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not out to stir the pot or gain brownie points

Posted By: sm on 2007-07-09
In Reply to: You make no sense to me. (sm) - Huh?

Okay, I'll tell. I work for an MTSO that is known for its standard of hiring only the best of the best MTs. The only feedback I get is for the exceptionally good work I do and the raises it earns.

I just think the OP is conflicted...trying to "set" us all straight while s/he studies to move out of this profession and still projects that the rest of us should care about it - as if anyone who has been in this business has not kept up with the changes; where it used to be, where it is now and where it is heading.

I do my part through the work I produce. My work ethic would hold true whether I produce reports or greet people at Wal-Mart. I have nothing to prove or need the attention as it seems the OP does.

Again, this is a waste of bandwidth.


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i'd call that brownie points for heaven LMAO...and a waste of time!
;)
Brownie recipe.... Shhhh, it's a secret.....
I got a GREAT to die for brownie recipe of his. This one is much more specific as he wrote the stuff down. Double chocolate batter, chocolate (and sometimes caramel) sauce, white chocolate and pecans on the top... He calls them Suicide Brownies.... would be happy to share if you're interested.
My daughter's Brownie Troop is sending GS Cookies - sm
A few people in the troop know people in Iraq and the soldiers they know said they don't care if any melt.....of course we are not sending all mints, or all chocolate ones but a mixture. Needless to say I am sure they will all be gone in 10 minutes!
I think you wanted to stir the pot
You wouldn't be celebrating the "holiday" if it weren't for the birth of Christ, why celebrate at all if you want to leave the "religion" out of it since that is the reason for the holiday.  I think that you wanted to "stir" things up otherwise you would just be observing quietly and not making a fuss about what your bliefs are or are not.
no this is eeeekkkkkk let me stir up some trouble. hehehe.
trust me. CEO just called me to see what i thought about the sale. i approved and it's a done deal.
Sorry, you are wrong and just trying to stir up trouble. Shoooo!!! nm
.
Southwestern chicken and rice, corn nuggets, sweet tea and brownie ala mode for dessert! nm
 
Sounds like a strawberry or raspberry cheesecake brownie. Google the phrases + recipes and lots of
s
Spheris can't AFFORD MQ. I doubt it is TRUE and someone is bored and trying to stir
Good job.
Fried tofu, stir-fry veggies, served on bed of kale. NM
.
Stop trying to stir up trouble. Goldbird is a moderator and retired MT. She and
Busy MTing are two different people.
I can tell you, 75% GAIN weight. But you might need them for a while anyway.
x
Gain knowledge sm
I think I addressed this before, you cannot get enough knowledge to put in your bank. If they are willing to pay you, soak it in like a sponge. It's hard, I wanted to quit so many times but I went from "duh" to "diva" by blood, sweat and tears. It's worth it, hang in!! Knowledge is power.
There are good points and there are bad and ugly points. Unfortunately, the bad and ugly get
deleted.  Just the other day there was info and it seems to be more positive.  Like any MT job, some love it, some hate it.  But, having been employed there, the bad parts are/were true.   The changes sound great but not great enough to make me change my mind about working for them.  I do say she pays well for the area.  She is one of the rare business owners who actually started out as an MT..I think that makes a big difference in pay.
Spicy hot kung Pao chick with stir fried vegetables from the garden.
Onions, zucchini, oriental peas, bok choi, carrots, jalapenos, and dried Thai Dragon pepper flakes.  Plus, some storebought broccoli, fresh garlic, water chestnuts, baby corn, celery, and red pepper.  Served over organic jasmine rice.
Posts are up for grabs. Private message is not. You would only post publicly to what, stir SM
something up? If you had an honest question, the proper thing to do would have been to ask the question privately. Otherwise, you look like you are trying to rile people up when you already know how everybody feels.
Do it, you have nothing to lose and lots to gain -sm
Years ago I started a Paralegal certificate program in Annapolis, was 4 or so courses into it, then we moved to Richmond, VA and I started to go to University of Richmond for their Paralegal program....I took 4 classes there but then "dropped out" right after my second child was born....that was 6 years ago. I had every intention to go back 2 years ago but then my mom got sick and life when down hill from there. Things are finally normalizing now and I (again) plan to go back in the Fall, have to budget it in as it is over $900 for 1 class, I have 18 more classes to take, this will be one expensive certificate but it is an excellent school (private hence the high cost). I have extensive office administration experience so this can only enhance my current abilities and I look forward to working in the law field one day. So IF I keep at it at 3 classes a year, I will finally be done in 6 years. At that point my kids will be 12 and 14, and I will be 47. I plan on doing it though I will be an old lady (LOL), so age is relative. I do not feel old even though I am 40, remember "Life is a state of mind".....quote from "Being There" (I think I am remembering that correctly).
time to get gain control again
Hayseed, I feel for you.  It's not worth it, no matter what you are paid or the benefits.  Sounds like THEY are in control of your life, not you and you resent it, as you should.  My advice would be to get control of the situation again if you are able to (work something out with them) or move on.  This is just not worth it.  It really isn't.  Not worth your health, the sacrifice of your peace of mind.  Your body and emotions are rebelling big time.  You deserve better.  You know it and that's probably part of the anger you are feeling.  You're no newbie who must endure just to get experience.  Think about a change for the sake of your own health. 
Gain 100 pounds! That's pretty sad that anyone
would want to LET themselves go like that!

