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Many times, health care facilities become backlogged with medical transcription and it is often difficult to find qualified MTs in the area to assist. A new solution, developed by CTech, allows facilities to outsource MTs for an immediate, on-site, temporary solution.
Backlogs happen for a variety of reasons: someone is out sick, there are open positions within the company, there have been more patients or even a technological problem occurs. One thing is certain-backlogs create problems. Often times, a company is stuck paying transcriptionists overtime or simply not knowing what to do to resolve the issue. Recently, a new solution seems to be helping companies that need it and, surprisingly, giving MTs a chance to diversify their career.
Traveling transcription is something gaining respect and popularity in the U.S. The basic idea is that when a company experiences backlogs that they can no longer handle, an experienced MT will be sent over to work. One company that is finding success with such a program is CTech, a medical transcription, revenue cycle and electronic medical records (EMR) solutions company in Pennsylvania. CTech is one of only three local companies that specializes in traveling MTs.
"This started out of a need from a client," said Stephanie Wallace, vice president, sales and marketing, CTech. "We had calls from several clients that would say they need some sort of outsourcing help. But they need it to happen quickly."
When Wallace gets a call from a panicked professional, she arranges for one of CTech's MTs to travel to the company and fix the problem. Wallace arranges everything from flights to hotel reservations. CTech pays for everything upfront and then bills the client after the work is completed.
"When we started this we knew we were throwing upfront money into it, but if we had to wait for the client to get it together, we would have to go through channels to get things approved," noted Wallace. "And it is so much easier and it allows us to ease their burden quicker."
CTech's program started in March 2006 and has only received positive feedback from companies and employees alike. Terry McCarthy, lead transcriptionist and QA, CTech, is one of three full-time traveling MTs and loves what she does.
"Before this program, I never even left my state of Michigan or been on a plane," said McCarthy. "I chose this route basically because I thought it would be an exciting learning experience to see a different overview of transcription in other parts of the U.S. I get the chance to become familiar with other dictation systems and learn different transcription practices in other places."
As with many traveling jobs, there are some downsides. It takes a certain type of person to enjoy traveling for weeks at a time, and the support of friends and family is a necessity.
"You have to be disciplined because you can be distracted by different surroundings and trying to figure out what is going on," noted Wallace. "You have to have the family support that allows you to be gone for periods of time. Not everyone can do that."
"I would have to say one of the downfalls in my experience so far is maybe a few long layovers in airports," added McCarthy.
CTech offers this service to every state and is one of three companies to offer this specialized program. Diskriter, a medical transcription services company headquartered in Pittsburgh, and Kforce, a professional staffing firm, are the other two who offer the service.
It seems that traveling transcription services will not be slowing down anytime soon. It is beneficial to the client who can get a problem fixed as soon as possible, and it is boding well for the companies that offer the service. Although it takes a seasoned and dedicated MT, this new service could be the future of transcription.
Lauren Himiak is an editorial assistant with ADVANCE.
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