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There are line count programs

Posted By: sm on 2006-01-19
In Reply to: How is line counting done? - new girl on the block

available. If you use Word, you can go up to Tools, Word Count and take the characters w/spaces and divide by 65. That, of course, is assuming that you are paid for spaces - which some places do not do.


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Are you getting your line count from your program or can you use the line counting software to do
s
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!


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.


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?



paying by line count
The company that I work for pays by the actual line in the document, no matter if it is one word or a full line. I would like some feedback as to whether this is a good way to get paid or am I getting screwed?

Any opinions??
THanks
Line count quota
I have never heard of a company that requires only 2500 lines a week for full-time positions. 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 with total requirements dependent on how many hours you work.

Your figure of 2500 lines a week is very, very low.
Word's line count is not ideal to use. sm
Word does not always count certain things, like headers, footers, tables, etc., from what I've heard, and I've never found it to be very accurate on the whole. For one document, it might be higher than my line counting software, whereas for another document, it might yield a lower count.

If you use specific software to count lines, you will get a higher count with actual (or gross) lines. Do a Google search for Sylvan's Sylcount software (and there are probably other free downloads, like maybe PractiCount and Abacus). You can download a free trial and then you can set it up to run actual lines versus 65-char line. Sylcount has 2 different options for counting gross lines, one being just a standard count-all-lines command and another being a line equals at least 1 character, and each may give different counts.

I still have a couple accounts that pay actual lines and it has always worked out to be significantly higher. In fact, it proves very challenging for me to find work at 65-char because it's not worth my while in comparison. Love the actual lines!!
part time line count
I heard that part-time is 500 lines a day, or 2500 lines a week; and that full-time is about a thousand lines a day or 5000 lines a week. But I would welcome other responses. Any other comments? I would like to know this also, so it's a good question.
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. 
You can count on M-TEC
You can count on M-Tec to get you where you need to be. They are equally as good at placement and training as Andrews in my opinion. No school can guarantee you a job, because they don't know how good you are until you finish the school. I have seen a lot of graduates on the M-TEC message forum saying they got jobs, and some even before they graduated. I thought I read there where companies will waive the two years experience. THey have a website http://www.mtecinc.com if you want to check out the frequently asked questions and messages there.
count me in
I love it.
Don't count on it.
I have done free internships, been screwed by and even severely insulted by an MTSO who used me, never paid me, now after graduating for over a year, still in an internship at 2 and 3 cents a line with no hope for gainfull employment. They all want 2-3 years experience, but no way for you to get that experience. So I too failed all these online testing, I think they are all a sham. I didn't to to MTEC or the other one, I went to community college then online education for MT and MC with Brighton College and still cannot get a glimmer of hope here in this field. When I think of all the money I spent trying to achieve this goal only to wind up here in limbo like an educated idiot! I want to sue someone for it, just don't know where to start!
MP Count
I have to invoice my doctors and I use MP Count. It is a free download at www.mpword.com. It really works well.
MT Programs
I'm currently a Transcriptionist and a friend of mine wanted to get into the profession, however she had a question that I could not answer. Is anyone familiar with if you are able to use Pell grants towards an MT school? I figured I'd ask everyone here!

TIA
I was too lazy to count them but saw them!
being the effort and quality skill set that takes a newbie to a quality, seasoned MT is something one is born with. Some things can't be taught even at the best schools.
I can't count how many times (sm)
I've seen insurance companies request notes on a patient just to get an MRI authorized, for a patient to get a nonformulary med, etc. The canned templates in the EMRs I've seen create sloppy notes and most look like they've been pasted together like a ransom note, not a clean, concise document. One doc told me he would never use his EMR system to document a visit because it was rude not to make eye contact while a patient was talking to you! There has already been one EMR company that threatened clinics with "freezing" their software if they don't hand over their wallets! EMRs have a long way to go before I ever feel threatened by them.
typing programs

I used this website www.typingtutor.com and it was very helpful. You said you were using a MAC? I don't believe you will be able to use that once you are working, and I think that is a problem with training with M-Tec because of the software they use.You can check with them, but I'm pretty sure I saw that on their website.


Shareware programs
She said this is a set up fee that is the responsiblility of the MT. She use to pay the fee, but some MTs will leave after they get better. There are some shareware programs that the client requries and she is charged a fee when she add a new user the system. Does this mean I am paying for work?
Shareware programs
Thank you for your help. :-)
These programs are not required...
These extra programs are not necessary. CS grads can get decent jobs without them. Some prefer to have the extra training. The STT program prepares the students to start work with Spheris at an acute care level.

I cannot compare my education to the other schools and I do agree that the other schools may be better for some. For me, I had a medical background which included transcription. I felt that I would be fine without the one-on-one interaction. If I did have problems with the something, I did pick up the phone and called CS. The staff was very friendly and helped anytime I needed it. I am now a grad and am currently trying to decide between four different job offers one week after graduation.




No it isn't. Their programs are written so you

only have to have an 8th grade education to be able to take them.   My teen took a class through them and he knew more than what they were trying to teach and there was lots of misinformation in them. 


The saying that you get what you pay for is true here.  You'd just be wasting your money because your chances of getting a job without further education or finding a menitoring program are very slim. 


Mentoring Programs
Has anyone heard of the AIM Mentoring Program thru Allstate Transcription?  They are asking for $99.00 for the entire 12 week program with possible employment at the end.  I am wondering if this is a route I should go since I am having trouble getting a job.
Mentoring Programs

For those of you who have tested for the mentoring programs through AIM and Meditec, about how long did it take for them to get back to you?


