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

Are transcription jobs going down the drain? - gypsygirl

Posted: Oct 25, 2012

I work at home for the local hospital/clinic and have for the last 12 years doing transcription. Now all of a sudden we switched to a new system and a lot of the doctors are doing voice recognition and we are doing more editing of reports than typing. Also, I used to work a solid 8 hours a day from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Now I have to get up at 4 a.m. to grab work till about 8 a.m., and then there is no work till around noon. Even after that it is sporadic, hit and miss. Sometimes I have to try and work until 9 p.m. just to try and get my 8 hours in. Usually during my 5 day/40 hour week I am short about 5 to 8 hours for the week. What the heck is happening. Is this something that is across the board or is it just my little world. I'm 61 and have 4 years left to work and now all of a sudden I may have to start looking for another job. Do I look for a medical transcription job with one of the companies listed or do I get a job at McDonalds????? Can anybody offer any encouragement?

Reply - Anonymous

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It is not isolated, the same thing happened to me at my onsite jobe until the work completely went away and was outsourced, our department was closed. I was offered a temporary work assignment within the same facility but I don't know how long it will last, I'm hoping it will be long term. I am 58 and I understand what you are saying. You might find out if the hospital that you transcribe for can do what they did with us and place you in another position outside of MT. You could try a temp agency and try to get an office job, or you could apply on your own. I suppose McDonald's is an option but I think I'd explore other things first. You might just want to hang in there with MT until you are 62 and retire early, but it is not a stable occupation any more. I'm probably not being very encouraging but know that you are not alone.

Same experience at - large MTSOs

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I have experienced the same situation as you, running out of work on a consistent basis, most work switching over to editing, accounts disappearing to Epic/other software/other MTSOs, etc. My company was acquired by Nuance and it has just been downhill from there. I would not recommend applying at one of the companies listed on this forum. If it works for you, I like the other poster's suggestion to retire early at 62. Otherwise, a temp job at an office might be a good alternative or you could apply as a medical secretary/receptionist, patient registration rep, scribe, etc. I have seen a lot of jobs lately that require minimal qualifications and pay better than what I am making as an MT. I know that would probably be less money, but if you go with a large MTSO that will definitely be less money as well. My pay has been cut pretty much in half since my company was acquired by Nuance :( It is tough for everyone in this circumstance, and I wish you the best of luck in finding something that works for you.

I've been looking at a lot of those other jobs. I hope my - MTSO fires me, so I will have the time - sm

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to take a few classes in knowledge that I lack (Excel and Powerpoint) in order to get an entry-level receptionist job somewhere. If I were about 20 years younger younger than 62, I'd go back to school to become a vet tech, but let's face it. Nobody's gonna hire a 65-year-old newbie vet tech. Or newbie anything, for that matter. They all think we're ready to be put out to pasture at 65! I wouldn't mind retiring early (or retiring at all), but there's no money to fund that. Gotta work 'til I die, unfortunately.

No...transcription jobs are not going down the drain.... - Dina

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I'm a work-at-home IC MT. Yes, I've lost a lot of clients due to EHR and India, but I've also gained a lot of new clients to make up for their loss.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT: Transcription jobs ARE out there - both in the medical field and the non-medical field - but you just have to find them.

I do a lot of marketing via U.S. Mail, and my business is doing very well. I charge $0.12 per gross line, and for those clients who bruhaha at that reasonable line rate, I offer them 9.5 cents per line (perhaps lower, depending on what I can get). Of course, any businesss I get for less than 12 cents per gross line contains no where near a 65-character line and DOES include extra for bold, underlined, initial capped, etc.

There will always be a need for transcription, and as you well know, it's much cheaper for a company to outsource their transcription needs than to hire an employee.

Start targeting medical and non-medical businesses with letters offering your fine transcription services, and don't let up until you "catch a fish"; then once accomplished, throw "your line" out there again and catch another one and another one! You will see that transcription IS alive and well!

I wish you the very best of luck!

obviously this depends on location. - n/m

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nm

No it doesn't. - Dina

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I live in a small town in the Southeast U.S. and have clients in multiple states.

Yes, it does. Not everyone lives in an area with - good (or ANY) job availability.

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.

