Ask HIM: How do you find a job in HIM with no experience even though you're a RHIA?

Question from @butterfly7

How do you find a job in HIM with no experience even though you're a RHIA?

Answer from Marie Janes, MEd, RHIA, FAHIMA: Your RHIA validates the fact that you are in control of your career plan. Never give up. Perform a self-evaluation and be prepared to share your story online or in person. You will want to identify your transferable skills gleaned you’re your past employment history, volunteerism, and relevant coursework completed during your college education. You know you have what it takes—you just have to convince them!

Follow-up on Transferable Skills:

Whether or not you have actually worked in the field--use your abilities to position yourself in a good light. Here are some topic areas and associated skills (including examples of each):

• Microsoft Office desktop applications
• Identify your competency using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access and and/or Publisher)
• Rate your proficiency as Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Level
   
• Written and oral communications 
• Identify types of reports (text) and  spreadsheets (numerical) 
• Identify professional business correspondence
• Letters, memos, emails, etc.
  
  
• Familiarity with social media 
• Expertise in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc.
   
• Management techniques 
• Organizing, planning, scheduling, initiating projects, etc. 
• Utilized for home, office, projects, time, etc.
  
  
• Information technology 
• Proficient in use of Windows and Mac operating systems 
• Performed work with specialized software applications, downloading files, computer backup, etc.
  
  
• Coding and Classification Systems 
• Competency with ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT/HCPCS, ICD-9-CM 
• Skilled in manual coding and use of encoder (i.e., 3M, QuadraMed, other?)
  
  
• Customer service 
• Responsible for answering phones, conflict resolution, follow-up, etc.
   
• Health Information Management 
• Knowledge and use of abstracting, analysis, release of information, etc.
• Familiar with HIPAA
   
• Billing 
• Engaged in acute and/or ambulatory care revenue cycle and reimbursement processes 
• Performed auditing (specify type)

Be steadfast in your application process and stay positive. Display professionalism and demonstrate your credible knowledge of HIM and the health care industry. Good luck and don’t forget to send a “Thank You” note following interviews.

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