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What other lines of work are people considering? - Former MT

Posted: Nov 12, 2014

Currently unemployed (lost a long-time position with medical facility) and like so many people, I am looking to get into something else.

Within healthcare people have suggested coding and health information management--both of which are already being outsourced, to a degree.

I was looking at an HR records position which already has an outsourcing company advertising to do the same job.

Obviously I have to be more concerned with immediate employment than future outsourcing, however I am keeping that in mind as I consider possibilities.

I don't believe any occupation is safe from outsourcing and/or offshoring, but it would be great to find a line of work that has some time left. I am also looking outside of healthcare so I am not ruling anything out at this point.

Figured with the vast collective experience and knowledge on this board, this would be a good place to get ideas.

Of course this has been asked before but I'd like to start a recent thread, in addition to checking archives.

Thanks, all.

I have been hired... - Empirelady

[ In Reply To ..]

... as substitute clerical by my local school district (being with the kids one-on-one all day isn't my thing). That way, if a good full-time, year-round job comes open that is only for in-house applicants, I've got my foot in the door. Edit to add: I am available for them on the 1 week day which I have off.

Good for you. - Former MT

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Empirelady, that's great you now have a foot in the door. Good luck!

See message - anon

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Since leaving the MT world, I've been an insurance coordinator for a small office. I do everything associated with insurance - verification of benefits, coding, filing claims, posting payments, working denials, etc. I have absolutely hated every second of it and have given my resignation notice and only have a few days left. So, I'm seriously considering dog walking once I've left this hellish job behind. If not that, I suppose I'll go back to school and learn Excel (once again - learned it before but never used it)since most every clerical job requires "expert" knowledge of Excel. That should make me more valuable.

'Front line' jobs - Former MT

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Those jobs where you have to keep a ton of plates spinning all at once are soooo stressful. I am glad you are getting out.

I know someone who has a very good business dog-sitting, house-watching, and providing shuttle service. Her business is booming, she loves what she does and never even wants to take vacation and she doesn't have to worry about someone outsourcing her livelihood.

Good luck to you.

High-end dept store cosmetic sales - Deb

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$18/hr plus 3% commission. It's busy now that the holidays are coming so the day flies. The line I work for sent me for training which was fun. I get commission on every sale I make - even if someone brings lingerie to my counter and I ring it up.

I was just offered a job with a specialty store that pays very well. The only problem is my frequent migraines won't allow me to fulfill the necessary merchandising work.

Just a tip - merchandising is a great way to have a flexible schedule, work on your own, build store relationships. Nearly every store utilizes merchandisers: department, grocery, big box, tech. You go in, make sure the product is in the negotiated place, check to make sure signage and pricing is correct, restock, face, rotate stock, etc. Some lines (like china and crystal) require that you create a nice display. Pay runs anywhere from $11-$20/hr, some pay mileage and drive time between stores.

Dang, Deb - sm - Anon

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I had no idea a sales person could make that much! Too bad I don't like people or I would consider that.

High end stores, yes - Bloomingdales, - Deb

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Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom, Barney's, even Lord & Taylor, not Macy's or JCP. Downside is stores are not very busy most of the year and especially during the day, but at $15-20/hr, it's not too awful. I've worked with some great people in the same boat as most of us.

Merchandising IS a good job, either just to make a few bucks in between jobs or to really make some money, as you can merchandise for different companies. You're really on your own. I worked for a china company back in 2004 and re-organized the china department's stock room in a Macy's. They weren't able to sell anything because they couldn't find anything and no one was allowed to spend hours in the stock room.

how do you get trained for a merchandizing job? - anon

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sounds good to me.

They train on the job, but for the most part - Deb

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they're very easy jobs to learn. You need to be able to read a planogram, which is just a map of a store area or shelf. There is also online training (it was free when I did it) - see link. You are sent task descriptions and plan-o-grams via email. Some clients require a before and after picture of the space you're working on. You need to email reports and hours by the end of the day usually.