I hope you're kidding, but in some ways, I do know that transcriptionists sure do gain A TON OF WEIGHT!
weight gain and depression!!! nm
x
Pasta prima vera, quiche, turkey in all its forms, Oriental stir fry. nm
s
What percentage productivity gain do you get with InstanText?

Am thinking of switching.  I currently get 400% productivity with SH8 (it types 3 characters for every 1 I type).  Can anyone out there get similar figures with InstanText? 


Not many. A lot of Indians use Canada as a crutch to gain US business and
for processing.  You'd probably do better at MTGab since it is a Canadian MT site.
I started MT to gain skills to eventually work....sm

outside my home. I was working another small business from home too and had been home for 13 years total. My MT skills got me a job as a secretary for the Army. My first position didn't pay a lot, but it was still about $3.50 more an hour than I could find anywhere else locally. In August 2006, with promotions etc., I will have had total increases in salary of 45% in two years. My next move is to start taking some college courses (which my employer will pay for) and applying for positions with a more defined career field. Having a hard time figuring out which field, as I have a lot of options/opportunity.


Working from home served a huge purpose, but since DH is also self-employed, my current job adds a lot of security to our family in terms of health/life insurance, retirement, paid vacations, etc. I added up the cost of all my paid benefits vs. paying out of pocket as an independent contractor, and they were worth another 35 - 40% of my salary, which will increase once I start taking college classes.


If you are not looking in the medical field, gear your resume towards your other skills. MTs have a myriad of skills (research, computer, organizational, listening, following instructions, bookkeeping). If you are an independent contractor, you are more than an MT, you are a small business owner, which puts a host of additional skills on your plate. Get creative and look at some on-line resumes in different fields, you will probably be surprised how many skills you have. 


When I decided to look for a job, I researched all the highest paying companies/opportunities within the distance I was willing to travel and only applied to those companies. It took about a year and a few interviews, but I eventually got exactly what I was looking for. I still get calls from some of the places I interviewed/applied offering jobs.  


No, the problem was HER and then don’t use the kids as a crutch to gain sympathy.
Some of us are not into the reasons she listed for her plight or lack of as we heard from her. I have no sympathy to her, for her, towards her, nothing. I am sure others feel exactly the same as I do. This person trying to get over on you, me and any others she can. What a deadbeat.
Does hormone replacement (specifically low dose Prempro) cause you to gain weight? nm
nm
What type of doctor specializes in helping people gain weight?

I'm kind of baffled on what my mother should do, and I'm hoping that someone out there has typed a report on something like this. 


