Hospital-Based Medical Coding Program Re-Approved

Phoenix College’s Medical Coding: Hospital-based Program, part of the Health Information Management Programs, has been nationally re-approved for a full five-year term by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

“We believe that this is a one-of-a-kind, quality program,” said Dr. Bonnie Petterson, department chair for Health Information Management. “Approval of this program by the American Health Information Management Association, the national leader in the medical coding industry, provides evidence to our students and the community that rigorous standards focusing on strong instruction and current knowledge have been met.”

The Medical Coding – Hospital-Based Program is designed to prepare individuals for diagnostic and procedural coding positions in hospital-based settings such as hospital outpatient clinics, emergency departments, inpatient facilities, or hospital sponsored surgery centers. The Certificate Program includes theoretical and laboratory instruction on the Phoenix College campus as well as a professional practice affiliation in an area health care setting. The Medical Coding: Hospital-Based Program provides the foundation needed for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) examination of the AHIMA.

Certified coders are in demand in the fast-growing health care industry. Although certification is provided by professional organizations unrelated to this Program, this PC’s curriculum provides a strong theoretical foundation needed for selected credentialing examinations. With instruction provided by award-winning professionals and hands-on experience gained through internships, Phoenix College students are well prepared to use their skills of data collection and analysis in areas such as billing, compliance, and data quality.

For more information about the Medical Coding: Hospital-Based Program, contact Dr. Bonnie Petterson at 602.285.7149.