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

Is there really a future for MT work? - luvzminis

Posted: Feb 03, 2010

I don't mean to start a downer post here, but I sincerely want to know if there is a future for MT work.

I see posts by a few who have succeeded, at least somewhat, in the MT world. However, these are very few. Then there are those who were happy just to find a job, but a few months later, were let go because of no work. There are some whom I know to be conscientious workers who were fired out of the blue. Could this just be the company losing accounts and placing the blame on MTs? I think the saddest are the companies who pay as little as 2 cents for VR and 4 cents for ST. But new grads are tickled pink just to say, "I found a job!" Personally, I think that's pathetic, even though they could gradually move up into another company.

What's going on with the MT world? I'm not the only one who has noticed it all seems to be coming unglued. Companies outsourcing, losing accounts, not hiring, no longer having programs for new grads to get a start, firing left and right, not paying their workers or having checks bounce, etc. This doesn't happen in just any job--seems to be much more prevalent in the MT jobs Certainly the lousy economy and bleak economic outlook is part of the problem--but not all of it.

If I hear of anyone considering schooling for MT work, I will give them plenty of warnings. Sure, any job is questionable, but there are more than the average share of problems with MT jobs, it seems to me. For all the hard work, where is the payoff? A few might disagree with me on that, but I think most people would agree--it's become sweat shop work/pay. Is it that the companies who hire are greedy? Is it a main MT organization pulling strings? Connections between MT schools and companies where there are agreements? I can't quite put my finger on it, but something is sure up, and it isn't pretty. I really hope things turn around soon, but I'm not holding my breath.

I welcome your thoughts, agreed or not.

Not just thoughts but facts - prefer to be anon

[ In Reply To ..]
The reason is quite simple - corporate greed - going back probably 20 years or more. These corporate jerks got the idea there was a lot of money to be made off of our hard work. I doubt that the state of the economy has very much to do with this.

In-house jobs were lost to MTSO's. Small MTSO's were gobbled up by larger MTSO's all in the name of the almighty dollar. Large MTSO's had suits sitting in ivory towers cooking up more and more ways to make more money with transcriptionists seen as "Accounts Payable" while they focussed on increasing their "Accounts Receivable." Cheap labor overseas just added more money in their pockets.

It would be nice if this would all come full circle and bring the work back in-house at least for some. Time will tell.

Pefer to be anon - Ron

[ In Reply To ..]
I am one of those people who got knifed by MQ before the suit was "dismissed" or "settled," if you will. (Ha.) The only thing that gives me peace is to know that I really and truly do believe in karma. Or as they say in the hip-hop world, "What goes around, comes around." I am waiting for MQ's karma to hit them big-time. There have been other players in the demolition of the MT world, but MQ is the major domo.

Anon - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm a strong believer in Karma. It may not get you right away, but eventually, I do believe what comes around goes around. One summer afternoon, I was leaving work and wanted to cut the grass as soon as I got home and walked the dogs.

My next door neighbors, who never bothered to ask if it was all right (I would have told them it was - I was just upset they assumed I would say it was okay and instead just did it) for all of their rich country club friends to park on our front lawn when their driveway and yard filled. So, I came home, it was Friday and I was cranky. I got out the push mower and in full view of all the neighbor's company in the back yard, proceeded to cut the grass as close as I could to their cars. I didn't want to scratch them or anything, I just wanted to blow grass all over their Mercedes, BMWs, etc. (And no, though we do have a pretty nice house, we're hardly rich and have no country club friends - ha ha). Well, I kept getting closer and closer so the grass would stick. A few minutes into me being a s**t, I stepped into a hold in the front yard that I had never seen in all my years cutting the grass. I stepped into the hole, fell, and severely twisted my ankle. the lawnmower shut off (thank God for those safety bars) I was being a jerk and got instant Karma because of that. And you know what? I've searched from time to time for that hold and I haven't seen it again. LOL.

I get very angry when - ncmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I see these schools preying on these (mostly) young women who want to work at home, telling them that jobs are plentiful, pay is high, and that they can stay home with their children while working. It's so sad to see people wasting their money on these schools, when probably most of us never went to school for this anyway.

I think there is a future for medical record documentation - Yes!

