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

Small MTSO speaking out ... SM - Independent MTSO

Posted: Aug 06, 2013

I've been a member of this board for years and feel it's time to speak out from a business owner's perspective. I see a lot of negativity against MTSOs (maybe it's just the big ones but still it touches a nerve) and just wanted to give my 2 cents.

Not all of us are greedy, mean, nasty, evil people. I can't speak for everyone but as for myself, I don't consider myself that way at all and my team of transcriptionists doesn't think so either. As a former long time transcriptionist who got fed up working for another company, I decided to start my own transcription company and make my own way.

I didn't depend on anyone but myself to give me answers, I studied, researched, made phone calls, pounded the pavement, had professional flyers and business cards made up and faced rejection after rejection until I landed my first couple of clients. It was HARD but I was determined.

Word of mouth has grown my business as I no longer do any active advertising. I pay a decent wage which cuts down on my profits a lot (so much that I can't afford to take vacations, sit back and dictate who does what, etc.) I'm in the trenches along with my transcription team, typing some times 7 days a week, 12 hours a day in order to meet a strict turnaround time. On top of that I have to answer phone calls, troubleshoot software and equipment and juggle vacations (my transcriptionists, not mine), time off, doctor's appointments, etc. Overall, after paying my transcriptionists and BEFORE taxes, I make about 3-4 cents per line on work I don't transcribe myself.

I've also paid for equipment, extra phone line, fax machine, backup computer, server space, software, which as you can see cuts even more into my profits along with paying taxes and both sides of social security since I'm considered an independent contractor myself.

I've had to deal with people being hired that flake out or misrepresent their transcription experience and people that don't give a crap about the end product, lazy transcriptionists who can't take the time to research a word they're confused about and would rather leave it highlighted or blank or worse put in some random term that makes no sense at all leading to extensive editing by me since if I was to hire an editor, I'd be in the red, on top of my own workload.

It's not an easy path to become a MTSO by any means. I'm dedicated, hard working and I try to ensure that each and every document that is sent to the clinic or hospital is perfect so if I seem harsh when I expect perfection from those who work for me, it's nothing that I'm not doing myself. It's easy to sit back and whine about "no jobs" or crappy companies but if you truly put your all into the job, success can happen. I wouldn't change my job for anything ...I LOVE MT and have made a success (by my terms) of my life because of it.

I just wish 99% of transcriptionists would see things from my point of view. Anyone wanna work for me?

I hear ya - ICManiac

[ In Reply To ..]
Because I have walked in your shoes, I know the truth in what you say. For the small-to-mid-sized MTSO's, it is a daily struggle to stay afloat. The owner of an MTSO I formerly contracted with contacted me about Mary Kay products to supplement her income. Work through a service I currently contract with is drying up for various reasons and I know the owner is struggling to pay her mortgage, too. I see my coworkers care less and less about quality now than when work was abundant. I would have to leave transcription rather than stop caring about the end product; and here I am, plugging away.

The industrial revolution was a fascinating time to live, but many jobs were eliminated while other jobs were created. It is the nature of the beast for civilization to evolve, but I'm not as fascinated by the current revolution.

Best wishes to you.

MTs don't care about quality anymore because - they arent paid enough to live on.

[ In Reply To ..]
They're too busy just trying to scrape by on the peanuts they're paid, because none of the MTSOs had the guts to stand up to hospitals trying to cut costs for needed services in order to overpay their execs, the end result has been an entire industry that has shot itself in the foot.

Bad MTSOs?? Not all of them - Vieinconnu

[ In Reply To ..]
You say that none of the MTSOs had the "guts" to stand up to hospitals, and use that as an excuse for poor quality? While I agree that MTSOs have a responsibility to BOTH the client AND the MTs who work for them, it is not their sole job to do the 'standing up.' I am an owner of a small MTSO--I pay my transcriptionists an HOURLY wage that starts at $15/hour. I can do that because I charge my clients an HOURLY wage, NOT a line rate. All of my MTs are happy and working. But I have been trying for years to get MTs to understand that it will not change until THEY change it. Not just the MTSOs, but the transcriptionists themselves. Not to put too fine a point on this, ICManiac, but what have YOU done lately to make the MT industry a better place to work other than whining that you can't do quality work because your MTSO isn't fighting hard enough for you. Seems like you have lots of time to fight for yourself, since you aren't spending the time doing quality work.