Fragrance sales people (if you can't the smell) are usually freelancers, too. Go to any fragrance counter and ask who hires their freelancers. They pay anywhere from $18-25/hr as well but after the holidays, hours drop off.

Deb - thanks for info - - nm

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:)

I think it's wonderful that all of you are describing - what your jobs are like. (sm)-Slowpoke

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Many of these jobs are listed on job-search sites, but the employers don't usually do a very good job of describing what the job is REALLY like.

Job descriptions - Former MT

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I know what you mean. I put in a lot of employer job titles and then add 'employee reviews', which has brought up some enlightening info on different sites (like glassdoor).

I've also noticed that when you look on some - sites for just about -(sm)-Slowpoke

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any type of job, it seems like everything is a "manager" nowadays. "Office manager", "manager of editing", "data manager", yada-yada. And when I finally do stumble upon what seems like a generic, run-of-the-mill office clerk job, they want a PowerPoint "guru", has bookkeeping experience, has a B.A., and speaks 3 languages. All for $10/hour. It's so disheartening.

Jobs - Former MT

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I've also noticed that short of going to the bathroom, everything requires some form of certification. There must be a lot of certificate schools making a ton of cash these days.

The job titles and/or descriptions are ridiculous and yes, everyone is supposed to be an expert and juggle 36 flaming torches while answering phones--all for a bargain-basement wage.

Seems no matter how much experience you have or what education, you are lacking some specific thing they are wanting.

I agree, it is disheartening.

Certification does not come from schools. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Certification does not mean you have a certificate from a school. That just says you completed a course.

It means you passed a test given by an organization, and that you meet their other requirements for education, experience, background, and even personal character.

Certification is what assures the employer that you meet the minimum standards for the job.

Certification - Former MT

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True; I was thinking of a certificate program I completed long ago in a totally unrelated field (certificate issued by the school; no additional testing through a separate organization).

Some are now starting to note that you - Deb

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must be able to stand for 6-8 hrs (typically on marble floors). That was a real killer for me but I got used to it. Also, you need to ask every customer to open a store credit card if they're not paying with that store's credit card. PITA but you don't get dinged for not meeting the quota.

My opinion of a lot of those "requirements" is - theyre put in to weed out - sm

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older applicants. Such as "must be able to lift 50-75 lbs. repeatedly." "Must be able to stand for entire shift." "Must be an EXPERT in Word, Excel and Powerpoint." "Must be able to climb a ladder and operate a forklift/platform loader."

Sheesh.

Putting in "expert in Word, PP, and Excel" is NOT to - weed out older applicants!

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Sorry, but requiring Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint" is not age discrimination. LOL!

It is there because that is what is required by the job.

Thirty years ago, "word processing" was a big deal. MTs have prided thmselves on doing that since then. Unfortunately, that is ALL they did. Technology moved along, but MTs stayed right where they were, using about 1/3 of what Word can do, thinking they were top bananas.

Now, Microsoft Office has expanded into multiple types of software that are just *standard office tools." EVERYONE I know uses Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and now OneNote, SharePoint, and sometimes Access and the rest of it.

NOBODY I know has a job "typing documents." That job does not exist in my organization.

EVERYONE from secretaries to top management uses all that software every day. Everybody does it themselves. There aren't "special people" who do it for them. We do not have Word typists, Excel persons, or PowerPoint persons.

These software packages are TOOLS, like pens and phones are TOOLS. They are now standard office tools. Period.

If you expect to get an administrative job, you need to be able to use those tools. That is just what jobs turned into over the last 30 years. If you can't use those tools, you can't function on the job.

Most MTs didn't see this happening because they were working at home. Now, they are applying for today's jobs, thinking that they have fabulously desirable skills in word processing -- something that died out 20 years ago -- and they are dumbfounded when employers think they are not qualified.

I am actually shocked that anyone would think that is age discrimination.

I am well over 40, and so are about 3/4 of my colleagues, but we all use all that software every day.

There are only two things stopping someone from getting the necessary skills. One is just not understanding the nature of the workplace today and what standard tools are. The other is not knowing how to learn to use the tools.

I just explained the nature of the workplace today, so now you know.

Learning how to use the tools is incredibly easy. That software was not designed to make it hard for people to use it. It was designed to make using it EASY. You can take college classes in it, but you do not have to. There are FREE online resources provided by Microsoft. There are FREE tutorials.

There was a day when people could fling up their hands and giggle that they were no good with computers. That day is gone. It is as gone as the day when women could fling up their hands and giggle that they were no good with driving.

And, just like that, I NEVER see MEN claiming that they can't learn some software.

It is not age discrimination. It is "failure to keep up" discrimination.

You can update your skills if you want to.

Older workers who have been doing one job - (i.e, MT) for 40 years - sm

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aren't likely to even be acquainted with Powerpoint or Excel, let alone experts, if they have no use for it on the job or in their home PC use. Yes, it can be learned in school, but how exactly are we to be come "gurus" at any software program in a short enough time to land us a job? Also, as a newbie PP or XL user who is in their 60s, how do we compete in the workplace against 25-year-olds who've been using computers since they were toddlers?

It is not that difficult. - I compete with kids just fine.

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Honestly, it is not all that complicated or that difficult.

The software is not made to be hard to use. There isn't that much to know, either. They want to sell it, after all.

Few employers need a guru. They just want someone who can use the software. You are misinterpreting what they are asking for.

Your belief that 25-year-olds have some kind of advantage is holding you back. You think they know something you can never know, but that is wrong. You can learn this just as well as they can.

You shouldn't fall for that nonsense, anyway. Their skills aren't that good. The fact that they can play computer games and spend half their lives gossiping by text is nothing to be proud of. Their knowledge of nearly everything tends to be superficial. They just overinflate it.

I actually am really good with all that software -- I am a guru -- so I am in a position to know. The kids I see at work make a lot of noise, but barely scrape the surface. It is the 40++ crowd that has the in-depth knowledge and life experience to back it up.

You can do anything you want if you don't buy into ageism yourself.

Also, I learn nearly everything from books, online tutorials, and YouTube. I have never taken a class in this stuff.

Jobs...started my own store - Sweets

[ In Reply To ..]
I am no longer an MT, but I still come here and read about my former profession. My job was gone in June of 2011 when my small MTSO was outsourced first to Transcend and then a year later to Nuance. I quit when Transcend took over, because I had worked for old Medquist and hated the whole experience.

I bounced around in low paying and temp jobs. I am lucky that my husband's job was stable, but we were struggling without my income. I was asked to sew some items for a local factory through word of mouth. Sewing skills are a dying art, and a friend knew I could sew reasonably well. The factory was frustrated with the poor quality China crap that they supplied their employees and looking for someone to sew basic head coverings. (I am being vague here on purpose due to this company's policy.)

I took the job, which was ridiculously easy to sew, and now find myself employed as a seamstress. One choir group contacted me recently to hem 20 dresses bought from ebay. Not one mother of these choir girls could sew! I was astounded by that.

I have cleared profit of about $8000 this year. Not a lot but better than nothing! I hope to grow more. My computer savvy son is working to set me up a website since everyone that emails me wants a website address. I work my butt off some days but I enjoy it. My former MT office is now my "design studio." I have quit working for anyone else but myself.

That is awesome! - Anon

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I'm so envious of people who can sew. I'm in my 50s, and the last time I sewed anything was in 8th grade home ec. I took my mom's sewing machine when she passed away, hoping that I would somebody learn to sew, but it's been four years now, and the sewing machine hasn't been used.

I can mend - But I am no seamstress

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Learning to sew was a requirement in my family. I'm 59, and back then it was taught in home ec and by our mothers, usually. I made about 3 dresses and a couple of wrap-around skirts in junior high, but my mother did most of the work because I can't cut a straight line. I always got an A on her projects.

I can mend minor things (like a hem) and sew on a button. I know how to use a sewing machine, but can't make a dress or anything--so I gave it away because I really didn't use it much.

