Wiki How many gained employment with NO experience?

I received my first job as a coder with no experience.
I quit my job (not related to the medical field) and went back to school to get my coding diploma. I studied my butt off from morning until the late hours of the night and most hours of every weekend for both inpatient and outpatient coding. I took my coding final and also that same weekend sat for the CPC test. I found out I passed the CPC before I found out I graduated with honors. Still with no job, I took the CCA and passed in August. I finally had "THE" interview in August and passed the coding test with 100% beating out both a RHIT and RHIA for my present coding job.
After 7 months coding pathology and laboratory charges I started entering and coding the professional charges for anesthesia at our facility.
1 year after becoming a coder I sat for the second time to take the CANPC and passed. 1 year and 2 months after becoming a coder I sat and passed the CHONC.
Currently at 1 year 6 months to date and am studying for my next specialty - which is coming up very soon.
My advice is to keep learning and study ALL the time while you are interviewing and no matter what - DON'T GIVE UP!
Take the time to have a new set of eyes look - I MEAN really look at your resume. There is always room for improvement. Are you involved with your local AAPC chapter? Are you networking?



I am curious. How valuable is the CCA? Do employers frown on it over the RHIT?
 
Hired with no experience

I am 43 years old and decided to make a career change 3 years ago. When I decided to become a coder, that's when I got a job in a clinic. Not as a coder but as an HIM specialist. I learned a lot about how a medical office runs, policies, charting, etc. So even though I didn't get coding experience, I got experience working in a healthcare environment. So, if you're still in school or just starting out, get a job NOW in a hospital or medical office doing anything they'll hire you for.

I finished school in September 2013 (it took me a while, I'm a single mother working full time while going to school) and passed the CPC in February. Two of the staff members where I currently work left and the company they went to needed a biller/coder. They put in a good word for me, I met with the Medical Director, I sold myself and I got the job. I start next week! I agree with others, timing has a lot to do with it as well as some help from above. DON'T GIVE UP! Visualizing can help, too! I pictured myself working as a medical coder in a great office with great people where everyone wears scrubs. Well, everyone in this office wears scrubs! And the two staff members who put in a good word for me say that everyone is so nice and they love working there.

Networking is invaluable. The sooner you can get into a healthcare environment the better.
 
Hello All,

My name is Phylise Graves and I received my CPC certification in November. I got my first job as a coder March with no previous experience. I felt discouraged at first but after I quit stressing myself out over it I was called for an interview. I didnt have any experience so I sold my personality and did great on the test. I knew if I just had the opportunity to sit for an interview and show my drive ....I would get it!! I wanted it so bad and it showed! The position was for Evaluation and Management and other than the test...ive never dont it before.....The supervisor actually told me I coded better on that test than coders that have been coding for years!...:):) God is truly good..Be patient and dont give up!!! Blessing to you all!! You can do It!!!!:)
 
I am a recent CPC-A. I clearly did not do enough research before getting into this. I can't even get called for the entry level positions that everyone is suggesting. No experience = no job. It is hard to not give up and it is very discouraging. Most days I wish I had the money back but I will keep trying. I think it is a must that you know other people in the field that can refer you and help you find a job.

Referrals do help that's true.

What also helps is the willingness to get into an organization and do any job. If you don't have coding experience and you're willing to work in medical records, or even registration, check in out at the outpatient clinic it will put you on the radar for when a coding position opens up at some point. You've helped to prove both worth and experience that way.

Good luck!
 
I am a recent CPC-A. I clearly did not do enough research before getting into this. I can't even get called for the entry level positions that everyone is suggesting. No experience = no job. It is hard to not give up and it is very discouraging. Most days I wish I had the money back but I will keep trying. I think it is a must that you know other people in the field that can refer you and help you find a job.

Try med3000. They a very large billing company who hire a lot entry level people and do on the job training. Good luck.
 
I caught a break as my sister was a Inpatient coder and got me hired with just 4 months into college. My best friend is still searching for employment and no luck.

