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Trained someone by proofing (sm)

Posted By: Before days of ASR on 2007-11-09
In Reply to: In my opinion, give the newbies the ASR. - It will give them experience, and the pay is

She listened to every report, word for word, and she is now one of the best MT's I know.  That would be an excellent way to train.


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proofing
I don't always but I probably should. Just got feedback from QA that I had chosen wrong account number for date of service. OOPS! 
Proofing
The problem is typing faster and faster, you have more potential for typos, etc.  If you reread everything, you make less money.  I would rather work hourly so I could put out a much better product, but  not possible.  So I don't proof, except as I go along, and briefly glance over my finished report.  Otherwise my production would be cut in half. 
proofing
15. per hour without benefits.  Still looking for a company with benefits.  For VR, I wouldn't take anything less than 6 cpl as they nearly have to be retyped.
proofing
Sorry, that should have been docs are dictating, not transcribing. Whew! Eyes are tired!
proofing
The biggest significance for proofing/reading is that when someone uses a macro/expander and it expands out to another group of words than what was intended and the MT not catching it. I know of this happening at a local clinic, and the doctor was furious when it came back to his office obviously wrong because the MT didn't take the time to check over what her macro expanded to!
proofing
I proof as I go. However, it takes a long time to be comfortable with that. You could try to test yourself and do a lot of reports in one day proofing as you go. If you have a way to put them on hold you could go back and check behind yourself just to see how you did. Big time saver but you have to be really focused and really sure of yourself.
Proofing
I was just proofing and caught where I had typed "acing" instead of "aching" The spell checker did not pick that up. I'm not here to pick apart what you do, but I would certainly recommend proofing your reports. Good luck to you
Proofing
Tinks: I do pay attention as I type, but I always go back and proof. I guess I am too anal! Also, I think it depends on the person and the account. I just don't feel confident enough (even after over 15 years!) to let mine go without giving them a once over. I do agree too that MTs in the hospital setting are not scrutinized as much as those of us working for MTSOs. So much for my 2cents worth!
proofing
I have over 30 years experience, and I still proofread everything I do after it is completed. Having done QC for many years, it is easy to spot those of you who think you can proofread while you are transcribing - the quality just isn't there. Please remember that this not only puts your job in jeopardy but also the jobs of many others as if your employer loses a client, everyone who does that client is now also losing work. More emphasis on quality, less on quantity. If you can't make enough money, try another job; don't complain about, sacrifice quality and make transcription profession look bad.
RE: MDmt and proofing
I agree with you 100%. I spellcheck and then visually proof. My QA ratings are 99-100% on a high-ESL account. I want to say to people who are too lazy to proof: IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, WHEN WILL YOU HAVE TIME TO DO IT OVER?
Proofing as you go...as in looking at what you typed?
Doesn't everyone? Or do some MTs watch TV or look up in the air while typing? LOL! That is not proofreading - proofreading is double-checking a finished document.
I have just started proofing as I go...

and yes, it does mean no more watching TV while I type ,but I am so pleased with the increase in my production per hour.  There is actually life outside my computer room....


I did have to change some of my Expanders that I consistently type incorrectly, i.e. "or" and "ro" for rule out, but after watching it for a couple weeks and not having any of my reports returned, I am pretty confident that I must be on the right track.


I also keep working on refining my templates to add every possible phrase that the doctor uses so some reports are almost an editing process rather than typing.


Exactly, really can't catch when proofing as you go.
Think about it, you are thinking, listening, typing, foot pedaling, etc., too much going on at once. Not to mention other distractions. Really can't proof as you go, just doesn't work. You have to stop at the end to concentrate and re-read it to catch all the errors. Trust me, I do audits and find errors in probably 8 out of every 10 reports, some very small but still errors. These are most likely from MTs who proof as they go. I totally understand MTs are paid on production and don't blame them one bit for not proofing at the end! But then also should not expect a perfect report or state that proofing as they go works, cause it really doesn't. Ever hear of a writer say oh you don't have to proofread or edit my book before publishing because I proof as I go?!?! Just some food for thought. ; )
they no longer pay for proofing
Just kidding.
I know, I know...
Proofing is very important. Patient care is at stake.
And so are our jobs.



