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

ASR Speed - Avis Bunnage

Posted: Apr 10, 2012

I've been transcribing for 23 years. I recently got switched to pretty much all ASR and I really like it. However, the pay is only 4 cents per line plus my shift differential, so that's 4.75 cents per line. I started ASR three days ago. I find it totally non-stressful, pleasant, and interesting. But I am averaging about $7.50 an hour! I don't necessarily need to get tons of money, but this isn't even minimum wage in California (which is $8.00 per hour). How can I get speed? I'm doing all the shortcuts with the keys, etc. When I proof read, I am probably just going too slowly. I would be pretty happy if I could get close to $10 an hour. Is that possible? How long does it take to start getting faster?

Well, at any rate, $7.50 an hour is better than no money, and I actually enjoy the work. But it's sometimes a little disheartening to think I'm 45 years old and making the same amount of money I did at my first job back in 1986 as a clerk/typist.

You sound like me - AnonToo

[ In Reply To ..]
I just started ASR after 20+ years of transcribing about 2 months ago. I am averaging 200 LPH which is about 30% less than I made preASR. I read lots of places it takes 3 months to really come into your own, and I've seen tremendous jumps in speed but then stall. I talked to my coach person and she said expect to stall about every 1-2 months and then pick up. I don't think I'll ever make again what I used to, but who knows. I don't think this helps you much, but hopefully someone else who has been through it can post and you're not alone.

It Helps - Avis

[ In Reply To ..]
It does help, actually. If I did 200 LPH, that would be $9.50 an hour, which is definitely better than $7.50! Right now I'm doing around 150 LPH. I guess it's normal to be so slow right at first. I'll see how things are in a few months. Thanks.

See Message - takes time

[ In Reply To ..]
Its been almost 4 months for me and for the first month and a half I suffered.

What I have learned is this: You cannot just leisurely skim the document as though you're reading a story, you have to speed up the voice file enough to still be able to understand and make corrections at the same time. Speeding up the voice file will increase your speed.

Learn to be a good, fast proof-reader and get comfortable with CTRL and arrow keys. I keep my finger rested on the CTRL key the whole while I am listening to the report and making changes.

CTRL and right arrow is what moves you through the report. CTRL+shift+delete to get rid of wrong words and CTRL backspace to get rid of wrong words.

CTRL "U" to upload and then it will automaticall run spell check, ALT "G" to ignore, ALT "C" to change misspelled words. When done hit Enter to finish upload and enter again to download next job.

There are shortcuts for the ADT fields, but I am running out of time here because my break is just about over.

Also, USE your expansions and make as many as you know that you can remember and will use.

It took me 2 months to get faster, but once you get use to doing VR and get into the mindset of "editing" versus typing, you will pick up the pace.

Will post short-cuts for ADT field when shift is - over.

[ In Reply To ..]
XXX

Mmodal ADT shortcuts - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
When in the ADT screen:

ALT "S" = Search, arrow to MR# and do ALT "S" to search for ADT info.

when the other screen comes up with MR#, arrow to MR# again and do ALT "S" again to bring up ADT info.

ALT "A" = Accept the correct visit/billing number.

ALT "I" = Add additional ADT info, i.e. date of service. Use arrow up to get to date of service, then right arrow and CTRL "T" to enter todays date or CTRL "Y" for yesterday's date.

ALT "O" = Leave ADT screen and go into report.

CTRL "D" = Reopen ADT screen.

It takes a bit of time to get use to using all the shortcuts, but really focus on the CTRL backspace to delete words to left and CTRL "delete" to delete words to the right.

I rest my left finger on the CTRL button and the right arrow button the whole time I am editing, only letting up to make a correction.

Also CTRL+Shift+"X" will copy from previous headings i.e. preop diagnosis: Abcess, if postop diagnosis is the same, you can do CTRL+Shift+"X".

Use your CTRL "K" for toggling punctuation and your CTRL+Shift+"A" to toggle caps for headings in physical exam and CTRL "H" to toggle main headings.

You probably already know a lot of these, but I personally didn't learn the ones for ADT until about a month after I started VR.

Anyway, it does take time and once you get use to it you will get faster. Hang in there.

Nice post :) - AnonToo

[ In Reply To ..]
How nice of you to post shortcuts! I think they make all the difference. I'm not on this platform, but was fortunate to find someone at my company that helped me out with a ton. She told me add a new one each day or week and you won't have information overload and get your counts up.

Avis, I was glad to hear you like ASR. But a quick browse of - posts will get tips for your poverty-line goal. NM

[ In Reply To ..]
x

And this is one of the reasons our pay has - decreased SM

[ In Reply To ..]
Not directed at the OP, but seriously the MTSOs count on this. Those of us who have done this for years and supported our families (sometimes 1 income family) cannot survive on 10 bucks an hour. When they started with the matchbook cover ads, etc., stay at home moms thought it was a great idea, many having husbands who basically made the money. Voila...too many at home mom MTs accept poverty wages so the MTSOs go with it. The real blame lies with the MTSOs but those who think 10 bucks an hour is a good wage keep this situation going.

It sounded to me like the poster you responded to - was being sarcastic...sm

[ In Reply To ..]
she said "tips for your poverty-line goal".

Re-read NM's message, I dont think she was trying to say minimum wage or $10 an hr is enough, at least thats what I got from it.

Thanks - Avis

[ In Reply To ..]
These are excellent and helpful responses. Tonight I was already quite a bit faster than last night. I am getting the hang of it and I was closer to $10 an hour tonight just from the helpful tips and forcing myself to learn the hot keys. They really do make things go faster! Thanks for all the tips. This is a great forum.

Awesome! - AnonToo

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm glad you're progressing. :D

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