The medical coding specialist program is for individuals who have earned their Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification or want advance their career as a master professional in the medical coding profession. Student enrolled in this program will need to have demonstrated a basic knowledge of coding, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. Students in the program will demonstrate a practitioner’s skills in documentation, data quality, coding accuracy, provider queries, regulatory compliance and a mastery of coding proficiency. After program completion, students will be able to sit for the American Health Information Management Association’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) credentialing exam.

New classes start monthly. Students must be at least 18 to enroll in this program. Orientation will take place on the 15th of each month and students will begin on the first day of the following month. When the 15th falls on a weekend orientation will take place the following Monday.

With a new flexible schedule, students have the ability to customize when they are in the classroom. Part-time students must attend class 15 hours each week and full-time students must attend 30 hours each week. Available classroom time is Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Homework is completed online and students will need to be on campus to take exams. If you have questions, please contact the instructor, Patricia Neiman at 405.377.3333 ext 360.

How You’ll Learn Hands-On

Get into the real world with projects such as:

• Use Optum 360 encoder software that is used in hospitals and Dr. Offices
• Wide variety of coding cases from very simple to more difficult
• Coding cases for all type of facilities, hospital, Dr. office, clinic, and others
• On the Job training when available
• Software used in the medical field
• Field trips when possible
• Seminars
• AHIMA Student Membership (National Organization for Health Information Management)

Where it Can Take You

Use the skills you’ll learn in this program to find a career you’ll love. Possibilities include:

• Document Imaging Tech
• Patient Benefits Coordinator
• Data Analyst
• Patient Account Representative
• Medical Coder
• Outpatient coding compliance auditor

Possible Certification you can earn

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) (AHIMA)

What You’ll Learn

Career Readiness Certificate

WorkKeys®, an assessment tool from the ACT® organization, measures skills employers have identified as critical to job success in their industry and are used in hiring and promoting employees. Students are able to earn the ACT®-issued National Career Readiness Certificate by meeting the score requirements for their job field on three WorkKeys® assessments.

Matching the right employees with the right job creates employee job satisfaction, increased self-confidence and the best wages possible for the employee. The employer benefits with reduced turnover and training, increased productivity and overall company success. To learn about the WorkKeys® scores needed for your future career field visit Job Profiles.

The required WorkKeys scores for this career major are:

Applied Math – 3
Workplace Documents – 4
Graphic Literacy – 4

Graduation Requirements

In order to be successful in a career, students will need to meet all technical and academic standards related to their career of choice at Meridian. Meridian offers rigorous programs of study designed in cooperation with business and industry to ensure students are fully prepared for the demands of the workplace.

Meridian’s Career Ready Credential

When a student completes all standards as set forth in their program of study, they will be considered a graduate of Meridian and receive the Career Ready Credential. Students who do not meet these standards will not be considered graduates of Meridian. Students should have:

• Completed all courses in a career major with a grade of “C” or above and achieved required industry-based certifications for the career major
• Achieved WorkKeys® scores at or above the level required for the career major or earned an ACT® composite score of 19 or greater (Students may substitute equivalent scores on SAT, ACCUPLACER or other approved assessments.)

Additional Endorsements

Students earning a Career Ready Credential may also earn the Postsecondary Ready Endorsement, Citizenship Ready Endorsement and the National Career Readiness Certificate (CRC).

Postsecondary Ready Endorsement

• Earned, or was on track to earn, a high school diploma or GED at the time of Meridian graduation
• Achieved a subscore of 19 or greater on the ACT® in math, English, reading and science (Students may substitute equivalent scores on SAT, ACCUPLACER or other approved assessments.)

Citizenship Ready Endorsement

• Completed employment profile, résumé, job application, cover letter, mock interview and job search training through OKJobMatch.com
• Documented active membership in a CareerTech Student Organization or professional association related to the program of study
• Documented 20 hours of volunteerism or service in a community activity

National Career Readiness Certificate (CRC)

• Completed WorkKeys® assessments in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents and received a silver, gold or platinum National Career Readiness Certificate through the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

Tuition

Learn more about tuition.

Get Started

Complete a current application to bring to orientation. Contact Angie Richardson with questions at (405)377-3333 Ext. 273 or angier@meridiantech.edu.