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Hopefulmama
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1014 total posts
Name:
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Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Hi there, I was an executive assistant at a top ten hedge fund for ten years before leaving the workforce for three years to have children. Now I am ready to go back but finding it tough to re-enter. I know healthcare is one of the few booming industries and a big employer on Long Island so I was thinking of getting my certificate (I already have a bachelors) in one of the above. Does anyone have any experience with these fields? I'm not sure which education is a better investment and if these fields are in demand. Thanks so much for any feedback!
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Posted 8/26/15 7:15 AM  |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Don't bother with the certificate programs. Most offices will not hire without experience but if you know someone or are willing to start from the bottom, it won't be as tough. I will add, the salaries for these positions starting is very low compared to what you might have been making. You might be starting at $10/hour.
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| Posted 8/26/15 2:18 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
I don't mean to come off so tough, but it is a competitive field believe it or not. Tough to get into. Medical assistants DO NOT DO IT!
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| Posted 8/26/15 2:20 PM |
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Hopefulmama
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1014 total posts
Name:
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely willing to start at the bottom. I made great money as an EA but I hated the atmosphere of financial services. I'm returning to work more for my sanity then to make serious money...what do you think if I were to take any billing/coding/icd 10 classes? Would that help, do you think? Thanks - you seem to know what you are talking about!
Also, the financial investment of these programs isn't too bad (less than $2k)...if they were to provide an externship/internship (therefore some experience) would it be worth it then, do you think? Thanks :)
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| Posted 8/26/15 2:54 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
The billing/coding/icd-10 is DEFINITELY worth it. You come out with a certificate and hospitals can hire you.
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| Posted 8/26/15 4:02 PM |
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Seawolf
LIF Adult
Member since 3/14 1336 total posts
Name:
Scrumba
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Posted by jessnbrian
Don't bother with the certificate programs. Most offices will not hire without experience but if you know someone or are willing to start from the bottom, it won't be as tough. I will add, the salaries for these positions starting is very low compared to what you might have been making. You might be starting at $10/hour.
This. But, also, healthcare work (non patient care related) sucks :) Don't do it!
ETA - I'm in billing and coding, and we ALL hate it. I don't know why medical billing has gotten this reputation as a "good" field to get into. I've been doing it 20+ years and I make a VERY mediocre salary.
Message edited 8/26/2015 4:21:25 PM.
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| Posted 8/26/15 4:19 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Posted by Seawolf
Posted by jessnbrian
Don't bother with the certificate programs. Most offices will not hire without experience but if you know someone or are willing to start from the bottom, it won't be as tough. I will add, the salaries for these positions starting is very low compared to what you might have been making. You might be starting at $10/hour.
This. But, also, healthcare work (non patient care related) sucks :) Don't do it!
ETA - I'm in billing and coding, and we ALL hate it. I don't know why medical billing has gotten this reputation as a "good" field to get into. I've been doing it 20+ years and I make a VERY mediocre salary.
It entirely depends on where you work. If you work for certain hospital/healthcare systems, you're going to get good benefits and a pretty decent salary. If you work in NYC, even better. You can also start your own business, which is very appealing to some people. If you have that much experience, and a coding certificate (up to date with ICD-10) you really shouldn't be making a "very mediocre salary" at this point.
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:06 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
I don't agree. Yes, I've complained about my last job, but that was for very specific reasons that I had never experienced before. I love healthcare. I love helping patients, especially my elderly patients... they can be crotchety, but I adore them. I'm going to be making some very sad calls tomorrow to a handful of my favorite patients to tell them that I will be leaving. I find it to be very rewarding. I take great pride in what I do (practice management). I think it entirely depends on your personality. If you like working with people, and you can handle patients yelling at you (because they are in pain, are sick, cranky, waiting over an hour, whatever the reason), then you should go for it. But if you don't think you can handle those things, then stay far far far away.
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:09 PM |
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beachgirl
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name:
sara
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
I am not sure where you live but would you consider advertising your skills as an EA? I am not sure but I think some companies hire virtual assistants so you could use your EA skills that way. I have worked from home as an Exec. EA for 11 years now.
