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

When to leave your job?? - Peachy

Posted: Dec 10, 2010

I like my job and the people I work for, but I just cannot seem to make enough money. I have worked for 2+ years as an MT and get 8 cents a line. My accounts frequently have new difficult ESL docs, so there is a major learning curve practically every day which of course brings down my line counts. The company I work for is regularly bashed on the boards here, but since pretty much every major MTSO is as well, I'm wondering if it's any better anywhere else. What have been other people's experiences in making this decision? Seriously, what is a realistic living wage as an MT? I know money is way down from what it used to be, so I don't want to be stupid about this.

-

[ In Reply To ..]

Umm - Peachy

[ In Reply To ..]
"It is obvious from your post that you do not live on what you earn...it simply supplements your life."

You're right. MT is my second job.

"...I suggest you pursue the oft glamorized field of food manangement or hotel services industry..."

Err... I do work at a hotel. That's my main job, actually. But you know what? Cleaning rooms is honest work. It's humbling work, really. I know that I am more careful now than I used to be because I know someone is going to have to pick up that dropped wrapper or wet towel or return that shopping cart to its place.

I think you misinterpreted my post as whining about MTing not being "glamorous" or being too hard. You have no idea how much I admire your ability to make a living doing MT, especially as a single mom. I was asking for help because I am so new at this career that I don't know what the norm is. Is my pay about right? Will I get better at understanding the ESLers or after 2 years should I accept the fact that I just don't have the "ear" for this job? Is my company pretty much like the others or should I try for a better fit (whatever that is)?

You've obviously been through some hard times. I was hoping to benefit from your experience, not to be scolded, especially after working up the courage to post.

-

[ In Reply To ..]

ICManiac - Peachy

[ In Reply To ..]
After seeing your comments I re-read my original post, and it does sound naive. I admittedly did not know anything about the MT field before I started training. I never lay in my bed as a child and thought, "I want to be a medical transcriptionist when I grow up!" That being said, I like being an MT. I enjoy learning and feel that what I'm doing has value. I absolutely agree with you that being able to do really difficult transcription is the key to staying employed, and I am completely willing to invest time in learning the skills that will enable me to do this.

"Having been transcribing for 20 years, there are a few dictators who still require an enormous investment of time for me to produce a simple report."

A similar thing happened to me last night--a really tough ESL neurology report. The good thing was that I learned 4 new terms I hadn't come across before, so if this helps me become the go-to person for all the tough ESL neurology reports, bring it on. The bad thing was that it slowed me down, and, yes, I can see from your comment that this same thing would have also slowed you down. But my original post was about knowing where I fit in as an MT, not a hand-wringing "oh-this-is-too-HARD" post. Because I work at home, I am isolated from my co-workers. My only feedback is that I still have a job and meet the 98% accuracy requirement. I do not know if I have an ear for this because I have no frame of reference for comparison, and, in fact, that is why I came to this board. in essence, every MT here is my co-worker, and I am looking to you all for your experiences and observations. Will I be able to bring up my skill set so that I can make better money? Is my company paying me what I should be making? Several posters offered their opinions, and I appreciate it.

I understand the "MT is what you bring to it" mentality, and it would be nice to believe that hard work is all you need to be successful. But this is one of those careers where a natural aptitude might be more important than hard work, at least for me.

Peachy, others may have said this, but IMO what you need - Pragmatist

[ In Reply To ..]
is a job with more stable accounts that allow you to become very familiar with most dictators--familiarity with a dictator will make you as good as any 20-year veteran. I believe you also need to plan to transition entirely to MT work as soon as you reasonably can make it work. First, because eventually you should be able to make a LOT more money at that than in your hotel hob. Second, because working part time is undoubtedly stretching your learning curve out greatly, keeping you from quickly enough achieving the degree of skill you need to make good money at this. Third, see below regarding incentives, though not all jobs pay more for high production.

BTW, although ICManiac's mode of expression came on a bit strong, I agree with a lot of what was said. Ignore complaints from people who are failing, and go make it happen for yourself. I'm a below-average typist for someone who does it for a living, am paid base pay in the average range for people of my skill, but make upper-range pay by working smart and hard--the latter something hotel maids are no doubt well used to, unlike a significant number of people drawn to working at home. I also work full time, qualifying for handsome production incentives, the two combined the key to my high earnings. I make a lot more working 40 hours a week than just double 20 hours per week.

So, how about looking for another, better MT job? You've developed your skills well beyond what they were when you got that one. Then, based on how you're doing after a couple of months, setting up a timetable for completing the transition to full-time MT?

Hope whatever path you choose goes smoothly.

