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Trainee Clinical Coder Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

POSITION PURPOSE Assists in planning and coordinating clinical dietetics to provide optimal ... Ensures compliance with all hospital, safety, confidentiality, and dress code policies, maintaining ...

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Trainee Clinical Coder information

What is a trainee clinical coder?

Trainee Clinical Coders are entry-level professionals who learn to translate medical diagnoses, procedures, and treatments from patient records into standardized codes. These codes are used for healthcare billing, data analysis, and ensuring accurate medical records. As trainees, they typically work under supervision while studying for accreditation and gaining hands-on experience in hospitals or healthcare settings. The role requires attention to detail, understanding of medical terminology, and adherence to coding standards such as ICD-10 and OPCS-4.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a trainee clinical coder?

To thrive as a Trainee Clinical Coder, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of medical terminology, often supported by GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. Familiarity with coding classification systems like ICD-10, OPCS-4, and hospital information systems is typically required, and completing the National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK) can be an asset. Excellent communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities help you work efficiently with clinical staff and handle complex information. These competencies ensure that medical records are coded accurately, supporting effective healthcare delivery, billing, and data analysis.

What are some typical challenges trainee clinical coders face when learning to interpret medical records?

Trainee Clinical Coders often encounter challenges in understanding complex medical terminology and deciphering handwritten or incomplete clinical notes. It's common to feel overwhelmed when first trying to translate detailed patient records into standardized codes, as accuracy is crucial for billing and patient care. Many trainees find it helpful to ask questions, use coding manuals, and collaborate closely with experienced coders and clinical staff to build confidence and competence over time.

What is the difference between Trainee Clinical Coder vs Clinical Coder?

AspectTrainee Clinical CoderClinical Coder
QualificationsTypically enrolled in training or certification programsCertified or fully qualified in clinical coding
Work ExperienceEntry-level, on-the-job trainingPrevious experience or completed training
Work EnvironmentSupervised, learning environment in hospitals or clinicsIndependent or team-based coding tasks
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with coding under supervisionAssigning accurate codes to medical records

The main difference is that a Trainee Clinical Coder is in the learning phase, gaining skills and certifications, while a Clinical Coder is fully qualified and responsible for independently coding medical records. Trainees are supervised and still developing their expertise, whereas qualified coders perform the role autonomously.

How to become a trainee clinical coder?

To become a trainee clinical coder, candidates typically need a relevant qualification such as a health information management or medical coding certification, along with good knowledge of medical terminology and coding systems like ICD and CPT. Some roles require prior healthcare experience or training programs offered by healthcare organizations or professional bodies. On-the-job training often accompanies entry-level positions, and strong attention to detail is essential.

What are the most commonly searched types of Clinical Coder jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Clinical Coder jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Trainee Clinical Coder job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

Pharmacy Technician, Certified or Trainee, Ambulatory Care,Quad Cities Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy

Iowa City, IA • On-site

University of Iowa
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

$17.50 - $21.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 hours ago


Key responsibilities

  • Prepare sterile compounds, including chemotherapy and hazardous medications, following regulatory and SOP guidelines.

  • Assist with inventory maintenance activities such as stocking supplies, conducting drug inventory counts, and removing expired inventory.

  • Perform activities involving narcotics and controlled substances, including inventory counts and drug diversion surveillance.


University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Join Our Team at the University of Iowa Health Care Quad Cities Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy!
Under general pharmacist supervision, coordinates and performs as necessary the technical activities of the Quad Cities Hematology/Oncology Infusion Pharmacy. This individual will prepare sterile compounds (including chemotherapy & hazardous products) accurately and efficiently. Requires collaboration with departmental and other clinical staff. Under general supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC), they will carry out activities supportive of development, coordination, and training of assigned areas. All pharmacy technicians must be certified within one year of employment. If certification is not achieved by the end of one year, individuals will be terminated.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Care intends to hire at either the Pharmacy Technician, Trainee classification, or Pharmacy Technician, Certified, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please indicate in your application materials the position you wish to be considered for.
Duties to include:
  • Under pharmacist supervision, patients will use IV workflow technology to prepare patient specific sterile compounds including chemotherapy and hazardous medications.
    • Use appropriate PPE & identify/use appropriate preparation supplies (i.e CSTD).
    • Prepare products according to NIOSH, USP 797 & 800, and SOP guidelines.
  • Performs cleanroom maintenance activities.
    • Assist with cleaning & decontamination of PEC and SEC in accordance with SOPs.
    • Assist with upkeep and cleaning of other equipment and maintain accurate records.
  • Successfully complete/pass aseptic compliances and pass didactic test on reoccurring basis as dictated by SOPs.
  • Adhere to all regulatory requirements, including applicable state and federal regulations, and accreditation standards, ensuring compliance at all times. This includes appropriate upkeep of continuing education, university compliances, and department competencies.
    • Perform inventory maintenance activities which includes, but is not limited to:
    • Stocking supplies and medications
    • Assist with daily & monthly drug inventory counts as directed by the supply chain coordinators and/or pharmacists
    • Conduct assigned audits in patient care clinic areas
    • Removal of expired inventory
    • Perform activities involving narcotics and controlled substances including:
      • Conducting weekly and monthly inventory counts as instructed by senior technician/pharmacist.
      • Assisting with drug diversion surveillance by auditing records associated with dispensing of narcotics and controlled substances.
  • Assist with training of new technicians and student technicians.
  • Foster collaborative relationships with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes and advance the mission of exceptional patient care.
  • Maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the Clinical Cancer Center in Iowa City to support the delivery of comprehensive oncology services at both locations.
  • Maintain area orderliness and cleanliness.
    • Audit area for compliance with medication security measures, segregation of dosage forms, expiration dates, approved samples, Emergency Medication Tray expiration date, and appropriate drug storage.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Care intends to hire at either the Pharmacy Technician, Trainee classification (Pay Grade 8), or Pharmacy Technician, Certified (Pay Grade 10), based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please indicate in your application materials the position you wish to be considered for.
Certified Technician:
  • Registered with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy at the time of hire.
  • National certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Must meet ongoing education requirements and maintain certification.
  • High school diploma or the equivalent.
  • Experience
    • Any combination of two years of post-high school experience and/or education in the natural sciences OR
    • Satisfactory completion of an accredited pharmacy technician training program

Trainee Technician:
  • Registered with the Pharmacy Board at the time of hire.
  • All pharmacy technicians must be certified within one year of employment, unless their Pharmacy Technician Trainee registration has been extended by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. In such cases, the technician may continue to work under trainee status, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board and Iowa Code.
  • High school diploma or the equivalent.
  • Experience:
    • Any combination of two years of post-high school experience and/or education in the natural sciences OR
    • Satisfactory completion of an accredited pharmacy technician training program.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Ability to perform ratio/proportion equations
  • Prior pharmacy sterile compounding experience and familiarity with USP 797 and USP 800
  • Experience with inventory maintenance activities
  • Experience working in team environment
  • Experience working in detail-oriented work environment
  • Experience with Microsoft Windows computer programs, Epic, and Willow Ambulatory
  • Experience working in environment requiring accuracy
  • Experience working in healthcare with one-on-one patient interaction & experience handling challenging interactions in work environment

Position and Application details:
In order to be considered for an interview, a resume is required, please submit it and mark it as a "Relevant File" under the submissions is required.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. If applicable, internal references will be conducted with approval from the candidate.
For additional questions, please contact Teresa-Walker@uiowa.edu.

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