Clinical Documentation Coding Specialist III

Coding Specialist

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position provides inpatient facility coding and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) support in Health Information Management department with minimal educational intervention required. The incumbent must abide by hospital, state and federal coding guidelines established by DNV, the American Hospital Coding Association, and Medicare/Medicaid, etc.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Perform thorough review of medical record for identification of relevant clinical diagnoses and procedures performed.
• Assign appropriate ICD-CM principal diagnosis code.
• Assign appropriate ICD-CM secondary diagnosis codes.
• Assign appropriate ICD-10 PCS code(s).
• Sequence principal and secondary diagnoses codes and primary procedure code for accurate MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment.
• Assign Present on Admission (POA) indicator for each diagnosis code.
• Abstract required data elements, including but not limited to: Admit Type, Admit Source / Point of Origin, and Discharge Disposition.
• Identification of opportunities where additional provider documentation is required to thoroughly and accurately assign ICD-10 code.
• Understand and adhere to compliant provider query practices and procedures.
• Understand and adhere to Health Information Coding policies and Official Coding Guidelines, as published by CMS and Cooperating Parties.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Proficient knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology.
• Proficient knowledge of coding conventions & use of coding nomenclature.
• Proficient in all service lines of varying complexity.
• Working knowledge of health care quality related initiatives.
• Achieve and sustain acceptable productivity rate as defined by Coding Leadership.
• Ability to effectively communicate with clinical staff and other hospital department personnel.
• Knowledge of healthcare IT systems, preferably Epic and 3M 360 Encompass R2.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Team player, ability to collaborate with colleagues and leadership.
• Ability to effectively mentor entry-level staff.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience coding inpatient facility (HB).

Licenses Required

• One of the following:
  • Current RHIA Certification with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
  • Current RHIT Certification with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
  • Current CCS Certification with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Experience at Level 1 Trauma facility coding inpatient HB.
• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in a related field.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position in an office setting that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Requirements

Listening, Sitting, Speaking