Updated Content 11/2/2023
Medical Coding student Christy Richards has been attending WVJC since January 2021. Before attending WVJC, she attended Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, Virginia. She says she feels much more at home at WVJC due to the welcoming environment and the support she has from all of the faculty! She loves getting the help she needs and is not looked at as just a number. Christy is also working full-time while going to school! She is a sales representative who works very odd hours. She said, “I work full time, and WVJC fits my schedule so well.”
When Christy was looking for a school to further her education, she did a lot of research for a few months to find a school that would fit her needs and wants. She explained that she felt so welcomed from the beginning, and that feeling has continued throughout her studies. She said, “My only problem now is knowing I’ll have to leave one day and graduate!” Christy chose medical coding because she has always had an interest in the medical field and will still utilize the skills she already has. She was also able to research the certifications and felt that it would allow her to continue learning constantly.
Although she has taken something away from every instructor she has had, she did say that if she had to choose a favorite, it would be her professor Jamie McGuire! Christy has loved all of the assignments from the multiple classes with Jamie, so she knows she will not be bored.
While thinking about future career paths, Christy said she would really like to work as a medical coder at the University of Virginia Hospital or Martha Jefferson Hospital. Christy feels that her education will give her the ability to grow in her career! To continue with her future plans, she is really hoping to be a homeowner and is already working toward this goal! She would also like to work toward a management role and have the ability to sit for more certifications. As a benefit of the Medical Coding program, the institution will pay for the cost of two attempts to sit for an American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) certification*.
Overall, Christy said that she has been very pleased with her experience at WVJC. She has gained more confidence in herself and her abilities. She is very excited to see where the future will take her and which opportunities will open up. She has shared her experience with her peers and recommends that if they are looking to further education, they should look into WVJC! “You get help the whole way through. Tons of guidance and even assistance with finding the right career/ job placement. It’s a wonderful experience!”
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*Certification is contingent on passing the corresponding certification exam. Required/ Included in Tuition/Fees. The Institution’s most recent pass rate (2022-23 academic year) on the Certified Professional Coders exam is 30%. See catalog for details.