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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

make that -- If I ever am fortunate

Posted By: typingforpennies on 2007-03-08
In Reply to: subcontractor - typingforpennies

it is very late and I am very tired. Darn it -- where is my spell checker. LOL


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I have been very, very fortunate....

as mine only flares up a couple of times a year, so far, but you change see the changes in my fingers, etc.  I'm very stubborn about everything in my life, like Frank Sinatra.....I did it my way.....don't take meds, don't follow any particular diet, etc.  I do live in Florida which of course helps with the Raynaud's which was a problem when I was in Virginia a few years ago.  Medications do not like me at all, they always cause some kind of problem, so when the pain is really bad I'll just take good ole Bayer aspirin that seems to help a lot.  I'm about 60 years old now and one day will  probably have to do more but for now, just aspirin and ignore it.  Stupid maybe?  Who knows.  Look at all the bad things they are finding out about certain meds now.  I'd rather just trust in the Lord for now; will do meds when absolutely necessary.  As for typing, it takes an hour or two before my fingers really fly anymore but they do still have wings!!! 


Do as I say and not as I do....make sure your friend has a GOOD rheumatologist...they can do wonders for those who find themselves really incapacitated!!!!  If you are in Florida, go to Dr. Norman B. Gaylis in Aventura, Florida.  He really helped me with my first flareup before I moved!! 


consider yourself fortunate
/
I am very fortunate!
All my docs thank me at the end and sometimes will even after a particularly long report will say "Say, I am ready for a cool one--how about it?" After reading all these comments on board, I feel very lucky.
Fortunate IC.

I know very well the difficulty of taking vacation and while I do not take a vacation every year, I have taken time off for a cruise for my 20th anniversary and for three major surgeries.


I have taken my laptop with me on trips and done what I can while away but it's not the same quantity as when I'm home. I tell all my offices several weeks in advance the dates that I will be gone and that I will do what I can while I'm out but they will have to wait until I return for my undivided attention. I have not had any problems with this arrangement. I did not take the lapto on the cruise and everything was waiting when I returned. Yeah, it's kinda of tough getting caught up but I consider it even tougher not getting away at all.


When I had the surgeries, I made arrangements to have other friends take some of my work while I was recuperating; all of the offices have been very compassionate and understanding so I've been very fortunate in this regard.


It's not easy to take a vacation but I have found that if I explain what is going on and give them plenty of notice, they are very understanding. Everyone in the office gets a vacation, including the docs, so they understand when I'm due for the same.


Sorry, that should have been "I am fortunate to have"

Some of us were fortunate

to get started in this field when it was possible to be hired and trained on the job.  Some of us started right out of high school in the transcription department of a hospital where OJT was offered.


After retiring from another career, I took an aptitude test given by MRC, and did well enough that they basically let me train myself in medical transcription.  I spent the next several years with my nose in books, looking up every other word and for the first year listened to every report twice just to make sure my work was okay.  It took a long time to train my ear for ESL dictators.  It was slow going and not very profitable at first, but eventually I began to make fairly good money at it.  I've worked for MTSOs ever since, and currently make $20-$25 an hour - depending.  But now these companies are really putting the screws to us.


Many employers now demand a ''certificate'' from a ''school'' for serious consideration.  Some years ago, with over 10 years of experience with MTSOs, I interviewed with a local medical practice (the type with a staff of physicians and a stuffy professional practice manager).  He did not really understand how I could be doing this without any ''formal training.''  I offered to demonstrate my ability, but once he realized I had no ''degree'' I was not allowed to test for a position.  I have sent my resume to other local practices over the years, but never got an interview. So it was much easier to keep working for MTSOs, who at least would hire me based on experience and testing.


Anyone who has been in this profession very long realizes that it takes years of experience to become any good at it.  However, I don't think a newbie has any way to get a foot in the door without some silly piece of paper from some funky school nowadays.  Am I missing a way that the neophyte can get hired, work at MT and ''hone the craft'' without attending some rip-off school?


