A Note from the Instructors: The value of the CCDS credential

by Laurie Prescott, RN, MSN, CCDS, CDIP

Those working in the healthcare field really value their credentials. The letters after a person’s name open many professional doors for an individual. When I worked as a nursing manager, if an applicant held AACN certification that simple fact told me I had likely had an individual who possessed the experience, knowledge, and competency to perform the desired position. I am very proud to now as the CDI Education Director at ACDIS to work for an organization that offers a credential which the majority of employers understand communicates competence and experience in the role of CDI.

The Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) credential is seen as the industry’s preeminent credential within our profession. Many organizations have identified this as a requirement for employment and it has become a valuable credential to have following your name.

Because of its value, we get many requests by individuals to waive or lower the work experience requirements. Many question how to get the experience when they cannot qualify for the job without the credential. However, this credential represents much more than passing a test—it communicates to the world the fact you are a competent leader in the profession of CDI. It tells employers you have both book and practical knowledge, the ability to critically think your way through a medical record review and understand how to impact your organization’s health. It says you understand the many aspects of the role and possess the skills to ensure success. The credential is one you should be proud to list after your name. It has value.

Over the last few months, I have worked with other amazing volunteers who contributed s to the revision of the CCDS exam. (Learn more about the CCDS Exam Committee on the ACDIS website.) I never appreciated how much time, thought, energy, and passion is involved in writing an exam.

We spent much time working to define the prerequisites for this exam, as we understand competence within this role is acquired with experience. The learning curve in this role is one that is not easily accomplished no matter the professional route you traveled. We must have an understanding of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, regulatory and compliance, coding practices, hospital reimbursement, CMS quality measures, and so much more. We must possess strong communication skills, a thick skin, persistence, an ability to investigate and research as well as the ability to think through our record reviews critically. We must work independently and also possess strong team building skills.

That is a great deal to ask of any one person, but that is role of a CDI specialist.

Of course, the CCDS credential does not guarantee that every holder will be a model employee or a perfect fit for your facility but what it does communicate—not only to potential employers but to yourself as well—that you have reached a level of competency within the role.

If you are the person wondering how you can get hired when you do not qualify to sit for the exam, understand that there are a number of other skills that you already bring to the table. Sell these skills and demonstrate self-direction in learning the body of knowledge needed for the role. Be patient—the credential will follow as you grow in your competency as a CDI specialist. And when you can finally add CCDS after your name, be proud of what those letters communicate.

Editor’s Note: Laurie L. Prescott, RN, MSN, CCDS, CDIP, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, is the CDI Education Director at HCPro in Danvers, Massachusetts. Contact her at lprescott@hcpro.com. For information regarding CDI Boot Camps visit http://hcmarketplace.com/clinical-doc-improvement-boot-camp-1.