Article excerpts are from the latest Jan/Feb CHIA Journal. Read the full articles and more in the online version here.
Meeting the Demand for Coding Professionals
by Merle Swoope RN, BSN, MSN, CCDS and
Sandy Barber, RHIT, CCS, CCDS
Many health care organizations are affected with a shortage of skilled certified medical coding professionals. In an effort to address shortages of coding professionals, meet operational demands within a rural community, and share resources within the St. Joseph Health Care System, St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC), implemented a remote coding program. An interview was conducted with Sandy Barber, RHIT, CCS, CCDS, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer/ Ambassador, Regional Manager, Coding Integrity, about her experiences with the implementation of the remote coding program at SMMC. Sandy has 25 years of coding experience and has observed the transformation of inhouse medical coding into the world of remote coding. In her interview, Sandy provides ighlights of the remote coding implementation at SMMC, a 225-bed acute care facility in Apple Valley, California, where she describes the impact on coding practices, employee engagement, and employee productivity.
Networking: A Path to Success
by Gloryanne Bryant, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCDS
As many people in the industry will tell you, one of the key components of career success involves networking - the exchange of information with likeminded people and the development of notable contacts with the intention of furthering one's career.
For the purpose of career development, networking means talking with friends, family members, and acquaintances about your goals, your interests, and your dreams. Statistics indicate that most people learn about job openings through the people they are closest to. Each person in your network inadvertently comes with a network of their own, thus increasing your potential contacts exponentially. It's also worth noting that social media is an incredible tool, and can play a pivotal role in networking strategies. Utilize applications such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or even Instagram to connect with peers and professionals in your field instantaneously. In addition to connecting instantly to your current peer group, you also hold in your hands a global directory; the infinite means to find a variety of people to add to your growing professional network. It is a good rule of thumb to build and maintain a professional online presence; it's equally
important
to present yourself professionally online in a manner that will inspire the connections you hope to gain to reach out to you as you continue your own search.
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