Sally Hensel -- New Credential Creates Stir Among Members (continues)

A similar argument was posted on the discussion thread on the COP.  Marion Prichard, RHIA, MED and Chair of the COC had this response.  “The overall feeling was that this credential needed to be a baccalaureate-based credential to increase the acceptance of the credential by higher level decision makers in the organization. As mentioned previously this was not meant to slight in any way the RHIT who performs HDA related roles and who doubtless do an excellent job. Such an individual is encouraged to progress their education to the baccalaureate level thereby meeting the academic qualifications for the credential.  

Subsequent to the debate on the RHIA eligibility issue it became apparent that there is a distinct need to increase mechanisms to support RHIT progression. The BOD is putting together a task force which will address this issue. Hopefully the end results will increase the number of RHIT's who progress to the RHIA and who are encouraged to seek the credential in health data analytics to validate their expertise in this area.”  

Barb Paegelow, RHIT, a Decision Support Specialist for Aurora HealthCare also expressed concerns about the push for RHIA or degreed candidates as the standard bearer for Data Analysts.  “My feeling is that the sort of person drawn to a technical degree vs. the management track are exactly the people best suited to this career, and by pushing ‘any’ baccalaureate degree above RHIT, they would be pushing this career out of the AHIMA altogether and back to IT personnel.  In many organizations, Health Data Analytics is currently performed by IT people, with no background in HIM.  Without a good understanding of the clinical end, coding, etc, IT professionals often head off down the wrong track and don't provide the information most useful to those who seek it.  Not knowing the right questions to ask puts them at a distinct disadvantage. I'm not especially interested in AHIMA helping me ‘progress’ my education.  The only way for me to earn a bachelor's degree in HIM here in Wisconsin would be a correspondence course, which I don't think has much value beyond the piece of paper you get at the end.  I don't feel I should have to jump through such hoops to validate my knowledge and skills.”  

Patrick O’Rourke, Manager of Clinical Data Services at Gunderson-Lutheran indicated his best staff were those with an RHIT .  He felt that the technical bias in their education combined with experience in the HIM arena made them the strongest candidates for Data Analysts.  He also expressed concerns in recruiting IT professionals who did not understand the clinical data and viewed RHIA candidates as being a bit too theoretical for

Data Analysts  

Admittedly this is a small sampling of practicing analysts and hiring managers.  However the opinion of this group was that elevating the credential would not necessarily have the desired outcome desired by the COC.  Ms. Horman’s concluding remarks, “ It's amazing that it will still probably get a 'yes' vote, even though I didn't see any support for it as it stands right now.  It's is rather unfortunate."

To read about the outcome of the HOD vote click on Barb’s Presidents Message.