Meeting & Agendas

Meeting called to order by Cynthia Colovas. Committee members introduced themselves. Cynthia Colovas welcomed everyone.

The Medical Coding members reviewed the minutes from May 11, 2007 meeting. Donna Carl commented on the question about whether the workforce preferred students with certificates or with associate’s degree when hiring; she wanted to confirm that from her findings, the workforce preferred students with associate’s degree in the Medical Coding field. Cynthia Colovas concurred with Donna Carl. Based on this comment, the members decided to discuss the options of pursuing the associate degree for the students.

Norma Mercado presented the results of the HIM surveys. The survey results are from local area hospitals. According to the survey results, hospitals are looking for credential students when hiring. Naomi Carroll commented that she finds that many of her students are transferring to St. Phillip College for their credentials. The members have discussion regarding the steps to pursue the associate degree plan for the medical coding program. Eileen Klein, Executive Dean for ACC Health Sciences, advised the members that in order to pursue the associate’s degree plan, the committee must show the numbers supporting the need for an associate degree plan. Eileen Klein recommends that the survey needs to include physician’s offices as well as hospitals. She adds that the survey data needs to include local area as well as regional area data. Eileen Klein states that in order to present the program’s proposal to the Vice President she will have to be prepared to answer all the questions presented in today’s discussion. In reviewing her proposal to the Vice President, the need for additional staff to expand the program will be considered. Eileen Klein states that the program needs to have a stable pool of adjunct faculty. Instructors would need to have a degree in the field to meet STAC requirements. To look into an associate’s degree for the Medical Coding program, the members agree to gather information comparing the certificate, the AHIMA certificate, and the 2-year associate degree plan. The information needed to make a decision for the future of the program are: 1. Statistics from survey data 2. AHIMA general data 3. Data from other programs across the country and online degrees 4. Curriculum development of an associate degree plan, and 5. Crosswalk of agenda apart from ACAP. A taskforce is formed and members are assigned a task: Martha Hurtado will gather external data, data from Department of Labor, and career option data. Donna Carl and Cynthia Colovas will gather information of the local needs. Naomi Carroll is to gather information and references on how other colleges offer their associate’s degree. In addition, Naomi Carroll and Norma Mercado will research the crosswalk and the development of the curriculum. Taskforce will have a meeting on December 7th, 2007 to discuss their findings. In addition, Capital Idea is going to provide feedback about their needs from the Medical Coding program. Cynthia Colovas and Donna Carl agree to talk to their respective facilities about potential partnership program with ACC, similar to what is in place with Nursing and ACC.

Norma Mercado presents the program Virtual College of Texas to the members and asks for discussion regarding this program for the Medical Coding program. The program will assign 3 or 4 class seats for students in the Virtual College of Texas program. In participating in this program, only specific classes will be open for enrollment from the Medical Coding degree plan. The committee members agree to participate in the program, Virtual College of Texas after discussion has taken place.

Norma Mercado presents copies of the graduate and employer surveys. Graduate surveys are for those students who finish their certificate with Austin Community College and employer surveys are for those student’s employers. The committee members agreed that 12 months after graduation, the surveys will be sent to graduates and employers.

The members are encouraged to share their ideas for marketing the program. Norma Mercado encourages the members to keep recruiting students to the program. She reminds the members that all students need petitions in to register for any of the Medical Coding program classes. She instructs that all students be directed to Macy Moreno for those petitions. Norma Mercado also announces that there is a search for a fulltime position instructor. Those interested should submit their application to HR.

Next meeting scheduled for May 9, 2008. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.