You'll get some good tips here. sm
Posted By: searching on 2007-08-31
In Reply to: Hello I have a question for the MT Pros out there - LoriG
First rule: Use your expander. You can't use it enough. Put all the medical terms in, general phrases from basic English, words you make typos in, medications that needs to be capitalized, Dr.'s names, anything you can think of. It takes time at first, but saves you hours later.
Also, if you have to find difficult words, keep a list. That way you won't have to look it up twice. You always think you'll remember it, but you probably won't.
The biggest thing is not to let the job overwhelm you. There is so much to learn. I don't know how it is for those of you coming out of a school, but when I started with no training, it took about 3 years to really train. So don't get discouraged. It gets easier. Best of luck.
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Good tips, Thanks!
I downloaded AVG. Great!!
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! 
thanks for all the tips---so far so good--ache some but not in any agony
spine is a little sore along with shoulders and lower back and my jaw is sore too which is weird (figure I grinded my teeth last night due to stress.....do that when extremely stressed, luckily I do it rarely). Very mobile though just worn out!
Read the tips from the poster at the top of the board about Word. Good suff! nm
s
good for you; you'll get more from it, with good socialization,
nm
Any tips for finding a good alphabetized list of physicians in a certain state? Not finding very
s
Good idea! I'll do that now.....nm
xxx
I would agree with HP being good. I'll only
is better in this profession because most won't accept Vista anyhow. The OP might want to try a secondhand computer store and then just purchase the Office Suite you'd like. I did this and have good luck so far knock on wood with Office 2003.
Good luck, but you'll need your CMT...
The only other way possible I can think of, and someone above already mentioned it, is have another Transcriptionist train you. That's how I got into this field. However, most transcriptionists aren't in the situation to train to nor do they probably want to. If you do choose to do online courses, I would personally recommend CareerStep... just stay away from PCDI! I have two friends going through CareerStep and they both are enjoying the course.
Otherwise, this isn't a job you can just walk up to and start without any knowledge. If you want an easy job like that where you need no training, or training on the job, try a gas station or fast food restaurant. Sorry, I'm not trying to sound harsh, just truthful. You need a lot of training before working as an MT, as another poster said, it really is like a second language! You have to learn terminology, pharmaceuticals, anatomy, etc. However, I wish you the best of luck. If you *really* want to become an MT, then you can do it!
Maybe someday you'll be good enough
to be a QA, since you obviously have no idea at this point what the job entails.
If your trainer is as good as mine, you'll do just
fine. The auto correct, auto Expander -- very easy to use and easy to access while transcribing so you can add as you go. 
Good idea...I'll check into it. Thanks!
z
I'll consider it--that sounds good and low tech, lol--NM
x
Good advice...thanks! I'll save my $$ (NM)
.
I don't think you'll get a good answer from the info...
you provided. It varies too much from location to location.
I've seen some MTs on here that say inhouse in their area make less than $10 an hour. Our local starts newbies (providing they pass the tests) at $16.79 an hour.
Good thing you kept all your wage statements. You'll have
a fight but at least you have the proof you'll need.
I've been using it a few years now. It's pretty good. You'll get used to it. -nm
x
Sounds good to me! I'll take it. Unless their lines are skewed.
x
Thanks!...good idea about adding the def to the glossary...I'll try that too
.
Good girl Laurie...now you'll have a nice night
and the evil doers can spread their evil elsewhere!
well oldtime, I'll bet that you have good work ethics. But, people like you are far and few in
6 to 8 MTs only a couple actually work out. That is an absolute shame, but it's the truth. How do I know this? Because I surveyed several services asking the very same question to each and this is what the averages were. Of course, someone here will whine about how many services I surveyed, were they friend, etc., but I can say with absolute certainty that I was completely fair in my end figures.
I'll be here! Good luck tonight!! Hope you have work
galore! 
They're supposed to be good luck. He'll find his way out when he's hungry. nm
s
Very nice. I hope you'll update very soon. Good Pair is always Coolblooded Corner: , Profound Ca
It's a very nice website you're having here. Superb Game is always Central Gnome , Forecast Girl is very good Opponents Girl can Play Cards , to Play Round you should be very Tremendous Astonishing Circle is always Tremendous Opponents
Google South Beach Diet forum and you'll find a good board there for information. nm
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It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get! No point in joining. nm
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I'll go! I'll go!! I won't take hormones and will be ready to defend your honor :) n/m
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No. It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get, and it's unnecessary
s
You'll get used to it. It is keeping the right leg propped up at the same time that'll be the
When I broke my ankle, I was just grateful it wasn't the hands. Without our hands we'd be totally screwed.
I broke my right ankle slipping on ice and was lucky to have gloves on because the palm of the glove was totally torn up and my hand was okay.
Good luck and be sure to do your exercises when it is time.
It'll happen. You'll find your fit.
You might have to kiss a few frogs first, though.
Oh she'll spice it up alright, she'll be
placing hidden cameras in the other ladies' dressing rooms! LOL!
continue your goal; he'll/they'll get used to it/over it
nm
I'll vent and I'll sign my name sm
I have two IC contracts right now. I recently went back to a job I had quit earlier in the year to work for the other company I am still working for.
The newer job has 80% ESLs. I transcribe OP notes primarily and I can fill in other work types as the opportunity arises. I am frustrated with this particular situation. After 6 months, I am making less money and working longer hours. I am past the learning curve and I should be doing better, at least in the number of hours I am spending doing the job. We have run out of work for 24 hrs at a time at least 5 or 6 times since December 1, and in November it was more than that. I have a friend who worked for this company as well and she was having similar difficulties. The only thing that we can figure is that they are shorting us line count some way, because after 6 months at it, it should be easier/faster/more money, but it is less and less every single pay period. It is not a nice thing to accuse a company of doing, but it SEEMS that way to us. I am fed up with being expected to type every single OP note that comes in 24/7 and meeting the 6 hr TAT for them on weekends, evenings, holidays, wee hours of the morning...
I took back a job I held for 2-1/2 yrs. The team leader has changed and this gal thinks that I should be on call 24/7 for whenever she has work. I might have some at 7 a.m., or perhaps not until 6 p.m. or later. I can't plan my personal life and between these two IC situations, I find that I am not eating on a daily basis, not showering on a daily basis and not sleeping more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. I have lost weight and I don't feel very well. I woke up today with a rip roaring head cold (my first in nearly 8 yrs) and it has already moved to bronchitis and I am expecting pneumonia by the weekend because I develop it very easily. I already have deep pain in my back.
Yes, I should call in sick tomorrow, but I really can't take the fallout. The job I took back I am covering for another gal who wanted vacation over the holidays and if I have to call in sick, the team leader will call me and pitch a fit about how this is my responsibility. It IS my responsibility, I did say I would do it, and I will do it, despite being quite ill. In the past, when I worked for this company, they would not allow me to call in sick for a "cold" without a doctor's note. I worked through many illnesses with them and only called in sick when I developed West Nile Fever and while I was sick for over a month, I only called for my last 12 reports one day when I could no longer see the computer screen because my head hurt.
The problem is that yes, many MTs lack work ethic. They don't take their responsibility seriously. This is not a work as you please career, not even for an IC. I can see the MTSO's point of view, I truly can. Like finding experienced, reliable and capable MTs, for the MTs who are these things, finding a company will treat you like a human being is equally difficult. I sit here, feeling lousy and like I am an utter slave labor with no consideration whatsoever. I know that my work needs to be done, but when I am this sick it is better that someone else do it for the sake of the work, for accuracy and for speed of getting it out. I know that I am needed, but to be the MT these companies need me to be, I also need to look after my own health.
I will also mention that when I have asked for vacation, I have been approved for the time, but the MTSO queues up my work and calls me then I am not on the system getting it done. I have told them I had been approved for time off, but the MTSO didn't schedule anyone to cover for me and I am told to get on work, vacation or no, if I want to keep my job.
Thus, I work 24/7/365 and have for years. I work sick, I work when I am in pain (I have an AI disorder), I work exhausted from staying up all night covering for others who are allowed to call in sick and have vacations when I can't have either. I work having no health insurance and not being able to afford the $125 a month to buy some with a high copay so I can see a doctor. I work without breaks for breakfast, lunch or dinner and I sometimes come close to having an accident because if I leave my desk to go to the little girls' room I get nasty calls about where I am at and what I am doing.
Many MTs are mistreated, and I am one of them.
Thanks for the tips.
By the way, aren't little girls the best?
Thanks for the tips - you were right!
It was great. Cool air, all Ops reports, clear dictators. I realize now the other people on my accounts are getting started at 5:00 am and beating me to all the work. Little did I know!
I only worked for about 2 hours last night because it was a spur of the moment thing and I hadn't napped. I worry about the quality of my work when I'm tired, so I'm going to take a long snooze this afternoon and start work at about 9.
In the 2 hours I worked, I got 390 lines, which is excellent for me with no templates/normals. Woohoo! I'll be able to hit my line count for the day in about half the time it takes me during the day.
Thanks all!
My tips
From someone who goes twice a year. Definetely plan to go Super Bowel Weekend,you will have ZERO wait on rides and just run from ride to ride, it is great. Also the first two weeks in December are okay. The summer and spring break are disgusting, it will put you in such a bad mood after one day. Check out the website Mousesavers.com. They have so much information there about everything Disney. When we go for one night with two kids and Florida resident discount we spend at at $500 for hotel, food, etc, etc. We also get in the Disney mood and think that are made of money so do spend more than needed. I would say go to disney site Disneyworld.com and figure out your ticket prices and hotel and then add $60 for each person per day. That is $20 per meal with a little extra left over from each meal for drinks, snacks, etc. That will be the top amount you need, but it gives you somewhere to start. We try to eat breakfast in hotel, pop tarts, PB&J and then only have to pay for lunch and dinner. Or eat breakfast, skip lunch and eat early dinner. If you need any more tips let me know, I have learned a lot over the years of going.
btw thanks for the tips
You're right, sitting around waiting for the perfect job won't happen. Something about MT'ing made me feel so comfortable and cozy, now not so much. I'm in the beginning stages of stepping out and finding another career before the boat sails. I guess having a few ideas is a start.
