Medical Coding Specialist Diploma

Program Information

The Anoka Technical College Medical Coding Specialist diploma program is a 41-credit program that prepares students to assume an entry-level position as a medical coder in an acute care hospital, clinic or physician’s office health care setting.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Essential professional and technical knowledge
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Skills in using resources and technology
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Critical thinking skills
• Eligible to work in any healthcare setting
• Eligible to sit for the CCA exam

Industry and Career Outlook

Graduates of the Medical Coding Specialist diploma program will:

1. Analyze medical record documentation in order to assign diagnostic and procedures codes.
2. Provide important information for the health care reimbursement process.
3. Assist in medical research and statistics.

Medical coding specialists analyze health record documentation in order to assign and/or ensure that valid codes are applied to medical diagnoses and procedures to facilitate reimbursement, analysis of patient outcomes and statistics. The coding specialist must have a thorough understanding of the content of the health record in order to be able to locate information to support or provide specificity for coding.

Coding specialists receive training in the anatomy and physiology of the human body and disease processes in order to understand the etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and prognosis of diseases and procedures to be coded.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Accreditation

The Medical Coding Specialist diploma can prepare students to sit for the national certification examination to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) or the Certified Procedural Coding-Apprentice (CPC-A) credentials.

Program Start Dates

Fall Semester: August
Spring Semester: January

Graduation Requirements

All courses required for this program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Faculty Contact

Georgina Sampson: 763-576-4042
Jody Sandberg: 763-576-4066

For information on how to apply, to schedule a tour, or for service during summer hours, contact Enrollment Services at 763-576-7710 or EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu