Questions about Spheris and Focus
Posted By: Kim on 2007-12-20
In Reply to:
Does Spheris and Focus Infomatics give MTs regular accounts or a cesspool like MQ? How difficult is their platforms to learn? Is it all VR/ASR or predominently standard transcription? How fair is their QA? Can you use your own computer or do you have to use theirs? What do they start MTs with two years' experience out at? Do their checks bounce and do they pay on time?
I have tried searching for these answers. For the most part, the information I found does not answer those questions. I would appreciate honest information. Thank you in advance.
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
QUESTIONS RE: FOCUS
I GUESS NOT! I'VE ASKED THIS SAME QUESTION SEVERAL TIMES AND GET NO RESPONSE. THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS THAT THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE IS IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Have questions about Focus Infomatics
Can anyone, besides the one post below this one, tell me the good and/or bad about being a QA for Focus Infomatics? I think this is an employee position but there don't seem to be any benefits listed, so am not sure. I'm wondering about the pay. Is 4 cpl good for QA of voice recog? Is it possible to make a decent living there without working 50 to 70 hours a week, 7 days a week? Please email me with any responses if you don't feel comfortable posting. Plus I could be more specific with questions. crazyformt@hotmail.com
2 Questions on Spheris, Please!
I am seriously considering reapplying to Spheris - I know they offshore - at this point, it matters not. I need to feed my kids. So, question #1.
1. Are there any MTs out there with them who have a somewhat flexible schedule? I just need to do it with a little variation other than 8 hours straight. Maybe 4 and 4? I work nights and weekends.
2. I did get hired by them and started training maybe 2 years ago? I quit after 3 days of training because...I was literally delirious! Ha! Seriously, my whole household had Strep throat. I had 104 fever, throwing up, soooo very ill that I just quit after 3 days of training. I was so naive back then - had no clue that I could have just rescheduled training, etc. There were no bad words or bridges burned, but do they ever rehire or give second chances?
Thanks for any opinions!
Questions on Spheris
I have heard the name Spheris before and wanted more info on the company. Like do they provide computer and if you go full time, what are the health benefits and costs for my husband and I? Thanks.
Spheris questions...
Any happy Spheris people here? or unhappy for that matter! I see they have ads up in various places and was considering applying for part-time. I know they've been discussed a lot in the past but was just wondering about current situation there and why so much advertising, lots of new accounts or lots of people leaving? Thanks for any info! 
Spheris questions
Do they hire employee or IC status? Do they give you one or two main accounts or is it a cesspool adventure? What is their required line rate quota? Also, do you have to use their equipment or can you use your own? And, does anyone know the starting pay? Thanks in advance.
Focus and Spheris were two that
Focus, focus, focus on your work. It's amazing what you can do! nm
x
Actually I posted looking for answers to my questions above, not looking to answer questions, but
to here goes...firstly, I don't know about the platform, only that it is Word based. Secondly, I have many years cardio, and thirdly, no the test was not hard. Still looking for any answers to my questions above. Thanks in advance.
I still feel like a team player of Spheris, as the shackle scars are still on my legs! Spheris was
Micromanaged to the microsecond, or ms! Horrible. And part of a team? Total opposite - part of a team as in prison.
Don't imply you're worried at all. Just stating fact that Spheris does NOT allow a Spheris MT
work concurrently for MQ - no exceptions. MQ, on the other hand, does not have the same feelings as Spheris. Just all I had to say so that MTs aren't misled into thinking they can do the same "legally". Even went to the ropes on this issue with Spheris, as I was professional as well, and wouldn't share info, etc. The point they raised was that MQ is their direct #1 competition, and if I was typing for MQ and doing great work, that was in direct conflict of interest with Spheris' best interests. Guess which one I obviously stuck with!!
Thank you, Spheris recruiter! Anybody wanna place a bet that there are lots of Spheris
HELP WANTED ads on the job board?? So funny!! Out of the blue, Spheris, we love you!! Lets all run and apply NOW!!
I also know Spheris would fire you if they knew you worked for MQ. That is a BIG NO with Spheris!
nm
Spheris - any spheris employees out there care to s/m
comment on the new Cornerstone platform, good, bad? Will we all be going to SR on this? Thanks.
My experience with Spheris isn't bad at all. I have been with Spheris sm
6 months and already have 40 hours PTO. I was shocked. Spheris is a great company. After 90 days I did get my sign on bonus and didn't even have to ask. There is soooooooooooooooo much that Spheris offer I wasn't even aware of. I am so glad that I didn't listen to the negative posts on this board in regards to Spheris because I am a happy camper.
