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

WWYD Part II

Posted: May 9, 2014

Hi again all. I have an update from my post earlier about the job hunt. Well, I just received a phone call from a hospital about 30 miles away that I applied to back in February. This is an in-house full-time MT position, mostly VR, but paid hourly. It would be M-F second shift (3-11 p.m.) with a rotating weekend schedule where I would have to work a Sat/Sun every 12 weeks or so (depending on the rotation). There is a $1.25 shift differential for working nights. Training is a full year to get up to 300 LPH/98% QA requirements. May have an option to go (back) home if one opens up. Would only transcribe/edit reports from this one hospital/clinic account and any doctor with license there. SO ONE SET OF ACCOUNT INSTRUCTIONS! The only downside is that I live 30 ish miles away (mostly highway) and hate winter driving. Training is day shift for a few months until I'm "in" then would be 2nd shift. Anyway, I have an interview on Monday morning (my first one in 4 years!) and I am excited/nervous to interview again and test again but am excited to work in-house with various other opportunities within a hospital setting. Even though it is VR, I was told that this is a permanent position. If you were given this opportunity (and offered the job), would you take it? I have a lot of thinking/discussing with the hubby to do this weekend. Just when I have given up the job searches, I get this phone call! :-);

Yes, why not take it? - Mystified as to why you would not

[ In Reply To ..]
My suggestion is that you get past this "should I take it" business. If you are not totally on board and RADIATING interest, investment, and positivity during your interview, you won't get the job.

That's because your feelings will color what you do and say, and you will project things that no employer wants to see. You may think they won't notice, but they will.

If you can't get interested in that job, I guarantee you someone else will, and that is who will be hired even if her qualifications are less than yours.

Also, if you are even a bit miffed about the delay since February, you should not be. Jobs for unskilled labor hire very fast, but this is not day labor, construction work, landscaping, or cleaning. It is not unreasonable for a hospital to take 2 or more months.

I'm not miffed at all. - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
And I'm not complaining one bit. The hiring person was on winter vacation and was just now getting back to the swing of things, and I totally understand that. I'm sorry if my OP seems like I'm not interested in that position. I AM! I honestly kind of forgot about it because it's been 3 months and I've applied to so many other places that I wasn't expecting to get a call back from them as it has been this long. In my experience, I usually get the "thanks but no thanks" email or letter right away when applying anywhere or get completely ignored, so when they called I was caught off guard is all. I am excited and am already talking myself up for this interview. I guess I should've made my OP more specific and just asked if anyone here would take this offer for MT in general, seeing how this career is headed towards VR, point and click, etc. I'm very happy and thankful to finally get an interview, call back, acknowledgement after 4 years of applying everywhere, but I guess I was a little stunned because I've been let down so many times before that I'm just used to rejection.

Thank you though for your post, I will keep that in mind on Monday. Positive Vibes all around!

I'll update my OP after my interview.

If it transitions you to where the industry is going...sm - Feather Tuscadero

[ In Reply To ..]
...then I see that as a positive. The commute is kind of a bummer, but if the pickings are slim, that may be the compromise you have to make. By the time winter weather comes around you'll have enough months under you to know if it's worth continuing.

About the concern that it is MT - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If it were a job with an MTSO, there is room for concern. However, this is at a hospital. You have more options there. They may offer training funds at some point. They have other jobs available there. This one is probably in HIM. If so, take every opportunity to learn new job skills so you can look good and maybe move into another HIM job if need be.

I would strongly recommend using your time in getting an online HIM degree so that you will have something to fall back on later. They are not that difficult and do not need to be expensive. The hospital may pay for it. You can also do free courses in electronic records.

HIM degrees aren't what they used to be, either. sm - Feather Tuscadero

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a bachelor's in HIM and earned my RHIA designation in 1996. HIM was a *hot field* at that time according to news articles but I still had trouble getting anything more than a filing job...it's actually how I got into MT. Nowadays, many HIM jobs require nursing backgrounds (the ones with decent pay, at least) or coding certification, which is another set of schooling. Claiming an HIM degree is "not that difficult" is both misleading and condescending. Keep in mind, also, that AHIMA has its own set of ways to siphon money from you on a continuing basis...couple hundred to take the test, a couple hundred annually to keep your membership in the association, continuing education requirements to keep your registration active. I never had a single employer willing to assist with any of my CEU expenses, either. Sigh.

