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Do you work nights and produce very high volume for your 12 cpl? Are these your own accounts?

Posted By: Or do you work for company? nm on 2006-09-02
In Reply to: Started out at 9, now up to 12. - klm

s


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flat hourly wage, hourly + volume, and stricly volume based pay ?

I have heard there are companies that pay flat hourly, some that pay hourly plus volume pay, and then strictly per production. Anyone have any experience with these different pay structures? Know which companies do which (and will take new grads)?


Thanks : )


EXACTLY!!! Nights, Holidays......
EXACTLY!!! Nights, Weekends, Holidays. I am also a new MT and do feel that just starting out you should be more flexible, (whatever gets you in the door, right?). Like any other job, the employees who have been there longer and who have showed and proved their skills and loyalty deserve the better schedule's, pay, etc.
The grads they produce are of equal caliber.
.
Andrews, MTEC, and CareerStep produce graduates that are regularly hired. NM
x
Dictation volume

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone else was having problems with the level of dictation available to transcribe. I work for Eagle's Landing and I'm finding that the dictation is very sporadic. When I first started it wasn't that way but ever since Hurricane Katrina the dictation has been low. Right after Hurricane Katrina there would be days with no dictation because the docs were gone to New Orleans to help out. Now the doctors are back but there is still the same problem. I am actually going to be set up on a second account so that should help me but I'm not sure when they are going to do that for me. I've heard that we are getting several new clients soon so maybe that will help. What I've started doing basically is actually keeping up with the amount of work per hour (low, medium, high volume, comp issues, etc)on an excel spreadsheet for each day of the week, I'm going to continue doing that for each week of the month, so eventually I will have several months I can look over and see if this is a chronic problem or an acute problem. I'm really hoping that this is just a temporary slow period of time. I think my frustration has also been compounded by the fact that I've had computer problems myself, the system at Eagle's Landing goes down sometimes for maintanence, and just being a new MT.


I really do plan to stick it out but I don't believe that the service would be honest with me if this is a problem that is going to be ongoing so I feel I need to keep my own records. Right now I'm living at home with my mom but eventually, in a year or so, I want to be able to move out and support myself so I need to see if this job has some stability. I understand there will be less stability than other jobs because that is how this industry is but I need enough stability to know that I can support myself atleast. As I said before in one of my earlier posts, I only started 3 months ago,(back in July) so I definitely know that the early frustrations just take time and experience to work through so I do plan on sticking it out. I guess my concern with lack of dictation is that it is something I cannot control, my speed is something I can control, I can work really hard and get better at that, but this is something I cannot. The problems with the sporadic dictation I would say have been going on since the middle of August, it does not seem like very long but it seems like forever when I'm trying to build up my speed and when I'm new at this. Anyway, I would appreciate some feedback on this from new MTs and more experienced MTs. Oh, also another thing I've noticed just from reading this message board and others is that a lot of MTs keep up with their line counts on a spread sheet. What I tend to do is watch my production based on the number of minutes I type. Should I be looking more at line count than minutes and also keeping track of that more closely? I have noticed that I do not follow my life count as diligently as others. And finally I want to thank everyone for the input I've already gotten from this board, it has been very helpful to me, and I have definitely taken the advice to heart and used it.


When I asked them questions about volume,
they told me to forget it. Seriously, if I remember correctly the exact words were "don't quit your current job." I find it very rude that they would act this way all for asking about the workload (this was just before interviewing with them). They were offering 3 cpl and I asked them if the workload was enough to compensate.
transcriptiongear.com has phones with a volume control on the cord. Love 'em! Really helps. nm
s
the high gas prices
are enough to get me thinking it is worth it.  I dont presently own a car but am planning to buy one about january or so.  The gas prices are having a significant impact on the vehicles I am considering.  I used to have a Lexus LS400 and I loved that car and want another but that is a V8 and I may need to buy a 4 cyl.
I rate the VLC very high

I just could not let this pass unanswered.


