Forensic medical coding expert Jacqueline Bloink says the new AHIMA podcast series has a lot to offer health information (HI) professionals and others interested in HI.
“The world of HIM [health information management] is changing – electronic, AI [artificial intelligence]. However, privacy, security, medical records, revenue cycle, CPT, ICD10/11, HCPCS [Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System] and more still exist,” says Bloink, MBA, RHIA, CFE, CHC, CPC/CPC-I, CMRS, FMC, owner of Jacqueline Bloink, LLC, a forensic medical coding expert witness and consulting corporation, and the Association of Forensic Medical Coders.
“HIM professionals need to use their educational background and experience to locate other opportunities,” Bloink says. “The [AHIMA] podcasts will spark ideas and interest in other career areas that HIM professionals have not thought about.”
Bloink will be one of the guest speakers when AHIMA launches the “HI-Powered Podcast” on March 7 at 7 p.m. CT. Hosted by Dr. Jasmine Agnew, Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs and Professional Credentials, the first podcast episode is titled “HI Outside the Box: Non-linear roles for HI Professionals.” Future podcast topics will include choosing the right certification, headlines in the HI classroom, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
The podcast is a new platform to engage, educate, and inspire HI educators and students while fostering a vibrant community around essential topics in HI management. The podcast is intended for HIM students, educators, and instructors; working HI professionals; and anyone else interested in the future of healthcare and data management.
New episodes will air the first Friday of every month on the AHIMA website and feature expert guests from across the HI field, offering valuable insights, industry trends, and practical knowledge—all in support of the AHIMA mission of empowering people to impact health®.
“The HI-Powered Podcast is about bringing educators, students, and HI professionals together to learn, grow, and inspire one another,” says Dr. Agnew. “By sharing our experiences and ideas, we can strengthen our community and make a real difference in the future of health information.”
Here is what listeners can expect:
- Engaging Conversations: Dive deep into critical issues with industry leaders and thought-provoking guests.
- Practical Insights: Gain actionable knowledge and real-world perspectives.
- Community Connection: Join a network of passionate HIM professionals and students, sharing ideas and building valuable relationships.
- Fresh Episodes Regularly: Stay up to date with the ever-evolving HIM landscape with new content delivered consistently.
In addition to Bloink, the guest speakers for the first podcast will be Ticia Selmon, RHIA, CCS, CDIP; and Abbi Telford, RHIT. Selmon has been a health information and mid-revenue cycle professional for more than 20 years and serves as a director of coding education. Telford is a medical coder and serves as President-elect for the Iowa Health Information Management Association.
Selmon says the podcast is important for AHIMA to offer to members and others in HI because “it provides space to have discussions regarding hot topics related to the profession that can be addressed more timely.” With the first podcast, Selmon says, “the takeaway I would like to leave professionals with is to use their skills to find their role and not to be defined by job titles.”
Bloink has a similar message she hopes listeners will get from the AHIMA podcast.
“Each of us needs to take our unique experiences and think outside the box on how we can market these valuable assets that we have obtained over the years to create a more robust CV/resume and new career opportunities,” she says.
Damon Adams is content production editor for AHIMA.