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Medical Coding Apprentice Jobs in Poway, CA (NOW HIRING)

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San Diego, CA · On-site

$20 - $25.50/hr

CPC (Certified Professional Coder) certification or apprenticeship, preferred. * A current and valid CPR & First Aide 'American Heart Association' certification * Valid Driver's License. Additional ...

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Medical Coding Apprentice information

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$16

$22

$35

How much do medical coding apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical coding apprentice in Poway, CA is $22.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.46 and $24.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical coding apprentice?

A Medical Coding Apprentice is an entry-level professional who is learning to assign standardized codes to medical diagnoses and procedures for billing and record-keeping purposes. They typically work under the supervision of experienced medical coders while gaining practical experience and often preparing for certification exams. Apprentices are responsible for accurately translating healthcare services into universal codes, ensuring proper insurance reimbursement and compliance with regulations. This role is ideal for individuals starting a career in medical coding and seeking hands-on training in a healthcare setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical coding apprentice, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Coding Apprentice, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems, often supported by a relevant certification such as CPC-A or CCA. Familiarity with coding software like ICD-10-CM, CPT, and EHR systems is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills are vital soft skills for accuracy and efficiency. These abilities are crucial for ensuring correct billing, compliance, and the smooth operation of healthcare revenue cycles.

What types of support or mentorship can a medical coding apprentice expect during their training period?

As a Medical Coding Apprentice, you will typically be paired with experienced coders or supervisors who provide guidance and feedback as you learn the ropes. Many organizations offer structured mentorship programs, regular check-ins, and access to training resources to help apprentices transition from classroom knowledge to real-world coding tasks. Apprentices often work closely with coding teams and may participate in peer reviews, case study discussions, and skills workshops. This supportive environment is designed to build your confidence, accuracy, and understanding of coding standards, setting you up for future advancement.

What is the difference between Medical Coding Apprentice vs Medical Coding Specialist?

AspectMedical Coding ApprenticeMedical Coding Specialist
Required CredentialsOn-the-job training, certification not mandatory initiallyCertified Professional Coder (CPC) or equivalent required
Work EnvironmentTraining setting, supervised environmentIndependent work, healthcare facilities, or billing companies
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, clinics, healthcare providers during trainingMedical offices, billing companies, insurance companies
Search & Comparison IntentLearning, entry-level roles, training programsProfessional advancement, full-time employment

The main difference between a Medical Coding Apprentice and a Medical Coding Specialist lies in experience and certification. Apprentices are typically in training, gaining skills on the job without requiring certification, while specialists are fully qualified professionals with certifications who perform coding independently. Apprentices focus on learning, whereas specialists handle complete coding tasks in healthcare settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Coding jobs in Poway, CA?

The most popular types of Medical Coding jobs in Poway, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Medical Coding Apprentice jobs in Poway, CA?

For Medical Coding Apprentice jobs in Poway, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Medical Coding Apprentice jobs in Poway, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Medical Coding Apprentice jobs in Poway, CA are:

What cities near Poway, CA are hiring for Medical Coding Apprentice jobs?

Cities near Poway, CA with the most Medical Coding Apprentice job openings:

Infographic showing various Medical Coding Apprentice job openings in Poway, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,709 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor

San Diego, CA • On-site

$61K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

The Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the San Diego VA Medical Center. The Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor is responsible for abstracting medical record data and assigning codes using current clinical classification systems appropriate for the type of care provided.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.
You must meet Time in Grade (TIG) as well as the qualifications below (52 weeks at the next lower grade-GS-08).
Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Experience and Education:
    • Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, and the structure and format of a health records. -OR
    • Education. An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, and introduction to health records) -OR
    • Completion of an AHIMA approved coding program, or other intense coding training program of approximately one year or more that included courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic ICD diagnostic/procedural, and basic CPT coding. The training program must have led to eligibility for coding certification/certification examination, and the sponsoring academic institution must have been accredited by a national U.S. Department of Education accreditor, or comparable international accrediting authority at the time the program was completed. -OR
    • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and creditable experience:
      1. Six months of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical 4 terminology, general understanding of medical coding and the health record, and one year above high school, with a minimum of 6 semester hours of health information technology courses.
      2. Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service, under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and health record techniques and procedures. Also, requires six additional months of creditable experience that is paid or non-paid employment equivalent to a MRT (Coder).
  • Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to MRT (Coder) positions in the GS-0675 series in VHA must have either (1), (2), or (3) below:
  • Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC.
  • Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC.
  • Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS.
NOTE: Mastery level certification is required for all positions above the journey level; however, for clinical documentation improvement specialist assignments, a clinical documentation improvement certification may be substituted for a mastery level certification.
You may qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation.
Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a MRT (Coder) on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  1. Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the journey level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but will not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  2. Such employees in an occupation that requires a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to the higher-grade levels.
  3. MRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
  4. MRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
  5. Employees who are retained as a MRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a MRT.
Grade Determinations:
To qualify for the GS-09 Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor you must meet the following grade requirements:
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey grade level of a GS-08 MRT (Coder).
  • Certification. Employees at this level must have a mastery level certification.
You must also be able to demonstrate ALL of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  1. Advanced knowledge of current coding classification systems such as ICD, CPT, and HCPCS for the subspecialty being assigned (outpatient, inpatient, outpatient and inpatient combined).
  2. Ability to research and solve complex questions related to coding conventions and guidelines in an accurate and timely manner.
  3. Ability to review coded data and supporting documentation to identify adherence to applicable standards, coding conventions and guidelines, and documentation requirements.
  4. Ability to format and present audit results, identify trends, and provide guidance to improve accuracy.
  5. Skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with individuals at all organizational levels.???????
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.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