Can not find a job in RHIT field/Coding

I really need advice, I graduated from the HIT program and got my RHIT. I have such a hard time finding a job due to lack of experince in coding and working in the HIM department. I really want to code but most facilities want 2 or more years. I have one year experience with admitting and working with medical records! Every interview that I have gone to has decided to pick someone with more experience! Help I need some advice and a job real bad!

I know its not what you want to hear, especially after getting a degree and passing the RHIT (congrats on that), but most employers are not going to hire someone without actual experience to do their coding. Between the new RAC audits, government mandates on fraud and abuse, not to mention a hospital/clinics corner stone: reimbursement, there is too much at stake for an inexperienced person.

It is unfair and disheartening.

So your best bet is to try to get your foot into HIM at a hospital, start in medical records (or something similiar) and let your supervisor know that you want to do coding (not all RHIT's are interested in coding and are happy working in medical records). Offer to help out if the coding dept gets behind, or if you can shadow a couple hours a day, etc. And a lower job is still better than no job.

I do not say this to make you upset or to discourage, but to show the reality of coding, I am only trying to help.

RHIT jobs are hard to come by no matter what type they are. I earned my AAS and passed the RHIT last year, and have been searching for work in this field for the past 6 months. After nearly 100 resumes and/or, or online applications,I have had three interviews, with one possibility still pending. I am nearly finished with a second Bachelors degree; my first one is in science - human biology and physiology was my passion and my major. I have nursing assistant experience and all the training to become an RN which I did not do. I have applied for many types of jobs. Everyone wants experience, but the experienced people are becoming fewer and fewer. I figure I will finish this degree and search for a position as a RHIA, and if I do not find something quickly, I may just give it up. This is a second career for me, and I cannot afford to have several fruitless years of searching. I am discouraged, to say the least. I am fed up with trusting the job market stats, too.

So sorry to hear it is so hard for you to find work! Until I started reading these forums, I had no idea. It wasn't like that back in the 90s when I graduated. I guess they are becoming more strict as the years go on. I have heard that you should try getting your foot in the door by working in some other capacity within the hospital department. Like one of the support positions?

I have been coding ER charts for the last 14 years, and now I'm a little concerned that I have limited myself. It seems like everyone wants people with inpatient coding experience. I did do inpatient coding right out of college, but it has changed so much since then. I am going to try to get back into it.

Interestingly enough, it seems to be frowned upon to work in another area just to get your foot in the door. I have applied for everything from admissions/registrar to receptionist/intake and back again. I will eventually find something in HIM or HIT. I am contemplating more education in database management. I also need to check out some of the vendors at the THIMA convention this year. There is more to see and do than I could possibly encounter in the rest of my working life.

L123 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin said: I really need advice, I graduated from the HIT program and got my RHIT. I have such a hard time finding a job due to lack of experince in coding and working in the HIM department. I really want to code but most facilities want 2 or more years. I have one year experience with admitting and working with medical records! Every interview that I have gone to has decided to pick someone with more experience! Help I need some advice and a job real bad!

Hello, have you considered applying for a healthcare technology company? I work for a healthcare technology company, specializing in coding solutions. They are currently looking for people with coding background and expertise.

portagee7 in San Francisco, California said: Hello, have you considered applying for a healthcare technology company? I work for a healthcare technology company, specializing in coding solutions. They are currently looking for people with coding background and expertise.

Is it 3M?

I have been coding for a long time and I am getting angry with these companies that will hire people from India with CPC credentials, but will not hire an American with AHIMA credentials right out of college. I have been through the RHIT program and it is a very good education!

EDCtx in Texas said: Is it 3M?

No it isn't.

portagee7 in San Francisco, California said: Hello, have you considered applying for a healthcare technology company? I work for a healthcare technology company, specializing in coding solutions. They are currently looking for people with coding background and expertise.

No, but i will defn. look into that
Thank you

portagee7 in San Francisco, California said: No it isn't.

Ok. I did see that 3M was hiring people with a coding background to be customer service reps as a work-at-home position recently. I thought it might be them.

It is certainly hard to find work as an RHIT, and with Nursing taking over their jobs that RHIT's did in the past, I'm really wondering about the validity of the RHIT program. There used to be a lot more opportunities for RHIT's. AS for AHIMA it's very expensive and not much is offered from them to help you get a job either.

