Congratulations!! I hope you kill it :)
I had a similar experience, and landed a position as a Coding reimbursement trainee in July, with our local hospital network. This network is the largest in the state, and made the decision to recreate an internal coding dept, after years of 1099 contracting. The downside is the pay is not great (but not bad either, still $30k+/year), and you have to start all over again with their training. The upside(s is(are) ... FT, permanent, you earn from Day 1, even in training, the benefits are great, and you have the entire hospital network to look at when you're done - inpatient, outpatient, skilled, hospice, HCC ... interventional radiology ... it's kind of a world-your-oyster thing. They take people without certification, without training ... some from other areas of the hospital, and some (like me) from the outside. And, once you reach the level of Coder 1 (takes about a year), you can begin to work from home several days per week.
LIke you, this was the first position I applied for. I am not finished with Andrews, either. Every DAY I give thanks for this opportunity. I made it a goal to clear training in 3 months (we have 6 months), and hit goal 3 days ahead of time. Phase II starts next, and involves live coding with Auditor supervision. I credit Andrews for a large part of hitting that goal. Plus, being able to say that I'm committed to this field in the interview - and have put my $$ where my mouth is already by investing in my education -- I think helped to seal the deal for me. The hospital takes 1 person in every month or so.
I know this won't be everyone's experience. I wish that were otherwise. It is hard to tell people, because I don't want to feel that I'm bragging where others are struggling. But I am really hopeful that we, as a department succeed in increasing the revenue cycle in the hospital. Hospitals watch and follow each other. If we hit our internal goals, maybe other hospitals will follow suit, and lift someone else into a dream job.