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in reply to laurie....sm

Posted By: medtran26 on 2008-06-02
In Reply to: Wait a Minute Before You Protest - Laurie

"You know, I used to be very, very opposed to offshoring. Then I started doing some research on it. Do you know the primary reason why MTSOs would dare upset their MLS staff by offshoring? Because this is a 24/7 business and we won't work overnight and we won't do anything "difficult" like ESL docs or harder worktypes. It's as simple as that."

It isn't really as simple as that, at least not for me. I do work overnight. I do work the hard reports. I do work the difficult ESLs. I haven't been an MT for as long as the majority of people on this forum. I have only been working for 4 years, so I take what I can get.

"Before you start protesting, ask yourself these questions: Do I work overnight? Am I willing to work overnight? Would I be willing to take on an overnight shift if it meant the difference between working or losing my job to offshore?"

I work overnight, as stated above. Yes, if I was settled in a day shift position and switching to overnight would save my job from being outsourced, I would do it. I have a 5-year-old daughter and am a single parent. I have to do what I can to get the money I need to raise my daughter. There are many MTs in the same boat I am.

"I'm sure by now, you're saying, "No way - I have (kids/family/another job/a life) that I don't want to interrupt for work." Well, I"m sorry then. Until we remember the basic reason we're in this situation, we'll never get anywhere."

I agree with you on these aspects because there are MTs out there who would not work overnight and try to avoid the difficult dictators. I think they need to take a step back and think about whether or not they really want this line of work.

"Do you want to make a difference in whether or not your company offshores? Volunteer to change your shift to the overnight. Often times, you can get an overnight shift differential, which means not only will you have more work available but you'll also make more money doing it! Look - the industry is changing; it has to. We're the ones responsible for making it this way because we won't do things that are uncomfortable or the slightest bit difficult - Do you do ESL docs? What about hard worktypes? No? Then look in the mirror before you start spouting out about offshore."

I wouldn't have posted my ideas if I didn't feel strongly about the situation. If I didn't do ESL docs, didn't work overnight and avoided the hard worktypes, I would only be reading the posts of others. I sure as heck would not offer to take a stand with anyone else willing to do the same.

I know there are MTs out there not willing to do the above, but how many out there are? I have a feeling there are more than you and I could imagine. The majority of the reason for outsourcing to another country is to eliminate costs.

I don't know about anyone else, but I feel I am worthless. When I first started, I felt that I had somewhat of an important job. I don't feel that way anymore and that makes me sad. I like being an MT. It is an interesting profession and I learn something new everyday. Now, it just doesn't feel the same anymore.


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To Laurie....

Just wanted to let you know that I am STILL laughing over your post about BP pills even today.  I laughed all through work last night.  I thought maybe it was too funny because I was so tired.  But NOPE, I still thought it was just as funny today!!!!


Thanks for the GREAT laugh.      


to laurie and everyone else.....sm
I do agree with you Laurie. This is our fault. I see what you see too. However, I can't sit back and accept that the only way to make a difference is by letting things be as they are and work our rear ends off for 4 cpl or less. If we do this, I don't see the future getting better for us.

I can't speak for anyone else about how often they post or what their reasons are for posting, but I speak for myself. I happened upon MTStars because I was job hunting. I found information about what is going on and I am upset by it and trying to do something. I feel there is a strong cause here. I have since found work and by next week you won't see me post as often as I do now.

If nothing else, I think there should be a new association specifically for American MTs.

I don't know what else to say on the subject. I have been successfully shut down.
Now, Laurie --- if what the others say is what they WANT to, same for you dear...
you're seeing what YOU want to. You're not the authority to say you see him for "what he is". You see him the same as others -- for what you WANT to see in him.

You're no more superior in knowledge than anyone else. It's your opinion versus theirs. LOL
Who the hell's Laurie?
See, you don't know everything. Thanks for the belly laugh! You have no idea who I am.
To Laurie.....Again Bravo!
I agree!

How much time do MTs dedicate to their job, who are willing to start a big, revolutionary campaign regarding the MT business to stop offshoring?

Maybe they should really work in another industry.

People who are not even ready to pay for a mentoring program? Come on! And refuse to give back the computer that was provided by the company because they worked so 'hard' and do not think that they were compensated enough? Where is their integrity?

It is a business and a f r e e market. Don't these people ever get it?

Hugs to you, Laurie...What the world needs now
is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of.


