A Medical Coder is a health information professional who assigns medical diagnostic and procedural codes.
In the healthcare industry, a Medical Coding specialist plays a crucial role. Medical coders analyze patient records and translate their medical information into universal codes for insurance companies.
If you want to become a Medical Coder, read the guide below to find out more.
Medical Coder: Responsibilities
No matter where they operate, the responsibilities of a Medical Coder are the same. Although there are several organizations with Medical Coder certification, there are some "standard" certifications too.
Depending on where you want to work, you may seek other certifications. There are certifications for people who want to work in doctor's offices and certifications for hospital environments.
Nearly every single healthcare provider uses coded documents and reports. At any given time, a single hospital may have 50 coders working.
Inpatient and outpatient facilities, emergency and semi-urgent care facilities, clinics, nursing homes, sports medical offices, mental health facilities, and doctor's offices, are just a few of those places where well-trained, reliable coders can find a career.
Job Requirements
You need to seek some specialized training before you decide to pursue a career as a Medical Coder. First, you will need to learn multiple sets of medical codes.
You also need to learn more about anatomy, biology, and medical procedures, not to mention any specific insurance laws and policies.
Since there is so much to know on the road to becoming a Medical Coder, most employers want prospective workers to have lots of experience.
While some employers are happy with Medical Coders who have a high school diploma and extensive experience in medical coding, others are not. Usually, in a health-related area, you will need a Bachelor's degree.
Certificates You Need to Complete
You may also want to pursue the certification of a Medical Coder during or immediately after your studies. While it is not generally required to apply for a job, it can help you get ahead of the competition. Even if you are hired without certification, a lot of employers will expect you to be certified soon after you start.
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) are two reputable and accredited organisations that issue certification.
The online medical coding and billing training offered by Career Phase provides learners with valuable career tools including existing employer relationships, resume and cover letter analysis, customized interview tutorials, new work updates, and a hotline of advice.
The Career Step program is also one of the few online training programs accredited by the American Association for Health Information Management (AHIMA), the largest body of the medical coding industry. Once you've completed the online training for Career Phase, you'll be able to become a CPC and CCA.
Finding a Job
General career networks such as LinkedIn and Indeed.com list unique job openings for Medical Coders. You can also check out sites such as the American Association of Professional Coders, which lists a wide range of work.
Medical coders operate in several settings, which are not hospitals. You can work in a private practice office, in a long-term care facility, or at an emergency care center.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, you need to have a solid background in science to become a Medical Coder. Your coursework should cover medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology classes.
You will also need classes in the standards, classifications, and coding systems for health data. It is also wise to take classes on computers, which focus on data and record keeping.
