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MT to coder - mtms

Posted: Feb 16, 2012

Question about coding bootcamps, does anyone have any experience with HCPro bootcamps? I have been an MT for 17+ years and want to switch to coding. Would this be appropriate for someone with my background? Thanks for the help.

They appear to be overviews - from what I can see

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I wouldn't do it that way, because I think coding training has to lead to certification. These appear to be overviews, something like an "Introduction To" kind of courses. They might be good for continuing education, but I'm confused about why you would need it if you're already certified and working. I'm not sure who it's geared for.

In my opinion ... - sm

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I am familiar with them, having taken several. I never took the outpatient or inpatient versions, but know people who did. My opinion is that they are fine for exam review if you are already trained and experienced, but not so good otherwise. I know people who were RHITs and RHIAs, who had taken coding already, who took a bootcamp twice and still could not pass the CPC. I have heard that people who do not already know coding and who attempt to learn it via bootcamps often fail the exam the first time they take it and many take the bootcamp more than once. Even then they still might not pass.

There isn't time in 4 or 5 days to learn all that you need to know. You need time to absorb the material.

I am not sure that it would be more economical, either. You would need to take 2 of them to equal what Andrews teaches, but it would still come up short. You would also need to buy books that would otherwise be included. Then there would be hotel and travel.

As for your MT background, asking about that tells me that you may assume that the knowledge required for MT is enough for coding. It is not. You need a lot more for coding.

MT to coder - mtms

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Actually, I have done some coding although quite a few years ago so I do have the general idea. It was at a local hospital where I had my first transcription job. In any case, I am going to do it the right way and probably go with Andrews. Thanks for the input.

You should have said that in the first place - sm

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If you have had coding experience, you should have said so. For an experienced coder looking to refresh, a bootcamp would be perfect. I would review on my own first, though, or you will be overwhelmed.

However, I am not sure that "some coding" done as part of another job would have given you either the ability to code or an accurate understanding of what coding really is. You may understand the top layer of the onion, so to speak, and be unaware of the rest of it.

Sigh..... - Anon

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Gosh, everybody wants to buck the system and take what they think is the "easy route" to coding. Go to an AHIMA approved school. Put in your time taking anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, yadda, yadda, yadda. Look at coding jobs and see what employers requirements are - most require AHIMA or AHIMA approved schools.

That's the sticking point for me. Andrews is not - AHIMA approved

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The coding manager is balking at me going to Andrews because of it, and also the hospital does not want to reimburse on those grounds. Job postings specifically say AHIMA-approved school.

Does anybody know WHY Andrews is not AHIMA approved? I have no doubt that the program is top notch.

I've been looking at the AHIMA coding program (yes, they have their own school). Anybody heard anything? I haven't been able to find any testimonials either way.

I did not go to Andrews for this reason - sm

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I work at a hospital and was first and MT and then went to the HIM department as an HIM specialist (glorified filer). My employer told me that they would reimburse me for going to school to become a coder but only if it was AHIMA approved. I went to school, got my RHIT, and got a coding job here with no experience. Now I want to go further and get my RHIA. It's too bad Andrews isn't approved or I would have gone to them as I hear wonderful things about them.

Andrews - I believe

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Andrews is not because to be AHIMA approved you have to teach a certain way or include "other" things. This is the gist of it, maybe someone can explain it with facts. But I am glad they are not because their course is perfect the way it is. No fluff, all heavy-duty coding teaching and the Anatomy and P taught along with the body system you are coding. Love that! I wanted to learn coding and that course goes straight for it. No one ever asked me if I went to an AHIMA-approved school. When they see my CCS and CPC-H they scoop me up and don't ask. That has been my experience.

I think it's because they don't accept federal financial aid - sm

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I read somewhere that AHIMA makes schools accept federal financial aid if they are to be approved, and Andrews doesn't accept federal financial aid.

