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I need two replies answered 450 words each
Jacob RussellThursdayAug 10 at 9:20pm
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While browsing organizations responsible for supporting healthcare administrators and overseeing services for direct care facilities, I found quite a few inside of our textbook that stood out to me. The first was the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the second was the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and the third was Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) (Buchbinder & Thompson, 2010).
Starting with the first organization, ACHE is a professional society for healthcare leaders at all stages of their career path, with outreach programs to undergraduate students as well. The college conducts its own research on the healthcare industry as a whole (American College of Healthcare Executives, 2020), including investigations into the stress and burnout of healthcare personnel (Ford, 2019),but is primarily focused on the education and occupational support of healthcare leaders, which ensures that direct care facilities will have a higher quality pool of applicants to choose from when selecting someone for an important administrative role. In fact, ACHE even allows for employers to post job opportunities directly to their website. In addition to normal administrative jobs, ACHE also provides a directory for administrative fellowships across the country, including their very own fellowship program (ACHE, n.d.). Last week, I had actually brought up the subject of administrative fellowships in my Resume review paper as a key to scoring a high level administrative position inside of a direct care facility; in particular, I used the fellowship offered at one of my local hospitals as an example (Wake Forest, n.d.). It just so happens that ACHE lists Links to an external site.“>this same administrative fellowship on their own websiteLinks to an external site., and considering the merits of pursuing it, I have already committed to applying for it before the deadline. Becoming a fellow requires that someone either completes their graduate degree beforehand, or that they complete their graduate degree prior to the end of the fellowship period; most fellowships last for about a year. Based on this particular position, it also helps to have experience in performing administrative functions such as budgeting, project management, data analysis, and group leadership (ACHE, n.d.).
In contrast to ACHE, AHIMA is focused on healthcare leaders who work with electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchanges (HIEs), healthcare databases, health informatics software, and other forms of information contained within the healthcare industry. AHIMA’s specialization in this regard means that a healthcare leader can become a member of both organizations with minimal redundancy between the certifications and educational opportunities afforded by either. As such, AHIMA and ACHE can be considered complimentary organizations for a health information manager to take part in. Additionally, while ACHE is geared primarily toward those who have completed their Bachelors Degree, AHIMA offers certifications and education for everyone, from those who just have a high school diploma to those who have completed a Masters Degree (AHIMA, n.d.). The association does an excellent job at training health information managers in the competencies related to their line of work, although there is still work to be done with regards to the specific skills that contribute to a health information manager’s competencies (Sapci & Sapci, 2020). While health information specialists may be extremely adept at analyzing and interpreting the data found in a given healthcare organization, health information managers must bring further structure to the data and oversee the training of those who may one day wield it. Medical databases have been a revolutionary tool for direct care facilities, but without AHIMA to maintain the quality of management, the technology can quickly become a nebulous black box for healthcare professionals. As such, health information professionals must make sure that the technology they are wielding does not remain their crutch, but instead becomes their tool. Curiously, even the Bible uses this idea in an analogy to how God used the arrogant Assyrians to pass judgement on other nations. In Isaiah 10:15, it states, “Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!” (Crossway, 2001). As it was inappropriate for Assyria to not acknowledge the role God played in their victories, so too is it against the natural order of things for tools to take credit for their user’s actions. At all times, the user is ultimately responsible for what the tool does.
While AHIMA may specialize in healthcare information management, HFMA specializes in healthcare financial management. This association sets benchmarks for individuals who will oversee the financial operations of the healthcare industry, and can therefore offer assurance to direct care facilities through their array of specialist certifications. Similar to AHIMA, HFMA offers certifications for individuals at all degree levels, but there are no hard degree requirements; the association will allow any individual with a sufficient amount of experience to pursue financial management certifications, up to and including fellowship with HFMA (HFMA, n.d.). While I did express an interest in pursuing administrative fellowships earlier, I do not have a strong enough background in financial education or mathematics to consider myself an appropriate candidate for that. Nevertheless, associations such as AHIMA and HFMA highlight how individuals from a broad spectrum of talents can find their niche inside the field of healthcare administration. Beyond the similar benefits offered by AHIMA, HFMA bears similarities to ACHE in that it is also responsible for the production of literature pertaining to business research- in their case, the literature deals with financial sustainability reports and economic forecasting. One such example of their recent investigations includes the long-term feasibility of hospital-at-home programs, which are designed to greatly expand the range of services available in the home health setting (Jacobs & Eggbeer, 2021). The work done by HFMA contributes a great deal to the fiscal knowledge and understanding of the United States’ healthcare system, and while we often associate such an obsession over money with the Biblical sin of greed, understanding the value and cost of things can very much be considered a valuable tool in any Christian’s arsenal. For this reason, Jesus asks us in Luke 14:28, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Crossway, 2001). Therefore, it is just as worthwhile to pursue financial understanding in our careers as it is to pursue other aspects of healthcare leadership.
References:
Administrative Fellow, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (n.d.). Wake Forest. Links to an external site.“>https://emis.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/90634/?utm_medium=jobshareLinks to an external site.
AHIMA Home (n.d.). AHIMA. Links to an external site.“>https://www.ahima.org/Links to an external site.
American College of Healthcare Executives (2020). Top issues confronting hospitals. Links to an external site.“>https://www.ache.org/learning-center/research/about-the-field/top-issues-confronting-hospitalsLinks to an external site.
American College of Healthcare Executives (n.d.). ACHE. Links to an external site.“>https://www.ache.org/Links to an external site.
Buchbinder, S.B., & Thompson, J.M. (2010). Career Opportunities in Health Care Management: Perspectives from the Field. Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781284058567
Crossway (2001). Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Books.Links to an external site.“>Links to an external site.
