Megan Chavis began her journey into medical coding after working in seasonal factory jobs that lacked stability. With a young son to support, she sought a career that would provide a steady income and better opportunities. A neighbor introduced her to the idea of medical coding, and after researching the field, she decided to pursue training.

She completed her coursework in July 2019, passed her CPC exam in August 2019, and landed her first job as a diagnostic radiology coder in October 2019 — despite not having any prior experience in healthcare.

Megan’s path into medical coding was unconventional, as she had no connections in the field. She applied to multiple hospitals near her home in Springfield, South Carolina, but only received a call from one in Augusta, Georgia. To stand out in her interview, she created a visual portfolio that transformed her resume into an organized, engaging presentation.

This approach impressed her interviewers and demonstrated her skills in organization and research, leading to her immediate hiring. Megan credits her success to a strong mindset and confidence, emphasizing that persistence and self-belief play a crucial role in securing opportunities.

Over time, Megan’s career evolved as she became interested in interventional radiology, a specialized subset of diagnostic radiology. With only one interventional radiology coder at her workplace, she saw an opportunity for growth. However, lacking the funds for formal courses, she self-studied using Stacy Buck’s interventional radiology coding book.

After five months of intense study, balancing work and motherhood, she passed the CIRCC certification exam in August 2021. Shortly after, the interventional radiology coding position at her hospital opened up, and she successfully transitioned into the role.

Throughout her career, Megan has continuously sought advancement, ultimately moving into an educational role. Now a radiology coding educator at a national level, she provides training to coders, providers, and healthcare professionals, creating educational materials and presentations to enhance understanding of coding and reimbursement.

While she remains passionate about medical coding, she is shifting her focus toward education and career development. She has applied to be a teacher assistant with AAPC and is considering becoming a certified instructor once she reaches her five-year mark in the field. After years of rapid career growth, she is now working on finding balance while continuing to push herself forward in the profession.