Encouraging words - My new job

I'm back to tell you about my experience leaving MQ and to give you support, suggestions and a new life.  CA-MT here to say I left the Q last month to work for a major pharmaceutical company (don't know if I can mention the name or not).  My resume was posted on a job-finding website (don't know if I can mention the name) as a "Medical Word Specialist."  I've found people out there really under-estimate us transcriptionists.  Someone from Manpower saw my resumet and contacted me.  I read the job description and it sounded ambiguous, but I confirmed it was definitely a real job as 3 other headhunters advertised it.  Through my Internet research I was stunned to see it offered $32.50 an hour (no typo there, folks).  I was one of dozens of people who applied but because of my lengthy experience in transcription, working on computers, knowing my way around the Internet and computer savvy, I was hired.  Folks, YOU can do it, too.  I didn't really feel especially qualified as I was 52 and didn't know if they would stereotype me as an old dog that couldn't learn new tricks, but honestly, after the first two weeks of (PAID!) training, I've found that I have an advantage of all that experience under my belt which gave me a jumpstart.  They already let two people go as they just didn't understand the program (which is easy compared even to DocQScribe).  They were also so slow, but in both of those respects, I've outrun them already, am skipping way ahead in my training due to my speed in learning a new system (who wouldn't having to keep on top of 32 different client profiles, and all the background rules and regulations the MQ MT does on a daily basis!).  I'm blowing them away and one trainer called me the golden girl which boosted my confidence incredibly.  When has MQ every patted YOU on the back?

I had no self-esteem with MQ, but due to the appreciation I'm getting at this company, the team support I have face-to-face, I feel on top of the world.  Part of the job was being able to kind of translate lay people's terms about their medical condition into a professional document - which YOU do every day listening to how doctors say things.  You know how things should be transcribed.  I'm already flying around their computer program but was never a geek at MQ or at home, but am getting positive reviews about that.  Think about all the screens you must own inside and out with the DocQScribe.  They wanted someone who is used to deadlines with their work.  My need for speed keeps me motivated and gives me staying power when even the seasoned employees in my department fade away.  You have that power, too.  

I'm expected to speak with every level of people from the patient to sales reps, to company account reps to surgeons inside this country and globally.  With my knowledge of accents, I can understand practically anyone, but the advantage is that I'm on the phone, live, and can ask them to repeat what they say if I didn't get it the first time.  What a blessing.  I now have a live team to work with, to answer questions if I have them, and the bonus is being treated respectfully (no snide, e-mail remarks) and rewarded financially.  I'm still pinching myself in this dream.  They even plan periodic days off to take outings with fellow team members (the beach, the animal park, a spa).  I make my own hours.  I personally feel I need to give them their money's worth by working hard and proving myself as I'm so grateful.  I had to mind myself, though.  Having been smacked down, degraded and deal with all the negative feelings that have become ingrained having worked for the Q for 10 years, I had to watch my mouth.  I need to be mindful of not being sarcastic or bringing up the environment I've come from.  I let it slip once, telling them how we were punished in different ways if we weren't 99% accurate.  In that meeting, I saw mouths drop open in every other person in the room - they couldn't believe a company would do that to an employee.  It just isn't done here.  Everything is handled professionally.  It's the corporate environment.  I also don't want to give them ideas to cut costs (like the Q) or treat their employees like that (like the Q).  At this company, there are numerous checks and balances so that if you make a mistake, it could be picked up by someone else and never get put through to the client to make this company look good - the bottom line.  If you do make a mistake, it is dealt with professionally - you are never bashed which could cause the basher to lose his job.  I've got to learn that whole new mind set.  I feel like someone has adopted this MQ orphan and given them a loving home.

Not everything has been easy.  I'm now commuting 2 hours out of every day to work, but I can now afford a new car.  This is a "temporary contract position" for 2 years, but I am encouraged that this company will pick renew the contract after 2 years or hire me on with full-time benefits within their company.  I also need to pay for my own insurance, but it's cheaper through the employment agency (better bennies than with MQ) and I can very, very easily afford the cost with the new income.  But, hey, I have normal hours, Monday to Friday.  I now have every weekend off, plus holidays - what MT can brag about that?

I can't stress enough that to get a good job, turn your negative experiences into positive ones in a new job.  Don't bring that Qchip on your shoulder with you when you step out to find a new job.  I'm no longer in transcription, but my experience is very valuable in other jobs.  Check into pharmaceutical companies as a sales rep, account manager, liaison or even something to do with an insurance company.  They're the only companies who are doing well in this economy. 

My salary is now $67,500.  I do have gas and medical insurance to pay, but that still gives me a net take-home of $3237.50 per month.  Am I dreaming?  The jobs are out there.  You just need to reinvent yourself.