Bravo Sweets! You are an inspiration. nm - Keep on Sewing

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nm

Try Imitrex, Zomig, etc. - Free of headache

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Without the pills, I'd call in sick regularly. With the pills, I can function. Don't be controlled by the headache!

Also try a gluten-free diet. Worked for everyone I - know. nm

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NM

Thinking outside the box ... - magmed

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Funny you posted this question because I was coming on the board to post what I'm about to do. I am losing my apartment and falling behind on everything because I can no longer survive on MT pay. I've been an MT since 1984.

My ex-husband is a truck driver with over 30 years experience. I used to go with him when we were married. He taught me to drive a rig back then. So I'm leaving Florida to meet him in St. Louis. I will be an apprentice driver with him as my teacher. When I feel ready, I will take the CDL test, at which point I will be a co-driver and he and I will drive as a team. I'm scared, but also excited. Driving jobs are plentiful and CAN'T be outsourced overseas. Truck drivers supply everything we consume. It is a constantly growing field and more and more women are joining that work force. You can make good money. Of course you have to be able to adjust to the lifestyle. Women with little children could consider the career and try to find local driving jobs where they can be home every evening. Trucks are now way more user-friendly these days. Gone are the days of old trucks on the road. Most companies have rigs less than 4 yrs old and a high majority of them have automatic transmissions. You don't have to get dirty, nor do you have to be a big strapping man to do the job.

I was also considering going to auto mechanic school, although I think that field might be harder to break into. Another field I looked into was pharmacy technician.

MTs are strong, intelligent women. For those of us wanting to bail the field and find something else, I think we need to think outside the box. You can do anything you set your mind to. Fields that have been mostly male-dominated are now beginning to turn the corner and accept women; so think about that when thinking about what you might want to do. Good luck to all!

Trucking - Former MT

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I was looking at a trucking company's site the other day. Heavy lifting would not be an option for me but I was thinking about this as something that can't be sent overseas.

Good luck on your new gig--in your new rig!

If you get the right company trucking can be - very lucrative

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My husband is a trucker. Where he works (which is union) every 6 months they can switch up their routes, so called bidding. He has been there 14 years and makes 3 trips a week, driving overnight which is his choice, less traffic. When he arrives at his destination he is put up for the night in a hotel (none that work at his job have to overnight in their trucks as some truckers do). He does not have to load or unload but he tells me he has to hook the trailers up to each other and although not heavy work, says pushing and pulling to hook up takes a little muscle. His company has something called the extra board. If you choose that where you are sent to can be extremely varied from Ohio to Florida, more money there but somewhat harder conditions. From the time he gets home until he reports back during his work time is a 12 hour period, to eat, sleep and return back to work. Truckers at his job can make easily in the $90,000 to over $100,000 per year.

If I were 25 instead of 65, I'd get into trucking - in a heartbeat. NM

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*

trucking - me

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Absolutely! Trucking companies are always hiring & it would be a great way to see the country, but it's not the right time for me to do that. I need to be home.

The reason why MTs are hitting rock bottom - has to do a lot with

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the idea that "I need to be at home." The companies play on this. They read these boards. They know people are always saying about how they cannot go out to work. If you make a dime this way, better thank your lucky stars you did not have to work in the 60s, 70s and such. Oh my, no telecommuting then. You really had to leave the warm comfort of your home. Imagine.

Home-based - tiredMT

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I'm not opposed to leaving home, actually I think some human contact would be good for me -- however, after working at home for 15 years with my pay diminishing every year, I have no money to buy a reliable car to take me to such job, or to get a whole new wardrobe to wear to such job - I don't think they will let me wear my pajamas. Maybe a unit clerk, or front desk at a hospital, I can wear scrubs or medical shirts.

I'm close to retirement age, so no employer - sm- Slowpoke

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I've sent an application to has taken me seriously (yet). At this point I would only work in healthcare (receptionist, medical records, etc.) if I couldn't get something else.

So I've been doing small freelance jobs transcribing things that are non-medical. I do cash-only, don't advertise, and everything that comes my way is by word-of-mouth.