Also.... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
You knew when you applied that it was 30 miles away. Not sure why that would be an issue now?

I see your point on that... - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
I actually applied at a satellite clinic halfway between my house and the hospital, but 30 miles is not that bad now. I'm just saying come WI winter anyone Wisconsinites can relate. BUT I am not complaining, I'm just an anxious too slow like an old lady driver in the winter because I used to drive 50 miles one way to my job before being an at-home MT and each winter (4 of the them) I spun out and went in the ditch so that is always on my mind. But if I stay in my town the pay is way lower. If you want more money you have to travel. It's a horse apiece kind of thing. I will find out more Monday about pay also. I will also calculate mileage door to door and travel time (double it for winter driving) and see how the pay balances the gas tank ratio.

That keeps me close to home too - Gas money

[ In Reply To ..]
If the pay is the same as MT and I am paying more for gas, what's the point? End up taking a pay cut. Not sure about that. I'm waiting for job openings in the hospitals closer to where I live, anything non-MT. Maybe it's my age, because when I was younger, a longer commute was nothing, but now I just don't want to spend so much time in the car every week. Life is too short to spend 2 to 3 hours a day on the road.

Might be worth it - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
The easiest way to get a job is to have the job. If you keep waiting for jobs to open up nearby, you might find it difficult to get one when employers see that you work at home and in a job they don't understand (like for an MTSO). It will be just as difficult to get a job farther away, but looking farther away will better your odds just by increasing the number of jobs you apply for.

Once you have another job, I can just about guarantee that nearby employers with similar jobs will fall all over themselves to get you. The fact that someone else has you makes you look very good.

Wanting a shorter commute is one of the few really good reasons for wanting to leave a job, too. It leaves no room for disagreement.

There is also more and more likelihood that you can work from home now, so applying for jobs farther away can result in some great positions.

The question should be - why not take it?

[ In Reply To ..]
What would you be giving up if it didn't work out? You know going in that your chances of making a living at it are far better than most of us here on these boards working for the MTSOs. Apparently it is one of the hospitals that at this late date feels it is worth having their own in-house transcription department. That in and of itself is something noteworthy when so many of the hospitals have outsourced everything. If they offer the job, I would jump at the chance to take it. You know that with the MTSOs your job, your work is here today, gone tomorrow. The way I see it, there is not much risk in taking a chance that this might be what you've been looking for. I say go for it!!!

One thing I will NOT miss about an MTSO - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
Mandatory OT (with an hour's notice). My MTSO makes no sense to me regarding workload. Instead of us working our regular shift on all OOT or nearing TAT or stats and just working on reports in order of lateness/TAT, they have us work our regular shift on our regular primaries and then require OT on the late accounts/reports. WHAT?

I've never worked in a hospital as an in-house MT and can't compare it to an MTSO but I hope to God that if I get this job that this doesn't happen. Just show up, log in, do as many reports as you can in your shift (in TAT order), log out, and go home!

So sick of this nonsense!

When it is time to give my notice to my MTSO and they ask why I'm leaving (if they care), OT will be one of my reasons!

OT - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
There may be OT for on-site employers, but they actually have to pay you time and a half for it, and possibly shift differentials and weekend differentials, as well. Whatever the law requires. Hence, they show their appreciation AND avoid the need for it.

Had my interview this morning - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
I think it went well. I interviewed with 3 ladies who all took turns asking me questions and then wrote down my answers. I toured the MT dept and then typed 3 reports and then took a spelling test and a definitions test (like oral versus aural, which is which?). I will be getting a call for my references soon and then after they make their decision, I will either get a phone call with the job offer or an email rejection. I do wish I knew what it paid though so I'm not put on the spot if they call me to offer me the job. I think it's between me and one other candidate.

Funny thing, she told me that other people applied for this position with no MT experience. Um, really people? She laughed about it.

The drive wasn't that bad, straight shot off the highway about 40 minutes (with cruise control) and 36 miles door to door. I really hope they at least pay more than what I'm making now ($11-12). I hope I did a good job as I kept referring back to the MTSO to answer questions (I have no in-house to compare). IDK, I always overanalyze things and worry that I blew it. So now I play the waiting game.

