After I graduated from college, I had a bachelor of science and couldn't get nothing for 6 months. I applied, interviewed, did my "song and dance" but no-one seemed to want me. I didn't have any medical experience. It literally boiled down to the point where if I didn't get a job within next month, I was going to flip burgers at the local McDonalds, or move back home. Then my local hospital finally gave me a chance with an entry level Patient Registration job at Admitting Services. Not exactly my dream job right out of college, and definitely wasn't making 100k/year!
But that first job was my stepping stone into the medical field, and I have gradually climbed up from there. I have done insurance, compliance; and then finally went into coding working for a provider owned clinic. They put me through coding as I was coding/auditing at the same time. This actually made perfect sense even though I had never given medical coding much thought prior to that job. But because of coding, many doors have opened up for me. My current job is a direct result of my past achievements, and I wouldn't want it any way.
My purpose behind sharing my coding story is to sum up what I have often shared on these forums whenever I see frustrated new grad coders. I get it. I have struggled with the "no experience, no job offer; but can't get experience because no one wants to hire me" adage for years! My experience on this whole ordeal boils down to two things: Preparation and timing.
- I have heard that "If you are prepared, you shall not fear". Do everything in your power to nail that first medical job. Make sure your resume/application is top notch. Spar mock interviews with trusted people that could help you prepare yourself for a dynamite job interview. Apply, apply, apply. And then apply some more! Job hunting is at least a part-time job, perhaps even another full time job. It takes a lot of work, sweat, tears and maybe even blood (paper cuts?).
- Even if you are the perfect candidate for a job, you have the best application/resume and you totally nail your interview, you might still not get the job you just applied for. It took me almost a whole year to get the job I have today, from the time I seriously started applying to the time I showed up to my first new work day. I can't even count how many applications I have sent out (several out of state), done many job interviews (including management), but I persisted and suddenly I had two good jobs lined up for me. I ended up choosing the one that made the most sense to me at the time, and I haven't regretted that choice since.
Although my path to medical coding did not include coding school, but I was supported by the company I worked for as they put me through coding; I am seeing more and more discrepancy of what coding instructors are "promising" coding students and reality. At least that is the feedback I am seeing here on the forums. I too would be discouraged and upset if I was promised a pretty much guaranteed job right out of school, only to learn that thousands of other CPC-As are vying for the same job I am. It's unfair and unjust, but apparently that's the landscape at the moment. My best advice is still to get into the medical field any way you possibly can, and earn that medical experience. Stay on top of current coding changes so you can be ready when a coding spot opens up.
I hope this is helpful.