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PaigeWhite

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I passed my certification in March of this year and have applied to at least 50 or more jobs. I have gotten NOWHERE with it. Simply because I have the “A” on the end. But it really makes no sense. How do you gain experience if no one will give you a chance?? I have 20 years of healthcare! I am a surgical tech, I have been a receptionist, I have been an assistant, I have done it all… in healthcare. I have the background. I am very familiar with most everything to do with healthcare. So why am I not finding a job after 4 months of applying. Why spend all of that money, time, and effort taking the course, not to mention the stress of taking the certification…. Only to continually be denied of a job because I don’t have the “coding” experience. So frustrating! So very frustrating. Any advice on how to overcome this frustration? Because I am at a loss at this point.
 
This is such a common issue, and has been pretty much for anyone in any industry whatsoever. It’s always difficult to get your foot in the door. The fact is, there’s no easy way, and the coding industry is no different. Having your certification for a month or even a few months does not guarantee finding a job will be easy.

The best advice I can give is to apply for any clerical positions in hospitals or doctor‘s offices. Do not limit yourself to applying for coding positions because chances of getting one this early in your career are slim to none. By applying for other positions, it will allow you to prove your work ethic and dependability. When a coding position does become available, they may be more open to giving you a chance.

Keep in mind that on-the-job training is pretty much nonexistent these days, so it’s not going to be an easy adjustment at first. Studying for and passing the certification exam are great accomplishments, but the actual practice of coding is different depending upon where you work.

I’ve been coding for 13 years, and I still learn something new on a regular basis. it’s a constantly changing industry and it’s not as easy as the media ads out there claim it is. Billing deadlines are tight, so you need to be able to work both accurately and quickly, which is why places require prior experience. They don’t have the luxury of losing money because something is coded inaccurately or deadlines are missed. That may sound harsh, but that’s the reality. I don’t say this to further discourage you, but very few new coders actually know what it really entails, and I wish I’d been armed with this information when I first started out

Best of luck to you. Keep pressing on. You’ll find your way!
 
I would also make sure that your resume highlights your previous healthcare experience in the best way possible.

Additionally, I'm not sure what types of positions you're targeting, but I'd also encourage you to be open to working in a local office to start.

Some coders limit themselves to only remote roles, but it can be easier to get an in-person position. (That doesn't mean you have to work in person forever, but for a bit to get some experience that you can use to apply for remote roles. Or be converted to remote at your in-person position.)

Although there are remote positions that will hire CPC-A, remember that those positions will get bombarded with applications from all across the country. For an in-person position in your local area, you'll only be competing against local applicants. Statistically, that increases your odds of consideration.

Networking in your local chapter may help find out about local opportunities too.

Good luck!
 
Hello. I too am a bit frustrated. I worked so hard to get the certification (Aug 13th), but am seeming to get nowhere with jobs, even the ones who say they will give a CPC-A a chance. I have worked as a Patient Service rep and over 20 years as a remote medical transcriptionist (all before "remote" work was even a thing.) I have applied to patient service rep jobs as well, but still nothing. Any advice.
 
I found a support position (patient Registrar) at a relatively small doctor's office in my area and took half a year to make my way into the billing office. I'll still be in a support position, but hopefully six more will prove to them that I can learn the way that this organization wants me to code things.

There are very few direct-hire coding positions. I've learned you can sneak through the back door though.

I hope this helps.
 
I just passed Aug. 17th and I'm waiting for a position to open up in a couple months...have already talked to the Coding Mgr about it. I went from Patient Access in 2000 to a medical billing receptionist job and moved through the positions from Data Entry, Account Representative, Money Poster, Supervisor over the next 15 years. Moved to a tiny town and went back to Patient Access 5 years ago where I learned every possible job from ER to Outpatient, then Inpatient and AIC, and Surgery. When the top director in my department heard I was seeking a coding certification she supported me in that by reaching out to the Coding Managers and letting them know I was a "fantastic caregiver", her words not mine. And I had a interview way before I even sat for my exam...so make yourself indispensable and ask for help from people in a position to help you and great things can happen! Good Luck!!
 
I’ve been in healthcare for a long time too. I was able to get to know some coders when they came into the office and asked my boss to set up job shadowing with one of our coders. The biggest thing I hear is that finding a coding job is all about networking. I also chat up fellow coders at the in person chapter meetings. I’ve applied at a lot but am hoping that an opening with my company will be the break I need. 🤞🏼
 
PaigeWhite said:
I passed my certification in March of this year and have applied to at least 50 or more jobs. I have gotten NOWHERE with it. Simply because I have the “A” on the end. But it really makes no sense. How do you gain experience if no one will give you a chance?? I have 20 years of healthcare! I am a surgical tech, I have been a receptionist, I have been an assistant, I have done it all… in healthcare. I have the background. I am very familiar with most everything to do with healthcare. So why am I not finding a job after 4 months of applying. Why spend all of that money, time, and effort taking the course, not to mention the stress of taking the certification…. Only to continually be denied of a job because I don’t have the “coding” experience. So frustrating! So very frustrating. Any advice on how to overcome this frustration? Because I am at a loss at this point.
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Try applying for a coder position on usajobs.gov I work for the VA and there are several remote coding opportunities. Wish you the best of luck! Don't give up! :)
 
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PaigeWhite said:
I passed my certification in March of this year and have applied to at least 50 or more jobs. I have gotten NOWHERE with it. Simply because I have the “A” on the end. But it really makes no sense. How do you gain experience if no one will give you a chance?? I have 20 years of healthcare! I am a surgical tech, I have been a receptionist, I have been an assistant, I have done it all… in healthcare. I have the background. I am very familiar with most everything to do with healthcare. So why am I not finding a job after 4 months of applying. Why spend all of that money, time, and effort taking the course, not to mention the stress of taking the certification…. Only to continually be denied of a job because I don’t have the “coding” experience. So frustrating! So very frustrating. Any advice on how to overcome this frustration? Because I am at a loss at this point.
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I ended up purchasing the Practicode program through AAPC. It is 600 coding cases and it is equivalent to 1 year of coding experience once you have completed it. Then we only need to show one more year of experience somehow. Hope this helps!
 
I'm not having any luck either. Not through linkedin, indeed, even networking. I got referred to a recruiter and even they couldn't help. I went to school and did practicode so my "A" is gone. That doesn't seem to matter at all to anyone.
 
mccartysmasteredcleaning@gmail.com said:
I ended up purchasing the Practicode program through AAPC. It is 600 coding cases and it is equivalent to 1 year of coding experience once you have completed it. Then we only need to show one more year of experience somehow. Hope this helps!
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Doesn't going to AAPC itself remove one year of the apprenticeship designation automatically? Then I believe passing Practicode removes the 2nd year of the "A" designation allowing you to have 2 years experience and apply as solely a CPC...right? I received my CPC-A August 1st and I hear what everyone is saying, it's very difficult to prove yourself. But if I'm correct, you can use AAPC as your 1 year experience so that should help a bit?
 
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