Certified Outpatient Coding Specialist (Per Diem)

St. Luke’s University Health Network; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's University Health Network seeks a Certified Outpatient Coding Specialist to code and abstract patient data and ensure accurate entry into the health information system.

The role involves using ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT-4 conventions, with emphasis on MS-DRG/APR-DRG assignment and quality metrics. Candidates should have RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CPC credentials or eligibility, with at least one year of acute care coding experience.

Qualifications

• Credential (RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CPC) or eligible within three years of hire.
• Minimum 1 year ICD-10-CM inpatient/outpatient coding in acute care/teaching setting.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and medical terminology; familiarity with coding conventions.

Responsibilities

• Code and abstract diagnosis and procedure information per ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT-4 coding conventions.
• Verify and assign codes using 3M Encoder; determine MS-DRG/APR-DRG assignments.
• Maintain data quality and productivity as per department standards.
• Stay current with coding guidelines and prospective payment systems; participate in meetings and training.
• Serve as liaison with RN clinical documentation specialists and other departments.

Education

RHIA, RHIT CCS, and/or CPC credential from an accredited HIT/Management program

Tools

EPIC Health Information System

3M Encoder

MS-DRG/APR-DRG assignments

Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Certified Outpatient Coding Specialist codes and abstracts all pertinent patient medical information according to AHA ICD-10-CM/PCS and AMA CPT-4 Coding conventions, UHDDS guidelines and CMS directives. Completes data entry of abstracted inpatient/outpatient diagnosis and/or procedure codes to Network's health information system. Collaborates with the Health Information/Medical Records, Admissions and Finance departments to ensure appropriate flow of information.

Job duties and responsibilities

• Codes and abstracts diagnosis and procedure information from patient medical records according to AHA ICD-10-CM/PCS and AMA CPT-4 coding conventions, UHDDS and CMS guidelines and regulations
• Utilizes the 3M Encoder to verify and assign AHA ICD-10-CM/PCS and AMA CPT-4 codes, and MS-DRG/APR-DRG assignment
• Maintains 95% data quality coding accuracy rate as measured through quarterly department quality reviews
• Maintains daily productivity and turnaround times as outlined in Department's Performance Improvement plan
• Responsible for remaining up-to-date with knowledge of AHA ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM/PCS and AMA CPT-4 coding conventions, MS-DRG and APR-DRG principles and guidelines
• Maintains a working knowledge of prospective payment systems as it relates directly to coding process
• Participation in department and sectional meetings, education sessional sessions and workshops as scheduled
• Maintains working knowledge of clinical documentation improvement program and functions as liaison for RN clinical documentation specialists

Physiical and sensory demands

• Sitting for up to 7 hours per day, 3 hours at a time.
• Repetitive arm/finger use retrieving/viewing computerized patient medical record and abstracting of patient information.
• Extended periods of vision use for reviewing computerized patient records, abstracting of patient information, approximately 7 hours per day, 3 hours at a time.
• Hearing as it relates to normal conversation.

Education

• RHIA, RHIT CCS, and/or CPC from an accredited Health Information Technology or Management program.
• Will consider candidate with greater than 3 years experience in the coding field without coding credentials.
• If candidate is RHIA, RHIT, CCS and/or CPC eligible or possess no credentials, then candidate will be expected to obtain their AHIMA/AAPC credential within three years of hire date to retain position with St. Luke's University Health Network.

Training and experience

• Minimum 1 year demonstrated ICD-10-CM inpatient and/or outpatient coding experience in acute care, teaching setting.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology required.
• Previous experience with EPIC health information computerized patient record and 3M encoding system preferred.

Work schedule: Day shift but may require other hours as necessary. Weekend rotations.

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network's service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke's hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke's Children's Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare's five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World's Best Hospital. The Network's flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke's was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke's is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke's has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke's was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke's was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row.