I posted a while back about wanting to make a career change. At the time, I was considering medical transcription, but I decided that it might not be a good idea, since transcriptionists don't seem to be in very high demand. I received a lot of discouraging comments that made me think twice. I am now seriously considering a medical coding program.
As I have previously mentioned, I do have a degree in education, but I discovered (too late) that teaching full-time just isn't for me ,and subbing does not pay the bills. I have never worked as a full-time teacher, but I have had many, many long-term substitute assignments over the past several years (one of them was six months), and with every one of them, I was very stressed out and would come home crying some nights. I am much happier doing short-term sub jobs and have developed wonderful relationships with the students and teachers at the schools where I work, but it just doesn't pay enough. I am living with my mother to stay afloat. I don't want to make everything about money, but I am over 40 years old and have nothing saved for retirement, which is starting to scare me.
When the Obamacare legislation passed a couple of years ago, the school district let subs know that they would only be allowed to work 16 days per month. It had something to do with not wanting to have to provide insurance. As a certified teacher, I only make $80.00 per day. My teaching certificate expires in May, and if I choose to not renew it, my pay will drop to $70.00 per day. I figure now is as good a time as any to finally make a decision to do something else with my life.
I realize that medical coding will probably not pay as much as a full-time teaching job would, but I am looking for something that will allow me to get trained fairly quickly, and medical coding seems to fit the bill. I am not getting any younger and don't have the time or money to get another college degree. Also, I could potentially work from home, which is an intriguing idea. Additionally, having benefits and medical insurance would be nice. I might be crazy (and wrong), but coding kind of seems interesting. It is like learning another language.
I have discovered online a medical coding program at a local community college that starts in May 2018 and lasts for about 40-42 weeks. It is specifically for coding, not for billing, which if I am not mistaken, are two separate things. I would rather just do coding. At the end of the program, I would be able to take a certification exam.
So, what are your thoughts? Is it a good idea, or am I wasting my time and and should try to do something else? Should I instead find a program that offers coding AND billing--not just coding? For those of you that have been able to find a job in this field, how difficult was it to land a job? Do you enjoy it? Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated. I tried asking my cats for advice, but they weren't much help.
As I have previously mentioned, I do have a degree in education, but I discovered (too late) that teaching full-time just isn't for me ,and subbing does not pay the bills. I have never worked as a full-time teacher, but I have had many, many long-term substitute assignments over the past several years (one of them was six months), and with every one of them, I was very stressed out and would come home crying some nights. I am much happier doing short-term sub jobs and have developed wonderful relationships with the students and teachers at the schools where I work, but it just doesn't pay enough. I am living with my mother to stay afloat. I don't want to make everything about money, but I am over 40 years old and have nothing saved for retirement, which is starting to scare me.
When the Obamacare legislation passed a couple of years ago, the school district let subs know that they would only be allowed to work 16 days per month. It had something to do with not wanting to have to provide insurance. As a certified teacher, I only make $80.00 per day. My teaching certificate expires in May, and if I choose to not renew it, my pay will drop to $70.00 per day. I figure now is as good a time as any to finally make a decision to do something else with my life.
I realize that medical coding will probably not pay as much as a full-time teaching job would, but I am looking for something that will allow me to get trained fairly quickly, and medical coding seems to fit the bill. I am not getting any younger and don't have the time or money to get another college degree. Also, I could potentially work from home, which is an intriguing idea. Additionally, having benefits and medical insurance would be nice. I might be crazy (and wrong), but coding kind of seems interesting. It is like learning another language.
I have discovered online a medical coding program at a local community college that starts in May 2018 and lasts for about 40-42 weeks. It is specifically for coding, not for billing, which if I am not mistaken, are two separate things. I would rather just do coding. At the end of the program, I would be able to take a certification exam.
So, what are your thoughts? Is it a good idea, or am I wasting my time and and should try to do something else? Should I instead find a program that offers coding AND billing--not just coding? For those of you that have been able to find a job in this field, how difficult was it to land a job? Do you enjoy it? Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated. I tried asking my cats for advice, but they weren't much help.
