Medical coding isn’t a dying career. There are thousands of opportunities for medical coders in the United States.
Trying to find those jobs and understand your options can be challenging.
Have you ever wondered what kind of jobs you could get as a medical coder with a certificate? Is getting a certificate even worth the effort? Well, I have news for you.
Getting a certificate can mean a significant increase in your paycheck. It can often mean a $5,000 increase in your salary and sometimes as much as a $20,000 raise!
But not everyone is money motivated. Some people are more motivated by the environment they work in or the organization they work for. Many specialty positions need certificates. Specialty positions can mean working in a clinic, the emergency room, or even in-home health.
We’ve compiled a list of over 40 different jobs for medical coders with certificates. Also, there are six in-depth descriptions of positions that you could have as a medical coder.
Table of Contents
Clinic Coder
Number of Jobs on ZipRecruiter: 25,900+ in the United States
Average Pay: $20-$30 an hour, or $45,000-$70,000 a year
A clinic coder needs to assign appropriate medical codes based on the documentation. You’ll need to know information about diagnoses, procedures, and demographics. It just depends on the clinic’s policies.
Since there will most likely be software and databases involved, you’ll need to have a high typing pace and practice with management systems. You need to know coding guidelines and reimbursement reporting requirements.
Some employers won’t specify what kind of certification a prospect will need. However, some specify that the position requires one or more of the following certifications:
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Risk Adjustment Coder
Number of Jobs on Indeed: + 350 in the United States
Average Pay: $20-$33 an hour or $50,000-$75,000 a year
To be a Risk Adjustment Coder, you need to prove you know how to read a medical chart and assign the correct diagnosis. Since you will experience a wide variety of cases in the workplace, you need to know the ICD-10-CM codes. You also need to know regulations about compliance and reimbursement of the assigned code on the payment models.
You also need to understand the audit process for the risk adjustment models. You must communicate how to improve documentation for accurate risk adjustment coding. Not to mention knowing anatomy, pathophysiology, and medical terminology for code diagnoses.
Different organizations will need you to have different certifications for this position.
Out of the 352 organizations listed in Indeed...
286 organizations say they need you to have the Professional Coder Certification, or the CPC
126 organizations require the AHIMA certification
125 organizations mandate the Coding Specialist Certification, or the CSC
Certified Outpatient Coder
Number of Jobs on Indeed: about 400 in the United States
Average Pay: $23-$29 an hour; or $60,000-$70,000 a year
An outpatient coder needs to know several areas. This includes assigning accurate medical codes for diagnoses, procedures, and services performed. This can happen in outpatient clinics, same-day surgeries, physical therapy, chemotherapy, and more.
You must have a detail-oriented mind. After all, you’ll be working in areas like anesthesia, radiology, pathology, and more.
You also need to know medical codes and the regulations involved with coding. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology is also mandatory.
Many employers will accept several coding certificates, including:
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) (preferred)
Certified Coder Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coder Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Certified Home Health Coder
Number of Jobs on Indeed: 140+ in the United States
Average Pay: $45,000-$60,000 annually
Anyone working as a certified home health coder needs to know the ICD-10-CM system and coding guidelines. You’ll need to know how to evaluate and change documentations related to ICD-10-CM codes.
You also need to know concepts of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Knowledge of OASIS is necessary.
Many companies will need you to observe and report unusual patterns in data collection and a lack of adequate documentation for code assignments.
Most employers require these certifications for the home health coder position:
Certification in Home Health Coding
National ICD-10 Coding certification
National OASIS Certification
Anesthesia Medical Coder
Number of Jobs on ZipRecruiter: 150+ in the United States
Average Pay: $40,000-$55,000 a year
Someone who wants to apply for an anesthesia medical coder job needs to meet some specific requirements. This is a specialty field after all.
You need to know about all of the CPT codes for surgical cases. You also need to understand the proper use of modifiers common for anesthesia. In addition, you need to be able to properly determine time units and total units related to anesthesia cases.
You must know the rules and regulations of Medicare billing including (but not limited to) incidents to, teaching situations, shared visits, consultations, and global surgery. You must also know medical terminology including anatomy and physiology.
