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5 Hospitals No work...Is this normal? - MTinVA

Posted: Jan 05, 2010

I'n new to working from home, only 3 months now, but have been a transcriptionist for 6 years. The company I work for has me on 5 different hospital accounts. They are all rehabilitation hospitals (acute) and do H&P, discharge summaries, daily notes, consultations, etc and I am constantly out of work. Some days I have no work at all. Pay is 0.0775 line except headers/footers. Is this normal? Each hospital is at least a 50 bed hospital. I figure I don't even make minimum wage. I've asked for more work without any luck of a return email or phone call. Any advice?

Most likely - MT in PA

[ In Reply To ..]
it is a classic case of overhiring. Some companies have a bad habit of hiring too many MTs for the same accounts, which in turn, the MTs end up with no work because there are too many for the amount of work.

I would keep pestering them for more work, but if you keep not getting a response, in my opinion, that is not very professional, and I would be looking for another job.

Unfortunately, overhiring seems to be happening more and more...

No. Overhiring is likely, but 3 months is plenty of time SM - MissIndigo

[ In Reply To ..]
to show a new employer they want to keep you, i.e., past that time when they winnow out the duds and let them slide away. This shabby treatment, with no reassurance for the future, suggests this company may be the dud.

However, since you have invested this time with them and have very little to lose at this point, I'd strongly suggest insisting on telephone discussion with the head of your department. Bypass your immediate account handler, who may be a big part of the problem, even virtually all of it. If no immediate change, THEN I'd plan on kicking their dust off my heels, sending out resumes before giving notice. This lousy start to 2010 at least promises it has to get a lot better. :) Best wishes.

I think they overhire where I work also. I hate to start all over looking for another job. - lindawordlady

[ In Reply To ..]
Reading the OP post and now your's MssIndigo, this maybe fits for me. I have been at my employer for 3-1/2 months and feel like I have proven myself, but do not feel "heard" or appreciated. When I was hired they told me I would have 3 accounts and put all that info on my computer. However, I am still on just 1 and running out of work constantly. I am in constant communication to them about this that I need steady dependable work, and have yet to be trained on the other 2 accounts. I guess I must have really been naive in my thinking.

Why do these companies overhire? I have to plod them to take a look at my progress and my loyalty and I don't think I should have to do that, do I? They should know without me reminding them. It so disheartening if I have to now start sending out resumes again only to face this "no work" situation all the time.

I can't imagine having 5 hospitals and no work. It is very unfortunate that these companies cannot just be up-front with us about the situation, except getting these "canned" responses. I am off today and tomorrow and had 45 minutes of work yesterday and none the day before. It makes the stomach a little queasy when one has to live on these piddily wages. Glad I read these posts today to awaken myself to the realities.

I'm really sorry, Lindawordlady. If your employer is a - MissIndigo

[ In Reply To ..]
largish company, maybe you could request transfer to another account handler, bypassing the one who's failing you to do so. It cost your company money to take you on, and it must be frustrating to someone when good hires are squandered like that.

Large companies often have very happy groups under some managers/on some accounts and not-so-happy ones under/on others, making getting in the right place key. Also good and bad platforms--when I worked at Transcend my platform was great, their own at that time dreadful. My account manager great, others not so much. That's why I suggest trying to move within the place you're already hired before giving up and leaving.

BTW, just mentioning to be a little fair on the other side, because it's something that's happened a couple of times at my company since I've been there, sometimes people are hired for new accounts that are not ready to go on line when originally scheduled, so they're left hanging in spite of good intentions. However, everyone here knows when that happens because we're told and because new hires are spread around and work availability drops for all of us. No dead silence when we ask why, either, at least under the account manager I have. As a matter of fact, it's happening right now, which is why I'm over here yacking while I wait for more dictation to come along. :)

Appreciate your insight MssIndigo... I don't know how large the company is... - lindawordlady

[ In Reply To ..]
I deal many times with the actual owner of the company and she is good about addressing them but I wonder sometimes if her hands are tied? There is a team leader, weekend shift and evening shift also that I deal with. If one needs a question answered we have to address it to the "whole" team. I have no problem being direct with any of them, but sometimes I think they would just like me to "go away" if you know what I mean.

Just about a half-hour got a big email addressed to all of us (which I have no idea how many MTs they have) about QUALITY. There seem to be many people that are falling behing on that... some have had 2 and 3 warnings!! My quality has never been called into question. The last one was a week ago at 98.9% and mine are always above 98%.

I think some of the MTs do not have as much experience (just my opinion) and maybe rush thru the reports to make more money, and I personally detest that. I know I am the only one who works later in the evening and every single weekend, so they can depend on me. I love my account, know all the docs now and the reports. Especially love OP notes and very qualified to do any and all specialties. Have a few ESL but they are not even that bad. I guess I am just venting a bit, because I don't want to lose this job that I have come to love.

BTW, got an email earlier from the owner saying that the client wants us to step down for today so their in-house can do the work and she did say that she would try to find alternativs for us if this continues to happen, so that is good. I can't believe it, but I am actually a little bit bored right now, of which I usually am never bored. Don't even feel like reading right now, just playing on this board and being on the 'puter now.

Have a good one MssIndigo. I always like to read any of your posts as I like your positive spin on things which I find to be very uplifting! Have a good one...

Think I know where you work and not everyone - got a note about quality

[ In Reply To ..]
I am almost sure you are the same person I have email with before. Is the job out of NH?

Yes, it is... and we have e-mail before (I think)... - lindawordlady

[ In Reply To ..]
yes indeed (if you are the same person). I know one other gal that works there too and she started after I did and she is not all that happy. She is on a different account from me, and I know you are as well. I want a HUGE account. I am used to working in a big trauma 1 center in Mpls so I can handle anything, that is, all accents, and specialties. I must say they sure give people a chance don't they with those QAs. Mine have always been up there except for my 2nd day there.

No, not normal....I only have 4 of my 5 docs - sm -

[ In Reply To ..]
dictating and got in 117 mins with 3 of them on Monday, and 102 with 3 on Tuesday, plenty to do, and one dictated the whole holiday weekend as well, so keeping plenty busy here. Now last week and the week before were a bit thin but that was due to the holiday and docs taking off. But things should be back to normal for the most part this week for everyone. Sounds like the hospitals you dictate for use overseas to do the stuff at night, and that leaves your cupboards bare. We had that issue too, but were able to "win" the work back luckily. If I were you I'd start looking elsewhere if you aren't already.

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