My mom weighs 78 pounds and cannot gain weight through diet.  She has seen several doctors, and they are not sure what she should do.  Is there a type of doctor that specializes in this? 


Her history is that she had a severe H. pylori infection.  When I was a kid it was so severe that her stomach ulcers hemorrhaged and she went into a coma for a while.  By the time H. pylori became an actual diagnosable condition, the infection had eaten away most of her stomach.  She went on antibiotics finally, but by that time she had to have the majority of her stomach, some of her intestines, and her gallbladder removed. 


She now eats quite a bit, but everything runs right through her.  She can't gain weight no matter how much she consumes.  She has tried all the protein drinks and even tried eating large quantities of trail mix with no results.  She can't gain weight no matter what she tries. 


She has seen several doctors and a dietician.  None have have offered any real solutions and all have questioned whether she is anorexic and just hiding it. 


Does anyone know of a clinic or hospital that specializes in this?  Are there any types of treatment for this? 


Two points

According to the BOS:


1.  You are supposed to substitute mL for cc.

2.  When quanity and unit of measure immediately follow a heading such as estimated blood loss, use numerals.


two points
what is a sentence ends and the next sentence starts with...
80% how do you do that?
Just a few points

Okay...here goes...


So, currently I work in-house at my local hospital.  (Probably shouldn't mention this cuz it's rude, but just trying to give accurate information)..I make 16.47 an hour, plus benefits.  I love my job and it is supporting me and my husband (who is in college at the time...graduating in JUNE!!!)...So, it's worth it.  However, I have to deal with a LOT of crap from the other MTs in-house.  Lots of bitterness, competitiveness, bi*chiness, etc.  I am dealing with it because I know I am not going to do this forever.  Which brings me to my next point:


Don't stay in this job for a long time!!!  You won't go anywhere with it, if anything you will probably get laid off due to outsourcing.  I, myself, am starting school for medical coding.  I will be done with school ($2000) in June and then get started in my new career.  If have been a medical Transcriptionist for 6 years and have done everything from psychiatric to internal medicine to sleep studies as an IC (and it's not worth being and IC in my opinion because of all the taxes you have to pay...big bucks) and my best job yet has been working in-house at my current job.  However, like I said, MTing is not going to get you anywhere fast.  If you want a job that takes you to the next level, go into coding.  There are a lot more career opportunities out there and you can eventually work from home being a coder as well. 


If I had to do it over I would have gone straight into coding (except for the fact that I got a lot of medical experience working as an MT).  Good luck to all of you who decide to stick with MTing, but I don't think it will reward you in the future.  I believe it is a dying profession and we all need to move on while the opportunity is here. 


I pray for all of us to be able to support ourselves and our family!  I know it's tough out there and we all are struggling to make end's meat.  Just keep on keepin on and we'll all make it through some how. 


 


Points well taken, thank you.
Your points are well taken. I was being a bit vague in what I was actually thinking - there are times on this board that things turn really nasty and hateful, and some of the MTs who are on this board appear to turn on each other, squabble about meaningless points. I really didn't want to encourage a hate-fest against anything, that's all. I think that is indeed unproductive.

BUT, you are right... we can't just be all happy we want fair pay and expect things to change or that we will be heard. We do have to have a stance and a mission and goals. After posting, I did a search here on AHDI and found that I'm hardly the only MT who feels this way, and saw some really great posts back in Sept 2008.

And, I do agree, there are times when it pays to be against smoething (and risk appearing "negative").

So, where do we go from here? Most of these threads seem to die out... and maybe this one will too. I'm hoping it won't, but I really don't have a clue where to go from.

My thought is to brainstorm and continue this dialogue - but I'm not sure MT Stars is the correct venue?

What does anyone think about an email list - that would mean using our real names and emails - to interact off of this forum. I may be way off here - if so, please, opinions welcome! I am not sure going on and on about it here is the momentum that is needed... nor am I sure talking about it on an email list is either, but it's the only idea I have. I don't have the knowledge or time to create a website forum for a group to form via that method.

