Pathology Transcriptionist

Wellstar Health System•Marietta, GA

14d

About The Position

Under the supervision of the department manager, the Pathology Transcriptionist supports pathologists and other allied healthcare providers by ensuring the accuracy and completeness of documents, tests ordered, and patient case reports. The role transcribes pathology reports and research and administrative documents, coordinates correspondence and materials for cases sent for consultation, and may order tests and stains, answer department calls, and provide follow-through on patient reports, stains, or demographic changes. Additional work may include process-improvement data collection, coordinating case-conference materials, maintaining a consultant calendar, and following and reviewing work-unit standard operating procedures. The transcriptionist also serves as a resource and mentor, trains and educates colleagues, and troubleshoots and resolves problems. The position handles gross and microscopic pathology report transcription, demographic information, case amendments and addenda, CAP anatomical tumor forms, and requests for patient histories or other information. It coordinates consultation and slide/block requests, including preparing materials and invoices; supports peer review, tumor boards, physician orders, and professional and technical billing; and performs departmental administrative tasks such as answering phones, distributing mail, ordering supplies, and maintaining pathology files. Depending on facility needs, responsibilities may include preparing legal-case materials and communicating with attorneys, law enforcement, Risk Management, Health Port staff, and notaries. The role requires compliance with Wellstar Health System policies, work standards, and its code of conduct, as well as performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Six months of transcription experience in a medical setting.

Nice To Haves

Formal medical transcription education.
Associate's degree.
Pathology transcription experience.
Knowledge of Pathology Information System billing.
Experience preparing tumor conferences of all genres.
Experience with pathologists' peer review and CAP anatomical tumor forms, as applicable.
Computer skills and medical terminology, preferably with a pathology specialty.
Initiative, proficiency, and good judgment in optimizing the time of allied healthcare providers.
Highly organized, efficient, and able to multitask and work independently as well as in a team.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, medical terminology experience, and excellent customer service.
High motivation and the ability to work independently and in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

Transcribe gross and microscopic pathology dictation and maintain accurate patient demographics and pathology reports.
Identify cases requiring amendments or addenda, verify previous transcription, add relevant information, and notify physicians.
Prepare CAP-required anatomical tumor forms based on pathology diagnoses and CPT codes.
Work with pathologists to obtain appropriate patient histories and current information from Wellstar or other hospitals.
Coordinate cases sent for consultation, including documenting requests, obtaining and verifying slides or blocks and reports, preparing packages, and preparing invoices when applicable.
Answer department phones, distribute mail, order kits and supplies for reference-lab send-outs, assist pathologists and histology technicians, and maintain pathology files.
Prepare slides and blocks for peer review and provide a representative selection of complex cases and related surgical protocols for pathologist review.
Support professional billing by identifying documentation for special and immunohistochemical stains and coordinating corrections with the Pathology Medical Billing Group when needed.
Research technical billing errors, document relevant specimen information, and notify Histology personnel when charge changes are needed.
Review physician orders for specimen suitability and available tumor tissue, and order reference-lab testing by completing requisitions with required technical information.
Prepare slides, blocks, reports, and related materials for tumor boards, coordinating with Histology and pathologists.
Handle legal-case requests as applicable, including validating requests, retrieving materials, completing pathology material inventories, and arranging notarization when required.
Participate in process improvement, including data collection and coordination of case-conference materials, and maintain the consultant calendar as appropriate.
Follow and review work-unit standard operating procedures, train and mentor colleagues, and troubleshoot and resolve problems.
Comply with Wellstar policies, standards of work, and code of conduct, and perform other duties as assigned.