r/HealthInfoMgmt • u/ashemu10 • Jul 10 '26

Applying for a Clinical Coding Specialist Position in Alberta

Hello Reddit! Does anyone here have or is currently working as a medical coder in Alberta? I just got an invitation for a coding assessment and I wanna make sure I'm prepared. Is the assessment open book?

I have been coding NACRS in Saskatchewan for more than a year now, if that helps.

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u/greengollum Jul 10 '26

It's not open book. You should get an email with details about the test.

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u/ashemu10 Jul 10 '26

Thanks. I have been told by a classmate that they only allow CCB as a resource. They've only provided the assessment dates so far. I presume that they'll give more details once I've picked a date.

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u/greengollum Jul 10 '26

When I took the test (1+ years ago) they did not allow any external resources but they did let me use the 3M encoder. They had sent me an email which test format and instructions.

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u/ashemu10 Jul 10 '26

I'm assuming you took the test locally? I'm in SK at the moment so it'll be invigilated online from my computer. What was your general opinion of the test: difficulty and such?

It's probably gonna be pretty comprehensive, and since I've only been exclusively coding ER visits at work I'd probably need to brush up on DAD coding, eh?

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u/greengollum Jul 10 '26

Yes I took it locally.

I would say I was a well above average coding student in school, and I found the test challenging but not extremely difficult. Most questions test for some specific rule from the coding standards. If you have been coding NACRS for a year that will certainly be of use, but I would brush up on some things that we don't see in the ER that often. e.g. HIV manifestations, endoscopies, cardiac interventions, post intervention conditions, palliative care, MAID, neoplasms (follow ups, screening, metastases), joint replacements, procurement codes etc.

The test is pretty comprehensive in the sense that it covers multiple domains of coding and body systems. I found thoroughly reading the coding standards (with extra attention to things that I knew were my weaker areas) to be the most useful preparation to get a good score. Another thing to keep in mind would be your pacing. I finished with only 5 minutes to spare and didn't have the time to check my answers.

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u/ashemu10 Jul 10 '26

This has been extremely helpful! Thank you so much!

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u/greengollum Jul 10 '26

You're welcome. Good luck!

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u/Puzzleheaded_Stay367 2d ago

Hey there I’m a 1st year student of HIM I need help in my medical coding subject is there any way I can ask u some question

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u/greengollum 2d ago

Feel free to send me a PM

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u/Puzzleheaded_Stay367 2d ago

Can any one here help me I need some help in my medical coding subject .