NINE out of ten graduates of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (Nolitc) in Bacolod City have passed the United States Certified Professional Coder Examination.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his congratulations to the scholars of the provincial government-run center.
"As we celebrate the accomplishments of Nolitc through the success of our scholars, we also acknowledge the support of our partners, particularly MedStar," he added.
The graduates were trained by MedStar Philippines in partnership with the center.
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) passers are Wendy Lynn Andres, Arnie Arroyo, Wenifred Bernabat, Francel Viceire Calleno, Christine Laguna, Ricardo Aaron Nolido, Jinky Oriel, Louise Ortaliz and Steffanee Bianca Vinson.
They took the AAPC exam last February 9. The results were released late in February.
Judilyn Canete, president of MedStar Philippines, said the Medical Coding Course is a US-certified qualification under AAPC.
This is a 200-hour online course aimed at increasing the students' efficiency of knowledge on the principle of medical coding using three main code books.
These code books are International Classification of Disease 10th edition (ICD 10-CM), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and Health care Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
Canete said the CPC exam is a conclusive step to attaining CPC certification under AAPC.
"Passing the CPC exam elevates the earning potential of nurses or graduates compared to those persons without AAPC coding certificate," she said, adding that high demand for certified medical coders continue to rise jobs in the US as projected by 2022.
Lacson, moreover, also urged the Nolitc scholars to look at their success as an inspiration to do better, do more and give back to their alma mater and province.