disagree with scam part about equipment above...sm
Posted By: MTSO on 2006-01-14
In Reply to: Believe me you do NOT want to have - me
keep in mind that if you are applying to a company who is hiring independent contractors, that the IRS definition of employee vs. contractors hinges on three main areas, one of which is how much control the "employer" has over the worker. If the employer is providing equipment to get the job done, the IRS tends to look upon this as more of an employer-employee relationship. So if you are applying for a job that is independent contractor status, remember you are self employed and have to provide your own equipment.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status is a hot area of IRS Audits.The IRS, state taxing agencies, as well as the Departments of Labor (which are responsible for Unemployment tax collections) have been stepping-up their audit activities. The purpose of the audit is to misclassify a subcontractor as an employee. The taxing agency can then collect the taxes which "should have been withheld" as well as large fines, penalties and interest. So if you want to be an IC, expect to provide your own equipment.
LINK/URL: IRS publication on Employee vs subs
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Disagree. We have a gravy account that we, as IC's, provide our own equipment and pay for
a token to get into the software. Big deal. You pay $150 for a C-phone and $150 for the token but then you make scads of money! So would weigh the ROI (return on investment). Not a hard and fast rule to never buy equipment you can't use on another account.
SCAM!
Don't work for Cynde Burchell of Atypical Transcription. It is a scam! She will promise you work and tell you to "take over accounts" for people where she does not like thier work or they do not do their work, then she will not pay you and you will lose all contact with her. She stops answering her phone when she knows you've figured out that you are not getting money from her and she will stop returning e-mails or answering her IMs. She told me over the phone when she first hired me that she didn't use the company name anymore and every time I called, she answered until it came time for the paycheck and then I got the answering machine of Atypical Transcription. There are a few other people on the answering machine, but I can't remember their names. This has been since May-June of this year and she owes me $60. I don't want anybody else to go through this so I am putting out a warning for everybody.
Not a scam
There are many scams but please do not assume all are. I agree, check out the BBB.
Internships are expensive to run. It takes a QA/Trainer longer to QA your files and give you feeback than to actually transcribe it herself. She does not do that for free.
Many of my interns are still working as MTs for me. You are free to talk to them if you email me. Corie@meditec.com
Scam
They are a scam, you will lose a lot of money and time with them.
TRANS-SCAM
you will train forever and never get paid! Run away now!
heard they are a scam....say they
have work and don't give any.....not nice from what I have heard 
Re: total scam
Hi
Thanks for the info. I don't know if they owe me money? I suppose they do they took me for $400. Do't know if I can get that back. I signed on with them begining of Jan. 2007
beware they are a scam
I just wanted to add yet another dissatisfied customer to your now 37 on the BBB list. I just got my last email from BBB stating that the company did not reply to my last complaint to them. So my case was closed and I did not get any kind of a refund. Run, run, run as fast and as far away from this company as you can. I am trying to warn all who will listen and read. I was scammed by them and I live in Canada so at the time my equipment cost a lot more with duty/exchange/shipping/etc.. I also found that you can get a scribe online for free, which I have now downloaded on my computer and in fact ithis one is much better, for free. I stated that as well as the fact that they say and do a lot in the name of God. Please run away. I am talking from experience.
They are absolutely a scam. They
tell you that you must buy $400 worth of software from a specific company. Many times the software doesn't work but TranSCAM will not help you because you didn't buy it from them and the company you did buy it from won't contact you. I personally think it is a company related to TranSCAM,
If the software works they tell you that you have to get good QA scores before they release you to getting paid for your work. In the meantime you are doing work they are getting paid for (how they get accounts I have no idea) and you are never good enough to be released.
There have been multiple complaints filed with the BBB against them, several never resolved. They have moved to a different state at least once and changed their name at least once. If you "work" for them you will get some experience, but it really will not help you get another job because their reputation is well known and it isn't good.
