I also worked at Focus...please read....
Posted By: Just an MT on 2007-04-02
In Reply to: work volume - SweetiePie
I worked for Focus for quite some time. I spoke to one American the entire time I worked there. She told me I would get rich real quick with them. I thought that was kind of strange. The rest of the time I was working straight with Indians. The QA was even Indian. I do excellent work, been doing it for a long, long time, but when I questioned something that QA had made a mistake on (truly, usually something minor like spelling), then the Team Leader (Indian) would ask me stupid questions like do you know what headings go into a physical exam? I was transcribing OP reports! Finally, I just told him that after my years of experience, if I didn't know what headings went into the physical exam, there would surely be something wrong with me, and that I didn't get why he was asking me since I was transcribing OP reports anyway without a physical exam. There was no direct deposit when I was there, so that must be new. Also, the editing part was a joke, I had to basically re-type the whole thing, it was horrible. I wish you better luck than I had, but really the best thing we could do as MTs is try and find MT work right here in the good ol' US of A. I know that sounds a bit out of reach, but if we fight hard enough for it, we will get it. As someone asked me who is from another country, how could an Indian or anyone from another country do QA for American English work. It's just silly for someone who has been speaking American English for a short time tell someone who has speaking all of their lives that they don't know what they are transcribing. JMO.javascript:editor_insertHTML('text',' ');
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Opinions on Focus. Please. I read all archives. Please most recent info. Thanks. NM
nm
I worked for Focus for only....
two weeks. I found the staff EXTREMELY nice and that about covers the good that I can say. For me personally it just didn't work out. The line rate for transcription they gave me was really good, about 4 cents over most other companies and then they do the voice recognition, which of course is lower. They said it was 60% typing 40% ASR, but I rarely had typing at all, so therefore couldn't make this incredible line rate they offered me. My MAIN problem is the fact that you MUST clock in/out and you have to clock out if you have no work (which is often) BUT you are REQUIRED to sit at your computer and keep checking for work, which you may or may not get. So basically you could sit at your computer for your whole 8-hour shift and type/edit 3 reports, but if a report comes through and you happened to have left your computer they have a fit.
I know alot of companies are like this now and I find it utterly ridiculous! I think if you are REQUIRED to sit at your computer then they should be REQUIRED to pay you, that makes NO sense and I refuse to work for a company with that policy.
I worked for TransTech briefly and it's not them. But I've never read that about
xx
Well said. Never worked for D&L but when I read the "IC" post, that was my thought as well..nm
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Focus, focus, focus on your work. It's amazing what you can do! nm
x
I read all read all the threads in the "companies" section
of another board, MT Chat, and Googled each one that got positive reviews. If they had a website and a way to apply online, I did so. And that was how I got hired at TRS. They were not advertising at the time. By sheer coincidence I applied to Transcend just before I applied to TRS, and they were not interested in what I had to offer at the time. And now they've got me anyway, since they bought TRS. Interesting how things work out sometimes.
Companies with negative reviews, or company queries that got only a terse I sent you a PM reply, I passed over.
I worked for a temp agency for 3 years..LOVED it. Just worked. No counts, no hassels, GREAT pay..
No benefits at the time. I even learned pathology while temping (8 months on that assigment). I loved the variety, the ability to say I'm not available such and such time. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I didn't need benefits.
A company is ONLY supposed to verify that someone worked there, what dates they worked, whether PT o
and last date worked. It opens everyone up to a lawsuit if more is given, so most companies are told by their attorneys and business advisors to verify only.
No one has a right to a reference, only verification of employment.
I read your post. What do you want me to re-read?
and it seems those are your posts, too, so things just didn't add up and seemed inconsistent. If a place dropped me down to p.r.n. at 7 cpl or whatever and I already had another job where I could get 1000-1500 lines, I wouldn't give the first place a second thought so just couldn't figure out why anyone else would.
