I work in the field of health information (otherwise known as medical records) but I own my own business now. I specialize in electronic medical record systems, management consulting, and cancer registry, which has to do with data collection, abstracting and encoding medical data for cancer research. So, desk jobs, no direct patient care. Consequently, I do not have to be immunized for things like hepatitis like nurses do, though I do have to have a TB test annually.
Not many people are very familiar with the HIM (health info management) field, nor with the cancer registry, but it's a great little niche for people with the right skills. And there is LOTS of work out there. And I work from home a lot of the time, as do many of the people who work for me. I'm really glad I chose this field, even though it was just a lucky whim. I just wanted to be done with college so I pretty much threw a dartboard at a list of majors--well, not that random, but not super well-thought-out either.
My dad was a doctor and all my cousins are doctors. I did NOT want to go to school for umpteen years though. I love my job(s) now!
Anyway, if you ever want more info, just holler. I know not everyone is cut out for long hours in front of a computer though. :-)
I have heard alot of medical billing, but is it the same? The way you described your job seems alot more involved than medical billing (involved = good). I want a job that challenges me, but nothing horribly stressful either.
Oh, and I hope to one day be so lucky to work at a computer all day!! lol That is, other than when I did telephone retention sales. *cringe*
There are many levels of medical billing, from billing for physician offices (typically people with minimal training) to what's called medical record coding (assigning a complex series of codes and groups to an inpatient medical record) that requires special certification and training, at least a 2-year degree. Coders are a subset of the field of health info management (what my degree is in, though there are 2-year and 4-year options) and cancer registrars are another subset. Medical coding is quite involved, yes, and in my opinion cancer registry is even more involved. To me, involved=fun, so that's why I landed in this niche.
Stress levels in HIM vary according to the position. It's a pretty broad field and there are many ways to make a living in it. But the typical path is to work in a hospital Medical Records department, often as a medical coder. I think that coding is a relatively high stress position because it's in the revenue stream, so Finance is always crawling up your ass because the multimillion dollar bills can't be sent out until the coding is done. I personally was the director of a medical records department in a major multi-hospital complex and the stress was outrageous. But starting my own business and being involved in the cancer registry sector has been quite low stress. There are deadlines, but you're generally working independently and since it's highly specialized you're also an autonomous expert most of the time. It's very detailed work and requires the use of independent judgment which can be stressful for some. Also, consulting (some of what I do) is inherently stressful because of the responsibility, but contract work is pretty low stress overall.
Essential skills required for cancer registry work include: Brains, attention to extreme detail, affinity for clinical knowledge, good judgment, strong analytical skills, self-directedness (as an independent contractor, you don't get paid unless you can make yourself work), flexibility in terms of learning new rules and constant software changes... Fast reading/scanning and fast typing ability helps you make more money as an independent contractor, though they're not as crucial for an inhouse, salaried employee.
Not many people are very familiar with the HIM (health info management) field, nor with the cancer registry, but it's a great little niche for people with the right skills. And there is LOTS of work out there. And I work from home a lot of the time, as do many of the people who work for me. I'm really glad I chose this field, even though it was just a lucky whim. I just wanted to be done with college so I pretty much threw a dartboard at a list of majors--well, not that random, but not super well-thought-out either.
My dad was a doctor and all my cousins are doctors. I did NOT want to go to school for umpteen years though. I love my job(s) now!
Anyway, if you ever want more info, just holler. I know not everyone is cut out for long hours in front of a computer though. :-)
Reply
Oh, and I hope to one day be so lucky to work at a computer all day!! lol That is, other than when I did telephone retention sales. *cringe*
Reply
There are many levels of medical billing, from billing for physician offices (typically people with minimal training) to what's called medical record coding (assigning a complex series of codes and groups to an inpatient medical record) that requires special certification and training, at least a 2-year degree. Coders are a subset of the field of health info management (what my degree is in, though there are 2-year and 4-year options) and cancer registrars are another subset. Medical coding is quite involved, yes, and in my opinion cancer registry is even more involved. To me, involved=fun, so that's why I landed in this niche.
Stress levels in HIM vary according to the position. It's a pretty broad field and there are many ways to make a living in it. But the typical path is to work in a hospital Medical Records department, often as a medical coder. I think that coding is a relatively high stress position because it's in the revenue stream, so Finance is always crawling up your ass because the multimillion dollar bills can't be sent out until the coding is done. I personally was the director of a medical records department in a major multi-hospital complex and the stress was outrageous. But starting my own business and being involved in the cancer registry sector has been quite low stress. There are deadlines, but you're generally working independently and since it's highly specialized you're also an autonomous expert most of the time. It's very detailed work and requires the use of independent judgment which can be stressful for some. Also, consulting (some of what I do) is inherently stressful because of the responsibility, but contract work is pretty low stress overall.
Essential skills required for cancer registry work include: Brains, attention to extreme detail, affinity for clinical knowledge, good judgment, strong analytical skills, self-directedness (as an independent contractor, you don't get paid unless you can make yourself work), flexibility in terms of learning new rules and constant software changes... Fast reading/scanning and fast typing ability helps you make more money as an independent contractor, though they're not as crucial for an inhouse, salaried employee.
Want some links?
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment