See message - Helping MTs

Same question was asked on April 19, 2010, with only 68 views, and no replies.  Either no one on the board works/worked for them, or they responded privately.   

Sorry, no personal experience myself, but: 

Things of interest from their website:  

Ascend headquarter is located in Centreville VA with network/data centers located in various states.  

Ascend offices are located in Boston MA, Calgary AB, Dallas TX, Ft. Lauderdale FL, Salt Lake City UT, Spokane WA and Wilmington DE.

HOME BASED MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST

ASCEND-MT-IC-002

Medical Transcriptionist to work from home. Minimum of three years of acute care facilities experience. CMT preferred. Required experience with Windows XP and proficient with Internet FTP, https://, pcAnywhere and other protocols. Also required is proficiency in Word 2002/2003. Highly competitive production based compensation plus other benefits. Positions available in all states.  

STAFF MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST

ASCEND-MT-STAFF-003

Medical Transcriptionist to work as staff MTs from Ascend offices. Minimum of three years of acute care facilities experience. CMT preferred. Required experience with Windows XP and proficient with Internet FTP, https://, pcAnywhere and other protocols. Also required is proficiency in Word 2002/2003. Highly competitive production based compensation plus other benefits. Positions available in certain cities.  

RATES:  Single, low per line or VBC rate. 30% - 40% lower compared to in-house.

My interpretation:  

1.  They have “Staff MTs” AND At-Home ICs.  My experience is that if work is low, the “Staff MTs” will have first crack, leaving the stuff no one else wants for the At-Home ICs.   

2.  They have an office in Canada, but claim not to off-shore.  With different taxes and employment laws, U.S. MTs could be the first to go.   

3.  They have clients who pay by VBC (visible black character).  Be sure to ask which account(s) YOU will be on, and how they are paid.  

Sorry, wish I could have had better news.  

Good Luck on your job search.   

Ascend - Anonymous

TO: Anonymous - Can you think of a better term? - Thanks

To:  Anonymous

I believe most people when talking about “off-shore” are referring to work NOT done within the 50 United States and, therefore, not having to follow the laws of the United States, including HIPAA, unemployment for employees, etc.  Canada is obviously the lesser of the evils compared to India or the Philippines, but it is not money earned AND SPENT within the 50 United States. 

I wish I could think of a better term than overseas or off-shore for work not done within the 50 United States. 

Do you have any ideas? 

Thanks. 

In the case of Candada, how about just "quality work done elsewhere." - nm

I worked briefly for a company called Ascend, but it - sm

Ascend - non