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Pathology Transcriptionist Take On Matters - st

Posted: Dec 07, 2011

Is gross pathology transcription considered too advanced for a newbie?

Interviewer wants me to have updated immunizations (would need at least 4 shots!) and I would need to schedule a physical (usually takes months w/my doc) and I don't know if it is worth it. HR went dead silent when answered I have never done pathology transcription (not encouraging) and my gut reaction from the phone conversation was that I would not be a top candidate. Of course, then there would be more interviews w/hosp. personnel if I advanced past HR.

I don't know why I would need these things in advance of being offered the actual position.

What is your take on the difficulty of this transcription? Thank you for your input!

How newbie are you? - yochana

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been an MT for 10 years and this summer I was asked to do a gross pathology account. I have never had any experience with pathology at all but found it quite easy. The reports are quite short and very repetitious. But, I have extensive experience in surgery, derm, and nearly all types of transcription so I am not sure if it would be over your head. If you have done only clinic work, then I'd say, yes it probably would be over your head unless the hospital would let you have sample reports and learn on the job. There may be one catch in that usually they want all the day's work done by 5 pm before the pathologist quits for the day. And I agree, no need to have a physical or immunizations until you secure the job.

Just out of the gates... - st

[ In Reply To ..]
Graduated this past summer. My first position was in acute care but halfway through training, I was layed off due to overhiring. So I'm pretty green.

Thanks for your comments!

Good luck! You won't be sorry - ohiocarole

[ In Reply To ..]
I LOVE pathology, but the only positions available in my hospital are in house and I'm too spoiled to drive 20 minutes back and forth every day.

I agree your chances don't sound good. - Reason they want sm

[ In Reply To ..]
you to have everything in advance is so should they decide to hire you, you would be able to start right away.

If you can't start right away, then you also won't get an offer because of that fact.

It's up to your judgment whether you want to spend the time and money for the immunizations and doctor visit on the off chance they won't find anyone with any better experience.

My first transcription job was in pathology ... - grandma

[ In Reply To ..]
... and granted, that was a long time ago, but gross pathology hasn't changed a whole lot.

Here's my take: There aren't that many experienced pathology transcriptionists, and the ones who are usually hang onto their jobs for dear life especially if they know what a grind acute care can be.

So if you've done some transcription and have a solid foundation in medical terminology, you're a decent candidate. As mentioned upthread, the dictation is usually short and pretty repetitious. Within about three months you'll have heard just about every term you're going to hear except for the odd uncommon one now and then.

I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in the HR person's reaction. HR (in which I've also worked ... and went back to transcription to avoid going insane, if that tells you anything) is all about profiling the ideal candidate for jobs they've never done themselves. It's the hiring supervisor's opinion that counts, not HR's. So your goal, if you want the job, is to get to the interview phase so you can actually talk with that person. That means jumping through some of their preliminary hoops, but at least you'd be a bit ahead of the game for the next hospital job you apply for if this one doesn't happen.

In the absence of a transcriptionist walking in the door with five or six years of pathology experience under her belt, I'd at least consider you if I were hiring. FWIW.

not the OP, but what a helpful response! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]

pathology - Tiredlady

[ In Reply To ..]
From your post, it sounds like an in-house position. That has a lot of both pros and cons. First, you will NOT be considered a transcriptionists by the pathologists and/or staf, you WILL be considered a SECRETARY, even though your job description may state you are a transcriptionist. And most likely you will be working with doctors who are total premadonnas who who have hissy fits if the universe doesn't bow at their feet. There will be many demands made on you as a "secretary", such as receiving calls for results, send out, consult letters to attending physicians, dealing with outside labs, etc, oh and let's not forget the ever famous making the coffe and bringing in donuts for everybody. And lastly, most likely you will work and be stuck with very catty co-workers. I don't tell you this to scare you or discourage you, it is simply a reality.

Now some pros, for starters, benefits which are incredibly helpful considering the insane cost of private insurance, and the work is incredibly steady. Most of the people that I know that work in pathology typically have these jobs for a very very long time despite the economy. The pay? It can range anywhere from 8 - 12 dollars an hour for a hospital job. I've made more, but that was at an outside lab. And of course, some lifelong friends that I cherish dearly.

To sum up, if you can get a job like this, WONDERFUL! If you do, don't ever let it go. Keep in mind though, from what I have seen, it takes a very special breed to do this kind of work as it can be "gross", no pun intended. In any case, I hope this help a bit.

Best wishes to you!

Depends.... - AZMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have transcribed pathology in a medical record department and in the pathology department, so she may not necessarily be located in the pathology department.

It's a good idea to find out EXACTLY what the duties and responsibilities are. As the poster above stated, you may be multitasking (mailing out slides, etc.). Or you may be sitting there just transcribing gross reports all day. Who knows.

At any rate, gross reports are very brief and easy as pie -- they just consist of a visual description of the specimen (color, shape, size, etc.). It's the micro that can be a little tricky.

FWIW there is no way I would have a bunch of toxic aluminum-, mercury-, and squalene-laden "vaccines" pumped into my veins unless I absolutely had to. Do some research. They aren't as safe or effective as most people think. Of course that's a personal decision.

Wishing you the best. :)

Went on company website to read the job - st

[ In Reply To ..]
description and it was a more complete version, including secretarial responsibilities (not mentioned on description I have)!

I also was able to view department personnel name/bio; there was a predominant employee ESL ratio of 15-4. This would make a significant difference in my ability to meeet TAT.

Thank you all for your views on this.

Well, you can't go by surnames. - AZMT

[ In Reply To ..]
MOST MDs nowadays have "foreign" surnames. However, some are "mixed" and not all just got off the boat -- I.E., they could have an English-speaking parent and/or be 2nd generation, etc.

Some of the clearest dictators I have look "foreign" and have "foreign"-sounding surnames, but they have no accent and speak perfect English (better than some Anglo/native dictators, I might add).

I wish you the best, no matter what you decide. :)

AZMT - st

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you. Also, just to clarify, I went by their provided bios.

PATHOLOGY - roybrit

[ In Reply To ..]
I've read all the responses and I am currently a pathology transscriptionist and have been since 1979. Pathology is all I have ever done. True gross descriptions can be routine and simple but it all depends on the kind of hospital you are working for. I work for a teaching hospital and there is nothing routine or simple about a gross description for a Whipple procedure, renal/pancreas/lung transplant. There is also nothing simple about an autopsy gross description. I LOVE PATHOLOGY. I disagree that is it a "SECRETARIAL" positions. Our doctors are employed by the medical school and they all have their own secretaries. We are strictly pathology medical transcriptionists. Also, our docs are not primadonnas and we are definitely part of the team. If you can get this job grab it. You will not be sorry.

PATHOLOGY - roybrit

[ In Reply To ..]
FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A "SIMPLE" GROSS DESCRIPTION (NOT AN ACTUAL PATIENT TAKEN FROM SAMPLE PATHOLOGY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET)

CLINICAL HISTORY: A 86 year old female with a left renal mass in the upper pole

GROSS DESCRIPTION SECTION: Received in formalin, labeled â��left kidneyâ�� is a 14.5 x 7.1 x 2.5 cm kidney
with unremarkable perirenal fat present at the upper pole (suture oriented, per requisition). A 5.3 cm in length
segment of ureter exits from the hilum. The renal vein appears occluded. The cut sections of the specimen
demonstrate a 8.3 x 2.5 x1.5 cm tan-orange partially circumscribed tumor with sharp borders and central
hemorrhage present in the upper pole. Gerotaâ��s fascia appears uninvolved. The tumor extends into the renal vein;
the venous margin appears positive for tumor. The remainder of the kidney is unremarkable.

NOT a secretary! - Laura

[ In Reply To ..]
I disagree with your post somewhat. I was a Pathology transacriptionist on an Air Force Base for many years, and I was considered a professional, never a secretary!! I got more respect from Pathology doctors than I have ever received from any other doctor! I LOVED this type of work, and only stopped doing it because the base closed. Take the job!! They are few and far between, and the work is completely rewarding!! For the record, I never made coffee or brought donuts, so maybe you worked for a place that took advantage of you.

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