Outpatient Coder

Location: Houston, Texas, United StatesCompany: Houston MethodistPosted: 2026-09-14At Houston Methodist, the Outpatient Coder position is responsible for ensuring diagnostic and procedure codes are assigned accurately to outpatient, emergency room, therapy, and/or clinic encounters based upon documentation within the electronic medical record while maintaining compliance with established rules and regulatory guidelines.FLSA STATUSNon-exemptQUALIFICATIONSEDUCATIONAssociate’s degree or higher in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management accredited program or additional two years of experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) in lieu of degreeEXPERIENCEOne year of relevant outpatient coding experience or completion of the Houston Methodist Coding Apprentice ProgramLICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONSRequiredMust have one of the following:•RHIT - Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA)•RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA)•CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA)•CCA – Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA)•CCS-P – Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (AHIMA)•CPC – Certified Professional Coder (AAPC)•CPC-H – Certified Professional Coder – Hospital (AAPC)•CPC-I – Certified Professional Coder Instructor (AAPC)•CPC-A – Certified Professional Coder Associate (AAPC)•CCC – Certified Cardiology Coder (AAPC)•COC - Certified Outpatient Coder (AAPC)SKILLS AND ABILITIESDemonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluationsSufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or securityAbility to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principlesKnowledge of coding classification systems, DRG and APC systems, official coding guidelines and coding complianceKnowledge of an electronic medical record and imaging systemsWorking knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiologyProficiency with electronic encoder applicationExtensive PC knowledge - must be able to work effectively in common office software, coding software and abstracting systemsESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSPEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSInteracts and communicates effectively with members of the coding team and the appropriate stakeholders.Participates and provides good feedback during coding section meetings and coding education in-services as well as takes initiative to assist others and shares knowledge with the appropriate stakeholders.SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSResponds promptly to internal and external customer requests. Responds promptly and appropriately to requests to code or review coded accounts for accuracy.Initiates queries with physicians to obtain or clarify diagnoses and/or procedures as appropriate, utilizing the established physician query process.QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSMaintains and achieves departmental standards of coding quality by assigning accurate ICD-10-CM/ICD-10-PCS and CPT codes and APC assignment utilizing an electronic encoder application in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory body guidelines.Maintains and achieves departmental standards of abstracting quality by reviewing the discharge disposition entered by nursing and corrects if necessary in order to achieve the highest quality of entered data. Assigns and enters physician identification number and procedure date correctly in the medical record abstracting system.Reviews medical record documentation and abstracts data into the encoder and Electronic Health Record (EHR) to determine principal or final diagnosis, co-morbid conditions and complications, secondary conditions and procedures. Utilizes all tools/resources for accuracy.Complies with the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to official guidelines.FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSUtilizes time effectively. Consistently codes and abstracts at departmental standards of productivity while ensuring accuracy of coding.Supports meeting organizational goal for Accounts Receivables (AR) associated with uncoded accounts.Maintains coding timeframes within established departmental standards by ensuring all work items assigned to the coding queues are processed in a timely manner.GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSCritically evaluates own performance, accepts constructive criticism, and looks for ways to improve.Displays initiative to improve relative to job function. Contributes ideas to help improve quality of coding data and abstracting data.SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTSWORK ATTIREUniform: NoScrubs: YesBusiness professional: YesOther (department approved): NoON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.On Call* NoTRAVEL**Travel specifications may vary by departmentMay require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area YesMay require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area YesQUALIFICATIONSEDUCATIONAssociate’s degree or higher in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management accredited program or additional two years of experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) in lieu of degreeEXPERIENCEOne year of relevant outpatient coding experience or completion of the Houston Methodist Coding Apprentice ProgramLICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONSRequiredMust have one of the following:• RHIT - Certified Health Information Technician (AHIMA)• RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (AHIMA)• CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA)• CCA – Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA)• CCS-P – Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (AHIMA)• CPC – Certified Professional Coder (AAPC)• CPC-H – Certified Professional Coder – Hospital (AAPC)• CPC-I – Certified Professional Coder Instructor (AAPC)• CPC-A – Certified Professional Coder Associate (AAPC)• CCC – Certified Cardiology Coder (AAPC)• COC - Certified Outpatient Coder (AAPC)Company Profile:Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.