They bought Dictaphone Corp, and recently Focus. nm
Posted By: MTN on 2008-03-12
In Reply to: Can someone explain who Nuance is and how - they are related to any MTSO's? nm
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I bought a laptop with XP recently off of
EBay that was a refurbished one, to be safe I also bought a 2-year warranty just to cover it. Any computer store, Staples, etc. can build you a computer with XP, or check on line with EBay, Google computers with XP, etc. They are still out there, just cannot buy them direct (or hard to find them) through Dell, Gateway, etc.
Anyone that has recently bought a computer I am about to have one made and I wonder if someone
could tell me what specifications to be sure to have especially if I decide to work part time for 2 separate companies some of which have a lot of material to load. Anything you can tell me would be nice. I guess Windows XP Prof. etc. I want to be sure I have enough room on it to do 2 separate companies.
I recently bought the Etymotic-6 earbuds also . . .
and am very pleased with them. They are not uncomfortable, but do make my ears itch a little. I bought them on ebay, much cheaper than web site.
Company I work for was recently bought
The MTs weren't notified about this. I just got my check and noticed it was from a different company, signed by a different person. I looked up the company and saw they were Indian and wasn't sure what was going on but suspected. Then today I saw the post on the company board with the link to the article about the purchase. I've been with this company quite a while, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just put in my notice. For one, I don't like the way this happens and nothing is communicated to us. Also, it seems to me it's just a matter of time before the US MTs are phased out and replaced by their Indian workforce. And for me, even if that doesn't happen, I don't think I want to work for an Indian company responsible for US MTs losing their jobs. This is just really upsetting.
Susan.....I recently bought a new keyboard,
one of those ones with two separate halves with tenting, supposed to be ergonmic (love it BTW)....the first, I'd say 3 days, I actually thought I'd have to send it back because of a slight difference in key location, kept hitting the wrong keys, etc. However, after that time, I got used to it and no longer was hitting wrong keys.
Also, I'm pretty sure you can get a switch that turns a USB into a round and vice versa. You could try calling a computer/electronic store or googling.
I recently bought word 2003. I don't
remember the site, but you can Google it and it will come up. I bought Microsoft Works with 2003, and I think it was only about $39. Yes, you will need earphones unless you just want to listen to the dictation through the speakers. Some tests you can use a pedal, the others if you don't have the correct pedal you just have to use the "function" keys for play, rewind, etc. You will definitely need reference books or an online reference you can use easily. They are very picky. The higher the quality of the test results you produce, the higher likelihood of being hired. If it is incorrect or sloppy, they will not even look at you for a position.
Bought some Dictaphone headgear, need adapter for computer
not realizing on the end it has 2 little points- what I need to know - needing to hook into the front of my computer for editing and does anyone know of an adapter that I could buy that would fit this and where to get? Thanks.
Lanier is a type of dictaphone, but when speaking of a C-phone, it's meant as the Dictaphone Con
s
MT Corp
Anyone know anything about them? Just took their test.
MT Corp
I found them online. Go to their website.
Amherst/Corp
I know of at least 3 MT's that have written/emailed Corp about the work situation at Amherst and Foxboro and not one of them every rec'd a reply. One of the girls had been terminated for lack of work and MQ left a message on her answering machine to say that she was terminated and to make arrangements to return her equipment. The thing about this is that she had been in and out of the hospital, had made numerous calls and faxes to Foxboro to update them about the situation, had been with MQ P/T for the last 7 years, so they knew that she was a reliable MT but yet do to the endless lack of communication at that office, they had the nerve to call and leave a message to terminate her. She wrote letters to everyone from the Foxbor office to Human Resources to the President himself and never heard a workd from anyone--so yes I would think that Corp has been told about Amherst/Foxboro but I really do not think that they care one way or the other. Life goes on and they can hire 10 new people to replace her and continue to flood the accounts so that we are always out of work--just like today
former corp headchopper
1. They want you to resign so when they don't have to pay unemployment.
2. Turn in your computers so that when they file BK, have more assets.
3. WTH knows......
It easy being an S-corp
other poster said "Reading all info gives me a headache, members, stocks, annual meetings, and so on." It's easy. Your attorney sets it up. You are the only shareholder. You have an annual meeting where you are the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. They have a standard form for your annual meeting and you sign it. Simple, really.
RE: Consumer Credit Corp.
Are they the same as Consumer Credit Counseling Services? You might want to check with this service in your city. I used CCCS many years ago, and they were very helpful. They were very strict with budgeting, but they explained everything before I agreed to their requirements. I also attended classes when I could. They also have a toll-free number: 1-866-331-2227. Hope this helps.
Does anyone have a name of a person to email at Corp for MQ about this.
:
Quest used to be part of MQ corp
in some fashion or other, I remember when they tried to get all MQ employees to sign up for it. Just thought I'd mention it.
