The Coding Opportunity - Round 2

What’s the Opportunity?

Early in 2019, SEIU-UHW and the SEIU-UHW Education Fund partnered with Western Governors University (WGU) to offer qualified SEIU-UHW members a new education program to open doors to a Medical Coding career and the potential for advancement in healthcare information management.  

More than 150 students are now working their regular jobs and, in their spare time, participating in WGU’s student-centered, competency-based online training, CPC certification, and job-readiness program for Medical Coding. 

Now, we are expanding this opportunity to a new group of aspiring medical coders.

What is Different This Time?

  • More Students: We are extending the opportunity to 400 new students 
  • More Access: All UHW members, family and friends may apply 
  • Higher Commitment: 
    • Commitment to dedicate a minimum of 20 hours a week of dedicated time outside of work for as long as 12 months 
    • Demonstrated desire and commitment to complete the course 
    • $100 one-time, non-refundable registration fee 

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Any SEIU-UHW member in good standing or any family or friend directly referred by an SEIU-UHW member in good standing may apply for this program. 

Minimum Requirements for Consideration

  • Current member in good standing of SEIU-UHW or referred by a current member in good standing of SEIU-UHW. 
  • Home access to consistent, reliable high-speed internet 
  • Home access to a reliable, working computer or laptop to connect to the internet for course work 
  • High school diploma 
  • English and arithmetic proficiency 
  • Computer and internet proficiency 
  • Although otherwise well-qualified candidates may be accepted without it, people who have completed a course in or have working familiarity with both Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology are good candidates 
  • High degree of commitment to the program: 
    • Strong desire to become a Medical Coder or HIM Professional
    • Dedicated time for class and study – a minimum of 20 hours per week outside of work for the life of the program.  
    • Commitment to attend six two-hour live sessions on camera and on the computer with other students.  
  • Willingness to invest in development without the guarantee of a job.  This is a high-quality, student-centered job-readiness program for a well-compensated job in high demand by California employers. We are working to create a program that matches employer needs and are committed to work with successful students to secure placement. But this is not a guarantee of employment upon graduation. 

What is WGU?

Western Governors University is a non-profit online university offering high-quality student-centered adult education. They pioneered competency-based education, meaning that students progress through courses as soon as they can prove they’ve mastered the material, instead of advancing only when the semester or term ends. WGU currently has more than 113,000 students and more than 130,000 graduates. 

What does the program over?

The WGU Medical Coding Career Accelerator Program (MCCAP) will prepare and advance each student with skills required for a career in medical coding. The program contains three courses delivered by experts in the field. The courses will cover:  

  • Inter-professional communication and leadership in healthcare,   
  • Fundamental medical coding skills for professional services, CPT, HCPCS and ICD-10-CM coding,   
  • Preparation to sit for the CPC exam 
  • Medical Coder Certificate  
  • AAPC letter of practical experience  
  • An industry accepted encoder with cases   
  • Job readiness 

Each student will have a personal mentor to help along the course of study – toward job readiness.

What is the Timeline?

  • Wednesday, August 14 – Application Survey launches 
  • Wednesday, August 28 – Application Survey CLOSES 
  • September – Student Acceptance, Commitment, Mentor Outreach, and Course Registration
  • October – Program Begins (Orientation and course L001)

When Does the Program End?

Students go through the program at their own pace with instructors and mentors. The online program is designed to be completed in as little as 6 months for ‘sprinters’ but others may take up to 12 months.  Most people will finish the program in about 9 months. 

What Does This Cost?

Although a non-member referred by a UHW member may apply, to become a student, she must become a member in good standing of SEIU-UHW.  If a student is not currently a member, she may join as a member of the SEIU-UHW Healthcare Justice Division.  Healthcare Justice dues are $20 a month. 

All students will pay a one-time, non-refundable $100 registration fee. 

Qualified candidates will have their tuition, books, and fees paid for by SEIU-UHW including CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II code books. Students will need to provide their own computer and access to high speed internet. 

How Do I Learn More?

Email us at opportunity@seiu-uhw.org