Position Title: Medical Coding Instructor
Position Level: Instructor
Reports To: Director of Workforce Development
Status: Salary, Part-Time
Hiring Range: $30,000 – $32,000 (Based on an average of 24 hours/week annually; see schedule below*)
Prepared Date: April 2023
About WMCAT
The West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and community. We fulfill our mission through visual arts and tech engagement, workforce development, and social enterprise.
Workforce Development builds income security with families and young adults through post-secondary exploration, career training, and leadership development.
The tuition-free Adult Career Training Program provides Kent County adults experiencing under- or unemployment a pathway to income stability and long-term family economic security through career training and leadership development. The program offers training in Health Information (medical administration, medical billing, and medical coding), Pharmacy Technician, and Cybersecurity + GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance). Through professionally led instruction, Leadership by Design personal and professional development curriculum, externships with local employers, and on-site supports, students prepare to take certification exams and enter their new career field.
Position Description
The Medical Coding Instructor provides career training for students in the Adult Career Training Program studying medical coding and medical administration through academic instruction, exam preparation, experiential learning, and externship experience coordination. An integral member of the Workforce Development team, the instructor curates a culture of trust and encouragement in the classroom and is part of the students’ team of support.
The ideal candidate is committed to providing quality, student-centered experiences; is able to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders both internally and externally, building positive relationships with staff, students, and partners; and is energized by leveraging career training to build income security with students.
*Classes in the Health Information pathway of the Adult Career Training Program run from September through June each year. Administrative duties and alumni support are expected throughout the whole year. The Medical Coding Instructor schedule and compensation are based upon the following approximate annual schedule:
- August – January: 23 weeks at 28 hours/week (Health Information instruction)
- February – May: 15 weeks at 32 hours/week (Medical Coding instruction)
- May – June: 4 weeks at 8 hours/week (externship + employment support)
- June – August: 10 weeks at 2 hours/week (admin + student follow-up)
Requirements
Essential Duties + Responsibilities
Instruction
- Plan, prepare, and deliver quality classroom instruction utilizing a variety of course materials and teaching methods that meet the needs of all learners.
- Provide relevant experiential learning opportunities to prepare students to work in the health information field (medical administration and medical coding).
- Empower students to embrace medical coding and/or medical administration as a career pathway for income security.
- Prepare students to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam and/or Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.
- Integrate the concepts introduced in Leadership by Design into the classroom.
- Assist in the achievement of the educational goals of each student, including providing small group/individual instruction as required when time permits.
- Demonstrate effectiveness with strong outcomes in student retention, student success, and student attendance.
- Maintain accurate records of performance, evaluation, and attendance for each class.
- Evaluate student progress and provide feedback in a timely manner.
- Coordinate, manage, and connect coursework to an externship experience for students.
- Stay current on changes and developments in the fields of medical coding and medical administration – through professional memberships, relationships in the field, and publications – and incorporate them into instruction.
- Attend regular instructor meetings and annual program events (Mix + Mingle student networking event, graduation, open houses, etc.).
Student Support
- Work closely with program staff to assess and address individual student needs and make referrals when appropriate.
- Maintain caring and trusting relationships with students, and provide supportive, fair, and non-discriminant treatment of all students.
- Connect with alumni and provide ongoing job support, resources, and employment opportunities.
WMCAT Mission + Organizational Expectations
- Maintain a commitment to the mission and vision of WMCAT.
- Demonstrate a willingness and desire to grow professionally, learn new skills, and contribute to a culture of inclusivity and equity.
- Foster positive relationships with staff and students.
- Desire to align with WMCAT’s values (listed below).
Preferred Experiences + Skills
- Demonstrated experience could include:
- Bachelor’s degree in health information technology or related degree.
- Four years of experience in the health information field.
- Teaching/instructional experience with adult learners.
- Prior related experiences in working with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification required.
- Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of:
- Facility and professional coding, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS, and CPT coding including E/M.
- Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and disease pathophysiology.
- Written and verbal communication skills.
- High proficiency in computer skills, especially Microsoft Suite/Office 365.
- Ability to collaborate with partners and colleagues across teams and stakeholders.
- Cultural competency and emotional intelligence to work with individuals from varied backgrounds and foster open communication among diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment, maintain flexibility, and manage multiple/competing priorities.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel, and is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to sit, walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move from 15-45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Additional Details: Recognizing there is leadership in every community, WMCAT is seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We are dedicated to hiring employees that reflect the communities we serve across race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. No person shall be excluded from WMCAT services, employment or volunteer participation because of ethnicity, race, national origin, age, height, weight, genetic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, economic circumstance, veteran status, physical and/or mental abilities/characteristics, philosophy/religion, or any other status that is protected by State of Michigan or federal law or by local ordinance for those jurisdictions where WMCAT operates.
WMCAT’s Values
- Design for Equity
Creating a world that works for all of us.
Rooted in an understanding that systemic oppression is perpetuated by design, we center marginalized voices, consciously co-create solutions, and challenge unjust systems to provide equitable access to opportunity.
- Pursue Learning
Engaging the experiences and expertise around us.
Acknowledging that we never “arrive” in our understanding, we engage each other, ourselves, and our community with curiosity and appreciation for diverse lived experiences, seeking out new ideas, more robust context, and opportunities for growth.
- Build Community
Curating belonging for collective good.
Grounded in the belief that our humanity, prosperity, and futures are interconnected, we intentionally create space for belonging, build authentic relationships, seek partnership in our collective work, and respect our shared context.
- Center People
Leading with empathy.
Guided by the mindsets of equitable human-centered design, we seek the perspectives of and create solutions with those most affected, embracing the inherent value of each individual and prioritizing whole-person thriving.
In-person, part-time at WMCAT: This position is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The candidate should be comfortable working in person as responsibilities necessitate, with flexibility for remote work. WMCAT’s regular office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adult Career Training Program instruction hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Medical Coding Instructor hours are aligned with the programming calendar and estimated to be the following annual schedule:
- August – January: 23 weeks at 28 hours/week (Health Information instruction)
- February – May: 15 weeks at 32 hours/week (medical coding instruction)
- May – June: 4 weeks at 8 hours/week (externship + employment support)
- June – August: 10 weeks at 2 hours/week (admin + student follow-up)
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: All WMCAT employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Benefits
Pay: Compensation within the listed hiring range is based on experience and nonprofit industry standards. Benefits package provided, including:
- 15 paid holidays
- Simple IRA with employer match of up to 3%
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D)
- Professional development and opportunities for personal growth
Position will remain open until filled.