You wouldn't be sitting in front of a computer to the extent that a medical transcriptionist would. I think it's usually a fast-paced job where there is pressure to get a certain amount of work done. Coding takes a certain type of personality. For instance, someone who likes a great deal of structure, maybe an accountant-type personality, would probably be a good match for coding. It takes careful attention to detail if you do it right.
I also recommend to our graduates that they take either the CCS or CPC exam as soon as possible. That really increases your job options dramatically. I understand that AHIMA now has a new test that is not as difficult as the CCS, although our graduates have not had any difficulty with the CCS exam itself.
As far as working from home, it's rare to find a coding position from home. That may change the way transcription did 14-15 years ago, but it may not. I expect that coders will eventually be able to work from home, but it may take a while, maybe even years, before it's a good work-from-home career. I've heard of a few regions of the country where they are experimenting with at-home coders, but not many.
I do want to recommend that you make sure to get excellent training if you get into coding. Someone suggested earlier that you make sure that your instructors are coders. We have both CCS's and CPC's and at least one of our coding instructors has both. My goal for my graduates is that they eventually have both.
[ 06-06-2003: Message edited by: Linda Andrews CMT ]
