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

Is anyone happy as an MT anymore? - Marge

Posted: Jan 24, 2015

Does anyone still enjoy their job in MT? I only come here occasionally for word help but when I do I notice all of the negative jobs about pay, work, etc. I'm wondering... does anyone in MT still enjoy what they do?

Let's start an enjoyable post maybe to inspire others to look for another position or maybe even remember why they liked their job to begin with. :) I know, I know.... I'm a glass half full kind of girl. :)

I enjoy these things about my job as an MT:

Flexibility

Being challenged

The doctors that I work for (and the office staff)

Being able to work from ANYWHERE

The other MTs that I work with

Working from home in my PJs

Please feel free to add some positive things about our industry and what you might still like/love about your job. :)

STILL LIKE MT WORK???? - fivefingers

[ In Reply To ..]
I cannot speak for anyone else besides myself. And, the answer is NO, I do not like my job anymore. I come from the days of making 50K doing this and working for a pleasant company, so the money I make now is an insult and is making my life miserable financially. However, I do still LOVE working in my PJs. So, on to another profession, starting from scratch, going to school.

Negativity versus reality - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
When I need positivity, I visit other websites. When I come here, I am looking for reality. I need to know I am not alone in what I am going through. If you see or others see that as negativity, sorry. I understand trying to see the positive side of this job, but you're not going to find much on this site. It seems like most who are here are trying to get out or holding on until retirement.

Not anymore - Used to love it

[ In Reply To ..]
til they cut us six ways to Sunday. I only have 16 months til retirement. That's the only reason I haven't gone elsewhere. That, and I outgrew my work clothes and can't afford new ones.

What about the pay? THAT'S what most of - us work for, not the PJ option. nm

[ In Reply To ..]

I guess I've been lucky - Marge

[ In Reply To ..]
I've found the pay to be fantastic. It's better than nursing and way more flexibility. I know it's probably not going to last forever but a lot of things are changing these days.

Oh cry me a river! Yes, I used to make bank - none

[ In Reply To ..]
now,I don't. But the "now" part isn't right. This was coming for a while. If you don't like this work, get on with something that will make you happy. This didn't come overnight. And, by the way, dumping on people that try and remain positive makes you...what?!

It probably makes me more reality-oriented, - rather than chasing after unicorns.

[ In Reply To ..]

Happy-Happy-Happy - ...I know...right?

[ In Reply To ..]
I have to chime in. I am a TL/TSM. I love my job - I take pride in my team - the MTs that are on it and their work. I tell them all of the time - what a great job they are doing - what a great asset to our department and company they are.

I believe in servant leadership. I KNOW I am in the minority - BUT I truly believe it is MY job as your manager to make sure YOU have what YOU need in order to get YOUR work done to the best of YOUR ability. Need samples? I'm your go-to. Have a question or a blank? I'm your go-to. I learn something EVERY day from either one of my team members or a question/blank they have that I research - or they do. I also transcribe on each of my accounts almost every day - I won't ask my team to do the worst of the worst if I am not willing to do it myself. MY own boss is the same way, as well as the one right above - right on up the line.

Attitude reflects leadership. It is obvious to me that I work under great leaders - and they set a great example for me, right on down the food chain.

SO - Yes. I am VERY happy. Every. Single. Day.

Now - for you not-so-happy people, I have been around for a while - started on an IBM Selectric - and made 15 cents a line (Not a character line - but a true line) when I started 20+ years ago. I HAVE taken a huge pay cut along the way. I know the market - and I consider myself just as FORTUNATE as I do HAPPY. I know those days are long gone, but I'll take my 'happy' where I can get it.

I am happy because could quit just any day I want - do not rely on this anymore

[ In Reply To ..]
I also started on correcting Selectric over 40 years ago and draw social security and retirement check from inhouse job, the last time working inhouse to be exact. If the work went belly up tomorrow, has been a good ride. One thing about getting to a particular age/income you don't have to put up with crap anymore.

To happy-happy-happy - who do you work for? I - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
would love to work for a company that has the people with great attitudes like you do.

