A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

POSITIVE tips for a new MT please - binglebug

Posted: Sep 21, 2014

Hello,

I will be starting a full-time transcription job October 7th. I have about 3 years experience in medical transcription, but have never worked for straight production pay, never worked from home, and have never transcribed 8 hours a day, every day.

I have been reading these forums and have read all of the negative thoughts about getting into medical transcription. That's not what I'm looking for. I would like tips for starting with a new company, new dictators, tips on being motivated to stay on task while at home (with all the possible distractions), and tips on speeding up the learning curve.

Constructive and positive tips will be greatly appreciated.

Let's start with a LIKE - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It can be a rough board. A lot of disillusionment---but that's not what you want.

Find a way to stay focused. I try to increase speed when any time I find myself waiting (unless it is a doctor that took a break--lol) I speed up the dictation just a notch. Sometimes you can speed up without noticing any voice quality diff.

Oh, just noticed you have never worked at home. Don't tell your relatives and hide from your children and husband (if applicable). Sort of kidding. I started when I was production but my own schedule. No one has ever gotten that that has all changed and I am not as available as I once was. It can be a real pain to look at those plaintive little faces (including the husband) and telling them "no, I'm really not here." They can see you and they don't believe you.

Get caller ID and use it. Unless you have elderly relatives you are worried about or something and, of course, you have to take the calls from school.

New company-- try to stick to your schedule. Seems to be really important. Try to be versatile and available.

And---this is one that has served me well, in not having a terribly emotional response to everything....don't worry about what the other guy gets (or what you perceive he gets, or what your friends think he gets) --decide if you are happy with what you have, if your communications with the company or supervisor are adequate and you get the hours/work/dictators that work for you. If not, slowly, but persistently try to negotiate for what you want.

There are apparently a lot of really weird situations out there, a lot of unfair practices and a lot to complain about, but, as you said you want to be positive, and you might as well be, this is what you have chosen to do!

I think there is someone on this board who dislikes every - post just for fun

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know why this post would have gotten a dislike because there's some good advice here.

Make sure your office chair is really comfy and set a timer if you have to so that you get up and walk around or stretch every couple of hours. It's very easy to get in the zone and then before you realize it 4 or 5 hours have gone by and your legs and rear are stiff and sore.

I second the caller ID on the phone. I've heard all sorts of stories about how family interrupts, parents call, knock on the door, etc. It's easy to get distracted when you're at home... been there, doing that right now...but families don't always get that. Yes, you may be working from home, but you are working, so that doesn't mean you can run errands for anyone during the day or stop and have a coffee chat with your mom, etc. Some people have had to be tough with their families to get that point across.

Good luck.

I think that 'one dislike' is a software glitch - Happens too fast

[ In Reply To ..]
It appears too fast and too consistently ... I think it is a glitch in the board software.

I agree - it happens almost immediately after a post, and on posts - where a dislike makes no sense whatsoever.

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By which I mean, on posts where there's nothing about the post for anyone to like or dislike, agree or disagree with, etc.

GET OUT OF MT NOW - nm

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That's as constructive as I can get.

Your wanting only positive is a bit naive. The constructive - sm

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would include positive and negative. Why do you think everyone is so negative? Think about it.

I think what she's saying is that there's already plenty - of negative and would appreciate...

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...some advice that's helpful instead of just a lot of unhelpful blather telling her to get out of the field.

I don't think that's unreasonable at all.

Distractions the worse? Not with the dictators - I had yesterday, horrible is an understatement

[ In Reply To ..]
I have done this job now for ages. It does nothing but get harder the longer I stay. Yesterday was the nightmare of all nightmares. I had tons of ESLs but it does not stop there. The English speaking doctors I had were just as bad. No one, let me rephrase, almost no one cares about how they dictate anymore, just slopping something together, no real words to hear. I sat here, gritted my teeth, had TV on in the background but distractions? Maybe a good strong whiskey would have done it but being as I don't drink, nothing could take that mess away. I blanked things coming and going. If I can hear, I can get it but just totally ridiculous. Even doctors who you might be able to hear had a strong humming sound going on in the background which just messed that up. I hate to see what it will be in the next year or 2.

