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YES! nationals have turned

Posted By: MTing into a PT house on 2005-09-07
In Reply to: Let's do all our work for the month in 4 days. (sm) - So disgusted

wife's kind of job......need a second income to live.


It is no longer a career


It is no longer a respectable job.


They have lowered it to _drop in_ make a few bucks_go to bed


But don't expect or receive RESPECT, A LIVING, OR ANYTHING ELSE


from a transcription company.  They are there to make the profit


OFF OF YOU.


 


Bows sounds real darn good - when do we start - I'll make the


wagon to sell them from - I'm pretty handy with power tools now since


my husband left because I had to type 26 hours a day!  Stupidly he thought


we should have a life.




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What nationals?
What nationals or hospitals have this policy of showing doctors how to dictate better?  I have worked at 11 hospitals, clinics and trans services in my career, managed a few, was lead transcriptionist at a few hospitals, supervisor at another and also just an MT at times.  Never have I ever heard of a policy like this.
There were no nationals
Nobody had ever HEARD of outsourcing.  We were all in-house, regular employees, got a REAL SALARY with benefits including LOTS of PTO time, etc.  We were treated with respect and appreciated for our hard work and MT was an actual profession to be proud of.  Then after computers came along and the "want it on the chart 5 minutes before the doctor dictates it" mentality, somebody got the brainstorm that they could make tons of money off of us by getting rid of the in-house departments, "allowing" us to work at home, and only paying us peanuts on a "production only" basis.  The bottom line of "the cheaper the better" took hold, the nationals took over, started outsourcing overseas, and you have the mess we have today.  I guess that about covers it----
Do any other nationals have 10,000 MTs?
Maybe that's why it is talked about so much.  There are 10,000 MTs affected by what they do.
Nationals are no better

Disagree, no matter whether you are an I/C with own accounts or with a national or even small MTSO, we are all at the beck of the doctors.  If they are off or do not dictate, there is no work.  I do not think that the majority of you realize how hard is to balance out having enough staff to do the work to keep the accounts and also keep them busy when the work does not come in, especially when the help does not think twice about someone in the family being acutely ill when they are not, taking off for children field trips on a whim, children being sick or whatever the excuse is not to work.  It takes quite a juggline act to accommodate both employees and acounts themselves.   That said -- flame me as I have already been burnt many times by people who do not have a work ethic or want to work when they want to and not when the work is available.


 


Nationals are no better....sm
Every group has people who don't come through when they should, doesn't matter what job, etc. but most of us are professional enough that we don't leave our employers in the lurch, certainly not nearly as often as most of them do us, no work, computer down, etc., etc. but, if someone refers to me as "the help" I wouldn't feel too kindly toward them. I would do the job, but don't ask "the help" for any favors.

Sorry...that's a sore spot. Makes me feel like we should be kept in a corner somewhere until we are needed to "help"
If that happens, no more nationals for me!
nm
Big nationals and MTs

I have been in this business over 20 years.  I started when we used IBM Selectrics and tapes.  I have seen this business changing over the years, some good, some bad.  One thing in particular is the very large national companies getting more and more of a monopoly in the transcription business.  This has had an impact on the MT.  I am making less per line than 15 to 20 years ago, and I seen that is widespread in this industry.  I see it is getting more and more impersonal. 


20 years ago many MTs were getting 7 to 7.5 CPL.  I see that still happening.  Adjust that for cost of living increases and inflation, and I feel wages have gone down.


Now we must compete with overseas work and if an MT wants to do VR, they must take a pay cut, at some companies of up to 50% of your line rate. I remember many years ago when they were talking about implementing VR, we were told we would not have pay cuts, just be able to type more.  I knew then that they were lying, of course they would cut our wages.  They will squeeze and squeeze to get the most money for themselves.  Many of these CEOs make millions, but what about all the unethical business practices.  Remember Enron. 


I feel most of these changes are because of the a few very large nationals changing the nature of the business.  Of course, they want to make as much money as possible.  Everybody does, I cetainly do.  But it seems to me they are doing it at the expense of the individual MT. 


Did you know many transcription companies actually train the MTs in India and then give them a job.  If you are in the good old USA, you pay for your own schooling and are lucky to get your foot in the door because of no experiernce. 


I think if there were fewer nationals and more smaller companies, maybe the MT would benefit.


 


 


Nationals can pay much better
than hospital jobs. If you are capable of 1500 lines in a hospital setting, you can easily do the same at home. With experienc (which you seem to have) you can make at least .95 or .10 per line. Most hospital MTs do not make $150.00 a day. If you want benefits, there are some good national companies with good benefits.

You just need to decide how much your in house job means to you versus staying at home. I work in a hospital during the day and at home in the evening. I make more money at home but I need to see other people so I love going to the hospital 6 hours a day.
when i turned 18,
my mom gave me a necklace that used to be my grandmas, which i still have now 35 yr later...when one of our daughters turned 18 and was going on to college, we bought her a computer. You could ask her what would be meaningful to her too...
I just turned 24 yrs. old. MT x 5 yrs. & QA x 2 yrs.