No, it doesn't..... - Dina

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Go back and read my post. I was talking about ICs ... NOT an MT working locally for an organization.

Um, I'm sorry, but yes, it DOES. Not all areas of - this country are the same, work-wise.

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It can be done, not all my clients are in my state - one perk of working at home. NM babybluez

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-

I've noticed a few geographical areas that seem to - have more than the usual amount - sm

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of in-house MT job listings: Minnesota (Mayo Clinic), San Diego (Scripps Clinic), and for some reason, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Doesn't help me, however - I live in (and love) Northern California, which is unfortunately a dry, empty black hole when it comes to MT jobs.

I think the age-old law of supply and demand is applicable here - FBL

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With offshoring, VR and now the trend toward docs and scribes doing their own editing, there are just way more American workers in this field than are needed...thus our value to the consumer (hospitals,medical providers and MTSOs)is all but gone. It matters not how much experience, skill or knowledge we have if the work volume is just not there. What to do? As a group, I would suggest those who are thinking of becoming MTs forget it, and those already in the field who are young enough to invest in a career change do so ASAP...that will hopefully leave enough "washout" work to last the older MTs until retirement. What fields to move into? VR/AI software development, project management, and MTSO sales look like easy transitions to make; experienced MTs should have an edge on these jobs because of their subject matter expertise. Just a few ideas.

You sound like such a defeatist.... - Dina

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....defeatist as in roll over and cry uncle because you *believe* all transcription business in this country has completely dried up, but it certainly has not. Remember, while you're rolling over and crying uncle (and others like you), people like me are making out like bandits. I'm not saying this with a mean attitude; I'm just telling it like it is.

that's fine for you - not everyone wants to be self employed

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I have never wanted to be self employed and would prefer to find another line of work. Everyone is different.

You're right..... - Dina

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Not everyone wants to be self-employed, but for those who work for an MTSO and don't like it or have lost their jobs and want to stay in MT, I say grab the bull by the horns, find your own accounts, and earn the whole pie instead of getting just a sliver. For those who don't want to be self-employed, then by all means they should go do what they desire to do, but for people on this board to say transcription has dried up - medical and non-medical - is simply not true. It is ALIVE AND WELL! You just have to put forth the time to find it - like anything else, so no pain....no gain. It doesn't matter if you live in a town with a population of 5,000 or 500,000 - the business IS out there....

I have to commend Dina, though I'm truly tired of MT.. - FastRadMT

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Everything is what you make it. If you believe it, you can achieve it. Like she said, it may not be medical transcription, but if you truly have the fervor to go for it, it can happen. As for me, I'm tired of being stuck to a computer all day. It's not my destiny. I'm finally going to use my degree and other skills.

Thank you, Dina! - MultitaskingMT

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Finally, someone who isn't totally negative. Thank you for making me feel a bit better today!

You're welcome! - Dina

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:)

There are always people that need to bolster their already - inflated egos by rubbing our noses in it.

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Please..... - Dina

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I don't know to whom you're referring, but you seriously need to get OFF your pity pot. The world owes you (none of us) anything.

I think you have a pretty good idea to whom I'm referring. - s/m

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Yes, I'm referring to you, and anyone else who thinks that, just because they're LUCKIER than other people, and have it better than others, that their good fortunate also makes them somehow "better" than everyone else.

Here is the self-pity party. Dina is right in a lot of things - anon

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We have work on our desks because we went out there and got it, working very hard to keep it and spending money in doing so.

If you are so unhappy with your current situation, change it and work hard doing so. Dictation systems are not that expensive these days (or I should say as much as they used to be) or you could get digital recorders or use applications and obtain your own clients instead of working for MTSOs. You get paid more, although will have more expenses and more responsibilities.

I have been right where you are when my clients went EMR, and it was not easy at first building a client base back up (especially because I am disabled) or large account setups I had to do for free, but it is a lot better than working for nationals.

Amen. My desk is always full, and then some - typing4$

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She is definitely right. Transcription is alive and well. It does take more effort to obtain your own clients but well worth it.

When you talk about all the $ you're making, do you - also remember to factor in all the - sm

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unpaid time you spend doing non-production work?

- Marketing
- Accounting
- Phone calls
- Trouble-shooting
- Collections
- Taxes
- Hand-holding, etc.

