Meet a Newly Credentialed Coder

Tim Schleicher is a 2019 HIM graduate from Montgomery College. Received his CCS in April, 2019. Currently seeking coding opportunities in the DC area.

DCHIMA: What attracted you to HIM / Medical coding?

Timothy Schleicher: My journey into medical coding was not a straight shot although each step led from the one before it. I knew that I wanted to do something useful that would also be accessible to me. This led me to the allied health fields and Montgomery College. I had no experience in healthcare, so I needed to start at the beginning, which for me was biology. Biology led into Anatomy & Physiology and medical terminology. I knew that I was hooked when I started taking anatomy classes, but I did not know where that would lead me. I had a friend who worked as an ultrasound tech and I was using this as a target to focus my coursework. When the time came to make a commitment to a discipline, I did a lot of soul searching and research which led me to realize that ultrasound was not the path for me. I decided to enter HIM at Montgomery College because I had found a community of learning that I trusted, and I wanted to be able to continue with the foundations that I had laid with A&P and medical terminology.

DCHIMA: What did you find was the most challenging aspect of coding classes?

Timothy Schleicher: Coding classes are very challenging because it is learning several new languages at the same time and the rules are different for each of them. The most challenging part of coding for me was the realization that there are often multiple ways of coding a record that can be considered correct depending on who you ask. I want things to be black and white with concrete rules that apply to every situation. However, I discovered that the complexity of the information being communicated led to grey areas where the correct code assignment is not readily apparent. This is still frustrating to me, but I don’t think that I am alone in this. I have had to realize that I need to remain flexible and understand that the coding systems are imperfect and constantly evolving.

DCHIMA: What surprised you the most about HIM / coding?

Timothy Schleicher: 

I think the thing that surprised me the most about coding is that I really enjoy doing it. I have always loved crossword puzzles and coding engages my mind in a similar way.

I can really dig down and focus and it is a pleasurable experience. I don't even realize how much time has passed. This is something that I need to keep in mind. Time management is important, and I can get lost on a coding trail that may take up way too much of my time when I should be asking someone for direction about how to proceed.

DCHIMA: Do you have any tips for current HIM / medical coding students?

Timothy Schleicher: The best tip I can give to any coding student is to know the coding Guidelines thoroughly. Keep coming back to them using different learning techniques so that you can become intimate with them inside and out. I have mentioned before that the variables in correct coding can be confusing. The guidelines are how we all stay on track and get better code assignments. Let them into your life so that you are comfortable with them and they can serve as an ally.

DCHIMA: Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Timothy Schleicher: For anyone who will be taking the CCS exam remember that you will need to code from the book. Time management is crucial if you want to succeed on the exam. I found myself going into the codebooks for answers a lot more than I expected to. There is a section of the exam on case studies where I knew that I would be required to code. However, even the multiple-choice questions frequently required me to look up codes in order to get correct answers. This was a big surprise to me, and it really put me behind with my time plan for the exam. I ended up being timed out of the exam. I passed but, I am glad that I was able to get a grade right away because I was not sure when I left the test room.

I would like to finish with the qualifier that I don't have any real work experience yet, so my viewpoint is really that of a student rather than a professional coder. I am still looking for my first coding job and I hope that this is helpful to others, like me, who are still looking to get moving in this field.

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