How To Get That First Medical Coding Job

“I need experience to get a job, but I need a job to get that experience.” It’s something you hear often from job seekers in a new field. This dilemma is particularly true when it comes to finding that first job as a medical coder. Job openings often include two requirements: two to three years of experience and a current certification. But even if you don’t have the experience or aren’t certified yet, there are a number of things you can do to greatly improve your chances of getting hired.

1. Understand What Coding Managers Are Really Looking For. Above all, employers seek a high level of competence. What that means is the ability to work as quickly and accurately as possible. As you go through other ways to prepare to join the workforce, keep in mind that competition is your main goal. Time is money, and an accurate encoder can save a great deal of time (not to mention headaches) for your employer.

2. If you are not certified, show that you are seeking certification. If you have compelling evidence that you are preparing for a particular certification exam (study materials, knowledge of exam content, location and dates of exams), you will carry additional weight during any interview process.

3. Get real world experience online. There are several websites that contain sample reports that you can refer to. Another alternative, and one that is gaining in popularity, is Practicode, which provides hundreds of real cases (with all personal information removed) that you can work with to increase your proficiency while gaining experience coding real-world cases. Practicode provides proof of your coding skills in the form of a report that you can show to potential employers.

4. Fifind a way to serve as an apprentice or internship. AAPC has a program they call Project Xtern. They affirm: “Project Xtern was designed to combine newly certified encoders with facilities willing to give them field experience.” The key to this program is that you must be certified in a certain area of ​​coding and be a member of the AAPC.

If you are not certified, consider contacting a healthcare employer in your city and pitching them the idea of ​​serving as a coding intern. With a little effort, and if you can demonstrate self-confidence and enthusiasm for becoming a programmer, you may be able to convince them to hire you as an intern.

5. Be specific about your education. The key here is to focus on the type of study that gives you the best chance of being hired. Identify what you need. Don’t take “too wide a sweep” in your education by spending time studying that has no real effect on improving your chances of getting hired.

6. Consider specializing in one area of ​​coding. This could be the best decision you make. It will allow you to focus all your energy in one area and signal your job search. When it comes to finding work, knowing a lot about one area of ​​coding, rather than knowing a little about coding in general, can be the key to finding a job. And the specialization makes the whole process that much less overwhelming.

Although it seems a bit overwhelming at first, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of landing that first medical coding job.