Assurgent Techno

Archive for June, 2011

Once you have completed your medical billing and coding education, it would be wise to get at least one of the certifications available for individuals in this field. Employers love to see certifications because it shows that the person they are considering hiring has at least a basic level of knowledge in the field. Most certifications require you to pass an exam and then either retake the exam or take continuing education courses in order to keep your medical billing and coding certification current.

The majority of the certifications available are administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Sometime, we have to buy a new AC and the price is quiet expensive. But don’t worry, you can apply payday advance Those who have completed a Bachelor’s degree are eligible to test for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification. Those who have completed an Associate’s degree can test for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification.

AHIMA Certification

The most entry level medical billing and coding certification option available from AHIMA is the Certified Coding Associate (CSA) certification. This does not require the coder to have a lot of experience. Once the coder has a bit more experience, they can then try for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based (CCS-P) certification through taking an exam. There is also a CHPS (Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security) credential for those who are more advanced coders.

Board of Medical Specialty Coding Certification

Medical billing and coding certification is are also available from the Board of Medical Specialty Coding. Those with at least two years of coding experience can qualify for the Specialty Coding Professional (SCP) certification, and those with three to five years experience can qualify for the Advanced Coding Specialist (ACS) certification. There is also a Home Care Coding Specialist – Diagnosis (HCS-D) certification available through this organization.

AAPC Certification

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers four different options for medical billing and coding certification as well, depending on the area where you work. You are usually required to have two years work experience, but those without this can get Apprentice Certification status upon passing the required exams for the certifications. The certifications are Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H), Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P), and Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC).

PAHCC Certification

Finally, there is also a Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCC) that offers certifications for those who are involved in specialty coding. The options include Cardiology (CCCS), ENT (CENTCS), Family Practice (CFPCS), Gastroenterology (CGCS), General Surgery (CGSCS), Internal Medicine (CIMCS), Obstetrics & Gynecology (COBGCS), Orthopedics (COCS), Pain Management (CPMCS), Pediatrics (CPEDCS), Podiatry (CPODCS), Pulmonology (CPCS), and Urology (CUCS).

X-ray technicians, also referred to as radiology technicians, are in very high demand in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics all across the United States. If you are considering a career change, or even a first career with great potential, being an x-ray technician is a very safe choice. You would be working directly with patients and physicians on a daily basis to take detailed diagnostic pictures of different parts of the patients’ anatomy. Radiology technicians take orders from doctors, perform diagnostic tests on the patients, and then confer with the physicians again about the findings.

Programs for x-ray technicians range from 1-4 years. One year fast programs are usually for those already in the medical field who wish to focus on a specific area of radiology. Two year programs are the generally accepted rule. After completing the two year program, you will be certified to perform radiology services. The certification will require that you complete regular ongoing training each year in order to remain certified.

Radiology technician jobs are in high demand, and they are projected to increase again by about 15% by 2016 due to the increasing technological advances in the medical field, as well as the baby boomers reaching old age and needing more and more diagnostic services. Being part of the medical field, x-ray technicians are pretty recession proof as well, because there will always be a need for medical and diagnostic care.

You are probably wondering what the possible income is for this type of job. An x-ray technician can expect a salary of $44,900 – $49,500. These figures will vary based on geographical location, experience, and employer, but overall you can see that a radiology technician job pays rather well. The starting salary is rather high.

The first thing you can do is check out some online sites today, such as DegreeFinder to see if the job of radiology technician feels like it might be a good fit for your future. The training is relatively short, and not terribly expensive, and the job prospects are fantastic! Look into it today and perhaps find the job you have been looking for.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems are a far superior method of documentation in radiology services than conventional, paper-based systems. Computer-based technologies for radiology reporting offer a number of practical advantages, including:

o Better report turnaround time
o Collects and stores growing volumes of clinical data
o Results can be instantly communicated
o Creates and issues legible, well-organized radiology reports
o Maintains digital images
o Easy to track patient information like records, reports and images
o Electronic exam processes reduces paper waste
o Enhanced diagnostic accuracy due to computer-based decision-support tools
o Protects data against intrusion and loss

All this is accessible through the most comprehensive web-based service for radiology providers available known as Radiology Services Online that offers medical interpretational reporting on radiology examination.

The key features of this online tool include:
Powerful search: A number of powerful search options facilitate the immediate location of a patient’s records by name, date, time slot and more.
Role-based security: Individuals in the practice can be provided varying levels of access security within the system.
Accessibility: Any-time viewing of radiology images on any PC equipped with Internet Explorer.

Additionally, clinical efficiency is improved due to these unique features:
o Once the images (plain film) are uploaded, the film can be destroyed because the images are preserved in the digital record.
o The system hardware (secure servers) is preserved from loss by operating in two data centers that are located in different places
o No more missing reports or x-rays! The records are maintained on a HIPAA compliant server for 7 years after which they are archived to disc.

Flow of Information:
* The technician after conducting the x-ray scan will upload the images directly to the patient record and automatically forward it to the radiologist for reading.
* The radiologist will access the site and provide his or her observations and findings on the patient record which will get converted into a printable electronic report that will be permanently attached to the patient record.
* Once the report is posted (anywhere from 10 minutes to 6 hours after the exposure is made), the facility will have immediate access to the results on-line.

This pioneering radiology study device addresses the distinctive needs of radiology clinics, while simultaneously meeting their office management and billing software needs. It enables technologists, radiologists and administrative staff to improve their productivity by helping them work smarter and more efficiently. Better patient safety and faster turnaround on patient diagnosis can never be compromised. Radiology Services Online effectively addresses the need for rapid image access, timely information sharing and an overall streamlined work flow.