It worked! Latest suggestion from DJ's email worked. nm
nm
If I worked a longer day, I just put my regular shift, 3p-11p, or whatever. If I worked sm
an extra day, then I was told to fudge the hours around on the other days so it all came out to 40. I didn't really mind -- have learned not to expect overtime in this profession -- and I was happy to be able to work whenever I needed to get the lines I needed. However, them telling me directly to fudge on my time sheet would seem to be a violation of the wage and hour laws. I suppose it doesn't matter now if they do not even have enough work to make the minimum line count necessary. Several of the companies I thought were golden seem to have gotten a bit tarnished lately … sad.
Glad it worked for you. I have worked for companies
that were more reliable and paid without the delay I had. Maybe you started before they started doing that but it makes no difference. I TOO am a single parent.
You are not trying to argue? Sounds like you not only are trying to argue but you are just waiting for anyone to post anything about the co on here so you can just get out there and respond, which seems to be the way I have always noticed it. It's like all the MTs or whoever that work there are just waiting to respond.
This board is about the good points and bad points about companies. I am telling my experience.
The people were nice people though, but my experience was not a good one and I will not say it was.
I can go a week after the end of payday and even 10days later but that's it. Kids would starve.
Best company I have ever worked for, and I have worked for a lot!
I can't believe some of the things these people say here, and have to wonder if it just the same person or two bashing. I have been at MDI for four years and I do not have a low workload and I get treated very, very well.
They one I am not sure of. I have always worked FT for them. I have worked both IC and employee
and I always did way over 12,000 a pay peroid. I am sure they are pretty comparative to other companies. You definitely could contact a recruiter by applying if they would answer all of your questions up front. Good luck.
Focus. sm
I worked for Focus doing editing and was not happy with the company. I applied for a transcription postion and was hired on the spot for an editing position. Little did I know that I was editing work from India, which did not sit well with me. I was using the Netcare platform and hated it. I could not work for this company knowing that they were sending their work overseas and taking away our US jobs - but I had many good laughs while editing of what was actually dicated from the doctors and what was transcribed by the people in India. 
Focus
No, I did not until I was hired. I live in Mass and their offices are also in Mass. I applied through an ad in the local paper. When I met with them at their offices, I was told I would be transcribing for a local hospital account and also doing some editing, which was not the case when all was said and done. I never did do any transcribing and lasted only a short time doing editing. I agree that the line counts differ from your own and is something to be careful with when working for this company.
Focus
I have worked in transcription for 8 years at local offices and just have started working with Focus. I have trouble not having jobs available during the hours that I agreed to work. I was given the impression I was taking an editing position but so far have only done transcription. Please give me names of good companies to work for.
Focus
If you visit their website, it says they are based in Mass with offices all over the US. I could not find anything about India anywhere on their website. They may be Indian, but I was hard pressed to find that info. Also, if you Google them you will get negative posts about them being an Indian company (all from this site), but I have yet to see anyone actually back that up with concrete evidence. I guess you'll just have to decide for yourself. They wouldn't be the only company that is Indian anyway. There are companies that advertise on this site that outsource.
FOCUS, RUN AWAY
I worked for them and most of the office staff is Indian and they treat their employees horribly. They cut the all the editors pay. Most of the accounts are have horrible dictators. You can't make any money. They don't respect the MTs/editors.
RUN AWAY FROM FOCUS
They treat their employees terribly. The office staff is mostly Indian and they have no respect for their employees. I would not recommend working there. I know, I USED to work for them.
Focus
They currently pay .08 cpl for transcription and .04 cpl for VR editing. You can either be IC or employee status. I currently work for Focus Infomatics as an Independent Contractor and love it. I do not do VR editing. I have worked there for approximately three months. Everyone has been very kind and helpful. The account I work on keeps me very busy and I am making very good money. They did mention VR editing to me when I was hired, but I have not been set up to do that yet. It will be my decision to do that though. They do offer benefits if you are employee status and they have direct deposit. So far I have no complaints whatsoever!