Freelance jobs - Former MT

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Are you set up to do tapes, also? Someone wanted me to transcribe from a cassette (freelance job) some time ago, but I didn't have that equipment anymore.

I think word of mouth is the way to go, if you can.

Not set up for tapes currently, but just told a - potential client that -- Slowpoke

[ In Reply To ..]
if her interviews are all recorded on cassettes, I'll see about getting a cassette-player once again. I used to have a really nice one, but gave it away when I moved to a smaller place because I never used it.

Hopefully she'll be able to just send me a CD or email the sound files to me instead, since she lives about 80 miles away.

Freelance - Former MT

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Oh, that would be great--especially since she lives so far from you.

Cassette Player/Transcriber - See Msg

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You may want to make sure you get a transcriber machine, not just a plain old cassette player. You'll need the foot pedal and other features a cassette player doesn't have.

Yes, that's what I meant, just wasn't sure - what they called them anymore.

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I used to just call them all "Dictaphones", even though the ones I used more recently were Laniers.

Home Health Aide - see msg

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I'm doing Home Health Aide work in peoples' homes. I love it. And you can't outsource or offshore a human being who does hands-on human care.

driving bus - locally

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I am driving a bus (8 passenger right now until I get my CDL done next week). I live in a small town (2000) and we actually go to their house or business and pick them up and take them where they want to go (usually the grocery store or dining out, clinic appointment). Then twice a month I will drive passengers to the next big town (65 miles or 120 miles to the next big town) to either shop or the doctor. That way I can shop too or go to lunch or something fun with them, as I usually know most of the people I transport. Pays more bills than this MT stuff. Sitting here for the first 5 hours of my shift and have had 4 jobs so far. 40 years experience and this is where I end up?? So sad.

Do you know if... - sm please

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your company has positions for in-home check payer/paper pusher? I do that for an elderly neighbor and love keeping his files organized and bills paid, even handwrite dictated letters to his family. I just do not know what the qualifications would be for this, or if there is a market for it. Thx.

Comfort Keepers...SM - Old Anon

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This is a company in my area (New England) that hires people to help seniors remain in their homes living independently. They seem to have a range of services (from companionship, light housekeeping to home health aide type duties). I'm not sure about bill paying, etc., as I think you'd have to be bonded to do that sort of thing, but I think writing dictated letters for them might fall into the realm of possibilities. I could also see where reading to a visually impaired person might also be included. Why not Google them to see if they are in your area. You sound like you might fit the bill to work for them.

God yes there is a market - hey

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With the explosion of dementia and how far-flung families are, often there is an elderly person who is basically alone to deal with making sure the bills are paid, car is maintained/insured, etc.

Try advertising on Craigslist in your area offering your services and see if anyone bites. I'm not sure if being bonded helps or if a background check would help--there should be some way a family out of the area can assure you are an ethical person.

So many elders are being taken advantage of by "friends" or even strangers who purposely seek them out.

Thanks to both of you. - sm please

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It hit me quite suddenly that I absolutely love doing the paperwork for my neighbor, and would like to try out as a career. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction; it's a start. BTW, you are so right about elders being targeted by scammers. My cousin was such a target but came to his senses before he lost too much.

Pharmacy Tech and eventually Pharmacist - x

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I figure I still have about 2 years of work as an MT, pharmacy tech online school can be completed in 9 months and I can ease into that part time until I get my feet wet, then move onto full time pharm tech and part-time MT if I'm finding I need to supplement my income. At the same time, continue to go to school to be a Pharmacist. By the time I'm 50 (7 years from now) I can start my second career...maybe. This is my brain child.

Pharmacist - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
There is almost no educational correlation between pharm tech and pharmacist. I am sure you know that pharmacist is not "advanced pharm tech." It might be less clear that you are unlikely to be able to carry over any pharm tech credits into pharmacy school. It is about as likely as carrying over nurses aide credits into medical school.

