I could use some medical career/field advice! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Reese1 · 04-09-2009, 04:08 AM

Well as I mentioned a week ago, I'm being eliminated as of the end of May.
So now I'm thinking of going back to school for something in the medical field.
I've been thinking about medical billing/coding or transcription.
I'm also thinking about ultra sound technician or xray technician.

I'm wondering if anyone here works in any of those areas and can give me any advice on getting started.
I'm going to just take a basic online medical terminology class starting next week, to get my feet wet!
There are so many national schools and I'm trying to figure out which ones are good or not so good. It's just kind of overwhelming and would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks!

adorame · 04-09-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reese1

Well as I mentioned a week ago, I'm being eliminated as of the end of May.
So now I'm thinking of going back to school for something in the medical field.
I've been thinking about medical billing/coding or transcription.
I'm also thinking about ultra sound technician or xray technician.

I'm wondering if anyone here works in any of those areas and can give me any advice on getting started.
I'm going to just take a basic online medical terminology class starting next week, to get my feet wet!
There are so many national schools and I'm trying to figure out which ones are good or not so good. It's just kind of overwhelming and would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks!

My friend lost her job a few yeara and she took classes for medical billing/coding. She has not been able to find a job in that field in our area

She is going back to school for respatary, hopefully that leads her to a good job.

Best of luck to you!

YorkieOwned5 · 04-09-2009, 02:59 PM

Hello,
I am a retired Medical Assistant and I LOVED IT~~~~ actually had to stop working because of medical issues, am now disabled. I would seriously suggest checking in to the MA classes. The medical field is using MA's for all types of jobs even in some hospitals. Docotrs are using MA's instead of RN's in their offices. They are finding that MA's are qualified enough to do most anything a nurse can do. Look at all the doctors offices around, I can bet 80% of the girls working there are MA"S......!!!!! The future really looks good and strong for them. Most offices only have 5 day weeks daytime hours. If that is important to you. If you go for Sono or X-Ray you will ably have to work shifts.
Transcription classes can be done online but remember, your life will be attached to a computer if that is the job you choose.
In case your not sure what an MA does, here are a few of the things I actually did. Weight, temp, BP,injections, blood draws, micro work, assist with procedures like Papsmears, stitches, colonoscopys, running blood testing machines AND CHARTING, PAPER WORK referring to the patient charts or filing. AND anything else in the office that might need to be done, even to include errands for the doctor or office supplies. You just have to have an open mind. The most IMPORTANT thing is to have an open mind and remember the more you can learn about the front office, insurance, labs and back office procedures the more VALUABLE you are as an employee. Learn everything you can. There are always ads in the paper for MA's.....
Hope this info helps..... Good Luck, Keep us posted!!!!!

*** It's great that your doing online classes already one of the hardest things was the terminology, just break the words down and they will make sense..... ttfn

tsurc · 04-09-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reese1

Well as I mentioned a week ago, I'm being eliminated as of the end of May.
So now I'm thinking of going back to school for something in the medical field.
I've been thinking about medical billing/coding or transcription.
I'm also thinking about ultra sound technician or xray technician.

I'm wondering if anyone here works in any of those areas and can give me any advice on getting started.
I'm going to just take a basic online medical terminology class starting next week, to get my feet wet!
There are so many national schools and I'm trying to figure out which ones are good or not so good. It's just kind of overwhelming and would appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks!

Have you considered being a nurse? The country as a whole is experiencing nursing shortages. I know in this area hospitals are offering some pretty big bonuses to new graduates and the pay is very well. You can become an LVN (LPN it is called in most other areas) in about a year. Just a thought. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Reese1 · 04-09-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adorame

My friend lost her job a few yeara and she took classes for medical billing/coding. She has not been able to find a job in that field in our area

She is going back to school for respatary, hopefully that leads her to a good job.

Best of luck to you!