I was asked by husband, if you have these years of - background, what about a new person doing this wor

[ In Reply To ..]
I told him did not think many new ones coming on what with the way MT jobs are going but guess there are, poor things.

Yes! - binglebug

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. It isn't that I am trying to be naive, it's that this is where I've ended up and so I need to try to make a success of it. I've been out of full-time work since June (was not doing transcription before) and have applied in all sorts of fields. This is what I've been offered and so I'm trying to make the best of it.

Do not be fooled into thinking anyone can make it in the big cesspools - They lie, your pay goes down, benefits fake

[ In Reply To ..]
Try to be more local and service oriented. Try searching Craigslist.

Repeat, MT is not viable with the bigs. Do not be fooled into thinking you are different and can make it when an experienced, 30-year CMT could not. I had plenty of opportunities with bigs, but heeded the warnings of my colleagues and refused to take bigs' garbage and instead went small. I could not be happier.

Good luck.

distractions - are the worst

[ In Reply To ..]
Not everyone on these boards is miserable, though those that are sure try to make sure everyone else knows about it so they can pity party together...

As far as starting out, minimize your distractions! Stay off this site, stay of facebook, twitter, etc. When you are working, treat it like you would any other job. Less distractions = more production.

I do all that stuff before I start working and then I stay off of it until I am done. It made a huge difference in my production.

Constructive - NN

[ In Reply To ..]
Figure out how many LPH you need to achieve. Put how many lines that would be 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours etc. into your shift. Write those numbers down on a post-it and stick in somewhere in sight. Get yourself a kitchen timer and set it for 1 hour, every hour, checking to make sure you're on target throughout your shift. Keeps me on my toes. It may work for you.

Tips - Curious one

[ In Reply To ..]
I would recommend having dedicated office space in a spare room instead of using your laptop and moving around the house, preferably a room where you can close the door if you need to. Make sure your family members and neighbors know that you are working so you don't have neighbors dropping in to chit chat. If you have children who are school age, try to get a schedule where you can work while they are at school or at night when they are sleeping. Treat it like you would an onsite job, show up on time, work you shift and make yourself available to your employer. Try and get outside during your breaks, go for a walk, workout, etc. It will probably take a while to get up to speed, but if you see your numbers going up every few weeks you are on the right track. You will probably be on 100% QA for a while but try and remember that you will learn from that. I agree with the caller ID an/or voice mail and return your calls when you are finished working. Good luck.

Thank you! - binglebug

[ In Reply To ..]
This are exactly the kind of tips I was looking for, thanks!

Hate to say it but that 8 hours will most likely turn into - 12 hour days with out of work

[ In Reply To ..]
situations, etc. That is, if you are baseing your potential income based on lph and 8 hours.

I don't understand . . . - binglebug

[ In Reply To ..]
. . . what you mean by this. Would you mind explaining?

Fall in love with it, but be reallistic - calmwhisper

[ In Reply To ..]
Here is my wisdom from 19 years. Prepare for famine when the load is heavy. Famine will follow, but thankfully, it only lasts a few weeks. Don't be afraid to scream for more hospitals, but be ready to get some really tough dictators. Don't be afraid to chose a specialty and ask to work it. Expand your options to clinics and such away from home I worked in a Cardiology Clinic and it was the best time I ever had. When you want to strangle the dictator, remember he or she is being told they are doing good, so make sure you supervisor knows that it isn't with proof. Expect them to do something about it. Still working on that one. Get up after your first power hour, congratulate yourself and start hour 2. Take a break every hour for 2 minutes. Jumping jacks really help when I get tired. Kick boxing really helps when the dictators were terrible. You would be surprised how good imagining....anyway. Keep a record of what is happening that distracts you during your shift. It will help you find a way to conquer it. Take a deep breath between dictators, refocus your mind, and then tackle it. I find it makes switching from English first language to English second language easier.

