Deciding on a career path can be a daunting task, especially when seeking a role that is both fulfilling and sustainable. For many, the question “is medical coding a good career?” lingers, prompting exploration into this ever-evolving field. Back in 2015, Theresa Harvey was asking herself similar questions as she contemplated a significant career change. Her journey into medical coding offers valuable insights for anyone considering this profession, even today.
Theresa’s story begins in customer service, a field she found increasingly unrewarding after several years. Simultaneously, her passion for freelance seamstress work waned, leaving her seeking a new direction. A chance encounter during a client fitting sparked an unexpected interest. This client, a medical coder at the VA hospital, opened Theresa’s eyes to a profession she had never considered. Intrigued, Theresa began to learn about the intricacies of medical coding, a field that demands meticulous attention to detail and a methodical approach – qualities she already possessed.
This initial exposure painted a promising picture. The idea of applying her detail-oriented nature to a career in healthcare resonated with Theresa. When her customer service contract concluded, she decided to fully immerse herself in pursuing medical coding. Enrolling in a medical billing and coding program seemed like the logical first step towards a brighter future. However, her initial enthusiasm soon met with the harsh realities of inadequate training. The program, relying on outdated materials and lacking proper instruction, left Theresa feeling unprepared and disillusioned.
Despite this initial setback, Theresa’s interest in medical coding remained strong. Undeterred, she continued her pursuit, demonstrating the resilience necessary to succeed in any challenging career. By 2018, she secured a grant and enrolled in a more reputable medical coding program at a community college, signaling a renewed commitment to her goal. The journey was far from easy. Facing the rigorous certification exam, Theresa experienced the disappointment of failure, not once, but twice. These setbacks, while discouraging, fueled her determination to understand where she was falling short. She recognized that the issue wasn’t the length of the program, but perhaps her study methods and approach.
The turning point came in 2021 when Theresa registered for the AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) program, a widely recognized and respected certification in the medical coding industry. This comprehensive program included essential foundations in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, addressing the gaps she may have encountered previously. Even with a more robust program, her first CPC exam attempt was unsuccessful. However, this time, Theresa was closer than ever. Recognizing the need for focused dedication, she extended her course, eliminated distractions, and committed herself fully to studying. This intense focus paid off. On her fourth attempt, Theresa Harvey achieved her CPC certification, a testament to her unwavering perseverance and commitment.
Theresa’s journey highlights that while breaking into medical coding can present challenges, it is undoubtedly a career path attainable with dedication and the right resources. Her story, starting with a career change consideration in 2015, ultimately leads to success through persistence and choosing reputable certification paths like AAPC’s CPC. Landing a coding position remained her next hurdle, but armed with her certification and renewed confidence, Theresa was ready to face it head-on. For anyone wondering, “is medical coding a good career?”, Theresa’s experience provides an inspiring answer: it is a career that rewards perseverance, offering a fulfilling and stable path for those willing to commit to learning and overcoming challenges. Her story encourages anyone considering giving up on their medical coding aspirations to keep striving towards their goals.