Again, here, I've been fortunate...
5' 5" and weight fluctuates between 105 and 115 pounds....so I don't have a problem with weight.  Why in the world doesn't she try a different rheumatologist?  Are you all in a small town?  Believe me, it would be worth the drive to go 2 to 4 hours to see someone who can help her.  The pain is no fun at all; it is deep within the bones; you can't touch it to make it better; all you can do is wait and know that eventually it will improve.  It sounds like she has a really advanced case.  Maybe you can help her find another rheumatologist, no matter how far away; I have seen many patients improve to the point where they CAN enjoy life again....she just needs a good doc!!!  I'll be thinking about her.  Tell her she will not get better until she does something to improve the situation and the first step is finding a good rheumatologist.  She probably needs some help here as right now she probably doesn't care too much anymore, especially if she is drinking too much....I know just went through this with a neighbor.  She was in the deepest, darkest pit of depression, didn't want to live, drank constantly, lost down to 60 pounds and was totally jaundiced.  I called EMS and put her in the hospital for a month.  She was angry but only for about two days.  Now she is a very happy person and looking forward to life, although with some liver damage.  Guess sometimes we just have to take them by the hand and lead them to where they need to go.
Well I at least I am fortunate to have a job I guess

So many newbies can't find work and I have tried in house in my area, gues what they mostly outsource their work, I know Spheris does a few hospitals in the area, So I will try this IC for awhile but I am deffinatley going back to work, I cant live off of this yet and I am not doing this for (stay at home mother) I do not have children... Yet...


Just wanted to give this an honest effort


We are fortunate to have benefits.
The problem is that we have a person who can transcribe their required line count in 6 hours or sometimes under that.  When there is extra work to be done, she will get on and get her line count in about 6 hours, then get off for about an hour, then get back on and do extra to finish her shift.  When there is not extra to be done, she gets on and off so that she covers her shift.  This Transcriptionist always produces more than the others when there is extra to be done.  We have other transcriptionists who cannot transcribe as fast, but they make appointments in the middle of their shift and take off and come back on and transcribe their remaining lines.  The ones who do not transcribe as fast complain about the one who gets off and on, but in reality, they are doing the same thing in the name of appointments or errands, just not getting as many lines.   All employees have a base hourly pay.  The required line count is 1000 lines per day.  The lines are calculated at 125 lines equaling one hour pay.   All transcriptionists work in the same pools so the work is distributed evenly.   If a transcriptionist transcribes 5375 lines in a week, they are paid 40 hours at base pay and then  paid time and a half for 3 hours, even if they have not actually "worked" 43 hours.  The lines are registered in minutes, with one minute of dictation equaling ten lines.   We would like to go with a straight line count, not minutes, with an incentive program, but our system  counts headers and footers and blank lines.  Not sure what the solution should be.
I was fortunate enough to have an account
where my Expander stats were running 65% consistently. That meant I was only typing about 35% of each report. Expanders are definitely worth the money. I use ShortHand and love it.

I had one doctor I could do 440 lines per hour on. Unfortunately, those are the accounts going to voice recognition or offshore, so I'm unemployed yet again.
I hope your 70 MTs know how fortunate they are (sm)
Your MTs are very lucky. A lot of us would give anything to have a decent-paying job with someone who cares.
You are fortunate to call shots. Most MTs can't
MQ doesn't give a care about cell phones, noise in the background or whatever would keep you from doing the report. Just do it and don't send it to QA but if QA picks it up randomly to "grade" you, you take a cut because your report may not stand up to QA standards. It's win-win for the companies and lose-lose for MTs.
I was fortunate with community college
I took courses through my local community college's continuing education program. The instructors were people who worked in the medical field during the day and taught at night. By doing exceptionally well in the classes and being a model student, I was recommended by a couple of the instructors and got a start at the office where one instructor worked before I even finished my transcription class.

Once I got my foot in that first door, I've been working steadily and successfully ever since. I had only a couple of classes under my belt!

The approved schools are probably the best chance for work after graduation, but opportunities can arise wherever you train.


