Concurrent Inpatient Coding Specialist

Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital•Grand Rapids, MN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Concurrent Inpatient Coding Specialist applies appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes to medical records for data retrieval, analysis, and claims processing. The specialist supports clinical documentation improvement by evaluating documentation specificity so it adequately reflects patient severity, risk of mortality, and services rendered. The role involves daily interaction with professional caregivers to support quality documentation. The position is 1.0 FTE (80 hours per pay period), with a day schedule and hybrid work arrangement. The employee’s home office must meet Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital’s safety, privacy, and internet speed requirements.

Requirements

Current AHIMA or AAPC accreditation.
At least 3 years of coding-related experience, such as coding, abstracting, DRG assignment, or data quality in a coding function, as required by the position.
Ability to meet department production standards.
Ability to maintain department accuracy standards.

Nice To Haves

RHIT or a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, such as Business Office or Health Information Management.
Epic Certification in Resolute/HIM.
5 or more years of coding-related experience, such as coding, abstracting, APC assignment, or data quality in a coding function, as required by the position.
Experience in a variety of specialty coding areas and/or multiple credentials.

Responsibilities

Facilitate clinical documentation improvement through concurrent interaction with physicians, nurses, case management, other caregivers, and coding staff.
Identify co-morbidities and complications through documentation review.
Work with the team to query medical staff and other caregivers as necessary to obtain accurate and complete physician documentation supporting the severity and specificity of the patient’s illness.
Identify documentation trends and issues, including quality, appropriateness, completeness, and reimbursement issues, and communicate them to providers and the documentation team for resolution.
Interact with the hospital coding team when documentation issues and complex cases are identified.
Abstract quality indicators as assigned.
Ensure physician documentation is provided to support accurate and timely reporting of POA indicators.
May participate in preemptive audits for the RAC program.
Stay current with coding guidelines and reimbursement reporting requirements, and bring identified concerns to the department manager for resolution.
Follow departmental policies, procedures, objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety and environmental standards.
Maintain strict confidentiality of financial and medical reports.
Attend coding conferences, workshops, and in-house sessions to receive updated coding information and changes in coding or regulations.
Abide by AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding and official coding guidelines.
Initiate and participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Meet department production and accuracy standards.
Perform other related duties as required; duties are not all-inclusive and other tasks may be assigned.