My Focus experience
Posted By: Ex-Focus on 2009-06-01
In Reply to: Focus really that bad??? - wantstowork
On a positive note I can tell you that the staff was WONDERFUL, I'm talking EVERYBODY was super nice and super helpful in trying to make sure I could get work. If you like VR then it would be good for you as well, as probably 80% of my work was VR. The ONLY problem that I had is the whole concept that you have to clock in when there is work, clock out when work runs out, but yet you are REQUIRED to sit at your computer constantly checking for work and not getting paid to do so. Focus is not the only company with this practice, so if that doesn't bother you, then I don't think they are so bad to work for. They do have benefits, pay is on time, incentive programs and they are flexible as far as what shift you want to work and whether you want it to be part-time or full-time, but not flexible at all as far as you MUST be at your computer for your 8-hour shift, regardless if there is work or not.
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My experience with Focus
I worked in QA at Focus and had to quit to stay with my mom after she was injured in an accident. Every MT and QA must pass a test about the account specifics before they are even issued an ID. Consequently MTs did not abuse QA with a lot of blanks, as a rule. I enjoyed my time there and hope to return to Focus once mom has fully recovered.
UPDATE ON MY FOCUS EXPERIENCE
I'm only sharing my experiences in hopes that it will help others. It is not in my character to sit back and be silent. I thank mtstars for allowing us this forum to help each other.
I'm finally DONE with Focus Infomatics / Nuance.
I used to post a lot of positive information here about my job at Focus Infomatics/Nuance. (Nuance bought Focus Infomatics in 2007). It used to be a very nice company to work for, IMHO. Anyway, the working conditions were on the decline over the past year, but started to go really sour a couple of months ago.
A lot of people have complained about India being involved in the medical transcription industry, and I do understand the concerns about offshoring, but I would LOVE to have my Indian manager back. The American lady that took his place is simply cruel. I have no other word to describe her. If I had waited for her to give me work, my family would be starving.
I did stay for awhile, hoping that an adjustment period for new management would end in a positive way, but that just hasn't happened. It is getting worse and worse. I guess I can't blame the new HR director, as he had absolutely no experience in the medical transcription industry, or even the medical field, prior to working for Focus/Nuance. According to his online resume, he was a Marine recruiter and then worked for Reebok, among others. So, he likely is just following someone else's orders.
I've found another MT job, at a company that seems to care that an employee succeeds and has enough work on an account that matches his/her experience and preferences. Though I am prepared for many surprises along the way and won't be too shocked or devastated if the bubble is burst soon into the game, it couldn't be any worse than it is now at Focus Infomatics.
The main thing that I cannot forgive Focus for is hiring more people when I don't have enough work. I have received excellent monthly reviews, so they cannot tell me that their silence is due to my inability to produce. Maybe they want me to quit because I am a high producer; who knows.
At any rate, I must thank Focus Infomatics/Nuance for the learning experience. When I write my book, I will certainly include these experiences in it.
Best to all of you who are current or future employees of Focus Infomatics/ Nuance.
Has anyone had a positive experience with Focus Infomatics?
{{{
UPDATE ON MY FOCUS INFOMATICS EXPERIENCE
I'm only sharing my experiences in hopes that it will help others. It is not in my character to sit back and be silent. I thank mtstars for allowing us this forum to help each other.
I'm finally DONE with Focus Infomatics / Nuance.
I used to post a lot of positive information here about my job at Focus Infomatics/Nuance. (Nuance bought Focus Infomatics in 2007). It used to be a very nice company to work for, IMHO. Anyway, the working conditions were on the decline over the past year, but started to go really sour a couple of months ago.
A lot of people have complained about India being involved in the medical transcription industry, and I do understand the concerns about offshoring, but I would LOVE to have my Indian manager back. The American lady that took his place is simply cruel. I have no other word to describe her. If I had waited for her to give me work, my family would be starving.
I did stay for awhile, hoping that an adjustment period for new management would end in a positive way, but that just hasn't happened. It is getting worse and worse. I guess I can't blame the new HR director, as he had absolutely no experience in the medical transcription industry, or even the medical field, prior to working for Focus/Nuance. According to his online resume, he was a Marine recruiter and then worked for Reebok, among others. So, he likely is just following someone else's orders.
I've found another MT job, at a company that seems to care that an employee succeeds and has enough work on an account that matches his/her experience and preferences. Though I am prepared for many surprises along the way and won't be too shocked or devastated if the bubble is burst soon into the game, it couldn't be any worse than it is now at Focus Infomatics.
The main thing that I cannot forgive Focus for is hiring more people when I don't have enough work. I have received excellent monthly reviews, so they cannot tell me that their silence is due to my inability to produce. Maybe they want me to quit because I am a high producer; who knows.
At any rate, I must thank Focus Infomatics/Nuance for the learning experience. When I write my book, I will certainly include these experiences in it.
Best to all of you who are current or future employees of Focus Infomatics/ Nuance.
Focus Infomatics--Anyone have any experience with their insurance benefits, good rate, etc..
Yes, I know all there is to know about them in the negative form but people respond only if you know about their insurance plan. Thanks
Honestly, I gained my first experience with Escription working for Focus. It was my first online job
So I stayed long enough to get comfortable and then moved on. It was a weird experience working with supervisors in India and the lack of communication but I never intended on staying. I bit the bullet, got my experience and left.
Focus, focus, focus on your work. It's amazing what you can do! nm
x
Here, here. Exactly my experience also, even down to the 10 year work experience. nm
:+
Experience versus not as much experience
--same job should equal same pay?...Come back and talk to me in 20 years...
For the most part, old school MTs have a ton more to offer than a newbie, by virtue of the amount that they know. Most old school MTs can do just about any kind of report, because they learned the old way, they used books--Dorland's was a bible--not software and spellcheck, they worked in house, in the environment, they understand things that a new person who has only worked online with their word books, shorthand, macros and software just cant understand.. Why things are done in a certain way... Why it is so important that certain documents are treated a certain way. Why some reports are stat versus others. What you might flag for the hospital and why... When you think you know everything, esp as a newbie, you are doomed my friend.
Also, cont education is something that most old school MTs understand is a benefit for them and a gift to themselves...part of their commitment to themselves and their own education, not a commitment to being a certified MT, it is a personal thing, a standard.
If you don't understand that, I don't know what else to tell you.
Sure newbies can transcribe, it isn't rocket science, but they know what they know, if you know what I mean..(and that's about all they know) if they don't care to continue their education once they are out of MT school.
There's a little more to it than what you have stated here. If you consider yourself an MT machine.. you will burn out sooner than you think.
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.
Focus
Again, I guess I am a lone voice in the wilderness but I like working for Focus. They pay on time. I was never deducted for errors because I really don't make any serious ones. They ARE very strict about QA. The training and platform were much simpler than other American companies I had worked for. Yes, almost everybody is Indian and they can be hard to understand but they have been very curteous and well organized, much more so than a certain American company that I quit after 2 weeks. I have been with Focus for almost 6 months and have no complaints.
Focus
Never worked there but read the archives - not one positive word about this company.
Focus
I don't understand why you say there is not one positive thing. I have posted that my experience so far has been positive and another person posted some positive things also. Yes, they are an Indian company but I am telling the truth about my experience.
focus pay
Yes, it is .8 for straight typing and .4 for editing. I believe they have incentive pay for doing a certain amount of lines a week but I am only part time and have never done that many. I really like the editing. Once you get used to it and the docs you can make good money and it is less stressful.
FOCUS
Pay is higher on the 3rd shift, 9pm-7am. I'm not sure if that is based on your time wherever you are, or based on Eastern Time.
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