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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Think of it as job security for you -- when you QA people pick out the ^easy^ reports and transcrib

Posted By: MTMadam on 2007-07-04
In Reply to: Do MTs bother to use their reference books or the internet? SM - QALady

for the MT's who should have been transcribing those reports, what do you expect?  QALady, you seem to be another QA person who puts herself on a pedestal !  I would sugget you get out of QA and transcribe if you hate your job that much !




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I think it is security issues, anyone can pick
up transmissions from satellites if they have the right equipment.
I still pick up tapes and drop off reports.

I think we're a little over the edge here with the privacy issues.  I love my tape jobs and I like getting out.  I write off the mileage.  I get paid more per line as well with my own accounts even if I have to drive. 


You are right in that some physicians don't want the hassle and or empty promises of the big national companies.


 


to deenibeeni: Why do YOU always have to pick on people who are more knowledgeable than you?
You always want to start a fight.
As far as I have noticed, TechSupport gives always good advice.
I second this suggestion. Just pick a time zone and let people know. (nm)
x
Me thinks people who change this stuff are trying to find job security
Maybe if they make themselves sound important and knowledgeable every once in awhile with a "revelation" that using q.i.d. might kill someone they will have a job longer than they normally would have.
Easy to use! You can see old reports & copy to make templates from them, look up doc/Pt
s
How about when the acct. mgr. hand-picks easy reports and puts them in the que of less qualified/tal
Then the rest of us are stuck listening to Ho Chi Minh struggling through a neurosurgical op note because we're "more skilled and able to handle it," and end up making about 50 cents an hour. When you think about it, it's easy to get "punished" for not sucking at this job and the rest of us end up pulling the slack for the dead lumber that took a 2-week correspondence course and have to be spoon-fed easy reports for reasons unknown to me.
Not easy out here in Cali. Some people
into a 1-bedroom apt, or do the roommate-thing. I'm lucky enough to still live alone, but am also in a very old place that I've been in for almost 2 decades, and the paint is literally peeling off the walls. Even though we earn PTO, I haven't used it because I can't afford to go anywhere. My sis gave me some money to take a short vacation, and I spent it on food. At least I live near town so I can walk or bike to the market, and not use gas to get there. I've also been buying clothes at Goodwill, and/or accepting a friend's teenger's castoffs. Balanced diet? Fugetaboutit! I eat whatever's on sale, and friends sometimes give me their leftover food. Anyway, if something doesn't change for the better in the world of MT - (and SOON!) I could probably make more money and have better bennies working at Starbuck's. Plenty of job opportunities, there, seeing as how there's one on every street corner downtown. ;D
Sadly, most people think it's easy.
Oh, maybe I should do that. My house would always be clean, and I'd be able to do anything I wanted with my kids. How do I sign up?


Yeah....don't ya just wanna choke 'em!!

My hubby used to say I got to go relax and type....until I made him sit at the computer and said now type that note. He worked on it for 20 minutes and got 2 lines done...of course asking me 4 different times on words. I said, good job honey...you'll make 50 cents an hour.
You are absolutely right! It is not as easy as people think (sm)
I had the same attitude when I was younger before becoming depressed myself. I did finally go and get help with mine and life is so much better and easier when you are not tired and achy from depression.
Many people say they fail the test even though it seems easy. nm
s
Yes, these random QA reports now being done by MQ are being done by QA people that dont even QA the
account and are a pain in the butt. Then they monitor the amount of blanks you have so I will not help out anymore on a new account that needs help because they even monitor those blanks. Who needs this aggravation.
I doesn't matter. You can transcribe the reports of people you know. sm
You just keep it confidential. There is no need to tell a supervisor or bow out of doing the report. Just don't talk about it, AT ALL.
Easy to work with. You can look up old reports. Your own word expander will work
s
let's do it, pick a day, nobody works, pick a busy day
nm
The MR reports were being filed. Referring physicians/medical care providers reports were not.
This is a hospital radiology department with in-house MTs and a clerk who is in charge of the report distribution.
The easy answer, taking all the easy work and
x
The two sentence normal reports will balance out the 3 page reports.
I am Wendy too
if you live among trashy people, low income people, people w/o goals or direction,
content to just get by, you by default become a part of a group. "people" have decided to group trailer people as trash. that is because there are enough people in that group to earn the title and even if you aren't trash, you are categorized by others. did i think i was trash in lower class neighborhood surrounded by people who drank and fought all weekend? no but i knew i wasn't staying and did not try to pretend that all the fools in the neighborhood were just nice folks who ended up where they were because high horse snobs deemed their neighborhood low class. people for the most part live exactly where they belong because they don't want to educate themselves, they don't mind "trash" around them and they don't want to be bothered trying just a bit hard to extract themselves from that world. they justify everything to themselves i guess saying everyone who doesn't like their lifestyle is a snob and the comedians (Jeff Foxworthy/Chris Rock, etc) who make fun of them are just ill-informed.

