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Inpatient Medical Coding Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Coding Auditor, Facility

Clackamas, OR · On-site

$28.75 - $32.50/hr

... OBS), Inpatient (IP) and other selected facility records. Maintain an acceptable level of ... American Medical Association (CPT); National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI); Uniform Hospital ...

Coding Auditor, Facility

Clackamas, OR · On-site

$28.75 - $32.50/hr

... OBS), Inpatient (IP) and other selected facility records. Maintain an acceptable level of ... American Medical Association (CPT); National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI); Uniform Hospital ...

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Inpatient Medical Coding information

See Portland, OR salary details

$16

$23

$36

How much do inpatient medical coding jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for inpatient medical coding in Portland, OR is $23.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.13 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become an inpatient medical coder?

To become an inpatient medical coder, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by completing a coding training program or certificate in medical coding. Certification from organizations like the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is often required or preferred. Proficiency in medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems such as ICD-10-CM and CPT is essential for success in this role.

Is there a shortage of inpatient medical coders?

Inpatient medical coding is experiencing a workforce shortage due to increasing healthcare documentation complexity and demand for accurate coding. This has led to more job opportunities for certified coders with knowledge of ICD-10 and hospital coding systems, often requiring certification and familiarity with coding software. The shortage can result in higher wages and increased hiring efforts in healthcare facilities.

What are some common challenges faced by inpatient medical coders and how can they be addressed?

Inpatient medical coders often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex medical records, keeping up with frequent updates to coding guidelines, and ensuring accuracy under tight deadlines. To address these challenges, it’s important to regularly participate in continuing education, utilize available coding resources, and communicate closely with healthcare providers for clarification when documentation is unclear. Many organizations also foster collaboration among coding teams, which helps in sharing knowledge and resolving difficult cases efficiently.

What is inpatient medical coding?

Inpatient medical coding is the process of translating the healthcare diagnoses, procedures, and services documented during a patient's hospital stay into standardized codes. These codes are used for billing, insurance reimbursement, and maintaining accurate patient records. Inpatient coders work primarily with ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets, focusing on records from hospital admissions rather than outpatient or clinic visits. Their work ensures compliance with regulations and helps healthcare providers receive proper compensation for services rendered.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an inpatient medical coder, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Inpatient Medical Coder, you need a thorough understanding of ICD-10-CM/PCS coding systems, medical terminology, anatomy, and compliance regulations, typically supported by a certification such as CCS or RHIT. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, coding software, and hospital billing platforms is essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure accurate coding, proper reimbursement, and compliance with healthcare regulations, all of which are critical for hospital operations.

What is the difference between Inpatient Medical Coding vs Outpatient Medical Coding?

AspectInpatient Medical CodingOutpatient Medical Coding
CredentialsCPHIM, CPC, CCSCPHIM, CPC, CCS
Work EnvironmentHospitals, inpatient facilitiesClinics, outpatient centers
Industry UsageInpatient hospital staysOutpatient visits and procedures
Job FocusDiagnoses, procedures for hospital staysProcedures, diagnoses for outpatient visits

Inpatient Medical Coding involves coding diagnoses and procedures for hospital stays, requiring detailed knowledge of inpatient records. Outpatient Medical Coding focuses on outpatient visits and procedures. Both roles require similar credentials and are essential in healthcare billing, but they differ mainly in work environment and the type of patient encounters they cover.

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Inpatient Medical Coding jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Inpatient Medical Coding job openings:

Infographic showing various Inpatient Medical Coding job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,467 per year, or $23.8 per hour.

Coding Auditor, Facility

Scout Exchange

Clackamas, OR • On-site

$28.75 - $32.50/hr

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Title - Coding Auditor
Location - Clackamas, OR
Job Type - Permanent
Job Summary:
To independently and efficiently perform the responsibilities assigning accurate diagnosis and procedures codes to the patients health information records for: Emergency Department (ED), Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC), Hospital Ambulatory Surgical Center (HAS), Observations (OBS), Inpatient (IP) and other selected facility records. Maintain an acceptable level of performance in quality and productivity for ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and HCPCS/CPT classification and nomenclature systems. All work will be carried out in accordance with the: International Classification of Diseases - Official Coding Guidelines for coding and reporting as established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS); American Medical Association (CPT); National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI); Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS), Medicaid (OMAP), and Kaiser Permanente organization/institutional coding directives. Ability to communicate with physicians in order to obtain clarification for diagnoses/procedures. Ability to understand the clinical content of the health record and abstract the data in the patient health information record data as well as perform other duties assigned. The position requires the new coder to be on-site for one (1) week training or until they meet the departments expectations.
Essential Responsibilities:

