Medical Coding Specialist
2019-20 Medical Coding Specialist (PDF)
Certificate of Completion
Courses for this Certificate
About the Program
The Medical Coding Specialist three-term certificate program prepares students for work in entry-level coding positions in outpatient healthcare settings. For the rapidly expanding field, students will focus on developing an understanding of the concepts of the billing cycle, the language of medicine, and the ability to apply both to professional coding standards. Instruction concentrates on the areas of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, laboratory medicine, medical finance, and coding. Coders are required to extract medical documentation from patients’ charts and correlate the diagnosis and procedures performed into numerical code numbers. Students completing this program will be prepared to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam through the AAPC or the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), although certification is not an employment requirement at this time.
Program Learning Outcomes
The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Program learning outcomes for the Medical Coding Specialist program are:
Build a fundamental understanding of the human body and medical terminology as they apply to medical billing and coding.
Assign and understand diagnostic and procedure codes using ICD and HCPCS/CPT coding systems as used in a variety of settings.
Uphold legal and ethical standards and adhere to principles of patient confidentiality within the health care community environment as defined by federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations.
Effectively use specialized computer programs (EMR) and the Microsoft Office Suite.
Recognize and understand common acronyms used within the industry.
Understand and appropriately apply industry-standard payment methodologies.
Effectively apply verbal, nonverbal, and written communication principles and skills in the workplace.
Demonstrate professionalism through acceptable attitude, organization and time management skills, and attire.
Entry Requirements
Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process. In addition, students may also be required to enroll in classes that would increase their employability and success.
Students must meet certain minimum academic requirements (MTH20, RD90 and WR90 or WR91 or designated placement scores) before starting the program. Please visit www.roguecc.edu/alliedhealth/mcs for program application details.
Advanced Standing
Coursework from accredited colleges and universities will be accepted in accordance with college policies and the program coordinator’s recommendation. In order to ensure coursework is current, program courses over seven years old must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate program coordinator before being accepted toward core requirements. College Now credit earned in conjunction with local high schools will be accepted in accordance with the current agreement.
Graduation Requirements
These requirements apply only to students admitted to the program during the current academic year. Students contemplating admission in a later year may have different requirements and must obtain the graduation guide or catalog for that year. Students must complete all courses on this graduation guide with a grade of “C” or better to continue in and complete the program and receive their certificates. If certain required courses are graded only on a pass/no pass basis, a grade of “P” for these courses indicates a student earned the equivalent of a “C” or better grade.
1 Additional prerequisites may apply.
2 Students who have completed either BI121 and BI122 or BI231, BI232, and BI233 (the entire sequence of either series) with an equivalent “C” or better grade do not need to take BI100SB.
For more information regarding the program and selection process, contact the Allied Health Occupations Department:
Grants Pass or Medford: 541-245-7845
Toll free in Oregon: 800-460-6766, Ext. 7845
email: alliedhealth@roguecc.edu
Web address: www.roguecc.edu/AlliedHealth/mcs
TTY: Oregon Telecom Relay Service, 711