As for me, I fought hard to get out and don't even want to look back. It amazes me people stay for generations.
Well, Word is easy to buy and easy to install. Word 97 works great. Cheap. SM
I still would not work anywhere I could not use a spell checker with grammar checker and a Steadman's Medical Spell Checker.

IF they want people to TRANSCRIBE MEDICAL REPORTS, then I guess they better get the programs they need.

It's like probably 110% easier to buy and install Word 97 than to try to program their own programming. And, yes, I do mean Microsoft Word 97. Why? Because you can install it unlimited times, in case you need to install the operating system again. And it has a few features that Microsoft, in its un-wisdom, took away in Word 2000 and 20003 and 2007. So, yes, I'd go with Word 97 for its cheapness and it works better than the later versions. Just my opinion, with 20 years experience being an MT. So what if they "don't have it" on their computer? It's easy to get.
Easy easy money they are!

I don't mind seeing those puppies filter in at all.  Same for H&Ps.  They are always different though, so can't really pop in the same pre-formatted autotext, but it's usually WHAMMO 2-3 pages at a time.  Give them a shot...you may just be pleasantly surprised! 



If security is what you want,
I'd look for something higher paying before relocating. Don't know where you're at, but there are numerous clerical jobs in CA on usajobs.opm.gov.   One in SanDiego right now for $33K in department of health for someone to do transcription.
Job security??? There is NO job security in
x
Job security

I have been doing SR for nearly 4 years now and love it. In fact, I almost resent having to actually type a whole report.


I believe there will always be a need for us. Not every doc is SR material. What about those specialties that require specific formating? SR can't handle those.


I think as long as we are willing to adapt to the changes, we will have the jobs if we want them.


SR nearly doubles the amount of work produced in a day by the transcriptionist, so I think the problem is going to be for the newbie finding that first job. Those of us already in the profession will be fine.


security sm
This is what worries me as well, what about storing it all on a portable drive and not the hard drive? Then what if you lose that extra drive even if you hang it around your neck, etc., or it gets stolen? Lots to think about here. Not especially talking about people on this board per se. It's very worrisome that everything is going all over the place. I also hear of people going to others' homes such as relatives, etc., to do their work and the company is none the wiser. I don't think there really is 100% confidentiality, as hard as everyone tries. There are some MTSO's also who do not check out these homes - how can they possibly???? Some of us are going by the book, but I wonder about others, especially if the work is being hauled outside the home to a public place or being performed with people coming and going all over the home. I am not talking about most on this board because we care enough to keep our finger on the pulse of what is going on in the field. What about the tons of others "out there" who we don't know about? Thank God for this board and the questions we ask and the help we give each other, we care enough to check everything out and talk it over. We need each other. Again, it is not about our members, moreso about those who don't care to come in here or don't care. I don't want to be part of a class action suit, no way!
Job security....

