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Thanks for the clarification and additional information.

Posted By: nm on 2006-06-05
In Reply to: the "free" part is the constant exchange of dictation via internet...sm - MTSO1

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3 additional?
Not too bad. I've seen the help wanted postings and wondered about them. I'd love to do the VR but have a bad back and can't sit 8 solid hours.
additional info
Hope this helps.

http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html
additional thought
well, and I was having red flags pop up in my mind as well because on their website www.unitedtran.com, there isn't even a physical address if someone wanted to inquire through an alternate route, they leave no phone numbers to contact, only general email addresses. So, I really appreciate all the input tonight! Thanks!
additional info
Not sure about the driving yet.  She said she had a computer guy that might can get me set up from home.  She wants me to type into her computerized chart instead of just on paper if possible.  I have 17 years experience, it's clinic notes for the most part, maybe some letters here and there.  I was going to go with 65 count line including spaces and headers.  I am in Tennessee in a rural area, just a small doc's office.  I
Some additional thoughts SM
I'm curious about what you've decided and agree with Searching's excellent post; but for whoever else is reading, it's inspired me to emphasize a couple of things I'd have liked someone to point out to me.

One, the future of this field is editing, not transcribing, emphasizing a different set of talents and skills. Just what the differences are I don't know as it's not discussed nearly enough, but they're there. Fewer people will handle more reports, getting in and out of them very quickly. Anyone thinking of entering the field should try to assess as quickly as possible whether the abilities to read fast and edit grammar and punctuation on the fly are there. Don't transcribe for two years before finding out.

Second, some are going to disagree with me, no doubt, but school is much, much less valuable than the same weeks spent actually working full-time. This is definitely one of those learn-by-doing jobs, so examine why you're going to school. If it's to get a credential to show an employer you're ready to start learning, okay, just definitely don't turn down a chance to actually spend hours with headphones and a keyboard for it. Buy a set of med terminology flashcards.

Regarding what else one might look to school for, though, trainees should bring a pretty good understanding of grammar and punctuation to the table with them and not need school for that. If more than a quick brush-up of basic "rules" is needed, that could be an warning sign that talents lie elsewhere. Or maybe not, but be aware. Similarly, not reading very much could be another since reading imprints written language patterns in a way spoken language doesn't.

Last, more and more people are paid by production, not the hour. $0.0425 per line edited, or whatever. Do 300 lines per hour for a total of 3 hours actually spent working, be prepared to gross $38 that day. Do 850 lines per hour for 8 hours, gross $290. So although being a demon typist will always be extremely valuable, also be prepared to use every advantage technology offers to get as fast as possible. Get a word Expander and use it. A lot. Learn to write macros. And so on. Best wishes.

What the other reasons might be for some people tearing their hair out over low pay and others feeling basically satisfied with their incomes I also don't know, but the ones mentioned are very important.
Once again --- IC taxes - YOU only pay 7.5% SS additional
The only ADDITIONAL taxes you pay is the 7.5 for the SS tax.  When you are an employee all OTHER taxes are withheld by your employer.  As an IC you control the withholding of your taxes as you are the employer.   You can find many deductions that you can take as an IC to make up that extra 7.5%.   It just makes my teeth grind when someone says that now as an IC you must pay your own taxes, no employer pays your taxes except for half of the social security tax.  All rest is deducted from your pay.   My first and second year I did see a CPA but now I use Turbo Tax and do it myself.  But keep track of any and all expenses related to your business so you get the NET income down as far as you can,  going to the bank, buying of supplies, telephone, internet, mileage.  I find that I have more usable income having my own business than if I were an employee.  But again, everyone look at your paycheck stubs and see how much you made before your employer PAID your taxes and afterwards -- gee is someone seems that the taxes came out of YOUR check and they did not pay them out of theirs.   It hurts to see that 15% taken away but just get your net income down as much as you can.   So if at 10 cpl you were an employee you would need to add approximately .0075 cents or after deductions about 1/2 of a cent to pay for your 7.5 percent social security tax.   Anyway that is my math for a Saturday. 
Did your computer come with a packet of additional
software?   I have an HP computer, about 4 years old, that came with several disks of extras, one of which was WORD 2000. 
Additional info on SS taxes

As above post says, you do have to pay the employer and employee portion of the SS taxes.  BUT, you then deduct the employer portion of those taxes on your 1040 at the end of the year.  It's a pain because you have to shell the money out up front, but you get the deduction for it.