Proficient Transcription is a scam - sm
I came in contact with Proficient Transcription too. I told them I was interested in a position, and asked what would they require from me. Expecting to get a reply of "take this test and then we'll review it and get back to you" I got "send $99 for shareware either with a money order or some type of cash card you can purchase at Walgreens." By the way, the shareware they want you to pay for is actually something you can download for free from the internet. Please, people do not buy into this scam and don't send this lady any more money! I'm glad the above poster smelled the rat.
Total scam, stay away - sm
unless you have money to burn. Lots and lots of people have been taken by them unfortunately. I hope you have not paid them any money because if so you will never see it again.
SCAM WARNING FOR OUR POSTERS!! (SM)
To all of our posters on MTStars: We have experienced an individual who is apparently running a scam. We want to make you aware of this situation and urge you to be discerning in any e-mails you receive regarding this and diligent to report any contact with this person or other similar situations with us immediately:
Name: Sherry Robinson
Email: s_robinson28714@yahoo.com
Phone: 828 675 2119
Location : Burnsville, NC 28714
She is asking for $100-200 for work at home jobs. Once payment is sent via PayPal or check, she vanishes and later (after repeated emails and calls) sends a mail with links (mostly broken) to Work at Home Job sites, which any MT can find by simply using Google. Her scam is via telephone! The emails she sends out contain only the following information: Call Sherry Robinson 828-675-2119
MTStars Team
Sherry Robinson scam
Yes she sent me an email stating the same thing. I called and she asked for 200.00 and said she is a head hunter. My mom who is a very experienced MT told me to not respond. So I did not respond, then a week later she sends me a add for a dating service. SHERRY ROBINSON is a scam.....do not fall for it!!!!!!
Newbies, beware - I'm not saying that the above post is a scam, sm
but I used to know a lady who would "take newbies under her wings" and "train them and nurture them" for piddle pay, only to tell them that they were no good and needed more guidance. Basically what she was doing was this - saving herself a whole lot of $$$$. She used to brag to me about how she could use "these people" to do the "grunt" work (as she called it) and pay them squat and keep the bulk of her money.
Again, I'm not saying that the above poster is going to do this, but please be aware that this type of thing does happen.
Why do people feel they can scam their way into this field?
With inferior educations for cheap and now wanting to lie to get jobs? Whatever happened to working for what you earn and telling the truth? :-(
.....if you haven't figured it out by now, Trans--Am is a scam- sm
any company that asks you to pay $$$ in order to work for them is not on the level. (I am not talking about renting equipment like a C-phone, footpedal or a computer). I have not heard of Career Builder, but again do not pay to work for anyone. As for trying to get a job just keep applying and test everywhere you can.
Definitely sounds like a scam. You can't learn much in an 8-week course. NM
x
What equipment will I need?
I will be graduating soon and the school I'm with doesn't do placement. What equipment should I have right away (foot pedal, c-phone, ....) to be prepared when I start taking tests? Where exactly is the best place to get the equipment?
Thank you for the help.
equipment
I am a newbie, just finishing up school and I have no idea what kind of equipment I should be looking for. Can someone give me some idea's? Should I jump into digital? Thanks
Equipment
I would wait until you get your first job to see what your employer would like you to have so that you can comply with company specifics, etc. I know that some companies require you have a certain type of wav player, etc. Good luck and welcome to the MT world!
Equipment and pay
Couple questions. Is the dictation equipment portable, ie., could I plug it into someone elses computer???? Also, we have to buy our own equipment, or do some schools include it in tuition?
Also, translate per line, into what you make per month and how many hours you're working. If you get a certain amount per line, how many lines do you type in how many hours of work, and what would your pay check be.
Also, I found out that MTEC works with vocational rehab centers across America, SO I can get help with paying for the course!! Yahoo! They may pay for all of it, since I have a disability.
Equipment
I see from previous posts that you have to get your own equipment, and that the type may depend on who I work for. Hopefully the school will educate me on these issues. Will they?
Equipment
I need a line counting program that can be used on Windows XP. I am using Microsoft Word. I also need a good medical dictionary on CD that can be used on Microsoft Word. I only have a couple of small part-time accounts, but I need these two items. I've looked on the boards and I am just confused as to which ones listed are best. Please help!!
