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

for the newbies who come here and get scared - newbiegalMT

Posted: Nov 10, 2010

I want the newbies who come here and read the complaints and get scared about "what have I gotten myself into" to realize that not everyone is unhappy at MedQuist. Keep in mind that they have literally thousands of employees and only a handful come here to vent their unhappiness (which is fine, I understand, not everyone is going to be in an ideal situation). I think it very much depends on your circumstances as to how life will be at MQ.

I was a new grad hire and once I got off training pay I made a little more than the training pay. I don't think I've ever been paid minimum wage. It has gone up consistently since then. After about 5 months I make around $12/hour on a good day, which is still low but not bad for someone with no experience. On the last bonus incentive weekend, I made about $22/hr on the last day and a half! Sure, it took me 2 days to get my lines in before I got the bonus, but the fact is, I stuck to it and it paid off. That was with the 4 cpl bonus. When they do the 3 cpl bonus, I usually make around $15-17/hr (which is what I *hope* to make some day all the time, but we will see, I may have to go to another company but I don't think that's an unreasonable goal to shoot for).

My account has tons of work and I have only experienced NJA at the end of summer before Labor Day when everyone was on vacation. My boss worked very hard to try and get us more work, as well. The rest of the time my accounts have been absolutely slammed. My CCM and QC are both super nice and friendly and when I failed an audit instead of getting b*tched out, they asked how they could help me.

I absolutely love working from home and I love having insurance and paid time off. I was an independent contractor before and it was HELL. So, this is way better. I also love having Benchmark KB for free, a free spellchecker, and a free expander (though I still use my Instant Text). I also have a free computer so I don't have to kill my laptop. So all that saves you money right there compared to shelling out for this stuff yourself as an IC. See where I'm going with this? They really do treat their employees pretty good compared to the companies that hire ICs and ignore them.

If you're on a lousy account with a crabby boss and no work, please raise a stink until you get moved to a better region! You really can be happy at MQ. I may eventually leave for more money when I have my "time in the trenches" over with, but right now getting my "3 years' experience" is going very well at the Q.

PS - all the time I've been getting into this new career, from when I was in school at Career Step to the time when I got my new job, people have been negative and saying it's not worth my time. I LOVE proving them wrong. :)

and then there are the rest of us - potato head

[ In Reply To ..]
I sure would love to know which region and what account you are on. I have been at the Q for over 10 years and have not been treated as you describe for over 5 of those years.

I dont get a primary, as a matter of fact, I think in my region we get jobs in the order dictated for all of the accounts, seldom 2 in a row from the same account.

I have the constant threat of "failed audits" that started in the past 2 months, and took a HUGE cut in pay in the past 5 years.

I hope your "new experience" with the Q lasts. When your account suddenly dries up and you get more NJA than work, I would hate for you to have a read a post such as your own, it is almost like a stab in the back.

Well, I suspect it was a bit of a troll post - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Notice how it goes from being their first job out of school and wonderful from the git-go to two paragraphs later where she talks about the trials and tribulations as an IC.

So I suspect it is either someone higher up the food chain doing a bad job of damage control or one of our peers just trying to stir the pot. In either case, it wouldn't take long to look through the board and, as they say, call BS on 99% of what the OP wrote.

Your name says it all, newbiegal - Frosty Mug

[ In Reply To ..]
And where do you get your statistics that it is only a handful of unhappy MTs who come here to vent? Try going from $32 an hour to $16 and see if you are still happy.

I wouldn't expect to make $32/hr unless I owned my own MT company - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

well, that is what I used to make at Q - just 4 years ago

[ In Reply To ..]
Certainly not owning a company... that was my average pay per hour! WITHOUT BONUSES!

dang, I'd kill for that. yes it's understandable if you took that much of a cut that you&# - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

yup, $1000 a week for 30 hours work - used to live the dream

[ In Reply To ..]
It was a good life, then ASR happened.

