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Salary increase expectations after getting CPC, CCS credentials - your experiences please

Posted: Feb 03, 2013

I just landed an entry-level position as a hospital outpatient coder! Yay! It is a foot in the door towards my new career. After I sit for and get my credentials (I have 0 experience in this field), I plan on giving my passing credentials to my HIM director and to HR. Is it appropriate to ask HR when I do my hiring paperwork/orientation what salary increases are given for credentials and per credential? I am not really sure that is the right time or place to discuss this, or even if it should come up at all until the credentials are there. They are aware that I am a student and that I will be taking my exams in 2-3 months.

What is appropriate? What should I expect as a salary increase per credential (if anything at all)? I look forward to your advice. Thank you.

How the in the world did you get this job?! - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I have my RHIT credentials, have a lot of billing experience, but cannot find a job as a coder to save my life! How did you get this job? Congratulations - this is wonderful!!!

Suggestion - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I know your situation must be frustrating! There are often unseen factors driving hiring decisions. I don't AGREE with them, but I can share them with you. Please do not become angry or offended with me ... I just want to help see what managers might think so you can take corrective action. Color your image differently, in other words.

I am not making this up, either. Nor does it reflect the thinking of ALL HIM managers.

The RHIT is not a "mastery level" credential. It is entry level .. a generalist credential. That comes straight from the AHIMA website. The CCS and CCS-P are mastery level credentials in coding.

I know this might not be what your program told you, but ... there it is.

Something else ... employers find that lots of RHITs cannot code very well. Ever. That makes sense because it would not be possiblle for every RHIT grad to be an expert coder. That is why some go into other areas. There is no way to tell that a job-seking RHIT can code. The credential does not tell you.

Employers may also have had bad luck with grads of local programs. Programs have better and worse success rates. We don't want to take our locals for ANY job, much less coding. Whether you come from that program or not, you may be affected by it.

The credentials of the supervisor or managr might help to drive their decision. Many do not want to hire someone who may be more qualified or who is differently qualified. As in any field, nobody hires people who might take their jobs or know more. They also tend to want people like themselves. RHIAs often avoid hiring other RHIAs. RHITs won't hire RHIAs and might prefer RHITs, but avoid those with coding credentials. A CPC will avoid any AHIMA credentialed persons and might not even know what the credentials are (quite common in the outpatient setting). A CCS may prefer other CS or CPC coders.

Lots of hidden dynamics going on. To get a job, you have to counteract them. That isn't easy.

If you want a coding job, you might want to get at least a CPC. That will establish your competency in coding to a large degree. It will tell employers that you CAN code.

If you can manage it, also get a CCS. That tells hospitals that you are qualified to code inpatient. Getting those credentials also tells managers that you do not think you are God's GIft to HIM because you have an RHIT. On the contrary, it says you realized you needed more and went the extra mile to learn more and to validate your abilities.

The CPC may also enable you to get a job that will give you experience to overcome other hiring biases.

With the rush of colleges going to online learning and facilties going electronic, there are more RHIT grads looking for fewer jobs. They might also be poorly prepared for work in an EHR environment. College programs still focus mostly old-style HIM. You might be able to enhance your resume by studying EHR and informatics material. The entire series of college lecture modules that the fedral government sponsored is available online for free. Just Google to find it. Try something like health informatics initiative.

How did the OP get that job? It is impossible to say. She may have passed an employment test with flying colors or just been exactly what the employer was looking for.

Great response! - Andrews student

[ In Reply To ..]
This is great information! Hope it helps those it was intended for.

I applied knowing they are willing to train - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
How did I get this job? Maybe the right place at the right time?. Passed the entry-level coding exam with flying colors. Yes. I knew they were willing to train someone with no experience, and I did very well on the test. Thank you, God. This is exactly what I have been working for to get me out of the MT industry. I worked really, really hard for this, and am still working really, really hard in school. It's not getting any easier - getting harder. But, driving through it, getting it done for the big picture - the CCS and CPC. Thanks for all the support. :)

Congratulations! :) - another Andrews student

[ In Reply To ..]
I think I know who you are! :) I'm sorry to not know the answer to your question, but congratulations on finding a position!

The coding program at Andrews so difficult that I'll bet you passed pre-employment tests with flying colors. No one seems to talk about how hard the course at Andrews is, but it is tough.

I finished a good, well-known CPC prep course on the side while at Andrews. The difference between that course and Andrews was akin to the difference between Jr. High Biology and Microbiology (with a lab) in college.

The CPC course taught the basics of coding. The Andrews course makes you teach yourself the basics and then tests you on application. The exams are tricky too. They make you read EVERY WORD. lol

If you didn't go to Andrews and I've got the wrong person, I'd love to know which course you went through that prepared you so well. Good luck on your exams! I'm taking mine within the next 2 months.

Congratulations! - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't have any advice because I am still a student at Andrews. I just wanted to say good for you! :)

Congratulations! My suggestion ... - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Congratulations on landing a great job!

To ask about raises or to not ask ... that is always the question. Let me explain my thinking on this.

HR might provide some info on the pay structure when you see them. Most hospitals have one. The pay within grades might not be negotiable. There will probably be an annual increase or something like that, or higher grades into which you can advance. Those grades may require credentials.

If HR does not raise the issue, should you? I would not. There is always a chance that HR might find something wrong with you and cancel your hire. Maybe you do not meet their requirements and they didn't know it. Maybe they might think your questioning is premature or presumptuous, or even confrontational.

If it were me, I would be trying to fly under the radar. WAY far under the radar.

In my view, it is too soon to be thinking about a raise. They hired you as a student. They expect to invest $$$ in your training - and they will - before you become fully functional. Even if you think your pay is low, bear with it because it is giving you experience. With that you can get a better paying job later. This is not the only game in town.

You are unbelievably fortunate to have gotten a job now. Make the most of it. Consider it a fellowship rather than a low-pay job. Use it as a learning experience.

Get your credentials and provide your employer with copies. Have AHIMA send notice to both HR and your dept head. If there is a raise involved you will know about it by then -- you will hear about it through the grapevine.

You can probably expect to feel like a newb for 2 years. Then you'l realize that you know what you are doing. That is when you can start thinking about other jobs and raises.

Your goal right now is to finish school, get those credentials, and get enough experience that you can market yourself successfully in a higher level job. You are in the right place for you for right now. Do a superb job and things will work out.

FWIW, many employers give increases for - credentials

[ In Reply To ..]
A lot do reward credentials. Some reimburse the expense. Some, like the VA, give pay raises which may be considerable. They may provide continuing education for upkeep of credentials, either in-house or by allowing a set amount of money each year to attend courses.

These things are usually part of the package that HR will share with you. If your new job does not offer them, don't worry about it. You will still get great experience that you can use to get a better job that does.

job with the state - op

[ In Reply To ..]
It's a job with the state, so I hear the benefits are excellent. I am guessing, but they probably do have some program for upkeep of credentials, CEUs, etc. If not, I am still grateful. Thanks for your input.

It should be stable--which is a relief. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Thanks - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for all the responses and good wishes. I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to have this opportunity, and I am very grateful. It is a challenge that I accept and look forward to.

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