Used to work in-house, but on my own now. Love working at-home too! :)


Can these be turned off?
I agree, the cursor and snowflakes are really cute, but distracting to me.  At the risk of being labeled a Grinch, is there any way to turn them off on one's personal computer?  Thank you--
I turned him in ...
x
I just turned 40. nm
x
No, they don't. Maybe Spheris or the big nationals
that actually send you equipment and take the time to train you, but the little MTSOs don't do anything except set up your user ID and password to get into their system and fax you their contract.  Ooh, 15 minutes out of their lives are gone.  Dreadful.  They expect you to have your own equipment, be proficient with the computer and software, and know how to transcribe medical reports.  Reasonable enough, but it does NOT cost them anywhere near the figures you quoted.
$18.5K two smaller nationals. nm
x
nationals vs working for yourself
Regarding the post below about how to avg 1600-2000 lines per day, someone posted they make about 12 cpl and about 3500 lines per day.  I'm assuming this person works for themselves.  To all of you wonderful ladies who are so lucky to do this, where the heck do you get started???  I'm soooo jealous, thats a dream living right there.  Seriously, where to look, how to get started, what equipment.  Any pointers from you gals?  I work no less than an 8 to 9 hour shift to scrape in my 1300-1400 lines, work until my fingers get stiff....!!!!
Probably why the larger Nationals have their own
qq
OH! One of the nationals I worked for did that.
Of course, the supervisors had been on the accounts before getting promoted, so they had tons of macros and expansions already.  However, they'd work a few hours and get these astronomical line counts while I had all the leftover garbage dictators.  Between that and the frequent shortage of connections available, I quit.  The supervisor not only got her supervisory wages, but she also cranked out about 2,000 lines a day in less than four hours by taking work away from the MTs.  Why did they hire me and the other MTs if she was just going to hog the good lines and the C-phone connection?
I won't work for nationals. Been there, did that.
I got hired on part time at the local hospital, then gained one account on my own. I continue to work for the hospital PT, and now have five accounts and two subs who work for me.
what about nationals where you use THEIR expander....
never thought of that...couldn't they just glean your normals from the Expander without even telling you? I am going into it right now and change the NAMES that I associated with those normals I slaved for free to create!!! (doctor names) Thanks for the tip.
I agree about big nationals
Ridiculous. They pressure you, but leave you high and dry with low work available and expect you to work. Thank goodness for the smaller companies. They are getting the cream of the crop of good MTs!! I switched from a big national to smaller company too!!
Smaller nationals are way to go...
It seems you get treated like dirt by the large nationals, i.e., Medquist, Spheris, no communication, etc. Many experienced MTs have gone the way of smaller national companies simply because of the better communication among employer and employee, more warmth among the company, etc. Spheris tries to give off this impression they are a warm company much thanks to the CEO, but the organization itself is not a good employer to work for.
Nationals: Sometimes the hospitals have their own MTs sm
and pull the MTSO off the account when work is low to keep the hospital employees busy.  This probably happens more often than one might think these days.  IMHO
I want to look into Smaller Nationals.

I am hoping to get some names of some good Small National companys to work for. 


Thanks in advance for your help!


Small Nationals.
I guess just not the huge places like Medquist. I would like a little bit smaller. I am even interested in any companies that are great to work for and pay okay. I am not having that great of luck working for MTSO and getting paid good.
Thanks!!
Not the OP, but it's what the nationals are willing to pay, not what they charge. Most of us out
s
Did you ever work for nationals? nm
..
obviously then you don't work for nationals..nm

HATE Nationals
It is terrible what these large nationals are doing to our industry. I have worked for several and they all start out saying, "We really care about our MTs" Bull feathers!! What they care about is making money off our backs and not paying us a decent wage. And sending our work over to India, Pakistan, or whoever is the lowest bidder. I hope hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices here in the US quit using them so they just go away. I will take a small MTSO any day of the week over these megamonster money machines!
Any other MTs for large nationals getting the

Exactly! What are the big nationals providing?
except a tasp and a salesman to land the account?
If IC, use which ever you prefer; most of the Nationals
xx
LOL I tried to take an hour nap, but it turned into
11 hours of napping.  LOL  At least I'm refreshed this morning.  Time to type quickly so I can go play.
I just turned 30 and have been doing transcription...

since I was 21.  I love my job and wouldn't trade it for the world.  I also have several friends whom are my age that do this work and though our work changes with the science of medicine, I think you are going to find your job changing in whatever field you are in because everything changes and evolves over time.  I do understand where you are coming from though about people my age not being pushed towards this field.  I can't tell you how many times when I meet new people and I tell them what I do, they have no clue what transcription is, LOL. 


The only people that give this profession a bad name and a bad rap is the people who are unhappy.  Sure, I have had my ups and downs in this position, but I have also had other jobs where I have had those same ups and downs in different fields.  It is called moving on and finding peace within yourself.  If you are unhappy, fix it.  Only you can make your own happiness, nobody else can make it for you. 


