Our student of the month for March is Merynne Rich from Ferndale in Western Australia. Merynne scored 98% in medical terminology and 96% in clinical coding and is due to complete the 22274VIC Certificate IV in Clinical Classification very soon.
We asked Merynne the following questions.
What led you to enrol in our Certificate IV course?
I have had an incredibly rewarding career as an intensive care nurse but towards the end of 2019 I felt the desire for a new and different challenge in my working life. I had been interested in clinical coding for a while because the nature of the work appealed to me greatly, and I was also keen to stay working within a healthcare environment.
HIMAA came highly recommended as the place to study Certificate IV in Clinical Classification, and I felt that the course would give me the opportunity to acquire valuable skills and embark on the pathway to a new career.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
I found the whole course very enjoyable, and the pace of the course allowed me to study effectively whilst also working full-time. My favourite part of the course was definitely Cluster 3 – Performing Clinical Coding. I derived a lot of satisfaction from developing my skills in coding patient episodes of care and learning how to accurately use the ICD-10-AM and ACHI classification systems.
I felt greatly supported by my education officers throughout the course and they always provided me with helpful and informative feedback on my submitted assignments.
Why did you choose clinical coding as a career pathway?
I feel, as an experienced nurse, that clinical coding is the ideal next step in my career. I have cared for patients with a diverse range of health conditions, and I have developed an extensive knowledge of diseases and procedures, as well as a thorough understanding of the healthcare system.
As part of a clinical coding team, I look forward to working hard and keeping busy, and taking on new educational and professional learning opportunities in a very interesting and worthwhile career.