MT Co owned by Hospital corp.?
How many MT companies are owned by hospital corporations or the hospital corp have a piece of MT companies? I ask this because some hospitals are only allowed to use certain MT companies. Is this a way of keeping wages down and/or them getting more $? Isn't there some kind of rule where doctors can't refer patient to a facility that they have part ownership of. Shouldn't this apply also?
Just wondering
I bought a wedge at Michael's for about 59 cents. Bought one for my SM
Lanier station so I could see the display and one for my keyboard.
Consumer Credit Corp. ? Anyone have any info? (sm)
I seem to have some high balances on a couple of credit cards and am curious as to whether their claim for negotiating a lower interest rate is valid. It would certainly help me pay these off quickly.
They claim they negotiate these lower rates, set you a payment schedule, disperse the money as agreed upon to the creditors and there is no charge to you. I am sorry, but I am a bit dubious. Their web site shows BBB logo on the bottom, that does make me feel a little better about it.
Any input appreciated. Am NOT looking for a free ride, just checking out my options so please no flaming.
BEWARE DELL COMPUTER CORP!
 Computer under warranty and the modem went bad. Called tech support and I told them the modem was bad (I am not a computer idiot), but went through everything with them anyway. Of course, they could not help and stated that I had to go through software support before I could be sent a new modem under the warranty. The first thing you get in software support is a salesperson. I told her this was NOT a software problem but I had been told I had to go through software support before I could get a new modem. It cost me $54.23 for a one-time software support problem. Before I did this, I asked her if I would receive a refund if this was determined not to be a software problem, which I already knew it wasn't. She said,'YES, just call this phone number back and give us your case number and we will issue a refund'. So like an idiot, and because I happen to trust people, I paid. I called them right back to advise that software support determined I needed a new modem and to please issue a refund."OKAY - we will issue a refund' the girl says. Now after 2 months I still have not received a refund and the 'refund supervisor' tells me they cannot issue one because I did receive software support. She says they will 'counsel' the girl that lied to me. I told her I never would have gone through software support if I had know that, and if I had not been LIED to, because the new modem only cost $14 if I had purchased it outright so why would I pay $54 to get a free $14 part???? DELL LIES! They just lost my business. I can afford the $54, but it is the principle of the thing. I hate the way big corporations can lie to you and get away with it. My grandfather owned a small grocery store. If someone called to ask the price of ground beef and an employee told them a price that was lower than the actual price, he would have sold it to that customer for that amount. He would not have said,'Sorry but you have to pay the correct price and I will COUNSEL the employee'. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO COMMON DECENCY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE????
OMG! You are a riot! Maybe they should give you 19 cpl and run a huge corp on a penny?
and screaming poverty! And if you work for 8 cpl, well, then that's YOUR problem! You take peanuts for pay, and then complain about it! Go figure.
sounds like its the corp money grubbing middle men
If we could get rid of them (do not know if that is possible at this point), we would have happier, higher paid MTs, and better quality work for the hospitals. What they must think of us with the quality of work they are seeing. IF only they knew we are backed up against the wall with everything based on production, lowered pay rates, AND limiting reports being sent to QA. Everyone is losing here.
We see that you only focus
On the negatives! What about the children who were born into this poverty through no choice of their own?
You take the negatives only in this tragedy, what a very closed mind you have
Anything to help you focus?
I am very distracted by everything while I work. I don't think I have ADD. I hope not anyway. I just cannot focus for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. Is there an herb or over-the-counter medication to help you focus? I have tried Ginko and it seems to help a little. I just want to be more productive during the day rather than going back and forth to the Internet and taking breaks constantly. Thanks.
Focus
I have worked at Focus for just over a year now as an IC and I really like it there. Everyone is very pleasant and helpful. Any problems or concerns that I may have are addressed right away. I have plenty of work to keep me busy. They offer benefits if you are employee status, but you can also choose to be an IC. They also have direct deposit. I do transcription only, but they also have VR if you want to do that (you don't have to if you don't want to). I work on the Dictaphone ExText platform but I know they have other platforms as well.
The bottom line is that they are a great fit for me. I have had a really great experience with them. No complaints at all.
FOCUS-sm
 Thanks very much for the info. 
