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Medical Coding Trainee Jobs in Tehachapi, CA (NOW HIRING)

Medical Coding Trainee information

See Tehachapi, CA salary details

$14

$22

$38

How much do medical coding trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical coding trainee in Tehachapi, CA is $22.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $25.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I get a job as a medical coder with no experience?

Medical coding trainees can often find entry-level positions even without prior experience, as training programs and certifications like CPC or CCS prepare candidates for the role. Employers may prioritize relevant skills, such as attention to detail and knowledge of medical terminology, along with completing a coding course. Gaining certification and practical training can improve job prospects for beginners.

What is a Medical Coding Trainee job?

A Medical Coding Trainee is an entry-level role where individuals learn to assign standardized codes to medical diagnoses, procedures, and treatments based on healthcare documentation. Trainees typically receive on-the-job training in coding systems such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS to ensure accurate billing and insurance claims processing. This role is crucial for maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations and maximizing reimbursements for medical services.

Are medical coders still in demand?

Medical coders are still in demand due to ongoing needs for accurate healthcare documentation and billing. The role requires knowledge of coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT, and employment opportunities are expected to grow as healthcare providers seek to improve efficiency and compliance.

What does a typical day look like for a Medical Coding Trainee?

As a Medical Coding Trainee, your day will often involve reviewing patient records, assigning appropriate medical codes, and entering data into healthcare systems under the supervision of experienced coders. You may participate in regular training sessions and feedback meetings to refine your skills and stay updated on coding guidelines. Expect to collaborate with healthcare providers and billing staff to clarify documentation and resolve discrepancies. This supportive, learning-focused environment helps you gain practical experience and prepares you for advancement to more independent coding roles.

What is a medical coding trainee?

A medical coding trainee is an individual who is learning to assign standardized codes to medical diagnoses, procedures, and services for billing and record-keeping purposes. This role typically involves training in coding systems like ICD, CPT, and HCPCS, often under supervision, and may lead to certification as a medical coder.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Medical Coding Trainee position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Coding Trainee, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, healthcare documentation, and at minimum a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with coding systems like ICD-10, CPT, and medical billing software is commonly required, and pursuing certifications such as CPC or CCS can be advantageous. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and strong organizational skills are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities are vital to ensure accurate coding, reduce billing errors, and support effective healthcare operations.

What pays more, CCS or CPC?

For medical coding trainees, Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credentials generally lead to higher salaries than Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credentials, as CCS is often preferred for hospital coding roles and tends to have higher earning potential. However, salaries depend on experience, location, and employer, with CCS-certified coders typically earning more on average. Both certifications require passing exams and demonstrate coding proficiency, but CCS is considered more advanced and specialized.
What cities near Tehachapi, CA are hiring for Medical Coding Trainee jobs? Cities near Tehachapi, CA with the most Medical Coding Trainee job openings:
Infographic showing various Medical Coding Trainee job openings in Tehachapi, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 82% Full Time, and 16% Part Time. Highlights an 78% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,535 per year, or $22.4 per hour.
Sr. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory (Full-Time, Day Shift)

Sr. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory (Full-Time, Day Shift)

Adventist Health

Tehachapi, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Adventist Health rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 238 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

104th of 872 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley has been providing high-quality healthcare services since 1934. We are comprised of a 25-bed hospital, wide range of outpatient services, emergency department, rural health clinics and medical offices. Tehachapi is located just north of Southern California's highly populated areas, with a mountain locale known for its outdoor living. Residents enjoy the scenic beauty, extreme sports and wildlife. Tehachapi is a nice balance of a small-town community within an epicenter of shopping, retail, arts and culture.

Job Summary:

Prioritizes and performs a wide variety of clinical laboratory tests on various biological specimens. Reviews, evaluates, documents and reports results. Preserves confidentiality of patients and follows lab safety and maintenance protocols. Serves as technical consultant upon delegation by the medical director and mentor to laboratory personnel and trains and supervises trainees, laboratory assistants and clerks as needed.

Job Requirements:

Education and Work Experience:

  • Bachelor's Degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, biological sciences, chemical sciences or allied health technologies or equivalent: Required
  • Three years' clinical laboratory experience: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Valid Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license in state of employment: Required in CA
  • Current certification from American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency for Labs (NCA): Preferred

Essential Functions:

  • Employs positive patient identification procedures to ensure the integrity of each specimen for pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical testing. Performs proper specimen collection (including phlebotomy procedures as necessary), labeling, handling, preservation or fixation, processing or preparation, transportation and storage. Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other patient confidentiality guidelines and regulations.
  • Prioritizes lab orders according to type (STAT, ASAP, routine and timed studies) and performs various testing (including chemistry, coagulation, hematology, special chemistry, urinalysis, blood bank, serology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, referral testing and more) following prescribed quality assurance policies and procedures. Takes strides to contain costs without sacrificing patient care.
  • Reviews and evaluates the validity and accuracy of test results, recognizing the interdependency of tests, the physiological conditions affecting results, patient age and normal values, controls, linearity errors, instrument codes, delta checks and more. Correlates test results with diagnoses and questions incompatible results. Documents and communicates test results, expediting all critical values and results to appropriate clinicians.
  • Performs equipment and instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting and calibration as needed. Inventories reagents, calibrators, controls and supplies, noticing usage trends and stocking accordingly. Demonstrates working knowledge to troubleshoot and utilize laboratory instrumentation and equipment. Serves as technical consultant and mentor of laboratory personnel. Orients, instructs and supervises laboratory assistants and clerks as needed.
  • Performs inventory checks/correlation studies/CAP survey testing as scheduled or assigned by Department Supervisors. Performs quality control checks. Works to resolve quality control issues as necessary. Notifies Department Supervisor of suggested procedural changes and/or policy improvements that would better the productivity and efficiency of the laboratory as a whole.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements:

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit https://adventisthealth.org/careers/everify/ for more information about E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 100 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 440 sites of care, including 27 acute care facilities. Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of more than 38,000 includes employees, physicians, Medical Staff, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.

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