Pharmacy is a 4-year degree at a minimum, and difficult to do part-time. It is extremely heavy on advanced math, chemistry, biochem, physics, etc. If you know that you are very, very good with that, you would be better off getting student loans and going to college full time.

Pharmacy tech - tiredMT

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I thought about that. My only question is whether there are jobs available. I suppose with every grocery store and convenience store getting into filling Rx, it would be a good career. I feel like I already know so much about the common drugs, dosages, and uses, that I'm halfway there by being an MT!!

Or - x

[ In Reply To ..]
My other thought is hospice. I don't know why, but this really appeals to me. I like the idea of helping people, and having watched my mom suffer with cancer and see that there really was no care given to the family, I think I'd be great at caring for not only the patient but also the family.

HIM is an exceptionally good field and will - remain so.

[ In Reply To ..]
If you are seeing worrisome outsourcing in HIM, you are looking at the wrong kind of jobs -- you are looking at low-level jobs.

There are and have always been contract HIM companies. Jobs with them, including coding, are typically excellent.

If all you aspire to is a minimum wage clerical job, yeah, it is likely to be outsourced. HIM, coding, privacy, and informatics are higher up than that.

HIM - Former MT

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Not aspiring to low-level positions but considering a transition into the HIM environment without (currently) specific preferred or required certifications, while learning about career paths within the field.

Any additional information you may wish to share from your own experience would be most welcome.

Additional info - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You can get an entry-level job in HIM without certification or credentials. Your MT background should qualify for some, if not all, entry-level requirements like computer use, med terms, A&P, and understanding of the medical record.

Once you have that, you can learn as you go. I started with coding, getting the CPC, then CCS, then moving into an RHIA program. If you do not already have a bachelor's degree, you might choose the RHIT at first. You could also choose an informatics program at a school like Western Governors University, and get the RHIA to move straight into electronic records, which is where everything is going.

There are many jobs in HIM, ranging from entry-level file room, scanning, and release of information, record analysis, coding, transcription coordinator, clinical documentation improvement, coding auditing, revenue coordination, privacy & security, and management. With electronic records, some of those areas are changing to informatics functions where the pay is much higher. Also with electronic records, data storage, retrieval and analysis is becoming a big thing. There are jobs doing just that.

There are some coding- and data-related jobs in tumor registries, like cancer registrar, and other areas that have registries, like accidents, chronic diseases, quality assurance, etc.

These jobs exist in hospitals, which may have small sections with few jobs, but larger medical centers and healthcare systems have much larger departments with more varied jobs. This is especially true of federal agencies, with the Department of Veterans Affairs having an extensive program due to their completely electronic record. There are also jobs with clinics, nursing homes and rehab centers, public health agencies, university medical schools, and insurance companies and managed care organizations.

Visit the AHIMA website. You can see from the first page that this is a huge organization with wide-ranging careers and interests. The Career and Student Center explains what you need to know. There is an interactive career map which can show you where you can go and how to get where you want to go. I linked to it below.

www.ahima.org
www.ahima.org/careers

Thanks for the Info - Former MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Between my last post and your current one I visited the AHIMA site; a lot of good information there, to be sure.

I appreciate your taking time to respond.

New career - feelingrenewed

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After being laid off from my hospital job, I tried home-based transcription only to discover I was working long hours under a lot of stress for very little money. I decided it was time for a change after talking to my dog groomer. She owned her own business, worked when she wanted and made in one day....well you get the picture. I took a class, went to work in a shop for one year and then went out on my own. That was 3 years ago. I own my own business, love what I do and my customers love me and I make a lot of money. I am opening a second shop next year with a day care attached. You just have to take the chance and go for it. I still read these boards once in a while to see what is going on in the field. I feel for you guys.... Good Luck!!!