Questions for you.
What benefits might not be the same?
Also, as we're paid for what we type, I'm not sure what you mean by "I put all I had into it and didn't get much in return."
I guess I'm confused as to what the company isn't doing in terms of what you are owed in returns Not trying to pick a fight, just wondering what I'm missing myself. I work, I get a paycheck. I have benefit opportunities that others do, at least as far as I know. Medical, dental, etc.
Can you help by clarifying this, please? It might help the rest of us to understand.
A few more questions
What about the rental fee for part timers. Do you pay that forever or until equipment is paid off? Can you use your own equipment? Thanks.
Questions
I went to Wegmans, but the only copy of RBJ they had was for 7/27. I am wondering how all of this is going to affect my job??? Are there specific changes pending that threaten the existance of this company? This may sound bad, but there are slimy people all over the place, but as long as my job is secure, I am not going to quit my job because of her lack of ethics. They seem to be a pretty good fit for me and I have never had a problem getting paid, which I have with a few other MTSOs in the area. They are pretty consistent with the work and have good dictators and a great platform. I wish someone would post the actual article, as I can't seem to get to it no matter what I do.
Questions
Hi,
Thanks for replying. I was just wondering if you were happy working for DTS and if they were a good company to work for. I was wondering about how well they pay and also if they offer benefits..
I am only testing with them right now but hope to get into a job with them soon.
If you would like to email me, you can at chantel7@msn.com.
Thanks,
RT
A few more questions
What do you do about insurance, vacation and holidays, also when there is no work available or when your acount runs low?
Thanks for all the info?
Questions about DRC.
How is their pay? What is considered full time? How does the 401K work? Is there any employer match? Is the health and dental insurance good, and is it affordable?
Not so sure I want to go the route of employee again, considering it. Just trying to weigh if I did whether it would be better to go with a hospital or with DRC or something similar.
Would like a few questions
If you work for so many of these nationals and leave, do they have it out for you? I have sent out a lot of resumes and got no replies. Not resumes to the people I have worked for, either. Is it a bad time to be finding a job? Has the job market vanished to India?
I have some questions about them also.
/
More questions....
If you are saying that 1000 words x .11 (cents per line) equals 110 -- are you assuming that one line equals 10 words?
How are you equating words with cents per line?
questions
Does anyone know anything about JLG transcription?????
questions
Could you email me please? gin3tac@yahoo.com
Just a few questions
Do you have to work weekends/holidays? Do you stay on the same account or switched around? Platform? FTP or C-phone?
Thank you for any answers.
More questions...
Would 50 cents per link be considered good pay?
Also, wouldn't it make a difference to be paid 9 cents per gross line versus 65 characters for radiology?
JLG questions please...
I've done a search and the reviews seem to be mixed, anywhere from the worst to the best...but I would just like to get some very current info as am thinking about applying with them? I understand there are several platforms. I've never worked on Vianata sp? Is it MT-friendly and can you check your counts and are they accurate? How is the sound quality? I had seen a comment on pay being sometimes late, no direct deposit yet? I also saw comments on rude QA, staff, management. How is it now for you guys? Thanks!! Any help greatly appreciated....
Few questions
Can you tell me more, please?
What is their starting rate?
Flexible schedule?
Weekends?
Do you type in word?
TIA!
They ask those questions
because you have to do updates at minimum weekly where you have to open, run, and save files on their platform.
D&L questions - please SM.
Just a few questions about the company. Do they offer part time? Is the work typically consistent (amount and when received - time of day/schedule)? Does the work end up being more 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift? Thanks!
To MDI-MD-ers questions
Audio through internet or C-phone? If C-phone, how is sound quality? Lots of ESLs on account? Do you work on mainly one account or required to work on several? Thanks for your input. Looking for ''home'' with enough work on one account or possibly two, good sound quality, decent pay and appreciation for quality work. Tired of many accounts, too many ESLs and suboptimal sound quality.
Few questions........... sm
Is it because you are constantly being switched between those multiple accounts? Is this something fairly new? If so, possibly ask your service manager why the constant switching and request to be kept on the same account. Increased lines is increased money for them, also. Good luck!
2 more questions -
I forgot to ask if they have internet or second phone line work, and do they have a line requirement. Thanks a lot.
e-MTS questions
Any pros or cons? Do they have plenty of work? Are accounts laden with ESLs? Do they transfer voice and text via internet or required to use C-phone? Pay scale range? QA staff friendly and helpful? Do they offer part-time as well as full-time? Thank you for the information.
