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Professional Medical Coding Jobs in Portland, OR

Medical Coder Educator

Vancouver, WA ยท On-site +1

$19.75 - $26.25/hr

Analyze coding audit results and other relevant data to develop data-driven educational materials ... AHIMA or AAPC CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Certification * 3 or more years of medical coding ...

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Showing results 1-20

Professional Medical Coding information

See Portland, OR salary details

$16

$23

$36

How much do professional medical coding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Professional Medical Coder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Medical Coder, you need a strong understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS, usually supported by certification like CPC or CCS. Proficiency with medical coding software, electronic health records (EHRs), and billing systems is essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills help coders ensure accuracy and efficiency. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring proper reimbursement, compliance, and minimizing billing errors in healthcare settings.

What is professional medical coding?

Professional medical coding is the process of translating healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into standardized alphanumeric codes. These codes are essential for billing purposes, insurance claims, and maintaining accurate patient records. Medical coders use classification systems such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS to ensure that healthcare providers are reimbursed correctly and that records are maintained consistently. This role requires attention to detail, knowledge of medical terminology, and familiarity with healthcare regulations.

What is the difference between Professional Medical Coding vs Medical Billing Specialist?

AspectProfessional Medical CodingMedical Billing Specialist
Primary RoleAssigns standardized codes to medical procedures and diagnosesPrepares and submits insurance claims for reimbursement
CertificationsCPMA, CPC, CCSGenerally no specific coding certifications required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, insurance companiesMedical offices, billing companies, hospitals
Key FocusAccurate coding for billing and record-keepingEnsuring claims are correctly processed and paid

While both roles are essential in healthcare revenue cycle management, Professional Medical Coders focus on assigning accurate codes to medical services, whereas Medical Billing Specialists handle the claims submission and follow-up process. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within healthcare administration.

Are medical coders still in demand?

Medical coders are currently in demand due to ongoing healthcare industry growth and the need for accurate medical billing and coding. The role requires knowledge of coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT, and certifications such as CPC can enhance job prospects. Employment opportunities are expected to remain steady as healthcare providers prioritize compliance and reimbursement processes.

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

Professional medical coders often face challenges such as keeping up with frequent updates to coding standards (like ICD-10 and CPT), ensuring accuracy amidst high volumes of records, and understanding complex medical terminology. Staying current requires ongoing education and regular review of industry updates. Effective communication with healthcare providers and leveraging coding software can help clarify ambiguous documentation and reduce errors. Many coders also find joining professional associations or peer groups useful for support and best practices.

What pays more, CCS or CPC?

In medical coding, Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credentials generally lead to higher salaries than Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credentials due to their advanced training and specialization. CCS coders often work in hospital settings and handle more complex cases, which can result in higher pay. However, salaries also depend on experience, location, and employer type.

What is the highest paying job in medical coding?

The highest paying roles in medical coding typically include coding managers, clinical documentation improvement (CDI) managers, and coding directors, who oversee coding teams and ensure compliance. These positions often require advanced certifications like CPC or CCS and extensive experience, with salaries reaching six figures in some cases.

Are medical coders going to be replaced by AI?

Medical coders play a vital role in translating healthcare services into standardized codes, and while AI tools are increasingly used to assist with coding tasks, they do not fully replace the need for human oversight and expertise. Skilled coders are essential for ensuring accuracy, compliance, and handling complex cases that require clinical judgment. Continuous learning and certification can help coders stay relevant as technology evolves.
What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Coding jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Medical Coding jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Professional Medical Coding jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Professional Medical Coding job openings:
CERTIFIED MEDICAL CODING SPECIALIST - EPIC

CERTIFIED MEDICAL CODING SPECIALIST - EPIC

OCHIN

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description

MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT OCHIN

OCHIN is a nonprofit leader in health care innovation and a trusted partner to a growing national provider network, delivering the clinical insights and tailored technologies needed to expand patient access, strengthen care teams, and improve the health of rural and medically underserved communities.

We are hiring for a number of new positions to meet increasing demand. When you choose to join OCHIN, you have the opportunity to continuously grow your skills and do meaningful work to help fulfill our vision of good health and well-being for everyone.

At OCHIN, we value the unique perspectives and experiences of every individual and work hard to maintain a culture rooted in our values.