Maybe this will all sputter out after we all vent again here, I dunno, but I really hope not. Someone mentioned to me today it may well be too late, that trying to organize could push VR and offshoring even faster... I don't want to believe that.

I have a ton of ideas and thoughts and have seen so many good points and posts about how AHDI has hurt U.S. MTs.

We need to band together.

So. From here I make the suggestion that anyone interested in participating in an email list (where we can send a group email by hitting reply all and sharing our thoughts and hope and ideas for a mission and how to get something organized) write to me via email.

I'm not interested in being a leader of this per se, but I am willing and motivated to try as best I can to get some sort of ball rolling.

Let's do this?! I hope the MTs who were posting about this way before I did, back in 2008, will reply too.

Tech Support, your thoughts are exactly what I am envisioning us doing on an email list. Let me know what you think of this and if you want to participate. Thank you for responding so thoughtfully.

Any other ideas, please!



Points well taken, thank you.
Your points are well taken. I was being a bit vague in what I was actually thinking - there are times on this board that things turn really nasty and hateful, and some of the MTs who are on this board appear to turn on each other, squabble about meaningless points. I really didn't want to encourage a hate-fest against anything, that's all. I think that is indeed unproductive.

BUT, you are right... we can't just be all happy we want fair pay and expect things to change or that we will be heard. We do have to have a stance and a mission and goals. After posting, I did a search here on AHDI and found that I'm hardly the only MT who feels this way, and saw some really great posts back in Sept 2008.

And, I do agree, there are times when it pays to be against smoething (and risk appearing "negative").

So, where do we go from here? Most of these threads seem to die out... and maybe this one will too. I'm hoping it won't, but I really don't have a clue where to go from.

My thought is to brainstorm and continue this dialogue - but I'm not sure MT Stars is the correct venue?

What does anyone think about an email list - that would mean using our real names and emails - to interact off of this forum. I may be way off here - if so, please, opinions welcome! I am not sure going on and on about it here is the momentum that is needed... nor am I sure talking about it on an email list is either, but it's the only idea I have. I don't have the knowledge or time to create a website forum for a group to form via that method.

Maybe this will all sputter out after we all vent again here, I dunno, but I really hope not. Someone mentioned to me today it may well be too late, that trying to organize could push VR and offshoring even faster... I don't want to believe that.

I have a ton of ideas and thoughts and have seen so many good points and posts about how AHDI has hurt U.S. MTs.

We need to band together.

So. From here I make the suggestion that anyone interested in participating in an email list (where we can send a group email by hitting reply all and sharing our thoughts and hope and ideas for a mission and how to get something organized) write to me via email.

I'm not interested in being a leader of this per se, but I am willing and motivated to try as best I can to get some sort of ball rolling.

Let's do this?! I hope the MTs who were posting about this way before I did, back in 2008, will reply too.

Tech Support, your thoughts are exactly what I am envisioning us doing on an email list. Let me know what you think of this and if you want to participate. Thank you for responding so thoughtfully.

Any other ideas, please!



I agree with you on several points

That is, if you have a reputable daycare that is organized with caring people educated in childhood development. My neice was recently changed from a nursery (2 yrs old) because she was found lying on the floor in a corner at the nursery by her mother who came to pick her up at 5:15 p.m.. She had a 103 degree fever, and no one had bothered to call my sister about it. Anyone knowing that child would know she would have to be sick to be lying around when other kids are present. The new nursery is the different in night and day. She gets a report every day from what the child eats to even how many times a day she poops. It's wonderful and the child's attitude when she gets home... a world of difference. My sister thought she had a caring daycare, until she moved. Now she knows what one is really like. To all who have to put children in daycare, KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOURS!


Also, you second point, the shyness... I was also raised at home by my mother and never put in daycare and I was "painfully" shy when I got to school. I had a hard time throughout my school years because of it. Now as an adult, I don't think there is anything holding me back, but I had to work hard to get out of the shyness. I think because I was at home, I didn't know other kids but they knew each other and I never seemed to fit in.


