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Tried this initially per tech's suggestion. Thank you!

Posted By: Appreciate the help here (nm) on 2005-09-25
In Reply to: Have you tried shutting down, actually UNPLUGGING, and restarting? - Please do not laugh

dd


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Your husband tech guys are not the bible. You have go give access for tech sm
support to get onto your computer. Just sit there and watch everything they do. If you still feel uncomfortable do not take the job.
Agree. You could be a Surgical Tech or Respiratory Therapy or a Med. Tech. nm
s
I did mine initially in MS Publisher, but I

switched over to MS Word with an Excel object pasted in the center of it that has formulas for multiplying rates out.  I have one guy that does a bunch of weird stuff, so I bill him by the project.  Sometimes it's a per page rate, sometimes it's hourly, and sometimes it's a flat fee.  MPCount didn't work for billing him either.


If you'd like to leave your email address, I'll delete my info so you can put yours into it.


Don't spend a lot of time initially trying to get

a blank.  After you complete the dictation go back and relisten to see if you can fill in the blanks.  When I get a new ESL dictator it sometimes takes me a while to get his accent so I don't spend a lot of time trying to fill in the blanks initially.  Usually by the end of the report I have gotten the accent and can fill in most blanks.   I also have the experience to know what the blank should be in most cases, and that also helps me fill in.   If you get QA files back make copies of them and start your a notebook.  If you have the ability to relisten to files after they have been signed off when you get QA back relisten to the dictation and see if you can hear the blanks then.   When I first started doing ESLs I was so stressed because they were hard and I left a lot of blanks and I just don't normally leave blanks.  After getting QA back and relistening it seemed so clear what they were saying and I couldn't believe I had struggled so much. 


 


I went that route initially and lost 60 days

and ended up listing my house with a regular real estate agent.  In my post below about the soft market, I also mentioned not to go with a for sale by owner agent.  Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell are what I'm talking about.  Yeah, the list on the MLS and yeah they give you a lock box but that's about it.  With a bulldog real estate agent and company they will go the extra mile for you.  That's what my agent did for me and my house is sold.  We close on October 9th. 


Regarding the lock box, your better agencies have them now that will email your agent when someone comes in a shows your house. It's a good way for your agent to followup.  For sale by owner agents don't do that. 


Be careful about these flat fee agents, because you get what you pay for.


Good luck!


Gentle stretching and ibuprofen initially,
then as it gets bearable, take up walking AT LEAST twice a week. Walk at a good speed with good posture, about 2 miles/45 minutes. The most logical way to keep a back working right when you sit in a chair all day is to walk regularly.

I'm 44, and thankfully all I get are muscle aches. At times there will be actual point tenderness in one of those (2) little dimples on your sacrum, you know, right in that area where a lot of tattoos are put? If you get that, you can massage that spot. It indicates a muscular problem, which is good, and it means you are too tight and need more exercise and especially stretching. The most important direction to stretch (since we are curled up in a C position so much of the day) is exercises that arch the back, so learn safe and effective stretches for that direction. What trainers are saying about stretching lately is stretch after exercise, not so much before, and hold each stretch longer. There are some muscles that don't even engage in the stretch until you've held it 30 seconds. I think piriformis is an important stretch.

It's very relaxing and restorative to stretch the right way.

Hope you are feeling better soon.
I thought initially "how hard can it be?"
It's not that I didn't respect the field, I just didn't anything about it. I had done legal transcription and figured since my mother was a nurse, I was pretty familiar with medical terminology (ahem).

By some miracle I got a transcription job in a small clinic and started to be trained. After the first week my thought was "Well, I guess I found something I CANNOT do!" =80 But my trainer was great, I picked it up quickly because even though it was hard I loved it from day 1.