Not an MQer...but sm - SassyPants

[ In Reply To ..]
The OP needs to realize that that WILL change. Now, most of us, IC or employee, at ANY MTSO is lucky to bring home $1000 PER MONTH take home working 40 hours (or more) a week!

I've been an MT only 2+ years but I regret it anyway. Left a great job for "this". Been job searching ever since. Horrible, horrible, horrible.

BUT....if newbiegalmt can make it work for her in the next 1,2,5,10 years then more power to her...

A reunion would be nice LOL

Me too. Used to make that, but worked 32 hours a week. - Changing careers.

[ In Reply To ..]
Been with this same company for over 20 years. Bought a house, car, and was not living out of my means, but then ASR came along and MQ starting to treat us like computers and wanting to pay us India wages and with not having a raise in 12 years, I am now living out of my means because of seeing my check constantly being decreased.

So, I am now going back to school and getting out of Medical Transcription. In January 2011, you will soon see HUGE AND I MEAN BIG CHANGES coming. Some of the colleges are getting ready for this new Obama care. I do not see medical transcription being used in the future as much as it used to be in the past. Hospitals will be changing over to EPIC and other new computer products. MQ should know about this because they are also involved with creating their own EPIC form.

There's already lots of talk about layoffs at many - MT companies in January. Scary. (nm)

[ In Reply To ..]
X

It still exists in some places, but not on cpl production pay. - M.K.

[ In Reply To ..]
*

Well, I did make $32 an hour working here - Frosty Mug

[ In Reply To ..]
Why would you not expect to make more? You say you are making $22 on bonus and you are a newbie, why wouldn't you expect to make more with experience? I have 26 years at this & when we used to get actual tier pay bonuses, weekend differential, etc, $32 used to be a piece o'cake.

I hope to with experience, I meant at my current level - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Not likely to happen at 7-9 cpl, with continuous NJA. - You need steady work and 12-15 cpl.

[ In Reply To ..]
While likely won't happen again in our lifetimes.

Same here - used to make $54K a year at MQ - Until ASR

[ In Reply To ..]
That is why us "oldies" are so unhappy. You came in knowing the ASR rate and how much ASR there was. We started with no ASR and $50K+ a year now down to $28K a year. The Q also used to match our 401K contribution, offer line incentive bonuses and we NEVER ran out of work. If you didn't have all that and lose it, then you understandably would be satisfied at the Q.

EXACTLY! You said it perfectly. - Changing careers. No message below

[ In Reply To ..]
x

The only way to make that now is to stop working - for national MT services. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
.

I've already been from $16 to about $7/hour. - And Im most definitely not happy!

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

I only worked a few months as an IC. been at this 1 year, at MQ for 4-5 mo - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

maybe shes just not good a numbers - very telling

[ In Reply To ..]
12-17 an hour...

few months as IC, been at this 1 year, 4-5 mo for Q.

I guess few means more than 2! Her few is 7-8!

Funny thing is, her few is my hourly!

nope, I was unemployed for 3 or 4 months while looking - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
Dang, you're a snot, aren't you?

The problem with the older or experiend MTs is - this ... sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You want to kill the job.

You hate it. You've worked it. You don't like the changes. THerefore, you think that no one should be allowed to have a job.

Toodaloo. Newbies are coming on board, like it or not. You can get with the program or get thrown out with the bathwater.

not that good - try not to pat yourself so hard

[ In Reply To ..]
The ONLY reason newbies are coming on board is cause that is ALL this company can get at the pay they are offering! If you like working for Indian wages, so be it, but do not accuse OLDER MTs of thinking NO ONE SHOULD HAVE A JOB, cause that simply is not true.

Additionally, I do not HATE my job, I LOVE MY JOB. I LOVE DOING WHAT I DO.

Just do us all a favor, come back and post on this board in 10 years when you have some experience under your belt. It would suck to have to eat your own words.

I already have 20 years of MT experience. There will be - exceptions but most are exactly as I described.

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

And for the record, newbies have ALWAYS been - coming on board. Not just a new fad.

