I graduated a few months ago, passed the CPC, started applying for jobs, kept records of who, etc. Applied for all even if they didn't say CPC-A. There are several jobs out there accepting CPC-A and newbies on the Indeed job post.
I had limited myself to only doing remote, part time; not that many jobs out there with that limitation.
One kind person replied that they needed experienced only; however, referred me to AAPC's "internship" program. It's not an internship where you go to the office and work under someone's supervision (which I cannot do because the nearest for me would be a two hour round trip, plus I have my regular transcription job, can't give that up for an internship). There are three levels to this AAPC "internship" called Practicode. Each level presents 200 full charts, not snippets, but the full thing, and you learn by "process of elimination." The minus part of that is there is no person to ask like we could do with our Andrews instructors. You get lots of CEUs for Practicode and it gives you half of the -A on your CPC-A. So we get credit for half of the -A by being Andrew's students, and this Practicode will given the other half, so yippee, no more -A.
I did get a job in billing for a local mental health counselor. The person who recommended me is the biller/coder at my physician's office. She knew I had just graduated, just passed the CPC and heard about the counselor needing part time help with her billing. I told friend I wasn't trained in that, and she said "for sure you can do it," so I did interview and was hired to begin training in February, will be trained by her present biller. So even though billing is not my first choice I am glad to have the job and plan to stay with her even once I get a part time job in coding. And besides, that Billing experience will look good on my resume once I get ready to send out applications again once I complete this Practicode.
One last comment, some time back a student asked about these electronic code finders. I have purchased Find-A-Code (by the month) and it keeps all codes up to date, no need to pay for any more printed code books (because I am paying for their use via Find-A-Code). So I have been training myself to use this Ecode along with the Practicode. Finding diagnoses is not difficult but finding the procedures is sometimes daunting. Thank goodness I still have my CPT book and there is also Google to help. The point I am going to make, one of the instructors, or maybe it was Linda, replied to the student ...."if you can't code by using the code book you certainly will not be able to code using the E code programs." I'm here to tell you, she was correct. But I'm going to keep my Find-A because of other valuable information at fingertip for each code, and also there is a place to make notes just like we do in our code books, and also am going to keep learning how to use it because so many job referrals on Indeed wanted coders who are experienced in electronic coding.
Okay, I'm wound down now, but wanted to share that information and to encourage you if you are looking for a job, let everyone know. You never know who will send a job your way.
DonnaG
Thank you, Donna! Great information.
Congratulations on your job, Donna! Thank you for the great information.
Great information! Thanks Donna :)
Congratulations on your job, Donna! I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for info on Practicode. Will check that out.
Congratulations on landing a job! Anything in the medical field would be beneficial, that is for sure.
I have considered Practicode myself. I just graduated, so I have not been searching too long for a job. However, if I don't hear of any opportunities in the next several weeks, then I feel it would be a good idea to continue training while also getting enough hours to remove the apprentice status.
I am also looking into internships/externships (Project Xtern), which again, I may not sign up for until I have run out of options as far as applying for positions goes.
Good luck to everyone else on their job search :-)