GC from NC
Equipment
Thanks. I have the hard copy Stedman's. I have an older Stedman's on CD. But I doubt if it is compatible with Windows XP. I appreciate your help.
equipment
I tell my students not to buy anything - reference books, equipment, etc. until they have at least 1 client -- then it's tax-deductible. Also, ask your new client if they have equipment you can use. Many small offices have a spare transcriber you can use.
Rosie
I disagree 100%
I went to a crappy school (didn't know any better until after I paid for and started the training). I studied hard, found as many sample dictations I could on the web (in addition to the ones included in my course), did everything in my power to learn what I could. Interned for 3 months (2 months during training and 1 month after - was offered the internship because I did so good on the homework). I sent out probably 30 resumes, passed tests at 98% or better...no one would hire me without experience...until the day I sent out a resume to a company who was hiring with "a minimum of 3 years experience." I included a cover letter begging for a chance, explaining what a fast learner I am. They hired me at 8 cents a line with incentives on top of it. After 3 weeks I got the okay to submit directly to the client, I was (and still am) praised repeatedly for the quality of my work. My second pay period I was the 2nd highest producer of 16 MTs on the account and the 3rd pay period I was the highest producer on the account. After 3 months I got a 1 cent raise. In short, got my certificate in March, got hired in April... and here I am at 9 cents a line and they tell me I am one of the top 4 MTs in the group. The lesson here...if you KNOW you can do it then you can! I say apply...ESPECIALLY if you went to one of the top schools. They can only say no. Good luck to you!
Sorry - I disagree
I disagree since I have seen both sides. The younger ones, below 30, might be okay with this but those over 35 do not like this. Another thing there is too much standardization and the insurance companies are cutting down on payment, etc. when a note is so standardized that it does not show the 45 minutes spent with the patient they will pay at the rate for a 20 minute visit which makes a big diffence in payment. Anytime Medicare or an insurance company can cut down the payment they will which then costs in rebilling cost. I work right where the billing is also done when I work on the EMR's, typing directly into them, and I hear what is going on. Also legal wise, the docs are finding out it is not good. Like I said the 5 docs in this clinic would rather pay me $18 an hour to type into the charts than take the 2 to 3 hours it takes them to do them along with the procrastination. Most of them dictate while driving home -- they have good machines, easy to understand and this is not a problem for me, and by the time they get home, their chart notes are done and they bring me the tape the next day, I do them and chart notes are done within 48 hours. Anyway it works for them. Trouble is now they want me 40 hours per week but cannot give up my other accounts. Started out doing just 10 to 15 hours per week -- 2-3 docs, to get out of the house, then 20 to 25 wtih four and now they want me full-time for the five. But I make too much off of my own personal accounts and cannot do it so they are looking for someone else.
Also, I have been approached by two other clinics to help out with their EMR's as they are having the same problems. Patients are speaking up and telling the doctor, hey I am paying for your service, look at me when I talk with you and don't be typing into that darn computer. But then this is just my side of it. Patti
I disagree.... sm
I went through CAI and got hired with MQ after I graduated. They are acredited with the New Jersey Deptment of Education as well. I don't see why everyone is so quick to disregard this program.
(Read this quick, because my posts about being a CAI grad get deleted rather quickly, no matter how much that fact is denied! )
I disagree.
.
I disagree with you
I totally disagree! I am not new; I have 22 years of experience as a medical transcriptionist. I think of "newbie" as a somewhat affectionate term. It is used in many other fields as well. I don't find it at all demeaning. When I am posting, I do not want to have to write out "new transcriptionists" all the time. Let's hear from those new to the field, though - do they mind?
I disagree
M-TEC and Andrews are the best schools out there. If you have a decent GPA upon graduation, you are pretty much guaranteed a job. Quality MTs are desperately needed, and these 2 schools produce quality MTs.
Actually, I disagree
"Spelling correctly should be second nature for an mt, whether it is an email or a quick response to a post."
If I'm sending an email to my boss, you better believe I spell check it. Taking a test for a job? Obviously that too. Posting on a forum? Not on your life.
