Harrisonburg News
Campus News & Events
Volunteer Extern Gets a Job
May 2009 graduate Brenda Leigh is already doing well in her chosen career, thanks to her hard work and the great education she got at National College. Brenda is a high honors graduate from the Harrisonburg Campus in the medical billing and coding program.
In the spring, just before her final term was completed, Brenda took the Certified Professional Coder's exam and earned the designation Certified Professional Coder - Apprentice (CPC-A.) Despite her academic accomplishments, Brenda felt she did not know enough; she considered herself a novice with much to learn. She involved herself in several forms of learning including joining the local chapter of the professional association for coders in Harrisonburg. She was, thus, able to network with fellow professionals and she learned who the local medical office employers were.
Knowing that jobs in this field are very competitive, Brenda approached Career Center Director Emily Sterrett with an idea for an externship in a medical billing office - even though she would not be getting paid and would not even get college credit for her externship because she was graduating. Emily said Brenda is one of the most highly motivated students she has worked with.
Through the college's connections at a large physician practice, Hess Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Brenda began working in May doing billing and coding as a "volunteer," learning as much as possible all the while impressing the staff with her knowledge and dedication. Approximately one month later, the CEO of Hess Orthopaedics offered her a full-time job, doing exactly what she had been doing for them in her volunteer externship. Brenda accepted the job and says she is grateful to National College for giving her the fundamental knowledge to get started.
She loves her job as a billing, coding, and chart auditor. She reads surgical and general medical chart notes, completes the coding of these procedures, and is responsible for preparing charges for submission to the insurance companies. She says the atmosphere in the office is not like "work," it's more like a family. Everyone has accepted her warmly. Brenda continues to work hard and learn and is confident that the future will bring her additional career success. Congratulations Brenda!
