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54-year-old. Should I go to school for coding or stay in transcription? sm - grandma of 2

Posted: Mar 05, 2010

At my age, should I try to go to school for medical biilling/coding or just stay wtih transcription or try another job (JoAnn Fabrics, etc.). I am 54 and not sure what to do. Any ideas out there? If coding, what schooll(s) are good on-line or in AZ or OH? Thanks!

School - Lilly

[ In Reply To ..]
Going to school at 54 is a grand idea. My thought is, is coding any better a career choice than MT? Seems they need fewer of them to get the job done, so are jobs available?

coding - mt

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I have thought about coding school too, but every ad I see says they want at least 2 years' experience. At my age, by the time I got out of school, I would be afraid no one would hire me. I'm going to try to stay with MT to retirement. Of course, I have a hubby so I don't have to worry about the bills.

Coding's as bad as MT - frying pan into the fire

[ In Reply To ..]
Just as hard to break into, just as much threatened by offshoring and technology, and just as much pressure to dance faster and faster.

If you're going to make a career change, consider making it one that lets you use your gifts, which are usually the things we would do without pay, the things that others have said "You are so GOOD at that!", or "That comes so EASY for you!", and the things that we do while time passes unnoticed. If you're disappointed when you have to stop doing something, you probably love doing it. See if you can't find a job or figure out some way to use your gifts.

I agree, but still, if you want to be paid for your "talents," - good at it

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employers want to see "certificates" and "experience" before hiring you, no matter where you apply, unless you have connections or go self-employed.

There are many "unusual" or "nontraditional" careers - these days.

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When you're changing careers, it's about as easy (or difficult) to get into one where you have talents as it is to get into something where you don't. So why wouldn't you pursue the former as opposed to the latter?

even so, one has to get training and experience.... - talent

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nobody will hire you if you say "I am really good at it and talented," they ask for proof, and will probably hire somebody who is not as talented as you are but has a "certificate" of some sort.

Coding school - workingmt

[ In Reply To ..]
Grandma, I wish I knew the answer to your question. I'm 55 and have a good MT job but I don't know how long it will last. I thought about coding and billing but it is true, there are no guarantees about finding another job, I guess that's true in any occupation these days. I've seen a lot of ads for coders but they do want people with experience and certification, the on-site jobs would probably require me to relocate. I'm applying for a lot of jobs and will probably pick up some continuing ed classes to improve my office skills. If my MT job runs out before I find something else I can draw my 401K early if I have to and go from there.

Thanks everyone... - Grandma of 2

[ In Reply To ..]
I want to thank everyone for their response. Good food for thought. I am really good at crocheting and have sold quite a few items and think maybe I will stick with that. My hubby is almost finished with his web design degree so I will trust that he will provide the main income and I will supplement. Everyone has really been kind in their advice. Thanks much!

Great place to sell your WAH (work at home) crochet goodies... - reenie

[ In Reply To ..]
Grandma, check out www.hyenacart.com where you can open an online shop for your crochet/knit goods. Its really a great place w/high traffic.

Etsy.com is a great place to sell and shop for crafters. - nm

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I took a coding class - alot of stopping points

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I took a coding class for medical office coding (outpatient coding). Here is what I learned, most offices want you to be "certified" and then they want you to be experienced too. I can't say as I blame them as coding is what brings them their money. You code it wrong they don't get paid correctly or the insurance company throws the charge out and you have to go back and re-code it again. Hospital coding is a 2-year course, requires certification. The company I work for also has coders and they won't hire anyone with less than 3 years experience. It is a good paying field if you can get your foot in the door. I hate to say it but for someone young, with time to try to find a way to get the experience I would say go for it. For someone in their 50's (like me) by the time you get the schooling and try to go out at an entry level position at our age, it doesn't work well. What I wish someone would start is a coding school for people that want to transition from transcription to coding, we already know the terminology and anatomy and that is part of the curriculum for coding schools. We could by-pass that and get right to the coding aspect.

Coding school - workingmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with you on the coding school for transcriptionists, I wish my clinic would do it as they like you to work for a while before taking the test but getting hired is the tricky part. All the programs I've looked into want you to take anatomy and physiology and don't seem willing to waive that, all I want is to learn how to code.

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