money since I have done this for so long and just want to make sure I am not going backwards in pay.  I definitely cannot afford that in this economy.  So for those of you who have experience in radiology can you give my your thoughts and ideas on expectations for this pay rate (obviously after my learning curve).  Thanks so much for any help!!  Also, feel free to e-mail if preferred.


Can you make good money with radiology? I'm thinking of switching
nm
Radiology transcription, what type of reports are considered radiology
I have lot of experience with everything and I would like to know what exactly is considered radiology so I know if I qualify for that type of work?  I've had many types that I think qualify for radiology.
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My one job uses it still though they are talking of switching - sm
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Can anyone tell me anything about switching to digital?  I only have one very small account of my own but the tape quality is awful.  With only 1 account is it even feasible to do so?  Thanks guys. 
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I need some input!  I've been offered a position with another company but I'm not sure if I should jump ship and take it.  There's not much difference in pay.  There's a bit more flexibility with hours.  Should I ask for time off from my current company and try the new company for a couple of weeks to see if it will be a good fit?  Should I let the new company know that I'm just wanting to "try" them out?  I know this probably all sounds unrealistic, but I don't want to go from something bad to something worse and have regrets and not be able to go back.  I've recently separated from my husband and have 2 small kids.  I'm not happy with my current company, but I want to make sure this new company will be a place I'll be able to succeed at.  I just don't want to make things worse for myself.     
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Many big nationals have every specialty now. If you work for one, ask them if you could just do rad and path. You might find path interesting but rad could be a tad boring.
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Thanks


Unsure about switching jobs.
I've applied to three companies over the past couple of weeks and gotten interviews with all of them.  I just don't know about switching jobs right now.  Obviously, there's a reason I want to leave my present company.  I just don't know if it would be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire if I switched.  There are pros and cons to each situation.  Until I actually do the work and try out their platform, I don't know if I could be more productive than I am now.  I don't want to be stuck on their most difficult account, which is exactly what happened at MQ and S in the past.  I've been on my current account for over a year now, so my expander is pretty full.  However, it's such a waste of time to pull up the templates and look up hardcopy doctor and patient information on every single report.  I do like the flexible schedule without having to work set hours, but I run out of work all the time.  I'm half tempted to cancel the interviews, but I could be throwing away a good thing here.  There's no way I could work two at a time to see if things work out either.  I guess I want the best of both worlds.   Any suggestions?
We're switching this week
I will get to keep the gas guzzler Dodge Ram and DH will drive my Hyundai Sonata.    $2.99 for his truck.  I use the lower grade, $2.79.  Is this ever going to end? 
Switching internet service
Cox just informed me that my monthly bill will be going up by $5 starting in October.  Does anyone use NetZero or can anyone recommend a reliable internet service at a decent rate?  My bill will go up to about $45/month. 
I have thought about switching to coding too, but sm
but someone told me that coding is going the way of MT too, being outsourced and such, so I am not sure it would not be a lateral move.  There seem to be lots of ads in Advance magazine for coders, so perhaps it is still a hot field.   The Andrews school offers an at-home training course, and also offered this web site for more information on coding as a career:  http://www.codernet.com

Hope this helps.  Good luck!




Try switching feet? For the life of me
I can't seem to get the hang of using the footpedal with my left foot .... no coordination there at all!

To the poster with foot problems, you might check with podiastrist ... maybe you have plantar fasciitis or a bone spur?
switching to unfamiliar dictators...
Absolutely...It's sooo hard, isn't it? I've been doing this for 15+ years on major ESL accounts and it kills my production to switch when my accounts run out of work.
how about switching it around and telling the people who run the show that you really can't
expect any more out of people who have not received increases in pay in years, are swamped with ESLs and American mushmouths and they really should stop and think about the pay rate being increased so you aren't faced with this scenario.  how about representing the MTs interests instead of sucking up to the big boys?
Millinium RadNet? My Hosp is switching...any help? SM
We currently transcribe in Word from Lanier VoiceWrite and send via VPN.  I've been informed we're switching to Cerner Millinium RadNet the first of January.  The people inside don't seem too worried and don't know much about this system.  Does anyone have a clue for me?  I need to know what I'm getting into here.  Any and all help will be appreciated ! !
Advice needed - Switching from employee to IC

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2.  Do you draw up a contract?


3.  Are there any questions you would recommend I ask (we have already discussed pay and vaccation/sick time as well as turn around on the reports)?


