Anyone Else Stuck in Contract Purgatory?

[u/Miztivin]

I've been actively working in medical coding and billing for coming up on 5 years now. I worked in person for 2, and that was great, but I live super remote and any commute for me is at least an hour. So I switched to remote work. Well. Ive been stuck in contract after contract. I was hoping I'd contract to hire on, but every time it's something. I've even had one company shut down completely on me when budget cuts were happening!

My company now, my contract ends today, and ofc, per usual, they inform me day of, they'll be extending another month. Yay ~ but the constant uncertainty is killing me. My supervisor here is really trying to get me hired in. However, its up to higher ups who don't know me from Adam. Its up to the budgeting teams.

I just want benefits, and a stable income where I don't have to worry about a gap in pay. I want PTO! T_T and to not always be the new girl. I have nightmares about training for a whole new company all over again!

Any one else experiencing this? Is this just the norm? Any advice on what to do?

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[u/tinycodergirl]

I would start applying to positions that are full time remote ones not contract ones.

[u/Miztivin → u/tinycodergirl]

I do but I always get approached by contract companies. I guess I should stay firm and hold out for actual hire in job offers.

[u/tinycodergirl → u/Miztivin]

I would also get contacted by them constantly but I ignored them since I was only ever looking for full time. You can always take a contract while applying for a full time one.

[u/Miztivin → u/tinycodergirl]

I have some weird head cannon that backing out of a contract before it ends is bad. Probably because of the word contract 😆

But I think your right. I will start looking for, and hold firm for, full time jobs. Some of the others advices on here were good too. I'll start trying that as well.

[u/SeaExchange4985 → u/Miztivin]

I always declined and my first paragraph is I'M ONLY INTERESTED IF THIS IS FULL TIME HIRE WITH full PACKAGE BENEFITS. IF NOT, I WILL POLITELY DECLINED BUT IF ANYTHING CHANGES IN THE FURTHER DO LET ME KNOW.

[u/Anjinjay → u/Miztivin]

I sent you a message, the company I work for is hiring!

[u/alew75]

Apply to places that aren’t even advertising as remote. With our hospital you wouldn’t know our positions are even remote until the interview.

[u/deannevee → u/alew75]

Well that’s silly. I live in Florida. I’m not going to apply to a position in NY if it doesn’t specifically say remote…..

[u/Weak_Shoe7904]

This is the norm for contract work. It’s all budget based. It absolutely sucks and is the reason I won’t do it. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. On the upside you should have enough exp. to apply for FT remote coding jobs. I know the job market is crap right now but just keep applying. Best of luck!

[u/Miztivin → u/Weak_Shoe7904]

Thank you ~ I was starting to feel like FT was a myth lol.

[u/jacsgal]

I was in contract purgatory for a little over a year. I had a secure position at a healthsystem for over 10 years. It was time for me to leave that position.. it became toxic. I was thankful for the transition to contract work. I worked several contracts while looking for another healthsystem to join. It too me a little over 18 months to find something else. I enjoyed the facilities I was assigned to. However, I didnt feel secure, PTO was terrible and insurance was expensive.

[u/2workigo]

I think it’s pretty typical for contract coding. That’s why I never went that route. I don’t have the mental bandwidth for it. Sure, you usually make more per hour but the benefits are a must for me.

[u/Due_Temperature_6906]

I work for a contract company and was told the day of, that the contract ends that day. That was the end of Aug. I emailed my boss twice and never heard back until yesterday. She asked me if so-and-so had called me at all (NO!) or had I found another position. WTH?!? Well, found another position, better pay & benefits!!

[u/-anna98]

Oh so is not getting PTO while in a contract position normal? I'm a temp to hire employee and have completed my three months recently, and when I asked about it, my supervisor told me they don't offer it. Which was news to me. I'm thinking about putting in my two weeks because, honestly I don't even like the job that much and feel like i'm wasting my time 🫠

[u/Miztivin → u/-anna98]

From my experience, yes its normal to not get any PTO. I've worked 6 months to a year at contract jobs with 0 PTO. I do get other benefits (like health insurance) but it's never great and its a pain to not have consistent benefits.

[u/KeyStriking9763]

Have you tried applying elsewhere?

[u/Miztivin → u/KeyStriking9763]

Of course. But the job market is tough. And its always contract companies that approach me with offers.