A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

RHIT or RHIM can transcriptionist get there or do we have to start from - square 1

Posted: Aug 17, 2012

I'm trying to even just get HIM classes at my community college and even though I have a bachelors degree in education, then "back then - 14 years ago" when I was going from teaching music to medical transcrtiption they only had me take 3 classes and I got hired right away as a transcriptionist - I have since then transcribed for 13 years from home -- now think maybe I better go RHIT or RHIM and my local community college is saying I have to start from square 1 and go for an associates in HIM (which means 72 credit hours).. seriously? If I work full time (I have to financially) and so can only take maybe 6 hours a semester it will take 6 years to get a HIM associates degree --

Does anybody have any suggestions to speed this process along -- I see ads for getting your HIM in 6 months -- I might need to look into those??

unfortunately, - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
yes, you need to take all the core courses for HIM. I just finished an AS HIT program and at the beginning I thought I could challenge most classes based on 20+ transcription years. There is much, much more to learn in HIM than terminology, A&P and grammar. You will learn about rules, regulations, coding, etc. It is actually quite interesting.

That said, perhaps you can get credit for your prior degree/General Education?

In fact, because you already have a degree, why not just shoot for a BS/RHIA instead? There are several good programs for that. Look at Western Governors University for one. They seem to have a good program. If you want to go more toward electronic medical records and informatics, look into a degree in that.

Good luck in your studies.

thanks - looking forward to the studies

[ In Reply To ..]
really -- but want to be marketable in a reasonable amount of time! :-) So much to think about!

so - I don't have to do coding and then - transition from that

[ In Reply To ..]
to HIM? Just need to get all my ducks in a row to be efficient for this!

coding - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
If I understand your question, no, coding is separate from HIM, but usually done in the same department. Coders generally make more than HIM techs. But coding is hard to break into without experience.

I also just finished the coding program at Santa Barbara City College. Next I'm going for the CTR (Cancer Tumor Registrar) degree.

Did you get your CCS after you finished the coding program? - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

I'm finishing it this semester - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Then I plan to study for and take the RHIT and CCS, while continuing on with the CTR degree and certificate. Unless I bite the bullet and sign on for a BS degree in informatics instead.

No, you do not have to do coding to transition - But coding is part of HIM

[ In Reply To ..]
1. If you have a bachelor's from a regionally accredited university (not a diploma mill), you do not need to do an HIT program at all. You only need a postbaccalaureate certificate. Few universities offer those and at some they are ridiculously long. Your best bet for that is the University of Toledo at about 1 year with reasonable tuition.

2. If you do not have a bachelor's, you need to consider Western Governor's University. It offers an informatics program that is in high demand. Cost is almost ridiculously inexpensive. It provides very useful computer certifications along with it.

3. Coding is taught in college HIT and HIA programs. Usually not very well. Many take a coding program known to be good, then get a job and work while doing an RHIA program.

4. If you have a BA oor BS, do not believe advice given by community colllege RHIT programs. They often do not know about postbaccalaureate certificates. Do not believe that those programs lead to management, either. Most graduates do not ever end up in management. It is a tech worker degree, not a professional degree.

5. Do not assume it is best to do a local RHIT then a distance RHIA. RHIT programs can take 3 years full-time. Some of that or a lot of it may not transfer. Some RHIA programs may take 2.5 to 3 years for the junior and senior years. You can end up in school for 6 years doing a 4-year degree. WGU would be much better with the whole program taking 2.5 years, possibly.

5. Look at the failure rates on the RHIT and RHIA. It is shockingly high. That is how well colleges prepare graduates. WGU graduates have a 100% pass rate.

6. If you must do an RHIT, try the online one at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico. It teaches exactly the same thing all the oters do, but it is very low-cost.

7. Avoid for-profits like the University of Cincinnati, Rasmussen, Phoenix, and so forth. You do not want to owe tens of thousands at graduation.

something else to think about - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
AN AS HIM degree will qualify you for a job in the dept with a fairly low salary to begin with. If you shoot for an RHIA, which is Registered Health Information Admin, you will be heading for management.
The caveat is those jobs are hard to get before climbing the ladder.

I also have wondered if a management career - is worth the stress?

