Coding Apprentice

At Houston Methodist, the Coding Apprentice position is responsible for obtaining the educational material, knowledge and experience needed to be competent to assign accurate diagnostic and procedure codes in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting based upon documentation within the electronic medical record while maintaining compliance with established rules and regulatory guidelines. This position must demonstrate progressive ability and knowledge of coding and applicable guidelines in accordance with the program curriculum.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate’s degree or higher or currently enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) accredited program

EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred

• RHIT - Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA) or
• RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA) or
• CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA) or
• CCA - Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA) or
• CCS-P - Certified Coding Specialist Physician-based (AHIMA) or
• CPC - Certified Professional Coder (AAPC) or
• Other coding credential by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Knowledge of coding classification systems, DRG and APC systems, official coding guidelines and coding compliance
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology
• Extensive PC knowledge - must be able to work effectively in common office software, coding software and abstracting systems
• Knowledge of an electronic medical record and imaging systems preferred
• Proficiency with electronic encoder application preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts and communicates effectively with members of the coding team and the appropriate stakeholders.
• Participates and provides good feedback during coding section meetings and coding education in-services as well as takes initiative to assist others and shares knowledge with the appropriate stakeholders.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Actively participates in training activity geared towards achieving competency in the assignment of accurate diagnostic and procedure codes in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting.
• Responds promptly to internal and external customer requests. Responds promptly and appropriately to requests to code or review coded accounts for accuracy.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and achieves the highest standards of coding quality by assigning accurate/ICD-10-CM/ICD-10-PCS and HCPCS/CPT codes utilizing an electronic encoder application in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory body guidelines.
• Maintains and achieves department standards of abstracting quality by reviewing accurate discharge disposition entered by nursing and corrects if necessary in order to achieve the highest quality of entered data. Assigns and enters physician identification number and procedure date correctly in the medical record abstracting system.
• Reviews medical record documentation and abstracts data into the encoder and Electronic Health Record (EHR) to determine principal or final diagnosis, co-morbid conditions and complications, secondary conditions and procedures. Utilizes all tools/ resources for accuracy.
• Complies with the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to official guidelines.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes time and resources effectively throughout the education program.
• Ensures all work assignments are completed on time to keep pace with the education program syllabus.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Continuously progresses in basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated tasks.
• Critically evaluates own performance, accepts constructive criticism, and looks for ways to improve.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate’s degree or higher or currently enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) accredited program

EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred

• RHIT - Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA) or
• RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA) or
• CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA) or
• CCA - Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA) or
• CCS-P - Certified Coding Specialist Physician-based (AHIMA) or
• CPC - Certified Professional Coder (AAPC) or
• Other coding credential by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)