Some college certificate and degree programs will have this included as a "practicum" course. A student will work off-site at an approved clinic or hospital, completing assigned tasks in a medical records environment. The course can between eight to sixteen weeks depending on your college's course curriculum. Once completed a student will traditionally prepare for a certification exam.
But, what should you do if an internship program: (1) is not offered or (2) you have obtained a credential and have no experience. Well, the answer is volunteering.
Volunteering can get you in the position of obtaining a medical coding job. Take a visit to your local area clinic or hospital. Make an appointment to speak with the Coding Supervisor and explain why you would be a good fit to work as a volunteer in medical records department. Remember to make a positive impression and dress in a professional manner. Bring a resume and your AAPC or AHIMA certificate. If you are still in school, bring a copy of an official transcript to show your medical coding courses. Also be prepared to take a test if required. The hospital make also request a TB test for volunteers.
Once offered a position, make sure to treat it just like a regular job.
* Be on time
* Be professional
* Don't abuse your break time
* Show reliability
Also make sure your volunteer time is beneficial to your goal of getting a job in medical coding.
* It offers multitasking
* Allows you to work with different team members to gain experience
* You are able to code a few charts each visit
Turn 300 unpaid volunteer hours into a yearly paid salary. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain employment.
No comments:
Post a Comment