Eye Opener - Old dog learning new tricks.

Been wanting to do coding for years.  I have been an acute care transcriptionist for 20 years, and thought this would be a good background for coding, an easy switch for me.  I have taken coding classes here and there over the years, and am now enrolled in AHIMA's Coding Basics.  I got an interview last week and took a screening test.  Piece of cake.  Fifteen questions, very simple.  Went back yesterday to take another test.  I had to code four charts.  Holy Cow!  It took me 3 hours and it was really, really hard.  The doctor's handwriting was horrible.  I had no reference books to use, so I was not at all sure about the significance of some of the lab values and certainly don't have this stuff memorized. 

So in other words, coding is not for the faint of heart.  I have a good feeling about the job though because they have been looking for someone since September.  I think I might have a chance, but I honestly was a little unnerved after this eye opener into the real life of a coder.  My transcription friends and I always complained that the coders were paid more than us.  Now I see why.  We always thought their jobs depended on us because they needed our reports before they could code the chart.  Well, this is just a tiny part of what they need to do their jobs.  If you are considering coding, brace yourself.  It is not going to be easy no matter what your background.  At first I thought that a lot of the classes I had to take were just "filler".  Now I will take all the information that is available to help me understand this job. 

I am not trying to discourage anyone.  Just be aware that you will definitely earn your pay if you take on this job.  I love doing coding and hope that some day I will look back and laugh when I see how far I have come.