I also have since went back from my RHIT and still searching for that job now!! I was under the impression by completing school and taking one of the hardest tests ever...I would get recognition...6 1/2 years coding experience on inpatient side...and nope nothing!! Soo......what I have to say is keep your chin up as a professional coder u might catch a break like I did, or get screwed over in the end like I did in the RHIT position!!

Keep on applying you might get something somewhere!!














As I have been reading over these forums, I have noticed alot of discouragement coming in from those not being able to find work having no experience. Though I do feel for them, I wanted to also start a thread that might give hope to those people who have no experience and are looking for a job.

I'm wondering, how many people actually found work as a "Medical Coder, Medical Biller" without having ANY experience in said field? If you have, please share, and I believe it will encourage everyone currently looking.

Personally, I have not graduated with a CPC or anything yet. I did however call a hospital around my area (mid missouri) and she said she was willing to hire CPC-A's with no problem. She said of course, she would test the applicant, and that was that.

Thank you.
 
I attended a state college and graduated with an applied technology diploma. I took my CPC exam right after I graduated and passed the first time. I kept in touch with a teacher I had during school who also did my CPC exam boot camp that kept an eye out for jobs for her former students. She called me when she heard of a billing position that was open and I got hired there but really didn't enjoy billing. I ran into a local chapter member at an event at the college I went to who worked at a small hospital and had just gotten a new job. She introduced me to the supervisor over there and I was hired the next week as their full-time inpatient coder.. I had no experience, and had only been out of school and certified a few months, but I know how unusual that is. Reading posts on here have made me realize just how lucky I was to find this job, and I plan on keeping it until I have enough experience to get hired for a remote position. My best advice is to try to go to local chapter meetings and keep in touch with people who can help you find something and network. Keep your head up and keep trying! It can happen and all it takes is one employer to take a chance and hire someone without experience
 
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Blessed with a job...

My journey to coding began 12 years ago. I was able to transfer to an insurance billing and follow up position in the hospital I worked for with no experience. I began taking local classes in med terminology and coding but did not take the CPC. I had two children and put coding on the back burner. about 2 1/2 years ago I began an online coding course thru AAPC. I applied for several jobs in our hospital clinics and had four interviews before I got a call for my current job. I am a billing/coding specialist and I got this job before I finished my coding classes. I have been in my current position for two years. I took my CPC but did not pass the first time. I will be retaking the CPC in July and I am praying that I will pass. I am studying all the time and I am determined to pass on my next try. Through a lot of pray I was blessed with my job. I know that not everyone has been so lucky to find a job but like everyone else has said, just keep trying. I started out as an ECG tech and then I was a heart monitor tech. I got married and wanted a 9-5, weekends off job and was able to move into insurance in our business office. Look for jobs in all hospital, dr's offices or clinics. Google jobs online to see what clerical jobs are available in your area. Networking in you local AAPC chapter meetings is always good but are not a dependable way to find work. Do the research and the leg work and keep at it. In the interviews I had two were for coding positions that I did not get. I just kept going and refused to give up. You can do this!
 
I was offered an externship while I was still in school. The clinic where I work at now called the externship coordinator and wanted an extern who was already a certified coder. At the time of that phone call, I was literally the only student in the building who had a CCA and who wasn't already onsite somewhere (btw, students, sit for your CCA or CPC when YOU feel ready to take it, not when school is over. I got my job specifically because I did not wait for anyone else to tell me when to sit for exams)

I then got my CPC-A on externship and was then offered the job to code at the clinic when school was over. I am now the sole coder in the facility and am the first certified coder they have ever had

Yes, I got very lucky, but luck wouldn't have helped me at all if I had stuck to someone else's timeline. Chance favors the prepared, etc, etc, etc
 
I started out as a CNA in 1986. Changed to Payroll in 1996 then changed to Billing in 1998.
I was fortunate that I had an employer that gave me a chance and an employee that was willing to train me so she could retire.
I love billing, and strive to be the best.
 
I was hired with no experience as the biller for an optometrists office and after 3 months left there to work for a billing company that bills for dozens of doctors and specialties. My boss will consider me for coding once I've been here for a while (started in April). Jobs are out there, I went to what seems like a million interviews before getting hired!
 