Proofing Problem

Lately when I proof my work, I don't remember typing things near the beginning of the report and thinks it is something I forgot to remove from a macro.  Then I have to re-listen to that part to verify; wasting time.


I didn't use to do this and don't know how to stop. - Any tips? 


Anyone have any good proofing tips?

Does anyone have any proofing tips/ideas that they use when going over their own reports?


I always, always go over my reports at least once after typing them. Sometimes, though, I will read the sentence like it should be, instead of noticing that I left a simple small word out or something simple like that. I type a lot (and I mean A LOT) of 20-30 second reports a day  lol..and towards the end of the day is when I notice it happening.


I do this on VERY rare occasion and but am just looking for some suggestions.


 


Thanks!


I forgot to mention proofing
You're right! I forgot to mention that proofing takes less time. You'll have less to correct, and you should be able to proof as you transcribe.

You can take advantage of those annoying pauses in the dictation if you use them to proof the line above the one you're working on. Even in a tiny pause, you can proof a little bit.

Good luck with this! Let me know how it goes for you.
Per minute editing/proofing rate
Can anyone give me some good numbers here?  For editing, if you are paid by the minute of dictation, what would be a high and low pay rate per minute?  Thanks for any help on this!
Proofing Help Pleeeez! (long post)

I am 53, divorcee with 1 child in college,  been MTing for 32 years. When I started out I was one of the best in my field, accurate, at my peak was making close to 50,000 a year, only one job and only 40 hours a week.  Now, here I am going through menopause, working 12 hours a day (1 full-time and 1 part-time) and barely making ends meet.  My production is at an all-time low, and I'm working on my 3rd or 4th job this year- I forget, it's been so many, for various reasons why they didn't work out.  But, now I find myself, going into my third week of employment with this company, still in QA, making stupid grammatical errors, and leaving out words, that I am not aware of. I would like to say one of my problems is that this is a huge Children's Hospital with a lot of procedures, diseases, and terminology I have never heard of, but I cannot really say that, as most of my errors are gramatical, i.e. not putting comma or semi-colon where it belongs, leaving out it, and, but and they.  I am beginning to feel they may not keep me.  I am 1 pay check from being homeless, now jobless, already uninsured, as I could not afford the Cobra.  I have applied for jobs completely out of the MT field, so far with no luck of being hired.  I put in an application last week for a State Job with excellent benefits, paid by company, and although the salary is 22,000 to 36,000, if they call me, I am definitely going to take it.  I figure I have 15 more years before retirement, and if I can tap into the retirement for the next 15 years, that would be a help, as I don't have any 401K to fall back on.  Anyways, if you guys can give me some proofreading tips that will not take away from my production, I would greatly appreciate it.  Most companies don't offer a training pay that would last at least 2 weeks, which would be a help.  So here I am trying to make money, which is virtually impossible when you're training on a new account, new company, new software and everything.  Help Guys. 


Out of her dress today (instead of out of her dressing) but I caught it when proofing.
.
Okay... do they no longer teach proofing your document before you send it?? (sm)
PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS(ES): Left food wet gangrene, status post above-knee amputation on.

Actual copy and paste..... I have no words for this at all.
Okay... do they no longer teach proofing your document before you send it??
Maybe some few isolated case...
The people proofing are human. Humans make mistakes daily.
nm
thats exactly why I did this. I trained sm
in a hospital when I first started in 1979 but as soon as I could I went home to work. I tried the hospital "thing again" for about five years but I hated it. I just needed the insurance at the time. I prefer being at home not dealing with the politics and the back-biting. I don't think there is anything wrong with that at all. I figure I am secure enough in myself to ignore the comments about how we at home don't have to work, can do what we want, etc. etc. Anyone who has done this knows better anyway!
They still have to be trained how to
QA/grade, give proper feedback, use the QA software, etc., because as I said, it's a completely different job. When having an opening for a QA, why not take applications from internal MTs, if any are interested which is rare because MTing pays better, as well as taking applications from experienced QAs? I don't have a problem with that, only when they hire exclusively from within, forcing experienced QAs to MT again & work their way to QA again. That's just SILLY.
LOL, I trained on the job also in the
early 1980s. As for hospitals, some are taking their transcription back. A MAJOR hospital chain in my town used the Q, but at the end of the contrast 2 years ago, they totally took all their transcription back and hired in-house and at-home MTs (one of my friends works for them).
I'm 36, been doing this 26 years, trained on the job.. nm
.
50, trained by VA OJT in 1988.sm

Started out doing autopsy reports, then went to "the typing pool" (acute MT) as we used to be called, came home in 1995, been here since.