Thanks for your help, especially about.. - Peachy

[ In Reply To ..]
...transitioning to MT full time. I think you're right in that I would be able to develop the skills I need more quickly if I were doing this full time. The hotel job is never something I thought I'd actually be doing in my life, but it's really not as bad as it sounds. Did I mention another thing I love about transcription is that I get to sit down?? :-)

Thank you for your very reasoned, practical, step-by-step advice. It's exactly what I needed right now.

Peachy--job questions - vrxbt

[ In Reply To ..]
Your questions are well-stated and reasonable. One disadvantage in today's MT environment is having to deal with self-important and often unnecessarily unpleasant QA, like the one responding to your original post. While MT is a challenging, increasingly difficult way to make a living, for many it is truly a blessing to be able to work independently (thankfully no longer necessary to work side-by-side inhouse with the condescending ''eye, eye, ah''(??) types). If one has an eye/ear for detail and a willingness to research and constantly learn, MT is still a good way to make a living. Hotel work (ANY honest work) is something to be proud of and if you have the stamina and discipline to do a good job there, you can certainly translate your good work ethic to MT (which while mentally much more difficult, certainly physically will be much easier.) Good luck to you and hope you will not be discouraged. Motivation is of utmost importance and if you like the lifestyle and duties of MT, you will succeed.

-

[ In Reply To ..]

I'm glad, Peachy. Thanks for the thanks, too. :) - Pragmatist

[ In Reply To ..]
Again, ICManiac does raise a good point in recommending attention to improving HOW you keyboard. If not doing it already, of course, you need to start working toward increasing your typing speed dramatically through use of an expander--one that is very compatible with most systems and can go with you. It's a very good thing to put on a resume these days, by the way; it's a sign of a pro.

Once you have accounts with which you can become very familiar, you can then also focus on making and copying macros to perform corrections and strings of commands for you (like one to send a report to QA for blanks with just a flick of the fingers). I'd wait until then, though, because many of these will have to be redone to work on different platforms.

BTW, again in case you're not already using an expander, neither type of entry is at all painful or difficult to make once you start; they're usually very fast to create, and every little entry is so rewarding in use that making more and more becomes addictive. :)

BTW, I was a motel maid for a while as a teenager in a resort town. I would've been glad to have one of the desirable and glamorous hotel jobs, but they wouldn't have me.

-

[ In Reply To ..]

I think too it is about expectations - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I feel like I make good money, but I have a spouse that makes a lot more than me, so my income, even though it is needed, supplements. I had worked in a doctors office for years prior, and I made 12.50 an hour. My checks are more than that now. I have 3 children, so I have to daycare. I don't have to buy gas for my SUV to drive 30 minutes to the closest mid-size hospital. No scrubs now. But, my only thing coming in was to not make less than the job I had been working in, so my expectations have been upheld as far as money. If I had expected like some to be making 40,000-60,000 a year, I would be let down. I know some do, but this is not realistic for me.

I don't know of another job for myself really that I could make what I do with the small length of training it takes to become an MT. I do clinic notes, 9 cpl, and range anywhere from 10,000 to 18,000 lines every 2 with an average right in the middle.

Saw your post on MTStars - Yochana

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi Peachy, Where do you work to get 9 cpl for clinic work? I have been laid off for 6 months and all I am finding is 7-8 cpl. I have 10 years of experience.

Yochana, I get 8 cpl for acute care - Peachy

[ In Reply To ..]
I am very grateful to have a job at all, especially with not that much experience. I'll bet things will pick up for you after the holidays.

Leaving job - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Peachy, every job has ESL, even the larger facilities on site. Good MTs learn new things daily and accept the challenges if they want to remain employed. None of us get to pick and choose our work assignments; that is not a reason to quit, especially now when it is so difficult to find another job. 2 years is not much experience and you are too new to be naming your salary. What you are being paid is basically the standard these days. If you want to be selective about your work, you might need to find something on site with a small office where you know there will not be ESL or do something else entirely, good luck.

Thank you ... - Peachy

[ In Reply To ..]
For giving me some perspective about the MT situation. I know 2 years isn't a long time (but it sure seems that way sometimes). I just wonder if I'm really not that good at MT as compared with other people. I have such a hard time with new ESL doctors. Not so bad if I've typed for them before, but a new one really throws me. I don't want to be that person at karaoke who thinks they're really good while everyone is cringing when they get up there...

Been doing this 35 years; the ESLs never get - Doppleganger - s/msg

[ In Reply To ..]
easier per se, it just seems like there's more of them every day.

I find if you spend enough time on each individual doctor, with lots of sample reports to help out, you do eventually learn to understand what they're saying. One or two at a time, that works, but when you're bombarded with hundreds of them, without the chance to spend time learning each one, it can be pretty daunting.