Andrews - MJINATL

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This is the exact reason why they are not 'approved' as Linda Andrews said so herself. All that funding and stuff cost lots of money, then it takes so long for a school to be approved for federal funding as CareerStep said. CareerStep said it was a 2-year process and lots and lots of money, just be on the 'approved' list with AHIMA.

Lots of people have heard about it - sm

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The AhIMA online course is a completely instructorless program "taught" by online course software mostly prepared by book publishers. That is a main complaint. Ther issues have been the time allowed for each course. Students cannot complete more than one at a time and may need to take them over due to failing and noncompletion. Their famous lack of customer support and arrogance is another common complaint.

It is very important to note that the program prepares you ONLY for the CCA. They do not believe that students could or should be able to pass the CCS or CPC. They specify that their students will require 3 years of job experience before attempting the CCS.

Andrews is not approved because it does not use federal financial aid and because they would have to agree to "only" teach to the CCA. that would be what they would have to tell students . . . that they would be unable to pass the CCS without 3 years of experience. I think they probably feel that would not be in a student's best interest. They are also so small that the cost of getting approved would be too much. They would have to hire someone to keep up with it and that would rais tuition. I think approved programs might have to use some AHIMA courseware that is another expense.

Andrews' MT program is approved by a joint AHDI AHIMA group, so you can tell from that that they are a good program.

So useful and good to know! TY. (nm) - MT2coder2

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...

No, most DO NOT require AHIMA or AHIMA-approved schools - Coder

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It amazes me that people will make such biased, uninformed statements. It is, however, very typcal of AHIMA supporters to do so.

The truth is that most DO NOT require that. What they require is certification, and very many aren't even aware AHIMA exists. They will accept either AHIMA or AAPC certification.

The only thing AHIMA approval guarantees you is that the program conforms nominally to their standards and accepts federal loans. It says nothing about quality or success rate. In fact, those programs can be approved without one single second of instructor interaction and textbooks that consist only of online screens or home-made booklets. They can have a dropout rate that is astronomical and a failure rate on certification exams that you would refuse to believe. So few pass that they now simply say that in addition to those courses it will take 3 years of on the job learning for you to pass. Their ow RHIT grads have a failure rate that is about 40% and that is for students who take it. Most never feel they are able to even try.

Andrews includes every bit of necesary information, superb instructor support, fantastic texts, hassle-free learnig- and their grads often pass both the CPC and CCS without one minute of job experience. They get excellent jobs, too.

Do better homework so that you do not risk perpetuating erroneous misinformation.

It's not misinformation. Jobs postings are saying AHIMA - MT2coder2

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A quick check on indeed.com and the AAPC jobs board confirms this.

Also, I'm sitting here looking at a sweet inpatient job on my hospital jobs board that says they want completion of an AHIMA-approved program.

I would love to go to Andrews. I've convinced myself by now that I have the best chance of getting my CPC and CCS straight out of school with them. The dilemma I have is I don't want the very first thing I do as a lowly coder hopeful is: go straight against my new boss' advice/wishes.

I am going to call The Andrews School on Monday and find out exactly why they are not AHIMA approved. If they can give me a good reason, I will talk again to the coding manager. But that still doesn't solve the $3800 that I will not be reimbursed.

Here's what I would do - sm

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I'm not telling you that you should do this, but this is the way I would handle it.

I would go to Andrews, because the Andrews course prepares coders for certification, not just the CPC, not a CCA (as the AHIMA course does), but the actual top (hardest) certification, the CCS. I would ask if they will reimburse you if you pass your CCS. You will be saving lots of time, and time is money. If they reimburse you, you are doubly blessed.

Thank you for your thoughts. It's been weighing heavily - sm - MT2coder2

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on my mind. I've been doing a lot of thinking (and praying).

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but I keep coming back to this: If I were the coding manager for 30 years and a young whippersnapper wanted to get into my department and asked me for advice... and then said whippersnapper proceeded to go and do what I told her not to, I would be displeased. If said WS could pass our internal coding test and had her CPC and CCS, yeah, I'd probably go ahead and give her the job... but I wouldn't ever forget that she ignored my advice when she was the one who came to me.