So, really, there's no difference in the taxes.  It's just a difference in how and when you pay them.


My computer has additional ports on the sm
front. Maybe yours does, too. Odd that you only have one on the back but maybe I'm not getting the picture.
WordzXpress gave additional pay for more difficult
adf
I agree with you - 1000 lines is wonderful additional help! sm
It is too bad you have hooked up with a person who does not value family. I always put family first. I used to not do that, and I regret those years.

I would establish borders with her - sounds like she needs it.
Depends on each company, but usually incentive pay is only on the additional lines. Ask to be sure.
s
The help file tells you how to create additional dictionaries and, yes, they do get full. nm
xx
Need additional cardiac reference - have Stedmans - need something more detailed about heart caths,
nm
clarification

The original poster asked a question, which I answered. The examples I gave of actual reports have nothing to do with demonstrating my superiority, nor were they meant to make fun of anyone, but were simply to show the types of problems I personally encounter on a daily basis (all from MT’s with 5+ years experience in radiology, and including one supervisor) .  Expanders are great when properly used, but I think there comes a point when one becomes to dependant on technology and complacency sets in, causing avoidable mistakes.  Spellchecker’s are also wonderful, but what is the point if it is not being used?   


I am well aware I am not perfect, nor can I think of anyone that is.    I currently read an average of between 400-600 reports a day and I’m sure I occasionally miss something.   I care about the quality of the work that I do however, and my first priority is to each patient when I read his or her report.  It’s not just another medical record number, it’s someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter and they deserve the best I can do, and their medical care depends on it.  I’m not rich, hell I’m a month behind on my house note right now due to an emergency, but it can’t be just about the money, if it is, it’s time for a change.


Clarification please
When you guys are taking about SE - you just mean an employee and an IC is the independent contractor -- correct? 
Clarification
It is not my understanding is that making MT an apprenticeable occupation will REQUIRE all new MTs to become apprentices before they can be hired. If that were the case, I would oppose it myself. My understanding is that if MT becomes an apprenticeable occupation, that will provide incentives to employers or others to start apprenticeship programs and hopefully provide some assistance to the MTs who will go through those programs. Certainly the concept of apprenticeship for MT is a great idea and very much needed to provide more opportunities for MTs to get the experience they need to get a good job. How we go about making that happen is, of course, where the crux of the matter lies.

I can tell you from personal experience that not all graduates of the "top 3 schools" are ready to work. In fact, I would say that is the exception rather than the rule.

When I hear people criticizing apprenticeship/externship programs that pay new MTs a small line rate while they are getting experience, I have to ask, what's the alternative? The fact is that many new MTs cannot get a job, period. That means not only are they not getting paid, they are not getting any experience--the experience they have to have in order to get a job! So to me, the opportunity to get experience at ANY rate of pay is better than nothing at all.

Jay
Clarification
I just wanted to clarify my comments on the subject in case anyone things I'm advocating your storming in the office with guns ready. LOL When I say "force her hand," I mean do your job and billing as usual. IF she's getting ready to end your contract, make her be the one to do so by keeping your end of the deal, rather than you walking out on something you've worked hard at. Also, when I said I'd be tempted to mention their vacation/inability to pay you, I meant just that. I'd be tempted. (I was merely venting.) As someone said, this is a business situation. I'm sure you'll act appropriately, especially if you happen to come face to face with the doctor, who seems to think highly of you. There really isn't much you can do besides business as usual and then decide what's next should things worsen.
Pay clarification
I should state that the MTs in question do not work in the hospital but rather as independent contractors for a national company. We are paid by line count.
IRS clarification.
See link below for differences between IC, employee, etc. Hopefully, this provide information to those on the board who have questions regarding this issue.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html
Clarification
My friend said at work at the hospital, things were pretty much just that, work, where you could ask the doctors, other staff questions.  They took bus trips off the compound to go shopping and such, and that is when you had to wear the burka.  You could not speak or make eye contact with a man (unless he was your husband), once they left the compound.  I think she worked for an eye hospital.  At work, you had to be covered at least to cover your elbows with your shirt and of course no skin at all showing anywhere else.  My friend said they paid for your nice apartment, and all you had to buy was your food, so you could save most of the money and bring it back.  She said it was not for everyone, with the strict rules about male/female, etc.   I am still looking for Nellie.  Hope you are well.
A little clarification. sm

