Credentialing: - Association for Healthcare Documentation

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Language of Medicine, Understanding Pharmacology, Human Diseases, lab and diagnostic disease guides, as well as the Book of Style, 2nd Edition, for anyone who didn’t already have one. Several of the MTs purchased the Book of Style Student Workbook on their own a few weeks into the study group. Nemours also offered to reimburse the MTs for the test fee when they successfully passed. The MTs were required to take and pass the test within one year from the beginning of the study group. Nemours offered a 2% base pay increase for anyone who successfully passed the test. They also offered the group meeting space at the clinic every two weeks for two hours in an available conference room. This offered the MTs a familiar setting that cost them nothing. The agreement also stated that if anyone dropped out of the group after the books had been purchased for them by the clinic, the MT who dropped out would have to reimburse the clinic for the cost of the books. Nemours employed 10 MTs at that time; one was already a CMT and a GJC member. She agreed to lead the Nemours study group. Out of the remaining nine MTs, eight took on the challenge and began the study group. Of those eight, one dropped out of the program after several weeks. Of the remaining seven, five MTs passed the exam on their first try and the other two passed on their second attempt. Pretty good success rate! Oh, one more thing—another bonus for the MTs was that for every employee who successfully passed the test, Nemours paid for their first year’s dues for both AHDI national and for GJC. Pretty sweet deal! News of the Nemours study group got out fast. Several MTs from the chapter who were interested in continuing to study for the exam with a buddy asked if they could join the Nemours group. The Nemours MTs were happy to oblige. Nemours administration was very willing to accommodate more participants, but did not purchase materials for anyone other than their employees. As word got out about the success of the Nemours study group and we acknowledged the new CMTs in our chapter newsletter and at chapter meetings, more MTs became interested in pursuing certification. Another big event for our chapter started the next round of participation. In January 2009, we were privileged to have Peter Preziosi, PhD, CAE; Lea Sims, CMT, AHDI-F; and Victoria Davis, the transcription manager for Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, speak at our January chapter meeting, which was held in an open panel discussion format. I had recently started a new management job with Baptist Health, a five-hospital healthcare system in Jacksonville, earlier that month. We had a fantastic turnout that day, with many MTs who had never been to a chapter meeting and who came to see what we were all about and to hear from the “big guy” himself. Once again, the importance of credentialing in our profession was discussed by Lea and Peter. This time around, we had even more interest in starting study groups from multiple MTs. Mayo Clinic MTs were particularly vocal and decided It’s not all about “what’s in it for me” with this group of MTs. to take the plunge. They started three different study groups among their MT workforce. Rose Hayden, CMT, our 2007–2008 chapter president, works for Mayo, and she participated in one of these groups. As Mayo was not able to provide the study materials as Nemours had done, many of the Nemours MTs offered to loan out their study materials to the Mayo MTs to help them achieve their goals. Out of approximately 75 MTs at Mayo, about 20 started in one of three study groups. Five left the groups, leaving 15 active remaining in the study groups. Of those 15, so far six have successfully passed their exam. The remaining nine are still studying and preparing for their turn at success. One thing to mention about Mayo Clinic is that while they do reimburse the cost of the exam when it is successfully completed, they do not offer any pay increase for the CMT credential. I mention this only because even though these MTs aren’t getting more “money” for their credential, they wanted to achieve this goal for themselves. We say, “Good for them!” It’s not all about “what’s in it for me” with this group of MTs. Both groups followed the AHDI recommended format of covering assigned chapters ahead of time, covering usually two chapters at each group meeting, taking journal quizzes during the meetings, going over the Mega MT Challenge questions as a group, and other group activities. But, what is important to remember is that the bulk of the studying was done at the initiative of each individual MT. They felt a responsibility to their study group leader and each other to come prepared to the meetings. They didn’t want to let each other down. Some finished early, as they studied ahead (and wanted to get it over with!), while others needed more time to prepare before they felt ready to take the test successfully. 30 noVemBeR 2009 www.aHDIonlIne.oRg
