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Useful experience for clinical coders includes:

• work in nursing, medicine, biological sciences or other health services
• a health-related clerical background such as medical secretary or reception work
• work in computing and statistics.

Clinical coders may do some or all of the following:

• analyse patient discharge records to match codes to disease, injuries or medical procedures
• use coding software to process and code patient discharge records
• consult with clinical staff, such as doctors, to verify discharge records
• keep up to date with health classification codes and coding software
• take part in coding audits and peer reviews
• answer public queries
• work with the Ministry of Health to solve coding issues.

Chances of finding work as a qualified clinical coder are good because of an increased demand for coding due to:

• an ageing population with more health problems
• a worldwide shortage of clinical coders leading to coders leaving to work overseas.

According to the Census, 255 clinical coders worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Limited positions for trainee coders

Most employers prefer to employ trained clinical coders.   

Most clinical coders work at hospitals

Clinical coders mainly work in public and private hospitals, but may also work for the Ministry of Health.

Clinical coders may progress within hospitals to become auditors, data analysts, clinical coding team leaders or coding managers.

Clinical coders need to be:

• good at managing time
• skilled at problem solving
• good at seeing patterns
• excellent communicators, with good people skills
• responsible, with the ability to keep information confidential
• accurate, with an eye for detail.