Who am I and how did I get here?

Something interesting and unexpected happened a few weeks ago. I was asked to take part in presenting an audio conference. This amazes me because although I love what I do (and think I'm pretty good at it) I wouldn't necessarily consider myself an expert.

In my other life I supervise a staff of 3 (soon to be 4) nurses. It's kind of hard to explain what I do to people unfamiliar with hospital inpatient reimbursement, but the short description is this:

I review patient charts while the patients are still hospitalized and analyze the physicians' notes and dictation to ensure that they're documenting all the conditions that they're treating. I look at my job as part nurse, part Sherlock Holmes. It's necessary to have a good understanding of pathophysiology, medications and diagnostic tests and their implications. I communicate with physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and hospital nurses. I write and present information to the medical and hospital staff. What I do impacts a hospital's reimbursement and quality ratings. No two days are the same and the staff who work with me are the best of the best (no, really, guys!).

Prior to receiving this invitation I did some Google-ing and found out that there wasn't a blog out there for people in the same profession as me. I thought about how it sure would have been nice to have had a place to go for information, support and maybe a few laughs when I was a novice documentation specialist, so I went ahead and did it myself.

Because I am a subscriber (at least I think that's the reason) to a trade e-newsletter I was asked to participate in a conference call with other people in my profession and due to that conversation we now have our own association! I was asked to be on the Advisory Board and from that I was asked to do this audio conference. I tell you, life IS stranger than fiction!

So, over the next couple of weeks I need to keep my nose to the proverbial grindstone: write the narrative for my agenda, put together power points, and keep my nerves under control.

Last week I received my contract in my e-mail box along with the W-9 form, so I guess this is the real deal. Once I return the signed contract I'm committed (yikes!).

A few minutes ago I checked my e-mail and there it was: the proposed outline, list of due dates, dates for planning and rehearsal and the enumeration of how and when to submit my materials. Nerves, go away!

Will let you know how it goes. I'm sure that coffee and possibly, tranquilizers, will be involved.