So happy for you - MT

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Your story is very inspiring. What kind of shop do you own? :)

Surgical Tech/RN Program - MTforyears

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I was considering a surgical tech program at a local technical school. After going to many surgical tech boards, I realized that many of them have decided to go on to become operating room nurses. I found an awesome nursing program at a state university here, and I'm hoping to begin their three year RN program in January. They no longer have an LPN program. After the three years, I would like to continue school until I get my Masters Degree. In the meantime, I am hoping to get anything more stable than the current MT job I have, and I'll keep the MT job to supplement my income. I enjoyed reading this thread. Everyone has such creative ideas. I can't wait to begin my new journey as well! :)

Health Information - JWL

[ In Reply To ..]
I left a national company a few months ago after getting a job in a hospital in medical records, and it's the best decision I could have made. The pay is better and steady. I still type for a couple of local docs, but working for a national just didn't work out for me pay wise.

On a side note, we have one of the big nationals doing our transcription, and I'm responsible for the questions that come over, etc. It's interesting to see it from the other side. Some of the MTs are really good, but there are quite a few that are really bad, but I guess when you won't pay people what they are worth, that is what you get.

Good luck to you.

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My main account was a good one, and the lines were very good, mostly ER work. I have been on this account for over a year and a half now. We recently received an e-mail stating that Nuance had discovered that the line count was charging incorrectly, as instituted by them, and they had been crediting us with MORE lines than we were actually doing and overcharging the client. Now get this, they informed us that they would not make US pay it back, for their mistake, but that our new lines would re ...

Nov 01, 2010

I have been at home working full time for about a year. I have been an MT longer, but I always had kept a job outside of the home also because I like interaction with other. I have found that I am starting to lose my people skills. Do others have this same problem? It is like I have forgotten how to really be able to hold a conversation with others. This is something that really bothers me as I have always loved customer service and working with people and main ...

Jun 10, 2011

What do you do when you have the required hours but are short lines? I got an email that I need to "make plans to have my shortage made up." The only problem is that I'm up to date with my hours for the pay period so far. The other problem is that I have plans Saturday night and Sunday (both being my scheduled time off) that don't include TransTech. It's getting harder and harder to defend this company when they can't hold up their end of the agreement and continually ...

Jan 19, 2011

Just wondering if the TT MTs would like share ... how many lines do you average during the day/week? I'm doing about 9,000 to 10,000 a week and wonder if I should be pushing myself more. How much of your count is VR? I do probably 15% traditional and 85% VR but that, of course, varies week to week. ...

Jan 08, 2013

Which do you use - custom lines - 65 character lines with spaces or standard lines - seems like so much more for standard lines???? Cathy ...

Jan 18, 2011

I am having a discrepancy issue with lines....wondered if MS Word and Medquist use a different number of characters per line. Thanks.... ...

Jul 13, 2011

How many lines do you average per day - VR and traditional? I know it's been VERY slow lately, but when things are going well, how many lines do you normally get? I'm trying to figure out where the average numbers are. For me, I do about 350 trad and about 1400 VR in 8 hours. Well, my timesheet says 8 hours, but my clock says that number MAY(!) be a little higher. Again, these are numbers I pull when things are going well and I'm not waiting for work to download. I'v ...

Jul 17, 2013

We have helper pools for a reason! Sounds like some TSMs need to get to work. ...

Oct 21, 2009

I'm curious. Any MTs willing to discuss how they like Escription and are working for MDI-MD/Transcend? ...

Nov 24, 2009

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Sep 10, 2010

I usually come to this forum for good, solid, BRUTALLY HONEST opinon and help. I have seen this field deteriorate over the years and got to wondering if the suits at MQ have any idea how long some of us have done this work and how poorly they are treating highly qualified, experiences MTs. I am very curious to see how many years of experience we have. I personally have 28 years experience and for the past 3 years have not brought in more than 20K. When I used ...

Feb 08, 2011

I know this is a little thing, but after 2 years it is a little annoying. Why do you ask MTs to look up physician names and addresses that are not in the database and to send to QA? You NEVER enter them into the system, not once. I have kept a list of physician names and addresses that we frequently use that are not in the database. I send them to QA every time, requesting that they be entered. I wonder what your response would be if we sent it blank? Just a l ...

