PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is ready to prepare students for the growing field with its hybrid Medical Coding courses, which focus on how to use the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), CPT, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding manuals.
Courses also include hands-on practice using medical coding software.
Students may enroll any time to begin the program this fall. The Medical Coding Certificate may be completed in two semesters, while the Health Information Management Certificate may be completed in three semesters.
Medical coders and health information specialists are responsible for safeguarding medical records, transmitting information for third-party reimbursement (insurance, Medicare, etc.), handling requests for patient records, and a new field called "informatics."
Upon course completion, students study for the credential exam of their choice:
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam, offered by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
"In a recent survey of 22 health care facilities within a 100-mile radius of Berkshire Community College, 88 percent reported job openings in medical coding and health information management," said Marsha Estabrook-Adams, Adjunct Faculty, Medical Coding. "If you are fascinated by the world of medicine but not the clinical hands-on experience, this may be the career for you."
For information on how to enroll, visit berkshirecc.edu/academics.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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PEDA Site 9 Preparation, Member Retirement
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The redevelopment of Site 9 for mixed-use in the William Stanley Business Park is set to take off.
Edward Weagle, principal geologist at Roux Associates, gave an update on the yearlong work to the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority last week.
"It's been a real pleasure for me to work on a project like this," he said. "This is kind of like a project of a career of a lifetime for me, and I'm very pleased to see that we're just at the finish line right now. My understanding is that all the documents are in front of the commissioner, waiting for her to sign off."
Mill Town Capital is planning to develop a mixed-use building that includes housing on the site. Roux, headquartered in Islandia, N.Y., was hired assist with obtaining grant financing, regulatory permitting, and regulatory approvals to aid in preparing the 16.5-acre site for redevelopment. Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of concrete slabs, foundations, and pavements were removed from the former GE site.
Once the documents are signed off, PEDA can begin the work of transferring 4.7 acres to Mill Town. Weagle said the closing on this project will make it easier to work on the other parcels and that he's looking forward to working on Sites 7 and 8.
PEDA received a $500,000 Site Readiness Program grant last year from MassDevelopment for Sites 7 and Site 8. The approximately 3-acre sites are across Woodlawn Avenue from Site 9 and border Kellogg Street.
In other news, the state Department of Transportation has rented the east side of the parking lot for CDL (Commercial Driver's License) training. This is an annual lease that began in September and will bring in $37,200 in revenue.
Lastly, the meeting concluded with congratulations to Maurice "Mick" Callahan Jr. on his retirement.
Callahan is a former chair and a founding member of PEDA, dating back to when the board was established in the 1990s. He has also served on a number of civic and community boards and has volunteered for many organizations in the Berkshires. He is the president of M. Callahan Inc.
"The one thing that's been a common denominator back is that you've always put others before yourself. You've served others well. You've been a mentor to two generations of Denmarks, and I'm sure many generations of other families and people within this city," said board Chair Jonathan Denmark. "We can never say thank you enough, but thank you for your services, for the creation of this board, your service to the city of Pittsfield, and to all the communities that you've represented and enjoy retirement."
"It wasn't always easy to be in the position that you were in Mick, but you handled it with so much grace, always respecting this community, bringing pride to our community," member Linda Clairmont said. "I could not have accomplished many of the things I did, especially here for this business part, without you all of the Economic Development discussions that we had really informed my thinking, and I'm so grateful."
Callahan left the team with a message as this was his final meeting, but said he is always reachable if needed.
"I also have to say that a lot of great people sat around this table and other tables before the current board, and the time that I had with Pam [Green] and Mike [Filpi] sticking around, the leadership of this mayor [board member Linda Tyer], and it really, it was always great synergy," he said.
"So don't be afraid to embrace change. And you know, you got a business model. It's been around long time. Shake it up. Take a good look at it, figure out where it needs to go, and you're lucky to have leadership that you have here."
Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, and a little bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.
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A 700-square-foot outdoor water attraction is planned for the 2.1-acre park at 30 John Street. City officials hope to have it operational by summertime.
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