I don't want to get on the coding manager's bad side right off the bat.

Anyway, still pondering and praying here. The $3800 reimbursement is also no small matter to me. I might just go with the AHIMA coding school, knowing going into it that I might also have to take an additional CCS prep course to pass the thing. I also think the AHIMA program will be at the forefront of teaching ICD-10. I noted that the job posting at my hospital is also already specifying an ICD-10 course completion (or something of the sort).

No decision either way yet. Thanks for taking the time to write. :)

At least one Andrews instructor is an AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer - See message

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I know that at least one of the instructors is an AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. She is even able to provide CCEs or whatever the acronym is for continuing education credits.

Do not count on it being at the forefront . . . - Check first

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There is absolutely no reason why they would be any better at it than Andrews or anyone else. Others might be better because they teach better and do not rely on screens of doom to do the teaching.

I bet - if

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You showed them the outline of the course, which I am sure Andrews would give you, they would be impressed. The reimbursement, however, might be a policy someone somewhere wrote that they have no control over.

Suggestion - Coder

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I understand tht your hospital and some jobs on ineed.com want that, but you are looking at about 10% of the coding market and thnking you are seeing all of it.

What YOUR hospital says they want is not representative of all. Thousands of AAPC coders are evidence of that. You just are not seeing THOSE jobs.

I am credentialed by both organizations. I know hundreds of coders who have fine jobs without having completed an AHIMA program and with
out one of their credentials. In fact, many never completed any program at all. That includes hospital inpatient coders.

Andrews is not approved because they do not accept federal loans.

If you feel you can only work at your current facility, then do what you need to do and stop agonizing about it. If your coding manager is going to guarantee to hire you with only a certificate of completion from an AHIMA program, fine. If they want a CCA, fine, because that is likely to be the most you will have. If that is enough for them, then that is enough of a trade-off for the tuition money.

Look at it this way . . . if they pay for ALL of it including books, you will not have lost anything by taking it. If you are not hired, you can go elsewhere. If you still cannot pass a credentialing exam, you can come back here and ask for advice on what to do next.

This should not be troubling you. Just go do what your job ads seem to tell you. It will not be that bad.

Agree. Not a coder but want to weigh in here. - Have looked.

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Please research your area, or remote companies if you want to go in that direction. In my area, not once did I see only AHIMA required. Most here require credentials (sorry, can't remember specifics), some said credentials and/or AHIMA-approved school. If your classifieds only state AHIMA approved, call the employers you are interested in and ask directly. You never know. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Get off the crack pipe! - Anon

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You are very misinformed and obviously uneducated. You probably couldn't pass AHIMA (a nonprofit organization) coding clusters, which is why you are bad-mouthing them. I suggest you check employment ads, but then again I'm sure you are the type of person who will still refuse to accept AHIMA and AAPC are THE most sought after schools.

hey cracklady - You are wrong

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Go check out coding jobs on Indeed. They want certification with AHIMA or AAPC, none mention schools. AHIMA and AAPC do not have schools by the way.

See my thumb? - anon

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Gosh, you are dumb. I think you should not be on this forum any longer. AAPC and AHIMA both have coding programs.

funny - Your

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post said they had the most sought after schools. The "dumb" post was responding to that word used in your post.

You might be right . . . - sm

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...about us not being able to pass AHIMA coding clusters, which makes it a lucky thing that most of us are already certified by one, and in most cases both, of the organizations you mentioned.

Several of the people you are addressing are graduates of AHIMA-accredited programs, and there is at least one graduate of an AAPC course, along with some Andrews and a CS grad. They are all very successfully employed and I do not think one of them is in a job that required an AHIMA graduate.

Are you the same Anon who - sm

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Are you the same Anon who complains about how hard it is to find a job?

If so, take a good look at the thinking that went into your post, because THAT is why you have employment problems. Not the job market, not your school, and not your zip code.