I don't bother to get my own clients because in order to cover all those nuts-n-bolts aspects of running a business, I'd have to charge something like .14 to .16 cpl. In which case, the client would just brush the quality aspect of the work aside, and go with a low-bidder (and low-quality) MTSO.

If MT were a growing field, I'd probably consider going into biz for myself at the lower rates, if there were any hope of increasing my rates in the future. But of course, we all know that ain't gonna happen.

If I'm going to invest time, energy, legwork, and the blood, sweat and tears neccessary to start a business, I'd pick a field that stood half a chance of being around in the next 5 years.

? - Dina

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After being self-employed for 17 years, why in the world would I want to start worrying NOW about piddly things like accounting, marketing, taxes, phone calls, etc., etc.?!

You sound so bitter. You say that you should pick a field that will be around for the next five years, but honestly, with your attitude, you could choose a field that will be around for the next 50 years, but I don't think you'd last five months. As for the hand holding: Yes, I've done my share, and it's amazing the dividends it pays; i.e., referrals.

I know you'll probably find this difficult to believe, but guess what? There's hand holding involved in EVERY business, and if you're unwilling to do that, then you should save yourself a lot of time and trouble and just get out of business completely because you won't have a chance of succeeding in anything- and especially with today's competition.

Well, believe what you like, but my guess is you're an - IC cuz nobody can stand to work with you.

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I have had the same MTs helping me for years when needed - anon

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And making a lot of money transcribing for great dictators... I am just not taking on new ones. Do not need to.

How much do you pay them? - nm

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nm

...but my guess is you are an IC.... - takeitwell

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As a general rule, I never but never post here. I felt like I had to speak for whomever it was who was looking for support and got, "...you must be an IC cuz nobody can stand to work with you." WOW you are a sad little, I mean small person. Your post was also menacing. I hope you get help, cuz you need some.

Included in line rate... - typing4$

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Well, I cannot get that line rate with these physicians but close. I have gotten higher rates from my clients than the services they were with prior.

The hand-holding was the biggest cost and most time-consuming, so I quit taking on work that I cannot transcribe myself. The rest is no problem. I did have huge setups with 2 accounts, which was very time-consuming and therefore expensive but worth it. Equipment is expensive. The rewards are well worth it, except I get no vacation time, of course, unless the facilities are closed.

My H and I have had many doctor visits - Donna

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recently, including our PCP, rheumatologist, neurologist, endo, gastro and an allergist. All of them employed in-house transcriptionists. I was laid off yesterday but am composing a letter for a mailing today.

Not a defeatist, and not rolling anywhere - FBL

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I consider myself a realist...the reason MTSO's pay as little as 3.5 CPL is that MTs take it, because we know THERE ARE TOO MANY OF US for the amount of work available. I agree, there are probably stil enough independent medical offices that still use transcription services, and that is certainly another viable option. My comments were directed primarily to hospital and MTSO workers. Other types of transcription, again, may be a viable option for the short term, but they can (and, I expect, most will) be automated as well.

LOL! Nobody "makes out like a bandit" in MT, except - for all the bloodthirsty, crooked MTSOs.

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.

I understand.... - Dina

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I understand that for some people, it's really hard to believe anyone could possibly be doing well (as a result of their hard work and sacrifices -- not sitting around eating bon bons all day), but guess what? Many are. And guess what else? You could be, too, if you'd change your attitude and do what you have to do to succeed.

LOL - that's what the suits are always telling us. - So far, its only true for the suits, not us.

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because she is a suit - she owns an MTSO

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It doesn't matter that it's a small one. It's still an MTSO. She has clients, she charges them, and she pays her employees.

It hasn't dried up, but - IC

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it's not going be around long enough for any of us younger people who would like to make a career of it. I'm 32 and I've been an IC for 10 years, but I realize I don't have the option to do it for another 10 years.

Yup. That's what that loud sucking sound is. - Which is what MTSOs do. They SUCK.

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MT jobs - gypsygirl

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Well, I got a lot of positive and negative replies. I guess every job is what you make it and everybody's situation is different. For me, being an independent would not work because I NEED the insurance benefits and I NEED a steady paycheck. But I do love transcription and at age 61 wasn't planning on joining the underemployed. I have heard good and really bad things about transcription companies and most of that had to do wiht pay, benefits, and unstable work. If you can afford to do what you love, that's fantastic. But if you can't, it's time to find another career or a substitute until Uncle Sam lets you retire gracefully.