[ In Reply To ..]
Did you think no new MTs have been hired in the last 10-20 years?!

How funny.

I would put it as leaving this field. - Changing careers

[ In Reply To ..]
Learning Health Informatics in college.

'the rest of us' - shel

[ In Reply To ..]
It is not a stab in the back to offer some positives in a world full of negatives, if they are real. Each person has a different situation and it is not fair to treat those who are not hating their job as if they are somehow being MEAN by telling the truth about their experiences.

I just must stink at this job..... - minimum wage worker

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been doing this job for years and with all the reductions in pay I can't for the life of me make as much money as that newbie!! Boy would I love to know where she went to school! Maybe I'll go there and see what the secret is!! Could you let us allknow?!?!?

Pay attention - she said Career Step in her post. - No wonder you people are audited! sheesh.. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

yes and I bust my butt practicing and learning, it can be done and no my pay rate is not high. - newbiegalMT

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

oh.. thats the secret, you bust your butt - I just sit on mine

[ In Reply To ..]
Now I know what I am doing wrong!

sorry that's not how I meant it - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Had a new account, all straight typing. - It just went ASR

[ In Reply To ..]
and although I have "edited" my heart out all day, my pay has just dropped $30 per day for nothing I have done differently. I am not one of the happy campers. All depends on the account. We all type fast.

oh man, that totally blows :( - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

The objective truth: - As the OP tells it

[ In Reply To ..]
Assuming they are virtually right out of school, there's not much in their past to compare MQ to. It was their choice to come to the Q, not being drafted when their company was bought out. (It's nice to have a choice of your own on where to work.) Their fingers must truly be flying to average $15-17 even with that bonus - they must have started at a very high rate, but for a newbie? It's also nice to have the option to work 24/7 for 2 days in a row to make that bonus, especially chosing to do that repeatedly as it is implied. Personally, my increasing debt has forced me to take a second job, not letting me work any more. I also remember the attainable bonuses we were automatically given when we reached a higher line count during our regular working hours, better daytime differentials, etc. The rest of us have been here for awhile, have soured on having more and more taken away from us, having to suffer the changes that benefit seemingly everyone but us, not having a voice in anything, but supplying all the income for the higher-ups who make changes. This poster hasn't been around long enough to see any changes to affect them. However, I can remember reading that kind of poster come back on this website and say "NOW I know what you all were talking about and I'm in the same boat as you."

well of course, and I already said I don't plan to stay here forever... - newbiegalMT

[ In Reply To ..]
n/m

exactly, thank you shel - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

about ic - shel

[ In Reply To ..]
It's not just MQ pay that is dropping. I was an IC for over 6 years with one company. I was making about $25/hour for years and then, suddenly, accounts were asking for a cut in their line rate b/c of the economy. Lost some accounts who decided to do their own typing, etc. My company stopped looking for new clients and began focusing on software for voice recognition. So, I went from $25/hour for at least five years, to nearly nothing (maybe $50 a week!!). Went to MQ and make about $12/hour. But, with no extra taxes and PTO, I am thankful to have it. Know of about six other MTs who are in the same boat as me and are looking for work still.

newbiegalMT - justsaying

[ In Reply To ..]
If you're doing good I'm glad for you, but don't get too comfortable with those rose-colored glasses as it's a day-to-day thing with MQ. One day you're floating along wondering what all those posts on MTstars are all about - trust me, we've all been there and it's just been different amounts of time for each of us before those rose-colored glasses get replaced with crystal clear lens and the reality is blinding!! If you're lucky enough to be in a region where the work is plentiful and your CCM is understanding consider yourself very, very lucky. I'm not bashing your post, just my opinion to be aware that nothing ever lasts forever at the Q.

Personally, I hope that you do get your "time" in and move on, but with all due respect I think the best course for any of us is to start training for something that can't be outsourced as that is the trend and that's not going to change -- if it does, I will be really amazed and grateful, but that's only wishful thinking.

