The pursuit of a fulfilling and stable career often leads individuals to explore various industries. In healthcare, medical coding stands out as a detail-oriented profession playing a crucial role in the revenue cycle management of healthcare providers. If you are considering entering this field, a common question arises: is medical coding a good career in 2018? This article delves into the realities of the medical coding job market in 2018, addressing concerns and offering insights for those aiming to build a career in this sector.
Many individuals seeking to enter medical coding wisely choose to obtain certifications to enhance their credibility and skills. It is indeed prudent to conduct thorough research before committing to any course or examination to ensure alignment with your career aspirations. Organizations like AAPC offer certifications that are widely recognized and often considered essential within the medical coding industry. These certifications are legitimate and valuable; however, it’s important to understand that earning a certification, such as the CPC, is just the initial step in your career journey and not an automatic guarantee of employment.
The experience of a certified professional in 2018 highlights this reality. Obtaining a CPC-A certification in December 2018 was a significant achievement, yet securing the first job required proactive effort. Success was found through a combination of strategic networking, a well-crafted professional resume, and a comprehensive job search strategy. This proactive approach led to gaining initial coding experience and subsequently, frequent contact from recruiters with new job opportunities. This illustrates that while certification is crucial, active job seeking and professional presentation are equally important.
For those already within a healthcare system, such as a hospital, seeking guidance from managers within the coding department is advisable. It’s important to note that the CPC certification is not specifically designed for inpatient facility coding. However, opportunities may exist within the same hospital system, particularly in physician groups affiliated with the health system, where CPC certification is highly relevant for professional fee (profee) coding positions. Exploring these avenues within your current network can be a strategic move.
To further enhance job prospects, investing in a professionally written resume can be a valuable step. Specialized resume writers who understand the nuances of the medical coding industry can effectively highlight your existing healthcare experience and present your qualifications in the most appealing way to potential employers. The cost of such professional services can be surprisingly reasonable and yield significant returns in your job search.
Furthermore, maintaining an open perspective regarding the different types of medical coding positions available is beneficial. Beyond facility and profee coding, roles in areas like risk adjustment offer considerable opportunities. Many risk adjustment positions are open to hiring CPC-A certified individuals and provide on-the-job training. These roles can also be financially rewarding, with experienced risk adjustment coders earning competitive hourly rates, even for remote project work. Exploring diverse coding specialties broadens your job search and can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths.
In conclusion, while earning a medical coding certification in 2018 was a crucial step, it was not the sole determinant of career success. A proactive job search encompassing networking, professional resume presentation, and openness to various coding specialties, including risk adjustment, were key factors in navigating the job market and establishing a successful career in medical coding in 2018. For anyone embarking on or continuing their job search in medical coding, persistence and a strategic approach remain essential for achieving their career goals.
