Clinical documentation Specialist and the J.A.Thomas Exam? Can anyone help?

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  1. Is anyone willing to PM me regarding this?

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      Yes
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      No
    • 1
      Maybe later when I have time

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Specializes in PACU/GI/CDIS??.

I am praying I pass.. I'm completely interested in this position, know quite a bit about it, have studied for a long time on the concept and feel I am a great candidate, (as does the hiring manager) yet know nothing about the test. I heard it was awful.... I will be taking it in the next 2 weeks and from what I have read it seems like an ICU competency exam... Does that sound about right? My interviewer said at a "sister" hospital the first 14 candidates ALL failed. Yikes.

If they get into drug dosing and things like that, it would be ridiculous. Considering a lot of our "near perfect" qualifications, for the test to be a deal-breaker is pretty disheartening. I know I need to refresh my knowledge on some things, I just can't figure what could be so difficult?? I will assume it's like the NCLEX, but focused on critical care... safe to assume?

It also seems no one on here really wants to give info on it...despite having taken it. It's not like we're competing for the same job! LOL. I really need this job, and I know she wants me to pass this test as they want the program to go live at the end of June. Is anyone willing to offer some information regarding where to focus? Besides ABG analysis, sepsis, MI, CHF, and the like... Someone mentioned ortho questions? Hmmmmm.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am per diem now with no benefits, (and 4 herniated discs) so this is a pretty big deal for me. I am a good test taker but not if I go into something completely clueless about the content.

Thanks to anyone!

~ST

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Specializes in nursing education.

I found another thread on AN about it. Other certification exams make a test blueprint available so you know where to focus your studying.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/need-info-ja-508441.html

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Specializes in PACU/GI/CDIS??.

I will click on link now, thought I had read through every possible thread about the topic, but this place is huge! Thank you SHGR! :)

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Specializes in PACU/GI/CDIS??.

Yeah, I've been through that thread already.... No blueprints that I can find so far, it's so "under wraps!" Ugh. Focusing on what some people recommended, but nothing official thus far...

Thanks again. Will keep looking.

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Specializes in nursing education.

That is really weird. I have taken three certification exams and the content covered was transparent, available online and in study guides. Good luck!

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Specializes in PACU/GI/CDIS??.

OHHH, you may (obv) be thinking of the competency exam they give after about 6 months of training.... or the certification that you pay for to be a CCDS.... this is the clinical competency (pre-hire) exam that you MUST pass in order to be hired. It's written by J.A. Thomas and is apparently top secret. You can be the absolute perfect candidate, exceed all qualifications and ace the interview, but if you don't pass the test they cannot hire you....as per J.A. Thomas.... They were hired as consultants for the CDMP program, so it's not actually up to the employer for this position if using this company... It's about who passes the test... It could be the hiring manager's 20th or 30th choice of candidates that passes!! (really.) It's all up to JATA, unfortunately. Meh..

Thanks again!!! Will definitely need the luck.... been a long time since I took a "real" exam... online, timed, and proctored.

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Specializes in PACU/GI/CDIS??.

Let me add that I am aware sometimes people post on here just because they need something. I know it's been a while since I've been on, but am willing and able to share ANY of my knowledge base/experience with ANY of you.... whether you help me or not, RNs or students or otherwise.

I plan to update my profile ASAP to reflect more of who I am.

I will be around more often now and surely when the stress is relieved (either which way, pass or fail, LOL) I will be around. I am employed, just trying to make a reeeeeeeeeally good career move for myself and my family, both physically and emotionally.

Talk to you all soon I hope. I need more nurses in my life!

I think. ;)

~ST

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SeaTracer75. I also am looking for input on areas to focus on for study for the J A Thomas and Associates pre hire exam. Have you taken your exam yet? Back in the 90s, I worked for a hospital and trained w/ Judy Thomas for the CDMP specialist in the hospital setting. this was the most enjoyable exciting job I have ever had. I had this job for 12 yrs. I had to change jobs b/c of family issues when we had to relocate & it was not possible for me to travel to the extent that job required. Now the travel is doable & am really hoping to pass this exam to be a consultant w/ JATA. Some of the areas I remember that were opportunities for physician documentation improvement were anemia as a CC. It must say "blood loss anemia" for it to be a CC. this can be HUGE.....moved a gastric resection DRG w/o a cc where reimbursement of just over $7000.00 to a drg w/ a CC w/ reimbursement of more than $23000.00. You have to be able to identify the sings of "blood loss anemia" such as serial H&H, Hemavac/JP drain out put, estimated blood loss during surgery, # units of blood given during surgery and post op. Most of the time the drs will document anemia but it must say "Blood Loss Anemia. other areas we focused on were CHF, acute or chronic, resp failure ABGs PcO2 > 50, PO2

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Any study suggestions for CDI JATA exam? I have workd CDI for about a year but I am applying for a CDI position at a hospital closer to home. I currently drive over an hour to work. The new position is in a hospital that uses JATA. I am getting discouraged reading all the post about the test. I feel comfortable with ABGs, sepsis, pneumonias, CHF, renal failure.....(from a CDI perspective) Should I focus on the more common query diagnoses??? Will CDI experience help with the test? Any help? Please! Very nervous is Oklahoma.

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Specializes in Neuro, Oncology.

Hi Everyone! I was offered a CDI position at the current hospital that I work at (which I absolutely love!) and was already offered the position pending I pass the JA Thomas pre employment exam. I too have heard that it is very difficult and was given not study materials and am clueless as what to focus on. I have been reviewing Sepsis, cardiac meds, blood gases, Anatomy and Physiology and medical terminology. I feel like there is so much more to study but do not know where to start. ANY input would be so much appreciated. After I take the exam (and hopefully pass) I promise to pay it forward and reciprocate as much info as possible about the exam for other future test takers. This exam is so "top secret".

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I really want to get a job working as CDS , but no one would give me chance because I don't have an experience with coding, plus I eard the test was hard. Please advice,

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So sad never got the CDI job, they needed someone with experience, the usual curse I have, how can i get experience if no one would give me a chance...I am so sad right now and have lost faith if I can even switch gear in nursing or be stock in where I am at, did I mention it was my second time to apply as a CDI, and no one would give me a chance....

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