The best advice I can offer is to look for a HIM, non coding job. Something in billing, account follow up, charge entry, surgery scheduling, registration, etc. Get your foot in the door, gain daily exposure to ICD 9 and CPT codes and move up.
I started out at front desk, then billing, charge entry, physician coding, outpatient hospital coding, inpatient hospital coding and now auditing. Each job I have had, has helped me gain valuable knowledge and built on previous experience.
Cordelia, DRG Auditor, CCS, CPC