  • Proficient in medical record review and translating clinical information into coded data. Identify and assign appropriate codes for diagnoses, procedures and other services rendered, while also validating any Computer Assisted Coded (CAC) assignments for dual coding. Utilizing the Code Base Charge Trigger system (CBCT) and OPTUM 360 EncoderPRO software system for professional surgical services, analyzing and maintaining systems accuracy, validity and meaningfulness for both professional and facility services. Utilizes electronic patient data system and clinical information system (EpicCare) to access patient encounter information. Abstracts and enters clinical data elements as defined by the needs of the organization. Identifies and assigns principal diagnosis and procedure codes, sequencing them as needed for proper Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC), Medicare Severity-Drug Related Group (MS-DRG), All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) assignment, utilizing applicable coding conventions. Demonstrates knowledge and understand of CMS HCC Risk Adjustment coding.
  • Routinely performs chart analysis to identify areas of the medical record that contain incomplete, inaccurate or inconsistent documentation. Reviews and verifies chart information (i.e. POS, attending provider). Assesses and inputs data. Reviews and verifies component parts of medical records to ensure completeness and accuracy of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that must conform to CMS coding rules and guidelines. Meets and maintains department standards 95% for productivity and quality.
  • Fully utilizes resources available such as, Coding Clinic and CPT Assistant to research issues to apply coding guidelines. Identifies coding concerns and informs supervisors, managers as appropriate. Utilizes query process when appropriate. Assists in implementing solutions to reduce back-end coding errors. Stays current on coding and regulatory publications, attends workshops to stay abreast of current issues, trends, changes in the laws and regulations governing medical record coding and documentation to mitigate the risk of fraud and abuse and to optimize revenue recovery.
  • May assist with special projects. Maintain confidentiality and effective working relationships with staff. Communicate in a clear and understandable manner, exercises independent judgment. Reviews annual ICD-10 Official Guidelines for Coding, along with review of quarterly Coding Clinic and monthly CPT Assistant. Performs as a team member of Facility Coding Services, and actively participates with peers coding in-services, staff meetings, reporting of performance measures, and quality outcome monitors. May participate in development of organizational procedures. Attends and participates in selected national and regional coding education sessions. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
  • Minimum two (2) years experience in a directly related coding field or 18 months within the Kaiser Apprentice program.
Education
  • High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.
License, Certification, Registration
The candidate must have 1 from the following list:
  • Registered Health Information Technician Certificate
  • Registered Health Information Administrator Certificate
  • Certified Coding Specialist

Additional Requirements:
  • Previous experience with EMR patient documentation system with intermediate knowledge and skill in the use of a computer.
  • Advance knowledge of disease processes, diagnostic and surgical procedures, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, HCPCS/CPT, classification systems, health information/medical record department responsibilities with knowledge of government regulations and areas of scrutiny for potential fraud and abuse issues.
  • Advanced knowledge of medical terminology, pharmacology and medial coding principles for ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, HCPCS/CPT coding.
  • Fluent in English, demonstrating skill and proficiency in oral and written communication.
  • Skills in time management, organization and analytical skills.
  • Ability to manage a significant workload and to work efficiently under pressure meeting established deadlines with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to use independent thought and judgement.
  • Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set for by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
  • Meets and maintains department standard for performance, productivity and quality.
  • Department will furnish final candidate a coding skill test. The candidate will be required to pass with a 75% or better on the test.
  • Academic knowledge and working experience performing coding and abstracting responsibilities in health information/medical record services.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in health information/Medical record environment, with facility coding experience that includes Medicare reimbursement guidelines.
  • Proficient knowledge and skill in the use of a computer and related system and software to include: EMR(s), Microsoft Office Suite and other software programs.
  • Ability to evaluate, analyze, develop information regarding mathematical statistics and percentages that compare finding trends and outcomes related to productivity and /ore medical record audits.
  • Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 coding guidelines; with knowledge and demonstrated understand of CMS HCC Risk Adjustment coding and data validation requirements.
  • Degree in Health Information Management.
  • What are the 3-4 non-negotiable requirements of this position?

Basic Qualifications: Experience Minimum two (2) years experience in a directly related coding field or 18 months within the Kaiser Apprentice program. Education A High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) is required. License, Certification, Registration The candidate must have 1 from the following list: Registered Health Information Technician Certificate Certified Coding Specialist Registered Health Information Administrator Certificate Additional Requirements: Previous experience with EMR patient documentation systems with intermediate knowledge and skill in the use of a computer. Advanced knowledge of disease processes, diagnostic and surgical procedures, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, HCPCS/CPT classification systems, and health information/medical record department responsibilities with knowledge of government regulations and areas of scrutiny for potential fraud and abuse issues. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology, pharmacology, and medial coding principles for ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, HCPCS/CPT, and coding. Fluent in English, demonstrating skill and proficiency in oral and written communication. Skills in time management, organization, and analytical skills. Ability to manage a significant workload and to work efficiently under pressure meeting established deadlines with minimal supervision. Ability to use independent thought and judgment. Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Meets and maintains department standards for performance, productivity, and quality. The department will furnish the final candidate with a coding skill test. The candidate will be required to pass with a 75% or better on the test. Academic knowledge and working experience performing coding and abstracting responsibilities in health information/medical record services.
  • What are the nice-to-have skills?

Minimum two (2) years of experience in health information/Medical record environment, with facility coding experience that includes Medicare reimbursement guidelines. Proficient knowledge and skill in the use of a computer and related system and software to include: EMR(s), Microsoft Office Suite and other software programs. Ability to evaluate, analyze, develop information regarding mathematical statistics and percentages that compare finding trends and outcomes related to productivity and /or medical record audits. Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 coding guidelines; with knowledge and demonstrated understanding of CMS HCC Risk Adjustment coding and data validation requirements. Degree in Health Information Management.