[ In Reply To ..]
On message boards you have all sorts of people from varying backgrounds and experience. We all are anonymous and we're all the very best. Trust us! LOL

Our work is of the highest quality. Again, trust us. If we lose our job, it isn't because we aren't good at our job or because we spend hours a day complaining instead of finding a better way to do our work or possibly finding a new career. It couldn't be anything we did, because we're the best. We're all experts who know more than the Q/A people, more than our supervisors, much more than the doctors, and more than anyone else out there who makes the rules that we don't like.

My point is this. Many people are at their computers right now just as we are, but they are working. If they aren't transcribing, they are looking for ways to increase their value to their employer and their own income. They accomplish a lot more in a day than I do when I'm in the mood to gripe, complain, and feel sorry for myself to anonymous people on message boards, even though it's fun.

There are some productive messages that are worth reading, but some of it just drags you down and keeps you from being successful.

Of course there are negatives. There always have been. There have also been people who really believe they are a lot better than they really are. That's what makes Q/A people tear their hair out.

There are people who just do really good work, but don't sit around talking about it. It doesn't matter to them that anonymous people think they are super-MTs that have just been handed a raw deal. They don't complain. If they find it doesn't work for them, they don't hang around talking about it. They find a way to make it work or they do something else, just like every other worker in America. They don't look for someone else to blame. They take responsibility for their own skills and putting themselves in a better place, either a new and better company or even a new career. They take responsibility for their own actions.

That's the kind of person I want to be. I've been observing who is successful and who isn't, observing people I know. The people who take responsibility for their own selves are doing better than those who sit and write about how awful things are and who is responsible for their failure.

I just wanted to get that off my chest. I'm sure this is not a popular point of view and I doubt that anyone agrees with me, but to answer your question, those who are better than average are going to do fine, but there are going to be many who drop out and go into some other kind of work, if they can find it. That's the way life works. Very few people stay in any career for their entire work life. Nothing wrong with switching careers. Just take responsibility for yourself and get out there and do it, or not. Thanks for letting me vent.

yes, Yes! - 2more 2night

[ In Reply To ..]

Another reason the successful and satisfied MTs don't post is because as soon as they do, they are attacked as being "suits," "liars," "in denial," "too stupid to know they are unhappy or being used," "scavengers who are successful at the expense of those who are not" ... misery loves company and hates the happy.

Is there really a future for MT work? - luvzminis

[ In Reply To ..]
I tend to agree with your comments!

Yes, the way to move ahead is to work and find better ways to do something rather than complain. I guess when I raised the original point, I was thinking more along the lines that there appears to be "something" going on in the MT world, and perhaps MT work in general is going out the door. It just seems odd to me how many people are getting fired, losing work, finding companies that do not pay, etc. and the same old complaint about how hard it is to even find a MT job. I know just a couple years ago, many more doors were open.

I'm new at this MT business, but I have to tell you, I'm still unsure this will work out. I've worked my rear off on a course and did well testing, but still wonder if it really be worth it in the end when all is said and done. I happen to need very flexible part-time work, and I have to tell you, I can't believe how many companies just give me a flat out "no" and no further comment. I hope the time comes when all larger MT companies will have something in place for new MTs so they can get a decent start, rather than settle for a few cents an hour. However, I do have my doubts that will ever happen.

Again, you raised some good points, and yes, there are plenty of people who do more complaining than take any positive action.

Most larger MT companies - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't give a rat's hiney about whether or not new MT's get a decent start. Their bottom line is all that matters. Actually those "complainers" are really trying to give new MT's the benefit of their experiences so they're not taken advantage of.

Oh, and many of those complaining have taken positive action by moving on.

No, they haven't moved on - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
No, they haven't moved on. It didn't work for them for whatever reason, so they want to make sure it doesn't work for others. That sounds so giving and altruistic, but there's a problem with that. The same situation that was just awful for one person is exactly what another person wants and needs in their life right now. Maybe not forever, but right now. There are some who have made it their business to spend hours on message boards destroying the dreams of people who have different needs and dreams from theirs. The worst part is, they make themselves out to be experts when they aren't. I know a lady who was never good at MT, not because she couldn't do it, but because nobody would want her working for them very long. She is obnoxious as spit! Because she has that problem, she sees only the fact that she can't make money in MT so she's darn well going to make sure nobody else does either. She brings everyone she talks to down so they are so depressed they can't do as well as if she wasn't their buddy. I've seen her on several message boards and other groups pretending to be an expert when she has simply failed. I used to listen to her until I put the facts together.