Honestly, they need to be trained.
Mine had the same mentality when we first got together.  I refused to do it.  If he scattered dirty laundry, I left it there.  If he didn't put his dishes in the sink, they sat out.  I'm not anyone's slave.  Also, if they expect the woment to work, they need to share in the housework, child care, and finances.
they seem to be trained to dictate that way.
I worked at a hospital that had a podiatric residency program, and the residents were often required to do the dictation for operations performed by others.  Obviously the long format wasn't something the resident made up on his own, it was something they had been trained to do.  Other doctors tend to stumble into dictation without much in the way of instruction.
You weren't trained
You weren't trained, which is why you couldn't earn a living doing MT.  A lot of people make that mistake, think they just sit down at a computer and type what they hear, then they wonder why they can't make any money. I'm sure if you had gone to school to learn MT, you would have been great at it. After all, you didn't teach yourself to become an RN, right?
My son was three when he was potty trained.
I did similar things.

I don't know if you are already doing this or not, but the best thing I have found to potty train my kids is.....stop buying diapers/pull-ups. If you run out and you don't buy anymore then you really don't have a choice but to be consistent. Having nine pair of underwear on hand is what is recommended.

You can by the the toilet targets online for 5.95. They ARE helpful in making it a game. I always used the whole "Daddy is a big boy, don't you want to be like Daddy?" (works sometimes)

Make it a routine. Go every so often (timer), use the bathroom, flush the toilet, shut the lid, wash your hands, turn the light off, get your reward. Be consistent.

I have four girls and only one boy and my girls were trained by 2 years old with EASE - boys are much more difficult, mine anyway.
trained fingers
Makes me think of what it is like for your fingers to "know" a telephone number but for the life of me I couldn't tell you what it is--I'd have to dial it for you.
Not true....I trained 3 ...sm
from scratch.  All were very good, probably better than me!  I was just starting out on my own and had reached the point I needed help.  Taught them one at a time.  Just set them up right next to me and gave them the easiest stuff I had.  We both worked at the same time, and I was right there to answer questions and listen when they had trouble. 
How long do they have to be trained?
I work for MQ, and I think their VR stinks. It's been going for at least 3 years (though I think longer), and it still slows me down. You literally have to change every he to she or she to he and little things like that through the entire report that really slows me down. The funny thing is, it usually gets the medical terminology correct but everything else wrong.
I was trained for 4 years at a

vocational technical high school and learned transcription for 4 years straight, 4 hours a day at least.  I then went on to transcribe when I graduated for a lawyer, and then into the medical field I went.  That was 25 years ago.  We learned shorthand, accounting, typing, biology, among many, many other things. 


Please don't assume that I went to what you call one of these transcription schools because I did not.  I don't have to explain to you that I had 17 years of on-site training with physicians.  I learned straight from the dictator, so don't go there.  AHDI has brainwashed these new people entering this field with their silliness and money grubbing paws.


Okay, so I'm simply stating that to question someone's education for a job that they may make 20 grand a year of their lucky is just downright ignorant and nasty.  I make way more than that but only because I've been at it a while and have my own accounts and I'm not bragging at all; I'm just saying.


Whether you want to believe it or not, the ER reports were done through medical records as well as the basic four.  I know because I worked there in many different departments and did the transcription.  We had a separate entity for radiology and for the cardiology department.  Everyone's situation is different and not all worked at the one hospital you did for one lousy year where ever that may be in the US. 


We all have our stories, but my main concern is the post regarding questioning this poster's education.  Get over yourself!   


