Clinical Documentation Specialists - FT - Hybrid

Community Health Systems • Tucson, AZ

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Seeking a full-time Hybrid Clinical Documentation Specialists (CDI) to support our Health Information Management department at Northwest Medical Center, located on 6200 N La Cholla Blvd. Day Shift: Monday - Friday, no weekend, no Holidays! We know it's not just about finding a job. It's about finding a place where you are respected, valued, and where your work is purposeful and fulfilling. A place where your talent is recognized, professional development is encouraged and career advancement is possible. Job Summary The Clinical Documentation Specialist (CDS) performs clinical documentation improvement (CDI) activities to support the accuracy, quality, and completeness of patient records at facilities. This role ensures that coded diagnoses and procedures reflect the patient's clinical status and care provided. The CDS collaborates with providers through education and the physician query process, ensuring medical records accurately reflect patient severity of illness and support continuity of care, appropriate quality metrics, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

• Associate Degree in Nursing, Health Information Management, or a related field required
• 4-6 years of acute care hospital nursing experience (e.g. medical/surgical unit, intensive care) required
• Strong knowledge of clinical documentation improvement principles, inpatient coding guidelines, and quality metrics.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify opportunities for documentation improvement.
• Proficiency in CDI and medical record software systems (e.g., 3M 360 Encompass, Iodine Interact).
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to develop and deliver educational programs tailored to clinical and administrative audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Commitment to maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and corporate policies.
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure or comparable clinical license (e.g., International MD) required
• CCS-Certified Coding Specialist or ICD-10 certification or trainer designation preferred or Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) preferred
• RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician preferred or RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator preferred
• CDIP - Clinical Documentation Improvement Professional preferred or Certified Coder-AHIMA or AAPC preferred

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Health Information Management, or a related field preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in clinical documentation improvement, health information management, or inpatient coding preferred
• Experience in physician education or query processes preferred
• Familiarity with regulatory standards and quality metrics related to clinical documentation preferred

Responsibilities

• Analyzes inpatient clinical records to identify opportunities for improving documentation accuracy, ensuring assigned codes reflect patient severity and acuity.
• Adheres to corporate recommended CDI workflows and uses CDI and medical records software, such as 3M 360 Encompass and Iodine Interact, to support documentation practices.
• Utilizes approved physician query processes to clarify documentation, ensuring queries are compliant, necessary, and non-leading, and follows up daily on unanswered queries.
• Conducts follow-up reviews of patient records to identify new documentation opportunities and ensures accuracy through continuous review.
• Tracks CDI activities within CDI software, accurately reporting impact metrics and maintaining clear records of all interactions and documentation efforts.
• Provides education and training to providers, explaining recommendations for documentation improvement and offering insights through individual or group sessions.
• Collaborates closely with coding professionals to ensure accurate diagnostic and procedural data through complete and compliant documentation.
• Leads physician education initiatives, developing strategies to improve documentation practices at the facility level and conducting formal training sessions.
• Monitors regulatory changes in coding, documentation, and quality metrics, ensuring compliance with updated standards and sharing information with staff as needed.
• Creates and submits accurate reports in a timely manner, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of best practices and industry standards to support CDI goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Extended Illness Bank (EIB)
• Matching 401(k)
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• Rewards & Recognition Programs
• Exclusive Discounts and Perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees