After several years as a medical coder, I was ready to advance my career. I learned that, as a Latina, I have acquired skills that are needed to succeed in this industry. Latinas are uniquely prepared to thrive in the Revenue Cycle because our cultural influences have taught us skills employers are seeking.
- Skill #1 Collaboration
- Skill #2 Adaptability
- Skill #3 Time Management
What are employers looking for? There are two types of workplace skills
➔ Hard skills can be proven such as certifications, foreign language, and computer skills
➔ Soft skills are qualities such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking
Inc.com states these are the top 5 soft skills for 2019:
- Creativity
- Persuasion
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Time Management
How do these skills relate to a Latina’s upbringing? Our cultural influences have taught us soft skills that employers are seeking.
Family Oriented = Collaboration
Latinas are the center of the household often bridging their parents and their children. Latinas collaborate naturally with generational needs in order make the best decisions affecting purchases, finances, and education. Resource: Latina 2.0, Nielsen, 2017. Latina Power Shift, Nielsen 2013.
I have thrived in team projects. At work, my involvement with a process improvement project showcased my collaboration skills. As an AAPC Stockton Chapter Officer, I used my inter-generational communication skills to reach our members and boost our Chapter’s recognition. My tip for you is to remember there are no small projects! You can join a project team at work. You can create a useful document to share with your co-workers. You can develop an improved workflow to try in your department. If it works, discuss the findings with management to implement it!
Resourceful = Adaptability
Latinas learn to be resourceful. As part of our upbringing, we make the most of what we have. In the Revenue Cycle, this means we are ready to simplify processes, synthesize information, and are best prepared to navigate change.
When I used this soft skill, it lead to career advancement. A prime example is the annual updates of medical codes and Center for Medicare Medicaid Services’ (CMS) requirements. This information must be understood and trained in order to process claims accurately and in compliance. Depending on one’s workplace, materials may be provided but most often they are not. We must be resourceful! I learned how to manage my resources, utilize AAPC Local Chapters and also made a personal investment to be prepared. My tip for you is to remember people are wonderful resources too. Begin to connect with others in your Revenue Cycle department.
Entrepreneurial Spirit = Time Management
From 2007 – 2012, Latina-owned businesses grew 87%. In the Revenue Cycle, an entrepreneurial spirit translates to owning our work. We display this trait best though our time management skill because medical coding is production driven. Resource: Latina 2.0, Nielsen, 2017. Latina Power Shift, Nielsen 2013.
Achieving my personal goals lead to recognition in my department and team. Medical coders must track their productivity in order to determine whether they have met production standards. We must also monitor our quality reviews for accuracy and compliance. My tip for you is to determine your benchmark then set your goal to surpass it each quarter. Remember to share your success with your manager.
Latinas are uniquely prepared to thrive in the Revenue Cycle because our cultural influences have taught us skills employers are seeking.
- Skill #1 Collaboration
- Skill #2 Adaptability
- Skill #3 Time Management
You’ve read how I was able to advance my career using these soft skills. Can you suggest more valuable soft skills needed in the Revenue Cycle? Have you found successful ways to navigate career achievements?
EDGE Mindset 