Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

I'm not an expert in pathology

Posted By: TYPER MOM on 2007-07-06
In Reply to: Pathology Compensation - Tess

but it seems the experience that I have had with these, they are fairly short.  I guess they could be lengthy, but I would say on an average $3.00 a page should make you a mighty fine living.  You may want to see some samples before pricing this one out.  The experiences I've had were with a hospital, and these were fairly short reports.  The pathology department employed two full-time hourly MTs for a hospital that probably held about 650 beds.  The OR had about 12 rooms.  The ambulatory surgery department had about 5 rooms.  These are all just my opinions though.  Good luck to you! 




Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

Not an expert, but...

Hello


I am also in the process of going digital.  Some things I have learned along the way.....


1. I bought the Olympus DSS 330 for each of my docs.  It's reasonably priced, easy to use, and software works great.  I bought the recorders, because the doctors were completely happy with the tapes, and I am the one who wants to cut down on travel time and gas, so I felt like I should supply the recorders.


2. Audio files are too big (at least for my e-mail) to transport via regular e-mail, and they have to be secure or encrypted, so I bought space (personal/small business account) on CryptoHeaven for 2.49/month.  This is supposed to be HIPAA compliant and secure.  The files get uploaded to this site and can be transferred back and forth between you and the doctors' offices.  Keep in mind, if you or the docs have dial up, this process takes forever, so it is good to know what type of internet connection your docs have.  Cable and DSL are much faster.  If they have dial up, it could take up to 30 minutes for them to upload one day of dictation or even more.  Just a side note... I have found that audio files in DSS format are the smallest and thus the fastest to transfer.


3. I also use WinZip with this as an added protection.  The practice felt comfortable with the protection of WinZip, but WinZip alone does not provide the vehicle to transport the large DSS audio files, and DSS audio files cannot get compressed much more, so that is why I went with CryptoHeaven. 


You can e-mail me if you would like.  Keep in mind, I am no expert, and I am finding out things as I go along.  I will let you know how it goes.


Lynn  


I'm no expert, but...

Do you have a "sample" report of something you've already done in whatever format you're currently working in?  If you do, you could take your report and figure out how much you made doing that report in the format you're currently working in.  Then copy the report and put it in a new document with Times New Roman 11 and one-inch margins.  Then, using 0.9 gross lines, figure out how much you would make with the new format.  Compare it to the old.  Maybe do this with a few different reports to get an idea of a true comparison.


Hope this makes sense. :)


Not an expert here, but
I have had the same trouble, as well as having the longer files only play about a minute or two of an 8+ minute dictation (but does not go back to the beginning). I use the Olympus software, and have the trouble when I am playing .wav files rather than .dss. Two things that I have done are:

1. Download the Express Scribe free transcription module. (The trouble I have had with this is that my footpedal will not work with Express Scribe, but it works with hot keys also, so in a pinch this is what I've done.)

2. Downloaded a free trial of a program called GoldWave (I am sure there are probably others available.) This allows you to convert the file type (I convert to a .wma format -- Windows Media Audio, I think.) My Olympus plays the .wma files in full, but it seems to lose a little clarity on conversion.
Well, I am not an expert (sm)
in this area (not even close), but I would guess that anyone who installs Spyware on your computer can monitor your activity whether you are connected to a VPN or not.  What exactly is spyware, how would it get onto your computer, who put it there, why would they put it there are all questions I cannot answer.  When I was having security issues with my computer, I went to a great site (www.techsupportforum.com).  They have a 'General Computer Security' section that explains what you need to protect yourself in general.  You can also ask questions there and they will help you figure out if anything is already installed on your computer.
I'm no expert, but
are the headphones plugged into the speaker, or where?
Need some expert guessers, please sm.

Even my QA person can't get this one, so I thought maybe someone here might have an idea.  Podiatric.......the doc says, "The patient relates that approximately four months ago, the patient stepped into a hole and twisted his foot.  He heard a pop and has since had intermittent heel pain.  The patient does relate ______  dyskinesia with pain on extended periods of weightbearing." 


Once, it sounded more like prosthetic, only without the "r" sound, and the second time maybe even like postatic, which I know is not a word.  Any help would be much appreciated as he has gotten me on this twice already. 


