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

Giving it up!!!! - CB2525

Posted: Jan 30, 2010

I am giving it up, transcription work. I have been a transcriptionist since 1998 and have thus so far on this board or other boards have had a job that supported me in doing my work. I have learned many platforms and programs for these companies and always QA seems to be the downfall on all jobs. Learn it one way, learn it another way and always not good enough. So jobs I am going back into retail. Good luck to all MTer's.

Please read - CAMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm so sorry to hear you've encountered so many difficulties throughout the past 12 years and are leaving the field. It's always tough to see a dedicated MT throw in the towel these days, yet I understand where you are coming from.

On the lighter side, though, I have to admit there are days I would be more than happy to be standing behind the Chanel counter at Macy's selling makeup and skincare products, or even at Walmart behind the jewelry counter selling beautiful gems. It might pay less, but some days I think it would be a heck of a lot more rewarding.

Good luck to you, my friend. Check in once in awhile and let us know how your transition goes.

Not good enough - Lee

[ In Reply To ..]
I can identify with you. The industry needs a set standard. What good is the BOS if nobody follows it. We as medical language specialists have to grit our teeth on verbatim accounts. And then, darned if we do and darned if you don't. A no-win situation. Good luck to you. Am looking into toilet cleaning myself.

Are there toilet cleaning QAs? Lol. - qaing

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

long vent - sorry - sims

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm with you. I've been doing MT work for over 20 years. Initially it was good when I worked directly for local hospitals. Then the hospitals all went with nationals so that is where I ended up. I've been with this current national for 10 years. Up until about four months ago, the work load was okay. They they hired a boat load of new people and the work pool dried up. I have not seen any work on my principal account in over two months. I can sit here all day and keep hitting the mouse, hoping something pops up. I know the work has to be coming in, but I don't know who is getting it; certainly not me. It seems unfair that seniority does not count for anything. Possibly new hires who may be making less per line are getting the work?? Do I dare ask and risk being dropped altogether? I am honestly considering bankruptcy; my house and car are paid for so I don't have much to lose. It's very sad that a profession (and a company) to which I have devoted many years does not give a rat's ass what happens to its workers. Sorry it's so long; it's 5 o'clock somewhere......

To long vent - RLee

[ In Reply To ..]
Your days sounds exactly like mine. I know the work is there, but I am not seeing any of it. It gets so frustrating because the day never ends. I sit here with an umbilical cord to my computer. My house and car are paid for as well, but there are still bills. I have been an MT since 1986 and worked at a local office for 17 years and then they outsourced so that is why I am at home trying to make a living :) What a JOKE!!!!

I sympathize with all of you - MDI/TRANS MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have also seen the decline in our profession,and I have been an MT, save for a few years in-between, for over 50 years now. I don't know anymore if there is such a thing as quality in transcription, and I agree with poster who said that they have to grit their teeth and type verbatim what is said by the dictator, however awful that may be, and it makes me feel truly awful to turn in work that has such disgusting grammar. It feels like all my time and training in this profession has been for nothing. I also know what it is like to sit and wait for work, and wonder where all of it has gone to. The companies do over-hire and then the MTs that have been loyal to these companies are left dangling, or they are replaced by new MTs that will do the same work for little pay and the companies do not have to pay a lot for their benefits. This has all come down to the fact that we do not keep jobs within the USA and companies believe they will save money by having people work for them that are in sweat shops or will work for pennies compared to paying experienced MTs here in the United States who will put out a quality product. They also don't have to pay for insurance or benefits, which cut their profit margins. When they don't pay benefits,the money goes into the pockets of corporate leaders. We are shoved out of our jobs by hiring overseas companies with MTs that will do work for pennies compared to what we are making. I make less now than I did 20 years ago..what a pity this is, and this should never have happened!

Amen, Amen, Amen to what you ladies have said...sm - Old and very tired

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been doing this about 17 years now and make less money than when I started out as an independent. I have been holding off, but I think I will be heading to bankruptcy court eventually. The stress is killing me. I work two MT jobs and between them, the money is still less.

I agree with everything you said in your post, except... - see inside

[ In Reply To ..]
I quote from your post:

"I agree with poster who said that they have to grit their teeth and type verbatim what is said by the dictator, however awful that may be, and it makes me feel truly awful to turn in work that has such disgusting grammar."

That's not true! We are told to correct blatant grammar errors, we HAVE to, in straight and VR editing.
What are you talking about?

Where is communication? - Carol

[ In Reply To ..]
I wonder why anyone would sit and be afraid to ask where the work is if their account is dry and be afraid of losing their job if they asked?!

Also, if QA is not consistent when working with several, why not just bring it to a supervisor's attention? Why do you all seem afraid to communicate these issues?

As for AAMT guidelines, we all know the client's preferences come first. They are helpful in testing for jobs, but even the companies who want to know you know them and can apply them still don't use them if the client has different preferences.

I hate to see anyone give up on their careers, but I do understand it from a financial point of view, especially if you were around 20 years ago making a great living doing this work. I find it a great job for supplemental income but would hate to have to depend on it to support myself or my household.

I personally burnt out at year three and had to regroup at year five and check my attitudes, stop blaming others, and get realistic about my expectations and limitations. I'm much happier now at year seven.

