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

Job interview help - mt/cpc-a

Posted: Apr 09, 2014

I have an interview next week for a coder 1 position. Have had my CPC-A for a few months, but not much luck getting a position. This is the 1st interview I have even been offered. Any tips on how to land this job? I have many year experience as a medical secretary, transcriptionist, editor, but getting that 1st coding job in the area where I live is very difficult. Small town, not much opportunity. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Tips - Rose

[ In Reply To ..]
Look up some information on the facility you will be interviewing with. Use that when/if they ask "why do you want to work here"? If they don't ask try to mention something good you know about the facility. If/when asked to tell them something negative about yourself, turn it into something positive. Type out your answers to typical questions like "Tell me a little about yourself" and "Why do you think you would be an asset to our group"? and "Does this sound like a position you would be interested in"? You may be asked "Why did you leave"? Keep the negatives about what has happened to MT to yourself and try to keep positive, that you left MT to secure a longstanding position with job security. Don't put down any previous employers.

Good luck!

Good tips, thanks. - mt/cpc-a

[ In Reply To ..]
Especially about writing down answers to typical questions. I have a hard time "selling" myself after working for MModal. I don't feel very confident there when I exceeded expectations at my old job. Crossing my fingers.

TY Rose, I'm interviewing now also! - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I had a previous interview where they did ask me exactly those questions and I floundered a bit. This time I will prepare for the interview and your suggestions were spot on!

I have no advice but wanted to wish you well! :) - Psj

[ In Reply To ..]
Please let us know if you get it! I am excited for you! :))))

Advice - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I would suggest that you look at your attitudes toward getting a job, what yobu know, your abilities, and everything, and make sure they all see the glass half-full with an overflowing pitcher standing nearby.

I say that because you said two half-empty things. One is "small town, not much opportunity." From my perspective, small town means not many certified coders, making it difficult for THEM to find someone with your excellent qualifications.

While you don't want to appear full of yourself, you should use that fact to see yourself in a positive light. You have SOMETHING TO OFFER them and it is VALUABLE. Literally. It will improve their revenue stream. It will also reduce their liability. They should know that, so you should keep it in mind.

You also said that you had your cert for a few months but "not much luck getting a position." That's a half-empty glass. It is an unreasonable expectation for this industry. It fits more with jobs in unskilled labor like fast food and retail. For positions like ours, two months is nothing. The more education and skill required, the longer it takes.

A better attitude to express is that you are thrilled to have gotten an interview so soon. Why? Because you really want to use those great skills to help them! You really look forward to all that you will learn on the job!

What have you been doing to keep up your skills in the meantime? The correct answer is that you have been continuing your education. ICD-10. You are reviewing CPT.

Is this employer a hospital? You are preparing for the CCS-P. If you did not study inpatient coding, you are studying that. If you did study inpatient and were scheduled for the CCS when it was cancelled, you are reviewing for that. You are also looking into RHIT programs. Find one and be able to speak intelligently about what it will take for you to get in. Even better, email a few to ask questions so you can say you got that far.

Google "interview questions" and "performance based interviewing" to get a feel for the questions they are likely to ask. Remember, your answers should show them why they want to hire you. You are positive, upbeat, professional, skilled, intelligent, able to work independently, detail-oriented, confidential, accommodating, drama-free.

There is a post from within the last several months, maybe on the main board, that will help you see the skills that MTgives you. Computer savvy, fend for yourself, able to research online, able to work in virtual teams, quickly adapt to new software without extensive training, etc.

You also want to look good. They won't hire you if they can't bear to look at you or if you do not meet the hospital dress code. See if you can find it online. Look up interview attire and get some. Strongly consider getting your hair styled and professionaly colored. If it is long, put it up in a twist or bun to get it off your shoulders. Minimal makeup without eyeliner or colored shadow. You want to look natural...foundation, blush, neutral lipstick or gloss, good eyebrows, and mascara. That's all. No perfume, no smoke smell, no pet odors. Stockings and closed-toe shoes. Minimal jewelry, especially no around the neck dangly chains (patients can choke you, so many places ban them). No dangly earrings.

Your nails should be impeccably clean, less than 1/4 inch long, and buffed. Manicured nails are actually helpful in getting a job, but fakes and wraps are banned at many hospitals. Nail polish is fine, if it is neutral. No loud colors, glitter, designs, or nail jewelry. We reject applicants all the time because of their nails..

Also... - Forgot this

[ In Reply To ..]
Because of your MT background, you find that you read medical documentation easily and quickly. You understand what it says (naturally!). You have a wide knowledge of medical conditions and treatments already. You are familiar with operative reports and how procedures are performed, making it easier to code CPT. You understand the different kinds of reports. You really understand the content of the chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, and physical exam, and all the rest of it, so you have a good understanding of what you read there and of E&M coding.

That puts you miles ahead of a non-MT who took a coding course. You may need to help them understand that, without insulting them if they happen to have been a non-MT who took a coding course.

If you are an Andrews grad or took a comparable course, you can point out how helpful you feel the pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc., will be. "I know it is really going to help me with ICD-10."

Be sure you can explain the delay in ICD-10, too. Are they ready for ICD-10? You are looking forward to being a part of that. How exciting!

You also want to learn anything and everything they have. Don't be like the guy who told me that outpatient sounded ok, but that he didn't understand inpatient in school and he knew he didn't want to work that hard.

Thanks, - mt/cpc-a

[ In Reply To ..]
good tips also. It is an outpatient clinic coding position so I have the credentials for that, but not the experience. I have been keeping up with my CEUs through AAPC, just took the anatomy and physiology course online through them. Have also been getting CEUs through AAPC website. Started ICD-10 training. Your messages have built up my confidence in my skills. Thanks again

Excellent! Let them know about that. - You are going the extra mile

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Good for you!!! - mtmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I just wanted to say I am happy for you. I hope to be in your shoes soon. I'm taking the CPC exam soon. Please let us know how it goes. You give me hope. Go out there and make them beg to have you on board!

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