LOL This IS funny. So YOU are the REAL LAURIE and the
other is an IMposter?! RRROOFFFLLLL
Who's Laurie? The single mom post was mine
HI
I agree. I was shocked too. Laurie seems irritated; thought a little
mothering might help calm her down.

I'm raising my children alone. I know how it is.
Laurie De Jaen of Seattle, WA! You've won the MTStars
FlashType Word Expander! Email admin@mtstars.com to collect your free gift!  Congratulations from MTStars.
Good girl Laurie...now you'll have a nice night
and the evil doers can spread their evil elsewhere!
Email reply vs. Post Reply
Could someone tell me how to post a message and then have someone reply by email instead of just "Post Reply."  I'm pretty new to this "chat" board.  But I WOULD like to say it is VERY informative and helpful.  Too bad some of the companies we work for aren't as helpful as one MT is to another MT.  We'd have it made!!
Instead of clicking Post Quick Reply, go to the box further down on the left that says Post Reply to
     
thanks for your reply

and really sad too....


how's this for a reply
THE ARUBAN CASE INVOLVES AN AMERICAN, HELLO?  Comparing this and the Idaho case is just plain stupid! She is an American and deserves to have Americans looking for her.  God, give me a break!
Reply
Well I have only been working for 5 days now hard to say...
REPLY
Oh you are kidding!!! I just tested and was offered an IC position.. did you work for them long and they didn't pay you or if I am being too nosey please tell me.. I hear so much on this and other boards about companies not paying, you just don't know anymore about any of them!!
I have to reply to this LOL
That is not always the case sweetheart (see being nice).  I have been sugary sweet to these people and it does not work.  I have found that if it is a woman on the phone..my husband gets where we need to be and if it is a man on the phone, i get where we need to be.  Sad but true!!
REPLY
Hello,

Please read my reply to Vanessa Satterwhite's post. If you are still interested in working for us, please contact me at smt_recruiter@yahoo.com
sm's reply
Give this newbie a break! Trust QA? You don't if you do all that research. What makes you think no research was done?
Reply

Thats what i said..we don't know.  So therefore, she needs to be aware that she should definitely do the research PRIOR to just leaving the job.  If she hasn't then a new job is not going to do her any good other than show that she changes jobs often, which does not look good on a resume.  As far as trusting QA...not ALL companies hire crappy QA.  We again do not know.  The QA COULD be right and COULD be very good at his/her job.  You simply don't know, but telling her to move on before you even know the facts is just silly.


reply
Animal advocate, I really appreciate all your info you are putting out there, but I do take pause at your statement above that animals were meant to be consumed, I do not believe this. We are made to be vegitarians as our digestive tracts are not meant to digest meat, our intestines are too long thus the meat sits in our stomachs and rots before it is expelled. Yes there is a food chain, but I don't believe animal meat is part of that food chain for humans. Keeping on researching you will find the right answers for you, again thanks for your input.
reply to please help
Can you tell me what you were offered? If you don't mind.


Thank you! for your reply. Must tell you

When I got the email telling me I passed my test, I had tears rolling down my face. My 10-year-old daughter said, "Mama what is wrong?!"  I said, "I passed the test!"  She said, "Why are you crying?  You're happy aren't you?"  The combination of the stress of testing and finding out that I actually do have what it takes, hit me all at once.


I've been home for a year now after doing inhouse for over 15 years, and it is the best decision I have ever made.  I love it.  The flexibility is great for my kids, not to mention that I'm saving a small fortune on gasoline!


I get your message loud and clear about looking things up.  I have dozens of dogeared reference books and I am the queen of Google.  I took a medical terminology class to help with areas I wasn't too experienced with and the instructor's main focus was, "Don't guess. Look it up!" 