Better path...

I started with my CPC-A doing documentation review due to my experience working with physicians as a medical secretary. It was my ability to work with doctors that got my foot in the door. But I have seen others in our A/R department start as payment posters, etc. who got their certification and totally by passed me due to their A/R experience. I think the key is to focus on finding a good organization and get your foot in the door doing anything. Establish yourself as a good employee and someone people want to work with and you will be surprised at how others will champion you and network for you to get you were you want to go.

You gotta have a job anyway, right? So, start out doing SOMETHING and let it lead you were you want to go. You can't stear a parked car. Get in there and get to work!
 
Get out there!

I had zero experience in the healthcare field (or any kind of office work) when I made the decision to get certified. It took me 5 months to get hired as a coder. I was at the point where I was looking for anything to get me into a medical office but I still was receiving no response to applications. I realized that most people hiring have hundreds of resumes sent to them and mine just wasn't that impressive, and my CPC-A was not a selling point. I finally went to a job fair at a local community college and met a recruiter for a large healthcare company that was outside of my search zone, but not so far that I couldn't make it work. The recruiter was impressed with me, personally, and I got a phone interview, then an in-person interview, then a job offer for a coding specialist position within a week. I realize that my experience is not the norm. But my advice to job-seekers is to get out of the house. Dress like you already have the job, be confident and personable, and charm the pants off those HR folks. Remember that the people at the job fair are recruiters. It is their job to hire people, so your success is their success. Most of the other seekers I saw there were in sweats or jeans. I dressed for an interview, had several printed copies of my resume in a nice portfolio, and I stood out from the crowd. If your resume is not a shining star, you have to go and shine for yourself. Good luck!
 
No experience

I got a job as a medical coder/biller at an Urgent care about a month and a half after passing my exam. I had NO experience in the healthcare field prior to getting my job. In part it had to do with the fact that they were very new and wanted people who could easily adapt to their EHR/PM system. My boss also said that my grades and bachelors degree were what got me in the door. But I also felt really discouraged after passing my exam, because when I was getting in to the field everyone made it sound like there would be opportunities galore, but as I read these forums and looked at potential jobs all I saw was NEED EXPERIENCE...mostly in the range of 5+ yrs...but I just looked every single day on Craigslist, Jobing.com and any other site I could find, and went to interviews for other jobs related to the field, like front desk, that have potential for upward mobility. I called and followed up sometimes 3x a week if I hadn't heard anything. Being persistent can pay off
 
I worked at Frito Lay as a route sales rep while I went to school. It was my teacher who pointed me to a new company that was hiring. CPC-A accepted. They are still hiring. Go to www.censeohealth.com to apply. They are located in Dallas, TX, off of 635 and Midway Rd.

I also would encourage all students and newly certified to get on Linked-In and make connections. You don't get jobs in the Health Information field without networking. I think most people will tell you "Oh, my friend told me about this place," or "My friend told the boss about me." Networking is crucial. Tell everyone you know that you are certified and looking for a position. It's not about who you know. It's who they know! Good luck!
 
QUOTE: Dress like you already have the job, be confident and personable, and charm the pants off those HR folks. Remember that the people at the job fair are recruiters. It is their job to hire people, so your success is their success. Most of the other seekers I saw there were in sweats or jeans. I dressed for an interview, had several printed copies of my resume in a nice portfolio, and I stood out from the crowd. If your resume is not a shining star, you have to go and shine for yourself. Good luck! ~~~~
[GOOD ADVICE!!!]

And remember, that what you post on-line, will now 'follow you for life'. Employers CAN and DO look for what your on-line presence says about you. Watch spelling and grammar. These things DO matter!

Have a 'professional' e-mail address. ('cutiepie@???(dot)com) isn't where you really want your future employer to contact you, is it?)~~~~ first.lastname@...com is much better.)

I have always been advised, even after getting the job, to 'dress for the job you want...not the job you have'! Casual Fridays can and are abused horribly! Don't be that person! ---(It's NOT healthy for your career!)

Good Luck to all of you who are looking!
 
I did, but, only by default. I was actually employed in another area of HIM and enrolled in a coding course. I was looking for other jobs because I was told there wasn't enough room for another coder. Then, that coder quit and I was offered the job. I'm still not very experienced at all, though, with CPT or HCPCS because we only use ICD9 coding. So, I feel for anyone trying to look for a coding position without experience.
 
Still looking

I received my RHIT certificate on 12/30/13 and have been looking for employment without success.

Thank you for all your encouraging words.
Vicky
 
New CPC

I have been working in a doctors office for about 3-5 years now and I just passed my CPC test on 6/21/14. If anyone knows of an office or hospital in the St. Louis, MO area that may be interested in a new coder please email me at scoach62@hotmail.com.

I just recently started the application process and I am hopeing to find something over the next few months.

Thanks for the encouragement because I have heard nothing but horror stories since I started this journey.
 
I started out with no medical experience

I started at the front office for a cardiologist. Did scheduling, checking out and prior authorizations for out-patient procedures. I got hired on with a larger cardiology practice in Prior Authorizations and moved up to Front Office Manager and then learned coding for everything from office visits to device placements, vascular interventions, and sleep DME...

I am currently the Billing Office Manager of the same practice. I do not have my CPC, but want to get my certification soon. :)
 
Take Whatever Experience You Can

I just received my CPC this week after nearly 20 years of working with insurance billing & coding. Don't turn down any job that will give you experience with the codes, insurance, doctors, etc. The experience helped me when I finally went to school & took the PMCC course.

I have been working at my local hospital's primary care center for almost 10 years and was hired just by knowing CPT & ICD-9. There are places will hire based on that. I learned the codes by temping at an insurance company who trained me in CPT & ICD-9. Prior to that, I had a business degree and have taken medical terminology & anatomy/physiology.

I finally became CPC credentialed because I was promoted from billing specialist to coding specialist & knew that I would need further (and current) education.

Don't get discouraged---hang in there! We've all had to start somewhere. If you have a CPC-A, I believe a lot of medical practices will look favorable on you. It shows your prospective employer that you worked hard to study an intensive course & passed a tricky test :D
 
Frustrated

I worked for 7 years at in a Pediatrics office. where I was trained to code and bill. I took a liking for Billing and Coding and got my CPC certification. unfortunately, my place of employment does not need a CPC ( salary ). I have been home for 10 months now after a motor vehicle accident and have sent out tons of resume , however, different specialties are demanding experience so I am still unemployed. Awaiting advices from all CPC's who got a job without experience in the filed.
 
Aapc certified medical coder with no experience

I just read this post by you adam and i felt this truly was the position i am in right now. I just graduated from allied business schools back in february of 2014 and just recently took my aapc certification exam on july 19, 2014 and passed it, and am trying to find a job in medical coding, but most companies don't even want to hire me because i don't have the experience. So how am i supposed to get the experience without someone hiring an entry level coder?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!!

Monica martin, cpc-a
601-383-4812
 
I worked as a medical transcriptionist for acute care hospitals for 25+ years and with the same medical transcription company doing remote medical transcription in my home for 17-1/2 years before finally going back to school for medical coding which i finished in february of 2014 and became aapc certified on july 19, 2014. I am now searching for a job, but now i am finding that most medical coding jobs require 2-4 years experience and it seems no one wants to hire an entry level medical coder to give them the experience and a chance.

Monica martin, cpc-a
601-383-4812
 
Right before finishing classes in coding and billing and being CPC-A, I got a job in registration at an outpatient surgery center and was fortunately was promoted to billing and during that time they had me code some minor procedures and correct all the errors that the coder made, the coder was outsourced. With all the experience with not only coding but with billing I was able to find a full time coding position with cardiology without any cardiology experience.
 
Truly no experience

When I took my classes and passed my certification I had absolutely no experience in the medical field. I was not even able to find an externship. I tried to get my foot in the door anywhere, not really caring what the position was, just as many people have suggested, but I was still finding that experience was wanted for those positions as well. I was starting to lose hope. I feel like I really tried to sell that fact that I was willing to learn anything and help out anywhere needed just to get some experience. I feel like that helped get me some interviews. I interviewed at a doctor?s office that I left feeling like was a perfect fit and felt pretty confident I may have even had the job. I did not get that job but then shortly after I got a call from a billing agency to come in for an interview. After a week and hearing nothing I was about to lose hope again and then I got a call back telling me they had another position available. It wasn't doing coding and it didn't pay much but I took it immediately knowing that I would learn a lot at a billing company and who knew maybe I would be able to move to do coding someday. About a year later I decided it was time to find something that was a better fit and I got an email from the doctor?s office that I had interviewed at before asking if I was still interested!!! I truly believe I had to go get the experience to get the job I have now and love. It was hard but I didn't give up and I ended up where I wanted to be.
 
Did I choose wrong?

I am very concerned because I chose to take the CPB, Certified Professional Biller, and all the job postings are for CPC. So, did I make a big mistake? The externship opportunity on here is even for CPC and there is nothing mentioning CPB.
 
Cpc-a

It's encouraging to read all these stories. I was starting to get very discouraged about finding a coding job. Just graduated from an 8 month billing/coding program in July, and passed the CPC test in August. So far no job, but I have been on several interviews. Fining out that in the West you really need to get a CCS to get into a hospital coding position. I will keep on looking and will take anything to get some experience!
 
discouraged with no experience

I went through an online program last year and then took CPC exam and passed on first try. I did an xtern program for 7 months and then moved from VA. Since moving to SC, can not find ANYTHING. It has been 5 months of looking.
Even volunteering and there are 2 xtern programs not far from me but they are not currently hiring. I have also completed my AAPC ICD 10 proficiency exam to get that out of the way while I had the time. I am 5 months short of getting my "A" status removed and coming up empty handed. On paper I have over a year of experience because my schooling counts as one, but even trying to volunteer I am coming up empty. Any suggestions?
 
I went through an online program last year and then took CPC exam and passed on first try. I did an xtern program for 7 months and then moved from VA. Since moving to SC, can not find ANYTHING. It has been 5 months of looking.
Even volunteering and there are 2 xtern programs not far from me but they are not currently hiring. I have also completed my AAPC ICD 10 proficiency exam to get that out of the way while I had the time. I am 5 months short of getting my "A" status removed and coming up empty handed. On paper I have over a year of experience because my schooling counts as one, but even trying to volunteer I am coming up empty. Any suggestions?

I know people hate to consider this, but try a local staffing agency. They are in a great position to know what the job market is.

Your local chapter as always is the best place to network and find out who is looking for coders.

Try working for a billing company until you are able to get some on the job experience to get the "A" status removed. A billing company would be a great way to get the experience you need to remove the "A".
---------------------------

To remove your apprentice designation via on-the-job experience, you must obtain and submit two letters of recommendation verifying at least two years of on-the-job experience (externships accepted) using the CPT?, ICD-9-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets. One letter must be on letterhead from your employer*, the other may be from a co-worker. Both letters are required to be signed and will need to outline your coding experience and amount of time in that capacity. Download our Apprentice Removal Template for easier submission. Letterhead and signatures are still required when using this template.
 
No Experience

Hello, I took a 2-year Medical Insurance Specialist program for an associates degree. My ICD-9 and CPT teachers were the manager and director of the coding and billing department at our local health system. I worked really hard in my classes and before I could even request to have my externship there, they requested ME to extern there.
I registered to take my CPC exam before I would even start my externship. When my teachers heard I was going to sit for the exam, I was offerered a full time position instead of the externship (with the condition that I passed the exam).
My last week of the term, I took all my exams and had 1 day off before I went and took the CPC exam. I passed with a 96%!!!!
Now, almost 2 years later, my "A" is gone and I love my coding job!

So sometimes it's working your butt off to impress the right people!

Good luck all! :D
 
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