Ford, E. W. (2019). Stress, burnout, and moral injury: The state of the healthcare workforce. Journal of healthcare management, 64(3), 125-127.Links to an external site.“>https://journals.lww.com/jhmonline/fulltext/2019/06000/stress,_burnout,_and_moral_injury__the_state_of.1.aspxLinks to an external site.
HFMA | Healthcare Financial Management Association (n.d.). HFMA. Links to an external site.“>https://www.hfma.org/Links to an external site.
Jacobs, M. O., & Eggbeer, B. (2021). Have hospital-at-home programs finally come of age?. Healthcare Financial Management Association. Links to an external site.“>https://www.bdcadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0121_FSR_Jacobs.pdfLinks to an external site.
Post Graduate Fellowship detail (n.d.). American College of Healthcare Executives. Links to an external site.“>https://account.ache.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=PostGradDetail&key=3a8a68d0-4f41-4f64-9611-a28257282a35Links to an external site.
Sapci, A. H., & Sapci, H. A. (2020). Teaching hands-on informatics skills to future health informaticians: a competency framework proposal and analysis of health care informatics curricula. JMIR medical informatics, 8(1), e15748. Links to an external site.“>https://medinform.jmir.org/2020/1/e15748/Links to an external site.
Pontell Wright
Healthcare Administrative Opportunities
Within the healthcare industry there are many opportunities. With the managerial role of healthcare there are numerous positions depending on where you are located. The healthcare industry is growing especially in up and coming cities. Healthcare administrator positions range from health information, medical office administrator, and database administrator. There are many more positions out there in the workforce. Job outlook for these positions range from 13% to 29%. Some positions require higher education and certifications to be hired. For example, a data-base administrator is required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in health education to be eligible for the positions. For the position of a healthcare administrator a bachelor’s degree is required. To obtain a manager positions and master’s degree and experience is required. Another position within healthcare administration that is suited for managers is the Medical and Health service Manager. “Medical and health services managers plan and oversee healthcare services at hospitals, clinics, medical practices, assisted living facilities and other medical facilities. They may oversee budgets, hire, and manage staff members, and ensure their organizations meet state and federal compliance requirements.” (Grey, 2023, Guide to jobs in healthcare administration: 6 roles to consider). This position is a position that could see myself being a part of. The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor’s degree. When it comes to career opportunities and outlook, health information managers have a bright future. The average Health Information Administrator can expect to make $51,840. As far as job growth future generations can expect to see more job opportunities as the baby boomer generation is retiring and the healthcare industry is rapidly growing. According to the bureau of labor statistics, employment of health information technologist and medical registrars is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031 (bureau of labor statistics, 2022, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars). Overall, this position can improve the quality of care because it organizes and allows patients and doctors to be on the same page. When the information is correct in the system doctors can provide the proper treatment. Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Open Bible, 2023, 100 Bible verses). I choose this bible verse because it specifies do not be conformed to this world. I can relate that to being stagnant to in one position in the healthcare administration world. One should continuously strive to advance in their career.
Healthcare information managers (HIM) controls and protects patient information. The information can include symptoms, diagnoses, medical histories, test results, and procedures. They serve as an essential link between physicians, patients, and third-party payers (Mayo clinic, 2023, Health information manager). Most of these professionals have a solid background in Information Technology. Having a solid foundation in IT helps because most of the job revolves around computers. Within the scope of practice, health information managers are responsible for Compiling, organizing, maintaining, and protecting confidential medical records. They are also responsible for entering and maintaining information in the electronic medical records. Another crucial role is the financial aspect of health information managers. They are responsible for observing trends in audits and denials from payers. Health information manager professionals not only make sure that medical information is accurately and securely stored in the EMR, but they also ensure nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals can access that medical information when and where they need it (Mayo clinic, 2023, Health information manager).
interrelated Organizations
Organization are related based on the setting they take place. For example, administrator’s, Health information, and health and services mangers all work in the same environment. Most administrators work in a clinical and hospital setting. “Clinical managers oversee departments at clinics and other medical facilities. They also work in other healthcare offices, such as primary care practices. Clinical managers hire and supervise staff members, monitor budgets and expenditures, and ensure their offices meet regulatory compliance requirements” (Grey, 2023, Guide to jobs in healthcare administration: 6 roles to consider). I am currently in a clinical management position. As a clinical manager my daily task are making sure patients’ information is retrieved and stored properly within the military’s data base called “Genesis”. Most of the patients that we receive are pilots that need a yearly physical to fly. Another interrelated variable within most of the healthcare administration career is the ability to make life easier for the medical provider. When information is collected properly and input correctly it allows for doctors and nurses to treat patients accurately and efficiently. Romans 13:8-10, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law” (Open Bible, 2023, 100 Bible verses).
Overall, these types of facilities offer direct care organizational support. Most administrators help organize and plan medical operations. Operational planning provides direction and purpose for medical facilities. When things are organized the organization as a whole runs smoothly. When things are going good motivation tends to high and patients are treated correctly. One available position that I’ve noticed is the position of a hospital administrator. The KSA needed to secure that position is communication, tech savvy, and leadership. A hospital is a huge organization. There are a lot of moving parts that need to be managed correctly to be successful. I believe communication is the most important attribute to be successful in this position. As a hospital manger you will be in communication with different medical specialist and teams. The more understanding the more successful the planning process will be.
References
What is an electronic health record (EHR)?. What is an electronic health record (EHR)? | HealthIT.gov. (2019, September 10).
Improve care coordination. HealthIT.gov. (2017, September 15).
Registered health information administrator (RHIA). AHIMA. (n.d.).
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. (n.d.). Health information manager – explore health care careers – mayo clinic college of medicine & science.
100 Bible verses about ethics. What Does the Bible Say About Ethics? (n.d.).