reply, thanks
Thank you for the feedback. any ideas on a company that is honest to work for?
If this reply was to me
It is because I still have the best I can get right now with the hospital, even though MQ did make it much worse, I can't afford to lose the benefits that we have. I went to work for MQ part-time on the side in the SAME PROGRAM and realized that it was EVEN WORSE, SO I QUIT MQ.
reply to above
if your life is so void of friends/family that you have to come to an MT board to discuss your personal issues.  transcription is only ONE aspect of my life.  I come to this board to discuss transcription issues and transcription issues only.  I have other people in my life that I can discuss things like KATRINA with.
reply
you obviously don't live with anyone.
A reply...
Your assumption is that less profits for CEOs and businesses and MORE money funneled into services will alleviate poverty.  I don't agree.  That is still a Band-Aid to the problem.  Since Johnson's Great Society in the 1960's poverty has not improved much at all.  In fact, some of the core underlying reasons for poverty have now been enabled... Who needs to worry about having kids without the proper preparations, the govt will save you.  We have a culture filled with rap music telling impressionable young people anything goes.  And I don't buy the "parents should just not allow kids to listen to it if they don't like it" because the kids that it impresses are kids who don't have proper parenting at home.  I'm all for funneling money into programs to get people onto their feet, to get educated, to help them while they achieve this goal, but to just hand it out to people who feel entitled without any effort in return is wrong.  Poverty will simply continue and even worsen. 
For you and WA see my reply below. I did this

because I needed a laugh too! 


My microwave is broken again, so I had to order out for pizza.


I first called my sister and asked her what to do.  I asked her how to use the big huge white appliance thingy with all of the dials on it that sits next to my refrigerator and has cute little covers over those "coily things" on the top.  I told her that the dials and numbers are way to confusing.


Her reply to me was, "Oh my gawd, you cook?"


Glad I made you guys laugh or chuckle.  With this job, we all need it.


Was your reply to
I am confused by your response.....I actually enjoyed the original posters "little jokes" about Walmart and someone had to come on here and say how ridiculous it is and how it wasn't funny and what not. I voices my opinion and she kept having come backs. I certainly always love a good laugh and just cannot understand how this Walmart jokester was so wrong in people's eyes. So, perhaps you should be addressing her and not me, because I have a good sense of humor and found it somewhat amusing.

reply
No, I have my college degree. All I was saying was that no job is certain anymore even with a college degree. I have met quite a number of people who have college degrees in areas such nursing who have gotten into transcription because what they were doing before was too demanding of their time and they had no family life. I wish people would stop knocking this profession. For myself this is a great fit for me. I just recently moved across the country from PA to CA with the same job totally intact. I have total freedom to move where I please when I feel like it without it disrupting my income or where I work. How many people can say that? Not many.
reply
what are people supposed to get paid??? $20 an hour? Sometimes I think part of the problem is that people think that just because they went to school that they should come out making $40K plus a year. Let me tell you something, even with my university education plus my MT education I knew what seemed at the time nil. I think people forget the saying -- if it so easy then everyone would do it.
My reply
I have two full time QA positions and I am not certified. I am salary on one at about $16 per hour. I am IC on the other at $20 per hour. The salary, I get paid the same amount each pay period no matter what volume comes through. The IC, I am paid to monitor the work as well as QA so for whatever shift I am on, I get paid, work or not.

I can't help you on average lines as I am not paid by line so I do not keep track of them. The amount of work required depends on your companies requirements. Mine are based on what platform and what account I am working on and they are not set in stone. Hope this helped. Good luck to you.
A reply
You don't shop there...Good for you.  I never said you SHOULD shop there if you have personal reasons not to.  If they're breaking the law, the law will deal with them.  If they are TRULY the evil company that you say they are, that will be their eventual downfall.  One class action suit on a company that big?  Hardly a shocker.  As for Chinese products?  Please check the labels on the stuff that you DO buy at where ever you buy it (other than Wal-Mart) and tell me where it's made.  EVERYTHING IS MADE IN CHINA!  Why?  Maybe because Americans and their unions didn't help the situation by demanding big bucks for little skill.  You arguments doesn't hold up either, at least as far as Chinese products go.
Reply
It is www.ustranscription.com
A reply
So what you're saying is that everything can be arranged for except for keeping  ice.  That brings us to who needs ice?  I can live without ice.  The only people who must have it are people who have meds such as insulin that must be kept cool.   Were those lines full of people on medications?  I doubt it.   As for the way the storm hit, I guess people should assume the worst and be glad when it doesn't happen. No offense though, but I can't see how anybody wants to live  in the state of Florida.  I've been there.  It's awful.  Hot, sticky,  flat, expensive, and riddled with bad weather.  I'll keep on freezing my butt off up here in the  Northeast (with my 4 cords of wood piled up for our 2 woodstoves just in case the blizzard of  all blizzards keeps us trapped this winter).
reply
I use the phrase, "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you." Then I tell them that I wouldn't have to actually kill them, but it IS confidential and sorry, but I am not able to discuss it.

End of discussion.