FOCUS
Anybody out there who works for Focus doing editing on voice rec, can you tell me what the average lines per hour are that you are able to achieve. Thanks a bunch for any info.
Focus
I am so glad to hear somebody else out there has the same problem I have.
Focus
The same thing happened to me at Focus. I am at another company working on the same platform and make alot more money as well. There is something going on with the way they count lines.
Focus
I started with Focus a couple weeks ago and love editing. Only drawback right now is running out of work but supposedly more accounts are coming on board soon so hopefully it will pick up then. I have no complaints other than low workload.
Focus
I worked for them last year and loved editing, but I had the same problem with running out of work.
Focus
I currently work for Focus and I am very happy there. There have been some changes made within the company lately including a new QA manager, which was greatly needed. I have plenty of work and make a good line rate. No complaints.
Focus
Yeah, and I see they have an ad today about needing MT/editors immediately! What's up with that? I have no work to do but yet they need them immediately!
Focus
I currently work for Focus (about 2 weeks now) and have run out of work almost every day. I love editing, but when there's no work, it doesn't pay the bills. I see today they have an ad to hire again.
Focus
I have been hired by Focus and I am supposed to start Oct. 9th. After reading some of the posts, I have really thought twice. I work P/T now and make about 400 every two weeks. Will I get that working P/T for Focus? Also, do they offer direct deposit to P/T or just F/T? Thanks!
Anybody know anything about FOCUS
Focus
You will never ever get an increase out of this company. Also, really, really poor response to concerns and hard to understand tech support and supervisors.
NAH, bet it is Focus. nm
Most frustrating and underpaying company I ever had the misfortune to almost donate my time to. Got out quick. There are other Escription companies that may give the same cpl but man do you get more lines and make more - telling you just how dishonest Focus really is.
Isn't that the new name for Focus? If so, run away! nm
s
Are they still Focus?
I saw all the stuff about Focus but nothing recent about Acetera.
The did NOT used to be Focus...sm
I just talked to them regarding a position and that is one of the questions I asked. They are an independent 2 year old company that is NOT a part of Focus Infomatic. They have done some work for them, but are not affiliated in any way. I was also offered a position, as they found my resume information on Monster.com, and being curious asked. FYI.
Focus
Thanks for the information. I will be running as I am an IC and work privately for a group in town that has outsourched to India and I have lost 4 Drs because of this and I am now down to 1. I cannot believe this outsourching to India for a cheaper rate and all jobs are being lost here in the US. I am going back to school for my coding CPC as I have done billing for 12 years and I feel transcription is going to the birds.
Thanks Again. 
Focus
They are in India, I have seen pictures of where they work. They have mostly men doing their transcription. Stay away.
Pay at Focus
What percentage of your 2000.00 per pay period is editing and transcription? Thanks. Do you work on more than one account?
Focus
I applied with them and took the time for the entire test. You have to pass the first 2 parts to go on to the transcription. I thought I did well on the transcription, but just received an email that I did not pass. No phone call, no score, nothing....Then I read on this site many negatives. Maybe a blessing that the door did not open....
Focus
I had worked for Focus for a little over a year and finally just got out and got a job with DRC. I did speech recognition editing and as far as doubling your line counts, forget it. There were so many mistakes, it would have been faster to type the report from scratch. As far as an incentive program goes, there is one in place but it is extremely difficult to meet. Just to make 9 cents a line, you would have to do 2000 lines a day if you worked five days a week. Even though DRC pays by the keystroke, I was STARTED at what equals out to be more than 9 cents a line.
Focus
I worked for Focus for about a year and a half and really had no complaints. Yes, your supervisor will be in India, although I really only talked to him over instant messenger. I never had any problems with them harassing me about how much work I did, and my quality was good so that wasn't a problem either. My pay was always on time direct deposit and I was an IC so I could work whenever I wanted as long as I got my account done. I was the only one doing this particular account so I wasn't in a pool or anything. I did not like the voice recognition editing that I did. There were so many mistakes, I felt like it would be quicker to just type the report from scratch but that could have been the particular account I was doing it on. Not a bad place to start out I don't think.
