Thursday, October 31, 2013

HIM Weekly Wednesday - AHIMA Membership

Hello, this weeks message is coming a day late but let me tell you why! I was attending the annual convention of AHIMA in Atlanta, GA and arrived home late last night. I had limited internet access, but I couldn't wait to get home to encourage all of you to get familiar with AHIMA!
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is the premier professional association for HIM professionals. It is the organization that provides a wealth of valuable resources, a robust website, and they track our required continuing education each year. If you are not already familiar with AHIMA, please take the time now to go to www.ahima.org and explore all of the information. Concentrate especially on the Career and Student Center tab. I would highly encourage you all to become a student member at this time - it is $35.00 a year and it will give you access to all resources on the website plus you will begin receiving the HIM student newsletter.
DID YOU KNOW? Every state has a state chapter of AHIMA. You will be automatically enrolled as a member of your state association when you join AHIMA as a student member. This is important because you will begin to receive announcements from your state association - such as notices of conferences that typically have special low pricing for students! State associations also have volunteer opportunities for students and that looks great on the resume.
Be sure to locate your state's AHIMA association now and get familiar with the website. Most have a job board so spend a little time looking at the types of jobs that may be in your future! You may even be able to find entry level jobs that you could apply for now. Be sure to check back often!
If you don't become an AHIMA member now, be sure to do so as you near graduation. A $35 student membership gives you a $70 discount on the RHIA exam fee! I hope you will all start attending your state association meetings and I hope some day each of you will get to experience a national AHIMA convention. They are big and amazing and inspiring! I have returned with new motivation and continued pride in all of the amazing leaders of the HIM profession!
Have a great day!
Cindy Glewwe, M.Ed., RHIA
Director, Health Information Management Program
Charter Oak State College
55 Paul J. Manafort Drive
New Britain, CT 06053
(Ph.) 860-515-3833
cglewwe@charteroak.edu

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