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

Working for the VA - Kathy

Posted: Apr 24, 2010

Just wondering how the MT's that work for the VA like it. When you're directed to their web site, it really doesn't say too much. Thanks

Working for VA or for contractor? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you talking about working for the VA directly, as a federal employee, or about working for a company which has contracted to do VA transcription?

And what website are you talking about that doesn't say too much? USAJOBS.gov?

The healthcare division of the VA (the VHA) is one of the best employers around. Its healthcare model is considered to be one of the best in the world. They achieve award-winning levels of patient satisfaction, safety, and whole-person care. Employees are primarily mission-driven by a desire to provide high-quality care for veterans. They are involved and motivated, often describing themselves as having "joined" the VA, not "working for" the VA. They often remain with the VA for their entire careers because the level of involvement, pay, benefits, and intangible rewards cannot be found with outside organizations. Jobs are very stable and it is possible to move into other jobs with an ease not seen outside the VA. Nationally, the VA promotes employee involvement and development, innovation, and empowerment. Quality improvement is a high priority and employee suggestions for everything from patient safety to recycling are encouraged, rewarded, and implemented. The VA's state-of-the-art EHR which you will use was and continues to be employee-developed. Their practice of bar-coding patients and medications to ensure safety was employee-developed (by a nurse). Employees in health information management have a great deal of input into software development and clinical documentation improvement. The VA provides employee training and developmental opportunities to a degree not seen anywhere else, and may fund further education, particularly in shortage areas like nursing.

If you are referring to jobs posted on USAJOBS.gov, the vagueness is due to the fact that most positions in HIM, regardless of the specific job, are classified as Medical Record Technicians. The job description and duties are phrased in terms of the MRT classification, not as the specific duties involved in a particular position. This is an advantage for you, because once you are classified as an MRT, you can move into other positions without the type-casting seen in outside organizations. You won't be forever locked into MT, in other words.

As for pay and benefits, add at least 25% for the benefits, which are excellent. Pay is generally competitive with outside organizations (google "federal pay scale"), and you can work your way into higher-paying jobs. Salary increases are regular, predictable, and not insignificant, and there is usually a cost-of-living increase every January. The VA matches contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan up to a certain amount. Medical benefits are outstanding. Employees enjoy the benefits of unionization.

If you have specific questions about a job you are seeing, I might be able to answer them.

That sounds nice, but.....sm - Nanna

[ In Reply To ..]
As a subcontractor for the VA you get nada except for average line rate. What I wouldn't give for a real VA job with those awesome incentives and benefits. As far as working as a subcontractor on VA account, I'm not complaining, it is what it is - a job.

Similar Messages:

Oct 09, 2014

d ...

May 10, 2010

I would like to work "outside" of home but it is quite a struggle getting the okay from my husband. The transcription is pretty unbearable to me. Anyone else have that concern? ...

Aug 06, 2010

DQS down for anyone else? I try to log in and it says "failed to connect." ...

Nov 12, 2010

I have an odd question. If a US trained Medical Transcriptionist works from home (in the U.S.), but then decides to spend 1/2 the year (or more) in a foreign country, is it possible (ethical/legal) to continue working as an MT while in that country? The MT would keep the US address, and bank account. All paychecks would continue to be direct deposited into current U.S. bank account. MT would continue to pay U.S. taxes on all monies earned. Does anyone see anyt ...

Feb 02, 2011

I have a new pet - a dog - who wants to sit next to me while I work. Does anyone have any ideas how to "update" my chair so this is possible. She's not very big, only about 15-16 lbs but I have no idea how to adapt my chair to make this possible. TIA. ...

Mar 18, 2011

I went to their website for the current job posting but my security software kicked me out of their site. Can anyone give me info on working there, good, bad, ugly??? Thanks in Advance! ...

May 28, 2011

Hope my work is still available to recover. ...

Oct 17, 2011

I know I am not the only one working 2 jobs or more. Between them I am scheduled 68 hours per week. I have them spread out enough I have "long breaks" in between to fix supper, take a little me time out around the lunch hour and housework kind of gets slighted. Watching TV of a night with hubby sleeping in his recliner is the main thing I am "missing out on". I don't spend as much money because I simply don't have the time to go out shopping other th ...

