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MT to unit secretary? - kris

Posted: Mar 18, 2014

I know some folks have gotten out of MT and gone into different positions in hospitals. I see a few local jobs online for unit secretaries and scheduling clerks that require no other specialized training other than terminology, and i am wondering if anyone has gone that route, is it a big learning curve? did you feel in over your head?

It would be so far out of my range of comfort (haven't worked outside for almost 10 years) and not to mention having to get a wardrobe (although scrubs look comfy) and leaving the house for work (the horror!) and leaving the kids pretty much alone all summer (unless I went third shift...which i might not mind). I am searching and searching for something before I HAVE to... might just apply and see if i get an interview...

Go for it. - I took a similar job

[ In Reply To ..]
I took a job in a mental health facility and it is a secretary-type job. I absolutely love it! I also had many of the same concerns, but I couldn't be happier now. Good luck.

My Experience - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
I applied to several positions for unit secretary, only to be "not considered." I finally found out that hospitals tend to just hire from within---basically shifting employees around from within if something opened up, but another position was eliminated or reduced.

That being said, it would not hurt to apply. I just don't want you to take it personally if you aren't considered for the position.

I had a job for a while where I wore scrubs; yes, they are extremely comfortable. They are also affordable, and sometimes facilities supply the scrubs for you.

I loved wearing scrubs for a few reasons. 1) I didn't have to think about what I was going to wear the next day. 2) I did not have to purchase different outfits for each day; who knew if it was the same top or pants you wore the day before. 3) I did not have to "dress up" my face, feet, fingers, wrists etc. if I didn't want to. Plain Jane matched all the way around.

Good luck to you!

I've had the same experience - Kath

[ In Reply To ..]
I was a unit clerk before I decided to get into MT. Over the last year and a half I've applied for several unit clerk positions at the local hospitals only to be told they "are considering candidates whose experience more closely matches..." blah, blah, etc. I've also applied for the rare transcription jobs I see advertised at the same hospital system and have also been turned down. It is discouraging when you know you have the experience they are looking for only to be told your experience isn't good enough.

I wound up finding a job as a seamstress in a dress shop. The pay is terrible and the hours are slim, but I absolutely love it as a part-time thing.

I'm still looking for something more substantial that will allow me to get away from MT permanently.

same here - zoodle

[ In Reply To ..]
Yep. Same here. Over two decades of transcription experience and hospitals give me a billion rejections for even patient registration but yet hired someone I know that had zilch experience but was younger. I don't know why but they don't seem to be hiring old MTs.

I've always - wanted to

[ In Reply To ..]
to be a unit sec on the OB floor. There is an opening at the hospital where I work remotely, but after researching the salary, it is more than a 50% pay cut and I just could not keep my home on the salary. I think it would be a fun job.

unit secretary - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
that is one of the positions open - 3rd shift unit secretary in the birthing center 3 nights a week, and the other one is 4 days a week as a radiology scheduling clerk. I have almost completed my app for the clerk position - just have to work on my cover letter :)

come back and let us know - the outcome

[ In Reply To ..]
I am excited for you!

will do :) n/m - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
nm :)

I hope you do apply - suggestion

[ In Reply To ..]
When you apply, please don't just say you were an MT and expect them to know what that is. And don't say you are a "medical language specialist" or whatever the current term is.

Someone posted a list of what MTs really do and know in February. Suggest you find it and use it. It laid out the skills really well.

When you apply - On Site HIM

[ In Reply To ..]
Say what your job title was, be it medical language specialist or medical transcriptionist, ("please don't say that" why not?). If you interview, it is up to them to ask you about your duties in your former job, and your chance to express yourself. There is no need to lie, it is not something to be ashamed of and believe it or not, having been an MT in a former life is not a deterrent to getting another job as some people seem to think. If you'd been a drug dealer or something unsavory, then it is okay to lie, but never be ashamed of being an MT.

That is not what I said - Suggestion

[ In Reply To ..]
Where did THAT come from??? I never told her not to mention being an MT.

Thus is what I said ... "please don't just say you were an MT and expect them to know what that is."

Again, please don't JUST say you were an MT and expect them to know. And then I recommended a post further down to help describing skills an MT brings with her.

I think your advice to wait for them to ask about your duties is damaging. She isn't going to get that chance because she isn't going to get an interview if that employer has no clue what an MT is or does. And, in spite of what you may think, few peoole have ever known.

I didn't advise her to lie, either, and cannot imagine how you thought I did. I disagree with your advice that it is ok to lie if you were something unsavory, like a drug dealer. Lying is never acceptable.
I

Wardrobe - On site HIM

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't understand all this wardrobe anxiety, it sure seems like a silly reason not to pursue a job. Actually, you only need a few pieces to mix and match, you don't have to wear something new every day and you don't have to break the bank. There must be something in your closet that you can wear. You can get great deals at consignment shops. As far as jewelry and makeup, my experience working in health care clerical jobs are that jewelry and makeup are to be kept to a minimum. Bracelets get in the way if you are keyboarding. Someone mentioned pedicures? If you must, do them yourself at home but it's really not a job requirement. Unfortunately you are going to have to leave the house. In any new job you will have a learning curve and it is natural to feel in over your head at first but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Don't sweat the small stuff...

I did apply - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
well I sent in my application for both the 3rd shift OB secretary and the 4 day a week scheduling clerk position. we'll see what happens :)

Also, I am not sweating the wardrobe :) I just like the idea of wearing comfy scrubs :)

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