So I am hearing that employers are asking for 2-3 years of experience for medical coding. I'm wondering if anyone can give some guidance for newbies or does anyone know if this medical coding program would count for experience when you are trying to get started in medical coding. :)
Following the conversation! I'm in the middle of Module III, so this has been on my mind a lot. I know some Andrews graduates get hired right out of school (some while still in school!), and I would love to know how they did it. :-)
Me too. I am hoping we can get a few tips from those that are experienced! :)
The ads I've seen so far all say they want a certain number of years of experience too, but some good advice I've also heard is don't let that stop you. Apply anyway! You can't get the conversation started if you don't put your resume and app out there. I'm starting to look at employment ads too and I find it a bit daunting. We've all heard that Andrews grads always test well on the employer's hiring exams. So, we can feel confident we "know our stuff", when we graduate. Part of the reason those of us who are still studying aren't hearing tips from those who are already hired, is because they're busy working and they don't look at these education-based boards anymore. That's just my opinion, but it makes sense. Once you're hired, you don't have as much in common with students, because you've already gotten the education, jumped through all the hoops and landed the job. (Sorry, my rambling got a little long!) I too would be very interested in hearing tips on landing that first coding job right out of school!!
I graduated from the Andrews coding program August or September. Even before that I was sending my resume out to any coding job offer that I could see. I also posted my resume on Career Builders. I would sometimes get call backs but they would pass on my lack of experience. Until one day, I got a call from a recruiter from Accountemps, seeking to fill a coding position at a local multi specialty clinic right here in Seattle. He found my resume on Career Builders. After several interviews, I was sent to the facility to meet the coding manager and take a coding assessment. Luckily I was offered the job for more $$$ than I was expecting!! I have been working there as a "temp" helping out the coding department since early December.
As I am really wanting a permanent position, I recently start sending out my resume again with the addition of my limited coding experience. I finally got the call from my dream job at a university, after emailing the recruiter directly.....I have an interview on Wednesday, with a panel of TEN people and then a 2 hour exam. Yikes! Just remember to send that resume out to any position even if they require 2 years experience. You'll get lots of "no thank you!" but one day the right person will notice you and give you a chance.
Glenda was so helpful with my resume, please let her help you spruce it up.
GOOD LUCK to all of you! One thing I have learned from my short bit of experience so far is that I LOVE this job. I really feel this is the job that is going to keep me happy for the next 20 years. :)
Thank you so much, Heather, for your advice and tips! We all need that kind of encouragement!
Thank you so much Heather for your advice and tips! Good Luck with your interview!! I hope it goes well.
I graduated last year and was hired within 2 months, with my CPC scheduled but not yet completed. I applied to all ads (except those stating supervisor position), even those requiring 2-3 years' experience. I got my job from networking at AAPC meetings. Try to have the best possible resume, and really accent how your other job skills from previous employment can help and be an asset in coding. If you get an interview, testing will usually be involved, so be prepared, and this is an area where most Andrews' graduates shine! Don't give up, keep trying! I just had my 1 year review and received a great raise and bonus!!
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with us! And thanks for the advice and encouragement!
I am waiting on a call back to find out if I am the one picked out of two final candidates for a front desk position at one of my local Urgent Care centers. The Clinic Manager had an add posted on Craig's List and I sent him my resume and cover letter. He told me he had actually planned on ending the interviews and making a decision the day that he received my email, but decided to give me a chance due to my resume. He said my resume was very unique because I have my picture on it, I had check boxes of all of my skills, ICD-9, ICD-10, CPT, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy, etc. I also listed my character traits: positive, friendly, detail-oriented, team player, accurate, etc. Next, I listed my education and certification. Finally, I listed my previous work experience. Another point he mentioned was that he was glad that I had my name, phone number, and email address in the body of my email. When you respond through Craig's List, your email address does not show since the reply actually comes from Craig's List back to the poster.
The position is mainly front desk duties, check-in, check-out, insurance verification, scanning, etc., but he said that I will be doing some coding. He told me that many other physicians in the area will want to grab me up once they see that I have experience from there, should I want to venture out into strictly coding in the future. The hours will be a huge change from what I am used to... They are open 9am - 6pm 7 days a week, so I will have to work later than normal and will have to work some weekends. However, it is right down the street from my house and my daughter's school, and right in front of my son's daycare. Right now I drive 35 miles away to work. Also, I think the pay will be more than what I currently make! However, I am a tad scared to make the change... At my current job I have my own office, flexibility, respect, status, responsibility, obligation. I feel like I will let a lot of people down by leaving. That makes me feel a little weird about the situation, but I have worked so hard for this, and my family has sacrificed so much while I have been studying and test-taking, that there is no way that I let anything hold me back.
My husband is being really supportive and says that he'll step it up with making sure the kids are taken care of so that I can take this opportunity if it is offered. I'm so excited, scared, determined, hopeful, and grateful that he is thinking about giving me this chance. Fingers crossed!
My point of posting my little mini-novel, is to check all different avenues of finding jobs, Craig's List, Monster, Career Builders, temp agencies, recruiters, Indeed, hospital websites, physician websites, chapter meetings.... Also, look for positions that aren't directly coding, but will get you healthcare experience, such as front desk, insurance, billing, patient representative, etc. And, when something comes up, jump on it! Good luck everyone! :)