I consider a line 65 characters with spaces.


Clarification
Sorry...I failed to mention that I have the WP 5.1 documents saved to a flash drive.  I am trying to search the flash drive for a last name, for example, through Windows, but the documents are WP 5.1 documents.
This is for your clarification.

It hosed me financially and she had the gall to tell me she wasn't responsible for my financial situation. When you are the one holding my paycheck, you are.


The statement above is made by the poster.  It is simply stated in other posts that the MTSO paying late is not responsible for this particular poster's financial situation, and this is true.  No one has stated yet that the MTSO should not pay on time or an MT should tolerate it, but the fact remains that it is not the MTSO's responsibility to plan an MT"s finances.  I feel sorry for the sick child, but please let's not make excuses.  I know plenty of people with sick children that still financially plan.  Come on - I think this is all out of context here. 


for clarification
I could clearly hear the patient in the background. She spoke English. her son was also trying to interpret for the doctor repeating things like throwing up etc. If a doctor can't understand that - then English classes are necessary. This was an emergency clinic, so she had no where to go apparently at the time she needed to be seen. Personally i would have left.
You are so right. Thanks for the clarification.

Clarification please
Your printer usually prints in the font that you are typing your document in, what exactly do you mean??????
Clarification
No. I have done MT for 15 years but STOPPED it approximately 2 years ago. I should clarify that.
clarification

Let me clarify.......I'm finishing up my MT school.  I already have the BS degree...


Thanks!


Clarification.
FlashType is proprietary software owned by MTStars.com and it's Owners.

We in all respects along with Source Code etc, own the software legitimately.

We advise all those who are claiming that software belongs to them should follow the legal recourse (if they have problems with software ownership) rather posting messages on boards.

Thanks,
MTStars Administration.
Clarification
The SR/ASR that my company is using is not on the client end. The clients dictate as normal. This software we use will listen to the recorded dictation and then spit out a report for us to edit.
CRUELTY CLARIFICATION

To the multiple posters below, regarding the thread on farm animal cruelty.  First of all, I believe you. Second of all, me and many like me don't have access to video and/or cannot watch the video.  Yet, we still want some facts. I was not able to pick up fact based on the thread.  Here is what I found out -- VERY INFORMATIVE by the way, and I appreciated reading it -- but there were still questions in the air. Can someone please CLARIFY, by way of simply stating the facts, what is going on with each of the following animals, so that we, AS CONSUMERS WHO MOSTLY SHOP AT BIG CITY SUPERMARKETS, can make an INFORMED CHOICE based on these facts:


1.  Chickens.  Know they live their lives squashed and get heads severed off via rotating razor blades.   True, false, anything missing?


2.  Veal calves.  The cruelest fate of all (besides french geese for fois gras or however you spell it).  Tiny crates, water deprivation, light deprivation, no straw, no way to move the extremities.  And how are they killed?


3.  Regular calves, and cows for meat.  How are they killed - really?  I think the general public thinks they get a humane bullet in the head.  Is this not true?


4.  Dairy cows.  Their fate?  And aren't they treated a little better (fresh air, etc.) for dairy vs meat?  Please inform.


5.  Pigs.  We know that they eat, we know they are dirty, but assume that they, too, get room to roam, and are killed with a bullet BEFORE being cut up.  Is this true?  If not, how different? 


6.  Anything else we need to know about?


So very, very much appreciate a WRITTEN answer to those of us who have no access to / cannot go the video route.  BIG THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.