That was 23 years ago and I've come a long way. I laugh at myself then. I was so clueless!
Were documents signed initially that focused on such an event?
dd
At least you "twiddle." Initially, I develop laryngitis from begging
.
Yes at PHNS-- this was a few years ago....was paid initially on how many lines you averaged an hour
the highest you could get was .085 which is what I averaged, however they restructured and it plummetted to .07.....you could get .085 again but you had to really work your butt off (something like +1500 a day).  I was PT so I was only doing 500 lines or so a day, at most 1000, so it basically sucked after that.  Plus the company totally changed, they started to outsource to the Phillappines, work dried up big time and we fought over the lousy crumbs.  Many of us left and moved onto to better things though!
I resisted it initially. Much to my surpise, line count has improved. Lots of backspacing being do
dd
This will vary depending on dictator style and speed, but the average to shoot for initially shoud b
around 3 times the length of the dictation. So, if the dictation is 5 minutes long, you should be able to complete the transcription in roughly 15 minutes. Again, that can vary, but it's a good rule of thumb to go by.
Suggestion

I wouldn't be surprised if I've worked for the same company you work for.  I refuse to spend hours looking for something that may be near, if not impossible, to find.  The company and the dictator must have some responsibility for names and demographic information. IMHO we are paid to know what goes in between the demographics and the signature.  You have 2 choices here:  1)  Move on to another company that understands the concept of medical transcription or 2) If the problem is difficult dictators, take the time to learn them and become proficient in doing them.  Once you've mastered that, you'll be surprised that your production will actually increase as most of them have a pretty limited vocabular and they are likely to say the same thing over and over.  Save a copy of everything you can like the ROS and PE in a macro or your word expander and each time you do them  you will pick up a word or 2 until pretty soon you'll have the whole thing down pat and can just edit it for any changes.  Of course if you're lucky your QA will send you a copy of the report with the filled in blanks but don't necessarily expect it even if you ask for it.


Hang in there.  You can control your paycheck,  you just have to be willing to do whatever it takes even if it means finding another employer.


Just a suggestion....try going to
Universal Studios.....My sister lives in that area and always gives us season tickets to the different attractions.  When my son was younger, we would go to all those great places.  My preference has always been Universal Studios.  Great rides and attractions and the time spent waiting in line is WAY less.  You did say the Daytona 500 right?  Isn't that in February or March?  During that time of year just be prepared for massive crowds.  Hope you have fun.  I've included my email; I'll have my sis check out some places for you. 
Suggestion for you
Have you ever tried a keyboard skin?  They are made specifically for your make and model keyboard and I love mine.  I would probably have about 20 lbs. of cat hair stuck under my keys if it weren't for mine.  They also quiet the "click" of the keyboard, which I like.  They are very popular in police cars-- guess it keeps the coffee and donut crumbs out! 
Just a suggestion
Try Horizon Bank, they work with people with lower credit scores
my suggestion

Which is not Holy Grail 

ANESTHESIA:  Intravenous sedation in the form of 50 mg of Demerol and 75 mcg of fentanyl


Another suggestion
If you haven't already, I would certainly check all my Internet connection settings as this could make a difference if something is checked/not checked within your own settings.

Personally, I would first start by checking in Outlook Express, click on Tools, Options, Connection, Change,
Connections, Settings, Properties, Options, go down to Redialing Options, Idle Time Before Hanging Up, and choose Never in the drop down box. If this is not checked, perhaps this might make a difference.

Let us know what you find out, ok? :) Best of luck.
here's a suggestion
Since you already have one good account and have had that account for a number of years, perhaps you could put a 'bug' in their ear that you are looking for more work? I know doctors talk and sometimes I've landed accounts just by word of mouth from people I'm already working for. In other words, the doc hears another doc talking about needing an MT, etc., and then your name gets thrown out. Otherwise, it usually does just seem like you have to be in the right place at the right time. Don't give up!
Another suggestion, if I may? sm
emptyMT offers some great suggsetions! And, you can always use the old standby......a Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. There are always lots of guys around those and they're also very, very helpful!

Good luck, hon!
whose suggestion? .....sm

all we have to do is convert our massive growth of corn in this country into fuel.......and then we wouldn't have to tear up the Pacific NW-Alaska territories and then we wouldn't be so DANGED DEPENDENT on the MIDDLE EAST for oil.......