Yes! - Radiance

[ In Reply To ..]
I could have written your post! You just described my life.

Small MTSO Speaking Out - oldMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I wanna work for you!

THANKS + JOB STATUS - Independent MTSO

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks and to all who asked about work, I currently don't have any openings but never know what tomorrow holds.

Much love my fellow transcriptionists in the daily struggle! <3 <3

I care about my quality. sm - CrispyCritterMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I research. I go back and listen to blanks. However, it seems all the MTSOs want is production and they don't care how they get it. They don't care about quality any more, just production numbers.

Me Me Me Me Meeeeee! - Cause & Effect

[ In Reply To ..]
YES! I am a prior MTSO with the same story! I'm ready to work in a positive environment again!

Read Independent MTSO's post above - turns - out she didnt really have an opening.

[ In Reply To ..]
XXX

Yes, I would love to work for you - unemployedMT

[ In Reply To ..]
if you have an opening for an experienced, concientious MT. I owned my own service years ago, valued my employees, and paid them before I paid myself, and I agree with you quality before quantity. Everything was proofed; we guaranteed our work.

Prior small MTSO here, too, but my goals seem very different - Soon to be an ex-MT

[ In Reply To ..]
After more than 25+ years as an MT/QA/MTSO, my main goal in life is to get out as fast as I can. I am currently a full-time MT as well as a full-time student. I used to love being an MT and all of the other jobs associated with it, but now I am just so sad about what has become of it. I am just about finished school and, while I will miss being an MT, I honestly can't justify hanging on any longer. I certainly wish the rest of you well though.

Just curious... - NuAnon

[ In Reply To ..]
what major you went back to school for? : )

NuAnon - Soon to be an ex-MT

[ In Reply To ..]
At the risk of being bashed and warned about coding going the same route as MT, I chose to study coding. I have already passed the CPC and I am currently studying for the CCS. The way I look at it, even when I finish my course, I will still be an MT (actually a CMT), but I will also be a CPC-A and hopefully a CCS. I can't see how continuing my education can possibly hurt me in the end, but that's just me.

As an aside, the only reason I keep up my CMT is because it works for me. The company I work for gives me an extra week of PTO because I am certified. Other than that, I can see absolutely no reason to be associated with AHDI.

Thanks!! - NuAnon

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm going the same route as you... signing up with Andrews in September/October. There seems to be enough coding jobs available in my area that hopefully I can get my foot in the door somewhere when the time comes.

Wishing you good luck on your CCS, that seems to be the golden ticket : )

What coding school did you attend? nm - coding

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Looking to Supplement my Income - Addison

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been BEGGING my employer for more work. Would love to be able to get some extra lines with you.

Please people be careful with posts like this - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
I sent an email to a person who had made a similar post and telling her I was looking for work. This person later contacted me and it turned out to be a nightmare. I have over 30 years experience, and like many of you, I believe "quality over quantity." I even consider myself "slow," because I do take the time to make sure that everything is as correct as possible.

Bottom line, I did a total of 4-5 reports for this MTSO (again, this was not through a "regular job posting," but just through a post here on the main board or company board. This particular MTSO raked me over the coals regarding the quality of my work and would send me emails that were threatening in nature. I made a post on the Company board and it generated quite a response.

A lot of us are looking for work right now, whether we are a new MT or a seaoned veteran. I would suggest not responding to posts like this where some MTSO comes on a board other than the Job Seekers Board and says they are looking for help. If they are looking for help, then they need to take the time to post an ad on the Job Seekers Board.

Again, please be careful!

I remember your story - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Definitely a thing to keep in mind. I was tempted to contact that woman, too. So sorry it turned out to be a journey into crazy town for you.

I agree. An MTSO that stoops to reading this - board is a red flag in itself. (n/m)

[ In Reply To ..]

I'm a transcriptionist FIRST -- remember that - Independent MTSO

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Uh no - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Any business person worth their salt will research what's going on in their field, and this can include going to boards like this.