This quote was taken from a report  on the AHIMA web site about  Turnaround Time in medical transcription: (link:  http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_039584.pdf)


 


"Despite multiple replacement technologies, including point-and-click menus, front-end speech recognition (FESR), and documentation by exception, most industry experts and stakeholders believe that transcription services will not be fully replaced anytime soon. The need for a comprehensive free-thought narrative is integral to producing a record that supports continuity of care."


Don't be too sure about EMR job security
I worked for a large facility that went EMR without prior notice in December. This account went from steady work 24/7/365 to almost nothing. Depending on the EMR system in place, transcription can and is being replaced. Scary, but true.
Security
Using our computers overseas should be no different than the government using their computers overseas. I have family who work at the Pentagon and travel extensively to ungodly places with their laptops and all their work. If they can do it, why shouldn't an MT?
I think I smell either VR on the easy stuff, or offshoring of the easy stuff.
d
My Pick

Sade's "By Your Side".


Its a very unique sounding and lovely song.


Pick up
LOL! Good for you!
Thank you so much! I will pick up one of these. nm
.
Which would you pick?

Forty-five minutes was or were spent with the patient.


The patient is a 46-year-old patient of Dr. Smith or Smith's with stage IV breast carcinoma 


Unless you have a job where you can pick
and choose, I would never presume to ask to be off an account or a particular doctor because I can't understand him. I personally have a doctor that when I see his name I cringe, because I absolutely have a horrific time with. He is just one of the hundreds of doctors at this facility though. I just do the best I can and the more I have him, the easier (although slow) he is getting. That is all part of the job in my opinion, you take the good with the bad.
Ewido security
x
Well, talk about job security

This morning, she came in my office and brought me a flyer...


HEADING:


Medical Transcription Services at 7.6 cents per line...


Extraordinary Quality Medical transcription at 7.6 cents per line (65 character line)


24-hour Turn Around Time (TAT) compliant


2-4 hour Turnaround available on request


Secure and fully HIPAA complant


HIghly experienced Medical Transcription Staff will ensure that your transcription is completed efficently with the highest level of quality.


yada...yada...yada....on and on with their ad...


How can a company possibly work for this?  Wonder what the transcriptionists get paid? Would this be outsourced??  I wanted to ask these questions, but our manager doesn't care about anything but the dollar. I've been here 17 years and the work load is overwhelming. So am I threatened, YES! Should I be?


 


it sounds like security
is the primary issue for you. Great equipment, and great people mean a lot. Course, so do great dictators, so you may want to look into that...but since security is your big worry in life -- I think you might want to take it. You can always make another choice down the road if you change your mind. State and federal jobs on the resume can be a plus too, if you move on.

I'm almost 5 yr older than you, working for a national and the sole support of my household, and just co-signed on a daughters school loans of $125,000. To me, that is kinda scary. But personally i still have confidence in our field of expertise, and in our future. But you have to go with your concerns and what is most important to you. Good luck!
Thank you Microsoft for job security!!
LOL
So if MT 'incompetence' is job-security for you, then
.
contracts and security

Yes, the only real "comfort zone" is what is covered in a legal document.  There's your security to a certain extent.  That's not to say that will eliminate all problems, but it gives people an idea you're serious and professional about your servies and you don't expect to be taken advantage of.  Demand all that you want.   Then decide down the road how strictly you want to hold the other party to those demands. 


Think of how business people operate -- they argue at the conference table over clauses in contracts and then go play golf together the next weekend.  It's expected.  It's part of running a business.  Business is business, social is social.  Draw a line here between the two.  Be nice when you type a term paper for your neighbor's kid.  Be strict when you deal with clients. 


