Coding Solutions at Harmony Healthcare: Leslie Collins
Harmony Healthcare provides healthcare organizations with the talent and resources needed to succeed today as well as the foresight to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.
In this employee spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Leslie Collins, Outpatient QA Lead, Coding Solutions. We spoke with Leslie to share her advice for clients and coding professionals, as well as insights from her career journey.
Tell us about your journey in healthcare?
I started working in healthcare at an optometrist’s office, where I was first introduced to billing and coding. It was there that I fell in love with coding and decided to go back to school to pursue my RHIT. I love learning, so I kept challenging myself by taking on new coding roles in the outpatient coding realm. I also love educating, so I was thrilled to join the Harmony Coding Solutions team in 2024, where I get to audit and educate coders every day!
What are you most proud of about your journey with Harmony Healthcare?
I’m most proud of my ability and willingness to take on new challenges. In the last 12 years, I’ve worked my way from Emergency Department (ED) coding to surgical coding to auditing and educating, and I’ve enjoyed the new challenges that each job has brought me. I love working for a staffing company and the learning opportunities it offers. Each client we work with has their own consulting needs, and I love taking on the challenges that arise with each of them.
What is the biggest takeaway you’ve gained from your career thus far?
The biggest takeaway I’ve gained from my career thus far is the value of teamwork. I’m so fortunate to work with a team of incredible people who each bring their own experiences and strengths to the table. The beauty of this is that every one of them is willing to share their experiences and strengths with the rest of the team to ensure we’re all delivering the best possible results to our clients.
What are the top coding trends that you think people in the industry need to be prepared for?
Coding professionals need to be prepared to use AI more. I’m a firm believer that AI won’t replace coders, but it does change the way we perform our jobs. Learning to work with AI is not only important but necessary.
What advice would you give professionals in the coding industry?
Have confidence but also be teachable. Through my interactions with many coding professionals here at Harmony, I’ve come across so many people who have found a good balance between confidence and humility. The ability to say “I know my stuff” but also to ask questions and be willing to learn more about what you don’t know is a wonderful trait to embody. The coding world is so vast, and nobody can say they know it all. I think it’s important to be willing to admit what you don’t know and have confidence in yourself and what you do know.
Tell us a little about Leslie outside of your professional life. How do you spend your time outside of work?
I’m a mom of two amazing teenagers, Ethan, who is a senior in high school, and Avery, who is in eighth grade. My kids are my life, and spending time with them brings me so much joy. This year I’m soaking up every minute with my son – every football game, late night talk, and funny moment. I also love traveling, especially anywhere with a beach!
What’s a fun fact about Leslie that most people don’t know?
I love reading. I’m a big fan of fiction (mainly thrillers). I love getting caught up in a good book that keeps me guessing what will happen next. I live in Michigan, so we only get a few warm months, but one of my favorite things to do in the summer is float in my pool and read.
Anything else you’d like to say, advice to give, etc?
One last piece of advice for coding professionals: never stop learning! The coding world is always evolving, so attend webinars and seminars, ask questions, and surround yourself with other professionals that you can learn from. Networking is so important not only for camaraderie, but also for self-improvement.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your organization’s coding operations or are looking for a new role, Harmony Healthcare can help. Reach out to us to see how we can support you.