LOL!! Focus, focus, focus!! nm
focus, focus, focus--sm
and a strong work ethic that does not have you hopping up from your chair every other minute to do laundry, dishes, take out the garbage, or answer the phone. I have caller ID and use it constantly to screen any calls. If I do not recognize the number, I do not answer it. This saves a lot of time, as far as I am concerned. I know a lot of the work at home moms have kids and that has to be really hard, and I empathize with that. I don't have anyone at home, except my two kitties, to distract me from my work. I have no tv on and no music, nothing. I have had a lot of medical terminology classes and pretty know most of my doctors most used words, so I do not have to spend a lot of time researching. This also takes a lot of time, time we are not paid for. Then, of course, there are the two things you mentioned, staying in your chair constantly and shortcuts. I have pretty much the same doctors every day and know them pretty well. this makes a big difference too. I only use autocorrect as an expander, as I never could get used to IT or some others, where I spent more time looking at the bottom part with all the different entry options than I did typing. I also had many years of typing classes, as well, and I rarely need to look at my keys to know what I am typing. I watch the copy I am typing and can see any errors I make right away and correct them right away. I rarely go back and look through it again after I am done. I also rarely hear from QA about anything either. If I do, it is usually an address change or something. But I do have a habit of putting two periods .., at the end of a sentence. but I pretty much catch those too.
My last suggestion is that you have to WANT it, more than ANYTHING else in the world. Not having a spouse, or anyone else to help provide income is a HUGE motivator, as far as I am concerned. It all depends on how badly you want to pay your bills, eat, and have some extra for emergencies. It is all priority, as far as I am concerned, but that is just me. Everybody elses situations are different. but this works for me. JMO.
Focus
I also work for Focus, and I have to agree that they are the best company that I've worked for (or interviewed with) so far. So far, I've worked for 3 other online companies and one local hospital. Plus, I've interviewed with (and ended up turning down positions at) at least 10 companies since January of this year. Add to this number those who won't give me a chance because I only have 2 years of experience (it apparently does not matter that I've had between 99% and 100% QA ratings in every MT job that I've had so far) or don't live in the required state or don't own a C-phone, don't have access to unlimited long-distance phone service, or some other such thing.
The flexibility at Focus can't be beat. I don't have to get permission to change my schedule to fit my needs. Whenever I have a question, someone is available via IM, email, or telephone. The pay on my favorite shift (third) is better than I've been offered anywhere else. I also have 5 accounts, so if one doesn't have any work, I can generally find work on another. I am an IC, but they do offer the employee option, last time I heard, and the premium for health insurance for a family was less than $400/month.
My only fear is that they are sharing the work with so many other companies that I'm afraid of what is going to happen to the individual MTs like myself.
These are my experiences and my opinions, and are not open to debate. But, I am happy to share the good, the bad, and the really UGLY about any experience that I have had with any MT company in the past 2 years. Overall, it has been a true temporary nightmare, but I am very happy now at Focus, and have decided to stop searching for greener (USA-based) pastures; I'm not so sure there ARE any.
Focus
I've worked for Focus for 19 months now. I get 8 cpl for transcription and 4 cpl for editing. I much prefer the VR editing jobs because your hands don't hurt! You can also increase the speed of the voice file without it warping and there's this little red box that follows along with you and outlines the words as they are dictated. As far as average lph? I don't mark it that way because I have multiple accounts, etc., etc. For me, I work 8 hours a day and there will always be a little bit of transcribing because of new doctors etc. As an example, a good day I had last week, I did 140 typed and 2640 edited in 8 hours.
Focus
I just wanted to send you and anyone else a warning about Focus. I know they are advertising for MTs and QAs out the yingyang these days. I went to work for them a couple of weeks ago, and I have had very little to no work to transcribe at all. I don't know what is going on there, but I would not advise going with them at this time.
focus? What's focus?
Focusing and not getting distracted is my toughest chore. When I'm on point and working, I'm a great producer. It's the getting there and staying there that's an issue for me.
I found a clock chime program that chimes every hour. I initially got it to remind me to get up and stretch so I couldn't get so stiff, but it helps me stay focused, too. When I want to get silly and I let myself get distracted, I know that I'll have 5 minutes coming with the next clock chime, so I get myself back to work a little bit easier.
Don't focus on them. Or if you do, move your
mouse up and down really, really fast to see if it gives you motion sickness. LOL
Focus Infomatics Inc.
This company has offered me a job. I have never heard of them before. Anybody have any info on them??? Good/Bad.. Thanks.
Focus Infomatics
Can anybody tell me anything at all about Focus I heard they are a good service to work for. Anybody ??
Still happy at Focus?
Hello-
I am a newbie who is supposed to start at Focus and was wondering if you are stil happy with them? I am also going to be doing IC status, not employee. How much work do you usually get per day (hours?) Thanks for your help!
Amanda
Escription/Focus
I also work for Focus with Escription and I love it. I started as a newbie with them and I have received great training and because I have never been a super fast typist, I prefer VR over full transcribing, so I have a mix of both. My experience with Focus has always been good; there was low work volume at first, but there was a limit to the accounts I could do since I was a newbie. Now I have some experience under my belt and there are plenty of accounts to train on and they do not constantly switch you like some companies do. I still have the main clinic account I trained on a year ago, along with picking up some acute care accounts. I plan to stay with Focus/Escription for a long time.