JMO

I Guess We All Just Stink and You're Great - Cursed

[ In Reply To ..]
G-d must really hate me then because I had the best job of my life until the work dried up...... (even with a CCM and QA that never have time to respond).

not at all what I meant, and I'm sorry things are sucking for you right now - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Do you do ASR? - or just type?

[ In Reply To ..]
curious

I do about 75% ASR which I have gotten real fast at. I'm a fast typer but - newbiegalmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I still make a lot more on the ASR than I do on ST. I've practiced the shortcuts to death! I also speed the audio way up on good dictators.

yeah, you'll get busted on audit - not worried anymore

[ In Reply To ..]
keep on truckin, that will be more work for me.

Newbie - Wendi970

[ In Reply To ..]
A hired cheerleader to bully us into thinking the problem is the mass of MQ workers, not the company.

Newbie wouldn't be on this site, because told you will be fired if you use it. - SadSack

[ In Reply To ..]
To make that more clear -- have been told that anyone caught using this site will be fired -- so with life so great for newbies like you can't imagine why you would even know about this site.

Who told you that? - MQMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Been using this site for years (using MQ computer) and never had it mentioned by anyone as a "taboo website." As a matter of fact, I once told my CCM about it as a way to get answers to questions on the Word Help board. I also told the QA person at that time when she wanted to know helpful websites anyone had so she could list them in an email to everyone. I am still here.

Good to Know - SadSack

[ In Reply To ..]
I was told by several people, but who knows if they are even with MQ presently -- everything changes so quickly (or slowly depending on your point of view).

I have not heard this. Most of us know - tips

[ In Reply To ..]
that management has visited this site for many years. I know for a fact that a previous CEO for MQ used to visit this site on a regular basis. He wanted to know what MTs were "buzzing about." I am also curious as to who told you this. What region are you in? You may have hardline management on a power trip. To my knowledge this site has never been off limits.

You are correct. Thank you for - posting this. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Wait until you no longer get the easy newbie work. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

scared - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Wow! It is a shame to be butchered everytime someone posts something regarding being happy at their job. I keep reading that when somebody likes their job, they are lying! I have had my problems working at the Q too. I was nit-picked by QA too. Personally, I have never made the kind of money some people have and good for you. I have been in transcription for a long time and have been satisfied with what I make, though nowhere near those amounts. I do understand your pain, but it is not fair to pounce on people just because they have not suffered what you have. Some people don't have the problems you are having. The people that are happy have not criticized you for having bad times; in fact, they have been supportive and understanding to you. I also have a good CCM and QA person. I used to have a terrible QA person and fought regularly with them. That person is gone now and things are better. I am in a good region and have regular work. I do run out sometimes, but rarely. I'm not bragging or lying, so don't hack me to pieces. There may come a time when things go bad, and I will deal with it as I have in the past or move on. Like my mother used to say, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything! There is no reason for all the nastiness on this board when someone posts something positive. It is okay to say you are not having it so good, but you don't need to accuse people of lying just because they like their job. No matter what field you are in, there are people that like their job and people that don't. Wages are going down in other fields too, you are not being singled out. I hate the ASR too and when I have a real bad one, I either F11 the job or send a request for review of them and most of the time they are removed from the ASR. Yes, we know India is taking our jobs and we are faced with the same problem that many other professions are dealing with. Many manufacturing jobs are leaving this country too. It is just the way it is and all we can do is keep writing our politicians and try to get them to do something about it. If we are so miserable we need to move on. I am not going to argue with anybody who wishes to hack my post to pieces and call me a liar or whatever. I am fairly happy at my job, it is not perfect, but I have never had a perfect job. I feel satisfied with what I am making for what I do. I get the benefit of staying home and working. If I find a time when things get to bad in this field I will move on. Many are complaining all the time. GET OUT! You aren't because there is nothing out there at this time or it involves going back to school. Then do it!

I guess I did not realize this board is only for people who are miserable with their jobs. People that are happy with their jobs have a right to post to without being hacked to pieces. If you don't like what they say, just don't read their post.

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