I can't believe that so many months have passed since my last post here. My mind has been farthest from anything MT and I don't even miss the profession. If there's something that I miss, it's the company of my former coworkers who I really like.
Anyway, I came across this conversation -- not real time but through a series of posts to an online board. I find it really funny. Anyway, you be the judge.
http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/medical-transcriptionist/Finding-Entry-Level-Medical-Transcription-Jobs/t26511/p26
Showing posts with label transcriptionist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transcriptionist. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
More Dumb Editing
Don't get me wrong. I never claimed to be the best MT in the world. I never even pretended to be one of the best. I know my limitations. I may hear certain words that you can't seem to decipher, but you may easily figure out what took me a number of Google searches to do. What I can't seem to accept is the fact that there are people who, instead of improving your transcript, only make it worse, sometimes even making it the worst of all you've ever done in your lifetime.
What really is frustrating for many is the fact that some editors don't they're doing. Here's a true-to-life example. An MT has forgotten to expand a certain medical acronym, so Wannabe Editor expands it. The problem is, Wannabe Editor takes the acronym in the wrong context and ends up making the wrong expansion.
One MT at AM-Accuscripts, an experienced one at that, would get ticked off whenever he reviewed the previous day's edited files. Well, with the quality of the editing, it would be a surprise if you wouldn't yourself. He would often remark in a bitter tone, "BOBO!"
The problem with wannabe editors is they usually accept the position simply because they hate typing and/or the pay is a little higher. They don't ask themselves if they're really fit for the job. They think their English is good enough for them to be able to edit transcripts. They think that they know all the medical terms out there. They think that whatever they hear will always be what the doctor said or meant without ever thinking that the MT who transcribed the document could be right after all. Consequently, they end up putting in mistakes, thereby negating what the MT transcribed correctly. They think they're fixing what's broken, but they're actually breaking what's fixed.
Here's a pair of glaring mistakes that have been carried over in the two months that I worked in hell.
Take a look at this:
A 6'0", 185 pounds.
Huh? Sure, I know that the first number's the patient's height, and the second number's the patient's weight. But when you read the sentence, does it look good, or does it make you want to weep for the sorry state Philippine education has become since those local education geniuses took control?
Now here's the second:
Blood pressure 120/80 mm
Yes, you're seeing it right. I transcribed a dictation by this doctor, who kept on saying "millimeters" instead of "millimeters of mercury". Of course, if you are a real MT, which I'm sure many of you are, you will make the correction and type in mmHg.
Well, I cannot accept situations like this where I am forced to type in the wrong unit simply because that's the way it was dictated and every editor would change my mmHg to mm -- I'd rather resign instead -- or try some form of suicide: slash my wrists, shoot myself in the temple, or have someone put me in a straitjacket and fit me with a pair of headphones attached to a portable radio that's tuned to the crappiest radio station in the metropolis.
In fact, even if I knew the editor would make that change, I would still stick to mmHg. I have a high regard for myself and the profession; I would not want to degrade myself simply because the stupid doctor said so or the even-more-stupid editor would make the change.
You want to meet Dumb and Dumber? Go work at AM-Accuscripts. I assure you, after working there for a couple of years, you won't be able to pass the qualifying exams given by other MT companies. Hahaha. I was just kidding. Or was I?
What really is frustrating for many is the fact that some editors don't they're doing. Here's a true-to-life example. An MT has forgotten to expand a certain medical acronym, so Wannabe Editor expands it. The problem is, Wannabe Editor takes the acronym in the wrong context and ends up making the wrong expansion.
One MT at AM-Accuscripts, an experienced one at that, would get ticked off whenever he reviewed the previous day's edited files. Well, with the quality of the editing, it would be a surprise if you wouldn't yourself. He would often remark in a bitter tone, "BOBO!"
The problem with wannabe editors is they usually accept the position simply because they hate typing and/or the pay is a little higher. They don't ask themselves if they're really fit for the job. They think their English is good enough for them to be able to edit transcripts. They think that they know all the medical terms out there. They think that whatever they hear will always be what the doctor said or meant without ever thinking that the MT who transcribed the document could be right after all. Consequently, they end up putting in mistakes, thereby negating what the MT transcribed correctly. They think they're fixing what's broken, but they're actually breaking what's fixed.
Here's a pair of glaring mistakes that have been carried over in the two months that I worked in hell.
Take a look at this:
A 6'0", 185 pounds.
Huh? Sure, I know that the first number's the patient's height, and the second number's the patient's weight. But when you read the sentence, does it look good, or does it make you want to weep for the sorry state Philippine education has become since those local education geniuses took control?
Now here's the second:
Blood pressure 120/80 mm
Yes, you're seeing it right. I transcribed a dictation by this doctor, who kept on saying "millimeters" instead of "millimeters of mercury". Of course, if you are a real MT, which I'm sure many of you are, you will make the correction and type in mmHg.
Well, I cannot accept situations like this where I am forced to type in the wrong unit simply because that's the way it was dictated and every editor would change my mmHg to mm -- I'd rather resign instead -- or try some form of suicide: slash my wrists, shoot myself in the temple, or have someone put me in a straitjacket and fit me with a pair of headphones attached to a portable radio that's tuned to the crappiest radio station in the metropolis.
In fact, even if I knew the editor would make that change, I would still stick to mmHg. I have a high regard for myself and the profession; I would not want to degrade myself simply because the stupid doctor said so or the even-more-stupid editor would make the change.
You want to meet Dumb and Dumber? Go work at AM-Accuscripts. I assure you, after working there for a couple of years, you won't be able to pass the qualifying exams given by other MT companies. Hahaha. I was just kidding. Or was I?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Are You a Wannabe Transcriptionist?
I was at a job interview when the company president, after complimenting me for my good test scores, snickered and mentioned that there was no way he would take in wannabe transcriptionists. I took his statement lightly until I remembered just recently what he said and mulled over the impact of that statement.
By the way, I declined the job offer because 8,000 pesos a month for 6 months is too low, considering that I'd have to spend for transportation and food. I also refused to negotiate for a higher paycheck because such a practice is frowned upon by most employers here in my country.
So I asked myself what a wannabe transcriptionist is. Let's get real for a second and do some introspection. Go ask yourself, "Am I a wannabe transcriptionist?"
After working with several MT companies and observing the work behavior and attitudes of MTs, I have formed certain conclusions based on my experience working with them.
The Lazy MT.
The MT who falls into this category will not let a day pass without pestering a co-worker. This MT hates Google, Stedman's, and Quick Look. Convenience is this MT's goal in life, and asking dumb questions -- which can easily be answered by checking the appropriate references -- is part of this MT's daily routine. This MT is also most likely to be obese and would rather spend time eating than transcribing.
The Overly-Reliant MT.
This MT does not know the meaning of independence and can't work alone. It has become a necessity to turn to a colleague, who is burdened with the task of having to fill in the blanks left by Overly-Reliant MT. No matter what this MT does, there will always be tons of blanks left, even if the audio quality is crystal clear. Apparently, this MT's vocabulary is so shallow that English words that are part of everyday conversation sound like Greek to this MT's ears. This MT shudders at the thought of doing home-based MT work. Overly-Reliant MT does not realize that a transcriptionist's job is best done alone and that consulting a co-worker impedes that co-worker's productivity. This MT may not know how to use Google. However, this MT ends up getting good QA marks because the editor doesn't know that the work turned in was the collaborative effort of at least 2 MTs. Bragging remarks like, "Oh, what a good job I did on this one" are commonly heard from Overly Reliant MT, who has eventually forgotten the people who had helped out.
The Return-on-Investment MT.
After spending as much as 40,000 pesos and more (which includes expenses on fare, food, and reference materials), this MT realizes that so much money has been spent and that it was imperative to find a job. Once employed, this MT realizes that it isn't easy trying to figure out what Dr. Verbally Challenged dictates, but 40,000 pesos is 40,000 pesos. So Return-on-Investment MT sticks it out with MT Exploiters, Inc. for the number of months it will take to get back that amount of money.
The Know-It-All MT.
This MT is likely to have a college degree in the allied medical profession and the like. This MT finds Google, Stedman's, and Quick Look a waste of time after having spent years and years learning all those highfaluting medical terminologies. Stock knowledge is the key to this MT, who ends up with lower QA scores compared to those incurred by this MT's more persevering co-MTs.
The Pretentious MT.
Many perceive this MT as among the best in the industry due to length of experience and a degree in the allied medical profession. This MT is likely to have flunked the board exams but continues to maintain his seemingly elite demeanor. Newbies who have a crush on this MT are among the most ardent admirers this MT gets. To look elite, this MT will turn to you to "confirm" misheard words, but you'll find out that you can pick up most of those words and that Pretentious MT has missed those words by a mile. This MT eventually gets promoted to MT Editor in a short span of time because of an acting job well done. While an MT, Pretentious MT kept bugging colleagues. As an MT Editor, Pretentious MT continues to do the same.
