Want to work in the healthcare industry without spending years in college? Enjoy a fast-paced environment at a steady job with predictable hours that is in demand across the country? A career in Medical Billing and Coding may check all of those boxes and more. And you would provide an important service to others, a service that could catch errors that save lives.

With baby boomers aging and requiring additional medical treatment, careers in healthcare continue to grow rapidly. Medical Billing and Coding is one of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in the country and is projected to grow much faster than average between now and 2029. It offers is a fast-paced career, requiring you to be both detail-oriented and adaptable. But it’s not physically strenuous like some other healthcare jobs. Your day-to-day could range from completing medical records and insurance submissions and billing, to helping with general office support and connecting with IT. If all of this gets you excited to start training now, what may sound even better to you is how quickly you could complete your program. In as few as 10 months, you could be on your way to a new career. Here’s how to get started:

1. Complete Medical Billing and Coding Prerequisites

Most programs only require a high school diploma or GED, so if you make sure you have those, you can move on to step 2.

2. Complete a Medical Billing and Coding Training Program

Many medical billing and coding programs are available online and can be completed in less than 12 months. In your program, you’ll learn everything from diagnostic codes and healthcare communication to medical terminology and some basic anatomy and physiology.

3. Get a Medical Billing and Coding Certificate

Certification requirements may depend on your employer, but there are some exams that can help you get started:

• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

4. Find a Mentor and Network

Reach out to people you know and build your network in and out of the healthcare field. Someone who knows someone may be just what you need to get a foot in the door when you start to apply for work or look to make a switch on down the road.

5. Find a Medical Billing and Coding Job

Once you’ve checked off all of the above, you’re ready to hit the job market. Leverage your training, your network, and your hard work and determination, and chances are, you’ll have more than one employment option to choose from.

YTI Career Institute’s Medical Billing & Coding program in Pennsylvania can be completed in as few as 10 months and is offered completely online. In this condensed training program, you’ll receive individual attention, lots of hands-on experience, and a diploma that could help you land a job in this exciting and growing field.