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

Am i being paranoid or have I been seeing a lot of MTs with experience being - let go because they want to hire for lower wages?

Posted: Sep 30, 2010

I'm asking because I think I'm going to be one of those that will be let go. Is this a known practice with all companies, or is it me?

I need my job. I work my hours when there's work, make up the time when there isn't. I just have the feeling about this and I don't know what to do. Should I hHang in there and look elsewhere or leave before they slam the door shut on me?

Should I get out completely and look for something else? I've been an MT for 15 years and don't really know anythinig else anymore. I'm close to retirement and just trying to hang in there until then.

has not been my experience - longgggg time mt

[ In Reply To ..]
I have many years experience and still get offers of 9-11 cpl. Currently, have a gig in the middle of that and they love my experience.

Is that employee or IC? - Original OP being Paranoid

[ In Reply To ..]
I have not seen many jobs paying that.

An article by an industry expert mentioned companies that - Fellow Traveller

[ In Reply To ..]
are replacing higher-pay people with comparative newbies and compared them with companies that do not. So it happens, but not at all companies. Don't forget, also, that a certain percentage of the people who claim here to have been excellent employees who were let go would turn out to not be quite so excellent for some reason or other. We have no way of knowing that proportion, of course.

Good luck. Hopefully it won't happen to you, but given your concern in your place I'd start looking proactively. Regarding getting out, I wouldn't if I could get one of the many decent jobs still out there. What comparable marketable skills do you have? This is a very specialized job and does not prepare people very well for other positions. BTW, I don't expect ever to be able to really retire, even though we've been saving modestly for a few decades now. Neither of us has a pension. My hope is that I can work part time eventually. I bring that up because you asked about possibly retraining. Since you may well have a good 30 or more years ahead of you, will your retirement income be adequate, or what work might you find yourself wishing you could supplement it with?

No, reitrement income won't be adequate - Original OP being Paranoid

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a small IRA, but it would never last 30 years.

When I became an MT, I left my other skills in the background. I used to work for a large company in inventory control and scheduling, and in accounts payable. Since there aren't many jobs in my area in manufacturing, inventory control/scheduling, and accounts payable positions aren't available.

I was duped by the MT ads that stated how much you could earn and that's why I went into MT, thinking I could better my life. In the begining it did, but over the past year, it's not worth the aggravation with the low wages, etc.

OP, I also let some very lucrative skills go after a while. - Fellow Traveller

[ In Reply To ..]
After a few years I'd paid some bucks ($5k+) in continuing ed and fees to keep my license alive, plus industry changes meant I wouldn't be able to just slide back in.

Is the lack of jobs in your old field in a consumer economy because of the recession? If so, that'll be fixed. Supposedly business is picking up now, even if we're not seeing it in the trenches yet.

Your statement that you're not making enough money NOW as an MT is concerning. I am still. Just viewing from the "outside," I'd strongly recommend analyzing your situation and deciding whether it's you, your pay rate, or a combo. If you decide just can't bring in enough to suit your needs, then a big door will be opening to something else you hopefully can enjoy over the coming years.

Apropos of nothing much, just chatting, I'm actually considering developing a tiny specialty mail-order nursery for a couple favorite plants. Partly for fun, just supplementing MT. It'd cater to collectors. Could I make money? Truly have no idea. When's the next recession? What will the end of the oil economy and transition to ?? mean to mail-order extravagances? I actually have a darned good idea about that one, but when would that kill my sales? That has to be considered, since I don't expect to be dead before we have to live through THAT experience.

How about your old field? Purchasing of necessities will have to continue regardless of price. Might jobs start moving home when gas reaches $6 gallon?

Being Paranoid - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
My first question would be WHY do you feel this way? I would hang in there, but start looking and see what comes up. I too am close to retirement (2 years, although, probably won't because of economy), but found a nice job (so far anyway, been there a week. No harm in trying all options. Good Luck.

It's just a gut feeling I have plus seeing MTs - Original OP being Paranoid

[ In Reply To ..]
looking for work and not finding jobs.

Similar Messages:

Apr 06, 2010

I am even paranoid to type on this board for fear of a typo and somebody will say "see, those American transcriptions are terrible." I proofread a couple of times before I hit "send." ...