I wonder why you ladies who have all this experience haven't considered starting your own businesses or working locally for more money with your own clients?

Too many repercussions if you ask questions - Been there

[ In Reply To ..]
Some ROMS and TLS are touchy and if you ask questions you get even less work or are put on the worst accounts available. If you go to anyone higher you will be penalized forever and then all the other regions are told you are a trouble maker and how bad you are. It is a no win situation. Hope my new job comes through soon.

Asking Questions - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Well, here's why I don't ask questions. I'm not afraid--I just don't see the point because I don't trust the answers, particularly as to no work.

If it's around any Holiday (could even be Flag Day for heaven's sake), they'll say "It's the Holiday[s]." This works particularly well between Christmas and New Year. It's good for at least 2 weeks leading up to and 2 weeks after. Shuts us up for a month. The other great answer is "census is low at the hospital." Okay, a 400-bed facility only has 5 reports that need to be transcribed.

Let's see, what else do they say? "Gosh, maybe they're having a technical issue with the dictation equipment." Not ONCE do we ever hear "they sent your work to India."

SO, I don't believe a darn thing they say anymore. I don't ask any questions anymore. I can stomp my feet all I want and it gets nowhere. Are they going to stop outsourcing to India (or stop using ASR) because we stomped our feet? Nope.

You are labeled as a troublemaker - Old and Tired MT

[ In Reply To ..]
If you ask questions, so it is better to just keep a low profile. I would LOVE to work locally, except there are no jobs. Even where I used to live, all the hospitals have done away with their departments and have gone with the MTSOs. They don't want to deal with paying benefits, scheduling, etc. It's easier to dump it all on a company. One place where I used to work needed the space for their file room so it was easy to get rid of us and move files in that space, all the while the MTs were being told right up to the end that "they would never outsource".

Always asked questions, clear to the top, never labeled complainer or troublemaker. - Plenty of work no repercussions from speaking up t

[ In Reply To ..]
no message

I DID ASK. I am NEVER afraid to ask. - Here is what I am told.

[ In Reply To ..]
I asked why are the accounts missing, work missing, running out of work.

Answer: Going to India. It is being outsourced. The hospitals pay too much money and it is less costly for them to send their work to India instead AND the company does not blame them at all.

ALSO, there are not enough good MT's out there in the United States. They are all new and not very good in what they do. The other more experienced MT's are retiring.

I told them I have been an MT for 26 years. The reason they cannot find enough good MT's is because most of us have QUIT!! Or better yet, including myself, going back to school to do something else to make the money we used to make years ago. It is a bunch of bull to tell us that there are not enough good ones and that was a pure lie! Oh, believe me, I let them have it during a big meeting on the phone. I figured they had no idea who I was since there were about 55 of us on the phone.

I'm curious to hear what their response was. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Sorry, did not make it clear. - Their answer.

[ In Reply To ..]
Answer: "Well, the clients have decided to cut costs and are moving accounts to India. It is being outsourced. The hospitals pay too much money and it is less costly for them to send their work to India AND we do not blame the hospitals at all."

"ALSO, there are not enough good MT's out there in the United States. They are all new and not very good in what they do. The other more experienced MT's are retiring."

I told them flat out, "That is so not true about MT's retiring. They are LEAVING, QUITTING. They had enough with this profession or found much better jobs who will treat them right."

Their response? NO COMMENT.
My feeling? They do not believe me or do not want to believe MT's are leaving the profession, but retiring instead.

I agree, but - MDI/TRANS MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Well, maybe I wasn't quite as clear as I thought I was. I do feel badly turning in work that is below par. I have been told by my supervisors to type everything exactly as the doctor has dictated, unless there is an obviously blatant mistake, and unless it does not change the meaning of what the dictator said. I sent something to QA for correction, and I did not change one word in the document, because one other time I did that, did not change the meaning, and I was still cautioned never to do that again, so guess what, I haven't done that!

ME TOO! CALLING IT QUITS. HAD ENOUGH CRAP!! - I am right behind ya!

[ In Reply To ..]
I went to college with an AA degree for this sweat shop job back in 1990.

Darn if you do and darn if you don't with this profession, always have and always will.

I feel like I am a wife beater with the company I work for. Constantly beating me up, taking away things, etc. I know it is worse for someone who is REALLY abused, but this is how I am feeling mentally with this so called profession.

My life has meaning and I have a purpose in life and it is certainly not being a wife beater for this so called profession sweat shop.

I AM OUT! Not giving up, but moving on. I am worth more than my current company will ever know! Give my position to ANOTHER INDIA MT!

To Me, Too! - Jane

[ In Reply To ..]
I am also moving on (after over 30 years). I spent yesterday plotting my escape and looking at other options. I simply will not be treated the way they are treating the American MT. Sorry, but I have had it. Good luck to you.

INDIAN COMPANIES - old,tired MT

[ In Reply To ..]
One day, whilst looking for more work and another job I quite innocently came upon a page from India inquiring about acquiring (say that five times fast) American transcription companies!!! I wish I had marked that page - could have applied for a job directly with them.......... This once proud MT is burnt out too! Professionalism - I try to be positive but it is really hard these days.

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