How to hire a health information coder

How to hire a health information coder, step by step

Here's a step-by-step health information coder hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a health information coder job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new health information coder
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The health information coder hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect health information coder also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of health information coders and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Health Information Coder	Description	Hourly rate
   Health Information Coder	Medical records and health information technicians, commonly referred to as health information technicians, organize and manage health information data. They ensure its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems... Show more	$17-37
   Records Analyst	A records analyst is responsible for maintaining the security and efficiency of record management processes for storing information and files in the database. Records analysts review documents and sort data accordingly, following organizational procedures in proper disposal of outdated documents... Show more	$14-29
   Recording Technician	A recording technician specializes in operating audio systems and equipment for various purposes such as recordings, broadcasts, and events. It is their responsibility to prepare equipment according to project or program requirements like microphones, audio lines, speakers, and amplifiers, ensuring everything is accounted for and is functioning efficiently... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Medical Terminology
   • ICD-10-CM
   • CPC
   • Patients
   • Quality Standards
   • AHIMA
   • DRG
   • Surgery
   • CPT-4
   • Radiology
   • Procedure Codes
   • Epic
   • Home Health
   • APC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create documentation education classes to general surgery residents, increasing the leveling of reporting which lead to increase revenues.
   • Provide clerical services in registering patients and guests in ambulatory surgery facility.
   • Train staff on the HIPAA regulations.
   • Assist in instructing students for exam preparation for the CPC exam.
   • Maintain establish department policies and procedures, objectives, QA program, HIPAA compliance, environmental and infection control standards.
   • Code charts (Inpatient/Outpatient/Observation) according to EHR records to ensure all charges are accurately capture; hydration/infusion/EM levels & procedures.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your health information coder job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A health information coder salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, health information coders' average salary in arkansas is 40% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level health information coders earn 53% less than senior-level health information coders.
   • Certifications. A health information coder with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a health information coder's salary.

   Average health information coder salary

   $54,353yearly

   $26.13 hourly rate

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   Entry-level health information coder salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a health information coder job description

   A health information coder job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a health information coder job description:

   Health information coder job description example

   FTE status: 1
   
   On-call: No
   
   Weekends: No
   
   General Summary:
   
   The Coder for Hospital Services, under the direction of the HIM Director, is responsible to accurately and completely code inpatient and outpatient conditions and procedures by reviewing clinical documentation and diagnostic results, as appropriate, to extract data for billing, internal and external reporting, research and regulatory compliance as documented in the ICD-9-CM and/or ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting.
   
   Requirements:
   RHIT, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC or other professional HIM coding certificate. Coding software and basic computer software experience. Effective communication and listening skills. Ability to contribute to team efforts.
   Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
   Code all diagnoses, treatments, and procedures by translating physician and nursing documentation according to the appropriate classification system for the category of patient encounter. Maintain 98% coding accuracy based on federal regulations. Maintain coding productivity within standards as established by record type. Initiate coding query process as appropriate. Maintain continuing education credits for corporate compliance regulations and credential requirements. Assist physicians and other direct patient care professionals in questions regarding level of detail for diagnostic entries, according to the organization's guidelines. Foster respect for patient privacy by maintaining confidentiality in all phases of the work. Participate in departmental quality standards. Performs other duties as assigned. These may include but are not limited to: Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes, protocols and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education opportunities, and participating on committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right health information coder for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your health information coder job on Zippia to find and recruit health information coder candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit health information coders, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new health information coder

   Once you've selected the best health information coder candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new health information coder first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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