Feb 06, 2012

And to think, I actually left medquist to work for DSG. Now they're forcing me to work for medquist again, and trying to convince me it's going to be a good thing? I love to know if any DSGers are actually happy about this... ...

Jul 05, 2012

Does anyone know of any companies that hire on a super PT or PRN basis? I am looking for some backup whenever my FT position gets slow. I comb the job postings here regularly and on another site, but really haven't come across anything as of late. TIA. ...

Aug 24, 2012

CCT please message me? I have a few questions:) Thanks! ...

Sep 19, 2012

Anyone still with AP? ...

Oct 21, 2012

Is there maintenance tonight on DQ 7? It doesn't seem to be working. ...

Nov 15, 2012

how do you keep track of all the different account specs for each job? I was wondering because I am employed with one job but the different clinics I work for each have different specs. Thank you. ...

May 01, 2013

Than everyone else on here! I'm very happy here. I have no problem with meeting quotas, have no issues with PTO, like the matching (up to 4%) 401K, and for the past 3 weeks have had OT everyday & have worked around 55-60 hours every week with a corresponding very hefty paycheck. ...

May 10, 2013

how can i fix this quickly, not sure why it quit working. tia ...

Aug 14, 2013

I was informed that I have lost my job due to some VA contracts being lost. I was just wondering if anyone else was told the same thing. I enjoyed working for them even though it was VBC. The company that is taking the lost accounts over now I find out they are or were for sale. I have been on a Merry-Go-Round for 5 years since my hospital outsourced. Any info would help me in making a decision. ...

Sep 07, 2014

Could anyone currently working for TTS (or has in the last 1-2 years), that is willing to answer some questions for me, please RESPOND BY EMAIL to me if you would allow me to ask you some questions as I am considering job offer. It would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. ...

Nov 27, 2014

I work on a Canadian account. I was wondering if anyone else is working. ...

Jan 30, 2015

I feel like I'm the only one working not just in my group now. My whole "POD" is overloaded with work. Where the h e l l is everybody???? There are innocent people depending on us regardless how we feel about our managers and company. Come on people! ...

Apr 29, 2015

Just wondering. I am so tired I can hardly stand any more. ...

May 16, 2015

I already did 1 operative report by this neurologist who not only has a speech impediment but also is a horrible dictator. Another report by him comes up just as I am leaving for my dinner break. I come back 30 minutes later, and that same report shows up. Really???? ...

Jun 06, 2015

For X number of months now we have had MOT. For same number of months now I have watched my husband, my kids, my family, my friends and others enjoy the sun, enjoy their days off, relax and live life while I sit here day after day after day working. I work when I get up in the morning and am still working when it gets dark because of MOT (for which I participate unfortunately because I am ALWAYS called or emailed personally requesting my assistance) and inactive time/production hours ...

Oct 13, 2009

Does anybody else work a second transcription job while working for Medquist? What happens when the job you're applying for wants to contact Medquist for references? Does Medquist frown on people having a second transcription job? ...

Nov 15, 2009

i know they use pscribe. seem like very nice ladies. how is pscribe, work flow, steady work? looking for way more than 1000 lines per day. thanks for sharing your experience if you work for them. ...

Nov 17, 2009

I was wondering if you could tell me what the criteria is the Transcend requires for IC status. I have been hearing this now for days and was hoping an IC for them could enlighten those of us who wish to be an IC instead of an employee. Thanks very much! ...

Nov 27, 2009

I think I have not worked on a Friday morning, the day after Thanksgiving, for the last 4 years because of NO JOBS AVAILABLE. ...

Dec 01, 2009

Hello, Im just finishing up a medical transcription course/certification program with Allied schools, and I was wondering if there are any of you MT's working from home or are most of you working in a hospital? Also have any of you done the online certifications and if you did how did you get some experience under your belt to help you with the job? I was a veterinary technician for years, so I sort of knew what I was getting into, but it has turned out to be a little mo ...

Dec 02, 2009

I punched in and checked it to make sure my clock says it was on. I then typed for 5 hours. I then punched out and checked to make sure clock says off, BUT GUESS WHAT? NO HOURS REPORTED. Not even a minute. I then tried it again and again. NOTHING. I cannot even get 1 MINUTE to be placed in my time for Tuesday. ...

Dec 04, 2009

Not sure why is it not working and I cant get into DQM. ...