Melanie Sparks
Member
I used the 2014 Blitz Review and passed my CPC in Oct. 2014! I started on my path to medical coding over 20 years ago. I worked as a part-time ECG Tech which lead me to a position as a Heart Monitor Tech which I did for 5 years. Since that was an evening shift position I transferred to a day time job as an Insurance Coordinator and Biller which I did for over 10 years. That is when I got interested in coding and took classes on the AAPC website. I was blessed to be able to transfer again into a billing and payment posting specialist position which also had med record review and coding as part of the job. I was at this position for about 2 1/5 years. I was devastated when I was laid off after almost 18 years in the same hospital system. I spent 2 months studying with the Blitz Review and passed! I had enough coding experience that I able to bypass the apprentice status. So, I had my CPC but was unemployed. I submitted my resume for several coding positions in my area with no success. My husband noticed a listing for a cardiology practice for a coder and for 3 weeks he nagged me to apply but I didn't have cardiology experience. Finally I applied and was called for an interview 3 days later. After 2 days of interviews(with 4 different people) I was offered a position. They were happy with my job experience and the fact that I wouldn't bring bad habits from another practice and they said I have a unique background. Of course I accepted the position and have been training and learning cardiology coding for the last 4 weeks. I love it! We have 27 doctors and 11 mid-levels. This practice was started over 20 years ago by one doctor. My hard work and dedication has paid off. I had planned to take CCO's course in medical auditing and now my new practice is going to pay for me to take this! Did I mention that I will be the only certified coder and they also want me to be able to audit charts and will invest in me to do so. My position will eventually become mostly auditing. My advice to others is keep knocking on doors and consider any experience you get in the medical field, even front desk clerk, as helping with your career as a medical coder. Sometimes you get your foot in the door taking a job as a clerk or in insurance follow-up. After all these years, every job I have had has lead me to this. I have prayed a lot and I know I was lead down this particular path for a reason. PTL I have been blessed with a wonderful job in an awesome practice!