Dec 03, 2010

Not only am I paranoid about the keystrokes per hour and the mouse click-thing, I have gotten 3 reports back for "errors." One of the report numbers I could not find all last month in my detailed list of reports, and on one the other two I seriously doubt that I was responsible for the errors that I am being acused of (they were both left-out words -- something I have never been guilty of before -- might have a typo as I am not perfect, but never once left out words, and supposedly I ...

Jul 04, 2012

Is there a way to see on our paystub somewhere that we were actually paid time and a half today? I usually do a count on the metrics for the pay period, but the only way I think to make sure they pay us holiday pay is to keep a separate log for today and then do the metrics in two halves (one before today, one after today, and then add the two to what I did today at the holiday rate). It seems it should be a more straightforward. They should do a line breakdown on our stubs for the pay pe ...

May 18, 2013

Stop! ...

Jul 15, 2010

OK I am probably getting totally paranoid now, but do you think they manipulate the sound and speed of the dictations? I have been typing for years now for MQ and all of the sudden, the sound is really muffled and I am having to turn the bass down, and I have had to back it up a couple of clicks on the speed. Am I just getting old and deaf (and apparently hearing more slowly)? Also anybody else besides me noticed the discrepancy between minutes of dictation and lines typed on ...

Dec 02, 2010

OK I have literally kept my foot on the transcription pedal while I have researched doctor names, drugs, and instruments on Google. Also tap, tap, tapped a key when my husband called. Is my production higher? Nope. Is my stress level through the roof? Yep. Blood sugar higher? Yes. Sugar cravings? You better believe it. Hate this stupid job even more than before. ...

Jan 26, 2013

I have this sinking feeling that every so often QA decides they are going to catch a set amount of errors and they go about it. Then, time passes and nothing. Then, it starts up again. It seems to have a pattern. I personally noticed this not only because the e mail alerts from the review show up a lot at a time and then stop. As well, my sup sends e mails that all of a sudden we (the MTs) are making so many errors. (This is during the times I get a deluge of ...

Jun 14, 2010

I have worked for Medquist 7 years, started out 10 cents a line and I am Tier III ESL accounts. Used to work for transcend before that. We went to ASR and we were told to highlight and correct so we could "train" it. We have been doing that for the C-Bay over in India through Spheris and Medquist who are owned by them in case you are new to this website. Our loyalty and quality assurance has caused us to lose our jobs. I resigned but I know a lot other well paid MT/ ...

Apr 17, 2013

If you dont drive quality, you are out the door ...

Nov 10, 2013

that Nuance was trying to make me use all of my PTO for OOW and then fire me. I am not the paranoid type, at least, in this scenario I do not think that is their objective but, I no longer feel as secure as I once did. I used to think that I was likely okay because I worked the shifts and days fewer people did, like Sunday night (which was reportedly a time they needed more workers). I will run out of work tonight before my shift ends, very, very unusual for a Sunday. I w ...

Jan 09, 2011

I have been reading recent posts regarding testing -- filling in information, etc., and I have never seen such a bunch of paranoid MTs in my life. I tell the truth regarding my resume, SS#, phone number and experience. Yes, I HAVE "failed" tests wtih MTTest.com and decided that company postiion was not for me. My newest job; I was called on the phone, offered the position, had to test, failed the "third written test" but was still hired. I am making an above average salar ...

Dec 03, 2014

I may be getting a little paranoid here, but has anyone noticed when you are just a hairline smidge away from your 99% to get the bonus, all of a sudden there are no post audits being done? ...

Oct 10, 2013

There is a doctor who in almost every report has at least one discrepancy and made a really glaring one and I carefully flagged it with my concern (obviously wrong medication). The QC came back with a "major error" failure to flag. Well I knew without a doubt I had flagged it and I was later proved correct by my supervisor. Why would she do that? Did she think I wouldn't notice? Then I saw that it was the same QC that oftentimes p ...

Nov 11, 2009

I am a new graduate and need to find a job! I am also new to this site. I got the site info from a friend that has been doing transcription work for many years. She has given me some leads, but as of now, nothing! It appears that most of these companies wnat 2 or more years experience. Does anyone know how I can start and get some experience? I suppose in anything and not just medical. Experience in transcription is experience, right? ...

Nov 10, 2009

I have seen that some MTs work two or three companies at a time and during the same hours. Can you tell me if this was working with the same platform and same computer? ...

