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Surgery Coder Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Parallon

Trauma Surgical Profee Coder

Brentwood, TN · On-site

Introduction Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a Trauma Surgical Profee Coder? At Parallon, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to ...

Vertek Staffing

Outpatient Coder

Franklin, TN · Remote

Experience coding Same Day Surgery (SDS), Observation (OBS), Emergency Department (ED), and other hospital outpatient encounters. * Experience with Epic and hospital-based electronic medical record ...

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Surgery Coder information

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How much do surgery coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for surgery coder in Tennessee is $17.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a medical coder still in demand?

Surgery coders, a specialized type of medical coder, are in steady demand due to the ongoing need for accurate coding in healthcare facilities. The role requires knowledge of medical terminology, coding systems like CPT and ICD, and often certification, making it a stable career choice as healthcare billing and documentation remain essential.

What is the difference between Surgery Coder vs Medical Coder?

AspectSurgery CoderMedical Coder
CertificationsAHIMA or AAPC certification, specialized in surgical codingAHIMA or AAPC certification, broader in scope
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical clinics, outpatient surgery centersHospitals, physician offices, clinics across specialties
Industry UsagePrimarily in surgical and hospital settingsAcross multiple healthcare settings and specialties

While both Surgery Coder and Medical Coder require coding certifications, Surgery Coders specialize in surgical procedures and work mainly in hospitals and surgical centers. Medical Coders have a broader scope, covering various medical specialties. Surgery Coders focus on surgical documentation, whereas Medical Coders handle diverse medical records. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus.

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

To excel as a Surgery Coder, you need a thorough understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, surgical procedures, and strong knowledge of CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS coding systems, often validated by a CPC or CCS-P certification. Familiarity with coding software, electronic health records (EHR), and billing systems is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are critical soft skills for ensuring coding accuracy and collaborating with healthcare teams. These competencies are essential for maximizing reimbursement, maintaining compliance, and supporting efficient healthcare operations.

What are some common challenges faced by Surgery Coders when assigning procedure codes?

Surgery Coders often encounter challenges such as deciphering complex operative reports, ensuring accurate code selection for multiple concurrent procedures, and staying updated with frequent changes in coding guidelines. They must work closely with surgeons and clinical staff to clarify ambiguous documentation and prevent coding errors that could lead to claim denials or compliance issues. Attention to detail and ongoing education are crucial for navigating these challenges and maintaining coding accuracy.

How much does an anesthesia coder make?

Anesthesia coders, who specialize in coding anesthesia procedures, typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, certification, and location. They often work with medical coding software and require knowledge of anesthesia billing and coding guidelines.

What medical coder gets paid the most?

Surgical coders, especially those specializing in complex procedures like orthopedics or neurosurgery, tend to earn higher salaries among medical coders. Certified professional coders with advanced credentials and experience in high-demand specialties generally receive higher pay. Expertise in coding systems such as CPT and ICD-10 also contributes to increased earnings.

How to become a surgical coder?

To become a surgical coder, you typically need to complete a coding training program or obtain certification such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT is essential, along with attention to detail and familiarity with coding software. Many employers prefer candidates with relevant experience or certification in medical coding.

What are Surgery Coders?

Surgery Coders are specialized medical coding professionals who assign standardized codes to surgical procedures and services documented in patient records. They use classification systems such as CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS to ensure accurate billing and compliance with healthcare regulations. Surgery Coders work closely with surgeons, billing teams, and insurance companies to verify coding accuracy, maximize reimbursement, and minimize claim denials. Their expertise helps healthcare facilities maintain proper documentation and meet legal and financial requirements.
What are popular job titles related to Surgery Coder jobs in Tennessee? For Surgery Coder jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Surgery Coder jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Surgery Coder jobs in Tennessee are:
Surgery Coder jobs near you
Certified Coder - Surgery

Certified Coder - Surgery

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance

Knoxville, TN

$19.25 - $26.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

***Work at Home***

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance is the largest orthopaedic surgery group in Tennessee. TOA concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system which allow our patients to live their best life. Ninety plus years later we are advancing the practice of orthopaedic surgery throughout the state.

There are a number of reasons why TOA is an employer of choice; here are a few of them:

  • Stability - TOA has been in Middle Tennessee since 1926 and has expanded to over 20+ locations across the state!
  • Impact - TOA's team members use our careers — whether in our clinics or our business office to make a positive difference in the community by building relationships and helping patients live their best life.
  • Work Environment - The TOA team focuses on fostering an excellent working environment; one of positivity, collaboration, job satisfaction, and engagement.
  • Total Rewards - TOA offers a comprehensive suite of benefits, including Medical, Dental, Paid Time Off, and more. Our 401(k) plan provides a company match, safe harbor match and profit-sharing match to go along with your contributions.

Responsibilities

  • The Certified Coder assists in the delivery of primary health care and patient care management, ensuring that charges are coded and consistent with documentation and applicable coding policies.
  • Review and abstract patient medical records to assign diagnoses, treatments, and surgical procedures for professional services
  • Ensure all services documented in the patient's medical record are coded with appropriate diagnoses and procedure codes
  • Utilize query process when services are not documented appropriately
  • Enter codes into practice management system and rectifies errors in the preprocessor and post-processor editing systems
  • Provide education to providers regarding results of periodic audits while maintaining exceptionally high degree of professionalism
  • Maintain a working knowledge, and stay abreast of, CPT-4, ICD-10, HCPCS coding principles, modifier usage, medical terminology, governmental regulations, protocols and third party payer requirements pertaining to billing, coding and documentation
  • Maintain a daily average set by supervisor/ management.

Requirements

  • Must reside and work in the Middle TN, Knoxville, or Columbia area.
  • Must have a minimum of 1 year surgical coding work experience.
  • Must be CPC or CCS-P certified
  • Have a good working knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy

TOA is an equal opportunity employer. TOA conducts drug screens and background checks on applicants who accept employment offers.

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