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, chart compliance, and chart integrity through correction and auditing processes. The manager ensures compliance with applicable governmental and payer regulations and maintains an HIM compliance plan to help avoid penalties. The position oversees HIM operations and staff, supports revenue cycle and organizational goals, maintains operational systems and workflows, and collaborates with clinical, financial, compliance, privacy, IT, and other organizational leaders. It also has responsibility for coding accuracy and compliance, protected health information privacy and security, reporting, budgeting, staff development, and timely medical record completion and retrieval.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to mentor, delegate, and develop personnel; lead department meetings; and organize staff training.
Strong communication skills for working with onsite and remote staff.
Ability to communicate professionally with and train providers on HIM topics, including 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 preferred, or a bachelor’s equivalent.
Coding certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage HIM operations and staff, including release of information, chart preparation and completion, coding, and chart compliance.
Plan and organize daily HIM department activities and maintain accountability for department operations.
Align department goals with organizational goals and support United Regional’s stated passion, purpose, and pillars.
Oversee user access, utilization, and training for third-party coding systems and transcription/front-end dictation software; assist with upgrade projects in collaboration with IT.
Assist Medical Staff with incomplete chart requirements and regulatory and legal documentation requirements; monitor and report noncompliance to executive staff and senior leadership.
Participate in developing, implementing, and updating HIM policies and procedures.
Help select and onboard qualified staff, verify certifications or licensure as appropriate, orient and mentor employees, and support quality and productivity standards.
Provide ongoing and annual performance feedback, ensure timely evaluations and counseling, and promote professional growth and continuing training for HIM staff.
Maintain a presence with staff through team meetings and occasional 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, especially requirements concerning protected health information privacy and security and coding compliance.
Monitor coding production and charge capture through CFB, delinquent-chart, and other applicable reports.
Work with patient accounting and organizational leaders to address workflow issues affecting revenue, and provide Revenue Cycle Leadership with updates on operations and concerns.
Apply knowledge of ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS code sets; help Coding and CDI manage HIM-related RAC denials and ensure timely responses and improvements to prevent future denials.
Collaborate with revenue cycle leadership, the Privacy Officer, physicians, compliance specialists, and other departments to improve revenue cycle and HIM efficiency.
Ensure timely completion, filing, and retrieval of medical records, and assist with planning record retrieval, record maintenance, data management, medical record completion, and release-of-information services.
Manage annual coding updates and ensure staff have current materials, both within and outside coding-assisted software.
Ensure chart corrections, patient MRN merges, and chart-integrity amendments are completed promptly to help prevent clinical errors.
Participate in quarterly Epic upgrades by providing input on updates, workflows, and functionality, and ensure staff receive updated training materials for changes.
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
Maintain appropriate controls and reviews of medical coding for accuracy and compliance, partnering with independent outside organizations for audits.
Provide routine HIM statistical reports to hospital and clinic leadership.
Participate in budget development and track and monitor expenses to stay within budget.
Follow the administration of general safety policies and procedures.
Work with managers, directors, and frontline staff to meet or exceed HIM department key performance indicators.
Perform other duties as assigned.