I do glance at my posts 90% of the time to see if I catch obvious errors, but I could care less if my spelling skills impress strangers on a gab forum. Not to mention, in our profession of using typing shortcuts all day, I'm lucky if I remember HOW to spell these days.
I disagree...for me anyway :)
Working two hours before getting up is not at all burdensome on my body. I guess it depends on who you are. I've been doing this 11 years and have had no problems. Two hours FLIES by for me still to this day. If you're somebody with back problems, etc., then yes, I would say every hour get up and move your body. I do ankle circles and stretch my leg out while sitting in between reports to keep the circulation going in my legs. :)
Sorry got to disagree
No disrespect but I do not think that is fair or all the way true. I feel it is more frustration than complaining. To spend thousands of dollars on school to constantly be told 'No' or 'You need experience' can be frustrating to anyone. I mean we are human and not fortunate to have had a job as a MT for 25 + years as yourself (congrats btw) so please be a little more open minded and understanding what us newbies are going through. No need for you to complain due to your resume, but us newbies are trying to get there. Just a lil bit more positive feed back would be helpful.
advice on equipment
 I need advice about the type of digital handheld wav recorders. I need to get one that I can set up at a Doctors office and I am not sure what to get or even how to set one up. I need any info on the best ones to use and how to get it up and running. HELP!!! I know nothing about that stuff. I just took courses and they didn't tell me anything about that stuff. If you have any advice I sure would appreciate it. 
You should be marketable after all that, equipment or not. If you
s
Stedman's equipment - I do mostly Ops. I also
use the abbreviations book a lot.
www.drugs.com or www.rxlist.com for drug references. I have Dorland's but in 22 years I think I've only used it twice.
Questions about Equipment
Hi everyone - I graduated from US Career Institute earlier this year. Since that time I have moved out of state and am new to my area. I have put together a marketing packet including a letter of introduction, a flyer describing my service, a business card, a reference letter from my school and a coupon for one free report to try my services.
I have a list of 65 doctors that I will methodically start marketing but what if someone actually gives me an opportunity?? AAK! I was told to get a Start/Stop pedal as it is the best, but I see that the Infinity USB-1 is much cheaper. Also should I get a microcasette transcriber too? Anything else I should have?
Any positive feedback is appreciated.
Actually it's better to HAVE the equipment IMHO (sm)
because how easily you will lose your client if they need you asap and you have to wait to get your equipment ordered.
I was fully functional with equipment in place before I got my first client and I'm sure glad I was!
I totally disagree with you
I took Allied's course and I have two jobs. I applied with over 100 companies, and all of them allowed me to test. It was my decision on whether to take their offers or not. Some of the tests I did not pass, I cannot lie about that. But I totally DO NOT blame it on Allied.
For people to post on these boards saying that they HAVE to take the M-Tec or Andrews course is just insane. I do agree that there are some schools that do not prepare you. All of the jobs saw that I took the Allied course and still let me test.
I do not know why people are so quick to judge or try to bring new MTs down.
I disagree that 6 cpl is tops
I am also a recent CS grad. I was offered several positions and only 1 paid less than 6 cpl and that was for an extern position. The rest of the offers were 6.5-7.5 cpl. I hate to see grads who take jobs for less than 6 because they think that is all they are worth. There are better jobs out there.
I do think the main problem is your line count though. Even at 7 or 8 cpl, you won't make much money if you are only transcribing 100 lph. I would look into ways to increase productivity. Are you using your Expander to its fullest potential? Are you staying focused your whole shift? Are you finding you spend a lot of time researching? What is it that is keeping you from making more than 100 lph? I have been working for 6 months doing acute care work and average 150 lph, but can hit 200-220 on a good day.
I disagree 100% with your advice.
Every hour take a 15 min break? OMG! It will take them all day to get their work done!
A 5-min break after working solidly for 2 to 3 hours is more effective.
Books go out of date every year. However, having a handful of great reference websites keeps you in the know at all times. Do stay away from chat boards while you are working.
