Feast and Famine

As a transcriptionist, I've always been blessed with an abundance of work. I've seen comments on the internet about other transcriptionists who were not as fortunate, so I knew I was lucky. Over the past few months it was to the point to where the hospital system couldn't accommodate the number of transcriptionists needed to finish the work, and, along with the doctors who were constantly dictating, the TAT (turn around time) was suffering. I knew changes were ahead.

A couple of weeks ago we were notified that hospital was changing to voice recognition. This means the doctors are dictating into the new system and, instead of a human (me!) transcribing the reports, a computer is transcribing them. This type of change usually leads to layoffs as transcriptionists are no longer needed, but the hospital instead chose to transition us into voice recognition editors. Editors take the computer reports and proofread and edit them as needed, and then return them to the doctors. It is a different procedure on a newer system and it doesn't require as much typing, so this was good news. After some anxiety about all the changes, I was looking forward jumping in with both feet.

Well...as it turns out, I haven't had much of a chance, as most of the doctors are now editing their own reports. I know this has come as a huge surprise to the company I contract with, and to the hospital. I'm sure they are currently at a loss as to how to proceed since they don't know if the doctors' enthusiasm for the new system will last.

So, where does this leave me? Right now, I am still working my part-time shift. Most of the time there are "no more files available". A few jobs will trickle in here and there - on the new system and the old. Right now I am still paid an hourly "downtime" when there is no work, so it's just basically staying close by and monitoring the system every 10 minutes. I know this will not last much longer. The hospital will not want to continue to pay us to sit and wait.

But right now, the silence from the powers that be is palpable.

Even before this happened, my husband and I had been praying for direction with both of our careers, and for help in seeing open windows of opportunity. I am starting to think about what I'd like to do going forward if it's not transcription or editing work. At one time I thought about going back into an office setting, and at another I considered a position at our church. But having worked independently at home for almost 13 years has left me lacking in confidence to do anything other than what I'm used to. Starting over at 53 would be daunting, but not impossible with God's help. All the more reason to stay aware of His direction for me.

Just maybe it's the start of something new and better than I could ever imagine...

Honestly...

It's been a rough week.

I seem to always fall into a slump whenever I visit family, but am usually able to shake it off. This time I'm in a "pit", and its been difficult to crawl out.

I think some of it has to do with my work. I was notified last week that the entire dictation system I work with is changing. This was expected to some degree, but I wasn't prepared for it to completely change my job. I've been a medical transcriptionist for 12 years, but now am being trained as a voice recognition editor. There is a part of me that is very happy about this as it adds a new skill set to my resume. It will bring my job into the current century rather than working on an outdated, overrun system. But there is also the part of me that is older and set in my ways and resistant to change. The fact that the company I contract with is also unsure of all of the ramifications of this change has left me feeling somewhat insecure.

All of this, together with the emotional upheaval of being with family but not having enough time to really enjoy being with everyone and do everything I want to do, has pushed me into despair. I start asking the questions I thought I already knew the answer to, like "Why are we here (in Greenville) and what is my purpose (when I am needed more there)?"

I know what to do to help me with this situation, so why don't I do it? Wallowing in self pity is not something I allow myself to do very often, but for whatever reason it gives me a sense of control over my life when all I feel is out of control. My husband gets confused, but as long as he knows it's not about him, he can deal - and wait it out. I'm better today than I was on Monday, so he can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Deep down, I am angry. I lived close to my family for so long, but it was when they didn't need me as much. Now that they need me, I am too far away to just drop everything and run to them. I used to reason in my mind and trust that it was for the best, but when you're being irrational, all reason goes out the window.

So, where to go from here? I am praying for understanding. I think I've matured enough spiritually to know that God expects us to have human flaws, and it's ok to get angry and frustrated, but it's not ok to stay that way. All He wants at times like this is for us to realize our need for Him. I need to get back to what I know to be true, and trust that HE knows much better than I about where I belong.

So I smile and keep moving forward, and just keep thinking about this beautiful, precious boy who calls me Mimi, and is a blonde version of my little girl all those years ago...

Workin' for a livin'

One of the things I hope to accomplish this year is to find some renewed satisfaction in my work. For the past eight years, I've worked from home as a medical transcriptionist, specifically radiology. For three years now, I've been on an account for a large, very busy hospital. The work never seems to end, and there never seem to be enough transcriptionists to keep the work current on the account. We have a one-hour turn around time (once the doc dictates the report, it must be transcribed and in the hospital system within the hour). This is stressful especially when there's more work than usual, and we (all the transcriptionists as a group) are constantly being barked at about how we are not keeping up or what we're screwing up. Nary a word is ever said if and when we actually do a good job.

This time last year, I was blessed to have the opportunity to reduce my work to part time hours. The company I am contracted with graciously allowed me to do this rather than put me on another account, so I took this gesture as a sign that I do a good job, that they do need me and want me to stay on the account.

Still, I'm the kind of person who thrives on praise. I don't necessarily need it to get the work done (obviously) but a pat on the back here and there or even a kind word never hurts. I would even appreciate some kind of report card, negative or positive, just to see how I'm producing overall but we are never provided with this. So, I've been wondering lately if there are better opportunities out there for me. After all, I have been doing this for a while. Since I'm such a fanatic about grammar and punctuation, I have thought that editing might be a next step up, too.

What I'm finding out in my search is that maybe being 'pigeon holed' into radiology hasn't been such a good thing.

When I was in transcription school 10 years ago, I learned all different types of transcription reports, medical terminology, English, grammar and punctuation. I was placed in radiology for my externship and just stuck with it through the years. There's a lot that I've forgotten when it comes to acute care, or general medicine.

So, rather than look for another job right now I've decided to refresh my skills and to also become registered and certified. So, I'm going to hit the books and start an online study course. I've become so complacent over the years, working from home and not having much professional interaction. I've lost confidence in myself and in my abilities to a certain extent. I love what I do for the most part and don't want to give it up. Hopefully this will revive me and renew my passion for my work.

It's exciting to have a new challenge to look forward to. Wish me luck!