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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

lines per page

Posted By: Patti on 2005-12-21
In Reply to: how many lines are there per page? - stephanie

Depends on font, character size, margins -- anywhere from 54 to 62 per page.  Type a page in your usual font and count the lines -- easy to do, type numbers all the way down your left hand margin.  Or do one page and use the property function in Word and it will tell you the number of lines on that page.   Change the font and it will show you how many in different fonts.  Easy enough to find out. 


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Yep, $2.00 a page and the page has about 30-40 lines on it nm
>
how many lines are there per page?
A friend of mine works on a per page and half page basis rate wise and I was wondering how many lines that is.
Actually there is often not 65 lines per page. sm
It depends on your line length, font size, and a lot of other things. You would have to take the entire character count and divide by 65, that gives you the lines. I have had anywhere from 30 lines per page, to 70 lines per page. One hospital figured 18 words per line, or 90 characters instead of the normal 65, but it was an hourly position so it didn't matter.

But you're right, I doubt if you are only typing 15 lines per page. Somewhere you are being ripped off. Can you get the entire character count anywhere?
Now many lines are there in an average page?

M


Me, too. Can't make money if you can't put lines on the page. nm
n
Psychiatric transcription - average # of lines/page
I had an interview with a local MT firm that specializes in psychiatric transcription. The pay rate is .05/line for the initial training period (no timeframe given - training ends when owner feels employee is ready to work independently at home - could be 3 months) & .06/line after that. The owner mentioned that reports sometimes average 10-15 pages, but didn't mention how many lines the average page includes.

I'm trying to figure out what my pay would be. During the training period, the owner wants employees to train out of her house (20 miles from where I live/one way). With the price of gas, I'm trying to figure out if this is a good move financially. The psychiatric transcription definitely interests me, but I'm trying to figure out what my pay would be like. I'm guessing that while I'm in training, I won't receive large reports. The employer is supposed to make her decision within the week, so it's not like I've been offered the job. I just want to educate myself as to:

How many lines the average page of psychiatric transcription might have.
Does 10-15 pages sound right for the average psych report?
Does .05/line during training & .06/line after training sound fair. The owner doesn't give out pay raises or paid time off (I would be an employee, not an IC).
Does it sound reasonable to be in training for 3 months & then be able to work from home after that?

Can anyone help me or direct me to where I might be able to figure this out. I'm currently going thru MT training, so I don't currently have MT work experience. I do have 11 years administrative work experience & 7 years technical writing work experience, so I'm pretty proficient on the keyboard.

Thanks for your assistance.
Welcome to my world...I would type a whole page and ended up with 35 lines max. No thanks.
I had to bag it. I couldnt afford to do that. I was averaging $6 an hour. I can make more at McDonalds. So there is obviously a problem.
Ask for a sample report. Count the gross lines on a full page. Then
figure out the line rate you want to make. For example, if there are 30 lines on the page and you would want to charge $0.15 per line, then that would be $4.50 per page. If they would like your hourly rate, figure out how many pages you think you can transcribe in an hour. Using the above example, if you can transcribe 4 pages per hour, then charge $18.00 per hour. In California the going transcription rates are approximately $22-$25 per hour.
Personal page/web page resource
Paula,

Thanks a lot for sharing these great websites!
NJ $3 page, though I have heard as low as $1 page.

When I worked for a national, up thru 2 years ago, I was getting $1.75 page and heard they got $4.


Aaahhhh, now I get it. Gross lines vs. Character lines. I guess I've just been conditioned to
think in terms of character lines.  One of the perils of working as an IC for somebody who defines what a line is versus owning your own company and defining it yourself.  After working for someone else for 15 years, maybe it's time to bust out on my own.
That is a lot of work/lines for 2 people. I do 3000 lines per day sm
if you times that by 30 days that only comes to 90K lines a month, that is working 7 days a week including weekends. I don't think 2 people can handle that.
900 lines is below 1100 lines, where the bonus starts.
x
Gross lines include all lines containing
printable characters, so a full line and a line with one word on it are charged equally. Straight lines are basically the same as gross lines, but with this method of counting the blank lines are counted as well (again, equally). I have only had one company pay this way, and they are a middle man. I would think the charge would be about the same as for gross lines, and that not too many offices will want their lines counted this way (the one I worked on was probably inherited from someone who had counted the lines that way, so just continued).
The norm is 1 minute = 10 lines; 10 min = 100 lines - sm
granted this varies per dictator. More lines if a fast talker, less if a slow talker.
I went from 2400 lines to 1800 lines

a day when I switched from clinic (through an MTSO)  to hospital work. Not only was the clinic work easier with more macros (and less providers to learn, 12 vs 300+), but I was typing in straight Word (as opposed to Softmed/Chart Script).  So you see, it really varies depending upon the type of work as well as the platform used. That said, I am so much happier typing the 1800 lines per day (I make over $15 per hour plus an incentive for any lines in excess of 1200 per day) plus a great health package/benefits, AND approximately 5 weeks of paid time off per year.  In my opinion, hospitals really are the best employers WHEN they appreciate the work we do.