Feb 11, 2010

There is a hospital in my area that has 2 jobs I am interested in, one is a records analyst and the other is a records clerk. I am definitely ready to start working outside of the home, but I fear my MT experience will not help me much in getting one of these jobs. I am just wondering what you all think or if I should bother to apply. I am thinking they are going to want people with hospital experience. Thanks a bunch for any information!! ...

Apr 12, 2010

Hi. I was recently hired as an employee with MD-IT. I filled out all my paperwork, did my computer audit, background check, etc. and was supposed to call at 9:00 a.m. this morning to begin downloading their transcription platform. Well, I called and got voicemail. I left a message and have not heard back. To me, if you have an appointment scheduled, you should be available for that appointment. I'm sure they would expect nothing less from me. I real ...

Jun 08, 2010

I have been noticing that the experience level required to even get looked at for an MT job has went up. The 2 year experience mark has now went to 3 in most postings, and alot more postings are stating they want a minimum of 5 years. It is an up hill battle in an already hard market but with these kind of requirements I supose the seasoned MT's can rest a little easier and the newbies I guess can look for another line of work. I have already switched my gears and will finish my MA deg ...

Jul 23, 2010

I am trying to figure why I never get a call-back on job applications anymore. For instance I applied at one company who was advertising a week or so ago, I'm sure I did perfectly or almost so on the test, never heard from them, and yet now they are advertising again. My range is not great, mostly ER and clinic, so maybe this is the issue but I have applied for these positions recently to no avail. I have 16 years experience and I wonder if they think I will want too much ...

Sep 18, 2010

it's the old question - how to get acute care experience that everyone wants - when none of the local hospitals are hiring for MT (I've checked). I could try "cold calling" doctor's offices and see who does their transcription (unless they have some kind of digital chart system - fill in the appropriate boxes on their laptops - I think our family doc uses that system). I actually had "formal" hospital acute care training 11 years ago - so seems like a lifetime ago. Th ...

Nov 22, 2010

eTransPlus? I am considering sending my resume but can't afford to waste time with yet another joke. Thanks much! ...

Mar 04, 2011

Anyone with any experience with TTD (The Transcription Doctors) in QA-just wondering how QA by the line works, also curious about how this company operates, or anything else that anyone wants to enlighten me on. Archive information is old and not that great at times, and would like some up to date information-good or bad. You may email me if you would like. Thank you fellow worker bees! ...

May 26, 2011

I just wanted to let anyone who may be interested know what my experience with TTS has been recently. A job for a Delta Team member was advertised, for which I applied with my resume and cover letter. It's worth noting here that I meet every qualification in the ad. The job sounded like it was difficult, but I applied as I wanted a salaried position. I received an e-mail from *******, the same one who was sent packing from another MTSO last year. The e-mail gave all sorts of inf ...

Jul 30, 2011

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the situation of not having enough experience to get a job but not being able to get the experience if you don't get a job. I have skiills and talent out the wazoo - I've passed numerous transcription tests - and I nearly always get a quick response to my application and resume submission. HOWEVER, because i've never worked in a hospital and my 10 years of experience was more than three years ago - AND because I that experience w ...

Sep 27, 2011

Do they really pay only 7 cents a line?? Unbelievable. Do they base it on your experience? Thanks for any feedback. ...

Oct 27, 2011

Early on, when your experience was nil, how did you handle the struggle of trying to get your line count up while being challenged with ESL dictators as your training deadline date approached? ...

Jul 14, 2012

I was working 40 hours per week as an oncology transcriber until the company I worked for was outsourced by Nuance. Now, I am trying to find another transcribing job that does not require 2+ years of experience. I only have about 15 months of experience in oncology. Does anyone have any idea of how I can get more experience so that I can eventually apply for jobs with 2+ years of experience? I am willing to work cheap just so that I can get that two years in. ...

Sep 17, 2012

Hello, I got a certificate from Allied schools that I completed their course for MT. I was under impression that the certificate was so that I could say I was a certified MT. I was wrong I guess. Makes sense.... I am a licensed vet tech and know that I had to take the vet tech boards before getting my certification/license for that. So my question is HOW do I do this? I want my certification and I want to be able to get some experience so I can say I have experience. HELP PLEASE. ...

Jan 12, 2013

Thinking of applying and wondering if anyone has experience with this company/person ...

Jul 18, 2013

Just curious to know if anyone else has ever had points deducted for a cc (taken from the roster) that was incorrect. I just pull in the name when it is dictated, I don't check out their specialty, etc to make sure it is correct. Would you? ...