In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

re: In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

Janet — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:19:43 GMT

When I moved from a medical secretary to an MT position, I learned that MTs in my area considered glorified typists and paid typists wages. (I didn't fill out billing slips anymore.) I nearly doubled my income by going to one of "the" online schools and signing on with a national. I am totally stressed out with doctors who can't speak English or pronounce medical words. My line count is high enough to keep me employed but not like it used to be. I've taught MT too and really enjoyed it, but I wonder if I want to get more folks into this insanity. Maybe I should go back to the local hospital where my wages were lower, but the satisfaction was way higher, where I could actually talk to the doctors and ask questions not only about their dictation, but their lives and families. And as a bonus, most of them could actually speak English! (even the ESL docs)

re: In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

Moz — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:34:58 GMT

I've done medical transcribing on the side for a physician group I work for in a xray tech/endo tech capacity. Now this group in order to save money (at least that's what they think they are doing) are outsourcing their transcribing to India at a cheaper rate. Of course, since I happen to be very good with computers and programming as well since I did set them up for DVF, they want me to proof those records, correct and do all the rest of the leg work- on company time. I've done the first week of the returned work and only 4 records out of 50 were ok enough that no editing needed. How's that for saving money?! Well, I've decided, I will give them what they ask for and they can pay me my tech salary to proof read and do the secretarial work. Of course, patient care will suffer and none of the nursing problems will be able to get resolved as it had prior in a timely fashion. Give them enough rope......

re: In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

Edith — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:36:57 GMT

I so agree with your comments. I became a medical transcriptionist by taking my medical expertise as a paramedic/ex-nursing student and rolled it together with my paralegal/legal secretary position (which has all bat faded away) and look ma, I'm an MT/ME.

I agree with the role of speech recognition if that it is twice the work and half the pay. We didn't have a choice, it was either learn it or no job. My pay has decreased by 50% in the last year and a half. It was nice every two weeks to put that $1,000.00 paycheck in the bank, now I worry if I can make it a $500.00 check. I have had to give up a lot of things to keep the title of MT/ME and looking for work I can do at home once again.

The books that stuff 2 (6 shelf) bookcases are filled with dust; only because the words on the pages over the years have become tattooed on the brain. They are only there "Just in case." That's the kind of expertise that physicians, hospitals, and clinics are giving up. Who suffers in the end, the patient.

We really need to form a union and try to put a stop to this type of problem. But for that to happen, MT/MEs would have to band together, stand tall, and grow some *.....s. I would glady pay $100.00 a month in dues to get all my salary back and get these "unqualified managers" (who have never keyed a report) off our backs and let us do what we do best.

re: In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

Rebecca McSwain — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:59:20 GMT

I'll be very interested to follow along on this journey.

re: In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

Rebecca McSwain — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:58:00 GMT

I'll be very interested to follow along on this journey.

re: In Which I Wonder How I Got Here

Mojeaux — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:36:46 GMT

Bravo!

Too, let's not forget the "big boys'" culpability in the downward spiral of MT wages.