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Going Independent - Please advise - Michigan MT

Posted: Nov 11, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I'm a transcriptionist with 20+ years of experience. Way back 20 years ago I had my own service and, for various reasons, closed it and went to work for someone else.

Now I'm tired of paying the middle man all of my hard earned wages and would like to get back into the truly self-employed aspect of transcription. Back then we just transcribed from tapes. The problem is that technology has changed to so much during that time, I hardly know where to start.

Can some of you folks who have their own services clue me in on just exactly how you're handling the tech aspect? What equipment do I need? Do I need my own server? A 1-800 number? What's the most cost effective and/or most direct approach to get the dictation from a doctor's office to your desktop?

Edit to Add: I'm fairly tech savvy with computers, have my own website, etc., just need to be pointed in the right direction of what software/hardware will work for all clients.

Thank you in advance for any tips or advice you can offer!

anyone? - Michigan MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Bumping this thread, hoping some of you independents will reply.

my advice - busybee

[ In Reply To ..]
I researched call-in system SERVICES and decided what would be best for the amount of volume I anticipated. You can always buy your own system and get 1-800# if/when you feel it is more cost effective to do so. The service I used, had me set up and going within 24 hours. I use Bytescribe but there's several companies offering this.

The other alternative is to have the physician have some sort of digital recorder and then upload the files to an FTP site (or however you decide to get the work). I was wanting to go this route, but my physician preferred a call-in system and was dragging his feet coming on board.

The options above may depend on your client's preference. I wouldn't set up a call-in service until I had a client wanting to use this...but I would know what I would choose and who from already figured out based on whatever scenarios.

I also researched and chose on an FTP hosting site (again based on the amount of volume I anticipated). I really like that I do not have to maintain an FTP server (or call-in system for that matter). However, if you have the resources, you can do your own FTP either now or later. It may be possible that your physician already has a system in place that he/she prefers to use to receive their work back. So, again I would hold off until I knew exactly what I would need. I use the FTP site to send the work back to the client and if at some point I subcontract out, it will be used for them to get the work to do and send back to me.

Took a course on HIPAA and security and implemented whatever changes I needed to do (such as having "written policies" and made the necessary security changes).

Good luck

Thank you! - Michigan MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi Busybee,

Thank you SO much for the information! I really, really appreciate it and it definitely gives me a direction to go in, where I was at a loss before.

Would it be okay if I wrote to you privately to get more information re: Bytescribe?

Either way, thank you. And if anyone else has any advice or recommendations, I'm all ears.

welcome...sm - busybee

[ In Reply To ..]
emailing is fine, but it might be next week before I get back to you. I'll mainly be out tomorrow and I don't get online much on the weekends.

No Problem - Michigan MT

[ In Reply To ..]
It will be a few days before I can even determine what questions to ask exactly. Thanks again & I'll catch up with you next week!

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