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Congratulations on your job and thanks for both the information and the encouragement, Tara. Right now, I'm where you were in August. I hope to report similar happy news soon. Congratulations again!

Liz Cook, CPC-A

Congratulations Tara!!! :) This is great news!!

Congratulations Tara!! I'm so happy for you-- best wishes in your new job!

Congratulations Tara!! That is exciting AND encouraging. Good luck :)

Thank you for your helpful information and CONGRATS on getting a job.  

Donna G

Congratulations on your new job, Tara!  I'm so happy for you!!    I'm on my own journey now, too, and hope to have happy news to share some day.  Congrats again!!

Congratulations!! I hope you kill it :)

I had a similar experience, and landed a position as a Coding reimbursement trainee in July, with our local hospital network. This network is the largest in the state, and made the decision to recreate an internal coding dept, after years of 1099 contracting. The downside is the pay is not great (but not bad either, still $30k+/year), and you have to start all over again with their training. The upside(s is(are) ... FT, permanent, you earn from Day 1, even in training, the benefits are great, and you have the entire hospital network to look at when you're done - inpatient, outpatient, skilled, hospice, HCC ... interventional radiology ... it's kind of a world-your-oyster thing. They take people without certification, without training ... some from other areas of the hospital, and some (like me) from the outside. And, once you reach the level of Coder 1 (takes about a year), you can begin to work from home several days per week. 

LIke you, this was the first position I applied for. I am not finished with Andrews, either. Every DAY I give thanks for this opportunity. I made it a goal to clear training in 3 months (we have 6 months), and hit goal 3 days ahead of time. Phase II starts next, and involves live coding with Auditor supervision.  I credit Andrews for a large part of hitting that goal. Plus, being able to say that I'm committed to this field in the interview - and have put my $$ where my mouth is already by investing in my education -- I think helped to seal the deal for me. The hospital takes 1 person in every month or so. 

I know this won't be everyone's experience. I wish that were otherwise. It is hard to tell people, because I don't want to feel that I'm bragging where others are struggling. But I am really hopeful that we, as a department succeed in increasing the revenue cycle in the hospital. Hospitals watch and follow each other. If we hit our internal goals, maybe other hospitals will follow suit, and lift someone else into a dream job. 

I am so proud of both of you for gaining a coding job before you even graduated.  I wonder if you were "recruited" or saw a job available and applied for it.  I'm thinking, based on your notes, that you were not recruited.  If you "applied," where did you look in order to find information so you could apply.  I have daily input from Indeed, but I am not ready to go to work, just keeping my eye on what is out there.  What kind of questions did they ask you in the interview?  

Thanks, Donna G

Congratulations ladies!!  It is a wonderful feeling to land that first coding job.   I, too, was applying endlessly for coding jobs with no luck.  I went through the entire list of employers posted in module 4.  I began to feel like my efforts were hopeless since I never worked in the healthcare field and had no coding experience.  I eventually posted my resume on Indeed and started receiving countless updates for jobs in the healthcare field and for coding. Eventually I was hired as a Reimbursement Counselor for a company only 10 minutes from my home.  While general knowledge of coding was required, which is how I landed the job, it doesn't focus on coding.  My primary job focus is pharmacy benefits verification.  I still see it as a plus and it has encouraged me to finish up with Andrews in order to obtain the coding position I truly desire.  I only have 2 more exams to submit in Module IV and I am planning to take the CCS exam in December, after completion of the PrimaCodemasters exam prep course.  The job has given me the finances to be able to afford both without a hardship and it is a great addition to my resume.  For that, I am truly grateful!  Mostly, I am thankful to The Andrews School for the wonderful medical coding program and to the staff and students for providing great information, advice, and motivation. 

Congratulations Tara!  I am so happy for you.  This is very encouraging.  I am working so many hours right now at my current job and trying to get through Module IV, it's hard to find the time to do more than that.  I've put my resume/application out there a few times but really need to step up the pace!  Best wishes to you!

Congratulations, Tara!!  Such wonderful news :)

Congratulations! I love reading success stories. Sounds like a wonderful job, and you sound well-equipped to handle it. Very exciting to read how an Andrews education thoroughly educates us for success!

Congratulations to all of you!!!!

So exciting, and encouraging too :)

Good luck!

Thanks everyone!! :)

Congratulations Megan and Carla on your recent jobs! I hope you pass the CCS exam in December Carla.

Donna, I was not recruited but applied for the job that I ended up getting. I started out by applying for jobs with companies listed on Andrews' job list, Indeed, as well as local hospitals, rehab facilities, etc. I also searched well-known facilities' career boards/websites such as Vanderbilt, Cedars-Sinai just to name a few.

If you are a member of AAPC, you can view the available job listing on their site as well. You might be able to view this without being a member (not sure). You also can view AHIMA's job listing on their website. I am not currently a member but was able to view it. I hope this helps.

Tara, thank you for all of this information.  I do subscribe to Indeed and there are multiple jobs available, maybe not for me but it certainly affirms the need for qualified coders.  I hadn't thought about AAPC or AHIMA, did look, several jobs are listed.  But I was not able to find the Andrews job list so I wrote to Glenda to ask for the link.  Again, thanks for taking the time to write this note to me and best wishes in this new job.  

Donna G

Hi Donna.  It's included on the main page of Mod IV right before Section I begins.  Here is the link http://system.andrewsschool.com/mod/page/view.php?id=1617 .  Hope this helps :O)  Kell