The specialist performs needs assessments to develop and implement coding education curricula while ensuring high levels of documentation accuracy. They also conduct audits, analyze coding trends, and provide subject matter expertise to support organizational compliance and business objectives.
Job Summary:
In addition to the responsibilities listed below, this position is also responsible for performing needs assessments to determine training needs and assisting team members to do the same; implementing an appropriate curriculum to meet documentation and coding education program goals identified by needs assessment, supporting a high level of coding accuracy; delivering training development, including dress rehearsals, the review process, curriculum testing, and final quality assurance of all training deliverables, as well as the design, development, and implementation of the evaluation instruments to measure training outcomes; guiding others in reviewing internal and external educational materials for content and appropriateness; delivering follow-up trainings to maintain the level of competency earned from initial trainings; driving the documentation of changes in laws, regulations, and coding and documentation standards as they apply to Coding Education; creating and providing trainings in response to system upgrades or process changes; providing subject matter expert guidance to market teams/groups in support of development, implementation, and monitoring practices for organizational goals and business objectives; and may be assisting with training and mentoring external vendors or contractors, as needed.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Promotes learning in others by proactively providing and/or developing information, resources, advice, and expertise with coworkers and members; builds relationships with cross-functional/external stakeholders and customers. Listens to, seeks, and addresses performance feedback; proactively provides actionable feedback to others and to managers. Pursues self-development; creates and executes plans to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; leads by influencing others through technical explanations and examples and provides options and recommendations. Adopts new responsibilities; adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approaches to work; champions change and helps others adapt to new tasks and processes. Facilitates team collaboration to support a business outcome.
- Completes work assignments autonomously and supports business-specific projects by applying expertise in subject area and business knowledge to generate creative solutions; encourages team members to adapt to and follow all procedures and policies. Collaborates cross-functionally and/or externally to achieve effective business decisions; provides recommendations and solves complex problems; escalates high-priority issues or risks, as appropriate; monitors progress and results. Supports the development of work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines; identifies resources to accomplish priorities and deadlines. Identifies, speaks up, and capitalizes on improvement opportunities across teams; uses influence to guide others and engages stakeholders to achieve appropriate solutions.
- Contributes to audit analysis and report writing by: comparing coding and documentation across the enterprise to identify potential risks and remedies independently; conducting trend analyses to identify patterns and variations in coding practices, key compliance drivers, liabilities, and performance indicators (e.g., adherence to standards, incorporation of new regulations), and beginning to coordinate team members to do the same; and preparing written and/or generated audit reports using standardized language detailing all noted opportunities, and providing education as needed.
- Contributes to coding quality audits by: conducting special projects, audits, reviews, and/or monitoring of assigned lines of business or scope independently to monitor the accuracy and quality of coding and documentation; using processes to assess accuracy and completeness of coded documentation integrity; and following guidelines and procedures to ensure special projects, audits, reviews, and/or monitoring align with state and federal regulatory and reimbursement requirements, current documentation, and coding guidelines, and guiding team members to do the same.
- Ensures compliance by: following national, state, and KP-specific coding, billing, and documentation guidelines/guidance for KPs leadership, attorneys, physicians, coders, compliance, and billers to help coordinate consistent and accurate implementation and compliance with external regulations; attending national committees; and participating in National Compliance programs to assure maximum utilization of coding resources when conducting special projects, monitoring, reviews, and/or audits.
- Contributes to enhancing coding integrity by: assisting with the identification of coding/documentation trends and opportunities; leveraging expert knowledge to aid teams in their assigned lines of business or scope in developing, implementing, and monitoring new processes and workflows that support regulatory needs and requirements, organizational goals, and business objectives; and leading the process of communicating up-to-date and accurate regulation, policy, and guideline changes impacting coding and documentation to all impacted employees.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum three (3) years of experience developing educational materials and conducting training and education sessions in a multi-specialty setting.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10-Clinical Modification, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding, including chart auditing, applying diagnoses and/or procedure coding, and/or conducting coding reviews.
- Associates degree in Health Information Management, Health Care Administration, or related field AND minimum five (5) years of experience in health care compliance, health care operations (quality, risk), audit, insurance/health plan governance, coding, medical record review, or a directly related field OR Minimum six (6) years of experience in health care compliance, health care operations (quality, risk), audit, insurance/health plan governance, coding, medical record review, or a directly related field.
- Registered Health Information Technician required at hire OR Certified Coding Specialist - Physician Based required at hire OR Certified Professional Coder required at hire OR Registered Health Information Administrator required at hire OR Certified Coding Specialist required at hire