DICT8 Plus Transcription Group 2023

[Whitestar55]

Here's the new thread. Hope everyone finds it x

@Carosel2 @danblack87 @Gally123 @TypoQueen1 @Lunnuni @deflatedbirthday @nomadchild @Frazzledbynature @Chrissols @cathyk2002 @Pinksville

Sorry if I've missed anyone.

@Whitestar55 I certainly think the ‘thank you’ ones may me automated as we are getting a ridiculous amount of them

Sorry, another question about T-pro. Do they have their own platform like Dict8, or do you have to have Word installed on your PC and use that?

@Whitestar55 from what I remember, it’s all just on their system. I couldn’t get used to the accent, but most folk love typing for them.

@Chrissols Thanks, I'm not used to Irish accents either, but comparing it to the absolute garbled ramblings on Dict8 today I think it may be a doddle.

Just a random question. Does anyone use an apple pc for their dict8 work? Just wondered if the operating system was compatible with dict8. Thanks

I think they/the proofreaders are using AI some of the comments coming back are near the same as what you get on Grammarly

Three hours work this morning equating to £5 an hour because the dictation was so bad!

@Whitestar55 I have done 2.5 hours today on Tpro and have earned £41.00 that is why Tpro is a no brainer. Its the fact you can select who you want to type. I always type my share of the urgents and difficults but throw in some easier ones and it works for me. I used to get so frustrated with the 5 tasks only on Dict8. You can ring fence up to 15 tasks for yourself on their system. I never imagined when I signed up for Tpro out of frustration at lack of work with Dict8 and 2 adult kids made redundant suddenly back at home , so I had to earn more or go back out to work, that it would be this productive for me. I do get days where it goes slower but I feel I am earning decent money. So do give them a go. The templates you work in are also much better with all the patient info and GP info automatically loaded in. It is so much more professional. I have made errors and had the appropriate feedback but it is always constructive, respectful and they close the message with thanking me for the work I have been doing. For some I know the different templates for different hospitals doesn't suit but give it a go what have you got to lose. I thought I would be doing mostly DICT8 and a bit of Tpro to get me through but I haven't typed for Dict8 since October 2022.

@Whitestar55 - The Irish accents can be very strong but trust me they are a doddle compared to the shockers on Dict8. Ive not worked for Dict8 since early 2023 and its the best thing ive ever done. Lots of work not just 5 tasks to tackle. Even the tasks that are behind that they like you to help out with the backlog sometimes arent that bad if you get a clear dictator. I only struggle if im not familiar with a speciality but you can look at previous letters for help. A lot of the ones behind are my specialities anyway so im happy. There are some that are terrible dont get me wrong but with lots of specialities to choose from you can easily make the money. 6 hospitals 6 different templates but you get to know which format to use. I have a book just to remind me. I think they will only give you one or a couple of hospitals or so when you first start anyway to get you used to things. Get applying! You wont regret it if you get set on and trust me the work, the team leads, management are all lovely and approachable. Its a no brainer for me. Im earning comfortably and its suits me just fine. Itl become second nature just like any other job does when youve been doing it a while. Im sure it took you a while to get used to Dict8 when you first started. Its no different to any job remote or otherwise, no matter how much experience you have it is always daunting to start with. You can still keep on with Dict8 too if you want so you have the best of both worlds.

Out of curiosity how does everyone work their tax & NI contributions at the end of the year? Do you get an accountant or do it yourself? As we don't really have overheads I'm thinking it might be handy enough? Also I read there may be a way of paying the tax & NI along with the monthly contributions in the main FT employed job, has anyone done this?

@MrsOakes I do my tax form myself - I hate it though! Last year I had quite a few extra expenses (new laptop, new earphones etc), this year I have had fewer expenses and also changed to a cheaper broadband/phone deal so overall my expenses are much less (just gas for heating a little in winter, electricity and broadband, a work diary) so its about a quarter of the previous year's total. I cannot afford an accountant. This is my main job so just pay the amount when due.

@MrsOakes I use an accountant, costs around £150, but it saves me any hassle and they know all the loopholes to keep your tax to a minimum. To be honest, I have never heard of paying it through your main job, unsure how that would work when your earnings in this work are so unpredictable.

I have an accountant who charges about £150 and it's money well spent, as I don't have to worry about it. You can pay it through your PAYE but you still have to fill in a tax form and then your tax code is adjusted to collect the appropriate amount. It's easier to pay it when it's due I feel and keeps it all separate.

When I regustered self-employed with HMRC a pop-up fir Tax2u came up so I just went with that, was £60 & I just send my invoives to then. Think, rather than trying to work out leccy etc there is a flat rate you can claim if you work 25hrs or more a month i.e. 25-50hrs £10, 51-100 £18, 100+ £26, looking at my bills & working it out, I think I'm better with flat rate
https://www.gov.uk/simpler-income-tax-simplified-expenses/working-from-home

@cathyk2002 - looking at what I worked out for my gas and electric bills - the flat rate of £26 for 100+ hours comes nowhere near - and I was lucky that my energy bills were locked in to some extent and were not effected by the huge rises last winter. Not even if allowed £26 electric (I used an electric heated at times) + £26 gas = £52.

@cathyk2002 - if you work 8 hours a day (standard) for a 20 working day month (and some are 21, 22, 23 days) that equals 160 hours.

Lappie is on around 8-10hrs a day but sometimes if not work around can be on but not workkng for 3 of thos hours - all so confusing 🙄

No work on Dict8 again this morning. I am at a loss as to why they are trying to keep transcribers with their ‘thank you for your great work’ emails for nearly every task typed, when they have barely any work?

Am I the only one who has ample work on Dict 8 then as there is always something with very few quiet periods 🤔

I've had a slightly better day today than last week but I'm talking about 6 files at a time which quickly disappear. Presumably it's down to specialities and Chrissols and me seem to have the ones with the least amount despite having 4! I haven't been inundated with work for a very long time.

@cathyk2002 you must be, intrigued as to what specialities you do 🙃

@cathyk2002 : I have had plenty of work on throughout last 5 days albeit some of it unintelligable. However, I have been thwarted in my endeavours this week as have my grand-daughter 4 out of 5 days this week ... typical (F+++ my luck)!

@Lovemydaxie : I have 4 specialties sometimes there are plenty of tasks and then other weeks it is like a 'race' to take the next task quicker than others. It's just a lottery really!

@MrsOakes @Lovemydaxie @Chrissols @Gally123 I have a Tax Advisor who does my 'books' every year for last 12 years. I just find it easier. Last 3 years he has charged me nothing.

@danblack87 you are very lucky to not have to pay. For me, I don’t mind the £150 as I don’t have to think about it and he gets my tax bill lower than I could 😊