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

HI! MedQuist Questions - rainbo

Posted: Nov 18, 2009

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to test with MedQuist in the next few days. I am wondering if anyone can give me a general idea of what to expect as far as testing goes? Also, since this is my first MT job, I'm unsure how to handle wage expectations. I hope to work third shift and each weekend. Should I ask for a certain amount per line or try to negotiate a certain amount? How should I handle this? If you were a newbie who worked third shift (including every weekend), how much would you ask for? If there is anything else that you can tell me that would be beneficial to me, please share. Thank you so much.

Why are they still hiring when we don't have enough work - sigh

[ In Reply To ..]
for the ones who already work here?! This is absolutely crazy & makes me wonder what's going on.

As to your questions, I found the test easy, but many do fail it, though I would imagine they're more lenient on newbies. I can't stress enough, make sure you know your BOS for the transcription portion of the test.

Yes, you'll probably need to negotiate your line rate. These big companies always offer low in my experience, and I usually negotiate up. I'm not sure of the going rate for new MTs these days. When I started out, I was making 8 cpl as an employee with benes, but I've read they take advantage of newbies now & don't pay nearly as much. Hopefully someone else on here can answer that for you.

As you noticed in my first sentence, many of us have had little to no work for a long time now, so be prepared for that, but I know the value of at least getting your foot in the door & having something to put on your resume, so I do wish you luck!

Questions - Rainbo

[ In Reply To ..]
I can't say that they're hiring me. I was contacted by a current employee who said that her supervisor was asking how to contact me after the supervisor found out my preference to work third shift, every weekend, and most holidays. Those are just the hours and days which would work best for me. You're right in saying that I have to get my foot in the door. No one really wants to hire entry-level transcriptionists.

I only assumed that the supervisor wanted to contact me for testing since she asked for me to resubmit my resume directly to her. Since you mentioned little to no work, do you suppose that would be different on third shift and during the weekend?

Thank you for your valued advice.

overnight work - meme

[ In Reply To ..]
My experience over the years with MQ is that they have a difficult time staffing overnight and weekends, which leads to calling people and begging them to work. I don't know about all the regions, but the South region definitely needs more hands at night . There is always plenty of work on nights and weekends. There is a minimal night and overnight line rate differential, but none for weekends, though you should have plenty of work then, depending on the region.
The best of luck to you. Take your time with the test and be sure to proofread it before you submit. Use all research materials at your disposal.

south region nja on weekends every weekend - for months now

[ In Reply To ..]
south doesnt have plenty work on weekends. maybe nights it does. maybe there are different sections in south and some have more.

hey rainbo - no pot of gold

[ In Reply To ..]
We all work EVERY weekend. That is the only time there seems to be work is nights and weekends. There is a measly shift differential for nights, however.

There is no special pay or extra amount offered to work weekends. It is required. Also expect work holidays.

As far as what to ask for? You could ask for anything you want, does not mean you will get it.

I would get as much as you can because they do not hand out raises... been 10 years since I had one.

If you haven't tested yet, I would worry more about passing the test than what to ask at this point.

No pot of gold - Rainbo

[ In Reply To ..]
LOL at your title. Cute. :)

This doesn't really sound promising for me. I'm not sure what to think. I can't imagine why they'd want to test me (if they do), or why they'd want to hire on people when the currently employed people don't have work to do. What gives? I've seen a few people at the Career Step forum who were recently hired and are currently in training with MedQuist. I'm just very confused as to what's going on. Are you given reasons as to why there is little to no work?

oh dear - no pot of gold

[ In Reply To ..]
There is little to no work because most of the work is being offshored to India.

I believe they are still hiring newbies because a lot of the higher paid are being forced out by either the significant drop in pay, failing the QA audits or multiple other issues.

I believe, just like any type of job, that if an owner can get an employee to work for low pay, why keep a higher paid and the Q just loves to make money at our expense.

As far as work in differnet regions, I do not have proof of no work versus tons of work in any specific area. Many complain of no work daily, others say they get offered overtime.

This company (also as well as many others) want 100% turn around on their work, and do not care if we sit around for an hour or so waiting for a job to pop up.

low work - nn

[ In Reply To ..]
All accounts are kept staffed pretty heavy so we don't have work out of TAT and have penalties. Also, keeps MQ from having to offer OT.

The higher your level and the more work types you are willing to do will help some.

Gone are the days when the work was heavy and they were begging us to get in there and kick out some lines. Now, they pretty much want us waiting and ready when the report comes in.

Working at MQ - Stumped

[ In Reply To ..]
Just to put in my 2 cents . . .

