In the summer of 2021, Pena4 published an article outlining their partnership with Rockland Jewish Family Service to provide medical coding testing for neurodiverse students within their community.
The project was a multi-agency collaboration between Rockland Jewish Family Service, Jawonio Inc., the state of New York's Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Westchester Medical Center, Pena4, and many individuals. The initiative's sole mission was to create career pathways and meaningful employment for neurodiverse individuals in the medical coding and billing vertical.
We are pleased to announce, largely due to the efforts the past few months by Westchester Medical Center, this group of neurodiverse students has graduated into the role of interns–putting them one step closer to meaningful employment with Westchester Medical Center.
The concept for this project began in the fall of 2018 with the CEO of Rockland Jewish Family Service, Maria Dowling. Rockland Jewish Family Service (RJFS) is a New York not-for-profit mental health and social service organization dedicated to providing professional human services, support, and resources throughout the surrounding community of the New York Hudson Valley.
RJFS pulled together a consortium of local service providers and experts in the field. Working together, this consortium developed this intensive, 15-month medical billing and coding curriculum aimed at preparing students to take the AHIMA Certification Exam–a nationally recognized, comprehensive test designed to test the preparedness of medical coders.
It was an amazing result to see all 11 coders pass the exam!
As a Vocational Rehabilitation Services partner, Jawonio hired the individuals onto their payroll to be funded by the state of New York. Jawonio has created space within their organization for the interns to work on campus, easing the way for employment coaching support and encouraging a team atmosphere for the interns.
In the medical billing and coding industry, some working experience or internships are expected prior to fully entering the job market–which is why current internship roles through Westchester Medical Center are so crucial to students’ continued success. Not only are they learning the skills needed for success in the healthcare and coding industry, they are also gaining the necessary experience and confidence to excel as permanent employees.
Once the interns are ready to enter permanent employment, both Jawonio and Westchester Medical Center will continue to support them through stabilization in their jobs and beyond, as needed.
Each stakeholder played an important role in getting this group of students to where they are today:
This incredible initiative was the result of so many different people with the same passion and drive to make it a reality. Without each player, this initiative would not be where it is today–meaningfully employing a group of neurodiverse students into a career that they can confidently grow on their own.
Because the program was so successful and each partner’s experience was so positive, the next step for this initiative is to replicate it among other student groups and with more healthcare organizations within the New York area. We’d like to express our sincerest thanks to everyone who made this program possible and reiterate how proud and excited we are to see each student’s success.
Without the following individuals, the success of this program would not have been possible:
Be sure to follow all of these organizations to hear about more advancements as the Coders Initiative continues to develop.
Please contact Michele Koenig, Director of Clinical Programs at Rockland Jewish Family Service, to learn more about programs and services.