Moved on? If they had truly moved on, they would be committed to their new career, not tearing down the one they failed at. There are plenty of problems with every job and MT is no different, but the benefit of their experiences posted over and over again is worthless. I wish my old friend the best. She's never going to be healthy until she corrects what's wrong in herself and finds a job she can do well.

That may be the problem - Part-Time Work is harder to find

[ In Reply To ..]
It's much harder to find someone who will hire you if you aren't going to give them enough hours. It isn't worth it to put in the time preparing you for their system, their accounts, going through the new-MT syndrome with you, which costs the company money and takes up lots of Q/A time. That may be the biggest problem. I know a lot of companies consider 30 hrs/week full-time work, so if you can do that and get your foot in the door, you'll be more likely to get a job offer.

Never been an industry for just out of school/current MT situation - longtimemt

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been in this business for almost 20 years, part of that time as an MTSO. This has never been a profession you can do right out of school without a mentor or someone to help you "know what you do not know" I worked for 1 year for someone before I even tried to work on my own at home. My mentor went over every mistake I made and made sure I understood why it was a mistake. I did it with the people I took on who I felt were worth training. These MTSOs these days are not interested in doing that at all so where does that leave new MTs but unable to get work.

Also I happen to like my job for the most part; my TL and manager are nice people, the work is not that bad BUT the slow periods are bad...I was steady at Christmas time but DEAD since then...its just now starting to pick up and who knows how long it will last. And it happens at least a half dozen times a year, sometimes more...unless you are independently wealthy eventually that does awful things to your budget. And that is happening all over the industry. Just because more people don't post than do post here does not mean it is not happening all over. I'm back in school because I think this industry is going to turn into editors and I'm not willing to go that route and have those headaches for $.04 line. Just my $.02.

Future for medical record documentation - cmmcd472

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you so much for your positive post. I had some of the same thoughts today, especially in regard to personal responsibility. I'm probably at least a year away from needing to find a new job (or it may not happen) but I am already applying and testing should that unhappy day arrive. I've read here that people cannot find jobs but I have already had a few offers and am on the waiting list at the 2 companies where I really want to work. They are not hiring now, but that could change and I'm leaving that option open. I'm also applying for the non-MT jobs that I qualify for, I may have to take something else while I'm waiting for an MT job to open up, I don't know at this point. School is another option that I have not ruled out. People from this board have e-mailed me privately telling me that they need jobs or their friend needs a job. I have to find one for myself, I can't do the work for someone else too. You are right, we need to get out there and do it for ourselves, no one is going to drop it in our lap. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

You're an example of taking responsibility for yourself - You are an inspiration!

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for posting.

Future - momo

[ In Reply To ..]
If you can pay somebody 3 cpl why would you pay them 8 cpl? In India and in Manila they would jump at 3 cpl!! It's that simple...it's cheaper and more profitable for these corporations.

Suggestion that might help you - If you are open to help

[ In Reply To ..]
It sounds like you are just getting offers from those despicable companies that only pay 3 cpl. There are plenty of others. If you have failed to pass their tests, try going back to them and asking them for help. Ask them if they can give you a broad idea of what's wrong with your transcription skills so you can do better. I'm not saying this to insult you, but you can do better. Good luck to you.

Getting into home transcription - Glenda

[ In Reply To ..]
I am trying to get back into transcription after quite a few years out of it.

I have radiology and psychology experience but I know that I am going to be up against folks who have more recent experience and schooling.

I would appreciate any tips or advice as to what I may expect in my pursuit of this goal at this time.

Thank you very much.

Glenda

Your problem as I see it - Linda Andrews

[ In Reply To ..]
Radiology is usually done on-site and there are fewer radiology transcription jobs. It's pretty much the same with psychology. Most of the jobs are acute care or clinic, but less of radiology and psychology.

I think your best bet would be to go directly to local clinics and apply. The national services are going to expect you to do acute care and/or clinic work in areas with heavy loads such as orthopedics, cardiology, ob-gyn, etc. You might even find a local MT who advertises. Call them and see if they have any overflow work that you could do or even if they would mentor you. Some are willing to do that. Network with MTs and you'll have a better chance to get started again. Good luck with your new 'old' career. :)

momo - Just me

[ In Reply To ..]
You pay them the 8 cpl rather than the 3 cpl for the same reason you buy a Lincoln rather than a Chevrolet. It's all about quality. You get what you pay for. Once the corporations run the numbers and see how you have to QA the foreigners to death and how they still produce a subpar product, they will begin to get it.

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