I am a bit nervous about striking out on my own but the company I work for made a lot of changes last January and it just is not working well for me anymore.  


Thanks for your help,


Mariah


My hospital is switching to eScription - what can I expect?

The hospital I work for just told us that they are going to switch to the eScription platform.  Many of my fellow transcriptionists are afraid they will lose their jobs.  They think that because it is editing, the hospital won't need as many transcriptionists.  I have been a Transcriptionist for 20 years, doing mostly acute care, and I'm a little concerned as I have only been at this hospital for three years.  If you could please tell me what we might expect in general, I would sure appreciate it. 


Some other questions I have are these:


For those of you who have been in this position before, how was your pay affected by changing to eScription?


Do you like working on this platform and why or why not?  Does it make your job easier or harder?


If you use it at home and get paid by the line (which is one possibility our supervisor suggested might happen), did your line rate go up or down or stay the same?


I guess I'm wondering if I should start looking for a new job and trying to find out all I can about this platform before making that decision.  Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated.  I have read all the posts here about eScription, but many of them are very old, from 2005 or so.  Please help with current info and thanks so much!  I don't want to worry if there is no need to and I want to be prepared just in case there is cause for concern.


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Cool!! Glad to help! Switching rooms does help a lot. nm
x
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If I decided to switch companies but am using an Expander program that is the company's software, I would have to start from square one with  new company. (There is no way around that, correct?) 


Not planning on leaving now but was just thinking that if that should become a consideration, my line count would drop big time until I could build all those expansions again.    Has anyone ever gone through that?  Do you remember how long it took to get back up to speed?


? switching monitors to flat panel sm
I have ordered a flat screen monitor from Dell and will be switching from a 14 inch dinosaur to a 17 inch flat screen on an Acer tower. I just wonder if I am going to have problems or does it "adjust itself" without problems. Need more desk space. TIA
Switching Around Accounts While Getting Paid for Production
Appalled, I understand what you're saying, but there's another side to your point that I think you didn't verbalize quite well enough for MT30+ to understand.

When the employer, who is paying you for production, or even the employer who might be paying you hourly, asks you to switch accounts frequently, the employer is also going to suffer. When you're not typing up to your potential, she's not profiting as much from your typing either.

Let's say the MTSO just got in over her head with backlog and needs more staff. It does take time to find and hire new staff. But if the MTSO doesn't do that AND QUICKLY, then the MTSO is going to be suffering from the learning curve of the MTs she's asking to pick up the slack in the meantime.

Everybody suffers when the MTSO doesn't staff adequately in advance for new accounts, not just the MT.

On the other hand, if the MTSO anticipates a new account and hires in advance, then everybody suffers again because they start seeing the No Jobs Available message from overhiring until the new account kicks in.

It's a very tricky business when you're taking on a new account, hiring new people to staff it, and trying to coordinate it all so that everybody stays happy.
I was just notified my hospital is switching to DQS, any tips or warnings (sm)
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Switching banks - DD question (Happy B-day to poster below!!)

I have two bank accts.  One is Wells Fargo where I have DD.  The other is with Wash. Mutual which I just opened as I want to quit banking at Wells Fargo.


Has anyone switched banks and requested DD to be placed on another account?  If so, is there a time lapse in between that is of any length?  (i.e., will they mail the check to me in between stopping one DD acct and before setting up the other?).


Guess I should just call HR but I know they are busy as it is payday.  Will wait until Monday.  Thanks if you can be of help. 


We're in the process of switching my FIL to cable from Direct TV.
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Switching your internet browser doesn't automatically
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I would say a GI is the correct specialist and keep switching until you find one who helps you. So
//
Incompetent team leaders who keep switching rules and make you
switch accounts all the time.
But maybe mine is the only one that thinks she knows it all. What a witch!!
If you set the default font then you don't have to keep switching for autotext or Instant Text.
Both entries will slip right in with the right font. You should really use templates if you switch a lot so you aren't constantly changing it.
Have used Shorthand for years..am considering switching to Instant Text..need opinions..sm
and advice.  I have tried to research the differences but until you get input from people who have used one or the other, or better yet both, you just never know. Instant Text looks like it might be much more difficult to learn than Shorthand.  I know all my abbreviations so that is not a problem.  I also use large blocks of text at times only changing certain things and am not sure I can do that in Instant Text.  On the other hand, IT looks like it has a lot of potential and I might really like it and pick up more speed. I average about 300-325 lph now.  I have been doing this for nearly 30 years, using ShortHand for about 10, but always looking for ways to improve!  Any input would be very much appreciated!  TIA 
I've no intention of switching over just cuz they're a "money maker"
I'd rather do consults and clinic notes which I enjoy. To some of us, it's not ALL about the money.