I think a "decent" living wage is anything over $30,000 a year. I used to make about $47,000 a year, now it's down to $21,000.

I'm currently looking for a better job, but have learned the hard way not to quit one job before you've got the next one in your pocket.

So, I would say the best time to quit your job is when (and if) you've found something better.

As the song says - starstruck

[ In Reply To ..]
Money money money

I continue to be amazed by how much the seasoned MTs used to make and wonder if instructors (mine were former MTs) realize how much the field has changed when telling new students how much to expect in earnings. Will the money pendulum ever swing closer to the old days?

Peachy - Older MT in LA

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been an MT for over 30 years, am very good at what I do and my pay has gone from 11 cpl two years ago to 9 cpl due to pay cuts due to the economy. I do 300 lph on ESLs and 350 lph on non-ESLs. Do I think I am paid enough? No. But that is the economy. The reality you face is that if you quit, there will be 50 more MTs (likely with more experience) who will gladly take your job. As to difficult ESLs, they are simply everywhere. If you are going to be an MT, you have to come to terms with this. If I were hiring (and I used to do that), I frankly would not think that someone with only two years of experience was worth more than 8 cpl. In fact, you should feel very lucky to get that--some rip-off companies are offering far less. This is not a personal strike against you--it is just the sad reality of today's economy. I might also ask--what value do you bring to your company? What are you good at? What can you offer? It's not all about your needs and how your line counts are being brought down. Of at least equal concern is what you bring TO the table. What do you offer that makes you worth more? Again, not a criticism, just reality. Good luck to you. I quite honestly do not think you will get more than 8 cpl anywhere, but I could be wrong, and if I am--bravo to you!

Reality - Peachy

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for your observations. I don't think I bring anything more to the table than any other MT would, and, really, I am grateful to have a job especially as 2 years of experience is not a lot.

"I do 300 lph on ESLs and 350 lph on non-ESLs."

::Thunk:: You must be really good! Or else I am really bad! I struggle to make my line counts in general, and the only way I could make 300 lph with an ESL is if the dictator were Antonio Banderas. Which is not likely to happen.

Peachy - Old MT in LA

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I am very good. It took 35+ years to get where I am now. You can do it--just stick with it and work hard and take pride in your work.

UNHAPPY AND LEFT JOB - XTRAN

[ In Reply To ..]
I was working for a company over 9 years and last year made $20,000 less. I worked well with the people in the clinics but the COO was horrible. After one morning of heated argument with her, I was furious that I decided to go send out my resume. I applied both in-house and contractor positions. 10 months later...it is the best decision I made. Am happier and making more money...

Even after 25 years, new accounts make me squirm - AgingMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Can you ask to be assigned only 1 or 2 accounts at your current company? If not, then I think there is definitely a benefit to your checking out other services to see if you can get 1 main account with only 1 or 2 auxiliary. That's the kind of job I have now and I will always opt for that if I can.

I will never understand why there are companies that force MTs to work multiple accounts daily. It seems to me they could do a better job of staffing each account adequately. I have worked for 4 companies and have never had more than 3 accounts assigned to me at a time. In fact, at my latest job I am only on 1 account, plenty of work, and I will not be assigned another one until I ask.

BTW, I have always worked PT, so I understand how the learning curve is harder when you work less hours. My advice when you start a new job is to work like crazy the first week or two of training pay to get used to things, then you should be fine working PT after that.

Another BTW, my hat is off to you for working at home right away. I swear I could never have done it - I worked on site for several years after getting my training and it really helped to have seasoned coworkers next to me. I think you are doing very well, considering your circumstances.

the transcription jobs - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi Peachy, when I started in the field way back when, there were a handful of ESL doctors. Now, I'd say one of the hospitals I work for is about 60% ESL. They can be difficult, but so can some of the American doctors with all their mumbling, etc. I can say from experience, though, that you have correctly identified why you are not making good money/a higher line count. Getting to know your dictators, especially the hard to understand ones, makes a HUGE difference in your production. Maybe you could ask your company to put you on a steady account instead of switching you around so much. It won't matter where you end up if you are constantly having to learn new doctors. If they will not put you on a more steady account, then I probably would consider at least looking around for something else.

Similar Messages:

Mar 21, 2010

In case any of the higher ups read this--here is the reason why I (and so many others like me) are leaving (I really think they don't see the big picture: 1. Been with the company over 10 years, working more hours and making much less than the first day I joined the company. No raise in over 8 years and 2 pay cuts. When you work at a job, you are supposed to make more money not less--we are going in the WRONG direction. 2. No federal income tax taken out of my pay this y ...

