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

Frustrating job search as a newly credentialed CPC-H - carjjen

Posted: Apr 23, 2013

I became credentialed as a CPC-H in September of 2012 after completing AAPC's CPC-H training course. I have been searching for employment since then and completing CEUs as I search, such as AAPC's ICD-10 anatomy and pathophysiology training which provides for 14 CEUs.

I just had an interview for an ambulatory coder job listed by a major healthcare center in Seattle who is putting me in the inexperienced file as a newly credentialed CPC-H with 20 years' experience as an MT. She suggested I read OptumSight's LifeCode coding system (natural language processing and computer assisted coding) because that is what they are/intend to use. I googled this and see that it will be great for already experienced coders, but not so great for coders with no job experience. She said the hiring of coders with no on the job experience will only occur when the experienced ICD-10 CAC coders are ready to train them, yet she also said the facility plans to have their coding workforce in place by the end of this year in anticipation of ICD-10.

An interview I had with another major healthcare facility in Seattle two weeks ago was for an entry level coder. I had an interview, and the HR person was going to connect with the coding manager. She said they realize they will need new coders "because we have quite a tenured group." There would be a coding test and I was preparing for that. Days later, she sends me an email saying "the coding manager is currently in the midst of managing an audit and her hiring timeline is a bit longer than originally expected. We remain very interested in your candidacy and will follow up with you as soon as possible". Now a week later from that email, I haven't heard from HR or the coding manager, the job I applied for has been "unposted" and they have a new job listing for a coding compliance consultant.

It seems that with CAC and NLP there will be less coders needed. The experienced coders will become more experienced and the coders without experience won't have a chance at finding a job. I also ask these recruiters if my years of experience as a transcriptionist would give me an "edge" and I get a positive reply.

I imagine the answer will be to get a job in a facility for anything and then apply for coding jobs as they come up??? I still will have no on the job training.

Any thoughts out there?

There is a position for you. Somewhere - Keep trying

[ In Reply To ..]
I can relate to your post. I just obtained my CPC-A and have been applying and interviewing like a mad woman. Fortunately, I live in an area of the country with many hospitals. While I have not had any luck landing a coding position, I have been told that the CPC stood out on my application, even though I do not have OTJ experience. Each HR recruiter that I have met seem to be impressed with my resume but it does not go beyond that.

I, too, am so uncertain about the future of coding, but I remain hopeful and will continue the search.

However, during my search for a coding position, I interviewed at a local hospital for position as an MT. (I have over 20 years exp). This is a DREAM job as far as MT goes... full-time, plenty of work, training at the hospital with an HOURLY rate ($15-17)during training, meetings, for vacation. THEN, they will set me up with one of their computers at my home office, to be paid at a line rate (in keeping what MTs used to be paid!). Full benefits...401k AND even a pension plan!

I am hesitant to accept the MT position, as my goal is/was to code, and the future of MT is very uncertain as well.

What would you do? Accept this position, get a foot in the door at a HUGE hospital system... Or continue searching for a coding position?

I think I already know the answer, just looking for insights that I may have missed.

I would take the MT job - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It is soooo incredibly hard to break into coding without experience. I, too, am a CPC-A and haven't been able to land any type of entry level HIM position, let alone a coding position. I'm so frustrated. I wish I would have gone down a different route. I live near Boston, so many hospitals here, but every single interview I've had they turned me down due to lack of experience. Why even interview me then?! I would love to have that MT job - take it!

I went for the CPC-H instead of the CPC - carjjen

[ In Reply To ..]
I thought I would have a better chance of finding a job with CPC-H than CPC, more training in coding for physicians, E/M, MDM, compliance, medical necessity, ED, diagnostic testing, medical clinics, home health, physical therapy, nursing home, outpatient hospital, ambulatory surgery, denials, charge description master, outpt grouping, upcoding/downcoding,down the block coding (oh, sorry, now I'm rambling!), all the Medicare rules, an associate's degree and my 20 years of MT experience.
I also would take the MT job at the hospital, I had the best job until it was outsourced. That's why I got a coding credential, more opportunity to find a decent job. I would find out what the CPL for transitioning to at home work though. In writing.

Take the MT job and keep looking - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Remaining hopeful and demonstrating hope and confidence on the job and at interviews is crucial. You cannot communicate a negative attitude to potential employers.

I am not sure why you are "hesitant to accept" the MT position. Sure, your goal is to code, but it's a lot easier to get a job if you are employed by an on-site employer than it is to get a job if you are unemployed or work as an at-home. (Please, no flaming about that statement . . . that's not my opinion, but just the way it is.)

Taking a job doesn't mean you have to keep it forever. The days of "one career for life" and working for one employer forever are gone. There is nothing wrong with that.

