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

Per Line versus Per Report

Posted By: RadMT on 2007-05-01
In Reply to: Daily workloads - Angie

In a 7-hour day I can type 2000 lines or 200 reports. Most companies expect 1200 lines during a full-time shift, so that probably would equate to 120 reports if you are going by the 1200 lpd standard. Another way to look at it...the average "decent" (not exceptional) MT should be able to type 20 minutes of diction in 60 minutes. I don't proof after typing, I proof while I am typing. Hope this helps.


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

Gross line means anything on a line is a line, even if just one word
it is counted as a line.  Not sure what exactly you are asking, but if you are comparing gross line to the usual 65 characters plus spaces gross line is better.  If you make 7.5 cpl per gross line that equals approximately 9.5 cpl based on 65 characters. 
why don't you report....
why do you not report this scammer to the Dept. of Wage and Labor, or some higher up company that busts these bogus employers, in Washington DC or your state capital? 
Pt name in the report itself?

I thought I had read somewhere that the pt name should not be in the body of the report. Can anyone tell me if that is a law/regulation/etc.. or just a style guideline? I have a new acct I am assigned to and all of the docs give the pt's name while dictating the body of the office note/procedure note.


If it is a HIPAA thing or some sort of regulation, I need to know.  If it is merely style, I will leave it.


I just want to do my job right so if anyone knows for sure, please let me know.


 


Flagging a report

What is the standard way to flag a report if you did not understand a dictated word? The AAMT BOS states to leave a blank space. If you had to flag a report for that reason what is your procedure?


Thanks


A patient's name is almost required in the report

to help with filing the report into the chart.  Now whether or not it a copy of that record can be sent out with the patient's name is a different story depending on several factors.  For example, all identifying information must be removed by a hospital's tumor registrar before submitting the information to the College of Surgeons who monitor cancer trends and treatments.


Many services are steering away from the name of the patient being in the body of the report as a general safeguard, which is a good thing, but this is not mandated by any law.


Are you getting your line count from your program or can you use the line counting software to do
s
When QA points out error on a report, will you call
x
Transcribing a family member's report
and finding out something no one in the family knows.
Plus there is the "monitor" board to report things, look at left - nm
s
do you abbreviate english units of measure in a medical report?

MT versus nursing
Pamela, this board may seem negative, but overall MT is not a negative profession. With the money you can make, and the ability to be at home with your kids, it is definitely worthwhile as a "transitional" job. You may find yourself 20 years down the road still doing it, as it works well with a family. Be patient, find the right company. It can be done. I see a lot of positives along with the negatives on this board; if a company is good, then the employees will let you know, if a company is bad, listen to the people telling you not to go there. When it's 10:1 against a company, something HAS to be wrong . . . Good luck
IC versus employee has nothing to do with either
IC is just a tax status.

There are plenty of MTs who get paid hourly.

It won't make any difference if you are an IC or an employee...you can get paid whatever method you are successful at negotiating with your client or employer.

Vista versus XP

I recently started working for another company and the computer tech is EXTREMELY knowledgeable when it comes to platforms and such.  I was informed that Vista is basically another version of Windows ME which, most people know, was a HORRID version of Windows and Microsoft is planning on coming out with yet another operating system early next year. 


I have also done internet research and there are posts regarding the fact that you can partition your hard drive to where you can have both XP and Vista running on the computer, however, in my opinion, that is best handled by an expert and not something that anyone should attempt on their own without extensive computer knowledge. 


Right now, I would say your best bet would be to try to find a computer with XP on it as far as a laptop, or if you can hold out, stick with the dinosaur for a bit longer.  Also, it may help to get registry fix programs etc, many of which are free and extremely good programs and might help to optimize the older computer in terms of speed, etc.


 


 


ACUTE Care versus other.

What defines someone to be an acute care MT as to a multi-specialty MT.  What is the difference?  Sorry if this is a dumb question..


Thanks!


 


clinic versus acute
acute care consists of patient care in the hospital from the time they are admitted until they are discharged (emergency room, history/physical, consultations, progress notes, lab/imaging data, transfers, and discharges are the most common). clinic notes are office visits (sometimes include consultations and maybe lab/imaging data). these are usually shorter dictations than the acute care.
To AJ - editing versus transcription
Hi AJ - Have they requested that you switch to VR editing yet?  Do you know anything more about how they are handling transcription versus editing? Thanks!!!!
Teens versus adults
All of this thread reminds me very much of the conversations that happened between my teenagers and my husband and I.

They insisted they were adults, they had the maturity, they knew what they were getting into, they were right, etc. My husband and I knew better; we were adults who had already been teenagers and been there, done that.

Were we hateful and rude by not giving them full rein and encouraging them to act like adults when they weren't? NO!

We did the responsible thing: We told them as fairly and truthfully as possible that while it might seem they know what they are talking about, their insistence about it showed their immaturity. It would not be fair of us, as parents, to not be up front with them, etc.

And so the story goes here. We have young ones in this profession and those who have matured in it. We simply know because we have worked for years in this industry, seeing the ups and downs of it, worked inhouse and worked at home, and already raised our children. We already know what you're facing and what you WILL face.