What you forgot to mention Dianne is that you also paid for the online course and some great Instructors.  I should know, I graduated earier this year and I had two job offers within two weeks.  They really know how to teach MT!


One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch.


 


Brenda


 


She is trying to get her own accounts so
experience or not doesn't matter as far as what she charges.   If she only charged 6 cpl she'd probably have every doctor in town calling her (provided her work was good enough).  If she were working for a service 6 cpl would be about what I would expect her to be paid, but own accounts is different. 
How many different accounts or
dictators and worktypes are you dealing with?

Have you learned to make normals where you have already set up most of the report and just fill in the specifics?

There are techniques, but long distance makes it hard to mentor newbies effectively IMO.
No, that's not why. You pay 39% in taxes because you have a high income.
The actual percentage is only 15.9% for medicare and social security taxes as a self-employed person. That percentage is what people are referring to when they say self-employed people pay "double" taxes.
Dial-up vs. High Speed
Do all companies require High Speed Internet?  I can only get dial-up where I live.  Can't find a company that will hire without High Speed though.  Any thoughts?
Co. that does not require DSL or high speed???
The little town I live in in Michigan offeres both DSL and high speed internet but not outside the town where I live which is 3.5 miles from town. No verizon internet either offered. Almost all the jobs I have applied for end up requiring DSL or high speed connections and I am having trouble finding any companies to apply for that don't require those. Anyone know of companies I can apply to that don't? I am looking for part-time MT work and am flexible in hours and days that I can work. Thanks for any help that can be offered.
To get in high line counts, sm
you really have to work on your macros. I currently have about 6,500 word Expanders that I use. Another thing is that if I have a blank I look it up then so I don't have to go back. I really check my lab data numbers well and my medications well as I go. I have learned to proof read as I go so I don't have to go back. Every day or so I will will give myself a "suprise" edit and just go back and check one chart to make sure that accuracy is fine.

I have been doing this for 15 years so I guess that is an added bonus.

Good luck to you.
ACQUIRING ACCOUNTS FOR SELF

I was wondering if any of the newbies ever thought of acquiring their own accounts.  I have a friend who is doing this.  She got 250 free business cards (from Vista Print) and also had them create a pamphlet.  She is about to take her final exam at MT school and has decided to work for herself and is just starting to solicit business; she lives in Georgia.


I have other friends in the Chicago area who do this.  Their accounts are mainly with solo practitioners and small group practices.  Believe it or note, some physicians are still using microcassette tapes and some MTs still pick up the tapes and drop off the work.


Phyllis


Acquiring Accounts
Currently, I'm working at home as a subcontractor right now, but I thought the recent graduates might want to try this.  (I am thinking about it myself.)  However, I would try to get American dictators who speak clear English; I would not try  to acquire ESL accounts as a newbie working from home.
Companies that do not require high-speed
FutureNet does not require high-speed access. FutureNet Technologies Corporation
I got my own accounts & started an MTSO.
nm
I have 2 main accounts with a scattering
of 3-4 others. I'm not one ot give up easily, but, it seems like they change the rules quite often. It's my pure stubborness that keeps me going. I really do hate defeat. Thanks to everyone for their words of wisdom.
most software applications require high speed. sm
problem with dial up is like using a little pipe to get water into your home. The pipe is too little to allow a big flow. Your program will crawl on dial up. Do a search for wireless internet and your nearest town. I cannot get cable or DSL here but found out there is a tower half mile from my house that is wireless. I didn't know it and they sure didn't tell me. So check around that way. Until you get high speed, most likely you will be unable to work unless you find a place that transfers .wav files from an FTP site.
And Bill Gates dropped out of high school... :)) NM
nm
The newbies working on clinic accounts for me..... s.m.
leave one blank every other report or so. Usually it's due to some random phrase they're not used to hearing. It's rarely an actual medical term.
Try hospital accounts with psych units
The only psych reports I've ever were through hospital accounts that had psychiatric units. Whether the psych report come through the ER, a consult or the unit, I find psych notes are always interesting. Good luck. I hope you find a great psychiatric account.


