Medical Coding
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Potential Positions
Potential positions include medical coding specialist. Opportunities primarily exist in the hospital setting. Other job opportunities may exist in physicians’ offices, insurance companies, extended care facilities, and other medical environments.
Employment Outlook
Employment opportunities for formally trained medical records technicians, the closest occupation for which data is available, should be very good. Employment of health information technicians is expected to grow 47% through the year 2012, due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures which will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts, and consumers. Within 9 months after graduation, the estimated employment rate for the Medical Coding program is 76%. The graduate starting median wage is $11.95 with a wage potential of $17.22.
*Graduate wages and placement obtained from SBCTC/WA unemployment files from 2004-05. Wage potential is based out of Whatcom County and obtained from LMEA. For further information, contact the Counseling & Career Center at 360-752-8450.
Typical Tasks
Specific tasks typically required of a medical coding specialist include:
Assign the patient to diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), using appropriate computer software.
Compile medical care and census data for statistical reports on diseases treated, surgery performed, or use of hospital beds.
Consult classification manuals to locate information about disease processes.
Enter data, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of disease, diagnostic procedures and treatment into computer.
Identify, compile, abstract and code patient data, using standard classification systems.
Manage the department and supervise clerical workers, directing and controlling activities of personnel in the medical records department.
Prepare statistical reports, narrative reports and graphic presentations of information such as tumor registry data for use by hospital staff, researchers, or other users.
Process and prepare business and government forms.
Protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
Release information to persons and agencies according to regulations.
Resolve or clarify codes and diagnoses with conflicting, missing, or unclear information by consulting with doctors or others or by participating in the coding team's regular meetings.
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This program typically starts in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Quarters
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