Welcome to the first edition of "Z56" - my biweekly newsletter exploring the challenges, opportunities, and delightfully human stories within Health Information Management (HIM).
The title, "Z56," is an incomplete ICD-10-CM code representing "problems related to employment and unemployment."
I chose this title to reflect the struggles that Health Information (HI) professionals face daily as they navigate today's highly competitive job market.
There's plenty to discuss about everything this block of codes is meant to represent in relation to the pressing issues our profession has yet to solve -
-> The need for a consistent educational pipeline that transitions students into newly certified hires.
-> Bad actors who knowingly offer insufficient education or training to aspiring HI professionals at a premium.
-> Inadequate support from HIM credentialing and certifying bodies.
-> Wage equity between U.S.-based and Global Medical Coders (GMCs) as they continue to work to the same productivity and quality standards U.S. coders are held to, but for disproportionately low compensation.
-> The risk-benefit analysis many coders face as they seek to enter the sometimes volatile world of contract coding.
-> AI, and the true dawn of Fully Autonomous Coding (FAC)... enough said, really (but MUCH more on this later).
We find ourselves in an ever-rapidly evolving HIM landscape. The path forward is unclear, muddy, and perhaps even dotted with hazards and frightening moments that we cannot possibly anticipate.
The good news is that we can light each other's way.
It's critical that I - and all of us - play our parts in fostering a supportive community that empowers professionals to thrive in their careers.
Z56 is my love letter to HIM - something tangible I can give back to the field that bore me.
Every other Saturday, I will delve into the latest industry trends, educational resources, and professional development strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve.
But that's not all – I believe in celebrating the individuals who make our field so vibrant and diverse.
In every edition, I will spotlight a remarkable HI professional who is currently #opentowork, showcasing their unique abilities and talents, any transferable skills from other industries, and the passions and ideas that drive them beyond the workplace.
Join me on this journey as we seek to humanize the job hunt, connect with our peers across all corners of our field, and build a stronger, more resilient Health Information Management community together.
#ItsOnUs.
#WeGotThis.
-JD