I'm originally from Louisiana (Harvey) and was hired when I lived there and was put in the West region (CA, WA, OR. . . ). I know live in the west and still have the same primary (main hospital I do the work for). Except for rare times and around holidays, we always have plenty of work. I know that's not true for everyone, but for me it is.

I would definitely follow through with the interview and testing. There are not many places who will hire people right out of school/training so this is a very good option for you and I would definitely take it. The hospital I used to work for pre-Katrina wouldn't even consider anyone without experience. Regardless if MQ is only doing it because it works out cheaper for them, it will still be of great benefit to you.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!! And if you get a chance, please eat an oyster or roast beef po-boy for me . . . I would kill for one right now (lol)!

oops . . . - Stumped

[ In Reply To ..]
Sorry, that should be NOW work . . . not "know." Geez, it's been a long day. I also can't seem to type the word "couch" because it always ends up "cough" regardless of how hard I concentrate. I live and breathe medicine!(lol).

Harvey LA - rainbo

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm familiar with Harvey It's a quaint little place. :) It's nice to see a sweet message from a fellow (even former) Louisianian, so thank you for replying. I'll have some crawfish, boudin, jambalaya, gumbo, Ã©toufÃ©e, and beignets in your honor. I don't really need a reason to eat!

At this point I need experience and getting my foot in the door is very important to me. MOST employers want experienced transcriptionists and it's very hard to get a job when you're straight out of school.

If you are just looking for experience - and something for the resume

[ In Reply To ..]
I would say go for it. If you are going to count on this to pay your mortgage, I would be concerned. Work is outsourced to India, everyone ends up working on weekends to try to make their line count and during the regular hours often get NJA.

But as I said, if you are just looking for experience, go for it. The platform is easy to use, sound files are iffy but from what I see on this list, that is the crummy accounts that my region has.

I would say from what I am finding in research that 6-8 cents per line for a newbie would be the range to look at. Know your BOS.

If you don't expect anything, you won't be disappointed. Go in, get experience, and use it to your advantage.

Experience - rainbo

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, right now experience is what I need for my resume. IF it works out long term then that's great. If not, then I, at least, have the experience for the next job.

I'm unclear what NJA means. Can you enlighten me?

You also mentioned your region. I'm in Louisiana. Does that mean if they hire me that I'll have a crummy account as well?

I feel terrible for asking all these questions considering that so many of you are not getting the amount of work you need. I don't want to seem like a newbie shoving my way in and stepping on your toes. I don't know why they are (possibly) showing an interest in me. I can't turn them away if they want to talk to me. I need a job, too. :( I sincerely hope the lack of work situation will work itself out.

my guess - is

[ In Reply To ..]
that there is a lot of tier 1 (newbie level work that the client does not want offshored) night/weekend work available in the particular region where your friend works. If so, go for it. Great experience for your resume, and you will get your paycheck on time (no matter how big or small;) It doesn't matter where you live, you could be working for any region. NJA stands for "no jobs available"...the dreaded message we see so often. Granted, most of us getting that message MAY be tier 2 or tier 3 who have been here awhile and make more per line...who knows? Many, many changes here at MQ lately, made have quit, etc. Best wishes for getting into it if it's really what you want to do. Good advice about the mortage, though. lol

make that mortgage! - geez

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

No Jobs Available - = NJA

[ In Reply To ..]
Q is split into regions, where you live does not necessarily mean that is the region you will get put in. They will put you where they need you.

Strictly going on my gut feeling, nothing else, I think eventually all the work will go to India. Could be, and hope, that I am major wrong but . .

Go in with your eyes open, get the experience you need, do the best you can.

Thank you! - rainbo

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you to all of you for your valuable advice. I will go into it eyes wide open and hope for the best. I sincerely send best wishes to all.

When I was offered job by phone, they told me - what they would pay and

[ In Reply To ..]
I told them what I expected to get was 2 cents a line more than that. The person basically said take it or leave it. So I took it. And by the way I had 14 years of experience at that time, was not a newbie. And have not had any kind of a raise since. From what I read on this board I probably never will.

When I was a newbie I thought volunteering - kiki

[ In Reply To ..]
to work every weekend would give me a leg up. It probably did. However, 10 years later I am STILL working every weekend despite trying to get at least one weekend day off. They always say no, we need you on the weekends. I'll say, but I've been working every weekend for the past 5 years, 8 years, 10 years....still no luck.

So my advice to you is that unless you realy WANT to always work weekends not to agree to that in the first place--will be difficult to change...

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