Feb 11, 2026

Inpatient Coder

Job Description

Job Posting

Choosing Steele Memorial Medical Center as your employer will lead to a fulfilling career with ample opportunities for growth, community connection and meaningful impact. In our smaller rural setting, employee development and mentorship are a focal point in fostering a company culture that promotes professional growth.

Be a part of a thriving community that prioritizes relationships and provides compassionate healthcare!

Duties/Responsibilities:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Review medical records for patients admitted to the hospital.
  • Abstract pertinent information from patient records; assign ICD-9/10-CM, ICD10PCS, CPT or HCPCS codes.
  • Ensures accurate DRG (Diagnosis-related Group) assignment and APC (ambulatory payment classification) assignment.
  • Identify and code complications, comorbidities, and hospital acquired conditions.
  • Coding for all inpatient procedures and stays, emergency room, as well as ambulatory surgeries dropping both professional and facility fees for all cases, obstetrics, orthopedics, urology, podiatry, outpatient cataract surgery, general surgery, pain management, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, outpatient IV infusions, laboratory, radiology, coagulation management, physical therapy, wound care management, rural health care, oncology, psychiatry, dermatology.
  • Validate medical necessity and support billing compliance.
  • Lemhi County ambulance report completed and sent to the Lemhi County Clerk weekly.
  • Query physicians when code assignments are not straightforward or documentation in the record is inadequate, ambiguous, or unclear for coding purposes.
  • Abide by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adhere to official coding guidelines.
  • Work to attain and maintain a 95% coding accuracy rate per national standards, verified through routine external audits conducted by a third-party review.
  • Maintain certification in good standing at all times, including obtaining required amount of (CEU) continued Education Units.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Requirements Education/Experience/Certification:

Level 1 Coder Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required;

Strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology;

Familiarity with EHR systems and coding software;

Coding specialist certification required upon hire or within one year of starting position;

Minimum of 1 year of coding experience with ICD-10 and CPT-4 schemes preferred

Level 2 Coder Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required;

Associates Degree in HIM preferred;

AHIMA or AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders) certificate specifically related to CPC (outpatient), CIC (In-patient) for both professional & facility coding required upon hire;

Minimum of 3 years of coding experience with ICD-10 and CPT-4 schemes preferred;

Strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology;

Familiarity with EHR systems and coding software

Level 3 Coder Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required;

Associates Degree in HIM required;

AHIMA or AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders) certificate specifically related to CPC (outpatient), CIC (In-patient) for both professional & facility coding required upon hire;

Minimum of 5 years of coding experience with ICD-10 and CPT-4 schemes preferred;

Strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology;

Familiarity with EHR systems and coding software

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets medical documentation and coding guidelines.

Proficient in written and verbal communication to effectively interact with providers, clinical staff, and coding team members

Ability to write clear, concise queries and documentation improvement request.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to apply basic math concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in all units of measure.

Proficient in calculating percentages, ratios, and interpreting numerical data related to coding productivity, reimbursement, and billing accuracy.

Comfortable reviewing and validating charge data, DRG weights, APC groupings, and other financial metrics tied to coding outcomes

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply critical thinking and sound judgment when interpreting clinical documentation and selecting appropriate codes.

Capable of identifying inconsistencies or gaps in documentation and determine when to initiate provider queries.

Skilled in analyzing coding scenarios to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and payer requirements.

Able to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and adapt to changing workloads or coding updates.

Demonstrates initiative in resolving coding discrepancies and collaboration with team members to improve process.

Computer Skills:

Proficient in EPIC Electronic Health Record (EMR) software.

Summary

At Steele Memorial Medical Center, we prioritize maintaining a healthy work-life balance, allowing our employees to enjoy their personal lives while pursuing their professional goals

  • Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life & disability coverage and 457 retirement
  • Health insurance benefits include access to certain services at our facility free of charges
  • Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is cultivated through flexible employee work scheduling, Wellness program with potential health deduction savings of up to $1,100 annually and our generous Paid Time Off policy

Experience the beauty of rural Idaho, with outdoor activities like white water rafting; year-round fishing in the infamous Salmon River, hiking, and skiing right outside your door!

Additional Information

  • Shift: Day
  • Schedule: 8 hours shifts
  • Weekly Required Hours: 40
  • PTO: 40 hr/week- 6.768 hrs earned per PP