Successful completion of HIT or similar degree including college level courses in medical terminology and anatomy/physiology or equivalent hospital based coding experience required. RHIA, RHIT credential preferred.   CCS credential preferred. Inpatient coding experience in acute care setting using ICD-9-CM classification system (for inpatient coding) or hospital based outpatient coding experience using CPT-4 classification system (for outpatient coding) preferred. Knowledge of ER and related outpatient coding and/or charging. Expert knowledge of ICD-9 coding conventions as required for coding quality reviews, training and audits.  Experience in DRG validation preferred.  Familiarity with ICD-10 coding conventions as well as required for transition planning. Thorough understanding of prospective payment systems, optimization skills, and outpatient payment guidelines required. Understanding of Joint Commission standards, particularly as related to Health Information Management required. Must have good analytical skills and be detail oriented. 3M encoder experience preferred.