Ashley, have you considered getting accounts directly with a doctor's office?
I have been very successful as an independent contractor. You should really consider it.
Thank you Admin for removing the posts below regarding people who lost accounts.. Appreciate it.
x
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates.

Training and education really does make a difference. Some people just have 15 or 20 years of very bad experience. They may be fortunate that one employer was willing to hire and keep them, but if that one closed, they would be in trouble. It all depends on the person. some new graduates are a better bet then some experienced MTs. I would prefer to find an experienced MT with great skills and a teachable attitude, but many experienced MTs know everything and are only willing to do things the way they've always done them.
most psych work is included in multispecialty hospital work..sm
contracted to a medical transcription service that requires multispecialty experience because of the hospital work. Unfortunately, very rarely can a medical Transcriptionist these days be given only one specialty when working for a service or hospital. We have to be well versed in multi specialties. The Turn Around Time on demands have increased, and thus the service or hospital gives the MT many different types of work. Learn as many specialties and gain as much experience in different specialties, which in turn will make you a more valuable MT and more apt to gain employment.
Just be sure not to pay for work. There is an MTSO below who apparently charges to work for them (sm
It might be tempting when you're getting desperate for work to pay someone so you can work for them, but don't do it. You can buy software and a foot pedal on your own, so don't let them fool you. If you are approached via e-mail from this site by an MTSO saying they have work for you, please read the posts below before making any decisions.
Can you share where you work that the work is plentiful? nm
s
Work for MTs
I was hired before I even graduated or had begun job hunting by a large transcription company. It was the easiest job I have ever gotten. I was hired because I attended a top-notch school (M-TEC) and did well in the program. There are plenty of jobs for well trained MTs, even new ones.
Work through it
Type the report thorugh the first time. Look up any you are not sure of to gain understanding of the report. Listen again full through and fill in blanks. Then listen again to problem areas to pick out works. Never guess. Leave blanks where you are not sure. Any hard dictator takes time to learn and multiple listens to the voice file to complete it to the best of your ability.
FT work and PT Mt work...

can this be done or am I getting in over my head. FT in-house, not MT and PT MT at home.


Anyone else doing this?


looking for work

Hi,


 I would suggest NOT going to companies.....try docs you know personally or that have their own practice.  That is how i started, just walked in, gave them a business card and flyer and made a deal, that if they gave me a chance, i would reduce the cost for the first 30 days.  i got my first doc that way five years ago and he has referred me to many and i am still with him in addition to two others he referred to me!  It is wonderful.....set your own hours, no rush on anything.  good luck!


Cindi


Not enough work
I am actually an employee and they do have set hours kind of. Technically they say set hours but I have 2 split days and was told at the beginning as long as you get hour 40 hours in. But also at the same time, the first 2 hours of my work day I have been getting mabye 10 dictations, but they still ask you to tell them if you are not going to be around at any of those times, and when you will make up those hours. It is just frustrating because everything was starting to click into place. Finally getting up to 1300 lines a day and making some good money!
Not enough work.

I have been working for about 1-1/2 years now in med trans, almost a year for this one company. Still pretty new at the lingo and how the business side of things run.  But lately, there has not been enough work with the company and I am sitting around for hours getting only a few dictations downloading.  Your are assigned an account and also a backup but I was just wondering if this slow time thing is normal? This has been going on now for 3 weeks, also kind of has been occurring every now and then since this summer.   I am just wondering how long what the usual is and how long should I wait until starting to look for another job?


 


Thanks


maybe her son will go to work for her too. nm
:)
Here's what seems to work for me
I have a very active 16-month-old and there's no WAY I can work when she is awake. She needs my attention every minute at this age. She stays home with me fulltime. I get up at 7 am and spend the mornings with her till naptime (around noon till 2 or 3pm) and work when she is napping. I then work after she goes to bed at night, usually from 8ish to 11 or midnight. I still get about 6-7 hours of sleep a night and although I could use a little more, it's so worth it to have my sweetie home with me :) I'm lucky enough to have a 24-hr TAT with no set hours and this helps immensely too. I tried part-time set hours and that was a bust at this point in our lives.