OMG!! Just focus on the issue -
pay her the $100.00 which, by the way, is not measly to many people, especially if they worked for it. Two wrongs don't make a right!! MTSOs have to understand that you must pay subcontractor MTs on time, especially if you have a signed agreement, even if they have a 50% error rate in reports and the client doesnot pay until 2010.
And I agree with the other poster, what was your subcontractor doing with your client's contact info? Did you have her sign a non-compete clause in your transcription agreement? If so, and she still contacted your client, then you still pay her the $100 and let her know she is in violation of your agreement, too, because her contacting your client is interpreted as competition. If not, this is a learning lesson for you.
as a newbie with Focus,
I have not been docked pay because of poor accuracy. If you have any questions at all on your jobs, you send to QA.
Focus QA questions
I was offered a 100% QA position with Focus at 6 cpl and have been sitting on the fence because most of the prior feedback regarding this company has been so negative. A big concern is that, according to what I've read, the trainers are in India and the process of getting trained is extremely challenging. Can anyone currently working there comment on this? Also, is it true that the majority of the work you edit comes from India, and if so, how does that affect your income/lph?
Focus Infomatics
Has anyone else had trouble collecting their paychecks from this company?
Focus has definitely improved
since Nuance bought them out. I don't work there anymore but I had a pleasant experience and made money while looking for a place that offered benefits regardless of line count (they found me, actually). If they aren't your first choice, apply with them as well as any other company you can find. Good luck :o).
I started with Focus
I was hired by Focus within a month after graduating and had a good experience with them. I know work for another company, but I think sometimes it is a matter of luck and being able to pass the test to get hired. There are some good companies out there, but also a lot of bad ones. If I had it to do over again I would have started part-time and held on to my full-time job until I gained more speed since I almost went broke in the process.
I wish you the very best and do not give up if this is what you really want, but it is a tough industry, even though I love it!
Focus Infomatics QA?
I was just hired by Focus Infomatics for QA. I'm coming from an entry-level job where I make a lovely, lovely 2 cents a line, whereas I've been told that with proper accuracy and shift differential I'll be making 7-8 cents a line at Focus. Any other QA for Focus? What's your average paycheck like? How's the workload?
Thanks so much.
RE: Focus Informatics!
Beware of quality-based deductions!
Tips on how to focus, would
Posting this because I want to get my line count up. I work as an IC and can work anytime I want to... when I type I do about 200 an hour so it is not the company line counter, as reason why my lines have been pretty low. I have been in this business a long time though and find it hard to sit and focus. If I could just even do 2 hours at a stretch and do that 3-1/2 times a day it would be great. I just get so tired, bored, I don't know what that I cannot seem to tolerate the length of time needed to sit. I am making a fine line count for part time and meeting my contract, but I sure would like to earn more money and the work is there. Anybody having the same struggles? Any input would be highly appreciated. BTW: I tried setting a timer, giving myself little goals, even long-term end-of-pay check treats for myself, but the boredom or tiredness or something is just too strong. Thanks again for any ideas.
Focus place
It always seems that that Focus infomatics place is hiring. I know nothing about them,except what I read here which is good and bad, but they always seem to be hiring.
You are exactly right. Beth is full of herself and her focus
is not where it should be. It's time to sit down and shut up and let the professionals do their job. She is in no position to criticize because she doesn't have all the facts.
Focus on finding the one or two companies you
really want to work for instead of many. That way you're not testing so much.
Avoid Focus Infomatics!
I worked for Focus for a couple of months, and I absolutely hated it! They offshore their QA and tech support to India, and you can never understand a work they are saying when they call you to train you on their software, which is the worst program that I have ever transcribed in. It was always freezing up, losing connection to the VPN, and it cost me so much money because I kept losing work that I had done. Their tech support would take forever to respond when I IM'd them, and they were hardly ever very helpful at all. It is also true that they deduct pay for mistakes. I now work full-time for Cymed, and I am so much happier!
Need tips! I have LOST my focus!
I have been working as a Transcriptionist since 1999, always from home. For the first 5 years I could pound out the lines and sometimes work 9 or 10 hours straight and get an awesome line count. About 2 years ago I started losing my focus and would get sidetracked by other things in the house, but I was able to meet my line goal most days. Last year I decided to rent an office away from home with a neighbor who also works from home and I was a little more productive there, but still distracted. Now, I am back home again and I feel like I would rather be doing anything than transcribing. I don't want to give up on it because I LOVE the flexibility it gives me! I am currently transcribing for two different clinics (not working for someone else) and I work as an IC for a national part time.
My distractions are: Internet, housework, sometimes my family although I'm working on re-training them (and I invested in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones so I don't have to hear them when I'm transcribing )
I know I'm not the only one who has gone through this so if you have and you have any tips that workd for you, I would love to hear them! I need to get out of this rut!
Thanks in advance for your advice
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