Thank you - a few more questions sm
Are these reports? I am typing letters and I am SO tired of looking up addresses!! What platform and how many lines per day is required? Thank you for taking time to respond to my post.
MDI questions
I'm interested in going the IC route after being a full-time employee. I'm thinking of applying for a job with MDI and have the following questions:
1. I've never worked as an IC, so I was wondering how you go about estimating and paying your quarterly taxes. Also, can you clarify the process of how they pay half of your social security tax?
2. I understand they use the Bayscribe platform. Can you use your own word Expander program loaded on your computer or do you have to use the Bayscribe one within the platform.
3. Does the company give you access to report samples from your account to help with difficult dictators?
Thanks so much for any info you can share with me!
RE and More questions
I understand about the whole flexibility thing. My current company allows me to work whenever. What I'm wondering is do they offer flexiblity as in you can work a few hours in the morning and a few at night? Also, do they allow you to work within a window of time or do you have to say I'll be on the clock from 4:45 to 6:30 or something similar? I know a few companies I've interviewed with said that you have to work your hours between 6a and 4p but that you could work them anytime in those hours. I'm just wondering all this because I have a toddler and he's very busy and his naps are inconsistent. I get up early in the morning and work but sometimes don't get to sit back down to work until around 7:00 at night when he goes to bed.
Also, how many hours on a holiday are required? How many hours on the weekend? How does their weekend rotation work? Do you have to work one weekend day every week? or what? Also, the site, when I went to test, said they are only hiring full time. Is that true? If so, because I'm looking for PT, should I even test? 
Please help me find some answers! Thanks ladies!
Two OSI questions
What are the OSi pay dates? Also, does anyone know the cost of medical insurance at OSI for one person?
Thanks.
asking questions
sometimes even asking questions and researching here does not help. You have to trust your instinct, give it a shot and don't leave your present company until you are 100% sure. it can be frustrating.
OSi questions
I worked for OSi in the QA department for over a year. Like another poster, I found them to be totally supportive, friendly, and helpful. I'm not sure why I have seen comments saying that the QA department sucks. I thought it was an excellent QA department that works very well together. Each QA person I knew was more than willing to help both new and seasoned MTs with their questions at any time of the day, even if they were not on duty at that particular moment. MTs are not normally switched off of accounts unless the MT specifically requests it, or, if after repeated feedback and assistance the MT still appears to be struggling with a particular account. If you aren't happy with the account you are transcribing on, talk to the account coordinator and she will help to find a better match for you. It was my experience that OSi would much rather have happy MTs transcribing on accounts they like than people who are unhappy and producing low quality reports. Before the question comes up, no, I do not work for them any longer, and the ONLY reason is that their insurance plan did not meet my needs at the time. Otherwise, I would be LOVE to be back working with them. I have yet to see that level of support, feedback, and teamwork at the company I am at now. I would say give OSi a shot - you won't be sorry.
Questions on this too.
Hey, guys. Are you over on WAHMs? I hang out there, and nobody posted an answer to this same question there. I'm interested. I think $50 is a little low for medical focus groups. But I'd be interested in working with him if I could find some good info.
Just out of curiosty, why not Ubiquis? I find I can get $80 audio hour with them. Not the most touchy feely guys in the world...
Certainly ask questions.
Yes. After sending in resume, but before testing, I ask if I can ask some questions so time won't be wasted grading test, if the company and I are not going to be a good fit. I have a few questions that I ask every company. Some have even thanked me for saving them time, if it becomes clear this is not the company for me. Companies dont want to waste their time any more than you want to waste yours.
a few questions
Are you able to use an Expander program with it? I have Instant Text. Is it similar to Word? Does it have autocorrect like word does? Thanks so much!
Questions
What is the pay rate for clinic and for acute care? How are the dictators? Do you have lots of ESL? How often do they pay?
questions
What are the pay dates, and what are the incentive line count requirements?
Thank you!
MDI-MD 5 questions
1. No insurance offered. SE status.
2. BayScribe. Easy to learn and use.
3. Yes.
4. Need to talk to recruiter/not sure. You commit to how many lines you want to complete in 24 hours, can complete them at any time.
5. Rarely.
I have several questions
Do you ever run out of work? How many accounts do you work on? How expensive is the insurance? Are you happy there? How flexible are they on scheduling? I appreciate any information.
More KS questions
I am probably going to apply with them real soon. OK to email you with a few questions?
Ask questions, but also, if they are serious,
The manager here did nothing but lie, lie, lie. I truly wish you the best. Working for a hospital can be good money and good benefits, if the manager is good that is an extra added bonus. I don't mean to rain on your chances, just go into this open minded.
|
