Graduate Experiences
Career Step graduates get jobs! Read what some of our graduates are saying:
(Penny, Commerce City, CO) - I have to give the course the credit. The AAPC test was tough, but not as tough as the final test of the course. When I was called in to test for a position, I was very well qualified to take [their pre-employment] test and did get the first job I was called in for. My employers are very satisfied with my level of knowledge, especially considering, I had never been a "coder" before. I learned so much in the course and all of it has served me well. I tell anyone that is interested in becoming a coder to check into the course!
(Rachel, Stilesville, IN) - I currently work for a national healthcare consulting company and thanks to the Career Step program my career is advancing very rapidly... I am taking the AAPC exam in the next few weeks and I feel very comfortable thanks to the Career Step program. Without Career Step I never would have been ready for the national exam. The setup of the program was very user friendly and if I ever had a question it was answered in a very prompt manner. I have referred others to the program... THANK YOU CAREER STEP!!!!
(Nancy, Arvada, CO) - I was very fortunate to be hired as a coder just as I was finishing up the course and before I passed my certification exam. I have worked for Ameripath, a pathology lab for almost 18 months now as a medical coder.
(Stephen, Smithfield, RI) - I am working as a Coding Tech at Rhode Island Hospital. The experience with Career Step was a wonderful one. I was working two jobs and raising my newborn son while taking these courses, and the program is so convenient that even I was able to find the appropriate time. [My questions] always received a prompt response from Randy Johnson and [the rest of the staff], and I'd like to thank them for that.
(Sadie, Arvada, CO) - I appreciate all that Career Step did for me to accomplish my goal [to become] a coder.
Chris Foster, a Manager for EGOS, a Career Step Academic Partner that offers our Medical Coding Program through their school related this information about his students and graduates:
"I am getting VERY positive feedback... Grads from other programs are unable to sit for the certification test and are told by their schools to go out and TRY to get a job, work for a year or two, and then take the test. Their programs are 6 months, in classrooms, and cost between $9,500 and $10,000. SHAME ON THEM!! My grads have said that those students don't have a clue about what to do on the job and are frustrated and unhappy. My [Career Step] grads feel good about the education they got and are happy with their jobs!
More excellent news! Kaiser Medical visited EGOS in the Spring to do some mock interviewing. They kept resumes for all our students they interviewed with and called to offer ALL of them jobs.
Employers Hire Our Graduates
What is Medical Coding & Billing?
Medical coders play a vital role in the growing healthcare industry, translating medical records into standardized numeric codes used to bill patients and third-party payers, such as Medicare and insurance companies. All healthcare facilities and a variety of related businesses and agencies employ medical coders, creating an array of potential workplaces for Career Step trained professionals. Most coders work in a comfortable, professional office environment and interact as a valued team member along with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
In the world of medical coding, there are two fairly distinct groups of coders:
- Outpatient Coders perform coding for clinics, physicians offices, and hospital emergency rooms.
- Inpatient Coders perform coding in major hospitals.
As a general rule, a procedure or healthcare event that requires a hospital admittance and overnight stay is considered an inpatient event. Procedures that are performed on a same day basis where the patient is not admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay are considered outpatient events.
Physicians and hospitals are performing more and more of their procedures on an outpatient basis, creating many positions for outpatient coders and easier entry into this side of the coding field. There is a significant difference in the skill set required to apply codes to complex inpatient operative reports, and this skill set difference has placed inpatient coders in high demand, providing them greater opportunity to earn higher salaries and advance to management.
At Career Step, our emphasis is on preparing you to become one of the highest quality coding and billing specialists, in either inpatient or outpatient coding.
- Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing prepares you for entry-level certification and entry-level employment in outpatient coding.
- Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing prepares you for entry-level certification and entry-level employment in inpatient coding.
Both of these programs have been specifically tailored to each career path to help you take advantage of the strong and growing demand in the industry for excellent medical coding and billing professionals. As a Career Step student, you will develop the skills necessary to easily step into your new career upon graduation.
