In an effort to draw attention to the various available careers in healthcare, each month this page will highlight different professions and feature real people who are employed in the healthcare industry.
A Day in the Life of Health Information Technology
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Rhonda M. Bridges, CCS
Lead Coder
NorthShore Regional Medical Center |
Damonique D. Duncan, RHIA
HIM Forms Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish Hospital |
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Marylin Summerville, IT Director/FISO
Lakeview Regional Medical Center |
1. What influenced you to work in HIT?
“I went to visit my aunt at work one day and saw her coding and billing some tickets for her husband's practice. I asked some questions about the process and thought that it might be something I would like to try. I came home and located some continuing education courses and the rest is history!”
Rhonda M. Bridges, CCS, Lead Coder
NorthShore Regional Medical Center
“Healthcare was my interest. However I did not want to be involved directly in patient care. HIM proved for me to be a way to get involved with health policy, process improvement and the overall enhancement of the patient experience.”
Damonique D. Duncan, RHIA, HIM Forms Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
“When I saw how fast technology was growing in the medical field and what it could do for patient care.”
Marylin Summerville, IT Director/FISO
Lakeview Regional Medical Center
2. What do you like most about working in HIT?
“Putting the pieces together. Coding is like putting together a puzzle to get the overall picture. I enjoy immensely the challenges of learning something new. Every day is an adventure. Everyone should enjoy what they do if you are going to do it for 40 + hours per week. I love what I do. This is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
Rhonda M. Bridges, CCS, Lead Coder
NorthShore Regional Medical Center
“I enjoy my work in the STPH HIM department because it provides me the opportunity to progress within the department and organization as a whole. I began outpatient coding and moved to creating the electronic forms for the department. This project allowed me to display my skills in regards to organization, creativity and the ability to work well with diverse colleagues including, nurses, therapists, physicians, pharmacists, etc.”
Damonique D. Duncan, RHIA, HIM Forms Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
“The fast pace that technology is growing and how it can better patient care and make the work load of the staff easier and the way technology can be shared with the physicians’ care of the patient.”
Marylin Summerville, IT Director/FISO
Lakeview Regional Medical Center
3. What do you like least about working in HIT?
“The recognition. Many people think this is just a paper pushing job and that anyone can do it because everyone wants to work from home. Many don't realize that regardless ofthe location where you perform your job, it's still WORK. It is not always apparent the skills that a coder must possess and what the job entails.”
Rhonda M. Bridges, CCS, Lead Coder
NorthShore Regional Medical Center
“The pace at which technology is advancing is certainly a challenge, but I have to say it’s also an opportunity to learn and influence the adoption of new processes and workflows.”
Damonique D. Duncan, RHIA, HIM Forms Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
“Nothing.”
Marylin Summerville, IT Director/FISO
Lakeview Regional Medical Center
4. Please describe the training you received to work in HIT? How long did it take?
“I sought out continuing education courses first to see if this was a field I thought I could be happy in. After taking medical terminologyand Anatomy & Physiology, I found some basic coding classes and progressed to where I am today. It was not a quick process, finding someone to take a chance on you and give you on-the-job-training was difficult and sometimes discouraging, but the payoff was worth it by receiving my credential as anationally Certified Coding Specialist.”
Rhonda M. Bridges, CCS, Lead Coder
NorthShore Regional Medical Center
“I graduated from a four-year college. After I graduated I took a national RHIA certification examination. I trained with the operations manger and an experienced coder for outpatient coding.”
Damonique D. Duncan, RHIA, HIM Forms Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
“Certification of technology platforms, college classes on technology, additional training on system upgrades… about four years to start and then on-going training as needed.”
Marylin Summerville, IT Director/FISO
Lakeview Regional Medical Center
5. What advice do you have for students who are considering working in HIT?
“Education, Education, Education! If you decide that this is what you really want to do, stick with it. Study and train daily. Get your experience and sit for your certification exam through AHIMA or AAPCor both! Be prepared to continue educating yourself as this is an ever changing profession. Technology is advancing every day; that means new procedures are going to require new codes! Think of this as a career not just a paycheck.”
Rhonda M. Bridges, CCS, Lead Coder
NorthShore Regional Medical Center
“Like many (or maybe most) careers, you would do well to start at the bottom and work your way up, but definitely pursue the education first. It is the foundation you will use on your way up. Pay attention to all the topics learned in school no matter how minimal they seem; they actually come in very handy on the job! Do an internship; the experience is invaluable. Ask questions because you may never know if you don’t ask. Be willing to start low while aiming high.”
Damonique D. Duncan, RHIA, HIM Forms Coordinator
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
“If you go into this field it will be fast paced and moving… study hard and be willing to continue to learn new things as you go.”
Marylin Summerville, IT Director/FISO
Lakeview Regional Medical Center
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