My advice for you is not to judge a job by any one criterion but rather the entire picture. The 'extra's can really add up.

Good luck in your job!


Which is the one where they are sc*&ing us the standard lines or the qualified lines? SM
Mine show up as STD when I pull up my transcription log.  But I see now there is STD/QT....  So which is the one where they are ripping us off, standard or qualified?  Need to know.  I am about to switch companies and I will not do if they are actually taking lines from me.  Thanks guys. 
Question versus gross lines versus 65-character lines....

I have always charged or been paid by 65 or 60 character lines or per letter or space typed, but have never been paid or charged per gross line.


What is the advantage of this?  If I were to charge 11 cents per 65-character line including spaces, what does this figure out to for an average line rate and how do you do this calculation? 


I'm wondering if it is financially beneficial for me to bill by gross line or to keep it the way I have it.  I do know some accounts will only pay per 65-character line, as this was the deal my first own account I recently acquired.  They were adamant on a 65-character line, but didn't specify with or without spaces and I personally would never not charge for spaces.


Thanks for explaining this.  I appreciate it and hope everyone has a speedy day.


Word count: 824 lines. DocuCount count: 897 lines.
I just counted the same file in Word and then in DocuCount, and DocuCount was higher than Word.

Just as an aside.
It's on page 129 of the BOS II if they like to use it. nm
s
Page, AZ
This last summer we took a driving trip and were set to stop in Page, AZ for one night... Ended up there for an extra night because of car trouble and we loved it -- the entire Page/Lake Powell area is gorgeous and we are planning a trip back asap -- I'm jealous!!
Their web page...
www.limewire.com explains why they aren't breaking any laws - something about there is no central hub where people are downloading music (as with Napster back in the day) but simply file sharing - so therefore it is legal. But I would never pay to download music - and I don't think the Beatles are upset about lost revenues!
per page
I actually work for a service by page and actually I do pretty well and feel almost better than a per line rate. I wonder if 60 lines is a combination of both text and blank lines?
Per page

I get paid gross line and from top to bottom of the page.  My rate is lower which is what the docs like and on chart notes just take the line count for word.  Kind of like your two lines on a page you get the page.  One word on the line, I get the line.  Also with my clinic notes, there is just one blank in between patients but I do get that line.  Of course I cut apart the notes for the clinic so that kind of pays it.  I also make good money and can't complain. 


 


By page

You need to turn it around so the doctor feels he is "saving money" by being charged by the line and therefore for only the part of the page that is completed.  Tell him that if you charge by 1/4 of the page anything over 10 lines would be a mininum of $1.50 - 2.00  and so he would be paying for part of the page that would not be filled up.   The same applies if he were to go only 1 line past the 1/2 page mark and thus pay for the entire page.  So make it seem more economical for him.  Also make sure that you figure your line charge out in the font you want to type in and if he wants a smaller, convert it over to charge out.  As long as they know that a gross line -- which is what I charge -- consists of how many characters in the Courier 12 font in, you are not cheating.  But show him how it would be beneficial for him to do the line charge and don't go with an attitude of "my way" show him you are looking out for him.   I would probably start out around 12 cpl per gross line as you will probably get a lot of standards that you can set up, etc.   So if work up to 200 to 300 lines per hour that is very good pay. 


Patti


Wow, we are both on the same page!
I would love to be a homemaker and be with my children, btw I dont have any yet, but that is what I would love to do!!! I agree with your comments totally on this board. Have a blessed day!
It's not there for me either. I think that and the mom page
should have a drop down in the menu thing above.
Could be anywhere from 1 page
to 5 pages.  These would be reports, not chart notes.
If you will look down the page...
There is a discussion about this. Here is a link to my post, which gives a link to the chair I currently use. I highly recommend it.
Are you saying $10 per page?
I just raised my rates to .12 for gross lines, old accounts but again I make good money per hour and just cannot justify raising higher.  I am happy.  That is gross line per Courier 12 and 1" margins.  With one account lots of consults and letters and can make $50 to $70+ per hour and so am happy.  Guess that would equal 13 to 14 65 cpl so that is in the ballpark.   My accounts pay on time, within 48 hours, never a bounced check, NEVER question my line counts or TAT.  I pick up and deliver, do envelopes, cut apart chart notes, and make good money.   Was just sick last week and did a pick up and delivery anyway and one of my docs told me to go home and rest and all others asked how I was feeling.   So do what is fair for all, do not price yourself out of the account as he could think that he could do it again himself but show him how much more free time he has and it is worth the money.   Oral surgeons will have lots of letters and op notes and so you can make a lot of standards and use a lot of expanders.   So you have the opportunity to make good money, again I always see what my bottom line is or hourly rate and not what cpl I charge.  
$1.30 per page???
I know it really depends on many factors, but I was wondering if $1.30 per page is a good rate?  I haven't typed a per page rate in years and I don't remember!  This would be a psych. account.  This company gives a template (I get paid for the template lines).  I am thinking this seems kind of low.   Any help would be appreciated.
$1.30 per page?