Oh that's disappointing to hear! What part of Ohio are you in?
I thought my area would be good because we have several big hospitals, some big insurance offices and lots of medical offices. Thanks for the feedback!

Reese1 · 04-09-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieOwned5

Hello,
I am a retired Medical Assistant and I LOVED IT~~~~ actually had to stop working because of medical issues, am now disabled. I would seriously suggest checking in to the MA classes. The medical field is using MA's for all types of jobs even in some hospitals. Docotrs are using MA's instead of RN's in their offices. They are finding that MA's are qualified enough to do most anything a nurse can do. Look at all the doctors offices around, I can bet 80% of the girls working there are MA"S......!!!!! The future really looks good and strong for them. Most offices only have 5 day weeks daytime hours. If that is important to you. If you go for Sono or X-Ray you will ably have to work shifts.
Transcription classes can be done online but remember, your life will be attached to a computer if that is the job you choose.
In case your not sure what an MA does, here are a few of the things I actually did. Weight, temp, BP,injections, blood draws, micro work, assist with procedures like Papsmears, stitches, colonoscopys, running blood testing machines AND CHARTING, PAPER WORK referring to the patient charts or filing. AND anything else in the office that might need to be done, even to include errands for the doctor or office supplies. You just have to have an open mind. The most IMPORTANT thing is to have an open mind and remember the more you can learn about the front office, insurance, labs and back office procedures the more VALUABLE you are as an employee. Learn everything you can. There are always ads in the paper for MA's.....
Hope this info helps..... Good Luck, Keep us posted!!!!!

*** It's great that your doing online classes already one of the hardest things was the terminology, just break the words down and they will make sense..... ttfn

Thank you very much for all the info. I'm probably struggling with the idea of working on the clinical side. My job now I'm tied to a computer!
I really enjoy an office setting and I know that in transcription you can sometimes do that from home as well, which is appealing. I've been lucky that I've worked from home 2 days a week for the last year and that's been nice.

It seems like taking the medical terminology is pretty much a starting ground, thanks for the tip! I think I might take a coding class online after that before deciding which way to go.

Reese1 · 04-09-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsurc

Have you considered being a nurse? The country as a whole is experiencing nursing shortages. I know in this area hospitals are offering some pretty big bonuses to new graduates and the pay is very well. You can become an LVN (LPN it is called in most other areas) in about a year. Just a thought. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Thanks! I know there is a nursing shortage all over, but that's not something I'm considering. I'm up in the air with the xray or ultra sound because I'm not sure that the clinical is for me and I know that nursing would not be the way for me to go. So much to think about and decide!

wemple2 · 04-10-2009, 10:45 AM

I had worked as a Medical Assistant in a doctors office for 22 years...the doctor retired and I took a job in Medical Records at our local hospital...just got "let go" due to a reduction in work force, yes, the hospitals are hurting right now too. But anyway, the transcriptionist and coders all still have their jobs. I've toyed with the idea of getting certified as a coder...but I do not want to EVER work for the hospital again. There is entirely too much politics and back stabbing there for me. But clinics and offices also need coders and transcriptionist. I'd say the hardest part of being a transcriptionist, if you are a fast and accurate keyboarder, is you must have the ability to understand many, many foreign accents...because the doctors dictate very quickly and not always easy to understand. Now for coding...you would not have that problem. My suggestion is to call the director or supervisor of Health Information/Medical records at the hospitals and ask what schools are accredited and what level of certification is best to pursue. Good luck...I think coding is an up and coming career choice.

