It would be nice if all the letters being published were put back in the magazine, as not all people have the access to the Internet outside of work. But I do understand this is hard and paperless saves trees.

I have to say that after reading the letters titled "Mandatory Certification is Ridiculous" and "Coder Is Looking for Work," they both have strong similarities even if one is for transcription and the other is for coding. I am certified, and I was told many years ago (by a hospital that I was working for) that if I didn't become certified, I would never receive another raise and would get a cut in pay, even though at the time I was the most "senior" coder for that facility. Being certified has not made me a better coder, but it has taught me about politics. The only one who benefits from certification in coding (and it sounds like in the MT world as well) is the one who puts out the certification. There are coders out there who do a wonderful job coding but don't test very well. I was blessed by with terrific directors and managers who took me under their wings and taught me to code. I did not start in the HIM department as a coder; I was actually an outpatient analyzer who became interested in coding. Unfortunately, many facilities don't have the time or resources to do this any more. 

As for "Coder Is Looking for Work," the best advice at this point is to get your foot in the door of an HIM department and at the same time take prep-studies so you can become certified. Preparing for and taking the certification test will give you variables to test your own skills. Every facility I know requires a potential coder or MT to take an initial employment screening test. Take the tests; the more things you expose yourself to the more experience you will get. I knew many MTs when I worked in hospitals, most weren't certified but all of them put out excellent work.

I love coding and being a quality assurance reviewer just as equally. But I do believe that the best knowledge you will ever get for a coder is out of Faye Brown's coding handbook and Coding Clinics guidelines. Reference them, sleep with them, memorize them. That's what makes you a good coder, not a certification.

Joyce Eggert, CCS, CCS-P

Via e-mail