Are there any transcription companies out there that are worth trying for that offer benefits, stability, and a fantastic crew?????? Or am I dreaming.

I don't think any of those things you're dreaming of - exist at any MTSO. Theyre the problem.

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MTSOs a problem?... - Dina

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Understand one thing: MTSOs are NOT the problem. The MTs who allow themselves to work for the MTSOs who pay slave wages are the problem, and as long as these MTs work for these MTSOs, well, in my opinion, they deserve exactly what they get, which is not much of anything. Refuse to work for these types of MTSOs and GUESS WHAT?? They'll GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

One thing I've noticed about this board is that there's FAR TOO MUCH bellyaching and not near enough talk/action about changing things to make a better life. So many people here really seem beaten down, and that's a pity....

A form of Stockholm syndrome... - Leaving MT

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I decided to transition out of MT. I never really wanted to be in business for myself, so for me this is the way to go. Plenty of MTs made a living without having to be in business for themselves and had very good hospital jobs with benefits, PTO, retirement packages, etc. I really do think that is becoming extremely rare these days. There sure is money to be made in MT/editing. How else could big MTSOs like M*Modal be pulling in so much money otherwise?

You are right on about people seeming really beat down here. I think people generally enjoy complaining - it is easier than doing something, but I also think people are complaining AND doing something, but the economy is so tough that they are having a hard time breaking out of MT and feeling so defeated because of that. Also, consider those people who had great MT jobs that literally disappeared overnight, the ones in their late 50s and early 60s. I don't think I would want to pound the pavement in my 60s trying to get my own clients and invest a lot of money in it either. Especially not when I had a great hospital gig that I thought would carry me to retirement. Perhaps self-employment is going to be the only way to make any money in MT in the future. Working for an MTSO seems to be the worst way to be an MT these days. I cannot wait to be done with MT, but I did enjoy it for a couple of years while it was good.

So tell us, what happens when - said

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to get out of the low pay situation for the past FOUR YEARS, with no luck at all? You still have to pay the bills while job-hunting. And having jumped from the frying pan into the fire a few too many times (and my current job is a perfect example of that), I'm doing my best not to make that mistake again. I'm old enough that it's already affecting my ability to even land the occasional interview. So far, the jobs are out of reach. If I am lucky enough to finally get hired (not necessarily as an MT, either - I'm looking at EVERYTHING from dogwalker to grocery store cashier to carwash worker), I have to take into consideration that it will likely be my LAST JOB. Beyond the next couple of years, and especially compounded by our current economy and the fact that it's an employers' market right now, I doubt if, at the age I'll be then, I'd even be able to work at Mickey-D's.

And MTSOs aren't the only crooked players out there. The worst of the bunch, perhaps, but not the only ones.

I believe you've said quite enough now - please take it somewhere else nm

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nm

there is hope - to gypsygirl

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I dont know where you live so I dont know what options are available to you, and I'm not 61, but I am 50 and just jumped of the transcription train to nowhere to start over. I got a $15 an hour job, I know it's not the $30 an hour I was making 10 years ago, but it's better to know what my paycheck will be than to not know, and I can work overtime all I want. It's not my dream job, but it's better than McDonalds, and just like you, I thought that would be all I could get. I just applied everywhere. I would advise against applying on-line for an MT job because they all have these "recruiters" and they know ahead of time what you are going to ask. you want to know if they have plenty of work, what insurance can I get, what about PTO. they LIE. they know what answers you want to hear and that's what they tell you. unfortunately this industry has been going in this direction for many years. you will always see posts from some people who still happen to have the good jobs, but they are the exception to the rule. I am so happy that I don't have this stress anymore about waiting for work and having no clue how much money I would get this month I can't even tell you. hope this helps, wishing you the best.

this is what I heard last week - schnauzermom

[ In Reply To ..]
from an IT guy installing a new program on my computer. He said that the industry has about 5 years left before the point and click tech for docs takes over. VR is not the way they are going to go as we all know what a mess that is.

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