An anesthesia medical coder needs to understand the coding per NCCI, ICD-10-CM, CPT Modifiers, and the documentation guidelines.
But what certificates does this position require? Well, that depends on the organization. These are some certifications that different organizations will accept:
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS-P)
Anesthesia and Pain Management Certification (CANPC)
Emergency Facility Medical Coder
Number of Jobs on Indeed: 250+ in the United States
Average Pay: $45,000-$60,000 a year
You need to be able to read and understand physician notes when dealing with the emergency department. Since you are also working with ED physicians, you need to know the codes related to surgical procedures. Laceration repair, fracture care, foreign body removal, and thoracenteses are procedures that you may need to know about.
To work in an emergency department, you should be familiar with a multitude of topics. This includes the coding of moderate sedation, time-based coding, denials, and much more.
Rules and regulations of Medicare billing are something you also need to know. This includes teaching situations, shared visits, consultations and global surgery depending on the organization.
Here is a list of the different certifications that organizations could accept when applying for such a position:
Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC)
Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Conclusion
As you can see, a medical coder with a certificate can get a variety of jobs. The industry is booming and will continue to grow. This list of 42 job titles is just the tip of the iceberg.
You can be a coder, a coordinator, an apprentice, an auditor, and more. You can work in the emergency department, a clinic, or even the radiology department.
Each position and each organization can require a multitude of different certifications. Some need professional coder certification. Other jobs might need more specialized certifications like the CANPC or the CEMC. All it takes is some studying and an exam.
Getting a certification in different areas of the medical coding world is one of the best ways to advance your career. It is also one of the easiest ways to increase your income.
Additional Coding Jobs That Require Certificates
Billing Specialist - Physical Therapy
Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
Certified Coder
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Certified Coder - Home Health
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Certified Coder - Outpatient
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
Certified Professional Coder - Payer (CPC-P)
CEMC
CEDC
Certified Coding Coordinator
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Professional Coder- Hospital (CPC-H)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
ROCC
Certified Medical Coder
HCS-D
Certified Medical Coders Outpatient & ED
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Certified Medical Coder - Records
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Certified Medical Coder - Urgent Care
AHIMA
or AAPC
Certified Professional Biller
Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
Certified Professional Coder
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Coder - Benefits Configuration
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Coder - Clinic
APC or AHIMA certifications are required
Coder - ED
Certification from AHIMA or AAPC
Coder - E&M
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A)
Certified Professional Coder- Hospital (CPC-H)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Coder - Emergency Department
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Coder - FSED & Urgent Care
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Coder - Hospital
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Professional Coder- Hospital (CPC-H)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Radiation Oncology Certification Coder (ROCC),
Certified Interventional Radiology Coder (CIRCC),
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Coder - Outpatient
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Coder - Risk Adjustment
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)
Coding Coordinator
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Coding Reviewer - OASIS and Diagnosis
HCS-O
COS-C
Coding Specialist
Certified Professional Coder (CPC),
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialists (CCS)
Coding Specialists - Medical Billing
Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Medical Bill Reviewer
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Medical Documentation Reviewer
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Medical Coder
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Medical Coder - Anesthesia
Medical Coding Certificate (CPC)
Anesthesia and Pain Management Certificate (CANPC)
Medical Coder - Clinic
AAPC/AHIMA Coding Credential
Medical Coder - Clinical Documentation Specialist (Mental Health)
Medical Coding Certification or Clinical License
Medical Coder - Emergency Department
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Medical Coder - Emergency Facility
AHIMA/AAPC coding credential
Medical Coder- Inpatient
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC),
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Medical Coder - Pathology
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Medical Coder - Radiology
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
SCC Coding Certification
Medical Coder - Risk Adjustment
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Medical Coding Auditor
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
CPMA
Medical Coding Coordinator
AAPC or AHIMA Coding Certification (no apprentice)
Medical Coding Specialist
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
Medical Coding Apprentice Program
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Medical Biller
Certified Ambulance Coder (CAC)
or Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Medical Policy Coordinator
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Professional Coder - Outpatient
Registered Health Information Tech (RHIT)
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A)
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