(I just couldn't stand hearing ONE MORE PERSON say, "Oh, I know how to type! Maybe I should do that!" Grrr!
Reply......
Actually, I have known and worked on many projects with the owner of USA Type before they owned this board and Sheri is a great gal to work for and work with.
In reply...sm

I appreciate the supportive posts, I really do.  Sometimes it's hard to tell folks how much their words of encouragement are needed. 


For the other posters, well what can I say.  Thanks for kicking an old dog when he's down.  FYI, I am a good MT, probably not the best, but I am a hard worker and have always given 100%.  Not that I have to defend myself - I took the test as I would have transcribed it.  This company was a very small company in Alabama and the person who owns it wants the best MTs.  The pay is excellent.  I was very upset I did not pass the test because obviously I am not the best.  But I have heart and wanted so much to succeed at this career.  Now, I don't know.  I looked up real estate tonight!


And concerning the 1/2 cc...0.5 mL - Especially the ***hole who told me to keep up with my profession....per my copy of the revised safety rules..."use one-half or 1/2" depending on the way it is transcribed.  Also, it is mL now, not ml.  No mention made of cc being acceptable.  So I followed my AAMT BOS standards.  But it was drilled into my head over and over at MQ too, VERBATIM!  Change only the obvious stupid stuff.  On this test, one dictator spelled cephazoline...I changed it to cefazolin.


Thanks to the MTs who encouraged this nervous MT and the first nervous MT and piss on the other holier than thou MTs.  I wish all former MQ's good luck.


reply
Possibly meaning skin type II
Your reply
I think this is great. Thanks for your opinion. I really appreciate the time you took to reply. I am kind of lost right now, to get professional MT's opinion about business I think is wonderful.

Yes,I have been bombarded this morning with EM from people concerned for my health and wanting to take over my account. Maybe I did not make it clear in my original post. . . but I really wanted to know if anyone has sold a MT business and how they went about it.

Thanks,
G
reply

Thanks so much for your help and encouragement!  How long have you been there?  Do you like it there?  Any idea what the starting pay is?  Is it extremely frustrating at first?


Thanks again!


Thanks for the reply.
x
reply:

What do you mean by platform?  I've used a couple of in-house systems for pathology. Could you be more specific? Perhaps I could help.


reply
1.  Have long have you been using TransNet?  Is it hard to learn?


I don't use it anymore, but I used it for 18 months.  It was super simple to learn.  It just downloaded my work when I told it to.


2.  Does it work with Word 2003?


It did for me.


3.  Do you d/l the files through a modem or through a cable or DSL line?


I did it with cable internet.


4.  If you have a cable or DSL line ... how long would it take for you to download, say, all of the Alta Bates or Sequoia reports. I ask about those only because I can translate that into lines in my head. IOW, "it takes 1 hour to d/l a full day of Alta Bates." This way I could figure out where things would stand on one of the accounts I work on.


I am clueless here.


5.  Would you rather use TransNet or C-phone? Why (whatever your choice is) <-- this is the critical question, so feel free to go into detail


I've never used a C-phone.  TransNet is easy software to download and use.


6.  What happens if you've download a batch of files and your hard drive crashes? Are those files gone forever or are the "originals" still on the master system?

 

The files are still on the on the master system.  When my system crashed, I could load up TransNet with my files still waiting for me after reboot.

reply to ww
It's for IC, PT, not sure about headers and footers-- do you mean like patient info? no benefits
Reply to both below...
I have only one account, but it is a huge acute care hospital. I could have different doctors every day. I do use short hand, and I am expanding my dictionary almost daily. It has helped tremendously. I just can't seem to type the correct way. My hands move around quite a bit. When I keep them still, my left wrist kills me. Sometimes I can get in those modes where I am flying, but they are not consistent.

Well, I think in my situation it would probably not be something that would help tremendously. Thanks for the info though. Maybe I will invest in a really good typing program!!
reply...sm

Overall, I really enjoyed being an MA. I liked working hands-on with the patients. I liked working side-by-side with the doctors, too.


I left MAing because we wanted to have another baby...not because I didn't like it. I also learned a lot, which helped me out when I wanted to do MT... hope this helps and good luck!


Thanks for your reply. sm
I'm going to look into it in case I decide to work part-time or whatever. I think it will give me some freedom job-wise not to have to worry about having insurance through my work.
Thank you for your reply. :) nm
 NM