The following information is provided to set out important aspects concerning the in-home transcription concept for associates who
are to serve as in-home transcriptionists. The information provided is subject to change, including the development of a different
method of compensation.
The policies of Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center (“SERMC” or the “Medical Center”), including, but not limited to,
compensation, benefits, etc. will be followed. Core hours will be arranged with each in-home transcriptionist to provide necessary
coverage. A work schedule will be developed prior to the associate beginning in-home transcription. Such associates will be expected
to work their assigned schedule unless prior arrangements have been made. In the event of an inability to work scheduled hours due to
an emergency or illness, the in-home transcriptionist will notify the transcription supervisor or HIM Director, and the transcription
office personnel as soon as possible. Where feasible, time lost due to illness or emergency shall be made up by the associate. Inhome transcriptionists may be asked to work different or extra shifts as staffing and work load demands. Transcriptionists who are
hired as PRN status agree to work at least 20 hours per month to maintain employment.
SERMC will provide the computer hardware and transcription software including maintenance and upgrades for associates who work
as in-home transcriptionists. Upon request, the equipment will be brought into SERMC by such associates for any maintenance,
repairs and/or upgrades as necessary. In the event the equipment requires repairs, the in-home transcriptionist may be expected to
work at the Medical Center while the Information Technology staff evaluates and/or repairs the equipment and/or to make-up any
missed time during that pay period which is a result of equipment failure. The associate will be paid travel time for transporting the
equipment to be repaired. In the event of equipment failure after 5 p.m. or on weekends, the associate may need to call SERMC
switchboard to have IT staff paged to report the problems.
SERMC will bear the expenses of initial and one additional (in case of relocation of residence) installation of the appropriate line
access i.e. DSL, Cable or telephone line, in the associate’s home. Following the line installation, the in-home transcriptionist will be
responsible for paying the monthly billings for the additional line except when a high speed access line is required by SERMC. In
such instance SERMC will pay half of the monthly fees. However, if the in-home transcriptionist chooses to connect the line to their
personal PC in addition to their work PC they will bear the full monthly expense of the line. If the transcriptionist is hired as PRN
status, the transcriptionist will bear the costs as outlined above only as long as SERMC offers them an opportunity to work at least 20
hours per month. If the PRN transcriptionist declines hours these are counted offered.
Additional software will not be added to the SERMC computer hardware without approval by SERMC. The equipment and software
provided are only to be used by the in-home transcriptionist in the course of performing the transcriptionist’s assigned duties and are
not to be used by any other person or for any other purpose.
The associate will be provided with the expectations for the quality and quantity of in-home transcription services. Monitoring of
productivity and review of random reports for continuing quality assessment will be done on a monthly basis and results shall be
distributed to the individual associate. Compensation will be based upon individual production per hospital policy. Quality standards
will be per hospital policy. Continued inability to meet minimum productivity standards or a significant drop in productivity from
previous months may result in the transcriptionist being required to work in-house for additional assessment and training.
To facilitate communications, in-home transcriptionists will have access to hospital e-mail systems. These systems are to be used for
work related functions only, such as receiving department and/or hospital procedure updates. Improper use of these systems is grounds
for immediate termination.
In-home transcriptionists shall be responsible for completing their own time cards by calling in their hours of work to the payroll
phone system. The associate will be expected to enter the associate’s own “paid leave” time as well. Additionally, each associate
performing in-home transcription services shall transmit a hard copy list of hours worked and/or “paid leave” time during the pay
period to the transcription secretary at the end of the shift work day for the week.
Associates working as in-home transcriptionists are at-will employees. In-home transcriptionists will be expected to attend
transcription staff meetings as scheduled and to complete yearly mandatory in-service requirements. Further, the concept of in-home
transcription may be changed or discontinued at any time by SERMC by recommendation by the Director or Health Information
Management (HIM), which could also lead to termination of employment. In the event of such change, discontinuance of the in-home
transcriptionist concept, or termination of employment, appropriate notification will be provided to the associate. Upon termination of
employment or as directed by SERMC, the associate will immediately return to SERMC and account for any documents, equipment,
software or any other media containing and confidential information and/or any other property of SERMC that has been provided to
the associate for purposes of the associate’s employment.
In-home transcriptionists will be responsible for caring for and protecting SERMC owned equipment, supplies and other SERMC
property while the property is in the transcriptionists’ home. Any loss, damage or improper access or use caused by the negligent use
of such property by the in-home transcriptionist or occurring while the property is in the in-home transcriptionist’s possession may be
cause for immediate termination of employment.
The associate acknowledges receipt of the following items:
Accepted and Agreed to by:
___________________________
Associate (Print)
__________________________
Witness (Print)
___________________________ ______________
Signature
Date
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Signature
Date