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

Finding a job as a new coder - LK

Posted: Sep 30, 2011

I am an MT considering going to school for coding. I have been reading the message boards of the coding professional organization and found it to be full of comments from new certified coders who can't find jobs without experience, and some have been looking for over a year. I am leaving the MT field after only 6 years due to salaries going into the tank with SR. I think coding would be a good fit for me, but hate to spend thousands of dollars and a year of school time on something that won't pay off in the end. I only have about 10 years left to work, but need to do something where I can bring in a decent income. Anybody out there who is a recent coding grad who could give me some insight? Is this field as tough to break into as it sounds? Thanks for any advice.

What kind of certification are they saying that they have? - Just wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Did they say what kind of "certification" they have? There are all kinds, and even some flaky organizations that are out there "certifying" coders, not to mention the schools that tell their students they are "certified" when they graduate. Did they say what kind of certification(s) they hold?

Also, some may have other reasons why they are not employable - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
It would be interesting to see their resumes, etc. Then there are personality and work ethics that also keep people from passing job interviews.

I am newly credentialed as a CPC - sm - Coder-to-be

[ In Reply To ..]
There are NO jobs out there for me in my area. Everyone wants experience, it is true. No experience = no job offers.

I hold out hope that coders who can will retire before ICD-10 so they don't have to learn it. I really enjoyed coding class so I can't say I'm sorry that I did it.

It's difficult to get a job in ANY field. - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Think about this . . . every working coder I know at one time applied for that first job without experience. Coders who have no experience get jobs every day--I see it happen.

It is difficult to get a job in ANY field. I've even seen nurses who couldn't get jobs, and the job market for lawyers is horrible. Even physicians can have difficulty finding jobs.

As someone mentioned, personality factors play a large part in this. Eeyores need not apply. People who need constant supervision need not apply. People who are unprofessional need not apply. Lots of things will shut you out of a job.

When you're in a competitive situation applying for a job that requires smarts and drive, well, then that's what you need to exhibit. As several people have noted below, it is recommended that you get both the CPC and the CCS. That maximizes your opportunities. Even if you do not think you want to do inpatient coding, getting that CCS says something positive about your smarts and drive--it says you went the extra mile for yourself and by extension for your future employer. It says you understand the job. It says you know MORE than the average applicant who has only a CPC.

Most importantly, it gives you credentials with employers no matter what their affiliation or preference is for a professional organization. If they're AAPC, you have the CPC. If they're AHIMA, you have the CCS.

If you don't have both, you effectively shut yourself out of half the job market, regardless of what type of coding it is. I don't know about you, but if it were me, I'd rather have more credentials than less. I'd plan ahead and take a program that provided enough to pass both, and then I'd take both until I passed them. That is, in fact, what I did, and it worked for me. I believe that it's what you need to do, too.

Great advice. - LK

[ In Reply To ..]
You're right - jobs are tough right now everywhere. You gave some great advice, and I do agree that if you have the right credentials, attitude, and determination, there are jobs to be had. Thanks for pointing that out.

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