I just got a phone call from a medical coder employer who wants to bring on some new graduates who have their CCS credentials, which, as most of you know, means Andrews grads. Most other schools don't satisfy AHIMA's requirements for their new graduates to sit for the CCS exam. Ours does. That means all of you should be top of their list to be interviewed, tested, and hopefully hired if you want those jobs. These will be DRG-related, and they will provide training on that part so that you would do it the way they want it. They want 'teachable' people who have demonstrated their ability by having that CCS. That's US! That's YOU!!!
That is fantastic news, Linda. Wish I was closer to my CCS (still plowing through Module IV)...but I am confident you have several recent graduates with the CCS behind their names at this time that will foot the bill. Hope this trend continues through Oct-Nov, when I'm ready!
It is fantastic news, but unfortunately (for us, not for them), I think they are all either working or about to be.
We need more new graduates! Spread the word. :)
I am only in module 2! Tell them to wait for me! Just playing, but this is a great opportunity.
This is inspiring news and I am sure it will not be the last contact you receive especially with Icd-10-cm being implemented. The preparation for CCS was one the reasons I chose Andrews - and of course the excellent reputation. :) I am slowly getting through the course and staying hopefully for a rewarding position after I graduate. News like this definitely helps the moral!!! Thanks, Linda!
Angie in New Orleans
I am right behind Heather Hi.... Tell them to wait for both of us..!!!! Oh well, I am sure there is some employer out there just waiting for us to finish up, Heather....
Linda
If I were a new graduate, especially one with both CPC and CCS as soon as possible, I would develop a plan. I would have a template with all of the information about dates, names, company names, description of job, and any other pertinent information that I may want to search back for later.
PLAN OF ACTION.
*I would apply EVEN WHEN I had heard that there were no openings at the moment.
*I would apply EVEN IF the job announcement had an experience requirement.
When you apply, give each company the attention you would give it if it were the only company in the world that you wanted to work for. Don't move on to the next one until you have done your absolute best with that one. Then, don't wait for a response from them. MOVE ON to the next one.
My resume would be PERFECTION! If I had to send a cover letter, it would be very short, concise, and just say that I am applying for the (specific) position and look forward to talking with them. There would be nothing silly or unbelievable about how wonderful I think they are, how I've researched their company and they are exactly what I've always wanted in an employer and I am exactly what the need to make their lives complete. NONE of that would be there. Just brief, simple facts. Nothing arrogant. Nothing pleading or begging. No questions asked in the cover letter. It would be painfully simple.
I would methodically apply STARTING with these and then with many other employers, but NOT in this particular order. Note: Most of these come from Google searches, questions from students/graduates, etc. I've never even heard of many of these, so if you find out anything about them, please come back and update us. Some of them are probably recruiters, and I'm not sure what I think about those. I would rather go directly to the company itself, not to a recruiting company that feeds people into different companies. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but I'd rather go straight to the source whenever possible. Look at their web sites Learn what you can from them. You'll think of others that I left off. This is not intended to be anything like an inclusive list. Make your own list. Expand this one. Delete some of them. Make the list your own. The point is to get started! Once you have sent applications and/or tested for 200 employers, you should start getting some responses. If not, let us look at your resume and see if anything is a red flag on there.
HIMagine
TrustHCS
Amphion
Arrohealth
Pyramid Healthcare Solutions
Precyse Solutions
Aviacode
EMSI
Insight Global
RMCInc.org
Netscript.us
Harmony Healthcare
Comforce
UASI
Verisk Health
AND, since I am not really perfect, my resume might not be perfect. It might have a tiny flaw. I might mess up here and there on the interview or coding test, but I would keep going until someone said those wonderful words, "We want you to start next week!"
Those who have good skills, take the job search seriously, and keep at it, get the jobs. Those who don't can be seen saying really silly things like, "Nobody will give me a chance to show what I can do. I know I could do great if anyone would O-N-L-Y let me show them what I could do, but {insert really whiny voice} nobody EVER gives new people a chance...(pout). [Makes me want to run and hide just talking about it. You don't want to be that person.]
I hope thats me one day after I graduate!
I believe it will be, Jemi.
Also, to everyone who is ready to go to work, let's hope there is always that Jobs For American Coders Facebook group available, because it is the BEST!!!
If you have not joined Jobs For American Coders, go do it!
Strangely enough, that one employer who called has not sent the job announcement yet for us to post. Oh well, maybe that one wasn't meant to be. There are many others.
Keep in mind that one week it seems like everyone is hiring.
The next week it seems like nobody is hiring.
There is neither rhyme nor reason to how it works, but if you apply everywhere and keep at it, you will find the right job at the right time.
Let's let some of you try Amphion and see what you think. I've talked with them before about medical transcription but don't know a thing about their coding part of their business.
Here's a couple more.
This was on our Medical Coding Forum:
Medical Coders: 20+ Permanent Remote Inpatient Coding Positions! Only employer with 98% Retention Rate! Email us for more information at bertram.lansiquot@mmodal.com
One of our graduates sent this to me. It couldn’t hurt to look into it. Thanks, Aparna!
“Tell them to apply at Lexicode, they have an opening for new graduates with CCS. Check this out:”
http://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc04/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ERS&cws=50&rid=3388&source=Indeed.com