I'm not giving names here, but I'm really happy to hear about the new coding job one of our graduates got. It sounds wonderful! Not all of our graduates let me know much about their jobs. Just so all of you know, I really love to get the details. I never get tired of hearing about the wide range of coding jobs and how different each one is from the others.
Congratulations to the graduate in question, who is welcome to post and identify herself---or not. :)
Thank you, Linda!
After months of searching for a job locally and online, I was finally offered a position with a local orthopedic group. I will be coding and billing office visits, surgeries, podiatry, and PT. I start on Tuesday. I had to go shopping today for shoes and pants. (There is a uniform requirement of black or tan pants. They provide the shirt and everyday is a different color. I hope I can keep the color-of- the-day straight. Don’t want to show up wearing the wrong shirt). :)P
I hope my words here will give encouragement to those who are actively looking or will begin looking for a job. Here are some tips and ideas to help in your job search and interview process.
I will be the only one in the office who is certified or an AAPC member, so if you are not certified, don’t feel that this is a disadvantage. Apply to every job that you can, even if you feel that you do not qualify.
Be persistent and don’t give up. Read the job forum on the AAPC web site. There can be some good leads there and tips from others. Look at the jobs posted on AAPC. Look at billing and coding positions.
To prepare for an interview, gain as much knowledge as you can about where you have applied. Look at the web site if they have one. Be sure to read the “About Us” section.
If it is a specialty group that you are interviewing with, review coding requirements and any information from your school books that can help refresh information.
Arrive 15 minutes early to the interview. I was always told “If you are 5 minutes early, you are 10 minutes late.”
Take a few copies of your resume with you so you can refer to it during the interview.
Write a list of questions that you want to ask and write down the responses.
Take copies of reference letters to leave with them.
After the interview, send a “Thank You” letter to everyone who was involved in the interview. (I hand delivered mine to the facility). This letter can be important in letting them know that you are interested. After my interview I thought maybe they were not interested in me so I used the thank you letter to emphasize my interest and reiterate some of my qualities and skills, in addition to mentioning a few that I forgot in the interview.
Keep looking and apply to other jobs even if you had an interview and are waiting to hear if you got the job.
While you are waiting for a job, stay on top of coding and billing current events. Read topics on the AAPC web site. Read the Coding Edge. Browse the CMS web site. There is a lot of information there that is helpful. This will help you stay motivated too.
Attend chapter meetings. There can be some good leads there and someone may be looking for help.
Remember that you are a graduate of the best school around! You WILL get a job. It just takes time, patience, and persistence.
Good Luck to everyone!
This is great news, LaRae! Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing your job search experience.