The Best Personality Traits For A Medical Coding Career

As with most professions, medical coding takes a special kind of someone. Ideally a someone who is fun on the inside but sticks to the rules when it comes to their 9-5. A great coder must be educated in the field, dedicated, and someone who loves to learn.

The career isn’t for the light of heart; one error can lead to serious loss of revenue, an overpayment, or compliance issues. Coders help maintain compliance for their organization by applying government and private payer regulations. An ideal coder is often a real stickler for specificity.

Five Traits That an Epic Coder Should Have:

Educated: All coders must have a strong understanding of medical terminology and anatomy, be capable of reading documentation to determine the correct codes, and be willing to continually learn new information throughout their career.

Researcher: A great coder has excellent research skills. You have to know where to find guidelines and how to apply them.

Critical Thinker: In the enigmatic world of coding, there is not always one right answer. Every patient is different and, therefore, records can be different. A great coder can analyze the documentation effectively to determine what can be coded.

Detail Oriented: A keen eye is essential, as coding errors occur when the details are overlooked.

Confident: Coders must be confident in their coding ability and in communicating with other professionals, especially in the case of a mistake or other issues that arise.

For more information on what makes a great coder, download our free Checklist, "5 Attributes Of A Rockstar Coder", by clicking the button below: