some questions about taking coding course

Nurses Career Support

Published

Specializes in behavioral health.

I am an LPN and have some questions about coding. I have not worked since 2004 and have been on disability. I have sarcoidosis and have been sick off and on over the years. However, I have been stabilized over the last two years. I am ready to return to work. Unfortunately, I have minimal experience. My background is mainly behavioral health. Although, I have worked in geri-psych. We were not a medical facility. But, assessment skills needed to be sharp as to when pt. needed to be seen in ER. I did have a few patients with g-tubes, a colostomy, and trach that I have cared for. And, this was back in 2001-2002. The unit I worked on was great with the teamwork. We were all hand-picked by the director. Unfortunately, they closed the geri unit. And, I just continued to work in adolescents, childrens in acute and residential settings.

I am looking for work that is not going to be very strenuous. And, there are not many opportunites for an LPN with minimal experience. I did not graduate until 1996. I graduated at the age of 39. I tried to work in LTC after I passed boards in 1997. However, I did not last long. I was overwhelmed with the amount of pts. to care for. I only worked PT and was in bed on my days off. So, I quit after two months.

Currently, I am going to my local OVR for career counseling. I feel really bad to totally leave the medical field. I am still paying on loans from nursing school. So, I am checking out coding. I consulted the one school where I graduated from in 1993 with MOA degree. Of course, they are trying to encourage me to get HIT degree. But, I only want the necessary coding classes and get certified. At this school, they have the CPT one quarter and the ICD9 class the next. So, it means that I would have to start the CPT class within two weeks. Also, I need to test out of the anatomy and medical terminology course witha B before I take the coding classes. For one, I am nervous that they would make the A&P test very difficult. I should pass it, but I would need to review and have no clue what to review. And, I would be so embarrassed if I did not pass with a B. And, this school wants $250 a credit. I would be taking 6 credits. I think that is quite expensive. My counselor said that I should receive some financial assistance, but they would not pay for me to get another degree. I should not need another degree. I am already 51. All, I want is the coding and the certification. And, this school does not even offer the certifcation exam. I know there are classes online. However, the OVR would not fund for classes online.

There is another college that offers some coding classes at a satellite campus that is close to me. It starts in June. Their cost is only $203 a credit. So, that's a no-brainer I just need to get more info on that program. I have not talked to anyone personally, yet. I am awaiting a call-back.

Now, my question is what salary can I expect to make as a coder? I was thinking that eventually that I would like to find a job that would let me do some work from home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not to burst your bubble, but I have seen that jobs for novice coders are hard to come by. I don't know the salary range, but have been following this on employment websites as I'm interested myself, and every listing I have ever seen wants a person with experience. You should ask these schools what they do to help their graduates with job placement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in behavioral health.

Thank you for your honesty. I would like to know all of this info before getting into it. The one school does have an internship of 16 weeks, but that is only for the degree program.

Hmm... What to do, what to do????

Again, thanks for input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Iwanna, I agree with the previous poster. It's going to be hard to get into coding without coding experience. The American Association of Professional Coders, http://www.aapc.com, have an online program whereby you can get a coding certificate and be prepared to take the coding exam. Without experience in coding you will have to go for the CPC-A which is the apprentice version of the CPC (certified professional coder). The AAPC offers an x-tern program which I think is working for many of those who participate in it. The x-tern program is designed to give you that coding experience to get an entry level coding job. Once you work at job, get experience, then at some point you should be able to do fine working from home. Getting into coding is sort of like starting over as far as career is concerned. You're going to have to be patient if this is what you want. I hope you are fortunate to find what you need and want.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are jobs, the American College of Surgeons has a tumor registry which needs qualified coders, with you LPN back ground you will have an excellent change of someone training you. Some of these tumor registars get to work from home. With you LTC experience background how about MDS nurse?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric.

There are a plethora of options for someone in your situation. You can be a clinical coordinator and assist nurses in pursuing travel nursing careers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am an RN & CPC certified through the American Academy of Professional Coders. I work in insurance as a medical claims reviewer. There is a demand for nurses trained in coding. I took the training in a 'boot camp' format, but if you are motivated and have a good grasp on medical terminology, you can do self-study. Of course, getting a certificate in Medical Coding can only help you.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Could you tell me where I could receive online training for medical coding? I would like to find a credible facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Could you tell me where I could receive online training for medical coding? I would like to find a credible facility.

Hi, I did the RN coding boot camp at www rn-coder com

But I just noticed that she has doubled her rate! It used to only be $800 but now it's up to $1,500!

You can also do the independent study program with the AAPC -- American Academy of Professional Coders.

If you are already an RN then learning medical coding is fairly straightforward. You already have the background in A&P and med terminology!

Good luck :)!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mostly: Occup Health; ER; Informatics.

The OP asked about possible income as a coder (or other HIM position). Here is a 2008 salary survey, which includes certification and experience factors:

http://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/ftr_080408p18.shtml

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A coder makes about the same as an LPN and upwards like an RN, depending on where you work. You can definitely work from home too.

Check out the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), American Medical Billing Association (AMBA), RN-coder.com, and American Association of Clinical Coders and Auditors (AACCA) websites.

Check out their forums. There might be more information in attaining certfication through self-study. There are many coders who have self-studied and passed certification on their own, and are now employed. You can do it too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Pay in coding depends on region and specialty. More information can be found at:

http://www.ahima.org/salarystudy/

http://www.aapc.com/surveys/medical-...-survey07.aspx

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment