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Surgery Coder Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mississippi Baptist Health Systems

Medical Coder 3

Memphis, TN · On-site

$16.75 - $22.25/hr

Over one year of experience in physician/professional, outpatient surgery, and/or emergency department coding. Skill and proficiency in coding physician/professional outpatient (ancillary, emergency ...

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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
Medical Coder 3

Medical Coder 3

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation

Memphis, TN • On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Baptist Memorial Health Care rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 112 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

329th of 885 rated healthcare providers

Job description


Job Summary
Codes diagnoses and procedures of patient records and abstracting information for reimbursement, research, and to generate statistical data. Perform daily feedback and education to providers, staff and patients of BMG. Assist with education of current coding staff. Performs other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities
Codes diagnoses and procedures of records.
Completes assigned goals.
Serves as a resource to physican office staff, clinical documentation specialist, case managers, etc.
Act as lead for the team, assisting in onboarding of new staff and/or education of more specialized workflows.
Assist in research of new speciality areas, new treatments in medicine, etc.
Work with new acquisitions on documentation improvement and medical necessity, including education.
Specifications
Experience
Minimum Required
Over one year of experience in physician /professional, outpatient surgery, and/or emergency department coding. Skill and proficiency in coding physician/professional outpatient (ancillary, emergency department, or outpatient surgery, etc) records utilizing ICD-9-CM and CPT-4 . Two years experience in an acute care facility, professional office or integrated health system. One year of documented successful physician education.
Preferred/Desired
Education
Minimum Required
Skill and proficiency in coding physician/professional and outpatient (ancillary, emergency department, oupatient surgery, etc. ) records utilizing ICD-9-CM and CPT -4 through 5 years experience in an acute care facility, professional office or intergrated health system. Skill in communicating clearly and effectively using standard English in written, oral and verbal format to achieve high productivity and efficiency. Skill to write legibly and record information accurately as necessary to perform job duties. CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CCS, CCS-P, RHIT, RHIA
Preferred/Desired
Associates degree
Training
Minimum Required
CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CCS, CCS-P, RHIT, RHIA, HCPCS, ICD-10, ICD-9, CPT-4
Preferred/Desired
Special Skills
Minimum Required
Preferred/Desired
Physician education, leadership, mentoring, workflow documentation
Licensure
One of the following: Certified Coding Specialist (CSS), Certified Coding Specialist Physician (CCSP), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC/CPCH), Certified Professional Coder Payer (CPCP).
Minimum Required
COC/CPCH;CPC-P ;CCS-P;RHIT;RHIA;CPC;CCS
Preferred/Desired

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About Baptist Memorial

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Baptist Memorial, based in Memphis, TN, US, is a leading health care organization renowned in the healthcare industry. The company's official website is baptistonline.org which provides a comprehensive view of their services and operations. Baptist Memorial operates a myriad of hospitals, health clinics, and medical facilities providing expert and compassionate care. Founded in 1912, it has a rich legacy of over a hundred years of dedication to its community, offering services which include acute care, diagnostic services, and a broad range of speciality health services fulfilling various patient needs.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Memphis, TN, US

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