any help for take CCDS exam

dong.lidong.li
in CDI Talk Archive
hello, everyone
i am new cds in this family, and i would like to take CCDS exam later this year, i am not sure how to prepare myself for this. there is only one exam guide book online, is it helpful? any suggestions and help would be appreciated.

Comments

  • MelindascharfMelindascharf
    edited May 2016
    Definitely get the review book. I believe it is the only one available. I took it earlier this year with out it (it wasn't available yet) and I thought the test was hard. ( but I did pass-thankfully!) It is a very wide range of information. ( RAC reviews, coding, reports, clinical info, etc) Make sure you read through the handbook carefully to see what they are going to test on.
    Good Luck!!


  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    There was a thread discussing the CCDS exam earlier in CDI Talk with a lot of useful information, finding it would be helpful. There have also been a couple of blog posts (as I recall, at least one on the exam and at least 1 or 2 about individual experiences) that would also be helpful to you.

    Don


  • dong.lidong.li
    thanks, i ordered the book last night, thanks for your help.
  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    I just purchased the exam study guide but since it arrived yesterday I can't say how valuable it is. I suspect it will because I don't deal with RAC's at all and while I try to keep up, it's not on the priority list. I'll let you know and once I take and pass my exam there may be a used edition available :)

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    One more question on this. Someone posted that ANCC has recognized the CCDS certification. Is that true and if so is there a reference that someone has where I can refer my boss in hard copy?

    Thanks

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
  • dsmith12h@aol.comdsmith12h@aol.com
    edited May 2016
    I am interested in this as well. Our facility pays an annual bonus for recognized certification. A reference would be useful in facilitating the addition of the CCDS to the approved list.

    Debbie







  • bmurphy@hcpro.combmurphy@hcpro.com
    edited May 2016
    Hi everyone, I will get something posted to the web site about this. To
    clarify, here's what is going on with the CCDS and the ANCC.



    I spoke with an ANCC representative, and they do not endorse any
    certifications, the CCDS included.



    That said, they do review certifications upon request to determine if
    they meet the criteria for the Magnet Recognition Program. The CCDS met
    these requirements (it's a professional certification as opposed to a
    certificate program, evidence of a content expert panel in development
    of the exam, existence of a recertification requirement, and no specific
    coursework is needed to sit for the exam). So it is now listed on the
    ANCC Demographic Information Form (DIF). You can download the DIF form
    here (click on the excel link):
    http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet/ApplicationProcess/Download-Too
    ls.aspx



    If this sounds a little confusing, I don't have it all clear in my head
    either, though I do plan on contacting the ANCC to get some language up
    that we can use on the ACDIS site.



    Take care,

    Brian



    Brian Murphy, CPC

    Director

    Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS)

    200 Hoods Lane

    Marblehead, MA 01945

    781-639-1872, ext. 3216

    bmurphy@cdiassociation.com




  • pfowlerpfowler
    edited May 2016
    When I took it there was no study guide. There seemed to be a lot of benchmarking and statistical questions that I don't deal with. Maybe the guide will help with that. The other questions I felt my clinical knowledge and just doing the CDI job helped. Good luck!

    Patsy Fowler RN, MSN, CCDS
    Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Marion Regional Hospital
    PO Box 1150
    Marion, SC 29571
    Office 843-431-2044
    Cell 843-431-2863
    Fax 843-431-2432



  • Unknown
    edited May 2016
    Brian,
    I am interested in finding this info on the ANCC link but have not been able to see it. Can you help me here?
    My facility is attempting Magnet Status and I would like to show that my CCDS is listed on their link as "recognized".
    Thanks,

    Tina BSN,RN,CCDS



  • bmurphy@hcpro.combmurphy@hcpro.com
    edited May 2016
    Sorry, check the link that says "Excel, 62KB" on the part of the page
    that says "selected examples of national certifications for submission
    on the DIF."



    You can then do a control F search and find CCDS:



    Selected Examples of National Certifications for Submission on the DIF
    (Excel: 62KB
    ) updated 8/13/2010
    The professional certifications are listed in 3 categories according to
    their accreditation status. The accrediting bodies are the American
    Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Commission for
    Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Category A includes accredited national RN
    certifications. Category N includes non-accredited national RN
    certifications. Category M includes national multidisciplinary
    certifications. This listing is not finite as new certifications evolve
    and existing certifications are updated.



    Apparently there is another CCDS certification as well for certified
    cardiac device specialist, but the certified clinical documentation
    specialist is also listed.





    Brian Murphy, CPC

    Director

    Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS)

    200 Hoods Lane

    Marblehead, MA 01945

    781-639-1872, ext. 3216

    bmurphy@cdiassociation.com




  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    edited May 2016
    Tina,



    There is a spreadsheet on that page next to "Selected Examples of
    National Certifications for Submission on the DIF". I found it there on
    line 197. I'm attaching it for your convenience J



    Robert



    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN

    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist

    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC

    Mail Code 136

    1500 Weiss Street

    Saginaw MI 48602



    P: 989-497-2500 x13101

    F: 989-321-4912

    E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov



    "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the
    difference between lightning and the lightning bug." Samuel "Mark Twain"
    Clemens




  • dogdog
    I have a small question about using the CCDS toward magnet numbers. When I looked at the link Brian provided for the DIF, I saw it only asked who was certified among RN direct caregivers or RN leaders. Are we considered either of those?? I don't even think my CCRN credential would qualify since I'm not at the bedside or in management.

    Renee


    Linda Renee Brown, RN, CCRN, CCDS
    Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
  • NormaBNormaB
    edited May 2016
    I felt the book was very helpful. I also used my training information from
    our consultant our CDI Pocket Guide and the CDS Boot Camp information.

    N. Brunson, RHIA, CCDS
    Bay Medical Center




  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    edited May 2016
    I think the same argument can be made for case management certification. They may not be at the bedside or in management either since they are not in direct patient care. It is a good question though.

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
     
    P: 989-497-2500 x13101
    F: 989-321-4912
    E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
     
    "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens


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