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November 2006 Contributing school: CONTRIBUTORS To submit or to suggest an article, send your e-mail to studentconnection@ahima.org CONTACT AHIMA: IN THIS ISSUE
Web Sites You Can Use
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a part of the US Department of Homeland Security. Their Web site provides the names of charities that accept monetary donations and volunteers for the disaster relief. Visit here for more information. This site provides links and a brief description about global aid organizations such as the World Health Organization, United Nations' Food and Refuge Programs, and the Disaster Emergency Committee. You can directly go to their Web sites from here and donate. Visit here for more information. This is an excellent site to get to know more about specific charities before you donate. This site contains an alphabetical listing of all national charity names as well as their statistical profile. You can also determine more about their locations, affiliates, and programs before donating money or providing volunteer work. Visit here for more information. The Red Cross is known for its work and efforts in disastrous events. This site provides links to the latest news reports on disasters. You can find information on where to donate blood, tissue, goods, and time. Visit here for more information. The Importance of Volunteering—What Students Can Do
Four ways AHIMA student members can volunteer 1. Become a facilitator of the Student CoP (contact Shweta Trivedi for more information) 2. Assist your component state association (CSA). Log in to myAHIMA, and click on your CSA link 3. Write articles for the Student Connection e-news (send an e-mail to Student Connection e-news for more information) 4. Deliver presentations at local high schools about your experience as an HIM student. Recruitment materials are available here. Student volunteerism in your professional association can lead to a lifetime of rewarding experiences including working on the annual convention program committee, professional conduct committee, professional resource task force, research committee, special task forces, CSAs, national elected positions, and much more. Consider adding volunteerism to your resume. Remember that volunteering in a professional organization gives you networking opportunities that can assist in developing a successful career. For additional information on volunteering, contact Marilyn Render. In addition to HIM volunteering, consider giving your time during the holidays to local charities, shelters, and other humanitarian organizations. See the articles on helpful Web sites (the theme for November is charities) in this issue for more ideas. e-HIM® Practice Guidelines: A Valuable Resource for Students
AHIMA has commissioned a number of volunteer work groups to develop practice standards for areas that play an integral role in the transition from paper to electronic health records. Currently available standards include:
AHIMA continues to develop additional practice guidelines. Make sure you use them for your academic and professional research. Visit here to download these valuable tools. The e-HIM® work groups are supported in part by grants to the Foundation of Research and Education (FORE) from Dictaphone Corporation, McKesson, MedQuist, Meta Health Technology Inc., 3M Healthcare Services, Initiate Systems, Inc., and Precyse Solutions, Inc. See the October 2006 issue of Student Connection e-news here. Coming in December!
Polk Community College Is Also the December Partner |
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Copyright © 2006 American Health Information Management Association. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the November 2006 issue of AHIMA's Student Connection e-news. This issue features articles from students attending Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. Students share their experiences with us in this newsletter as they reveal how their different backgrounds and experiences led them to their current educational path.
We want to wish all our student readers a Happy Thanksgiving. We all have much to be thankful for, and we hope that you and your families have a great holiday. Remember, you don't have to be a student at the partner school to participate in the Student Connection e-news. We are always anxious to receive unsolicited articles.
We hope you find this information useful and as always, we want to hear feedback on what else you would like to see in these newsletters. Feel free to send us an e-mail with your thoughts at: studentconnection@ahima.org.
by Ellen Preston
Ellen Preston is health information systems specialist at Polk Correctional Institution in Polk City, FL. She is currently working toward her AS degree in HIM at Polk Community College.
Part of the HIM curriculum at Polk Community College includes the class "HIM Fundamental Management Practicum," an 80-hour practicum in a non-acute setting. This program allows you to choose from several different organizations, such as nursing homes, doctor's offices, and clinics. Because of the efforts and enthusiasm of program manager Hertencia Bowe, RHIA, and instructor Zakevia Green, RHIA, this year our program obtained a contract with a local correctional facility. The management at the correctional facility was excited to hear about our program and took the necessary steps to allow students to intern at Polk Correctional Institution. This turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Gaining Experience and Confidence
During my practicum, I utilized skills that I'd been reading about, such as HIPAA compliance, ICD-9 coding, risk management, release of information, and auditing. My site facilitators explained the institution's policies and procedures, gave me authorization to attend their monthly risk management meetings, and even allowed me to take part in a quarterly records audit.
I enjoyed the ability to gain hands-on experience and put all the skills I'd learned to use. Each time I entered the facility, I wanted to soak up all the information I could by asking questions and requesting more work. Each visit brought with it a rush from wanting more knowledge in such a short time frame.
Efforts Paid Off
While participating in my practicum, a position became available at the correctional institution. I had gained so much knowledge and confidence that I applied for the position of information systems specialist and was recently notified that I was chosen for the position. I am only half way through the HIM program at Polk Community College and I'm excited about working in a nontraditional setting of the HIM profession.
In four seconds, one impression is made, while in 10 seconds, 11 impressions are made. What kind of impressions will you make on employers? This was the theme of the Student Academy at AHIMA's 2006 Convention and Exhibit. The four-hour session was devoted entirely to things students need to know about finding a job, techniques for searching opportunities, tips on successful interviewing, and how to set your resume and cover letter apart from the stack.
A large group of about 80 students listened as a variety of speakers in the human resources and recruiting industries spoke about how best to manage the job search and interview process for new graduates. Many students used the advice they learned at the Student Academy to revise their resumes before they visited the career center on Monday. The career center gave students the opportunity to speak with hiring representatives of more than 25 different companies and organizations.
