Even within the medical and healthcare industries, medical coding is a career that is not as widely known or pursued as other traditional healthcare careers, and consequently, there are a large number of job openings available in this sector. Before delving into the specifics of how to locate medical coding jobs in the UAE as well as the scope and market for this career, let's take a closer look at the nature of the job, responsibilities, and other aspects of the medical coding profession.
What is Medical Coding?
A medical coder is a healthcare professional whose job is to assign standard alphanumeric codes to patient-specific information such as medical documents, doctor's observations, medical history, prescriptions, lab tests and results, etc. These alphanumeric codes are utilized by insurance companies and other medical institutions for a variety of purposes, including the settlement of insurance claims, billing, etc.
Medical coding is a versatile job, and medical coders can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical facilities, or even work remotely. A seasoned medical coder's salary in the UAE can range from AED 6000 to 10,000. Salary may also be affected by other factors such as the candidate's accreditation, the healthcare institution hiring the employee, work experience, and so on. Please keep in mind, however, that even if you are a recent graduate with no relevant work experience as a medical coder, international medical coding certifications are required if you want to work as a medical coder in the UAE.
Different Types of Codes and International Certifications
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) created by the World Health Organization (WHO), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) created by the American Medical Association (AMA), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding (HCPCS) created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are the three types of standard alphanumeric codes used globally in the medical coding profession. A medical coding career requires a variety of professional qualifications, such as Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), etc.
To work as a medical coder in the UAE, hospitals and healthcare institutions may require candidates to have any of these professional certifications, in addition to relevant work experience and a degree in health sciences. A medical coder's primary responsibility in the UAE is to encode various patient data while adhering to the hospital's accepted medical coding method.
Medical Coding Careers in Dubai
Prior to applying for a medical coding position in Dubai or any other UAE city, applicants must be physically present in the UAE; they are not permitted to submit applications from their home countries. Furthermore, it is mandatory that the candidates possess medical coding certifications that are globally recognized. If you wish to work in an inpatient or outpatient setting, etc., a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), respectively, would typically be sufficient. A Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) certification may be required for risk adjustment coding positions, which are typically found in insurance companies.
If you want to work in medical coding in Dubai, you can start by applying to major hospitals like NMC, Al Zahra, King's College, etc. Alternatively, you can register your profile and CV with a job portal like Talentmate.com, which has a comprehensive list of healthcare vacancies in Dubai, including those for medical coders. As a new graduate, you can work as a trainee in hospitals and healthcare institutions. Please keep in mind that for all medical coding jobs vacancies in Dubai, the applicant must be familiar with the Dubai Health Authority's guidelines and directives (DHA).
Medical Coding Careers in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, like Dubai, has a large number of medical coding openings in both large and small hospitals. Those interested in working as medical coders in Abu Dhabi should have certifications such as CCA, CPC, CRC, or CCS. In addition to having the necessary certifications, the candidate must ensure that the medical coding is done in accordance with the guidelines and regulations established by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (HAAD).
Additionally, the candidate must be familiar with the most recent HAAD directives and medical code versions endorsed by HAAD. A comprehensive understanding of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding (HCPCS), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes is a prerequisite for the candidate. The candidate must also be familiar with OSH procedures. You can register your profile and CV with Talentmate.com, a comprehensive job portal in UAE, and start looking for medical coding career opportunities in Abu Dhabi.
Medical Coding Careers in Sharjah
Medical coding jobs are available in many of Sharjah's well-known hospitals, including the NMC, Saudi German Hospital, University Hospital, etc. Applicants must meet specific requirements, such as possessing the CCA, CPC, or CRC certifications, and have sufficient experience in the medical coding field in order to be considered for jobs in Sharjah. In addition, certain Sharjah hospitals and healthcare facilities may require applicants to have a degree in the health sciences. The candidates should also be familiar with the standards and coding guidelines established by the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA).
The Talentmate portal features numerous openings for medical coders in Sharjah, in addition to other health sciences-related positions. Sign up for a Talentmate profile to begin your search for medical coding jobs in Sharjah and other parts of the UAE.
Conclusion
Finally, let's sum up this article by noting some differences between medical coding and medical transcription positions. Sometimes it’s possible to mix up medical coding and medical transcription jobs because they both may seem to have similar job natures. However, a medical transcriptionist is exclusively tasked with converting verbal communications from medical consultants into written medical records.
A medical coder converts a patient's medical data into alphanumeric codes for the purposes of analysis and data management, utilizing universally accepted standard medical codes. Although there may be instances where certain general responsibilities of these positions coincide, they remain separate occupations that demand unique skill sets, credentials, and professional experience.