I also think Canada has a ton of oil and they are our friends - we should be doing far more oil business with Canada - where our dollar is better than theirs - and give them more business than we do now.


CORN is a surplus in this country........and can continue to be.


Another suggestion
Since you have little ones (boy, do I remember those days!), have you considered setting your schedule to accommodate their needs? Maybe you could try working early mornings and late evenings when they are asleep or when your spouse could watch them for you while you work?

Another suggestion
Where we work, they just expand the initials list to three characters adding a numeral after our initials when someone else had our initials already.  For example, if your initials were HH, and someone else already had those, you would become HH2.  Just another idea, it works for my company.
Thank you for your suggestion, but
why would I need to start a blog when this is the only place I post and I have every right to post here? If you'll notice, over 450 people have read this. I am a medical Transcriptionist and I will post whatever I want here. Everyone else does and you've never suggested they start a blog.
Thanks for the suggestion!
z
suggestion
Cymed is an outstanding company with beaucoup work and great people. Jobs are usually 300-400 lines long.

They've an 800 number which I don't have with me.
Just a suggestion
Perhaps American MTs should get together and form another association for Transcriptionist that is truly American or that is for MTs in the United States.  USMT Association. 
Suggestion
Ask your dr. for some samples of Sudal. They're chewables so even my 12 yr old takes them. It only takes one to dry you up.
I have a suggestion...sm
Just say NO to men with baggage. LOL!
Suggestion
How about selling the house and splitting the profit, sell the car, cancel the credit cards and depending on whether there is anything charged on them, split the bills. Get something in writing signed by a notary stating who is going to pay for what and hopefully if you ever have to fight him for his part of the deal a judge will side with your decisions, because he signed his promise in front of a notary. I went through a very easy divorce in a similar manner. The notary is just and idea, not legal advice and I dont know if it would even stand up in court, but its one idea.
thanks for suggestion.......I
went out tonight to Wal-Mart and bought new speakers called Altec Lansing, and they are powerful for their small size! It has both volume and tone controls, which most do not have! I always use my headset, which was not the problem, it was that 1 of my old speakers just quit working, so I could hardly hear the dictations, so you see, it DOES make a difference if your speakers really sound good or not.
my suggestion is

He'll live longer.


Another suggestion
When you first get over the causeway onto Jekyl Island, granted they have older hotels and condos, but when you go further in you will find very nice accomodations. Jekyl is more of a secluded family vacation spot. St. Simons is much more expensive, more restaurants, etc. They are both very nice, just depends on what you are looking for. As for beaches, Jekyl is where to go. I know, I live here.
Here is my suggestion - sm
Take emotion out of your decision and make your decision based on professionalism. Business is business and has no room for emotion.

If this could jeopardize your paycheck and account, than deal with it in a professional manner.

Good luck in your decision.
here's a suggestion - have someone ELSE do

yes - one more suggestion I have....*L*
go either to download dot com or cnet dot com and get the 1.4 newest free version of SPYBOT.  Then run it a couple of times - it may catch things that your virus scanner isn't getting on that one laptop.  It's easy to install and I've been using it for years.  *S*
Just a suggestion...
Maybe call the Salvation Army? They could probably at least point her in the right direction, anyway. Sorry to hear this!
Suggestion--sm
Sometimes we use patient name and date, and doctor initials...i.e., DoeJohn0108.jd

just a thought.
It was just a suggestion

It works for me.  There is a time after you hit return and the next job appears, so I use that dead space for pressing my lever. Whatever works for you, works. The only time it really wastes is when I have to stop and reload the money counter, but that only happens about 6 to 7 times per shift.


 


suggestion

I don't know about a key board, but I know my ergonomic/split keyboard is a lifesaver in keeping my wrists at a more natural angle. 


When, my arthritis flares, I take 1 cup hot drinkable water and add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon honey and drink it down 3 times a day.  It honestly helps with arthritis.  Or, I will take 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and put in grape juice which also helps.


That was my suggestion
Google it!