Strange Conversation You People Are Having Here - See message

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I just briefly read through the argument and saw some blatant errors.

AHIMA is not a school.
AAPC is not a school.

They offer some classes, but they both are known for doing other things much better than the classes they offer. There are discussions elsewhere on here about that if you want to look for them. AHIMA, for example, does lots of good things. Being a school is not one of them.

Someone with a CCS is in a higher level, so they don't care where you went to school - If You Have Your CCS

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Most of those ads pretend that they will consider graduates IF...yada yada yada.

What they really want is someone who has proven they know what they are doing, by passing the CCS exam. If they can also pass the CPC and have both, score another couple of points. It doesn't matter what school you go to once you are a professional coder, which means you have credentials. You are in a layer above a fresh graduate with no proof that you know anything about coding.

Yup, that's what I've read/heard everywhere. (sm) - MT2coder2

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If I weren't already in a HIM department where the coding manager told me how to proceed and/or wasn't facing missing out on tuition reimbursement, I would definitely just go to Andrews. Then I'd start waving my CCS around in the air when I started getting flak about lack of AHIMA approval.

I agree that this whole AHIMA thing is ridiculous, but this coding manager is old school. Got to go along to get along. :: sigh ::

Uh, the CCS IS AHIMA---so you would think she would respect that if she is an AHIMA lover - sm

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It's so rare that a new graduate can even come anywhere close to passing the CCS exam, which is AHIMA's own test and even their own course doesn't come close to or even purport to preparing students for it, that any course that does, and you can count those courses on the fingers of one hand, should be at the top of the list for the best schools.

Yes, I do realize. (sm) - MT2coder2

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Just rec'd confirmation from the AHIMA-loving coder boss lady: Must be AHIMA approved in order to be eligible for tuition reimbursement.

:: grrr ::

I want to be a coder - MT

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I have enrolled in Andrews and am loving it. I want to be credentialed and be able to find a job. Right now being reimbursed for my tuition is the furthest thing from my mind. When I took a course to learn MT and got a job at the Q, I was reimbursed a small amount each month, not much, but I didn't even know that when I took the course. I consider it an investment in my future and consider the quality of the education.

I don't have a lot of extra money now (who does as an MT), but I did not go with the AHIMA accredited schools because, as stated above, they only prepare you for the CCA. When I look at the job listings in my area, they want CCS. So why waste what little money I have on a credential that is of little use to me.

My situation is a bit different. I've got a coding job if I finish school (sm) - MT2coder2

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as I've worked in the HIM department for years now. It's a different scenario than if I was coming in off the street and was trying to get my resume pushed to the top of the stack. They will hire me and train me without the CCS; they don't expect me to have it right out of the shoot. (But I still aim to get it.) There are coders here who still don't have the CCS.

For me, it's much more about not p***ing off the coding manager right off the bat by going against her wishes. Tuition reimbursement is a secondary concern.

I'm glad you like Andrews. I've heard nothing but good things. Sounds like your circumstances might be different from mine, so you've probably made the right decision to go with them. I definitely would were I in a different boat.

Writing everything out like this, along with the board's feedback and devil's advocacy, is helping me map out my decision. I'm getting it all straight in my head and heart now. So thanks, everyone.

Good luck in your decision - MT

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I didn't know all the facts. Good that you already have your foot in the door, so to speak. Wish you the best.

So - When

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You got your CCS before those others that aren't even CCS yet, they would say, wow, that must be a really good school! Sorry, I know you are struggling with this.

I wish you the best, and I would probably do the same thing in your position - sm

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You really don't have the freedom to choose a different school than your boss wants you to go to. That's just the way it is. You sound like a very nice person. I hope it works out well for you. I think it will, because your boss has basically committed herself to you if you do things her way. If it doesn't result in good training and they criticize you, you can just say, 'Hey, I did it your way.' It sounds like a win/win situation for you, other than the fact that you probably won't get the best training. You will probably do fine because you can supplement the training with the actual experience on the job. On the other hand, you said that some of the coders who work there haven't been able to get their CCS, so that doesn't speak well for the experience or the encouragement from administration, does it?

