The Medical Coding Specialist serves as a valuable member of the health information team by ensuring accurate and valid codes are assigned to medical diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement purposes and for data collection and analysis; which is an integral component of quality patient care. If your interests are directed at a healthcare profession that combines business, medicine, and computer information technology, then medical coding is an excellent career choice.
The Medical Coding Specialists Program at Southern University at Shreveport prepares the student to perform medical coding for reimbursement, billing, and statistical analysis purposes, to participate in revenue cycle management, and to utilize the electronic health record.
The curriculum combines the classroom setting, web-enhanced/online coursework, work in a simulated laboratory, and hands-on experience in the clinical setting. A Certificate of Applied Science as a Medical Coding Specialist is awarded upon successful completion of all academic and clinical experiences.
The courses with the Medical Coding Specialist Certificate Program are transferable into the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology for students who are interested in the progression program.
Program Admission Requirements
- Meet the general admissions criteria of the University.
- Complete an application for admission to the HIT / Medical Coding Specialist Program along with an application fee made payable to the Health Information Technology Program.
- Score on the ACT or University Placement Test sufficient to place in college level courses.
- Provide official transcripts (may also be e-scripted) from other colleges or universities attended.
- Achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in previous college course work and currently be in good academic standing without academic probation or suspension.
- Complete all required pre-requisite courses - SBIO 221S/S221L, BIOL 222S/222LS, and ALLH 210S and earn a “C” or better prior to admission to the HIT / Medical Coding Specialist Program.
- Complete at least three (3) of the remaining five (5) prerequisite courses and earn a “C” or better prior to admission to the HIT Program or dual admission to the HIT and Medical Coding Specialist Programs. Please refer to the Degree Plan for all required prerequisite courses.
- Complete at least one (1) of the remaining three (3) prerequisite courses and earn a “C” or better prior to admission to ONLY the Medical Coding Specialist Program.
- Complete the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) entrance exam which is comprised of several components: Anatomy/Physiology, grammar, math, and reading comprehension.
- Complete a criminal background check through a nation-wide investigative research company and a drug screen as mandated by the program’s clinical affiliates.
- Complete a Letter of Intent which answers the following three (3) questions:
- What are the factors about Health Information Technology / Management that make it appealing to you as a career choice?
- How do you see a career in Health Information Technology / Management contributing to your life goals and objectives?
- How did you learn about the Health Information Technology / Management career field?
- Submit two (2) Student Recommendation forms, preferably from an employer and/or educator.
Fifteen (15) students will be accepted into the clinical program who meet all the admissions requirements. In the event that more than 15 applicants apply to the clinical program, a selection process will be implemented using the pre-established Criteria for Selection as noted below. In this case, all HIT / Medical Coding Specialist Program applicants will be “ranked” according to an Admission Point Scale in which a culmination of academic and non-academic points will be the determining factor for admission.
Applicants will be selected for acceptance into the clinical program in the Fall semester of each year.
Criteria for Selection
Criteria (academic and non-academic) utilized in the selection process include the following:
- Overall cumulative GPA.
- Grades in Anatomy & Physiology I and II lecture and lab courses, College Algebra course, and Medical Terminology course.
- Score on the HESI entrance examination
- Letter of Intent (the responses to the following three questions will be evaluated for content and written communication skills):
- What are the factors about Health Information Technology/Management that make it appealing to you as a career choice?
- How do you see a career in Health Information Technology/Management contributing to your life goals and objectives?
- How did you learn about the Health Information Technology/Management career field?
- Two Student Recommendation Forms, preferably from employers and educators.
- Negative criminal background check and negative drug screen
Students who apply for admission to clinical programs within the Division of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing must adhere to the most current curriculum implemented at the time of his/her official acceptance into the respective clinical program.
Program Progression Requirements
- Pre-advise with a HIT / MCS instructor/advisor each semester and update the Degree Plan.
- Maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
- Take professional courses in sequence and earn a grade of “C” or better in each required course in both the professional and non-professional components of the HIT/Medical Coding Specialist curriculum.
- Achieve a satisfactory evaluation in each of the professional practice experiences resulting in a “C” or better.
- Successful completion of the Advanced Coding Review Seminar (first summer of clinical program course work).
- Provide a negative criminal background check and a negative drug screen prior to clinical placement.
Probation
A student may be placed on probation when failing to comply with the academic and professional conduct standards of the HIT/Medical Coding Specialist Program. A violation has occurred when:
- A lack of professional compatibility is demonstrated when the standards described in the American Health Information Management Association Code of Ethics are not met.
- Earning a first grade of “D”, “F”, or “W” in any required course in the professional component.
- There is a criminal arrest or charge in any state or foreign country.
Dismissal
A student found guilty by the Southern University Disciplinary Committee of any of the following will be dismissed from the HIT / Medical Coding Specialist Programs and may be subject to University sanctions:
- Academic cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized possession of examinations
- Falsification of Southern University documents
- Illegal possession, sale, use, or distribution of drugs
- Illegal possession of weapons
- Theft
- Any other activity incompatible with professional behavior as delineated in the American Health Information Management Association Code of Ethics or Southern University.
- Earning two grades of “W”, “D”, or “F” in required professional courses. This also applies to HIMT, MCS, and HCAA majors who enroll in either or both of the two introductory pre-requisite HIMT courses (HIMT 110S and HIMT 208S) prior to acceptance in the professional clinical component of the HIT, MCS, or HCAA programs. Dismissal in this circumstance will be at the discretion of the Program Director.
- Withdrawing from a professional course after having previously withdrawn from two other professional courses.
- Only two (2) withdrawals are permitted in the professional component of the HIT / Medical Coding Specialist curriculum(s). A student withdrawing for a third will be dismissed from the program.
- Students are eligible to apply to the program in the next Spring semester in which applications are accepted. Students will be considered with all other applicants and must meet eligibility criteria. Students may ONLY re-apply to the HIT, MCS, or HCAA clinical programs within a two (2) year period from his/her original acceptance date.
- Continuing to demonstrate a lack of professional compatibility while on probation.
- Failing to declare criminal charges, arrests or convictions that occur while matriculating in the program.
Exceptions
Students have the right to request an exception to any of the above policies. Letters of Exception are to be submitted to the Program Director. After consideration, the Program Director will submit her recommendations to the Dean of Allied Health Sciences & Nursing for a final decision.
Grading Scale
| 93 - 100 |
A |
| 85 - 92 |
B |
| 77 - 84 |
C |
| 69 - 76 |
D |
| 68 and below |
F |