Base Medical Coder Job Description on These Traits

When visiting a client's office, I found out the office manager was in the process of hiring a new full-time medical coder and had been tasked with writing job description for this position. She asked my if I could offer up any tips on how she should go about this task. Well first be sure to consult with any and all coders at the practice to get their input on the job description. Those who reply will likely offer useful information, and those who don't will have been given the opportunity to contribute.

Then, check your coders' suggestions against this list of requirements and desirable traits commonly found in most medical coding job descriptions:

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to work well with numbers
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Ability to work independently or as a team member, depending on the situation
• Experience working with computers and other electronic devices

Desirable traits:

• Certified professional coder (CPC) certification
• Experience with CPT® and ICD-10 coding conventions
• Knowledge of general medical terms
• Knowledge of the practice specialty's terms and treatments
• Experience working with various medical coding software

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.