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

Experienced but feeling like a newbie! - Jen

Posted: Sep 12, 2011

I have been a transcriptionist for the past 10 years, working in cardiology, acute care and now radiology. I do radiology part-time from home right now and most shifts I do not even average minimum wage because of a shortage of work. The company I work for is small and works two typists per shift when there is only enough work for one. It is so frustrating! I have sent out about 20 resumes in the last couple of weeks and haven't heard a word from anyone. It used to be so easy to get a job because I had experience in a time when it was apparently hard to find a transcriptionist. I guess because of the economy the jobs are so competitive and employers can get away with treating people like crap. Is anyone else having a hard time just finding a job? I hate to say that I applied with MQ (before reading the negative posts here) because I have to put food on the table, but haven't heard from them, either! Not sure why I am posting this. I guess I just wanted to get some consolation from other experienced transcriptionists and know that I'm not the only one out there having such a hard time! Thanks guys!

understand! - Toni

[ In Reply To ..]
I know how you feel! I have 10+ years experience in Radiology and now the clinic I work for is going to get rid of Radiology altogether. I haven't been let go yet, but I see it coming. I have been looking online for work and am applying at the moment for Medquist, but with all the negative feedback on all these online jobs, it is making me quite nervous. Actual in-house positions within hospitals and clinics around here are extremely rare. I will miss my nice hourly wage. :(

Know what you mean, Toni! - Jen

[ In Reply To ..]
I live in a tiny town that has one small hospital and one transcriptionist in it! And she won't leave until she dies. I did find a radiology position in a hospital about an hour from here but the only shift they had available was 12 hours on Saturday and 12 hours on Sunday. YUCK! It might come to the point that I am forced to take that. I surely hope not. I worked in-house for a cardiology group before I moved here and they sent me home to work after about three years in the office. The problem with being at home with them was that the old dinosaur dictation system they used would go down really often and if the girls at home wanted to get paid they would have to take it out of their vacation time. Still, I guess that would be better than what I've got right now. Kicking myself in the rear.....

not just you - donna

[ In Reply To ..]
I have not heard back from the couple companies I sent my resume to either. Used to get a call or e-mail within an hour of sending it out. After 17 years, I'm thinking of finding a new profession.

Geez... - Jen

[ In Reply To ..]
It is so depressing! Transcription is not "easy work". It requires brain cells and skill! You have to really know your stuff in this line of work. I can't believe all these posts I am reading lately about people working for minimum wage. It seems we have no other option if we want to work at all. I had a darned good job from home--hourly at over 15 an hour--full benefits package--and quit to be a massage therapist. I found out really quickly that this is NOT the economy to do that in and tried to get back into transcription. I just sort of feel like all the years have been wasted because the experience does me no good at this point if all I can find is below minimum wage work.

back to school? - Toni

[ In Reply To ..]
I may go back to college and try for billing/coding. Seems to be a lot of work for that. I also am making good money like I said and cannot even fathom going back to minimum wage. Heck half of what I'm seeing people make through these online companies is even less than that! I love transcription, but I think its time may be done....

on-line comments - drthumm

[ In Reply To ..]
I totally know what you are saying and it is hard but you have to know to take a lot of the negative comments with a grain of salt. A lot of those people that complain about different companies are usually not with them for a reason and based on the responses from some of them, I understand why. I don't work for MQ so I don't know how they are but they wouldn't have been in business so long with so many working for them if they were as horrible as some make it out to be (same with some of the other companies). Good luck, hope you find something!

True... - Jen

[ In Reply To ..]
I will probably give MQ a shot if they offer me something. And if it turns out bad for me, I will just say to myself "should've listened!". But I totally agree with you. A lot of things in life, jobs included, are what you make of them. So we shall see! I'm not ruling anything out right now. Can't afford to!

MQ really IS as bad as that. - formerMQ

[ In Reply To ..]
I was a "cheerleader" for MQ for many years until I saw just how despicable a company they are. The reason people's comments regarding MQ are so bad is because MQ really IS so bad. Spare yourself a lot of heartache and nightmares by NOT applying for a job with them. Trust me, some day you will understand.

Minimum wage - Cheesey

[ In Reply To ..]
I am a newb and I'm constantly feeling like the last year and a half was a complete waste.

I went to school to become an MT. I thought it was great. I graduated before all of my peers...started actually working in the field I went to school for (as opposed to so many other college students) and now I literally have crying fits over how much I'm making.

It's a toss up between is it just me being a newb or will this job just not work out for me. I get so angry knowing some 16-year-old flippin burgers at Mickey D's is literally making more money than me....

Me who actually went to school...me who became certified...me who looks at confidential records....me who has to be well-versed in medical terminology...me who with 1 typo can cause some serious damage....with all that on my plate, and they still make more than me. The worst they can do is put mustard on a ketchup only sandwich.

To put it bluntly...it sucks.

Couldn't have said it any better! - Jen

[ In Reply To ..]
Honey, I feel your pain! I agree with you 100%. Our work is important. And lately I have been wondering how, as an employee of the company I work for, I can actually average less than minimum wage for hours worked? Isn't that against the law or something?

sad but oh so true - escapee

[ In Reply To ..]
This industry has just nosedived. I have close to 20 years of experience and now I don't even make as much as I made the first year when I had no idea what I was doing! I've been sending out resumes to jobs in the "real world" for well over a year and have had 2 interviews, so I don't even know how to escape from this. My income was so low 2 years ago that even though I had a "full-time" job, I got food stamps! I am focusing now on hospital jobs because they have such good benefits, and even if I have to start part-time, it would be a way out and onto something that could eventually be full-time. I wish I had better news.

Take a look - alias

[ In Reply To ..]
at the "other jobs site" and there was recently posted a rad job requiring 3 years of exp. at 0.10 cpl. check it out. I am not rad nor have ever done it, so don't know if it is good or not. good luck.

Thank you! - Jen

[ In Reply To ..]
Appreciate the tip. Unfortunately, I have only two years of experience in radiology! But maybe someone will see it and grab it up!

I don't get it - experienced MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm a good MT, with good experience, and 35 years at this gig. Every single time I send out a resume (and sometimes I send them just to see what's what with particular companies), I get a reply, a test, and an offer. I'm not trying to rub salt in your wound, but I guess you have to figure out what can make you stand out.

The jobs are out there (I have 3, I know they are out there!)

Keep trying. Get someone to look at your resume. Take a look at what you're able to do, when you're able to do it, and apply, apply, apply!

Experienced but - Feeling like newbie also

[ In Reply To ..]
It is crazy out here and I am not sure what to do. Since I have been independent for awhile now, unemployment may not work for me. What do I do?

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