DKrk in Eau Claire, Wisconsin said: It is certainly hard to find work as an RHIT, and with Nursing taking over their jobs that RHIT's did in the past, I'm really wondering about the validity of the RHIT program. There used to be a lot more opportunities for RHIT's. AS for AHIMA it's very expensive and not much is offered from them to help you get a job either.

My thoughts too, which is why I am considering applying for nursing school. However...after graduating from nursing, I'm hoping to work in a position that is geared a little more to the HIM professional role.

To be honest, this thread seems like a lot of sour grapes.

All you have to do is look around and you will find thousands of jobs across the country asking to hire RHITs specifically. AHIMA does give you a lot of support by keeping you up to date on changes to coding and to HIM and offers seminars and all sorts of things that help keep you employable as a RHIT.

I agree with you Mike. Given the state of current ICD-10 and EHR mandates in healthcare, the need for qualified and experienced coders is in huge demand. Anyone with a background in healthcare or technology, quite truthfully, should have no problem acquiring a position. Jobs don't land on your lap, regardless of industry. If one wants a job, they do have to devote some effort in obtaining.

I have applied for at least 160 positions in the last 18 months. All want experience and will not look at someone new in the field. Our resumes are weeded out by HR software due to not enough experience. You seem to think I am a liar - not so. I am living the problem.

portagee7 said: I agree with you Mike. Given the state of current ICD-10 and EHR mandates in healthcare, the need for qualified and experienced coders is in huge demand. Anyone with a background in healthcare or technology, quite truthfully, should have no problem acquiring a position. Jobs don't land on your lap, regardless of industry. If one wants a job, they do have to devote some effort in obtaining.

Yes, that's just it. ICD-10 is going to increase demand.

The part that irritates me about all this talk about no jobs for inexperienced people. HOW DO PEOPLE THINK THE RETIREES ARE REPLACED? Obviously inexperienced people are being hired. There are a lot of older coders out there that will be/are retiring, those spots have to go to someone.

Where I work they are hiring about 10-12 positions that RHITs are qualified for. Yes, they all want experience, but not always coding experience. Most of these position "prefer" previous billing/health care experience.

Given that I have a background in medical labs and billing (not coding) I had no trouble finding work as a RHIT.

leo in Lebanon, Tennessee said: I have applied for at least 160 positions in the last 18 months. All want experience and will not look at someone new in the field. Our resumes are weeded out by HR software due to not enough experience. You seem to think I am a liar - not so. I am living the problem.

As I said, someone with a medical or medical billing background with an RHIT degree should have no problem finding work right out of school.

I don't know anything about you Leo, so I cannot say why you are having the issue you are. However, good references, a good work history (even if not related),a good resume and interviewing skills are huge.To be completely honest, I find it incredibly strange that someone who has applied for so many jobs hasn't gotten a single one. Another possibility is that they may think you are over qualified given a previous bachelors,a AAS and working toward a second bachelors.

You are disturbing me. You are not listening to me. You must think I am a cyber-body without any tangible reality. You are not kind. You are not helpful. People like you make me angry, irritate ME. I have asked for help, begged for ideas, and have an extensive background supporting my RHIT credential. I have applied for (M)ANY positions related to Health Information Technology, and none were offered to me. I just want people who are not already working in healthcare to be very sure that they jump through all the hoops - especially the networking part. Without that, and more, it is difficult, but not impossible, to find work in this field. Yes, ICD-10 will open more doors, and the first ones in will be those with EXPERIENCE IN ICD-9! I have talked to more than one HIM/coding manager, and they confirm this.

leo in Lebanon, Tennessee said: You are disturbing me. You are not listening to me. You must think I am a cyber-body without any tangible reality. You are not kind. You are not helpful. People like you make me angry, irritate ME. I have asked for help, begged for ideas, and have an extensive background supporting my RHIT credential. I have applied for (M)ANY positions related to Health Information Technology, and none were offered to me. I just want people who are not already working in healthcare to be very sure that they jump through all the hoops - especially the networking part. Without that, and more, it is difficult, but not impossible, to find work in this field. Yes, ICD-10 will open more doors, and the first ones in will be those with EXPERIENCE IN ICD-9! I have talked to more than one HIM/coding manager, and they confirm this.

Leo, you need to calm down.

I'm just telling it like it is. Plenty of people without experience find jobs as RHITs. With your background you shouldn't have so much trouble. All I'm saying is it is odd that you applied to that many jobs and have not gotten one. Perhaps there is anothe reason they are not hiring you. Just by the fact that there were 160 jobs availible shows that there isn't a shortage of jobs in your area. The funny thing about these threads is the fact that in the real world students don't seem to have an issue finding a job, it's only something you hear about on the internet.

