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Trainee Clinical Coder Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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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:

Trainee Clinical Coder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee Clinical Coder job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Pharmacy Technician, Certified or Trainee - Storeroom 50%

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

$17.50 - $21.50/hr

Part-time

Posted 16 days ago

University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

461st of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Pharmaceutical Care is seeking a part-time Pharmacy Technician Certified or Trainee to join our team.  This position is under general supervision of the Supply Chain Manager, the pharmacy technician for the medication storeroom coordinates and performs as necessary the technical activities of dispensing areas.  This position will work between the hours of 7:00 am -2:30 pm. Monday - Friday.
 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 or indicate both.
 Duties to include:
  • Perform activities associated with inventory maintenance
    • Review pharmacy medication inventory for expired medications.
    • Operate machinery required for bulk distribution of medications.
    • Maintain inventory at appropriate levels according to established par levels when available.
  • Deliver medications to patient care areas, return medications from patient care areas that are no longer needed
  • Ensure that medication security is maintained when working in the patient care unit medication rooms.  This includes the integrity of security (door/lock etc...), security of medications inside the medication room (controlled substances locked properly), medications inside room are stored correctly (properly dated and refrigerated is needed).
  • Maintain accurate controls and security regarding controlled substances both in and out of the pharmacy area, including inventory records regarding preparation and delivery to patient care areas.
  • Generate, review and maintain (includes filing) appropriate records related to medication distribution and dispensing.
  • Maintain proper handling and proper worker safety precautions regarding medications that are considered hazardous (antineoplastic medications) or medications that become hazardous upon waste (EPA designated waste).
  • Communicate with the general public, patients and other health care personnel in accordance with established departmental guidelines.
  • Perform tasks as assigned by the pharmacist, technician supervisor or Senior Certified technician.
  • Maintain area orderliness and cleanliness.
  • Conducts and documents monthly inspections of patient care areas.
  • Assist in the training of hospital externship students and clinical clerkship rotations students or College of Pharmacy students or any other approved students or visitors.
  • Perform other position expectations required of all department staff as outlined in department policies and procedures and/or material covered in staff training and/or orientation.
  • Communicate all patient and worker safety issues to management as efficiently as possible.  Complete Patient Safety Net (PSN) reports if unsafe situations arise either within or outside of the pharmacy.
 

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 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

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 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:
  • Experience in a hospital setting
  •  Experience with inventory maintenance activities
  •  Experience working in team a environment
  •  Experience working in a detail-oriented work environment
  • Knowledge of windows based computer programs
Position and Application details:
Resume is preferred to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the document and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 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. 
For additional questions, please contact Teresa Walker at Teresa-Walker@uiowa.edu.
 
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 or indicate both.

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