Medical Transcription Services
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MTS policies and procedures (in question and answer form)
How many doctors will I be transcribing for?
Usually only two or three, and rarely four. This maximizes your proficiency and speed thereby increasing your profit.
Can I use my own computer and software?
Yes, you will have to have your own equipment and software. If you need a computer and peripheral devices such as a foot pedal, MTS
can help you in various ways. Just let us know.
What word-processing software should I use?
MTS requires that you submit your work as an MS Word document. It is best that you work in MS Word rather than working in a different
software such as WordPerfect or Works and attempting to save the document as a Word file. Files usually do not convert well.
Do the doctors require special formatting or headings?
Yes, some doctors have specific formatting requests. Samples that may serve as templates will be provided to you by the MTS
manager. We recommend that you use "macros" to generate headings, outlines and other special formatting elements. We can help
you with this.
Can I use macros when I type?
Yes we strongly encourage you to use macros. "Instant Text" macro software is excellent and very user-friendly.
The website address for Instant Text is http://www.sylvansoftware.com/instanttext.htm
What rate will I be paid?
All transcriptionists receive the same rate of 9 cents per 65 character line which includes spaces and a few other keystrokes. This
translates to 10.5 cents or more if spaces and other keystrokes are not counted.
How will I be paid and how often?
MTS has a business/payroll account with Bank of America. Twice a month, Bank of America will make direct deposits to a checking or
savings account of your choice. Work completed from the 1st to the 15th are scheduled for payment on the 31st and work completed
from the 16th to the 31st are scheduled for payment on the 15th. Bank of America takes 4 working days to make the funds available in
our account. If a weekend or holiday is involved, then it can be longer than 4 days from the scheduled payment day before you receive
your funds. To set up direct deposit payment, you will have to provide a (checking or savings) account number and routing number.
These numbers are printed at the bottom of your check. If you have a checking account with Bank of America, the funds will transfer
much faster, within 24 hours. If you do not have a Bank of America checking account and want your funds to transfer quicker, consider
opening an account at Bank of America.
How will I know if I have been paid properly?
MTS uses PractiCount (http://www.practiline.com/) software to generate line count reports and calculations. You will receive a detailed
line-count report with each payment. You can verify your line-count by obtaining PractiCount. A free trial version can be downloaded
from their site.
How do I pick-up the dictations (voice files)?
Depending on which doctors you transcribe for, you will either transfer them using FTP to your computer from one of our servers, or you
will go to a website and download them off the website. We will assist you with learning this task.
Which FTP client software should I use?
Please use FileZilla, a free software that is considered to be the best in the industry. Go to http://filezilla-project.org/ for the free
download. We will gladly help you with this task and with using FileZilla.
What kind of files are the voice files?
Voice files will either be a "wave" file (.wav), Windows Media Player file, or a DSS (Olympus) file. Your transcription software (that
usually comes with your pedal) should be able to read either format and to convert one format into the other.
How do I return my work?
Depending on which doctors you transcribe for, you will return your (MS Word) documents using FTP or by uploading them to a website
or sending them as e-mail attachments. We will assist you with learning this task.
What is the expected turn-around time?
Work should be completed and returned within 24 hours from the time that it was posted. Occasional "STAT" reports require
immediate completion and return.
Can I request a change in my work load?
Yes, your request must be in writing and sent by e-mail. If you are requesting a reduction, please give a two week notice.
What should I do if, for good reason, I cannot do my work for one or more days?
Please call us (and send an e-mail) to let us know as soon as possible so that we can find another Transcriptionist to do your work.
Are there vacations and do I get paid for them?
Since you work as an IC (independent contractor), MTS does not provide vacation, sick leave, or pay for other benefits. You are
expected to transcribe the dictations generated by your doctor around and through the holidays. Doctors' offices usually close on most
holidays. If you plan to be away or on vacation, please notify us one month in advance or earlier if possible so that we can temporarily
reassign your workload.
Can I contact the doctor(s) or their offices for which I transcribe?
Please do not ever contact them unless instructed to do so. Upon accepting this IC position, you agree to the terms and conditions
stated or implied here which includes not directly contacting any MTS clients without permission from MTS while working with MTS and
for a two year period thereafter. Failure to comply may result in MTS pursuing legal remedy for any damages that may occur as a result
of your actions.
Do I work for the doctors or for MTS?
Please understand and remember that you work for MTS and not for the doctors. Direct communications with the doctors and their
office staff should not occur without specific permission. Feedback, positive or negative, that you might receive directly from the
doctors or their staff will not take the place of meeting the expectations of MTS.
Can I quit working for MTS at any time and for any reason, and likewise, can MTS stop providing me with work at any time and
for any reason?
Yes, either party may at their sole discretion, without notice or reason, discontinue the business relationship. However, it is expected
that both parties would provide at least 2 week notice. While this notice is not required, it is a matter of professional courtesy.
Can I pay another Transcriptionist to do some or all of my work (i.e., subcontract)?
