Finding Creative Solutions for Hiring in a Full-Employment Economy
By Barbara Lewis, Director of People Services
Hiring staff in a full-employment economy can be challenging even at the best of times. In the revenue cycle management industry, this can be especially difficult when one needs to hire medical billers. As we all know, the medical biller position is a critical function in the revenue management cycle process.
As a top 10 healthcare revenue cycle management company with eight regional offices processing thousands of medical bills daily, and with unemployment rates at an all-time low, we knew we needed to be creative and develop new solutions to the hiring of medical billers. With the support of senior leadership, and by researching options and programs within the community, we developed an educational apprenticeship program to create a pipeline and steady stream of highly qualified candidates interested in starting their career in medical billing. The apprenticeship program allows for apprentices to learn about our industry through a six-month rotational schedule, working in different departments and learning the varied roles and responsibilities. The schedule allows them to develop skills so they can advance to positions of greater responsibility and income potential.
The state of New Hampshire has some wonderful resources and truly supports apprenticeship programs and continuing education. With this support, we’ve been able to select courses through Manchester Community College that will enhance the skill set for any Medical Biller!
A big day when a dream becomes a reality.
Friday, November 15, 2019, was a momentous day in the AdvantEdge Salem, New Hampshire office, with the signing and official launch of the state’s first medical billing apprenticeship program.
The medical billing registered apprenticeship, certified through the U.S. Department of Labor, will train future incumbent employees to become Medical Billing Specialists through a combination of on-the-job experience and targeted credit-bearing college courses. The apprenticeship program will begin in January 2020 and will include more than 200 hours of coursework related to the revenue cycle management industry, provided by Manchester Community College. Also, apprentices in the program will complete 4,000 hours of on-the-job training over two years, participating in hands-on training on-site and will have the support of an onsite mentor for the duration of the program. The medical billing registered apprenticeship program is made possible through a partnership with Manchester Community College (MCC) and ApprenticeshipNH. ApprenticeshipNH is a program housed at the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), which seeks to address workforce needs in specific sectors throughout the state by helping employers develop Registered Apprenticeships that combine classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
As we gain experience and move forward, we plan to roll out the apprenticeship program in cooperation with other state community colleges and state employment programs at our other major processing centers throughout the country and expand to existing employees as well.
With creative thought, leadership support, and careful planning, anything is possible in finding solutions for hiring qualified medical billers in a full-employment economy.
Pictured attending the signing event was multiple represenat8ves from AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Manchester Community College, and ApprenticeshipNH.
Barbara Lewis is Director of People Services, AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, and Adjunct Professor at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions is the nation’s largest behavioral health billing company providing revenue cycle management solutions for behavioral health practices since 1987. If you have questions about how AdvantEdge can improve your behavioral health billing so that you are collecting every dollar that you’re legally and ethically entitled, please call us at 877-501-1611 or email info@ahsrcmstg.wpengine.com
