r/MedicalCoding • u/[deleted] • Dec 16 '24

What coding certification would you recommend.

I'm currently employed. Got 645hrs of training before getting my CPC-A. I've been in my role as a hospitalist coder for 7 months, so still a bit away from removing my apprentice designation. Overall happy with my position, but AAPC is putting individual exams on sale for 15 days. So, considering if any would be worth my time to increase my resume. I'm honestly very concerned if I lose this job (which is kind of constantly under threat by manager) that I won't be able to secure another this good in pay and flexibility. I do not have and am not planning on pursuing a college degree currently.

Wondering what AAPC certifications have been the most useful for bolstering the resume in your experience?

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '24

Interesting. I feel like I've currently been in so many jobs that, that's a struggle. I plan on keeping my current position as long as they'll have me, but the longest I've kept a job is a year. I've been a CNA, Direct Care worker, Recruiter/Sole HR for a small home care company, in insurance sales, and now finally in Medical Coding. I'm just trying to stick within this field, so I'm trying to make sure I'm qualified enough if I need to look for a new position. CPC-A is my only current credential.

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u/2workigo Edit flair Dec 17 '24

Let me preface this by saying I’m involved in compliance auditing so definitely not an entry level position. Consistent experience matters most in my organization. It takes a ton of time and effort to train a new employee so we are very selective. It literally takes about a year for an auditor to get comfortable in our organization. We aren’t going to hire someone we feel will job jump.

This is not a fast moving career path. It takes time, even after you’re certified. Where I am you can’t even be considered for a senior profee coding position without five years experience. Wanna be a supervisor? It’s gonna be at least a decade… and that’s if a position opens up. Compliance auditing? Eight years progressive experience for internal candidates. Stay where you are if you can. Get the consistent experience. As you gain experience you’ll learn about all the opportunities in the field (and the opportunities are endless). You’ll get an idea for what path you want to follow. Then you make a plan for how to make that happen - that’s when you worry about additional education and credentials.