Meet a Member: CDI rookie reflects on new role

After several years working as an agency nurse, doing a little bit of everything, from occupational health to psychiatric to home health to case management, Jessica Ward RN, BSN, C-CDI CDI specialist at Madison Health in London, Ohio, was ready for a change.

“I read [a CDI] job description and it seemed interesting and challenging,” she says, “so I applied.”

Now, she’s happily settled in to her new role and is already involved with ACDIS National and our local chapter in Ohio. In fact, she helped us reach 2,000 likes on our Facebook page—she shared our page with at least 20 colleagues and helped us reach our goal! We’re thrilled to have Ward join the ACDIS community.

She and her husband, a corrections officer, have six children—three boys ages 2, 5, and 12 and three girls ages 4, 10, and 14. They also have a St. Bernard puppy, Truman.

It’s hard to fit Ward’s entire family in one photo!

ACDIS Blog: What has been your biggest challenge and biggest reward since entering CDI?  

Ward: I started from scratch with only a little knowledge of the CDI world, and being the only person who does my job at my facility. It has been a challenge to teach myself and learn how I can work to improve medical record documentation. It seems like there are always new rules or definitions to learn. Every time that I realize I have made a difference in the quality and accuracy of documentation, I feel incredibly rewarded.

ACDIS Blog: What piece of advice would you offer to a new CDI specialist, entering the field just like you did a few months ago?

Ward: Join ACDIS! The website has been a lifesaver for me. If you aren’t a member now, you need to join. There are tons of resources for use, including ACDIS Radio, the blog, the opportunity to branch out and work with other professionals [via the ACDIS Forum and our local chapters and even social media which has been a lot of fun], and more!

ACDIS Blog: If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Ward: I decided not long ago that if I wanted to make a big difference healthcare documentation, then why not do it myself? I am currently in school to be a nurse practitioner.

ACDIS Blog: What was your first job (what you did while in high school)?

Ward: I worked at a Wendy’s drive thru.

More of Ward’s family

ACDIS Blog: What is one message you have for the CDI community?
Ward: I would like to just say that everyone who works in CDI should be proud of their efforts to improve healthcare documentation. In the end, it is all about improving the quality of the healthcare that we provide and the outcomes of our patients.

ACDIS Blog: Please tell us a few of your favorite things:

Vacation spots:  Anywhere I can see the beauty of nature

Hobby: Shopping and Pinterest

Non-alcoholic beverage: Water – non-flavored with a lot of ice

Foods: Anything grilled and watermelon

Activity: My daughter runs cross country track and I love to watch the results of the dedication and commitment these runners put into it.

Editor’s note: The ACDIS Blog regularly introduces an ACDIS member. If you would like to be featured or know someone who would, please email ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald at larchibald@acdis.org.