You could take the AHIMA-approved one, get reimbursed, and then put that toward - a better course

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That could work. You could take the shorter, overview course from one that your boss likes, get reimbursed for it, and then take a more substantial course that will prepare you for the CCS. That would be a royal pain though, because you will have gone through some of the material already and would have to go through it again, probably finding that you've learned some things incorrectly and having to relearn them. This is just so wrong that it's just stupid. I'm sorry you're having to go through this ridiculousness.

I feel your pain - Good Luck nm

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nm

Well, if an AHIMA-approved instructor isn't enough, you can't please her - sm

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That's too bad. If an AHIMA-approved instructor is good enough for AHIMA but isn't good enough for the boss lady,there is more than good sense in play there.

Two points to make . . . - sm

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One is that this manager is not just old school, but is one of the old AHIMA guard. They value loyalty to the group more than anything and are expected to support its schools and programs. She is unlikely to even consider anything outside their umbrella.

My guess is that she is thinking of a college program, not realizing that other types of programs got approved. She is also quite old, so I wonder if she realizes just how easy it is to find an online program now.

You ae very sure she will hire you if you complete an approved program. I am not so sure becaus we see this all the time. They say they will hire you, but do so to keep from being too discouragin. They think your chances of finishing a program are slim, especially if there is no college program in your area. It used to be very hard to find one and they took forever if you work. My guess is that she thinks you won't darken her door again for 3 or 4 years. Probably after she retires, when you will have to satisfy someone else's whims.

Because of that, I would not trust her offer. We see it too often.

Point 2 is that you need to think very critically about the fact that she does not care if you are certified because she will train you. We see this too often, as well.

One fact that is never discussed, kind of like bad breath, is that your chances of passing a certification test diminish with time after graduation and plummet with time on the job. Job experience does not help ... it hurts your scores. The problem is that on the job training usually imparts employer-specific information and even errors. You will be unable to sort those out from correct coding. The test asks about what you learn in school and what is correct according to coding rules, not what your facility does on Thursday or what your manager thinks is correct that is not.

This is likely to be a problem for you because you have several uncertified coders. This manager is failing to encourage or insist on certification. The coders cannot pass the exams. That tells me that she may discourage certification and may feel threatened by certified coders. In other words, she fits the picture of an insecure manager who does not WANT a certified professional. She wants someone who is less than she is and who will be dependent upon her and grateful for the job, and . . . most importantly . . . who will do what she says and who will be trapped there because they do not have the qualifications other employers want.

Your chances of getting certified after her training on the job are probably not very good. Just so you know.

She might turn out to be Mother Teresa, of course, but based on what we usually see it is not likely. This is not to discourage you, but just keep an eye out for yourself. Don't put a lot of trust in what you think you are hearing from them. Be sure that what you choose to do will work for you no matter what. You need more than one job with her . . . you need the qualifications to get ANY job.

Hanging your hat on the expectation that you have a guaranteed job that will train you, so you can take a course that only teaches to the CCA, will blow up in your face if she leaves, if the hospital closes, and if you cannot pass the CCS.

This - JM

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Is all very true, maybe with the exception of her being old! Who knows. I just wanted to add another thing that I have seen with some employers. If they do not REQUIRE certification it is because they do not want to have to pay for any education or any support for your credential. Also, they won't have to pay accordingly. Yes, employers do pay for ongoing education toward keeping up your credential. So if you see an ad for preferred, it is great for someone who is just trying to get experience, get in, get some, get your credential while you are there, then go somewhere where they respect coders.

Old ... - Coder

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Sounds old enough to me . . . didn't it say she had been in that job 30 years? Her age might not be 90, but she is OLD in the sense that she has been doing the same old thing, thinking the same old thoughts, and harboring the same old beliefs and concepts she came out of school with in what must have been the late 70s or early 80s.