So what if the future of MT is uncertain? You aren't taking it to be there forever. It's a stepping stone. You need that stepping stone now, so step on it. You are not going to get to the other shore by staying where you are!

Waiting for The Perfect Job in Coding isn't useful. Prince Charming only happened to Cinderella.

Getting a foot in the door at this HUGE hospital is probably going to be worth it. They have coders there, as you may know. They probably have coding in-services and CEU opportunities, which you may be able to attend if they do not conflict with your schedule. You have an opportunity to demonstrate your superb documentation skills, your work ethic, and your accuracy. Wouldn't you think THAT would HELP you get a job there in coding? And if not THERE, don't you think that working THERE will look good on your resume? And don't you think that maybe they offer tuition assistance? Maybe you can transform this into an RHIT or RHIA? And how about the free ICD-10 training they will offer?

And once they like you, how about asking if you can shadow a coder? Or do a little coding? Or help out in coding? Maybe you can get a little experience in coding?

You still need to look for a coding job. You still need to attend AAPC and AHIMA local meetings. You still need to continue your education. So, take the HUGE hospital job, be a model employee, and continue looking for a coding position with them, with anyone.

If you are determined to work only in a hospital, getting that as a first job in coding is going to be more difficult. I know people who have done it. I did it, but I got a foot in the door at the facility in another job.

It would be very foolish not to take the coding job. That is your foot in the door . . . make the best use of it.

Thank you - Off the Fence!

[ In Reply To ..]
I truly appreciate your response and words of sage advice. A position like this just does not offer itself to MTs anymore. The reason that I was hesitant is two-fold:

First, I would feel bad if I was fortunate enough to find a position coding shortly after being hired. However, the heck with guilt, I need to remove that emotion from my persona! And I need to stop thinking about the 'what if's?' and acknowledge what is happening in the here and now.

Second: I must work a ridiculously early a.m. shift EVERY Saturday. Basically giving up EVERY Friday night too. My significant other did not think I should take it... however I must think of myself.

I am excited about this new opportunity to join this hospital system. I will make the best of it!

I have all but given up looking - nomas

[ In Reply To ..]
I have the CCS too and it seems to do me no good, can't even get an interview. I keep reading that the hospitals hire from within and provide OTJ training. Why don't they hire newly credentialed coders instead of internal candidates who are not credentialed and don't have experience either? It befuddles me, but I am not as optimistic as you are, not willing to spend more money on the 10 training just yet. Just disillusioned with the whole thing, wondering if I made a very expensive mistake. Wondering if they are willing to train anyone and if my credentials are worth the paper they are printed on. Sorry to be such a downer, but I guess I just have to let it go and move on for awhile, maybe start applying again later in the year or next year.

New coders - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Finally, some honest souls who admit that they are having trouble finding that first job, I guess you didn't go to Andrews (sorry, that was sarcastic). I also have my CPC-A and went on several interviews with the same results. I do have a job in HIM and still have one foot in the medical transcription camp. I will probably keep trying but I don't know if it will happen. I was looking through rose colored glasses, thinking that I'd get an internship or OTJ training, I guess those days are over. I live in a small city with one hospital. When my MT department closed, a co-worker got a job in compliance with no coding background, go figure; I have not heard how that is working out. Nice to know I'm not alone, thanks for sharing.

I feel I owe you an apology - nomas

[ In Reply To ..]
When I was learning coding, I didn't want to believe your posts about how hard it was to find that first job. I feel I owe you an apology, I'm sorry for being harsh towards you or criticizing you for being negative. I guess I was so invested in my "investment" I didn't want to hear the negatives. Thanks for continuing to post and being here for us "honest souls" who are seeing the light and grateful for the support. Do you feel like you made a mistake? I am having a hard time accepting that, living with my costly mistake.

If you think it's a mistake, it is, but only because - you are making it so

[ In Reply To ..]
This kind of self-defeating negativism is not going to get you a job.

You might want to do some reading about the difficulties people in all fields are having finding jobs right now. Even nurses cannot find jobs. Lawyers cannot find jobs.

Work on employment-related skills. You need to become attractive to an employer.

And you aren't going to get the first job you apply for. None of us did.

The only mistake is the one you are making right now . . . wallowing in unwarranted self-pity. Really, it's not helping you at all.

Employers can see it when you apply. They just can. And they don't like it. They don't want Eeyore as an employee.

