A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Former RHIT looking to get back into coding - sm
Posted: Jan 06, 2014
I have my AA degree and sat and passed for the RHIT about 10 years ago. I worked as a coder for just one year before I decided to become an MT. Obviously, this is a choice I now regret. I no longer have my RHIT so I would need to study for it, but so much has changed since then and I'm not quite sure where I should go for refresher courses? I've checked out AHIMA and they have a few options for me, but just wondering if anyone has any advice or if they've taken any type of refresher courses online? I'm thinking I should also take an ICD-10 class?
Thanks
Look at USAjob.com - see message
[ In Reply To ..]I'm always telling people about this, if you have previous coding experience and a VA close you can probably go right back into it with what is called a KSA, which is a knowledge skill assessment and you start at the least at 27k, with one year of experience, even though remote and the training I'm sure they would start you off higher. The salary ranges are 27-55k a year from what I can see. I want in at the VA so bad!
USAJOBS.GOV - Be careful of the spelling
[ In Reply To ..]Be careful to enter the address correctly. Spoof websites appear from time to time. One looked exactly like the official .gov site, but charged you for "job referrals" and to submit "applications."
You can search for "coding," but you won't find all the jobs. Instead, search for job series 0675 and 0669.
You should get your RHIT again, but the VA will grade your application based on education and experience. You have the specific education required for a medical record technician (0675). Your MT experience can be used as well, because it is in HIM.
Don't be concerned about the grades and salaries listed on the announcement. For jobs like coding, there is usually a one grade increase every year until you reach 8. Other noncoding 0675 jobs may be fixed at 5 or 6. In evaluating the salary, use the federal salary table for your area (Google them, they are on the OPM website) and add 30% for benefits. Within-grade increases are predictable and almost guaranteed. Annual cost of living increases occur, if not every year. Many facilities contribute to education. I think you are eligible for educ loan forgiveness, too. It is a good deal even at a 5.
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