Spotlight on a Medical Coder: Elizabeth G.

Here at SMC Academy, I am invested in my students, both those who are current and those who have passed their exams years ago. I want to hear from them, from you. I want to celebrate you as both an individual and a student. If you would like to be featured or share your story, please email us at [email protected] with your interest in participating in our new blog, Spotlight on a Medical Coder. Let us celebrate each other: our successes, our quirks, our tips and tricks, and more. I’m excited to announce that our first very spotlight is on a student who passed her CPC just a few months ago, Elizabeth G.

Elizabeth G.

About You

• What’s your name, and where are you from?
  • Elizabeth G., Northeastern Pennsylvania

• How long have you been in the medical coding field?
  • I started my coding journey with SMC Academy in January of 2025. I passed my CPC credentialing exam in June 2025 and will begin my first full time coding position on September 8th, 2025.
• What first got you interested in medical coding?
  • I was interested in finding a non-clinical role in the medical field and was drawn to the growth opportunities, technical aspects and the overall independence of medical coding.
• Did you have a career before coding, or is this your first one?
  • Yes, I have been in the dental field for 11 years. I started as a dental assistant and then spent the last 7 years practicing clinically as a registered dental hygienist. While I love taking care of my patients and being a provider, it was time to make a change.

Your Career Journey

• What was your very first coding job?
  • I will be starting out as a remote outpatient medical coder for a local hospital in
    my area. I will be coding in the multidisciplinary section working with a wide range of
    providers from Cardiology, Neurology, Psychiatry and more.
• What certifications do you hold?
  • I have my CPC through AAPC, but have my eyes on either the CCS or the
    CPMA next.

The Real Scoop

• What’s one thing you wish people knew about medical coding?
  • The possibilities are endless if you’re willing to work for them. It’s all about having
    the right attitude and marketing your skills to match the needs of the job. Sometimes
    having a positive attitude is worth more than years of experience and there are so many
    doors you can open if you’re willing to make your own key!
• What’s the most challenging part of your job?
  • Breaking down surgeries. Coming from a dental background I have a solid
    foundation of medical knowledge from reviewing medical histories over the years.
    However, breaking down surgeries and the different parts that come with it is
    challenging at first. I just take it one step at a time.
• What’s the most rewarding part?
  • Constant personal growth. I have only been in this field for a short time and feel
    like I have learned so much, and I have only scratched the surface. There is so much to
    learn in the field and so many more jobs to uncover. It is amazing to know that I will
    never stop learning and developing my skills. There is always something new to
    uncover. You only become stuck if you choose to be.

Your Favorites

• Favorite coding tip or trick you swear by?
  • I love my tabs. I know they are not for everyone, but they helped me so much in
    learning my books and understanding how the chapters were broken down. It depends
    on your learning style, but if you’re more visual and repetitive, they may help you too.
• Favorite snack or drink while working?
  • I am a huge pretzel lover. Butter snaps are my go-to and will always be sitting
    right next to my Stanley water cup.
• Favorite “productivity hack” that keeps you focused?
  •   Setting my own personal time goals. Even when working my way through
    Practicode, I set goals to keep myself getting faster and staying accurate. If I know that I
    did 4 charts in an hour, I will push myself to do the same number again. Once I am
    doing that consistently, I will challenge myself to do 5. It’s all about making goals for
    yourself and keeping yourself motivated.

For Future Coders

• What’s your best advice for someone just starting out?
  • Don’t join any of the groups on social media. They are great for networking and
    for when you are certified, but until then stay away. There is so much negativity out
    there about the job market for medical coding and it can be discouraging and
    overwhelming. Just focus on learning the material, getting through your course and
    passing the credentialing exam.
• Is there a resource, book, or website you recommend?
  • Medical Terminology & Anatomy for Coding, 5th Edition by Betsy J. Shiland, MS,
    RHIA, CCS, CPC, CPB, CPPM on Amazon. This is great for those times when I’m trying
    to break down a surgery or just for parts of the body that I’m not as familiar with. It’s well
    laid out and I think a great resource for new coders.

Just for Fun

• If medical coding had a theme song, what would yours be?
  • Try Everything” by Shakira (from Zootopia) – there were a lot of points in the
    coding program where I thought about giving up because of the negative noise of social
    media, but I didn’t. I pushed through and am beyond happy I did. Even though you
    could fail, try.
• Coffee, tea, or something else?
  • Just call me Lorelai Gilmore, the answer is always coffee!
• If you weren’t a coder, what would you be doing instead?
  • Software development. I love working on the computer and the technical
    component of both careers.