She has never advanced from that job, either. That hints of limited ability, which supports the idea that she might feel less threatened by "trainees" than by credentialed professionals. She will want employees who are very deferential, respectful, and grateful for the training experience, in keeping with the kind of thinking that you often see in older HIM graduates. They value people who know their place and stay in it, doing their jobs silently and not making any waves, taking criticism unquestioningly whether it is deserved or not.

The OP did not say what her credentials were. If n RHIA, not so bad, but she may resent a CCS if she could never pass it. At that age, she predates DRGs and CPT, and remembers the vitriol surroundingthe formation of the AAPC. She is very likely to continue it and refuse to accept AAPC credentials at all. She may even deny that outpatient coding is real coding.

If RHIT, there may be a lot of resentment about the CCS and a lot of unspoken stuff to discourage it.

If a CCS herself, she is very likely to not want any competition. She may need to see underlings as less competent in order to stay on top. If you do get it, she may accept it only if she feels that she taught you everything you know.

I agree that she is thinking about regionally certified AHIMA-accredited colleges that offer RHIT and coding. I wonder how she will handle finding out that Career Step is approved.

Then again, she might be Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and 10 famous leadership experts all rolled into one.

Just in terms of time and end results, I would not want to be beholden to that hospital for that amount of money. I would not want to take a college program or a commercial venture. If it were me, I would see about shadowing a CCS coder for a day or so, observing what tools and references she uses, and getting an idea about what you need to learn. I would get a copy of Faye Brown and a code book (even last years will do), and take a very good look at it. I might also see if the AAPC has last year's books for sale at discount.

I would also find the local AAPC chapter from the listing on the AAPC website and talk to them. You need a broader perspective than you have now. You can, in fact, take one of their courses in about 100 hours and get a very good start. I think at that point you will not feel as dependent on what the hospital wants you to do.

oh, yes - Old

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In that sense. Ever think of writing a novel? You have a knack for character writing.

Heh! I describes 'em as I sees 'em! - Been Around a While

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Yes, I have thought of writing novels, but I can't seem to come up with the character descriptions!

Here, I just described the many managers I have known and loathed. The oh-so-predictable ones. HIM programs seem to pop them out of a mold. I am not using just my own impressions, either, but the consolidated observations of many.

Thank you for the insight. Perhaps my character development would get somewhere if I used people I know instead of trying to invent them. Hmmm. . . maybe that is why novels have that disclaimer about the characters bearing no resemblance to those living or dead. Perhaps I took that too literally.

I would not be at all surprised to discover that this manager has an oven in her office in which she roasts small children, but again I am only going by those I have known.

I think you can - Yes

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Of course, draw from those people. Start an outline right now! This one lady may have those old rolled up stockings and black shoes like the lady from Laugh-in. ha haha

And a suit . . . don't forget the suit . . . - sm

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They all wear suits. It's trained into them, especially the older ones.

They're actually kind of famous in the hotel industry for it. Hotel staff swear they are the only professional group in the world that attend conferences wearing suits and high heels.

I coincidentally happened to arrive for something at a hotel just after one of their conferences. On checking in the desk clerk said "Oh, you must be with ___." The concierge, who was French, came over and said "Non! You can see that she is not one of . . . them. She is not nearly uptight enough! Madam, you would not believe the week we have had! Suits! We have never seen so many suits! Day and night the suits! Breakfast in the suits. Dinner in the suits. We think they sleep in those suits!"

He won my heart.

Actually, yes, she is old. :) - sm - MT2coder2

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Which, as it turns out, may be my saving grace. She will be retiring in about 3 years. So, by the time I finish my coding program, I would be subjected to her wrathful scorn and evil eye for only 18 months or so... and most of that will be working remotely, so I can keep a low profile.

