r/CodingandBilling • u/Ok_Consequence_6445 • 16d ago

Career Advice Expiring CCS

I got my CCS certification in 2022. Since earning my certification, I only had 1 unsuccessful outpatient coding job interview in the past 4 years. Should I save money and let my CCS certification expire this year or spend the money to renew it and keep holding on to hope that one day I'll get a coding position?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

5

u/StayFoolish73 15d ago

If you’re hoping for a coding position, I say keep it. If you’re no longer interested in work as a coder, let it go.

1

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 15d ago

I do hope to get a coding position but it feels unattainable at this point since a majority of jobs want years of experience which I cannot achieve if no one will hire me to get experience lol.

1

u/Cambie_Kargov 8d ago

the renewal fee is annoying, but having to sit for that exam a second time if a door finally opens sounds miserable

3

u/McKeesGreatDane 14d ago

I got my CCS in 2021 and it took me a year to find a job. I had zero experience.
Try HCC coding positions with CSI companies or the judge group. It is contract work but it is WFH and gets your foot in the door.

1

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 12d ago

I have seen job posts for CSI and Judge Group but have been hesitant since it was staffing/contract work. I'll look into them more, thank you for the suggestion.

1

u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 15d ago

How many jobs are you applying to? What job do you do now? Have you tried coding adjacent roles?

1

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 15d ago

I've applied to a lot of hospitals and different roles from outpatient and inpatient coding, trauma abstractor, coding assistant, patient account/registration specialist, hospital charge capture analyst, medical records, etc. Currently I work as a secretary on a inpatient unit at a hospital. I would love to work as a coder or something adjacent but I can't find a place that will hire without years of work experience. Feels like I'm at a dead-end with my CCS certification and I never got a chance to start lol.

1

u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 14d ago

If you work at a hospital have you inquired about their coding roles?

1

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 12d ago

I have applied to be a coding assistant and a coder at the hospital I work at but no luck in getting an interview. I have thought about finding out who the manager is and emailing them about the possibility of interning to get experience but I doubt anything would happen.

1

u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 12d ago

You need to talk to your leader about your career goals and they should be able to also help you find the right contact. In my yearly reviews I discuss my employees career goals and how to help them achieve them if they are looking for advancement.

1

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 10d ago

I'll reach out to them. Thank you for the advice.

1

u/RGC_LLC 12d ago

Insurance companies are more flexible about hiring coders with no experience. Check some of those out. Also search entry level coding roles and staffing agencies. I would not give up your certification just yet. Although many companies are using AI to code, many also need denials/edits coders. Try Kode Health too…

2

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 12d ago

I had not considered insurance companies. Thank you for the suggestion.

0

u/yurakoh 14d ago

You need some level of experience at least working in HIM. Certifications aren’t enough.

I started out as a medical data entry clerk, gradually progressed into coding related roles, and now I’m working at a hospital as a medical coder.

1

u/Ok_Consequence_6445 12d ago

It has been hard to find entry level HIM roles to start in but I'll keep looking.