Reese1 · 04-10-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wemple2

I had worked as a Medical Assistant in a doctors office for 22 years...the doctor retired and I took a job in Medical Records at our local hospital...just got "let go" due to a reduction in work force, yes, the hospitals are hurting right now too. But anyway, the transcriptionist and coders all still have their jobs. I've toyed with the idea of getting certified as a coder...but I do not want to EVER work for the hospital again. There is entirely too much politics and back stabbing there for me. But clinics and offices also need coders and transcriptionist. I'd say the hardest part of being a transcriptionist, if you are a fast and accurate keyboarder, is you must have the ability to understand many, many foreign accents...because the doctors dictate very quickly and not always easy to understand. Now for coding...you would not have that problem. My suggestion is to call the director or supervisor of Health Information/Medical records at the hospitals and ask what schools are accredited and what level of certification is best to pursue. Good luck...I think coding is an up and coming career choice.

Thank you for the advice about contacting the hospitals, I never thought about that. I have found a one year course for coding connected to our local state university.
I never thought about the accent situation with transcribing either. I'm so glad that I posted this because I'm getting really helpful info.
I'm not sure which environment I would enjoy more, but it's nice to know I do have all the options in my area!
Thanks again!

wemple2 · 04-10-2009, 04:40 PM

You are so very welcome...Glad I could be of some assistance. Also, at our hospitals here, the coders all start out working in-house, then after a period of time gaining experience and with the necessary certification, they are given the opportunity of working from home...which is always a plus.
RHIT, RHIA, CCS, CPS and CCA are different levels of certification. You could go to American Health Information Management Association @ AHIMA Home - American Health Information Management Association for lots of useful information. Or the American Academy of Professional Coders for training and certification.

Cinq1964 · 04-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Anything in the medical field is good. I guess it depends on where you live. I hope you can find something that will be profitable!!! Good Luck!

Sethowner · 04-10-2009, 05:18 PM

All of the major Hospitals in the Dayton area are down sizing. They are not hiring. Lots of the medics I work with are losing their jobs in the ER. My daughter in law went to school for coding and she has not been able to find a job yet. Good Luck. I have been in the medical field for 28 years, EMS and the hospital I have NEVER seen it this bad. I wish you the best of luck and I will Pray for you!

Reese1 · 04-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wemple2

You are so very welcome...Glad I could be of some assistance. Also, at our hospitals here, the coders all start out working in-house, then after a period of time gaining experience and with the necessary certification, they are given the opportunity of working from home...which is always a plus.
RHIT, RHIA, CCS, CPS and CCA are different levels of certification. You could go to American Health Information Management Association @ AHIMA Home - American Health Information Management Association for lots of useful information. Or the American Academy of Professional Coders for training and certification.

I love the idea of being able to work from home at some point!
I didn't know about these sites, I can't thank you enough. I have alot of reading to do, it seems pretty varied on tution cost, courses, etc... at the different schools and I want to make sure I pick the right program.
Ideally an online program would work best for me, so I will have to compare.

Reese1 · 04-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinq1964

Anything in the medical field is good. I guess it depends on where you live. I hope you can find something that will be profitable!!! Good Luck!

Thank you, I hope so too!

Reese1 · 04-10-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sethowner

All of the major Hospitals in the Dayton area are down sizing. They are not hiring. Lots of the medics I work with are losing their jobs in the ER. My daughter in law went to school for coding and she has not been able to find a job yet. Good Luck. I have been in the medical field for 28 years, EMS and the hospital I have NEVER seen it this bad. I wish you the best of luck and I will Pray for you!

Oh that's not good! Where did your daughter-n-law go to school for coding?
I've seen one and two year programs, which did she do?
I appreciate the prayers! I have alot of research to do. I don't want to spend time and money and not have options when I'm finished.

