Clinical Coding Interview Q&A Guide
This document provides commonly asked interview questions and sample answers for a
Clinical Coding position, especially for fresh graduates working remotely.
1. Personal Introduction
Hello, my name is Sabahat Zameer. I have recently completed my Pharm D degree from
Akson College of Pharmacy. I’m very interested in starting my career in clinical coding
because it combines my medical background with detailed and focused work. I’m a quick
learner, well-organized, and comfortable working remotely. I’m excited to be part of your
team and willing to learn and grow in this role.
2. General Interview Questions & Sample Answers
Q: Tell me about yourself.
A: I recently completed my Pharm D from Akson College of Pharmacy. I am passionate about
healthcare and eager to begin my career in clinical coding. Although I am new to the field, I
am a fast learner and committed to doing quality work.
Q: Why do you want to work as a clinical coder?
A: Clinical coding allows me to stay connected to the healthcare field while using my
analytical and detail-oriented skills. It’s a growing field with remote opportunities, and I
enjoy working with medical data.
Q: Do you have any knowledge of ICD-10 or CPT coding systems?
A: I have a basic understanding of ICD-10 and CPT coding. While I haven’t used them
professionally, I am studying them and eager to get hands-on experience with proper
training.
Q: How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
A: I double-check everything I do, stay focused while working, and follow a structured
approach. If I am unsure, I ask or research before finalizing anything.
Q: What would you do if a report is unclear or confusing?
A: I would try to understand it using my medical knowledge. If it’s still unclear, I would ask a
senior or refer to official guidelines rather than guessing.
Q: Do you have a quiet place to work remotely?
A: Yes, I have a dedicated space at home with a good internet connection and minimal
distractions.
Q: Are you comfortable using remote tools like Zoom, Excel, etc.?
A: Yes, I’ve used Zoom, Google Meet, and Excel before and feel confident using these tools.
Q: Why should we hire you?
A: Because I am hardworking, medically trained, and eager to grow. I bring fresh energy and
a serious attitude toward learning and accuracy.
Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
A: My strengths are focus, fast learning, and discipline. My weakness is that I sometimes
take extra time to ensure perfection, but I’m working on improving my speed.
Q: Are you willing to learn and start immediately?
A: Yes, I am available to start and fully committed to learning and working hard.
3. Additional Interview Questions & Answers
Q: What are common medical terms you’re familiar with?
A: I am familiar with basic medical terms like diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, infections,
inflammation, hypertension, diabetes, and common medications. I studied all these during
my Pharm D.
Q: Can you explain the difference between diagnosis and treatment?
A: Yes. Diagnosis means identifying the disease based on symptoms and tests. Treatment
means the care or medicine given to cure or control that disease.
Q: Do you know what a discharge summary or progress note is?
A: Yes. A discharge summary is a report written when a patient leaves the hospital,
explaining their diagnosis, treatment, and condition. A progress note is written during the
hospital stay to track the patient’s recovery and updates.
Q: How do you identify primary vs. secondary diagnosis?
A: The primary diagnosis is the main reason the patient was treated or admitted. Secondary
diagnoses are other conditions the patient also has, which may affect the treatment.
Q: Do you have a reliable internet connection?
A: Yes, I have a stable internet connection and a laptop at home for remote work.
Q: Can you work independently and manage deadlines?
A: Yes. I am responsible and manage my time well. I like to create a to-do list and follow it to
meet deadlines.
Q: What tools or software are you comfortable using?
A: I am comfortable using Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Word and Excel, and I’m willing to
learn any new tools needed for the job.
Q: How do you avoid distractions when working from home?
A: I have a quiet room, and I keep my phone on silent during work. I also set clear working
hours to stay focused and productive.
Q: If a report has multiple diagnoses, how will you decide which one to code first?
A: I will choose the primary diagnosis — the main reason for treatment — and then code
the other diagnoses as secondary, following standard coding guidelines.
Q: What will you do if the report is in poor handwriting or unclear?
A: I will first try to understand it using context and medical knowledge. If it’s still not clear, I
will ask the supervisor or refer to official clarification instead of guessing.
Q: How will you handle confidential patient information?
A: I will follow privacy policies strictly. I will never share patient data and will only use
secure systems and tools for my work.
