I am getting close to being able to schedule my CPC exam. I have been awaiting dates to be released for my town for February or March, so I keep checking the website periodically. As I was checking out my local chapter this morning, I realized that the president of my local chapter currently works for the same doctor that I do! We work together, and I have not yet told them that I am changing careers. I have no intention of leaving them high and dry when the time comes, but I was not ready to divulge this information until I was much closer to looking for a coding position. So now I'm wondering how do I go about testing and participating in my local chapter without having to give up my little secret. I know I will have to tell them eventually, but I am just worried that they will kick me to the curb before I am ready and leave me without a paycheck. We have a great working relationship and I am highly respected, but it scares me to let them know I plan to leave too soon. Maybe it will end up working out in my favor that I work with the president of the chapter, but I just don't want any hard feelings. I never expected this to be an issue. Any advice?
Goodness, you are in a pickle. I have a dissimilar situation. Similar in that I don't want to tell them that I am planning to change career, like you, afraid they will kick me to the curb before I'm ready. Dissimilar in that I don't work beside anyone in my chapter. Is there a reason she would know you are testing? She is in your chapter, but how would she get information about who is and who isn't testing. That's a good question for you to ask an AAPC person. Are test administrators obligated to not share information about who is testing?
I seem to remember a comment by one of our instructors who said she does or has administered these tests. I'd be interested to hear her response to this, sorry, but cannot remember which instructor it was. Her comment came on the heels of a concern for loud, distracting page turning during the tests.
Donna G
That would be good to know. Since the dates haven't been released I don't know who will be proctoring yet. Even if she doesn't get the information that way, I had hoped to start attending meetings once I officially passed the test. I guess at that point it will either be time to tell them or not attend meetings until I'm ready. I am their only transcriptionist, so I have a feeling the moment they know I'm planning to eventually leave they will want to start training someone else, which means less work for me and less money in my pocket, and that is something I didn't want to happen until I had a backup plan.
Take it somewhere else. I traveled to another state (relatively close) to take mine. You don't have to do it with your chapter.
I would be concerned in that situation, as well. If your coworker proctors, she would obviously see you there. There is also the possibility that she would see your name on a list even if she did not proctor. You never know how some people will react to things like that.
I agree that you should just be able to take the test with another chapter. Also check to see if there is a way you can keep the AAPC from publishing that you passed. When you join, be sure that you select a different chapter. Your local chapter will receive notice that you joined so that they can begin sending you meeting notices and other emails. It is easy enough to change chapters later, but for now you want to belong to a chapter that is not near you.
Thank you for that information Peggy. I was afraid of that. I really wanted to be able to get involved in my local chapter right off the bat, but I think I'll wait until I've let the cat out of the bag. The next closest one is probably at least an hour away. I was hoping for the comfort of home when testing, but an hour's drive won't be too bad. Hopefully when I eventually let them know my plans she will welcome me to our local chapter with open arms! I don't want it to be awkward.
Just to mix things up a bit here, what about a totally different approach. Make her part of your support team. Tell her that you have a goal and get her involved in helping you achieve it. That's only if she's a nice, supportive kind of a person though. If you aren't sure, that probably wouldn't be a good idea. Have you ever talked to her about coding or asked her any questions about it? Did she tell you how she feels about her job or recommend it? If she's defensive about it or doesn't seem like she wants to help others along, that would be a bad sign, but if she's President of the chapter, that USUALLY means that she's a professional wiling to bring others along with her. Keep us updated!
I've been keeping up with the replies, some very interesting comments. My kick-in is that, considering you are concerned about being kicked to the curb once they find out about your coding training/future career, don't trust anybody. I have found that to be true in so many settings throughout life; if it was important to keep it quiet but if I just had to share it with my closest friend or brother, I regretted it because they didn't see the importance of keeping the secret. Not meant to harm me, just were careless with my confidence. So I learned to not say anything, which gets lonely sometimes, but is for self protection. Donna G
I have thought about that. She could be an excellent resource for me if I go about it the right way. I work remotely so we do not ever have the chance to chat casually. In the 5-6 years I've worked for them I've been in the office maybe 5 times. She may not even recognize me by sight, but she definitely knows my name and who I am. I am a little torn now. I feel like I could really benefit from having her on my side from the get go, even if just as a reference. I think I will cross this bridge when I get there. This ties in with another thread as well, about whether or not to go job hunting after the CPC or wait until you have the CCS too. If I'm going to go for it right after I get the CPC it might be good to go ahead and tell them, but if it's going to be another 6-8 months while I work on my CCS before I leave it might not be the best thing. I'll definitely update this in the future with whatever way I decide to go!
I agree with Linda. Honesty is always the best policy, especially in the coding field.
Another angle: My thought is you go with honesty is the best policy. I would take the test at the local chapter. As soon as you do, go in to the doctor's office and tell everybody you have your CPC. Don't let them find out second hand.
We human beings are creatures of habit. We DON'T LIKE CHANGE. You have been doing their transcription for 5-6 years. Apparently you do a good job and they like you. They probably will not be in a hurry to let you go.
You may find that your contacts in the office; President of local chapter, doctor, receptionist, nurses may be able to provide you leads for jobs as a coder and would be good references for you. BUT you need to be up front with them.
This is quite an interesting development for you. I know that honesty is the best policy, but sometimes this type of information is best kept to yourself until you are closer to leaving, depending on the particular office politics where you work.
The other thing you have to consider is how they will feel if they find this information out secondhand. I know that no one should hold you back from advancing your career, but again, it all depends on the attitudes in your office. I would hope that the AAPC local chapter President would be encouraging and want to help you succeed.
Please let us know how this all works out for you. I am sure it will!!