Just the Facts - NTSQC

To introduce myself, I am a QC with NTS for 3 years.  I have never posted on the boards, but I have been reading some posts lately and would like to clear up some misconceptions regarding the QC position.  My goal is simply to inform you of facts -- not to "defend" or give my opinion.

1.  QC versus QA.  I am a QC, meaning I proofread jobs that have not yet been sent to the  client.  A QA proofreads jobs after they have been sent to the client.  Jobs done by a QC will show in Fiesa as Q1 review while jobs proofed by QA will show as Post Audit.  

2.  Scoring.  NTS gives the QC/QA guidelines for scoring.  We have NO input into these and are only to score them appropriately.  We do not see your final scores -- we only mark the errors we find in a report.  The system in the background automatically computes scores.  My goal is only to produce the best possible document for the client without regard at all to whose report I am scoring.  

Approximately a month ago, the QA department had conference calls with the QCs to review all the scoring guidelines in an effort to get some consistency in scoring and give us guidelines on "gray" areas.  We were also given a list of items NOT TO SCORE -- in other words, "comment" or no points deducted.  Punctuation that has no impact on meaning is one of those items -- example would be a semicolon before "however".  Also if what is written means the exact same thing, we are not to score for that.  If you get jobs that have those items marked, you can and SHOULD appeal those jobs.

3.  MT bonuses.  The scores that you get from a QC labeled Q1 review in Fiesa DO NOT in any way figures into your bonuses.  The ONLY quality scores taken into account for bonuses are the Post Audit or QA scores.  

4.  QC bonuses.  As of this date, QC is NOT receiving bonuses as of yet.  Yes, it is in the works, but the talk of errors increasing because of QC bonuses is not accurate -- there is NO BONUS.  We have not even been given the details of how bonuses will be calculated.

5.  Fiesa.  Fiesa can be a "curse" but it can also be a help.  As a QC, I also am scored in my work, sometimes by other QCs and also by QA.  I hate getting those Fiesa error messages as much as you do.  However, I ALWAYS appeal jobs for reversal if I disagree with the scoring and nearly always get them reversed when I do.  

As a QC, I and many others use Fiesa as a helping tool in the comment section by giving "hints" and explanations that may help the MT in her research or hearing blanks, etc.  By the way, we do NOT listen to a different audio -- we hear the same audio you hear.  Please take time to look at the comments -- Yes, I know you don't get paid for that extra time, but it may save errors down the road when Post Audit reviews your reports.