Aims Community College Launches In-Demand Medical Billing Certificate to Meet Industry Needs

This program is designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled administrative professionals in healthcare, an industry critical to Northern Colorado and beyond. The medical field relies on specialists to ensure proper insurance reimbursements and compliance with changing regulations.

“Aims is always looking for ways to serve our students and our community,” said Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, Aims Community College CEO and President. “The Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program is a direct response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in healthcare administration.”

Industry Needs and Job Opportunities

Aims develops new certificate and degree programs based on industry needs. In conversations with a healthcare advisory committee, local employers have expressed a shortage of trained professionals in this area. Potential career paths with this certificate include medical auditor, billing specialist, office administrator, or insurance claims processor.

Employers include hospitals, doctors’ offices, dental and chiropractic clinics, physical therapy centers, ophthalmology practices, and more. “It doesn’t matter where you are in the medical industry, you need to have billers,” said Ryan Mayeda, Department Chair of Health Science, Phlebotomy & Medical Assisting. 

“With the ever-changing insurance world, there needs to be a designated person staying on top of what they’re doing. They can’t just be thrown into it.”

Many clinics and hospitals currently train billing and coding staff in-house, but formal education is desired for more advanced roles. Aims developed this program to fill that gap. “Organizations are utilizing people internally and just self-training, but our advisory committee has identified the biggest need is for more advanced billers,” Mayeda said. “They want people with formal training beyond on-the-job experience.”

Careers for these professionals will likely increase by 8% through 2032, much faster than the 3% average for all other professions. In Colorado alone, there are more than 4,000 monthly job postings in healthcare administrative roles, underscoring the urgent need for trained professionals.

Program Structure and Unique Aspects

The program provides foundational knowledge that is adaptable across different medical fields. The certificate includes billing, coding, medical terminology, law and ethics, and office financial management courses. Students also learn healthcare billing technologies, regulations and compliance practices.  
The curriculum is designed to be more in-depth yet requires fewer credit hours than comparable programs in the state.  Students will be prepared for industry certification exams, increasing their employability.

The lead instructor in the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program is Tara Campbell, a professional with over 20 years of experience in the field, including owning a medical billing company.

“Once a student learns the fundamentals, they can take that knowledge into any healthcare field,” Campbell said. 

“Our program gives them a leg up because they’re not just memorizing codes; they’re learning how the entire system works.”

The program offers a flexible schedule, including evening and online classes. This empowers working professionals to build a new skill set and pursue their career aspirations. “Medical assistants, nurses, and office staff are already dealing with medical billing daily and by adding formal training, they not only strengthen their knowledge but also create opportunities to move into higher-level positions,” Campbell said. “Understanding the ‘why’ behind medical billing can make a huge difference in navigating the healthcare system.”

This certificate is also a path for people with a high attention to detail who might not want to work directly with people needing medical treatment. “We get people who want to be in healthcare, but they don’t want to be patient-facing,” Campbell said. “They want to be more behind the scenes and contribute to the medical field. This is a great way to do that.”
 

Learn More

Prospective students can apply for the program now. For more information about the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate, visit aims.co/medical-billing.