THANK YOU! For such an uplifting, positive - none

[ In Reply To ..]
post. I personally agree 100%! I get my happy by doing what I can to make my life successful, contol what I can and let go of negative people/comments. I do not come here and dump on every one. That is what losers do.

except you just dumped on - people who are negative

[ In Reply To ..]
by calling them "losers." Other than that, nice post.

Sorry, but can't contribute to - MT happy talk...

[ In Reply To ..]
Even without all the endless insults thrown at us in the last few years, from fresh off the boat ESLs to VR, just knowing that people are working feverishly day and night to eliminate my happy little jammie job or worse yet, pay me the bare minimum to do it is enough to keep me on edge.

I still like MT work itself - but

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't like what has become of the profession. The scrutiny and pay cuts make it miserable.

The work is basically the same as it was except for editing, but I actually prefer editing over typing, but think I'm in the minority on that. I have 26 years in the biz.

If I could just be left alone to do my job I'd be much happier.

Like my job, not my paycheck - TXMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been an MT for 30 years, starting in doctor's offices, then to hospital, and at home for the last 9 years. Started on typewriter, so I have definitely seen changes. Of course, the biggest change is in my checking account. I am fortunate that my husband has a good job and we both have retirement checks from the hospital we working at previously that we started getting when we turned 55. When MTSO had big layoffs 2 years ago, I started to stress because I was still too young for social security and tried to find another job, but no luck in my small town. Now I just say, it is what it is. I'll keep on as long as I can until I'm let go or can get Social Security in 1 year. Not going to let them stress me out anymore!

Too hard to make any money - CINDY

[ In Reply To ..]
Unfortunately, it is this board that keeps some of us sane by having a place to vent and find out they we are not the only ones going through this horrible pay, working conditions, etc. You seem like you have a good job and if I had your job I would probably be happy too.

Its kind of hard to be happy when you are worrying what your next check will be and finally having to sign up for food stamps and being approved because the pay is so low.

I would be happy if I could go back 10 years ago to the pay and work conditions I was getting, but these days I'm looking for anything to do that pays a regular check. Its great working at home, but to be sitting here at home and having no money for anything is not really enjoyable.

They say the truth hurts and well these are the truths and yes they do hurt.

I really think if you wanted to work, you could - My story of hiring a person

[ In Reply To ..]
I use a person about twice a month for housecleaning. Listed on Craigslist and paying $9.00 an hour. My housework is not hard, no mopping, no dishes, no high windows, nothing backbreaking. You would be surprised how many do NOT want to work for $9.00 an hour. I had a lady tell me, yep, the one doing the hiring she charged $20.00 an hour. Told her I trained for a year, professional and I do not make $20.00 an hour and surely not paying that much for someone to dust furniture and make a bed. Others here might think $9.00 is something to laugh at but I do not live in California but rather in a sleepy little southern town where rates are not sky high, cost of living lower. In saying the above, before I would turn to living on the streets, food stamps and such, there is always cleaning because I know it is something people want and yet others turn their nose up about.

so do you pay her taxes, too, or are you - IMANMT2

[ In Reply To ..]
calling them an independent contractor?

Call her independent? No, just call her - a housekeeper

[ In Reply To ..]
Last housekeeper had to quit because of URI due to my cat's fur. Lady interviewing today not working, trying to get on 2 days a week at a Dollar General close by. My work is every other week, 1 day only. So far 4 have interviewed with another one wanting to come by. I don't even have taxes taken out of my check.

As you stated in the first part of you post... - none

[ In Reply To ..]
I too WAS coming here to ask a question about our job. Then, I got sucked into the negativity. Somebody here always looking for a fight, heaven help you if you had something good and uplifting to say. I now rarely ever come here but, as you might guess, it is always the same... the haters and the people looking for hope. I remain available to help, if I can. Otherwise, I don't care what the trolls think. I go on laughing at them. Truly, not the other way around I'm sure.

I didn't see where anyone was - dumping

[ In Reply To ..]
on anyone, but whenever anyone comes on MTS and says let's all get in our jammies, hold hands and sing Kum-Ba-Yah about how great MT is, these days probably not going to happen. If you are happy with your situation great, but a lot us just aren't any more.

