TranscriptionBlog

From Being Uncertain to a Fulfilled Medical Transcriptionist in Saudi Arabia

March 10th, 2010

archie

This is a story shared by JOB, who will be on her fifth year on July 2010 working as an OFW in Saudi Arabia.

Working here [in Ryadh, Saudi Arabia] is a great experience and more so, thanks I become a medical transcriptionist…

Riyadh - View from Top

Work as a medical transcriptionist? ”I don’t like!” “My typing speed is poor.” “I may not be fit to work as one because I have some problems with my ears. Maybe, I will not be able to hear the dictations.”

These were the words I said when my friends asked me to go with them to apply as a medical transcriptionist in one of the pioneer MT companies in the Philippines. I never imagined that this would be my way to work out of the country. Months before my fifth year in my previous company, I left the Philippines to work here in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mixed emotions, indeed, happy that I’ll be working abroad and happy that I’ll earn double, but I felt super sad that I’ll be leaving my family and will live alone. It was hard but I need to do it — it’s for my family’s welfare.

As years passed, I met a lot of people from different races. I gained friends whom I can count upon in times of trouble. I was able to eat different kinds of food as well; some are yummy and some are yucky.

As I’m writing this blog, I’m happy to share to everyone that this coming July 2010, it will be my fifth year here in Riyadh. Working here is a great experience and more so, thanks I become a medical transcriptionist that I am given the chance to experience all these great things.

***

Contact Information: Not Available

Personal Background: JOB works as a Medical Transcriptionist in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for five years. She loves to take pictures every time given the chance to hold a camera. An artist in any way she can, most often she likes to draw and decorate party venues. She also loves to dance.

New Location of Philippine DFA Passport and Authentication Services

March 9th, 2010

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Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs, Philippines

Without much information given to the public, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) transferred its Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) into a not so accessible location.

If you try to survey the public if they happen to know this, then I’m sure a few only know. That’s why still a lot of applicants are going in the old location in Libertad, Pasay City, and yes including me. Now, a lot of tricycle drivers are taking chance of getting an income from the public by bringing them into the new location presumably near SM Mall of Asia (MOA), charging them Php 20 each – maximizing the capacity into 6 passengers, and then ended up walking a few meters more from the corner of EDSA and Macapagal Avenue.

DFA - OCA, Philippines

The new location of the DFA – OCA is now at the corner of Bradco and Macapagal Avenues in Aseana Business Park, Paranaque City.

McDo at DFA - OCA, Philippines

Heading towards SM Mall of Asia from EDSA, you can turn left to Macapagal Avenue. The new DFA – OCA is located beside a Petron gas station and McDonalds in front. For commuters, I guess there is public transport in the MOA as most of them head towards MOA.

DFA - OCA, Philippines

The new 7,000-square meter, four-storey building houses the Authentication (Red Ribbon) and Passport Services (new application and renewal).

Family Fun Times in Makati – Philippines

March 8th, 2010

archie

Family fun times in Makati are truly everlasting. There are a number of fun-filled fun times that the children and parents will truly love. Family fun times in Makati – Philippines are mostly in places where activities are exciting. It includes amazing visits to tourist attractions and leisure places. Everyone in the family can have a specific activity anytime they visit Makati City.

Sto. Nino de Paz Church - Greenbelt

One of the family fun times in Makati – Philippines is a visit to well-known churches. Any day of the week, the family can attend the Holy mass wherever they are. The Sto. Nino de Paz church amidst the Greenbelt Park is highly suggested for the family who wants a serene yet quick visit. Close by also is the Don Bosco Church along Arnaiz Avenue which is a common landmark in the area.

Another family fun time in Makati – Philippines is having a great meal in any of the renowned restaurants. The family can select from a vast array of restaurants from fine dining, casual dining or even fast-food restaurants. There is a wide selection of food choices wherein the family can feast.

Watching a movie is an additional family fun time in Makati – Philippines. Every mall in the city is set with state of the art movie houses wherein the family will be thrilled. A visit to Glorietta and Greenbelt cinemas will be enjoyable.

Greenbelt Park

A play in the park or indoors is also a great family fun time in Makati – Philippines. A lot of parks are developed by the local government and private companies within the city. A walk in a pathway along the river, a refreshing visit to gardens within the city or the kids can play in activity areas of the malls.

PowerPlant Mall - Rockwell

The family can also do mall hopping. During weekends and holiday seasons, the family can visit the grandest malls in Makati. The family can start shopping in SM Supermarket and take pleasure along with other malls in the Ayala Center like Glorietta, Greenbelt and The Landmark. Worth to mention also is the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center and the budget friendly Walter Mart.

Family fun times in Makati – Philippines include a visit to famous churches, dining in famous restaurants, watching a movie in cinema houses, a play in the park or indoors and mall hoping. These fun times are truly enjoyable for each member of the family.

