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

Bad education - geomadtraem

Posted: Mar 03, 2014

I went to school to be a medical coder. After I started the program I found out it was basically self taught. I completed it with a 3.8 gap. They didn't poo offer certification testing. It's been 3 years and I still unemployed and not certified. What do I do?

which one was it? - please

[ In Reply To ..]
so that we can all avoid it? But you should now go take the AAPC course, and I'm sure what you learned will at least help you with it.

aapc course - geomadtraem

[ In Reply To ..]
What is it and is it going to cost me more money?
Very disappointed that I only got one response to my original post. I will not give out the name of the school on a public forum. If I read that someone is considering that school then I will advise against it.

Suggestion - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You did not get more answers because the situation you describe is odd and nobody can figure out what you are talking about. Your post also includes a naughty word tossed in at random. And, you didn't give us enough time to respond before you got upset.

We asked what school because we don't know any legitimate coding courses that offer certification exams. Both AHIMA and AAPC do their own testing, not the school. What exactly did you take?

Now that you have asked what the AAPC is, we are even more confused. How can you take a coding course and not learn who they are? What exactly did you take? And why are you still unemployed after 3 years? (If you didn't know how to apply for a certification or what the AAPC is, it is no surprise that no one hired you.)

If you won't give more information, then the post that suggested an AAPC course has the best advice. We can't tell what you took, but it no longer matters since you did nothing for3 years, so the best we can do is to suggest that you start over. Take a legitimate coding course like AAPC's, then apply to take the CPC exam.

You can find out who they are and the costs by googling.

Could you? - onmyway

[ In Reply To ..]
Did you go to a community college? If so, you can apply for a certificate in coding if you have met the credits. If you have earned the education credits the school I attend will allow you to apply later on as long as you are enrolled. You're not in schooling now, but it could't hurt to ask if you have earned one you somehow might have missed.

Did you save your textbooks or study materials, homework, etc.? If so, dust them off and learn the material. Set a plan for yourself and work towards it if this is really something you want to do. Most of the classes are self-taught, especially online courses. Once enrolled it is up to you to do the work, ask questions, and use the tools given to you. Not to sound mean, so please don't take it as I am coming off that way.

I say this because I went through a word processing course, got an "A", and left there feeling like I had to look at the keys and couldn't type at all. It sounds silly, but I knew I wanted to be a transcriptionist down the road. I got up before my kids did and blind-folded myself at the keyboard until I learned to type fast without looking. My self taught methods worked better for me than the actual class did.

Unite with any coders you know and ask them if they could help mentor you while you refresh. Watch some Youtube videos on coding and CPC examinations. This has helped me learn what to expect or look for before I take the CCS exam in a few months.

I don't think knowledge and education is really ever waisted. Some of it will come back to you once you begin again.

You could also take another job for the foot in the door so to speak and work from there. It won't be easy, but it's a suggestion.

Best of luck to you!

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