Be prepared to laugh, cry, rejoice (when I typed my first child becoming cancer free, I got to rejoice with the doctor and his team in the dictation), and scream. You are making a difference. Reward yourself even if your score is below 99.7. Who cares if a blank contest is going on, leave a blank and be proud you did instead of risking a bad score or not getting a gift card. Then go reward yourself for a job well done with integrity.

Working from home is hard, but is doable. Get out during your breaks and listen to anything that picks up your mood. Sing a song at the top of your lungs...my granddaughter suggests "Let it Go" from Frozen.

I am positive about one thing after 19 years of transcribing, having a part in helping so many people get good care and finding out you know more than the doctor at times has a pay off in a way no amount of money you won't earn can.

Rest your head when you shut off the computer and know someone got great care because you took the time to check twice that medication the doctor mispronounced. You just might have saved their life.

Right now, there are a lot of bad and I would be lying to not say it, but when I turn off my computer at the end of the shift, I know I helped save someone's life by doing the dictation right.

Good luck and I pray you prosper in it.

So helpful! - binglebug

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you, Calmwhisper. These are really wise words and I appreciate your thoughts. I have been hired to do clinic work, which is what I'm familiar with. Do you mind explaining what you meant about the scores and stuff? Thanks!

What works for me... - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
One thing that works for me is getting up, showering, fixing my hair, and putting on some makeup. This is a job like any other, and this helps motivate me. I might dress casually (shorts, T-shirt), but I (try to) pay attention to grooming. Knowing that my house is clean and organized also helps. When I ignore these things I get distracted and angry with myself.

I've trained my dog to use a piddle pad...I may not be able to break to let him outside, so that's our back-up plan. He often wants to play while I'm working, so I tell him sternly to be quiet. He sulks, but he gets the message that I'm not available.

I really struggle with snacking all day long, especially when I get a difficult (ESL) dictator or worktypes I find boring/tedious. This is a hazard of our profession...be prepared by having carrots, celery, etc. Believe me, if you're like me, you'll see the pounds add up quickly if you don't have a plan.

When starting with a new company, I print out the client profiles and take copious notes. I put everything in a notebook that I update daily if necessary. Learning a new platform can be difficult, so cut yourself some slack. You'll get it eventually.

The isolation of at-home MT is extreme. Try to maintain your social contacts and passions to avoid becoming a hermit.

Sometimes I get up half an hour early to watch a sitcom (Frazier is my fave) because it makes me laugh out loud...getting in a good belly laugh before taking on the stress of work is (for me) healthy.

I wish you the best. I've just found a position out of MT and am grateful to be leaving, but I loved it for years and years. It met my needs personally and financially and made me feel that I was making a contribution.

Great tips, thanks! - binglebug

[ In Reply To ..]
I really appreciate the thought about getting up and getting dressed and stuff to start the day - just like a real job (because it IS a real job!).

What sort of information should I concentrate on with the client profiles?

Thanks!

focus is the main thing for me - newbutold

[ In Reply To ..]
I try and take a short break every hour. I get up and get a drink, take the dog out, something, only for a few minutes but enough to just refocus. It helps me to get through the next hour knowing I will be getting up and walking around. There will be days where you just can't do it and don't beat yourself up. Some days I just cannot focus to save my life and my production suffers but it just happens. Good luck

For me - and I think most will agree...

[ In Reply To ..]
is at an hour of preferably vigorous exercise daily on your work days. Best to go to a gym if you have an affordable one nearby... gets you out of the house and provides social contact. Being a little worn out from a good workout makes it a lot easier for me to sit and sit and focus for the hours required to make any money in this job, and now we know now that sitting for long periods is almost as bad as smoking for your health.

FYI, I dont agree. So most, minus one, will agree?? - nm

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x

Nah, don't agree either. The person assumed - others felt like her, wrong!

[ In Reply To ..]
I hate when people think we all fit into one mold.

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