VITAC- Transcription with Benefits

Updated on: by Amy Kennedy
VITAC

VITAC handles 170,000 HOURS of realtime captioning and delivers more than 35,000 offline projects annually, and we track performance every day. -VITAC.com

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What is VITAC?
Vitac works for high-profile television networks to provide accurate captioning of their programs. You know, that CC button you may have accidentally pressed on your TV remote that made a text version of the show’s script appear on your screen. VITAC provides this service and they hire home based employees!
 
What Are The Qualifications?
Your typing skills must be proficient with a speed over 50 words per minute, you need to be able to maintain a deep focus while working with little to no distractions. You must have a high level of English grammar skills and computer literacy. If you have a degree in English, Journalism, Communications or a related field you have a leg up when you apply!
It does NOT appear you have to be experienced, although it would certainly help. There are ways to train online for the position and even some smaller companies that you may be able to get involved with for some experience before applying to VITAC.
However, the site explains that nearly all of their captioners want to work from home (they have in-house employees as well) and it would require a special talent to stand out from the others to be able to work from home with VITAC.
There was a bit of a confusion on the requirements to be a VITAC real time captioner. The site is confusing on this issue and has some outdated information. Therefore, I am taking directly from the site what their qualifications are:

What typing speed does a captioner need?No less than graduation speed of 200-225 wpm. The syllabic density of captioning material will be far more difficult to handle than normal judicial material. Many reporting students have called me to say, “I can’t get the speed requirements in school, so I’d like to become a captioner.” Captioning is a highly specialized end of the reporting field and demands the best of skills: speed, accuracy, and broad knowledge in all television-related areas

I want to work for VITAC. What can I do to improve my chances?Just as you must be a qualified writer and well-versed in court procedures when applying for an official court reporting position, and just as you must know the art of freelance deposition reporting before applying to a firm, so too must you know the business of captioning.
What does that mean? Above all, you must be able to write television. The initial round of the application process for a remote position is submitting first-run files from TV programs. In reviewing these files, we look for near-perfect translation, because that’s your job as a captioner: to provide near-perfect translation of TV programming.

How Flexible is The Schedule?

Home Based Real-Time Captioners have a set 15 hour a week schedule and are then able to choose their own additional hours. You are expected to work at least one weekend day a week and will often be needed during holidays.

 
How is The Pay at VITAC?
The pay reportedly varies based on the rate of the client you are working for at the time, the time of day, how much time is invested and so forth. It seems that this maybe paid based on task but because you are an employee I believe they are required to pay you a minimum wage.
 
What Benefits Are Offered?
VITACT provides all necessary equipment and softwre needed including ongoing support.  VITAC also provides their employees with health insurance that includes vision and dental, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and a 401(k) program!

Are There Alternatives to VITAC?

If you are looking for alternatives to VITAC, you can check out these alternatives:

  • Rev: This company provides a variety of services, including closed captioning, transcription, and subtitling. Their service is known for being quick and relatively affordable.
  • 3Play Media: 3Play Media offers a suite of services including closed captioning, transcription, audio description, and subtitling. They are known for their advanced process that combines technology and human editing.
  • CaptionMax: CaptionMax offers a range of services including real-time and offline closed captioning, subtitling, and video description services. They serve several industries, including broadcast, education, cinema, and government.
  • Ai-Media: This company provides live and recorded captioning, transcription, and audio description services. They serve a variety of sectors including education, corporate, broadcast media, and government.
  • CaptioningStar: CaptioningStar provides closed captioning for pre-recorded videos and live events. They offer several types of captioning services, including broadcasting, YouTube, and offline captioning.
 
How Do I Apply?
Applying as a Real-Time Captioner at VITAC includes showing off your skills by watching one of the daily evening news programs listed be
low and transcribing the entire episode.

  • ABC World News Tonight
  • CBS Evening News
  • NBC Nightly News

You would then be required to email the document in .txt form to VITAC along with your resume. For instructions visit VITAC and view the right side of the screen.

Visit VITAC’s FAQ section to learn more details.

I have several more reviews to share through the month of April as we continue our series of “April is Showering Jobs with Benefits!” So be sure to sign up for the newsletter at the top right corner of the screen if you have not already.

If you have experience with VITAC please rate it with the 5 star rating system below:

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Bailey

April 11, 2011 at 10:02 am

Sounds like an interesting possiblity.

Angie

April 11, 2011 at 11:50 am

I've always thought captioning would be a great job! But, I hate transcription. 😉

Rona's Home Page

April 11, 2011 at 2:08 pm

It's great to see more work at home jobs offering benefits.

Rona's Home Page

April 11, 2011 at 2:09 pm

I'm glad to say I have one of those work at home jobs that offers full benefits, including 401k.

Chrystal Mahan

April 11, 2011 at 6:09 pm

Sounds like it would be great for a lot of people. I can't commit to work weekend so many wah jobs do not work out for me.

Niki

July 10, 2011 at 8:27 am

Hi, I just wanted to clear up the confusion of your 50wpm. I am a court reporter that does closed captioning. I do not work for Vitac but another company. That speed requirement is most likely for the offline captioner position. For the realtime captioner you need speed up to 225 wpm. You need training for that such as court reporting school. They aren’t typing on a keyboard for the realtime position. It’s the machine that a court reporter uses. You may not need training for the offline captioner position but you certainly cannot do the realtime captioner with specialized training.

Miranda Grimm

July 10, 2011 at 10:02 am

Thank you! that does help clear up a lot of confusion.

Simion

May 22, 2014 at 11:12 am

Vitac attracting some terrible reviews from former employees online http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Vitac-Reviews-E330814.htm

Stacey Griffin

October 26, 2015 at 9:46 am

I am interested in the work from home position. I have a court reporting degree, but have not worked in the field. Would like to speak with someone about what I would need to do to get started.