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HELP! New to independent contracting and need some advice - renin77

Posted: Jan 12, 2012

Hello all,

I have a potential new job, FINALLY!! I am relatively new out of school and have only had one, short-term position in transcription. I worked at the facility and was paid hourly. Now, this doctor that I'm in talks with for this position is wanting to know fees and contract stuff. I have NO IDEA how to set that up or what to even charge. Can anyone help with this, or at the very least, point me in the direction of where to find information that could help me create something? Should I be honest with him and tell him that I don't know that stuff? He knows I have limited experience but went to school, but I don't want this to deter him from hiring me. I NEED a job!!

IC position - Indie

[ In Reply To ..]
So this is a doctor you'll be working with directly? There's so much that goes into the questions you're asking, it's hard to even start in a setting like this.

Yes, a doctor directly - renin77

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, it would be directly with the doctor. He can 'allow' me to get directly into his system from his end to be able to work remotely.
I know I was kind of vague, but it's still up in the air at this point, so I'm not exactly sure what it would all entail and how it would all work. I realize there are a lot of variables, I just don't have a jumping off point to start from as I am inexperienced at the IC thing.

IC - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have found what works best for me is to ask THEM what they are WILLING to pay! I always end up getting more than I would have ever asked for and this allows them to not feel they are being ripped off because they set the amount. They are comfortable with their decision. Also, you don't say how much you charge when in reality they would have paid you more and you end up screwing yourself out of more money. As far as a contract, you can put in it whatever you want to. Make sure to include what your turnaround times will be, what days you work, how the work will be sent/done, as well as making sure that there is a clause in there for giving notice of termination so that he just can't quit on you without a moment's notice. Also to include then what the fee is going to be, how it will be invoiced, on what days, and when you expect payment.

Great advice - renin77

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! All very good advice. I just am not sure how to approach the fee part, simply because I don't want to lose this job nor do I want to overprice what he's willing to pay. I really want this to work out! :)

Fees - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm assuming he has paid for a transcriptionist previously so ask him what he paid the previous one. Otherwise, sit down with him and come up with something that he thinks is fair, as do you. You can choose whether to charge by the page (which I think doctors feel ripped off on because a page can constitute just a paragraph) or by the character including spaces or by the gross line. Then explain to him that you only get paid for the keystrokes, but you are not paid for your time in looking up medications, medical terms, etc. and that you don't get paid for the time it takes you to download, save, and upload, etc. It has to be fair on both ends, but you definitely don't want him to feel like it's a huge cost and burden or you'll be the first to go when cutting costs. This needs to be somewhat on his terms so he is comfortable with it.

You have given her great advice. - Been there done that

[ In Reply To ..]
It also is according to the software program you are going to be typing in. Did you say it goes directly into the doctor's patients' charts? Does the software program have a transcripionist statistics report? If so, then you may be able to figure out your fee that way. I use microsoft word so I go by the characters for one company and the lines for another doctor. I charge on the lines, which is easier, the average of 10 to 15 cents, according to your state and cost of living. Could be more than that. Good luck. I have been a home MT for over 10 years and an MT for over 20. I love it.

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