Oh, gosh...I almost fell over when I read this.  Maybe I missed something here, but when I had my own private accounts a few  years ago I was charging $5-$6 per page, which was actually low at that time.  The reason was that these docs were excellent dictators (hand-picked, of course), and $ wasn't an issue. 


I'd be interested in any other input.


Good luck.


$1.30 page
They should be ashamed of themselves. Don't take the job! I type speech pathology reports and charge $5.00 per page and do 200 pages a month for the last 8 years. These reports take up every inch of the paper, as they do not say
"new paragraph" very often
You can do better I'm sure!

I get $2.00 per page

Have a look at this page.
Copy and paste this link. These guys are GOOD. Looks like at least a couple of things to help.

http://majorgeeks.com/google_search.html?domains=MajorGeeks.com&q=antivirus+2009&sitesearch=MajorGeeks.com&client=pub-6960825562757852&forid=1&channel=6517887233&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23003300%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23665522%3BVLC%3A78B749%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3Acccc99%3BLBGC%3A336699%3BALC%3A11593C%3BLC%3A11593C%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A940F04%3BGIMP%3A940F04%3BLH%3A0%3BLW%3A0%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fmajorgeeks.com%2FEric%2F404.gif%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fmajorgeeks.com%3BLP%3A1%3BFORID%3A11&hl=en
pay per page
Does anyone know the average $ per page, not radiology but clinic notes?
By the page if the majority
of your work types are diagnostic plain films, such as chest and bone x-rays but if you have a lot of MRI's, CT's and special procedures such as catheter placement and removal, PET scans, angiograms and stent placements then by the line is more profitable.
i think its on the 2nd page of this board

i did a little different, added more


1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, lots of paprika and lots of garlic and probably 1 cup of olive oil.  I had a lot of chicken to cover.  I mixed it all up in a bowl to wear it was pretty thick, not runny.  placed onions and garlic at the bottom of crock pot.  dipped chicken in sauce and completely covered.  It shouldnt run off chicken.  Placed in crock pot and dumped the rest of the sauce on top of it.  she said she cooked it about 6 or 7 hours i think.  It smells awesome!!!!!


Our QA stay on the same page. Here's how. sm
We give feedback to our MTs on every report that comes through QA. The way our QA staff stays on the same page is to provide feedback to the MTs and we BCC to the other members of QA along with a BCC to the QA manager. We SEE what QA is telling the MTs and if we have a question, we ask amongst ourselves. We stay on the same page. That way, if an MT decides that they want to say a QA person told them something, we all know what was said.

It is a wonderful way to stay on the same page. It also is a great way to help the MTs.

We work with our MTs very closely.
See the Main page...
for a brief history of MTStars, see the main page.

http://www.mtstars.com

Sheri Steadman runs her own little company, USAType, Inc.
(Scroll this page to bottom to read last two lines).

Forget the affiliation with MQ or anyother company involved in offshoring "MTStars is staunchly against the offshoring of American Private Health Information".

Many companies like MQ, Cymed, Spheris etc etc. are banned on MTStars to post any jobs as well for advertising and sponsorships.

I love to visit these boards because I know I am on 100% US MTs site.

http://forum.mtstars.com/company/v/1/2147.html


towards the bottom of this page
Under the question about who is quitting before Oct 1st.
it's the same main page, but when I go to look
up something and get results, it is the results page that is really different.
I am getting 1.46 per page, doing about 100-150 per day. Instatext, 1 ESL.
How many accounts will you be doing. Do you have an expander.

I am making rather good wages now that I have become familiar with format and the doctor's dialect. But, I have one account only and have a lot of each physician dictation (about eight in total) in expander, for instance, their routinely said sentences for mammograms or chest films.


per page is better with rad than per line - sm
Per line means you will work your hiney off just to make any $$. Per report is the best way to go. I was paid $1.40 per report. I averaged about $33-35/hour and worked 3 hours a day.

If I worked onsite for a radiologist I was paid $88 (EIGHTY-EIGHT) for 2 (TWO)hours onsite.


Guru - did you get the one at .50/page
I have never worked thru them but am listed. Did you see the one who had a 50 page paper they wanted typed and said they "heard the going rate was $0.50/page"? LOL
$3.00 a page. I wish $300 - sorry. Also by fake it, I
mean, just be confident when you speak to the doctors' offices - don't let on that you are unsure of yourself!! That's what I meant by "fake it"!!
Per page rates
Hi guys, I just received a call from a doctor looking for transcription services but he uses templates and also wants a per page rate. I have never charged a page rate before. Does anybody do this currently? Is there a way to calculate or a going per page rate?
Saw that too. Page has worms, lol.


On that note, I was notified of a nasty e-mail virus or worm going around.  Watch out for e-mails with attachments, even if somebody you know because it gets the addresses.


go to Home Page


Someone is also using KS on this page as their initials.
:)
price per page

We may be going to a per page in paying our at home typists.  However, it has been a long time since I did this.  What is the current rate per page (the employer) to pay for imaging transcription??