Data abstraction?

How do you get data abstraction experience? I applied to two companies listed in this site but they do not operate in my area. I live in a really small town. The quality department at my hospital requires 5 years data abstraction experience. Any ideas? Thanks![/quote']

Wow that seems a little steep for a small town. I would think they would be open to training someone new. It's especially hard to get nurses into small towns much less into Quality. When you say small town, what is your population? Is there other healthcare facilities in your area? Some clinics and homehealth agencies abstraction something similar to core measures. Have you considered commuting? Just a few questions :)

Wow that seems a little steep for a small town. I would think they would be open to training someone new. It's especially hard to get nurses into small towns much less into Quality. When you say small town, what is your population? Is there other healthcare facilities in your area? Some clinics and homehealth agencies abstraction something similar to core measures. Have you considered commuting? Just a few questions :)

I live in a tourist town, at the beach, so a lot of people want to live here but the only jobs are tourism and heathcare (58 bed hospital). The hospital has a good reputation so nurses drive past two crappy hospitals to work work at this one. The population here is 25,000. There are other hospitals an hour away, but i never see "data abstraction" jobs per say. I just dont know how to get my foot in the door. I would be happy to start small or commute even but i don't see any jobs for that. Can I call certain departments to ask? Thanks...

Check with health insurance companies in your area. Do a Google search for the companies and apply directly through their web site. You can also contact any nursing agencies in your town, they sometimes have job listings that aren't posted on the normal jobs sites. Good luck.