Medical Coding Specialist

 

Career Description

Medical coding specialists convert doctors’ bills, services and prescriptions into alphanumeric codes that can be stored electronically. Clinical coding specialists (CCS) typically work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, group practices or multispecialty clinics and primarily use the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) coding system and current procedural terminology (CPT) codes.

Academic Requirements

Medical coding specialists typically have a diploma or associate’s degree. Coding certifications include registered health information technologist, which represents training in coding as well as some management, and registered health information administrator, which represents training in coding and more extensive management.

Coding specialists should work in the field for two years before taking the CCS or CCS-P exams administered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Schools

Allied College - North Campus (St. Louis)
866/502-2627

Allied College - South Campus (Fenton)
866/502-2627

East Central College (Union)
636/583-5193

Sanford-Brown College - Fenton
636/349-4900

Sanford-Brown College - Hazelwood
314/731-1101

Sanford-Brown College - St. Charles
314/724-7100

St. Louis College of Health Careers
314/845-6100

TechSkills - St. Louis
314/878-1422

Professional Associations

National
American Health Information Management Association

State
Missouri Health Information Management Association

Additional Information

Learn More About Health Information Management and Health Services Administration