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CODING
SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE
Program #8030
Coders are vital members of the
Health Information Management (HIM) occupational
cluster. Upon successful completion of this
certificate program, the student will have
the skills to asses the health care documentation,
determine the appropriate classification of
code assignment and sequencing in accordance
with the Coding Clinic Guidelines. The codes
are used for aggregate statistics, research,
and reimbursement for services rendered.
This program includes courses
recommended by the American Health Information
Management Association (AHIMA). Student courses
will include Fundamental Applications of HIM,
Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology,
specific courses on assigning International
Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM) and
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes,
as well as Clinical Practicums.
PROGRAM HOURS
Most courses will be offered Monday through
Friday; the core HIT courses are offered primarily
during the early evening hours.
WORK
SITES
Coders are employed by various
health care organizations such as hospitals,
physicians' offices, clinics, governmental
facilities, and insurance companies. Experienced
coders can work as independent contract coders.
POTENTIAL SALARIES
Credentialed Coders salaries
are influenced by the type of setting, experience
and difficulty of the work. Entry level pay
for Coders varies from $10.00 to $14.00 per
hour in Florida. Experienced coders who receive
incentive pay and/or do contract work earn
salaries in the $35,000 to $60,000 ranges.
CERTIFICATION EXAM
Graduates passing the certification exam are
designated Certified Coding Specialist (CCS
and/or CCSP for physicians' offices). Coders
are certified by AHIMA .
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