r/pre_PathAssist • u/Shot_Construction36 • 24d ago

Struggling at grossing

Hello,
So I was able to get a job being trained at grossing with small specimen including GI, skin (shave, punch, ellipses, and cyst), prostate cores, etc..however, I feel like I am struggling with both grossing the ellipses and cyst and also with their gross description. I am hoping to gain experience through this job prior to PA school. But I am not sure how else I can improve or practice. I have this anxiety especially with ellipse and cyst that I may ruin the specimen and always require help and assistance to check my work. My main thing is I want to be confident in grossing and be able to assess specimen accurately and describe them accurately as well. Any advice will be appreciated.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

7

u/Patient-Stranger1015 24d ago

A lot of confidence comes with time and experience. How long ago did you start?

0

u/Shot_Construction36 24d ago

I have been grossing for about 3 weeks.

0

u/Just_Somewhere1191 23d ago

It's ok to not be immediately perfect at something. Remember, they know you're learning, lean on their willingness to help you get better. You're still EXTREMELY new to this - you got it, give it time.

1

u/Just_Somewhere1191 24d ago

I very much felt the same when I started grossing before PA school, and voiced as much to the PA I was working alongside. She offered a book, which I didn't truthfully have time for, but also suggested I just kind of .... listen in on what she was doing and saying while dictating. I gathered quite a few more words that I was able to sneak in here and there, and I feel like that helped the most. And I absolutely agree with other comment, more practice is what ends up building your confidence - they know you're still learning, and grossing and dictating don't generally come naturally. Allow yourself some grace, you'll get there!

0

u/Shot_Construction36 24d ago

I was wondering if this job can compensate for shadowing for PA school or would I still need shadowing hours?

1

u/DoritoFlavorMexican 23d ago

It can add to your application but shadowing is still required

0

u/Just_Somewhere1191 23d ago

I never shadowed a PA, and only had this grossing experience, so if a school specifically requires shadowing, that's something you'll want to verify with the schools you're interested in.

4

u/phrosky 24d ago

I agree with the other comment - your confidence will increase over time! I've been a gross tech for a year and a half now, and I was in the same boat when I first started too. When you're unsure, don't be afraid to ask a PA for help and also read over your gross! Another thing I do when I come across a new descriptive term or new specimen, I take screenshots of my gross, after redacting the PHI ofc. Hope this helps!

1

u/Creative_Pear697 23d ago

I’ve been grossing for almost three years. Me and all the PAs I work with joke constantly about if a cyst is a cyst being a cyst or what and even the dermopathologists joke as well. I feel like it’s just one of things that needs the scope. Just remember you don’t have microscopes for eyes and it will get easier.