If it takes more than 4 letters, make an expansion for it but only do a handful each week. Write them down and put up so you can see them. Don't do anymore new ones until you've actually memorized and easily incorporate the current ones in your work. Using Expanders must be as natural as typing the words themselves.
Totally disagree
Congratulations should NEVER be spelled incorrectly by an MT. We are grammar and spelling specialists, are we not? In my opinion, if you are not able to put together an e-mail with correct spelling and grammar, you are in the wrong business (and I don't mean a little typo). From what I've seen, there are plenty of people in this business who should not be because they can't use the English language properly. That's the basis of all other MT learning and skills. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
I disagree. I've been in a
position of hiring and training MTs and I've worked with several Career Step grads. Some were very good and some not so good. I really think the bottom line is the actual MT. They will get out of any program what they they put into it regardless of the money they spend. I've worked with Career Step graduates who had absolutely no grammar skill whatsoever and were still communicating like a teenager on IM, but they heard that Career Step gets them the job. It may get them in the door, but staying afloat in this business is a whole different story.
There are new procedures and equipment all the time
so you can't possibly know it all, but you need to know when the doctor misspeaks, you need to have a good grasp of the systems so if you don't know the word you at least know where to look for it by knowing what system it is for. If you only do clinic it is easier, especially if you do family practice or if you only do urology dictation because then you only have to learn one speciality. If you do acute care you're going to have to have a good grasp of anatomy and terminology, even if you don't do Op notes.
MT books and equipment for sale
Getting out of the MT biz and want to sell my word books, spellchecker software, C phone, wav pedal, etc. Anyone interested please email me. See inside for list
Stedman's word books: $16 ea including shipping Psychiatry/Neurology/Neurosurgery 2nd ed
Surgery including Anatomy and Anesthesia
OBGYN 2nd ed
Endocrinology GI & GU 2nd ed and 3rd ed
Pathology & Lab Medicine 2nd ed
Equipment words 3rd ed
Oncology 3rd ed
Orthopaedic & Rehab 4th ed
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary including respiratory 3rd ed
Plastic Sx ENT/Dentistry
Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols 2nd ed
Other books:
Handbook of Commonly Prescribed Drugs 14th ed $5
Mosby's Rapid Reference to Diagnostic & Lab Tests $5
Drake & Drake Pharm Word book 2000 & 2003 $5 ea
American Drug Index 1999 $5
Current Medical Terminology Vera Pyle 7th ed $5
Stedman's SpellChecker for Word 2000, 2002, 2003 $18
ea
Medical Acronyms, Eponyms & Abbreviations 3rd ed $5
Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed hardback $15
101 Best Home-Based Buisnesses for Women 2nd ed $5
An at home medical transcription training course - all manuals, text and tapes included. Contact me for price.
C-phone model 0421 $125 - good working condition
wav pedal $25 - older model uses game pin port, good working condition
Two microcassette transcribers with foot pedal $40 each
You pay for equipment that may or may not work. You purchase it
through a third party so AMA is no help with getting your money back, although they told you what company to buy it from. You don't get paid until your work is good enough, but your work is never good enough, so you work and work. Now I can't figure if they actually have real work and so you're working for free and they are making big bucks, or they don't really have any work and are making their money on ripping you off on the software. I figure where has got to be some connection to the software company.
They have many, many complaints still unresolved with the BBB. They have moved to a different state and changed their name at least once that I know of. They also represent themselves as very religious.
But you're not going to be any better off if you have the WRONG equipment. nm
x
Not that I disagree with you totally, but (see inside)
there just aren't many hospitals in many areas any more where people can work. Many of them hire services.
Graduates of Andrews School and M-Tec seem to have no problem getting hired or keeping their jobs at home right out of school. "Grads" of the "matchbook" schools are the ones who need all the extra in-house assistance.
company is trying to sell you the software/equipment
it is a scam, not requiring the software/equipment. The company can offer payroll deduction, but an outright you must buy this from me first is a big red flag.
I disagree. Newbies deserve respect too.
You get what you give in this world! I don't care who you are or what you do, and I especially don't care what your position is and how much money you make, everyone deserves to be treated with respect, even newbies!
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