ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Optum Medical Coding Jobs in Augusta, GA

All JobsOptum Medical Coding JobsEntry Level Optum Medical Coding JobsEntry Level Optum Medical Coding Jobs in Augusta, GA

Entry Level Optum Medical Coding information

See Augusta, GA salary details

$26.3K

$42.3K

$55K

How much do entry level optum medical coding jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level optum medical coding in Augusta, GA is $42,341.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,200.00 and $45,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level Optum medical coder?

An Entry Level Optum Medical Coder is a professional who reviews clinical documentation and assigns standardized medical codes for diagnoses, procedures, and services provided by healthcare providers working with Optum, a health services and innovation company. These codes are essential for billing, insurance claims, and maintaining accurate patient records. Entry-level coders typically work under supervision and may be responsible for various specialties depending on the team's needs. They must have a good understanding of medical terminology, coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT, and compliance regulations. Proper training and certification, such as from AAPC or AHIMA, are often required or preferred for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level Optum medical coder?

To thrive as an Entry Level Optum Medical Coder, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and ICD-10/CPT coding systems, typically supported by a coding certification such as CPC or CCS. Familiarity with health information management (HIM) software, electronic health records (EHRs), and Optum's proprietary coding platforms is often essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills help coders ensure accuracy and compliance. These competencies are crucial for maintaining data integrity, supporting proper reimbursement, and minimizing billing errors in healthcare organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level Optum medical coders, and how can they be overcome?

Entry-level Optum medical coders often encounter challenges such as learning complex coding systems (like ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS), adapting to frequent regulatory changes, and maintaining accuracy under productivity targets. New coders may also find it difficult to interpret clinical documentation and communicate effectively with providers to resolve discrepancies. To overcome these challenges, it is helpful to utilize training resources, seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, and regularly participate in team meetings and continuing education sessions provided by Optum.

What is the difference between Entry Level Optum Medical Coding vs Medical Billing Specialist?

AspectEntry Level Optum Medical CodingMedical Billing Specialist
CertificationsCPMA, CPC, or CCS certifications often preferredGenerally requires billing and coding certifications, but less specialized
Work EnvironmentHealthcare facilities, insurance companies, remote optionsMedical offices, billing companies, remote work
Job FocusAssigning medical codes for diagnoses and proceduresProcessing billing, submitting claims, managing payments

Entry Level Optum Medical Coding primarily involves assigning accurate medical codes based on patient records, while Medical Billing Specialists focus on processing claims and managing billing processes. Both roles require certifications and often share work environments, but their core responsibilities differ, with coding emphasizing classification and billing emphasizing financial transactions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optum Medical Coding jobs in Augusta, GA?

The most popular types of Optum Medical Coding jobs in Augusta, GA are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Optum Medical Coding jobs in Augusta, GA?

For Entry Level Optum Medical Coding jobs in Augusta, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Optum Medical Coding jobs in Augusta, GA look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Optum Medical Coding jobs in Augusta, GA are:

What cities near Augusta, GA are hiring for Entry Level Optum Medical Coding jobs?

Cities near Augusta, GA with the most Entry Level Optum Medical Coding job openings:

Entry Level Optum Medical Coding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Optum Medical Coding job openings in Augusta, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 74% In-person, 9% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,341 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Spinal Cord - Physician Assistant

Augusta, GA • On-site

SD Department of Veterans Affairs
See more jobs at SD Department of Veterans Affairsexternal

$102K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide patient care related to spinal cord conditions and coordinate treatment plans.

  • Perform patient history and physical examinations to assess patient needs.

  • Formulate treatment plans and deliver appropriate care based on patient assessments.

Job description

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Physician Assistant Basic Requirements
  • Citizenship. Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
  • Education. Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following:
    1. Master's degree in any discipline; OR
    2. Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
  • Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
  • Licensure. Physician Assistants must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Physician Assistants must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State.
  • Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
  • English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:
Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)
  • Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for Physician Assistants. AND
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Physician Assistant. This practice may include, but is not limited to:
    1. Ability to utilize the principles of Physician Assistant practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
    2. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
    3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
    4. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.
Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)
  • Experience and Education. The Physician Assistant at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by:
    • Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR
    • Successful completion of a Physician Assistant post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR
    • A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Physician Assistants at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-II:
    1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
    2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
    3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
    4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
    5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.
Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)
  • Experience and Education. Physician Assistants at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning Physician Assistants, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by:
    • Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR
    • Successful completion of a Physician Assistant post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA. OR
    • A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Physician Assistants at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-III:
    1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
    2. Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE).
    3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
    4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
    5. Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.
    6. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the Physician Assistant patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.
Preferred Experience: Certification in the subspecialty of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine is desirable but not required. The incumbent must prove successful completion of an Accreditation Council for Graduates Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association approved post-graduate residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Internal Medicine or Family Practice.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 1 to 3.
Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

Apply