 


 


great points...sm
You've really given me a lot to think about this early Thursday mornin'...thanks! You're right, though. A lot of the issues you bring up, I have NEVER thought of.  Wow, pretty eye opening post! It's about time something worth reading was posted...
Here's some points to ponder....sm

1.  You can go ahead and cash the checks you received and it 's guaranteed money.


2.  You can wait and join the class action suit if you haven't and not cash the check; however, remember that in class action lawsuits the only true winners are the lawyers.  They end up getting most of the money in the end and generally the plaintiffs end up with a very small amount.  It irks me to see things like class action suits that results in the attorneys receiving millions of dollars in legal fees and the plaintiffs end up with less than  $100 because the legal fees ate the money available up.   Look at people who sue insurance companies over automobile accidents for example.  Say an attorney gets them $500,000 - well the attorney gets $250,000 for legal fees and the injured party receives $250,000 - and in situations where they receive large monies it's generally because the person is going to have permanent health problems related to the accident that future insurance companies will exclude paying for.   $250,000 isn't a lot of money if you have an injury that will cause chronic problems throughout your life.


3.  Remember that if you do join the suit that this will probably be tied up in court for years so don't expect a quick settlement if they do decide to settle.  Agreeing to settle a case outside of court doesn't mean the defendant is guilty - sometimes it's cheaper to settle out than to continue racking up costs associated with the lawsuit.  


As a note I don't work for MQ - I've just been out there in the legal world to see very commonly that what people think will happen isn't what happens in the long run.  The best you'll get is checks for any amount you weren't paid properly and possibly some interest, but don't expect to get a truckload of cash because they messed up your paychecks.  Instead if you wait on the lawsuit then you may end up having to share the back wages with the attorneys. 


You made several of my points..
With hard work and encouragement, the helping hand from the government helped produce productive citizens.  You had the advantage at least of an intact family.  Think of a poor baby born to an uneduated teenager mother with no father.  Without a lot of hard work and self determination, no amount of money from the govt. is going to end that vicious cycle.
what is their points review
doesn't sound like its in our favor, is it part of the new mt/me rewards plan??
I agree with some of your points. sm
I didn't post my original post to argue. I simply offered a different opinion and what I thought were some good suggestions. I didn't realize everyone here had to have the same cookie-cutter opinion or they would be broad-sided. I agree that everyone needs some alone time. Never said they didn't. I just don't think a vacation is the way to accomplish that. And I never said I take my kids with me everywhere I go, and for you to make these assumptions is pretty rude. What I said was that I don't take a VACATION without my kids -- I think it's wrong. My opinion, and I'm entitled to it. And I have a very healthy relationship with my kids. I never said they were angels -- that's your assumption (again). But I did say that my kids are treated with respect, they treat me with respect, and we enjoy each other's company. Sorry if you don't understand that. I'll try to keep my opinions to myself from now on in case they conflict with the prevailing cookie-cutter opinion.
A lot of good points, especially one (sm)
I also like to stop and do other things.  Constantly popping laundry in and out of the washer/dryer, running back and forth cooking in the kitchen, etc.  So I agree that by the line is probably the best. 
Excellent points! (sm)
I like the idea of the letter serving double duty both as information about and an example of your transcription.

[I also like how you broke your post up into small paragraphs -- so much easier to read online where solid, dense paragraphs appear so inpenetrable.]

Cold-calling and mail solicitations rarely yield immediate results, but within 3 to 6 months inquiries should start trickling in from the managers who were impressed by the presentation and filed the letter for future need.
a couple of other points
This is not only about our jobs - this is about our medical records - the quality of what is done overseas is not the same as what is done here.  Errors made in medical records should be taken seriously.  Secondly, our privacy is protected we are held accountable for that in the US - do you think for one minute we could prosecute someone in India who does not follow the rules?
And very good points. nm
x
Excellent points. Very well said.