One thing that was said to me was this—those who came to every meeting were the ones who were the most successful. These individuals are the future mentors for our other chapter members. In all, in the last two years, the Greater Jacksonville Chapter is proud to say that we have helped 13 MTs achieve their goal of becoming a Certified Medical Transcriptionist. With many more on the way! Besides organized study groups, GJC has also had in place for quite some time a mentoring program that we call Pass The Torch. This is for individuals who want to study on their own with a mentor or as part of an existing study group. We offer this program to any MT, whether they are a chapter member or not. We offer the opportunity to check out study materials we have acquired over time, as mentioned previously. We do charge a nominal fee of members and nonmembers to check out materials. Now that I am in a managerial role with a large hospital system, I have made it one of my goals to encourage all of my MTs to become certified. I have been working diligently with my HIM director, who has agreed to help me achieve this goal. My director also attended that January meeting and was very impressed with what was said there. We recently purchased the Book of Style, 3rd edition, for each of my 25 MTs. I have also received approval to purchase 10 CMT Review Guides, which are on their way to us now to get us started with the first group. At my next transcription meeting, I plan to get a study group organized and in place with my MTs. I’m following the GJC format and plan to be the leader for our study group. So far, 10 people have stated they are willing to move forward and take the next step in their professional career. My MTs are very excited at changes I am slowly implementing and the encouragement I am giving them, and my director is as well. We are working on a monetary compensation package for those who pass the exam, and we have already gotten approval for reimbursement of exam costs after successful completion of the test. It’s a very exciting time at Baptist right now for my team, as they have never had this kind of encouragement for their field. While I know most of my article has talked about CMT exam prep, we have not yet had the opportunity to set up RMT study groups. That may be changing in the near future. At our last chapter meeting, we had a very large group of students from a local college transcription study program. They were extremely interested in what we as a chapter have to offer them, and I’ve had some communication with the teacher of that program about preparing for the RMT and CMT exams. I have a feeling we’ll be helping to get yet another study group started up in the very near future. In conclusion, I believe the success of the Greater Jacksonville Chapter’s CMT study group initiative is directly tied to the personal involvement of chapter members speaking to other MTs and healthcare professionals in the community and stressing the importance of credentialing in our field, our willingness to take on the challenge to mentor and lead these groups, and the encouragement we give before, during, and after. We are excited to continue to bring new credentialed members to our transcription community. P Sherry Martin, CMt, is the transcription manager for Baptist Health, a 1000-bed, 5-hospital healthcare system in Jacksonville, Florida. She is the 2009 president of the Greater Jacksonville Chapter of AHDI. Sherry has been in the medical transcription industry for over 21 years and has been a certified medical transcriptionist since 2002. Volume 5 • Issue 6 noVemBeR 2009 31
Page 1: Credentialing: It’s About the “
Page 4: CONTENTS 1 Editorial Lea M. Sims, C
Page 8 and 9: The Book You Reach for Most The Boo
Page 10 and 11: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE that health c
Page 13 and 14: STUDENT SCENE Attention Students of
Page 15 and 16: CERTIFICATION While transcriptionis
Page 17 and 18: How do you select a mechanic when y
Page 19 and 20: Another key ingredient is FUN! Yes,
Page 21 and 22: Professional credentials like the R
Page 23 and 24: available for practicing transcript
Page 25 and 26: AHDI Hall of Fame AHDI has started
Page 27 and 28: fOllOW mE tO aHDi ON faCEbOOk! We a
Page 29 and 30: EvENtS November 7 Charlotte, North
Page 31: Component Spotlight Navigating a Pa
Page 35 and 36: 17. Which physician would most like
Page 37 and 38: mAnuFAcTurer Source DoSe inFormATio
Page 39 and 40: 19. Answer D. Video-Assisted Thorac
Page 41 and 42: creams and believe they work. • Y
Page 43 and 44: 2009 INDEX OF ARTICLES EDITORIAL An
Page 45 and 46: GA ME IL NC NY NJ MN GUIDE OK EMPLO

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