Medical coder job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Medical coder in details. A complete job description concludes Medical coder key duties/responsibilities, Medical coder job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Medical coder duties:

1.    Perform accurate & comprehensive reviews of medical records.

2.    Schedule and maintain appointments with providers and clinics.

3.    Responsible for providing education and training to physician groups/offices on correct coding initiatives

4.    Auditing high volumes of medical records to ensure correct and appropriate code assignment

5.    Reporting on findings resulting from chart audits

6.    Ensuring accurate data entry for CMS submission

7.    Ensures policies and procedures are monitored and updated to include regulatory changes.

8.    Available for day and evening offsite and telephonic training/education.

II. List of Medical coder qualifications

1.    Min 1yr coder experience

2.    Previous HEDIS abstraction experience preferred
High speed internet, cell phone, and reliable transportation is required

3.    Candidates must have strong Medical Terminology with experience in medical records, claims, coding, etc

4.    At least two years' of hospital inpatient / outpatient or medical office coding experience
Some type of coding certification, which may include Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist for Providers (CCSP), Certified Coding Specialist for Hospitals (CCSH), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), or nursing medical background

5.    Extensive knowledge of ICD9CM and/or CPT coding principles and guidelines

6.    Familiarity with physicianspecific regulations and polices related to documentation and coding

7.    Knowledgeable of Medicare Risk Adjustment

8.    Prior audit/quality experience

9.    Travel will be required for this position and person needs to be available for day and evening session and the ability to travel, both in and out of state, if needed.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.