Clinical Coding Certificate

Program Description

This certificate program prepares students for careers as clinical coders. Clinical coders are skilled in classifying medical data utilizing knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and pharmacology. Clinical coding is important to healthcare organizations because coding accuracy influences public health policy, impacts revenues, and drives the assessment of healthcare outcomes.

Professional Certification

A coding credential provides proof of competency in the field and is often a requirement for clinical coding-related and healthcare revenue management positions. Graduates of the Clinical Coding Certificate are eligible to sit for AHIMA coding certification exams including:

• Certified Coding Associate (CCA®)
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®)
• Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P®)

Students may also choose to seek additional coding certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

PROGRAM APPROVAL STATEMENT 

Value for Students 

1. Identifies specialized programs that meet established coding educational standards 
2. Stimulates improvement of educational standards through faculty development opportunities, and by involving faculty and staff in program evaluation and planning 
3. Promotes a better understanding of the goals of professional coding education 
4. Provides reasonable assurance that practitioners possess the necessary job skills upon entry into the profession Program approval effective January of 2024 - January of 2027 with annual interim approval during these years. 

• Students who have already completed or transferred in credit for BIO 2111 and BIO 2112 have met the requirement. 
• Students who have already completed or transferred in credit for BIO 2111 may complete the requirement by taking BIO 2112. 
• Students who need to take BIO 2111 and BIO 2112  should enroll in the BIO 2111 prerequisite courses in their first semester. 
  • The BIO 2111 prerequisites are: ENG 1010 Composition AND BIO 1210 General Biology I OR BIO 1111 Cell Biology with Organ Systems OR BIO 1005 Introduction to Biology AND CHEM 1110 Concepts of Chemistry - all with a “C” or higher. BIO 1111 Cell Biology with Organ Systems is recommended for this program. 

Certificate Learning Outcomes

1. Generate codes representing the procedures, services, and supplies provided and the reason for contact with healthcare services utilizing HIPAA approved code sets appropriate to the healthcare setting and conforming to all official coding guidelines.
2. Show appropriate authoritative/governing sources to facilitate correct coding and adhere to AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding.
3. Employ technology in the coding process and management of the revenue cycle including use of the Electronic Health Record (EHR), encoding and grouping software, computer-assisted coding (CAC), natural language processing, and data analysis tools.
4. Explain coding in medical scenarios including inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and physician services (evaluation and management, surgery, and medicine).

All program courses are offered fully online, allowing students to access the program from anywhere. This program is eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.

Certificate Requirements

• Health Information Technology - Data Management, AS
• Healthcare Administration, AS