MedKoder LLC today announced the launch of a new Registered Apprenticeship program for individuals interested in building a career in the medical coding industry.

The Registered Apprenticeship program follows a platform of structured standards that include both instructional learning as well as supervised on-the-job training and mentoring by an experienced professional. The program has been approved by the Louisiana State Office of Apprenticeships and is the first of its kind in the state.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of job growth in the medical coding industry is expected to be 15 percent through 2024 — more than double the national average of 7 percent for other industries. In addition, the gap between graduates with market-ready skills and experience is growing and has been identified as the primary barrier to entry into the profession.

MedKoder worked with the Louisiana Workforce Commission's Registered Apprenticeship staff to set up the medical coding apprenticeship program. The LWC certified the program in December, 2015.

"The demand for trained workers in health care-related fields such as medical coding is growing rapidly in Louisiana," said LWC Executive Director Ava Dejoie. "MedKoder's Registered Apprenticeship program will be an asset in building the necessary skills to help people in our state fill these jobs," Dejoie said. Registered Apprenticeship gives people, many of whom are just launching their career paths, to get on-the-job experience that generates immediate earnings, classroom training and nationally recognized certification or credentialing. Apprentices learn as they earn and enter professions that offer family-sustaining wage potential.

Through apprenticeship programs, employers gain skilled workers who are trained to their specifications. This quality-based, on-the-job process results in a stream of knowledgeable and productive employees, mitigating supply and demand mismatches. The commitment from participating employers assures training will meet standards of both the employer and the industry.

LWC works with companies and trade organizations throughout Louisiana to build effective Registered Apprenticeship programs. More information can be obtained by contacting Andrea Oliphant at AOliphant(at)lwc(dot)la(dot)gov.

The American Health Information Management Association Foundation (AHIMA) was recently awarded a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to ensure that career-ready individuals possess the skills, training and learning experiences now required by health care employers. MedKoder's Registered Apprenticeship program will partner with the AHIMA Foundation as well as the American Academy of Professional Coders to aid in closing this skills gap.

MedKoder LLC is committed to building industry leading coding professionals. "The future of the industry is strong. As a good corporate citizen to the medical coding community, this apprenticeship program furthers our commitment to advancing the profession through the development of medical coders from entry-level to experienced professional. MedKoder's apprenticeship program will pioneer the way for those interested in a medical coding career," says Brian Audler, MedKoder President and CEO.

MedKoder's Registered Apprenticeship program plans to install its inaugural class during the first quarter of 2016. The program will span a 2-year timeframe during which apprentices will gain full immersion into a medical coding career and will involve classroom-style education as well as on-the-job training and one-on-one mentoring. For more information on the program or to submit an online application for consideration in the inaugural class, visit http://www.medkoder.com.

About MedKoder LLC

MedKoder is a full-service medical coding management services provider offering expert medical coding in all physician service lines and inpatient/outpatient facility coding, medical risk adjustment management, DRG coding management, coding education, clinical coding documentation improvement, revenue integrity, and revenue cycle consulting. For further information, visit the MedKoder website at http://www.medkoder.com or call 800-421-9718.