No, this is strictly prohibited. When necessary, MTS will reassign your work.
How many doctors will I be transcribing for?
Usually only two or three, and rarely four. This maximizes your proficiency and speed thereby increasing your profit.
Can I use my own computer and software?
Yes, you will have to have your own equipment and software. If you need a computer and peripheral devices such as a foot pedal, MTS
can help you in various ways. Just let us know.
What word-processing software should I use?
MTS requires that you submit your work as an MS Word document. It is best that you work in MS Word rather than working in a different
software such as WordPerfect or Works and attempting to save the document as a Word file. Files usually do not convert well.
Do the doctors require special formatting or headings?
Yes, some doctors have specific formatting requests. Samples that may serve as templates will be provided to you by the MTS
manager. We recommend that you use "macros" to generate headings, outlines and other special formatting elements. We can help
you with this.
Can I use macros when I type?
Yes we strongly encourage you to use macros. "Instant Text" macro software is excellent and very user-friendly.
The website address for Instant Text is http://www.sylvansoftware.com/instanttext.htm
What rate will I be paid?
All transcriptionists receive the same rate of 9 cents per 65 character line which includes spaces and a few other keystrokes. This
translates to 10.5 cents or more if spaces and other keystrokes are not counted.
How will I be paid and how often?
MTS has a business/payroll account with Bank of America. Twice a month, Bank of America will make direct deposits to a checking or
savings account of your choice. Work completed from the 1st to the 15th are scheduled for payment on the 31st and work completed
from the 16th to the 31st are scheduled for payment on the 15th. Bank of America takes 4 working days to make the funds available in
our account. If a weekend or holiday is involved, then it can be longer than 4 days from the scheduled payment day before you receive
your funds. To set up direct deposit payment, you will have to provide a (checking or savings) account number and routing number.
These numbers are printed at the bottom of your check. If you have a checking account with Bank of America, the funds will transfer
much faster, within 24 hours. If you do not have a Bank of America checking account and want your funds to transfer quicker, consider
opening an account at Bank of America.
How will I know if I have been paid properly?
MTS uses PractiCount (http://www.practiline.com/) software to generate line count reports and calculations. You will receive a detailed
line-count report with each payment. You can verify your line-count by obtaining PractiCount. A free trial version can be downloaded
from their site.
How do I pick-up the dictations (voice files)?
Depending on which doctors you transcribe for, you will either transfer them using FTP to your computer from one of our servers, or you
will go to a website and download them off the website. We will assist you with learning this task.
Which FTP client software should I use?
Please use FileZilla, a free software that is considered to be the best in the industry. Go to http://filezilla-project.org/ for the free
download. We will gladly help you with this task and with using FileZilla.
What kind of files are the voice files?
Voice files will either be a "wave" file (.wav), Windows Media Player file, or a DSS (Olympus) file. Your transcription software (that
usually comes with your pedal) should be able to read either format and to convert one format into the other.
How do I return my work?
Depending on which doctors you transcribe for, you will return your (MS Word) documents using FTP or by uploading them to a website
or sending them as e-mail attachments. We will assist you with learning this task.
What is the expected turn-around time?
Work should be completed and returned within 24 hours from the time that it was posted. Occasional "STAT" reports require
immediate completion and return.
Can I request a change in my work load?
Yes, your request must be in writing and sent by e-mail. If you are requesting a reduction, please give a two week notice.
What should I do if, for good reason, I cannot do my work for one or more days?
Please call us (and send an e-mail) to let us know as soon as possible so that we can find another Transcriptionist to do your work.
Are there vacations and do I get paid for them?
Since you work as an IC (independent contractor), MTS does not provide vacation, sick leave, or pay for other benefits. You are
expected to transcribe the dictations generated by your doctor around and through the holidays. Doctors' offices usually close on most
holidays. If you plan to be away or on vacation, please notify us one month in advance or earlier if possible so that we can temporarily
reassign your workload.
Can I contact the doctor(s) or their offices for which I transcribe?
Please do not ever contact them unless instructed to do so. Upon accepting this IC position, you agree to the terms and conditions
stated or implied here which includes not directly contacting any MTS clients without permission from MTS while working with MTS and
for a two year period thereafter. Failure to comply may result in MTS pursuing legal remedy for any damages that may occur as a result
of your actions.
Do I work for the doctors or for MTS?
Please understand and remember that you work for MTS and not for the doctors. Direct communications with the doctors and their
office staff should not occur without specific permission. Feedback, positive or negative, that you might receive directly from the
doctors or their staff will not take the place of meeting the expectations of MTS.
Can I quit working for MTS at any time and for any reason, and likewise, can MTS stop providing me with work at any time and
for any reason?
Yes, either party may at their sole discretion, without notice or reason, discontinue the business relationship. However, it is expected
that both parties would provide at least 2 week notice. While this notice is not required, it is a matter of professional courtesy.
Can I pay another Transcriptionist to do some or all of my work (i.e., subcontract)?
No, this is strictly prohibited. When necessary, MTS will reassign your work.