Anyone can challenge a contract or agreement, and sometimes you will lose or it won't be worth the fight to pursue it. Every situation is different.  That's why it's best to get the best attorney you can afford, the most experienced in this, to draw up that contract to begin with.  Obviously the clients for whom we work have their own lawyers and the money to pursue things.  But looking at the overall picture, it's just easier to give into your demands as a Transcriptionist than fight, especially if they really want to keep you which seems to be the case here.  If there is a disagreement and you walk, their work is going to get backed up until someone else is trained and up to speed (in most situations).  Who wants that hassle?  It's easier to give into your demands.  Lawyers aren't cheap for anyone, either side.


I'd sit down with these people and explain what they have done to you because they really may not realize how it is affecting you.  Be pleasant about it but firm.  Then have that contract ready and re-negotiate.  Tell them your lawyer has advised you to do this with every client you have and you are changing your way of doing things to protect your business.  Who can fault you for that?  It makes perfect sense.  Then you'll know where you really stand with them and you can make your decision to stay or move on.  And when you deal with anyone else, present the contract to them and make sure all parties understand what they are signing before you do one bit of paid work for them.   


One other tip:  This is not meant in any way to offend you, as I'm sure your sklls are good, especially if they asked YOU to find a replacement.  They assumed they would get someone just as good as you.  Don't do it.  Don't ever hire a fill-in who is equal to or better than you.  You want them to be exceedingly glad upon your return!!!  Doing this even puts you in a better bargaining position as far as rate increases in the future.  If you want to help out a friend, get her/him an account you don't want.  OR, hire them as a subcontractor for you so that they do not deal one-on-one with the client except to do the work.  They are not to be involved in any negotiations whatsoever.  But I still prefer hiring below your level of expertise.  It's better for you that way. 


Did security updates; seems all better now. -- nm

As an IC MT do you pay into Social Security? SM

I am an IC MT in California.  Does anyone know if we can pay into SS so that we get compensated for retirement?  As of yet, I have not but would like to in the future, if it is possible.   


TIA


Social Security
If I understand it right, assuming you are paying your federal taxes, you are paying Social Security.  It's something like 15.3% of your reported income, half of which you get to deduct if your income is under $102,000.  Gee, think I just barely fall under that tax bracket!  Google "self-employed social security" or something along those lines for a full explanation. 
We have job security?? What company do you
fh
Security enabled?
Is your network password protected?
security code
How do you enter a security code if you don't know it?
security code for what??
x
Being wireless has nothing to do with security.
You can still set your security requirements and firewalls to prevent problems. You can be wireless on a regular home computer, doesn't have to be a laptop or a WIFI hotspot, etc.

Speaking from experience, most hotels are well equipped where security is concerned. Like another poster said they can't have just anyone dropping in on their connection and accruing charges. Also, most of their systems work off the same wireless connection as the guests, obviously they have a secured connection to prevent problems with their own equipment, records, etc.
security, confidentiality, etc...
I also have a home computer and all the same programs on a laptop to use when I travel. It's no different than my home computer. When I type at home, I am typing in my living room with my husband and son moving all around me. (We're remodeling right now.) They respect that what I am typing is no one's business and they have never even offered to look or ask what's going on. Furthermore, this is a family computer, not provided by work. They are on the computer quite alot when I'm not. The program in which I transcribe is password protected and the information on patients is not stored locally, but on a server 1000 miles from here. That's about as secure as you can get. Then, that is not to mention that I have a wireless network here at home, as well as when I travel. With a password and a good firewall, security is just not an issue. Also, see the post from Just Me a few down, about networks. She is correct. (I also have worked in IT for many years.) Hotels ARE secure networks with original passwords. The last one I worked in had to give me a new password daily. Working at McDonald's or an Internet Cafe is what wouldn't be safe.

As for the laptop... like I said for my main job, no patient information is stored on my hard drive, but at a server away from me. I have a local account also, and once I do the work and send it in, it is deleted. I personally don't see the concern. There's not any point when I'm traveling that I have patient data stored on the laptop. The only way anyone could get patient information off of it is if they bust in the door while I'm working and jerk it from me mid-note.
security code
Try 7534.
Security code....
Mine is 7000. Don't know if they are all different or not.