(ABILENE, Texas) – Like most people, Sarah Johnson was looking for job stability.
After graduating from Texas State Technical College in November 2019 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology, she found that stability. Johnson credits TSTC for helping her find a job as a medical coder at Hendrick Health System.
“At one point, it was difficult for me to find work,” she said. “Once I started in the medical field, I loved it and would make it a career.”
After being employed in customer service for 20 years, Johnson worked in the outpatient unit at Brownwood Regional Medical Center. She decided to complete TSTC’s Health Information Technology program to further her career. It was a decision she has not regretted.
Since February, Johnson has worked as a coder at Hendrick Medical Center. Coders are health information professionals who analyze medical records and assign codes using a classification system.
“If I would have known about the HIT program first, I would have done it,” she said. “I am glad I was able to graduate and get a job I love.”
Johnson said the instructors were instrumental in helping her during school and finding a job.
“I was overwhelmed with work and school. My instructors were always supportive,” she said. “They would always tell me and other students, ‘You can do this.’ They really took an interest in how we were doing and wanted us to succeed.”
Sarah Brooks, TSTC’s Health Information Technology program chair, said Johnson “defined what makes a student successful in the online learning environment.”
“She was self-motivated and self-disciplined,” Brooks said. “Sarah was open-minded in sharing her work, life and educational experiences with others through the learning process.”
Johnson, who codes emergency room records at Hendrick, said no two days are the same and credits TSTC’s instructors for preparing her for the daily challenge.
“I see a variety of charts,” she said. “My main focus is to make sure the information is coded correctly.”
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