Jul 08, 2011

Okay, four years of doing transcription and it's been four years of people calling all day to chat, wanting me to go do this and that, etc. I've tried over and over to explain to them to not drop by because I'm WORKING! Have any of you had to get down right rude to make people understand? Husband also doesn't seem to get it since he mentions "you're at home all day." Ugh. ...

Jan 08, 2012

without somebody jumping on you or making fun of you or being spelling police or telling you that's the way business operates so suck it up or go somewhere else. All that hate can't be good for you, but Flame Away!! ...

Dec 26, 2012

typing as there are jobs to be picked up on my account, and we are told via email to work on shortest TAT. Good grief. The account will be clear in 5 minutes anyway. Management is a bit irritating sometimes. ...

Jan 25, 2013

It's crazy to me that people do not even know what medical transcriptionists do most of the time. When people ask me what I do and I tell them transcription, it never fails that they say "What is that?" I tell them that I type what the doctor says and they say, "What does he say?" It's crazy that nobody ever wonders how when they ask for medical records they get neatly typed pages from their doc instead of handwritten chicken scratch. Even when I do explain it, ...

Jan 29, 2013

Has anyone ever been laid off or do they just expect their employees to quit? No steady work here in our BOB since October, worse since Christmas. Even today when work started picking up I still ended up 3 hours short. I have asked for a transfer and have been denied. I was told to make up my hours on Saturdays, but last week I was short 20 hours. That makes for one long Saturday especially when there was no work on Saturday. So I filed for part ...

Jun 03, 2013

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Jul 06, 2013

I'm just curious if any of the DSG victims who were bought out by MM are still with MM. I had quit MM (MQ at the time) years earlier to go with DSG, only to get slammed back into MQ/MM when they bought out DSG. I quit MM after 8 months of the buy-out. It was my goal from day one of the buy-out and I finally succeeded in getting out of MT completely. ...

Aug 23, 2013

will be in there working, and that can mean only one thing. This whole thing is about to MPlode. ...

Feb 23, 2014

Ooops, I accidentally posted this under a reply to something else, so here goes again. Any ex-DSG people here? After 15 years, I finally had left MQ to go to DSG, then got thrown back into MQ/MM 2 years later when they bought out DSGs medical transcription department. I left MT completely after that fiasco. I trusted no company after that mess and decided leaving MT was the smartest thing to do. Just wondering if any of you Ex-DSGers are still working for MM, and if not, what are you doing ...

Apr 09, 2014

I have a TSM, who I never hear from. Wonder what she does? I have a QA lead that I hear from when I screw up, then there is another one that does quality updates, what the is that anyway and why do I care? And then there is the one that sends out daily backlogs that also mean NOTHING to me in the grand scheme of life. Seems maybe we could trim the fat if we held maybe 2 people accountable to do their stinking jobs instead of 4. Not to mention the ones in the even higher positions that I ha ...

Apr 25, 2014

If anyone who works for TTS can help me, I would appreciate it. I've been there 3 weeks and I am actually happy working there. But .... I am super paranoid about sticking to 8 hours per day because I was warned that OT is not allowed unless expressly offered and only after I am off the orientation team and on the production team. So I am being really careful about my active platform time but I wonder if I'm being TOO careful. I mean if I end up working 8 hours 10 minutes instead ...

May 05, 2014

Kidney disease is stage 1, 2, etc. Roman numerals are no longer used..yet every report I check on this person in docqumanage has roman numerals. ...

Oct 16, 2014

Has anyone ever thought of contacting the national media to let the nation as a whole know where their medical records are going and who is doing them and that fact that people have died because of wrong medications, etc.? I thing most Americans would be surprised and pissed to find out that their private medical information is ending up in India. They might not care as much about our wages and what is happening to our jobs, but I think they would care about where their personal info ...

Oct 29, 2014

that Nuance rarely gives raises but if I was to ask for a raise who do I contact HR or my TSM? Thanks! ...

Jun 02, 2015

How do we know when we can go in and make up lost time if our TSM is off duty? Is this the function of the POC positions and if so how do we contact them? they on Spark? TIA ...