I've only been in this biz for about 13 years, but now that my last one is off to school, I'm also thinking about a career change. I live in a very rural area as well, so I understand completely what you mean about people thinking $8 an hour is a good wage.
One thing I'd like to suggest is looking into a state job. We have 2 state prisons in my area (about a 20-minute commute) and both hire medical transcriptionists as well as medical records personnel. These jobs generally start out at about $12 to $15 an hour plus state benefits, which in my state are the best bennies anywhere. The jobs that require coding certification pay even more. I would highly recommend that you look on the internet for state civil service jobs in your state. You'd be surprised at the opportunities in the medical field.
I'm considering this option myself but want to wait until next fall, after I have the summer to spend with my kids (and so I don't start out "in the hole" because of babysitting expenses) and to have time to look into getting my coding cert. I graduated from a business school with an Associate's in medical secretarial and did a lot of coding prior to working from home. I used to do billing for a very large rehab facility, so I don't think it will be too hard to brush up on my skills.
Anyway, good luck and let me know if this (a state job) pans out for you. Most people have no idea these kinds of jobs are even out there (I didn't).  |
I've been thinking about a job change recently - perkymt
