Purpose: This program is designed to provide the technical knowledge and skills, along with the practical experience, needed for employment as a health records coding technician. Assisted by specialized computer equipment and software, health records coding technicians analyze and interpret the patient’s record to determine the proper standardized code that represents the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. These codes may be used to create accurate standardized records, to maintain health statistics, or for billing purposes. The need for health records coding technicians will increase rapidly in the next ten years as the health field continues to move toward a greater focus on health care analysis and reimbursement challenges. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the students will be eligible to take national accrediting exams offered by AHIMA and the AAPC. Occupational Objectives: Health records coding technicians work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, legal firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and as independent freelance consultants. Admission Requirements: General college curricular admission Program Notes: Students with significant on-the-job training may be given permission by the Program Head to enroll in select classes only. These students will not earn the
career studies certificate from the college, but should be well prepared to take the national certification exams.
Due to faculty availability, each course may not be offered every
semester. Computer Competency Requirement: All applicants must pass the computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers at each campus, or successfully complete ITE 115 or CSC 155 or equivalent prior to completion of the program. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.
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