Earshler C. Taylor, MSHCM, RHIA, CCS, CDIP

By: Earshler C. Taylor, MSHCM, RHIA, CCS, CDIP

Background

Earshler C. Taylor, MSHCM, RHIA, CCS, CDIP is a recent graduate from Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD, and earned a Master of Science in Health Care Management.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Western Governor’s University, Salt Lake City, UT. My Associate of Science was earned from Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, CA. I was recently promoted to client success executive. I have held several consultative roles for over 10 years and worked across the entire revenue cycle. My career trajectory in health information (HI) was not an ordinary one. I quickly realized the way things operated in the military was quite different in the civilian world.

My first civilian job was as an emergency dispatcher, and this was a no-go for several reasons. I then became employed at a physician-affiliated practice at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA, in medical records. I had a knack for finding missing records, whether buried under a pile on a provider’s desk or running to the parking garage to get them out of cars…yes, those were the days! This is where my true passion for HI began. Fast forward a few years, I was employed by an Atlanta spine surgeon who sent me to an orthopedic coding course in Tennessee. Shortly after, I became his “non-certified coder”. Yes, there were non-certified and certified coding positions available in the late 90’s. I eventually gained my coding certification and left the practice to work for Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA as a certified abstract coder.

In evaluating my 3-year career plan, I wanted to align myself with the acute care (inpatient) industry. I gained my certified coding specialist (CCS), certified documentation improvement practitioner (CDIP), and registered HI administrator (RHIA) through AHIMA. In doing so, I was flooded with multiple career options, including the ability to serve on regional and state boards, serve on advisory boards, be employed as an adjunct professor, mentor newly entering HI students, and do speaker engagements.

Challenges and Opportunities in HI in 2024

Let me discuss the industry “buzz” word, artificial intelligence (AI), and the dreaded topic of conversation I’ve had with several professional colleagues concerning AI…unemployment. Over a decade ago, I was a software trainer which included an AI component, and the HI teams had a real fear of losing their jobs. I had to remind them that as good as the AI tool was, there still is a requirement for critical thinking, which belongs to the human. Another challenge with AI is functionality dependability and whether the data input reliability percentage falls within acceptable ranges. Human oversight is still required to validate and cross-check. Lastly, artificial intelligence technology is emerging in the patient care arena by streamlining the patient care processes and even calculating probable negative surgical outcomes. However, most healthcare AI technology lacks compassion, empathy, and understanding, which is very necessary as part of our patient experience. While there are challenges with AI, AI does provide some exceptional benefits.  

Opportunity – Become an Educator and/or Mentor

As I continue to reflect on my 30-year career journey and look forward to retirement one day, I realize as a seasoned HI professional, I must pass down my subject matter expertise to the junior and newly entering professionals. Being an HI educator and mentor is my passion and responsibility. I enjoy imparting knowledge with real-life application to those who have a desire to be successful in HI. Before entering my master's program, I was an AHIMA mentor via the Mentor Match program, and I plan to revisit this. I highly recommend professionals with diverse tenure in the industry align themselves with the AHIMA Mentor Match program.

Steps for HI Students to Thrive in 2024

The first step is to develop a one-year, three-year, and five-year career plan. In outlining a plan, the students are holding themselves accountable for their success. The second step is to not be afraid to pivot and modify the plan accordingly. Life happens. The third step is to become acclimated to all things AHIMA; register their profile on AHIMA Mentor Match, become a student member of AHIMA, volunteer at the AHIMA regional and state CSA, and attend the annual AHIMA Conference to gain industry knowledge and network with other professionals.

Additional Advice

There will be many times in your career you will need to pivot! Pivoting does not equate to failure but rather a redirection and is necessary for your overall success.