Were it my personal account, I'd just call him and ask him! 


consulting expert

does anyone know of where I can find or how I can go about looking for a consulting person to help me out with trying to get local accounts and what I need and should do such as contract, how to go about charging the client, what software is needed and the ins and outs of various ways of getting the work back to the client?  any information would be so greatly appreciated.  I just need pointed in the right direction. 


Or can somone give me advice as to what they did to get up and running?


Have a beautiful day!


Need fax machine expert!
Can anyone tell me if you have ever had the problem of your fax machine not being able to fax only to one particular number?  I can fax anywhere else, but to this one particular number.  I have tried everything I know, even so far as calling the maker of my fax machine, but no one can tell me why I get a communication error when faxing to this one particular number.  I have changed my splitter on that line, my filter on that line and had the phone company check out my line, all to no avail. It will go through every now and then, but mostly it will not go through.  This has just started happening in the last few months. If anyone has every had this problem and can give me advice, I'd appreciate it immensely!  Thanks in Advance!
I'm no SH expert but you can make
an entry so that it expands A1c. 
I'm not even CLOSE to being an expert but..Have you tried this..

Going into the printer properties and checking your printing preferences. If your not sure how to do this....Go to your Control Panel, open up Printers...find the printer, right click on it, hit properties, and under the General tab, there should be an area at the bottom titled "Printer/printing Preferences (something like that)..hit that and check out all your settings. I'd play around in that areas with your settings to see if somehow something is in there wacko.. Just a thought. I hope it works..


EXPERT VISTA HELP, PLEASE!

I just downloaded the EditScript (Escription) program onto my computer but I'm not getting any prompts from the Installation Wizard to install it.  This is a brand-new computer and I'm kind of a Vista imbecile since I've never used it. 


Is there some other step I need to take to get the program to actually install onto my computer so I can use it, or have I done something wrong? 


I'm SOOOO confused and can't reach my supe to ask her, so I was hoping someone here would be able to offer some advice.


Thanks ever so much!!! 


Anyone an expert on Bayscribe software??
I just started a new job that uses Bayscribe, but the audio is so muffled I cannot hear the dications clearly.  The owners have no idea what is wrong, and I called Bayscribe, and they say it is on my end...either sound card or headphones.  I also work for another co. that uses Emdat, and I use express scribe, and the dictations are crystal clear.  Does anyone know what is going on? 
I have worked as a QA and as an MT which makes me an expert at SM

absolutely nothing, but I'm going to give my opinion anyway. 


Here's the problem with the whole QA process.  We (MTs) are told when interviewing that this or that service strictly adheres to the great and almighty, BIBLE of medical transcirption, the BS, er I mean BOS.  Then, when hired and given our assigned accounts, we are told the BOS applies, but .....  we do it this way for this client, that for that client, and the other way for another client. 


So, we as MTs are supposed to sift through all the crap and put out a flawless document and on top of all that, we now must also consider the egomaniacal QA person who has their "own style" of QA? 


So, now we must take an awful dictator who can scarcely put together a coherent sentence and make sense of what they are saying, then we have to make sure that whatever sentence we've constructed to articulate the dictator's thoughts strictly adheres to the rules of the BOS but WAIT then we must make sure that we've broken the correct BOS rules to suit the account specifics, and then we must now contend with the QA person who has decided we should dot our I's with little hearts cause that's the way she likes it?


And we do all of this for 8 cpl ?!?!?!?!?!


Somebody stop this crazy merry-go-round, I feel sick! 


Email me. I'm no expert, but I'll tell you what I know. nm
x
ExText Problems every day. Need some expert advice

HELP! Does anyone else have this problem and what did you do to solve it?


I use ExText and if I do a Cntl-S then Cntl-T, ExText will close both the document I've been viewing AND the job I'm working on, then open a completely new BLANK document, no headers, etc. I still have the voice files, but no document. I lose the job I've been working on as there is no time to save it to disk. It  usually near the end of transcribing a job. It happens every day, usuallly near the end of my shift. My production is suffering because of it, too.


I'm getting so frustrated and don't know what to do anymore. ExText has been reloaded a couple times and that doesn't solve the problem. I've been told it's my Word causing the problem and I have to remove it and reload that program, which I had done months ago, but still have the same problem.


I don't know where else to turn or what to do. Am I destined to NOT work for any company that uses this program? If so, that leaves out a heck of a lot of jobs.


Other than this problem, I really love using ExText. I think it's great...when it works right.