Also fortunate enough to have a separate room. And
s
Fortunate enough to have a DH who has a very good income, plus...

the fact that we have no debt but our house. There are those people who just have to have everything right now, no matter what the cost. We have 1 fairly newer SUV, paid for, and DH drives a paid for, older commuter Subaru that has over 200,000 miles that he drives 66 miles a day round trip to work. We don't have kids at home anymore, don't pay for college, still manage to save a bit. I'm always amazed at the couples with kids who have an SUV or mom van, a big truck for dad, boat, RV, flat screen TV, etc, and all the payments to go with them and then complain that they are broke. If people lived below their wage there would be no problem. Our next big crisis in the US is going to be credit cards...imagine buying $100 worth of groceries and paying 19% interest forever!


I envy you! But I am very happy at your success! Wish more of us could be as fortunate! :) nm
nm
How fortunate that someone took the time to answer your question.
I was merely pointing out that it was possible that you don't need to spend the time or money to do all of that since I apparently wrongly assumed that you knew what you were doing. So much for the assumption that you were totally aware of all that the process involved. You're lucky that after reading your response to the original post that someone even wanted to bother answering your question.
You're extremely fortunate to get those lines. Too many of us deal
s
You're incredibly fortunate. Many of us aren't even getting offered 8.5 cpl for years of exper
m
You spending 3K in gasoline to make 4K plus all that time on the road?That doesn't make sense Pat




How nice that the world revolves around what you make and no one else could possibly make more. sm

Marla in So. California pays 11 cpl for a 55 ccl, Oracle pays 9-1/2 cpl, MDI-MD 11 cpl, JLG 10 cpl for gross line, etc.


Of course, these are rates negotiated and paid to qualified MTs.


When I see mistakes I repeatedly make, I make a quickcorrect for it (sm)
for example if I type we plant o instead of "plan to" I have a quick corrct so that if I type plant o, it replaces it with plan to, etc. It is hard - I was with the same company for 8 years. I do not work for anyone with an accuracy requirement though.
When you make the copay, make them give you a sm
receipt for the amount you pay them.  I know they don't like to do this because it takes time, but if you are really stern and insist on a receipt they have to give you one.  Then, the next time you get billed for something you already paid, tell them to look for their copy of the receipt and let THEM do the work. 
Yes, unfortunately you do have to make a pest of yourself to make it work, but.....
as the years went by that is why I stayed away from those type of companies.  BTW, Noni is a fabulous product, I absolutely do not care for the "marketing techniques" they use.  One of the facts of this type of industry is you cannot just recruit to make it, you have to retail.  Ever since I "overhauled" my techniques and system...I never had to ask another person to some on board again.  Well, nuf for now.  Take care and have a blessed week!!
lol cut myself off. Anyway, I'll make close to what I used to make with MQ,
ddd
You can't make things worse and could make things better.
The skinny woman may be ill.  The guy might not know the dog is a nuisance.  Who knows?  Maybe it is not as forbidding as it seems and maybe they just need to be asked in a nice way. 
What do you make.........?????
Just once, I would like to see some sympathy/empathy on this board instead of arguing. Where are your feelings??????
Make sure
you get $ offer in writing with Transolutions BEFORE you start. AFTER you start they don't remember what they offered you and at that point you are stuck. Benefits are VERY good!

Otherwise, QA has gotten very difficult!. Their platform is VERY, VERY, VERY old - it stinks! And good luck getting a response to questions from anyone in the office!

You might want to keep looking.
YW :) Yup, they sure can make you want to...

...sometimes, that's for sure.


Hang in there


Make that four.
I've worked for a couple of large nationals. The folks at Amphion are RESPONSIVE and positive. They'll go out of their way to get things done for you (even on a holiday). Very down to earth and appreciative of the people who generate revenue.

And nope, I'm not management, just impressed because I've been management and know that what they're doing works.
You make no
This all began from "no whining" attacking a newbie on here for spelling a word incorrectly. I am sorry, but we all "started" this profession at one time and there is LOTS to be learned, and the English language is ONLY THE BEGINNING! That poor soul that was attacked hasn't returned! Now, you tell me, is that fair?
also,make sure they

know how the other account is counting their "lines" and make them aware that what sounds like a good deal, may, indeed, be costing them more. Good luck to you.


 


I think I can make your day

I'm presuming that their template is stationery ...


