Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist

Yale-New Haven Health • New Haven, CT

101d

About The Position

The Clinical Documentation Specialist I RN will facilitate modifications to clinical documentation, through extensive concurrent interactions with physicians and other clinicians in order to reflect appropriate clinical severity, complications and co-morbidity. The specialist shall concurrently review and evaluate selected patient's medical records for overall quality and completeness. Will educate physicians, non-physician clinicians, nurses and coding staff on an ongoing basis regarding documentation opportunities, coding and reimbursement issues and relevant quality and performance improvement opportunities. Will identify quality of care issues in documentation and will seek resolution of issue through appropriate channels.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse with active RN license required.
• At least three (3) years of recent acute care nursing experience required.
• ICU experience preferred.
• Clinical expertise required.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and organizational skills.
• Comprehensive understanding in use of medical record to extract data.
• Working knowledge of third party and prospective payment systems.
• Computer PC literacy required.
• Must be able to work collaboratively and independently.
• Must be flexible with responsibilities in order to meet departmental needs.
• Must have keen eye to detail.

Nice To Haves

• BSN, CCDS, and CCS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reviews medical records of hospitalized patients to identify the most appropriate principle diagnosis and to assign a working DRG.
• Completes the initial review within 24-48 hours of admission.
• Educates internal staff on clinical documentation and coding guidelines.
• Develops and conducts ongoing CDMP education for new staff including new clinical documentation specialists, coders, physicians, residents, nursing and allied health professionals.
• Develops and supports strong professional relationships with CDS, Coding staff, Physician Advisors and medical providers across the system.
• Utilizes a compliant query process per guidelines and policy when conducting all queries.
• Follows each query through to closure including complete documentation of ongoing follow up activities and communication.
• Works collaboratively with Physician Advisors to ensure positive program outcomes.
• Provides in person CDI training to providers one on one, during staff meetings or department meetings.
• Assists in other monitoring activities, special department projects or other needs as determined by the department manager.
• Provides ongoing CDS team learning opportunities through sharing of professional knowledge.
• Maintains integrity and compliance in all chart reviews and CDI documentation and queries at all times.
• Supports and implements quality measures as identified by department manager.
• Identifies opportunities for performance improvement.
• Supports and implements PI measures identified.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees