JCG33

I am thinking of taking a cna course in CA. I also am looking into medical coding education. Some jobs I have researched for administration work suggest having a cna license. My concern about the cna class is I have a condition with my leg/back. I am able to walk/bend but am in pain and it limits me. My question is if you took cna course can you describe the training and what type of physical things you do such as do you have to lift someone,carry heavy items,etc? I know that if I did this course for a job I would be limited because I would not be able to work lifting people or would I do bathing because of bending etc but I was looking for the education for administrative or possibly working non medical in senior center,mental health,etc. Do you think this license would help me? Thank you for any advice.

Sorry one more thing I think that the AHIMA also you may get the CCA before the CCS? Gosh this is confusing. Thanks again

I am not a nurse just researching to get into the medical field. I do have a lot of experience with myself and severe chronic pain condition. For myself I took narcotics for maybe a month and it did not help my condition so then went just on nerve meds like neurontin etc with the urge of my doctors. I guess long term narcotics make your brain process pain more. I also looked into other treatments such as spinal cord stimulators and alternative etc. I did go to a pain program at Cleveland Clinic with others who had pain much longer and who were addicted to meds. A few things I noticed. Some who were addicted to meds like vicodin were also addicted to non rx meds. Many felt that if they were in the amount of pain which was very high on the current meds they could not imagine how high it would be off. Yet some actually after initial shock and withdrawl were in less pain. I had a friend who was on so many meds in bed full days and in a lot of pain plus drugged. Then she began having other side effects and went off. Her pain actually became better in the long run and she was less drugged. I think narcotic meds or similar have benefits for some though. I know a man who could barely function from peripheral neuropathy and went on fentnyl and now can walk 2 miles a day. I know it is hard for doctors and nurses to know who is needing meds and who does not for the pain condition. I feel so key in treating patients is how you approach them. I can't tell you how many times I have left an apt crying from feeling unheard or spoken to in a harsh way. I so agree that for a patient to learn to cope and live the best life they can in the condition they have is so key but to make the patient feel like it is in their head the pain or they are an addict if not does not help in any way. Also that a kind hearted nurse or doctor can really brighten and make a patient feel so much better. At my anestesolgists the nursing staff is so amazing. They give me a hug when I come for a procedure and just make me feel at ease. My neurologists staff is so mean I dread just facing them. That helps a person struggling in no way mind or body. I hope it was ok I replied just some thoughts I had. I know all nurses and people in the medical field have a hard job too and it takes a lot of dedication

Thank you for your help. I emailed the company of those organziations to ask a few questions as well. Incurable was there extra schooling to get the H certificate or you just take another exam? On that website it says the H is outpatient hospital work. Do you work in a hospital inpatient and will an inpatient hospital hire you with the H or you really it is better to do the AHIMA? I guess I want the flexibility to work in either a doctors office or hospital and I am confused on which route would be better of these 2? From everything I read the AHIMA test for hospital coding is much harder and a longer course? If I did it through the AAPC for the CPC first would I be able to just study with the books for the AHIMA or take a shorter class to get the AHIMA or no after? That way I would have some knowledge and maybe work experience? Thank you again

I am interested in the right education for a career in medical coding. From what I read the aapc is more for doctors office and the ahima is for hospitals. Has anyone done either program or could give me feedback on which would be the best one to do for a job? Did you attend school online or in the class room? How long did it take and were you able to pass the exam easily after the education? If you are employed do you enjoy your job, is the pay ok, was it easy to find a job? Thank you