 


I can image that once we train the VR reports by our expert
editing and corrections, the VR software will start producing more accurate reports. Unfortunately, when that time does arrive, there will not be a need for as many medical editors/transcriptionists as there are now. I suspect at that point we will be competing for MT jobs, and our rates will go even lower than they are now. I hate to paint a somber picture here, but this is what the hospitals have been striving to accomplish since the mid-1980s, when they decided to outsource the transcription to MTSOs to avoid paying hourly rates and benefits.
I just started telling them I was a "medical language expert"
as you truly are one anymore trying to decipher all these docs and for some reason, that title seems to bear more acceptance
YOU may be a typist for a doctor but I'm a MEDICAL LANGUAGE EXPERT!

You can tell I'm not an expert but what is INXS? I mean the songs the bottom three sing are INSX

I have never heard of them and they sound kinda metal to me.  What category does INXS fall into?     I said I know very little about the music that these people are singing for the most part.  Is Nirvana metal? 


Thanks.


 


who died and left her boss and expert on nut-case MTs or freakish behavior?
sounds like one of the MQ supervisors all filled with herself.
Pathology
Looking for pathology transcription, any suggestions on companies?
pathology
As I have done pathology in the past, I do not believe they will ever outsource pathology. The turn around time is too close and the way that pathology is dictated is very hard to dupliate. The gross part is dictated in the morning and then the ending evaluation is dictated that evening, with all of this having to be on the same report. Then, if any special stains are done, this has to be appended to the corresponding report as well.
Pathology

I have done pathology for years; was trained with a state coroner's office and then worked in 2 large hospital pathology offices.  Yes, it can be very repetitive and boring. 


I'll just give you a basic overview for general pathology:


First, you will have the "gross description".  It will be dictated as soon as specimens are received.  It is literally a physical description of the specimen, including color, size, shape, texture, marks, etc.


Sometimes a "frozen section diagnosis" is issued while a patient is in surgery and the surgeon needs to know immediately if carcinoma is present. 


Once slides are made and the pathologist reviews them, then the "microscopic description" will be dictated.  You go back to the same report and below the gross description you type the microscopic.  It will be very detailed with heavy pathology terminology and a diagnosis or diagnoses.  Sometimes it will state that further studies are being done and only give a tentative diagnosis, etc.  You may handle that one report many times before it is completed and ready to be signed off.


There are many different other types of reports you may do including bone marrow aspirations, peripheral blood smears, cytology (pathological review of urine, sputum, and blood - liquids), hormone receptor testing, and even autopsies.


You should invest in a pathology word book and be very familiar with pathology style, which is extremely important.  Become familiar with the names and style to appropriately type bacteria, viruses, various pathogens, stains, laboratory values. 


Overall, I love it.  It is fast-paced and time-sensitive.  If ever I can help you, write me and I will do all I can.


Pathology
I used to do that about 6 years ago. The pay isn't as good, try branching out? Or call Spheris they used to hound me for pathology transcription, although I wouldn't go back to it now.
pathology
Just applied for a job transcribing pathology at a large hospital and need to learn this quick!  Any suggestions or ideas would be very much appreciated
Pathology
How come nobody hardly ever talks about pathology on these boards?
If you like pathology.
This way you can leave work at work.  If that doesn't work out, you could always come home to QA'ing....   Good luck! 
Pathology
Can you tell me where I can find pathology typing at home. I have 16 years experience in Pathology
Pathology MT

Hi, I am currently a pathology Transcriptionist at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.  I have been on this job a little over 2 years on a Lanier machine and it has done me well.  It is very repetitious and I have a ton of macros, which affords me to fly through the dictations.  Some of the dictators have accents, but I've come to recognize what they are saying to make the necessary adjustments.  I do like pathology transcription, never done it before this job, however, like I said it is repetitious and monotonous; so if you get bored easily, this is not the job for you.  : )   I also make a good living doing it on site.  I don't know how much you'd make doing it at home.  They are trying to move us home now, so we'll see. 


I wish you luck.


Pathology

Love pathology, worked in pathology departments (1 year for VA and 1 year for  children's hospital). Pathology is cool.


Want Pathology also

Am looking for a home-based Pathology MT position.  Tried Medical Examiner's offices also, but they were not looking.  Have over 30 years experinence. 


