My Dirty Little Secret That Became Good News

I have kept this secret during the summer. My so-called "summer getaway" was more like my "summer get ahead". In addition to taking a coding lab at Cypress College, I also reviewed for an exam that most HIM professionals attempt, but find to be intimidating: the CCS Exam (Certified Coding Specialist Exam). I coded 48 charts in a month (both for Outpatient and Inpatient Services), practiced some coding in Rancho with recent discharges, attended a CHIA seminar on Post-Acute Care Coding (for SNFs and IRFs), read numerous literature online and in "The Journal of AHIMA", and used the The Professional Review Guide for the CCS Examination (2009 Edition) by Patricia J. Schnering, RHIA, CCS, Faye Brown's ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook 2009 (published by the Central Office on ICD-9-CM of the AHA), Health Information: Management of a Strategic Resource by Mervat Abdelhak, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA, The Legal Record by Cheryl Servais, MPH, RHIA, and (of course) my 2009 ICD-9-CM and CPT codebooks. Although I knew how to use the 3M Encoder Software, I actually practiced and paced myself using only my codebooks as the CCS Exam would only allow me to use them and not an encoder.

Most HIM professionals and students make too much of a big deal of this exam and any of the AHIMA certification exams. I took Patricia J. Schnering's words to heart when she said, "This is just another test." It is indeed. Throughout my educational and professional life, I have taken many tests (both in paper and in the practical form). I basically treated the CCS Examination as if I were taking an Advanced Placement exam in high school. I knew what it was like to take difficult exams such as this, so it did not overpower me so much. When it came time to take the exam, I just made sure I was composed and took the exam one question at a time.

All those long hours at night in the lab, spending a hot summer day in a conference room for a seminar to learn and network with HIM professionals, and sleepless weekends have paid off. I got my results in the mail this afternoon and was overjoyed. The Score Report from Prometric announced that I have passed the CCS Exam. I do admit that it was a difficult exam, but I my scores ended up being higher than the passing scores.

I kept all of this a secret, even from my co-workers who knew about my excellent reputation as a student and as a professional-in-the-making. They encouraged me to take the exam as the information was fresh in my mind. I told them that I would take it sometime soon, but not exactly when. I did not want to give any spoilers. I look forward to making the big announcement on Monday morning. Here is some intriguing trivia for you regarding the HIM Department in Rancho: I am the youngest person to work there and the youngest to get certified as a CCS. I am "the baby" of the HIM Department so to speak, but I know I have much to learn and experience.

Too many times I have seen those who just got certified consider passing the CCS Exam result in being "the be all and end all" of their career. There is term for this and it is called "career complacency" and it should be avoided at all costs. I know better than that. This is just the start (and a stepping stone) for my career as a HIM professional. My work is not done: I will continue to make the most of my professional practice, help spread the "Gospel of HIM" (inform non-HIM people of the importance of Health Information Management), and obtain my Associate's Degree in Health Information Technology and my Registered Health Information Technician credential (RHIT).

I would like to extend many thanks to my instructors, professional contacts, supervisors, co-workers, friends and family for supporting me in my educational and professional endeavors. My current achievement would not be possible without them.

I have reached a milestone, but there are many that have yet to be reached.