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

Ten years into this career and need advice!!! - Lost

Posted: Nov 05, 2010

Hi guys. I have been an MT for 10+ years now. I have always avoided the big national companies and stayed with the smaller scale companies. I have found and worked for some great companies during my career. However, due to all the changes in the health care system, especially EMR, these accounts have died. :-(

I have just lost a major account to EMR and am looking for work ASAP. I have kids to support and I cannot sit out of work. I have taken on little bit of work here and there to prevent going completely under.... but I find I am working a LOT more and making a LOT less.... a LOOOOOTTTTTTT less.

I am thinking of throwing in the towel to IC status and going with a big national company and working as an employee with a set schedule, etc.

My question is... is it any different working with a big company? Or is it the same ole, same ole? I need job security.

I have thought about taking a coding course and getting out of the house and into an office, but after a couple weeks of research I find that people are complaining that they cannot get jobs because everyone requires at least 2 years' experience. I just dont know where to go from here. I want to work!!! I want to make money!!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry to say - mtmt

[ In Reply To ..]
but going with a "big" national is not likely to improve your situation.

Do you have experience in all specialties and work types?

Many "big" nationals are making it more and more difficult to earn a supporting wage and benefits are like the carrot they keep you chasing.

Sorry to say most of us are in the same boat! - oaf

[ In Reply To ..]
Hang in there, but you are not alone. Working more and making less, sounds about right!!!

advice - 1mt

[ In Reply To ..]
I also have worked as an IC for about 10 years for one smaller MTSO. They too lost a couple major accounts, thus my work was cut way down. I started searching for a 2nd part-time IC MT job to supplement the wages that I was still earning. I did get another IC MT job (which I found from a posting here) and as it turns out I earn more from that "supplemental" job than my original job. I had asked for input from others here regarding the company that offered me the job and they didn't have the most encouraging info... but the job was just what I was looking for. Anyways, my point is, just search and apply, look here on the company board for information, ask for feedback regarding specific companies, and consider everything in making your decision. There are some obvious companies talked about here ALL the time that I would not even consider, but don't let negative feedback here make your decision. I am extremely happy with taking the job from this MTSO that others said to stay away from due to a bad platform (but I have no problem with it). Good luck to you!

I could have written this post - terrystone

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm in the same boat. I've been an IC for 24 years and I'm losing some big accounts. I'm now in the hunt for a job with a big corporation and none too happy about it. I'm trying to rise above the negative talk here and there and look at this as simply a way to survive. I don't like the idea of having to answer to anyone, but I really need the income. It's half of what I charge my doctors that I still transcribe for, but I don't have to go anywhere, I don't have to print anything, and I don't have to buy paper or toner. There's a trade off I suppose, but I'm nervous about being accountable for 8 hours a day. It seems so "sweat shop" to me.

Hope you find some work. I am of the opinion that it never hurts to try something new.

Good luck!

You stated - I need job security. - This is the wrong profession.

[ In Reply To ..]
I too thought a couple of times that my high production and accuracy would always assure me a position with good pay. Not so true these days. Having a good account comes and goes nowdays, as well as the good pay. I have never been one to do a lot of job hopping, but I refuse to stay on an account that is mismanaged or where I do not have the potential to significantly increase my own income. This has caused me to move 3 times in the last 3 years. While I am on a great one now and earning good money, I am savig as much as I can because I know this too shall pass with all the rest. You only need so many MTs on VR accounts and the last hired is the first fired.

I do not believe MTing will be a thing of the past, but I do believe it is going to change tremendously, along with the pay, and it will not be what we old timers recognize anymore. I think in the future, no account is going to be a secure sure thing. You may stay with a big company, but expect to moved around as fast as you change your toothbrush. No job will be secure as they once were, but the more experience you have the easier it will be to find work for however long it will last.

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