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Q: How does having no work available and transcribing only extremely difficult ESL dictators affect the ability for an MT to produce a consistent income? I believe these are factors that must be considered as they are daily landscape for the MT of today.

A: I'm not sure what you mean by "factors considered" in the daily landscape of the MT -- only because work circumstances can be so varied.

My only answers to what appears to be more of a musing than an actual question would be thus: Only time and persistence can reward an MT with a steady income regarding "extremely difficult ESL dictators." As far as "no work available" is concerned, that is a fact of life when it comes to being a medical transcriptionist. When admissions are low (different times of the year at different geographic locales) then dictation is low, which is a natural ebb and flow. Currently, I suspect a lot of folks are postponing elective procedures because of finances.

If you want an income you can count on, you might be better off choosing a different career. This is a tough profession and takes years to master through perseverance and dogged determination.

Pati AR Howard, CMT, AHDI-F

Q: Do medical transcriptionists who work at home get any amount of health benefits?

A: Your question is a good one, and something that others as well must be wondering about -- whether home-based MTs receive any health benefits.

The answer would depend on who the MT's employer is. For example, if the MT is working at home for a large medical center, it is likely that health benefits and other benefits would be available to them. Other benefits might include such things as savings plans, dental and vision plans, or support for association membership.

Also, an MT working at home for a large transcription company would likely have health benefits as part of their employment package.

An MT working for a smaller MTSO, or for an individual physician or small group practice may or may not have health benefits included in their employment contract, depending on each individual situation.

As a bottom line, the larger the employing institution, the more likely it is that health benefits or other benefits would be included.

It would be an excellent question to ask during the interview process. And those who must have benefits included in their employment package would do well to seek employment with larger firms that are more likely to offer these benefits.

Judy T. Land, CMT, AHDI-F