[ In Reply To ..]
When I worked in-house at a hospital as an MT, I used to see the 4 managers our department had and think, "Wow, I see them have time to be on the phone with their kids, chatting in the halls, attending meetings, going to lunches, sitting at their desks typing e-mails, sharing a friendly joke with a coworker...and they're making the big bucks while we pound the keyboard and work our heads off!"

But, truthfully, I'm not really sure, especially at my age (late 50s), if I'd WANT to take on all the extra stress that actually comes with being in management....having to deal with employee disciplinary matters, answering to Administration on budgetary concerns, having to fire people, etc.

I don't know--maybe it would still beat pounding a keyboard all day, but there is a whole different kind of stress to think about dealing with if you work in a management position. Some of us are cut out for it; some aren't.

exactly - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
That's why I'm foregoing the RHIA and concentrating my studies to stay somehow involved in medicine. I should have went to nursing school after I got my MA 25 years ago!!

I think there are other jobs for RHIA - other than mgmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I think I read that on the coding board, that there are other types of jobs for RHIA's than mgmt. I also have a degree and will be working towards RHIA in the future, but now am working on coding and CCS. Try asking on the coding board or looking through the archives. I am certainly not cut out for mgmt either, would never do it, but if the credential gets me into better-paying, more interesting jobs, I will go for it.

sure - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
It prepares you for a variety of upper-level jobs, but it is marketed as a degree for HIM management.

I'm a RHIT with a good salary - Sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I started out as an MT, went back to school and have been a RHIT for two years. I networked and marketed myself to death to get my first job. Two years later I am making 55k a year as an HIM analyst. Great job, great benefits, great stability.

That's great! - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm hoping to do the same thing. When I did my HIM internship recently, they tried to get me to come in to do ROI or analyst but the pay was so low I decided to wait until I finished my degree and tested for the RHIT before applying for any jobs. What really appealed to me was the RAC process.

What is the RAC process? - Curious

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Here is an explanation - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC)

The RAC Programâ��s purpose is to reduce improper Medicare payments and implement actions to prevent future improper payments. Section 306 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) required CMS to complete a three-year demonstration program to determine whether RAC use is a cost-effective means of identifying and correcting Medicare overpayments and underpayments in the Medicare Fee-For-Service Program.

In March 2005, this demonstration program started in California, Florida, and New Yorkâ��the largest states in terms of Medicare utilization. In 2007, the demonstration program was expanded to Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Arizona.

In March 2008, the RAC demonstration program ended with more than $1.03 billion recovered from improper payments. Approximately 96 percent of the improper payments were overpayments collected from providers and the remaining four percent were underpayments paid to providers. The majority of the overpayments (85 percent) were collected from inpatient hospital providers; 6 percent were collected from Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs); and 4 percent were collected from outpatient hospital providers.

The permanent RAC program requires the Secretary of HHS to expand the program to all 50 states no later than 2010. Read more about RAC on the CMS Web site.

Interesting, but how will that lead to a job? - Curious

[ In Reply To ..]
RAC contractors use experienced coders, I am pretty sure, so I don't see a job for a new graduate.

About internships and job offers - The view from the other side

[ In Reply To ..]
As someone who deals with interns from a facility standpoint, I can tell you that a job offer in ROI or analysis is very good. Regardless of the pay, that is where people start in HIM. They are not expected to stay there.

Those positions give you the background you need for coding and privacy. You may think you learned it all in your course, but that facility does not believe it. They think you need that experience and they gave you an opportunity to get it.

I am not sure what positions you think you will be qualified for with an RHIT and no experience. At most facilities I know, it is ROI and analysis. We do not offer those positions to every intern. They felt they gave you a valuable opportunity.

If you can get that job offer back, I would recommend it, even if you have to work 2 jobs for a time.

You no longer have to graduate to take the RHIT exam so avoid unnecessary delay. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to ever take it.

You have not seen my resume so - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I won't take offense to what you said. Actually, I do have coding experience, and I've owned and managed a transcription service for 24 years. I take pride in my experience and education. Having recently lost my large client to voice recognition and being asked to stay on and edit for 15% of what I used to invoice, I am not inclined to sell myself short for ANYONE. I will finish my program of study, and probably keep going for a bachelors. And when I do start applying for jobs, I will have all of my credentials in order.