The only reason you could be having issues with finding a job is an over abundence of RHITs in your area. That could happen but it's not happening in most places in the country. Again, if you have 160 openings in your area it would indicate that there isn't too many RHITs in your area.

If you think networking is the issue you need to take advantage of the AHIMA benefits. They have Communities of Practice for networking. They have career mentors availible in some areas. You can't complain about not finding a job.....

If you don't do all that is needed to find a job. These days every job requires someone to have some ability to network. It's something you need to learn and to work at to be successful these days. Join the local chapter of AHIMA, if you have not already. Go to the meetings, conferences..ect. These are great networking opportunities.

mike in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: If you don't do all that is needed to find a job. These days every job requires someone to have some ability to network. It's something you need to learn and to work at to be successful these days. Join the local chapter of AHIMA, if you have not already. Go to the meetings, conferences..ect. These are great networking opportunities.

Hi Mike, thank you for that advice esp about joining my local chapter of AHIMA. Also, right on about the networking part. It is SOOO important. You have to sell yourself first to get thru the first interview and get picked for the second interview. I hear these days that all companies in all different types of business' want you to come back for 2 or more interviews. sao selling yourself will get you into the next round.

Yes, Lisa, sometimes you will have more than one interview. Particlarly if they have several candidates they like. You just cannot value networking enough. Nothing will boost your stock than having a reference who the person doing the hiring knows. Or being able to say you know someoene they know or saying you worked with this person..ect.

If you network well enough, jobs will come to you.

mike in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: Yes, Lisa, sometimes you will have more than one interview. Particlarly if they have several candidates they like. You just cannot value networking enough. Nothing will boost your stock than having a reference who the person doing the hiring knows. Or being able to say you know someoene they know or saying you worked with this person..ect.

If you network well enough, jobs will come to you.

EXCELLENT ADVICE, I so agree with you...

I have a 23 year career in the healthcare technology/services industry. I can honestly say, these companies are constantly searching for people with medical backgrounds, RHIT, Coding, etc... If you are flexible and willing to look outstide the hospital industry for employment, I am more than happy to refer the names of some company links for your reference.

portagee7 said: I have a 23 year career in the healthcare technology/services industry. I can honestly say, these companies are constantly searching for people with medical backgrounds, RHIT, Coding, etc... If you are flexible and willing to look outstide the hospital industry for employment, I am more than happy to refer the names of some company links for your reference.

I would love a reference to healthcare technology companies that are currently hiring in our area-however I am not up for constant travel.

I as well have just graduated and tried to pass my CCA but was 2 points off. I was thinking of going to an ICD10 boot camp so i could have an advantage to perhaps help get a job...but the boot camp is $400!!! Plus you have to buy a study guide and the new code book so add 175ish. I feel like giving up. I have been job hunting for months now I just feel like crap still working in stupid retail when I would do almost anything to code. I would go back to college but just don't have the money or would I know what to get a degree in since everyone lied to me about coding. *sigh*

Which is why I'm not pursuing medical billing/coding anymore. I felt people I talked to about it couldn't say Yes or No about it, everything Depends. Sorry but that isn't a reason to pursue it.Even at the temp office they admitted they don't get many placements for coders. So I'm going to go for medical admin assistant.

portagee7 said: I have a 23 year career in the healthcare technology/services industry. I can honestly say, these companies are constantly searching for people with medical backgrounds, RHIT, Coding, etc... If you are flexible and willing to look outstide the hospital industry for employment, I am more than happy to refer the names of some company links for your reference.

Hi, I'm just starting my RHIT schooling, but I would like to get my foot in the door now if possible, doing something with medical billing or records maybe. Could you give me the names of some companies I could contact? Thanks in advance!

Kate in Eau Claire, Wisconsin said: I would love a reference to healthcare technology companies that are currently hiring in our area-however I am not up for constant travel.

I have just graduated from the Health Information Program at CVTC in may and would love to see the references that you have.

@Lindsay i would defn start with a United Health Care they have many jobs in billng and in claims. MOst of those position do not require a degree and is an excellent foot in the door, I just did a 6mth contract thru temp and loved the exposure! I struggle to find a job in the field but will take whatever just to gain that experience... I sounded negative in my first post but is also postive about what the future holds for me..good luck everyone and keep your head up!