I would certainly keep my ears open for a different position...just to know what your options are. And, if they NEED your expertise so badly, maybe there is a higher compensation for it. Another option is to try and split time between the two accounts so you are not burdened with the sucky account. Hopefully, there is a happy middle ground in there somewhere.

At least you have a group of on-line friends to vent to!

I am so sorry to hear how you are being treated. It simply amazes me to see how out of touch some supervisors can become, and how ungrateful "great companies" are to the GREAT workers that give them a good name. I sincerely hope you are able to resolve this situation. Maybe you can talk to your supervisor and explain your situation, tell her you would not have crosstrained had you known it would result in a cut in pay. Appeal to the human side, tell her/him right out that you need the money!! Do you have an "open door" policy in your company? If so, do you have any higher authority to appeal to?

I hate to see hard workers go unnoticed. This company should realize what a gem they have in you before they lose such a devoted worker. And they will lose you because you will find a better job if this does not work out for you!! Good luck and stand your ground.

Bye,

That's probably not the answer you wanted to hear.

While it's one thing to say it's important to get experience on the more difficult work, you were already working monstrous hours - admittedly your choice - to make the kind of money you need.

I asked for a day off at an office I worked at once. My boss gave me a ten-minute hem-haw about how important I was to the office and he didn't think they could spare me for one day. I looked him in the eye and said "If I'm so indispensable around here that you can't let me take one lousy day off, we need to talk about a raise." He leaned over his desk and signed the papers to give me the day off.

I'd tell the supervisor that if you're going to be kept on this account and your work is so valuable, then you need a raise - a substantial one.

I feel how you feel. Last weekend when they offered me a bonus ($100) extra, all I got was the worst doctors, which I was unable to understand, and I did 80 op notes. Oh, before I forget, I had a lot of technical difficulties and it took two hours for the tech person to get in touch with me. Sunday evening before the time was up, I couldn't access any dictation. And all the work I did, I feel unappreciated for. There are days during the week when I get the worst dictators one after the other. The supervisor tells me that they need my expertise. The software that I use is also very hard to achieve lines, compared to the other account I work. I am so glad I found this site to be able to communicate with people who understand.

You know what, though, Mike is right! I struggled through it and now I know I am a better and more knowledgeable (sp?) MT as a result. I would have never thought two years ago I would be able to do any procedure report thrown at me (EEG, caths, etc.) in addition to CABG OP notes, etc.

You can do this; however, I would strongly recommend asking for a little more money if at all possible to compensate you for this switch. That's about the only thing some days that kept me going..knowing I was being paid more to do the "hard stuff."

Good luck!

Deb

P.S. BTW, I have never picked, I take em' like they come just like the big girls.

[ 06-25-2003: Message edited by: Debo ]

I've worked for a national company for six years and I've had nearly 15 different hospitals in that time. I had one account where I literally made about a dollar an hour . . . it was so hard I begged to get off it. Unfortunately, so did ever other MT that worked on that account - so the answer was no. I finally said to myself that I could get a job scrubbing toilets and flipping burgers for more than a dollar an hour, so it's either this account, or this transcription company. Finally, I was moved. (hallelujah).

But I can tell you that my ability to do ESLs over the six years has had major improvement!!! I think I am a better MT because of it. Do I still long for a single account/hospital for the rest of my life so I can make easy money . . . shoot yeah!!! Does anyone ever turn down more money!!!???

I try to look at my job now as more of a career than just a paycheck. It can make a world of difference in how you see the challenges along the way.

[ 06-25-2003: Message edited by: stteardrop ]

IMO, that's a piss-poor reward for having achieved a high level of competence in your chosen career. In most cases, people get paid MORE when they're better, not less.

bye.

As Julie says, this industry is unique in that the more knowledge you have, the pay does not increase; in fact, your pay declines.

I think there are a few areas that someone working for a national could review about their own working habits:

1. Do you take your hands off the keyboard when on production in order to "help" others? If so... stop it. Your job is not to train; your job is to produce. I know we females LOVE to help, but the reality is that you're performing a training function that really belongs to the national. How nice of us to so readily jump in and share our knowledge !!

2. Do you take advantage of client-approved blanks? If the client allows for x # of blanks, use them. Don't sweat the small stuff. Spending hours researching 1 word is ridiculous.

3. Never, ever, ever take a "harder" account without a pay increase. Once you're "stuck" there, you're "stuck" at your current wages. Oh, yet again, we so aim to please !!!

4. Don't expect praise. Does your husband/significant other sit around and mope because they weren't told what a good job they did? Expecting praise is a "female" thing, and nationals exploit this by offering drawings, sending coffee cups, and "free" coupons.

If your goal is to make money, then figure out how you can do that. Macro reports. Get sample reports. Don't volunteer for extra jobs.

If your goal is to learn harder reports, then request compensation for your so-needed "expertise" and expect a downturn in pay. Research outside your normal working hours -- just jot down problem areas and spend hours on the internet to learn.

[ 06-25-2003: Message edited by: Gaile Stevens, RHIT ]

What can the MTs do? Start a union, go on strike, refuse to pound their keys? I agree something should be done to compensate those in the industry who have paid their dues with countless hours of work and study only to get pay cuts in the autumn of their careers!! But what??? They say knowledge is power, but in this industry it seems "power" equals penniless!!

Maybe the MT VETs should start a new industry, selling their expertise to newbies, charge a monthly fee, I would pay something every month to subscribe to that service!!! That way Gaile you could stop to help without losing out. I see your point, it is not fair.

I have only recently started visiting this site and have learned so much. I'm glad its free, but Gaile does have a point. We should not take the MT VETs for granted. Thanks everyone.

You make a lot of sense (how did you get so smart??). I have a local account - where I make my money - but it isn't enough for full time. So I supplement with part-time with a national. I end up putting in more time than I should to get a decent check with the national (at .075 a line for 25 years experience???), when I should be concentrating on my money making account.

I have made up my mind. I will bust-my-butt for my decent $$-maker, and my national will get their minimum with no extra "favors." It just doesn't pay.

I believe that I oversold myself to this company, and now they give me the hardest ESL's that no one wants. They were so "impressed with how well I do them...blah, blah, blah....everyone else begs off this account...blah, blah, blah...."

What I am is a sucker. No more. When my bills are paid off, I am devoting all my time to MY account! - Gosh, I feel better already.

Great message! I agree with it 99.9% and I would plan to refer my students over on our instructional boards to it.

I can especially relate to the part about praise. Years ago I was an administrative assistant. One quirky doctor decided he would invite me to lunch along with his secretary for Secretary's Day. I sent word back with the secretary that Secretary's Day was against my religion. Frankly, send money. I get a great feeling inside whenever I do anything well. It's also wonderful when someone tells me they like what I do. I know this goes against everything the director of a school should EVER say, but I'm just not "into" this day or that day. Send money. Tell me you appreciate me, but send money. Is that bad? {shiver} It may be bad, but it's my honest feeling. We spend hours of our time working every day. We do it so that we can provide good things for ourselves and our families. We want pleasant jobs with appreciation for our efforts which results in good pay. Send money.