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

sad but grateful - circling the drain

Posted: Feb 26, 2014

I just want to state to my fellow MTS that even though we are no longer considered viable cogs in the medical profession's wheel (as witnessed by the deplorable way in which we are paid and the high expectations foisted upon us), I enjoyed working as an MT for the last 25 years. I was able to raise a child alone. I was able to move around and live in 10 different states by being able to bring my job with me. I learned a lot about the body and how it works, and this knowledge has helped me make lifestyle changes for better preventative health. I raise my coffee cup to us all for plodding through the quagmire of transcription and producing readable documents from increasingly thoughtless and reckless dictation. May we all find viable work that pays a livable wage no matter what it is.

Me too.... - 2.5 more years

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I agree 100%.....I am hanging on to the sides of the sink for another 2-1/2 years and then I'm taking early retirement. At least then I have reliable income and then I can do some part-time IC work without the fear of the empty inbox. As it is now (unlike when I easily made $40K a year), I will probably make the same amount of income from my Social Security as with typing for less than minimum wage.

2.5 years - NEMT

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I too am going to take early retirement in just a little under 2 years. I also used to love sitting down and typing. when I first started 25 years ago it was the best job I ever had. I looked forward to getting up and going to work. Now, it's all I can do to get through my shift. Last week, I came this close just to quitting without having anything to back me up. Can't wait until I retire.

Good luck - Sticking it out another 2.5 yrs

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I had 3 years to go until retirement, and I just could not stick it out and finally had to quit.

I kept "sticking it out" priot to that because I couldn't stand the thought of training for something else in my mid to late 50s--but I just could no longer do it, and I had to quit. My family was suffering, I was suffering, and nothing to show for it.

Some of what kept me going was hope that something would change, turn around and I would at least be compensated for ASR troubles, but I got realistic and lost hope in that.

If anyone here is sticking it out in hopes of things being different in the near future, I would not stay in MT on that reason alone.

I was going to stick it out, but our MT dept. got - canned. No more on-site MT jobs -

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left around here, so I'm done with MT. Between now and retirement (2 more years), I'm doing odd jobs locally, collecting unemployment, and tapping into my less-than-$3K savings account. If needed, plan B is to siphon off just a bit from my small 401K.

Most on-site MT jobs are no good anymore anyway - done with MT

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This profession used to pay well, but not anymore. I am shocked at the amount of unpaid research we are expected to do in house. Paid by the line and we are supposed to search the patient's chart for things the dictator mumbles over?

It didn't used to be that way. We used to be paid hourly and paid a GOOD hourly wage, and we weren't expected research the medical record. If we couldn't understand what was said, we left a blank.

I didn't used to have an attitude but I am getting one real fast.

I Quit after 15 years - Learned A lot

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I sadly quit MT completely 2 years ago. I cried because I missed what it used to be. I used to LOVE sitting down (pre-wage cut, pre ASR) and doing MT work. I was past my breaking point when I finally quit. I actually probably would have stayed regardless of ASR, had they not cut my wages. I think we should have been paid more than MT wages when they brought about ASR, because it's harder to get the lines in and harder to edit messes than it is to transcribe.

But, I don't regret going into the field. I learned a lot about the human body, how it works, meds, things like that. It was not a waste of 15 years.

Best to all of you who are saddened and looking to make a career move. I waited until I was sick to my belly to leave; don't wait that long. My only regret is not leaving sooner than I did.

I have 5 years to go but I don't think I'm - MT57

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going to make it that long.

Best to make plans NOW. MT isn't likely to - be around for 5 more years.

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.

Might be around - But will not get better, probably worse-nm

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xx

I do think they will keep a few american MTs on board so they can - East MT

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say they are American based. But i think those jobs will only be in the hundreds for the whole country. I would concur with the exit strategy. I graduate in May with my associates and go to the University in the Fall. I am crossing all of my fingers and toes that this job lasts at least 3 more years so I can finish out my Master's. This job is perfect for being in school.

We thought that at the clinic where I used to work. - As it turned out, however, -

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the front-end VR system they adopted (and we trained!) also had the option of the doc just point-and-clicking his own document. They liked that. They also had the option of proofing it themselves, or sending their point-n-clicked document to us to proof. They preferred to proof their own, and within a few weeks of getting the new VR system, our entire department was let go. Most on-site jobs are going this route, and they not only let their inhouse MTs go, they also fired their outsource companies. So in my case, not only did the MTs lose their jobs, so did the MTSO. I'm here to tell ya, MT WILL NOT EXIST 5 years from now.

I still have 30 years left of working life as I'm only 35 :( - sm

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I wish I could retire. Unfortunately, this has been my only job. I went to college for medical transcription back in the 90s when I graduated from high school and now here I am only 35 years old, broke, no other job skills, afraid to go out into the world and barely hanging on. If I only knew then what I know now. I cannot afford childcare for my toddler so I feel that I am stuck in this job until she goes to school. Really sucks

The silver lining is that you're young enough to - (sm) - Keypounder

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take the time to learn a new trade, and then actually get hired to do it! Those of us in our late 50's, early 60's and beyond are far less likely to be hired as "newbies" than you. Your child won't be a toddler for long, and then you'll still have plenty of time to do something new.
Good luck! :)

Yes, young - see msg

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Well, yes, it's important for you to raise your child, not stick him or her in some institution. But the toddler will be in school before you know it. Meanwhile, maybe you can train somehow for something else.

Those of us in our 50s-60s just don't necessarily have the werewithall (or however you spell that) to train for something else. It's very draining, then knowing it's only for a couple of years on a job after the training is over the top. At least for me.

Good luck to you.

I'm in the same boat - clb

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I'm 38. Been an MT only 6 years and regret it. I thought this would be a career to take me thru kids and retirement. Well no kids sadly and I know for sure MT won't be around for 30 years so I'm back to trying to get an entry level job and can't even get an interview. I'm so mad at myself for choosing MT as my major and then falling for the WAH and make all this money garage. I've been unhappy everyday at work since 2008. I hope you go back to school and get out asap. Good luck!

You will have more than 35 years before retriement - nn

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In case you are not aware of it, but the "standard" retirement age varies now according to the date of your birth. Therefore, for example, if you are only 35, you may not be able to retire until you are 70.

I am 36 and also have 30 years to work. please consider - going back to school

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that's where I am at. I already had LOTS of hours in and will be graduating with my associates in May. I go on to University in the Fall and will work on my Bachelor's and go on to my Master's there.

I see this as a way to unlock my full potential, not a curse. At my age I am excited about learning, not just rushing through it to get my degree.

What does childcare have to do with it? - BeenThere, DoneThat

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What does not being able to afford childcare have to do with not going back to school?

In the 90s, you may have had to go to a school and sit in classes. Now, classes are online. You can do entire degrees without ever stepping foot on a campus.

Even your former college probably has their classes online. Students might not need to go to the school except for final exams.

certain classes are not give online but I am taking 3 of mine online - 1 on post campus..the one not even given

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at main campus. Where there is a will there is a way. I do advise signing up EARLY because I wanted more online classes last semester and was only able to get 1 online and 3 at main campus. They fill up fast!

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