For: clarification for Kate
I was referring to working as an IC for a service. Some services offer IC, SE and employee status positions.
1099 clarification
The person who paid you, need to have the 1099 post marked no later than 01/31.  The person who paid you needs to supply copies of the 1099s to the IRS no later than 02/28.  Do no confuse these dates.  If you utilized (mind you not employed) ICs, then you too need to have their portion fo the 1099s post marked by 01/31 and the portion that is to be filed with the IRS by02/28. 
clarification on outsourcing

What I meant to say was they outsource a lot of the dictation to India.  Should have clarified that.


clarification-had no formal training in....

working for MDs/transcription but came fully experienced into the medical and then MT field by working years prior in secretarial/typing/administrative assistant work....


not like I came into the MT biz with no training whatsoever...hence, I needed to clarify my original post...


 


Clarification - I did not mean breast exam sm
was required, only that an exam was required in NY for a minor to get a work permit. Personally, my kids have gone slightly over 12 months in between physical exams, and I was assuming that this girl's exam was probably overdue. Therefore, she was getting more than just a routine "Stick out your tongue, let me listen to your chest, you're okay to work" type of exam solely for the permit and instead had to have a more thorough exam. That being said, I don't care how old my daughter is, as long as she is a minor, I will be in the room with her during an exam. Same thing for my son.
Clarification: 1200 lpd x 5 days/week...
1200 lpd x 5 days/week =
MQ: $0 incentive
Spheris: $24 incentive/week

Ok, I didnt post this, another JWA did. just wanted clarification.

Need some clarification on C-phone dictation and some websites for urology sm
I will be covering the transcription for a urology clinic.   I was briefly told that the doctors dictate to a C-phone that  goes directly to a base office.  Then the file is e-mailed to their office where they can access the dictation.   Does this sound right or are they accessing the file from the base office through FTP and then downloading it.  Also, doesl AOL work OK to access files or do you need another FTP provider.  Not sure how they are doing the work, but any help would be appreciated.  Need some good website for urology,  Just want to be prepared.   Always ask the experts!  Thanks. 
Thank you. I appreciate the information ...
sounds like a way to reward those whose production and quality are at the top.

Thanks.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
but, with a much better company and I smell management. Take that and smoke it.
Perhaps this information might help:
If you would post a clear statement of the change that is happening and what its expected results will be BEFORE you make such changes, then it wouldn't be viewed so suspiciously.
rec'd no such information
and my count has been 'below production' different times and my benefits didn't change. My supe told me way back when that only if a person "consistently" didn't make production would it affect their benefits.
Where did you get your information? nm.
nm.
information
i mentioned something to my supervisor a couple of weeks ago that I "heard" that MQ was offering extra on the line rates to new hires, which upset me, and of course, her response was you can't trust what you hear or see and I know that, but it seems like what i'm seeing on this website seems to be more reliable in some respects than what i get from MQ and like you said, that's really sad. I'm not signed up for IPay so i can't check to see if there's anything there -- guess i could check my bank to see if there's more there.
For your information,
I am not at all overweight. I would really like to know why someone who is as beautiful as you say you are is a transcriptionist?
Information (SM)
If you want to know why your posts are deleted, leave a valid e-mail address. I e-mail the poster why and a copy of their deleted post.

It is not because you have "MQ" in your moniker as a name. Otherwise, take this gripe over your posts being removed to e-mail or it will be deleted.
Don't know where you got your information-
Although a CMA is definitely not a PA, I do not know anywhere you get get what you need in 4-6 weeks.  I took the CMA exam after years working in a physician's office, but the programs that I know about in this area are 1-2 years.
Any information on this anyone?

My husband came home from work hearing about something called EDTA (Ethylene~Diamine~Tetra-acetic~Acid).  It is suppose to break down the minerals and heavy metals out of your body and make your risk of heart disease a lot lower.  Does anyone have an information on this.  He would like to take it if it true because of heart disease in his family, although I am not certain he should, as I always worry about the things they don't tell you about the stuff your taking.   


Any information would be great.


Thanks!!


Thanks for the information!!!