Oct 22, 2010

Hello, I am seriously considering leaving the field. I have worked too hard all my life to subject myself to one more drop in pay. Sometimes, we just have to make a stand and I think my time has come! Luckily, my husband has a good job and I can afford to take some time off to take a class or two or start over in another field. My question is what direction to go? What field would make for the smoothest transition? My friend who is also thinking of ...

May 05, 2011

I am wondering if anyone quit the company they worked for, took time off and found another transcription job after a hiatus. I am thinking about quitting the company I work for because there is no work. I know the account managers have favorites and can control who they give the work to. I heard this from an inside source. Anyway I am finding it too depressing to sit here for very little work. If I quit do you think it will be any harder to find work in maybe a month. I a ...

Jun 19, 2014

Help with two underlined sentences below. Purpose and Scope: The incumbent is responsible for data entry, record assembly/analysis for all in-patient and out-patient records deficiencies in Hospital system. Notifications to physicians of the need for record completion. He/she may provide back up for the Record Completion Section and transcription process function. I. Position Requirements: &n ...

Jan 29, 2010

I'm at my wits end and so stressed out with all this NJA crud, struggling to pay bills, never knowing how much money I'll make from check to check, and wondering how long I'll even have a job. I've decided to take a personal LOA to try to pull it together and destress. I sent my CCM an email about doing it and why a couple of weeks ago. I've already put in for it at Hartford and they too sent CCM an email about it. However, CCM has never gotten back to me yet a ...

Mar 03, 2010

I just had a chance to see the NextGen EHR demo videos. The incentives for using EHR from the insurances companies are huge. It amounts to $3,000 per doctor per month. The doctor won't be able to fiddle with the computer to create EHR. Even with the current dictation types, the doctor would make some sort of a note or something to remember the main paints to dictate. This note is sufficient for the assistants to create EHRs. Probably an assistant will be able ...

Jul 30, 2010

Why is it that MQ is still advertising on mtjobs that they have openings, yet the MTs already working for MQ have NO work? Also, a friend of mine applied for clinic transcription there recently, and they put her through 2 interviews, only to tell her that they had no clinic openings. I have heard that they are transitioning accounts to India as fast as they can (probably trying to catch up to that requirement that 80% of the work has to go to CBay/India). So why are they still ...

Sep 16, 2010

I work for a company whom I don't know anymore. Like most I'm sure. it was a good company at one time, but now I'm waiting for pay from July, August, and of course up to now in Sept. I have had two pay cuts in the last six months. People say go do something else. I have been an MT for over 25 years and am now in my fifties. Not so easy to attempt to find something else in this economy and being single w/o another pay check coming in does not help.&nbs ...

Oct 12, 2010

I love my job, I do well at it. I am $45,000 give or take a couple thousand every year. I am losing my account to VR, and I will have to switch accounts. I will not be able to make as much on the new accounts, probably a 25% pay cut. I have a job interview this afternoon for a job in a doctor's office doing routine front desk duties. I don't know how much it pays. What if they ask me how much I am looking for? I don't know what to say.&nb ...

Feb 16, 2011

It's pretty bad that I get a response on here faster than I would if I talked to my supervisor or human resources! Anyways, I am only about 4 months pregnant but I can't help but wonder what kind of benefits there might be. I mean they can't really think that I can sit upright and type right after I have the baby. I don't think I would have enough PTO to cover it. It looks like this time they are thinking C-section so the whole sitting up for hours wil ...

Jun 01, 2011

After working for more than 30 years as a medical transcriptionist, having gone through so many changes in the field, I left it all behind a year ago. I worked the last ten years at home, the last few I was with MDI/Transcend. MDI was a great company, but it all fell apart when Transcend took over. Hope DF is sleeping well on her $16 million, I know many transcriptionists are not. I saw my pay dwindle down to almost nothing and my TL cherry-picking, which really cut my in ...

Jul 02, 2011

I've noticed at most mtso's throughout the years - no periods on the end of sentences such as: HISTORY: Headache COMPARISON: None POSTSURGICAL DIAGNOSIS: Same Is there a specific reason for this? It's...well...certainly doesn't make us look good, that's for sure. ...

Aug 23, 2011

Were you able to get back on same accounts, keep rate of pay? I don't suppose they would let you reinstate and keep your original date of hire for PTO accumulation purposes? ...

Mar 23, 2012

It's hard enough to get my lines in. I tell my family I'm on the clock, I have to work, but they just don't pay any attention. If they are here, they walk right in, sit down and start talking, even though they can see my fingers poised over the keyboard and my headphones on. If they are not here, they call, and then they have to repeat everything three times. I know I could clock out but I can't just abandon a job I'm in the middle of so even if I ...

