Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

smaller MTSO

Posted By: Former employee on 2005-12-25
In Reply to: change that from 375 to - MoodyJen

I once worked for a very small MTSO in their office. They were in a suite. But they were located in a metropolitan area, very busy. At the end of my second week of employment with them, the CEO walked by the office I was working in and conveniently said VERY LOUDLY that a "certain medical center" (account I was solely working on) owed the company over $30,000. This was before I received my first paycheck. I was stunned. How's that for shock value? I received my check in a timely fashion and it did not bounce. However, CEO was sure to let me know of HIS SITUATION.


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

Yes, but you'll probably need to find a smaller MTSO.
Put your resume in the MTstars resume database specifically stating what you're looking for. The smaller MTSOs usually don't put ads in because they don't want to be bombarded with hundreds of resumes. If you leave your info, they'll come to you. I had three independent contractor "p.r.n." or "very part-time positions" this past summer, so the positions are out there. Then I figured since I was already putting in 30 hours between the three, why not just work 20+ hours as an employee? So I am. Good luck with it!
If you work for a smaller MTSO, it is rare that
they offshore. I work for a small one FT and another one as an IC, and there has never been talk of them offshoring. A lot of the smaller MTSOs don't.
I used to think smaller was better
I took a job with a small MTSO who offshores.... they added to my responsibilities w/o extra pay and THEN had the gonads to cut my pay. They said "sorry" but we are a small company and making some adjustments. I'm like dumbfounded.
Smaller
Left big national for smaller company in October and I LOVE it!  They actually know me! 
No, it is not w/ Medquist. It is w/ a smaller co. nm
/
$18.5K two smaller nationals. nm
x
I would, but they ran out all the smaller businesses here. nm
..
10 is smaller not larger than 12, so it would be more than 65 cpl- nm
xx
Smaller companies that pay better...
If you guys know any names of smaller/mid sized companies that pay much better and are better all around, PLEASE give out some names - it's really hard to know which ones are the good ones unless we have word of mouth! Please :)
Smaller nationals are way to go...
It seems you get treated like dirt by the large nationals, i.e., Medquist, Spheris, no communication, etc. Many experienced MTs have gone the way of smaller national companies simply because of the better communication among employer and employee, more warmth among the company, etc. Spheris tries to give off this impression they are a warm company much thanks to the CEO, but the organization itself is not a good employer to work for.
I want to look into Smaller Nationals.

I am hoping to get some names of some good Small National companys to work for. 


Thanks in advance for your help!


Many smaller companies - to name a few... sm
Health Information Partners, TTS, OSI, there are many many others.
regarding smaller font
I will type in any size font that they want, use what ever margins that they want but when I do my line count I change the document back to Courier 12 and use my usual margins.  I tell them up front that my charge per line is on Courier 12 with 1" margins on sides.  No one has every questioned me for this.  They can have as many characters they want on a line in whatever font that they want but not for my line count.  Saves me on my sticky paper and so I don't care.  But have been doing this for years and am very upfront about what my definition of a line is and yes I do gross lines. 
it is usually because they used it in a smaller screen
Open it up, click on the large square in the upper right hand corner next to the X for closing it, so that it is enlarged.  Then close it, and it should open to the full screen the next time.  Most all software will open in the same size that it was closed in the last time.  Hope this helps. 
Maybe a smaller company would be a better fit. sm
I know many MTs need health benefits, but if you can swing it, try the smaller or medium size companies. Most likely you will have the same account and dictators every day.
Keep looking, but find a smaller company.

The smaller ones have better accounts, useful macros and expansions, decent line rates, nice supervisors/owners, but probably IC with no benefits.  I don't care about that as long as I can crank out the lines in a small amount of time.


Yep, she needed something that was smaller than the cigarette.
For sure!!!!
USA Type, smaller companies...sm
the larger nationals suck big time, they ALL stink IMHO. I have NOT found one good national since YOG. Transhealth is okay, but it takes forever to get started with them, AND...lots of awful ESLs, but the sound quality was good, but I didn't stay. too many different docs, I am too old and tired for that and working on complicated platforms, Give me an MTSO who uses plain old word or WP and wav files.
Kathryn looked a little smaller????
x
I want an ergo keyboard but I cannot seem to get used to the smaller (sm)

shift key on the righthand side of the keyboard.  I keep hitting the keys beside or below it.  Do you eventually get used to it?  Right now I am looking at the Goldtouch and the Kinesis Maxium.   Would appreciate anyone's input. 