I'm happy (quick! Hit the dislike button!!) - Winston

[ In Reply To ..]
I lost my job of 20 years just three years ago to VR and started the search for another career. I took a crap pay job at a non-medical transcription company (to eliminate any conflict of interest problems while looking for decent IC contracts on my own). Never got a hit on a contract. I went to coding school, but after finding no one would hire me without experience and the only way to get experience was to work minimum wage as a file clerk for two years in a hospital and transfer to coding that way, I decided coding wasn't going to pay my bills anytime soon. So, after a year of dipping into my savings to make up the difference between lack of pay and what I owed every month, being on food stamps and being downright disgusted and discouraged, I started to put in applications to MTSOs here. Yeah, I read all the "wise" words about who to stay away from; I made a list. Turns out, there were dislikes on EVERY SINGLE MTSO that was hiring. Turns out none of them are worth working for, to read comments here. There were naysayers who encouraged me to find a new career, go to McDonalds, go back to school... whatever, folks. I took a chance. I got a call from one of the companies a bunch of people here hate and I took the job, knowing full well that I could quit if they were right. They were NOT. I have enjoyed a wonderful job for the last 18 months, making far more than minimum wage. I work hard every day. I do what's expected and I anticipate what's needed and do that, too. I don't complain. I don't bicker with my leads. I do my flippin' job. I get paid every two weeks like clockwork and I'm very, very happy to have this job. I'm very glad I took the chance and didn't quit looking because some anonymous person claimed the company they were talking about was bad for everyone. I'm not a fan of what Nuance and M*Modal are doing to the industry, but I'm very, very happy at KEYSTROKES, and I'm not afraid to say it out loud. I'm sure there are people out there who have had a bad experience with Keystrokes...live and learn. What's a bad fit for you may not be a bad fit for another person. My advice, before you hang it up and move on to McDonalds... work for ALL of them if you have to. Don't just come up here and take the words of an anonymous person you don't even know. Try it out and see for yourself. You may be surprised. Anonymous message boards are a good place to come and discuss important issues without fear of repercussion, but they're also ripe ground for sour grapes.

brollins - B

[ In Reply To ..]
A lot is about perspective. When I first started almost 9 years ago, everyone told me not to take the job I did for the company I did for the pay I did...Long story short, it was a GREAT learning experience, I had tons of work, they treated me well, and I worked there for 4 years. Today, I have a very good at-home MT position for good pay with a great company, and I wouldn't have it if I didn't start somewhere...also, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think in my 40s I would become disabled when I started this (as I had originally planned to get a job in a hospital if I could), but life did happen that way for me. I am on oxygen now...and I feel so blessed to be able to work from home, make money, stay active and alert and busy...I can't make what I need if I file disability...though one day it may come to that. Perspective. This job has saved me! I am grateful to God. I do understand the pay situation, though, and my heart goes out to those of you who have taken a hit. B

Marge - I understand what you are saying and - I agree....see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
Sometimes I do get caught up in the negativity of this board (and I'm not saying the negativity is not called for) - but you are right, it does all boil down to perspective.

Your post made me really think. While I'm not thrilled of what M and N have done to this career, right now I am happy to be able to do what I do at home. You see, I couldn't predict this, but recently my mom was diagnosed with dementia and I have had to move in with her as she needs someone to be here 24/7. I am all she has. She would hate a nursing home and probably couldn't afford one anyway. So, since I can stay home and work, she can stay in her home. Yes, I make a lot less than I did 10 years ago BUT living here with mom I have no rent. Perspective indeed.

Thanks and I hope you can stay working as an MT for a long time to come.

Oops, not Marge...B...Sorry, .I don't know what made me think - your name was Marge

[ In Reply To ..]
I see now it is "B"....
: )

LOL on Marge!! - B

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it IS a blessing (though stressful I know) for you to be able to work and take care of your mother, just as it is for me to work while on oxygen (been diagnosed with scleroderma and have lung involvement)...sometimes posters see things as all black or all white, but there are a lot of grays out there...you will be blessed for tending to your mother. Best of luck.

happy as mt - jane

[ In Reply To ..]
i was until the job went bye bye. got replaced by a computer system....

now retired.

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