Apolgy - to nomas - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I just saw your reply a couple of days ago so this is a bit late. Thank you for your thoughts, there is no need to apologize, although I did feel bad when I was told that no one wanted to hire me because of my "attitude." I studied coding because I saw it as an easy transition for when my MT job ended. I did not get a coding job but I have a job in health information where I have the opportunity to do many different things including transcription QA. I also use my coding knowledge, but not on a full time basis. I am not going to say that I made a mistake, I will just say that it was a lesson learned. I'm happy and grateful to have a job, so it's not a big deal to me, really. I do have to say that if the prima donnas that post in the coding forum are any indication of the people I'd be working with in coding, I probably dodged a bullet by not getting a job. I had a chance to learn some new skills and that is never a bad thing. Good luck to you, I hope you find what you want!

the OP is talking about CPC-H - CPC market is flooded NM

[ In Reply To ..]
x

No difference, really - But ...

[ In Reply To ..]
There really isn't a difference between the CPC and the CPC-H markets. You can get hired and get hired for the same jobs with either.

The market isn't "flooded," either. Someone (you?) keep popping up to say that. We explain that there is actually a shortage of coders, but you keep on.

Anyone considering a new career needs to think about the local market. If you live in rural America with one small hospital, there won't be much market for coders.

I have to say, though, that I am wondering if some of these can't-get-a-job posts are all by the same person, because they all go on about hospital jobs. I know few coders who seem unaware that there are other, non-hospital jobs in coding and that they far outnumber them.

Wondering why you are only looking in hospitals - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Hospitals have the fewest coding positions and the most competition from experienced coders. Given that, why are you focusing your search there? Yes, you should look there, but you also need to look for coding jobs in other venues. Outpatient, offices, clinics, whatever.

Once you have a job, you will become more desirable. Taking a chance on an inexperienced unknown is very risky. You could turn out to be a dud and they'd be stuck with you.

This is a quote from you: "I googled this and see that it will be great for already experienced coders, but not so great for coders with no job experience." First of all, this system is what you will have to use if you work for them. Using it has absolutely nothing to do with experience or not having it. However, your attitude about it . . . that it isn't so great for coders like yourself . . . is what is damaging your case. You, yourself, are downplaying your abilities and competence, you are expressing hopelessness and negativity (in your whole post, not just that statement), and that is what employers might be picking up on.

I would not have gone for the CPC-H. You do not have more or better training than someone with a CPC. The two are very close. You might want to be very careful about expressing the view that you have more of everything or better of it, because the people you are applying to may be CPCs and they may know better. I, personally, have a CPC and a CPC-H. I think they're quite the same. You need to be very careful about insulting potential employers by bashing their credentials, even if it is unintended or done in ignorance.

Your assumption that with CAC and NLP there will be fewer coders needed is unfounded, premature, and negative. You are jumping to conclusions about something you know nothing about. Nobody knows anything about it, so you certainly are in no position to make pronouncements like that. It certainly is not affecting your job prospects right now.

You are also jumping to conclusions about the job where the manager is supposed to be getting back to you. ONE WEEK is not excessive. They told you "as soon as possible." Maybe it wasn't possible in one week. Seeing the job ad pulled is irrelevant, as is the fact that they posted a compliance position. These are unrelated. Our hiring timelines run 3 to 6 months, as it happens, and we often have to pull announcements back for one reason or another.

It isn't easy to get a job in any field, but exhibiting negative thinking and jumping to conclusions is going to make things much worse for you.

not what I said - carjjen

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for taking the time to reply, even though your words are very harsh. I did not say I was focusing my search on hospitals. I said those were the latest job interviews I have had. Times are tough and when job listings come up I jump on them, wherever they may be.
I'm not negative, I'm stating what is happening for a new coder.
You can say what you did in your diatribe because you have been coding and employed for awhile, obviously. I would never insult somebody by bashing their credentials. You're reading more into my post that you should. It's getting frustrating finding employment and I posted that fact, but don't call me negative, or that I have a bad attitude and am hopeless. and ignorant, was that necessary?

Don't worry about what that poster said - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
That poster has come on here so many times after someone posts that they are having a hard time finding a coding job and loves to say that is is basically your fault for not getting a job. She has done this many times to me. Her words are harsh, unnecessary, negative and frankly not helpful at all. She loves to toot her own horn stating how much she makes, 75k I believe, but yet gives no real advice on how to get where she is at. She gives the vibe that she is better than all of us noncoders and we are just a bunch of horribly negative people.

I wish you the best of luck in finding a coding job. I know exactly how you feel. I am a RHIT and still no job in coding or HIM and I'm still an MT. Beyond frustrating.

That is what you said and you are twisting that response. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
Nm

You asked for thoughts - just an MT

[ In Reply To ..]
No one called you any names either. What's with biting the hand that's trying to help you? Or did you not really want any help?

So many inconsistencies - Smh

[ In Reply To ..]
My director TOLD me the CPC-H is the better credential to have. What is up with that?

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