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AIHMA / Atlanta 2013 - Kindred Spirit

Posted: Oct 21, 2013

I was at MModal's website and saw that the AIHMA convention is actually going to be in Atlanta next week. I live in Atlanta and was wondering if anyone has ever been to one of these conventions?

It looks like it mostly pertains to coding and upper management, but several companies are going to have booths there. They have a 1-day hall expo pass for $75. I'm just wondering if it might be worth my while to go. I thought it might be worthwhile just to get a "feel" for the coding environment and maybe talk to one of the coding schools who will have a booth there. I also mostly want to pass out my resume and mingle at some of the MT booths. I know this is not a job fair but it might be fun to actually meet some of the people behind these companies I see us talk about here every day. MModal, Landmark, Amphion, and a few others are going to be there.

I just wonder if it would help me land a job.

Great place - been there

[ In Reply To ..]
for networking! Go! You never know what you might find!

Thanks! sm - Kindred Spirit

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for the great advice! I used to love networking but have been in this office way too long! Time to get out and see what's out there! Maybe at the very least this will rejuvenate my passion for the business! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

My input.... - Atlantan too

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been to AHIMA conventions in the past several times when I worked for another MT company and went to represent them. I can tell you that a lot of job networking goes on at the convention and I'm also thinking of paying the $75 to go meet/greet. The convention, as you indicated, is geared more towards coding but many MT companies do attend. Don't expect to talk to anyone from HR as it's usually the sales and/or implementations people that attend these conventions, but you can meet people to ask to pass on your resume with.

It sounds like fun... - but

[ In Reply To ..]
I would really have to think long and hard about spending 75 bucks just to meet and mingle. There would at least have to be some kind of food there for me!

I concur! sm - Kindred Spirit

[ In Reply To ..]
This is true! At least feed a struggling MT! I'll have to make sure to take freezer bags for some treats for the kids! Maybe I can take my last paycheck stub and get in on a sliding-scale fee! :) I should wear black slacks and a white shirt and try to sneak in as one of the caterers! The $75 is steep, for real though, for someone just window shopping.

AHIMA - American Health Info Mgmt Assoc

[ In Reply To ..]

AHIMA convention - Adjust your expectations

[ In Reply To ..]
I think you should go, but not for the reasons you think.

Going with the expectation of getting your resume networked into an MTSO is not reasonable. The companies there will be focusing on transcription contracts and front-end SR. It is not a job forum for MTs.

Going with the expectation of talking to "coding schools" is not reasonable. Of the list of education providers, those dealing with coding are there for ICD-10 training and CEUs, primarily. They are not there to recruit students. There are two reasons for this. First, not one attendee at that convention would need to learn coding. They already learned it. Second, they would not be interested in learnig it at a "coding school" because they are AHIMA. The only programs acceptable to them are offered by colleges and universities. The only universities there are promoting graduate degrees, law degrees, and RHIA programs.

Here is what you CAN get from this exhibit...a high-level look at what coding really is and where you can go from there. You will see that what we have been recommending here is justified...that you need to get out of MT and into a program that will enable you to move from coding into clinical documentation improvement and/or informatics.

You can get a very good idea of that just from looking at the list of educational tracks on the conference website. Look at the topics. You canclearly see where you need to go with this.

If you are going with the hope of getting another MT typing job, you will waste your money. Even if you do get a job, you will be doing yourself a disservice. That is chasing a train that already left the station on its last run to the salvage yard.

If you attend this, do so with the intention of finding the train that is going somewhere and has a future.

Coders, RHIAs, and other health information professionals have been telling the board this for more than a year. If you can't believe them, maybe it is worth $75 to see it for yourself.

I posted a link to the exhibitor list. Click on the exhibitor name to see what they will be presenting at their booth.

Love your post - My perspective

[ In Reply To ..]
I think that is one of the most informative, well-written posts that I have read in a long time. In looking over the vendor list, though, I do see that Career Step is going to be represented. Having dealt with them in the past, I guarantee that they will be there to recruit students for their program. I also saw a couple of MTSOs on the list. It's been years for me, but I attended one AHIMA convention (it was called AMRA then so that tells you how long it has been). I remember the vendors but I also remember attending a couple of the presentations (CEUs for members). I was an MT then on the fringe of medical records and don't remember taking a lot away with me simply because of my role in health care documentation. However, I do think it's a good opportunity for anyone thinking about entering coding or clinical documentation to listen, observe and network to find out if this is something they are interested in pursuing before enrolling in a program. Also, watch the look on people's faces when you tell them you are an MT; that itself should be worth $75.

Not quite the way you think - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You mentioned that CS will be there to recruit students. It won't be quite the way you think. They do not teach anything an AHIMA member needs to learn--all of them know it already. They will be there because they are big donors to AHIMA, platinum or something, which they began when they applied to have their coding course approved. What they will be selling is their online course technology. A college can make what is basically overhead-free money by offering their MT and coding courses, and whatever else they have now from billing to office management. Everything is online, no instructors required, no hassle for the college. Just sign 'em up and let the money roll in.

Wow, thank you. sm - Kindred Spirit

[ In Reply To ..]
I completely agree with everything you said. I definitely need to adjust my expectations. Your thought-provoking entry is just the wake-up call I need. Thanks for the pep talk.

Yes, it is definitely time to "find the train that is going somewhere and has a future."

Thank you.

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