JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for reviewing medical records to facilitate and obtain appropriate physician documentation for any clinical conditions or procedures to support the appropriate severity of illness, expected risk of mortality, and complexity of care of the patient, by improving the quality of the physicians’ clinical documentation. Exhibits a sufficient knowledge of clinical documentation requirements, MS-DRG Assignment, and clinical conditions or procedures, educates members of the patient care team regarding documentation guidelines, including attending physicians, allied health practitioners, nursing, and case management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Others may be assigned.

Record Review: Completes initial medical records reviews of patient records within 24-48 hours of admission for a specified patient population to: (a) evaluate documentation to assign the principal diagnosis, pertinent secondary diagnoses, and procedures for accurate MS-DRG assignment, risk of mortality and severity of illness; and (b) initiate a review worksheet.
- Conducts follow-up reviews of patients every 2-3 days to support and assign a working or final MS-DRG assignment upon patient discharge, as necessary.
- Formulate physician queries regarding missing, unclear or conflicting health record documentation by requesting and obtaining additional documentation within the health record, as necessary.
- Collaborates with case managers, nursing staff and other ancillary staff regarding interaction with physicians regarding documentation and to resolve physician queries prior to discharge.
- Assist in training department staff new to CDI.
Professional Development: Stays current with AHA Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines, CMS and other agency directives for ICD-9-CM and CPT coding. Attends mandatory coding seminars on annual basis (IPPS and OPPS, ICD-9-CM and CPT updates) for inpatient and outpatient coding. Quarterly review of AHA Coding Clinic. Attends Quarterly Coding Updates and all coding conference calls as well as any required CDI education.
CDI: Communicates/Completes Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) activities and coding issues (lacking documentation, physician queries, etc.) for appropriate follow-up and resolution.
Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CDI Specialist must display teamwork and commitment while performing daily duties
Must demonstrate initiative and discipline in time management and medical record review
Advanced knowledge of Medicare Part A and familiar with Medicare Part B
Intermediate knowledge of disease pathophysiology and drug utilization
Intermediate knowledge of MS-DRG classification and reimbursement structures
Critical thinking, problem solving and deductive reasoning skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of coding compliance and regulatory standards
Excellent organizational skills for initiation and maintenance of efficient work flow
Capacity to work independently in a virtual office setting or at facility setting if required to travel for assignment
Understand and communicate documentation strategies
Recognize opportunities for documentation improvement
Formulate clinically, compliant credible queries
Ability to maintain an auditing and monitoring program as a means to measure query process
Ability to apply coding conventions, official guidelines, and Coding Clinic advice to health record documentation
Conifer requires its candidates, as applicable and as permitted by law, to obtain and provide confirmation of all required vaccinations and screenings prior to the start of employment. This may include, but is not limited to, the COVID-19 vaccination, influenza vaccination, and/or any future required vaccines and screenings.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Include minimum education, technical training, and/or experience required to perform the job.

Preferred: Graduate from a Health Information Management RHIT, RHIA, nursing degree and/or bachelor’s degree
Preferred: Two (2) or more years relevant experience

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Preferred: RHIT, RHIA, LPN, MD, AAPC, and/or CCS
Preferred: CDIP or CCDS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to sit for extended periods of time
Must be able to efficiently use computer keyboard and mouse
Good visual acuity

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER

Must be able to travel nationally as needed, not to exceed 10%

As a part of the Tenet and Catholic Health Initiatives family, Conifer Health brings 30 years of healthcare industry expertise to clients in more than 135 local regions nationwide. We help our clients strengthen their financial and clinical performance, serve their communities and succeed at the business of healthcare. Conifer Health helps organizations transition from volume to value-based care, enhance the consumer and patient healthcare experience and improve quality, cost and access to healthcare. Are you ready to be part of our solutions? Welcome to the company that gives you the resources and incentives to redefine healthcare services, with a competitive benefits package and leadership to take your career to the next step!

Compensation and Benefit Information

Compensation

Pay: $77,258.27 - $115,899.93 annually.

Benefits

Conifer offers the following benefits, subject to employment status:

Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
Paid time off (vacation & sick leave) – min of 12 days per year, accrue at a rate of approximately 1.84 hours per 40 hours worked.
401k with up to 6% employer match
10 paid holidays per year
Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts
Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, AD&D, auto & home insurance.

2403028080

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions

Latest Jobs

CDI Senior Specialist - Lakewood, CA - Hybrid - Now Hiring