Medical Coding Specialist - A.A.S. Degree - Dakota County Technical College | DCTC - a 2-Year Minnesota School Offering Associate Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs to the Twin Cities, MN

Medical Coding Specialist - A.A.S. Degree

*Pending Minnesota State Approval

Recommended Course Sequence

Download the Medical Coding Specialist Datasheet

Core Courses

Course Title	Credits
ADMS 1018 Basic Computer Applications ADMS - 1018: Basic Computer Applications Description ADMS 1018 This course covers basic information on the history of computers and their impact on society, computer hardware and desk application software. Students will learn the fundamentals of word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation applications. Students will also be introduced to use of the Internet and e-mail. This course meets the Dakota County Technical College's computer literacy requirement. Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1018 — PDF	3
ADMS 1045 Medical Terminology ADMS - 1045: Medical Terminology Description ADMS 1045 This course is an introduction to building medical terms and learning the meanings. Students will learn combining forms, word roots, prefixes and suffixes, and how these word parts apply to building medical terms. Students will also learn common medical abbreviations and symbols. THIS COURSE IS THE SAME AS HEAL1502. Credits: 2 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1045 — PDF	2
ADMS 1049 Applied Medical Terminology ADMS - 1049: Applied Medical Terminology Description ADMS 1049 This advanced medical terminology course is a continuation of ADTC1045 Medical Terminology with a focus on word analysis, spelling, pronunciation, and usage of medical terms. Word roots/combining forms, prefixes, suffixes, abbreviations and medical terms will be addressed for the medical specialty areas including oncology, radiology, psychiatry and pharmacology. There will be an emphasis placed on diagnostic terms, laboratory and clinical procedures assigned to each of the body systems. In addition, students will apply medical terminology usage to common healthcare documentations. Prerequisites: ADMS1045 Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1049 — PDF	3
ADMS 1051 Human Diseases ADMS - 1051: Human Diseases Description ADMS 1051 This course provides basic information about common disease conditions affecting various body systems. There is a focus on the general principles of disease and signs and symptoms of specific disease processes. Major concepts include diagnostic tests, treatment modalities, and medication protocols related to specific disease processes. Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1051 — PDF	3
ADMS 1285 Oral Business Communications and Job Seeking Skills ADMS - 1285: Oral Business Communications and Job Seeking Skills Description ADMS 1285 This course covers the development of oral communication skills in the following areas: one-to-one communication, oral presentations to groups, use of MS PowerPoint in presentations and student evaluation of speeches. Students will also learn successful employment interview strategies as well as how to find various job leads, write a successful resume, application letter, and follow-up letter. Credits: 2 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1285 — PDF	2
ADMS 1360 Healthcare Documentation Essentials ADMS - 1360: Healthcare Documentation Essentials Description ADMS 1360 This beginning course provides an orientation to the healthcare delivery system, health records, and the health information profession. Basic concepts of medical records are explored in different healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and physician's offices. This course addresses the various forms which comprise a medical record, assembly of records, record analysis and medical record terminology. Credits: 4 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1360 — PDF	4
ADMS 1370 Medical Billing and Insurance ADMS - 1370: Medical Billing and Insurance Description ADMS 1370 This advanced course provides a study of various health plans, reimbursement methodologies, and compliance strategies. Students will continue using principles of ICD-10-CM and CPT coding and advanced concepts of coding to ensure proficiency in coding. Prerequisites: ADMS1045 Medical Terminology, ADMS1400 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding, ADMS1410 CPT Coding Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1370 — PDF	3
ADMS 1380 Quality & Healthcare Statistics ADMS - 1380: Quality & Healthcare Statistics Description ADMS 1380 This course covers the components of quality improvement for problem-solving, decision-making, time management and implementation of quality concepts, and applying quality tools. This course also covers collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting numerical data relating to healthcare services. Students will apply computer software skills using spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to convey healthcare information. Prerequisites: ADMS1360 Healthcare Documentation Essentials Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1380 — PDF	3
ADMS 1390 Introduction to Pharmacology ADMS - 1390: Introduction to Pharmacology Description ADMS 1390 This course covers the various medications commonly used for all body systems. Topics covered will be drug classification, modes of administration, treatment means, and characteristics of typical drug effects. Credits: 2 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1390 — PDF	2
ADMS 1400 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding ADMS - 1400: ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Description ADMS 1400 This course will introduce the student to the ICD-10-CM classification system and ICD-10-PCS inpatient procedural coding system. Emphasis will be placed on the correct process of utilizing the alphabetic index and tabular list for code assignment. The focus will be on rules, conventions, and instructions of ICD-10-CM as well as chapter specific guidelines (e.g. circulatory, injury, pregnancy), including criteria for assignment of principal and additional diagnoses in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Prerequisites: ADMS1360 Healthcare Documentation Essentials, ADMS1045 Medical Terminology Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1400 — PDF	3
ADMS 1410 CPT Coding ADMS - 1410: CPT Coding Description ADMS 1410 This course provides a study of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system using sample exercises and medical records to develop skill and accuracy in coding. Students will continue using the principles of ICD-10-CM coding to ensure proficiency in coding using patient records and advanced concepts of coding. Students will adhere to current regulations and established guidelines in code assignment. Prerequisites: ADMS1400 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding, ADMS1360 Healthcare Documentation Essentials, ADMS1045 Medical Terminology Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1410 — PDF	3
ADMS 1420 Supervision of Health Information ADMS - 1420: Supervision of Health Information Description ADMS 1420 This course is a study of the principles of management, communication, and interpersonal relationships in creating a productive work environment in a healthcare facility. Fundamentals of team leadership will be explored, as well as organizational skills and employee training and development. Cultural issues and its effect on health, healthcare quality, cost and HIM will be explored, as well as creating programs and policies that support a culture of diversity. Prerequisites: NONE Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1420 — PDF	3
ADMS 1430 Legal Principles of Health Information ADMS - 1430: Legal Principles of Health Information Description ADMS 1430 This course covers the application of legal principles, policies, regulations, and standards for the control and usage of consent and release of Information forms used in medical facilities. Ethical and bio ethical practices will be explored. An overview of current health legislation will be included. Prerequisites: NONE Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 08/22/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1430 — PDF	3
ADMS 1440 Advanced Coding ADMS - 1440: Advanced Coding Description ADMS 1440 This advanced course provides a study of various health insurance plans, reimbursement methodologies and compliance strategies. Students will continue to use the principles of ICD-10-CM and CPT coding to ensure proficiency in coding patient records and advanced concepts of coding. Students will follow current regulations and established guidelines in coding assignments. An overview of health insurance plans and reimbursement systems will be discussed, along with the basics of completing insurance claim forms. Prerequisites: ADMS1360 Healthcare Documentation Essentials, ADMS1400 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding, ADMS1410 CPT Coding, ADMS1045 Medical Terminology Credits: 2 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1440 — PDF	2
ADMS 1450 Internship and Review ADMS - 1450: Internship and Review Description ADMS 1450 This course provides the student with practical application of theories learned during the course of study. Under the supervision of a qualified health information professional at affiliation site, the student will gain professional practice experience, when available, in a healthcare facility. Students will be required to meet written goals and objectives and undergo evaluations. Affiliation sites are organizations that agree to take medical coding students for a non-paid period of time in order to aid the student in blending classroom theory with practical application. The student should be supervised and considered a contributing member of the affiliation site staff. The internship and review will prepare the student to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) national exam. Prerequisite: Students should be in their last semester of coursework. Credits: 2 Effective Dates: 07/01/2016 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: ADMS1450 — PDF	2
HEAL 1101 Anatomy and Physiology HEAL - 1101: Anatomy and Physiology Description HEAL 1101 This course is an introduction to the structure and function of the human body. Focus will be on the study of each individual organ system and the interaction of each system with the rest of the body. Credits: 4 Effective Dates: 06/03/2002 - 12/31/9999 Course Outline: HEAL1101 — PDF	4
PHIL 1350 Medical Ethics PHIL - 1350: Medical Ethics Description PHIL 1350 This course introduces students to basic issues in medical ethics. Emphasis will be placed on the process of considering ethical theories and laws in the analysis of specific cases from the field. This course will be of special interest to students in programs such as Patient Care Technician, Dental Assistant, and Veterinary Technician though students in any program will find the study of medical ethics worthwhile. Suggested Accuplacer reading cut score over 78 and completion of ENGL 1150: Composition I. Meets MnTC Goals 6 and 9. Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 08/24/2009 - 12/31/9999 MNTC Goals: 6,9 Course Outline: PHIL1350 — PDF	3
Total Core Credits:	48