Plus, it could very well be that another MT is giving the owner/manager/etc a heads-up when they come across postings regarding their company.

Totally agree - I had been a part

[ In Reply To ..]
of the company board posting concerning that person. Although this posting is worded a bit differently, it is still wise to be careful when so eagerly offering your services to an unknown entity. That is why the job board has rather stringent prerequisites about even placing an advertisement for help, like requiring the specific name of the company, and a line rate, and contact information. If one feels the need to bypass all of that information, that is quite telling in and of itself. just be cautious.

Just to clarify your statements ... - Independent MTSO

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not looking for transcriptionists ... I didn't mean that by my "anyone want to work for me" statement, I was more or less venting and trying to point out that not all of us are greedy SOBs who are out to cheat our ICs.

If I decide to hire new transcriptionists, I will go through the proper channels (local newspaper first and then job board here) ... I'm tough to work for but extremely fair ... if you work for me, you will work and be expected to meet your deadlines and use care when typing, not just slop some crap in a document and expect me to fix your errors. That being said, no one is quitting anytime soon from what they all tell me so something is working right.

Just wanted to clarify that I was venting about the blanket statements people make about MTSOs in general and tell you that many of us are fairly decent people!

What do you consider a "decent wage" - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Unless it is upwards of 9 cpl, it would be decidedly INdecent!

'Fess up, little MTSO. What do you pay your team of happy scribes?

I pay 9 cpl ... SM - Independent MTSO

[ In Reply To ..]
I pay 9 cents per 65 character line (words + spaces divided by 65) ... straight typing, no platforms, no weekends, 24 hour turnaround time.

I make 12.5 cents per line from my doctors if you want 100% honesty.

I also pay a bonus at Christmas time and am available 24/7 to my team of contractors.

Wanna be even more rude and snotty? Wanna lecture me that me getting 3.5 cpl on top of my transcriptionists is unfair?

Need to see my tax documents? Wanna pay my bills on top of that? I supplement my income by TRANSCRIBING ... I'm a transcriptionist first and foremost, just fortunate enough to have more work than I can handle by myself.

Thanks for asking!

walked a mile - x-mtso2

[ In Reply To ..]
I had my own small service for 15 years. I eventually stopped renewing contracts because finding qualified and I mean really qualified MTs was enough to make one pull their hair out. It simply wasn't worth the headache anymore. As I'd always been an MT, continued to be so while I was an MTSO, I was fair to my MTs and they made out well and so did I. But when you can't find people who actually show up when they say they will or can't actually open a book (yeah this was 12 years ago and we still relied on books) to look up a word, or would rather spend 4 hours talking on the phone and then complain that work was running low by day's end, nah just was not worth it.

I'm "just" an MT now and love it. I've had to kiss my share of MTSO frogs to finally find a couple of princesses but I'm still here. You couldn't pay me enough to deal with the attitude of too many MTs these days. All gimme, gimme, nothing to back it up. There are really awesome MTs still out there and I hope they are the ones who are still happy and still making money. I'd hate to think they're stuck with the crud that so many are dealing with.

Yes I wanna - But not gonna

[ In Reply To ..]
Achoo!

Independent MTSO - SDMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you looking for any help?

MTSO - Stephanie

[ In Reply To ..]
I want to work for you! I at one time had my own accounts and 9 employees as well. People think you are gyping them? They didn't get the account. They don't make sure that the product is great before it goes out with your expertise. You make corrections, you make phone calls....it isn't just one person that types to get the job done and delivered. Basically, you are QA'ing their work before it goes out. There is nothing wrong with compensating yourself for that! I work for a lady typing MRIs and get 8 cents a line....she gets 14 I think.....but I am not greedy. The account is so wonderful that I made almost $80 in about 2-1/2 hours....to me it's not about how many cents a line you get, it how good the dictators are! I would rather get paid 7 cents a line with a great dictator that I can at least make equivalent of $20 an hour, than to get 14 cents a line and ESL doctors at less than $10 an hour.

Small MTSO Speaking Out Great Post - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
I very much agree with the points you made in your post. You are indeed "a rare breed," in the industry as it is today. I have been a transcription on and off for 33 years and working from home since 1988. I have been asked by people over the years why I didn't start my own business. My answers were pretty similar to what you provided. There are overhead costs involved, there is extremely fierce bidding competition going on now, we have so many other things to factor in in the way this field has changed. I read these boards and try to take everything pretty much with a grain of salt and when I see MTs talking about "unions, walking out, not working for a day in protest..." I just shake my head. I went through the YOG/MQ buyout. After several experiences with MQ, I said no more. When I started working from home, I was making 5 cpl and working off casette tapes and that again was back in the late 80's early 90's.

I have lost IC positions with companies (resulting in the company losing the contract) because of employees, who would not show up when they said they would work. There were many things that factored in to the change in MY that we see today, but the bottom line very much with corporations and even some smaller to medium-sized MTSOs is greed and the MT schools, really pitching the "great sales pitch," and the fact that people got into this profession who probably shouldn't have in the first place because of the tremendous amount of money that was to be made by the way these schools promoted MT. The second thing being is that the people got into this profession thinking that they could be moms, wives, do daily tasks and work at the same time.

When I became an MT, I was hired by the local hospital. I had been a secretary, but I wanted a challenge. I really liked the medical field, but knew I was not the type of person to be a nurse or a lab tech, but I loved to read and I really love doing various research types of things as well. I learned from the doctors. Bruit is a term that always sticks in my mind because one of the docs told me that is from the French word for noise. Again, while I was learning, we had an Orthopedic doc, who was an ESL. I can't remmber the whole gist of the report (this was back in 1978), but I had typed that the patient had "sciatic camels," and whenever that doc came in to dictate, he would always come by and say to me in a teasing manner, that he did not have any patients with camels today.

I was working in house when my husband was diagnosed and subsequently passed away from cancer. Two weeks before he died, a friend of ours came down to visit him, knowing this would probably be the last time she would see him. The doctor walked in and said, "xxx, have you been kissing xxxx again?" (He had severe facial edema at that time). I was sitting on the bed with the doctor next to me who was just dressed in jeans and a polo shirt at the time and told him "heck no he has that Hawaiian disease." Doc looked at me strangely and I told him -- lakanooki. Thge doctor then left and my friend asked me if that was one of my husband's nurses and I said, "no that was his doctor." She was floored that I had talked to a doctor that way. He died on a Thursday, and I was back to work that Monday. Everyone, was floored, including the doctor who treated him, but I told them that I just couldn't feel at home and feel sorry for myself, that I couldn't bring him back and that was my way of dealing with things. They presented me wtih a sympathy card and inside was a check for $2500. Needless to say, I was shocked!

I have worn the SWAT Team/QA hat as well and I was with one company, where they hired a friend of mine who had just completed an MT course. She sent me an instant message one day in tears, stating "that other QA members were picking on her." We then got on the phone nad she had transcribed a report, as "Kem-7." I had her get on the computer and asked her to do a search for that term. I think the first hit that came up was for a rock band in the Netherlands or some such place. I had her do a bit more searching and asked her if she saw any terminology there that pertained to the medical field and she replied no. She lasted about another 2 weeks and got out of medical transcription all together. This kind of stuff again comes into play with everything that you had mentioned in your post. I really wish you were looking for a "few more good MTs." I could really use the work right now, and even though my husband is deceased, I am not able to claim anything in the way of benefits, so I am my one and only support.

Your post was spot on and it was really great to see from another perspective.

MTSO - Stephanie

[ In Reply To ..]
RIGHT ON! I would love to work for you! I'm one that has posted negatively about some of these big companies. I am covering for two ladies in Florida and they are just wonderful, and we have become great friends over the 4 years of working for them both. I am going to quit my full-time job with a huge company after I use up my vacation. My expertise is worth more than $5 to $10 an hour!

Small MTSOs are sooo much better - Long-time transcriptionist

[ In Reply To ..]
To the OP, I have worked for two small MTSOs in the past, one for 7 years and one for 6, both until the workload dropped down very low and I was told to look for another job. I have tried to work for several of the larger MTSOs and they are terrible to work for - can't make any lines and they ask for a lot of unreasonable "extras" to be done for free. I would love to find another small MTSO to work with.

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