Medical Coder

POSITION TITLE: Medical Coder 

DEPARTMENT: Finance 

WAGE: Grade 13 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt 

ESC CODE: 

FUNDING SOURCE: Indirect 

OPENING: February 11, 2026

CLOSING: February 21, 2026

Position Summary:

The Medical Coder I is an entry-level, training pathway position designed to build internal coding capacity and strengthen Yakutat Community Health Center’s revenue cycle. Under close supervision, the Medical Coder I learns to review clinical documentation and assign accurate medical codes in compliance with CMS, HRSA, IHS, Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payer requirements.

This role is part of YCHC’s workforce development strategy and supports the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, integrated medical and behavioral health services, and Tribal healthcare billing requirements.

 Essential Functions:

1. 
   Coding and Documentation (Training-Level Responsibilities)
   
   
   
   • Learn to review clinical documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
   
   
   • Assign basic ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes under supervision.
   
   
   • Apply coding guidelines, modifiers, and place-of-service codes with guidance.
   
   
   • Identify documentation gaps and escalate questions to senior coders or billing staff.
   
   
   • Progressively code primary care, behavioral health, preventive, and telehealth services.
   
   
   
   


2. 
   Revenue Cycle Support
   
   
   
   • Assist with billing staff with claim preparation and review.
   
   
   • Learn FQHC, Tribal, and IHS billing rules, including PPS encounters and UDS reporting.
   
   
   • Support claim corrections and denial resolution under supervision.
   
   
   • Develop understanding of payer requirements and reimbursement methodologies.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   Compliance and Quality Improvement
   
   
   
   • Participate in coding audits and quality assurance activities.
   
   
   • Follow HIPAA, organizational policies, and compliance standards.
   
   
   • Learn CMS, HRSA, and payer regulations related to coding and documentation.
   
   
   • Support continuous improvement in documentation accuracy and coding quality
   
   
   
   


4. 
   Collaboration and Communication
   
   
   
   • Participate in training sessions with providers, nurses, behavioral health staff, and billing teams.
   
   
   • Receive and apply feedback to improve coding accuracy and documentation comprehension.
   
   
   • Support team meetings and performance improvement initiatives.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   Other Duties


6. 
   Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

1. Performs related duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Working knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, IHS, VA, and related eligibility and referral processes.


• Knowledge of HIPAA requirements and familiarity with HRSA, IHS, PCMH, and CARF compliance standards.

Skilled in:

• Strong communication skills for working with providers and administration.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Basic computer and EHR proficiency.

Ability to:

• Work collaboratively across departments.

• to learn medical terminology and coding standards.


• maintain confidentiality and professional ethics.


• Have Cultural awareness and respect for Tribal communities.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, including exposure to contagious diseases. Employees may be required to use protective clothing, such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields.

The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.   The employee must be able to read, write, speak and hear.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:

This is a non-supervisory position that may provide functional direction, guidance and instruction to other employees when necessary. This position possesses authority to assign, coordinate, and review quality and quantity of work of other employees. Instruct employees in specific techniques or technical methods for accomplishing work assignments. The employee may perform the same type of work as other employees but may be responsible for performance of the more technically difficult, controversial, or sensitive work assigned to the unit or group.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.


• Coursework or certificate program in medical coding, health information management, or healthcare administration preferred (not required).


• No prior coding experience required.


• Experience in healthcare, administrative, or clinical support roles preferred.


• Required within 12 months of hire (supported by YCHC):
  
  
  
  1. Employee must obtain one of the following certifications.
     
     
     
     1. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)-AAPC OR Certified Coding Associate (CCA)-AHIMA
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  

• Possession or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska with a clean driving record.


• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check.

Disclosures:

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

THE YAKUTAT TLINGIT TRIBE IS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. THIS POSITION MAY BE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK. 

Preference will be given to qualified Yakutat Tlingit Tribal Member and/or Alaska Native candidates.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE WILL BE APPLIED TO HIRING OF THIS POSITION AS DEFINED IN TITLE 25, US CODE, CHAPTER 14, SUBCHAPTER V, SUBSECTION 273 AND 274.  WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WITH PREFERENCE GIVEN TO QUALIFIED NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND TRIBAL POLICY.