1.  Pull the template to the screen.
2.  Place a left margin where you want it. The little "L" appears on the ruler.
3.  Look at your ruler and you'll see one triangle on top of the other and a box underneath the bottom triangle.
4.  Put your cursor on the box, hold down the left mouse button, and drag it to where your margin is (you said 1.75" or 2").
5.  Release the mouse button.


You should now be able to type away and nothing will write over what's down the left side of the page.

If this doesn't work, then I think a table is in order, and I can show you how to create one that is visible on the screen but invisible when you print.


Make way more now as an IC of course. nm
x
Hmm...will it make you really

Angry if I let you know that in Canada we spell it COLOUR, GREY, NEIGHBOUR, etc... I really was not saying whether one should spell it a certain way or not. In fact, since I have lived here I do spell it the American way. My observation was simply that there are plenty of countries that spell it cheque. I cannot believe some of the comments that have been made. I don't often post here as people do seem to be rude sometimes, and I am not likely to do so again.


I want to make that much $$$
HOW?????? are you making that much money? I type 80 to 100 wpm (depends on how I'm feeling any given day), and I am only making MAYBE $32 to $34K per year. I want to make the big bucks. I am good at what I do. I have a word Expander and all kinds of shortcuts. My clients love my work. But I want to know how you all are making that kind of money. Please tell me your secrets.
The only way they will make any $$ is if they
sucker other people into signing up.  It is a multi-level marketing thing.   Unless they are good sales people and they sign up people who are good sales people it is a waste of time.  
IMO QA should make MORE than
and no, I'm not in QA, but seems to me that they have to know and/or understand what the MT doesn't in order to do their jobs, so why don't they make more? They should be hourly, but as I said, just in my opinion.
make your own job
Even owners don't get to work  that schedule/hours with that pay  So guess you will have to "make" your own job?   To pay you what you want in an 8 hour shift, you would still need to produce 2000 lines to bill out to the client so we could have the money to pay you, that is why we do cpl.  Like I said, everyone would love that schedule/hours and pay.   When you find it, beam up Scotty and let me join you. 
Wow, how do you all make that much?
I work about 5 hours a day, five days a week, and I am lucky if I make $1000 a month
Make that DH, please.
:+
Yes but how much do you make?
All of those cushy things are great, but the pay is so bad working at home.  I will be making 20 dollars and hour plus benefits plus many many days off, paid holidays, great insurance.  I can't make 20 dollars an hour working at home.  Do most people?  How much an hour do people make working at home and how many hours do you put in?
you just have to make it one of your sm

many priorities.  I just started 3 mos ago and have finally decided that it is important to my health, so I have to make time to exercise.  Even getting up and doing a bunch of jumping jacks once per hour is better than nothing, but if you can take 30 minutes to walk or do yoga or run or whatever, it will be a good thing for you and might even increase your productivity!


 


I think they probably look to make sure....
that the company is not paying $1.00 per line and we missed it!
Make a Wish (sm)
If you could choose between being paid by the hour versus being paid by the line, which would you choose?  Why?  And how much either method?  Just dream a little bit--nothing outrageous, what do you think would be fair to both sides. 
Can you get SSI for your son, or is that what you make too

much money for? 


Yes, make too much for SSI

I think I have applied three times in the past 11 years.  Once we were $200 dollars over the limit and I know I should have consulted a lawyer then to try to do something but I just figured it wasn't worth it or we should be able to get by.  He's had to have three major surgeries with minor ones along the way in 11 years.  We were just climbing out when he had to have another one three years ago and now we're down again.  I can't blame it all on that though.  We have had some miss management of a few things but it's not like we live in a big house and drive new cars and take elaborate vacations.  (vacation, what's that).  I just don't understand how some people can live like that do.


well if you get on there make sure
to give a shout out to all your fellow MTs - I'll be rooting for you !
Can you tell me how you make them? SM
I would LOVE to know how to make candles. Is there a quick way to learn? TIA!
They still make them....sm
the ice cream trucks that cover our area sell them. Also last summer when we were at Disney World they had them there.
I make $15/hr
I'm not sure if that's good or bad, but it works for me. I also have PTO and no weekends or holidays.