GettingJob what to do, what to do...

[TheresaR]

Ok, need opinions/thoughts here...the law firm I applied for a job at last week called today and I got the job if I want it...but the medical office I interviewed with last week called me back for a second interview. I'm going tomorrow.
So...the thing with the law firm is that I'd be able to step back into that work fairly easily because it's legal work, even though it's not the area of practice I'm used to. But what has me intrigued is that he is a personal injury attorney (of which I don't usually care for, but this one seems to have a sincerity about him) and I would be working with a lot of medical records and bills and contacting local healthcare facilities. He seemed quite pleased that I am familiar with the coding world and he said that is much needed with the work I'd be doing. If I did work for him, I would keep up with my coding credentials but I wouldn't be working toward getting that scornful "A" removed!
Of course, I may not get offered the medical office job nor may I even want it, I just don't know if I should give up so easily on the coding career and "settle" for legal work or continue my search for a job in the coding field if I don't get the one I'm interviewing for tomorrow. I told the attorney I'd get back to him Wednesday morning. Thoughts, anyone?

 

[Ruth Sheets]

Interesting that a personal injury lawyer sees the value of your coding credential. My opinion is that it is not a bad thing to mix seemingly different skills into one job, if that is what is needed. Sometimes that is a way to differentiate yourself and and be uniquely valuable. I think it is really exciting you fell into this situation.

As you say, the downside is getting rid of the scornful "A", which I try not to think of as scornful, because I have the same situation with my job. Maybe someday I'll go for my CCS and drop the CPC-A. From what I understand there are a lot of different jobs where a coding certification is needed but the actual work is not coding. It might be auditing, teaching, working for insurance companies, etc. so I really wouldn't look at it as "settling". If the job seems like something you would enjoy, pays well, has a future career-wise, let yourself be happy about taking it. If you don't think you can be happy doing the law office job, then keep looking.

 

[TheresaR]

wow! super duper answer, Ruth!!! Thank you very much! You have a talent for putting words together and making total sense out of a situation! Again, thank you!!!
And forgive me for labeling the "A" as scornful! You are very right about that, too!
(What is the acronym CCS?)

 

[Carolyn Heath]

CCS stands for Certified Coding Specialist and it is a credential from AHIMA. They also have CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist-Physician) which I am studying to get which is like the CPC exam so I can find a position and get the scornful "A" remove .

 

[Ruth Sheets]

Yes, Carolyn is right. I just want to add that AHIMA stands for
American Health Information Management Association. www.ahima.org/

 

[Carolyn Heath]

All these acronyms and abbreviations. Maybe we should have another thread that is totally devoted to acronyms and abbreviations and use them as a reference guide.

 

[kayal]

So-does that mean that if you get certified as a CCS-P, AAPC can remove the A from your CPC-A? Also, in looking for a job which is in the medical field, is it okay to put on your resume' that you are a coding student?

 

[kayal]

Carolyn-I think that is an excellent idea about having a thread for acronyms and abbreviations related to the coding and medical field. Perhaps the CCO staff and Laureen would consider adding a separate forum section or blog with lists related to this.

 

[kayal]

From my years as an RN, here are some for you:

CABG - (stated in medical lingo as "cabbage")-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.
CHF - Congestive Heart Failure
PTCA- Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty
AAA- (stated in medical lingo as "triple A")-Abominal Aortic Bypass Graft
PRN - as needed or when necessary

And the list goes on and on.

 

[Carolyn Heath]

Kayal, getting a CCS-P will not remove the A from my CPC-A. CCS-P is a credential from AHIMA just like the CCS. AHIMA and AAPC are two different medical coding organizations. For example, AHIMA gives a coding assessment to all AHIMA credentialed members every year and you get 5 CEUs for completing it. AAPC does not give a coding assessment to all AAPC credentialed members. More places, especially agencies who deals with medical coding assignments, recognizes AHIMA more than AAPC and, therefore, makes it a requirement to have an AHIMA credential in order to get hired by that agency or company. I think that it is unfair to put AHIMA above AAPC and not treat the two organizations equally, but that is the way some companies and agencies are toward candidates who have credentials from AAPC. Getting the CCS-P credential from AHIMA might up your chances of getting hired and get the "A" remove from your CPC-A while getting the much needed experience.

 

[kayal]

Carolyn, thank you for the clarification.

 

[Carolyn Heath]

Kayal, you are most welcome.

 

[Michele]

All these acronyms and abbreviations. Maybe we should have another thread that is totally devoted to acronyms and abbreviations and use them as a reference guide.

What a great resource that would be! Health Care professionals love their acronyms, and sometimes I have to go to several sites in order to figure out something that was written in alphabet soup! Happy Coding!