A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Need some help, please
Posted: May 21, 2015
I retired a few years back. I now find I need additional money. It wasn't bad planning, but a matter of some medical conditions. I worked for what was then MedQuist. I begged for time off without pay to rest, but no such luck. With the high standards they hold the MTs to, I was given 2 warnings, one to go until I was fired for leaving too many blanks. These blanks, by the way, were not able to be filled in by QA either. Some reports literally had 30-40 blanks. The audio was beyond horrible.
Here is my situation: I need money so badly now and need to find at least part-time work. Of course I have the MT background, but as we all know, positions in this field are becoming difficult to find. I have spinal stenosis and cannot stand to take another type job other than clerical. My problem is when searching online for jobs, office jobs all require an extensive knowledge of computer software, which I do not have. Some of the jobs say this is highly preferred. Do you think perhaps there would be a position in which they would be willing to do on-job training? In addition, I have fibromyalgia which limits me even more. I am feeling overwhelmed right now. It is a sad story when a person who has worked hard all my life finds myself in this bad situation. I am alone and have no safety net. Any helpful comments or encouragement would be so appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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I think you can apply and possibly get the job(s), but you'll have sm - acuteMLS
[ In Reply To ..]to put in the training time on your own to learn the software you'll be using. The amount of time depends on the software. Most have self-tutorials or a web site where you can learn the basics. If I was in your position, I would apply to anything that says "preferred" knowledge, but knowing that they aren't going to formally train me on it and I'll need to do that myself on my own time.
I'd stay away from anything requiring advanced knowledge of Office or similar.
this should definitely help - sm
[ In Reply To ..]Call a temp agency, and knock yourself out at any job they place you in. They are great at matching jobs with skills and it often turns into long-term or permanent. They will accommodate full or part time. They want to place you in the best-paying job you're qualified for, because the more you make, the more they make. If you are honestly employable with your difficulties, keep your aches and pains to yourself. Just sayin. If you have problems with sitting even with breaks, look into assistance for workers with disabilities. Good luck, and never give up!
I will second that about the temp help - did myself in years past
[ In Reply To ..]I was sent on many jobs, was offered employment with some of them. Good luck.
Thanks to you and everyone - OP
[ In Reply To ..]I appreciate all the helpful suggestions you have all given. I will be following up on them next week. I think a temp agency may be my best bet. Thanks again to all! Wish me luck.
There are free online tutorials - xx
[ In Reply To ..]for pretty much all the most common software programs and applications. You could make yourself more marketable by taking advantage of them.
As someone else suggested, a temp agency might be able to place you in a job with your current skills, the you'd be able to see what other skills you needed to acquire to improve your employability. The temp agency might even recommend the most in-demand office skills.
In the meantime, look up Donna Freedman's Surviving and Thriving blog. She has some good advice about ways to earn some extra money.
Best of luck to you. I understand being on your own without a safety net, and I hope you are able to improve your situation and find some peace of mind.
Employment for 55+ - sm
[ In Reply To ..]Our state has a program for employment for people 55+ years of age to supplement their retirement income. Contact your county social service, state job service, community action organization, or area agency on aging.
My home care agency used to hire some people for some very light duty work--helping visually handicapped instill eye drops, provide respite care for caregivers, etc. Check into it.
I wonder if there are many 65+ - mt
[ In Reply To ..]looking for work.
One my "causes" I have been writing about is SS and women - sm
[ In Reply To ..]I have seen many here that say they are taking "early retirement" which is, I believe, Social Security at the reduced rate. I am really concerned that the Social Security payment for many women is going to be too small for them to realistically retire on. Women have shorted themselves by not paying into the system during the childbearing years and making much less than the males in our society. Now, especially single females, will be trying to retire at poverty level and having to find work when they are 65+.
Just saw your posting and I did not take - early retirement but draw SS now
[ In Reply To ..]Leading up to my full retirement age I went to the SS office twice to get information, particularly did not want to have Medicare if at all possible. Twice the people at SS tried their best to get me to take early retirement. My reasoning for not was I planned to continue to work on and knowing if you take early you can only make so much a month before you might owe SS a refund. I am not good at math. I could just see that turning into a real nightmare on my end, did I go over and did not want to watch every month for making a mistake. I wanted to be able to make as much as I want in any month so I waited those few extra months. I did have a child after starting MT but did not take that much time off, what a month? Anyway, my income from SS totals $2,112.00 a month and was told by the person speaking with me that was the third highest he had seen since he had been working there, several years. As far as retirement, one of these days perhaps.