Clinical Documentation Specialist

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

• Provides analysis, information and education to assist physicians and/or staff in using terminology that improves and supports documentation of patient care. Performs concurrent review and analysis of the clinical facts documented in the medical records. Concurrently queries the medical staff and other members of the healthcare team to obtain accurate and complete chart documentation that appropriately supports the severity of the patient’s illness. Plans and provides education to the healthcare team regarding documentation requirements, clarity and completeness.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

• The Clinical Documentation Improvement Department is the fundamental, strategic part of Samaritan Health Services’ efforts to improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical documentation guidelines, ensure compliance and upgrade financial performance. The CDI program is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, hospital wide initiative promoting accurate, clear, concise, complete, and compliant documentation efforts. CDI professionals analyze data, formulate concurrent & retrospective physician queries, track CDI performance metrics, and successfully collaborate with other healthcare professionals. CDI professionals engage in a beneficial collaborative partnership with the Healthcare team to secure accurate clinical documentation in the medical record using compliant methodologies, which will result in appropriate code assignment, correct reimbursement, decreased claims denials & reduced RAC reviews.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) of the following required:
• Current unencumbered Registered Nurse license in state of residence and five (5) years nursing experience in an inpatient acute care setting. BSN and experience in ICU-CCU preferred.
• Current Registered Health Information Technician Certification (RHIT) with CCS and six (6) years inpatient coding experience.
• Experience in the following required:
• Clinical Documentation.
• Inpatient Coding and Reimbursement.
• Quality assurance chart review, coding, auditing and/or case management.
• Acute care utilization review or discharge planning.
• Experience or training in Excel, Word and EMR required.
• Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist CDIS preferred.