Philippine Transcription Industry is Bouncing Back after the Recession

March 7th, 2010

archie

Ayala CBD, Philippines

From the industry’s point of view, Philippine transcription was badly hit by the worldwide recession mainly in the USA. Since majority of medical transcription jobs comes from the hospitals and outsourcing companies in the USA, there is a big effect in the volume of work being given to transcription companies in the Philippines.

Medical transcription is seen now to do good after the recession in the USA as it goes with other BPO companies in the Philippines. The existing guidelines required by American health system to their hospitals that demand them to renew and sustain digital medical records will increase again the requirement thus, outsourcing this to the Philippines.

Lessons learned from the terrible US economy recession will enable the Philippine transcription industry to be prepared once this again happens. The industry will prevail and continue to bring more jobs to the Filipinos; this time in diversified and flexible way of seeking higher grounds.

Best Diet Plan: Eat Less of Everything

March 5th, 2010

archie

This is a blog contribution by MJCTJ.

…you just know when to get contented and you’re on your way to a healthier and better looking you. – MJCTJ

Tokyo Restaurant, Riyadh, KSA

Probably due to force of habit, I eat as much as I can . . . as in every thing that my stomach can take. As nature took its course and consequence, I became overweight which isn’t such a good sight to see.

Then I started going on diet to lose some pounds, spending thousands of money for set diet meals, not to mention gym registrations. I lost some weight but they were all short term. I then came to realize that habit should counter habit.

I developed the habit of merely eating less of every thing i.e. if before I ate two cups of rice, now I just eat half a cup, if before I consume three chicken parts, now, one should be enough. It’s actually not difficult! I get to eat what I want but just in smaller quantities. Needless to say, I lost some pounds and I feel better than ever. It did not even take the drama of having the determination to get through it, you just know when to get contented and you’re on your way to a healthier and better looking you.

—

Contact Information: Not available.

Personal Background: MJCTJ is a bank executive of one of the local banks in Saudi Arabia for the last eight months. He writes diaries of his experiences during his free time (which is quite rare lately).

Why can’t I touch type?

February 24th, 2010

archie

keyboard

Since I started to learn typing, I’ve been having a hard time to touch-type. I can’t understand myself why am I being stubborn learning this skill.

I remember I learned typing using the old fashioned typewriter when I was in high school. Since then, even I use the computer keyboard typing my thesis in the university, I still type the way I wanted to, mostly using my right hand’s fingers.

Well, in fact I should be typing the correct way for obvious reasons of increasing my productivity in doing transcription work. It is a dilemma on my end right now. In spite of these, I can still meet TAT with all might. I will still try learning touch typing even I finished TypingMaster the nth times.

Factors to Consider as a Home-Based Transcriptionist

February 21st, 2010

archie

Home-based transcription is increasingly popular in the Philippines. With appropriate skills and equipments, one can start immediately at the own comfort of your home and better achieve your profitable business at home.

You need to add some complicated equipment to your basic personal computer. A foot pedal will help you maneuver your keyboard more. A well-advanced headset that will give clarity to the audio is also required to help you understand better what you transcribe. Some software that will increase the voice recognition will also be of help. To obtain work quality, you also need to invest on having a high speed internet connection. You will use this for your research that will enable you to give the highest accuracy as possible.

The likelihood of being a successful home-based transcriptionist will be higher if you have the perseverance to succeed.

A Healthy Way of Cooking Lapu-Lapu

February 20th, 2010

archie

archiedelara.com

Lapu-lapu fillet is best cooked steamed as an alternate for the usual fried fish. This is, I believe, a healthier way to enjoy this meal. But to make it tastier, one can use the sauce made out of olive oil or sesame oil as most Chinese recipes do. Sliced ginger and green pepper can be added to add flavor.

Generally, fish is a healthy food. I normally like tuna and experiment other recipes from it like in pasta tuna. Next, I also like Lapu-Lapu with which one can enjoy a healthy meal from fish by steaming.

IT Professional and the Transcription Industry

February 19th, 2010

archie

The role of IT specialist is vital for smooth production in a transcription company.

A transcriptionist is usually assisted by the IT staff whenever problems in downloading of voice file is encountered as well as when uploading the transcript.

Factors to Consider in Starting a Transcription Career

February 18th, 2010

archie

Try to keep in mind these factors in starting a career in transcription.

Your skill is one important factor to deal with. You can try enrolling to short-term transcription courses for this new skill. First, you need to have a good grasp of your keyboard, and then try to learn new techniques as you go along. Also, you have to be an internet proficient person. Everything in the World Wide Web really helps you to learn and broaden your knowledge. Google helps a lot with this in terms of research of what you are transcribing. For instance, you must learn new medical terms if you want to focus on medical transcription.

Your enthusiasm will lead you to gain your inspiration and then consequently, you learn patience. You tend to be more resourceful also because you desire on what you want to achieve. This attitude will keep you going and you eventually get what you want.

Your chances of being a productive transcriptionist will increase as you maintain these factors. However, do not stop from here on. Try to research more to expand your horizon.