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BOS and Other Books Needed? - Cindy

Posted: Jun 06, 2015

I might soon be working for a new company and wondering if I should ramp up on my reference books.

What are your must haves? Do you use the BOS (helpful or no?) Anyone use the online BOS; if so, user friendly or not?

Any help, opinions much appreciated!

Company I work for...SM - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
requires us to have and use BOS3. I did not know you could subscribe to an on-line BOS. Wait until you find out what your company requires. I also use Google Custom Search for MT. The FDA also has a site for drugs and medical equipment. I also have AIM DocFinder and WWW.NYNPI for doc names and addresses. I have MedLexicon for abbrevations and OneLook multiple dictionaries for word lookup. I keep my sites in my Favorites and the ones I use the most I also put on my Favorites Bar. As far as reference books, I think Stedman's has their references now only on CDs or by subscription (investigate at Stedmans.com). I still occasionally use my 15-year-old set of Stedman's Word Books. The only one I'd think of updating is their Medical & Surgical Equipment Words because they've added so many more items since I bought mine. But for the basics, your old references should be fine. If there is a particular specialty you'll be getting a lot, you could think about updating that one or find some good authoritative web sites to put in your favorites. Best of luck with your new job.

Thanks so much! - Cindy

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you so much for your most helpful response! I really appreciate it.

Don't waste your money on a BOS. They're - just a money-making scam for AHDI.

[ In Reply To ..]
nms

So you don't like AHDI, but sm - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
if QA bases your scores on it and you don't have one, where's that going to get you? You can find them cheaper than AHDI charges here on the Classifieds or on Amazon, used. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I never owned a BOS, and it doesn't affect - my work. I get any info I need here, or

[ In Reply To ..]
for free on the internet. Employer also provides most, if not all of that info. And no, there is no way I would ever intentionally put one more dime in the pockets of those scheming AHDI crones.

So, you get it free here from people who paid - for a BOS.

[ In Reply To ..]
Nice.

Most people here are happy to help their fellow MTs - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm surprised you don't feel the same way...

BTW - I got my BOS2 from an online used book store. That's another way to go when thinking of buying the BOS, either version, or any other ref. books. As well, there's usually good ref. books AND the BOS to be found on ebay.

Why not? Most of those BOS "rules" are a - bunch of garbage, anyway.

[ In Reply To ..]
;p

MT Desk as BOS and much more - Happy me

[ In Reply To ..]
I am starting with a new company too and since every other company supplied the BOS and some terminology electronic books, I have none of my own. I don't know yet if this one will or not. However, when I was checking, MT Desk for $60 a year you can access BOS, terminology lists, previous reports, and chat with MTs that are members also. I am definitely considering it.

BOS - me

[ In Reply To ..]
100% agree. Plus, we only get paid when our fingers hit the keyboard so why in the world would you waste your time with no pay doing research???? Blank it, send it to QA, read your feedback, make money.

I would wait.. - Save your money.

[ In Reply To ..]
I would wait until you find a new company and see what their requirements are and what type of account you would be working on. I have paid for very few references as most of what I need has been provided by my companies. The one I worked for that required the BOS gave me a copy for free. The last 3 companies I have worked for didn't follow the BOS at all. I even got my spellchecker free from one of my companies. The only thing I have paid for myself was my drug reference book and a Stedman's cardiology book as I do 90% cardiology work.

Personally, I feel we make so little in this job as it is and the reference books are so overpriced that I will only buy when absolutely necessary.

BOS - Tim

[ In Reply To ..]
I use mainly Google for any terms I need to look up. I actually do not own any reference books (not saying that is good or bad, just don't have any). The company I work for provides a copy of the BOS that is required for whichever account you may be on. For most of mine, that is BOS3 with one still holding onto BOS2. It is simply a Word document and I do find it useful when I'm not sure about the correct formatting or don't want to bother the QA team with another question, although they never seem to mind and are very helpful also. I suppose you can do it also with an online version, but one of my favorite things about the Word document is I can use ctrl-F to search just for the issue I am having, instead of trying to find it in the table of contents. If you cannot find anything suitable for you, let me know and, if it is allowed here, I will email you a copy of the BOS3 that I have.
Just a note, I'm not sure that the later suggestion of just blanking everything and letting QA deal with it is a good solution, since most companies seem to frown on overusing QA and some, like the one I am with, even pays extra bonuses for keeping QA submissions low. Just a thought. :)

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