IMHO selling ourselves short and doing more work for less pay is what began of our beloved medical transcription industry. It has to stop somewhere.

RAC - Moving to HIM

[ In Reply To ..]
RAC is what I'd like to do also. Out RHIT program is 2 years here with an associates. Not only do I have to start at square 1 but my certificate in medical transcription is so old (20 years) they won't accept it and I have to take the transcription part also..easy A!

Suggestion - Coding Auditor

[ In Reply To ..]
I am not sure what everyone is thinking RAC is or why the sudden interest in it. It is just auditing.

It is also something that is out of your reach now and for many years. Considerable experience in coding is required to get a job auditing coders. Think about it . . . who woulld employ you to check the work of experienced, credentialed coders unless you were a better coder than they are?

I think you would do better to focus on a more attainable goal.

Also, I want to point out that it is not necessary to do an HIT degree to code. You only need a coding program. If you are dead set on auditing inpatient coding, be aware that you will need a CCS. HIT programs and coding programs affiliated with them onl prepare you for the CCA.

If you do want to do an HIT degree, that is fine, but be aware you do not have to do it at "your" RHIT program, especially considering that it appears to be offering outdated material. Transcription has not been required in those programs for at least a decade. If it is still teaching that, the rest of the program is likely to be poor--I do not know when they would teach the material that replaced transcription.

An easy A, perhaps, but it is not worth it if you end up failing the RHIT exam because more necessary material was not covered. The failure rate on that exam is very high. There is no room for missing something.

You should find a more modern program.

RHIA - RHIA

[ In Reply To ..]
The RHIA does not require "management." The A is for administration, which is not necessarily supervision or management. There are many mid-level and high-up RHIAs who do not supervise. We work in coding, compliance and documentation improvement, as privacy officers, in informatics with electronic records, and in various data-related areas like data mining, data analysis, etc.

Look at the credentials listed on the AHIMA website to get an idea of what we do. Check their salary survey to see educational and job breakdowns and salary expectations.

In the last few years, it has become possible for those with a bachelor's degree to do an RHIA by completing a postbaccalaureate certificate in health information administration.

The quickest and most reasonably priced one seems to be the University of Toledo. It's about a year. Online students get in-state rates. That's where I did mine.

Another excellent option if you're interested in informatics, is Western Governor's University. It is AHIMA-accredited and leads to the RHIA, as well as providing a CCA and a bunch of computer certifications (highly desirable!). They are VERY reasonable, especially considering that you are not locked into semester classes. Tuition is a flat rate based on time, not classes, and you complete as much in that time as you are able.

Neither of those schools is a for-profit, so that's good. I recommend that you check out both. Compare the cost and time. For UT, be sure to consider all the fees and books. You will want to speak to an admissions counselor from WGU and get an estimate of what they will accept in transfer, but even if they do not accept much, it's not a problem because your knowledge will enable you to complete the matching coursework much faster. (I think they have students doing a full BA in 2.5 years--many of them are highly motivated.)

You'll do well in this with your background, so forge ahead! This IS a good career field. In fact, it is exceptional.

Look on www.usajobs.gov to see jobs in classification 669 (medical record administrative specialist)to get an idea of what is available with the federal government. There is a lot of variety.

pardon me - transitioning MT

[ In Reply To ..]
But I was saying the same thing with fewer words. I was simply saying that it would be harder to get into an upper level mgmt job with an RHIT/AS. Whereas an RHIA with related experience would provide more opportunities. I did not just spend the last two years studying this stuff for nothing.

PS. DO you work for Governors University? Because those guys are relentless once they get your name, number or email address.

My post was not in response to yours (???) - RHIA

[ In Reply To ..]
My apologies if you were offended, but it was unintentional. It appears that there has been some confusion regarding which post responds to which. I responded to the OP, not to "transitioning MT."

No, I do not work for Western Governors University. I just think they are the best HIA bargain out there, so I made a point of finding out about them in order to help transitioning MTs with that information.

Their persistence is an effort to facilitate the enrollment process so that prospective students get the information they need and are able to start as soon as they would like. If you are not interested and want them to stop, simply tell them so. They will not call or email without your permission.

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