May 20, 2012

I'm considering leaving MModal and giving 2 weeks notice. I have 8 hours of PTO. Are they legally obligated to pay me this? Thanks. ...

Jul 27, 2012

I may miss working at home but I am so not going to miss transcription, and if they really want to hand it over to the Indians it won't be my problem anymore. My god some of the reports I've seen, and if they don't care I don't either. ...

Aug 04, 2012

What types of jobs can still be done from home and make a reasonable wage? I've been a MT for 15 years, making less money now than I did my first months, and just really wanting to leave. I would like to find something that can still be done from home, if anyone has any legitimate ideas... ...

Oct 15, 2012

I am so excited. I applied for a local position in a clinic and was hired! I originally was applying for a receptionist position but they bumped up the pay if I would get my recertification for MA. When I first starting thinking about leaving this profession, I was anxious about having to "be in the real world" again. But after sitting with no work, day after day, my wants in life finally outweighed my anxiousness on leaving MT/my house. I wish everyone here, those who are staying and those wh ...

Jan 02, 2013

I just used a bunch coming into the new year and Im loaded up again..Last company I worked for took mega line counts to get leave and I never got any paid leave, this is crazy.. Not that Im complaining ...

Jun 29, 2014

I am asking this simply because I pay ZERO attention to emails the company sends out, I have sat here and simply done my job and kiss their tails because I needed the job..So now that I don't here is the question I have..Do I: 1. Start voicing my opinion as to their asinine audits and 99.7% accuracy garbage simply in response to the QC lead that sends them out or maybe cc some of the suits? Anyone have some names for me to send responses to. And then sit back and wait to be fired fo ...

Aug 05, 2014

I can no longer try to hold out at Mmoral. I have been an MT for 23 years and am at my wit's end. They have broken me and literally broken my family. Lost my car, lost my credit score, and about to lose my mind. I was proud to be an MT, but not working for this company. Anyone can offer the name of a company where you are treated human, like you matter, like you make a difference in the company, are a team? Please let me know. I am losing myself day ...

Aug 07, 2014

I wondered if anyone on here had left MM for a different MT job that turned out to be a bust and then got re-hired back at MM. I thought I had read where some were able to get rehired, but wasn't sure. Thanks! ...

Sep 30, 2014

Just want to know if anyone found working at home for MM more to their liking than working outside the home in an office job or other type of job. Thanks. ...

Apr 18, 2010

Be sure you have enough work hours every 12 months to get family medical leave if you need it. You will need to have 1250 hours for the past 12 months. If you work the 24-hour work week, you will have 1248 hours, missing two hours. While Medquist of course has the discretion of giving you family medical leave even with the 1248 hours, they are not required to do that. Then you will either have to let your relatives who need your help manage without you or lose your job. At your CCM&# ...

May 19, 2010

Doing a wound care report. The doctor is very clearing saying "4 x 4 and a leave in dressing". Is "leave in" a type of dressing? TIAAA♥ ...

Aug 03, 2010

In our speech machines in DocQmanage Enterprise Platform, we can either go to member longin or "About DocQment Enterprise Platform". In DocQment Enterprise Platform it actually states "Solutions include interactive speech recognition for clinician SELF-EDITING" and shows a picture of 2 doctors looking at a computer screen editing. Then go to upper right and open up Duke Primary Care and the case study. Duke Primary Care improves their process with SpeechQ. Rea ...

Oct 09, 2010

of no work, unable to find a new MT job, or simply sick and tired of it? What did you decide to do? I feel like I'm a bit too old to return to school (not to mention I couldn't afford to do it anyway)......... I'm afraid eventually (prob sooner rather than later) there will be no need for MTs anymore, either because they off-shored it all or hospitals go with systems like EPIC. Does anyone have any advice for an ex MT on what type of job they could quality ...

Jul 18, 2011

I know medical and dental are covered through the end of the month, but I'm not sure about vision. ...

Dec 15, 2011

Hi, I'm a newbie. If an employer's test instructions say it is not ok to guess, is it ok to leave a "blank" with what you THINK the dr. said? In other words, perhaps like this: <tachycardia>, or is it better not to put what you think he said and just put a plain old blank? any help on this would be great. thanks! ...

May 21, 2012

I filled out the leave request in teamwork for a week off. Actually a week off, unexcused absence without pay, will make time up, I'm part-time, CCM already knows about it from an earlier conversation. I originally filled it out wrong but now think I did it right. Do I need to inform CCM about it or will she be notified by teamwork? ...