Vice President, CDI

HURC•Short Hills, NJ

63d

About The Position

The Vice President, Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) is a business unit leader accountable for the strategy, growth, operational performance, and market reputation of the organization’s Inpatient and Outpatient CDI practice. Serving academic health systems and other complex provider organizations, the VP sets the vision for CDI program design and delivery while positioning the practice to expand into a broader, consulting-oriented services model. The role combines clinical documentation expertise, executive presence, and commercial acumen. The VP represents the practice with client executives and prospects, develops scalable CDI program models, oversees program performance and quality, and partners closely with sales to pursue and win new business. Success is measured by client outcomes, program integrity and compliance, team development, and profitable practice growth. The VP designs and evolves Inpatient and Outpatient CDI program models, including playbooks, workflows, query standards, staffing models, and technology enablement. The role also establishes Outpatient CDI capabilities for risk-adjusted and value-based settings, including HCC capture, prospective point-of-care review, and audit-ready documentation practices. The VP engages C-suite and physician leaders, translates CDI performance into organizational priorities, and leads change across clinical and revenue-cycle stakeholders. The role owns the CDI KPI framework, uses data and analytics to identify documentation gaps and quantify impact, and establishes audit and quality-assurance routines. It also leads team development and operations, manages budgets and resources, collaborates across related functions, and translates regulatory and coding changes into program action.

Requirements

At least 8 years of CDI experience and experience leading and developing CDI programs at large health systems, including large academic medical centers.
Active licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO).
At least one recognized CDI/coding certification, such as CCDS, CDIP, or CCS.
Demonstrated command of CDI methodology across the documentation-to-reimbursement continuum, including compliant queries, MS-DRG/APR-DRG, CC/MCC, SOI/ROM, CMI, mortality/PSI/HAC, and coding integrity.
Progressive leadership experience with accountability for teams, budgets, and measurable program outcomes.
Exceptional executive communication and presence, with a track record of influencing physician and C-suite stakeholders and driving change.
Bachelor’s degree.
EPIC experience.
Ability to work across multiple client time zones and present in on-site executive and physician settings.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree such as an MSN, MHA, MBA, or clinical doctorate.
Additional certifications such as CCDS-O, CRC, CDEO, or other CDI-related credentials.
Consulting engagement experience leading CDI program design, implementation, or improvement for external client organizations.
Experience leading Inpatient CDI initiatives involving MS-DRG/APR-DRG, CC/MCC, SOI/ROM, CMI, and mortality/PSI/HAC.
Experience building, leading, or establishing pediatric CDI programs within children’s hospitals or large networked acute-care specialty centers.
Experience supporting business development and sales pursuits, including solution design, proposals, and executive client presentations.
Familiarity with leading CDI technology platforms, NLP/computer-assisted documentation, and analytics tooling.
Experience preparing organizations for and defending payer, RAC, and RADV audits.
Additional certifications such as CCDS-O, CRC, CDEO, or other CDI-related credentials.

Responsibilities

Design, standardize, and continuously evolve Inpatient and Outpatient CDI program models, including operating playbooks, workflows, query standards, staffing models, and technology enablement.
Establish Outpatient CDI capabilities for risk-adjusted and value-based settings, including HCC capture, prospective point-of-care review, and audit-ready documentation practices.
Engage C-suite and physician leaders as a recognized CDI subject-matter expert.
Translate CDI performance into quality, reimbursement integrity, physician workflow, and organizational reputation considerations to secure executive sponsorship.
Lead change management across clinical and revenue-cycle stakeholders, driving provider engagement and adoption in complex, matrixed environments.
Evaluate program metrics and performance to identify improvement, expansion, and client-value opportunities.
Own the Inpatient and Outpatient CDI KPI framework, set targets, monitor trends, and drive corrective action.
Use data and analytics to identify documentation gaps, benchmark client performance, and quantify financial, quality, and compliance impact.
Establish audit and quality-assurance routines to safeguard query integrity, coding accuracy, and defensibility under payer and regulatory review.
Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing team.
Set and manage performance expectations and productivity standards through coaching and accountability.
Oversee onboarding, competency validation, inter-rater reliability, and continuing education aligned with coding guidelines and payer rules.
Establish and enforce compliant query policies, escalation pathways, and documentation-of-record practices consistent with AHIMA/ACDIS guidance.
Manage the practice’s operating budget, utilization, and resource allocation across engagements to meet financial and quality targets.
Collaborate with HIM, coding, revenue integrity, quality, and compliance functions to align the documentation-to-reimbursement continuum.
Monitor regulatory changes, including IPPS/OPPS updates, ICD-10-CM/PCS, MS-DRG and APR-DRG methodology, and HCC/RAF model changes, and translate implications into program action.
Support business development and sales pursuits, including solution design, proposals, and executive client presentations.
Work across multiple client time zones and present in on-site executive and physician settings.
Travel up to approximately 50%, depending on client engagements, pursuits, and business needs.