September 1, 2005
First Coding Specialist Graduate Passes National Certification Exam
Mary E. Holder earns credential from AHIMA
Last fall, Del Mar College began offering its certificate program for Coding
Specialist to Health Information Technology majors through the Department of
Business Technology. This spring, Mary E. Holder became one of the program’s
first graduates. She not only earned her certificate but also an associate in
applied science degree in Health Information Technology.
Recently, the Ingleside resident became the first DMC graduate to pass the national
certification examination for Certified Coding Associates (CCA), which is offered
by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
AHIMA created the entry-level coding credential using job analysis standards
and state-of-the-art test construction to increase the number of qualified new
coders as demand for these professionals grows in the coming years.
“The CCA credential is the latest certification offered by the AHIMA,”
says Karen Williams, assistant professor of Health Information Technology. “The
CCA credential is designed to give people, who are new to the coding profession,
distinction in the marketplace after completing a qualified training program
such as the College’s Health Information Technology degree or Coding Specialist
certificate.”
The 40-hour Coding specialist certificate program mirrors the same types of
courses offered in health information technology. The program is designed to
prepare students’ understanding of medical concepts and terminology as
well as to teach them how to accurately code medical records for hospitals,
physician offices, clinics and other health care providers. Coders analyze medical
records and translate patient diagnostic and procedural information into coded
form, which has a significant impact on health care provider reimbursements,
compliance with state and federal regulations and clinical analysis of patient
outcomes and research.
Of attending Del Mar College, Holder says, “The College’s programs
not only prepared me for national certification, my education gives me advantages
and a better opportunity in finding employment. Currently, I’m working
as a coder in a local radiology office with six other employees, and I am the
only employee in the coding area with certification.”
“Coding Specialists have a thorough comprehension of anatomy and physiology
and disease processes in order to understand patients’ diseases and procedures
to be coded,” adds Williams. “The medical coder must have extensive
knowledge of the content of a patient’s medical record and ethical issues
affecting their health information.”
The field of coding is based on international classification of diseases as
developed by the World Health Organization. Additionally, coding is updated
based upon new diseases, medical technology and new equipment in healthcare
areas.
As for Holder, she now plans to prepare for her registry exam in Health Information
Technology to become a Registered Health Information Technologist.
-DMC-rlr