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:10 PM |
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Lara&Aidansmommy
For mom i miss u ETC ILOVEU
Member since 3/07 13921 total posts
Name:
ETC I LOVE YOU
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Posted by Seawolf
Posted by jessnbrian
Don't bother with the certificate programs. Most offices will not hire without experience but if you know someone or are willing to start from the bottom, it won't be as tough. I will add, the salaries for these positions starting is very low compared to what you might have been making. You might be starting at $10/hour.
This. But, also, healthcare work (non patient care related) sucks :) Don't do it!
ETA - I'm in billing and coding, and we ALL hate it. I don't know why medical billing has gotten this reputation as a "good" field to get into. I've been doing it 20+ years and I make a VERY mediocre salary.
I was a biller for 10 years. Never went for coding certifications. Without those certificates, you make pennies. I was making about 32,000 a year. With coding you can start at around 50. BUT it is really hard to get into a hospital system. I worked for NSLIJ and there were NEVER openings for medical secretaries. People usually retire in those positions so they dont leave for a longgggg time lol
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:15 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Posted by Lara&Aidansmommy
Posted by Seawolf
Posted by jessnbrian
Don't bother with the certificate programs. Most offices will not hire without experience but if you know someone or are willing to start from the bottom, it won't be as tough. I will add, the salaries for these positions starting is very low compared to what you might have been making. You might be starting at $10/hour.
This. But, also, healthcare work (non patient care related) sucks :) Don't do it!
ETA - I'm in billing and coding, and we ALL hate it. I don't know why medical billing has gotten this reputation as a "good" field to get into. I've been doing it 20+ years and I make a VERY mediocre salary.
I was a biller for 10 years. Never went for coding certifications. Without those certificates, you make pennies. I was making about 32,000 a year. With coding you can start at around 50. BUT it is really hard to get into a hospital system. I worked for NSLIJ and there were NEVER openings for medical secretaries. People usually retire in those positions so they dont leave for a longgggg time lol
NSLIJ isn't the only hospital system, and my experience is that it's the hardest to get into. CHS is a decent option, which includes Mercy, St. Francis, St. Josephs, St. Catherines, Good Sam, etc. Also, the independent hospitals usually treat their employees very well - I know from experience that South Nassau does, and I've heard very good things about Winthrop.
I'm learning more about the other systems, such as ProHealth, which are also a very good option, as they are booming and are constantly taking over practices.
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:19 PM |
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Lara&Aidansmommy
For mom i miss u ETC ILOVEU
Member since 3/07 13921 total posts
Name:
ETC I LOVE YOU
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Re: Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
Posted by jessnbrian
Posted by Lara&Aidansmommy
Posted by Seawolf
Posted by jessnbrian
Don't bother with the certificate programs. Most offices will not hire without experience but if you know someone or are willing to start from the bottom, it won't be as tough. I will add, the salaries for these positions starting is very low compared to what you might have been making. You might be starting at $10/hour.
This. But, also, healthcare work (non patient care related) sucks :) Don't do it!
ETA - I'm in billing and coding, and we ALL hate it. I don't know why medical billing has gotten this reputation as a "good" field to get into. I've been doing it 20+ years and I make a VERY mediocre salary.
I was a biller for 10 years. Never went for coding certifications. Without those certificates, you make pennies. I was making about 32,000 a year. With coding you can start at around 50. BUT it is really hard to get into a hospital system. I worked for NSLIJ and there were NEVER openings for medical secretaries. People usually retire in those positions so they dont leave for a longgggg time lol
NSLIJ isn't the only hospital system, and my experience is that it's the hardest to get into. CHS is a decent option, which includes Mercy, St. Francis, St. Josephs, St. Catherines, Good Sam, etc. Also, the independent hospitals usually treat their employees very well - I know from experience that South Nassau does, and I've heard very good things about Winthrop.
I'm learning more about the other systems, such as ProHealth, which are also a very good option, as they are booming and are constantly taking over practices.
Youre right. I tried to get into Winthrop, no luck though. ProHealth definately a good option.
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:21 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Medical assistant/medical secretary? Please don't move, more traffic!
There are a few companies that are sprouting up. If you worked for 10 years with the same firm as an EA, you would definitely be someone I would consider and interview for an entry level position.
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| Posted 8/26/15 9:36 PM |
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