Focus
The replies are still down there and they are not all negative. I like working for them. My account has a combination of standard transcription and voice recogn. editing. I just started a couple of months ago PT and I am making more the longer I work and get better at the editing. The only problem is a language barrier with the Indian staff but personally it hasn't been a problem for me yet.
focus
Focus Infomatics?
Focus
Anyone out there know anything about Focus Infomatics? TIA
Focus
Truth be known, I've had my doubts and complaints about Focus. However, believe me, I've experienced worse. In less than 2 years of experience, I have met some really bad companies. Some pay as little as 5.5 cents per line for straight transcription. Right now, Focus is offering me the best pay rate of all (for night shift, 10 cents/line transcription and 5 cents/line editing) on a user-friendly platform (EditScript). So, for now, I'm happy enough. It's not for everybody. But, as in all other aspects of life, everything is point of view, and I wish that I hadn't wasted so much time trying to find greener pastures; as I haven't found any yet.
This is obviously my opinion and I own it. I realize that you may not share the same opinion and I do understand your concerns and respect your differing opinions.
Focus
My experience with Focus has been neither all good, nor all bad. For instance, the first account that I was hired for in January did not show up or turn out to be the humongous account that it was supposed to be. As far as I know, it still hasn't come up to its expectations. During that time, I was forced to seek work elsewhere, just to pay the bills. I did complain to the Focus managers, but the response was generally something like, sorry for the inconvenience. At the end of February, a new account came along. To be honest, this new account reminds me of a spoiled child; it sounds like a big baby that needs a pacifier and needs its way all the time, with some really weird specifications. But, it does provide plenty of work. Currently, things are going well. However, I am not saying that I intend on counting on Focus for anything stable. It's just meeting my needs at this time (see my posting above). However, it has been my own personal experience over the past 20 months that Focus (as it is for me today) is a better opportunity and a better fit for me than anything else I have encountered. But, I'm still looking. IMHO, it isn't safe, in this MT business, to keep all your eggs in one basket, especially if you need the income to just survive, as I do.
Focus
I have worked for Focus for about 6 months and have no complaints. Everybody I have dealt with has been very polite and helpful. I like the platform and thought it was easy to learn. My experience seems to be totally different from others. Don't know why, but that is how it is, so keep an open mind.
Focus
I have worked for them part-time for a year now and I love it! I was a newbie when they hired me after MT course graduation and they trained us until we were ready for DSP( direct submission privilege) to clients. I maintain a greater than 98% accuracy and get valuable feedback from them on a consistent basis. The only bad thing was that in the beginning I was limited to a clinic account only and it would frequently be low on work and I had to get a full-time job. I now have 3 accounts under my belt and have more work than I can handle.
Although I am dealing with Indian co-workers, we mostly communicate through IM and they are very thoughtful and courteous to me. This is my first MT job, so I have nothing else to compare it to. I have just never had a bad moment with Focus and will probably work for them for a long time.
I know Focus will.
And I had an email from Alpha this morning saying they train. Doesn't hurt to ask DeVenture. They've gotten a lot of new eScription work recently.
FOCUS
They have good points and bad points. I just wanted to add that there are more than just a few large and small companies in the USA that are getting work from Focus and subcontracting it to US MTs, taking a cut of the pay in the process.
I recently responded to an ad for a company that offered a higher rate of pay for 3rd shift and was using the EditScript platform and/or Dictaphone ExtText as well at Netcare. Upon further questioning, it was revealed that the proposed work was coming from FOCUS. However, this company was going to be paying less than if I worked at FOCUS directly. So, beware of this apparently new program. It seems to be a new initiative on the part of FOCUS to recruit these US companies, though I cannot figure out the rationalization for it.
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