---
title: "Medical Billing And Coding: Student Perspective"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/medical-billing-and-coding-student-perspective/"
type: post
date_published: 2020-12-10
date_modified: 2025-08-01
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 686
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/medical-billing-and-coding-student-perspective/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Billing-and-Coding-Cycle-Infographic.jpg"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - "Medical Billing & Coding"
---

# Medical Billing And Coding: Student Perspective

Attention to detail, organization and accuracy are key requirements for careers
in health information management. It’s an allied health profession that’s
becoming increasingly more important as paper medical records are moved into
computerized systems. Learn from an Arizona College graduate about her
fulfilling career as a Health Information Specialist.

### 󠀁**What is Medical Billing and Coding?**󠁿

_Belinda Sledge, Arizona College Medical Billing and Coding program Graduate_

“As a Health Information Specialist, I’m responsible for making sure my medical
office’s paperwork is correct, up to date, and easy to find. When it is, our
doctors and nurses have accurate information about all their patients, and the
whole office runs more smoothly and serves our patients better.

Throughout each day, I analyze patients’ medical records to make sure they’re
complete and current, and I add new information to the records when it’s
available. I confirm and review patient data from test results, prescription
lists, and medical history information, and check the records after every
patient interaction. I also communicate often with doctors and nurses about
patients’ care.

![Medical Billing and Coding Cycle Infographic](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Billing-and-Coding-Cycle-Infographic.jpg)

We’re currently working on transferring most of our paper files to a
computer-based health record system, so I handle both paper-based and electronic
data, and have to make sure our records are consistent. I have gotten to know
the electronic health records software inside and out, and it’s my job to make
sure all the files go to the right place — whether that’s in a folder or filing
cabinet, or labeled and sorted correctly in the computer according to specific
codes.

I sit at a desk most of the day, unless I’m looking through paper files or
taking information to people who need it. Although I don’t work with patients
face to face, I’m trusted to keep all their information correct, safe, and
confidential. All of my work as a Health Information Specialist helps our office
provide better care to patients. It’s also important because medical record
keeping has to stay compliant with government regulations. As you can imagine,
it’s critical that I have a smooth and efficient workflow for dealing with the
information that crosses my desk. Accuracy is crucial, and it helps that I’m a
detail-oriented person who enjoys organization and arranging data in a way that
makes sense.

I enjoy my job as a Health Information Specialist. I feel accomplished at the
end of each day, and I really like knowing I’m helping doctors and nurses do a
better job of taking care of their patients.”

**Take the First Step to Become a Health Information Specialist or Medical Biller and Coder**

“A big part of being a good fit for this job is personality — I am detail
oriented and prefer an organized environment, and I enjoy working with computers
and technology. But my personality didn’t teach me all the skills I’ve needed to
be able to work specifically within the healthcare field. There was so much I
had to learn in order to understand medical terminology, medical billing and
coding duties, and healthcare-specific data analysis.

## Finding The Right Medical Billing and Coding School

My
[Medical Billing and Coding program](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-billing-coding/)
at Arizona College taught me everything I needed to know to start working in a
medical office. I learned about coding, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of
Health Information, and so much more. And studying to become a Health
Information Specialist involved more than just classroom learning — I had the
opportunity to learn in open labs with helpful tutors, and also to take part in
a clinical externship that really solidified my skills.

**If you think a career as a Medical Biller and Coder or Health Information Specialist might be right for you, I would recommend checking out Arizona College. **

**– **_Belinda Sledge, Arizona College Medical Billing and Coding program Graduate_

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of December 10, 2020._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs