Request advice: work-at-home nursing jobs
Roger Davis
I would like to know what opportunities might exist for my wife and mother of
two to work at home using her RN skills. We have considered entering medical
histories into a computer but don't know any details. Is this workable or does
someone have other suggestions? Please e-mail.
TIA,
Roger & Kitty
rda...@holli.com
William Mayers
Although there are some who make a successful business out of handling
medical records at home, this idea is also the basis of a widespread
scam. Be very careful and check out anyone offering you such an oppor-
tunity. That said, there are several issues to work out. First, you
need to determine whether hospitals and other institutions (including
private practices) are in need of your services. Secondly, there's
the question of security. As you no doubt are aware, confidentiality
is a BIG concern. You'd need somehow to convince those allowing you to
handle their documents of your own personal trustworthiness, but of
your ability to guarantee security of your home and your computer. A
hacker might easily invade your system without your knowledge and
access any or all medical data stored therein.
Thirdly, you need some arrangement whereby you pick up or have
delivered to you, the documents that need entered into a computerised
database. That means, usually, bonded couriers. And you best have a
backup in case the courier doesen't show up on a particular day - a
frequent occurrance, as the turnover rate amongst courier services is
quite high. Fourthly, even though one of you is a nurse, you're not
necessarily prepared to take on the job. In New York, medical records
technology is a certified position requiring documented preparation,
such as the associate degree offered by many community colleges. I
worked for years as a nurse administrator, and do not consider myself
prepared, either through education or experience, to handle medical
records. It involves much more than merely entering raw data into a
computer.
Your starting point? Contact your nearest community college and your
local trade school (in New York State, it's your nearest BOCES). Look
in your phone book - there is an association of medical records
professionals, and your community may well have an active group. Good
luck.
Bill Mayers, RT, RN