Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing, Coding and Terminology Certificate Program (employee, apply)

[golondrina62]

• Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing, Coding and Terminology Certificate Program (GES 201)

Thoughts from anyone in the healthcare field about something like this? Cost is about $2300, it's offered from my alma mater and a little more advanced coursework-wise than local community colleges...I'm a career changer with a prior master's degree in public service management...have been involved in the HC field as an end user , volunteer and occasional employee for many years. The other day I walked into a doctor's office and had an 'aha' moment: I could see myself working there.

Not interested in anything more clinical/hands-on (i.e. nursing) for other reasons, among them the time/$ commitment and a chronic medical condition that might limit my ability to do certain jobs. Our future plans may include moving to KY or back to FL, so I could also see this being more transferable (?)...

If not Administrative Medical Specialist (AMS), what about other certificates listed?

• Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office Certificate Program (GES 202)
• Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep Certificate Program (GES 203)
• Medical Transcription Certificate Program (GES 206)
• Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program (GES 207)

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[Strongasabear]

I would avoid medical transcription, as this career field is phasing out with the transition to electronic medical records. Most of the work still available is cleaning up voice recognition files. The pay is mediocre unless you can get in with a hospital, but even that is time limited IMO.

My first choice from your list would be coding, either hospital or doctor's office. The educational time spent will be well worth it, as the pay is pretty good. I may end up doing this if nothing else comes along between now and next year when I can apply for federal student aid. I keep dragging my feet because I will be 55 this year so not sure the time and money spent will be worth it for me.

[Rift]

From what I understand and have heard is this entire field is pretty much BS. The field is disappearing due to technology/computers and basically that it is a complete waste of time to go to school for. Either the field is saturated or is on the way out completely. I would think twice before committing to school for this. I looked into this at one time a couple of years ago and I am glad that I did not waste my time with it.

[golondrina62]

I'm noticing a lot of medical front office jobs becoming available, problem is they require experience and some prefer certification. My first choice is more for front office than coding. I have 20+ years of office/nonprofit administrative experience and am very comfortable in a clinical/medical setting. My mom was a unit clerk for 10 years with no prior experience/education, but that was a long time ago.

[can't think of a name]

I've also seen a number of listings for medical front office and/or billing jobs, and they all want experience.

I looked online at the requirements for a medical office diploma at my local community college. A lot of the classes were general topics like word processing. I've wondered if it's possible for someone who already has a lot of office work experience just to take a class or two in subjects like medical terminology or billing. I haven't gotten around to actually asking about it, though (I am currently employed so I'm not in a huge hurry to get into another field.)

[golondrina62]

Originally Posted by can't think of a name

I've also seen a number of listings for medical front office and/or billing jobs, and they all want experience.

I looked online at the requirements for a medical office diploma at my local community college. A lot of the classes were general topics like word processing. I've wondered if it's possible for someone who already has a lot of office work experience just to take a class or two in subjects like medical terminology or billing. I haven't gotten around to actually asking about it, though (I am currently employed so I'm not in a huge hurry to get into another field.)

One of the things I like about the online program above is that there are more medical/billing topics included - I found the same thing at local community colleges here, all too basic for me.