Valuable Lessons Learned
Below are the speaker's presentations, which contain valuable tips to help you refine your own resume and job search.
The Behavioral Interview presented by Perry Ellie, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, president of HIM Recruiters
Main takeaway—The behavioral interview is a popular technique used by recruiters and human resource hiring staff to learn what type of person they are interviewing. The applicant is asked about a variety of past situations and to explain how the applicant responded. Ellie's presentation guided attendees through the most likely types of questions they would be asked and how to prepare in order to respond well with this type of interview technique.
Working with Large Employers and Vendors presented by Carol Clinedinst, PHR, MBA, and David McCann, CCS
Main takeaway—In this presentation, students learn what most large employers are looking for in the ideal candidate as well as steps they could take to aid you in efforts to be a successful job applicant.
Getting That First Job, presented by Barbara Black, MBA, human resources director at Care Communications, and Gwen Hughes, RHIA, CHP, a Care Communications consultant
Main takeaway—Black went through a list of "to dos" as well as things you should not do if you want a call back. Hughes outlined the aspects of working the HIM network so that a student can find a good contact that will lead to that all-important first job.
Career Paths, presented by Perry Ellie, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, president of HIM Recruiters
Main takeaway—The first step of any search is to find the jobs. Ellie outlined the most popular search engines and how frequently they post HIM type jobs. He urged students to narrow their search by focusing on what they would really like to do as a line of work, and suggested that the very best way to discover your passion might be by attending AHIMA's Convention and Exhibit and sitting in on some of the numerous special interest group presentations. A great place to find HIM jobs is AHIMA's Career Assist.
AHIMA student members have never had so many mentors, from whom they can learn how to navigate the choppy career waters, as they do this year. Making the most of your education is much easier with an experienced person as your guide to help you avoid the squalls and find smooth sailing as you prepare for your HIM future. Bryon Pickard, MBA, RHIA, remains an active mentor even during his upcoming busy year as AHIMA President. "I was fortunate to have excellent role models and mentors pointing me to the many benefits and great importance of networking and active professional association involvement," says Pickard. By taking full advantage of the experience and insight of AHIMA's mentors, you too may achieve similar success.
The Mentor Program is integrated closely with the Student Community of Practice (CoP). Take a moment now to check out the Student CoP for complete details of this valuable program, including mentor biographies, guidance on how to go about getting your own mentor(s), updates on exclusive online mentor chats, and stimulating discussion threads where you can have your questions answered. There are 65 AHIMA Mentors just waiting to hear from you. All you need to do is review their bios and select one by geographical area or type of HIM work setting. Then send them an e-mail. All e-mail addresses are listed in the AHIMA Mentor bio document on the Student CoP.
by Prudence Ashley
Prudence Ashley is a student in the medical transcription program at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. She expects to graduate in the summer of 2007.
When I was in high school and considering my future, I never really thought healthcare was an option. I was always squeamish and didn't even like to look at the illustrations in my health and science textbooks. Now, after attending college and trying different careers, I'm back in school with a completely different perspective.
On the Road to a New Career
I am a driver on the road to an exciting new career in medical transcription. I love participating in classes such as anatomy. I can even look at the textbook photos without shutting my eyes. I enjoy studying and learning everything I can about this new career.
My decision to take this new road came after deciding to be a stay-at-home mom to care for my two children. After they started school, I began volunteering and later working at their school part-time. When one of the teachers went on maternity leave, I stepped in and I've been teaching for more than three years.
A New Path
One day at the gym I ran into another working mother. She mentioned she had more time for her family and herself because of her career in medical transcription. It sounded intriguing and my interest was piqued. I did some background research on medical transcription which led me to Polk Community College and my current path.
I know the road I am currently traveling will allow me to spend more time with my family in the long run. And I've met some wonderful instructors and students along the path, which has made it a great journey.
by Elizabeth Hickson
Elizabeth Hickson is a senior in the HIM program at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. She is the office manager at Advantage Home Health Services in Lakeland, FL.
When you mention the medical field, most people picture a hospital or doctor's office. I also had a limited view of healthcare until I was hired as a part-time office assistant at a home health agency in 2001. From my first day on the job I was in awe of the complex behind-the-scenes activities related to patient care. I decided then that I wanted to make a career for myself in home health.
Turning Over a New Leaf
That same year, I began taking nursing classes at Polk Community College but quickly realized that my heart wasn't in it. While waiting to see an academic advisor, I noticed a brochure about health information management and knew it was for me.
After taking a full-time position as an administrative assistant at the same home health agency, I immediately saw the benefits of my HIM education. In my new position I was able to gain the trust and respect of my coworkers while using the knowledge obtained through my educational and previous work experience. I was recently promoted to office manager, and I believe my educational experience assisted me in securing this position.
The Search for Career Diversity
I want to encourage all HIM students to explore career opportunities outside of traditional settings. There is diversity in every aspect of life and your career should not be an exception. There are many different positions in the work force that are ready to be claimed by knowledgeable and hard-working HIM professionals. I have found my niche and I wish the best to all HIM students.
Below are links to Web sites with helpful information for students interested in contributing to a charity.
As a student, you may feel that you do not have enough experience to volunteer for AHIMA. However, volunteerism is a vital part of the HIM career you are building. Think of volunteering as an interactive course that you can do online or face to face. What are the benefits of volunteering for AHIMA?