ADVERTISEMENT An Advocate for Health: NTC medical coding program helps Ben Cahill address health disparities Benjamin Cahill to gain access to health care and coursework in the downtime during my workday." social services. "If you are interested in the Advocating for others is an important part of Benjamin Cahill's life. After discovering Northwest Technical College, Cahill realized he could build his career in advocacy and health care by becoming a community health care or social services health worker. Cahill said his schoolwork which spanned nonviolent communication, chronic diseases and community cultures-is very relevant to the field and has helped him prepare for his career. Additionally, the program's 80-hour internship gave him on-the-job experience outside of the classroom. field, but not interested in doing four years of education, this is a great way to start," Cahill said. "You'll be on the frontline in addressing health care disparities, and will work closely with those in social work." Medical Coding Cahill was first introduced to Northwest Tech by Connie Norman '15, an NTC alumna and community health worker with Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota. Cahill and Norman were introduced when he worked in the hospital's patient registration and scheduling department. Norman felt Cahill would be a great fit for NTC's community health worker program and encouraged him to apply. "I was able to intern with a current community health worker, so I really got to see how what I was learning in the classroom can be applied to the day-to-day activities I'd be doing in the field, Cahill said. "There can be a lot of variation in your education and tasks, so it's nice to get real-world experience as part of the program." At Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, students can obtain a certificate, diploma or associate of applied science degree in medical coding. Each credential builds on the one before it, and all offer job opportunities in the Bemidji region. Working full-time, Cahill said the flexibility and affordability of NTC's two-semester online program made it possible for him to earn his degree. "I'm able to complete things based on my schedule, without worrying about planning classes and work around one another," he said. "I can often finish my A 2022 graduate, Cahill has secured a community health worker position with PrimeWest Health throughout Minnesota. He will also work with Minnesota's Pride Support Network, an agency that advocates for those who struggle For more information, contact the NTC Office of Admissions at admissions@NTCMN.edu. call (218) 333-6600 and ask for admissions or visit ntcmn.edu/ admissions/visit-campus/. ADVERTISEMENT An Advocate for Health : NTC medical coding program helps Ben Cahill address health disparities Benjamin Cahill to gain access to health care and coursework in the downtime during my workday . " social services . " If you are interested in the Advocating for others is an important part of Benjamin Cahill's life . After discovering Northwest Technical College , Cahill realized he could build his career in advocacy and health care by becoming a community health care or social services health worker . Cahill said his schoolwork which spanned nonviolent communication , chronic diseases and community cultures - is very relevant to the field and has helped him prepare for his career . Additionally , the program's 80 - hour internship gave him on - the - job experience outside of the classroom . field , but not interested in doing four years of education , this is a great way to start , " Cahill said . " You'll be on the frontline in addressing health care disparities , and will work closely with those in social work . " Medical Coding Cahill was first introduced to Northwest Tech by Connie Norman '15 , an NTC alumna and community health worker with Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota . Cahill and Norman were introduced when he worked in the hospital's patient registration and scheduling department . Norman felt Cahill would be a great fit for NTC's community health worker program and encouraged him to apply . " I was able to intern with a current community health worker , so I really got to see how what I was learning in the classroom can be applied to the day - to - day activities I'd be doing in the field , Cahill said . " There can be a lot of variation in your education and tasks , so it's nice to get real - world experience as part of the program . " At Northwest Technical College in Bemidji , students can obtain a certificate , diploma or associate of applied science degree in medical coding . Each credential builds on the one before it , and all offer job opportunities in the Bemidji region . Working full - time , Cahill said the flexibility and affordability of NTC's two - semester online program made it possible for him to earn his degree . " I'm able to complete things based on my schedule , without worrying about planning classes and work around one another , " he said . " I can often finish my A 2022 graduate , Cahill has secured a community health worker position with PrimeWest Health throughout Minnesota . He will also work with Minnesota's Pride Support Network , an agency that advocates for those who struggle For more information , contact the NTC Office of Admissions at admissions@NTCMN.edu . call ( 218 ) 333-6600 and ask for admissions or visit ntcmn.edu/ admissions / visit - campus / .