Professional Coding Consultant Educator

Ochsner Clinic Foundation•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

This role leads, manages, and participates in coding integrity projects, including specialty-specific coding education, audits, research, and financial analysis. It manages project activities and provides education to executive leadership and physicians, while assessing and implementing project training and quality assurance requirements. The position supports physicians, coders, and leaders with accurate code assignment; develops oversight and compliance methods; communicates policy changes and coding or documentation opportunities to physicians and billing staff; and assists the HIM/Coding Management team with coding compliance. It also oversees coding consulting projects and provides timely, accurate recommendations aligned with management decisions. In conjunction with coding leadership, the role supervises, coaches, evaluates, and counsels employees to support competency and compliance with CMS and other coding guidelines. The position requires knowledge of current laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to its area, and compliance with the employer’s Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct. Work is primarily sedentary, with occasional movement throughout the department, clinics, facilities, and satellite locations. Travel may be required for continuing education and site visits. The role may require 8–10-hour days and flexible scheduling, including evenings, weekends, and holidays during peak periods or as department needs require. The employer notes possible occupational risk from hazardous medications or waste in the healthcare environment; routine work does not involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissue, or emergency care and first aid.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 5 years of related clinical experience in nursing or allied health, or coding experience involving Medicare and Managed Care Reimbursement, Managed Care contractual arrangements, and patient accounting or billing; alternatively, 3 years of experience with a bachelor's degree.
Coding certification: CCS-P, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, or CCS-P (physician-based).
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and information retrieval.
Familiarity with Cardiology, Cardiovascular, and Nephrology coding.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
Proficiency with Windows-style applications, role-specific software packages, and keyboarding.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Ability and experience preparing and presenting findings to diverse audiences, including physicians, vice presidents, compliance officers, attorneys, directors, managers, and staff.
Ability and experience planning, coordinating, and reviewing projects involving complex business and technical matters.
Analytical and operational problem-solving skills.
Time-management skills, including prioritizing, organizing, and coordinating multiple work areas and assignments under changing, fast-paced conditions and meeting deadlines.
Ability and experience resolving issues at the lowest level and knowing when to escalate or change priorities.
Ability to balance technical and practical needs.
Competency applying accounting principles and/or federal and state regulations to daily decision-making.
Positive attitude and ability to promote a cooperative work environment.
Ability to move throughout the department, clinics, and other organizational locations.
Ability to work 8–10-hour days; evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required during peak periods, depending on department needs.
Ability to travel long distances for continuing education and satellite site visits may be required.
Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include 24/7, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
Additional degrees, business training experience, and/or certifications may be combined to meet minimum qualifications.

Responsibilities

Lead, manage, and participate in coding integrity projects, including specialty-specific education, audits, research, and financial analysis.
Manage project activities and provide education to executive leadership and physicians.
Assess and implement project-related training and quality assurance requirements by performing or overseeing activities.
Assist physicians, coders, and leadership with accurate code assignment.
Develop methods for oversight and ongoing compliance.
Educate physicians on policy changes and coding or documentation opportunities.
Educate billing staff across regions on policy changes.
Assist the HIM/Coding Management team with coding compliance functions.
Oversee coding consulting projects and provide timely, accurate recommendations consistent with management decisions under consideration.
Supervise, coach, evaluate, and counsel employees in conjunction with coding leadership.
Audit and educate coders to support coding consistency across regions.
Interpret CMS and coding policies and educate physicians, coding staff, and education staff.
Train new hires and interns.
Develop measures to track and monitor coding improvement initiatives.
Consult for physicians.
Adapt behavior to the specific patient population, including respecting privacy, introducing oneself appropriately, explaining services or procedures, requesting permissions, and adapting communication style.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements and ensure compliance.
Perform other related duties as required.