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Job ads and AHIMA-approved programs - graduate

Posted: Apr 07, 2014

I have noticed some job ads which say they would consider a new graduate from an AHIMA-approved course. How do certain programs become an approved course? I had a very thorough course that is not ahima approved and would like to apply for those jobs but afraid I would be turned down. :/

Never hold back because of - what the ad says!

[ In Reply To ..]
You never know why ads say that! Maybe someone put it in there years ago and the person who does the hiring doesn't agree. Maybe they can't find anyone with those qualifications. Maybe you have something even better that they had not considered.

AHIMA-approval does not mean other programs are not good. Some great schools can't even apply because they don't meet administrative criteria, like participating in the federal student loan program.

That ad says it will consider new grads from an AHIMA-approved course. That tells me they are assuming the grad has no credentials, that they will consider them even without. It also tells me they can't find enough experienced, credentialed coders.

What about you? Do you have credentials? If so, you can say you have them. Does that meet their other requirement for credentials?

You can also show them that your school covered what an approved program covers. Just look up the eligibility requirements for the CCS and CCS-P. That's the gist of it. Compare that to some approved programs so you can see what the same courses look like. Now compare the to your school's program. Ask your school if they have something already written out. Now you can write in your cover letter that your school covered the same material that an approved course covers, namely A&P, pathophysiology, pharmacology, reimbursement methodology, basic and intermediate-advanced ICD and CPT coding, etc.

If you are not credentialed, you will have more difficulty convincing them, so you should get the CPC, at least, right away.

Never hold off on applying because you fear rejection. So what if they turn you down? They will turn down all but one of the QUALIFIED people, too. Just go ahead and apply anyway. The good job you do explaining your case may be enough to convince them you are exactly what they want.

Thank you so much! - graduate

[ In Reply To ..]
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question and make me feel better! I am not credentialed yet, but I hope to at least have my CPC this summer. After I am credentialed I will apply to every job I can find. I don't really now because of not being credentialed. Thank you again so much!

Why the delay? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
OK, you took a course that you feel was really detailed, so you feel well-prepared, but you aren't planning to sit for the exam until summer? Unless the problem is that it isn't offered until then, why haven't you taken it?

If you are still "getting ready" and " reviewing" you might not be using your time productively. You get one free retake on that exam, within a year, so you should take it as soon as you can. If you don't pass, you can just take it again.

You might also use this time to get a job in or around coding so you can accumulate even a little experience to help with job applications.

The thing is that if your course was that good, you should be ready by now. You would know that and feel ready. If you don't feel ready, figure out why and really try to avoid delaying further.

To be honest, just scared. - graduate

[ In Reply To ..]
To really be honest, I have been terrified. I have been stewing on so many things since I have graduated. I feel like now I am finally ready to take the exams and get them out of the way. The drawback to waiting so long? My books are out of date, I will have to find a way to buy new ones, plus now I will have to brush up on it all again. Not that I mind, but I really could kick my own rear for waiting so long just because I was afraid of failing.

I did well in school, (I was in Andrews), but went through a phase where I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted to do and just plain ole fear.

I thank you so much for responding to my post.

Suggestion - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
There is nothing to fear. You already know the material. You took the best course there is. The test is also entirely multiple choice. You don't even have to code it! You can do the coding questions by looking up the codes in the answers real fast and eliminating the ones that are blatantly wrong.

If you graduated from Andrews, you could have passed the CPC halfway through. It doesn't cover inpatient or pathophysiology at all and hardly covers A&P. I don't think there is much, if any, billing info on it, either.

Please do this:

1. Look on the AAPC website for the next exam nearest you. Plan to take it. Print out the information on it.

2. Also on that website, find your local chapter. Contact them today and find when and where their monthly meeting is. Begin attending them and talking to members.

3. You need 2014 CPT and HCPCS, and 2013 *or* 2014 ICD-9.

4. Call Linda Andrews and explain your problem. See what she says. Ask if she knows of any job possibilities. What changed since you graduated? Ask if she has suggestions for books. Maybe you can borrow some.

5. Register for the exam. If you have time to review casually, do so. Otherwise, just take it with the attitude that you want to see what is on it. No hassle, no stress...just idle curiosity. You will probably pass. If not, well, the retake is free and now you know what to study. If you do have to retake it, definitely ask her to find you a mentor.

Do this NOW. Do not wait one more minute. You have a reprieve of about 6 to 12 months because of the delay in ICD-10. Once those exams change, I fear you have been out so long that you will have to take the course over again. And, you will miss the hiring push that is expected in the 6 months before the switch.

That course was written so that you would succeed in spite of yourself because they wanted you to have a better life. Please trust in them, and trust what I am telling you now, and go take that test.

Wow, that is SUCH great advice ... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not the OP but gah if I'm ever feeling afraid or unsure of myself I hope I get advice like that.

Thank you so much! - Graduate

[ In Reply To ..]
I can't thank you enough for this advice! I promise I will follow it. I have been out since January 2013, do you still think that is too long? I had thought about buying some review books, because I do still remember, but I just think I need a brush-up. I really wish I would have taken it during that time while I was in school. I think there is one in May and another on in August in my location, so I will definitely take it this time.

Once again, thank you!!!

More suggestions - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Out too long? No, because you will be testing in the same thing you learned. THAT will come back to you. It only becomes too long if you keep waiting and have to test in ICD-10.

Right now, what you learned will come back to you. You are going directly from ICD-9 to what you stored away as ICD-9. Later, if you are testing in ICD-10, you will have to convert ICD-10 to ICD-9 in order to get to what you stored as ICD-9. That is much harder.

You do not need review books. Your course books are fine. They will contain the same material.

Your local AAPC chapter will have a review class maybe the day before the exam. Those can be very useful because they tell you about known test areas and tricks. If you are short on money, though, wait on that. You can always take it later if you happen not to pass.

Please take the one in May. That way, you have the August one in reserve.

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