National Telecommuting Institute, Inc.
www.nticentral.org
VR Counselor FAQ
Questions Linked to Detailed Answers Below
- How does NTI work with VR consumers?
- What kinds of jobs do VR consumers placed by NTI perform?
- What does a VR counselor purchase when they authorize NTI to work with their VR consumer?
- What are the fees for NTI's 12 month training and support services?
- How do VR consumers who will be working at home receive the necessary training?
- Can NTI match VR consumers with part-time or full-time telework positions?
- Are NTI trainees sometimes placed into seasonal positions?
- How do State VR counselors refer consumers to NTI?
- Is NTI an approved vendor in my state?
- How can I obtain more information about the business arrangement NTI has with my state VR agency?
- What should I do if I am interested in purchasing NTI's services on behalf of a particular consumer, but NTI does not have a business relationship with my state VR agency?
- Does the consumer pay for the training or support?
- Must an individual be approved for VR services to be accepted into NTI’s 12 month training and support program?
Detailed Answers
- How does NTI work with VR consumers?
NTI is a non-profit disability organization that specializes in working with VR consumers who strongly prefer or require home-based employment. We develop a variety of telework positions and match VR consumers to jobs appropriate to their capabilities and interests. Usually we hire the VR consumers directly as NTI employees to work on contracts NTI has with government and private sector companies. However, we also match VR consumers with employers who hire the teleworkers themselves. On-the job and/or formal training classes are always part of these placements.
- What kinds of jobs do VR consumers placed by NTI perform?
NTI matches about 85% of VR consumers with in-bound customer service jobs. These jobs vary in complexity from simple order taking to more demanding reservation or technical support positions. We match the remaining 15% of VR consumers to increasingly varied positions in medical transcription, medical billing, quality control assurance, government research, recruitment, and survey and data collection.
- What does a VR counselor purchase when they authorize NTI to work with their VR consumer?
VR agencies purchase 12 months of telework training and support services. The nature of the training provided varies depending upon the particular position for which the individual is being prepared. Support services also vary depending upon the needs of the individual consumer and the job. NTI’s training and support fees are contingent upon a successful outcome, which means that most or all of what NTI charges is billed ONLY if the consumer works in a competitively paying telework position for at least 90 days. Approximately 80% of the VR consumers NTI accepts for services meet this 90 day milestone and go on to work in a long-term telework position. .
- What are the fees for NTI's 12 month training and support
services?
VR agencies are given a choice between a no-risk $3,300 fee and a shared-risk $2,800 fee. VR agencies that have selected the no-risk option are only billed if the consumer completes 90 days in a telework position and is expected to continue in the same or a similar position long-term. In the shared-risk option, the VR agency is billed $800 if the consumer completes the first two weeks of telework training. The remaining $2,000 is billed only if the consumer meets the 90 day milestone and is expected to continue in the same or a similar telework position.
- How do VR consumers who will be working at home receive the necessary training?
VR consumers receive the training they require in their homes using tested "virtual training" technology and techniques. (This type of training is sometimes called "training at a distance.") Virtual training involves the same mixture of lecture, demonstration, role playing, drill, and written tests found in traditional on-site call center classrooms.
VR consumers training for customer service positions typically attend a virtual class 5 days a week for 4-6 hours each day. One instructor works with 8-15 students. All of the students report to class at the assigned time by dialing into a call conference bridge. Students hear and interact with the instructor and one another via their telephone headsets. Each student's computer is also linked to the instructor's computer so that students can observe the instructor's screen on their own screens as the instructor explains each step of an application. When it comes time to role-play the skills that students have just learned, the instructor changes the data link so that the students see the computer screen of the student who is called upon to play the role of the agent. As the students demonstrate mastery of the application they begin to take live calls under supervision.
New hires also receive individualized coaching in succeeding months to improve their speed, accuracy, and people handling skills. VR consumers receive on-the-job training for medical transcription, medical billing, and indexing through individualized supervisor feedback and coaching.
Just as importantly, VR consumers also receive life skills training designed to enable home-based individuals to survive and thrive in a virtual workforce.
- Can NTI match VR consumers with part-time or full-time telework positions?
Yes. NTI provides access to both part-time and full-time positions. In some cases, NTI recommends that consumers start with part-time work and demonstrate success before moving to full-time telework.
- Are NTI trainees sometimes placed into seasonal positions?
Yes. Some call center work is seasonal. For example, NTI has a contract with the IRS to handle orders for IRS Forms and Publications which has a peak calling period from December – March. In the event that the $2,000 portion of the shared-risk fee, or the $3,300 no-risk fee is collected from a VR agency, and NTI is unsuccessful in being able to offer the seasonal worker a year-round telework position within 90 days of the end of the seasonal job, then the $2,000 portion of the shared-risk fee, or the entire $3,300 no-risk fee is returned to the VR agency. Seasonal work in and of itself is not an acceptable telework outcome.
- How do State VR counselors refer consumers to NTI?
VR counselors should refer consumers who strongly prefer or require home-based employment to NTI's web site at www.nticentral.org to complete an on-line application. NTI staff will review the application materials and interview each applicant by phone. Please make sure that the consumers you refer have your correct email address and phone number to submit as part of their application. NTI will contact referring VR counselors only if we are confident we can train and match your consumer to an immediate opening. At that point we will ask you for an authorization to provide services.
Sometimes NTI receives applications from consumers whom we deem qualified for employment but for whom there are no current matching openings. We keep these applications in our database. NTI is always prospecting for government and commercial telework positions. When we identify new opportunities we contact the qualified candidates in our database first to learn if they are still interested.
- Is NTI an approved vendor in my state?
Click to View NTI's current status in your state (http://www.nticentral.org/vr/v0040.shtm)
- How can I obtain more information about the relationship NTI has with my state VR agency?
VR counselors interested in more information should send email to NTI VR Agency Information. We will email you (1) (1) fee information we have for your state, (2) the contact name at that central office who is familiar with NTI, and (3) VR counselor FAQs which explain how we work with VR counselors across the country.
- What should I do if I'm interested in purchasing NTI's services on behalf of a particular consumer, but NTI does not have a vendor relationship with my state VR agency?
We would be happy to work with you to set up a VR agency relationship. Please send an e-mail to NTI VR Setup Information with the contact information for the VR counselor or central office VR administrator authorized to handle this process in your state. We will contact your agency representative.
Please include your own name and contact information so that we may keep you apprised of our progress.
- Does the consumer pay for training or support?
No. We never charge the consumer.
- Must an individual be approved for VR services
to be accepted into NTI’s 12 month training and support program?
Yes. However, if an individual is awaiting approval for VR services, NTI may invite such individuals to participate in a short-term telework training/assessment experience. VR agencies are not billed for these short-term experiences. Participation in these short-term experiences does not negate the need for the individual to enroll in NTI customary 12-training/support program if they are seeking a long-term telework position via NTI.