A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
An MT to a coder - There is hope
Posted: Sep 21, 2014
I am posting to (hopefully) give coding students hope, not to get dislikes on my post, but it is what it is. Here's my story: I graduated from coding school about a year ago, after being an MT for over 25 years. I am working as a coder and I am learning every day (reminds me of back in the day as a a new MT). There were so many days when I wanted to give up on coding because, let's face it, it's not easy, but I didn't. I honestly think I will make it as a coder, but I probably need at least another six months to a year with the great trainers I have been lucky enough to be provided with. Bottom line - don't give up and if you want to learn coding, it really can be done! :)
Great post, thanks for the encouragement!! - East MT
[ In Reply To ..]x
Transition - enigma
[ In Reply To ..]I am making the transition from MT to coding, and am wondering what advice you would give for a new coder to get the all-important first job with no experience?
MT to - Coding
[ In Reply To ..]I transitioned from MT to coding last December when my transcription job was outsourced to a national. I work for my local hospital (dont want to include name on here) in a somewhat rural community. One of the reasons I got the job was because I was internal. I found being certified helped: both RHIT and CCA. I code professional fee charges at the clinic level for one of the clinics in our health system. I know that some people may say that clinic is not real coding but for me it has plenty of challenge. I like the high level of challenge and that I learn new things all the time. I found that having a medical knowledge base from transcription helped with learning coding as well as since I was internal I was used to some of the programs that were used. Good luck!
MT to a coder - Laurie
[ In Reply To ..]Hi, I have thought about getting out of transcription and training for another career like coding. I hear there is an advantage for MTs in that they have some medical background. I looked into coding briefly and it does seem overwhelming; especially the new ICD-10 program that is out or is coming out shortly. Anyway, was wondering how long it would take to learn all that coding and getting a job - it's like transcription isn't it - no experience no job...
If it was that overwhelming - and impossible
[ In Reply To ..]If it is that overwhelming and so hard to find a job, how do you explain that people manage to learn it and get jobs? Yes, without experience.
Of course anything you don't already know is going to look overwhelming. If everyone could do it, no education would be necessary. It would be day labor.
Nobody is going to throw it at you all at once. You can learn this. You can get a job, and more easily than most occupations, but you still should expect to work at it and maybe take an entry-level position for a while. The eventual pay is worth it.
What part of ICD-10 is so terrifying?
MT to - Coding
[ In Reply To ..]I felt that having a medical background did help although coding and transcription are very different skill sets. I code professional fees for the clinic side. I have heard other coders on here say that is not real coding but to me it does seem like real coding because I am looking in the note for the codes, we are being told to code the chronic conditions which requires more than looking at the impression, have to be careful with dates/modifiers, lots of EM leveling, etc. I am also certified as an RHIT. It has been an incredible amount of work and effort on my part but I am determined to learn it. It depends on how much you put in. I did get a job without coding experience.
MT to Coding - kt16
[ In Reply To ..]I did it at age 62 - worked 50 hours a week and did the AHIMA courses and got certified as a CCS. Be willing to do anything to get into a coding dept. Your MR experience should make you great at data entry, so market your WP skills, work hard and get certified. It can be overwhelming, but the MT should help you with the A&P and Pathophysiology background
About those "other coders here" - Coder
[ In Reply To ..]About those "other coders here" and their opinions . . . the fact that someone posts here does not mean they are a coder.
The comment that started it was from an MT who had been acquainted with a coder. Another was from someone in a doctor's office who was not a coder. Another was from a noncoder who seems to pick up the superiority complex of the inpatient coders where she works.
I am the only coder I am sure about in the entire discussion, and I said it was real coding.
All in all, there are only 3 or 4 actual coders who post here. Most everyone else is an MT.
New - Coder
[ In Reply To ..]I also an actual coder who is certified as an RHIT and a CCA.
Yes, you were one that I counted ... - lol
[ In Reply To ..]Not a lot of us here. ;)
another MT to coder with a job before I passed CPC - anon
[ In Reply To ..]It can be done, I attended AAPC meetings and networked. I believe making a good professional impression and networking are key here. I learned of the job opportunity at the AAPC meeting and applied. I was offered a position with the requirement that I pass the CPC within 6 months (which I did). There are a lot of coding jobs posted in my area though, so I do think that plays a part as well.
Job - Annie
[ In Reply To ..]Please tell us what company hired you without experience. I am trying to pass CPC ASAP!
Coding jobs - without experience
[ In Reply To ..]I was hired by the local healthcare facility in my area which is fairly rural with no experience. I had my RHIT and my CCA.
hired without experience - another MT 2 coder
[ In Reply To ..]I was hired by a local large physician group and it is not a remote position. Again, for me networking with my local AAPC offered this opportunity. I was just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, but your local chapter is an excellent place to start. Good luck!
Also hired without experience - MT2Coder3
[ In Reply To ..]I got an on-site coding trainee position at the hospital where I worked. I wasn't certified yet, either, but I got that asap after starting and advanced very quickly.
Coding jobs - without experience
[ In Reply To ..]I forgot to say I work onsite. There are some coders who work remotely but those are the experienced ones. I also advanced from a straight coding job to more of an auditing/education job after less than a year although I liked straight coding better.
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