QUESTIONS TO ASK

There are so many questions that an MT should ask the potential employer or client.  This list is just a starting place. We understand that there are many scenarios that an MT may find himself or herself interviewing for, but have decided to include the two main categories.  The first is if you are interviewing to become an employee, whether for a local doctor's office/hospital or for a large national company. The second category contains questions aimed at the MT who wants to be an Independent contractor for a local doctor's office.  If your situation is slightly different than either of these two basic categories, mix and match the questions until you have a list that satisfies your needs! 

Questions to ask a potential employer

Questions to ask a potential client (as an IC)

Employee Status

When you go to look for a new position as an employee, there certain questions you should ask.  The answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision about the position.

• What type of dictation will you be doing? (Radiology reports, family practice, discharge summaries, etc.).

• How will you receive the dictation? What equipment do you need to purchase that is not provided by the employer? 

• What software is used? Find out if you will be able to use the word processor you are familiar with.  

• What are the exact responsibilities of this position? Find out if you will be typing letters and envelopes or just medical reports.

• How is the pay calculated? (Hourly, per the line, per the character, etc.) 

  • If by the line, get specifics.  What constitutes a line? Are spaces included? Are headers and footers included? Are templates included?

  • How many lines are expected per day? What is the penalty if that minimum line count is not met?

  • Does the company frequently run out of work for its employees?

  • How often are you paid? How are you paid (direct deposit, check in the mail, etc.)?

• Is there any pay shift differential?

• What is the QA process? How often will you be reviewed? Are there any penalties imposed for too many errors or blanks? 

• How many doctors are part of the group that you'll be transcribing for?

• Are the doctors primarily ESLs?

• Are there any benefits?

  • If so, what are they?

  • Are benefits tied to production?

  • If vacation is included as a benefit, how much advance notice is needed?

• Are references from other MTs available? This is especially helpful if considering employment with a national company.  

• Will you be kept on the same account or will the company be moving you around on different accounts? The answer to this question can have great bearing on your productivity. 

• Will you be kept busy? If there is not a guaranteed amount of available work, find out how often you can expect to be out of work. 

Independent Contractor Status

It is very important that you determine before the interview what you are and are not willing to do! For example, if you know you cannot pick up tapes in the afternoon, then don't ask the question, "What time do you want me to pick up the tapes."  Phrase it like this:  "I can pick up the tapes in the morning between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.  Will that work for you?"  The questions below will help you determine the information you need to come away with, not necessarily the exact question you should ask!  Many of these questions are answers you should know before you ever have the interview.  For example, you need to have some idea of what you would charge for reprinting a report that had to have one line edited in it due to doctor error.

• What type of turnaround time is needed?

• Is there ever any STAT work needed? If so, what are the expectations for that work?

• How many minutes (or lines) per day (or week) can I expect?

• Find out if you'll be typing letters and envelopes or just actual medical reports.

  • If you will be typing letters, determine who has the responsibility to provide addresses, etc.  (This can be very time-consuming work!)

• Does the office close for doctor's vacations?

• If the account is not a digital account, what days and times will tapes be available for me to pick up?

  • What types of tapes are used?

  • Do they want the tapes returned blank?

• How do they want you to flag blanks or questions?

• What style guide do they follow (AAMT or other?). Ask for several samples to be given to you of the format they prefer. 

• In determining pay, ask for what their preferred font size and type is.  

• How long do they need the electronic files saved on your PC?

  • Do they want disks of all these files?

  • Would they prefer the files to be e-mailed to them or to be put directly onto their PC with PCAnywhere.

• Is work to be printed out by you?

  • If so, what type of paper is to be used?

  • Who supplies the paper?

• What are the editing requirements? How are you paid for changes the doctor makes? What will you be paid for reprinting reports? 

• How will your vacation time be handled? Will they provide backup or are you required to provide vacation coverage?  

• What are their billing requirements? Will you provide an invoice biweekly, monthly, etc.?

• If you are replacing another MT, find out why.  What did they not like about his or her work? This will help you provide them with the highest service.  Do not put down the previous MT! You don't have all the facts, so it's best not to make any comment. 

• If you end up taking on this client as one of your accounts, make sure you get all of the dictators names and credentials (MD, DO, DPM, etc.)  It is also good to find out the names of the office staff that you will be in contact with on a regular basis.