Director of Health Information Managment

St. Mary's Healthcare•Amsterdam, NY

About The Position

St. Mary’s Healthcare is seeking a Director of Health Information Management to oversee health information management operations. The role ensures timely and accurate coding for healthcare services, supports appropriate reimbursement and clinical care, and advances departmental efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and financial performance. The director leads coding staff and manages coder productivity, HIM processes, health records, document imaging, scanning, indexing, abstraction, and record conversion into the electronic health record. The position leads evaluation and optimization of automation, artificial intelligence, electronic document management, and workflow technologies, working with Information Technology, Revenue Cycle, Compliance, and Clinical leaders. It also develops policies and procedures for health data collection, storage, and retrieval; maintains confidentiality and appropriate release of health information; and ensures compliance with regulatory, accreditation, licensing, and reporting requirements. The director oversees the Tumor Registry, supports committees and workgroups, establishes departmental goals and budgets, and leads quality improvement initiatives. This is a full-time, day-shift position with a 40-hour workweek. The hiring range starts at $107,400.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of HIM experience and 3 years in a leadership role.
One or more required credentials: Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Professional Coder (CPC).
Ability to organize and establish day-to-day priorities while applying critical thinking.
Ability to multitask while remaining professional, focused, composed, and positive.
Excellent customer service skills; integrity, friendliness, and compassion; and ability to establish effective rapport with others.
Flexibility, initiative, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Effective critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to take and follow direction appropriately and work both independently and as part of a team.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to speak, read, and write English and follow instructions in English.

Nice To Haves

RHIA certification is preferred.
Applicants with RHIT certification and at least 7 years of HIM experience, including 5 years in a leadership role leading coding, document imaging, scanning, abstraction, release of information, record integrity, and HIM operations in a complex healthcare environment, may be considered in lieu of RHIA certification.

Responsibilities

Ensure timely and accurate coding for all healthcare services and oversee coding staff to support accurate coding for reimbursement and clinical care.
Establish and monitor coder productivity to improve revenue cycle efficiency and minimize avoidable denials.
Identify opportunities to improve HIM processes and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Lead the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of automation, artificial intelligence, electronic document management, and workflow technologies.
Collaborate with Information Technology, Revenue Cycle, Compliance, and Clinical leaders on system optimization, interoperability, and data-driven decision-making.
Use data analytics, benchmarking, and performance metrics to improve departmental performance, resource allocation, productivity, and financial outcomes.
Maintain confidentiality of health information and ensure its appropriate release in accordance with regulations.
Maintain medical coding quality and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
Develop and implement policies and procedures for collecting, storing, and retrieving patient health data in compliance with regulations.
Research and implement technology to improve records maintenance, handling, and operations.
Develop, analyze, and technically evaluate health records and indices as required by licensing and accrediting agencies.
Oversee document imaging, scanning, indexing, abstraction, and record conversion to ensure timely and accurate incorporation of paper-based clinical information into the electronic health record.
Coordinate and facilitate the Forms Committee.
Participate in and prepare reports for the HIM workgroup and Compliance Committee.
Oversee compliance with SPARCs reporting requirements.
Determine the operational budget, departmental goals, and objectives consistent with medical, administrative, legal, and ethical requirements.
Oversee the Tumor Registry, including timely submission of cancer cases.
Lead quality improvement initiatives.