I'm 49, trained in 1973, hospital course, been at it since!
x
How do you learn when you know you are being trained wrong?
I am so sad.  Right now I am a newbie and need to ger my experience in and learn from the bottom, but I think this is not going to happen and I will never be a good MT with any skills to get another job.  I am currently employed with a company that has a QA manager that is not very good.  She corrects my work with her own made up ways of grammar, drug terminology, etc.  It is whatever she says, but when you tell her of her mistakes she won't listen and say just do it the way I say.  If I stay here I will never be good enough to go to another company.  Also, I will not be good enough to one day get hired by a national.  What do I do when I am being trained wrong, but need experience.  The people who hired the QA manager are clueless because they are not MTs.Therefore the QA person's word is the law of the land even when I know it is wrong.  Help!!!
How do you know you're being trained wrong?

Can you give some specifics?  BTW, many MT rules do not follow standard English grammar rules.  We either go by the BOS (AAMT Book of Style) or per account specs provided.  Each job is different.  If you want a paycheck, you learn to adapt to their particular style.


I seriously doubt anybody's going to hire an untrained QA person.  A person has to have years of experience as an MT before doing QA.  Honestly, if you're that unhappy, quit.


The school that trained you should be the first place
you go for placement assistance. They should be able to tell you what companies seek to hire their graduates. Many schools have employers lined up to hire their graduates because they know those schools turn out job-ready MTs. If your school was one of those, you will have no difficulty finding a job. In any event, your school should be able to tell you what employers have traditionally hired its graduates. Good luck to you.
I was told when I trained on DQS that there would be a decrease
in pay for lines done as ME.
Leash Trained Cats
Can I ask if how you got your cats to go on the leash. Did you start them out when they were kittens. I always thought this would be a safe alternative. My cats both stay inside and are very content and happy. They go in the screened porch in the summer and actually hate going outside. As far as hiding when they're sick, my cat was deathly sick with a UTI and he hid in the basement. Thank God we found him. The vet said if we waited until the next day he would have been dead. I hope you find your cat safe.
The worse they can say is no, but good, trained MTs
p
That's how they trained MTs at UCLA back in
nm
Rosemarie is right on for trained VR systems. SM
You are obviously currently working with a new system that is still learning how to do its job. The first typewriters were undoubtedly really a pain to use, too. The poor clerks of those days must have begged just to be allowed to use their pen and ink as they always had.

My current system isn't as learned/advanced as my last one, so lots of corrections. It's about as much fun as doing QA cleaning up after a pack of new and sloppy MTs. But it's a temporary situation. And my current pay rate reflects the time needed for all those corrections. Does yours?

Over time, though, more and more reports do start coming through in good condition until most of them just require some general cleanup here and there.

Editing does shift emphasis from one skill to another.
I can see how the very fastest of typists might not make more editing than typing--they always speeded the dictation up to match them, and how people with little talent for editing might make less, but most people should do just as well editing as typing and many do make more at it.
I disagree. I trained on the job, I'm an excellent MT (sm)

and I honestly don't consider an online school as having the same weight as an actual brick and mortar school.  You can't tell me a bachelor's degree from University of Phoenix online is considered equal to a bachelor's degree from San Diego State (or any other actual college). 


I know Andrews and M-Tech are touted as the elite schools on another board but you can't tell me that their education is worth the price they charge compared to a local vo-tech school.  Ask any physician within 300 miles of me and I guarantee none of them have heard of Andrews or M-Tech.


If you're good at your job, you'll get a job.  If you stink, no fancy letters behind your name and/or no diploma from a MT school will allow you to succeed in this career.  I consider myself successful and the only way I'd pay that kind of money for college would be to an actual "go to" college where I could see what my tuition was paying for. 


None ... trained OTJ and am quite qualified as has been proven (sm)

by me having no problem finding a MT job when I needed one.  Now I work for myself so I'm doing just fine.


:)


Trained inhouse 25 years ago. LOL :)
Never been without a great work situation. Job changes to meet new circumstances in my life.


I trained in house 5 years ago
They had such a turnover they would hire anybody off the street that felt like giving it a try.  One in-house self-study medical terminology course, and a lot of help and support from my co-workers and I was good to go.  Since then I've worked for 2 nationals (and had to unlearn a few bad habits - I'd never even heard of BOS inhouse, LOL).  I never spent a cent to begin this profession - I got paid hourly to do it.
I trained at CareerStep, and they partnered with
SLM financial to let me stretch the payments out over 5 years.  It seems like it was about $35 a month.  I was hired right out of school, and I feel that I good a very good basis for transcription with them.
I was trained on site, but that was 30 years ago.
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