Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Medical Records Coder

Career Studies Certificate
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

This program is included in: G3

Designed to provide the technical knowledge and skills, along with the practical experience, needed for employment as a basic medical records coder. Assisted by specialized computer equipment and software, medical records coders analyze and interpret the patient’s record to determine the proper standardized codes that represent the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. These codes may be used for billing purposes, to create accurate standardized records, to maintain health statistics. The need for medical records coders will continue to increase as the health field continues to address reimbursement challenges and move toward a focus on quality improvement related to health care services.

Outcomes

Recognize and implement professional policies and procedures related to the legal and ethical use of medical information; Interpret health record documentation using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical indicators and disease processes, pharmacology, and medical terminology to identify codeable diagnoses and/or procedures, according to the ICD-10-CM and CPT-4 coding systems; Apply knowledge of major reimbursement systems in the United States to the preparation of universal billing claims; and Demonstrate behaviors and dispositions that are in accord with professional ethics, including integrity, respect for privacy, and commitment to professional growth.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree By the end of the program, students are capable of interpreting health record documentation using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical indicators and disease processes, pharmacology, and medical terminology to identify codeable
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

In addition to the general college curricular admission requirements, a personal interview with the faculty advisor is required for advising prior to enrollment in the first HIM course. Courses need to be taken in the sequence listed or advised. Students will be required to repeat any course in which a grade lower than “C” is received.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

After a semester of taking basic college required courses, students may begin taking health information management courses and complete the program within 2 semesters.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses Coders take a variety of classes that assist in medical records interpretation. They include anatomy, physiology, clinical indicators and disease processes, pharmacology, and medical terminology to identify codeable diagnoses and/or procedures.
Doing More With Your Degree This program is designed to provide the technical knowledge and skills, along with the practical experience, needed for employment as a basic medical records coder. Assisted by specialized computer equipment and software, medical records coders analyze and interpret the patient’s record to determine the proper standardized codes that represent the patient’s diagnosis and treatment.
Program Successes & Highlights Upon satisfactory completion of this certification program, graduates will be eligible to take the nationally-accredited exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Successfully passing the exam and obtaining certification as a medical coder begins the journey towards an in-demand career within the healthcare industry.
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Medical Records Coder
27
Career Studies Certificate in Medical Records Coder
27
Course Grad Req 221-152-06
27
Medical Records Coder 221-152-06
27
HLT 143
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
HIM 141
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
HIM 110
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
HIM 250
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course:
HIM 255
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
SDV 101
1
Earn 1 credits: Complete the following
Earn 1 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
HIM 257
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
BIO 145
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Not Required
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning Prior learning is considered
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
916
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
100% of students who have earned an American high school diploma or completed a GED or equivalency.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? https://issuu.com/reynoldscommunitycollege/docs/digital_hs_recruitment_packet?fr=sZmMwOTQ3OTA5NA
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Not Required
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
31-9099.02Endoscopy TechniciansMaintain a sterile field to provide support for physicians and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Prepare and maintain instruments and equipment. May obtain specimens.Healthcare Support Occupations
31-9099.00Healthcare Support Workers, All OtherAll healthcare support workers not listed separately.Healthcare Support Occupations
31-9099.01Speech-Language Pathology AssistantsAssist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.Healthcare Support Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 27 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Career Studies Certificate in Medical Records Coder at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 2 semesters or 1 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $163 Per Credit $4,401 $0 $4,401
Fees
Additional Fees $0 Per Semester $0 0 $0 Additional fees per semester of $8.50 for In-State and $32.00 for Out-of-State students.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.