making the font smaller
does change the line count for those of us who are paid on a gross line. On a character count line, there is no difference.
Hospital with many smaller satellite clinics associated with it
nm
On my Google page, everything is lots smaller than it was and
it is too spread out for everything to fit on 1 page, so basically you have to look at the right side and then move over to see the left.Any ideas on how I can get this straightened out? Thanks!
I think a lot of the private practice docs like smaller ones.
They like the personal attention they get.
Ctr + or - to make bigger and smaller. : ) No Message
Ctr + (bigger) Ctr - (smaller) ... just in case you open the message. : )

*If it does not work at first, click on the page and then try again.
Wonderful, got it--I see now it does work here too to make things smaller
thank you, very kind of you to tell me. I've made eveything on this page smaller now. Muy bien. Happy typing.
Any idea where to buy them or how much they might be? I live in a smaller area w/not so many 'bi
nm
QT nedical is a smaller national but overall the best company I've ever come across. nm
xx
Smaller MTSOs. They're tough to find.
You'd best put your resume in the MTstars resume database with the objective that you're searching for a smaller MTSO.
Hi! Went through a similar thing at a smaller community hospital....sm
in the state...all the same set-up as you stated, but the coders, who shared our office, were also the darlings of the hospital and were treated differently. When pressed for an answer, the head of HIM said that between us, the coders were seen differently because they were responsible for bringing lots and lots of money into the hospital, their coding "properly" translated in to billing, which translated into $$$ for the hospital...all the while, the coders, in part, depended on back-up from our department when trying to decide which code was most appropriate. Since your working conditions would be changing if you are sent home, I think it is entirely reasonable and very intelligent to ask them for a new job description, I always love to have things in writing for future reference. You sound like a very productive MT, so don't worry...I didn't have to worry about speech recognition at this hospital cutting down on pay, but is there an HIM head whom you could all have a small meeting with to clarify these questions? It would be nice to put your mind at ease. Hope it all works out and you have the best of BOTH worlds, Granny!
Money talks & the smaller the amount paid out,
x
Are there any smaller MTSOs/nationals that offer good health ins.?

I may be needing my own health ins. coverage in the future and I was wondering if anyone knows of any good companies that don't require acute care experience (and preferably will accept dial-up - but that part could change). I have 12 years of multi-specialty experience and have always worked as an IC but may need to consider employee status. I need to work from home due to health issues.


Thanks so much.


That is what I'm trying to do. I've picked up some smaller accounts, dropped the national, an
very hard to cut my hours. It takes time learning the new docs and systems, but I'm sure soon I'll be working less (I pray).

Thanks for your thoughts. I should have never gotten used to the bonus $$.
Is anyone else missing the complete list in the blue box? Pages seem to be smaller, too. nm
s
A small national is a national company that is smaller
than a big national.  There are a few "big" nationals, where they have hundreds, if not thousands of employees.   I work for what I call a small national, only has about 30 employees.    An MTSO could also be considered a small national. 
Yup ... smaller MTSOs, local MTSOs (sm)

local doctor's offices or clinics!  Don't get discouraged!!  :)


what is MTSO?

I'm an MTSO. I can tell you....
We don't hire *anyone* unless they have successfully completed a college education, meaning an associate's degree, in medical transcription.  It doesn't matter if they learned on the job, learned in their garage, learned on their patio, learned it on their own 25 years ago or 25 months ago, taught themselves or  taught the next door neighbor, or if they used to be a nurse, doctor or janitor.  The short and simple of it is:  No formal college training in MT, no job!  (And that includes the "make-$40,000.00-a-year-correspondence-courses, too!).  We've seen the handiwork of those who say they're self-taught, and it's not pretty! 
mtso
Amen!
I'm an MTSO
and trust me I believe in paying above average for an above average job, but when you can't get the docs to cough it up because you've got third-world countries and VR breathing down your neck, not to mention newbies fresh out of school who will do it for even less, well, what do you expect...the MTSO to pull it out of her pocket to pay for you to work.  Never forget ....MTSOs have to make a profit.  They're entitled to that dear....If not, there's no reason to be in business. If you don't like what you're being offered, you're always free to get brave, strike out and get your own accounts. 
When I was an IC I sent my MTSO
Christmas lottery tickets, which he loved. Nothing compared to the $500 bonus he gave me. Now that I am working for a large national, I'm just another number lost in the shuffle. I probably won't send them anything, don't expect anything from them and probably will receive nothing, though a full day's work would be nice once in a while.
I am a MTSO

I am a small MTSO and also IC'd for another company a couple of years ago and something similar happened to me.  However it was probably a little different as I did the pick-up and deliveries although I was an IC for the company.  When she did not bill the clinics so that I could not get paid, I knew the clinics and so I went to them and told them that after a certain date I would not be doing their sevice because I was not being paid -- a little different than your story but you can also let the clinics know how that service is being run.  Again, only after you write your calm, fact filled letter.  But if someone threatened my business with anything like that - going to my accounts -- they would be paid within 24 hours.   Reputation is what counts in this business.   But again, just write to them calmly and with the facts asking them to prove that you had signed a contract, then giving them 48 hours to produce such contract or send you a check for your services or you will see them in court.   Again, I would threaten to go to their accounts to let them know how they run their business but only as a last resort.  But just do it, write them you deserve your money.   Was there problems prior to quitting and that is why you just left suddenly -- I know this leaves them in a lurch but if they were a crummy company they probably deserved it.  Also if you did not sign a contract stating you would not go after any account you worked on for two years go for the accounts. 