Pathology
Is my nightmare.
Pathology
I LOVE Pathology!! (Guess it's because I have been transcrbing it for 20 years). I have transcribed other specialties but I will admit - Pathology is definitely my favorite...
Does anyone do Pathology?
if so, what system do you use - if you work for a big transcription company (as opposed to directly for a pathologist)  do they pay the same for pathology as for other work.  I've recently been asked to come back to work for a pathologist I worked for (for 10 years).  They then switched to a big outsourcing company and have not been happy ever since.  Their "new system" seems to require 20% of the time transcribing and 80% of the time on busy work - looking up names, demographics, etc.  Does anyone have an opinion about this?  Thank you.
Pathology MT

Hi there,


I do pathology transcription.


Cheryl


 


PATHOLOGY MT
I work in Pathology and have for the last 29 years. I work for a major medical center and we are currently using Cerner CoPath Laboratory information System. We use a digital dictating/transcription system by MedQuest formerly Lanier.
Pay for a pathology MT

Have interview for a Pathology MT.  I am an acute-care MT but have an interview with a pathology group.   I also have another job offer as an IC typing Op reports from my parttime boss. 


The pathology MT job is by the hour with a quota.  I was wondering if any pathology MT would want to share a rough estimate on what they make per hour for MTs that are paid by the hour.  Thanks


 


Pathology transcription
Hi there, I was just wondering if anybody would know of any good home-based transcription company that involves pathology, cytology, and autopsy related?  Thx. 
Pathology Transcription
It is unclear whether you are looking for work or looking for a home-based transcriptionist. I have pathology experience.
Because typing pathology from
rare. I would love to do pathology again, but I will never go back to an office environment again.
Pathology Compensation
Can anyone tell me what the average compensation is for transcribing the gross only for pathology, by report, not lines?  Thanks so much for your assistance.
Pathology at home
I do pathology transcription at home with 30+ years experience in a hospital setting in general pathology, cytology and autopsy reports. What are you looking for?
Pathology transcription
Does anyone know if Pathology transcriptionists are paid more for that specialty? I've been offered a job and am trying to determine a price per line.  Thank you.
pathology work
Would anyone like to contribute their thoughts on the difficulty or nondifficulty of pathology work? 
pathology transcription
i am also looking to do pathology transcription from home. anyone know of a reliable company looking for a experienced Transcriptionist for pathology
I started out in Pathology - sm
as an electron microscopist, then graduated to supervisor of 5 different clinical labs. A friend of mine who was an OR tech badly damaged her ankle and could no longer do that line of work, and an orthopedic surgeon asked her if she would be interested in doing his transcription. She asked me to help, and soon we had 11 accounts and our own little business. She did full-time, I was part-time. Well, at the hospital, with downsizing and buy-outs, my labs which previously employed almost 30 people, were soon down to 7, then 5. When they told me I had to lay off another person (even with the workload climbing), I laid off myself, and went to doing MT full-time. My terminology base was great, but going back and forth to those doctors' offices, picking up microcassettes, printing reports, etc. got to be a hassle so when I located to another area of the country, I sought out employment at home. Beend doing it ever since. As in your case, it allowed me to support myself and my 3 boys, and I still feel part of the healthcare industry, doing my own little part for the patients. I am glad it worked out so well for you. Good luck in the future!!
PATHOLOGY transcription question

Hello all !  I'm going on an interview for a pathology transcription position.  I've only done medical records in the past, but the company wants to meet me and is confident I will adapt.  But my question is - what is PATHOLOGY like?  Does anyone have a link that I can read or review pathology ?   I hear it's very boring and repetitive - is this true ?


Does it command a greater salary than medical records transcription?  Im in NY, btw.


Any advice you experts have I would love to hear ! 


Thanks!  


Transcribing pathology reports

Just a thought.  You could call medical examiner's offices and ask if they need help or ask them who they contract their work out to.  I used to type for an agency that had the New York Medical Examiner's Office contract.  You could try them.  Good luck!


Carrie


What is the best platform for pathology transcription?

This is not for a company, but for an in-house system that we will want to purchase. 


Pathology transcription jobs
Hi.  Anyone know of a company that employs transcriptionists for at-home position, who specialize in pathology?  If so, please reply.  Thanks
Home-based Pathology
Does anyone out there type for a Pathology Dept. or a medical examiner in the privacy of their own home?  I saw a message where one gal said she worked for a hospital Path. Dept. from her home which included benefits, etc.  I cannot find her message now, and am wondering if she is still out there and would answer my message.  I would love this as I really need the benefits.  Thanks  Del