The certificate program at Mercyhurst North East will prepare the student for entry-level employment as a coder by providing the basic knowledge, understanding, and skills required to accurately assign codes with clarity and timeliness, applying the principles of professional and ethical conduct. Candidates must follow the admissions standards and successfully complete all course requirements to be placed in a 200-hour internship in a clinical setting. Health information coders are health care practitioners who access health information, identify diagnoses and procedures, and assign appropriate numerical codes to health terminology. The accuracy of this coding is essential because without it, correct reimbursement of all tests, procedures, etc., ordered by the physician will not occur. It also affects research, quality assurance, and risk management.
Efficient coders are in high demand.
Employment opportunities exist in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, physician offices, clinics, insurance companies, and rehabilitation centers. The skilled coder is highly valued as the demand for quality coding and extensive interaction with physicians, financial staffs, insurance representatives, and government personnel. Graduates with one year s experience are eligible to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist exam to earn the CCS credential which is highly desired by employers. Candidates must follow the admissions standards and successfully complete all course requirements to be placed in a 200-hour internship in a clinical setting. The program is designed to prepare those students who may wish a career in Medical Assisting, but may not wish to pursue a two year degree.