Pay with Dict8 continued

[Chrissols]

Hi all........

This may be a stupid question but ... with Dict8 if you copy and paste the date, Hospital Number, Yours sincerely etc on several letters instead of typing it out each time is that counted as an actual typed character. I have wondered this for a while but I am not sure. Anyone know the answer and thanks.

@danblack87 I think I just misunderstood what you meant.

@flutterby18 I would think so, but I don't know for sure. I suppose we would have to count the number of characters and check it against the automatic count that comes up. I also often wonder if the numbers and bullet points in the lists are counted when using that function.

@flutterby18 @Whitestar5 - why wouldn't it count? I think it does as when there are blank tasks with no dictation I cut and paste the same as usual just delete everything except for the date and add "no dictation" note and there is usually a line credit in "tasks completed" section.

Tpro count cut and paste characters - sometimes the dictator says to cut and paste diagnosis etc from the last letter and that counts as well - the character count is at the top of the letter so you can see it change.

@flutterby18 ...So Tpro actually pay you for typing instructions 'cut and paste etc...' or do they have a 'notes box' too?

@Whitestar5 - No TPro do not count instructions - but if the dictator instructs us to cut and paste from the previous letter, the text that is pasted in counts towards the character count, ie if a list of 10 drugs is cut and pasted those 10 drug details count.

There is no notes box, but messages for the secretary are typed in red at the top of the letter such as "Please check GP details" these do count towards the character total.

@Whitestar5 - using the bullet point and number functions do NOT count towards the character count on Tpro so presumably the same for DICT8.

@Gally123 Thanks for clarifying that and the fact that we do unpaid work for DICT8....grrr

@Gally123 again.... So you have access to previous letters with Tpro?

@Whitestar5 - not all the time, but useful for checking diagnoses etc esp with poor dictation, but if the dictator does not give the hospital number then there is no link to anything previous. Also some dictators do say "cut and paste" from previous letter and there is nothing there! So a message needs to be left.

The rate per line/minute whatever, should definitely be higher to compensate for all this faffing around.

Has everyone just received the email from Dict8? It seems they do appreciate us and are listening when we complain about bad dictation!! Hopefully there will be fewer coming though in future 😊

@KAnthony - yes had the email, also had a laugh - not noticed any difference in the amount of poor dictations, the same doctors are really hard to hear, mumbling, turning pages while talking with the handset obviously on the desk and not in their hands, some sound as if they are talking from out in the corridor. I get the impression that DICT8 has lost a lot of old reliable typists and that new people they have taken on have been surprised by the poor quality of the typing and low pay, and decided DICT8 is not for them.

@KAnthony - and to add, whenever I have left a note on a task to say it is difficult to hear, even with my volume up 100% maximum, I have had feedback from the proof readers telling me I cannot leave such a message and they have removed it. No, I don't think DICT8 listens to us typists and acts on any complaints we have.

@Gally123 have faith, they’ve acknowledged it and actively encouraged for notes to be left on poor dictation or to email and let them know. Can only hope. Looking forward to the extra workload it states is coming too

@KAnthony There has been no Christmas extra workload for the past 2 years, even before COVID, so I am not holding my breath.

Perhaps DICT8 needs to inform their proof readers that they are encouraging people to leave notes and not to remove them.

@Gally123 yes maybe they do. You could perhaps reply to the email and let them know your thoughts? To be honest my speciality workload is quite high anyway and I don’t fancy logging in at weekends at the moment

As far I am aware 'cutting and pasting' is included in the line count ... it is very useful when you DO get a task of multiple letters with Letter #2, # so on.

I have not noticed extra workload at Christmas ever ... Usually sparser.

giggle of the day from the VR -

VR wrote "The plan is I am going to get a Pepsi"
I changed it to "The plan is I am going to get a PET/CT"

@danblack87

amiafreakofnature: That is a strange comment ... of course you need to be great at typing (in the medical arena with areas of expertise in certain Specialitie), and have a modicum of expertise in sentence construction, punctuation paragraphing, etc. Yes, you have to type what you hear but also you will 'be pulled' if you can't do basic sentence construction, paragraphing etc. They would halt at filling in all the extra bits for you if that is what you mean. Non-plussed by this comment .. maybe I did not understand totally the meaning of your request??

I wondered if it was something anyone could do or you needed to be expert. No need to be uppity I've worked for other transcription agencies where you can be beginner level I don't really appreciate the superior tone but thanks anyway

Hi everyone

I have been typing for TPRO for over a year now and I am considering giving up my NHS job to do this full time as I am not enjoying my job anymore. Has anyone taken the jump to do this full time and do you have any advice.

Thanks

@charlie1424 Hi-I don’t personally type for TPro, only Dict8 but I do this as my only employment and have made a full time wage from it for the past few months. I guess it’s just a risk, being self employed there’s no guarantee on the income but it’s the same as all trades. If the work is there so is the money? Good luck whatever you decide.

@charlie1424 I would say one of the most important things is self-discipline. I don't know your situation re money, bills, mortgage etc but if you decide to do it, you need to sit down and treat it the same as going into the office in the NHS, working regular hours and set goals - how much you want to earn per day, per week, per month. Once you get settled into a routine you can then see about more flexible working, taking out when the weather is nice and working in the evening to make up. Just remember - there is no holiday pay, and no sick pay - so you have to crawl out of bed when you feel like sh*t and work maybe 50 weeks a year etc, including bank holidays if needs to be, to pay the bills.

@charlie1424 - there is also no annual pay rise/cost of living rise. DICT8 have paid the same for about the last 10 years and TPro dropped their rate of pay last year.