Medical Record Coder

Certificate: Health Science
Credit Requirements: 37 Semester Credit Hours

A medical record coder is a health information management professional who focuses on medical record management. Health care statistics, indexes, databases, regulatory requirements, procedural coding, billing and compliance are major components of this profession.

The Medical Recorder Coder program prepares students for employment as a medical record coder. Graduates will be eligible to take the certification and registry examinations administered by the American Health Information Management Association and American Academy of Professional Coders.

Admission Requirements
Applicants will be admitted to this program on a first-qualified, first admitted basis. Applicants are considered to be qualified for admission to the next available class when they meet all TTC and program requirements. Classes begin in Spring Term.

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
I. General College Admission Requirements
Achieve admission to the College by meeting the College's requirements for certificate programs. Please note that applicants not achieving appropriate test scores will be required to complete courses indicated by placement test scores.

Note: Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Medical Record Coder program.

II. Program Admission Requirements
Applicants should ensure that each of the following admission requirements is on file in the Admissions office as soon as it is completed. Information may be submitted in person or by mail to:

 Trident Technical College
 Admissions Office, AM-M
 (Student Center, Building 410, Room 110)
 P.O. Box 118067
 Charleston, SC  29423-8067

1. Achieve qualifying scores on the College's placement test, SAT or ACT. Contact an academic advisor and complete all courses indicated by placement test scores.
2. Complete an Allied Health application for the Medical Record Coder program. NOTE: When the number of applicants qualifying at the same time exceeds the number of spaces available in this program, admission will be prioritized according to the date and time that the Allied Health application was received in the Admissions office.
3. Provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent by submitting a copy of your high school transcript, diploma or GED.
4. Satisfy academic probation/suspension requirements, if applicable, by providing proof of a minimum 2.0 GPA on all college course work by submitting official copies of college transcripts, other than TTC transcripts, OR, complete six semester hours with a minimum grade of C in each course, and a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
5. Achieve the equivalent math score on TTC's placement test,
   OR
   Complete MAT 032 (Developmental Mathematics) with a minimum grade of C,
   OR
   Complete a math course equivalent to MAT 032 with a minimum grade of C from an approved, regionally accredited postsecondary institution.
6. Achieve the equivalent English score on TTC's placement test,
   OR
   Complete ENG 100 with a minimum grade of C.
7. Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA for courses taken at TTC, and not be on academic probation/suspension or disciplinary suspension at the time of admission and date of entry into the program.
8. Complete these prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better:  AHS 104 (Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy); BIO 112 (Basic Anatomy and Physiology); CPT 101 (Introduction to Computers); MAT 155 (Contemporary Mathematics).
9. At the time of entry to the program, show evidence of completion of the criminal background check required by the College.

III. General Admission Procedures for the Medical Record Coder Program
Applicants who meet TTC and program requirements will be considered qualified and will be admitted on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. Qualified applicants will be sent a letter indicating the year and semester that they have been admitted.

IV. Course Progression
To progress to the next Medical Record Coder course, the student must meet the following requirements:

1. Earn a C or better in the lecture, laboratory and clinical components of all HIM courses.
2. Earn a satisfactory grade of S on all professional development evaluations.
3. Achieve a grade of C or better in all prerequisites and corequisites for professional courses.

V. Readmission to the Medical Record Coder Program
Students who receive a W, D or F in a prerequisite, corequisite or HIM course may request consideration for readmission to the Medical Record Coder program. Readmission to the program is not automatic. See the Allied Health Sciences overview.

Note: Falsification of any information submitted will make a student ineligible for admission to or continuation in the Medical Record Coder program.

Recommended Sequence of Courses