Medical school is extremely competitive.
That is why it’s an excellent idea for applicants to look for ways to stand out.
One fantastic way to be unique is to get a certification in medical coding.
Not only will this make your resume pop, but it gives you credible skills that you will need in the workforce. This article will cover the three steps to getting a certification in medical coding.
Choose Your Path After High School
Once you graduate high school, there are three different pathways for medical coders. The first is taking a certificate program. These programs will take less than a year to complete, and the goal is for students to get a job immediately upon completion.
The second option is to obtain an associate degree in healthcare administration or health information management. This degree typically takes two years to complete.
However, while these two pathways are great options for someone who only wants to be a medical coder, they are not good for someone who wants to apply to medical school.
Typically, medical schools require the completion of a bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree will take the longest to obtain, typically four to five years.
You could get a degree in healthcare administration or health information management, but other good degrees to consider are biology and chemistry.
Consider Taking a Course
One complement to the traditional routes is online courses, like Coding Clarified. These programs will offer students various online courses that will train them in medical coding.
It follows the program guidelines set forth by the American Association of Professional Coders and works to prepare you for the exams you need to get your first coding credentials.
To be clear, Coding Clarified and other programs are not a substitute for your bachelor’s degree if you want to go to medical school. Instead, they are a great supplement that will provide you with specific preparation for the certification exams to a degree that most bachelor’s degrees will not.
This is something to think about as you decide which route you want to go with your education.
Get Your First Credentials
After completing your education, you will need to take an exam to get your preliminary credentials. You have two different options for credential exams, and both are offered through the American Health Informatics Management Association.
To get a Certified Coding Associate credential, you must complete your medical coding education program. Make sure the American Health Informatics Management Association recognizes the program.
The Certified Coding Associate credential exam has 90 to 115 multiple-choice questions, with a $299 fee for those who are not a member of the American Health Informatics Management Association and a slightly discounted $199 fee for those who are.
Your second option is the Registered Health Information Technician credential, which requires an associate of education in health information management from a program that the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education has approved.
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This credential exam has 130 to 160 multiple-choice questions. It has an application fee of $299 for non-members of the American Health Informatics Management Association and $229 for members.
Once you have passed one of those two exams, you have your first certification in medical coding. This certification will improve your chances of getting into medical school and provide you with a viable skill set in the medical field.
Once you get a little work experience, there are additional certifications that you can test for and standards that you will need to meet. However, this is a fantastic start to standing out when applying for medical school.
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