There were 2 points to the post.

Both points were addressed and specific solutions to both problems were given. Obviously, there are those readers, such as yourself, who only want to focus on one of the problems. I don't feel a need to lecture anyone on financial planning. I am simply offering a solution to helping this person overcome her problem for the future. Please trying offering a suggestion yourself instead of pointing a finger at those who do.


Good points. nm
x
Interesting points...

I did some research on HIPAA compliance with companies who offshore to India.  From the looks of it, the American-owned companies can be prosecuted for violations.  Also, it appears that India has similar laws and can prosecute their own citizens who violate confidentiality.  I definitely think there is more to the story than just people typing from cafes with no rules or laws.  Being that offshored work is big business in foreign countries, it would be to their own advantage to prosecute anyone who violates confidentiality.  I imagine there are laws in place already.


Under the summary points

This statement was my favorite, and I do hope a lot of companies read this survey and learn from it!


"Speech-recognition technology is only a transcription tool, and not a transcription replacement. The job involves too much professional intelligence and sense-making ability to have it migrate completely to speech recognition."


I honestly don't think a company should be able to lower our rate of pay because of VR...We are still responsible for sitting and listening and correcting mistakes...although I have been fortunate enough not to have my company have any accounts that use VR yet...but I have a friend and her company is doing VR, and her rate of pay is ridiculous!


why not? it's just key points of the chart ---
or chart condensed. anyone needing to know anything will go into the chart itself, including the courts.
specific points
Any specific points that you feel are meaningful to you. Whereas in my situation I am going to make the point that I applied at a hospital and intended on working for the hospital and not being outsourced after 10 years. The benefits aren't going to be as good for me, and also with outsourcing like that they put so many people on the account to get that turnaround time real fast that you run out of work. Those are just a few of my points. What I am going to do is make an outline of why outsourcing is a bad idea for the hospital and bad for us on a personal level just to sum it up, and then I am going to proceed on with my letter.
You also brought up points sm
I had overlooked. Being willing to work Sat, Sun, holidays etc. I realize there are folks that dont' want this type of job, unfortunately, IT IS THE JOB! Medicine is 24/7 and so is this job.

If a person doesn't want this kind of life, then they need to get out of acute care at least. Work in an office, M-F making an hourly wage. But, to make it in this business, at home doing acute care for hospitals, you have to be willing to work outside of what most people call normal hours.

Another point to be thought about is if you are willing to do this, when these companies are approached fron clients about taking in new work, guess who will get called to do that work? You will because you are reliable and good and they are trying to "land" an account. It is very nice to help a company "land" an account. Most of the time, you will have your choice as to whether or not to do that account or not and that is more stability in your job.

There are so many variables you cannot put this profession in a box like any other. You essentially make your own paycheck! Its up to you. In this economy, people better be ready and willing to work outside the normal 40-hour a week, M-F box if they want to keep a job. That is just the way it IS!!!!!!!!!!!
You gloss over several points
A) The majority of Canadians are quite happy with their care, and if asked if they wanted to switch to a private provider like the US has, they overwhelmingly vote 'No' (under 5%).

B) The average Canadian is not coming here for health care. The average Canadian cannot afford to come here for health care. And if you're going to judge the quality of health care by whether someone travels there to get it, India must be even better than us since a lot of Americans (and not naturalized or ABCDs) go therefore for their health care.

C) The mentality of punishing everyone for the 'sins' of a few is egregious, especially if you're using them as your rationale for withholding health care to the working poor.

D) And I'm sure this is heresy, but maybe I don't really need an MRI every time I stub my toe, a CT angiogram for a charlie horse, or a colonoscopy everytime I fart.

Canadians by and large love their health care system and are aghast at what ours is like. It's great that you have wealthy friends that can come here and buy the health care that most Americans can't get. But you'll have to excuse me from not feeling badly that they'd have had to wait an extra 48 hours to get those tests back in Canada; at least they could get them.