Clinical Coding Specialist Is a Research Proposal

Salary

Employment Opportunities

Clinical coding specialists may work in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory, long-term and mental health care facilities, physicians' offices and government agencies that need coding expertise. (Western Kentucky University Website "Clinical Coding Specialist," 2003, NP)

Professional Association

American Health Information Management Association

233 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2150

Western Kentucky University Website "Clinical Coding Specialist," 2003, NP)

According to an interview I conducted with a CCS, the traditional route to becoming a CCS has been to learn the systems on the job, especially with regard to institution specific computer coding systems, with minimal additional facility sponsored continuing education credit hours per year, yet as the job becomes increasingly important, with regard to accountancy and cost containment in medical care more and more institutions are requiring certification and therefore prior education with regard to clinical coding. The professional noted that when she began her job 15 years prior it was not unusual to hire people with minimal business and some medical experience in a clinical setting yet now more and more institutions including her own are seeking candidates with prior coding experience and certification through education.This change in the system is supported by Tinsley, an expert in the field of medical accountancy. (Tinsley, 1993, pg. 34) the CCS I interviewed, also stressed that the job is very high paced and requires serious attention to detail, which increases with the size of the facility one works at. (Personal Communication September 1, 2008) This new change in the coding specialist entrance role will likely be a big part of my future educational goals, as seeking certification will likely occur prior to completion of my Bachelors degree and will assist me in a better understanding of what my future roles in health care administration may be.

References

Johns, M.L. (2007) Information Management for Health Professionals Second Edition. AHIMA.

Tinsley, R. (1993). Engagements for Medical Professionals. Journal of Accountancy, 175(4), 34.

Western Kentucky University Website (2003)….....