Note from the ACDIS Director: Finding the right career pathway in CDI

by Rebecca Hendren

ACDIS has been proud to offer the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) examination since 2009 and we added the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist-Outpatient (CCDS-O) examination in 2019. Both credentials have rigorous criteria for applicants, including educational qualifications and a requirement that candidates have worked in CDI for at least two years.

These criteria are stringent because both CCDS and CCDS-O are not intended to be entry-level credentials into the profession. Rather they are credentials that demonstrate the holders are truly experts in their field.

In recognition that many people want to make a career change and move into CDI (and therefore don’t have the requisite two years of experience required by the CCDS and CCDS-O), ACDIS offers the ACDIS CDI Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship is a certificate program that provides foundational CDI knowledge. Those who complete the course are designated as ACDIS-Approved CDI Apprentices and it’s a great entry-level training course for those who have just started in CDI or who want to obtain a job and desire to obtain foundational training first.

Some early career CDI professionals may want to obtain a full CDI credential and thus turn to AHIMA’s Certified Documentation Integrity Professional (CDIP) credential as a fantastic option for a first CDI credential.

To better explain the credential and certificate options available from both ACDIS and AHIMA related to the CDI profession, we have created a graphic guide to illustrate the career pathway that CDI professionals may choose to follow.

The CDI Career Pathway outlines a thoughtful progression for professionals who want to grow their expertise and advance their careers through recognized certifications and credentials. No matter the location in their CDI journey—just starting out, building experience, or leading the field—there is always another milestone to achieve as competency and proficiency grows.

Complete with the supporting resources and educational materials to help you prepare for each credential, the CDI Career Pathway is intended to help you better understand your options. We invite you to take a stroll down the pathway and find what’s next for you in your current CDI career progression.

Editor’s note: Hendren is the director of ACDIS. Contact her at rebecca.hendren@hcpro.com