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Health Information Management - New Coding System

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT NEWS

National Implementation of ICD-10 Coding starts today.

Today is a big day in history for the Health Information Management arena as the ICD-10 coding data set is being implemented nationwide. The United States is fifteen years behind the World Health Organization in utilizing ICD-10. Our health care reimbursement system is linked to our coding systems so implementation was a bigger challenge and has set us back from other industrialized nations to make the change. Congress has delayed implementation twice in the last four years, but we are now on a clear path.

ICD-10 will enhance coding by:

  • Expanding from 21,000 codes in ICD-9 to 141,000 codes in ICD-10

  • Specificity and detail in the codes (example: a leg laceration from a marine animal bite while swimming can now be coded as a right lower leg laceration from a dolphin bite in the ocean while swimming)

  • Allowance for more accurate reimbursement of the services rendered in health care settings

  • Creation of an estimated 20-25 % new jobs along with raising the required skill sets to do the job

  • BONUS! If you are sucked in by a jet engine we can code it!


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WDT enrollment increases 10.5 percent

Western Dakota Tech led the state's technical institutes in growth this year, growing enrollment by 10.5% from fall 2014. This fall, 1,012 students are preparing for in-demand careers at WDT in Rapid City.

"These figures show the value of technical education," President Ann Bolman said. "The strides made in recent years at WDT to improve programs are showing benefits to students and industry."

The Build Dakota Scholarship program, which provides full-ride scholarships to students entering high-demand industries, is a contributing factor to the enrollment increase.

Dual Enrollment classes are another area helping boost enrollment. High school students are also able to take Dual Enrollment classes at a free or reduced rate, allowing them to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

"There are some amazing opportunities for students at WDT right now," Bolman said. "The ability to get through school with minimal debt and be primed for a high-demand career is stronger now than ever."

WDT has added night classes to accommodate student and employer demand in two areas — Transportation Technician Heavy and Welding and Fabrication.

"We are committed to quality programs that meet student and industry demand," Bolman said. "We will continue working hard to make sure students are receiving the skills and experiences they need to be successful."

WDT is adding three new programs in 2016 to continue its efforts to meet student and industry demand—Medical Lab Tech, Dental Assisting, and Cybersecurity. Career opportunities in all three areas is growing in South Dakota and across the country.

WDT's placement numbers show WDT works. More than 98 percent of WDT's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or serving in the military, and 93 percent remain in South Dakota.

"Ultimately, our goal is to prepare students for stable and rewarding careers," Bolman said. "WDT is proud of our student's post-graduation success."

 

For information about WDT, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu.

 

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WDT receives funds to boost important programs

Western Dakota Tech will receive a portion of more than $4 million in Future Funds awarded to the state's four technical institutes by Gov. Dennis Daugaard. The funds will be used to purchase equipment and boost important programs in high-demand workforce areas.

"We want students to be fully prepared for the workforce they will enter after graduation," Gov. Daugaard said. "That requires the most current and effective training on the most advanced equipment possible. These grants will help our state's technical institutes keep pace with industry demands."

WDT will receive $895,247 for equipment that will benefit the following programs: HVAC/R, Law Enforcement, Medical Lab Tech, Nursing, Paramedic, Phlebotomy, Welding and Fabrication, Professional Truck Driving, and more.

"These funds will assist us in providing high-quality programs that give students the skills they need to be successful," WDT President Ann Bolman said. "Ninety-eight percent of our graduates are employed six months after graduation, filling in-demand positions at the local, state, and national levels."

For information about WDT, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu.

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State Board of Education approves new WDT programs

The South Dakota Board of Education approved three new programs for Western Dakota Tech on Monday, August 24, 2015. The programs are Cybersecurity, Dental Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician.

Labor market information indicates that demand for workers in these fields is strong in South Dakota and nationally. WDT strives to offer programs with exceptional job outlooks to benefit students and the community. WDT will offer the programs beginning in 2016.

Cybersecurity students will complete classes in network security, network defense and countermeasures, information security, databases, computer forensics, and more. The industry is currently experiencing unprecedented growth due to the dramatic increase of computing and communications technologies across the globe. Through 2022, the number of Information Security Analysts will grow by 25 percent in South Dakota and 37 percent nationally.

Dental Assistant students will complete classes in basic radiography, pre- and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, supervised practice, equipment maintenance and sterilization, medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, and scheduling. Through 2022, the number of dental assisting positions will grow by 12.7 percent in South Dakota and 25 percent nationally.

Medical Laboratory Technician students will complete classes in general laboratory procedures and skills; laboratory mathematics; medical computer applications; interpersonal and communications skills; and the basic principles of hematology, medical microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis. Through 2022, the number of Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians will grow by 17.6 percent in South Dakota and 30 percent nationally.

"WDT is excited to add these three options because the need for skilled workers in these fields is so great," WDT President Ann Bolman said. "Students will graduate from these programs with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they need to be successful."

For information about the new WDT programs, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu

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WDT holds orientation for full-ride scholarship students

The inaugural group of WDT Build Dakota scholars will attend an orientation to learn about campus and their full-ride scholarships that will pay all tuition and other expenses while preparing students for high-need careers in South Dakota.

The orientation will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13, on the WDT campus. WDT invites the media to attend.

WDT awarded 89 full-ride scholarships for the 2014-2015 year. These scholarships will pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, tools, uniforms, laptop computers, and other educational expenses.

"We are so proud to host this special group of students," WDT President Ann Bolman said. "These scholarships will help these students prepare for in-demand careers in South Dakota while not taking on student loan debt. This is great news for them and for South Dakota."

The event will introduce students to resources available on campus and online. Students will attend speaker sessions, tour campus, pick up schedules, and have questions answered before classes begin August 24.

Between 2014 and 2018, $50 million dollars will be invested through private donations from T. Denny Sanford and the South Dakota Future Fund to create and operate the Build Dakota Scholarship program.

Scholarships will be awarded to students entering high-need workforce programs at South Dakota's technical institutes to fill the state's technical careers with skilled professionals. Recipients of the full-ride scholarships will commit to living and working in the state, in their field of study, for three years following graduation.

WDT awarded every available scholarship for this year. Applications will be available once again in November 2015 for the 2016-2017 year.

Learn more about Build Dakota Scholarships at http://www.wdt.edu/build-dakota/

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Western Dakota Technical College prepares students to be highly-skilled professionals through accessible, career-focused programs to improve their lives, while adapting to community workforce needs and positively impacting our economy.

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