Q&A: Challenges to grow

Q: Do you have any recommendations for how leaders can promote professional growth among CDI staff members?

A: In addition to certain performance metrics and expectations (such as for productivity), we also have a yearly “challenge to grow” goal for all our staff members. This goal helps promote both individual professional and team growth. Here are a couple examples:

Example 1:

To better align with industry updates, best practices, and the revenue cycle strategic goals, the CDI professional will pursue educational opportunities obtained through ACDIS and/or AHIMA sources.

Meets expectations: To achieve a “meets,” staff must obtain four CEUs through an ACDIS/AHIMA source by December 31.

Exceeds expectations: To achieve an “exceeds,” staff must obtain six CEUs through an ACDIS/AHIMA source by December 31 and present via PowerPoint in a team, department, or educational meeting on a topic learned by November 30.

Extraordinary: To achieve an “extraordinary,” staff must accomplish the “exceeds” goal along with one of the following:

• Speak at a local or national industry related meeting/conference (ACDIS, AHIMA, or vendor). The presentation must be approved by manager prior to event.
• Submit to be published in an industry related journal (ACDIS, AHIMA, nursing, vendor, or other publication). The article must be approved by manager prior to submission. 
• Submission to present at an ACDIS, AHIMA, or related national conference, either a poster or talk. Must be submitted by September and have approval prior by manager, to be achieved by December 31.

Example 2:

During the next year, a staff member would like to continue to participate or join the employee engagement work group. This will demonstrate collaboration and creativity.

Meets expectations: To achieve a “meets,” staff must actively participate in the work group as evidenced by attending at least 85% of meetings and being “owner of” and executing a recurring task – OR – contribute at least one topic to each newsletter for the year.

Exceeds expectations: To achieve an “exceeds,” staff must complete the above tasks for “meets,” as well as plan/organize and execute at least one employee engagement event by December 31.

Extraordinary: To achieve an “extraordinary,” staff must complete the above tasks for “exceeds” and lead the work group for at least 75% of the year – OR – Compile/format/edit at least one edition of the newsletter – OR - plan/organize and execute at least two employee engagement events by December 31.

Editor’s note: This question was answered by Jessica Risner, BSN, RN, CCDS, CDI director at Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona, following her presentation at the August 26, 2021, ACDIS NOW Summit: CDI Innovations.