HIM MANAGER

United Regional•Wichita Falls, TX

About The Position

The HIM Manager reports to the Director of Patient Access and HIM and supports United Regional’s revenue cycle structure and compliance for HIM-related functions. The role manages the compliance, strategic planning, financial strength, and overall performance of the HIM department, including professional and hospital coding, release of information, chart preparation and indexing, physician deficiency management, and chart compliance and integrity through correction and auditing processes. The manager ensures adherence to applicable governmental and payer regulations and maintains an HIM compliance plan. The position oversees HIM operations and staff, including workflow planning, hiring and onboarding, training, mentoring, performance feedback, and professional development. It works with medical staff, revenue cycle leadership, privacy and compliance teams, IT, and other departments to maintain compliant and efficient operations, accurate coding, timely medical record completion and retrieval, and the confidentiality and integrity of protected health information.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Good communication skills for working with onsite and remote staff.
Ability to mentor, delegate, and develop personnel; lead department meetings; and organize staff training.
Ability to communicate professionally with providers and train them on documentation standards, deficiencies and suspensions, and front-end dictation software.
Extensive IT knowledge related to third-party coding and CDI systems, front-end dictation and transcription software, and Epic software support.
Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office products.
Thorough understanding of ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS code sets.

Nice To Haves

RHIA or RHIT credential, or a bachelor's degree equivalent.
Coding certification(s).

Responsibilities

Manage all facets of HIM operations, including release of information, chart preparation and completion, coding, and chart compliance.
Plan and organize daily HIM department activities and maintain accountability for departmental operations.
Align department goals with United Regional’s organizational goals and support its stated passion, purpose, and pillars.
Manage proper utilization, user access, and training for third-party coding systems and transcription and front-end dictation software; assist with upgrade projects alongside IT.
Assist Medical Staff with incomplete chart requirements and regulatory and legal documentation requirements; monitor and report non-compliance to executive staff and senior leadership.
Participate in developing, implementing, and updating HIM policies and procedures.
Select and onboard qualified HIM candidates and verify applicable certifications and licensure.
Orient, mentor, and provide ongoing performance feedback to staff; ensure evaluations and counseling are completed on time.
Promote professional growth and arrange continued training on current rules and regulations.
Maintain a regular presence with HIM staff through team meetings and periodic presentations.
Work with system support staff to maintain HIM operational systems and resolve technical problems.
Ensure HIM operations comply with local, state, and federal regulations, particularly privacy, security of protected health information, and coding compliance.
Monitor coding production, charge capture, and delinquent charts; work with patient accounting and organizational leaders to address workflow barriers affecting revenue.
Provide regular operational updates and raise concerns to Revenue Cycle Leadership.
Help Coding and CDI manage HIM-related RAC denials, ensure timely responses, and support improvements to prevent future denials.
Collaborate with revenue cycle leadership, the Privacy Officer, physicians, compliance specialists, and other departments to improve efficiency.
Ensure prompt completion, filing, and retrieval of medical records; assist in planning record retrieval, maintenance, data management, completion, and release-of-information services.
Manage annual coding changes and ensure staff have updated materials, including materials outside coding-assistance software.
Ensure chart corrections, patient MRN merges, and chart integrity amendments are completed promptly to help prevent clinical errors.
Participate in quarterly Epic upgrades, provide input on updates and workflows, and ensure staff receive updated training materials.
Maintain patient confidentiality and appropriate controls and reviews of medical coding for accuracy and compliance, including partnering with independent outside organizations for audits.
Provide HIM statistical reports to hospital and clinic leadership.
Participate in budget development and track and monitor expenses to remain within budget.
Adhere to general safety policies and procedures.
Work with managers, directors, and frontline staff to meet or exceed HIM key performance indicators.
Perform other duties as assigned.