Are you sure the volume is not turned down (sm)
in the "audio" of the gearplayer or that mute is checked in the "audio"?
Just turned on puter

and find all kinds of slander about the x-3.  So if you are confident that I have been "bad mouthing" the company give me your facts.  If I recall correctly I went off on you and apologized for it.  You are the one in the end that said you needed time to lick your wounds.  I have not bad mouthed the company to anyone!!!!  and to quote someone whom I thought was an excellent friend "venting to friends is okay, that is what friends are for."


I am actively seeking employment, will continue to do so, and keep my opinions of the company to myself.  If you feel I have done otherwise share the facts you have, give me a chance to defend myself.......


It tears me apart on a daily basis that we have no friendship........if you truly feel you cannot forgive me that is fine, but please don't bash me on a public board about things that are not true. 


I interviewed with them and turned them down

but can't remember all the details.  I think they offered 10 cpl for IC and 11 cpl for lines over 12,000 per pay period.   You have to "punch the clock" , which I just won't do.  Sorry I don't remember other details. 


I am glad everything has turned out okay....sm
for you. I am also glad you shared it and I was fortunate enough to read it. I hope I may not have to encounter what you have but some day if I do I will always remember reading this. God bless and I wish you the best....
Thanks for the responses. It turned out to be a bad box (the little one). nm
nm
I just turned 40 and have the same thing going on! nm
x
Just turned 29 in June..nm
nm
mine turned out to be--sm
3025 for today. It started out poorly but ended up good, although it is 9 pm here and I have only been done for a half hour. that was 12 hours worth.
Guess what this s/l turned out to be.
What this probably oriental ESL said when I slowed him way down:

AN dis TIN AL DIZin


With a little research I discovered he meant:
end-stage renal disease

It's typical of him, but I do wonder why he doesn't invest in some speech therapy.
coders turned MT? Any of you out sm
there that went from coding to MT? OR, MTs who went into coding? Love coding, hate coding? Not much talk amongst coders anywhere. I just wonder what it is like and if it is worth considering.
I am tired of being turned down....

I am new to MT but I am not new to hard work and determination.  Companies have turned me down just because I don't have experience.  I know I don't have years and years of experience but that doesn't mean I am inapt.  I have decided to seek out my own accounts because I am tired of waiting from someone else’s approval.  It is scary but I am determined to make this work.  I really need your input on what type of doctors I should start with.  I was thinking family medicine or psychology since I have experience with medical coding in these areas.


Please offer your honest opinion on how I can make this work.  If there is anyone else that has started out as a newbie and is transcribing on his or her own, please reply with advice also.


But if you are going to rude or cruel please don't reply.



 


Tables turned on me....
I had the strangest thing happen to me.  I have been contacting some people who had tested for a position I was filling.  When I interviewed this one applicant, as soon as she got on the phone she started interviewing ME.  I mean she was shooting questions left and right and before I had a chance to really explain how the account worked she was like, "Well I'll let you know about the position in a day or two", like it was hers to decide and I hadn't even offered her the position.  She was actually my first choice and I was going to give her the position, but after talking on the phone I have decided against it.  I'm afraid she would be trying to run my business instead of me.  I had just never had such an experience and thought I would just voice it here.  Let me know what you all think.
Have you turned off autocorrect?
nm
I turned off the little box in Shorthand, SM
feeling it would be important to keep my eyes on the screen, initially with transcribing and now especially so with editing where I'm typically reading and scanning the text ahead of the dictation, dropping Shorthand-abbreviation corrections in as I pass by. I'm coming up on 40,000 entries and definitely don't have them memorized. I do have my various patterns for abbreviating memorized. J for -ation so that hospital + hl and hospitalization = hlj, hospitalized + hld. Adjective + noun = first 3 letters of adjective, first 2 of noun. That sort of thing.

I don't type fast. Since you do, it means you'll always be able to keep up with a speeded up dictation and when editing you can just relax back and rest your wrists as you scan much more than you can now.

And just think--I have many common and hard-to-spell doctor names entered in the form "drng" = Dr. Nguyen, which includes the link to make sure they don't get split at the end of the line. Wouldn't that be nice?
english turned OFF

I for sure am not going to sit and proofread my posts and sometimes fingers go where they go.  If people feel the need to proofread others posts they REALLY need to get a life or a friend or something.  I had another person do this to me on another board and I cannot tell you how aggravating it is.  I have a 99.58% accuracy rating and make plenty of mistakes in my email posts.  This is NOT WORK.  This is play and the fact that you feel the need to criticize people just tells us all about YOU.


It turned out to be short, so
I typed it without my footpedal. My Gear Player box is no longer open to drag the windows media file into.

Now I'm having trouble formating Word. They want the margins changed to 2.54 cm (not inches), and I type it in like the instructions tell me, and save, but of course Word ignores me. Grr.
It turned out to be short, so
I typed it without my footpedal. My Gear Player box is no longer open to drag the windows media file into.

Thank goodness it was short. It was also not a medical report. Instead it sounded like a radio show with two speakers talking, but it was clear and easy.