General Education Courses

Course Title	Credits
ENGL 1150 Composition I ENGL - 1150: Composition I Description ENGL 1150 This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. Also included in the course content are critical reading and logical reasoning. Meets MnTC Goal 1 - PREREQUISITES: Students having one of the recommended placement assessment scores, or a grade of ?C-? or higher in READ 150 and ENG 150 Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 08/24/2009 - 12/31/9999 MNTC Goals: 1 Course Outline: ENGL1150 — PDF	3
SPEE 1020 Interpersonal Communication SPEE - 1020: Interpersonal Communication Description SPEE 1020 This course is intended to increase student?s awareness of the processes, models, and theories of interpersonal communication relative to relationships that impact people?s personal and professional lives. Through self-analysis and reflection, case studies, practical application, and critical thinking, students will examine the influence of communicative behaviors on themselves, their personal relationships, groups, and society. Concepts include self-esteem, self-fulfilling prophecies, perception, ethics, emotion, conflict, cultural awareness, language, nonverbal communication, social media, and listening. Meets Goal 7. Meets MNTC Goal 1 Fall 2016 and after. Credits: 3 Effective Dates: 03/20/1999 - 12/31/9999 MNTC Goals: 1,7 Course Outline: SPEE1020 — PDF	3
General Education Elective(s)**	3
General Education Elective(s) (MnTC Goal 3 or Goal 4 )***	3
Total General Education Credits:	12

Total Program Credits:	60

** Select General Education electives from any MnTC goal area.

*** Select General Education electives from MnTC goal area.