How To Prepare For An Interview- Medical Coder Edition

Getting back into the workplace can be overwhelming, difficult, and downright scary at times. This pandemic has changed not only the way you job search but also the way you go about preparing for your interviews. Sometimes, you tend to overthink and over analyze every little detail about what the interview will be like before you have even picked out your best outfit to wear. You start reciting your best answers to questions you think you may get asked. Honestly, a job interview is not as complicated as you have been led to feel. It can be quite simple. With a lot of employers doing virtual interviews, I want to give my fellow Medical Coders some insight on how to prepare and totally WOW your future employer. 

Mental Motivation

It has been said that half of any battle can be won just by having the right mindset and if that is true, mental preparation is a great first step in having a winning interview. Now you might be thinking to yourself, how can I mentally prepare for the unknown and as a Medical Coder, it may become even bigger stress because you know that you will be asked specifics about medical coding, processes, or even how it can be applied to more practical based situations. 

The most qualified job seeker can overthink the interview process, no matter how many times they have done it. There’s always a little reservation in the back of one’s mind. Even if you are not privy to all of the questions you may be asked, REMEMBER you are the expert. You are knowledgeable and the interviewer chose you out of a hundred plus candidates. Show them what you are made of by utilizing these practical tips to avoid the pitfalls of psyching yourself out:

 

1. Affirm that you are going to do well in your interview. 

You have to believe that your interview will go well. Permit yourself to acknowledge that you are great at what you do and you are what the company is looking for. Never underestimate the power of your words. After all, they can help you manifest the job of your dreams. 

2. Picture your victory! 

You can start the night before your interview, the day of the interview, or even the week before your interview, just visualize how you want your interview to go and prepare yourself. Trust the process. Your office space is set up with all of your accomplishments, pictures of you and your dog riding a sled. You are number one on your team and your boss is throwing you a party. 

This type of mental preparation allows you to only see the best that is coming your way. It allows you to understand that your goals can be realized and are not just mere thoughts. You are actively participating in manifesting your reality. You are working with the universe to align your thoughts. 

3. Motivation from people you trust. 

It’s always a relief and rewarding feeling to have someone you love and trust rooting for you. Cheering you on from the sidelines; giving you sound wisdom and advice on taking the next step on your journey into the workforce. Having people like family, friends, a previous employer, or even a former co-worker giving you tips and verbal encouragement can improve your overall mindset when going into your interview. You’ll always know in the back of your mind that someone is constantly on your side. 

4. Confident body language. 

Confidence is something that comes from within. It can’t be taught, you either have it or you don’t. Did you know that demonstrating strong body language while waiting for your interview can set you apart from the competition? Yes! You are being interviewed the moment you step foot into the building and the employer is watching everything you do and say even before you come face to face with the hiring manager. 

Scientists say that keeping a good posture throughout your interview can place you ahead of the race for getting the job. Hunching or slouching only decreases your ability to perform at your best and can also put the employer in a mindset that you may not care as much about how you appear to others, which can transfer over into how you perform in your work. If you’re having trouble, practice sitting up straight and maybe doing some posing to give you better odds at nailing the job. 

5. Do a mock interview. 

Sitting in front of someone you don’t know can be a lot of pressure. If you have never interviewed before or maybe you’re an ace at interviewing and you still get a little tense when going through the process, try doing a practice interview with someone you are comfortable with. 

Try to imagine during this mock interview that you are in your real interview, treat whomever you have chosen to be the interviewer as the real deal. Typically they can identify your strengths and opportunities that you may have not been aware of to help you improve your chances of nabbing the job. Remember, PREPARATION! The advice that you receive during your mock-up will keep you self-aware. 

Make sure that you have played both the interviewer and the job seeker. This allows you to see how interviewing looks and feels from the perspective of your future employer. By playing both roles you have enhanced your confidence in what you may expect when you show up for your real interview.

Check out this awesome article that Ladders did on mentally preparing yourself for your best interview yet, These 4 mind tricks will help you kill it at job interviews!

Knowledge Is Power

Preparation is one of the keys to having a successful interview and one of the ways you do that is by having an updated professional resume. Your resume should be at a minimum of one page with a cover letter attached. The cover letter allows you to give the employer an idea of what you can offer the company and why you are the best fit for the position. Another key factor is knowing who you are interviewing with. Research the company that you are applying for. You want to make sure that the company is a good fit for where you are professionally, emotionally, and mentally. It’s important to know what the company has to offer you and to know if it’s the place you want to be. 

A final nugget of knowledge is to ask the interviewer questions about the role you are interviewing for. Although you want to wait until the end to ask, it is okay to do so. Most job interviews consist of questions at the end. When your interview is going, you may not initially have any questions for the interviewer right away and that is completely fine, but if you do, some basic questions you can ask would pertain to scheduling, work environment, advancement opportunities, or what are the company’s goals in the next few years. This shows the employer that you are interested in what is going on with the company. 

Look The Part

The clothes don’t wear you, you wear the clothes. Is that how the saying goes? Nevertheless, it is so true. What you wear can oftentimes be the catalyst to your next big break. As a Medical Coder, your dress attire depends on what you will be doing. Sometimes you may have to wear dress scrubs and other times you may have to wear business to business casual clothing. Most work spaces are business casual Monday to Friday and others may not be. It’s always best to ask the company what is appropriate. You can read more here: Preparing For A Medical Biller and Coder Interview

Choosing the right attire for your interview is a critical step in whether you will be hired or not. If you show up to your interview slouchy or wrinkled clothing, it can show the employer that you are not serious about the job you are going after and you don’t care about how you look. When we wear nice things and dress ourselves up, it boosts our confidence and allows us to present ourselves in the best light possible. 

