tonsofwork2
New
Good evening. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to gain an internship for coding?
-
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten your username or password use our password reminder tool. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
Question Internship.
- Thread starter tonsofwork2
- Start date
mikhaila
Contributor
Hello,
You did not provide any context regarding yourself.
Are you currently in a coding program or did you graduate?
If you are in a coding program is it in a school that has career counseling and internship resources? Did you talk to them?
Are you self-studying OR did you take a 3-4 day coding boot camp?
Are you already certified?
What kind of work experience do you have?
Are you or do you have any friends or family in the medical or health insurance industry?
Since you asked a general question I will provide a general answer.
If you are in school speak to your professors and career counseling for internship opportunities.
Do you already work in the medical or health insurance industry? If so, then speak to human resources and if they say no - speak to someone else. Ask your boss, look up people in Teams or whatever coworker directory you have and check out their titles. Contact them via email and leave them a short voicemail that you work within the company and you sent them an email regarding an internship in their department. This way they don't automatically trash your email thinking you're an outsider.
You can also check job boards like Indeed for them though there aren't many.
AAPC has ProjectX but they mostly ask for experienced coders. It seems whoever is putting postings there should really be putting them in the jobs area. It doesn't hurt to continue to look here though.
CCO - that medical coding online school has internships but they fill up quickly.
Ask your friends and family who may work in the medical or health insurance field and have them ask their work mates and acquaintances about opportunities. People don't often request things properly so it's best to be clear what you are in school for and what you are hoping to achieve. Write it down and give it to acquaintances so they don't mess up a possible opportunity. Have your phone number on it so you can be contacted.
Opportunities in shadowing a medical biller can lead to learning more about what happens after coding and how to rectify denials.
Ask your physician or have your acquaintances ask for you since they know the doctor. Mention you will work for free for X number of hours for however long. Mention what you are able and willing to do and what you hope to accomplish and learn. Treat it like a job and don't flake out because it also makes your acquaintance look bad plus deters any future internships for others coming behind you.
If they need filing done, phones answered, copies made - fine BUT make sure that you get to see and hopefully participate in coding and billing in a useful manner. Smaller offices are busy so you may need to help them get caught up before they are able to teach you.
Go to a medical complex or human resources at a hospital with a cover letter and start speaking to people and drop it off. You are a medical coding student with a/or going for your certification seeking a medical coding internship. Mention some of the classes you have taken and any general work experience that is transferrable to THEIR needs. Like above, mention what and when you are able to work and be specific as to what YOU want; otherwise, you may just be free labor. Be flexible with the hours because what may work for you may not work for them. Remember, they are running a business not a school.
Put things on paper so people know the boundaries and objectives. Be polite and gracious EVEN if they say no. Leave them the cover letter and state that you would appreciate it if they could pass it on to someone they know who is looking for or able to accommodate an intern.
Go to local AAPC chapter meetings with your cover letter and start handing them out.
When you find an opportunity let's say for example, in a physician office specializing in endocrinology then study up on that specialty even more. Look at common diseases that affect the endocrine system and the diagnosis codes that reflect them. Look at common procedures that are done for these diseases and medications given. Be familiar with specific guidelines for that specialty.
Be courteous, don't participate in any whining or back-biting you may see and always show your thankfulness for the opportunity.
Don't forget to smile
.
Good luck.
You did not provide any context regarding yourself.
Are you currently in a coding program or did you graduate?
If you are in a coding program is it in a school that has career counseling and internship resources? Did you talk to them?
Are you self-studying OR did you take a 3-4 day coding boot camp?
Are you already certified?
What kind of work experience do you have?
Are you or do you have any friends or family in the medical or health insurance industry?
Since you asked a general question I will provide a general answer.
If you are in school speak to your professors and career counseling for internship opportunities.
Do you already work in the medical or health insurance industry? If so, then speak to human resources and if they say no - speak to someone else. Ask your boss, look up people in Teams or whatever coworker directory you have and check out their titles. Contact them via email and leave them a short voicemail that you work within the company and you sent them an email regarding an internship in their department. This way they don't automatically trash your email thinking you're an outsider.
You can also check job boards like Indeed for them though there aren't many.
AAPC has ProjectX but they mostly ask for experienced coders. It seems whoever is putting postings there should really be putting them in the jobs area. It doesn't hurt to continue to look here though.
CCO - that medical coding online school has internships but they fill up quickly.
Ask your friends and family who may work in the medical or health insurance field and have them ask their work mates and acquaintances about opportunities. People don't often request things properly so it's best to be clear what you are in school for and what you are hoping to achieve. Write it down and give it to acquaintances so they don't mess up a possible opportunity. Have your phone number on it so you can be contacted.
Opportunities in shadowing a medical biller can lead to learning more about what happens after coding and how to rectify denials.
Ask your physician or have your acquaintances ask for you since they know the doctor. Mention you will work for free for X number of hours for however long. Mention what you are able and willing to do and what you hope to accomplish and learn. Treat it like a job and don't flake out because it also makes your acquaintance look bad plus deters any future internships for others coming behind you.
If they need filing done, phones answered, copies made - fine BUT make sure that you get to see and hopefully participate in coding and billing in a useful manner. Smaller offices are busy so you may need to help them get caught up before they are able to teach you.
Go to a medical complex or human resources at a hospital with a cover letter and start speaking to people and drop it off. You are a medical coding student with a/or going for your certification seeking a medical coding internship. Mention some of the classes you have taken and any general work experience that is transferrable to THEIR needs. Like above, mention what and when you are able to work and be specific as to what YOU want; otherwise, you may just be free labor. Be flexible with the hours because what may work for you may not work for them. Remember, they are running a business not a school.
Put things on paper so people know the boundaries and objectives. Be polite and gracious EVEN if they say no. Leave them the cover letter and state that you would appreciate it if they could pass it on to someone they know who is looking for or able to accommodate an intern.
Go to local AAPC chapter meetings with your cover letter and start handing them out.
When you find an opportunity let's say for example, in a physician office specializing in endocrinology then study up on that specialty even more. Look at common diseases that affect the endocrine system and the diagnosis codes that reflect them. Look at common procedures that are done for these diseases and medications given. Be familiar with specific guidelines for that specialty.
Be courteous, don't participate in any whining or back-biting you may see and always show your thankfulness for the opportunity.
Don't forget to smile
.Good luck.