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Medical Coder Job Description

What does a Medical Coder do?

A Medical Coder is responsible for reviewing medical records and assigning codes to describe the diagnoses and procedures that were performed during a patient’s hospital stay. These codes are used by healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government agencies to determine the appropriate level of payment and to track health statistics. Medical Coders must be proficient in medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems such as ICD-10 and CPT. They work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the accuracy and completeness of coded data. Medical Coders may work in hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies, and they play an important role in ensuring that patients receive the proper care and that healthcare providers receive fair reimbursement for their services.

Our Medical Coder job description includes the Medical Coder responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Medical Coder Example


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If you need an example job description for a Medical Coder download the one below, alternatively we have many other Healthcare job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Medical Coder do?

Medical Coder job summary:

A Medical Coder is responsible for translating medical records into universally accepted codes for billing and insurance purposes. They must have a strong understanding of medical terminology and diagnoses and be able to accurately interpret and translate them into the relevant codes. Medical Coders are also responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of medical records and for keeping them up to date. They must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Medical Coder Role Purpose

The purpose of a medical coder is to accurately and efficiently review medical records and assign codes that correspond to the diagnosis and treatment of a patient. These codes are then used to bill for services rendered, submit claims to insurance companies, provide data for research and statistical purposes, and track the outcomes of care. Medical coders ensure the accuracy of the data and that all relevant information is recorded.

Medical Coder Role

A Medical Coder is responsible for analysing and converting medical records into a standardised coding system for use in billing and administrative purposes. They are responsible for ensuring that patient data is accurately entered into the computer system and that codes are assigned correctly. They must also be knowledgeable about medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology in order to accurately code patient records.

Medical Coder Duties

  • Review medical records and translate patient information into standard medical codes
  • Check medical records for accuracy and completeness
  • Keep up to date with changes in healthcare regulations
  • Communicate with healthcare professionals to clarify details of medical procedures
  • Ensure correct coding for insurance billing purposes

Medical Coder Requirements

  • Excellent knowledge of anatomy and physiology
  • Highly accurate data entry skills
  • Knowledge of medical terminology, coding systems and insurance guidelines
  • Ability to work independently and to take initiative
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Medical Coder Personal Traits

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Flexibility
  • Ability to work independently
  • Good organisational skills

How to write a Medical Coder Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Medical Coder Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Medical Coder Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Medical Coder Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Medical Coder

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