Medical Coding students get first-hand look at Health Information Management field

CARTERVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 20, 2013) - Ten Rend Lake College Medical Coding students got up close and personal with their field of choice last week by attending the Southern Illinois Health Information Management Association (SILHIMA) Educational Session and Business Meeting.

During the meeting, the students were able to listen to several guest speakers and field professionals said Lora Phillips, RLC Medical Coding instructor, while attending the meeting at John A. Logan.

“RLC students were able to network with other individuals in the Health Information field during the meeting,” said Phillips. “The guest speakers talked about a variety of important subjects. For instance, one guest speaker presented information on the Affordable Care Act to help keep our students up to date on the current insurance changes taking place. At the meeting they asked questions and were able to showcase their knowledge on the subject matter.”

Ten RLC students learned a variety of different aspects in the Medical Coding health care field last week during the SILHIMA meeting. Pictured is, FRONT FROM LEFT, Emily Czuprynski of Benton, Rachel Webb of Macedonia, Kendra Horn of Sesser, and Krystal Saul of Christopher; BACK FROM LEFT, Vanessa Murray of Benton, Valerie Henderson of McLeansboro, Amanda Birkner of McLeansboro, Veronica Reed of Sesser, Isabelle Hoben of Mt. Vernon, April Miles of Benton, and RLC Medical Coding Instructor Lora Phillips. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Two students, Isabelle Hoben of Mt. Vernon and Vanessa Murray of Benton, said speakers Kimberly Baer, Accreditation Compliance Coordinator for Southern Illinois Healthcare and Martha Peebles, columnist for the County Journal and Southern Illinoisan newspapers and the Medical Assistant Program Coordinator at John A. Logan, were two speakers who stood out during the meeting.

“Kim Baer was one of the best speakers we had. She oversees the Herrin Hospital and she was a very effective speaker. She went into detail about how the hospital works and the things we need to know,” said Murray.

Hoben added, “Baer was very knowledgeable about how the inspectors work and all the rules and regulations. We had another speaker, Martha Peebles, who was a humorist columnist and she was a very interesting speaker.”

Overall, the medical coding students felt the meeting was well worth their time to attend.

“There was a broad spectrum of people there to talk about the different things you can go into in the Medical Coding field,” said Hoben.

Murray, who received a business card from a potential employer, added the networking options were a big plus.

“I really liked the meeting and I think it is a good program for continuing education. It was neat to see and interview the people there. It was exciting for us,” said Murray.

Phillips also said the lessons the students bring back help them understand hospital accreditation and compliance; skills they will need when they perform internships at several local hospitals in January.

“Students learned about hospital accreditation and compliance too. The guest speakers presented information on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission,” said Phillips. “Students learned the importance of quality in patient care, how everyone’s job in the hospital impacts patient care, and how high the standards have been set for hospitals to become accredited.”

Other attendees to the meeting include Amanda Birkner of McLeansboro, Emily Czuprynski of Benton, Valerie Henderson of McLeansboro, Kendra Horn of Sesser, April Miles of Benton, Veronica Reed of Sesser, Krystal Saul of Christopher and Rachel Webb of Macedonia.

For more information on the Medical Coding field contact the Allied Health Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251 or send an e-mail to ah_info@rlc.edu.