HIM Coder III- Remote

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Responsible for timely and accurate coding and abstracting of Inpatient visits. Codes and abstract patients following established coding guidelines and utilizing ICD-10 code sets.  This position ensures that revenue cycle, customer service, quality, individual, and team goals are met.

Essential Job Functions:

• Thorough review of inpatient encounter documentation for diagnoses, treatments, services.  Performs daily coding and abstracting utilizing ICD-10 Code sets and DRG Grouping systems.

• Validates MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment for appropriateness to encounter

• Performs weekly coding of Inpatient Interim Bill Requests

• Review of Clinical Documentation Specialists notes and queries to ensure capture of queried conditions. 

• Validates admission diagnosis assignment and coordinates correction with Case Management personnel when appropriate. 

• Identifies documentation issues that may lead to incorrect coding, billing, and quality metrics.  Communicates issues to Clinical Documentation Specialists for clarification and/or resolution when appropriate.

• Facilitates accurate Hospital Acquired Conditions reporting with Infection Control and/or coordinates retrospective query with CDI team as appropriate.

• Performs research and/or seeks assistance from Nosology, CHA and American Hospital Association on complex coding cases.  Documents findings and educates team on coding guidance.

• Makes recommendations on Epic coding and SVC edits to prevent coding, billing, IHA and claim edits. 

•  Maintains quality standards of AHA, AMA, CMS, OIG and TJC pertaining to coding and reimbursement

• Stay current in Coding changes by reading, maintaining CEUs, and attending education sessions related to Coding and Health Information Management

• Trains and orients new employees

• Assists with testing and implementation of systems/product changes and upgrades.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the coding manager or the director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must possess a minimum of CCS, RHIA, or RHIT credential.  Must maintain credential status through obtaining continuing education requirements.

• Must have completed and continue to demonstrate proficiency in coding program curriculum to include full courses Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, ICD-10-CM, CPT, and Healthcare Data Content Structures.

• Completion of an AHIMA approved RHIT, RHIA, or CCS program. 

• Must pass Lurie Children’s Coding Exam with a minimum of 90% score.

• Minimum of one year prior hospital coding experience required.  Inpatient APR DRG experience preferred.

• Must have a working proficiency of Microsoft Office applications and computer skills to effectively navigate an EMR.

• Must be able to type a minimum of 30 Wpm.

• Must be able to communicate effectively with all Lurie staff; clinical, clerical, management.  Excellent communication skills necessary for interaction at all levels of staff

• Must be able to communicate effectively with external contacts:  outside vendors as required in the execution of problem solving activities and assisting patients/visitors with their needs.

• Ability to handle multiple projects. Ability to appropriately prioritize tasks.  Ability to cope with the inherent pressures of a results deadline oriented position.

Education

Pay Range

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org

AI Notice 

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.

It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.

For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org