I've taken a look at the curriculum of the school she wants me to go to. It is a complete joke. A ridiculous amount of fluff, pitiful little meat, and I can't skip ahead due to all my MT experience. The way they have it rigidly planned out (and with the prereqs I'd need just to be eligible to take A&P), it will take 3 years just for the coding certificate (not the degree). No thanks.

Really, it put a knot in my stomach to consider how frustrated I would be having to study all weekend for some dumb "delivery of healthcare information" fluff class while I sit and wait for my 18-year-old classmates to figure out their peritoneum from their perineum.

If I am going to be busting my butt working F/T, going to school at night, plus still taking care of all the other responsibilities adults have, then I owe it to myself to get the best possible education. Worst case scenario, I'll be a well-prepared CCS who is looking for work at a different hospital. It's not the only game in town. I'll recoup the $3800 tuition in the first year alone. Money well spent.

As someone so wisely pointed out above, the coding department's/manager's plans and intentions could change on me, and they might no longer want or need to hire a noobie about the time I'm ready. Then I would be left holding the bag with a subpar coding education, unable to pass any of the boards.

Congratulations! - jm

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You do owe it to yourself. That oldie is stuck in some bubble and has not seen the light for a while. Follow your heart, you won't go wrong. Happy for you!

I think you're on the right track . . . - Coder

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I think you're on the right track. After pondering this a bit, I came to the conclusion that she was offering something more akin to bondage than a job opportunity.

You are correct that it would take you forever. You move in lock-step with people just out of high school and people who have never worked. Schools like that have to accept everyone. Good for them, but it turns the learning experience into misery for people like you and me. You would have to work on projects with those folks, participate in "discussion groups" with them, and complete tons of busy-work assignments for instructors who know very little about what they are teaching. If there are instructors.

Don't get me wrong . . . I think there is a place in education for everyone, but when I'm limited by time and work constraints, and I'm far, far ahead of them with respect to industry knowledge, experience, and probably brains, I do not want to be held back by them. I do not want to use simplistic textbooks, I do not want to write useless papers, I do not want to complete ridiculous projects, and I do not want to discuss my feelings with them in chat rooms in order to rack up enough points to pass.

I want to learn adult, professional material like an adult professional, thank you.

I wish you the best of luck. I think you are making success for yourself now. Yes, you WILL recoup the $3800 in the first year. You might find a far better job than the one there. I feel it is very, very important to get your certifications before you begin working. It is really much, much easier then if you have had the right kind of training. The exams test textbook coding, period. When you get away from that on the job, it becomes much more difficult.

I lost about 10 points on the CCS because I did something the way we do it at work rather than the way they wanted it on the test. It wasn't a CODING thing, either--it was whether you include something or not. We include it, the instructions said not to. I still passed, but you can see that several things like that all piled up could cause you to fail even though your coding was fine.

Keep us informed about your progress, won't you? If you're attending Andrews, maybe Redpen can mentor you. I don't know if she does that anymore, but you might ask Linda.

Good for you. Do not tell anyone what you are doing. - Do not ask anyone there for help.

[ In Reply To ..]
You seem to have made a good decision. You thought ahead.

Two words of warning for you. (1) Do not tell anyone there what you plan to do or what you are doing. That includes the coding manager. Just never mention it again. If they know about it, they will conspire against you. It's traditional in coding to do that, so be forewarned.

(2) Do not ask any of them for help. Use your instructors instead. Working coders can absolutely ruin your understanding of coding. It isn't that they are wrong, although many are, but that they are on a different page. They may also steer you in the wrong direction deliberately out of malice.

You pay for instructor assistance in your tuition--never feel that you need to find out how to do something or to get an explanation outside of school so that your instructor doesn't find out that you don't understand something. The school you chose isn't like that. Their instruction is different and better. You can and should ask anything you want.

When you get finished and have your credentials, you can simply apply for a job with them. At that point, the school will be a moot point. The only thing that should matter is the credential. Most employers never ask what school you attended. They just want to see a CPC or a CCS, and so much the better if you have both.

Wise counsel. (nm) - MT2coder2

[ In Reply To ..]
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