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

MT versus MTSO - SpyGirl

Posted: May 09, 2011

I have not been on this board in a few years but I can see a definite turn against medical transcriptionists. The MTSO's have created a vulture type of attitude that has been passed down among many new transcriptionists in the business. I see the MTs being blamed for whining, complaining and for trying to voice their concerns about being treated badly by ROMs or team leaders or management in general. One statement is truly correct - MTSOs are in it for the money. That being said, let's give these MTs a little bit of compassion. This is not an easy job to be in these days. The money stinks, the time involved to make money stinks and the future of the profession is doubtful.

SpyGirl, this is an MT board with a complete - spectrum of MT viewpoints expressed. NM

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x

Try a more balanced view... - ME

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We are ALL in it 'for the money' - or does any of us do this for the sheer joy of MT-ing?

Don't assume all MTSOs are the same, or assume they don't have compassion for the MTs. It ain't easy being an MTSO either in this industry - speaking from experience.

SpyGirl - Nick

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I am supporting my family just fine as an MT, thank you very much. Sounds to me like maybe you can't cut it and are just lashing out?

It isn't easy being an MTSO? - Bettie_Bgood

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An MTSO is a company, an MT is an individual - sans union for the most part. So there is a definite power differential - also, who sets the pay? The MTSO, not the MT.

Walk a mile - mt2

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Actually, many MTs are companies too. That's what an IC status is.

And unless you've worked as an MTSO, then you really can't speak to what they do or don't do, not with authority IMO. BTW, an MTSO is an individual too.

And just because the MTSO sets the salary does that somehow mean they are "against MTs?" Give me a break!

I spent 2 decades as an MTSO before going back to being just an MT and I can tell ya, there are so many MTs who ARE whiners, slackers, takers, etc that your head would spin. Nothing being absolute, there are many EXCELLENT MTs just as there are many EXCELLENT MTSOs. A lot of what we are seeing right now is the MTs who have skated by on less than stellar skills are being called out and weeded out. These are the ones crying most loudly for a union, I would likely venture. Those of us who have the skills to not just talk the talk but to walk the walk, have negotiated acceptable pay and working conditions. A union really isn't needed to speak up for yourself and then deliver what you promise.

mt2 - Old Pro

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I'm with you. People never think of the MTSOs (me) who gave newbies a chance, who have spent much of our time giving seminars at hospitals and writing articles (for free) and who have been decent people to work for. And I agree with you about unions. There should be a union for MTSOs to deal with disappearing MTs who are supposed to be working, grads of matchbooks who apply and then do not know their elbow from their base, etc. etc. Many decades ago an MTSO gave ME a chance and I have given others a chance as well. Too bad there are SOME (notice I say SOME) people working as MTs who might do better elsewhere. I am grateful for the MTs who were loyal and professionals.

Seriously... - ME

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an MTSO is typically owned and/or operated by PEOPLE, so there's your common denominator. And pay is determined in part by the industry. If you think there is a huge profit margin in this industry in today's world?

Yes HUGE corporations often reap big profits at the expense of the worker bees, but the thread is describing the MTSO which is small to medium and operated not by a mega corporation but by people just like me and you. And even the mega corporations are struggling to compete with outsourcing...

Go ahead and start your own service, and see what you can negotiate for a rate with your clients. Then, try to imagine paying *out of that* wages, operating expenses, your own pay. You'll see the profit margin is not huge.

It is LESS about greed for the average MTSO than it is about the nature of this particular industry. The sooner people get that clue the better. SUPPLY surpasses demand and that means wages suffer.

Suit. - nm

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SpyGirl - Old Pro

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Excuse me, but I am a former MTSO who has mentored and sponsored many young (and old) people in MT. I do not think your comments are accurate or kind. Oftentimes that which we see in others is a reflection of what exists in ourselves. Just saying.

I thought MTSO stood for Med Tran Serv Org - Bettie_Bgood

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Mentoring and sponsoring are fine. It's the pay that is the issue, disappearing shift differentials, time off, etc.

It's the working conditions and the pay - not the "mentoring" or other warm fuzzy substitutes for the economic, dare I say it, prosperity of individual MTs. This is happening in all fields in the US and globally - bean counters are running things, with the goal of impoverishing the many in order to enrich the few.

there you go again - mt2

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talking w/o a clue.

MTSO- As I guess you've learned at this point, is a medical transcription service OWNER- yeah, imagine that, a real person.

Again, I reiterate, a union isn't necessary for a qualified/quality MT to find "working conditions" (did you seriously list that as an issue???) and pay that are doable in the current economic climate. Just like the housing bubble popped, so did the HIM bubble.

MTSOs and MTs are in the boat together and unless and until they realize it and row in synch, there's going to be friction. By an MT accepting terms that they feel are unfair, they are CHOOSING to put themselves in a situation that they then do little more than complain about.

Ronnie Raygun Resurrected - Bettie_Bgood

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We can trace our economic problems in US right back to Ronnie - interesting you should quote him in responding here on MT Stars.

Seriously? - MT2

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"MTSOs are in it for the money."

What the heck are MTs in it for? The glory?? Give me a break!

MT versus MTSO - Spygirl

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Youre all nasty, mean spirited and hateful. I was trying to feel some kind of sympathy for what MTs go through, not attack you. Best of luck to all of you........BTW - I am doing just fine thank you very much.

What are you, if not MT? (see msg) - sm

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You're not going to win many supporters by this kind of post.

What she is - Old Pro

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is immature and naive. Perhaps maturity will melt away the stings of stupidity. Or not.

I think that should be "our money" - Bettie_Bgood

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My take is, the MTSOs are looking for ways, and hire people specifically to look for ways, to "drain the pay" of MTs, to get that down to an absolute rock bottom.

This differs from the MT I think, in that I'm not looking to drain the MTSO and the health care system of every last dime I can get out of them - I just want FAIR PAY FOR QUALITY WORK. There's a difference between that, and rolling up your shirt sleeves, getting down to the dirty business of...how much can we take away from our employees, and get away with it, to enrich ourselves?

MT2 - In it for the money - Old Pro

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Heck, yes. We had better be. So had MTs. That is kind of the way capitalism works. If hospitals do not make a profit, they close. If a MTSO does not make a profit, they close. Same with MTs. Since when did it become a felony to be a successful person? As someone in politics once said, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A POOR MAN GIVE ANYONE A JOB.

EXACTLY! - mt2

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Those who are truly altruistic VOLUNTEER!

Here, here! There are far too many MTSO - lurkers here, trying to belittle MTs.

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