Springfield, MO, July 03, 2013-- TrustHCS announced the launch of a new coder academy designed to prepare coding professionals of various levels and new, novice entrants to the field. The TrustHCS Academy brings the strength of three companies together to meet the nationwide increase in coding demand associated with ICD-10. TrustHCS coding educators prepare new students and seasoned coding professionals to enter the field and by increasing their knowledge and related ICD-10 skills. Career Step delivers proven, on-line curriculum, and HIM Connections places trained and certified students—a critical component of the program’s launch. The announcement was made by Torrey Barnhouse, President, TrustHCS.

“The healthcare industry has endured a persistent 30% deficit in coding staffing,” mentions Barnhouse. Results of a recent industry study co-sponsored by the AHIMA Foundation and TrustHCS, indicate this gap will continue to increase by an additional 23% as a result of ICD-10 implementation. “Our Academy helps to meet this demand,” he concludes.

Career Step’s proven on-line content is the backbone of the TrustHCS Academy. The Career Step curriculum boasts an 86% first-attempt pass rate for those sitting for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification. This is in comparison to an industry average 67% first time pass rate for the certification.

In addition, HIM Connections helps with student job placement. The TrustHCS Academy will work closely with HIM Connections to connect academy graduates with industry needs. HIM Connections contracts with numerous Human Resource and Health Information Management (HIM) Directors across the United States for staffing needs specific to medical record coding and HIM.

The first cohort of TrustHCS Academy students have already signed up to tackle the curriculum. This group includes the general public with no coding or HIM background and coding professionals with various backgrounds and levels of coding knowledge.