Project Xtern — Job Seekers
The AAPC has established Project Xtern to help newly certified medical coders qualify for a medical coding job. The program is designed to match beginning coders with facilities willing to give them field experience and potentially their first medical coding job.
Oftentimes in traditional education centers, students are placed in facilities but never given the opportunity to gain enough practical medical coding experience. Project Xtern is an ideal way to get real-world knowledge and experience in the medical coding field and give potential employers an opportunity to see you in action. It builds confidence and improves your research and analytical skills.
Over 200 facilties nationwide, known as Approved Official Extern Site (AOES) are currently participating in the project. Facilites complete an agreement with the AAPC guaranteeing each extern a minimum of 60 percent hands-on billing/coding experience while completing the externship. Externs are typically placed at these facilities for approximately three months and are non-paid. Externs gain from facilities’ valuable mentorship, and the facility gains from the excellent assistance a new certified coder can bring to the team. Further, the facility can also use that time to examine the work habits and abilties of the extern for future hiring consideration, many times leading to jobs for newly certified coders.
Prerequisites
- Be a current member of the AAPC
- Be a certified medical coder (CPC-A, CPC-H-A, or CPC-P-A) looking to get your first taste of medical coding in a real office setting
Program Benefits
- Gain experience to apply towards the removal of your "Apprentice" status and to use on your resume
- Learn about real-world medical coding in a supportive work environment
- Earn AAPC bucks by referring facilities and helping the program grow
- Give potential employers an opportunity to see you in action
Get Started
Search our current list of participating facilities (certified member status is required).
Locate an Xtern Site
Project Xtern Resources