Expanded medical coding program at Burlington set to graduate first class

Burlington County College will graduate the first 25 students to participate in the school’s expanded medical coding certificate program Thursday night.

Burlington County College will graduate the first 25 students to participate in the school’s expanded medical coding certificate program Thursday night.

The program was expanded in 2009 after the school received a community-based job-training grant worth $953,522 from the federal Department of Labor.

“These grants are to build the capacity of a community college and to meet the regional work force need,” said Janet Evans, instructor and coordinator for the program. “Coding is an in-demand profession.” Five soon-to-be graduates already have obtained employment in the field.

The students completed 28 credit hours, including a professional practice experience, over 18 months, and completed work in courses as diverse as anatomy and physiology to reimbursement methodologies. Many of the credits earned during certificate completion transfer to associates or baccalaureate degrees.

The program started with Shore Memorial Hospital as a partner for the grant, and has expanded to include Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Community Medical Center as host hospitals for students completing the professional practice experience.

The program is on track to graduate 30 students next year, up from the five original graduates in 2005. The 2011 and 2012 graduates were eligible for grant-funded tuition through the Labor funds.

BCC also offers seminars and continuing education for current medical coders.

E-mail Melinda Caliendo at [email protected]