For the women Medical Coders, some business casual attire you should think about wearing to your interview would be a nice dress, nothing too tight or ill-fitting. Some dress slacks with a nice blouse and maybe a comfy blazer with some flats or heels. Make sure your makeup is on the lighter side and your hair is done nicely. Give them Ebony and Vogue business editions. For the gentlemen, a clean-shaven face with a nice haircut will change your life. Come to your interview looking like you stepped out of GQ magazine. You can wear a nice suit as well, or just some clean slacks and a button-down dress shirt with some nice dress shoes. Wear your Sunday’s BEST! 

 

Before we get into questions...be prepared to take a Pre-Employment Assessment ( Coding ) Test. The three main things you need to know before this assessment are:

• How to abstract medical documentation
• Coding guidelines
• How to look up codes in coding books

If you know how to do the three items listed above...you're in a good spot!

 

Questions Valerie Recommends to Be Prepared for:

(Disclaimer - These are examples and should not be used word for word. Different types of coding positions will call for different types of responses. The example below is to help you identify how to frame your responses. Always do your research before applying to jobs and preparing for interviews.)

Question

1. What's your process for ensuring you code medical records accurately and within productivity standards? 

Your response should include

• Addressing a pain point of why the questing is being asked
• Attention to detail
• Your ability to implement and follow processes
• Detailed time management and Prioritization

 

Example

"Well, I know coding is right at the epicenter of the revenue cycle process. I like to sort work queues by the greatest amount of days in the work queue and the highest dollar amount. I make sure to have access to all coding resources and coding books at my fingertips. From there, I abstract medical documentation, query the provider if necessary, code appropriate diagnosis code and procedure code. Then, I review the diagnosis codes with the procedure codes to ensure medical necessity. Finally, I double-check my work by looking up codes, re-reading the description, and comparing to what is documented in the medical record. I code medical records in this manner to help support department goals and ensure claims are adjudicated appropriately and in a timely manner. “

 

 

Example Breakdown

"Well, I know coding is right at the epicenter of the revenue cycle process (Pain Point). I like to sort work queues by the greatest amount of days in the work queue and the highest dollar amount ( Time Management & Prioritization). I make sure to have access to all coding resources and coding books at my fingertips ( Organization).  From there, I abstract medical documentation, query the provider if necessary, code appropriate diagnosis code and procedure code. Then, I review the diagnosis codes with the procedure codes to ensure medical necessity. Finally, I double-check my work by looking up codes, re-reading the description, and comparing to what is documented in the medical record (Processes & Attention to Detail). I code medical records in this manner to help support department goals and ensure claims are adjudicated appropriately and in a timely manner (Department Goal - Solution). “

 

*** Bonus Tip - Give a DETAILED example using this response. For example, a time when you queried a provider, or re-read the description of a code and identified another code that was more appropriate. If you don’t have any experience, give a detailed example of your education, training, and understanding.

 

What processes do you put in place to avoid any errors in your medical coding?

 

Your response should include

• Addressing a pain point of why the questing is being asked
• Your ability to implement processes
• Attention to detail

 

Have you ever had to handle physician notes in a patient's file that were difficult to read or understand?

 

Your response should include

• Addressing a pain point of why the questing is being asked
• Effective communication skills

 

Other Questions You May Be Asked 

Medical Coders often get asked specific questions about their field in interviews. Last year, unremot did a terrific article on the kind of questions you will be asked as a Medical Biller and Coder, Top 50 Medical Coder Questions. They categorize them by behaviors, situations, and even your role as a Medical Coder. Here, we will summarize a few of them.  

• What are DRG codes and how do you use them?
• What are some of your best attributes as a medical coder?
• How were you able to overcome dealing with a colleague or client that did not communicate well?
• How can you correct common billing errors with coding and prevent them from happening to future patients?

These are just a small sample of the questions that you will be asked. Depending on the type of coding you will do in your new role, the questions may differ. Some different types of coding are Inpatient, Ambulatory Surgery, Emergency Department, Interventional Radiology, Laboratory, etc.

It’s always best to have an idea of what your interviewer will ask you so that you can be prepared. Try identifying common challenges for the role you are interviewing for and create a mock interview to help you prepare for the big day.

Practice does make perfect. 

Remember the art of having a great interview is a combination of preparation, confidence, and knowledge. Honestly, your job is not to go into the interview to see if you can read the employer’s mind. You are there to represent who you are and what you can do. Don’t go into the interview trying to figure everything all out in the first ten minutes, all you can do is be the best you in the room. Give them your winning smile, showcase your personality and knowledge. Show them why they chose YOU to represent them to their clients and patients.

 

You are enough.

 

You are capable and you got this, now go kick some butt in your interviews so you can save the world as you’ve always dreamed. 

 

If you want to improve your interviewing skills, check out The HIM Blueprint for Success + 4 Week Coaching Masterclass. In this self-paced masterclass, you will learn my secrets to creating an intentional career strategy, targeted resumes, strategic job searches, how to ace interviews and scale your career!

 

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What's your biggest take away from this blog ? Let me know in the comments section below!