Thanks in advance. :)


mentoring programs

Does somebody know which MT employment companies have mentoring or internship programs?  Thanks in advance.


Mentoring programs
I applied to a company called Accustat (www.accustat-mt.com) and they responded that they don't hire new graduates, but they do have a mentoring program.  There is no fee to join the program and it does pay a little, but I would have to purchase some equipment that I don't currently have.  They also require you to produce at a certain level or they will drop you, but they haven't told me how much they expect yet.  I guess that is what makes me nervous about it.  I just can't afford to make financial mistakes right now.  Has any one been through Accustat's mentoring program?
Word Character count.
The easiest way is to go into your Word toolbar, and click on character count (with or without spacing, depends on you school or employer) take that number and divide by 65.  There you go.
OSI, Heartland Mentoring Programs
Just wondering if anyone has heard of these mentoring programs. I, too, am finding it hard to get a job with no experience. Are these programs worth it? Has anyone out there gone through these? Please give some friendly advice!
word expander programs
I am getting close to birthday time as well as graduation and want to ask for a word Expander program as a b-day present from my husband  Is there a decent priced one out there that still is easy to use and works well. I have heard of Smarttype but that is pretty expensive (though I hear well worth it) Are there any others
Intern/mentor programs
I am a recent graduate having difficulty finding employment.  Would you recommend Allstate Transcription (AIM) or Meditec - both require a fee to join their programs but guarantee experience and if you reach the 98% accuracy rate, very high rate of employment opportunities.
I am not saying all apprenticeship programs are scams.
I am saying that in the not-so-distant past, the companies that wanted you to pay up front for training or wanted you to pay to work for them were scams. Now, I think that companies have found more effective way to defray the cost of, or in some cases profit from, hiring and training new grads. Yes, it is costly and time consuming to get a new grad up to speed as far as quality and productivity, but in the past, having a mentor train and provide feedback and guidance to a new grad was SOP. It was seen as an investment for the future in a way. Now some companies want you to pay them or to work for free during your "apprenticeship" which has made it even more difficult for the uniformed or the desperate to discern which companies are scams.

I have previously been advised not to post names of companies that do hire newbies because they get inundated with applicants that either do not have the requisite training or have no training at all. Also, most companies,especially the small to mid-size services, only hire grads intermittently because of the resources required to train them.

The very best resource for who hires graduates of your education program is the school itself. Often companies or MTSOs that have an opening or two for a trainee will contact the schools they know provide quality graduates ready to enter the job market. www.transcriptionresource.com has a rather comprehensive list of companies with links to many of their websites.
new mt mentoring programs or internships?

are there any good newbie MT mentoring programs out there? or internships?


thanks


Honestly, there are a number of MT programs that do
provide an education adequate enough to pass entry-level exams. If you went to one of these programs then you may need to take an honest look at your options.

There are a number of posts further down this page and in the archives regarding how to improve your chances during the application and testing process.



Sorry I misspoke. Character count divided by 65.
nm
On sedond thought, when I do a word count on
MS word with a 65 cpl the lines are more than what I get paid for actual lines. So it seems like I am getting ripped off.

That is what I don't understand
65 character count is standard across the board
i think i would prefer 65, and take a lower per line pay to get my feet in the door. However, recognizing how hard it is for new MT's to be hired, if the training is good, I'd take it just for the experience.
Don't do it! Do a search on the New MT board for recommended programs. nm
n
Very few provide. Most programs get loaded to your machine from CDs or
s
Not all foot pedals work with all programs - sm
so unless you are buying a digital player like Bytescribe or ExpressScribe, etc. there is really no point to just buying a foot pedal. You may buy a serial port one and land a job where only a USB port pedal will work (it happens). So far I have been lucky and my serial port pedal that I bought with Bytescribe has worked for all but 2 jobs I have had. The one job loaned me a footpedal, which I returned when I quit, and the other I had to purchase a USB pedal for Start/Stop, unfornately that one was probably a waste of money as I did not like their platform or the work so will probably end up selling it here or on ebay someday. --but if you need one so you can take tests then download the free version of Express Scribe and get the kind they recommend to work that (I use a 9-pin serial port pedal)-- though it would probably be smarter to get a USB pedal if it works with that as I think more companies use the USB pedal, though sometimes it is all in the set up of the program/foot pedal. Good luck.
...top 3 programs from this board or attend an actual
b
Requesting student info about MT programs, please.

I want to hear from recent students completing the MT programs - how did your MT program work?  Was it all just work at your own pace?  Did you have any classroom time or any time that you had to join an online class?  Did you have good communication with your instructor(s)?  Did they answer you timely?  nything you would have like to have seen done differently in the program you chose?  How long did it take you to complete it?  Did they help you find a job?


I know I need the education to fill in the big holes on the little experience I have.  I will be getting info from schools like Career Step and Andrews and MTEC but I would like to hear from anyone in or graduating from those programs, too.


Please feel free to e-mail me.


Thanks,


Roz 


Any mentor programs that requir Vista

I have Vista and cant' find a Mentor program that is compatable with Vista.  Can anyone help?


BT


Current and former students from all schools and programs -

I would prefer to discuss via email as I don't want input from those who have not attended any of the MT educational programs and I don't want to incite arguments, etc. 


I just need some answers and insight on your experience, etc.  I have some questions I can send to you and would truly appreciate your input. 


Thx


 


Maybe do a word count in some of your documents and get an average per day or week. Total for new
s
Try asking the school directly. Both Andrews & M-TEC have some sort of assistance programs, not sure
x
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.