A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Anyone get their CCS and start working out of - home immediately.....

Posted: Apr 24, 2015

or do you always need to start off in an office?

The reason I ask is I am an MT considering - a career change and

[ In Reply To ..]
I need to work remotely as I'm the sole caretaker for my mom, who has dementia. It's not that I wouldn't WANT to work in an office - in fact I'd love to, but it's just not possible. Just wondering if it is even possible (if not probable) to go to Andrews School and if, after passing the CCS, get a remote job to start. Thanks for any advice.

It's possible - justright

[ In Reply To ..]
Getting a remote coding job is no different than what's required offline, most of them want you to have 2-5 years experience, but, and this is a big but, if you can pass their test, which most of them you can take online, you stand a chance. IMHO, the odds are no greater or lesser than trying to find a coding job with no experience in the outside world.

It sometimes happens that way or you have to work very hard at it - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I do know new coders who started from home. It's working great for them. That's what they wanted and it just turned out that remote jobs were available. It isn't always that easy though. You might have to sludge through a lot of applications, coding tests, and interviews. Just know up front that you'll have to earn those jobs with sweat equity. There may be more remote jobs once ICD-10 kicks in, but most will want you to start in-house.

Thank you :) Your advice is appreciated - ....

[ In Reply To ..]
I guess I've got some serious thinking to do. Thanks again

Yes, you have to work hard at it, but medical coding is a profession that - Demands Hard Work

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been watching a forum where lots of would-be coders are just flailing around. If someone recommends something, they just claim they already did it, it's impossible for them to do it, can't afford it, or they just don't want to do it. They want other forum readers to do their work for them. It's apparent that they don't have proper training and aren't willing to change that. They may or may not even have a CPC, but aren't really all that excited about putting much effort in. They sure put enough time and effort into complaining that they aren't getting jobs and wanting strangers to fix that for them.

This is a profession that takes hard work both in getting your coding training, the job search, and on the job. Anyone who doesn't want to work hard should do something else.

I am not addressing these comments to the OP in this case. To others though, if the shoe fits, wear it.

Medical coding is a great career with lots of potential for bringing in a high salary over time.

This is not a career for people who only have energy when it comes to social media and are willing to do little to help themselves, but they have all the time in the world to then sit around blaming everyone else for their failure. You get what you put into this, meaning if you don't get training that prepares you not only for the CPC but for the CCS, you will have nobody to blame but yourself when you can't find a job. We've certainly told you here on this forum, so if you didn't listen, it is your responsibility. You can just face the consequences on your own and see those results very plainly in your income. If you don't put some elbow-grease into finding a job, you have nobody to blame but yourself. If you don't keep learning and growing on the job once you get a job, that's a choice you get to make too. Don't blame the results on the industry. You did it to yourself by your own bad choices.

If you decide you don't want to put in all that time and effort toward a medical coding course, that's a good decision. There are lots of lesser careers with lower income. You may be very happy in those careers. We all have the same number of work hours in a day. Some of us want a better return on our investment and are willing to work for it.

Not only that but those who keep saying medical coding is a bad career - Read and Weep

[ In Reply To ..]
They can continue to come back making those comments while those who worked hard at it are bringing in good money. Years later, they will still be talking and the working medical coders will still be enjoying themselves while earning a good living.

The nicest, kindest, message we can give to those would-be coders - In My Opinion

[ In Reply To ..]
There is no doubt in my mind that the nicest, kindest message we can give to those would-be medical coders is not to take the easy road. It gets you nowhere. Put your best efforts into your education. Get your CPC and CCS credentials. When you get discouraged because it's hard work, keep your eye on the prize, a rewarding long-term career that you can be very proud you have earned by doing things the right way. When you do that, you'll realize that the hard work turned out to be much simpler than taking the easy road and finding out later that it doesn't lead anywhere but to disappointment. Good luck with your choices, would-be coders! All of us caring professionals wish you the best.

Wow. Why does it seem that a certain "coders" on this board - are so condescending and

[ In Reply To ..]
generally unhelpful. So fast to exclaim how DIFFICULT this job is and if you aren't willing to work hard, it's not for you, etc. Well OF COURSE! This is true for ANY career.

Mmmm, coding is a little worse than most. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If you want something to seem condescending, it will be. If you want to see a put-down in every suggestion, you will.

I think the coders here are being honest with you.

Coding does require a lot of effort to learn and do competently. That is why it pays well ... because most people can't do it. There is a perpetual shortage of credentialed coders.

Lots of people want to do it but only until it gets to be work - Big Smile (not condescending)

[ In Reply To ..]
Many people think they want to be medical coders until they find out it takes hard work to learn it, get credentialed in both outpatient and inpatient, and actually show up to work. Not enough people are willing to do the work that's required. That's one reason why there is a shortage of qualified medical coders.

That's also what makes it a great job - Not everyone can handle it

[ In Reply To ..]
Not everyone can do all of that. I like the idea of doing a job that not everyone is cut out to do.

Maybe honest but NOT helpful. - I dont think it is

[ In Reply To ..]
that most people "can't do" it..yes I agree you will have to study hard and have motivation, etc.-- I believe anyone COULD do it IF they did put forth the effort. However, you really have to want it because I think the reason there is a shortage is because the job is kind of a drag. Yes it pays well but it's tedious. So, there is probably "job security" in the fact that not a lot of people will stick with it or even start to begin with. Plenty of avail. jobs. The pay is not SO good that it would be worth doing IF you didn't find it interesting. I personally don't find looking at charts and assigning numbers to procedures boring. Obviously, some people will feel differently.

The job of a medical coder is totally rewarding to me - Not for everyone of course

[ In Reply To ..]
I can't think of another job that I would have enjoyed as much. Not everyone is interested in the patient's medical record. I've always found it fascinating. I've always enjoyed the close attention to detail that it requires. When I imagine some of my relatives doing it, I cringe. This is not a job for everyone. It's a very good thing that not everyone has a great desire and motivation to get into medical coding, a very good thing.

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