You Get a Certification! You Get a Certification!

Featured coffee –Reese Coffee Milkshake

One of the major coding certifying organizations is offering “free certifications”!  When you click on the link (or respond to the email), you will get all of the details.

You have to be a member and already hold a certification through the organization.

The course is free, but you do have to pay for the practice exams and the cost of the certification exam.

By the way, apprentices are eligible for the free courses for the additional certifications.  One even offers a practicum that, upon completion, will remove the “apprentice” designation.

Coders are very excited about obtaining one of the three additional certifications, and they are posting the link all over social media.

What’s concerning to me is that coders are overloading social media with questions for opinions on the best new certification to get based upon salary.

Of course, I have an opinion, and since this is “inside the mind of,” I’ll share it with you.

If you have never done facility coding (two of the free course offerings), why would you assume that obtaining the certification will result in you getting a job as a facility coder? You still don’t have the experience.

If you do your research on their link, even the certifying organization advises that you must demonstrate on the job coding experience, or you will be designated as an apprentice.

In my opinion, this is another opportunity for the certifying organization to make money.  It is not their responsibility to find employment for you, and that is not their promise.  It is your responsibility to research the job market and the required experience levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put Respect on That!

Featured coffee –Cold Brewed Arnold Palmer

I don’t have an introduction to this one, so I’ll just jump right in.

I had a conversation with an older (veteran) coder recently who just needed to vent.  With her permission, I’m sharing her story with you.

After years of working her way up in the coding industry, she decided that she just wanted a coding job.  In her long career, she had the responsibilities of being a Supervisor, Manager, and Director.  She accepted a position with an organization that was very impressed with her background and experience.

Of course, with her background, she became a resource for her coworkers, and she took on an unofficial role of coding educator for her peers.  She enjoyed working with the newer coders, and it presented opportunities for her to sharpen her teaching skills, which she planned to do after retirement.

Her Manager was “grooming” another coder to become her replacement.  This coder was a “newbie” (less than two years of coding experience) and depended heavily on the veteran coder as a resource.  The veteran coder was happy to assist until the newer coder allowed her ego to get in her way.

The “newbie” would interrupt the veteran to convey incorrect information and voice her opinion instead of quoting guidelines.  It was frustrating for the veteran, but in her position as a coder, she decided to remain silent.

She did not want to create conflict in the office, and it was challenging to work with the newbie or even show up for work after the newbie told the other coders to NOT ask the veteran any questions.

But, the veteran showed up every day, tucked her head down, and coded her assigned records. Her goal was not to move up within the organization.  It was just to have worked quietly into retirement.

So, friends, this is my take:

Newbies, you don’t have the skills, knowledge, experience, or background to have an ego.  In fact, in this industry, there’s no room for ego.  If you think you know it all, get out of the industry.  You’re a compliance risk to your providers and your organization.

Veteran coders have so much to share with you if you’re willing to learn.

So, veterans, you’ve worked your way up to the higher positions and/or higher pay rates.  Don’t take a step back.  Continue to reach back and help the next generation of coders.  If they don’t want your help, move on to the next newbie who will respect your experience.

 

 

 

 

Getting Back to Normal!

Featured coffee –Mocha Draft Latte

I met with several clients during the week, and all are reporting that the volume of services performed is steadily increasing!

Hopefully, this is true for your hospitals and practices as well.