Careers in medical coding are on the rise, and for good reason. It is a rising field in the medical industry and an immensely fulfilling career path as you form the connection between patients, medical providers, and insurance companies. 

As a medical coder, you will translate complex diagnoses, procedures, medications, and other doctor's notes into simple, standardized alphanumeric codes. These codes have a few different purposes: 

• They enter the patient record to make it easier for their doctor and other providers to refer to and learn about the patient in the future. 
• Insurance companies use them to understand what the patient needed and how it might be covered under their policy. 

Coders in the medical field are also responsible for maintaining the accuracy of patient records and verifying those records to ensure that insurance companies have everything they need to process billing. Medical terminology, an updated understanding of current coding guidelines, and knowledge of basic medical concepts will all help you succeed in this field. 

Medical coders, also known as Medical Records and Health Information Specialists, are in high demand around the Portland area and beyond. With Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, as well as Adventist, Providence, and Legacy Good Samaritan, Portland is in many ways the healthcare hub of the state. Given the complexity of the healthcare and insurance world, these high-demand professionals have a relatively quick educational pathway to a job that makes on average $44,090 per year. 

Updated Feb. 13, 2023

There's no better time to start a career in healthcare. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that some of the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade will be in the healthcare industry. More specifically, it's anticipated that there will be a 15% jump in medical coding jobs alone.

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, the importance of medical coders cannot be underestimated. This in-demand career allows healthcare offices and hospitals to run smoothly and provide patient care. Although not directly involved with patients as a coder, you will play a vital role in ensuring that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can continue to do their jobs well.

Medical coders play a vital role in healthcare, helping ensure that patients, physicians, and insurance companies receive accurate information. They turn physician’s notes into internationally used codes for hospital records, insurance information, and more, using thousands of codes to maintain accurate, detailed patient information.

The medical coding profession is an integral part of the healthcare system. By assigning codes to the description of a patient’s condition, medical coders help to keep the flow of accurate information between doctor and patient as well as insurance companies. What is more, jobs in this field are booming! The Bureau of Labor and Statistics is anticipating a 15% increase in medical records and health information technician jobs between 2014 and 2024 – much faster than average. While this profession is important and in demand, there is still a lot about it that many people are unaware of.

Updated Nov. 23, 2021

Medical coding is a field you may not have looked into, but it’s one of the best fields in today’s job market for keeping your skillset relevant and adapting to a new career. If you’re detail-oriented and enjoy the variety of working both with teams and independently, then being a medical coder could be the right job for you. But why else should you become a medical coder?

Updated Nov. 1, 2021

You might not realize it, but medical coders are some of the most ever-present workers at any healthcare facility (especially hospitals). Medical coders wear a variety of hats, from reading through a patient’s medical records from their most recent appointment to admitting and discharging individuals, and applying coding rules and government regulations to complete the case. However, since most medical coders don't interact with patients directly, their work tends to go unnoticed at the clinic.

Updated Feb. 25, 2022

Terri Miller enrolled in PCC Institute for Health Professionals April 2015 for medical coding. She writes about her experience with PCC and where it has gotten her today.

Meet Terri Miller. She enrolled in the PCC Institute for Health Professionals to learn about medical coding. Having spent 20 years as a medical transcriptionist, she found her job becoming obsolete due to advances in medical technology. In her own words, she described her experience with PCC, the courses she took as part of our medical coding program, and how training in medical coding helped her stay in the healthcare field while keeping her career relevant.