 


I'm not a MTSO, but

my hospital's TAT is between 24 and 48 hours depending on type of report.  When I worked in-house, it was from 2 to 48 hours, with Op notes/HP having a 2 hour TAT.   I think it varies a bit between hospitals, but as a general rule most reports are no greater than 24 hours. Sometimes discharge summaries have a longer TAT, such as 48 hours.   I don't have any experience with VA hospitals, but they probably aren't much different.  


What would you do re this MTSO?

I am an IC for a small MTSO.  I have a deduction taken from my invoice every pay period for renting Transnet equipment.  My foot pedal broke and I asked urgently Monday morning for a replacement foot pedal to be Fed Exed to me - work was on the system and needed to get done.  Well, after many many phone calls and e-mails I got the replacement foot pedal via Fed Ex (they shipped on Friday) on Saturday morning.  So I worked all weekend to get caught up on a whole week's worth of work.  Got my invoice yesterday (late - the MTSO has rescheduled their payment schedule as they are not getting promptly paid by their clients - the ICs had to accept the new payment schedule or quit).  There was a deduction for $40.13 for delivery fee for the foot pedal.  The Accounts manager says that "many memos" have been sent out that ICs are responsible for delivery fees.  Huh?  I looked over the memo I received about Transnet rentals and it said our invoice deduction covers maintenance costs for faulty equipment, etc. (the MTSO had originally said I would be billed for a new foot pedal - then I brought up the memo on rentals that covers faulty equipment and that got dropped pretty quickly).  I told the Accts manager that postage is the MTSOs expense, just like it is my IC expense to return the faulty equipment to the MTSO.  I also mentioned that the MTSO pays for phone charges to fax stuff to ICs; likewise the ICs pay for their phone charges for faxing to the MTSO.


What would you do?  I am so fed up with this MTSO...I don't make that much money on Transnet anyway (most of my lines are from microtapes) that I am tempted to just tell her to take all of my doctors on Transnet and quit doing these willy nilly deductions without my approval or knowledge.  This is the third time the Accts manager has taken "deductions" from my invoice without telling me - the last time was for Chicago taxes on rental equipment (totally illegal according to Cook County govn't) - that took 2 weeks to get straightened out!  Arrggghhh!!!


i'm not an MTSO,
but i think you did right and my guess is that within 6 months to a year, they'll come back to you.
MTSO
I have checked the labor sites and just could not find anything. In the beginning, my accountant told me I would need to either collect sales tax or get a wholesale exemption from my client, but after calling the local and state sales tax offices and being told I didn't need one, she changed her mind too. The problem with offices is you don't always get the right answer but you are still responsible for the results. I just thought if nobody else charged, then I could be pretty safe in not charging as well. Thanks for replying anyway!
MTSO??
x
MTSO
I am just starting with an MTSO and looking foward to many, many happy years with them; locally based to my area. Can't wait. Start training tomorrow.
Everyone should be IC/MTSO at least once
it gives you a great prespective on where your money goes and how much goes to taxes... people think that when you are an employee the employer is "giving" them benefits, paying their share of the employee's SS taxes, etc. but actually the employee is paying indirectly, reflected in their wage amount, cpl, etc. They just don't have to write the check for the taxes, it's taken from them before they can see it. The problem with being in this business and being IC is that you need to make a better line rate than an employee and people do not realize that until the tax bill comes. I had to go with a national last year as my large physician group went to an EMR, so I switched to employee status. They were only going to pay the same line rate either way, so it works out better for me now to be an employee. As an IC/MTSO I had alot of deductions, kept every reciept, took depreciation, mileage (a big ded for me as I live in the country), etc. but now with my national position everything is internet, no printing documents, etc. so it only made sense for me to switch to employee. I have another sideline business which provides plenty of deductions right now and not much income. Planning is key whenever taxes are involved, check out the IRS publications or home business books, etc. Some great information to avoid the same tax problems next year.
MTSO
I loved your comment about the outhouse!! :) (And some of the matchbook schools could well BE outhouses for all we know.)
mtso, who?
or stirring up trouble?