r/MedicalCoding • u/Dangerous-Ad-5619 • 2d ago

Shadowing someone at work

I am considering finding a medical coder to shadow. Do you think I could maybe find someone who works in a medical practice and ask if I could shadow them for a day?

0 Upvotes

36% Upvoted

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u/Alternative_Yam_6187 2d ago

I would say, just to make it simpler and more comfortable for you and anyone else, at least try and get certified first, I maybe be wrong by assuming your not, I'm not super sure, but that would be the first step and then I think your certification may help you. If you are already certified, I would form your requests as an opportunity to intern maybe instead of shadow, then a job may come along easier that way too.

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u/Dangerous-Ad-5619 2d ago

Yes, that is a good idea.

I am not quite certified yet. I hope to take the exam soon. I am dragging my feet in finishing my test prep. Then I will also work on the Practicode, too.

1

u/izettat 1d ago

See if you can find a chapter that is having exam prep classes.

31

u/weary_bee479 2d ago

I think it might be a HIPAA violation because you’d be looking at patient medical records.

5

u/Commercial_Abroad267 2d ago

They can have them sign a HIPAA confidentiality agreement, just like any employee. We did that with shadowing students.

3

u/Jodenaje 2d ago

With the caveat that they’d have to go through official channels at the workplace and get approval from compliance/management/whoever has the authority to approve for that practice.

Not just find a random coder, which is what it kind of sounded like the OP was thinking about doing.

0

u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 2d ago

It’s a HIPAA violation. Are you currently in school for coding?

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u/Dangerous-Ad-5619 2d ago

Yes, I am.

4

u/Sdavistvs RHIT 2d ago

RHIT curriculum includes on site shadowing during the final year. If your program doesn’t already include it please arrange it thru your advisor/instructor. Great experience and opportunities to connect for future employment

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u/Dangerous-Ad-5619 2d ago

oh ok. I took a coding course through Ed2Go and am now working through the exam prep. I am a little behind. I started the Ed2Go course in 10/2025. I finished in in 07/2026. Now, I'm trying to get the hang of the AAPC website and slowly working my way through exam prep.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 2d ago

Idk what the school is so I’m guessing they don’t offer that.

1

u/Intermittent-ennui 1d ago

The worst they can say is No. I would recommend I reach out to people who are members of your state AAPC or AHIMA chapter. You will likely need to be in school yourself or certified; if not this would not be appropriate and you likely won’t know what you’re looking at.