[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by Reese1

How funny! I've never worked in the medical field, but when my company closed here after 11 years, it seemed like a good field to get into.
I actually took 7 courses online with AHIMA for their medical coding program before finding out about this program.
I'm going to a community college for the AA and I might consider down the road to get my bachelors.
Fortunately, the college gave me credit for most of my classes since they have an AHIMA certified program.
I'm mostly interested in the coding aspect, at least at this point.
How much longer do you have to finish and what would you like to do?
I live in an area that has a lot of hospitals & insurance companies around me, which helped shaped my choice as well.

I am quasi-new to this branch of the medical field. My first degree was a BS in business, and then I went back for a Nutritional Science degree . Now I am working on the HIT degree. I am from a family of business academics. My mother graduated with her last degree at 63 Magna Cum Laude from Baylor. We were all very proud of her as she was still working as a full time RN. I do not know how she did it!
You have definitely taken a right step with going to an AHIMA certified school, as most employers are expecting certifications. That way, you can sit for the RHIT certificate through AHIMA. I have my first coding certificate and will probably sit again for the CCS in the summer. However, from everything that I have read, it is best to diversify within the field. So I am continuing on for the BS, that way I can become more qualified in the technology aspect.
Eventually, I would like to work with the EDMS,EHR/EMR,CAC and other technologies implemented within the VA. I find the data mining and data base aspects very interesting, and perhaps would enjoy ending up there. I also have interviewed for cancer registry positions which were quite intriguing, as their coding system is unique and extensive. There is just so many interesting things out there that can be accomplished with this degree.
What are your partricular interests in the long term? Do you have a mind-set as to what you want to do, or are you leaving it open?
edited for: How far along are you in the coding curriculum?