04-09-2009, 04:08 AM	#1
Reese1 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,304	I could use some medical career/field advice! Well as I mentioned a week ago, I'm being eliminated as of the end of May. So now I'm thinking of going back to school for something in the medical field. I've been thinking about medical billing/coding or transcription. I'm also thinking about ultra sound technician or xray technician. I'm wondering if anyone here works in any of those areas and can give me any advice on getting started. I'm going to just take a basic online medical terminology class starting next week, to get my feet wet! There are so many national schools and I'm trying to figure out which ones are good or not so good. It's just kind of overwhelming and would appreciate any and all advice! Thanks! __________________ Crosley Wrigley Camden

04-09-2009, 02:59 PM	#3
YorkieOwned5 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chattanooga,TN & Tampa,FL Posts: 247	medical info Hello, I am a retired Medical Assistant and I LOVED IT~~~~ actually had to stop working because of medical issues, am now disabled. I would seriously suggest checking in to the MA classes. The medical field is using MA's for all types of jobs even in some hospitals. Docotrs are using MA's instead of RN's in their offices. They are finding that MA's are qualified enough to do most anything a nurse can do. Look at all the doctors offices around, I can bet 80% of the girls working there are MA"S......!!!!! The future really looks good and strong for them. Most offices only have 5 day weeks daytime hours. If that is important to you. If you go for Sono or X-Ray you will ably have to work shifts. Transcription classes can be done online but remember, your life will be attached to a computer if that is the job you choose. In case your not sure what an MA does, here are a few of the things I actually did. Weight, temp, BP,injections, blood draws, micro work, assist with procedures like Papsmears, stitches, colonoscopys, running blood testing machines AND CHARTING, PAPER WORK referring to the patient charts or filing. AND anything else in the office that might need to be done, even to include errands for the doctor or office supplies. You just have to have an open mind. The most IMPORTANT thing is to have an open mind and remember the more you can learn about the front office, insurance, labs and back office procedures the more VALUABLE you are as an employee. Learn everything you can. There are always ads in the paper for MA's..... Hope this info helps..... Good Luck, Keep us posted!!!!! *** It's great that your doing online classes already one of the hardest things was the terminology, just break the words down and they will make sense..... ttfn

04-10-2009, 10:45 AM	#8
wemple2 Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois Posts: 9,666	I had worked as a Medical Assistant in a doctors office for 22 years...the doctor retired and I took a job in Medical Records at our local hospital...just got "let go" due to a reduction in work force, yes, the hospitals are hurting right now too. But anyway, the transcriptionist and coders all still have their jobs. I've toyed with the idea of getting certified as a coder...but I do not want to EVER work for the hospital again. There is entirely too much politics and back stabbing there for me. But clinics and offices also need coders and transcriptionist. I'd say the hardest part of being a transcriptionist, if you are a fast and accurate keyboarder, is you must have the ability to understand many, many foreign accents...because the doctors dictate very quickly and not always easy to understand. Now for coding...you would not have that problem. My suggestion is to call the director or supervisor of Health Information/Medical records at the hospitals and ask what schools are accredited and what level of certification is best to pursue. Good luck...I think coding is an up and coming career choice. __________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels

04-10-2009, 04:40 PM	#10
wemple2 Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois Posts: 9,666	You are so very welcome...Glad I could be of some assistance. Also, at our hospitals here, the coders all start out working in-house, then after a period of time gaining experience and with the necessary certification, they are given the opportunity of working from home...which is always a plus. RHIT, RHIA, CCS, CPS and CCA are different levels of certification. You could go to American Health Information Management Association @ AHIMA Home - American Health Information Management Association for lots of useful information. Or the American Academy of Professional Coders for training and certification. __________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels

04-10-2009, 04:45 PM	#11
Cinq1964 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,255 Blog Entries: 2	Anything in the medical field is good. I guess it depends on where you live. I hope you can find something that will be profitable!!! Good Luck! __________________ Doggie Blankets $10 with shipping! cinq1964.webs.com

04-10-2009, 05:18 PM	#12
Sethowner Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 950	All of the major Hospitals in the Dayton area are down sizing. They are not hiring. Lots of the medics I work with are losing their jobs in the ER. My daughter in law went to school for coding and she has not been able to find a job yet. Good Luck. I have been in the medical field for 28 years, EMS and the hospital I have NEVER seen it this bad. I wish you the best of luck and I will Pray for you! __________________ Sasha Seth and Silas