Hospital Surgery/Observation Coder
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Centennial, CO
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 25.5-38.82 HOUR
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
You have a purpose, unique talents and now is the time to embrace it, live it and put it to work. We value incredible people with incredible skills – but your commitment to a greater cause is something we value even more. This is the heartbeat of our organization and your time will be spent in a supportive, team environment with resources to help you flourish and leaders who care about your success.
This is an advanced level coding position that codes and abstracts Outpatient records for data retrieval,
analysis, reimbursement and research. Codes and enters diagnostic and procedure codes into a
designated coding and abstracting system utilizing the 3M encoder, as appropriate. Meets quality and
productivity coding standards and demonstrates the ability to navigate an EMR. Ability to code across all
facilities.
Along with CO, KS and NM, this position is open to remote/out of state candidates residing in only these states:
- Alabama- Arizona- Arkansas- Colorado
- Florida- Georgia- Idaho- Indiana
- Iowa- Kansas - Kentucky- Louisiana
- Missouri- Mississippi- Nebraska- New Mexico
- North Carolina- Ohio- Oklahoma- South Carolina
- South Dakota- Tennessee- Texas- Utah
- Virginia- West Virginia- Wyoming
Job Requirements
In addition to bringing humankindness to the workplace each day, qualified candidates will need the following:
- High School Diploma/GED Required
- Associates Degree Preferred
- A minimum of 3 years coding experience in an acute care setting
- Must demonstrate competency of outpatient coding guidelines and APC assignment
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and emails and troubleshooting computer problems
- Demonstrate intermediate to advanced technical coding competency in ICD-10 CM, CPT-4, HCPCS and
Coding Modifiers - Knowledge of disease management, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology and
coding systems (i.e. 3M) - Experience successfully working in a remote environment, preferred
- Current AHIMA credentials (i.e. RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P) or AAPC credential (COC, CIC, CPC-H, CPC), required or
must be certified within one year of hire. - Current AHIMA credentials (i.e. RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P) or AAPC credential (COC, CIC, CPC-H, CPC), required or
must be certified within one year of hire.
We believe in the healing power of humanity and serving the common good through our dedicated work and shared mission to celebrate humankindness.
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Frequently asked questions
A Hospital Surgery/Observation Coder in Centennial, CO typically codes across multiple facilities, requiring adaptability to various electronic medical records (EMR) systems. This flexibility ensures accurate outpatient record abstraction, crucial for reimbursement and research within diverse hospital environments.
Advanced coders demonstrate proficiency in ICD-10 CM, CPT-4, HCPCS, and coding modifiers, alongside navigating complex outpatient coding guidelines and APC assignments. Mastery of tools like the 3M encoder and strong knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, and disease management elevate their coding accuracy.
Professionals in this niche can advance to senior coding analyst roles, auditing positions, or healthcare data management. Continuous certification and expertise in outpatient procedures broaden opportunities, especially within organizations emphasizing remote work and multi-state facility coding.
Locally, credentials like RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or AAPC certifications such as CPC-H or CIC are highly regarded. These certifications validate expertise in outpatient coding and align with Colorado's regulatory expectations, enhancing job competitiveness and compliance.
Centennial exhibits growing demand for skilled coders due to expanding outpatient surgery centers and observation units. Candidates with remote work experience and diverse state coding capabilities face less competition and increased opportunities in this evolving market.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes humankindness and collaborative culture, so coders are expected to contribute beyond technical skills. Navigating their multi-state outpatient coding systems demands both coding proficiency and adaptability to a mission-driven environment.
The organization offers resources for skill development and leadership support, fostering an environment where coders thrive remotely or on-site. Their commitment to ongoing education and certification maintenance helps coders stay current with evolving outpatient coding standards.
Typically, remote coders in this specialization earn between $60,000 and $80,000 annually in Centennial, influenced by experience and certifications. This range reflects market standards for outpatient coding professionals handling multi-state facility data.
Yes, intermediate familiarity with Microsoft Office and basic IT problem-solving skills are essential. Coders often manage electronic records and communicate via email, making these competencies vital to maintaining workflow efficiency in both remote and on-site settings.
Unlike inpatient coding, this role focuses on coding outpatient surgery and observation records, emphasizing accurate procedure and diagnostic code entry for reimbursement and research. It demands precise outpatient coding guideline knowledge and experience with tools like the 3M encoder.