Founded in Oregon in 2000, OCHIN employs a growing virtual workforce of more than 1,200 skilled professionals, working remotely across 49 states. We offer a generous compensation package and are committed to supporting our employees' entire well-being by fostering a healthy work-life balance and opportunity for professional advancement. We are curious, collaborative learners who strive to live our values every day. OCHIN is excited to support our continued national expansion and the increasing demand for our innovative tools and services by welcoming new talent to our growing team.


Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis at the time of application.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. OCHIN does not provide sponsorship for employment-based visas or transfers of existing employment-based visas.


Position Overview:

The Coding Specialist plays a critical role in delivering accurate and high-quality healthcare coding services to OCHIN member clinics and acute care hospital organizations. This position is responsible for identifying potential high-risk coding trends, applying best practices to optimize revenue, and enhancing coding accuracy to support a streamlined and efficient revenue cycle.

The Coding Specialist proactively escalates complex or unique coding issues, collaborates with supervisors to resolve challenges, and applies newly acquired knowledge to future scenarios. Additionally, this role contributes to continuous improvement efforts by recommending process enhancements that increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.


Essential Functions:

  • Accurate and Compliant Coding: Deliver efficient and accurate coding services on behalf of member clients, ensuring full compliance with payer requirements, organizational policies, and all applicable coding guidelines.
  • Clinical Data Abstraction: Extract and interpret relevant clinical data-including diagnoses and procedures-from patient medical records and electronic health systems to support accurate code assignment.
  • Code Assignment and Validation: Review and analyze patient encounters to assign appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes, ensuring accuracy and completeness for all relevant clinical information.
  • Reimbursement Optimization: Support member organizations in achieving appropriate reimbursement by reviewing and recommending accurate code assignments that are critical to third-party payer claims.
  • Provider Communication and Documentation Follow-Up: Conduct research and obtain additional information from providers or clinical staff via Epic In-Basket messaging, as needed and in accordance with established agreements. Messaging, as needed and in accordance with established agreements.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
  • Minimum 5 years of hospital coding billing and / or coding revenue cycle experience in Epic is REQUIRED.
  • 5 years of experience in hospital coding for inpatient, emergency, swing bed, and surgical coding is REQUIRED
  • Working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, MVA, Workers Comp and private insurance billing and reimbursement processes, legal requirements knowledge preferred.
  • Medical coding from CPC, CCS, and/or CDC certificate is REQUIRED
  • Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) Or AHIMA Inpatient certification highly desired
  • Prior to moving forward to the team interview, all candidates are required to complete a 50-60-minute competency assessment. The assessment gives us insights into how your strengths, preferences, and work style align with the OCHIN's nine core competencies. It's not about passing or failing-it's about understanding fit and setting you up for success.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

  • Constant interpersonal skills, teamwork, and customer service. Frequent creativity, mentoring, presentations/teaching. Occasional decision making and independent judgment or action.
  • Reading, speaking, writing, and understanding English.
  • While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms.
  • This position requires a virtual home-office environment, working remotely and will require that employees be on camera for all virtual meetings.
  • The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and mobile devices.


Base Pay Overview

OCHIN uses broadened pay bands to support equitable and market-aligned compensation practices. The final offer will be based on a variety of factors, including relevant skills, certifications, education, experience, training, responsibilities, internal equity, and market data.


Work Location and Travel Requirements

OCHIN is a 100% remote organization with no physical corporate office location. Employees work remotely from home and many of our positions also support our member organizations on-site for new software installations. Nationwide travel is determined based on OCHIN business needs. Please inquire during the interview process about travel requirements for this position.

Work from home requirements are:

  • Ability to work independently and efficiently from a home office environment
  • High Speed Internet Service
  • It is a requirement that employees work in a distraction free workplace


We offer a comprehensive range of benefits. See our website for details: https://ochin.org/career


COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

To keep our colleagues, members, and communities safe, OCHIN requires all employees-including remote employees, contractors, interns, and new hires-to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, as supported by state and federal public health officials, as a condition of employment. All new hires are required to provide proof of full vaccination or receive approval for a medical or religious exemption before their hire date.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.


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Salary Description
$23.56 -$37.69