The Grammatically-Challenged MT.
Not knowing that MT skills have more to do with language than medicine, this MT focuses on the medical jargon and ends up typing sentences that do not make sense. It is likely that as a student, Grammatically-challened MT was wide awake in science classes and was mentally absent when taking English lessons.
The Turtle Typist MT.
This MT has a maximum typing speed of 30 words per minute. Practice seems to further reduce this MT's typing speed, and 10 fingers don't seem to be enough.
So again, go ask yourself the question. Be honest with yourself; if not, you're the victim of your inability to look at the truth. Do yourself a favor; don't lie to yourself.
If you fall into any of these categories, then -- sad to say --
YOU ARE A WANNABE TRANSCRIPTIONIST.
By the way, I declined the job offer because 8,000 pesos a month for 6 months is too low, considering that I'd have to spend for transportation and food. I also refused to negotiate for a higher paycheck because such a practice is frowned upon by most employers here in my country.
So I asked myself what a wannabe transcriptionist is. Let's get real for a second and do some introspection. Go ask yourself, "Am I a wannabe transcriptionist?"
After working with several MT companies and observing the work behavior and attitudes of MTs, I have formed certain conclusions based on my experience working with them.
The Lazy MT.
The MT who falls into this category will not let a day pass without pestering a co-worker. This MT hates Google, Stedman's, and Quick Look. Convenience is this MT's goal in life, and asking dumb questions -- which can easily be answered by checking the appropriate references -- is part of this MT's daily routine. This MT is also most likely to be obese and would rather spend time eating than transcribing.
The Overly-Reliant MT.
This MT does not know the meaning of independence and can't work alone. It has become a necessity to turn to a colleague, who is burdened with the task of having to fill in the blanks left by Overly-Reliant MT. No matter what this MT does, there will always be tons of blanks left, even if the audio quality is crystal clear. Apparently, this MT's vocabulary is so shallow that English words that are part of everyday conversation sound like Greek to this MT's ears. This MT shudders at the thought of doing home-based MT work. Overly-Reliant MT does not realize that a transcriptionist's job is best done alone and that consulting a co-worker impedes that co-worker's productivity. This MT may not know how to use Google. However, this MT ends up getting good QA marks because the editor doesn't know that the work turned in was the collaborative effort of at least 2 MTs. Bragging remarks like, "Oh, what a good job I did on this one" are commonly heard from Overly Reliant MT, who has eventually forgotten the people who had helped out.
The Return-on-Investment MT.
After spending as much as 40,000 pesos and more (which includes expenses on fare, food, and reference materials), this MT realizes that so much money has been spent and that it was imperative to find a job. Once employed, this MT realizes that it isn't easy trying to figure out what Dr. Verbally Challenged dictates, but 40,000 pesos is 40,000 pesos. So Return-on-Investment MT sticks it out with MT Exploiters, Inc. for the number of months it will take to get back that amount of money.
The Know-It-All MT.
This MT is likely to have a college degree in the allied medical profession and the like. This MT finds Google, Stedman's, and Quick Look a waste of time after having spent years and years learning all those highfaluting medical terminologies. Stock knowledge is the key to this MT, who ends up with lower QA scores compared to those incurred by this MT's more persevering co-MTs.
The Pretentious MT.
Many perceive this MT as among the best in the industry due to length of experience and a degree in the allied medical profession. This MT is likely to have flunked the board exams but continues to maintain his seemingly elite demeanor. Newbies who have a crush on this MT are among the most ardent admirers this MT gets. To look elite, this MT will turn to you to "confirm" misheard words, but you'll find out that you can pick up most of those words and that Pretentious MT has missed those words by a mile. This MT eventually gets promoted to MT Editor in a short span of time because of an acting job well done. While an MT, Pretentious MT kept bugging colleagues. As an MT Editor, Pretentious MT continues to do the same.
The Grammatically-Challenged MT.
Not knowing that MT skills have more to do with language than medicine, this MT focuses on the medical jargon and ends up typing sentences that do not make sense. It is likely that as a student, Grammatically-challened MT was wide awake in science classes and was mentally absent when taking English lessons.
The Turtle Typist MT.
This MT has a maximum typing speed of 30 words per minute. Practice seems to further reduce this MT's typing speed, and 10 fingers don't seem to be enough.
So again, go ask yourself the question. Be honest with yourself; if not, you're the victim of your inability to look at the truth. Do yourself a favor; don't lie to yourself.
If you fall into any of these categories, then -- sad to say --
YOU ARE A WANNABE TRANSCRIPTIONIST.
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