By the way, it's a good idea to turn your Google cookies off - I strongly suspect Google is just another 'arm' of Big Brother...


Just a suggestion...
Other than the previous explaination, which sounds perfectly logical to me, I would say maybe it has something to do with your original document template that comes up when you first start work. I would also think that you could Bold the report from top to bottom and then hit ALT O, F and then ALT C and change/format the color. You can go into the default button on that same screen mode and make sure all reports are set up like that.

I use several normals or canned text for numerous doctors. I save them under Autotext and I label them by doctors names. For instance, one account that does a lot of PNs and the Dr numbers are like 75, 6, 29. I label them Dr75, dr6, dr29. After you type your sample one, you would bold the entire report and then Alt I, A and X will take you there and hit return. So, when you open the document and just type dr75 and enterand the report will come up. Sometimes I have to back up and type it again but that's just 4 letters and you don't have to go out and look them up in mydocuments.

If you do like a standard HP or ROS format for each doctor and that doctor uses a particular H&P I put them under that Dr. name plus "p" or "r". (i.e. 8824p for physical and 8824r for review of systems.) If you ever need to change anything you just fix the erro, copy the text and save it back Alt A I and then X and return and then Alt A for add and it will ask about replacing old report. If you don't use autotext you should try it, saves me a lot of time. You can also save them Smithds, smithhp smithop, smithlapchole.
just a suggestion
Depending on what part of the country you are in - I would charge .11-.15 per line - with spaces - .13-.17 without spaces. Sounds like this office is trying to get something for nothing - please think this through and do not sell yourself short. Also be sure and use a word Expander - and you be in charge of calculating the lines - not the office. They will rip you off, it sounds. Do you know this account well? If so, you should be able to clean up if they are willing to pay you what you are worth. I wish you luck.
Another suggestion (sm)
Try installing ExpressScribe and see if it works with that.  Only a suggestion, but it would be worth a try.
This is my suggestion
I'm sorry you are having wrist pain, the bugaboo of our industry. I have worked 2 jobs for 15 years, and I forced myself early on to type in the following manner to try to prevent carpal tunnel from occurring: I have the keyboard all the way back on my desk, almost to the level of the monitor. I rest my forearms on my desk, and I do not bend my wrists while typing. In the beginning I had to force it, and now I can't type any other way.

Maybe you can try this just to see if you can do it and if it will work for you. Of course, you can try braces and gloves, but I don't have information on them for you.

Hope you find some relief soon!
I did . . . thanks for the suggestion though.
it is the simplist things :)
just a suggestion
Lucky you to have this opportunity! If it were me, I would charge an hourly rate. Depending on where you live, perhaps $18 to $20 an hour. This is more fair for the physician, actually, and he would probably appreciate the fact that you are not trying to gouge him.

Other suggestions should be considered if made as well.

Let us know what you decide to do!
Suggestion
I have some medical tests scheduled soon and the lady who sets it all up called me to verify my insurance. While on the phone with her, she asked me what I did, so I told her.

She says that she has a friend who has her own MT business and makes a little over $100K per year. (I don't know if she has any employees or not, but the lady on the phone said that her friend "works like a dog" but loves every minute of it.)

Anyway, something she told me that I never would have thought of was to call my family doctor and ask the ladies at the front desk for contact information for their drug representatives. She said that the drug reps go from doctor's office to doctor's office here locally and they have an even better idea of who's needs help and who doesn't.

Just a suggestion...
suggestion
When doing a new account or a difficult dictator, I've found it is just as fast for me to type the report without struggling over blanks, just type what I can hear and leave blanks.

Then, go back and relisten to the entire report. Many times the blank will be dictated later where it is more clear, and your ears will adjust to the dictator more than you realize.

This cuts down on my frustration level tremendously ...

good luck to you!
Suggestion - sm
As the doc what he was paying or what he feels is reasonable and go from there.

Per line is better, and gross line is even better yet.
Suggestion.....sm
Ask your boss to not put those worktypes in your queue. Much easier that way!!