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One of our graduates has chosen to focus on the AAPC (CPC, CPMA) side of things rather than AHIMA (CCS). She is making that work beautifully!
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"I am more than happy to provide information that worked for me.  Just to update you, I have been with the same facility for a year as a clinical code reviewer.

After I graduated, I applied everywhere I could find, even if I did not meet the requirements.  I looked through trade magazines and applied to whoever had an ad placed.  Applying locally seems to be the best option for a coder with a CPC.  I found that most of the large online companies and facilities want a CCS.  Not everything I did will work for someone else and they have to decide what their long-term goals are. 

Some questions to ask students:  Do you want to be a facility inpatient coder because you are interested in that area?  Do you want to be a CPC and get into a specialty area? What are your strong areas and what are your weak areas? Perhaps the school can help a person focus on an area based on test scores, areas of interest, past work history, etc.  I took the CCC (cardiology exam) twice and failed both times by 1 point.  It was then that I realized that even though I had an opportunity to be a cardiology coder, it was not my best area and I didn't really feel confident with it.   The test made me study and I learned a lot so I am grateful for that.  My area of expertise has been auditing, finding problems with documentation errors, policies and procedures, etc, which is why I took the CPMA test and passed.  Every student needs to think outside the coding box because we are not all the same. 

Some things that a graduate can do:  Become involved with your local AAPC chapter.  This is how I found my job.  I attended a meeting, won the coding Jeopardy game, and impressed my boss which  landed me an interview.  Networking is wonderful not only for jobs but for Q&A.  I am currently Vice President of our chapter, which will also look good on a resume.  

Accept a position that will lead to coding (business office, patient registration, etc).  More and more medical billing offices want certified coders.  Apply to an insurance company to review claims.

Don't give up on places you applied to. Keep checking websites and applying.   I keep receiving emails from past places asking if I am interested or they are just announcing openings if I know of anyone who may be interested.  

Timing is everything.  With the delay of ICD-10, things have come to a halt.  However, I believe that after January, more and more facilities will be looking for coders to help with dual coding. 

 Most, if not all of the jobs I applied had a starting salary better than my current job.  

What was the intent of becoming a coder?  I found that with transcription and with coding, many people just want to work at home and this is the motivation, not because they have passion for this type of work.  

Linda, I hope I provided you with some information that you can use with current and future students.  

I took the Andrews transcription course and worked for 3 years as a transcriptionist.  I view that experience as a stepping stone to where I am now.  It prepared me to be a coder and gave me an advantage.  I am grateful for my Andrews School Education and would do it all over again if I had to."

Advice from another graduate who has both CPC and CCS:

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"I did sit for the CPC before graduating, and that was easier for me to pay for, I guess, because I realized that if I failed, I could have a free retake in a year.  So, it was pretty easy to come to terms with that. Then I got my CCS.

The CCS was terrifying for me.  I took it about 4-5 months after I graduated, and that WAS TOO LONG TO WAIT.  You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.  TAKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, immediately before finishing school or immediately after.  Please continue to stress.  I could not imagine if I had waited any longer to take the test.  You just never know what is going to happen. 

It’s very important to take tests right away.

Also, I do understand that some hospital web sites will not even let you progress to the actual application if you click that you do not have x amount of years experience.  That is a total bummer, but it is reality.  On the other hand, lots of places will let you apply.  It is trial and error.  Apply, apply, apply.  I have been fortunate in my job searches, but it was very challenging."

This is SO helpful! Thank you so much, Linda for posting this!  Unfortunately, I am one of "those" students who have waited to take the tests and believe me I wish I hadn't because now I am having to try and re-learn everything! I have found, I, too, have weaknesses in certain areas and it seems mine is mostly cardiology as well! 

I will be sitting for the CCS soon (I know I should do the CPC first, but I am having some assistance with paying for the certification and this is the one they are helping with).  So, I am so scared because I didn't take it sooner.  Please thank the students who sent these updates.  I can't thank them enough.  

--Paulette

I moved the question from Marcie Sm to a whole new separate topic, "Prep/Review, etc." because it's an excellent topic for discussion and I don't want it to get lost.

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