Keeping you in my thoughts . . . - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Thank you - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
But now here's the fun part. I had to give 4 references, 2 of which had to be employers, so I had to send an email to my supervisor letting her know that an email is coming for a reference check, so now they know I'm looking elsewhere. So now I'm nervous.

Nevermind. I didn't get the job. - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
I was so set on this job too! Just got the email today. My heart sunk because I knew what it said before I even opened it. My first interview in 4 years and I obviously blew it! Dammit! I told no one either to not jink myself. The last interview I had 4 years ago tanked on me too. I guess it's me!

I wonder if my current job said something... I'll never know.

So upset right now ;-( Well, I guess it's back to work or a $9/hour temp job.

Don't give up - --

[ In Reply To ..]
Just look at it for practice to help you get your nerve up. Would you consider doing other work besides MT? For a lot of us, now seems like a good time for a change, and quite honestly, that is all you need to put on your applications is that you are looking to make a change. I have been interviewing, and I feel like I am getting better at it, and I hadn't been out on an interview in about 20 years! So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go for it. I have started not even using my resume and just filling out the application because I have found that sometimes that works better. If you go through the temp/staffing agencies, you have to apply for all of that online, and the ones in my area usually call and tell me something about the job, like whether or not it is temporary or permanent, what it pays, what type of work it is. They have you complete the testing online, mine was through something called kenexa prove it. They do it to cover themselves when they send you out they can say that you passed the testing. If you have to test for something like that, you have to use the mouse and left click, the right click will not register your selections. When you pick the wrong selection, it doesn't make the change and then you get the option of repeating the question or going on to the next question. That is how you find all the right answers, by repeating the question until you find what is the right selection. This is for word and excel, and the typing test was a typing test. I had never used excel (used lotus 123 back in the early 90s). If you have used any spreadsheet program, you will be able to do that. It seems that even the low paying office work these days is requiring word, excel and outlook. If you have them on your computer and just haven't used them, you should. If you don't have them, see if you can use them at the computers at your public library. If you want another job, you will not get one if you give up. Just consider this interview as practice, getting your feet wet again.

Thank you for that. I appreciate it. - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
I was pretty upset last night, and the only thing keeping me from either crying or being angry is the thought that I wasn't picked due to conflict of interest (just my thinking as I don't know their real reason) because the hospital I applied to is a client of my MTSO so that could be it, although I don't work on that account.

I just wish I knew why they didn't pick me. I thought way too much about it last night like was it my hair, dress, what I said, my skills, resume? and on and on and on. I cannot reply directly to the email they sent but it did list a phone number for HR, so I'm thinking of calling them and just asking why not me? I want an answer other than a better candidate is a better fit BS response!

I guess the only thing I can take away from this experience is that I can brush up on my interview skills. And I'm still home with my dog during the day and my hubby at night so they are both happy.

It just sucks though! I really think being at home hurt me in the job market competition wise, just keep thinking what a waste of time MT/being at home was and is for me. I even pointed out not having kids (so no child care issues, calling in sick all the time) would work for me, with OT and 2nd shift, and all that, but I guess not. Maybe they think I'm going to have a baby someday and then quit. If they only knew why I didn't have kids (not really an interview story, I know).

Oh well, at least I can work in my sweat pants. I'm also a little irritated that I wasted 40 minutes driving there, 90 minutes interviewing and testing, and then 40 minutes back home just to be denied. And go jumped through hoops to get them my references and dig up email addresses for all my employers. I really thought I had it!

Thanks again for the positive message, it is greatly appreciated!

BEYOND ANGRY!!! - clb

[ In Reply To ..]
Well I called HR, left a message, got a call back, asked why I wasn't selected and the answer was...

"your references came back unfavorable so we couldn't move forward"

Gee, let me guess which one! WHAT?!?

So mad I could spit! I know it's not my prior employers or personal references! I'm THIS close to quitting!

So either my current MTSO hates me or HR just told me that to get me off the phone. She practically hung up on me too. I at least got to say good luck to the other candidate. So I guess it wasn't me after all.

Either way, I'm not too happy right now!

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