I'd rather make a little less and enjoy what I do. *Shrug* Maybe that's just me, though. Someone else can have my seat on the OPs bandwagon, lol!!!
Kaiser switching to EMR and to be offering retrival of your medical records online. sm

 


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008DHVJ2/ref=nosim/104-6407180-5455101?n=551440


 


I totally agree, the company I work for is switching from IT to Shorthand :( yuck!
xxx
Switching from Word 2000 to Word 2003...
Has anyone upgraded from W2000 to W2003? If so, did all your autocorrect entries and normals transfer easily? I would like to upgrade but don't want 2 lose my shortcuts and expanders! TIA

I've never had a problem switching from account to account.
The problem I had was being switched too soon. If I don't get one account spec solidly in my memory with QA feedback on mistakes before starting another, I get confused. The other problem I had with former jobs was inconsistent QA. One person tells you one thing, another person tells you another.

Lately, I don't have a problem with it. Right now, my binder has 8 account specs (some I've never had to use) and I'm picking up a new weekend job for a while. The terminology and report formats stay basically the same. It's just all those little preferences. LOL
After finally switching my schedule to all weekend, every weekend
Seems like that's the only way I could get work with my MTSO. So, I do it. I am to the point where I will pretty much jump if they say hop,so I can feed my family. I would say it's sad, but I am actually glad to even have work and a decent check again. I am giving up a lot working every single weekend and days at the end and beginning of the week, but its daily work!
RADIOLOGY

I used to type radiology in-house for patients in nursing homes.  After I typed the report, I would fax them to the nursing homes and they would put that report in the patient's chart.  Then I would send original report to doc to get signature.  After those are signed, they are mailed out to the nursing homes.  I am not really too sure why you are asking but hope this helps some.  The doc's never read my reports because they trusted me but I am sure they would want to before they put their signature on anything. 


Radiology
I currently am typing radiology and have for 27 years. I also have to type in patient information but not in the manner you do. Yor are right, it is extremely time consuming the way you have to do it. You should have some kind of patient log or the information should already put in the template. No, you will not have a high line count in the manner you have to do it. Radiology reports, as you know, can be very short and the time it takes for you to get the information overrides the length of the report.
Radiology Pay.
I was just wondering what other rad MT's are earning out there - and are U paid by report or by line? Which method do U think is better?
Radiology
It is interesting although as mentioned already, it lends itself well to voice recognition (because it is very repetitive) and many of us are currently unemployed because of that technology. Wish I had your experience in today's workplace.
Go for Radiology...
It seems hard at first but after a while they say the same stuff over and over, and don't go into huge detail - many MT's who do it are paid per report (like me), so the bucks can really add up. I've been on the same account for 8 years, no secondary account, never run out of work and find it much more interesting than the usual discharge summaries, H & P's, etc...of course TAT is pretty short, which can be stressful, but overall I love it! At my company radiology accounts are considered the creme d'la creme (sp?) so we are treated with a tad more respect (since we have the cash cows)...try it, you'll like it!
Radiology
Radiology
radiology
I was called by a former client of an old job to work radiology again, but at home this time.  What is the going rate for radiology per hour and has anyone used RIS system?  Thanks in advance
Radiology...sm
$1.25 per rad report, and the report can be lengthy or a normal report pulled from a list.

Sadly, I just changed MT companies, and I'm only up to 30 reports per day. It's not the terminology or the program - it's because of the dictators! Their voices are are muffled (which may be due to their dictating equipment), they roll the viewer while dictating, bang films, and dictate over each other. I listen to them over and over, trying to hear the words! I've transcribed acute care, and over 15 years of radiology, but never had such a problem with hearing the dictator.

I have noticed too, that when I'm transcribing by myself, I get alot of normal reports pulled from the list. When there's others transcribing, I never get any normal reports at all - they're all really long. That could be one of my problems also.

There are no benefits, but I was told that they do withhold taxes.

I have read in the archives where some rad transcriptionists get paid between $2.00 and $3.00 per report, but I have never seen anywhere near that amount advertised.

Sorry if I got off topic a bit!
radiology job
I noticed on this board a few days ago that Keystrokes was hiring radiology MT. Good luck!