Thanks everyone for your tips. I really appreciate all the help!!
Hopefully, I can become an ESL specialist:)
I used to cut the tips off
Where I used to work as they seemed to turn the heat waaaay down at night and on the weekends when there was no one else but me in the bldg. working! I had bought those cheap less than a buck stretchy kind and cut the finger tips off and that worked well for me.
thanks for all the tips !
tips
Do you have one of those old-fashioned grocery stores in your area that still take your groceries out to your car? Like a Piggly Wiggly for instance? Do you tip the baggers that take your groceries out? I seriously had never gave it a thought until a friend of mine went to one of those grocery stores with me and she said that she does. I've never noticed anyone doing that. I tip my beautician, at the car wash, and for a manicure/pedicure, but it had honestly never crossed my mind until she said that she did that. Now everytime I go I'm looking around to see if anyone else does and I still can't figure out if they are or not.
Tips sm
Wouldn't it be nice if we got a "tip" for every time we saved someone by taking extra time with their dictation? Just a dream, of course! I too give my hairdresser a $20 tip for full highlight, etc., but I find now for just a cut alone to give her $5 is enough as it doesn't take that long. Perhaps I'm cheap, but I think the prices are so riduculous unless you go to SuperCuts, etc., that it's figured into the price. A hairdresser once told me he paid $3.00 for a $45.00 perm solution, of course, no one gets "perms" anymore, but there's a big markup. I try to go according to how long the stylist spends on me, if she gives me extra time and attention, I go higher. Sometimes some of them put on an "act" for you if they're not busy. You have to know the circumstances. My "regular" hairdresser pays for her space, so she has to make her rent and pay a babysitter. I like her, so I'm willing to spend more.
A few other tips, sm
A local noon TV show gave similar tips that have appeared here, but here are a few more:
Keep your money with you, i.e. wear a fanny pack rather than having it in a box or something.
Sometimes people ask to use your bathroom. Don't let them in your house, let them know of a store or gas station nearby with restroom facilities.
If it is a hot day and you have access to a child who is old enough, have them sell ice-cold lemonade. People will buy. Or, just keep a pitcher of ice cold water and paper cups, just to help them cool off.
Set a time and cut prices in half the last couple of hours on the second day, if you really want to sell your stuff.
If you don't want to move the unsold stuff back into the house, consider donating it to Good Will, Salvation Army, etc. Just pack it in your car and drive it over.
Have fun!
Thanks for those tips. (sm)
Those are really some great ideas.
My youngest has 2 more years until he is off to Kindergarten. As much as I hate to wish away the years where my kids are concerned, I know that things will be much easier for me when I have a "full" day to be able to devote to work with no interruptions. Then I will just have to worry about family and friends interruptions, which should be easier to handle!
I did sit down with my daughter yesterday and told her that I was desperate for some help this summer, oferring a small raise in her weekly allowance if she would give me a hand with the boys. She has been spending her days running around way too much. She agreed, so we will see how that goes.
It definitely is not easy to work at home when you have children. I can't even count the number of times I have thought to myself that I need to start looking for an in-house job. Then I remind myself of the benefits of being home for my kids. I think they do outweight the disadvantages in the long run.
Thank you everyone for your tips!
x
Any tips
I am looking to get back into the field after a 12 year break to raise my kids. Any advice on how to get my foot in the door or who might hire me? I have over 10 years experience in out-patient radiology.
Thanks.
Thanks for the tips!
nm
My tips here...
"With my tapes, I could type the entire day's dictation for the day in one word document."
Why can't you do that now? I type all my files in one Word document, them chop them up into separate files when done proofreading.
"It takes much longer to download the file, create the new documents, save, and upload than it does to type it."
Well, how long did it take you to get in the car and drive to get your tapes and return them?
I'm not sure what your problem is. I can tell you how I do it....maybe that will help.
I download all my digital files at once, then start transcribing them all in one Word document.
If you can't download them all at once, download the first one and transcribe it while you're downloading the second one, etc.
Thanks for tips
Thank you for the tips.
I just recenty started to use the Expander more for the basic parts of the sentence. It seems as time goes on, more things occur to me. I will check out the links posted too (thanks!).
I need to come up with a good system for labs. I can see that is slowing me down ... and vitals. I am very slow on the number row.
Anyway, I appreciate the ideas posted and will welcome any others that you all might think of.
Here are a few tips (sm)
Have your own "word list" (I use Lil Red Notebook) so once you look up a word and verify it, it will be faster to find it next time.
Also get a good Expander and learn how to use it, not just for individual words but for whole phrases (and even paragraphs) depending on what kind of work you are doing.
Stedman's medical spellchecker.
Try to just work during work hours, and surf only when you are not supposed to be working. This is the hardest thing for me! Sometimes even when looking things up online I get distracted, following links and reading things I don't really need to read when I've already found my answer.
Good luck to you. I have heard nothing but good things about an M-Tec education!
Thank you for all your tips
I am going to look into everyone's suggestions. I take it IT means Instant Text? How do you separate your dictionaries with doctors?
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