Correct coding is very important for a number of reasons. Reimbursement depends how the charts are coded and billed. There is also an audit risk if your facility or office has a history of coding errors.
You do need to remember to separate the coding from the office process. Coding is done based on the documentation, guidelines and advice from Coding Clinic or CPT Assist. The office process is determined by the owners or managers of the office or facility and they will let you know how they want something done. A physician's office is usually a more controlled environment than a facility.
Most students will go to work for a facility doing either inpatient or outpatient coding. There will usually be policies written for what procedures are to be coded and general coding instructions about following the guidelines and relevant AHIMA Practice Briefs.
The coder is responsible for the codes assigned on any chart they code and you have to be able to defend your codes with documentation such as the guidelines and/or the coding clinic. At times the documentation can be subjective and two coders will come up with different codes based on the same documentation. If you are asked to change your codes in this type of situation go ahead and do so unless there is a guideline or coding clinic conflict.
There will also be times that an insurance company will audit your chart and refuse to allow something to be coded. This is very common and an appeal is usually written but if it's denied then the code will be deleted. This doesn't mean that you coded something incorrectly it just means that the insurance company does not think there is enough documentation to assign the code.
When there is a CMS, RAC or corporate audit and you are asked to change or delete a code the first thing you should do is review the documentation, guidelines and coding clinics. It's also a good idea to talk the findings over with your supervisor.
I have found that a majority of coding managers will back you up provided you are correct. Once in a while you will come across a manager that is a bit scared of auditors and they will want you to change the code even if you are right. Remember that it is your name on the chart. At this point you have two choices the first being to delete the code and the second to tell the person requesting the deletion that you won't delete the code but if they want to and have their name put on the chart that would be fine.
Remain professional at all times in order to let your credentials and coding track record speak for itself. When you accept your first position there is no need to let your coworkers know that this is your first job unless the manager wants you to.
Every facility is different but as long as have your credentials and code in a professional manner you will do great.