Lisa, however, is that teen and so are you, Dreamer, who is insistent that she knows everything already. She makes demands and thinks her way is the only way. Not so. Not so at all.


contracting versus employee
Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of contracting versus employee?  I have plenty of time throughout the day, but my husband works from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  This is a large chunk in the middle of shifts.  Is contracting setting the amount you will do for the day?  Like I would be able to work 6 hours but at split times throughout the day?  Any help on this would be appreciated.
Template versus document
The poster above is right, but there are definite advantages to using a template.  The biggest one is that you don't run the risk of saving over your basic document when you've made changes/additions to it in creating a new document.  You have to remember to change the name of the file when you save it or it overwrites your prior document.  With a template, this isn't an issue.  If you want to save out a basic document as a template, just remember when you save it to change the file type ("save as type")  with the drop-down menu to "Document template (*.dot)."  You'll be able to pull it back up when you create a new file by chosing the "on my computer" option under "Templates" in the task pane.  Hope this helps!
MT versus working at Wal-Mart

I have been an MT for 16 years.  Twice I've taken time off (over a year at a time), because of being burned out. 


Working as an MT at home is much better than working at Wal-Mart, or any other retail-type job.  I have much more flexibility in the hours I work.  I can be at home with my children, so that I can take care of their needs.  I've never had to have babysitters for my kids.  Now that they're all in school, it is easier, and I can still schedule my work time around their hours.  How in the world would working at Wal-Mart be better than that??  And even though the amount of pay I've been offered recently is less than my best job 5 years ago, I am still making 3 times as much as a Wal-Mart employee! 


I never went to school for training.  I am just an excellent speller with good typing and grammar skills, and I learn quickly.  I worked at my college health center for one year because of the above skills.  I didn't work after that for a time.  Three years later, I started sending out resumes to a bunch of local MTSOs and, after several months, one asked me to come test.  My persistence paid off.  I did very well on the testing and was hired.  I struggled those first couple of years.  Because I worked hard to learn new specialties, the MTSO was always asking me to take on a new one.  I probably worked a lot of hours for low pay as I learned each new specialty (I guess you COULD say I paid for my training! Lol!), and I shed a LOT of tears as I worked in the wee hours of the morning (because I didn't work until after my kids were in bed).  However, I am grateful to her for that experience.  I did eventually move on into acute care and did fine because of the opportunities she gave me. 


I still think MT is a good opportunity for people who just want to be able to be home with their kids and/or have a flexible schedule that allows them to run a forgotten lunch to school, go to a child's afterschool game, etc.  How many workplace jobs offer that??  It's still worth it to me!


NOW versus KNOW - Learn the difference as you will need to KNOW it at some point.
Trust me, you don't scare us.  As experienced professionals, we know what happens to MTs with delusions of grandeur; they are in for a very rude awakening, to say the very least.
local hospital versus national
Hi,
I was with a national company and, like you, only did about 1200 lines per day at 7.5 cpl with 18 months in. I felt like I was never going to make the big bucks!

In May, I resigned from the national co. and went to work locally. After a short 1-month in-house training, I am working from home again. This hospital has some great normals to use and yesterday, I did 2200 lines!!!!!

Finding a good fit is the hardest part. Thankfully, I think I have found mine!!!!! Just keep in mind that there are other options out there. GOOD LUCK!!!!
Shorthand versus Instant text
Looking for a great word Expander to work with. I am clueless at this point as to what is out there and how they even work. I have had ShortHand and Instant Text suggested to me, but not sure which one will be better.

Thanks for your help.
Hearing actual dictation files versus professionally read ones was a major plus
s
I'm sure you'd be first in line for it, right?

The VLC has had numerous complaints against them and people demanding refunds.  I was in a position to KNOW that people that couldn't get jobs because they couldn't pass MT employment tests after the VLC course.  How is that being immature?  Evidently, you're one of the VLC reps lurking on the boards so you can jump in and refer your school.  Otherwise, you wouldn't be taking it so personally.


$ per line?
As a recent graduate and new MT, could someone tell me what a fair salary is, per line of transcription? Thanks so much.
How much per line?
I also do voice recognition as well as straight transcription. I have been an MT for about 2 years now and started off doing voice recognition and I love it. I now do about 1800 to 2100 lines per day (voice recognition). I started off with a company doing vr and was only making 2.5 to 3 cents per line and I stayed with them for about 18 months and after the raises I was making 4.25 cents per line. However, that was an IC position and I wanted benefits so I started taking as many online tests as possible with companies that offer employee status and not IC. I wanted to get benefits. So, eventually I passed the tests for about 6 different companies and I got to pick which one I wanted to go with instead of begging for someone to hire me.

I would take some tests online on the days that you are not working perhaps on the weekends or evenings and see if you pass the tests. It can't hurt at all. I am now working with a new company and I am currently making 6 cents per line and this is for voice recognition, which is pretty darn good doing about 1800 lines per day. You will not know until you try. E-mail me if you have any other questions.
Maybe not out of line...
but not a very good *cooperative* attitude.
line count

Can someone please help me with the whole line count, WPM, total dollars concept. I'm trying to figure out my potential income doing MT. I know there are a range of answers but there must be some averages. I would be brand new at MT. What's your best guess of amount of work in say a 6 hour/day schedule? After 6 months experience? Thanks in advance for your help!


best on-line courses?

Hi all,


I'd like to take an on-line MT course; can anyone recommend one over any others? I plan on doing an internship for experience when I'm done for a while so I can get an actual paid position. How hard will it be to start working from home as I have a 20 month old that I want to stay at home with.


Thanks!


How is line counting done?
I know it is based on a 65 character line, often including spaces, but how do you line count your work and get an accurate number?
Gross line

Hi! I got offer of 7.5 cents per gross line. No idea is it better than 7.5 cents per line including spaces? Please advise!


7 cents a line
I graduated in Aug - my first job finally came in Sept/Oct they started me out at 7 cents doing orthro clinics.
Line rate
I believe that means 7 cents per line for a 65-character line. If it does, that is not a good rate, especially if you have experience. Also, you need to find out whether that is 65 characters with spaces or without spaces. If without spaces, that is really a bad rate! Good luck to you!
line rate
I have never heard of someone asking a rate based this way. Find out what the margins and font (etc) are before you sell yourself to short. Then I would calculate any document based on those responses and see what the would equal up to so you get a decent rate.
HELP--On-line course information..??
I have been an MT for 13 years and have a friend who is trying to enter this profession via an on-line course.  She asked me if I know of any.  Can anyone tell me about an on-line program that includes training in Expander programs that is a legitimate program and recognized and accepted by employers?  Thanks in advance for your assistance.
It is .06 per line. That is good to know.
Thanks

line counts
as a new grad is 90-100 lc/hr fair or should i get a job flipping burgers
compaired to .065/line more.....
So many newbies I've seen post on here are paid .065/line when they are first starting out. Many say that is very average newbie pay.
All you can go on to compare is the $7.43/hour that you made. Divide that by .065 and you have 114 lines/hour. If your not actually typing that many lines/hour, than your making MORE than average newbie pay.
I hope this helps.
It's the only way to compare the standard way (cpl) newbies are paid.
Christy
What do you mean by the contract seemed way out of line?
You don't give an example of what you are talking about, but I doubt anyone here would knowingly sign a contract that was detrimental to them or way outside industry norms.

I love my ESLs. Even though I do acute care, they tend to be fairly repetitive in their phrasing, and you get used to them after a few reports. In many cases, I would much rather have an ESL than a doc who drops entire syllables from words and words from sentences because he is in such a rush to be done with his dictation. Or spellers. I hate spellers.
Line counting
I would like to know who out there started off with a low line count and exceeded to the max of a 1000 lines or more. How many reports are that usually.?And the appropriate hours it takes to get it done.? Would you please share your story with me. that would be great!
Line counts
If you can create normals this will help tremendously with your line count. Also be sure to utilize any samples that you have available. If you are not using a word Expander already, that will definitely help your speed. The biggest factor in being fast and getting a good line count is to know your stuff and that just comes with experience. When you are first starting out there are a lot of things that you have to look up and that takes a lot of time. Once you get more experience you will find that you don't have to look up as many terms and your speed will pick up.

Good luck!
Cents per line...

Yes, at 6 or 7 cents a line, that is strictly training wages.  Don't settle for anything like that, especially if you have experience and you know you are good at what you do.  These companies make anywhere from 14.5 cents on up for the work they receive throughout outsourcing so, in essence, whatever you make, they make, except you are the one doing all of the work, paying for your phone line/internet, etc.


If they only want to pay 6 or 7 cents a line, let them get new grads or someone with no experience, that way they will get what they pay for.


Cents per line
This is a post of new graduates or soon-to-be graduates, who need to gain experience. !!!
PT line count
How many lines would you type to be considered PT?  300-500? more?  Thank you 
Line count
I've seen PT listed for as little as 2500 lines a week, minium 500 lines a day.
line count

Where I work the line count is 6000 lines a week, 40 hours.  I do not think it matters how much experience you have as to what your line count is.  Company's have a set amount no matter what your experience.


line count

Where I work the line count is 6000 lines a week, 40 hours.  I do not think it matters how much experience you have as to what your line count is.  Company's have a set amount no matter what your experience.


wpm should be for line quota
What would the typing wpm of a new grad have to at least be, in order to meet the following line count?

"Most full time positions are between 1200 and 1500 lines a day (6000 to 7500 lines per week). Most part-time positions require at least 120 lines per hour "
Line count

I am in need of a new line count program.  My (old) original is on a floppy disk and I no longer have floppy access.  What is a good/reliable program to use?



Med-Line school?

Has anyone heard about Med-Line school? Has anyone heard good/bad things about? Anyone go there? What were your experiences like? They are AHDI approved and provide a paid internship, and so far there program appeals to me - but I'm just wondering whether employers will hire folks who studied there - and equally important - whether Med-Line adequately prepares students for MT.


I realize that Andrews and MTech are the two top schools - but I'd like to keep my options open before committing.


Thank you!