I also have a mother's helper (a 14-yr-old neighborhood girl) who comes 3 afternoons a week for 2 hours to watch and play with my daughter so I can get a little extra work/catch up on housework time. I pay her $4/hr and she is thrilled to get it.

Where there's a will, there's a way! :)
work!!
I work for a local dermatology clinic. I applied like crazy to more than a few nationals and no one would hire me even though I was passing their tests. But I like the fact that I can still work at home the majority of my work day, I have to go into the office to pick up my tapes and print what I typed the previous day. I live close to the office so it's not like I'm breaking the bank driving into an office 15 to 20 miles away everyday, and my children don't have to spend 9 hours a day, 5 days a week in day care like they did when I had my office accounting job.
want to work...
I am looking to work from home as an MT. I just finished school and have no experience. I am willing to do an apprenticeship is necessary. Anybody got any ideas?
I did some work for them.
They are a pretty good place to work, as far as I know, I am new too. Good luck!
Need work!!

Hello,


Im a new MT graduate looking for work. Please if anyone knows of any companies that will hire new MT graduates, please let me know. Or if you are company willing to give a chance let me know.


Thanks,


Sonnett


Seriously, looking for work!
I recently completed my at-home education and am also having a tough time getting work.  I am a mom, both of my children are in school.  I am extremely hardworking and eager to start work.  Does anyone have advice for me on what to do next?  I have joined AAMT and have posted my resume in  a number of places.  I have applied with many of the large companies via internet. I am so frustrated with the testing process, not knowing how I am doing.  Maybe these companies just don't want newbies?  I also made several attempts to solicit work through local Doctors.  With all of my effort, the only lead I received resulted in a $600 loss  with TA Assoc.   I am sure you have all heard of them!  Help?
No work yet.

Here it is Tuesday morning 10:00 and no work yet.  Yesterday it was about 2:00 before anything arrived.  Does every company have this problem?


No work yet.
I have an even better one: How would you like to get backup accounts with "no work" too. What a joke.
Would MT work for me?

Hi!


I am a 53 year old nurse with over 25 years nursing experience.  In 2005 I moved to a Caribbean island with my husband who was itching to retire. 


I have done some writing since moving here, but I miss my medical career.  Unfortunately, the island I live on does not want to give me a nursing license, so I am looking for replacement career!  I am not ready for retirement.


Although I could certainly do the course work,  I wonder if being located "off shore"  would decrease my employment possibilities.  I do, however, maintain a U.S. address for business purposes. I would like the imput from MT's out there.


I heard from a company called TRS Institute who says they hire off shore workers after completing their course.  Anyone know about them?


Thanks,


Jen


Help, no work...
I just started with a new company and there has been no work for over a week. I have emailed and IM'd, and all they will tell me is that there should be work soon, that is, when they respond. What do I do now? Wait, or start looking again? Why do they hire when there is no work to do?
Work

Hi Karen,


If you would like some work until the other comes in, please let me know.  If you have WP and a wave player, I would be willing to discuss overflow work for you.


Thank you,


Debbie, WRU Transcription in Illinois


 


work
I guess it all depends what wage you are making. There are some companies that pay newbies better than others. So may be that is what you have to look at.
Is this the one where you pay them $100 and then get to work for 2 cpl?
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Anyone work for MQ?

I have used the search function on this site to try to find out what really is the problem with working at Medquist.  Basically, all I get is that they restructured which affected people's accounts and line counts at the time, got rid of bonuses and 401K matching and don't answer emails.  As far as QA feedback goes, on one hand I read that you never hear from them and on the other that they pester you all the time.


Surely, a lot of people do actually work for them.  I was thinking of applying.  I don't really find the above all that horrible.  Am I missing something?


Enlightenment would be appreciated.  Thanks.